Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 324

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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 324
The Cheonma Sect’s retreat was as swift as their assault.
“Scatter! Disperse now!”
“Run! Think the Captain is chasing you and move! Quickly!”
“We had a great time! Hahahaha!”
It was like watching an anthill being poked. The Cheonma Sect Disciples, who had moved in perfect unison moments before, suddenly scattered in all directions.
“What… what in the world…!”
“What are these fools doing!”
Some climbed cliffs, others seized horses and galloped away, while still others simply cut across the battlefield using lightness techniques to escape.
One of the Goamdanwon martial artists spoke with an incredulous expression.
“Do they want to be defeated piecemeal?”
It was a retreat that defied all logic.
Yet it worked.
All the commanders were dead, and the Goamdanwon, thrown into chaos by the sudden ambush, couldn’t pursue in any direction and floundered helplessly.
“Which way… no, which one… how are we supposed to chase them! We need orders!”
A hot-blooded Goamdanwon member grabbed a senior martial artist and shouted.
Though ambushed, the Goamdanwon were elite and numerous. Scattered Cheonma Sect members were no match for them.
But what he saw was his senior laughing deliriously as if possessed.
“Heh heh, don’t chase them.”
“Sir? Don’t chase them?”
“Do you hear that? That bell sound?”
Dong! Dong-dong! Dong! Dong-dong!
“It’s the warning bell!”
“One short ring, one long ring. It means stop whatever you’re doing.”
“Sir? But the Alliance Leader is dead, so what does that—”
“It appears the Sect Leader has also fallen.”
“…!”
“Furthermore… look there. Like some great serpent made of fire.”
The man pointed beyond the encampment.
Along the road stretching toward the village, countless torches approached in a long procession.
“That’s…!”
It was unmistakably the Dokgo Family’s reinforcements from the fierce battle that morning. Seo Jung-baek’s forces were pushing into the chaos-stricken Goamdanwon encampment.
“Slaughter them!”
Seo Jung-baek showed no mercy as he cut down his enemies.
In the very moment a Goamdanwon soldier was searching for a cloth scrap to use as a white flag within the encampment, hundreds of lives were extinguished.
Only after the soldier raised a white robe from his own armor did the fighting cease.
Seo Jung-baek, without a single wound, gazed toward some distant place and smiled.
“A battle like this. That person truly is…”
And shortly after that.
Whoooosh!
The Cheonma Sect disciples gathered in the nearby mountains.
“This is actually working?”
Dokgo Yeon’s eyes sparkled.
“I told you it would work.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
‘I can’t believe this.’
Dokgo Yeon doubted her own eyes.
The Goamdanwon and the Cheonma Sect—the difference in numbers was easily five times over.
Yet in less than an hour, they had overwhelmed them, eliminated only the leaders, and succeeded in their escape.
Even that escape was extraordinary. Scattering and then regrouping at a designated location sounded simple in theory, but how dangerous and uncertain was such a plan in practice?
‘The individual training level is extraordinary. They’re not martial artists but rather seasoned assassins… no, more like soldiers of a military force.’
They were trained to judge and act independently without any special orders.
And on top of that, there was the terrifying master leading them.
What kind of force had Dokgo Myeong created?
“Any captives? No wounded either?”
“No, sir. We’ve completed our assessment.”
Moryong Sohgyo answered.
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“Then we move to the next target. Soldier, where’s next?”
“Squad Three reports that Captain Dokgo Ak has sent word. There’s a group that appears to be from the Jeongheol Sect to the west.”
“Captain-level strength?”
“Yes.”
“Next is the Jeongheol Sect then. Good. Let’s go!”
* * *
The messenger continued his belated report.
“At the beginning of the hour today! The Cheonma Sect attacked the Goamdanwon while they were regrouping after battle! The sect leader and all captains are dead, the camp has collapsed, and in the chaos, the enemy forces overwhelmed them and achieved complete suppression!”
Everyone wore expressions as if listening to the drunken rambling of a fool.
Yong Gun-baek asked urgently.
“Complete annihilation? Can’t we gather the remaining forces and at least maintain the front line?”
“That is… they have surrendered under a white flag.”
A deafening silence descended.
Then, laughter echoed from somewhere.
“Hehehehe….”
An old man with an aura of ghostly energy surrounding his entire body—the Black Bloodfiend.
“How truly disappointing. Not annihilation, but surrender?”
“….”
“Family Head. While our sect’s disciples bleed even now, does the Moyong Family truly think only of preserving their lives? Is this the will of the Moyong Family?”
Muyong Tae showed no reaction to the provocative words. He simply turned back to Yong Gun-baek.
“Sect Leader Seongcheon.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“First Namchang, and now the Yuk Cheon Unit as well.”
“….”
“How much longer must I place my trust in you?”
“I apologize.”
“You must bear responsibility for this.”
At those words, Sect Leader Seongcheon’s jaw muscles twitched visibly.
Responsibility. But who was truly responsible for this mess?
Yet Yong Gun-baek merely bowed his head.
“…Please give your command.”
“Gather all forces of the Yuk Cheon Unit and contain the Sword King’s main force.”
“With only the Yuk Cheon Unit, sir?”
The Yuk Cheon Unit had already exhausted its reserves holding back the Dokgo Family’s advance while the main clan was under assault.
And now, on top of that, the Goamdanwon’s surrender.
Even without these compounding misfortunes, stopping the Dokgo Family’s main force would have been difficult, yet now they were being ordered to fight alone?
“If you cannot, then you must die there.”
“…!”
“Tell me. Do you fear death?”
Yong Gun-baek’s eyes flashed with intensity.
“I have served the main clan for decades. There has never been a moment when I treasured my life. My only concern is failing to stop the Sword King….”
That was when it happened.
“This is why it won’t work, that is why it won’t work. You surrendered Namchang, you surrendered the Jeolgang border, and now you haven’t surrendered the Goamdanwon as well?”
The Black Bloodfiend interjected.
Despite his body being in poor condition from wounds inflicted by the Sword King, his tongue and eyes remained as sharp as ever.
“Can you not discern when it is appropriate for you to step forward?”
“Then you should not have created a situation where I needed to step forward.”
“Insolent….”
Then Muyong Tae cut in.
“Enough.”
“….”
“Yong Sect Leader. No need for lengthy words. Now answer plainly. Will you do it or not?”
If ordered to die, I could die. If ordered to hold the line, I could hold it.
But.
‘What purpose does the main clan serve now? What value does this battle hold?’
Yong Gun-baek closed both eyes slowly.
He remained silent for a long moment before answering in a voice that seemed to grind the words out.
“…Jeon Myeong.”
“Depart immediately.”
“Yes.”
Yong Gun-baek gave a brief bow and left his seat.
“Overseer Wi.”
“Yes.”
“I acknowledge your past contributions and will not pursue punishment. Retire to your hometown and spend your remaining years in rest and recuperation.”
It was a way of saying he had outlived his usefulness and should step aside.
But if he withdrew, what would remain for the main family? Wi Jang-chun’s eyes widened.
“Then execute me for my crimes instead! If I withdraw like this, the main family’s situation will…!”
“That is no longer your concern.”
Wi Jang-chun’s eyes wavered.
“…Jeon Myeong.”
In the end, the Overseer withdrew as well.
“Alliance Leader.”
“Y-yes, yes….”
Elder Council Leader Muyong Cheol trembled and bowed his head.
“The corpses should have been gathered sufficiently.”
“Y-yes, that is correct.”
“Spare no means or methods. Investigate the vital acupoints of the Dokgo Family’s fortune, and research countermeasures against the martial techniques of the enemy’s key masters.”
“Understood.”
“Do not forget that I have not yet killed you because of the intellect in that head of yours.”
Muyong Cheol’s face turned ashen in an instant, trembling as though he might collapse at any moment.
“I will deploy Pacheonggun to cover our shortcomings. Tell them not to fear, for we will pour the full might of both the main family and the Jeongheol Sect.”
“Yes.”
“Our plan to draw the enemy into Zhejiang has succeeded. Now return to your positions and prepare for total war. The title of Supreme Under Heaven draws near.”
In that moment, the thoughts that arose in the minds of the Moyong Family retainers were identical.
This clan was finished.
Supreme Under Heaven? Were they truly throwing themselves into the flames while clutching at straw for such an absurd dream?
Defeat was now inevitable.
It was madness from the start to strike at a family protected by the Three Celestial Sages who had reached the realm of Half-Immortals. The moment they chose to attack a place with more masters than any single organization, it was already over.
“Withdraw.”
“…Yes, Family Lord.”
But now there remained no one willing to stake their life on honest counsel.
All the retainers hurried out of the great hall.
Then someone glanced back.
The great hall, now emptied of people, seemed unusually dark.
The Jeongheol disciples did not leave their seats and remained in place.
All loyal retainers had vanished, and a sovereign who had abandoned his humanity clung to a delusional throne.
Only blood-crazed demons lingered in the shadows, their laughter echoing softly.
* * *
“At last, the time has come to display the power of Pacheonggun.”
“Are you certain?”
“You yourself know well the extent of their strength, Family Lord.”
“….”
“The south is territory we’ve already abandoned anyway. The Left Army, which has never experienced defeat until now, will suffer its first loss. The Heavenly Kings of Pacheonggun will bring news of victory.”
It was strange.
Pacheonggun was clearly the Moyong Family’s military force, yet he spoke of controlling them as though they were under the Jeongheol Sect’s command.
The Black Bloodfiend let out a hollow laugh.
“The Dokgo Family are arrogant beyond measure. When the Family Head cuts down the Sword King, the world will witness the arrival of a new greatest master under heaven.”
Muyong Tae showed no particular reaction to such honeyed words. He merely gazed at the Black Bloodfiend with eyes that revealed nothing of their depths.
After a brief silence, he spoke.
“You must take to the front lines as well.”
“You as well? It seems the Family Head intends to step forward on the front lines like the Sword King?”
“I have already stated as much.”
“I thought you meant during the Dokgo Family’s assault.”
“The tests have been sufficient. The final concern has been confirmed, so there is no need to delay further.”
“Hehehehe. How reassuring.”
Ji-myeol’s laughter always carried an enigmatic quality.
Muyong Tae suddenly felt a sense of discord.
When had it begun?
When did the title of greatest master under heaven cease to stir his heart, becoming merely words he uttered by habit?
And when did he begin to place trust in the Jeongheol disciples, who had never lowered their guard?
‘Those ones… they do not reveal their true intentions.’
The Jeongheol Sect had suffered tremendous losses in this affair.
The dead disciples were countless, half of the one hundred and eight captains had fallen, and numerous foundations they had embedded in the martial world beneath the surface had been consumed.
Did they place such value on the alliance with the main family?
Muyong Tae knew the Jeongheol disciples were not people of such integrity.
‘At some point, they began investing all their resources into the main family.’
The more he thought about it, the stranger it seemed. Clearly, the Jeongheol Sect had not regarded the main family with such importance at first.
‘From when Dokgo Myeong rose to prominence.’
From that point, they had even brought forth the bizarre forbidden technique of the Divine Blood Tower, cultivated Pacheonggun, and mobilized all their foundations in preparation for war.
And Dokgo Myeong had moved from the beginning with war in mind.
Was it possible their true objective was not victory, but the war itself?
“I have but one question.”
“What is it?”
“What is the Sect’s ultimate purpose?”
At Muyong Tae’s question, the eyes of the Black Bloodfiend and Jimeol Magoon widened.
After a moment, they answered.
“For the true teachings to spread widely throughout the world. That is all.”
It was a statement no one would believe.
* * *
On the path leaving the great hall.
The voices of the two Magoons fell low.
“The Northern Ming Divine Technique. He has certainly established himself. Results beyond expectation. To obtain such power and capacity without consuming demon pills.”
At Jimeol Magoon’s words, the Black Bloodfiend let out a scoff.
“It’s only natural, having deployed the Divine Blood Technique that was originally prepared for the Sect Leader. *Cough! Cough!*”
The Black Bloodfiend coughed and spat blood.
Jimeol Magoon, who had been staring intently at him wiping his lips, spoke.
“You’ve endured much hardship.”
“But you were the one who completed the grand technique, Jimeol.”
The two Magoons continued their conversation regardless of whether the Moyong Family’s retainers were present.
“It’s truly a great gain that we’ve confirmed Geom-jon’s absence.”
“Has his last location been identified?”
“It was Seo Jang. He appeared to be pursuing Mujeon.”
“Mujeon… If any traces have emerged. Those who’ve reached the realm of Half-Immortals cannot be easily discerned.”
“Didn’t the Sect Leader himself mention that Mujeon had moved? There’s a possibility he revealed himself.”
Soon the two Magoons reached their quarters prepared within the Moyong Family.
“Where is the Sect Leader?”
“He abandoned the Third Grand Unit and moved his residence to the Sacred Land.”
“So he’s finally gone to the Sacred Land…. Because of that detestable Progressive Faction remnant, the Sect Leader suffers such hardship….”
The Black Bloodfiend ground his teeth, thinking of Baek Mu-heun.
“I must mobilize Pacheonggun to crush the Left Army, and keep the main force pinning down their heels before moving. Our sect’s role grows. This war needs variables….”
The Black Bloodfiend muttered as if to himself, lost in thought.
“Bloodfiend, shouldn’t you rest a bit?”
“That’s impossible. To crush the enemy and capture that bastard Dokgo Myeong, I’m needed by the sect.”
“But hasn’t the vital energy the Divine General restored already suffered damage?”
“You took internal injuries from Gae-bang’s master, yet you’re doing fine, so I can’t complain about weakness.”
“That’s precisely why I’m saying this.”
“Hmm? What do you mean….”
The Black Bloodfiend hesitated.
He merely turned his head and stared fixedly at Jimeol Magoon before asking.
“Where is the Divine General now?”
Jimeol Magoon opened his mouth slowly.
“On the battlefield. He said he would target the Sword King.”
“Then who’s taking command of the Left Army?”
“Pacheonggun and the Four Great Heavenly Kings… and I must go as well.”
“Heh heh.”
The Black Bloodfiend burst into laughter.
Jimeol Magoon stepped forward with the sound of his staff.
The Black Bloodfiend sensed that his end was approaching.
“Is this all there is? Ending like this?”
“Why do you speak of ‘all there is’?”
“Was this the Divine General’s judgment?”
“Indeed.”
“You’re saying you’ll recover my true energy?”
The Black Bloodfiend burst into laughter once more.
That resonant laughter carried something strange within it—no sorrow, no sense of emptiness. Only pure joy filled every note.
“So I’m no longer needed. How boundlessly joyful this is. I shall be the first to return to the bosom of the Eternal Mother.”
Jimeol Magoon’s hand reached toward the Black Bloodfiend.
“Congratulations, Bloodfiend.”
“Take it.”
The stench of blood suddenly permeated the room.
Moments later, only one figure walked out of the chamber.

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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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