Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 316

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

Chapter 316
Creak, creak.
The carriage moved forward at a leisurely pace.
Dokgo Un-hak, who had been sitting in contemplative silence atop it, finally broke the quiet.
“Tell me, Grand General—when do you believe the martial world began?”
“A sudden question indeed.”
Shin Heum, who held the reins beside him, pondered for a moment before responding.
“My knowledge falls short, I’m afraid. How could I answer such a thing? It’s no different than asking when the world itself was born.”
“I see.”
“Perhaps you know the answer, Left Commander?”
Dokgo Un-hak shook his head.
“I may not know when it began, but I believe I understand why and how it came to be.”
“Do you? I would very much like to hear it.”
“It’s simple enough. This world has never had any connection to the concept of unity.”
The realm is far too vast to belong to a single person, and its people far too diverse to ever become one.
“It is only natural that those who wish to protect their own lands and people would hunger for strength. With the power they accumulated, they became kings, princes, and warlords across the land, each establishing their own rules.”
“….”
“As time passed, those who survived changed their faces and names, dominating the world in different forms… and that, my friend, is the martial world.”
Shin Heum pondered Dokgo Un-hak’s words for a moment before asking.
“What is it you wish to convey, Left Commander?”
“I just said the world has no connection to becoming one.”
“Indeed you did.”
“And yet….”
Dokgo Un-hak drew out his words deliberately.
After a measured pause, he continued slowly.
“I wonder if that same principle might apply to the ancient order that has long governed the martial realm.”
“…!”
Shin Heum’s eyes widened with surprise as he regarded Dokgo Un-hak.
“Even I did not foresee such a day… but the authority of the great martial families including our own, the Nine Sects and One Alliance, and the powers known as Leagues and Councils—it may all be tested now.”
Dokgo Un-hak turned his gaze.
He could see the main force advancing toward Zhejiang. He studied the light in their eyes.
Where once arrogance had gleamed, now tension and anxiety flickered instead.
‘I spoke of turbulent times, turbulent times, yet I never imagined changes this uncontrollable would come to pass.’
It was humiliating and shameful.
Though I had deliberately ignored it, the moment news of the main family’s attack spread, it was certain the entire world and martial realm would be thrown into upheaval.
The absolute authority that had dominated the martial world now bore a crack.
Those who had been suppressed beneath that authority would seize this moment to act, and that was precisely what the Twin Horse Alliance desired.
‘Truly, an age of chaos approaches.’
Now the Dokgo Family had but one choice.
Victory.
There was only victory.
I had never entertained the thought of defeat, but if by some chance I fell, the main family’s fate would end that very day.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a hawk descended from the sky and alighted upon Shin Heum’s forearm.
Shin Heum extracted the message tube from the hawk’s leg and read it, then turned to look at Dokgo Un-hak.
“It’s from Dokgo Ryong, the Left Captain. Word that they’ve spotted the Pacheonggun.”
“…It begins.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
* * *
They say idle gossip travels a thousand leagues. It took merely days for news of Muyong Tae’s attack on the Dokgo Family to spread across the realm.
A discerning person might have noticed how unnaturally swift the dissemination was and anticipated the organized movements supporting it.
But such details mattered little.
Though the news seemed like fiction, it was not entirely false.
“The Muyong Gaju attacked the First Family of the Realm alone?”
“Not only did he cut down the Black Dragon Sect in a single stroke, but he single-handedly withstood the combined assault of the Dokgo Family’s masters and withdrew with ease.”
The news struck the realm like thunder.
And everyone was bewildered.
“What is the Sword Sage doing?”
It was a natural question.
Though the supreme masters of the realm had transcended into the Divine Realm and abstained from worldly affairs, Sword Sage Dokgo Cheon was somewhat different, was he not?
Had he remained silent even as his family was attacked? Or perhaps….
“The Dokgo Family isn’t alone! The Three Great Families have also come under attack!”
“The Yongdu Sect Leader! Even the Great Eccentric Qu-gwe’s fate is unknown!”
The word “shock” itself had grown stale.
The Dokgo Family attacked, the Three Great Families sealed, and the disappearance of the Yongdu Sect Leader and his disciple Ju Won-gwang.
The collapse of the old martial world’s order echoed from all directions.
“The Dokgo Family has entered Zhejiang’s territory!”
“At last we shall see the end.”
Now no one could observe the war between the Dokgo and Muyong families as if watching a fire across a river. The realm now watched the Dokgo Family’s battlefield with tension and concern rather than mere curiosity.
Yet amidst all this, there was one who listened intently to news from the martial world.
“…Thus, our main force engaged the enemy’s six-thousand unit and achieved victory. We successfully entered Zhejiang without incident, and it appears the Left Army has engaged the Pacheonggun. I shall report the results as soon as they arrive.”
“Never mind the front-line reports. Tell me about the other developments.”
Ganzhou Province, Namchang.
Dokgo Myeong listened to the situation report from the Cheon I-gak intelligence network alongside his managers and military strategists.
Due to his injuries, he had remained in Namchang these past days, focusing solely on recovery.
“The Paeng Family’s losses are severe. The Paeng Sect Leader hovers at death’s door, and the Five Tiger Corps and Danhun Corps, his family’s elite guards, have suffered tremendous casualties.”
“Still, they managed to drive back the Grand General somehow.”
That man was a walking embodiment of Sima Waidao himself.
With martial prowess and sorcery both equally perilous, how did the Paeng Family alone manage to endure?
“There were reports that one of the Three Sovereigns, the Sword Immortal, made an appearance.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Who? The Sword Immortal?”
“Yes, the Sword Immortal appeared at the Paeng Sect and forced the Grand General to step down.”
“….”
So the hidden force restraining the Jeongheol Sect Leader and the New Blood Sect had moved as well.
‘The timing of this intervention is quite remarkable.’
If there were no gaps in the strategy, it would be a reassuring move. Had it demonstrated the possibility that Baek Mu-heun could act, the Jeongheol disciples would never repeat such a gambit again.
Then Moryong Sohgyo interjected into the conversation.
“Have the Three Great Families reached a decision, perhaps?”
“They’ve decided to maintain the encirclement.”
“Only the encirclement… is what you’re saying?”
Cheon I-gak-won nodded.
“Yes, it appears they’ve settled on withdrawing only about half their martial artists. We can no longer expect further assistance from the Three Great Families.”
“So the possibility of a new front opening has been closed off.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s expression darkened.
The Three Great Families, having suffered damage beyond all predictions, no longer had the capacity to commit forces elsewhere.
It was exactly as Dokgo Myeong had anticipated. It was a blessing that they hadn’t withdrawn completely.
Dokgo Myeong asked again.
“Senior Gae-bang… any news regarding the Yongdu Sect Leader?”
“There’s still no word from the Gae-bang side.”
Dokgo Myeong clicked his tongue.
“Wasn’t Ju Won-gwang supposed to be reliable? Is there no news from him either?”
“Not just Hu-gae—the Gae-bang isn’t cooperating with us at all right now.”
“What?”
“The atmosphere in the Gae-bang is unusual. Since the disappearance of the Yongdu Sect Leader and Hu-gae, some of the minor managers have begun pursuing independent courses.”
“So the Jeongheol Sect is stirring up internal chaos. Well, that’s one less worry.”
At Dokgo Myeong’s words, Moryong Sohgyo nodded as if she understood, but the managers only blinked their eyes.
“But why would you be relieved when their internal situation is becoming chaotic?”
At Ye-hwa’s question, Moryong Sohgyo smiled gently and answered.
“If the Jeongheol Sect was certain of the Sect Leader’s death, they wouldn’t merely cause chaos—they’d be aiming for complete control.”
“…?”
“In other words, the Sect Leader’s authority still holds sway, which means he’s still alive. The disappearance of the Sect Leader and the Grand Advisor can be seen as intentional, made to prepare for future plans.”
Only then did the managers’ eyes brighten.
So they had managed to withstand the enemy’s assault reasonably well, hadn’t they?
But there was still one crucial piece of information remaining.
“I have a general sense of the martial world’s situation now. So then… let me hear about the current state of the main family.”
“We’re rapidly recovering from the damage. It’s safe to say there’s no damage worth noting.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“However….”
“Were there many casualties?”
“Yes, Seo Daejoo of the White Tiger Corps remains unconscious.”
“….”
Several days had already passed since the attack on the main family, yet he still hadn’t regained consciousness.
‘This Seo Ryun.’
Dokgo Myeong tapped his leg rhythmically with a sullen expression.
Namgung Sohwa, standing beside him, whispered in a low voice.
“He’ll be fine.”
“He’d better be.”
When Dokgo Myeong turned his gaze back, Cheon I-gak-won continued in an even tone.
“Beyond that, there is little cause for concern. While many, including Lady Dokgo Yeon, came dangerously close to sustaining severe injuries, the Saheon Sect Leader personally treated their internal wounds, and they have begun recovering rapidly.”
“And our Sect Leader—is he unharmed?”
“There was indeed a message.”
“A message?”
“He said to tell you: ‘I am unscathed, so worry about yourself instead.'”
Dokgo Myeong, who had been blankly blinking, let out a hollow laugh.
‘Still, even with the Sect Leader stepping in, letting the Muyong Gaju slip away is truly regrettable.’
Muyong Tae. Did he possess martial prowess of that caliber?
‘Circumstances played a role, certainly, but is the martial art he perfected truly of that level?’
Dokgo Myeong’s expression hardened.
At that moment, Cheon I-gak-won withdrew a book from his robes.
“Please accept this.”
“What is it?”
“An analysis of the Muyong Gaju compiled under the direction of the Elder Council Leader. All who may encounter the Muyong Gaju are to read it, such was the message.”
“Understood. I’ll read it at once. Is it acceptable for others to read it as well?”
“Of course, but please ensure it does not leak to the Muyong Family.”
“That goes without saying.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded lightly and tossed the book to Moryong Sohgyo.
“….”
“Ah, yes.”
Cheon I-gak-won’s expression became ambiguous, and Moryong Sohgyo, who had caught it somewhat awkwardly, wore a slightly flustered look.
“Don’t worry. She’s part of our unit, so I’m having her read and analyze it.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Only then did Cheon I-gak-won rise to his feet.
Dokgo Myeong regarded him.
“Are you heading directly to the Zhejiang front?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“You’re going alone?”
“There are several others as well. Since any of us might lose our lives along the way, we always deploy messengers in groups.”
He spoke of death with such nonchalance. In fact, at this very moment, there might be messengers meeting their end.
“What’s your name? Since this is fate, I should at least know it.”
He wore a slightly startled expression before breaking into a grin and speaking.
“Baek-i.”
“An alias, then.”
“You may remember me by that alias. It is an honor.”
He promptly bowed and took his leave.
Dokgo Myeong returned the fist salute and turned his gaze toward the managers and soldiers.
“What are your intentions moving forward?”
Geum Seok-du asked.
“We must return.”
….
“How are the disciples’ injuries?”
“They still need some time, but everyone is recovering rapidly. The medicines sent from the main family are remarkably effective.”
In truth, the most severely wounded was not the disciples or the managers, but Dokgo Myeong himself.
The managers fixed their gaze upon Dokgo Myeong’s face.
“Let us recover and prepare once more.”
“There will be much to attend to.”
“Before that, let us briefly reflect. Have everyone focus on reviewing their own martial arts.”
They were already doing so without being told.
A battlefield where something was lost, yet something was also gained.
The disciples who had witnessed Dokgo Myeong most closely felt a profound sense of helplessness intertwined with a burning desire to become that strong. That desire translated directly into the elevation of their martial prowess.
And this was true not only for the disciples, but for all the managers gathered here as well.
“Captain, when do you think would be suitable?”
“The Elder from the main family who will oversee Namchang is said to arrive in a week. Perhaps that would be an opportune time.”
“Very well, then. Let us venture forth again in a week.”
“You speak of the battlefield, I presume?”
“Yes, the battlefield.”
This battle.
The Cheonma Sect and Dokgo Myeong had achieved a half-victory.
And so now they sharpened their blades for complete victory.
Their gazes turned toward the direction where Zhejiang lay.

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