Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 389

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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 389
A tall, striking man approached Dokgo Myeong as if they were acquainted.
“It’s been a while. So you’re leaving now?”
“Hmm?”
Dokgo Myeong studied the man while suppressing a smile, then casually threw out a question.
“Who are you?”
“Cough! You really don’t know who I am?”
No, actually I’d figured it out long ago.
Dokgo Myeong finally burst into laughter.
“Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you for a moment. Right, our brother always had such striking features, didn’t he?”
“…”
“You looked like a beggar because you were dressed in rags all this time. Now that you’re dressed properly, you’ve transformed from a beggar into a master of a noble house. They say clothes make the man, and it’s true.”
The man’s expression twisted immediately.
“Damn it! Stop calling me a beggar! You’re really getting on my nerves!”
“But you were a beggar, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, I was! I mean, yes, I was!”
The tall, striking man was none other than Ju Won-gwang.
“Hell! I knew this would happen. Why would I bother with a disguise otherwise! You never let anything slide. Where do you get those eyes…!”
“Acting awkwardly draws more suspicion than openly making a fuss and joking around,” I said, leaving the inn with an unbothered expression.
Dokgo Myeong spoke as he exited the inn without concern.
“What?”
“There are already several eyes watching me now. How could I escape with a mere disguise? If I just act friendly and joke around openly, it seems less suspicious.”
Ju Won-gwang followed naturally and blinked his eyes.
“Is that so?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s complete nonsense. You just made that up on the spot, didn’t you?”
Dokgo Myeong casually dodged the accusation.
Ju Won-gwang glanced at him, then spoke in a lowered voice.
“Anyway, you mentioned eyes watching us. You mean the innkeeper hiding in the alley and those following us from behind?”
“You’re not completely lacking in perception after all. But there are a couple more somewhere. Let me see…”
“Huh? Wait, wait. What are you trying to do now…”
Dokgo Myeong glanced around the surroundings, then suddenly waved his hand toward a certain direction.
Flinch!
A man on the upper floor of an inn nearby startled and hastily averted his gaze.
Next, I looked around here and there, then strode toward the peddler following behind and blocked his path.
“My, you’ve been working hard.”
“W-why are you doing this?”
The peddler trembled as he looked up at Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and gave advice in casual speech.
“Next time, put more effort into your disguise before following someone. Why is a peddler’s clothes so clean? You need some dirt on them, body odor, wrinkles—that’s how it should be.”
Dokgo Myeong personally ruffled the Peddler’s clothes as he continued speaking.
“Hiding your energy signature like that—it’s exactly Paedobyeon’s style. Why do you people always come up one short every single time? Tsk tsk.”
The Peddler’s expression darkened.
Dokgo Myeong patted his shoulder twice, then returned to Ju Won-gwang’s side.
“Let’s go.”
“How did you catch all of that?”
“Who am I? Dokgo Myeong. The man who destroyed an entire martial family before turning thirty.”
“I was foolish to ask.”
Even as he said this, Ju Won-gwang observed Dokgo Myeong from the corner of his eye.
‘A monster of a man.’
He’d known his energy perception and five senses were exceptional, but to see through the gaze of professionally trained assassins—that was something else entirely.
‘Well, at least I can relax a bit thanks to him.’
The two of them deliberately wandered the streets as if sightseeing, shared a cup of midday wine, and exchanged light conversation. As if discussing trivial matters.
But the actual conversation they shared was far from light.
“It seems most of them have fallen away now. The Alliance’s policy made things a bit roundabout. I hope you understand.”
“It’s fine. This much is nothing.”
Ju Won-gwang let out a sigh.
“The people at the Alliance will certainly acknowledge your achievements. However….”
“Don’t worry. I already heard it from Baek Jang-mun.”
“What do you intend to do?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“That depends on the person who extended the invitation, doesn’t it? I was invited, so I’m simply going to show my face.”
“You’re not thinking of charging in again, are you?”
“Hardly. Do I look that foolish?”
“It would be a blessing if you were.”
Dokgo Myeong simply smiled wickedly.
Ju Won-gwang placed a silver coin on the table and stood.
“Let’s head out. I hope that even if something bothers you somewhat, you’ll bear with it.”
“Why specifically?”
“If you establish yourself properly within the Alliance, many things will become easier.”
Soon the two entered a nearby tavern like people finishing one round and moving to another location.
When they showed their token to the Innkeeper, he immediately guided them through the back door.
After exiting through the back door and traveling for some time, they arrived at a small manor hidden within the forest.
‘Is this the place?’
Quite thorough. At this level, even ordinary surveillance would be shaken off. I’ve lost count of how many layers of detours we’ve made.
Then Ju Won-gwang looked up at the building and spoke.
“From now on, we rented a room at the tavern and drank wine. You’ll know what to do on the way back, I trust.”
“Don’t worry.”
“This is where I leave you. I have a task to cut off information.”
“Then I’ll see you later. Look into what I asked you to.”
“You mean the descendants of the Namgung Family living under assumed names? I understand. I’ll handle that as well.”
Dokgo Myeong strode purposefully toward the residence.
Ju Won-gwang watched his retreating figure with concern, then turned away with a sigh.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong swept his gaze across the forest path.
‘Masters are concealed here. And quite formidable ones at that.’
Were these the hidden guards brought by the members of the Secret Alliance?
Unlike the secular sects and heterodox schools, the Nine Sects’ concealment techniques specialized in perfectly suppressing their vital essence and blending seamlessly with their surroundings.
Whoooosh!
My sensory perception flared.
Though they were deliberately hiding their presence, I could feel them watching intently with heightened awareness.
That was when it happened.
Whoooosh!
Suddenly, mist began to swirl up along the narrow path leading to the residence.
-Kekekeke! Young one. Walk without straying from the path.
-A single misstep will bring delusion upon you!
Voices echoed from all directions like a chorus.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
‘An illusion formation? Let me dispel this greeting.’
Shhhhh!
The Dragon Scale Robe drew forth the essence of the Heavenly Exterior Spiritual Blade, then fluttered once.
Now, virtually any sorcery and formation technique could not penetrate the Dragon Scale Robe and Heavenly Exterior Spiritual Blade. The formation’s influence vanished in an instant.
Dokgo Myeong perceived clearly beyond the mist. At the end of the path, before a gate, he discovered two elderly men standing in awkward postures.
Looking more closely, they were familiar faces.
‘Were they the guardians of this place?’
Dokgo Myeong strode straight through the formation.
The Eum-yang Twin Elders, who had been chuckling with eccentric expressions, widened their eyes in shock.
-Wait! Young one. If you walk that way….
-No, how on earth?
As he walked in a straight line without regard for the formation, their bewildered voices rang out clearly.
Thud!
Thus he arrived at the entrance.
Dokgo Myeong spoke leisurely to the gazes fixed upon him as if he were some sort of monster.
“Open the gate.”
Dokgo Myeong spoke without even glancing at the two elders.
The Eum-yang Twin Elders could not hide their bewilderment.
“Boy. What did you just say?”
“Young man. Do you not know who we are, speaking without proper courtesy….”
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle.
“Why would I not know? The Eum-yang Twin Elders. One of the Three Emperors’ Twin Oddities, known in the world as the Eccentric Elders, are you not?”
“…!!”
“I understand the Jeonchang Sect’s Dharma Protector must be cautious given his position, but I’ve come here as an invited guest. Please open the door.”
“Ah, but how on earth….”
“Huh….”
The Eum-yang Twin Elders muttered in disbelief before finally opening the door with slow, deliberate movements.
Creak!
Dokgo Myeong advanced with unhesitating strides.
Inside the building stood another familiar man—one I had seen before with Baek Mu-heun.
“Welcome. He awaits you inside.”
The man who served as innkeeper at the roadside inn.
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft laugh.
“So the innkeeper is here as well. Indeed, in times like these, there’s no harm in having a few more occupations. Isn’t that right, Nang-wang?”
“…!”
A flicker of surprise crossed Nang-wang’s eyes—no longer merely the innkeeper.
“Nang-wang? What do you mean?”
“It’s been nearly ten years since you vanished from the ronin circles, yet here you are in a place like this.”
“How could you possibly….”
“But tell me, how much longer do you intend to keep me standing here?”
Nang-wang’s face hardened. He bowed his head and turned away.
“…My apologies. Please, this way.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
‘Let them be thoroughly astonished. I have no intention of holding back today.’
When they think they’ve grasped the measure of things, that’s when you must strike once more to keep them off balance.
To raise my own value, I intend to fully exploit today the advantage of knowing the future.
To show them that the worth of Dokgo Myeong extends far beyond mere martial prowess alone.
Step by step.
Dokgo Myeong walked slowly across the luxurious carpet laid toward the inner chamber, as if being guided.
“…Then naturally the Hwasan and Jongnam sects….”
“Being as close as siblings, the Jeonchang Sect as well….”
His keen hearing detected the distant conversation with perfect clarity.
“Do you have no particular communication with the Cheonma Alliance of Sichuan? If they were to join, the justification….”
“The martial world of Sichuan has always been isolated by nature. Moreover, with Paedobyeon stirring once more, contact has become difficult.”
“Hmm, Tuwang, who had been quiet for so long, has finally begun to move again….”
“Wait.”
As I reached the door, the voices from within suddenly ceased.
Nang-wang spoke.
“Our guest has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
Creak!
The door opened, revealing a spacious hall. In its center stood a large round table.
“….”
A heavy silence descended upon the hall.
Then, Baek Mu-heun spoke with a smile.
“Welcome, Dokgo Myeong.”
Countless gazes flew toward him and fixed upon his form.
The rulers of an age that governed the realm, the masters of power seated at the pinnacle of the martial world that moved through these turbulent times—all turned their eyes upon Dokgo Myeong.
“I am Myeong of the Dokgo Family. I have come today in response to Sect Leader Baek’s invitation.”
He offered no words of gratitude for the invitation, no expressions of honor at this meeting, no formal greetings to his seniors in the martial world.
Dokgo Myeong met their gazes with an unwavering composure that bordered on leisure, his eyes betraying not a hint of deference.
* * *
The round table had empty seats scattered throughout. Whether due to timing or prior commitments, it seemed not all members of the gathering were present.
‘Given the composition of this gathering, it would be strange if everyone could assemble in one place.’
A brilliant assembly it was. Not a single person among them lacked renown in the martial world.
And precisely because of this, they were faces I recognized from my past life.
‘Ga Tae-baek, the Chasing Pavilion Master of the Martial Alliance.’
The greatest messenger under heaven and the Alliance Leader of the Tianxia Society, known to have traveled every corner of the Central Plains—Ga Tae-baek himself.
‘The Dharma Protector Master is here as well. He must be called the finest of Yunnan by now.’
Jeonchang Sect Leader Jeokseong-ja.
An elderly man with dark skin and bold features gazed with bright eyes.
‘The Eldest Elder of the Jongnam Sect, the Sect Leader of the Hwasan Sect, and that one is the Sect Leader of the Taehaeng Mountain Sect. And….’
My gaze turned toward an old man sitting quietly in one corner.
He wore a shabby Daoist robe with patches and signs of wear scattered across it. His unpretentious and ordinary appearance made him seem at first glance like a kindly, common old man.
Yet he was undoubtedly the greatest figure in this gathering.
‘The Tai Chi Martial Emperor, Heo Un-jin.’
One of the Three Emperors of the martial world, the third Sect Leader of the Wudang School, and in my past life, he was known as the Vice-Leader of the Martial Alliance.
He was the true successor of the true lineage, inheriting the martial path of Jang Sam-bong, the founding patriarch of the Wudang School. Moreover, he was a living legend of the martial world who had lived through an era comparable to the Three Celestial Sovereigns and earned renown alongside them.
‘And the man who is raising his banner against the Martial Alliance that Baek Mu-heun and I planned.’
My expression darkened.
In my past life, he had been a good connection. He was one of the few high-ranking officials in the Alliance who had advocated for the Cheonma Sect, and he was a benefactor who had sacrificed his own life to provide the catalyst for bringing down Hyeok Wi-sang.
Yet why would such a man….
‘He is neither foolish nor incompetent.’
As I narrowed my eyes and gazed at Heo Un-jin.
Whoosh.
The eyelids of Heo Un-jin, which had been closed, lifted open.
Our gazes collided in the empty space between us.
“….”
“….”
The exchange of gazes lasted but a moment.
In that brief instant, I glimpsed a fierce emotion burning deep within Heo Un-jin’s eyes.
‘What was that just now? Hostility?’
No, it’s somewhat different from that….
That was when it happened.
“Hmph, is that all the greeting you have?”
A voice tinged with mockery drifted from beside me.
“I’ve heard tales of your arrogant and presumptuous nature, but to think it would be this severe. Do you understand what kind of gathering this is? Yet here you stand before the venerable seniors of the martial world, rigid as a wooden post?”
“….”
“If you believe everyone here acknowledges you, that would be a grave misconception. Without the forceful insistence of Sect Leader Baek and the Yongdu Sect Leader, we would never have summoned you in the first place!”
At the sharp-tongued rebuke, Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle.
So it was as expected. I needed someone like this to appear.
‘Perfect timing. I was worried no one would provoke me.’
Dokgo Myeong turned toward the middle-aged man who had spoken, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he opened his mouth.
“So Sect Leader Sim Wi-ryong of the Taehaeng Mountain Sect is here as well.”
“…!”
In that instant, the eyes of the middle-aged man, Sim Wi-ryong, widened as if they might split.
“How did you know who I am…?”
The Taehaeng Mountain Sect, renowned as the cradle of martial arts where the greatest swordsmen of the realm trained.
It was a mysterious sect that rarely revealed itself in the martial world, and its sect leader was particularly famous for his humility and dedication to cultivation.
Dokgo Myeong had spoken the name of a man few in all the realm knew, clearly and distinctly.
“That’s not the important matter. It seems you’ve misunderstood something, so allow me to correct it.”
“What?”
“I came here because I was invited. Not because I was summoned.”
“…!”
“Therefore, it is not I who should be showing courtesy. Rather, if I were to hear words of gratitude for gracing this gathering with my presence, that would be another matter entirely.”
At Dokgo Myeong’s words, silence fell over the assembly once more.

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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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