Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 363

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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 363
Whoosh! Crash!
As the dust settled, stone fragments rained down like a downpour.
“Cough! Ugh… ack…”
Blood poured from Hyeon Un-jin’s mouth, his face completely crushed.
It appeared the damage extended far beyond his face alone. Whatever technique had been employed, his limbs trembled violently like those of an epileptic.
“We must save the Elder!”
“Deploy the Qiankun Infinite Formation! Quickly now!”
A moment too late, Hwangsan Sect disciples rushed forth from all directions.
Hyeon Cheong-jin stared at Dokgo Myeong with a dazed expression.
‘That… that young man…’
His martial prowess was truly beyond belief. The rumors he had heard seemed not the slightest bit exaggerated.
A soft rustle.
Then, Dokgo Myeong slowly rose to his feet.
Without a single labored breath, he turned his head slowly.
As the Dragon Scale Robe fluttered gently.
“Enough!!”
A sharp crack split the air!
A voice that erupted from nowhere echoed across Yeonhwa Peak.
The sinister aura that had filled the area was instantly swept away.
All eyes turned in unison toward the source of the voice.
“I clearly instructed you to conduct yourselves with proper courtesy and respect! What is the meaning of this?”
“We greet the Sect Leader.”
“We greet the Sect Leader.”
Hyeon Cheong-jin and the Hwangsan Sect disciples hurriedly bowed with proper etiquette.
‘The Hwangsan Sect Leader.’
A dignified middle-aged man with white hair and a long white beard surveyed the gathering with piercing eyes.
“Hyeon Cheong, my disciple. Was this your intention?”
The qi flowing from him possessed the refined excellence befitting a sect leader of his standing.
At his reproachful voice, Hyeon Cheong-jin immediately bowed respectfully.
“That is…”
“Or is this the doing of that reckless fool Hyeon Un, whose head is now embedded like a stake?”
“…My apologies.”
The Sect Leader shook his head and slowly approached.
“Primordial Celestial Worthy. I am Hyeon Gak, Sect Leader of Hwangsan.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled once and offered proper courtesy.
“A humble martial artist of the declining age greets the Hwangsan Sect Leader. I am Myeong of the Dokgo Family.”
“It seems my disciples and students have been discourteous.”
“…”
“But would it not be fitting to conclude matters here? I offer my apologies.”
A subtle smile played at the corners of Dokgo Myeong’s lips.
The entire situation unfolded with such perfect, almost painted precision.
“I will admit that my hand may have been somewhat heavy.”
“Then might I examine my disciple?”
“Of course, by all means.”
Dokgo Myeong stepped aside gracefully.
Hyeon-gak Jingin lowered himself and grasped the wrist of Hyeon Un-jin, who lay battered and broken.
“…!”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s eyelids trembled.
A terrifying internal injury—one that defied comprehension.
A single strand of martial force had burrowed deep into the body, shredding everything in its path, tearing through the vital meridians and attempting to take root. How one could simultaneously manifest three different properties of force was beyond understanding.
‘This technique… I’ve seen it somewhere before…’
A flicker of recognition crossed Hyeon-gak Jingin’s narrowed eyes.
‘More importantly, the Cheonma Sect Leader. I never imagined he possessed such power.’
Hyeon-gak Jingin soothed his disciple’s internal injuries once more, then rose to his feet.
“Disciples, take Hyeon Un, the Elder, to the medical hall at once. You must take the utmost care that his body remains stable.”
“Yes!”
“Hyeon Cheong-jin, you assist with the qi circulation technique. I fear… recovery may prove difficult.”
“…!”
Hyeon Cheong-jin bit down on his lower lip, his mouth working silently. Soon, like a man seized by dread, he withdrew with the other disciples.
“The rest of you, attend to our guest. I shall prepare tea myself.”
* * *
Wisps of steam rose from the tea table.
“Please, drink. These tea leaves were difficult to procure. I hope they suit your palate.”
Dokgo Myeong gazed at the slightly amber-hued tea before speaking.
“Yunnan black tea, I see.”
“Indeed. Does the legendary Black Dragon Technique master also possess knowledge of the tea ceremony?”
“In truth, I prefer cold water to tea.”
“Then how did you know?”
“Eighty percent of Yunnan tea leaves entering the Central Plains pass through Guizhou. And the majority of goods flowing from Guizhou into the Central Plains are monopolized and distributed by a single merchant house.”
“Which one?”
“The Geumsan Pavilion of my main family. It is managed by my most trusted confidant. This is hardly different from the tea knowledge I possess.”
“My, is that so?”
Hyeon-gak Jingin spoke as if genuinely impressed.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly and raised the teacup to his lips.
“I suspect the Sect Leader was already aware of this?”
Hyeon-gak Jingin answered with an enigmatic smile and gestured.
“Enough of this. The tea is quite pleasant.”
Dokgo Myeong drained the teacup in one gulp.
Though it had cooled considerably, the warmth still seared his throat. Yet perhaps because his insides were already roiling, it felt perfectly right.
“Heh, drinking tea like it’s wine. Then you could enjoy the subtle flavors….”
“Sect Leader.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes fixed directly on Hyeon-gak Jingin.
“I’m not in a state of mind to engage in pleasantries.”
“Your words are rather harsh.”
“Let’s get straight to the point. What do you want?”
“You’re the one who requested this meeting, so why are you asking me what I want?”
“If I hadn’t requested this meeting, this moment wouldn’t have been created in the first place, would it?”
“How unpleasant. Why do you think that way?”
“If it was my mistake, I apologize and will take my leave.”
Just as Dokgo Myeong tensed his legs to rise, Hyeon-gak Jingin slowly withdrew his lips from the teacup and spoke.
“Are you sure about that?”
Dokgo Myeong paused.
“I think the one who needs to speak their true desires isn’t me, but you.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin smiled faintly.
At last, this No Gang-ho revealed his true nature.
“I’ve been away from the secular world for so long that I’m ignorant of many worldly affairs, but I still know what matters.”
“….”
“I hear you’ve become quite entangled with our sect in this land of Anhui.”
“Are you questioning the rights and wrongs of the past?”
“Even if not, it doesn’t matter. Without our sect’s cooperation, you led your armed forces and recklessly disturbed this Anhui land. And now you treat Cheonzhu Mountain, our sect’s domain, as if it were your own territory.”
“I understand the Family Head’s proxy sent a personal letter.”
“Must we open the way unconditionally upon receiving a letter? Since when has our sect been in a position to grant every request from the Dokgo Family?”
Hyeon-gak Jingin continued in a cold voice.
“Moreover, you employed assassination techniques against our sect’s Elder in our own courtyard. I witnessed it myself—your methods were far too cruel. Recovery won’t be easy.”
Dokgo Myeong let slip a subtle smile.
“You’re presenting the situation in a distorted way.”
“What do you mean?”
“You orchestrated that situation. From the start, you intended to break my spirit and extract the words you wanted to hear from me.”
“That’s absurd. If I wanted to meet with you, why would I create such an unfavorable beginning?”
“If a Sect Leader of your standing didn’t know about such matters within the sect, that would be an even greater problem.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin fell silent, his mouth closing.
Soon after, he met Dokgo Myeong’s gaze.
“Listen here, young friend.”
“Please speak.”
“I’ve been the Sect Leader of Hwangsan for nearly twenty years now. And truthfully, I’m not a particularly good Sect Leader. You can see it from how the world ranks Hwangsan at the bottom of the Nine Great Sects.”
“….”
“Yet our sect remains among the Nine Great Sects. And it will continue to be so. Do you know why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Tradition.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“The history that Hwangsan possesses—what allows it to endure despite its ups and downs is precisely the power of time itself. Even when fierce currents flow anew, the Yangtze River’s course remains unchanged. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Hyeon-gak Jingin shook his head slowly.
“That is why, to preserve that tradition, one can do anything.”
“So you intend to hold me accountable, is that it?”
“You tarnished the honor of our sect without justification, merely on a whim.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin smiled.
“However.”
Clink!
The sound of a cup being set down echoed through the room.
“There is precisely one way to resolve this matter favorably.”
“I’m listening.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes narrowed.
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s smile deepened.
“I met with the Yongdu Sect Leader some years ago. Along with Sect Leader Baek.”
“….”
“I gained much from that encounter. I came to realize this war is merely an intermediate step. A step toward establishing the Martial Alliance, and preparing for a second conflict through that alliance.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Suddenly, I recalled one person moving at the forefront of that plan. It was you, was it not?”
Abruptly, Hyeon-gak Jingin placed his hand upon the teapot.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the water heated, and wisps of steam rose from the spout of the pot.
He then poured tea into both his cup and Dokgo Myeong’s cup.
“If you wish, I can overlook this matter entirely. I can even provide support to restore the lands of Cheonju Mountain and beyond—indeed, even portions of the old Namgung Family territories. I could even become your backer within the Martial Alliance that will soon be established.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s lips still curved upward. He had long since seen through that Dokgo Myeong was a key figure moving in the shadows of current events.
“Why not join hands with Hwangsan? Let us set aside old grievances and forge a good relationship. Come, take up your cup.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s eyes shimmered with a knowing light.
It was a look Dokgo Myeong knew well.
More than merely knowing it—knowing it so thoroughly that he was sick of it—Dokgo Myeong let out an involuntary chuckle.
“My belly has no more room for tea.”
“What?”
“If you have finished what you wished to say, I shall take my leave.”
Creak!
Dokgo Myeong cupped his fist and rose to his feet.
Hyeon-gak Jingin stared at him with furrowed brows.
“…Did you not understand my words?”
“I understood. But why should I join hands with Hwangsan?”
“There must be something you cannot obtain alone.”
“There is nothing to gain for me. What wolf crawls beneath a dog?”
“A dog…?”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s jaw muscles twitched.
Yet he maintained his composure as he spoke.
“Did I say something that could be misunderstood?”
“That’s not it.”
“Then what is it!”
Crash!
At last, Hyeon-gak Jingin also struck the table and rose to his feet.
“Do you think speaking civilly means you have a choice? No matter how renowned your name is across the realm, to commit such outrages without justification…!”
“Sect Leader.”
Thud.
Dokgo Myeong took a step closer to him.
With one hand resting on the table, tapping it rhythmically, his presence was strangely oppressive.
“Since you seem to understand well enough, allow me to speak plainly.”
“…?”
“Among the things you mentioned, is there perhaps something I cannot obtain by my own hand?”
“What do you mean…?”
Thud.
Dokgo Myeong took another step forward. Hyeon-gak Jingin unconsciously stepped back.
“Tianzhou Mountain, the Nangong Family’s lands, and moreover, hegemony over Anhui.”
Thud.
“Conflict with the Hwangsan Sect, justification, and if need be, a way to break through any obstruction.”
Thud.
“Factional strife within the Martial Alliance that hasn’t yet been divided, disputes over interests in the coming war…”
Thud.
“This is my final warning. Should you commit further discourtesy…!”
Watching Hyeon-gak Jingin’s trembling eyes waver, Dokgo Myeong suddenly pondered how to handle the aftermath.
His opponent was the Sect Leader of one of the Nine Great Sects. The justification lay with him.
Meanwhile, I was known merely as an exceptionally talented rising martial artist.
So truly, it would suffice to simply take one step back—just one step.
Dokgo Myeong quickly reached his conclusion.
‘Now it’s fine.’
The financial power flowing from Geumsan Pavilion, martial prowess that earned universal admiration, renown that had spread across the realm.
Those things the world knew were merely a fraction of the weapons I now possessed.
“Think about it for a moment.”
Thud.
Bang!
Hyeon-gak Jingin was driven against the wall.
Dokgo Myeong spoke.
“If I wished to, is there truly anything among those that would not bend to my will?”
“Your vigor is admirable, but the affairs of the world are not so easily bent to your whims…!”
“Why would someone of Yongdu Sect Leader’s or Sect Leader Baek’s caliber, and the main family known as the greatest in the realm, move according to my wishes?”
In that instant, Hyeon-gak Jingin’s body went rigid.
“Do you think I was merely a pawn in their game? Do you truly believe that?”
Gae-bang, the Dokgo Household, the Three Great Families.
The Murim Alliance’s faction, the power structure of this martial realm, and even Baek Mu-heun who could sketch it all—they all rest in these two hands of mine.
Power.
The greatest blade of the realm, which I had merely concealed and not wielded until now, is grasped in Dokgo Myeong’s hands.
Therefore, Dokgo Myeong could never be merely a pawn. Unless one were the one sitting before the chessboard itself.
“Whatever I desire to accomplish, I shall accomplish. Your faction can offer me nothing. Furthermore.”
“You, you… what are you saying now….”
“If I so choose… do you think even Hwangsan’s long and storied traditions would remain intact?”
“…!”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s eyes filled with blood.
Though spoken indirectly, the meaning was unmistakable.
Annihilation.
Before the Sect Leader of Hwangsan, one of the Nine Sects, a martial artist barely in his twenties had spoken of extermination.
“You insolent wretch!”
At Hyeon-gak Jingin’s outburst of rage, Dokgo Myeong let out a cold scoff.
“Now that I think about it… Hwangsan has maintained close ties with the Moyong Family for quite some time.”
Dokgo Myeong continued speaking in an almost whispered tone.
Hyeon-gak Jingin froze completely.
“Hyeon Un-jin of Hwangsan appeared even in the Infinite Blood Assassin and the Dragon’s Landing. Moreover, he was one of the few sect leaders who opposed the war with the Moyong Family until the end. At first, I thought he was simply trying to trip me up….”
“What, what nonsense are you spouting now!”
“Before I came here, I saw strange documents at the Moyong estate.”
“What…!”
In truth, I had never seen such documents. But given the circumstances that had come to light, there must have been some form of exchange.
No, actually, evidence wasn’t even necessary.
Because….
“But even that is not what matters to me.”
Perhaps it was the difference in height.
Dokgo Myeong, standing directly before Hyeon-gak Jingin’s face, now looked down upon him.
“What matters is simply the direction of what I desire. If I will it, it shall come to pass. Do you understand my words?”
“I, this…!”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s face began to turn ashen.
Dokgo Myeong looked down at Hyeon-gak Jingin with eyes turned cold as ice.
Normally, I would not have done this. What remains in such cases but petty pride? Revealing one’s hand only brings momentary satisfaction. It would be far more practical to exchange cards and throw down a surprising hand to win a larger pot.
But today, I had no such composure. What did losing a bit of the pot matter?
What did losing a bit of the pot matter?
Whoosh.
Dokgo Myeong slowly stepped back one pace.
“Then I trust you understand my meaning. I shall take my leave now.”
Dokgo Myeong turned sharply on his heel.
As he walked forward without hesitation, he suddenly stopped. In that instant, I felt Hyeon-gak Jingin’s body tense unmistakably.
“Ah, now that I think of it—you said Hwangsan’s strength lies in tradition?”
“…?”
“If the Hwangsan Sect is truly one of the Nine Great Sects, and if you are an esteemed elder of such a venerable and prestigious institution… shouldn’t your true strength come not from tradition alone, but from righteousness and honor?”
“…!”
“Please reflect carefully upon this, Sect Leader.”
Creak! Click!
Dokgo Myeong opened the door and stepped outside.

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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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