Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 367

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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 367
The matter of the Martial Alliance’s debt was not something that could be resolved immediately.
First, I needed to ascertain whether Bang Jong-san, the Gae-bang Master and one of the most critical figures, was alive or dead, and the affairs of the Moyong Family had to be completely settled.
“…Therefore, do not concern yourself with that matter. When the time comes, I shall handle it myself. For now, let us proceed more decisively with the aftermath of the war.”
“Then nothing changes from what we have been doing thus far, does it?”
To Jo Ryang-ui’s question, I added an explanation.
“Well, that is true. While handling the tasks assigned by the Chairman, we stabilize the Gangseong and Zhejiang regions….”
I smiled wickedly.
“…That shall be the surface-level work.”
At my words, the expressions of Jo Ryang-ui, Dokgo Jo-hak, and Moryong Sohgyo shifted dramatically.
These individuals, who had essentially served as my advisors all this time, now understood that what followed would be the true matter at hand.
“What scheme are you hatching now?”
When Dokgo Jo-hak asked, I replied calmly.
“After all the hardship to reach this point, I cannot simply let it pass.”
“And?”
“Let us dip our fingers into Zhejiang and extract some supplementary income, shall we?”
I smiled wickedly.
* * *
Typically, the duties of the Outer Hall referred to matters that occurred beyond the walls.
And now that the war had ended and we occupied the Moyong Family’s grand estate, the most crucial task was meeting with people.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to meet the renowned Cheonma Sect Leader, whose fame resounds throughout the realm.”
“Haha, welcome, welcome.”
I met with quite a number of people.
From minor figures—the gentry of Gangseong and Zhejiang regions—to more prominent ones: renowned martial artists and magnates of commerce.
The old man seated before me now was among them.
“I am Wi Ji-hong, Alliance Leader of the Zhejiang Merchant Association.”
“Yes, I have heard of you. Please, be seated.”
The name “Merchant Association” sounded like some local merchant guild, but in reality, it was more akin to a coalition of merchants rooted in Zhejiang, banding together for survival.
In other words, a representative of the money-obsessed merchants who controlled every coin in this region had come calling.
“I am truly grateful that the Black Dragon Hero, renowned throughout the martial realm, has spared time amidst your busy schedule.”
“Hero? Ugh, it gives me chills just to hear it.”
“Not at all. You have rescued the helpless commoners from the clutches of the Moyong Family. All of us in this association sing your praises day after day….”
This is unbearable.
Unlike martial artists who prefer to cut straight to the point, those I encountered here typically began by pouring out flattery first. If their intent was to induce embarrassment and thereby gain negotiating advantage, I would say they were succeeding admirably.
Unable to endure it any longer, I spoke first.
“Let us move to the main matter, shall we? What brings the Alliance Leader all the way here?”
“Hero, I shall speak plainly. Please, I beg you—spare my life!”
Thud!
The elderly Wi Ji-hong suddenly dropped to his knees.
“Your life? I have no idea what you are talking about….”
“The Dokgo Household is currently rounding up anyone with even the slightest connection to the Moyong Family.”
“And?”
“Well, the Moyong Family was a regional clan of considerable influence. It’s harder to find people who aren’t connected to them in some way, directly or indirectly. But if you demand payment for every trivial offense and strip away their assets, how are we supposed to survive?”
In essence, he was begging for leniency.
When such pleas arose, there was little one could say.
‘It won’t work. Go back.’ Or perhaps, ‘If you want to live, surrender everything you have.’
And this wasn’t Dokgo Myeong’s decision alone.
Our greedy Geom Wang had essentially switched professions to banditry during this opportunity. He intended to uproot everyone connected to the Moyong Family entirely, and fill those positions with people from the main house.
“Please, I beg you! There must be some way!”
Of course, there was a way.
Essentially, if one showed just a modicum of sincerity… couldn’t I, as this temporary Outer Hall Master, carve out a small path to survival?
“…Pardon? Do you mean the Geumsan Sect Leader?”
“Ahem! Shh! Quiet! Keep your voice down.”
“I, I apologize.”
“At this rate, everything will be stripped away anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to preserve at least some of your assets?”
“That’s true, but….”
“Send some money to the Geumsan Sect Leader. If I adjust the documents to show that the Sect Leader assisted in purchasing war supplies, I can argue for leniency and preserve a portion of your wealth.”
“Will, will that really allow us to survive?”
“Don’t you trust me? Of course, you’ll need to continue showing loyalty to the main house going forward….”
“Great Hero! Thank you! This is a small token of my gratitude….”
“Ahem! What’s all this! For future matters, you can consult with Moyang Soldier here.”
“I’m much obliged.”
“The obligation is mine!”
“Hahahaha!”
“Hehehehe!”
Being buried under work was considerably painful, yet it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
Beside Dokgo Myeong, assisting him, Moryong Sohgyo’s face showed utter disbelief at this entire process.
“…Is this really acceptable?”
“What is?”
“If the Chairman learns of this….”
“So what if he does? Who asked me to take on external affairs in the first place? Hehehehe!”
Right. Why had he assigned it?
To entrust duties to this contrarian… The Chairman clearly still didn’t understand Dokgo Myeong.
“Even so, accepting bribes….”
“Tsk, our Moyang Soldier. How can you call this a bribe? This is simply… yes, a gift expressing joy at a new relationship!”
Moryong Sohgyo knew that bills and gold ingots were accumulating in Dokgo Myeong’s quarters with each passing day. And she also knew the sum was far too large to be called a gift.
Yet she couldn’t press the issue. After all, whatever she said would inevitably be glossed over by Dokgo Myeong’s silver tongue.
“I only take money I can safely pocket. And I only spare decent fellows in exchange for their weaknesses.”
“Pardon?”
“They won’t betray me or line their own pockets. They know and accepted the proposal. Since there’s no other way to survive anyway, they’re choosing to join hands with me.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s face showed a hint of surprise.
“But why are you saving me? Is it truly just for profit?”
“Zhejiang. If we simply hand over this vast territory to the Dokgo clan, the Elder faction and Outer Hall faction will surely tear it apart between themselves. So we’re taking a bite of it first.”
“…!”
“Besides… when our Moyong soldier becomes the household head of the Gasi clan, we’ll need to cultivate connections to help him, won’t we?”
Only then did Moryong Sohgyo understand why Dokgo Myeong had brought her along to meet with these people.
“…In any case, you’re saying there will be no complications afterward, correct?”
“We’ll make sure there aren’t any.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a low chuckle.
“A specialist in these matters will arrive soon. He’ll handle the cleanup.”
Not long after.
The specialist Dokgo Myeong mentioned had arrived.
“Young Master! Or rather, Commander!”
Gleam!
Ugh, so bright.
Light flashed from the forehead of the man entering through the door.
A shaved head, a portly frame, a grinning smile, and a posture that somehow seemed obsequious.
“Ah, our Tae-im. Welcome.”
“Hahaha! I am Son Tae-im! I rushed here at the Commander’s summons!”
It was none other than the Geumsan Sect Leader Son Tae-im.
* * *
Who were the quickest to move with the changes in the world?
It was the merchants.
“Is there anyone here with connections to the Dokgo clan?”
“Ah! I do have someone I can contact. A person named Son Tae-im from the Geumsan branch of the Dokgo household….”
“Son Tae-im? The Golden King?! Isn’t he one of the Cheonma Sect Leader’s closest confidants! How do you know him?”
“Long ago, the Golden King established a gathering called Geumrim where merchants he had connections with would meet, and I was fortunate enough to….”
“What was your position?”
“I was the branch director of Hunan, but… why do you ask?”
“From today on, you are the Overseer of our trading house. Understood?”
“Y-yes?!”
“Do well from now on!”
A great merchant who had accumulated vast wealth through distribution rights obtained in Guizhou, and through them controlled a distribution network spanning the entire martial realm.
But that was not all.
With remarkable foresight, he had prepared for war in advance and swept up enormous quantities of silver, and was expanding his influence by absorbing choice trading houses in Jiangxi and Zhejiang that had been destabilized by the turmoil of war.
Those seasoned in the merchant world marveled at Son Tae-im’s acumen and bestowed upon him an epithet like a star.
The Monarch of Gold. In other words, the Golden King.
And he was now….
“Hehe. I have returned, Commander.”
“How did it go?”
“Do you see this? The canals of Zhejiang, the rice trade routes, the escort services—we’ve secured most of it! Money! Young Master! This is all our money!”
“Our money?”
“Ah, your money, Young Master.”
“Well done.”
“Yes!”
“Kehehehe!”
“Hahaha!”
Before Dokgo Myeong and Tae-im lay stacks of thick documents. All of them were contracts with merchants from Zhejiang and Jiangxi who had been swept up in the war for various reasons.
In short, it all amounted to money.
“Hehehehe! Just looking at this makes me feel full!”
“Hehe! Our Tae-im truly is something!”
“Ehehehe!”
Dokgo Myeong had been chattering and laughing for nearly two hours straight.
Moyong Sohgyo leaned over and whispered to Jo Ryang-ui beside her.
“Is something wrong with him?”
“You don’t know? For our Commander, this is perfectly normal.”
“Ah….”
“Phew, thank goodness. He seemed tense for a while, but it looks like he’s finally returning to himself.”
Jo Ryang-ui turned his gaze away from Dokgo Myeong, who was chuckling as if it were nothing.
Moyong Sohgyo, unsure how to interpret that reaction, simply decided to abandon the thought.
“So you’ve wrapped everything up cleanly, then?”
“Yes, handled it very discreetly. Even if I’m no master of martial arts, haven’t I reached the pinnacle in matters like this?”
“Ah, of course. Of course.”
Tae-im, who once merely struck Sa Heon-gak from behind, had grown considerably.
Through merchant associations that Dokgo Myeong had quietly opened pathways to, he was gradually and inconspicuously encroaching upon Zhejiang’s commercial sphere.
“The old foxes at the main house seem to have noticed, so keep a low profile for now.”
“Yes, understood. Keeping a low profile is my specialty, after all.”
“Good, good. Any other problems?”
Tae-im rubbed his shiny head and spoke up.
“Well, there is one matter that concerns me.”
“What is it?”
“Upon careful examination of the financial flows in Zhejiang, I’ve identified a considerable amount of black money lying dormant.”
“Black money?”
“Hidden funds. To deal with them, we’d either need to force our way through with martial might or reach out to the Black Blade.”
So the Black Blade had survived even while the Moyong Family was wreaking such havoc in Zhejiang.
Moreover, from what he heard, they seemed to have considerable strength.
“Hmm….”
“Why do you ask?”
“No matter. I’ll handle that myself.”
“How do you intend to proceed? If you’re careless, they’ll all disappear underground.”
“This might be a good opportunity to entrust him with the task. It could be the perfect situation.”
“By him, you mean…?”
“Tae-im. Your younger brother.”
Younger brother? How could an orphan like him have a younger brother?
Well, actually, he did have one.
“Ah, surely not?”
Dokgo Myeong glanced at Jo Ryang-ui and Moryong Sohgyo, who had been watching from beside him.
“Go fetch Seok-du for me.”
* * *
Dokgo Myeong had stepped outside the grand hall for the first time in a while.
As he strolled through the still-chaotic streets of Hangzhou with Geum Seok-du, he asked.
“Seok-du, how’s your body holding up?”
“I didn’t do anything particularly strenuous, so I’m fine.”
His words were one thing, but bandages were wrapped around various parts of his body. He was a coward who knew his limits, yet possessed more loyalty than fear—which was why he had never once hidden behind the other disciples.
This fellow had changed considerably. He seemed sufficiently prepared now; it was time to give him a push forward to take the next step.
“My right arm, my first subordinate, our Captain Geum, Seok-du.”
As I rattled off the playful titles, Geum Seok-du grinned and responded.
“Yes, Captain. Your right arm, your first, and Captain Geum Seok-du reporting for duty.”
“Do you remember what we talked about when we first met?”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes widened for a moment before he nodded.
“Of course. How could I forget what happened back then?”
“What do you think?”
“Think about what, sir?”
“Don’t you feel like you’re finally getting prepared?”
Geum Seok-du stumbled as if his feet had tangled, then hurried to catch up with Dokgo Myeong.
“What are you suddenly saying, sir?”
“You have good judgment, you understand how to handle affairs, you’ve received instruction from Gae-bang’s master, and you’ve trained at Cheon I-gak. Your courage, ability, and skill in handling people are more than sufficient.”
Geum Seok-du came to an abrupt halt.
“Surely you’re not expelling me from the Cheonma Sect? Suddenly telling me to descend the mountain or something like that…?”
“What nonsense is this fool spouting?”
“Then what is it?”
“Zhejiang, particularly Hangzhou, has long been a place where pleasure flourishes. Perhaps that’s why the Black Blade thrives so remarkably here.”
“…?”
“I’m well-versed in the workings of the Black Blade, but I’m only good at beating people, and I’ve already exposed my face far too much. So…”
Dokgo Myeong stopped walking and turned to face Geum Seok-du.
“You take a shot at it.”
“…!”
“Build that faction you’ve been envisioning. I’ll support you with everything I have. Now both I and the Geumsan Sect have the strength to help you.”
“Me…? Would that even be possible?”
“Is there anyone in Zhejiang powerful enough to touch you, my closest confidant?”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes trembled as though an earthquake had struck.
“I am still insufficient.”
“If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never begin. Fill the gaps as you go. That is courage.”
“Do you believe I can accomplish this?”
“Of course.”
My commander spoke with such conviction.
Just as when we first met, he regarded me with eyes full of certainty and said of course.
Geum Seok-du’s eyes gleamed with light.
“Then I shall attempt it.”
“Have you decided on the sect’s name?”
“Yes, though… it is rather unusual.”
“Let me hear it.”
Geum Seok-du took a moment to steady his breath before speaking.
“The Lowborn Gate.”
“The Lowborn Gate?”
“From the lowest and filthiest of places, I wish to create a sect that all will fear.”

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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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