Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 395

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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 395
Screech!
“The winner! Dokgo Ak, the Fierce Dragon Palm Master!!”
Once I gained momentum, I stacked victory upon victory.
Boom!
“D-Dokgo Ak, Young Master! Victory!”
Clang!
“Victory goes to Young Master Dokgo Ak!”
Boom!
“Young Master Dokgo Ak has advanced to the finals!”
I descended from the martial stage with a bewildered expression.
There were so many skilled people around me that I hadn’t realized it, but the gap in strength was far too great.
Most people couldn’t even properly withstand a single second unless they were disciples of prestigious sects. It was so taxing to let my opponents last more than three seconds for the sake of their pride.
“Fierce Dragon Palm Master!”
“Magnificent! Young Master Dokgo Ak!”
When I glanced around, I could feel the change in people’s expressions.
Everyone was cheering, chanting my name, and making an absolute uproar.
‘That’s right, I’m someone who can receive such acclaim.’
But then.
“Ah! You won too quickly, so the odds dropped! Can’t you control your strength?!”
This bastard was grumbling about the odds dropping instead of offering praise.
“…You said you wouldn’t let me off easy if I made a mistake!”
“That’s one thing! This is another!”
What on earth was he talking about?
I sighed and shook my head, then muttered to myself.
“Anyway, I don’t think I’ve fought that many times, and I’m already in the finals….”
Over these four days, about five or six preliminary matches and several main tournament matches… ah, that was quite a lot.
‘Aside from a slight cut on my forearm, I have no injuries, and my inner energy is still overflowing.’
I blinked and tilted my head to the side.
“These people… are they unexpectedly not that impressive?”
As expected, a sarcastic voice flowed out.
“Well, well. So you’re truly the greatest under heaven.”
“….”
“You have no shame. When were you nervous thinking you’d lose, and now you’re being arrogant?”
“The preliminaries are one thing, but I’m winning this easily in the main tournament too. Aren’t those guys originally strong?”
“Hmm, they are strong fellows.”
“Right? So I’m just incredibly strong… Ah! You’re trying to criticize me again! I get it, so don’t say it!”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled as I cried out in preemptive defense.
“Yes, that’s right. You’re that strong.”
“Uh, really?”
“What other reason could there be? I simply defeated everyone because I was stronger.”
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze shifted past Dokgo Ak’s back.
“Of course, there are also the disciples the Nine Sects have carefully hidden away who haven’t revealed themselves yet.”
“Hmm? Disciples they’ve carefully hidden away?”
“They don’t carelessly bring out the ones they’re raising as sect leaders. Those are genuine monsters. Well…”
Only then did Dokgo Ak turn his gaze to follow Dokgo Myeong’s.
“It seems one of them has appeared.”
Dokgo Ak’s opponent in the finals.
Baek Song of the Huashan Sect, the Sword Saint who had defeated Shaolin’s Gong Cheol after a fierce battle.
Dokgo Myeong nodded while crossing his arms.
“That woman. She’ll be no easy opponent.”
“Is that so?”
“She’s concealing her true strength.”
A brief rest period was granted before the finals. If the match began immediately, one couldn’t display their full power, so they were given time to circulate their inner energy.
Dokgo Myeong observed Baek Song sitting in lotus position across the way.
‘Still as beautiful as a painting.’
If our Moyang soldier was a beauty with a cold impression, this one was a beauty with a gentle and serene demeanor.
Of course, beauty didn’t aid martial prowess, but this woman was one who wielded even her appearance as a weapon, possessing a ruthless heart.
‘Baek Song, the Sword Saint and sect leader-in-training of Huashan.’
A heroine of the age.
A genius among geniuses raised with all of Huashan’s resources.
In her past life, she served as the commander of the Malevolence Slaying Brigade, the Murim Alliance’s elite unit, and in the present, she has already become the youngest leader of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.
‘And she’s also receiving instruction from Baek Mu-heun.’
Huashan and Songshan sects both originated from the Quanzhen School. In essence, they were like cousin sects.
Having inherited similar teachings within the broader framework, they maintained active exchanges and were generous with their instruction.
And Baek Mu-heun often bestowed his teachings upon disciples of both sects.
“On the contrary, I prefer it. A strong opponent is welcome.”
Dokgo Ak smiled with confidence.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“Seeing you act so carelessly without discernment, you’ve finally become the younger brother I know.”
“Is that an insult or a compliment?”
“For now, it’s a compliment. You’re gradually finding your footing.”
“Hmm? What footing?”
Dokgo Ak tilted his head in confusion.
‘He’s becoming so accustomed that he no longer notices his own growth.’
This one is growing. Not in martial prowess, but in spirit.
Dokgo Myeong simply smiled without answering.
Dokgo Ak wore a puzzled expression before eventually entering his meditation to circulate his inner energy.
Shortly thereafter.
“The finals shall now commence!”
The training grounds fell silent as a tomb.
*Whoosh.*
Dokgo Ak opened his eyes and slowly rose to his feet.
“Any final words for me?”
“Fight without regrets and come back.”
“That’s all?”
“Know that defeat means death. Actually, if you think you’re going to lose, then die on the arena itself.”
“I’m the fool for asking.”
Laughter escaped unbidden.
‘That certainly fills one with courage.’
Well, if I lose, the training of death awaits, so I must win.
Dokgo Ak strode onto the arena.
* * *
As I focused my energy perception, I sensed Baek Song’s qi blazing fiercely.
*Thump, thump, thump!*
I felt my heart racing rapidly.
‘She really is beautiful.’
Among all the people I’ve seen in my life, she seemed as beautiful as Ye-hwa or the Moyang Soldier called the most beautiful in Jeol-gang.
Yet my heart raced not because of her beauty, but because I had read the qi hidden within her martial path.
*Roooooar!*
It was as if I faced a colossal mountain covered in bizarre rock formations.
Moreover, I sensed brilliant plum blossoms blooming in every crevice.
“I am Baek Song of Hua Mountain, paying respects to the Primordial Celestial Worthy.”
“I am Ak of the Dokgo Family. You’ve been hiding your true strength.”
“I wasn’t deliberately concealing it.”
“Then?”
“I simply became absorbed in learning, which is why my sword exchanges grew prolonged. Isn’t that where the meaning of martial contests lies?”
She spoke with a faint smile, yet somehow it irritated me.
‘So does that mean I’m a fool who doesn’t understand the meaning of martial contests for ending things quickly?’
This won’t do. I must win, even if it costs me my life.
“It seems the young hero didn’t ascend this arena with any grand ambitions for this contest.”
“Why would a martial contest need such meaning?”
“Are you feigning ignorance, or do you truly not know?”
Baek Song’s eyes sharpened.
“This martial contest will become the greatest event before the Martial Alliance is reorganized. Surely, the fame gained here will spread throughout the entire martial realm.”
“…What are you saying?”
Baek Song smiled faintly and drew her sword.
“Upon reorganization, the Martial Alliance will establish numerous martial squads. And a special elite unit will also be deployed.”
“…?”
“The position of commander of that elite unit will hold considerable significance. In other words, fame is what matters.”
Baek Song raised her sword and pointed it at Dokgo Ak.
“I apologize, but I must win this duel. I need to claim that position.”
Dokgo Ak gazed at her quietly.
Then he let out a hollow laugh.
“I know nothing of such things.”
“…?”
“I’ve always been rather simple-minded, so when I make money, fame, or position my goal, I become a worthless man. That’s what I’ve learned.”
Dokgo Ak was what one might call a reckless fool.
How many servants and guards had he driven away, and how many escort warriors had he injured?
“So now I have no interest in such things. Right now, simply following behind someone magnificent is already more than I can handle.”
A sparrow following a stork must keep its eyes forward, lest it split itself in two.
‘And besides, even if you brought several elite units, they wouldn’t measure up to the Cheonma Sect.’
Dokgo Ak drew his sword and focused all his concentration.
Hwaaaack!
In an instant, the sword energy reversed direction.
A flash of surprise crossed Baek Song’s eyes.
“Then I shall begin now.”
“Please do.”
Dokgo Ak’s form vanished like mist with a sharp sound.
Screeeee!
When he reappeared, he was right before her face.
Claaang!
The Plum Blossom Sword and the Solitary Yang Sword collided.
Boom! Clang!
Blade against blade erupted in a piercing cacophony.
The two fighters displayed completely different styles.
Ornate and austere, intricate and sharp.
One bloomed like plum blossoms, while the other wielded the sword with endless sharpness.
“What… what is…”
Clang!
“What is happening?”
Crash!
“What in the world is…”
Clang! Clang! Screee!
The spectators with lower martial prowess blinked in astonishment.
Though they heard continuous thunderous explosions and sharp metallic sounds, all their eyes could perceive were afterimages and sparks erupting in empty air.
Pababababak!
Countless curved sword paths filled the space, while linear sword paths tangled through them, reducing all their brilliance to nothing.
‘Evenly matched!’
Dokgo Ak’s eyes gleamed as he thought this.
Yet Baek Song’s assessment was different.
‘I’m several moves ahead.’
Having seen enough, Baek Song poured more force into her grip on the blade.
Kwaaaang!
The thunderous boom of the Plum Blossom Sword sent Dokgo Ak skidding backward.
“Hah!”
Baek Song pressed her advantage relentlessly, bringing her sword down in a decisive arc.
‘Head-on… no, from the side?!’
Screech!
Dokgo Ak scraped across the ground, sliding sideways under the onslaught.
‘The sword is impossible to read!’
In that instant, plum blossom-shaped sword auras bloomed before his eyes.
Afterimages and illusions.
Such a sword existed in this world!
‘The Phantom Sword!’
An enigmatic qi permeated Baek Song’s true energy.
‘The Sword Saint! It resembles that person’s qi I witnessed at the inn!’
Against such an incomprehensible force, Dokgo Ak found himself helplessly pushed back.
Dokgo Ak retreating.
Baek Song advancing.
Then Dokgo Ak heard her warning.
“Be careful.”
Something was coming from the side.
Brilliant petals converged, then erupted with terrifying radiance.
‘Not the Plum Blossom Sword!’
Crackling!
Dokgo Ak heard the sound of thunder.
Heavenly River Big Dipper, Celestial Advance Divine Sword.
A devastating sword strike accompanied by brilliant light lashed across his body.
Whoosh!
Dokgo Ak’s form lifted clean off the ground, sent flying backward.
His robes torn and hair disheveled, Dokgo Ak gasped desperately for breath.
“Gasp! Huff!”
He’d evaded it. Barely, but his condition was dire.
It was the most overwhelming swift sword technique he’d ever encountered. What manner of cultivation had allowed her to master such martial arts?
Patapatapat!
The plum blossoms bloomed again.
Baek Song charged forward without relinquishing her advantage, her blade unfurling.
The combination of phantom and swift swordplay was far more formidable. Her incomprehensibly fast footwork demonstrated why the Dark Fragrance Step was counted among the heaven’s most renowned divine techniques.
‘Indeed, that woman Baek Song….’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed as he watched from beneath the martial stage.
‘He’s reached the ascending realm.’
Building upon the Plum Blossom Sword, he had mastered the Forward Thrust Sword. The Swift Sword and Illusory Sword naturally complemented each other, and since they shared the same martial foundation, he must have learned it rather easily.
In terms of martial prowess alone, Dokgo Ak was falling behind.
‘But that bastard isn’t failing to climb because he can’t—he’s choosing not to.’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed with insight.
Clang! Clang-clang-clang!
Even pressed into a defensive position, Dokgo Ak skillfully evaded direct strikes and continued the duel.
Ten exchanges, twenty exchanges, thirty exchanges….
Beyond dozens of clashes, approaching nearly a hundred exchanges, Dokgo Ak wielded his blade with unwavering resolve.
“Hah, that’s….”
“Incredible. Truly.”
Exclamations of admiration flowed from the spectators.
What martial artist wouldn’t have their competitive spirit ignited by such fierce combat?
Amid the endless feints and genuine strikes exchanged between them.
Clang!
The two blades locked in mid-air, producing a sharp crack as they entered a test of strength.
And then.
“This, this cowardly… Hah hah!”
Suddenly, Baek Song began breathing heavily.
Only then did Dokgo Ak’s eyes flash with realization.
‘I knew it! There’s no way she has experience fighting while controlling herself to the limit!’
How could one with merely a handful of inner force and stamina have endured warfare fighting against hundreds?
It was the difference of real combat, the difference of experience.
Dokgo Ak finally struck true, as if the moment had arrived.
Boom! Clang-clang-clang-clang!
The initiative of the offensive reversed in an instant.
Cold sweat began seeping from Baek Song’s forehead.
‘This can’t be happening!’
Whoosh!
Dokgo Ak’s blade flashed like a beam of light, sweeping with terrifying speed.
Crack!
Baek Song’s sword was knocked flying, and her center of balance shattered.
‘Did he aim for this all along?’
Baek Song stared at Dokgo Ak with trembling eyes.
Flash!
Dokgo Ak’s gaze gleamed like that of a predator.
Baek Song felt every hair on her body stand on end.
“Wait, hold…!”
I’m losing.
This shouldn’t be possible, yet I’m being pushed back.
‘I cannot lose like this!’
Dokgo Ak’s stamina was equally depleted from all that blocking.
Baek Song, her expression resolute, poured even more inner force into her blade.
Hwaaaack!
Her sword traced an elegant arc.
With each stroke, plum blossoms bloomed in profusion.
Psshik! Chwack!
Blood streamed from Dokgo Ak’s forehead and forearm.
His hair was severed and scattered, his robes torn and disheveled.
“Gasp! Dangerous!”
“Stop!”
“You must cease!”
The spectators tensed their entire bodies and widened their eyes.
Dokgo Myeong, who had been watching quietly, suddenly leaped to his feet. But it wasn’t because Dokgo Ak appeared to be in danger.
‘He’s finally doing it!’
In that moment, Dokgo Ak experienced a strange sensation as his senses heightened to their peak.
The world slowed down.
And he saw it—a single line that would sever all the blooming sword light like flowers.
‘Here I go.’
Dokgo Ak swung his sword toward the plum blossoms.
Hwurrruk!
Ilyang Divine Sword, Extinguish Blossom Violent Strike.
The scattering plum blossoms ignited entirely under the Ilyang Divine Sword’s strike.
Kzzzzzzang!
With a thunderous explosion, Baek Song’s sword was sent flying.
“Kugh!”
As Baek Song staggered and hurriedly tried to regain her stance.
Thuk!
A heavy sensation pressed against her shoulder.
It was Dokgo Ak’s sword.
“It seems.”
“…?”
“I have won.”
Compared to the battered Dokgo Ak, Baek Song in her pristine new robes looked remarkably unscathed.
Yet victory and defeat were not as appearances suggested.
“Woooooaaaaah!”
A thunderous roar erupted from the crowd.
Baek Song rose unsteadily and spoke.
“I… I lost…?”
“As you can see.”
Baek Song bit her lower lip hard.
“If this had been a real fight… if I had used my assassination techniques, the outcome would have been different.”
At those words, Dokgo Ak simply smiled calmly.
Baek Song’s brow furrowed.
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“Not at all.”
“Then what is it?”
“If this had been a real fight, you couldn’t even imagine the lengths I would go to.”
“…!”
It was a mature response—neither reproaching nor sarcastic.
In that moment, Baek Song realized she had done something shameful. Her head bowed of its own accord.
“I displayed conduct unbecoming… I have lost.”
“It was a matter of inches. Let us cross blades again next time.”
Dokgo Ak smiled faintly.
Baek Song stared at Dokgo Ak in a daze for a moment before suddenly coming to her senses.
By then, Dokgo Ak was already confidently descending from the martial arena.

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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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