Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 386

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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 386
“It seems you’re teasing me.”
“Teasing? Aren’t you a hero who claimed one of the Seven Thrones of Heaven’s Contention?”
“Seven Thrones of Heaven’s Contention? What’s that?”
“You’re remarkably indifferent to worldly affairs in certain respects.”
Baek Mu-heun was unchanged from before. Wherever he went, he carried the bearing of a transcendent swordmaster, and he blended seamlessly even in this humble roadside inn. Had one not known better, he would have appeared merely as a gracefully aging, ordinary man in his prime years.
Baek Mu-heun gestured to a seat.
“Sit.”
“Yes, then.”
“I see you’ve brought a companion.”
“Ah, he’s my cousin.”
Baek Mu-heun remained standing and fixed his gaze upon Dokgo Ak, who stood behind Dokgo Myeong.
“Your cousin, you say? Then this must be the renowned Fierce Dragon General of the Cheonma Sect?”
Another peculiar title had apparently been attached to him.
Yet I heard no sound of Dokgo Ak offering a greeting from behind.
When I glanced back, Dokgo Ak was staring at Baek Mu-heun with the vacant expression of someone whose soul had fled.
Thud!
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Huh? Ah?”
“You should be greeting him.”
Dokgo Ak flinched and hastily assumed a respectful posture.
“I-I apologize. I am Ak of the Dokgo Family from Honam. This humble one of the martial realm greets you, Senior Swordmaster.”
Dokgo Ak bowed respectfully, his voice trembling slightly at the end.
Baek Mu-heun asked.
“What did you see that startled you so? Were you not informed of my presence beforehand?”
“Ah, no, that’s not it. I apologize for my rudeness.”
“It’s fine. Speak freely.”
Dokgo Ak glanced cautiously at Dokgo Myeong.
Only after Dokgo Myeong gave a slight nod did Dokgo Ak wet his lips and open his mouth.
“I know the legendary Swordmaster would have no reason to harm us, but you were emanating such profound vital force that I found myself tensing involuntarily.”
“I was leaking vital force?”
“Ah, no—if I’ve misread the situation, I sincerely apologize.”
A flicker of interest crossed Baek Mu-heun’s eyes.
Dokgo Myeong also widened his eyes and examined Dokgo Ak carefully.
‘This bastard sensed that?’
Ak had perceived it correctly.
The vital force of the One Qi Three Purities technique that Baek Mu-heun had cultivated sought perfect harmony with its surroundings.
Unity of object and self, the way of non-action and nature.
Because of this, his aura was difficult to detect. His internal cultivation had achieved perfect resonance with the natural qi of the world.
‘Even I find it difficult to judge without relying on my senses. Before my internal cultivation advances further, it will be even harder.’
Yet Ak-i had sensed it. Clearly, unmistakably.
“How remarkable. I hadn’t expected it to be this pronounced.”
Baek Mu-heun, who had paid no attention to Dokgo Ak before, now examined him with fresh eyes.
“Did the Dokgo Family perhaps innovate some special martial art for cultivating energy perception?”
“That couldn’t be it. He’s simply unusual. Despite his appearance, he was called a prodigy back at the main family.”
“Hmm….”
Baek Mu-heun studied Dokgo Ak’s face with an intensity that bordered on uncomfortable scrutiny.
In that moment, his eyes gleamed with profound insight.
“Looking at it this way, you possess quite an intriguing physiognomy.”
“Y-yes?”
“All humans carry the destiny and fortune bestowed by heaven. You bear the fate of great calamity brought upon by fire.”
“…!!”
As if reading the very secrets of fate, his voice—laden with an almost mystical quality—pierced into Dokgo Ak’s ears.
“Your bone structure and facial features show weakened wood energy, yet fire energy burns clearly across your cheekbones and eyes. You possess abundant natural fortune, yet typify the wastrel and nouveau riche who neglect self-cultivation.”
“…!”
“Your destiny, which should have withered long ago through inauspicious omens, has turned and twisted until you earned the name Mangryong Jang—truly, such achievement at your age is no small matter.”
Most people simply live according to their innate nature, drifting with the current. Yet this young man Dokgo Ak masters his temperament and lives deliberately. He has twisted his own destiny.
Such a person is meaningless to assess. He will not live as fate dictates, but will forge his own path.
Much like Dokgo Myeong here.
“Then shall I spread the divination mat? Do you read fortunes now?”
Dokgo Myeong interjected with a quiet chuckle.
“I wouldn’t call it fortune-telling, but I could read yours if you wish.”
“I’ll pass. It would only leave my mind unsettled.”
Dokgo Myeong deftly changed the subject.
“By the way, the Seven Warring Kings? What exactly is that?”
“In this age of warlords contending for supremacy, seven kings emerged to contest for heaven itself. Gossips began calling them the Seven Warring Kings.”
“You’re saying I’m one of them?”
“You truly didn’t know? The Black Dragon Duke, the Black Blade Underworld King, the Heavenly Sword Divine Blade. Though ranked last, you are indeed counted among the seven kings.”
Me, ranked last? If I broke the jaws of each of those above me one by one, wouldn’t the rankings change?
But anyway.
“What exactly is the Black Blade Underworld King?”
Not the character for brightness, but the character for the underworld.
Underworld King? Who names someone with such a villainous epithet?
“The Black Blade calls you that, I’m told.”
“…The Black Blade, you say?”
“In the regions near Zhejiang and Jiangxi. That’s actually the refined version. Some call you the Mad Demon Dokgo.”
“Mad Demon Dokgo….”
“Kekeke.”
Beside him, Ak-i let out a laugh.
When Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed dangerously, he coughed awkwardly and averted his gaze.
At that moment, Baek Mu-heun asked with a mysterious smile.
“How does it feel?”
“Pardon? What feeling are you referring to?”
“Standing shoulder to shoulder with the patriarchs of the great martial families, the sect leaders of the Nine Schools, and the Three Kings and Twin Demons.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“Isn’t it simply a matter of the times being so turbulent that people seek out those with reputation to anchor their hopes?”
“For someone speaking so cynically, your achievements have certainly been brilliant. Now that I think about it, I haven’t offered you proper hospitality. Shall we have tea, or perhaps…?”
“Let’s have wine.”
Baek Mu-heun raised his hand subtly.
Then the Innkeeper, dressed in shabby clothes, brought out a table laden with drinking vessels.
‘He’s no ordinary man.’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
He was of considerable caliber.
Now I recalled something I’d overlooked—that one of Baek Mu-heun’s identities was Cheontongin, a mysterious figure of the upper realm.
Surely he hadn’t acted alone in the upper realm. It meant he possessed personal forces not only in the martial world but also in the upper realm.
And perhaps he had deliberately shown me this.
‘I need to focus more carefully.’
Baek Mu-heun picked up the wine bottle and filled the cups of Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Ak.
“You’ve been through much. Are all your wounds healed?”
“I recovered long ago. And how are you faring, Sect Leader Baek?”
Baek Mu-heun chuckled.
“I’ve been through quite a bit myself, but I’m fine now.”
While the Dokgo Family bled openly, he must have bled in hiding.
“Let’s drink.”
Dokgo Myeong and Baek Mu-heun emptied their cups simultaneously.
It was a celebratory drink—a modest toast between them for accomplishing the cause they had shared on the day they clasped hands.
“May I ask one thing?”
“By all means.”
“I heard you drove out the Grand General from the Paeng Ga, but how did you stop those holed up in the Jeongheol Sect’s main fortress and the blood demons of the Sinheol Sect?”
“Many people worked hard. It was an urgent situation, after all.”
“Surely hard work alone wouldn’t have sufficed?”
“If the Paeng Ga had collapsed, the security of Hanam would have been jeopardized.”
He smoothly changed the subject. Even though they had clasped hands, he had no intention of revealing his cards.
“However…”
Baek Mu-heun gave a subtle glance toward Dokgo Ak.
Dokgo Myeong answered immediately.
“I wouldn’t have brought him if I didn’t trust him. He’s also the military commander of the Dharma Protector Division I created. If he doesn’t hear this, neither will I.”
Baek Mu-heun chuckled.
“If you trust him, then so be it. In an age where even blood relations become enemies, it’s a beautiful bond to witness.”
Clank!
Baek Mu-heun set down his cup.
His gaze had grown noticeably more serious than before.
“Before we get to the main matter, I’ll give you a gift of sorts.”
“A gift?”
“I hear you’ve had friction with several prominent families of the capital recently.”
“…!”
“The Gong Family and the Yang Family. Come to think of it, both are renowned martial clans that have produced Grand Generals. Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”
Why was he bringing this up all of a sudden?
A warning that he was watching my every move? Or was this some kind of probe?
“Surely….”
“Be careful.”
“Careful about what, exactly?”
“Those in high places harbor far darker schemes than you might imagine.”
High places.
At those words, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“How high are we talking about?”
“That much, even I don’t know. I’ve merely picked up on certain signs.”
“Why are you saying this? Didn’t you take our side?”
“That was purely for the sake of establishing the Martial Alliance. Wasn’t it?”
“….”
“I’m telling you this because I’m concerned your personal affairs might hinder the Alliance’s founding. I’m sure you don’t want that either. Conduct yourself carefully.”
Baek Mu-heun refilled everyone’s cups once more.
Dokgo Myeong naturally picked up a side dish and took a drink, buying himself time to think.
‘The capital isn’t interested in the Martial Alliance itself… but in me?’
Or was it both?
‘Did the Gong Family and Yang Family both deliberately orchestrate those incidents from the start?’
Yes, having come this far, it was impossible to avoid drawing attention entirely.
But why was it
that this uneasy feeling wouldn’t fade?
“I appreciate the advice regardless.”
“It’s nothing. I apologize for the late contact, though. I kept you waiting.”
“I was wondering when you’d reach out.”
“The damage was considerable, so it took time to reach consensus.”
“The Secret Alliance, supposedly created to compete with that cunning Twin Horse Alliance, moves this slowly?”
“Hahahaha!”
Baek Mu-heun laughed, but his expression was far from cheerful.
“You certainly don’t mince words. To make an excuse—unlike the Dokgo Family, which can issue orders and execute them directly, the Secret Alliance is merely a gathering where we share intentions and consult with one another. Naturally, reaching major consensus takes time.”
“….”
I had much I wanted to say, but decided to keep my mouth shut.
For now, the Secret Alliance’s support was essential. Any problems that arose afterward could be resolved as I built the Martial Alliance.
Baek Mu-heun’s eyes gleamed as he emptied his cup.
“As you might have guessed, I’m thinking of formally introducing you to Milyeon on this occasion.”
“Yes, but I must confess, I was somewhat surprised.”
“Hmm?”
“I thought there was no particular reason for Jang Mun Baek to concern himself with me.”
Baek Mu-heun regarded Dokgo Myeong with an enigmatic gaze.
“Ha, do you really see me as someone so lacking in integrity? What made you think such a thing?”
“You’ve already secured the justification for establishing the Murim Alliance, and the Dokgo Family’s participation is guaranteed. What need would you have for me? Unless I were the acting patriarch of the main house.”
Baek Mu-heun let out an involuntary laugh.
This was what made Dokgo Myeong terrifying.
One moment he appeared as a passionate young man brimming with fervor, the next he revealed a side so cold and calculating, so ruthlessly pragmatic.
“Let me clarify one thing. As I’ve said, Milyeon isn’t really an organization. It’s merely a gathering of those who share a common purpose. So there’s nothing preventing me from introducing you.”
“Powerful figures from the upper echelons of the martial world gathering for secret meetings—and you call that merely a gathering. How remarkable.”
“My, you don’t believe me.”
“I do believe you. For now, that is. But… will that remain true even after the Alliance is formally established?”
Baek Mu-heun paused.
His eyes deepened.
“Are you concerned it might become a faction?”
“If I’m mistaken, I apologize.”
“Don’t worry. There are many in Milyeon who view me unfavorably.”
“Which means there are even more who don’t, correct?”
Baek Mu-heun smiled silently.
‘Truly a youth without gaps or weaknesses.’
Whether he was seeing through my thoughts or always staying one step ahead, it was becoming a pattern.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes likewise gleamed with insight.
‘Fortunately, he hasn’t completely seized control of Milyeon yet.’
I had worried whether Baek Mu-heun, unlike in my previous life, had already grasped Milyeon entirely at this point. But it seems that’s not the case. After all, these greedy upper echelons of the martial world wouldn’t hastily throw their support behind anyone.
“So then, why did you decide to introduce me?”
“Truth be told… I’m not entirely sure. If I had to explain it, I’d call it intuition.”
Baek Mu-heun stared directly at Dokgo Myeong as he spoke.
“Intuition, you say?”
“An intuition that establishing the Murim Alliance while leaving you aside would be meaningless. An intuition that only with you can I seize victory in the final battle that approaches.”
Baek Mu-heun chuckled and continued.
“And besides, haven’t you already joined hands with me?”
He vaguely glossed over his words and extended his cup.
“That’s true enough.”
Ching!
After a light toast and drinking, Dokgo Myeong asked.
“Then the detailed agreements for the Alliance meeting will be settled at that gathering?”
“That seems likely. However…”
“What seems to be the problem?”
“There are still those in the Miwon who harbor doubts about you.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle.
‘Yes, I expected as much.’
Their refusal to acknowledge me likely stemmed not from any legitimate concern, but rather from the factional struggles that had begun to emerge over positions within the Murim Alliance.
‘It seems the time has come to tighten the reins of tension.’
The war had ended, and I’d rested well.
Now the dissolution of the Murim Alliance loomed on the horizon.
Having fought with blades for so long, I needed to prepare for a battlefield where minds and tongues clashed instead.
And Dokgo Myeong was confident in such struggles as well.

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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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