Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 332

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

Chapter 332
Thud!
With a heavy sound, another master fell.
“Is that all?”
I let out a scoff.
“If that’s all, how disappointing. You made such bold claims, yet you can’t even handle me alone?”
My confident tone drew cheers from the Left Army camp.
“Waaaaaaaa!”
“Again! He defeated them in less than ten seconds!”
“It’s practically a one-sided slaughter!”
Amid the commotion, Dokgo Hye shook her head in resignation.
“To witness such a fight when the situation has come this far. That boy truly is….”
“He frequently resurrects the martial world’s rules that now seem antiquated to him, making them all the more effective in the process.”
“Clever indeed. Because it’s so obvious, no one can easily predict or dismiss it.”
“Precisely.”
Dokgo Gun smiled faintly.
Absurd as it was, it proved all the more effective.
After all, everyone on this battlefield was not a mere commoner but a martial artist of the jianghu. How could one refuse when someone walked out alone and challenged them to test their skills?
Of course, from Pacheonggun’s perspective, they could simply ignore it.
But then that cursed Dokgo Myeong’s tongue would surely strip Pacheonggun bare to the soul, and those who couldn’t bear it would charge out, yet they wouldn’t be able to overcome me.
‘I’ll certainly make a proper impression and return.’
Was that not what I called this—a greeting?
At least that purpose seemed to be clearly accomplished.
“But something feels strange.”
At Dokgo Gun’s murmur, Dokgo Hye nodded.
“You felt it too.”
“Yes, the Cheonma Sect is nowhere to be found.”
Their presence couldn’t be sensed anywhere nearby.
“Moreover, the Pacheonggun I encountered were not the type to lose morale from a few defeats in combat. I cannot fathom what they’re aiming for by orchestrating such a situation.”
Then Dokgo Hye’s expression became peculiar.
“That’s true as well. But that wasn’t what I meant to say.”
“Then what is it?”
“There’s a hidden agenda in his movements.”
Dokgo Hye’s eyes grew sharp.
“He seems to be deliberately testing the enemy’s martial techniques through combat. He’s observed something in their martial arts, but what could it possibly be?”
* * *
“Heavenly King.”
Someone entered the tent of the Northern Sky King, who sat in meditation with half-closed eyes.
“I ordered you not to disturb me.”
“B-but three Na-chal and fifteen of their subordinates have already fallen, so I had no choice but to report this!”
Flash!
A murderous gleam flickered across the Northern Sky King’s eyes.
“Already suffered such losses?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I instructed them not to engage.”
“It appears… they fell for the provocation.”
“What of the enemy’s Left Army?”
“Their forces have gathered, but they merely observe.”
“….”
Whoooosh!
A sinister jet-black inner force erupted relentlessly from the Northern Sky King’s entire body.
While his inner power was indeed formidable, it also revealed that he bore injuries severe enough to prevent him from perfectly containing the energy radiating outward.
“There’s no choice then. Having suffered this much, I must take the field myself.”
“Better to withdraw, Your Majesty. Word came that the Annihilation Army from the center approaches.”
“I have no intention of following that one.”
The Northern Sky King rose to his full towering height and asked.
“Who faces that opponent now?”
“…Your Majesty has taken the field.”
“You mean Elder Mo Tae-bang?”
“Not an Elder, but the Na-chal King, Your Majesty.”
The Northern Sky King let out a derisive snort.
“Na-chal King? What nonsense is this? He’s not some hot-blooded adolescent Young Master—what a ridiculous title.”
Remarkably, the Northern Sky King appeared mentally sound.
He grasped the iron mace propped beside him and headed toward the tent entrance.
“Mobilize the troops without alerting the Left Army.”
“You mean to ignore the duel and simply overwhelm with numbers, Your Majesty?”
“Why should I honor a life-or-death challenge proposed by an enemy on the battlefield?”
The Northern Sky King released another contemptuous laugh.
“No matter how formidable Dokgo Myeong’s martial prowess, he cannot withstand the might of many alone.”
The North Black King—he was once a towering demon of the age when he unified the Black Blade sects across Jiangxi and Zhejiang, earning the name Georyeonggwi. As one born from the heterodox Black Blade tradition, he had no reason to abide by the rigid codes of honorable dueling or the laws of the martial world.
“Begin preparations. Let us seize this opportunity to capture him.”
Soon, soldiers from the North Black King’s encampment began silently preparing for battle.
One of the Four Heavenly Kings ignited his fighting spirit.
Yet he remained ignorant.
The Cheonma Sect, hidden from sight, watched from countless concealed positions as the chaos engulfed the North Black King’s forces.
* * *
Once more, a master emerged from the enemy lines.
“Greetings, Sect Leader Dokgo Myeong.”
“Your name?”
“Na-chal… No, I am Mo Tae-bang, Elder of the Great Moyong Family.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
“You remember your own name?”
“Is that so surprising?”
“Among all the ones I’ve met so far, not a single one has kept their wits about them.”
“Not everyone in Pacheonggun stands here by force.”
Dokgo Myeong’s brow furrowed slightly.
“It seems you truly are in your right mind, so why do you still serve your family?”
“When I was an orphan, it was Muyong Tae, the family head, who took me in and raised me.”
“….”
“This life he gave me—if he says he needs it and takes it, how could I refuse? You would have done the same, Dokgo Myeong.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a bitter laugh like a sigh, then shook his head firmly.
“What nonsense? If it were me, I’d have grabbed the sword backward and fled immediately.”
“…What?”
“The logic you speak of is no way to treat a person. Demanding someone surrender their life because you saved it? How is that any different from raising a slave or a beast?”
“Mind your tongue. You greenhorn…!”
“Martial Artist Mo. You at least seem like a decent person, so I’ll give you a chance. Come to your senses now and cross over.”
“I refuse.”
Dokgo Myeong sighed.
“So you’re mad in a different way. Still, I’ll respect that.”
Dokgo Myeong looked toward Mo Tae-bang.
“Is fist technique your specialty?”
“What if it is?”
“Then I’ll face you with fist technique as well. It’s only proper to test the waters that way.”
Clang!
Dokgo Myeong drove his Hyeonchul Sword into the ground.
The blunt tip of the blade carved through the earth like tofu, sinking deep into the soil.
“Are you mocking me?”
Mo Tae-bang’s eyes flashed with intensity.
Dokgo Myeong smirked.
“You don’t know much about me, it seems.”
“What?”
“Before I obtained this Hyeonchul Heavy Sword, I defeated everyone with my bare hands.”
“…!”
Dokgo Myeong held one hand behind his back and extended the other forward, wiggling his fingers.
“Now then, come at me. Out of consideration for your inferior skill, I’ll give you three seconds.”
“You…!”
Boom!
Mo Tae-bang erupted with true energy, his eyes blazing.
“For the honor of Moyong, I’ll strike you down with these hands!”
Crash!
The two of us collided simultaneously.
Crack crack crack!
Our limbs intertwined, leaving only afterimages in their wake.
I stepped back one pace to the side, cleanly evading the attack before speaking.
“First form.”
“…!”
“Quite sharp. When do you intend to use that Northern Black Divine Art?”
“Gal!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three consecutive fist strikes erupted forth. Mo Tae-bang had interpreted the Northern Black Divine Art and the Three Swords into pure fist techniques.
Crack!
My robe’s hem fluttered violently, and a strike grazed my exposed shoulder.
Thus the second form.
Mo Tae-bang did not pause, unleashing the final third form through continuous strikes.
“Ha-ap!”
He launched himself forward explosively, driving a fist toward my chest.
Boom!
With the deafening impact, I stumbled backward, forced away by the blow.
“Third form. It’s finished.”
“…!”
“Are you mentally prepared? Now I shall begin.”
In that instant, Mo Tae-bang flinched in alarm, hastily twisting his head away.
Crash! Waaaah!
Several strands of hair scattered into the void.
He had dodged by the thinnest margin. He had clearly evaded it, yet Mo Tae-bang felt his vision shake momentarily.
‘It wasn’t even a direct hit—merely grazed by the edge of the strike…!’
My martial arts were entering a new realm. No matter what sacrifices had been made to obtain such techniques, they could not compare to the martial arts I had cultivated through personal struggle and achievement.
Crash! Thud! Boom boom boom!
Fists and feet tangled together frantically.
Mo Tae-bang gritted his teeth and moved his feet.
Whoosh! Crash!
A forceful kick driven through a gap in the defense.
I unfurled my palm to block it, smiling with amusement as I spoke.
“Tsk, your footwork is quite decent.”
“What?”
“But this Northern Black Divine Art you speak of—it shouldn’t feel like this, should it?”
My eyes gleamed sharply.
“Il Na-chal seemed odd from the start… Show me properly. Your level appears higher than his, so I’ll be able to see it clearly.”
Boom! Boom!
I stamped my foot firmly, and Mo Tae-bang recoiled in shock, swinging his arms defensively.
Boom boom boom boom!
Fists collided head-on, and shockwaves erupted in succession.
Thud! Crash crash!
My fist techniques were impossible to predict. Strikes came in like joint locks, and evasive footwork seamlessly transformed into advancing steps.
In an instant, my fist from my waist shot out like cannon fire.
Boom!
‘Gasp!’
Mo Tae-bang lost his balance and stumbled backward.
He was pushed back.
The North Black Divine Art, specialized in defense and power, could not withstand my fist strike.
Crash crash!
Fist techniques exchanged frantically, and one fist and one palm clashed once more in midair.
Boom!
With the explosion, both figures bounced back simultaneously.
I fixed my gaze on Mo Tae-bang, my eyes gleaming.
‘The elastic rebound occurring right after impact. A protective technique that envelops the entire body without gaps….’
Where had I seen this before?
Where exactly was this sense of déjà vu coming from?
‘What is my sensory instinct trying to tell me?’
I brushed off my hands and clenched my fists tightly once more.
A lowered center of gravity, an upright torso. It was the stance of the Sacred Heaven Art.
Boom! Boom!
Power collided with power.
There was no evasion—only a direct frontal clash.
‘Ugh! How does he possess such strength to match the North Black Divine Art?!’
It was shocking.
It was as if a great rock stood blocking the way at Taesan. No matter how much I struck, I couldn’t budge him even slightly.
Rumble rumble rumble!
“Cough!”
Mo Tae-bang spat blood.
It wasn’t from a single strike. The aftermath of the direct collision had twisted his vital energy.
‘Regardless of anything else, I’m being pushed back in terms of striking power!’
Mo Tae-bang clenched his teeth tightly.
He planted his right foot firmly on the ground and drove both palms forward.
Boom!
A low center of gravity, a solid stance, trained bones. It was a tremendous force that evoked the image of a Buddhist Benevolent King incarnate.
However, when it came to power, I was equally confident in that domain.
The strength of my carefully sculpted body and the power of the Heavenly Jade Elixir extracted through the enlightenment of the Dark Heaven Art knew no limits, and defense was the ultimate form of offense.
Establishing my center firmly with the Immovable Standing technique, my dual palms spread in the Silver River Wall met his incoming attack.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom!
An explosion erupted.
Energy waves swept through like a violent gust, sand clouds billowed upward, and victory hung in the balance at that very moment.
“Surround him!”
Boom boom boom boom!
A group of masters who had concealed their presence closed in and encircled Dokgo Myeong.
“You let your guard down, Dokgo Myeong!”
From within the enemy forces that had swiftly surrounded Dokgo Myeong, a terrifying energy burst forth.
It was one of the Four Heavenly Kings—the Northern Sky King.
Crash!
The Northern Sky King rushed forward and brought his iron mace crashing down toward the still unarmed Dokgo Myeong.
The Dokgo Family’s Left Army noticed this change only belatedly.
“It’s the Northern Sky King! The Northern Sky King has appeared!”
“This will become a disaster! We must help at once!”
Neungmyeong of the Dokgo Family’s Left Army shouted to Dokgo Gun.
But Dokgo Gun simply remained seated without moving.
No, he was even smiling.
“Captain! Please give the order at once!”
Dokgo Gun shook his head firmly.
“Don’t act rashly.”
“But how could—!”
“Look. That fellow—it seems this was his true intention all along.”
“What?”
All eyes turned toward Dokgo Myeong.
* * *
Screech screech screech screech!
Dokgo Myeong was driven backward frantically, scraping the ground.
‘Brute strength. In a pure contest of power, I’m losing ground.’
The impact was shocking—his internal energy was formidable.
The Northern Sky King’s power, despite appearing to be in an imperfect state, was indeed on an entirely different level from the lackeys I had faced thus far.
“Let’s see that three-inch tongue of yours move again!”
I swept my gaze across my surroundings.
Surrounded in an instant.
It seemed that whenever I stepped onto the battlefield, I ended up surrounded. At this rate, wouldn’t people start mistaking the Cheonma Sect for a specialized unit in breaking through encirclements?
“Do you have the leisure to think of other things?”
“Will you not even reveal your name?”
“You wish to exchange names in the midst of battle?”
“Of course.”
I spoke calmly while shifting my stance.
The Northern Sky King’s eyes gleamed.
“I am Georyeonggwi. I currently hold the position of Northern Sky King.”
“Georyeonggwi. I recall hearing that name. Weren’t you the former cavalry commander of the heterodox sects near Zhejiang? How did you end up serving the Moyong Family?”
“With this divine technique they granted me, I shall command all under heaven.”
Divine technique, divine technique. I’m sick of hearing those words.
Was his martial art truly so coveted?
Thud!
Dokgo Myeong suddenly came to a halt.
He had reached the spot where the Hyeonchul Sword was embedded.
“Very well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dokgo Myeong.”
“Leave your final words. I intend to claim your life.”
“Try if you can.”
Dokgo Myeong broke into a grin.
“We’ve exchanged blows and names, so I think it’s time for me to take my leave.”
“You believe you can escape?”
“It seems likely.”
“What?”
Dokgo Myeong drew the Hyeonchul Sword and pointed it toward the Northern Sky King’s rear.
“Don’t you have chaos erupting in your own camp? Do you really have time to chase me?”
“…?”
It was at that very moment.
“Waaaaaaa!”
The rear flank that no one had paid attention to.
From the North Black King’s encampment—where soldiers gnashed their teeth with eyes fixed solely on Dokgo Myeong, devoid of order or formation—a roar erupted.
Whoooosh!
Simultaneously, flames burst forth from multiple points.
The Northern Sky King’s eyes widened as he whirled around urgently.
“That bastard…! Could it be?!”
“Then I’ll be going.”
Dokgo Myeong gripped the Hyeonchul Sword with both hands and swung it with maximum force, channeling his vital energy to its peak.
Boom!
Smoke billowed forth with the explosive sound.
Wrapping himself in that smoke like a curtain, Dokgo Myeong leaped upward without looking back.

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