Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 339

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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 339
“Amitabha Buddha. What are you saying? I cannot enter the mountain?”
“I cannot tell you. Simply come back tomorrow.”
“Patron, I am not a man of the Moyong Family fighting against you all. I am a disciple of the Cheonmok Sect on this mountain. If you go and confirm my identity with the abbot, that will be the end of it!”
“That is not the issue. Entry to the mountain is forbidden for today.”
“Hah, what kind of outrage is this!”
The Cheonmok Sect disciple pounded his chest in frustration, venting his exasperation.
He had rushed back to headquarters upon hearing news of the war.
Yet this man who claimed to be a Cheonma Sect member blocked the mountain path and refused to move aside. When he tried alternative routes and side paths, Cheonma Sect disciples guarded those as well.
“Cheonmok Mountain belongs to no one! How can you block the path like this! Are all martial artists the same? Is this acceptable even during wartime!”
The disciple finally lost patience and shouted.
But Hang San-gwi, the Cheonma Sect member, remained utterly immovable, not budging an inch.
“In broad daylight, what is this! As if this mountain belonged to your family!”
“Raising your voice won’t change anything. Turn back.”
Hang San-gwi waved his hand dismissively as he spoke.
Finally, the disciple’s face flushed crimson with anger.
“So the Cheonma Sect’s reputation for righteousness was all a lie! Are tales of heroes and champions nothing but falsehoods! What sinister deeds are happening in there that you block the path without even explaining the reason!”
The disciple unleashed words bordering on abuse.
Flash!
Hang San-gwi’s eyes gleamed like a beast, his entire body radiating killing intent from his time on the battlefield.
His hand began to rise slowly, and the disciple flinched in alarm.
“I am an unrefined man. If my words caused misunderstanding, I apologize.”
“…?”
“There are circumstances. Once this is resolved, I will personally escort you to that Cheonmok Sect or wherever it is, so please wait a little longer.”
His tone changed, and Hang San-gwi awkwardly assumed a martial salute, bowing at the waist.
Those who knew Hang San-gwi would have been astonished at the sight. He was a man who rarely showed courtesy to anyone.
The disciple was taken aback by the awkward yet sincere gesture.
‘Why would he go this far…?’
The disciple composed himself and returned the courtesy with equal formality.
“Amitabha Buddha. I too spoke carelessly in my agitation. I apologize.”
“Say no more. I was rude to you, Master.”
“What exactly is happening in there that you must do this?”
“I cannot say.”
“Truly…”
Hang San-gwi glanced back and gazed up at the mountain as he spoke.
“I assure you, it is nothing unrighteous.”
“Can I trust your word?”
“If it is otherwise, I will tear out my own tongue and apologize.”
“Amitabha Buddha. That is not necessary. But what exactly is this matter…”
“We have simply received orders and are carrying them out. And even without orders, we would not wish for what happens within to be disturbed.”
Such scenes unfolded in various places around the foothills of Cheonmok Mountain.
The managers turned away Left Army martial artists attempting to climb the mountain for reconnaissance, Yang Un-rang turned away herb gatherers, Bang Dan-a turned away woodcutters, and Jin-sa turned away merchants….
The Cheonma Sect disciples blocking the entrance to Cheonmok Mountain bowed respectfully to martial artists, powerless commoners, and children alike, pleading for their understanding.
They hoped that no one would interfere with the work of the person they revered and served.
* * *
“Shall we take a walk?”
“I’d like that.”
I walked along the mountain path with Namgung Sohwa.
Cheonmok Mountain was indeed a renowned peak of Zhejiang. It emanated a spiritual essence that rivaled any mountain in the Central Plains.
“Grrrowwwl!”
As we reached the midpoint of the mountain, a massive creature emerged from somewhere, prowling toward us with a low growl.
“This aura is… Could it be?”
“I called for you ages ago. What took you so long, you beast!”
“Roar!”
It was Hoa, who these days preferred to roam and play in the nearby mountains unless summoned.
I vigorously scratched the creature’s luxuriant mane, which had grown so much. Despite its size, upon closer inspection, traces of its youthful face remained.
“Here, eat this and stay around for a bit. You know what to do, right?”
“Grrrowwwl!”
“I’m counting on you.”
“Roar!”
Hoa smoothly bounded up the mountainside.
“What did you ask of it?”
“Oh, just this and that.”
But the fact that I could make requests meant we understood each other, didn’t it? It was remarkable when I thought about it.
After walking for some time, I opened my mouth.
“Do you know why I called you out?”
“I don’t. So please tell me.”
Though she said she didn’t know, her expression had already hardened.
I began speaking calmly.
The visit of Wi Jang-chun and Muyong Cheol, the negotiations, the story about the vassal family—I explained everything that had happened without adding or omitting anything.
“…Such conversations took place last night.”
Tap.
Namgung Sohwa stopped walking.
I also stopped, following her lead.
“So?”
“….”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Of course I should tell you. What are you talking about?”
“What I mean is, why tell me only now? What’s the point of speaking after everything has already been decided?”
Though I spoke as gently as possible, my voice gradually grew louder toward the end.
“At first, I wasn’t certain of anything. And even now, if you said you disliked it, I would overturn everything.”
“What if I… could never accept the Moyong lineage continuing, even in death?”
“Then I would have to return everything to a blank slate.”
“But Wei Commandant and the Moyang Soldier have already concluded their discussion. You’re saying you’d overturn that? Would that really be acceptable?”
“I’ll make it acceptable. Besides, those two already know.”
“…So in the end, it all comes down to my decision.”
“I made a promise.”
Namgung Sohwa spoke with a stiff expression, her voice sharp and bitter.
“Then you shouldn’t have given me decision-making power or choices. You should have consulted with me first.”
“No, that’s not it. Like I said, I wasn’t certain of anything…”
“Wasn’t certain of what? At the very least, you should have told me first, you fool.”
“Hey, watch your tone…”
“What do you expect? This is infuriating!”
Namgung Sohwa’s eyes blazed with fury. Dokgo Myeong’s face went pale as his eyes widened in shock.
Namgung Sohwa opened her mouth, her expression cold and rigid.
“I know. I know that’s the most righteous and best way. That there would be no regrets.”
“…”
“The Captain… Myeong did this for my sake. Because he knows me well. Because he knows I wouldn’t want to kill innocent people. So you decided everything first and told me afterward to spare me from worrying.”
“Sohwa.”
“But that’s not how it should be. You should have told me first. The Moyong Family is my enemy.”
Dokgo Myeong’s mouth snapped shut.
“Was it because you thought I’d agonize over it? Or because you feared I’d make a foolish choice in anger?”
Dokgo Myeong mumbled an excuse in a voice barely above a whisper.
“That’s just how it is…”
“Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself if what you’re about to say is an excuse or the truth. If it’s not an excuse, then tell me now.”
“…”
“See? I knew it.”
Namgung Sohwa crossed her arms and let out a scornful laugh.
“Do you still not trust me that much?”
“That’s not it at all.”
“Then why did you do it?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why would you do something you need to apologize for?”
Dokgo Myeong found himself at a loss for words.
Something was wrong here. Where had his authority as commander gone?
“Listen.”
Namgung Sohwa’s eyes flashed with such intensity it seemed to radiate killing intent.
“Yes… of course.”
“I’m not a child for you to shelter and raise. If you’re going to make me follow you, then give me orders instead. You’re my commander and the Captain of the Cheonma Sect. If you command it, I will obey.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes wavered.
“Not just me, but all of the Cheonma Sect disciples would feel the same. However, understand this one thing.”
Namgung Sohwa spoke in a resolute voice.
“We became Cheonma Sect disciples to stand beside a man named Dokgo Myeong, not to become disciples merely to receive childish care and protection.”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression hardened at last.
He belatedly realized his recklessness. Regardless of what it was, if it concerned the Moyong Family, he should have discussed it with Namgung Sohwa first.
To decide everything and then say he’d overturn it if she disliked it—what kind of irresponsible act was this?
“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
“Just words.”
“No, but that’s….”
*Tsk.*
….
Watching the bewildered Dokgo Myeong, Namgung Sohwa’s expression became peculiar.
Normally he seemed like someone who wouldn’t blink even if the sky collapsed, yet in moments like this, he twisted his entire body to show his contrition.
Truly a fascinating person.
A commander need only issue orders to his subordinates according to his will. Where in this world could one find a commander who grants choice and decision-making authority to his subordinates? Such was the way of the martial world.
Yet Dokgo Myeong was not like that.
Because he truly thought of them not as subordinates, but as comrades.
The fact that he had them call him Captain rather than Commander of the Cheonma Sect must have been for that very reason.
“If you presume to decide things for me again next time, I’ll really kill you.”
“Hey! Even so, is that any way to speak?”
“Or would you prefer I kill myself right now?”
….
Dokgo Myeong averted his gaze.
Only then did Namgung Sohwa let out a soft laugh and ask in an even tone.
“By the way, to preserve the family name as a vassal house of a martial clan… you agreed to endure such humiliation?”
“It was what they wanted.”
….
Namgung Sohwa nodded heavily.
A moment of silence descended.
She took a deep breath and then spoke.
“So, where is he now?”
Her expression had already turned cold.
“Inside the cave visible beyond that tree.”
Namgung Sohwa’s gaze turned toward where Dokgo Myeong pointed.
Muyong Cheol. Her enemy was there.
“Isn’t he being held as a hostage?”
“That’s true.”
“If I were to harm him, it could cause problems, couldn’t it? You’re holding him as a hostage for negotiations….”
“I’m telling you again.”
Dokgo Myeong gazed at Namgung Sohwa intently.
“As long as you make it work, that’s all that matters.”
Namgung Sohwa stared intently at the cave entrance once more.
Leaving her behind, I began climbing the mountain alone. Then I muttered to myself.
“I came to the summit of Cheonmok Mountain to organize my thoughts before the decisive battle today.”
“Pardon? What are you suddenly talking about?”
“I needed a protector, so I brought only Namgung Bujang with me. Worried about assassins from the Jeongheol Sect, I had the Cheonma Sect Disciples control the entire surrounding area. Not a single rat will be able to climb Cheonmok Mountain today.”
“…!”
“Thanks to that, nothing that happens inside that cave will leak outside. It’s only natural. I came to the mountain to cultivate my martial arts, not to visit a cave.”
Only then did Namgung Sohwa understand what I was trying to say.
Whatever revenge she sought.
Whatever form she took.
What happened inside that cave today would never seep out to the world.
“And conveniently, Hoa will come to play nearby with the wild beasts of the region. When they smell blood, they’ll head toward the cave. Caves naturally become the lairs of wild creatures anyway.”
Watching me brazenly play dumb, Namgung Sohwa asked.
“No advice for me?”
“What advice?”
“Advice for my revenge.”
She was afraid in her heart.
Afraid that after venting this rage, she might become consumed by vengeance itself.
Then I spoke.
“The most important thing in this world is knowing when you have enough.”
“Enough?”
“Will you repay what you received? Will you repay it with interest? Or will you simply let it pass?”
“….”
“It’s no different from eating a meal. Too much brings harm, too little brings regret. You must learn to let everything go when you’ve had just enough, no more and no less.”
“…Thank you.”
“Well. I’m going to cultivate my martial arts, so I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
With that, I left Namgung Sohwa behind.
Her expression, left alone, had grown colder than ever before.
Soon she stepped into the cave, her eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

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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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