Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 3

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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 3
On the path leading to the Gaju Hall.
The Black Dragon Sect Leader tilted his head slightly to the side.
‘If I recall Young Master Myeong’s usual temperament, I would have expected him to rush after me with great fuss.’
The Black Dragon Sect Leader observed Dokgo Myeong from head to toe.
Dokgo Myeong followed him with an indifferent expression, surveying the surrounding landscape.
His gait was light, as if he were merely taking a stroll. Normally, he would have hunched his shoulders and first checked the Sect Leader’s expression, but the current Dokgo Myeong showed no signs of intimidation or tension whatsoever.
‘He’s even more composed than Young Master Ak.’
Before visiting Dokgo Myeong, the Black Dragon Sect Leader had first stopped by Dokgo Ak.
Unlike Dokgo Myeong, who had left without hesitation, Dokgo Ak had panicked and rushed to find his father first.
‘Has he changed?’
The Black Dragon Sect Leader’s eyes gleamed for a moment as he regarded Dokgo Ak.
That was when it happened.
“Wait.”
Someone blocked the path.
A middle-aged man with irritably raised eyebrows and a young boy whose face was badly swollen.
None other than Dokgo Ak and his father, Dokgo Jo-hak, the Sect Leader of Baek Ok-gak Sect.
* * *
The Black Dragon Sect Leader bowed respectfully.
“I greet Sect Leader Jo-hak and Young Master Ak.”
“Step aside. I have nothing to say to you.”
Dokgo Jo-hak pushed past the Black Dragon Sect Leader’s shoulder and stood before Dokgo Myeong.
“You brat!”
Dokgo Jo-hak suddenly swung his hand toward Dokgo Myeong’s cheek.
Whoosh!
But Dokgo Jo-hak’s hand cut through empty air futilely.
“You dodged?”
“Then should I have been hit?”
“How dare you! Where do you get off widening your eyes like that!”
“Then should I widen them square instead?”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s face twisted with rage.
“What gives you the right to talk back so glibly! Don’t you even understand what wrong you’ve committed!”
“Wrong? Ah, a wrong?”
In that moment, Dokgo Myeong’s lips curved into a smile.
“Of course I understand it well.”
Dokgo Myeong rolled only his eyes to glance at Dokgo Ak, then turned his head back toward Dokgo Jo-hak and spoke.
“You mean the matter of today reaching the Family Head’s ears, correct?”
“What are you—”
“Indeed, the appearance is rather unfortunate, isn’t it? In the Family Head’s eyes, it must look as though I beat Ak one-sidedly.”
“…!”
“If he took a beating, I should’ve taken one too for appearances’ sake. Don’t you think?”
As Dokgo Myeong spoke with a tone brimming with laughter, Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes widened like lanterns.
‘This… this bastard?’
Dokgo Jo-hak stared at Dokgo Myeong, feeling bewildered.
Dokgo Jo-hak wasn’t actually angry.
Well, not entirely unangry, but his concern far outweighed his rage.
Regardless of how things unfolded, Dokgo Ak’s face was utterly battered while Dokgo Myeong remained unscathed.
Standing before the Gajubu in such a state?
I could easily imagine how that would appear to Dokgo Cheon’s eyes.
That’s why I had planned to suppress his spirit beforehand so he wouldn’t speak carelessly in the Gajubu…
“…I am reprimanding your cowardly attack on your cousin as an elder.”
“Of course. That must be it.”
Dokgo Myeong scoffed openly.
‘Elder, my foot. If that were true, you should’ve stormed the Saheon-gak the moment you heard about it.’
Only rushing here frantically once the Gajubu called…
Your intentions are painfully obvious. Painfully obvious.
“Don’t worry. I understand perfectly.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain everything to the Gajubu! Very! Extremely thoroughly!”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes narrowed sharply.
Just as he was about to say something else, he clicked his tongue loudly and spun around.
“Fine! Since you’re being so brazenly shameless, I shall clarify the facts directly before the Gajubu!”
Dokgo Jo-hak turned and stepped toward the entrance of the Gajubu.
Or rather, the moment he was about to step through.
Clang!
Two Black Dragon Sect members guarding the entrance blocked his path.
Dokgo Jo-hak’s brow furrowed.
“What is this? Clear the way.”
“You cannot pass.”
“Do you know whose path you’re blocking, you wretches?”
As Dokgo Jo-hak growled and moved to step forward again.
Clang!
Two spear blades crossed before him, blocking his advance.
“The Gajubu has summoned only Young Master Dokgo Ak and Young Master Dokgo Myeong. The Baek Ok-gak Sect Leader cannot enter.”
“What? How dare you speak to me like—!”
At that moment.
“That’s enough, Baek Ok-gak Sect Leader.”
It was the Black Dragon Sect Leader.
His tone was measured and calm, but his gaze was ice-cold.
“Are you giving me an order?”
“I cannot overlook this matter. This is the Gajubu.”
Silence fell in an instant.
It was then that Dokgo Jo-hak and the Black Dragon Sect Leader, their lips sealed shut, stared at each other.
Dokgo Myeong poked his head out slightly.
“Then that means I’m allowed to enter, yes?”
“…!”
“…!”
The Black Dragon Sect members guarding the entrance hesitated.
But it was only for a moment before they parted the way.
“…Yes, that is correct.”
Whoosh!
As the spear was lowered, Dokgo Myeong passed lightly through the entrance of the Gajubu.
Dokgo Myeong turned his head sharply and flashed a sly smile.
“My, you’ve traveled such a long distance only to lose face for nothing. How about I go in and speak with the Gaju, and perhaps convince him to let you enter as well, Uncle?”
“You insolent wretch!”
Dokgo Jo-hak strode forward in anger, but the spear blade inevitably blocked his path.
“This…!”
Dokgo Jo-hak, his face contorted with rage as he glared at Dokgo Myeong, abruptly spun around.
“My son.”
“…Yes.”
Dokgo Ak, who had been standing at a distance, hurried over to Dokgo Jo-hak.
Dokgo Jo-hak gripped his son’s shoulder firmly.
“Before the Gaju, you must be careful with every word you speak.”
“I understand. Do not worry.”
Dokgo Ak let out a scornful laugh with an arrogant expression.
Dokgo Jo-hak found that expression deeply troubling.
“Not just you, but you must also ensure that fool does not speak carelessly. Do you understand?”
“Did I not just say I understand?”
“….”
Dokgo Ak passed through the entrance of the Gajubu with confident strides.
Dokgo Jo-hak, his expression rigid and stern, glared at his son and Dokgo Myeong as they entered the Gajubu.
“….”
After his son and Dokgo Myeong disappeared from view, he turned his gaze and saw the Black Dragon Sect members still watching him with unwavering vigilance.
“Tsk!”
Dokgo Jo-hak clicked his tongue and turned away.
His son would do well.
He had to.
* * *
Flutter!
The moment Dokgo Myeong crossed the entrance threshold, the Black Dragon Banner—the family flag of the Dokgo Clan—fluttered before him.
As the writhing Black Dragon banner descended, the landscape of the Gajubu came into view.
Smooth flagstones covered the ground, and at the end of the long path stood the Gaju Hall.
With the azure sky at its back, the Gaju Hall appeared less like a family estate and more akin to a palace or fortress. The three-story structure commanded a majestic presence, gazing down upon them, while ornate buildings rose magnificently around it like a protective embrace.
This was the heart of the Dokgo Clan—the Dragon’s Lair where the legendary swordmaster Dokgo Cheon dwelled.
“Hmm….”
Dokgo Myeong surveyed his surroundings with narrowed eyes.
The air itself was different.
Having crossed merely the threshold of the entrance, I could feel the palpable shift in atmosphere with that single step.
‘This place remains unchanged.’
Since my expulsion from the family, I had witnessed places far more elaborate and grandiose. Yet none of them possessed the overwhelming pressure that the Dokgo Clan’s Gajubu exuded.
“We have arrived. I trust you two young masters will compose yourselves and mind your conduct.”
As they reached the entrance to the Study, the Black Dragon Sect Leader spoke before a paper door.
Once Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Ak hastily straightened their garments, the Black Dragon Sect Leader announced their arrival in a low voice.
“Master of the house, the two young masters have arrived.”
“Come in.”
The paper door slid open to the accompaniment of a heavy voice from within.
Dokgo Myeong stepped across the threshold with a long stride.
Lifting my gaze to look straight ahead, an elderly man sat there.
The old man reclined in his seat with ease, his back against a wall bearing the massive emblem that symbolized the Dokgo Clan.
Though not exceptionally large in stature, he appeared immense—no matter how ornate the chair, it was merely a seat, yet the vast expanse of the Study seemed to unfold around him as its center.
‘In my past life, I never once gazed upon him so directly.’
Yet here I stood, facing him immediately after my rebirth.
The man counted among the greatest swordmasters of the martial realm, a figure who reigned like an emperor over this vast clan.
“Welcome.”
Dokgo Cheon greeted them with a smile.
I stood before the Heaven’s Greatest Sword, the Sword Sovereign, Dokgo Cheon.
* * *
“We pay our respects to the Master!”
“We pay our respects to the Master.”
Dokgo Myeong stole a glance, observing Dokgo Cheon’s face.
A boundless sky that existed alone above all those who bore the name of the Dokgo Clan.
‘Yet that is merely how Dokgo Hyeon’s eyes perceive Dokgo Cheon.’
But now I was not Dokgo Hyeon—I was Dokgo Myeong.
What face would Dokgo Cheon show to his own grandson?
Slowly, Dokgo Cheon’s lips parted.
“Ah, so my precious grandsons have come!”
Grandsons? What do you mean, grandsons?
Dokgo Cheon welcomed his grandsons with a smile brimming across his face.
“I have been waiting. Come, sit with me, hehe.”
“…?”
Dokgo Myeong gazed at Dokgo Cheon with a bewildered expression.
‘I never knew he could show such a side of himself.’
Well.
How could the man who ruled this vast clan be merely a benevolent grandfather?
“You all grow taller with each passing day. You’ve all become such fine young men.”
As Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Ak took their seats, Dokgo Cheon nodded with a satisfied expression.
“How old are you both now this year?”
“Forty… no, nineteen, sir.”
“Seventeen, sir.”
“You’ve both truly grown up now. Come closer. I’ve prepared some refreshments.”
Dokgo Cheon maintained his warm smile.
“Tell me, how have you been lately?”
“Yes, I have been….”
Brief conversation passed between them for a time. Mostly Dokgo Ak chattered away while Dokgo Myeong simply listened.
By the time they had finished their tea.
Dokgo Cheon spoke with a noticeably lower voice.
“I heard there was a problem between the two of you today.”
At last, the conversation they had been waiting for had arrived.
Dokgo Ak glanced back at Dokgo Myeong and spoke first.
“Yes, that bastard launched a surprise attack on me today.”
Dokgo Ak glared at Dokgo Myeong once before continuing.
“I was returning exhausted after finishing my training. But then that bastard suddenly blocked my path and attacked me. A coward unworthy of calling himself a martial artist….”
“And then?”
“…Yes?”
“What would you have me do about this, Ak?”
Dokgo Ak, who had been pouring out words, clamped his mouth shut.
“If only the Family Head would determine who was right and wrong in today’s matter….”
“Ak.”
Dokgo Cheon’s voice turned cold.
Dokgo Ak flinched in an instant.
“Yes, Family Head.”
“What you speak of—such things are not important.”
“Yes?”
“Did you truly believe I called you here to judge right and wrong?”
Dokgo Ak’s mouth hung open.
In that moment, Dokgo Cheon’s eyes grew cold and distant.
A brief silence.
Then from Dokgo Cheon’s lips came a soft voice like a sigh.
“You still have far to go.”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes trembled slightly.
Dokgo Cheon withdrew his gaze from Dokgo Ak without adding further words.
“Myeong, you’ve been sitting there quietly listening this whole time.”
Dokgo Cheon now turned his attention to Dokgo Myeong.
But unlike with Dokgo Ak, his eyes held no expectation whatsoever.
‘I thought something had changed about him.’
Right before his eyes, unfavorable words were being spoken, yet he merely listened in silence. It would have been more respectable if he had at least raised his voice in protest.
Timidity could be forgiven. A lack of talent was possible.
But for one who carried the Dokgo name and possessed Dragon Blood, such cowardice—backing down without even attempting to fight—was unacceptable.
“Do you have nothing you wish to say?”
Dokgo Myeong’s lips parted.
“No, I don’t have anything to say.”

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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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