Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 405

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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 405
More than five days had passed since I visited my mother’s grave.
A letter arrived from Gae-bang, and Heo Un-jin departed without warning, packing his belongings to leave the Dokgo Family.
“Why must you depart in such haste?”
Dokgo Wi-hak hurried out to see Heo Un-jin off, his voice tinged with reluctance.
“My disciples are my greatest concern. With so much work piling up, it seems they wish to borrow even these old hands.”
“I see.”
“Haha, as the saying goes—those who depart must return, and those who meet must part. We shall see each other again, so why lament?”
Somehow, the two had grown as intimate as brothers.
Heo Un-jin gently clasped Dokgo Wi-hak’s hand.
“Thank you for your warm hospitality. Because of you, this old man was able to set down a burden he carried for so long and find peace.”
“The gratitude is mine. I am truly thankful.”
“Nonsense. You had already cast off your inner demons long before I arrived.”
Dokgo Wi-hak offered a faint smile.
“It was thanks to having such a capable son.”
“Indeed, raising children is something I could boast of anywhere.”
“I did nothing. He simply grew well, taking after his mother.”
Heo Un-jin shook his head.
“I have always said that a father teaches not through words, but through the way he lives.”
“Pardon?”
“As children grow older, they learn by observing their father’s life. You may regard your past as failure, but for that child, the way you endured and lived your life can become a guiding light.”
Just as it is between parent and child, so too is it between master and disciple.
“Do you truly believe so?”
“Then is it not clear why he has grown so well?”
Dokgo Wi-hak pressed his lips firmly together.
Just then, Dokgo Myeong came rushing over urgently.
“No! You’re leaving so soon? Why not stay for lunch—or better yet, dinner? Shall I go catch another pheasant?”
“Hahahaha.”
Feeling as though he were watching a true grandson, Heo Un-jin’s face broke into a smile.
‘A heart turned toward others… Yes, regardless of how he came to be, at the foundation of that child lies genuine human affection.’
His heart turns toward people in such a way. Now I could see it was no longer mere words.
“Many are waiting for me, so I must take my leave now.”
Heo Un-jin spoke casually and at ease.
“Then allow me to escort you comfortably to the Mudang. With my children providing protection, no matter who comes…”
“Like father, like son, they say. You speak the very same words as your father.”
“Pardon?”
“There will be others coming to meet me along the way, so do not worry. Haha.”
In the end, Dokgo Myeong and his son escorted Heo Un-jin to the Black Dragon Gate.
Heo Un-jin, now appearing as he had when he arrived, suddenly spoke.
“I will give serious thought to the proposal you made to me.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“You truly mean that?”
“It’s not a definite answer yet.”
“Then….”
“I cannot decide this alone. I must discuss it with the disciples, and if the newly formed leadership opposes my appointment as Vice Alliance Leader, I will abandon the idea.”
Would anyone dare obstruct Taegeuk Muje from becoming Vice Alliance Leader?
Unless they wished to invite misfortune upon themselves?
“Hehe, your willingness to consider it is more than enough.”
“Indeed.”
Heo Un-jin began to lift his staff, then hesitated and trailed off.
“Well… and….”
“Speak freely. If it comes from you, I can listen with a smile even to insults.”
In that instant, an intense gaze flashed from beside him.
“Did I not always tell you to guard your tongue?”
“No, I merely meant….”
“….”
“Yes.”
When Dokgo Wi-hak’s piercing eyes opened, Dokgo Myeong averted his gaze, cold sweat trickling down his face.
Heo Un-jin let out a hollow laugh and opened his mouth.
“It concerns the Heavenly Exterior Realm.”
Dokgo Myeong’s head snapped around.
“I recently recalled where that sense of familiarity came from. I hesitated whether to speak, fearing it might cause unnecessary confusion… but I hope you will filter it through your own judgment.”
“Have you remembered something?”
Heo Un-jin nodded and spoke in a grave tone.
“Have you ever heard of the Martial Extreme Unified Origin Technique?”
“Never.”
“It is the secret martial art of Mujeon, the Omnipotent One.”
“…!”
“Unlike the other two, he had no interest in conquering the world or establishing peace. One might say he pursued the martial way more purely than any of the three.”
One of the Three Sovereigns of Heaven.
Mujeon, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Geom-jon and Beobjon, yet whose origins remained shrouded in mystery.
“He built no faction and wandered in martial pursuit. When asked, he would only say he sought to understand the principles of Ten Thousand Martial Arts.”
“…!”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
‘This is exactly… the sword technique counter the Sect Leader mentioned, isn’t it?’
The thought that flashed through his mind sent shivers cascading down his spine.
“The problem was that he possessed a dangerous talent that might have accomplished it. A talent once considered a public enemy of the martial world.”
“What kind of talent could earn him such a reputation?”
“One Exchange Then Dissolution. After a single exchange, he could unravel the secrets and techniques of his opponent’s martial arts, however incompletely.”
“….”
“Among those participating in the secret martial competition were the Mudang and my Sect Leader.”
Heo Un-jin concluded his words slowly.
“From that, I glimpsed traces of the Heavenly Outsider’s nature.”
“But if there’s some connection… shouldn’t our Sect Leader have noticed something?”
“That’s why I told you to listen selectively.”
My mind grew muddled.
After the Shaolin Reverse Meridian Scripture, now even the Wuji Primordial Unity Technique was being mentioned.
What in the world was the true identity of the Heavenly Outsider?
“This is enough. Don’t wander far—go back inside now.”
We had arrived at the Black Dragon Gate.
Before the bustling Black Dragon Gate, where countless people came and went, Heo Un-jin adjusted his bamboo hat and repositioned his bundle before speaking.
“I will send word.”
“Yes, Wi-hak. I will be waiting.”
“Master. I shall see you at the Martial Alliance.”
Heo Un-jin nodded and left one final remark.
“I hope the worries you carry are resolved swiftly.”
“…!”
“Hehehehe!”
Heo Un-jin departed with laughter, leaning on his staff.
Dokgo Myeong, who had been staring blankly at his retreating figure, let out a hollow laugh as if he could no longer help himself.
* * *
The Cheonma Sect was peaceful as always today.
Crash! Bang! Crash! Bang!
“Kahahaha! Die! Die! I’ll turn your mouth around!”
“Fake Dokgo Myeong! You’ve revealed your own crimes!”
“No, no! What crime have I committed, I beg youuuu!”
“The crime of enlisting in the Cheonma Sect! The crime of sharing a name with the Captain! Prepare yourself!”
“But that’s not—argh!”
The training grounds displayed the usual scene of the Cheonma Sect.
Though there was one thing that stood out as distinctly odd.
“Hehe, hahaha!”
“….”
“Alas, our lovely disciples are diligently sweating through their training again! You’re working so hard!”
It was none other than Dokgo Ak, encouraging his team members with an extremely delighted expression.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. You might make mistakes while training. What matters is believing in yourself, right?”
“M-Manager Dokgo Ak!”
“Yes, let’s all muster our strength again, shall we?”
“Yessir! We will dedicate ourselves!”
“Haha! No need to go that far! Hahaha!”
Dokgo Ak moved about the training grounds with an extremely relaxed and mature demeanor. What made it even more unsettling was that this wasn’t the end—he had become remarkably kind and considerate.
“Whoa there! Be careful! You can’t swing your sword so recklessly!”
“Ouch! There’s trash lying around here. I should pick it up!”
“Hahaha! Let’s train happily!”
An unbelievable sight unfolded before us—teaching not just Jang Sam’s group but all the disciples, and forgiving even obvious mistakes with generous leniency.
At a distance from there.
Namgung Sohwa, Cheolmu-baek, and Ye-hwa shuddered as they watched.
“He’s lost it, completely lost it. What on earth is wrong with him?”
“His condition is poor. Very poor indeed. It’s incomprehensible.”
“Could it be from wandering around with the Captain?”
“Mm.”
“Ah….”
At Ye-hwa’s words, Cheolmu-baek and Namgung Sohwa nodded simultaneously in understanding.
“Well, it’s still pleasant to watch, isn’t it?”
“He was so sharp for so long, but now he seems a bit duller—it’s actually nice to see.”
“We should stay on our guard though, shouldn’t we?”
Namgung Sohwa and Cheolmu-baek spoke with smiles.
With his composure restored, Dokgo Ak’s martial techniques were becoming far more stable while simultaneously growing sharper. In the nearly equal record of sparring matches between the three of us, it was possible that Dokgo Ak might surge ahead.
“But the real problem, actually….”
“…is the Captain.”
Namgung Sohwa and Cheolmu-baek cast sidelong glances.
In one corner of the Cheonma Sect.
There, Dokgo Myeong stood vacant-eyed, staring blankly up at the sky.
“Huh? What’s training today? Ah… well, just do as you see fit.”
“….”
“Ah, our Jo-ryang’s superior has arrived. Work is finished? Then you should rest! Come now, take the hand of our esteemed Chief and depart.”
“….”
“Ah, our Cheonma Five Pillars. You’ve worked hard. Why do I say this? Hehe, well… I’m searching for the identity of the self, you see….”
The Cheonma Sect’s atmosphere had become unsettled beyond measure due to Dokgo Myeong’s sudden docility.
No, not just the managers but the disciples themselves kept stealing glances at Dokgo Myeong even as they trained.
“What on earth is ‘that’ doing like this?”
“The Captain has become normal! What does this portend? What is this omen?”
“It must be a sign that the martial world will collapse!”
“He should rampage instead!”
While the disciples’ anxiety reached its peak, the strategists and managers who should have been assisting him most closely were on the verge of madness.
Then, Dokgo Ak—equally unhinged as Dokgo Myeong—approached.
“Ah! My precious colleagues! Good morning! Hahaha!”
“G-good morning.”
“Mm.”
What was pleasant to see was pleasant, and what was unsettling was unsettling.
“Hm? That’s quite a response. Haha! On such a beautiful day too!”
Dokgo Ak pointed at the sky with a laugh.
“….”
Whoooosh!
The sun had risen, but it was still winter—the air was cold, snow had fallen not long ago, and the sky remained overcast.
The managers could only respond with awkward, uncomfortable expressions.
Then Ye-hwa opened her mouth with her usual expressionless face.
“Manager Ak.”
“Hm? What?”
“You seem very excited.”
“Excited? Ha ha! I’m always the same, aren’t I?”
“Before the Captain left and came back, you were so depressed you dug yourself into a tunnel and hid.”
“…?!”
In that instant, Cheolmu-baek and Namgung Sohwa’s eyes widened, and Dokgo Ak flinched.
“Still, it’s better now than when you were alone muttering to yourself. But why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Uh, u-uh. No, it’s nothing.”
“Ah, it’s nothing at all.”
Dokgo Ak’s shoulders, which had seemed about to soar into the sky, instantly collapsed.
“I, I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t ask you to apologize.”
“I, I just… I’m sorry about everything.”
Sometimes Ye-hwa’s sharp tongue was even more cutting than Dokgo Myeong’s. Though she seemed unaware of it herself.
Then Namgung Sohwa suddenly spoke up.
“Anyway, tell us something. Did something happen this time? Why is the Captain acting like that?”
Dokgo Ak tilted his head.
“Hm? Is something strange?”
“…You didn’t notice anything odd seeing that?”
“It’s clear the brothers have both ingested poison together. Or perhaps they’ve fallen victim to sorcery.”
As Namgung Sohwa and Cheolmu-baek’s eyes gleamed, Dokgo Ak cried out in panic.
“No, that fellow is fundamentally strange anyway!”
“…?”
“This time he’s just gone mad in a different way, so why not just accept it? It’s not like this is the first or second time….”
Why does that somehow make sense?
Dokgo Myeong is strange, but because he’s Dokgo Myeong, you just accept it.
“So how was this journey through the martial world?”
“The journey through the martial world? Well… I suppose I felt quite a lot.”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes gleamed.
“I realized there’s no need to rush. I learned that I have much to my name.”
“You’re only realizing that now?”
“You, who lived the best and most comfortably among all of us.”
“And that’s not even what I’m asking right now.”
Dokgo Ak slumped his body down again.
“So then, the only special things are the Milwon conference and… the martial tournament?”
“The martial tournament?”
“Come to think of it, you said you faced off against the Posterior Disciples of the Nine Sects?”
The concern for Dokgo Myeong that had filled everyone’s minds moments before vanished, and all their eyes gleamed with interest.
Dokgo Ak cleared his throat softly once, then opened his mouth with a grave tone.
“The Posterior Disciples… yes. I faced them.”
“How were they? Were they strong?”
“It was the opposite. They were weak.”
Dokgo Ak let out a soft chuckle.
“I realized anew. Our Cheonma Sect is… on an entirely different level. If it had been me, I barely managed to put up a fight, but with someone as well-balanced as Namgung Bujang, many of them wouldn’t have lasted even three breaths.”
The managers’ expressions became subtle at Dokgo Ak’s words.
“Don’t just say that to make us feel good….”
“No, I’m not flattering you.”
Dokgo Ak looked around at his colleagues anew.
This time he had come to realize his own worth, but the other managers were people whose brilliance made that worth pale in comparison. Their abilities were in no way inferior to those Posterior Disciples of the Nine Sects he had witnessed back then.
Then Ye-hwa spoke up.
“Speaking of which, I heard you built a connection with a female cultivator named Baek Song at the martial tournament.”
“Ah! That’s right! That person really is different, I tell you!”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes gleamed.
Even now, recalling that day’s martial bout made his heart pound.
“And she’s so beautiful too. The way she wielded her sword—plum blossoms scattered and lightning flashed… she was like a celestial fairy descended from heaven.”
“A celestial fairy?”
“Huh?”
“You must have enjoyed that.”
“What, what do you mean enjoyed?”
Dokgo Ak looked flustered and didn’t know what to do with himself.
Meanwhile, the managers had already shifted their attention away from Dokgo Ak and were observing Dokgo Myeong.
‘Why is he acting like that anyway?’
‘He doesn’t even mix words with us much these days….’
‘And why does he keep muttering about Dokgo Hyeon or Dokgo Myeong?’
Everyone was paying attention to the changed Dokgo Myeong.
* * *
A few days later.
Jang Sam came to the Cheonma Sect, and Dokgo Myeong received a communication slip.
Found and captured. Will return together.
Dokgo Myeong, who had been in a daze, suddenly sprang to his feet.

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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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