Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 287

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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 287
Jang Han-chung—a man whose ordinary life had been transformed when he met Dokgo Myeong at Deungyongji, prompting him to enlist in the Cheonma Sect in search of something greater.
After joining Geum Seok-du’s unit, his thoughts had shifted considerably of late.
‘Why bother becoming a hero? I should just live according to my fate. Ordinariness seems to be the greatest thing.’
The catalyst for such thinking lay within the Cheonma Sect itself.
The Cheonma Sect was in disarray.
Not in the sense of being busy or chaotic, but rather as if everyone had genuinely abandoned something crucial in their minds.
“Invincible Cheonma Sect disciples! Who am I!”
“Dokgo Ak! Dokgo Ak! Dokgo Ak!”
“That’s right! This Dokgo Ak stands with you! What have I taught you!”
“Mouth! Mouth! Mouth!”
The Cheonma Sect’s training grounds.
Dokgo Ak’s unit faced a group of martial artists, their fervor—no, their fighting spirit ablaze.
The problem was that their opponents were not Jeongheol disciples or Moyong Family forces, the Cheonma Sect’s true enemies, but rather fellow Cheonma Sect members.
“You’re not actually going to lose to those brats, are you?”
“No, sir!”
Losing to those scrawny anchovies is unacceptable. Go and win.”
“Krahaha! Let’s go, you bastards!”
“Uahahaha!”
Cheolmu-baek’s unit members charged forward with boisterous laughter.
Two groups that, even with a hundred concessions, could never be mistaken for noble family warriors collided.
Kwaaaaaaang!
A thunderous crash erupted.
Why did it look like a back-alley brawl between Black Blade thugs and bandits?
“Godong-gu! You thick-headed bastard! It’s you again!”
“I warned you! That’s a name I’ve abandoned! I am Hang San-gwi!”
“Hang San-gwi my ass! Stop your bullshit, you turd!”
“Woman! Prepare yourself!”
Bang Dan-a and Hang San-gwi, nearly representatives of their respective units, clashed with each other.
The fight unfolded with Bang Dan-a mainly dodging and seeking openings, while Hang San-gwi swung his club with all his might as if demanding a single solid hit.
Jang Han-chung’s expression grew troubled.
‘They haven’t forgotten that they’re training with allies, not enemies, have they?’
Why did this unit only contain such people?
As Jang Han-chung shuddered at the thought, someone spoke to him.
“…Chung! Han-chung! What are you doing here? Why are you spacing out?”
“Ah, Un-rang. You’re awake. Are you alright?”
“I just blacked out for a moment, what’s the big deal?”
It was Yang Un-rang, the Cheonma Sect’s most handsome member.
He smiled brightly while tidying his hair.
‘As if passing out is just part of his daily routine… this guy’s condition is also pretty ba…’
Yang Un-rang’s unit, which belonged to Namgung Sohwa, trained in a remarkably sensible manner compared to other units.
However, the intensity of that training was anything but sensible.
Drawing and sheathing swords repeatedly throughout the day, repeating the forms of Jincheon Martial Arts ten thousand times, engaging in continuous sparring from dawn to dusk—it was no wonder they couldn’t maintain their sanity.
“Your eyes look strange. What’s wrong?”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I think I just lost focus for a moment because I’m tired.”
“Right, yesterday Geum Seok-du’s unit studied military treatises and formation tactics all night, didn’t they?”
“Ah, that was the morning curriculum.”
“The morning?”
“Until just now I was learning about poisons and mechanical techniques. I came out for some fresh air because I was getting drowsy.”
“Until just now? Weren’t we talking about yesterday?”
“I’ve been up all night. No wonder I’m drowsy… What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing. Keep it up.”
“…?”
Yang Un-rang patted Jang Han-chung on the shoulder.
Jang Han-chung, whose mood had soured, blinked his eyes.
“Anyway, what are you staring at so intently? It’s not like you’re seeing training for the first time.”
“Ah, it’s just… I was thinking I should work harder too.”
Jang Han-chung gave a vague excuse. He couldn’t possibly tell his friend, who had trained to the point of collapse, about his own resolution to just aim for the middle and take it easy.
Yet Yang Un-rang seemed to accept his words at face value.
“Haha! I understand the feeling.”
“You do?”
“Watching something like that makes my hands itch to join in. I used to hate anything difficult, but lately I feel this burning sensation in my chest.”
Burning in his chest?
‘Isn’t that a sign of illness?’
It seemed this friend’s condition was also becoming abnormal.
“….”
Soon the two sat side by side, observing the daily routines of the Cheonma Sect disciples.
Thud thud.
Thump.
At that moment, Jin-sa, who had come from an assassin background, silently approached and sat beside them.
Daggers and arrows were embedded here and there in his night clothes. When he glanced over, something dark was fluttering back and forth beneath the eaves of the Cheonma Sect hall.
Without even asking, it was clear what was happening. Jang Han-chung and Yang Un-rang offered him silent sympathy.
“Kuhaha! They’re truly strong!”
“Their strength is really incredible!”
Before long, the two units that had finished training were now linking arms with each other, as if their desperate struggle moments before had never happened.
At the entrance, military commander Moryong Sohgyo was directing workers to install some mysterious mechanical device, while from inside the hall, the curses of Overseer Jo Ryang-ui could be heard faintly.
Suddenly Jang Han-chung opened his mouth.
“This is…”
“…a complete mess.”
Yang Un-rang continued his thought.
Jin-sa nodded silently in agreement.
It was just another ordinary day at the Cheonma Sect.
‘Still, how much things have changed.’
‘When I think about it, not much time has passed at all.’
Everyone fell into contemplation.
The Cheonma Sect had been established barely a year ago.
In that time, there had been tremendous progress. It was almost unbelievable how much we had grown.
Honestly, it felt rewarding.
Naturally, fatigue faded away and determination surged forth.
“Alright then! I’ll head back to training as well.”
“I’ll go check the Medical Hall first.”
After a brief rest, Yang Un-rang departed with his spear across his shoulder, while Jin-sa limped away.
“….”
Jang Han-chung continued surveying the Cheonma Sect grounds.
He knew that all this rewarding effort was ultimately for the coming war.
Jang Han-chung murmured to himself.
“…I wonder if it’s started by now.”
The landscape of the Cheonma grounds appeared ordinary, but in truth, one thing was missing.
Dokgo Myeong, the Cheonma Sect Leader.
Today, their commander was attending the Baekgak Council Meeting.
It was to issue a declaration of war against the Moyong Family.
* * *
“Haven’t you been pushing yourself too hard lately? I heard you barely sleep and just work all the time?”
“I sleep just fine, don’t I? Work is just what my subordinates do anyway.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and walked alongside Dokgo Jo-hak.
On the path leading to the main residence, the Sect Leaders of Baekgak and key figures from the main family were gathering one by one.
“The final Baekgak Council Meeting… So things have come this far.”
“What are you talking about? Suddenly getting sentimental?”
“It’s just hitting me now, as you say.”
Then, a person walking beside them spoke up.
“If something has already begun, there’s no reason to hesitate. Be bold.”
It was none other than Dokgo Wi-hak. He too was attending the meeting as the Saheon Sect Leader.
“Elder Brother, you’ve raised a truly remarkable son.”
“Don’t you know? Children grow on their own.”
“That’s true.”
Dokgo Jo-hak let out a bitter smile.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and spoke.
“It was bound to happen anyway. Don’t worry unnecessarily and just handle matters well.”
“Don’t worry. Have I ever made a mistake in matters? More importantly, you—please! Please! Just stay calm and composed at this council meeting!”
“Hehe, I do know when and where to act appropriately.”
“Stop spouting nonsense. You?”
“….”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s voice rang out sharply.
“Answer me! Whether it’s during the council meeting or when meeting someone privately, you nod your head unconditionally and say yes, understood?”
“Ah, if people saw this, they’d think I was….”
“Got it or not?”
“I said I got it.”
Truly, I couldn’t understand why the people around me didn’t trust me.
I genuinely intended to end this quietly.
As much as possible, anyway.
* * *
The Baekgak Council meeting had begun.
Though I had entered this great hall countless times before, an unprecedented coldness permeated the air.
The first thing visible was the empty seat of the Sect Leader.
One step below sat Overseer Wi Baek, and to his left and right were the Outer Hall Master and the Elder Council Leader, followed in succession by the Sect Leaders of Baekgak and other key figures from the main house, all seated in their places.
“…I shall commence the council meeting.”
With Wi Baek’s words, the meeting began.
They say too many boatmen steer the ship toward the mountains. But when those boatmen put their heads together, the story changed.
All preparations were already complete; what remained was merely final confirmation.
Unlike usual, numerous words were exchanged within the meeting hall, yet no one objected or presented new opinions.
Thus came the proclamation from Wi Baek’s lips.
“The Moyong clan, claiming descent from the ancient royal bloodline, has abandoned righteousness and cast aside loyalty.”
Wi Baek read the proclamation calmly.
“As a distinguished house of long standing, they have not merely turned away from the virtues their ancestors built, but have joined hands with heretical disciples and accumulated wickedness….”
“….”
“Though we demanded proper atonement, they abandoned even that and displayed shameless conduct.”
“….”
“Therefore, in accordance with the laws of the martial realm and the banner of righteous chivalry, the Dokgo Household declares that it shall punish the evil ways of the Moyong Family.”
Each word would spread across the realm and herald the beginning of a chaotic age, and within those spaces, the blood spilled in war would stain the margins.
War begins with these few lines of text.
“As Inner Sect Leader, I shall appoint the Commander-in-Chief to lead the war against the Moyong Family under the Sect Leader’s authority. Outer Hall Master Dokgo Un-hak, receive the Sect Leader’s mandate and the Ministry of War.”
It was the predetermined order for the martial might of the greatest house under heaven to fall into the hands of the main house’s supreme master, the Sword King.
“I humbly accept and shall devote my life as a loyal blade to this undertaking.”
Dokgo Un-hak would become the blade to sever Moyong’s neck and the spear to pierce their heart.
“I, Wi Baek, and Alliance Leader Dokgo Hwi-hwa shall handle the rear command, supplies, and other matters.”
The rear would be managed by Wi Baek and the Elder Council Leader. No one doubted the capabilities of those two.
“The primary battlefields will be the Gangseong region and the depths of Jeolgang.”
“We must press forward swiftly and conclude before winter arrives. The conflict must not be prolonged.”
“The difference in military strength is obvious, so there is no reason for it to drag on. From each Baekgak….”
Thus the council meeting continued.
Everyone predicted victory.
The Dokgo Household—a great noble family commanding hundreds of masters and thousands of martial artists, like the ancient feudal lords of old.
The Moyong Family, which had lost its prestige, suffered severed relations from various quarters, and had even been sealed away until recently.
Wealth, legitimacy, public opinion, the number of masters, military strength… everything was overwhelmingly in their favor.
“If anyone has further words to speak, please do so without reservation.”
“Ah, there is one thing I wish to ask.”
At that moment, an elderly sect leader with deeply wrinkled features voiced the question everyone else had deliberately avoided.
“Has the Household Lord still not made contact?”
It was Eon Yeop-pyeong, the Household Lord of the Eon Family, who served as the head of the meritorious officials.
“Those who need to know already do, so there is little point in concealing it. Currently, the Household Lord has departed on a journey accompanied only by the Black Dragon Sect Leader and has yet to return.”
A subtle unease rippled through the great hall.
Dokgo Cheon carried a weight in the Dokgo Household comparable to that of a god. Even without him, the Dokgo Household would remain supreme under heaven, but his presence or absence made an enormous difference.
“Yet I heard he occasionally sent word through Cheon I-gak. Is it true that there has been no recent news?”
“Contact and information can only be obtained if he wishes it. Since this will be a lengthy journey, his final message was not to be overly concerned.”
“Truly, he has always been unfathomable. Indeed, even if he were present, he would likely offer no remarks.”
Eon Yeop-pyeong spoke thus with a bitter smile, trailing off.
In the end, Dokgo Cheon never returned to the household before the war began.
Recently, even his general whereabouts had become unknowable. Lee Seong-cheon had often received information through Cheon I-gak, but there had been no word for several months.
“This war was the dream he had long cherished, and at last it has begun.”
Then Dokgo Un-hak spoke calmly.
All eyes in the great hall turned toward him.
“Our task from this moment forward is merely to conduct this war with composure and make the name of our main house known throughout all the realm.”
“Hmm…”
“Even without the Household Lord, we are the supreme family under heaven. There is no reason we should lose to merely the Moyong Family and… those mysterious fanatics allied with them.”
“Well spoken.”
“Truly, a fitting remark.”
A subtle stirring of emotion swept through the assembly.
Even without the Household Lord, the Dokgo Household was supreme under heaven.
On the surface, his words seemed to hint at disloyalty toward the Household Lord, yet this was precisely what Dokgo Cheon desired.
“Now I shall explain the military organization. We shall divide into right and left armies to attack Zhejiang. As for the Moyong Family…”
At last, war had truly begun.
Under Dokgo Un-hak, two great corps were formed.
‘Yes, so it flows in this direction after all.’
Dokgo Myeong watched the proceedings unfold with narrowed eyes.
It proceeds well. It proceeds well.
‘Do they truly believe the fighting will end in mere months?’
From listening to the plans, I understood. They were truly anticipating a martial world conflict.
Even the meticulous Outer Hall Master and the Elder Council Leader thought the same?
‘So they spoke thus and traveled about, yet nothing has changed.’
Just as the meeting was drawing to a close.
“Cheonma Sect Leader.”
Dokgo Un-hak, who had assumed the position of Left Minister of the main household, called out to Dokgo Myeong.
“I intend to organize a strike force with you and your five subordinate commanders as its heads. The primary mission would be the assassination of enemy leaders and….”
“I appreciate the offer, but I must decline.”
Dokgo Myeong answered without hesitation.

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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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