Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 373

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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 373
“Captain Geum Seok-du has been taken!”
The moment I heard those words, I bolted from my seat.
Following Deung-pyeong westward from Hangzhou, I found Jang Han-chung, one of the five captains of the Cheonma Sect, waiting for me.
“Greetings, Captain!”
“Skip the formalities. Tell me exactly what happened. Seok-du was taken? Are you saying he was kidnapped?”
“Well, you see….”
I clicked my tongue in frustration.
“If it’s a money problem, we have Tae-im, and if we lack manpower, we have our disciples. What in the world happened? Speak clearly!”
No matter how much the Fifth Group lagged behind the others in martial strength, that was only by the Cheonma Sect’s standards.
There was no way disciples who survived the battlefield could fall victim to some second-rate Black Blade thugs in an alley.
“It appears they were attacked by assassins, sir.”
“Assassins?”
“We moved carefully to avoid drawing attention, but someone noticed us. The full explanation would take time….”
“Just the essentials. Quickly.”
Jang Han-chung swallowed hard and explained.
“The former Weizhi Huichao Tianchasi had friction with the Gong Family, whose patriarch is Gong Hobanang. It seems they sent assassins.”
Even in retirement, a Weizhi Huichao Tianchasi held a high position of the third rank.
Moreover, the Gong Family had a connection to me as well.
‘Are they the ones I saw back then?’
I wasn’t certain, but they seemed to be one of the local gentry I’d encountered while handling duties as temporary Outer Hall Master….
“But why would such a prestigious household target Seok-du?”
“It appears the Gong Family was backing the Black Blade sects.”
“What?”
Damn it all. What in the world is going on?
* * *
The first thing Geum Seok-du did to establish the Hao Sect was to clean up Hangzhou’s underworld and the Black Blade sects that controlled it.
It wasn’t driven by a sense of justice. It was purely out of necessity.
‘The Black Blade sects are what most disrupt the livelihoods of ordinary people. If I control the underworld here, everything becomes easier.’
Especially in Zhejiang, the Black Blade sects were inseparable from everything. Whether it was an inn or a tavern, any influence required going through Black Sect disciples.
The first thing Geum Seok-du did was bring the street where his sister lived under his influence.
“Captain Geum, I’ve completed the investigation you ordered. Here’s a list of the particularly troublesome factions and martial artists belonging to the Black Blade sects in Hangzhou and surrounding areas.”
“What should we start with?”
The beginning was to spread a name.
“From now on, we take down the famous ones one by one.”
“And then?”
“If anyone asks who did it, tell them just one thing: the Hao Sect.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier if we revealed ourselves as the Cheonma Sect?”
“Then it would be the Dokgo Household gaining fame, not a new sect. That won’t do.”
“Then… if they ask what the Hao Sect actually is?”
Geum Seok-du let out a low chuckle at his subordinate’s question.
“In situations like that, just put on a serious face and say something like, ‘You don’t even know the name of our sect? So you’re just small fry.’ That sort of thing works.”
In other words, spreading rumors.
‘Let me make full use of what I learned from Senior Seo Wang Hodal-saeng at the Dokgo Household and what I learned at Cheon I-gak’s place.’
Geum Seok-du set out with the five squads under his command to take over the Black Blade operations in Hangzhou.
Those who collected excessive taxes, those with excessive greed, those who exploited commoners, those with notorious reputations among the people.
They all received visits from Geum Seok-du and his squad members.
The Yaokcheonmun, which had been selling unauthorized poisons and medicines in Seho, was engulfed in a mysterious fire.
The proprietor of Mageum Bang, who had been collecting taxes in Soxing, suddenly disappeared, then reappeared three days later and personally took down his establishment’s signboard.
Hangzhou O-gyeon, who had made a habit of human trafficking, assault, and murder in Deokcheng, trembled with fear in broad daylight and turned himself in to the authorities.
The name of Hao Sect began to circulate through all these incidents.
“Captain Geum, Yeon Cheol-bang has agreed to come under us. Should we stop collecting the tribute payments he’s been giving?”
“Just collect a token of sincerity from now on. In exchange, hand over the inns and taverns we took over back then. Tell him to create cash flow.”
“Hehe, so we should put on black masks and go intimidate them again like before?”
“Right, make it look like some impressive secret organization.”
“Captain! We’ve also subdued the leader of the Black Mountain Gang.”
“Things are going more smoothly than expected.”
“Everyone’s been cautious after this war, so it’s been easier. Besides, even if there are fights… we’re not the kind of people anyone can push around anymore, are we?”
Of course, as time passed, someone Dokgo Myeong would call a “small-time troublemaker” eventually showed up.
“You bastards! How dare you swallow someone else’s business whole!”
“Attack! Overwhelm them! Kill them all!”
Geum Seok-du and his five squads occasionally came under attack from Black Blade disciples.
But unfortunately for them, the Cheonma Sect members were veterans of being attacked.
Crash!
Truly, they were playing in a different league. The five squads might be the weaker end of the Cheonma Sect, but hadn’t they fought against the Pacheonggun and Jeongheol Disciples before?
“You stupid bastards… Do you know who’s backing us?”
“That’s funny coming from you. Do you even know who’s backing us that we’re causing all this trouble?”
“…?”
The Black Blade disciples often spoke as if they had backing, but regardless, things proceeded smoothly.
Seho, Soshan, Buyang, Makgan, Yeohang… the Hao Sect’s territory expanded rapidly throughout the Hangzhou region.
That is, until they received a visit from some powerful figure who had heard of their reputation.
“Tsk, pathetic. To think you made me come all the way here…”
The one who stormed into the inn now managed by the Hao Sect was a young man who had barely come of age.
He sat with his legs crossed arrogantly, waiting for Geum Seok-du.
“May I ask who you are and where you’re from?”
When Geum Seok-du asked respectfully, the young man turned his head sharply and asked.
“Hey, you’re the one?”
You?
At the sudden casual speech, Geum Seok-du stood dumbfounded, pointing at himself with his finger.
“Are you speaking to me?”
“Yes, you.”
Gong Cheon-tae, the young master of the Gong Family, let out a derisive snort as he looked at Geum Seok-du.
“Are you the head of some place called Hao-mun or whatever that’s been making a name for itself lately?”
“Hao-mun? What do you mean by that?”
Though startled inwardly, I played dumb for now. After all, the fact that I was Geum Seok-du of the Cheonma Sect and the Sect Leader of Hao-mun were still secrets.
“What? You’re not the Hao-mun Sect Leader? Then are you just a Hao-mun disciple? Where is your Sect Leader?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“I don’t care to waste words on lowborn trash, so just answer what I ask. Where is your Sect Leader?”
After a moment’s thought, I answered.
“I don’t know that either.”
“What, is it some kind of underground organization? Ha, these people are amusing themselves.”
Gong Cheon-tae smiled mockingly and gestured with his chin.
“Even if you’re not the Sect Leader, the fact that you move people around suggests you hold quite a high position, doesn’t it?”
“….”
“And you don’t even greet me? This is why uneducated people are hopeless.”
“How would I know who you are to greet you? You seem far too rude for a first meeting.”
“Rude? How dare an alley rat like you point fingers at me?”
At this point, I felt a surge of irritation.
‘So these cartoon villains actually exist in reality.’
Actually, thinking about it, the world was full of such people.
But why hadn’t I encountered them in so long?
‘Because I was traveling with the Captain.’
Such ruffians never dared approach Dokgo Myeong in the first place, and even if they did provoke him, he would break their jaws first and ask questions later.
‘Regardless… why is the Gong Family coming after me? And those people behind him are no ordinary threat.’
Behind Gong Cheon-tae stood five Black-Robed Men, each radiating an formidable presence.
In contrast, my disciples were all out on assignments, leaving only three here.
Then Gong Cheon-tae cut through the pleasantries and spoke bluntly.
“That’s enough. Tell your Sect Leader to pay his respects as soon as possible, and inform him to contribute thirty percent.”
“Thirty percent?”
“Tribute money. Thirty percent on the first day of every month. Understood?”
“…Have you been collecting tribute continuously until now?”
“Continuously? Your speech pattern is… Tsk! Don’t you understand that with the Moyong Family ruined, you need the main family’s power to survive in Hangzhou? Why are you so slow to comprehend?”
“….”
“You’ve interfered with the main family’s affairs without understanding the situation, but since you seem quite capable, I’m giving you a chance. Consider it the opportunity of a lifetime. If you can’t decide, bring me this Sect Leader fellow.”
“….”
“You’ll be able to play in the big leagues. You seem unfamiliar since you’re an outsider, but our family….”
I listened silently and calmly to his endless stream of words.
Where there are no tigers, rabbits play the tiger’s role. The disappearance of the Moyong Family had not brought peace to Zhejiang.
‘So this is what the world looks like outside the Cheonma Sect’s walls.’
I was experiencing the raw world anew.
Power bows to greater power. The Black Sect disciples would drain the commoners down to their very bones, yet before forces like the Moyong Family and the Gong Family, they were nothing but hunting dogs on leashes.
‘If the noble clans extort money from the Black Sect disciples, and the Black Sect disciples extort money from ordinary commoners… damn it all, how are the people at the bottom supposed to survive?’
I had forgotten this truth during my long time in comfort.
This was the martial world. This was how things truly were.
“Ah, and one more thing.”
“…?”
“My birthday is coming up soon. You understand what I’m saying?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“What do I mean, you fool? Courtesans. Who else?”
“…All the pleasure houses have been shut down, sir.”
“Not pleasure houses, you idiot. Entertainers. Just gather some reasonably attractive women and arrange a gathering for me.”
“….”
“What are you doing? I’m speaking and you won’t even answer? Huh? Look at the insolence in those eyes!”
Gong Cheon-tae let out a snickering laugh.
“Whether it’s the Lower Gate or the Filth Gate, your sect’s name suits you well—you’re all lowborn and filthy. This is why one shouldn’t associate with inferiors….”
At that moment, Geum Seok-du cut him off abruptly.
“Young Master Gong.”
“…?”
“I’m giving you a chance. Apologize now and leave. Don’t lay a hand on our sect again. And don’t you dare speak such filth. Then I’ll let this slide.”
“What is this insect saying? So you have some pride after all, squirming like a worm when stepped on….”
“Do you know something?”
Gong Cheon-tae flinched suddenly.
Geum Seok-du’s eyes flashed as he revealed his aura.
“If I squirm, you die.”
“What, what? What are you saying, you bastard?”
“In other words….”
Everything else I can endure.
But to dare insult my dream—my sect. By this worthless brat Gong Cheon-tae.
“Wake up, you mad dog! Did your mother drop you on your head? Who do you think you’re spouting nonsense in front of!?”
It felt so refreshing.
So this was why the Captain always struck first and asked questions later?
As Geum Seok-du poured out his curses, Gong Cheon-tae’s face twisted in rage.
“How dare this wretch…! What are you doing! Make those bastards kneel right now!”
Gong Cheon-tae shot to his feet and shouted at those standing behind him.
And so the fight broke out, and as a result, Geum Seok-du was dragged away.
* * *
“That is what happened.”
Jang Han-chung summarized the essentials and finished his account.
Dokgo Myeong murmured softly.
“Interesting.”
Jang Han-chung trembled slightly.
Dokgo Myeong’s mouth was smiling, yet his eyes radiated a chilling, murderous aura.
“Well then, at least I need not worry. I was beginning to wonder if remnants of the Jeongheol Sect still lingered.”
Wasn’t that obvious?
Capture that man? With mere assassins?
‘It makes no sense.’
Geum Seok-du—that bastard clearly allowed himself to be taken.
“Regardless, how dare they take my captain without knowing better?”
“C-Captain. Please calm yourself….”
“Hmph, very well.”
As for Geum Seok-du’s intentions, I could only guess, but what truly irritated me was that those filthy dogs had dragged away one of my own.
After a moment of silence, I clicked my tongue.
“Now we’re entangled with the government authorities as well.”
“It’s somewhat ambiguous to call them government authorities, sir.”
If the authorities had orchestrated this entire scheme to test us….
‘That’s an exaggerated notion.’
Dokgo Myeong shook his head.
Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Jang Han-chung continued.
“That’s unlikely. The patriarch of the Gong Family has long since lost influence in the power struggles within Zhejiang. Since then, no one from their sect has risen to a high official position.”
“An empty shell, then?”
“Yet ever since the Moyong Family collapsed, their power has grown considerably.”
“Hmm, then what should we do….”
In truth, if Seok-du simply revealed that he was a member of the Cheonma Sect, the Gong Family would be thrown into chaos.
The problem was that Seok-du had no intention of doing so, given that he had allowed himself to be taken so readily.
‘What in the world is that bastard thinking?’
Even for Seok-du, it would not be easy to face a regional clan alone.
Moreover, the fact that assassins accompanied him smelled suspicious.
“Actually, Captain Geum told us not to worry just before being taken.”
“Then why are you worrying? You’re truly something else.”
Dokgo Myeong, lost in thought, suddenly brightened.
“Come to think of it… I’m still the Outer Hall Master of the main household, am I not?”
“Sir?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled coldly.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—wasn’t that how it worked?
I would respond to their status with my own.

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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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