Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 280

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 280
“You sent troops to him?”
“I did.”
At Muyong Tae’s response, Jimeol Magoon shook his head with a wry smile and lifted his teacup.
“It seems you’ve made use of our intelligence.”
“Did you come to hold that against me?”
“How could I? We’re already in the same boat, comrades.”
Jimeol Magoon smiled broadly.
Muyong Tae spoke, pulling his lips from the teacup.
“I heard the conspirators hidden within the Hwangbo Family were dealt with.”
Jimeol Magoon exhaled a long sigh.
“So you’ve heard that too. I knew he was an unpredictable man, but who could have anticipated him appearing at the Hwangbo Family so suddenly?”
“I also heard the schemes against the Three Great Families came to nothing. Surely this won’t hinder our grand enterprise?”
“That is no concern. The overall situation will not be affected.”
….
“By the way, I heard you sent the Baekheolgwi.”
The Baekheolgwi. After the Moyong Family’s covert assassins were annihilated by Dokgo Myeong, they were created through a joint venture with the Jeongheol Sect—assassins of the highest caliber.
Muyong Tae responded with composure.
“Is there a problem?”
“No problem at all. Though they are half our sect members, they ultimately belong to the Moyong Family, do they not? I merely wished to understand your reasoning.”
“I’ve come to realize that threatening him with force only results in losses.”
“I could have sworn I told you not to provoke him.”
“I won’t provoke him. I’ll merely have a conversation.”
“A conversation?”
Jimeol Magoon’s expression grew puzzled, then he let out a laugh.
Muyong Tae regarded him.
“What is it?”
“Amitabha Buddha. It seems our Moyong Family Leader’s cultivation has finally deepened.”
“If you’re going to spout nonsense, you can leave now.”
“Hehe.”
Despite the utterly rude outburst, Jimeol Magoon’s smile carried not the slightest displeasure—even a hint of benevolence.
“Not long ago, merely hearing his name would set you into a rage. How did you suddenly come to think of having a conversation with him?”
“As I said, I realized there’s no need to fight him.”
“No need to fight? Now, of all times?”
Muyong Tae responded calmly.
“If our interests align, we can settle it through a deal. There’s no reason to needlessly antagonize each other.”
“Yet you sent the Baekheolgwi?”
“What are you trying to say?”
Muyong Tae furrowed his brow, as if confused.
At that subtle reaction, Jimeol Magoon smiled enigmatically and shook his head repeatedly.
“It is nothing. Do not concern yourself.”
Jimeol Magoon brought the teacup to his lips while observing Muyong Tae.
They say that thought dwells within words.
Did he realize? That collapse had occurred in his own words, his own thoughts?
‘To be reborn anew, one must tear down the old. At last, it approaches completion.’
Jimeol Magoon’s smile deepened.
The instability of the Muyong Gaju’s hanging technique, the Tri-Extreme Return to Origin Divine Art, had been filled in.
‘And then there is Baekheolgwi.’
They were replacements for the hidden assassins, but since the Black Bloodfiend had personally intervened, their caliber was considerable.
In his eyes, which had observed countless disciples, Baekheolgwi’s handling of affairs was most satisfactory. The methods of the hidden assassins, which spared neither means nor method, were suffused with the faith of the blood sect followers.
Yet to send such individuals and then engage in conversation and negotiation?
‘Perhaps better results might emerge than from confronting him with force.’
That opponent was no longer an existence to be dealt with through assassination or ambush.
Without preparing a perfect stage and crushing him with overwhelming force, it would be difficult to kill him or capture him alive.
‘After all, to topple a hero, one must test not the body but the spirit.’
In any case, Dokgo Myeong could not be left alone and required continued pursuit and observation.
It was somewhat wasteful to sacrifice Baekheolgwi, but there was nothing wrong with it.
Jimeol Magoon smiled and opened his mouth.
“Once the matter is concluded, could you share the details with me?”
“Why?”
“I find myself quite anticipating it.”
Jimeol Magoon’s eyes shed a cold light.
* * *
Higher up the mountain path.
Ilgwi, the leader of Baekheolgwi, was genuinely astonished.
‘Utterly incomprehensible.’
Merely standing opposite him, one could feel a martial force so intense the skin seemed to peel away.
Such martial power at that age. He had already deviated from the righteous path itself.
Was it a matter of talent and effort? That was laughable.
Why would the word “achievement” be used in martial arts? Was it not because one must accumulate merit like stacking stones, layer upon layer through the years?
‘And yet… his technique is infinitely free, deep and vast besides.’
It would make more sense if he were a disguised demon or a master of the previous generation who had undergone reincarnation.
Whoosh!
A threatening resonance emanated from the steel-iron heavy sword brimming with inner force.
Dokgo Myeong dismounted and stood tall.
With the steel-iron heavy sword extended long like a spear, his momentum was no different from that of a general who had achieved the feat of one against a thousand.
Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth.
“Old man.”
“Speak.”
“You do not believe that the encirclement we have not yet entered is what you rely upon, do you?”
A brilliant cyan gleam flashed across Dokgo Myeong’s eyes as Hyocheon Qi surged through him.
“….”
Ilgwi observed Dokgo Myeong carefully.
Just as he had said, Dokgo Myeong and Namgung Sohwa had not yet entered the encirclement. They remained outside the perimeter, with only a single hill ahead separating them from the trap.
‘Truly, a beast-like instinct.’
There was no way he could perceive the situation dozens of zhang away through mere qi sensing—it could only be called instinct.
“That cannot be. We are well aware that the martial power capable of felling the main family’s poison master and poison expert is beyond our station. Even caught in an encirclement, you would slip free with ease.”
“At least you understand your position.”
Whinnnnny!
Perhaps responding to Dokgo Myeong’s killing intent.
Even the fine steed trembled in fear, rearing up.
“But if you wanted to die, you should have buried your face in a plate alone. Why block my path by appearing before me?”
“As I said, to have a conversation. We do not wish for conflict.”
“Do you know something?”
“What do you mean?”
“Blacktooth Poison Fist. He said the same thing before he died.”
The air around them seemed to freeze in an instant.
Ilgwi’s throat convulsed. He swallowed involuntarily.
He forced an awkward smile and spoke.
“Merely standing before you makes my legs tremble. But we are different from him. He foolishly challenged you to combat, did he not?”
“…?”
“I truly have no intention of fighting. Please show mercy. I came knowing full well that we cannot defeat the Sohyeop, even in battle.”
Rustle!
Suddenly, the undergrowth stirred.
Despite having an enemy before him, Dokgo Myeong’s gaze naturally shifted in that direction.
Namgung Sohwa beside him turned her eyes as well.
“….”
“…!”
Both their expressions changed.
Dokgo Myeong’s face hardened rigidly, while Namgung Sohwa’s expression contorted sharply.
“Hehe.”
Ilgwi let out a laugh. As both their gazes returned to him, he lowered his body in a bow.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am called Ilgwi, and I serve as the leader of the Baekheolgwi. It is an honor to meet the renowned Chammadaejoo.”
“Baekheolgwi?”
“Indeed. Do you perhaps remember the Shadow Assassins you destroyed in Shenxi? We have inadvertently filled the void they left behind.”
The pale-faced old man performed a respectful bow, even taking the fist salute.
Dokgo Myeong let out a derisive snort.
“Cockroaches. I crush them whenever I see them, yet they keep breeding.”
“If I have offended you, I apologize. I should not have introduced myself.”
Ilgwi bowed once more.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes grew progressively colder and more rigid.
“Before we begin our proper conversation, I have a gift for you.”
Ilgwi suddenly gestured to the side.
“Consider it a declaration of my willingness not to fight and a gesture of sincerity. You seem to have already sensed something, but I hope you will accept it.”
Rustle!
The brush moved once more, and people emerged from within.
They were not Baekheolgwi. Nor were they members of the Blood Sect.
“Oh, Mom….”
“Shh, shush! You have to be quiet!”
They were an ordinary mother and daughter clinging tightly to each other.
And directly behind them stood a pale-faced young man who appeared to be one of Baekheolgwi’s members.
Dokgo Myeong looked back at Ilgwi and asked.
“…Are they hostages?”
“Indeed. I shall release them. Ah, do not act rashly. These are truly ordinary commoners.”
The young man pushed the mother and daughter forward.
They stumbled forward, trembling. From how long they had gone without food and water, their complexions were pallid.
“Please step back. You are safe now.”
Namgung Sohwa hastily dismounted and extended her hand toward the mother and daughter.
But the woman startled and pulled her daughter’s head tightly against her.
“Ah….”
Fear and anxiety filled the eyes of those who gazed upon Namgung Sohwa.
Namgung Sohwa withdrew her extended hand and clenched her fist tightly.
“Now, you withdraw again.”
The Baekheolgwi member who had brought the mother and daughter disappeared without a word.
Ilgwi smiled faintly and spoke again.
“From now on, each time you listen to my story, I shall release the hostages.”
Dokgo Myeong closed his eyes slowly, then opened them and spoke in a voice devoid of emotion.
“Why should I?”
“…?”
“These hostages have no connection to me whatsoever. Have you not considered that I might simply kill you without caring for them?”
“Ah, I forgot to mention the most important thing.”
“What?”
“These people are not entirely unrelated to you.”
Ilgwi suddenly turned his gaze toward the mother and daughter and spoke.
“You two, would you tell these people your names?”
“W-why would you ask for our names….”
“If you tell them, I shall release the other person unharmed.”
“…!”
The trembling woman forced her mouth open with great effort.
“M-my name is… G-Geum So-ran.”
“…Geum?”
Namgung Sohwa’s expression hardened.
Ilgwi smiled broadly.
“Dokgo Myeong, Alliance Leader. Surely you have someone bearing the Geum surname among your subordinates?”
“….”
“His only sister and brother-in-law eluded us due to interference from Cheon I-gak and Gae-bang. Quite impressive efforts, I must say. However, we were fortunate enough to locate his relatives. Upon examining the family records, this person here is Punggeok’s aunt, and that child appears to be his cousin. Ah, the uncle by marriage shall be released shortly.”
“….”
“The others are similar. Either they had connections with the Alliance Leader, or they were entangled with someone under your command… It was quite troublesome to locate them all.”
Ilgwi lowered his body once more as he spoke.
“Shall I proceed to the main matter now?”
* * *
Ilgwi represented the Muyong Gaju’s position. It was what Blacktooth Poison Fist had originally intended to convey, his true purpose.
“The Gaju said he would let old grievances flow away with water. While war cannot be prevented, he believes the relationship with the Alliance Leader can certainly be restored.”
Several commoners moved toward us.
“What does that mean?”
“All you need do is make one concession. Then the Gaju will pay any price whatsoever… truly any price at all.”
Another group of commoners shifted over.
Familiar faces. I recalled seeing them at an inn somewhere before.
“Here is the proof of that.”
Ilgwi withdrew something from his breast.
“A blank order with only the seal impressed upon it. Since it bears the Gaju’s personal seal, anything can be written upon it.”
“You expect me to trust a mere scrap of paper?”
“If you wish, the Gaju will make the journey himself.”
This time, trembling small children were brought forward.
Dokgo Myeong observed them from the corner of his eye.
They appeared far too young to even understand right from wrong.
Dokgo Myeong suddenly recalled his own childhood. Most memories before age ten were hazy. How old were these children?
“The Gaju’s proposal is that you may write whatever you desire for the main family. Truly, anything at all.”
“Then what if my condition is that all Moyong Family martial artists immediately disarm and surrender?”
“Ah, that would be far too unreasonable a request, I’m afraid.”
Just as Dokgo Myeong was about to snort derisively and retort, Ilgwi’s words continued.
“However, if the main family has a master you wish to kill, we can deliver that head.”
“…What did you just say?”
“Even if they are a principal master, it matters not. If you provide a list excluding the Gaju and the Elder Council Leader, we shall sever ten heads for you.”
What I had meant as mockery, yet from Ilgwi’s lips came an absurd proposition.
Ten principal masters.
By sect standards, they were Elders; by family standards, they were the venerable elders whose heads would be severed.
“If you wish, we can also provide two or three units of the main family’s brigade-scale forces. Or alternatively, we can vacate several strongholds in Zhejiang.”
“You’ve lost your mind. Speak something believable.”
“I am merely relaying what the Gaju has instructed me to say.”
“….”
My instinct, honed by countless encounters, remained calm. This man was speaking the truth.
The head of an entire family was offering to hand over key figures from his own clan.
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle and asked.
“And what are your conditions?”
Ilgwi exhaled a short breath as if finally relieved, then spoke.
“At last, we can have a proper conversation.”
Several more hostages were brought forward.
“Our conditions are simple.”
He raised his hand, pointing toward Dokgo Myeong.
No—looking more carefully, his fingertip was actually angled slightly to the side of Dokgo Myeong.
“The person standing there: the young lady of the Namgung Family, and her safety.”
“….”
“Furthermore, the martial techniques and secret manuals of the Namgung Family’s foundational cultivation method that she has learned. Ah, wait. Do not misunderstand.”
Ilgwi quickly raised his hand, cutting off Dokgo Myeong before he could speak.
“There is no need to send her to our main family, and her life will not be endangered. We can meet at a location of your choosing, with your forces present. An hour should be sufficient.”
A deep smile played at the corners of Ilgwi’s mouth.
“What will you do?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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