Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 359

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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 359
Whoooosh!
Muyong Tae watched the blade pierce through his Northern Ming Divine Technique.
‘So this is what Namgung’s sword truly is.’
Utterly magnificent.
This was what I had always desired.
That overwhelming power.
An unwavering, steadfast swordsmanship.
‘Yes, a sword must be wielded like that.’
Clang! Ting!
In the collision of blades, Muyong Tae heard and witnessed a story within a single person.
Shame welled up within me.
It could be done like that. No—it had to be done like that. I understood it only now.
That anyone could become an emperor within their own life.
Without being swayed by others, without needing to steal from them or harbor envy, standing upright and complete as oneself alone.
‘That is why such swordsmanship can be unleashed without doubt.’
Namgung’s sword. The sword of the Azure Heaven.
Yet what mattered was not the sky itself. One cannot grasp its essence if one’s gaze is stolen by the sky’s height and vastness.
What matters is the self gazing upon that sky.
Like this woman before me—one who, after countless waverings, finally obtained a steadfastness that even typhoons cannot shake.
Flash!
Namgung Sohwa’s blade now contained a brilliant azure light unlike anything before.
This is the end.
Muyong Tae recalled countless methods to shatter that single strike. Yet paradoxically, he could not choose any of them.
‘Too precious a sword to break.’
Instead of swinging his blade, he slowly closed his eyes.
Whoooooosh!
A brilliant azure light engulfed the world blindingly.
Where the light receded.
Muyong Tae knelt on one knee, gazing up at Namgung Sohwa.
“That sword… what is the name of that swordsmanship?”
Namgung Sohwa answered calmly.
“The Emperor’s Sword Form.”
“…!”
“The sword of the Namgung Clan. My sword, Namgung Sohwa’s sword.”
Silence descended.
Dawn had begun to break.
The light of early morning seeped through the shattered walls and ceiling of the great hall. That light pushed back even the darkness of the Northern Ming Technique that enveloped Muyong Tae.
“Truly a fitting name… The Emperor’s Sword Form—a peerless swordsmanship that shall be remembered for ages to come…”
A voice like prophecy echoed through the devastated great hall.
Namgung Sohwa asked.
“At the end… why didn’t you extend your blade?”
Muyong Tae stared into the void with clouded eyes and murmured.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t extend it, but that I couldn’t. From the moment I faced your sword in this place, my defeat was already sealed…”
As Muyong Tae finished speaking, his body swayed.
Thud.
Soon his other knee struck the ground. He looked as though he might collapse at any moment, yet somehow he remained upright.
Step by step.
Namgung Sohwa walked toward Muyong Tae. She too was utterly drained, her steps unsteady, and it took an eternity to cover the short distance between them.
Thump.
Finally standing before Muyong Tae, Namgung Sohwa asked.
“Do you have any final words?”
“You would hear the last words of your enemy?”
“It’s only proper for one to do so.”
“Proper, proper indeed… hehehehe…”
Muyong Tae burst into laughter and gazed into Namgung Sohwa’s eyes.
“I lived by my own will and ultimately faced defeat. I have no excuses to make, no words to leave behind.”
“Then at least offer words of atonement. I will listen.”
“Atonement? Atonement, you say. Hahaha! Never!”
In that instant, blood gushed from Muyong Tae’s mouth.
“Did you think this Muyong Tae would weep and apologize to a mere woman? My failure stems only from my own insufficiency and weakness. Had I not been careless, all circumstances would have been reversed.”
Watching him, Namgung Sohwa spoke with a voice tinged with pity.
“How pitiful.”
“What?”
“I pity you. The chance at atonement I offered was not for my sake, but for yours.”
“…!”
“To reach the very end and turn away from that opportunity. A life that leaves no words behind is truly hollow.”
Muyong Tae’s eyes wavered.
Namgung Sohwa raised her blade.
Muyong Tae gazed up at her quietly, then whispered something in a trembling voice.
Her eyes widened. Her grip on the sword tightened.
“…Now kill me.”
Muyong Tae’s eyes closed gently, and the blade fell.
Whoosh. Thud!
Muyong Tae’s head rolled across the ground. Blood pooled like a lake around his lifeless body.
Rustle! Thump!
Namgung Sohwa collapsed before him, sinking to her knees.
Feeling the heat rise to her eyes, she gazed up at the sky.
Everything was over.
The vengeance she had devoted her life to was finally, truly complete.
* * *
Gwak Dae-ryong let his deformed iron bow hang loose as he clicked his tongue.
“Damn, that bastard’s quick. He took five direct hits from my Shadowless Strike, so he won’t last long, but…”
“Great Master Gwak! Did you let Mumeong escape?”
“It just happened that way.”
Gwak Dae-ryong clicked his tongue again.
“Seems there was a secret passage. He went inside, and suddenly the entrance collapsed.”
Gwak Dae-ryong tapped the rubble with his foot, lost in thought.
There was something he couldn’t quite understand.
‘Why would someone who charged in ready to die suddenly flee like that?’
Mumeong carried the same scent as the assassins. He wasn’t moving by his own will, but rather following orders from someone else.
He would sooner swallow poison and die than run away…
‘Could it be?’
Gwak Dae-ryong’s brow twitched.
* * *
Thud!
Mumeong, leader of the Jeokcheongseomdae, collapsed helplessly in the sealed corridor, spilling blood.
“…Huff, gasp. Huff.”
Mumeong removed the mask covering his face and murmured.
“It was… an honor to serve you.”
His voice, barely holding together, echoed through the passage.
Was he speaking to Muyong Tae, whom he had served like a shadow his entire life? If so, why would he say such things here?
Then, a low voice sounded from somewhere.
“I will remember your sacrifice.”
“I have completed all tasks.”
“I have witnessed it. You have labored well.”
“Now… please take me with you.”
Tssssss!
A hazy presence appeared beside Mumeong, and from his brow and the point between his eyes, a strange energy flowed out like thread.
“Eight Protectors. I shall remember you. Go ahead and wait. When all is finished, we shall meet again.”
Mumeong’s lips slowly opened.
“Divine Sect Undefeated…”
His final breath escaped.
“…Divine Blood Immortal.”
The Divine Blood Sect.
Mumeong, having spoken that name, breathed his last.
Whoosh!
The hazy presence that had appeared like smoke vanished in an instant.
* * *
Not long after news reached them that the Cheonma Sect was heading toward Hangzhou, the Left Army and the main force hastily followed in pursuit.
“Surrender immediately! If you lay down your arms without resistance, I will spare your lives!”
Dokgo Un-hak rose from his sickbed in half a day and reappeared in Hangzhou. Blood seeped through the bandages wrapped around his abdomen, yet his momentum remained undiminished.
Moreover, unexpected figures had appeared before the remnants of the Moyong Family who were preparing for urban warfare.
“I am Sect Leader Seongcheon, Yong Gun-baek. Warriors of the Moyong Clan, lay down your weapons and surrender. It is all over now. There is no need to endure further unnecessary sacrifice.”
The commanders of the Yukcheon Unit, who had been captured and imprisoned, persuaded them.
“Ha, so it truly is finished. If even they have switched sides….”
“What will become of the main family’s fate from now on?”
“I will set down my weapons. I will surrender willingly, so please bind me.”
The urban warfare that was expected to unfold within Hangzhou ended before it could properly begin, concluded by the surrender of the Moyong Clan warriors.
Thus, the left and right armies of the Dokgo Family, along with the main force, swiftly advanced toward the Hangzhou Command Center without significant resistance.
“This cunning fellow. I never expected he would head to the Command Center first in such a situation.”
“I’m uncertain if it will be fine. The Cheonma Sect must have been quite exhausted.”
“We’ll know once we get there. Whether he was overreaching or had confidence.”
Dokgo Un-hak and his son Dokgo Gun advanced together.
Suddenly, Dokgo Un-hak let out a hollow laugh. Contrary to what he had just said, he was certain that Dokgo Myeong had already planted the Black Dragon Flag in the inner courtyard of the Moyong Family.
“He’s claimed all the greatest merits for himself.”
“He made the effort to deserve it.”
Thinking of the rewards and honors to be distributed upon returning to the family, my head already aches.”
“Haven’t you already compensated somewhat by preserving the Moyong Family?”
“That’s merely small change. Consider what that fellow has accomplished.”
Dokgo Un-hak snorted derisively.
Though they stood on opposite sides politically, he had no wish to conduct himself shamefully. His belief was that if merit had been earned, at least a proportional reward should be given.
Moreover, whether he liked it or not, that fellow was his nephew.
‘Yes, my nephew. Just thinking about it makes my teeth grind. Heh heh!’
Dokgo Un-hak quietly tallied the achievements of Dokgo Myeong and the Cheonma Sect.
Rescuing the right army, slaying numerous enemy masters, the principal architect of the great victory at Pacheonggun, slaying Ji-myeol Magoon, luring and routing the Grand General and the Jeongheol Disciples….
Remarkable.
Now Dokgo Myeong’s standing would be distinctly different from before. Surely those influenced by him would emerge as well.
‘Turbulent times naturally call forth heroes.’
Or perhaps, heroes themselves bring forth turbulent times.
Either way, Dokgo Myeong, the architect of war and vanquisher of great evil, would be hailed as a hero of the new age, and the Cheonma Sect would become the principal architects of that victory.
“The positions available in the Five Armies will increase considerably.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“I mean you.”
“You mean me, sir?”
“You withstood the combined assault of four Heavenly Kings three times, and ultimately captured three of them alone. Until you were blocked by Pacheonggun, you suffered not a single defeat—your name cannot help but be mentioned.”
“I see.”
Dokgo Gun remained composed.
In the past, his son’s reaction had seemed merely calm, but now it felt somehow different.
Yet Dokgo Un-hak soon shook his head. Still, he was his own blood, his son. It was surely just an idle thought.
“And then there’s Myeong-i, that one.”
“Yes, Myeong-i will surely earn his name as well.”
“‘Heavenly King’ before that man’s name? The end times have truly come.”
No matter how one looked at it, Dokgo Myeong hardly deserved the title of Heavenly King or Emperor. Perhaps a monster, but nothing more.
“In any case, let’s hurry. Lead the way.”
“Yes.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes swept rapidly across the surroundings.
‘Perhaps the battle is still ongoing.’
I knew the Cheonma Sect and the White Tiger Corps had joined forces with an unknown group of martial artists.
But even so, their numbers seemed insufficient. Perhaps fierce combat was still unfolding somewhere.
‘The Grand Estate itself is evidence of the Muyong Family’s crimes. If they set fires or collapsed buildings, it would become troublesome. It must arrive at the main family’s hands in perfect condition.’
That was when it happened.
“I see it! The entrance to the Grand Estate!”
“There it is!”
Soon, an open path came into view, and at its end stood an enormous manor that resembled a palace.
Upon entering the estate, Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“…General.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Am I… seeing this correctly?”
“It would seem… so.”
The gazes of everyone present grew rigid and uncertain as they turned toward the surroundings.
“Kahahaha! This place has been claimed by our Cheonma Sect!”
“You there, put out that fire! Put it out! If anything valuable catches fire, the Captain will kill us all!”
“Gasp! That’s collapsing! Quick, prop it up with logs! This is all ours now, we can’t have a single scratch!”
“Khehehehe! Strip everything of value! All of this belongs to our Cheonma Sect!”
“What are you doing! This was once my home, and you call this plundering!”
“Moyang soldier! Plundering? We’re simply collecting spoils of war!”
“That is plundering!”
What in the world was this chaos?
Were they repairing the manor of enemies they’d fought so fiercely against? Simply because it was now theirs, they couldn’t allow a single blemish?
‘No, it’s possible since they’ve occupied it. But…’
What was that one doing, scraping the gold leaf from the surface of decorative pieces? And what of that one laughing heartily while shouldering a bundle stuffed with goods?
“That… what exactly is…”
“Hmm.”
I heard the bewildered sighs of those who had followed Dokgo Un-hak.
These were supposed to be the heroes of a glorious victory? The champions?
‘Aren’t they just thieves?’
A sigh escaped unbidden.
‘If this spectacle were to leak outside…’
A headache was already beginning to form. Why did everyone around Dokgo Myeong have to be like this?
“Wait! The main force has arrived!”
“Don’t come near! We already claimed this spot! First come, first served, didn’t you know!?”
The Cheonma Sect disciple growled like a dog baring its teeth.
Dokgo Un-hak’s expression began to decay with displeasure.
“…I believe I told you to stop just now.”
“But Moyang Soldier!”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Gasp!”
Moryong Sohgyo seized control of the Cheonma Sect disciples with a voice dripping with frigid menace.
The disciples, who had been running wild just moments before, froze with ashen faces as Moryong Sohgyo approached Dokgo Un-hak.
“My apologies for the disturbance. Have you arrived?”
“Moyang Soldier.”
“You’re late.”
“The Cheonma Sect was simply faster. Without warning, far faster than expected.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s body trembled slightly.
“Surely… this hasn’t offended you, has it?”
“What do you think?”
“I know nothing of it. Everything was done under our Commander’s orders, so take your grievances to him.”
“…?”
Is that really the right response? Isn’t it usually the opposite?
“Never mind. I’ve no desire to argue. Only… stop what you’re doing now. It doesn’t look good.”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
*Crack!*
Moryong Sohgyo’s cold gaze pierced toward those behind her.
The Cheonma Sect disciples standing awkwardly trembled and scattered in all directions in an instant.
“So, could you give me a detailed account of what happened?”
Moryong Sohgyo reported calmly.
“Muyong Gaju Muyong Tae died after the life-or-death duel, Jeokcheongseomdae Leader Mumeong also died after fleeing, and the defected Overseer Wi Jang-chun is assisting with the organization of all documents and evidence.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes widened.
“So.”
He closed his mouth firmly after that single word.
Dokgo Myeong had ultimately taken Muyong Tae’s life.
Regardless of anything else, even Dokgo Un-hak felt a pang of jealousy at that.
The silence lasted only briefly before Dokgo Un-hak spoke again.
“So, where is that bastard Dokgo Myeong now? I just noticed there aren’t many disciples around, and I don’t see the other managers either.”
“Those people….”
Moryong Sohgyo trailed off, her gaze shifting toward the rear.

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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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