Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 365

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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 365
The entrance to Cheonju Mountain was packed with countless people.
Geum Seok-du and Seo Ryun tensed momentarily upon seeing they all carried weapons, but quickly recognized these were not enemies.
“Could you possibly be…?”
“It has been a long time. Do you remember us?”
“Are you not the martial artists of Anhui?”
“You do remember us.”
They were renowned figures from Anhui’s martial world who had formed connections years ago during the Guhwahyeolsa incident.
People who owed their lives to Dokgo Myeong.
They had gathered here.
“But what brings you to this place…?”
“We heard news.”
“News, you say?”
“Yes, news of your arrival here. In this region, there are few who would not know of it.”
The gazes of the renowned figures turned toward Namgung Sohwa.
She stood with wide, startled eyes.
“I am Bi Seokcheon, the foremost disciple of Wicheonmun. I pay respects to the Sword Saint of the Heavens. You have endured much hardship.”
“I am the Overseer of Mirimun. Our Sect Leader sends his humble regards and consolation.”
“This is our first meeting. I heard my grandfather once received kindness from the Namgung Family. I am Baek Eum, Sect Leader of Baekjeonggeommun.”
“Ah, this is… unexpected.”
Namgung Sohwa received their greetings with bewilderment.
It was not merely one or two people. Though not quite dozens, a considerable number of people conveyed their gratitude and consolation to her.
“Beyond our connection with Dokgo Myeong, there are few martial artists established in Anhui who have no ties to the Namgung Family.”
“…!”
Namgung Sohwa continued exchanging greetings with a dumbfounded expression.
Observing the scene quietly, Dokgo Myeong felt Geum Seok-du approach and whisper to him.
“Captain.”
“Yes.”
“I can read geomancy and terrain somewhat. Shall I go ahead and scout the land?”
What was there that this fellow couldn’t do? It seemed Seok-du was the only one from the Cheonma Sect who would have endless prospects even after leaving.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Pardon?”
“Because the finest master in the martial world is coming for that.”
“What do you mean…?”
Those who came to Cheonju Mountain were not only the renowned figures of Anhui’s martial world.
Dokgo Myeong could soon sense an extraordinary aura emanating from far away, unmistakable in its presence.
“It has been quite some time.”
“Jegal Family Head, what brings you to this place?”
The Jegal Family Head, Shin-san Jegal, had arrived leading a small group of family members.
“I received word from Gae-bang.”
“From Gae-bang? Could it be you received word from Bang Sunbae?”
“I haven’t been able to reach him either. But if I received contact, it means that’s what he intended.”
“I imagined the Jegal Family’s internal affairs must be quite chaotic.”
“It’s to repay the debts of the previous generation—how could I concern myself with timing?”
Dokgo Myeong laughed meaningfully.
“And through this, you’re thinking of repaying the debt for the consideration I showed you before, aren’t you?”
“….”
“Still, I’m truly grateful you came. If you don’t mind, perhaps….”
“I came early and made preparations already.”
After all, when someone bearing the Jegal name—and a gentleman called Shin-san no less—was already present, what need was there to hire a separate funeral director?
Jegal Mun greeted Namgung Sohwa with a composed expression, then issued various instructions to the retainers he’d brought.
And the unexpected guests had not come from the Jegal Family alone.
“It has been long since we last met. I am Paeng Gangseong, Grand Prince.”
“Who…?”
“You don’t know me? We met before at the Deungyong grounds?”
“Ah, could you be that Paeng Family scion who got scolded by me at some Yongbong gathering or something?”
“That one is my younger brother! And then at the Deungyong grounds later, during the Infinite Blood Technique incident. I had helped you….”
“I don’t recall it.”
“…!”
“By the way, I heard the Paeng Family’s situation isn’t particularly good either. How did you manage to come?”
“The Family Head, who is bedridden, heard the news and wished to come himself, but as his mobility is still limited, I….”
“I’m grateful you came at all.”
The Paeng Family connection, met once in passing long ago, had also found their way to Cheonju Mountain.
And the Hwangbo Family was not absent either.
“You’re late. I’ve been waiting since two days ago. Did something happen on the way?”
“Hwangbo Gaju!”
“Wi-gwan came too.”
“Hwangbo Wi-gwan pays respects to his benefactor.”
Hwangbo Cheong, with whom I had formed a connection before, and the Grand Prince who had been bedridden after suffering from the Gohyul Blood Technique, both offered their greetings.
“Are you not still in mourning seclusion?”
“Even so, it would be wrong to remain confined at home at a time like this.”
Namgung Sohwa exchanged greetings with all of them.
A family that had been destroyed through the indifference of the Four Great Families, led by the Moyong Family, was now receiving their apologies in Sohwa’s generation.
What this might mean to her was difficult to even imagine.
But one thing was certain.
The martial world would speak of the Namgung Family’s revival upon witnessing this gathering.
Three great families had attended, people from the Dokgo Household were present, and above all, Namgung Sohwa—who had taken revenge against the Moyong Family—stood here.
* * *
In the traditions of martial world funeral rites, there exist the practices of bin (the ritual mourning of the deceased) and jang (the burial of remains). The ceremony of preparing and mourning the deceased is called bin, and the series of procedures for interring the body and remains is called jang.
For the Namgung Family, the circumstances were complicated in many ways.
Following standard funeral rites was impossible—too much time had passed since their deaths. Yet treating it as a simple reburial meant we couldn’t perform the proper cleansing rituals; we could only hastily move their remains.
Fortunately, Jegal Mun, who understood all the circumstances, had made preparations suited to the situation.
“….”
Namgung Sohwa followed each procedure as though her spirit had half departed her body.
She performed the rites as Jegal Mun instructed, recited the words he bade her speak, and bowed according to the ritual order.
Finally, she placed her hand upon the coffin.
Part of her longed to throw open the lid and see her family’s faces one more time, exactly as they had been that day.
But that was not something she could do.
Now was the time to let them go.
“Father will… my sisters and brothers will love this place. Our family has always lived together in the mountains, and now we’ve returned to the old Namgung lands… I hope that before long, I can bring Mother here as well.”
Namgung Sohwa wept no more. Dokgo Myeong stood beside her, as did the managers and the Cheonma Sect disciples.
After the rituals concluded,
Dokgo Myeong and the managers took up shovels and began to dig. It was a burial site Jegal Mun had carefully selected.
They did not employ their inner energy or martial techniques.
These were masters who could carve a deep pit with a single stomp if they wished, yet they worked with utmost care, slowly clearing away the earth. The retainers Jegal Mun had brought along also assisted with meticulous propriety.
Soon the coffin was lowered into the grave. Namgung Sohwa buried countless unspoken feelings there alongside it.
The burial mound was raised, and a stone tablet was erected.
This was made possible by an unexpected gift that had arrived. Son Tae-im had arranged for decorative stone screens, balustrades, guardian stones, stone statues, and stone lanterns to be procured under the name of Geumsan Pavilion and sent to the site.
The Cheonma Sect disciples, particularly Team One, arranged them personally. The team members took great care in positioning all the necessary items throughout the grave.
“Ordinarily, one might think it proper to observe three years of mourning….”
As all the procedures neared completion, Jegal Mun spoke.
“Yet it seems to me that your life thus far has been part of that very process. Now that a long time has passed and you have finally brought it to a close, I believe the departed would not wish for further mourning. It is best to conclude here.”
It was comfort in Jegal Mun’s own manner.
Namgung Sohwa answered by keeping her lips pressed together and nodding slowly.
“…Thank you.”
When all was finished, Namgung Sohwa finally expressed her gratitude with a smile. It was not a forced smile, but one born of genuine feeling.
Her face, marked with tears, was gaunt, yet beautiful.
“By meeting good people and building these precious bonds, my blood relatives were able to receive such honor at the end.”
Namgung Sohwa closed her eyes slowly, then opened them again.
“I never thought such a day would come. I am truly grateful that you walked with them on their final journey, so they would not be alone.”
Having finished her bow, Namgung Sohwa looked toward Dokgo Myeong.
Seeing him nod to her, Namgung Sohwa smiled once more.
* * *
“Sohwa. Wake up now.”
“Youngest, what are you doing? You need to get up.”
At the voices tickling her ears, Namgung Sohwa rubbed her eyes and awoke from sleep.
Opening her eyes in bed, she saw her parents and siblings standing before her, dressed in elegant and pristine martial robes.
“Mother? Father? Sisters? Brother?”
She startled and scrambled to sit up, when her father’s gentle voice reached her.
“Why do you wake so startled? Did you have a nightmare?”
“No, it’s nothing. Really, it’s nothing.”
She hesitated for a moment, then broke into a radiant smile.
“Why is everyone dressed so elegantly? Where are you all going without me?”
“Once you’ve come to your senses, get ready and come out. It’s been a while since we’ve crossed blades as a family—let’s do this properly.”
“Cross blades?”
“Yes.”
She rose from the bed and dressed herself slowly, deliberately taking her time. She even changed her martial robes several times and pretended to deliberate over which sword to choose, though they were all the same.
Thus she faced her family.
First, she crossed blades with her older sisters, then with her brothers.
Though she had once been the quickest among her siblings to master the sword, now they were no match for her whatsoever.
“Goodness! Our youngest sister—why are you so strong? You’ve truly grown formidable!”
“It’s just that older brother is too weak.”
“Ha, you’ve simply grown too strong.”
Her siblings could no longer stand against her.
“Come now, let me see what our youngest daughter can do.”
Her father was not her match either.
She had become a swordmaster renowned throughout the realm, and her father was not.
“You’ve grown tremendously strong. Even your father cannot stand against you now.”
“That’s right. I’ve grown very strong.”
“Does your sword no longer waver?”
She answered with a firm voice.
“No, it doesn’t waver anymore.”
“I’d like to see it.”
She moved her sword slowly, unfolding a sword dance.
The perfectly recreated Changgung Muae Swordsmanship.
Her new sword technique—the Emperor’s Sword Form.
She displayed this flawless, complete swordsmanship to her father.
When the sword dance ended, her father smiled.
“Splendid, Sohwa.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve done well.”
She hesitated, then smiled.
“No, I haven’t done anything special.”
“It must have been difficult?”
Her smile wavered slightly.
“Actually… you know…”
“Yes.”
“It was truly difficult. I really did my best. I was injured, I suffered, I was afraid. It was truly… truly so hard.”
“Yes, my daughter.”
“But I managed it. Though it was difficult, I think I did well. I’ll be able to do even better going forward, won’t I?”
“Of course.”
My father stroked my head, and soon my sisters asked.
“Youngest, is this the life you wanted?”
“Yes, it’s the life I wanted.”
My brothers spoke.
“Thank you. And I’m sorry. For burdening my younger sister with all the household duties as your older brother.”
“No. It’s what I wanted to do.”
My father, my mother, and all my siblings gazed at me with bright smiles.
“Then I should be going.”
My father, turning to leave, called out to me.
“Sohwa.”
“Yes?”
“You’ll do well from now on. You’re no longer alone anymore.”
I smiled and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Take care.”
“Please watch over me. It won’t take long.”
“Yes.”
* * *
When I opened my eyes, it was the dim light of dawn.
Namgung Sohwa wiped her wet eyes and rose to her feet.
Tap! Crack!
Staring at the campfire and looking around, she saw the Cheonma Sect disciples surrounding her.
The people of Anhui’s martial world had departed before sunset, and the guests of the three great families had descended to nearby villages.
The Cheongun Sect and the White Tiger Corps had established positions near the mountain, but the Cheonma Sect disciples had no choice but to keep vigil at the burial ground with her.
A laugh escaped her lips.
Though the surroundings were pitch black, it didn’t feel dark at all.
For the darkest hour comes before dawn, and she knew what awaited beyond that darkness.
Soon the sky broke open, and brilliant sunlight descended upon her head.

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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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