Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 34

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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 34
“Why is a letter you burned here? And that expression on your face tells me everything.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and continued.
“That’s because this letter itself was fabricated.”
“What do you mean?”
“The problem is that you became convinced this was a letter from the Hegemon League.”
“Wait, hold on….”
“Because there’s nothing written on it at all.”
Regardless of Hwang Im’s urgent protests, Dokgo Myeong unrolled the letter completely.
Just as he said, the letter was entirely blank.
“To make this visible, you need a special oil that the Hegemon League produces in secret.”
Splash!
Dokgo Myeong pulled out a small vial from his robes and poured the oil across the letter.
In that instant, the parts soaked in oil gradually became transparent, and characters began to appear.
“Early Tiger Hour, beneath the juniper tree at the north inner wall. The password is bat… it responds well. So, are you still thinking of denying this?”
“H-how could you….”
Hwang Im’s mouth fell open.
It was indeed the letter he had received.
But he couldn’t comprehend the situation.
How did this man know about the secret cipher script that the Hegemon League created?
‘No, what does he mean this letter was fabricated in the first place….’
Most organizations apply special treatments to letters as a precaution against theft or tampering. That’s what a secret cipher script is.
Hwang Im had confirmed the cipher script and believed he was dealing with a Hegemon League contact….
Thud!
Then, Lee Cheol-im, who had been quietly observing, extended his foot.
“Lord of the Sect—or rather, traitor Gicheon Clan Leader Hwang Im. You’ve even missed your final chance.”
“…Final chance?”
Lee Cheol-im let out a cold laugh.
“This entire meeting was merely arranged by the Alliance Leader to give you an opportunity to confess.”
“What do you….”
“Bring them out.”
Lee Cheol-im suddenly turned to look behind him and spoke.
Members of the Punishment Hall dragged forward a group of people.
“Gasp! Ugh!”
“A…Alliance Leader….”
Five people, bound and forced to their knees—all subordinates that Hwang Im had drawn into his conspiracy.
‘How could even they…!’
Kang Yeop-cheong exhaled slowly and opened his mouth.
“That letter was actually delivered to all the subordinates of our main sect. Those who didn’t know how to reveal the cipher script would have simply discarded it.”
“….”
“In other words, anyone who has read the secret documents and attempted contact with them would be considered a traitor to the Meng.”
Not everyone needed to react. If even one person showed a response, I could crush them and extract the rest.
Hwang Im, who had been listening blankly, slowly opened his mouth.
“Hehehehe!”
A hollow laugh burst forth.
Only then did I understand.
The moment I appeared at this gathering, my betrayal of the Meng had been sealed.
“You deceived me?”
“As I mentioned, it was an opportunity for confession.”
“An opportunity? You call this an opportunity?”
“In fact, we had already grasped the situation of your secret gathering with the elders several days ago.”
“….”
“The traitors are… these five people here in total. There are more who have been recruited by the Sect Leader, but fortunately, they appear unaware of matters related to the Hegemon League.”
“Ha! Yes, you truly know everything….”
Hwang Im exhaled a weary sigh, his expression drained of strength.
“The Punishment Hall members have already descended upon the Gicheon Clan, haven’t they?”
“Yes, we needed to secure the evidence.”
Hwang Im’s eyes flashed.
“How did you know? Brother Im… even the Alliance Leader didn’t notice.”
“…That’s something you need not know.”
“Hehehehe!”
Hwang Im burst into laughter.
I didn’t need to speak. I already knew.
That bastard, Dokgo Myeong. His schemes were unmistakable.
Kang Yeop-cheong regarded Hwang Im with a cold gaze.
“Why would you make such a foolish choice?”
“It was a decision for the greater cause.”
“You mean betraying the Jingcheng Alliance?”
Hwang Im shook his head firmly.
“I turned my back on you, not on the Jingcheng Alliance.”
Rather, Hwang Im spoke with audacious confidence, raising his voice brazenly.
“I made the right decision. With what conviction I came to this resolve….”
That was when it happened.
“Ah, I’m not interested.”
Dokgo Myeong cut him off abruptly and stepped forward.
“Just stay quiet, will you? I’m exhausted from being up all night.”
“You bastard…!”
Hwang Im’s expression twisted.
“Yes, you’re the problem!”
Whoosh!
In that instant, a fierce wave of energy erupted from Hwang Im’s body.
“You arrogant whelp! Do you think I’ll crumble so easily!!”
“Gasp! Myeong Sohyeop!”
Kang Yeop-cheong’s face went pale as he reached out his hand.
In a flash, Hwang Im drew his sword from his waist and charged toward me.
And then.
Whoosh!
A strange light flickered in my eyes.
Crash! Boom!
In an instant, a whirlwind swept through, followed by darkness and a deafening explosion. The torches were extinguished by the violent wind and blast.
“What is… this….”
Kang Yeop-cheong stood dazed, staring into the darkness where the torches had gone out.
Standing there was only me, Dokgo Myeong.
* * *
A major incident erupted in the Jingcheng Alliance overnight.
It was a case of treason—as grave a matter in the Gangho as the extinction of a sect.
Yet the affair was handled with surprising quietness and speed.
It was thanks to Kang Yeop-cheong utilizing the Alliance Leader’s authority to mobilize the Punishment Hall and its affiliated sects.
Just one night.
In a single night, five traitors were apprehended, and the sects they belonged to came under investigation.
“…That is how it has come to pass, Master.”
In the Alliance Leader’s Chamber sat Kang Yeop-cheong, myself, and Im Cheong-gun.
“Mmm… in the end.”
Im Cheong-gun released a bitter sigh.
He shook his head repeatedly, trying to shake off his regret.
“But how did you know the method of creating the Hegemon League’s secret pavilion?”
“Ah, that….”
I wore an awkward expression.
“It was one of the things the Main Sect researched in secret.”
It was an excuse that didn’t quite convince, but that wasn’t what mattered.
“Very well, let’s leave it at that. I’ll make sure to keep my mouth shut.”
“I appreciate that.”
“More importantly, is it true that you subdued Hwang Im?”
Im Cheong-gun asked, regarding me with a peculiar gaze.
“Well, it just happened to turn out that way.”
“…Are you injured?”
“Just some scraped hands, nothing serious.”
I waved my hands casually, having only applied wound salve without bandages.
Im Cheong-gun’s eyes trembled ever so slightly.
‘Even an old man on the verge of retirement, if he has achieved mastery, is still a martial artist of considerable standing.’
I had mountains of questions I wanted to ask, but now was not the time.
“Tell me more of this explanation. What possessed you to orchestrate such a scheme?”
Kang Yeop-cheong nodded and revealed the truth behind the incident.
“Hwang Uncle… or rather, that man was after the position of Alliance Leader. But lacking justification, he sought to manufacture one through the Hegemon League.”
“Through the Hegemon League? How does dealing with the Hegemon League make one the Alliance Leader of the Meng?”
“It appears the Hegemon League agreed to declare war on the Meng during the Geumbun Seso Ritual. However, the Martial Arts Alliance Leader’s arrival was delayed, and Myeong Sohyeop disrupted the atmosphere…”
The detailed account continued from there.
They would fight several battles, and at an opportune moment, public opinion would be shaped that the next Alliance Leader, Kang Yeop-cheong, could not bear the burden of war.
Then Hwang Im would offer to assume the position of Alliance Leader temporarily, all while plotting to seize control of the Meng.
The casualties and deaths in this process were never factored into the calculation.
“What did he promise the Hegemon League to gain their cooperation?”
“…Trading rights.”
“What?”
“He forcibly reclaimed the trading rights the Meng had distributed to the merchants of Guizhou…”
“What a foolish wretch! Cough! Cough!”
Crash!
Im Cheong-gun struck the desk forcefully and coughed out in pain.
“Master! Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I’m fine…”
The reason the Jingcheng Alliance was founded and the reason it had endured until now.
Rare medicinal herbs harvested only in the southern regions, along with tea leaves and minerals, were being traded through Guizhou.
‘That fool Hwang Im… the Main Sect was created precisely to protect that.’
Long ago, Im Cheong-gun and his followers had opened new trade routes to revitalize Guizhou and painstakingly persuaded the tribes of Yunnan and the southern barbarians. They then distributed all those trading rights to the merchants and people of Guizhou.
Because their hearts turned toward the Jingcheng Alliance, the Alliance managed to survive despite the numerous checks from surrounding powers.
In that moment, Im Cheong-gun’s gaze turned toward Dokgo Myeong.
‘If not for this young man’s warning, if things had proceeded as planned…’
Perhaps the Jingcheng Alliance would have had no future.
“…I am grateful.”
“Pardon?”
“I owe you a great debt.”
“It’s nothing. I was hoping to be compensated anyway.”
“Hehe, is that so?”
Such blunt honesty paradoxically inspired trust.
Im Cheong-gun gazed with profound eyes at the man who was practically his benefactor and his own disciple.
Suddenly, he felt the passage of time.
The rear waves of the Yangtze push forward the front waves, as they say.
Waves are not singular. Great and small waves combine to form a new wave.
Similarly, his seemingly inadequate disciple had met Dokgo Myeong, a new wave, and grown.
The Jingcheng Alliance too must change from what it was. A new wave would lead the Alliance forward.
“…I never knew my fate held blessings in my twilight years.”
Im Cheong-gun murmured softly.
“Pardon me, Master? What did you say?”
“Nothing at all. It seems age has caught up with me—I can no longer indulge in such lengthy discourse.”
“Ah, but regarding the apprenticeship matter….”
“That’s enough. You must handle it yourself from now on.”
Tap! Creak!
Im Cheong-gun rose from his seat without hesitation, leaning upon his cane.
Gone was any trace of the Alliance Leader’s commanding presence. He appeared merely as a kindly grandfather.
“How long will you torment a retired master? This violates the very principles of the Geumbun Seso Ritual.”
“Pardon?”
“My curiosity has been satisfied. And….”
Leaving the bewildered Kang Yeop-cheong behind, Im Cheong-gun suddenly clasped his fists in salute toward Dokgo Myeong.
“Sohyeop. I entrust my disciple to your care.”
“…!”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Seeing his master bow so deeply, Kang Yeop-cheong was equally taken aback.
“M-Master! How could you…!”
“Heh heh, then I shall take my leave. Do enjoy your conversation, Alliance Leader and honored guest.”
Im Cheong-gun departed from the study without a care in the world, shuffling away with ease.
* * *
In the silence that settled, Dokgo Myeong spoke first.
“A fine man, indeed.”
“Pardon?”
“Remarkably virtuous. It seems you’ve become a good person under his guidance.”
And that’s precisely why the Jingcheng Alliance had been weak.
“Thank you, Myeong Sohyeop. I shall never forget the debt of gratitude from this matter and will repay it with utmost sincerity.”
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Merely words?”
“Pardon?”
“Surely you don’t intend to settle this with words alone? You must demonstrate your sincerity.”
“….”
Kang Yeop-cheong found himself at a loss for words.
“Ah, yes, a demonstration of sincerity…. Of course. The matter we discussed previously shall proceed without delay….”
“No, no, we need to recalculate this.”
“Pardon?”
“Originally, we agreed I would help you against the Hegemon League, correct? But this time, I’ve also assisted with internal reorganization.”
“Well, that is to say….”
“Then you must increase the compensation! Surely you weren’t planning to simply wash your hands of this? I didn’t take you for that sort of person….”
“….”
Right. I didn’t take myself for that sort of person either.
The atmosphere had been so warm, and now this?
“Please repay my sincerity with all your heart. Make it grand! Make it abundant!”
“…Yes, I understand.”
Kang Yeop-cheong regarded the contract and me with a reluctant expression.
I nodded with evident satisfaction.
“Well, we can discuss that again once the work is done. For now, there’s just one final hurdle remaining.”
At my words, Kang Yeop-cheong tilted his head in confusion.
“Are you referring to the Martial Arts Alliance Leader?”
“Yes.”
“…But surely there’s nothing the Martial Arts Alliance Leader can do right now?”
I had successfully thwarted the plan prepared by the Hegemon League without issue. I couldn’t predict what schemes Wi Mu-jin might devise later, but I believed there was no way even he could accomplish anything in the current situation.
Especially not when renowned masters from the Gangho had gathered at the Jingcheng Alliance.
“If he were the type to retreat so meekly, I wouldn’t be concerned.”
“Then….”
“It’s not over yet.”
My eyes gleamed with intensity.

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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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