Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 364

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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 364
Hyeon-gak Jingin gripped the armrest tightly, his gaze fixed on the door through which Dokgo Myeong had departed.
‘What in the world…’
Beads of cold sweat streamed down relentlessly, soaking the Daoist crown upon his head.
‘What have I just been subjected to?’
My heart pounded as though it would burst from my chest.
I could not discern whether the surge was born of rage or humiliation.
And yet, how could it be otherwise?
Had I ever endured such treatment in all my years?
Born as the second son of a prestigious clan, I entered one of the Nine Sects, earned renown as a prodigy of the sect, rose from chief disciple of Hwangsan Sect to become its Sect Leader.
Never had anyone dared diminish my authority. Never!
‘It is all lies. Such records cannot possibly exist, and how dare he show such contempt toward me!’
“How dare that arrogant whelp…!”
Crack!
As strength surged into my fingertips, the end of the ebony armrest shattered.
The fury would not subside.
I could not forgive this. It was an insult to the pinnacle of the martial world, a Sect Leader of the Nine Sects.
“Sect Leader! Are you unharmed? What on earth has transpired…!”
At that moment, someone burst through the door.
It was the Elder who had first blocked the funeral procession—the Current White Immortal.
“White Immortal.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Have you grown so dull in your methods from remaining at the main sect all this time?”
“That is… well…”
“You cannot even handle a matter like this? And what has Hyeon Un been doing all this while, to be so easily subdued by a mere greenhorn!”
“I beg your pardon. I shall obey your command.”
“Immediately mobilize all the sect’s…”
Hyeon-gak Jingin, who had been shouting with a flushed face, suddenly fell silent.
In that instant, the sharp, piercing gleam in that man’s eyes flashed across my mind.
“Sect Leader?”
“…”
Hyeon-gak Jingin stared blankly, questioning myself.
‘Could all those words truly be nothing but empty nonsense?’
A youth barely reaching manhood designing the Martial Alliance, manipulating the power structures of the martial world, and secretly engaging in intricate dealings with the greatest powers of the realm?
It was absurd.
But what if…
‘What if, against all odds, it were the absolute truth?’
As my frozen mind began to turn, countless incidents and the gaps between moments I had not consciously noticed came flooding back.
Sway.
In that instant, strength drained from my knees.
Hyeon-gak Jingin settled into a chair with great difficulty, then clutched his forehead with trembling hands.
That was it.
It had been him all along.
Once I placed Dokgo Myeong into that gap, everything gained coherence.
‘But why on earth did I—no, why did the world dismiss all of it as mere coincidence?’
There was no choice but to do so.
A young man swept away by hot blood, causing reckless chaos wherever he went.
A commander ridiculed by his subordinates as a madman.
A noble heir displaying the reckless conduct of a back-alley thug even in public view.
Yet I had only thought of him as a fortunate fool whose troubles somehow always resolved favorably.
‘But once you set that aside.’
A favored grandson of Geom-jon, a young man receiving support from Gae-bang with the tacit approval of the Yongdu Sect Leader.
One who revealed the Jeongheol Sect to the world, orchestrated war, and ultimately severed Muyong Tae’s head, ending a clan with centuries of history.
“…Sect Leader? Master Sect Leader? Sect Leader Hyeon-gak! Why are you like this? Should we not simply seize him at once?”
Hyeon-gak Jingin opened his mouth with a desolate expression.
“See him off… properly.”
“Pardon?”
“With utmost courtesy and respect… see him off.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin’s voice trembled finely.
“And… who is stationed near Cheonju Mountain?”
“Ye Cheon-il, the Sword of One Stroke, a lay disciple, is stationed there as division commander.”
“Send Jeon Seo-gu at once to withdraw the entire division…”
After swallowing once, his throat finally cleared enough for words to flow.
“Withdraw completely. Leave nothing behind.”
“…!”
“Even at a loss, vacate the area. Tell them to swiftly conclude all investments and ongoing transactions in the region without complications.”
“What do you mean by this, sir?”
“Relay it. Quickly.”
“Yes, understood.”
Hyeon-gak Jingin lowered his gaze in silence.
In the teacup lay cold black tea. That dark liquid resembled the gleam in Dokgo Myeong’s eyes.
Hyeon-gak Jingin shut his eyes tightly.
* * *
Bang!
Dokgo Myeong shut the door roughly and left Hyeon-cheon Palace, where the Hwangsan Sect Leader resided.
‘That so-called Nine Sect Sect Leader did something even a back-alley thug wouldn’t do.’
Dokgo Myeong spun around and glared back at Hyeon-cheon Palace.
I was genuinely trying to hold back, but he made me lose my temper anyway.
Originally, I was the one in need, so I had planned to be respectful and make considerable concessions. Since it involved Sohwa, I had no intention of calculating losses or gains.
But the intent to repeatedly find fault—on the street, before the mountain gate, within the grounds—and bind me with shackles was far too transparent.
‘That sect leader dared to have his disciples and followers pick fights with me? Is this what one of the Nine Great Sects does?’
Thanks to that, I hadn’t merely crossed a line—I was dancing with a sword right on top of it.
The moment things seemed to tip in my favor, they grew greedy for more. Was this truly the essence of human nature?
“Please, wait a moment!”
At that moment, an urgent voice called out from behind Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Myeong narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Why do you ask me to stop? Did the sect leader not order me to finish this completely?”
“…That cannot be.”
The Current White Immortal stammered before finally opening his mouth.
“Your conversation with the sect leader… ended well?”
“You must have heard most of it?”
“….”
The Current White Immortal’s expression resembled that of someone who had just visited a funeral house. Though truthfully, I was the one who felt like attending one.
Still, it was understandable—he had just witnessed the sect leader’s authority crumble to dust.
“…I shall see you out.”
At the Current White Immortal’s words, which could not hide his despair, Dokgo Myeong let out a hollow laugh.
“At least you weren’t foolish to the very end.”
“What did you say?”
“Merely talking to myself.”
Dokgo Myeong followed behind the Current White Immortal.
From various corners of the sect where not even a mouse could be seen, the hostile gazes of Hwangsan disciples became visible.
“I shall persuade them well.”
“Persuade them of what?”
“The disciples.”
“Spare yourself the trouble. Had I been in their position, I would have wanted to twist this arrogant bastard’s jaw clean off.”
“That, that is….”
“By the way, how fares Hyeon Un?”
The Current White Immortal hesitated briefly before answering.
“His internal injuries are severe. Even with recovery, he will lose more than half his martial power. It seems he will have to… retire from the martial world.”
Losing more than half one’s martial power was essentially the same as the death of a martial artist.
At that point, the conversation came to an abrupt end.
Soon the two reached the mountain gate, passing through the pavilion where the battle had taken place.
“Then I shall take my leave….”
“Wait!”
The Current White Immortal hastily called Dokgo Myeong to a stop.
“Dokgo Myeong. Though I have been rude, might I ask one thing?”
“What more could there be to ask between those whose matter is already settled?”
“Was it truly… necessary to go this far?”
Dokgo Myeong stared at him with an incredulous expression before opening his mouth.
“Listen here, Immortal.”
“Speak.”
“Did you have a family? Or perhaps relatives?”
“…I had parents and siblings. After they all passed away, the Hwangsan Sect became my family.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“I didn’t.”
“…?”
“That’s why I never truly understood what family meant.”
It was a statement that made no sense. Wasn’t Dokgo Myeong the young master of the most powerful clan in all the land?
“Some say family is their enemy. Others say they have no one but family. I couldn’t relate to either. Or rather, I couldn’t have.”
“…?”
“But as I lived, I found such people. People I wouldn’t begrudge giving everything to, people whose betrayal wouldn’t feel unjust.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Today, I was on my way to bury the family of one such person.”
“…!”
The Current White Immortal’s eyes widened.
“Seeing someone collapse before me, unable to hold themselves together, wailing in grief… my mind suddenly became clear.”
“…”
“Isn’t the Hwangsan Sect that way for you?”
Only then did the Current White Immortal understand what Dokgo Myeong was saying.
Dokgo Myeong’s voice turned cold.
“Had you simply demanded a fair price, I would have given you anything. But what did you do instead?”
“I see. But still… I cannot comprehend.”
The Current White Immortal asked with trembling eyes.
“Are you not afraid of future consequences? Do you truly intend to make an enemy of our sect… one of the Nine Great Sects?”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“No, what I meant was…”
Dokgo Myeong shook his head.
“Yes, I am afraid. The Hwangsan Sect, your sect—you are one of the Nine Great Sects, after all.”
“It sounds as though the Hwangsan Sect would not frighten you if the Nine Great Sects held no prestige.”
“Of course.”
“…!”
“I am not frightened by the Hwangsan Sect’s military might or traditions.”
The Current White Immortal’s expression showed incomprehension.
Dokgo Myeong spoke with an icy tone.
“Do you think the Nine Great Sects’ strength comes from military might and tradition? Is that where your prestige originates?”
“Will you enlighten me?”
“Was it not the people’s hearts? That is your true strength.”
“…!”
An authority that worldly powers calculating profit and loss could never obtain—the true strength of the Nine Great Sects, earned through genuinely serving the people across generations.
Because all the common folk of the land would always support them, no one dared challenge them.
“Wasn’t the Nine Sects called invincible precisely because they had no enemies? Since when did the Nine Sects become a faction that earned respect through force?”
“….”
“If the Nine Sects abandon the hearts of the people and resort to a contest of strength… then they are merely another sect to be toppled.”
The Current White Immortal’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
Dokgo Myeong turned his body and, with measured composure, assumed a fist salute toward the Hwangsan Sect plaque inscribed above the mountain gate.
Flutter!
The dragon-scale robe fluttered in the mountain wind that happened to blow at that moment.
“Then I shall take my leave. I hope you do not forget my words.”
“Original Primordial Celestial Worthy. I am grateful for your teachings…”
The Current White Immortal bowed deeply with sincerity.
It was a statement that transcended rank and seniority, offering both profound shame and enlightenment.
Dokgo Myeong grasped the Hyeonchul Heavy Sword planted in the ground.
Screech!
He drew the Hyeonchul Sword in one fluid motion, draped it lightly across his shoulder, and trudged down the mountain.
The Current White Immortal watched Dokgo Myeong’s retreating figure and offered one final fist salute.
* * *
“Cough.”
As Dokgo Myeong descended the mountain, blood poured from his mouth in a torrent.
He let out a hollow laugh and wiped his lips with his sleeve.
“Here I am trying to leave, and yet they keep holding me back. I’ve truly exhausted myself swallowing blood.”
It was no exaggeration—his insides were in terrible condition. Without proper rest, he had engaged in combat, and blood kept rising in his throat. He had expended tremendous effort concealing it.
Rustle!
Then, a sound came from the nearby brush.
“Grrrrr!”
“Ah, you’ve come, Hoa?”
“Yelp!”
Hoa suddenly appeared and rubbed against Dokgo Myeong.
“Ow, you beast! Consider your size! Your body’s grown as large as a mountain… Ptui! Hair got in my mouth!”
“Grrr! Yelp!”
Hoa let out a whimper as if worried.
Dokgo Myeong soon let out a bitter smile.
“Yes, let me ask a favor of you.”
“Grrr!”
Dokgo Myeong quietly leaned his body against the beast’s back.
Thump!
As he settled onto its haunches, the creature let out a short cry and kicked off the ground.
Hoa dashed powerfully up the mountain path. Though she could run faster if she wished, she seemed to maintain a moderate pace, mindful of him.
Whoooosh!
Soon Dokgo Myeong felt golden vital energy seeping from Hoa’s body.
Warm energy as comforting as her own warmth began to gently ease his knotted meridians.
“Thank you.”
Dokgo Myeong gently stroked Hoa’s mane and let out a long sigh, muttering to himself.
“Ah, nothing is ever simple, is it?”
But that was fine.
It was something I had to do. Something I wanted to do.
Some time later.
Dokgo Myeong was able to rejoin the funeral procession, which moved forward as slowly as a tortoise crawling.
“Captain!”
“Commander!”
“What happened?”
Namgung Sohwa simply stared at Dokgo Myeong in a daze.
Dokgo Myeong swallowed once, worried his voice might crack, then smiled composedly as he spoke.
“Who am I? Of course everything was resolved perfectly.”
“H-how?”
“You persuaded the Sect Leader of the Nine Sects?”
Dokgo Myeong grinned widely.
“It was incredibly easy. I simply asked the Sect Leader to do this and that, and he just laughed and agreed to everything.”
“Truly?”
“Of course. This means your captain has reached that level of ability. So now, let’s hurry and move.”
From that point on, their pace quickened.
The procession advanced swiftly. The Cheonma Sect, which had set out without rest, grew gaunt with each passing day, yet they did not stop walking.
Crossing rivers and passing by Tae Lake, they finally arrived at Cheonju Mountain.
“We’ve arrived.”
And in that place where they thought no one would be, countless people gathered to greet the procession.

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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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