Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 387

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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 387
The drinking continued on.
I drank almost nothing but alcohol, yet no intoxication rose to my head.
“Are you holding up alright?”
“Somehow, I’ve reached a point where this much alcohol doesn’t affect me. Please don’t worry.”
“Quite remarkable, though I can’t say I envy it. It’s a difficult world to navigate without some intoxication.”
“Though it’s hardly an easier world to navigate with it, either.”
If Hoa were nearby, intoxication would become a distant memory. My inner energy would naturally circulate, dispersing all the alcohol’s effects. It was fortunate I’d left her with Sohwa for Cheonma Sect training.
Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth.
“Shall we return to business matters now? We’re hardly the sort to exchange pleasantries and idle banter, are we?”
“Why not? Though bonds aren’t forced into existence, couldn’t we become exactly that sort of relationship?”
At this unexpected response, Dokgo Myeong’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
In that moment, Baek Mu-heun’s eyes—resembling an immortal from a painting—turned toward Dokgo Myeong.
“Now that we’ve crossed a great mountain together, it wouldn’t be amiss to clarify the nature of our relationship.”
Baek Mu-heun’s eyes were filled with goodwill.
‘You wore that same expression when dealing with the Cheonma Sect before.’
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly and extended his cup.
“Then pour me another drink.”
“As much as you like.”
Dokgo Myeong drained the cup in one gulp.
Certainly, it’s no easy feat to live with a clear mind in this world. Yet as I’ve said before, I must remain awake.
“Are you thinking of taking me aboard your ship?”
“What if I hoped for something more?”
….
“Our promised cooperation has now concluded. Yet mountains of work still remain ahead… wouldn’t it be fine to travel together? I believe you and I could become quite good companions.”
“Don’t you think I’m too young to be your companion?”
“Is that a refusal?”
“Yes.”
“Hehehehe. Then let me ask you just one thing.”
Baek Mu-heun spoke with a faint smile.
“Who are you planning to establish as the first Alliance Leader?”
…!
My words caught in my throat.
This was a direct hit. Despite my vigilance, I couldn’t respond immediately to this unexpected question.
“…What are you suddenly saying?”
“A man who sees this far ahead surely has a candidate in mind.”
….
“If you won’t speak, there’s no conversation. Then allow me to say it instead. The name in your head—isn’t it my own?”
Dokgo Myeong feigned an awkward expression.
“You speak dangerous words. The Alliance Leader is a position the elders will decide upon.”
“You’re saying things even you don’t believe.”
Baek Mu-heun silently extended the wine bottle. Dokgo Myeong gazed at the brimming cup.
Baek Mu-heun filled his own cup and drained it in one gulp.
“As the last heir of the fractured Progressive Faction, as a man who must fulfill the legacy of his predecessors… I have been preparing for the turbulent times ahead for a very long time.”
His voice was calm yet carried a subtle lingering resonance.
“It felt like climbing a mountain shrouded in thick fog. I wanted to build the martial world as one who could see broader and farther, but there were far too many in this world too overwhelmed by their own lives to even lift their heads.”
“….”
“Then I heard news of you. It was shocking. It felt like the thick fog was finally lifting.”
Both arrogance and humility seeped from his words. He was certain he understood more than others, yet he did not condemn the ignorant as foolish.
This unfathomable aspect made Baek Mu-heun an incomprehensible man.
“You’re gilding my face with praise.”
“How uncharacteristic of you to feign modesty. Are you nervous?”
Baek Mu-heun’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“The countless tasks I postponed for various reasons, the matters I needed to handle in order, the prerequisites for my great undertaking… you have handled all of them without hesitation.”
Until now, Baek Mu-heun had felt as though he were walking through a formation where one misstep could trap him in eternal illusion.
It was then, concentrating every nerve with each step, that he realized the existence of one walking beside him.
“For all my years, I have made many friends, but this is the first time I have met someone who understands my intentions. Yes, it was as if I had finally met a kindred spirit from ancient tales.”
Both their cups were filled to the brim.
“So tell me. You intend to establish me as the Alliance Leader, yet why do you keep your distance?”
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle.
‘Yes, you have reason to be puzzled.’
It was understandable to feel their intentions aligned.
It was understandable to feel they were kindred spirits.
But it was unavoidable. After all, everything he had done came from the life he had learned from this man.
Dokgo Myeong spoke calmly.
“The martial arts of the Cheonma Sect I lead is called Jincheon Martial Arts.”
“…?”
“Everyone learns the same foundation. However, since there are only broad frameworks and the key formulas are freely adaptable, my disciples each fill in the gaps and develop their own variations.”
As a result, all manner of techniques emerged—Jincheon Sword, Jincheon Spear, Jincheon Blade, and more.
“Though they all learned the same martial arts, looking at the results, they have become completely different techniques from one another.”
Cheolmu-baek’s axe method being refined under Namgung Sohwa’s influence, Ye-hwa’s Extinction Bow Technique, and the Five Cheonma Techniques were prime examples.
“What are you trying to say?”
“That having the same process does not mean having the same goal.”
“…What?”
“I only care about crushing the Jeongheol Sect bastards. I needed the Martial Arts Alliance for that, and I simply joined hands with those I needed to.”
“And after that?”
“Then I suppose we’ll figure it out when the time comes, won’t we?”
“You intend to establish me as Alliance Leader, yet you have no intention of sharing the same vision?”
Baek Mu-heun’s eyes flashed with sharp intensity.
“Even close friends do not always share the same vision. Of course, the opposite is also possible.”
“Heh heh.”
A hollow laugh escaped from Baek Mu-heun’s lips.
‘So that’s how it is. I was mistaken.’
Dokgo Myeong and I see things differently. We merely shared the same means.
‘But that makes me all the more curious.’
What could be the ultimate goal of this man called Dokgo Myeong?
‘Though probing further would be rather tasteless.’
Baek Mu-heun, who had been observing Dokgo Myeong with an enigmatic gaze, opened his mouth.
“Within two months at most, the Martial Arts Alliance will be launched. All members of the Secret Circle have already agreed.”
At last, the conversation turned to business. Baek Mu-heun continued matter-of-factly.
“The Jeongheol Sect’s conduct during the war and the Moyong Family’s corruption have made the entire martial world aware of the Twin Horse Alliance’s existence. The Alliance’s establishment is inevitable, and we possess perfect justification for it.”
“Are there any sects that have withdrawn?”
“None, except for the sects belonging to Sichuan’s Heavenly Emperor Society.”
“I’ve heard there are sects that are skeptical or passive about this.”
Baek Mu-heun nodded.
“That’s only natural. The Martial Arts Alliance will be founded under the pretext of the Twin Horse Alliance’s existence, but…”
“In reality, it will become a council to check those who dream of hegemony in this age of chaos.”
The Martial Arts Alliance’s justification was simple.
To preempt the emergence of charlatans and deceivers rising throughout the land in this chaotic era, and to prevent the dangers of the Twin Horse Alliance revealed through the war between the Dokgo Family and the Moyong Family.
But the true goal that Dokgo Myeong and Baek Mu-heun shared was different.
After the Age of Secret Teachings ended, a peaceful era followed, and everyone accumulated their strength. Now, an age of chaos has arrived where that strength can be wielded.
The Nine Great Sects were no exception. Not all of them would act this way, but who could truly know?
‘That’s why they must be bound together.’
Making them check and balance each other under the name of the Martial Arts Alliance.
This was the true purpose of the Martial Arts Alliance’s existence.
“It will surely resemble walking on thin ice.”
Baek Mu-heun swallowed and his eyes gleamed.
“Just call it a mess. Every leadership meeting will become a political arena where each prioritizes their own interests.”
“Still, it must be done.”
A question suddenly arose. Did Baek Mu-heun truly intend to lead the world for the greater good?
Before that doubt could deepen, Baek Mu-heun spoke again.
“Now let’s go into more detail.”
Baek Mu-heun emptied his cup and set it down, then turned his body and gestured toward the back.
“Innkeeper, I need a favor.”
“Yes, I’ll prepare it right away.”
The innkeeper cleared away the drinking table and soon dragged several tables over, connecting them together. Then he unfolded an enormous sheet of paper, as large as a quilt, across the tables.
“…!”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
Baek Mu-heun let out a laugh.
“Surprised?”
“What… is this?”
“I’ve temporarily named it the Map of All Under Heaven. It required considerable time and manpower. Let’s discuss it while looking at this.”
Dokgo Myeong swallowed hard.
‘I can’t believe he’s already completed this.’
This was work that Baek Mu-heun had secretly undertaken the moment he became the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
Then war broke out, and it had stalled due to opposition from the elders, but somehow…
‘Did I create the opportunity to proceed with this work by handling the Moyong Family and the Jeongheol Sect?’
The map Dokgo Myeong now saw was more detailed and accurate than any he had ever witnessed. Unlike those crude maps that looked like worms crawling across them, this one had terrain and waterways meticulously recorded.
If the government learned of such a map’s existence, it could easily be mistaken for treason or the work of a foreign spy.
‘The financial and human resources required to create such a map… he’s deliberately showing me this now.’
Dokgo Myeong straightened his expression and looked at Baek Mu-heun.
Baek Mu-heun smiled mysteriously.
“You’re less surprised than I expected. Does seeing this change your thoughts?”
“Surely you’re not saying such things over merely a map? The main family has maps scattered everywhere.”
“True, the greatest clan under heaven would have that.”
Baek Mu-heun chuckled and pointed to the map.
“In order: the Jeegal Family, the Hwangbo Family, the Paeng Family, the Dokgo Family. For smaller renowned clans, the Seok Family estate, the Shandong Ak Family…”
Baek Mu-heun’s finger traced across several regions.
“Among the Nine Sects, we have the three great schools of Shaolin, Huashan, and Wudang from Sichuan, excluding Emei and Qingcheng, plus Zhongnan, Kongtong, Diancang, and Huangshan. Hainan and Kunlun are scheduled for future contact.”
“…”
“The Zheng Tian Alliance in Guizhou has also expressed willingness to join, and various other smaller alliances will follow suit.”
A massive alliance spanning the entire Central Plains.
“The Martial Arts Alliance headquarters must be…”
“Here, in Wuhan, Hubei—at the Dragon Gate.”
Wuhan was perfectly suited as the headquarters of the Martial Arts Alliance, both because of its legendary connection to the Dragon Gate and its position as a crucial transportation hub.
However, the main family’s influence had played a significant role in this decision as well. From Wuhan in Hunan, one could reach the Dokgo Family in just a day or two if they hurried.
“It’s already in its final stages. However, there remain several contentious points that many would question.”
“Then speak plainly about them.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly.
“Those many people you mention are really just referring to the Secret Garden, aren’t they?”
Baek Mu-heun, who had been quietly observing Dokgo Myeong, grinned widely.
“Truly perceptive. I acknowledge it.”
Tap, tap!
Baek Mu-heun tapped the table.
“But this is something that would come up even without the Secret Garden.”
“I’m listening.”
“First, how much will the Dokgo Family covet?”
The Dokgo Family had become the greatest contributor to establishing the Martial Arts Alliance.
Elder Dokgo Un-hak at home was meeting daily with renowned figures of the martial world. If the family harbored excessive ambitions, it would face opposition from everyone.
“Second, how will we establish the organizational structure and distribution of authority?”
The second matter would inevitably devolve into a power struggle.
“Third is the chain of command. How we conduct the war itself. That’s the easiest problem to solve.”
“And the last one is factional divisions, isn’t it?”
Baek Mu-heun nodded.
“You see clearly.”
“Is my summons to this secret meeting also related to that?”
“In truth, it’s more about discerning your true intentions.”
“Who is it?”
Dokgo Myeong asked abruptly.
“What do you mean?”
“The person who’s been finding fault with me.”
It was obvious.
This war, the establishment of the Martial Arts Alliance, the Dokgo Family, and everything else I’ve undertaken—
there was someone picking apart each and every one of my actions. That’s why, after all this buildup, I was summoned to this secret meeting.
‘I have my suspicions about who it might be.’
But I couldn’t be certain.
Then Baek Mu-heun laughed.
“Conversations with you are always refreshing. Hehehehe!”
“So, who is it?”
“Not someone to be taken lightly.”
“I’ve already severed the Moyong Gaju’s head. Why would I fear anyone now?”
“Fear perhaps not, but caution is necessary. Because this person occupies one of the Three Emperors’ positions.”
“…!”

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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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