Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 379

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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 379
“Where should I send this?”
“Hey! The Overseer told you to move it over there!”
“Why are you getting upset about it!”
“Captain! Can you check this… wait, Sect Leader? Deputy Leader? Damn it, what am I supposed to call him now?”
“Captain Dokgo Ak! That goes over there! Just head in that direction.”
“Overseer Jo! Where should I place this?”
“Over here!”
Jo Ryang-ui rushed about with his neck veins bulging, darting here and there.
Crash! Bang! Rumble!
Tremendous noise erupted from all directions.
Construction was in full swing to build the headquarters that Dokgo Myeong’s faction would use going forward.
‘Or should I call it the Enforcement Bureau now?’
As craftsmen and laborers moved about everywhere, the Cheonma Sect disciples began helping with the work under Dokgo Myeong’s direction.
“Captain Cheol! Why are you throwing the timber like that! If you drop it, we’ll have a disaster!”
“It’s only about a hundred pounds—there’s no way I’d drop it.”
“Ah, you’re right about that.”
The group under Cheolmu-baek’s command hurled all manner of materials or carried them stacked like mountains.
‘Are those even human?’
They’re practically living cranes. Actually, could even a crane do what they’re doing?
And beside them—
“Do we really need to demolish this?”
“Oh my! Martial Artist! We’ll handle it! If we tear it down wrong, it’ll scatter everywhere and cause absolute chaos…”
“Ah, so we just need to bring it down? We’ll take care of it. Please step back.”
“Huh?”
Rumble!
Namgung Sohwa’s group attached themselves to each pillar of the building and brought it down in one breath.
From what I gathered, they had utilized the Penetrating Palm technique.
Though this wasn’t a martial art they’d been trained to use this way, they simply moved their hands a few times and then moved on to the next task.
‘Thanks to them, the work is progressing quickly.’
The craftsmen, including the carpenters sent from the Inner Hall, wore dazed expressions. Setting efficiency aside, it was because these heavenly martial artists were working alongside common laborers without showing a hint of displeasure.
No, rather than displeasure, they actually seemed to be enjoying it.
“Hehe, ehehehe, ah, this is wonderful! I never knew working could be this good!”
“I thought for sure I’d have to start training right after returning!”
“Maybe manual labor is my true calling. I think I could do this even in the middle of the night.”
“Night? I could keep going until tomorrow morning.”
Truly, day by day—no, moment by moment—the construction progressed.
Yet even this hadn’t reached the absolute limit of speed.
‘It would have been faster if Captain Geum and the Fifth Group had been here too.’
Since those nearly omnipotent ones had remained in Zhejiang, there was nothing to be done about it.
In any case, fortunately the Enforcement Bureau was rising smoothly without anyone’s complaints.
“Why… exactly why are you doing construction… here?”
Well, there was one person who had complaints.
“Overseer Jo. Speak.”
The man who was effectively the head of Dokgo Myeong’s faction.
Dokgo Jo-hak trembled visibly as he looked at the construction site.
“Yes?”
“Why in the world are you making my residence… Baek Ok-gak into the Enforcement Bureau? Why are you causing this chaos at my home out of all those places!!”
Jo Ryang-ui quietly averted his gaze.
“Well, the grounds are quite spacious….”
“The Cheonma Sect grounds are incredibly vast too!”
“Since it’s the dwelling of the Dragon Blood Master, the existing structures are built quite grandly….”
“Then what about Sa Heon-gak?”
“…It was the Commander’s order. He said this place would work perfectly.”
“My residence?”
“He said he would help you relocate comfortably….”
“Heh, hehehehe!”
Just as he said, this construction site was where Baek Ok-gak originally stood. Due to its excellent location in many respects, they had decided to expand the existing Baek Ok-gak and use it as the Enforcement Bureau.
Flash!
A murderous glint flashed across Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes.
“W-wait, Baek Ok-gak Master?”
“Don’t stop me.”
“Yes?”
“Today I’m going to settle things with that bastard… to the death!”
Boom!
Before anyone could stop him, Dokgo Jo-hak kicked off the ground.
Unfortunately, Jo Ryang-ui could already foresee how this would end.
‘Good luck with that.’
What could he do? He should never have gotten entangled with Dokgo Myeong in the first place.
“The Enforcement Bureau. This won’t be easy.”
Jo Ryang-ui’s eyes deepened with thought.
* * *
The official purpose of the newly established Enforcement Bureau was as follows.
To protect the main house against the Twin Horse Alliance and other external threats, and for this, broad internal and external… and so on and so forth.
It sounded quite grand, but it was merely a facade. Originally, the Outer Hall had handled such duties, and administrative matters were the responsibility of the Inner Hall.
If things had gone as originally planned, that is.
“In name only—in reality, it’s just an independent organization created this time to keep us from getting caught up in factional disputes.”
“Then what becomes the main duty of the Enforcement Bureau?”
“Research on countermeasures against the fanatics of the Twin Horse Alliance, all matters related to the Martial Alliance, analysis of lessons from this war should also be handed over to the Martial Arts Bureau….”
Jo Ryang-ui wore a puzzled expression.
“That’s… merely a series of one-off tasks, isn’t it? Unlike other departments, the Enforcement Bureau doesn’t perform essential roles that the family cannot do without, nor does it produce tangible results. So how do you maintain the organization?”
Set aside the Family Head’s office—it’s far too exceptional.
The Overseer’s Bureau handles all the family’s domestic affairs.
The Enforcement Bureau, as its name suggests, manages law, justice, and inspection.
The Martial Arts Bureau oversees education and cultivation of talented individuals from the main branch.
These departments’ positions remained unaffected by factional strife because each leader was among Dokgo Cheon’s closest associates, and each possessed clearly defined domains.
But the Dharma Protection Bureau is different.
“As expected of Overseer Jo. Sharp as ever. You’ve seen it precisely.”
“I haven’t memorized all the family codes yet, but doesn’t the main branch put anyone on trial if they fail to produce results? I’ve heard the Cheonma Sect underwent the same test in the past.”
“You’re actually memorizing those tedious family codes?”
“Is that what matters right now?”
Not only reading a book written by that relentless Jipbeop-bu Leader himself, but memorizing it too? Even the Enforcement Bureau Members couldn’t manage that.
“To answer directly—yes. Fail to produce results and they’ll tear you apart immediately. Knowing that, the Outer Hall Master and the Elder Council Leader must have approved it.”
“He’s the Family Head’s proxy now, not the Outer Hall Master.”
Dokgo Jo-hak, who had been listening quietly, interjected.
He let out a long sigh and muttered.
“…Now that makes sense. I was wondering why those two would accept something like the Dharma Protection Bureau.”
“They’re not the type to hand over something like this for nothing, without some hidden advantage.”
“So? What’s your plan?”
At Dokgo Jo-hak’s words, Jo Ryang-ui also turned his gaze toward Dokgo Myeong.
“What’s there to worry about? Who am I to be concerned about work? Hehehehe!”
“…”
Dokgo Jo-hak and Jo Ryang-ui stared at the confident Dokgo Myeong.
Then they exchanged glances with each other.
‘Isn’t it strange that we’re not worried?’
‘Actually, since he causes incidents as naturally as breathing, it seems unlikely he’ll fail to produce results.’
Wherever Dokgo Myeong went, destruction, annihilation, and death always followed.
Starting from the great fire at the Paedobyeon’s headquarters—the foremost evil sect—the Mogyeong Sega suffered complete destruction, and just recently, even the Hwangsan Sect and the noble families of the government fell.
Their reluctant gazes turned toward Dokgo Myeong once more.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“A man like you as the Divine Sword? No, you’re perfectly suited to be a gale across the plains.”
“Pardon?”
“Regardless, so you’re saying there’s nothing to worry about?”
“Of course. The Martial Alliance will be established soon anyway. The Jeongheol Sect will reveal itself as well.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
Worry flickered across Dokgo Jo-hak’s expression.
“I heard the Jeongheol Sect suffered damage that will be difficult to recover from. What if this incident causes the Twin Horse Alliance to postpone their war?”
Dokgo Myeong spoke decisively.
“That won’t happen.”
“How can you be so certain?”
“I just know.”
“…You just know?”
“Those bastards will definitely come. Trust me. Who do you think I am?”
It was so absurd that I couldn’t even manage a hollow laugh.
But his words weren’t wrong. Had there ever been anything Dokgo Myeong warned about and prepared for that didn’t come to pass?
‘Then… does that really mean those Jeongheol Sect members he’s been warning about will also come?’
A chill ran down my spine.
The Jeongheol Sect disciples had been difficult enough. What kind of monsters were these Jeongheol Sect members he spoke of?
Jo Ryang-ui asked.
“So, what should we do first?”
“First, I’m thinking of recruiting more Cheonma Sect members.”
“You’re saying that again?”
“Our numbers are too few right now.”
While the principle had always been quality over quantity, we were simply too undermanned at present. This time, rather than selecting untrained individuals as before, we would be picking seasoned martial artists.
Dokgo Myeong continued.
“And let’s expand our faction’s size a bit more. Try recruiting the main family’s warriors.”
“Will they really come? They’re all already part of other factions.”
“They’ll come.”
“What?”
“Actually, it’ll be harder to reject those asking to join us.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled meaningfully.
These two hadn’t participated in the recent war, so they didn’t know. I had been carefully spreading influence in various places all this time.
“But before recruitment, we need to organize the Enforcement Bureau properly. How much progress have you made on what I asked?”
“I finished it all long ago, you fool.”
Dokgo Jo-hak laughed confidently and unfurled a wide sheet of paper that had been rolled up.
“Here, the organizational structure of the Enforcement Bureau.”
* * *
It was an organizational chart shaped like an inverted tree. At the very top, in the position of Enforcement Bureau Leader, was Dokgo Myeong’s name.
Below that were four branches.
“We drew inspiration from the Cheonma Sect and adopted the old governmental system.”
“Military, Finance, Administration, and Intelligence. For now, these four departments will form the basic framework of the Enforcement Bureau.”
Following Jo Ryang-ui’s explanation, Dokgo Jo-hak continued.
“The most important Military department will be headed by one of the Cheonma Sect’s captains, Finance will obviously be led by the Geumsan Sect Leader, Administration handling personnel and various other affairs will be me, and the one overseeing Information and Intelligence is still undecided.”
Below those four departments, the Baek-level officials under Dokgo Myeong were positioned.
“But why are Finance and Administration separate?”
“Do you know how much the Geumsan Sect has grown? The financial power of Geumsan is too great to bind to a single position.”
“It’s called Finance, but it’s essentially another major force.”
“Of course.”
“So… what do you think?”
Dokgo Jo-hak and Jo Ryang-ui watched Dokgo Myeong’s expression carefully, gauging his reaction.
Unlike other departments with established histories—the Outer Hall, the Elder Council—the Enforcement Bureau had to be built from the ground up. Though it might seem simple, the two of us poured tremendous effort into crafting this organizational structure.
“This looks good.”
At those words, Dokgo Jo-hak and Jo Ryang-ui relaxed slightly, exhaling sighs of relief.
“You designed this so the Enforcement Bureau wouldn’t have to rely on other departments within the main family, didn’t you? I may not know much, but you’ve done excellent work.”
“Ahem! Well, it’s nothing special.”
“Yes, I’ve worked hard. So please increase my monthly salary.”
At Jo Ryang-ui’s blunt request for money, Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Jo-hak wore reluctant expressions.
But Jo Ryang-ui remained confident.
“Did I say something strange? Unlike you two, I’m someone who works for a monthly wage.”
“Right, right… I understand.”
“Yes.”
If we fell short on his salary even slightly, that bastard would definitely write about it in his diary. To avoid getting hit with a wine bottle, we’d better pay him generously.
“But let’s make a few modifications. That’s fine, right?”
“You’re the deputy leader of this organization, so of course.”
“First, let’s have Overseer Jo handle administrative affairs.”
At those casually spoken words, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
“Commander? Didn’t you misspeak? I am….”
Jo Ryang-ui glanced cautiously at Dokgo Jo-hak.
Dokgo Jo-hak opened his mouth with a slightly stiffened expression.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just as I said—he’s the Overseer, so it seems more fitting for our Overseer Jo to take this position.”
“Then you’re telling me to handle military affairs or intelligence?”
“What? That absolutely cannot be.”
So he wasn’t to take charge of any of the departments?
Dokgo Jo-hak’s brow began to furrow deeper.
“Let’s create three new positions.”
“New positions?”
“First, the Grand Instructor. Though I’m not sure if that’s the right title… anyway.”
Dokgo Myeong, who had picked up a brush, drew new lines on the organizational chart.
A horizontal line suddenly branching out from the middle of the line connecting the deputy leader to the departments.
“Uncle, you should be the Grand Instructor.”
“…!!”
Dokgo Myeong wrote Dokgo Jo-hak’s name without hesitation, then drew two more branches below it.
“And one Left Instructor and one Right Instructor each.”
A name was written on the right branch first.
“The Right Instructor is Jo Ryang-ui. Our Overseer Jo.”
“What? Didn’t you say I would handle administrative affairs?”
“Concurrent positions. I’ll pay you more.”
“It’s not about money… then who is the Left Instructor?”
“The Left Instructor is Moyang Soldier.”
I became the head of the Gasan family, but I promised to return eventually anyway.
“There may be a few separate external organizations formed individually, but… let’s wrap it up like this for now.”
I set down my brush.
“The Three Masters and Four Halls will form the foundation of the Enforcement Bureau. Doesn’t this seem sufficient?”
I looked at Dokgo Jo-hak and asked.
Dokgo Jo-hak’s expression was peculiar.
He seemed slightly embarrassed, yet pleased at the same time. Simultaneously, a subtle sense of accomplishment seemed to emanate from him.
“Will this do?”
It was a question laden with many implications.
I chuckled.
“I’ll just hold the title of Leader but keep going out and about, so you’ll really need to guide the Enforcement Bureau, Uncle.”
“…Thank you.”
Dokgo Jo-hak uttered only those words before closing his mouth.
“What’s that? How creepy. Don’t tell me you’re actually shy? I’ll have to mention this to Ak-i later.”
“This bastard really…”
As Dokgo Jo-hak ground his teeth, I laughed again.
The subsequent personnel selections proceeded without issue.
“While we’re on the subject, let’s entrust the Military Affairs Hall to Ak-i.”
“Wouldn’t Namgung Bujang or Captain Cheol be better suited?”
“Sohwa needs to rebuild the Namgung family, and Mu-baek isn’t the right person for the position.”
“Hmm.”
Since he’s my own son, he seemed uncertain, but truly no one was better suited than Ak-i. He was capable first of all, and surprisingly, that fellow was quite popular among the martial artists under him.
‘He does seem to be getting a bit crooked recently though.’
That was something I could manage with careful attention.
“What about intelligence?”
“The Hao Gate will handle it.”
“What’s the Hao Gate?”
“Don’t mention it elsewhere. It’s a new sect Seok-du created.”
Thus the framework of the Enforcement Bureau was established. Now all that remained was filling in the subordinate positions.
“Well then!”
Thunk!
I struck the table and stood up.
“I should be heading out now.”
“Huh? Where to?”
“You’re leaving now? There’s still a mountain of work to do…”
I grinned at the two of them.
“Come on, you two need to handle the rest well now.”
“…What?”
“Then please take care of the remaining matters, Elder! I have quite a lot to do!”
“Hey! What do you have to do! You, you! Don’t tell me you were planning this all along…!”
“Hehehehe! Well then, I’m off!”
Boom!
Before Dokgo Jo-hak could even shout anything, Dokgo Myeong vanished like a phantom.
Dokgo Jo-hak stared blankly at the empty space, as if possessed by a ghost, then let out a scream.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”

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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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