Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 39

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 39
Wi Mu-jin’s eyes turned cold.
Dokgo Myeong met that gaze without flinching, sitting with ease.
After a prolonged silence, Wi Mu-jin finally spoke.
“Your cup is empty. Shall I pour you another?”
“Clear it away. I’ll pour it myself.”
Dokgo Myeong tilted the bottle and filled his cup.
Both men drained their cups simultaneously.
Wi Mu-jin stared at Dokgo Myeong intently.
“What a pity.”
“What do you mean?”
“You and I. The two of us.”
Wi Mu-jin’s lips curved like a crescent moon.
‘Now I understand why Jeong suffered as he did.’
Martial prowess reminiscent of a seasoned fighter, unconventional words and actions, a gravitas beyond his years.
How could anyone not fall victim to such a presence?
‘I covet him.’
In recent years, had I encountered anyone of this caliber?
Perhaps that’s why interest stirred even as the plan crumbled.
But he’s talent I cannot claim. At the very least, I wish I could have made him a worthy rival to test myself against.
“You’re far too young.”
“….”
“You said you’re barely past twenty. At that age, with such composure and insight, you’ll surely become the finest of the next generation.”
Had you been born just twenty years earlier—no, even ten years earlier—we might have had a proper contest.
Perhaps you could have truly become the rival who blocked my path forward.
“But you were born in the wrong era. By the time you’re ready, there will be no stage left for you to ascend.”
His tone was arrogant, as if looking down from on high.
Yet Dokgo Myeong merely smiled.
“You learned nothing from this affair.”
“Hmm?”
“Did the Jingcheng Alliance think I was already on the board?”
Whoosh!
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s energy shifted.
At that profound gleam in his eyes, Wi Mu-jin’s widened.
“Only you and Paedobyeon were on the board.”
“…!”
“I overturned the board you created, and Paedobyeon danced on the board I newly laid out.”
Wi Mu-jin’s eyes flashed.
A sudden, intense premonition struck him—that he might have been mistaken all along.
He felt danger instinctively. And such instincts had never once betrayed him.
“I… made a mistake.”
A chill ran down my spine.
The thought struck me that this was not someone I should be meeting with such composure, not in this manner.
‘Buying time. That’s what mattered. All that bastard lacked was time.’
Where in the world did such a monster crawl out from?
This is what makes Gangho so thrilling. Monsters defying all reason rear their heads whenever and wherever.
“Very well. Try drawing your blade before me sometime. I shall accept that duel whenever you wish.”
Wi Mu-jin rose from his seat.
His massive frame blocked the sun, casting a shadow over Dokgo Myeong.
“I will await you in the arena of the world.”
* * *
“Young Master!”
Seo Ryun rushed urgently toward Dokgo Myeong.
“Ah, Seo Sect Leader. What are you running over for now?”
“Are you alright?”
Dokgo Myeong walked forward with an unbothered expression.
“I’m not.”
Dokgo Myeong’s face darkened.
Seo Ryun’s eyes widened.
“Surely! The poison…!”
“Ah hell, I just lost my appetite. What good is fine liquor when the one drinking with me is so disagreeable? It tastes worse than cheap swill.”
“Yes, yes? So that means…”
To face off against that Paedo Sect Leader and share drinks with him, yet react like this.
“Let me rinse my mouth on the way.”
Dokgo Myeong spat repeatedly and turned to leave.
But then, the Paedobyeon warriors blocked the path.
“Dokgo Myeong.”
Jeong stepped forward.
He glared at Dokgo Myeong and spoke.
“This time you escaped easily, but there will be no next time. Be prepared then.”
His aura was as deadly as killing intent itself.
“And who are you?”
“…”
“Ah, so you’re the one? The one who orchestrated the Jingcheng Alliance affair?”
“That is correct.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a snort of laughter.
“Give it up.”
“…?!”
“If you’re going to threaten someone, at least draw a blade. Acting so pathetically just means you’ll fall for the same trick again.”
“What are you saying now…”
“If you don’t want to die in some godforsaken place, go learn more from your Paedobyeon Sect Leader first. Until then, don’t even think about it.”
Jeong’s body trembled, his face twisted with humiliation.
Dokgo Myeong let out a scoff as he brushed past Jeong.
A rumbling sound echoed.
Seo Ryun and the White Tiger Guards flowed out behind Dokgo Myeong like a retreating tide.
Dokgo Myeong glanced back over his shoulder.
He caught sight of the Paedo Sect Leader standing motionless, staring at him.
‘Drawing your blade across my path, are you?’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed as he spun around.
‘Just across my path isn’t enough. Next time, I’ll draw it right before your eyes.’
Dokgo Myeong straightened his back leisurely.
“Ah, what exhausting work. Nothing ever goes smoothly.”
“We should hurry back. Please don’t worry too much.”
“What’s the rush?”
“Pardon?”
“Since we’ve finished everything anyway, let’s take our time. We can enjoy some good food along the way!”
And so.
Dokgo Myeong’s first venture into Gangho came to an end amidst all manner of incidents and complications.
* * *
Dokgo Cheon was wielding his sword.
For the cultivation practice of a master of the upper heavens, there was nothing remarkable about the sword paths embroidered across the empty air.
Slashing and thrusting—they were the most basic movements, hardly deserving to be called swordsmanship.
“Hmm.”
Dokgo Cheon stopped his movements and muttered with an indifferent expression.
“He’s late.”
Lee Seong-cheon, the Black Dragon Sect Leader, approached from behind Dokgo Cheon, who had sheathed his sword.
“Any separate messages?”
“There have been no further communications since the report that he departed.”
“The troublesome brat. He’s deliberately dragging his feet.”
If he had hurried, he would have arrived long ago. It was clear he was intentionally dawdling.
“So, where exactly has he reached?”
It wasn’t as though Dokgo Cheon couldn’t find out without Dokgo Myeong reporting. He had already stationed people to watch him anyway.
“He disembarked at Soyang Ferry Terminal last night. According to Tianerge’s report, he should arrive sometime today at the earliest.”
Dokgo Cheon nodded.
In truth, Dokgo Myeong had never once submitted a report. As a result, he had learned of the Jingcheng Alliance incident through Tianerge.
Dokgo Cheon wore a subtle smile.
‘I thought he’d return empty-handed this time.’
When he heard that Wi Mu-jin was involved, he had inwardly believed Dokgo Myeong’s first venture into Gangho would be difficult. Even if he failed, it wouldn’t be bad for him to broaden his horizons.
‘Yet he not only made the Paedo Sect Leader lose face but also completed a transaction there….’
In any case, nothing ever passed quietly with that boy.
Of course, that’s precisely what makes it all the more entertaining to watch.
Dokgo Cheon, who had been smiling, shifted his gaze toward Lee Seong-cheon.
“What’s the reaction from the outer branch and the council of elders?”
“They appear to be showing considerable interest.”
“As expected. I sent him merely to pay respects, yet he returned laden with gold and silver treasures.”
“Depending on how it’s utilized, it could become a formidable weapon. Young Master Dokgo Myeong has brought back gains beyond imagination.”
The distribution rights of southern barbarian and Yunnan trade goods flowing through Guizhou into Zhongyuan.
A monopoly on trade goods could itself become power and strength, depending on how it was wielded.
“However, great merit does not erase great transgression.”
“…Are you considering punishment?”
“If necessary.”
Dokgo Cheon’s gaze revealed no emotion that could be easily discerned.
Lee Seong-cheon quietly lowered his eyes.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a subtle presence stirred nearby.
Lee Seong-cheon, turning his head toward empty air, gave a light nod before speaking.
“Patriarch. A report has just come in that the delegation has entered the city roads.”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes gleamed.
“That rascal will never be a proper gentleman. Ha ha ha!”
* * *
“Phew! What a journey!”
Dokgo Myeong, having passed through the Dokgo Household Gate, stretched his back in a long arc with a satisfied groan.
“You have endured much hardship, Young Master.”
Seo Ryun, the captain of the White Tiger Guards, approached with proper courtesy and bowed respectfully.
“The White Tiger Guards hereby conclude our escort duties and will return. It has been an honor to serve you during this time.”
“The honor was mine. Thanks to you, I traveled in comfort.”
“…”
Seo Ryun exhaled a long breath and bowed even more deeply.
“One final matter—I wish to apologize once more for my earlier rudeness.”
“True, you were rather rude back then.”
“Ha ha, yes.”
In that playful reproach, there was no lingering resentment. The two had grown quite close since their initial friction.
Seo Ryun gazed at Dokgo Myeong with steady eyes.
“I have learned much while accompanying you, Young Master. I am grateful.”
“Grateful? Rather, I should thank you for indulging my recklessness.”
Dokgo Myeong patted Seo Ryun’s shoulder affectionately.
Seo Ryun felt not displeasure at that touch, but rather a sense of fulfillment—a change of heart that even surprised himself.
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Dokgo Myeong rummaged through his robes and suddenly produced something.
“Take this.”
Seo Ryun’s eyes widened as he accepted the item Dokgo Myeong handed him.
“This is… a promissory note, isn’t it?”
Moreover, it was two notes worth one hundred silver taels each.
Seo Ryun blinked, his expression puzzled.
“Use that to take the guards out for a drink at a decent tavern.”
“Pardon?”
“Once the mission’s done, you should have a celebration. Don’t mention that it came from me—just go and enjoy.”
“I cannot accept such a large sum, Young Master. We receive our regular stipends as well…”
“The taverns you can afford on the White Tiger Guards’ stipend are all predictable. You’ve worked hard—go somewhere decent.”
“But…”
Dokgo Myeong glanced around briefly, then whispered near Seo Ryun’s ear.
“While you’re drinking, feel free to grumble about me a little, listen to the men’s complaints. You understand what I mean?”
“…!”
“You’ve all worked hard. I hope we can work together again next time.”
With that, Dokgo Myeong turned and left without hesitation.
“Tae-im! Dokgo Ak! Let’s go!”
“Ah, yes! Coming!”
“Tsk!”
Seo Ryun’s mouth fell slightly open.
‘How on earth…’
What could he mean by grumbling about him?
He was saying that since he’d kept the atmosphere too tight lately, he should loosen it up a bit.
There was no better topic of conversation than complaining about a superior, and with a drink in hand, it made for the perfect way to unwind. It was a method Seo Ryun himself had often used when leading the White Tiger Guards.
‘Surely he’s never had experience leading subordinates before…’
Seo Ryun watched Dokgo Myeong’s retreating figure and smiled wryly.
“To call someone like that a dull talent… that was truly absurd.”
Come to think of it, it was.
The incident at the Jingcheng Alliance, the confrontation with the Paedobyeon Sect Leader, and the subsequent duel with Dokgo Ak.
“…This is something.”
Seo Ryun fingered the promissory notes while watching Dokgo Myeong’s figure stride away.
Working together again someday.
In his heart, Seo Ryun hoped that day would come soon.
* * *
“We have just returned from our mission, Household Lord.”
“We have… returned.”
“Welcome back.”
A glimmer of interest appeared in Dokgo Cheon’s eyes.
Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Ak.
The changed bearing of these two young bloodlines captured Dokgo Cheon’s gaze.
‘Have they developed further already?’
I could see the progress in Dokgo Myeong’s martial arts cultivation.
Though I couldn’t fathom the depths of his mysterious and unidentifiable martial techniques, once one reached a realm like Dokgo Cheon’s, one could at least discern what level had been attained.
Dokgo Myeong had reached the peak.
It didn’t appear to be a complete peak state. But what mattered was that he had one foot planted there.
‘When he left, I saw him just entering the path of inner energy, yet he’s already at this level.’
He was growing terrifyingly with each passing day. The claim that he had crossed hands with the Paedo Sect Leader and his subordinates didn’t seem like much of an exaggeration.
‘And then there’s Ak-i, this fellow.’
Even Dokgo Ak, from whom I hadn’t expected much, showed signs of change.
His eyes were clear. Until now, he had seemed like a stubborn fool filled with arrogance except for his martial talent, but beneath that gaze, a hint of maturity could be glimpsed.
“I am truly pleased with your growth. How was this journey through the Gangho?”
“We were fortunate and managed to gain quite a lot.”
“I learned much as well.”
“Yes, I’ve heard. Myeong-i, your contributions are substantial. However, it seems you’ve also caused quite a significant incident.”
“….”
“Without reporting, you recklessly discussed warfare and made the Main Sect enemies with an entire faction. This is not a matter that can be easily overlooked as youthful exuberance.”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes grew sharp.
“Explain yourself. If there is no reasonable justification, you must bear the consequences.”
Dokgo Myeong, who had been quietly prostrating, lifted his head.
And he smiled wickedly.
“Of course! I should take responsibility.”
“…?”
“But it wasn’t me—it was him.”
The instant Dokgo Cheon’s eye twitched.
“I apologize, Patriarch! This grandson has erred!”
Dokgo Ak suddenly threw himself flat on the ground and cried out.
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes twitched once more.
Dokgo Myeong let out a low, quiet chuckle.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————