Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 292

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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 292
Though there were occasional retreats, ultimately the Dokgo Household had achieved successive victories.
Without Dokgo Un-hak ever taking the field personally, Namchang—the provincial capital of Kangseong—now lay within sight.
And before it, the Dokgo Household came to a halt.
Pitter-patter-patter!
The sound of midsummer rain fell upon them.
Dokgo Un-hak, who had been gazing at the rain-laden sky lost in thought, turned his head.
“Victory is already half-assured. Send our forces northward into Anhui to strike from the flank.”
“Strike Namchang directly! Is it not said that the Moyong Family’s elite martial forces are gathering there? If we simply overwhelm them in a frontal assault, the Moyong Family will lose all capacity to recover!”
“But… something feels amiss. No matter how I consider it, why would the Moyong Family resort to such hasty, repetitive defensive measures?”
“Precisely. According to the documents that Young Master Dokgo Myeong distributed previously—”
“Must you continue spouting such shallow remarks!”
“Why do we keep bringing up that absurd document?!”
Behind them, a heated debate was in full swing.
Then, someone spoke up.
“It seems the Left Commander should provide some guidance.”
“General-in-Chief.”
It appears our disputes alone will not yield an answer.”
It was Shin Heum, who served as the Chief Military Officer overseeing the military affairs department in this war. Like one who had distinguished himself as a strategist in the Elder Council, he was assisting Dokgo Un-hak with remarkable insight and capability.
Dokgo Un-hak asked.
“What is the current count of enemy forces we have eliminated?”
“Shall I provide the complete accounting?”
“Give me only what needs to be fixed in my mind.”
Shin Heum unrolled a bamboo slip and spoke.
“Excluding the various branches and divisions, I shall speak of the direct forces of the main house. Beginning with the Iron Snake Three Armies, the Iron Sword House—which was the Moyong Family’s allied faction—the Demon Slayer Corps…”
“…”
“Among the masters of note are those called the Ten-Thousand Sword Master Muyong Yeong-yeong, the Heavenly Net Sword Muyong Yun-bang, and among those captured…”
“Enough. I understand.”
Dokgo Un-hak waved his hand.
“We’ve captured quite a number, then.”
“Yes, the number of those captured is approaching three hundred.”
“Have the enemy’s main forces shown themselves?”
“The Qiankun Sect, one of the Six Heavens that form the Moyong Family’s core, has appeared in various places, but reports indicate they do not prolong engagements and withdraw quickly.”
One of the commanders murmured.
“Is not the Qiankun Sect the place where the Demon Suppression Corps Master and the Hidden Source are entangled?”
“It seems they intend to obtain the Qiankun Sword.”
It was a famous tale that Dokgo Myeong had taken the life of the Qiankun Sect Master at Dengyongji and seized the Qiankun Sword.
“It appears they are trying to confirm whether the Demon Suppression Corps Master has truly not taken the field. It does not seem to be a movement with hidden intent.”
Dokgo Un-hak nodded.
“Then not a single one of the Six Heavens has properly engaged in this war yet?”
“That is… yes, it is so.”
The Dokgo Household’s martial forces were mostly uniform in level, so there was no distinct group that could be called the main force.
If I had to mention it, there was the Envoy Corps, but the Black Dragon Corps only followed the Household Head’s orders, and the White Tiger Corps fell under Dokgo Myeong’s command, becoming virtually meaningless.
Conversely, the Moyong Family possessed what could be called elite units—specifically, six martial corps known as the Six Thousand Corps.
“In other words, the enemy has been conserving their forces all this time.”
“It cannot be viewed so simply. The losses the enemy has suffered are far too great to dismiss them as merely discarded pawns, are they not?”
After a long pause, Dokgo Un-hak finally spoke.
“General. Do you believe victory will be secured if we simply break through Namchang?”
“Conversely, if we fail to eliminate the masters gathered at Namchang, we risk being outflanked. We must break through at all costs.”
“What of the possibility of a trap?”
Shin Heum, grasping the intent behind those words, fell silent for a moment.
“You suspect they might use it as a death stone?”
“The blunders the Moyong have displayed trouble me. Their victories are considerable, yet something feels amiss.”
Tap, tap, tap.
In the silence, the sound of Dokgo Un-hak’s index finger tapping the table mingled with the patter of rain.
With but a few words from him, countless lives would hang in the balance.
Tap.
Soon, Dokgo Un-hak ceased and opened his mouth.
“We shall withdraw one step and reorganize our positions.”
“…”
“…”
Silence descended once more.
Dokgo Un-hak’s voice continued.
“Better to become a coward than to fall into arrogance and defeat ourselves. Let us rest here for now.”
“This may grant the Moyong Family time to prepare.”
“Or it may prove to be foresight that avoids a trap.”
“…”
“Listen well, all of you. We face only the Moyong Family’s forces at present. Do not lose your senses to the intoxication of victory. There is one more enemy.”
The Jeongheol Sect.
They had yet to reveal themselves.
Dokgo Un-hak did not regard the Jeongheol Sect with the same caution as Dokgo Myeong, yet he was not so careless as to strike an unseen enemy from his calculations.
“For now, we shall leave Namchang be. Focus more effort on reconnaissance, and allow each martial corps to rest.”
Dokgo Un-hak had made a wise decision.
To doubt the enemy, to avoid arrogance, and to proceed with caution.
Yet it came too late.
Already, the Dokgo Household’s forces had penetrated far too deeply into enemy territory.
And the very next day after the decision to reorganize their positions was made.
“A messenger from our allies!”
Splash!
A warrior, drenched from the rain, stumbled into the tent, gasping for breath.
“What’s happened?”
“S-sir, an epidemic is spreading through the right flank!”
“…!”
“At first it seemed like a simple cold, but something is terribly wrong.”
“Explain in detail!”
“Among those whose internal energy has weakened, some are showing symptoms of dizziness and blood in their vomit. It’s spreading rapidly!”
“Are you saying it’s a contagious disease?”
The timing was unfortunate.
While it was common for epidemics to arrive with the rain, weren’t they all martial artists who had cultivated their inner energy?
“Send word immediately! Dispatch reinforcements! The right flank has penetrated too deep—they must withdraw from the front lines….”
That wasn’t the end of it.
“Urgent report!”
“What now?!”
“The Phoenix Guard has been completely annihilated!”
“What?!”
Chaos erupted in the command center.
Until now, the Dokgo Household had achieved victory after victory.
The enemy was now preparing to reclaim their losses many times over.
The complete annihilation of the Phoenix Guard—a unit that was part of the main family’s envoy corps and led by a master of the Ascending Realm—was only the beginning.
* * *
It had happened a day earlier.
Dokgo Sang-un, commander of the Phoenix Guard and a collateral blood relative of the Dokgo Household who served as part of the envoy corps, discovered a village after finishing a fierce battle.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“There’s no need for such gratitude. We came to rescue you from the clutches of the Moyong Family.”
The villagers’ condition was pitiful. From what they heard, the Moyong Family had even plundered this remote mountain village to supply their war effort.
The injured and starving commoners wept at the sight of them, pouring out their suffering.
‘Such wretched scoundrels. Exploiting innocent people!’
Among them were children.
Dokgo Sang-un approached a trembling child and gently stroked her head as he spoke.
“It’s alright now. We’ll bring a physician soon, so don’t worry.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Of course.”
Though exhausted from the fierce battle, I couldn’t ignore the suffering of these commoners.
The Phoenix Guard members scattered throughout the village, tending to and treating the villagers.
Then came a certain moment.
“Here, please have some water. I just drew it from the well, so it should be refreshing.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“This is a rice cake made with pine nuts—please have it as a snack.”
“No, there’s no need for such kindness… Hehe, I’ll accept it gratefully.”
The villagers treated the Phoenix Guard warmly. Of course, Dokgo Sang-un had considered the possibility of danger.
“Have everyone check everything they eat with silver needles for poison.”
“But, my lord, they’re just ordinary commoners….”
“One can never be too careful.”
I took such precautions thoroughly.
Until an incident occurred shortly after, I believed that would be sufficient.
“Gasp!”
Thud!
Suddenly, one of the Phoenix Guards collapsed.
In the bewildered gaze of Dokgo Sang-un, I saw a guard with a blade pierced through his chest and a small child whose hands were drenched in blood.
“…?”
All of the Phoenix Guard stood frozen, doubting their own eyes. That child was the very same grimy little one I had patted on the head just moments before.
From that moment, the expressions of the village residents suddenly changed.
“Wait, hold on!”
“What is the meaning of this!”
The child was not the end of it.
The village residents all let out bizarre chants as they attacked the Phoenix Guards.
“The true path transcends worldly attachment!”
“Only through Jeongheol shall this martial realm find salvation!”
Some women drew short blades from their garments and rushed forward, while others suddenly spewed poison from their mouths.
“It’s a trap! They’re enemies—don’t panic and respond quickly!”
Boom!!
Explosives? Had they really prepared explosives as well?
The battle did not last long.
They were merely shabby villagers who had never even learned martial arts.
“The true path transcends… worldly….”
“….”
Even as the child who appeared barely literate coughed up blood, he continued to mutter that eerie chant.
Dokgo Sang-un asked with a grave expression.
“How many did we lose?”
“S-seventeen, sir. The water and food we provided were poisoned as well….”
“Didn’t you check with the silver needles?”
“These foolish men were watching the villagers’ faces and simply put the food in their mouths without checking.”
Dokgo Sang-un let out a sigh that sounded like resignation.
“…First, collect the bodies.”
“What about the village residents?”
“Leave them. Why would we bother disposing of the enemy’s corpses? Let them become food for wild beasts.”
A heavy atmosphere settled over us.
We had not fallen in glorious combat, but rather at the hands of villagers who knew not even the most basic martial techniques.
Moreover, because killing such villagers had been far too easy, the bitter taste in our mouths was all the more pronounced.
“What on earth were these people?”
“…The Jeongheol Sect. They seem to be those fanatics I’ve only heard rumors about.”
“What in the world are they that these powerless villagers would throw their lives away to martial artists?”
“….”
Dokgo Sang-un didn’t know either.
And had he known, he should have fled immediately.
But they had already made a fatal mistake born of ignorance.
First, they had to abandon the corpses. Even if they were the bodies of comrades.
Second, they needed to understand what it meant that enemies were waiting for them.
By the time they had painfully finished dealing with the bodies.
Dokgo Sang-un suddenly startled and lifted his head.
“…!”
The slopes surrounding the village were packed with people.
And from among that crowd, an old man stepped forward.
“You’ve gone through much trouble. Did you enjoy my gift?”
“…State your name.”
Dokgo Sang-un gripped his sword.
The old man removed his bamboo hat and bowed respectfully.
“I am the Heukhyeol Singgun of the Jeongheol Sect. It seems my gift proved quite effective.”
“Singgun? Could you be the one I’ve only heard whispers of…!”
The old man wearing the bamboo hat, the Black Bloodfiend, shook his head with displeasure.
“The secret is no longer a secret. This too must be the fault of that abominable Dokgo Myeong.”
The Black Bloodfiend entered the battlefield.
The Phoenix Guard, exhausted from fierce combat and manipulated by assassins without rest, could not mount proper resistance.
The Jeongheol Sect had finally revealed itself.
Catastrophic casualties followed from all directions.
* * *
I was cautious, and cautious again.
Yet the Beoncheun Melsadae ultimately encountered them.
Shlick!
Dokgo Yeon’s spear was pulled from the Jeongheol cultist’s body.
She turned to face the Beoncheun Melsadae members with a hardened expression.
“Ambush! Prepare yourselves!”
“Wh, what is this….”
All the unit members couldn’t hide their bewilderment.
“These bastards went to the inn after I told them not to!”
“I, I apologize! But it was truly only a moment….”
“Shut up and stay alert!”
“Haven’t we already dealt with all of them?”
“These are bait!”
Dokgo Yeon’s gaze turned upward.
Shwiiiiiiik!
The sky darkened and clouded over.
An arrow barrage. They’d launched the arrows the moment the bait was all dead.
The instant I gripped my spear tightly to shake them off, I saw small pouches dangling from the arrows.
‘Poison…!’
A tactic to prevent easy deflection.
These meticulously vicious bastards!
“Don’t break them or drop them—evade! We’re pulling back for now!”
I gnashed my teeth and shouted.
Kwaaaang!
In that instant, the ground in the direction we were running collapsed with a deafening boom.
Gunpowder? Thunder pellets?
No. That wouldn’t produce such a blast.
‘Cannons!’
These mad bastards actually deployed cannons.
I never even saw the enemy’s face. I could only scramble about frantically, watching all directions.
Arrows, poison, cannons.
I began to doubt whether I was truly in the martial world anymore. How could this possibly be called a martial confrontation?
Thud!
“Gack!”
One of my Melsadae Members died right before my eyes.
Someone I’d shared hardship and joy with, an arrow lodged in his back.
‘His only mistake was going to an inn to buy food.’
It was infuriating.
A subordinate had apparently bought hot broth in the middle of the night because it smelled good, and this was the price for that single act?
“Everyone stay sharp and retreat! Cover your faces with cloth to avoid inhaling poison, and get the charcoal powder out! Leave the dead for now—we’ll recover them later!”
At least I’d prepared thoroughly for contingencies.
After a chaotic retreat, my disciples finally broke through the encirclement.
“Enemy forces! We’ve finally encountered enemy troops!”
How absurd. To be relieved at seeing people instead of arrows.
“What a curse, heh.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
Figures radiating crimson blood energy were converging on us.
Their numbers were vast.
Overwhelmingly vast.
Countless Blood Sect disciples were surrounding us from the mountainside beyond the road.
“…Everyone, stay alert. This day is shaping up to be dreadfully long.”
So that bastard Dokgo Myeong was right after all.
There was only one consolation in this situation….
Now this cursed battlefield had no choice but to summon Dokgo Myeong.

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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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