Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 37

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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 37
“Are you alright?”
Two days had passed since the banquet concluded before Kang Yeop-cheong finally had the chance to meet with Dokgo Myeong.
Having spent those days rushing about without rest, attending to cleanup and entertaining visiting guests, exhaustion was plainly etched across Kang Yeop-cheong’s face.
“In truth, I’m doing better than I look.”
“…Is that so?”
Dokgo Myeong had bandages wrapped around various parts of his body. Moreover, his complexion was far from healthy, bearing unmistakable signs of internal injuries.
“The physician simply made such a fuss about it that he insisted on wrapping everything up.”
“How badly are you injured?”
“Just some internal damage and a couple of hairline fractures in my bones? This is nothing serious.”
“Well….”
Wasn’t that what people called a mortal wound?
Dokgo Myeong scratched at the bandages wrapped around his forearm as if they itched.
‘Back in the Demon Slaying Unit, I’d have been mocked for complaining about injuries this minor.’
This level of injury was truly nothing serious.
Moreover, I was already entering the recovery phase.
‘I have my inner energy to thank for this.’
Focusing on the quality of my inner energy had proven invaluable.
Wi Mu-jin’s internal force that had burrowed into my body dissipated within a single day, and as the Hui Cheon Technique and Hyo Cheon Technique activated, my external wounds were healing rapidly.
‘Tsk, if only my inner energy were a bit more abundant, I’d probably be fully healed by now.’
I really wished I could stumble upon some miraculous elixir somewhere….
“Ah, more importantly, what about the Paedobyeon Leader? What’s he up to?”
“…He hasn’t said anything particular. Besides, he’s been preparing to leave. It seems his talk of withdrawing was genuine.”
“Hmm, well, things wrapped up one way or another.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
Then Kang Yeop-cheong opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“…Thank you, Myeong Sohyeop.”
“Huh?”
“I felt I should express my gratitude before discussing anything else.”
Kang Yeop-cheong rose from his seat.
Then he bowed deeply, as if about to perform a full prostration.
“What? Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
“Thanks to you, I was able to protect the Jeongcheon Alliance.”
Wi Mu-jin was stopped by Dokgo Myeong’s quick thinking.
The momentum Wi Mu-jin had seized was reversed by Dokgo Myeong, and through Wi Mu-jin’s subsequent outrageous conduct, the moral high ground was completely lost.
It would be difficult for talk of war to arise again now.
Especially considering the face of the Hegemon. There might be further schemes in the future, but for now there was no immediate problem.
“This debt of gratitude surpasses even a life-saving favor. I shall never forget this kindness.”
“Don’t embarrass me with such talk between us.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
“I can’t just say it out loud like that.”
“I thought as much.”
Kang Yeop-cheong chuckled and continued.
“If you rest for a while, word will reach you.”
“What kind of word?”
“That’s a secret. But you can look forward to it.”
A pleasant smile graced Kang Yeop-cheong’s lips.
* * *
It was around the time Dokgo Myeong was resting in the Guest Hall.
“Young Master!”
The door burst open as Son Tae-im rushed in with a radiant expression.
“This is incredible! Absolutely incredible! Do you know where I just came from?”
Son Tae-im poured out words with unbridled joy.
Dokgo Myeong blinked blankly.
“Oh right. You were there too, weren’t you?”
“…Young Master?”
Son Tae-im’s eyes widened in shock.
“Seriously! Your jokes are too much!”
“…”
“Did you really forget? Me, Son Tae-im?!”
“Never mind that. What’s the matter?”
Son Tae-im’s face fell momentarily before breaking into a smile again.
“Well, that’s not important anyway! Listen to this!”
Son Tae-im patted his chest enthusiastically as he spoke.
“The Jeongcheon Alliance arranged a position for me, and I’ve successfully opened trade with the merchant houses in Guizhou! From now on, we’ll conduct all southern trade goods exclusively through the Main Sect! This is huge! It’s practically a monopoly!”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
“So this gift was that?”
This was a far greater reward than money.
I had only expected to establish trade in goods, but they had granted me distribution rights over all merchandise flowing toward Zhongyuan.
It was like asking for fish and receiving a fishing rod—no, it was as if they’d handed over the entire fishing ground.
“Now you don’t need to worry about money! We’re going to be filthy rich! Filthy rich! Hahahaha!”
Son Tae-im laughed.
But Dokgo Myeong did not laugh.
“…Ha, ha… Young Master?”
Son Tae-im swallowed hard.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“We?”
“…Yes?”
“We?”
Son Tae-im hesitated.
What now? Looking for more trouble?
“Tsk tsk, Son Tae-im, you’ve completely lost your sense. We didn’t become wealthy.”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
“I became wealthy.”
“…!”
“Keep the ledgers meticulously. If you fool around, your hands will fly off.”
Son Tae-im’s eyes trembled violently.
He had me do all the work, and now he’s going to keep all the profits for himself?
At that moment, Dokgo Myeong broke into a grin.
“Don’t worry. I still have some conscience—I won’t give you nothing.”
“Y-yes? I was confident in you. Haha….”
Just as Son Tae-im’s expression began to brighten, Dokgo Myeong chuckled and spoke.
“I’ll give you your life. And meals too.”
“…!”
Then, from outside the room, Jang Sam’s voice rang out.
“Young Master. It’s about time.”
“Ah, is it?”
Dokgo Myeong rose from his seat.
He draped his outer robe over himself and gazed at the flustered Son Tae-im.
“Tae-im, what are you doing?”
“…Yes?”
“Shouldn’t you be getting to work?”
Snap!
Son Tae-im closed his eyes.
Still darkness.
Just like his future.
* * *
At the foot of the Towering Mountain, Dokgo Myeong spoke.
“I’ll go alone, so wait here.”
“That won’t do, Young Master. Given the incident before and your body still not fully recovered….”
It was Seo Ryun, the leader of the White Tiger Guards.
Dokgo Myeong shook his head firmly.
“This is something I must do alone. Just wait here.”
“….”
“Besides, anyone who bows to me is someone I trust—not someone who would harm me.”
Dokgo Myeong left Seo Ryun behind and climbed the mountain alone.
Before long, a modest, small dwelling came into view.
Beneath a towering oak tree in one corner of the yard, an old man sat on a wooden bench.
“Heh heh, you’ve come.”
“You’re looking well. Retirement seems to be treating you kindly?”
The old man was none other than Im Cheong-gun.
He smiled and tapped the spot beside him.
“Now I have nothing left but to enjoy my disciples’ wine and play like an immortal. There’s no reason it shouldn’t be pleasant.”
“I must say, I envy you.”
“Come, sit here beside me.”
“Yes.”
He looked like an ordinary grandfather calling over a neighborhood child, not a martial artist who had once been the leader of the Meng.
I sat on the wooden platform beside Im Cheong-gun and gazed down at the landscape below.
The view was magnificent. The vista opened wide before us, and I could take in at a glance the scenery of the Jeongcheon Alliance and Gwi-yang where it was situated.
“This is actually a place I often visited when I felt suffocated. Once I washed my hands clean, I wanted to spend my remaining years here.”
“I see.”
“What do you think of it?”
Im Cheong-gun pointed ahead with a smile.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“The view is excellent. The land must have been expensive.”
“Hahahaha!”
Im Cheong-gun looked at my profile with an odd expression.
“I spent my entire life struggling to protect this scenery.”
“….”
“In truth, Guizhou is an unremarkable place. Heavy rains make it hot and humid, and with so many mountains and rivers, the terrain is confusing. There are no particularly valuable resources either.”
Yet even in such a place, people live.
“The Jeongcheon Alliance was founded to protect the people of this land.”
“Then why did you step down?”
Im Cheong-gun’s eyes crinkled with amusement.
“In trying only to protect, I found I was losing more. I realized that without change, there would be nothing left to protect.”
“….”
“But I am old, and there are limits to what I can change. Fortunately, I found a disciple late in life whom I can trust and entrust with this burden.”
“He will do well.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Just a feeling I have.”
Im Cheong-gun laughed with satisfaction.
After a moment of silence, Im Cheong-gun gazed at the pavilions of the Jeongcheon Alliance spread below and spoke.
“The Jeongcheon Alliance is quietly expanding its forces right now.”
I froze at his sudden words.
“We’ve gathered sufficient funds and accepted many talented individuals. Before long, we’ll have quite impressive results. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to see those results.”
“Why are you telling me this so suddenly?”
This was not something to speak of so lightly. It was information among the most confidential secrets.
Currently, the Jeongcheon Alliance is known in the Gangho only as a minor alliance. Unlike other organizations, it has no notable masters and no military force to speak of.
Because of this, other organizations pay minimal attention but have never regarded it as a serious threat.
But here’s the thing.
“It means our Jeongcheon Alliance is also gazing upon the world.”
Im Cheong-gun’s voice rang out coldly.
* * *
A brief silence descended.
Dokgo Myeong regarded Im Cheong-gun with an enigmatic gaze.
“Can you really just tell me something like that?”
“Weren’t you already suspecting as much?”
Dokgo Myeong closed his mouth without a word.
Im Cheong-gun let out a hollow laugh.
“I truly don’t understand how you acquired such discernment at your age.”
Im Cheong-gun shook his head back and forth.
“Does it seem hypocritical? We established this alliance claiming to protect, yet in the end we pursue power.”
“Well, I suppose it is somewhat so.”
….
“Still, I think it’s acceptable.”
“Why is that?”
“Because in the current Gangho, that is the correct answer.”
The current Gangho.
Im Cheong-gun found those words laden with profound meaning.
Im Cheong-gun regarded Dokgo Myeong with eyes that had grown even more serious.
“I have but one question for you.”
“Please, ask away.”
“Why did you help us?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes curved gently.
“Well, naturally I intended to secure a substantial share for myself.”
Didn’t I gain wealth, reputation, and connections?
I endured hardship, but how could I not do this?
“Heh, spare me the modesty.”
“I’m being serious though….”
….
Im Cheong-gun, who had been sending a coldly calculating gaze, let out a hollow laugh.
‘If his thoughts were truly nothing but mercenary, it would have been easier to attach himself to Paedobyeon.’
Yet Dokgo Myeong had aided the Jeongcheon Alliance.
“Then let me ask differently. Why did you not attach yourself to Paedobyeon and instead help us?”
….
Dokgo Myeong pouted his lips.
“That’s underhanded. You reveal your secrets first and then ask me like this—how could I not answer?”
“Heh, I’m not sure what you mean.”
A brief silence flowed between them.
Only after a cool breeze drifted through the mountain valley did Dokgo Myeong open his mouth.
“The Jeongcheon Alliance is a good organization.”
“Hmm?”
Im Cheong-gun tilted his head at the sudden remark.
“An organization where people came together, pooling their strength to live well and prosper. A good place.”
“Isn’t that true for everyone? We’re no different.”
“That’s not necessarily the case, though.”
“Hmm?”
Im Cheong-gun sensed that Dokgo Myeong’s atmosphere had shifted slightly.
A deeper, stickier emotion flickered across his features for a moment.
“…What if, I may ask.”
Dokgo Myeong continued.
“What would a world be like where there existed ones larger, more vicious, and stronger than Paedobyeon?”
“Hmm?”
“And what if there weren’t just one or two of such beings, but many, clashing with each other day after day?”
Just thinking about it, what a troublesome world that would be.
And in the midst of all that trouble, what if maniacs appeared who could transcend all of it?
“Much blood would flow.”
“Blood? It’s not as though it hasn’t flowed in Gangho before.”
“Then?”
“It would become a world where you cannot do what you wish to do, and must do what you wish not to do.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“I cannot abide such a state of affairs.”
“…”
“But since it seems difficult alone, I thought I might make some friends. Even if I cannot trust alliances or factions, I can trust friends.”
Friends.
It was a word with a pleasant ring to it.
Yet Im Cheong-gun suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
“Are you speaking of forming a league right now?”
A dangerous notion.
To raise a new faction in Zhongyuan’s Gangho, already teeming with all manner of forces.
Surely he speaks thus only because he is still young…
“No, that’s not it.”
“…Eh?”
“Friends are supposed to do business together in the first place. What league?”
“Then what did you mean by what you just said?”
“Exactly as I said—let’s be friends. Normally, we each live well and prosper on our own, but when times get hard, we help each other out, share good wine when we have it, lend money when needed…”
Wait, that last part isn’t quite right, is it?
“…Ha.”
Im Cheong-gun let out a hollow laugh.
It was an answer I never could have imagined. I expected him to speak of seizing the world, or needing power to contend for control of the Dokgo Family—something along those lines.
But a friend?
In this world, there are only enemies and allies. There is no room for friendship. That’s precisely why they call Gangho a realm without sentiment.
And yet….
“If Gangho could be a place where such things exist… I’d like to experience that kind of life myself.”
“Right?”
A broad smile bloomed across Dokgo Myeong’s lips.
I had seen Dokgo Myeong smile many times before, but this smile felt the most genuine.
“Wait a moment.”
“Where are you going?”
“Just a moment.”
Im Cheong-gun, who had slowly entered the house and returned, now held a wooden box in his hands—a rather exquisitely crafted one.
Dokgo Myeong tilted his head curiously.
“What is that?”
“Take it.”
Im Cheong-gun set the wooden box down on the platform with a casual thud.
The way he placed it so carelessly suggested it wasn’t something particularly important….
“It’s a Nine-Leafed Immortal Orchid in full bloom. Have you heard of it?”
“…!”
Of course I had heard of it.
The Nine-Leafed Immortal Orchid—a rare orchid that grows only in the mountain valleys of Yunnan.
A spiritual plant that accumulates the essence of extreme yin in its roots and the essence of extreme yang across its nine leaves. And the flower, which blooms only once every hundred years for a single hour at dusk, was legendary enough to rival the Void Blue Stone or the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng.
‘What is this….’
It was worth several times more than the Dragon Essence Pill my family had given me.
Dokgo Myeong swallowed hard.
“Ah, no, this is too much… why would you give me something like this….”
“…You shouldn’t say that while already tucking it into your robes, should you?”
“But truly, why are you giving me something so precious?”
“Think of it as a gift to a friend.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“That means….”
“Hehe.”
Im Cheong-gun let out a pleased laugh.
Dokgo Myeong’s expression grew uncertain.
“Won’t your disciple feel slighted by this?”
“That child has already received a different spiritual medicine. The properties don’t align.”
“Then I’ll really take it?”
“Please do.”
Dokgo Myeong quickly secured his robes with a subtle smile.
“I gratefully accept this token of friendship.”
What?
What do you mean by that?
Im Cheong-gun’s expression grew bewildered.
It was absurd, but he wondered if it was simply modern slang among the youth.
“Come now, let us rise. An old man has kept a young person detained far too long.”
Im Cheong-gun stood from his seat as he spoke.
Dokgo Myeong rose as well and assumed a fist salute.
“I shall do my utmost going forward. I hope you will have faith in me.”
His eyes gleamed with brilliance.
Im Cheong-gun found himself genuinely anticipating the future of this young man, and the future of the Jeongcheon Alliance that Kang Yeop-cheong would lead.

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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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