Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 372

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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 372
“But before that, which family do you think suffered the greatest losses at the hands of the Jeongheol Sect and Moyong Family?”
“What are you getting at?”
Dokgo Un-hak spoke in a cold voice.
Regardless, Dokgo Myeong continued in his usual jesting tone.
“When dividing spoils, shouldn’t we distribute them in order of who took the heaviest blows? There’s even a professional term for this—we call it ‘compensation for damages.'”
What? Compensation for what?
While Dokgo Myeong grinned, an awkward atmosphere settled over the gathering.
Was this really something to say in a moment like this, in an atmosphere like this?
‘…The heroes of the martial world will freeze to death.’
Ju Won-gwang swallowed a groan and squeezed his eyes shut.
People lose their principles sometimes, but why was this man so consistently like this?
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Breaking the silence, Jegal Mun asked.
Dokgo Myeong answered with a sly smile.
“In any case, we’re trying to return what was taken by the Moyong Family and Jeongheol Sect, but we can’t simply divide it equally, can we? Each family should receive compensation proportional to their losses.”
“And?”
“I’ll return to my original question. Which family do you think suffered the greatest losses from the Moyong Family?”
“Well…”
Suddenly, Paeng Dae-seong glanced sideways, his words trailing off, and Hwangbo Cheong, catching that gaze, wore a slightly uncomfortable expression.
“…”
The Hwangbo Family, who once wielded absolute power in the Shandong region.
Everyone knew their decline was due to the machinations of the Jeongheol Sect and Moyong Family.
“Tell me why you’re bringing this up now.”
Hwangbo Cheong knew Dokgo Myeong. He suspected there was an ulterior motive.
“It may be uncomfortable, but unfortunately, I’m not talking about the Hwangbo Family.”
“What did you say?”
“Why is everyone playing dumb?”
“Surely you don’t mean the Dokgo Family?”
“No. There’s the Namgung Family.”
“…!”
An unexpected name had been mentioned.
While everyone gasped and widened their eyes, only Jegal Mun, who had coordinated his words beforehand, asked calmly.
“Why does the Namgung Family come up here?”
“The family that suffered the greatest losses from the Moyong Family and Jeongheol Sect is undoubtedly the Namgung Family. Shouldn’t they also receive appropriate compensation?”
“This gathering is for dividing the spoils of war based on contributions to the conflict.”
“Exactly. So didn’t they not only take the field themselves, but even personally behead the Moyong Family Head?”
Jegal Mun fell silent for a brief moment.
To an uninformed observer, it would have looked like he was at a loss for words.
“So you’re saying we should include a single martial artist, not even a family, in this gathering?”
“Yes, that was precisely the argument the Sect Leaders were making.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled with a slight smirk.
“Then I take it you agree.”
Dokgo Myeong had someone summon Namgung Sohwa.
A moment later, a calm voice came from beyond the door.
“I am Namgung Sohwa. I shall enter.”
Namgung Sohwa walked in, her expression composed and confident despite the evident tension she carried.
“Now then, shall we resume our discussion?”
* * *
Rewinding time slightly, Jegal Mun’s eyes widened at Dokgo Myeong’s proposal mentioning Namgung Sohwa.
“Namgung too?”
“Yes.”
“Why would Namgung even come up here? From the Dokgo Family’s perspective, she hardly seems like a card worth playing in negotiations with the main branch.”
“Before I explain, allow me to clarify one thing. My intention to accept the Moyong Family as a vassal house is not to swallow up all their assets.”
“Does your uncle think the same way?”
“Hardly. But that is what I believe.”
“Are you playing with words?”
“Upon reflection, I realized I have no need to represent the family’s interests.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“What do you mean by that…”
Jegal Mun’s expression shifted as he began to ask, his confusion evident.
“You’re on our side?”
“That’s going too far.”
Dokgo Myeong laughed quietly.
“I will only look after my own interests. But what if that could ultimately satisfy both sides?”
Dokgo Myeong looked directly at Jegal Mun.
He seemed to have grasped half of it, but a proper explanation was needed.
“I’ll speak plainly without dancing around it. Ultimately, you wish to reclaim what was taken from you by the Moyong Family, and you leveraged my troops and vassal houses to gain advantage in those negotiations, did you not?”
“And?”
“But at the same time, you also wish to prevent the main branch’s influence from becoming too great. Am I correct?”
Jegal Mun fell silent.
‘Because the Martial Alliance will soon be established.’
If the Dokgo Family, already dominating Honam, were to swallow the Moyong Family’s interests as well, it would become uncontrollable.
And the only ones with justification to restrain the Dokgo Family were their allies—the Gae-bang and the Three Great Houses.
“Assuming that’s true, go ahead and speak.”
“Let me be clear on this point.”
“After I hear what you have to say first.”
This fellow was certainly not to be underestimated.
Dokgo Myeong shrugged and continued.
“In any case, in such a situation, I, Dokgo Myeong, the temporary Outer Hall Master, must represent the family and give up as little as possible while taking in as much as I can, must I not?”
“But you told me you had no such intention.”
Jegal Mun nodded.
“So it comes down to the Namgung Family.”
“Yes.”
“The Namgung Family’s Daughter is your closest confidant. The profits she obtains are….”
“Nominally, they’re as good as mine.”
“And you are a member of the Dokgo Family.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned wickedly.
“Yes. So while it’s a bit of a stretch, I can argue that the Namgung Family’s share becomes the Dokgo Family’s share.”
“The Dokgo Family would gain enough from it. But in truth….”
“Sohwa isn’t a member of the main branch. All the profits she obtains will be used for the Namgung Family’s reconstruction.”
“In the end, what returns to the Namgung Family’s coffers is nothing but an empty shell from the Dokgo Family’s perspective.”
“You’ve prevented the main branch from monopolizing everything—surely that satisfies you, Sect Leader?”
Jegal Mun’s expression became peculiar.
It’s acceptable. Not bad at all.
‘But this way, only Dokgo Myeong’s share grows.’
“I like it. But then you’re the only one profiting while we gain nothing, are we?”
“Then make a concession on that. In exchange, the main branch won’t establish itself in Zhejiang.”
This was something he’d already agreed upon with Dokgo Un-hak beforehand.
They couldn’t swallow both Jiangxi and Zhejiang whole. Even the greatest family under heaven would choke from such gluttony.
Jegal Mun chuckled.
“You speak of conceding the obvious? That’s insufficient. At minimum, we need a share of the Hangzhou Canal, salt, trade goods, and….”
“Very well. But I cannot hand them over entirely—instead, I’ll share the Namgung Family’s portion with you for some time.”
“…What did you just say?”
“In exchange, recognize the Namgung Family and help with their reconstruction. Since you’ve already held their funeral, the appearance is fitting.”
“Impossible. The moment we help the Namgung rebuild in Anhui, we become enemies of the Hwangsan Sect.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“Haven’t you heard the news yet?”
“…?”
“The Hwangsan Sect won’t touch me.”
In that instant, Jegal Mun’s expression twisted subtly.
‘What exactly is this man….’
Jegal Mun stared at Dokgo Myeong as if gazing upon an incomprehensible monster.
Dokgo Myeong met that gaze directly and spoke.
“So, what will you do? Will you join hands with me?”
“If I refuse?”
“Then I have no choice but to side with my family.”
Jegal Mun quickly ended his deliberation and nodded.
“I’ll take your hand.”
“An excellent choice.”
“But there’s a problem. Are you confident you can persuade Geom Wang?”
“Surprisingly, he might just fall for it?”
“Do I appear so foolish to you?”
“Uncle, you’re as sharp as a blade—far from foolish. But our Acting Sect Leader tends to believe whatever I say without question.”
“…?”
Truth be told.
There was something I hadn’t mentioned to the Jegal Family Head.
* * *
After a calm exchange of words, agreement gradually took shape.
“The Moyong Family’s thirty percent stake in the Hangzhou Canal rights shall be granted to the Namgung Family. Additionally, we’ll divide the merchant guilds that Moyong had seized.”
“Our main branch must also reclaim the granaries of Shandong that were handed over to Moyong.”
“Agreed. Send your administrators.”
“I’ll take half the rights to the grain transport lines and salt merchants extending into Hubei.”
“Thirty percent. No more than that.”
“I said half.”
“Very well, let’s meet in the middle. Forty percent.”
“Understood.”
From the moment the Namgung Family was accepted, negotiations accelerated rapidly.
Jegal Mun watched Dokgo Un-hak with narrowed eyes.
He hadn’t anticipated acceptance coming so easily.
But in that moment, Dokgo Un-hak’s thoughts were different.
‘That clever bastard, Dokgo Myeong.’
There was one fact unknown to those present.
Namely, that Dokgo Myeong, as Outer Hall Master, had traveled meeting with influential figures across Jiangxi and Zhejiang, swallowing up countless unclaimed rights and interests.
‘And I’ve heard recently that he’s had subordinates seize control of the Black Blade.’
That was all the Dokgo Family’s strength.
He wouldn’t let that be used freely, but blood runs thicker than water regardless. Simply not revealing it to the Three Great Families was enough.
‘I’ve made the legendary Shin San swallow bitter defeat twice.’
Dokgo Un-hak smiled at Dokgo Myeong.
“Hehehehe.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled back.
Then Namgung Sohwa jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow.
“What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just feel full without even eating.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Hehehehe!”
Look at that.
Isn’t our Acting Sect Leader’s gaze as warm as spring sunlight? Not at all.
‘The Jegal Family Head thinks I’m on his side, and our Acting Sect Leader thinks I’m on the family’s side.’
But what can I do about this?
In truth, I’m not really on anyone’s side.
‘I’ve secured the Namgung Family’s share, I’m controlling the Black Blade through Seok-du, I’ve absorbed the remnants of the Moyong Family, and while serving as the temporary Outer Hall Master, I’ve spread my influence in various places.’
Just thinking about it makes me want to laugh.
At that moment, Namgung Sohwa whispered in a hushed voice.
“…Myeong-i.”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.”
She had developed discerning eyes by now. Though she didn’t understand every detail, she certainly grasped what it meant for the Namgung Family’s name to be mentioned in this place.
A faint smile bloomed across her face.
* * *
The negotiations reached a dramatic agreement.
The Dokgo Family had to give up quite a lot, but they had secretly secured much in return.
The Gae-bang prevented the Dokgo Family’s monopoly and gained assistance in internal reorganization.
The Three Great Families recovered their lost rights and successfully shackled the Dokgo Family’s feet.
And Namgung Sohwa….
“From the moment she took her seat here, we must acknowledge the Namgung Family’s revival.”
“Since it still lacks the strength to be called a true faction, we shall recognize only its merit and legitimacy.”
“The Gae-bang, Jegal Family, Paeng Family, Hwangbo Family, and even the Dokgo Family shall provide their support.”
I had achieved the Namgung Family’s revival.
Though it was still a revival in name only, with these powers backing her, all that remained was to give it proper form.
“Now it is finished.”
“We shall post proclamations on every wall throughout the Central Plains.”
Not long after, a proclamation regarding the Moyong Family’s annihilation was posted on every wall across the martial realm.
The war had ended.
* * *
Now everything was over.
The Dokgo Household began preparing to withdraw from the Grand Hall.
Of course, not everyone left. The Outer Hall faction and the Elder faction split evenly, establishing the “Dokgo Family’s Hangzhou Branch” within the Grand Hall.
‘The Outer Hall faction and the Elder faction… factional strife is already beginning.’
Regardless, it was settled that way.
“Thank you, Commander.”
Moryong Sohgyo bowed deeply the moment she saw Dokgo Myeong.
“What is it now?”
“I heard that you negotiated with difficulty with the Jegal Family Head and ultimately protected us….”
“You know the road ahead is long, don’t you? You’ve become a vassal, but don’t neglect your role as a Cheonma Sect strategist.”
“It’s just a title—we don’t even have people yet, so don’t worry.”
“Once I return to my family, I won’t be able to see you for a while.”
“Once things are settled here, I’ll return immediately as well.”
Moryong Sohgyo smiled brightly.
Dokgo Myeong, smiling back at her, clapped his hands together.
“Well then, let’s prepare to head back quickly.”
At that moment, Dokgo Ak, who stood beside me, suddenly spoke up.
“When we return, there’s going to be absolute chaos.”
“What are you talking about?”
“A triumphant return. And after a triumphant return comes…”
The bestowal of merit and rewards.
The Cheonma Sect and Dokgo Myeong had both achieved tremendous military accomplishments.
What exactly would be given to them?
“By the way, why do you look like that?”
“Like what?”
“Weren’t you supposed to be resting? Why are you covered in dust? Where did you go causing trouble again?”
“Causing trouble? What do you take me for, some ruffian?”
“Huh? Weren’t you?”
“Why are you bringing up ancient history!”
After the war ended, the Cheonma Sect hadn’t been called out for cleanup duties while recovering from their wounds. This was thanks to Dokgo Myeong’s efforts.
Yet now, Dokgo Ak didn’t look well at all—as if he’d just come from a fierce battle.
“…I was training on my way back.”
“Training?”
“Yeah. So, could you spar with me sometime when you have a chance?”
At Dokgo Ak’s words, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
‘Could it be…?’
Dokgo Ak, noticing that gaze, cried out with an awkward expression.
“What! Why!”
“Don’t tell me you’re falling behind Sohwa and Mu-baek?”
“…That’s not it.”
Oh, it definitely is. The kid’s lying.
‘I need to pay more attention to this one too.’
Namgung Sohwa was one thing, but Cheolmu-baek had also broken through a barrier this time.
But Dokgo Ak?
He seemed to be driving himself hard, thinking he’d fallen behind.
‘I’ve been so caught up with work that I haven’t paid proper attention to the Cheonma Sect members.’
Dokgo Ak’s condition didn’t look good at all.
Right, from now on I need to pay more attention to my Cheonma Sect family.
“You’re the one who said it?”
“Huh?”
“Prepare yourself, you ruffian. I’ll repay the debts of our past lives.”
“Wait, hold on! Cancel that! I take back what I said!!”
“There’s no taking it back.”
Just as Dokgo Myeong cracked his knuckles and approached Dokgo Ak—
Boom!
The grand doors of the hall where they were gathered burst open violently as someone rushed inside.
“Captain! You need to see this right away!”
“Deung-pyeong? What’s happened?”
Deung-pyeong, a member of the Fifth Unit, cried out urgently.
“Geum Seok-du has been taken!”

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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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