Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 317

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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 317
“Sect Leader.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
“You’re grumbling, but I know you’re pleased deep down.”
“Thanks to you, I learn the art of restraining my desires several times a day.”
“Pardon? What desires are you referring to?”
“The desire to tear apart that flippant mouth of yours.”
“….”
“What strange curiosity has taken root now?”
“I simply cannot understand something.”
“The Sensory Nodes?”
“No.”
“It’s about Cheonoe Gyeong.”
“Yes.”
“Speak.”
The Sect Leader remained in lotus position, not even turning to face me as he spoke.
Even his back was flawless. It seemed as though the vital energy flowed through each strand of his long hair.
I couldn’t fathom how someone with a physique that appeared never to have learned even basic martial arts could be so formidable.
“You must have brought this up because of the structure of Cheonoe Gyeong.”
My eyes widened involuntarily as he pierced through my thoughts—was he using mind-reading techniques as well?
“How did you know?”
“Ask your question.”
“…You said it progresses through Hyoecheon, Huicheon, Hongcheon, Sungcheon, then Hyeoncheon, and finally Amcheon. But why divide it this way at all? Couldn’t I simply learn them all evenly from the start?”
Setting aside the fact that conditions were necessary to unlock new martial techniques, was there truly a need to divide the stages and then reunite them through separate formulas?
“You still have far to go before enlightenment. Perhaps I should seek out a new successor….”
“Yet you said there was no one but me….”
“There’s no need to answer. It’s something I’ve told you countless times already.”
“…Is it the Sensory Nodes again?”
Sensory Nodes, Sensory Nodes—I was so tired of hearing it that calluses were forming on my ears.
The Sect Leader spoke.
“To step upon the path is to greet the first heaven—the dawn.”
Hyoecheon.
“To walk the path and witness the road of death is morning.”
Huicheon.
“To discern the road of life amidst the four perils and reach the time of sunset.”
Hongcheon.
“To realize that the paths of life and death are ultimately one, to learn to stand still, and gazing upon the heavens to see a starlit sky. Thus, understanding that both path and heaven rest upon me, I attain mastery of the profound mysteries of heaven.”
Sungcheon, and then Hyeoncheon.
I understood the words. After all, he had simply recited the formulas of Cheonoe Gyeong verbatim.
Yet as I stood bewildered about what this had to do with the division of stages, the Sect Leader continued.
“You haven’t even properly grasped a single concept, yet you speak of learning multiple things together? You’ll end up seeing only the finger pointing at the sky, not the sky itself.”
“I divided the sensory threads so they could be learned step by step… Would understanding it that way be acceptable?”
“For now, you may understand it that way.”
Regardless, I’ve never understood why those so-called masters always speak in riddles instead of using simple words.
Does it make them look more impressive? It actually seems rather trite to me…
“Because definitive statements make one feel they’ve found the answer, which limits one’s thinking. True enlightenment comes from pursuing the question until you arrive at your own answer.”
“…Have you perhaps learned mind-reading techniques as well?”
The Sect Leader fell silent without responding.
In that silence, Dokgo Hyeon asked.
“Now that I think about it, you haven’t explained what comes after Hyeon-cheon.”
“You mean An-cheon?”
“Yes.”
“An-cheon Technique requires no incantations or formulas.”
“Why is that?”
“By the time you obtain it, you will have already understood it yourself. That is An-cheon.”
* * *
Whoosh! Huff!
The Hyeonchel Heavy Sword swept back and forth, stirring the air.
Unlike usual, there was no thunderous sound or scattered sword energy. The movements were as plain and restrained as a newly initiated disciple performing basic training.
Tss, tss, tss, tss, tss!
Soon, something like faint wisps of smoke began flowing from Dokgo Myeong’s entire body.
With consciousness restored and vital energy recovered, my physical body was now rapidly healing in tandem.
‘But it’s not just recovery.’
Uuuuuung!
Strange sounds continued endlessly from within and without Dokgo Myeong’s body.
Spirit, energy, and flesh.
Right now, I was undergoing a transformation beyond mere recovery, as if shedding a chrysalis.
‘The enlightenment gained from this battle is creating changes in my martial arts.’
Huuuuh!
The exhaled breath carried the tremor of sword energy within it.
Yet another transformation.
For a moment, unease surged ahead of joy.
‘If this were before, I wouldn’t know, but my martial path was already in a completed state.’
Only expansion and deepening remained.
But transformation?
And not a minor one at that—a transformation where everything could crumble away entirely.
‘I understand the reason well enough.’
The battlefield where I was driven to my limits. To survive, I had to draw out everything I could, and what I drew out was the martial principles taught by my lord and my accumulated experience itself.
The true nature of this transformation was that very experience.
‘So now I must choose.’
What should I do?
Should I control it, or should I yield to it?
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed with clarity.
‘As the Sect Leader said, I must wield it—not be wielded by it.’
Whiiiing!
The wavering vital energy within Dokgo Myeong began to intensify gradually.
‘On that battlefield, my perception chose transformation because I myself believed it was the right path. There is nothing more shameful than fearing change.’
Had it not always been true that the change itself was never the crucial part?
What truly mattered was how one controlled it and made it one’s own.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes deepened with intensity.
The moment I made my decision, transformation arrived like a dam breaking.
Uuuong!
It began with the Heavenly Celestial energy permeating my entire body.
Flash!
Soon a dazzling white radiance surged forth.
Saaah!
Followed by a crimson aura spreading like the glow of sunset.
Ssssh!
Particles of gold and silver light, like viewing the Milky Way itself, also wrapped around my entire form.
The radiances of Cheonoe Gyeong, tangling with one another and emitting various colors.
In a single moment, the radiances that seemed destined to flicker each in their own way began to merge into one.
‘Ah….’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
A refreshing sensation filled my entire body. It felt like stepping from a narrow, treacherous path onto a broad, open road.
‘This was it. Yes. This was it.’
Dokgo Myeong let out a hollow laugh.
I had already experienced this process once in my previous life.
Just as then, I could only understand it after it happened.
‘The final gate is opening.’
Before long, Dokgo Myeong sat in lotus position and gazed blankly at the sky.
The sky continued to transform.
As the sun set, the glow faded, and the light of stars and moon dimmed, the world sank into profound darkness.
The darkness dyed everything without distinction. Everything became simple.
And Dokgo Myeong realized that this simplicity was the beginning of the sky’s infinite transformations.
‘The Dark Heaven opens.’
The final enlightenment of Cheonoe Gyeong began to transform everything.
Body, energy, and spirit alike.
Thus Dokgo Myeong gradually sank deeper.
‘Now….’
Just as everything was being wrapped up.
Dokgo Myeong discovered something unexpected.
‘…!!’
Kuguguung!
Something of unknown nature lurked within my upper dantian.
Energy that twisted and rose of its own accord as if alive. It moved without intention, revealing its presence.
Suddenly, my Sect Leader’s words echoed like a phantom sound in my mind.
-There exists one more realm beyond Cheonoe Gyeong.
-You mean Amcheon is not the end?
-The end. I wonder if such a thing even exists.
-Pardon?
-Originally, Cheonoe Gyeong began from this.
-…!
Writhe.
That energy settled once more.
As if the time had not yet come.
Yet as if it would not be long.
And I recalled my Sect Leader’s words, spoken with a voice tinged with concern for the first time.
-Its name is Honcheon.
-I pray you never reach that place.
* * *
“Huuuuh….”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled a long breath.
When I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself surrounded by Managers and Disciples.
“Captain!”
“Wow! You’re alive!”
“Is this what happens when a master falls into a trance?”
“That can’t be right. I thought you were ascending to immortality.”
When I glanced around, the training grounds were an absolute mess.
I looked at Geum Seok-du with a displeased expression.
“How much time has passed?”
“It has been four days now, Captain.”
“How did things end up like this?”
“Shouldn’t you be explaining that to us, Captain?”
Geum Seok-du responded with an unusual hint of irritation.
“At first you were simply wielding the Hyeoncheon Sword, but as time went on, smoke rose from your body, and then you suddenly began releasing vital energy like a madman.”
“Ah….”
“Then you suddenly stood still with vacant eyes, staring at empty space, so I nearly led the Disciples to evacuate.”
“Evacuate? Why the sudden evacuation?”
“Because you might lose control again and destroy everything.”
“….”
“Fortunately, you cultivated your inner energy calmly, and I stood guard just in case.”
“Four days? This is absurd.”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
Dokgo Myeong clenched and unclenched his fists several times.
Then, Namgung Sohwa asked.
“Did you achieve what you desired?”
“It seems so.”
“What exactly….”
“Mu-baek. Come out here for a moment.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Go ahead, stand right there.”
“…?”
Boom!
Dokgo Myeong suddenly struck with a true palm strike.
“What…!”
Cheolmu-baek flinched in surprise and tried to dodge. But his body, still bearing the aftermath of his injuries, could not evade the fist swung with concentrated inner energy.
Crash!
Cheolmu-baek’s body flew upward and slammed into the ground.
“Gasp! What are you doing!”
“The Captain has killed Manager Cheol!”
“Just as I thought—demonic cultivation! His eyes have definitely gone mad! Everyone, battle formation!”
“Wait, I’m fine.”
“…?!”
Cheolmu-baek staggered to his feet.
He examined his body with a bewildered expression, then let out an exclamation.
Whoooosh!
In an instant, a cool radiance burst forth from Cheolmu-baek’s entire body.
“My inner energy… my internal injuries are recovering too. What is this…?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled with satisfaction.
“That’s it. I was uncertain, but I’ve definitely reached it.”
“You tested something you were uncertain about on me?”
Whether Cheolmu-baek’s expression turned sour or not, Dokgo Myeong maintained his satisfied smile.
“I infused my inner energy to aid the recovery of your vital essence. It’s similar to the Penetrating Realm technique, but instead of causing harm, it enhances recovery. The inner energy I infused will gradually dissipate.”
“Such a method of inner energy cultivation exists in this world….”
“I learned it from the Sect Leader.”
Dokgo Myeong raised his inner energy once more.
Whoosh!
Inner energy surged forth from his entire body.
Similar to the Hyeon-cheon technique, yet different.
If Hyeon-cheon’s power was parallel, then Dark Heaven’s was simply one. The distinction between true energy and martial technique had vanished.
‘The separation between internal and external energy has become meaningless.’
A perfect unity.
And changes in true energy naturally led to changes in martial technique.
‘I need to test my martial techniques. The Cheonoe Gyeong as it stands now isn’t enough.’
Dokgo Myeong wanted to wield the Hyeon Cheolmu Sword immediately.
That was when Namgung Sohwa asked.
“Have you reached the realm of Absolute Emptiness?”
“Not quite. It’s not a realm one can ascend to so easily.”
Excluding the Three Sovereigns who were beyond human limits, reaching the realm of Absolute Emptiness would grant power enough to claim supremacy under heaven.
“But it’s not far off.”
Only one wall remained.
A wall that seemed it could crumble with just the right catalyst.
Namgung Sohwa broke into a bright smile.
“Really? Congratulations!”
“Hehehehe! After all that suffering, I deserve at least this much!”
“Well then.”
“But you know what?”
“Yes?”
“I should test this out a bit.”
A chill ran through the air.
The managers and disciples simultaneously flinched, each taking a step backward.
“When one gains enlightenment, a consolidation phase is necessary.”
“That’s something you’re supposed to do alone! Come on! Everyone, let’s go train!”
Namgung Sohwa even attempted an unconvincing act to shoo the disciples away.
But Dokgo Myeong would have none of it.
“While I was out of it for four days, they might have been slacking off. The timing is perfect. Let’s have a clash before we depart.”
“…!”
Namgung Sohwa’s eyes widened in alarm as she cried out urgently.
“Everyone, flee at full speed!”
“Run! Hurry! Now!”
Despite the managers’ desperate cries.
Boom! Crackle crackle crackle!
True energy erupted from Dokgo Myeong, spreading in all directions.
“Ahahaha!”
Crash!
Dokgo Myeong burst into wild laughter as he descended upon the disciples.

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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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