Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 378

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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 378
The Dokgo Household was not stingy when it came to rewarding effort and achievement.
In fact, they were perhaps overly generous. When notable rewards were given, voices would inevitably spread the word far and wide, and naturally, competition would follow in the wake of envy and jealousy.
The victory in this war belonged to everyone, but now it was time to scatter and begin competing once more.
“The countless retainers of the main house performed as one unified force in this war, achieving victory. However, among them, some have demonstrated exceptional merit, and I shall evaluate these fairly and bestow appropriate rewards.”
In the main hall where the Sect Leaders of the Hundred Halls had gathered, Dokgo Un-hak, acting as the Household Head’s proxy, took a seat on a separate platform below the Household Head’s stone throne.
“In the absence of the Household Head, I shall oversee these proceedings as his proxy. If anyone has objections, please raise your hand.”
“….”
“Then let us begin at once. Wei Commandant.”
“Yes, then in order….”
Of course, Dokgo Un-hak had not decided this on his own. Had he done so, civil strife would have erupted within the household.
Distributing merit and rewards naturally caused shifts in the political landscape. Those who held some sway within the main house had engaged in negotiations throughout the night, and only last night had they finally reached a decision.
Five people had been present last night.
The leaders of each faction: Dokgo Un-hak, Dokgo Hwi-hwa, and Dokgo Myeong.
And the heads of the neutral old meritorious officials: Sect Leader Eon Yeop-pyeong and Inner Sect Leader Wi Baek.
These five had continued their dignified conversation until late dawn before finally reaching an agreement.
As for how dignified their conversation was….
“Dokgo Gun, who commanded the Left Army, had moments of hesitation, yet achieved consecutive victories, and later….”
“Tsk tsk! Look at you favoring your own son like that.”
“…It seems the Alliance Leader, who sent an incompetent captain who suffered repeated defeats, has no place to speak here.”
“Wait! Wasn’t our Cheonma Sect ultimately the greatest? All of you ignored my words and were just dying anyway….”
“Silence!”
“Right Army Commander Seo Jung-baek also had moments of hesitation, yet fought valiantly and advanced unimpeded through Zhejiang….”
“Moments of hesitation? Fought valiantly? Ha! The Right Army was clearly a supporting force, not the main force.”
“Didn’t the main force you led ultimately achieve merit through the sacrifices of the Right Army?”
“Now, now, let us calm down for a moment….”
“Ah, our Cheonma Sect suffered the most, so just stop fighting and give us everything!”
“You, be quiet! Please!”
In any case, it was a most dignified conversation.
Throughout the night, loud voices echoed from the Commandant’s office, and the sounds of things breaking and shattering could be heard, but word of it did not leak outside.
In any case, this was how the merit distribution that everyone had agreed upon came to be.
First, those who had distinguished themselves on various fronts received their rewards.
“Martial Artist Heo Chun of the Right Army’s Baekcheon Unit, who alone faced the enemies in the Anhui direction….”
“Martial Artist Neungmyeong of the Left Army’s Guigap Unit, who demonstrated remarkable feats in battle against Pacheonggun….”
“To the Geom Wang of the main force who captured the castle in the decisive battle, we bestow fields, territories, and martial honors.”
Those who had accumulated minor merits across the entire war received various rewards.
“Dokgo Yeon, Leader of the Beon-cheon Myeol-sa Alliance.”
“Yes!”
“You alone endured the combined assault of the Great Naja and other enemy masters in the Xihu direction….”
Dokgo Yeon’s merit was certainly not insignificant. The countless scars visible across her body were proof of this.
Despite the vivid scars etched across his face, he smiled brightly. He was truly a man born for the martial path.
“…Therefore, I hereby grant the Gwancheon Spear, which has been stored in the main family’s archives.”
The conference hall stirred at those words.
One of the Nine Legendary Divine Weapons of the martial world—the Gwancheon Spear.
If it were released into the jianghu, it was a treasure so immense that a bloodbath might ensue.
Yet Dokgo Yeon’s reaction was lukewarm.
“That’s it? Surely that’s not all, is it?”
“…?”
“You’re telling me that’s the end? After all that suffering, shouldn’t there be something more? At least say something that makes sense! Let go! Just let me go for a moment! Argh!”
Ah, my sister Yeon. She never fails to live up to expectations.
I glanced over to see Dokgo Un-hak pressing his forehead, exhaling a sigh as if wishing the ground would swallow him whole. I understood that feeling perfectly.
The rewards continued after that, and soon it was the Cheonma Sect’s turn.
“Cheonma Sect Captain, Cheolmu-baek.”
“Mm.”
At Wi Baek’s call, Cheolmu-baek stepped forward with confident strides.
“Your exploits in the Kangso Province battles need no mention, and in particular, you single-handedly defeated one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Pacheonggun in the Seoho region. As reward for this, we grant you access to the Ten Perfection Martial Arts and the Eighth Gate, along with the Jiaolong Elixir….”
Cheolmu-baek tilted his head and glanced at Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Myeong let out a hollow laugh.
‘It’s good stuff, so accept it gratefully, you fool. I’ve never even laid eyes on a Jiaolong Elixir myself.’
Of course, these things were unnecessary for me, but for him, having recently broken through to a new realm, both would be tremendously helpful.
Whether Cheolmu-baek knew this or not, his expression remained consistently indifferent.
‘I knew he’d be like this.’
That’s precisely why I’d requested an additional gift, wasn’t it?
“…Furthermore, at the strong request of the Cheonma Sect Leader, I hereby grant one of the five Sweating Blood Heavenly Horses from the main family’s stables.”
“…!?”
Cheolmu-baek’s eyes widened.
He was trying his best to appear composed, but the corners of his mouth twitched. He was far more pleased with this than the previous two rewards combined.
“…I accept with gratitude.”
Cheolmu-baek bowed respectfully and turned away.
Then our eyes met.
‘No wonder he’s from the steppes—he loves horses that much, doesn’t he?’
‘Thank you, Captain.’
Several more rewards followed, and finally the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
“Considering your successful leadership of the war and securing victory, as well as the vacancy of the Sect Leader position, you shall maintain the position of Acting Sect Leader of the Outer Hall.”
“Left Army Commander Dokgo Gun, who has achieved consecutive victories and a great triumph in the Seoho region, playing a crucial role in our victory, shall be appointed as Outer Hall Master.”
Our Sword King became Sect Leader. Though technically with “Acting” attached.
And that cousin of mine took the now-vacant Outer Hall Master position.
‘Tsk….’
The Elder faction secured their interests, but the Outer Hall faction claimed many ‘positions.’
I was displeased, but I saw no reason to object.
The main household needed a patriarch.
Someone was needed to represent the family in the coming war and within the Martial Alliance.
‘Well then, it’s about time….’
Dokgo Myeong adjusted his robes slightly.
There was only one person left to be called. All eyes turned toward him.
“Finally, Cheonma Sect Leader Dokgo Myeong. Please come forward.”
* * *
Wi Baek recited his achievements methodically.
“…Through two volumes of scripture, in war… as an independent strike force, he rescued numerous allies, and escaped from the Heavenly Net of Annihilation….”
The words flowed without pause. Even listening intermittently was overwhelming.
Each subsequent achievement surpassed the ones before it.
“Furthermore, the Yukcheon Unit Goeam Sect Leader, Palgeum Sect Leader, Geoncheon Sect Leader… Jeonghyeol School Euncheon General, Tae-ak General, Gungji General….”
The list of master enemies he had slain or defeated was so long that reciting it made one’s mouth ache.
“And against the three great demons of the Jeonghyeol School—Ji-myeol Magoon, Black Bloodfiend, and the Grand General—he either took their heads or inflicted equivalent damage to force their retreat, and he pursued the fleeing Muyong Tae….”
Achievements that seemed impossible for a single person or even a single unit to accomplish.
Finally, Dokgo Un-hak opened his mouth.
“Commandant Wei.”
“Please speak.”
“I believe we can omit further details. Among those who stood on the battlefield, there is no one unaware of the Cheonma Sect Leader’s accomplishments.”
It was a timely interruption.
In short, without this young man Dokgo Myeong, the war would have been lost.
“Recognizing not only his achievements on the front lines but also his contributions to war preparations, we establish a new faction and elevate the Cheonma Division to the Cheonma Faction.”
It was Dokgo Un-hak, not Wi Baek, who continued speaking.
The addition of a new white faction.
But that was not all.
“Furthermore, we grant authority to establish white factions to Overseer Jo-ryang of the Cheonma Division, who distinguished himself in the rear, as well as to Vice-Commander Dokgo Ak and Gwak Ye-hwa….”
Commotion erupted among those gathered.
Though they said it was given to Jo-ryang, Dokgo Ak, and Gwak Ye-hwa, it was essentially given to Dokgo Myeong.
Four factions fell into Dokgo Myeong’s hands at once.
What this meant was:
‘He’s grown far too large to be called merely a neutral faction now.’
‘They approved this?’
‘No, thinking about it, nothing less than this would suffice….’
And it didn’t end there.
“To Namgung Sohwa, who directly took Muyong Tae’s head, we transfer the lands held by the Moyong Family and the commercial rights of Anhui owned by the main household.”
Vast interests were also granted before Namgung Sohwa’s name—separate from what was obtained in the talks with the three great families.
“Furthermore, the main household recognizes the soon-to-be-rebuilt Namgung Family as an equal house, and will provide support as recompense for such dedication.”
The assembly stirred once more.
They were recognizing a family not yet established as equal to the greatest house under heaven. Moreover, they added that they would support it not merely out of goodwill, but as ‘recompense for dedication.’
It was a statement that preemptively silenced any future rumors that the Namgung Family would owe a debt of gratitude to the Dokgo Family when it was eventually rebuilt.
Murmurs echoed softly through the conference hall.
Dokgo Un-hak continued speaking.
“…As a final matter, I shall grant one additional reward.”
What else could there be?
What exactly had he requested?
Not only the Sect Leaders of every branch, but countless others turned to look at Dokgo Myeong with astonished eyes.
Dokgo Myeong simply wore a satisfied smile.
‘After all the grueling hardship I’ve endured, surely this won’t be the end of it?’
Meanwhile, those who had participated in last night’s negotiations all wore hardened expressions.
“In accordance with his strong request….”
Finally, Dokgo Un-hak spoke with difficulty.
This was the true reward Dokgo Myeong had desired.
* * *
The Dokgo Household was in a festive atmosphere.
They had won the war, and rewards were distributed generously.
Even the merciless Enforcement Division declared they would not release their disciples for a while, yet everyone loosened their reins and enjoyed the festive mood.
“Finally I see you. You were so busy I couldn’t even find time for tea.”
“Indeed. You should go tell that greedy acting Sect Leader a thing or two. He works me like a beast of burden….”
“Mind your tongue.”
“But shouldn’t you take my side?”
“Hmph.”
“…Yes.”
Before him, seated across from Dokgo Wi-hak, was not tea but alcohol.
No Cheonma Sect members, no advisors, no Jang Sam. Today it was just the two of us.
Though much remained to be handled, I decided to set it all aside and rest for this moment.
“You’ve worked hard. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“Not at all.”
“How was it?”
“Haven’t you already heard the reports?”
“Hearing it directly is quite different.”
“It will be a long story….”
“Don’t we have time?”
After a brief hollow laugh, I began speaking in a comfortable tone. Unlike with others, I could share difficult matters freely with Dokgo Wi-hak.
The tales of the battlefield—of much gained and much lost—continued in a calm voice.
“…I see.”
“Yes.”
“This is far beyond what a simple ‘you’ve worked hard’ can express.”
“Well, isn’t this simply the way of the martial world?”
“Few martial artists in all the realm have endured trials such as yours.”
Perhaps the world would regard me merely as a genius of legendary proportions?
I had no idea what stories lay behind such impossible growth.
“Anyway….”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s gaze grew heavy and somber.
“Establishing a new Protection Bureau and making you its Master—I never anticipated this.”
That was the final compensation Dokgo Myeong had requested.
The Protection Bureau.
Originally, it would have been a department handling the security and vigilance of the main family, but this time it was established with a different purpose.
“When we begin the full-scale war against the Bloodfiend Sect after founding the Martial Alliance, we needed an independent institution of the main family to freely oversee external affairs. An institution that wouldn’t need to worry about the two factions’ opinions like before.”
“So a new department has been created alongside the Sect Leader’s Office, the Overseer’s Bureau, the Martial Studies Department, and the Enforcement Bureau. I thought there would be significant opposition.”
“Who could possibly oppose my proposal now? Hehe.”
Though I spoke thus, it was an unprecedented decision.
An independent institution established with the support of all the hundred ranks within my faction. I don’t know what will happen after the Sect Leader returns, but until then, my faction will be able to act with considerable freedom.
“So what’s your plan going forward?”
“For now, I need to organize things a bit.”
“Are you planning to recruit more from the Cheonma Sect?”
“Yes, we need to replenish our numbers. We’ll need at least over a hundred.”
Elite small units are fine, but I’ve experienced the limitations of manpower several times in this war. Now that the world is our stage, this number simply won’t suffice.
“With the faction growing, I’ll also need to reorganize the hundred ranks under my command, distribute the minor rewards I received, and look after the martial skills of the younger disciples….”
“Speaking of which, I heard some people called the Heavenly Palace Sect came with you.”
“That’s right. They’ll need attention too. Oh, have you seen Gwak by any chance?”
“Gwak?”
“Ye-hwa’s adoptive father. I regard him as an elder brother.”
“Ah yes, I spoke with him once.”
Dokgo Wi-hak shook his head slowly.
“Even two bodies wouldn’t be enough.”
“Well, I’ve become quite an influential person now.”
The Dokgo Myeong who once struggled with insufficient numbers and power no longer existed.
Now was the time to organize what I held in my hands.
It was time to build an unshakeable tower.

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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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