Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 408

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

Chapter 408
Son Tae-im’s eyes trembled visibly.
“Ah, you… Jo Overseer?”
“I’m no longer an Overseer but a Manager now… Yes. Please speak, Master Son.”
Jo Ryang-ui regarded Son Tae-im with a displeased expression.
“Surely I prepared food in such abundance that it overflowed? I slaughtered several pigs and chickens—it was practically a massacre.”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
“And the alcohol—I visited every brewery in the vicinity and brought back entire jars of it. You saw that yourself.”
“Yes.”
“But…”
His voice trembled like his eyes.
“The alcohol and food are already running out?”
Son Tae-im, who had personally overseen the preparations upon hearing of the gathering, could not tear his gaze from the scene unfolding in the Cheonma Sect courtyard.
His eyes reflected nothing short of pure horror.
“Kyaaaaa! This is the taste!”
“Eat and drink! If you don’t drink now, who knows when you’ll get another chance!”
“Let’s just die here! Our fake captain! Tomorrow starts hell again, so let’s just die now!”
“Ugh! Ugh ugh! B-Bang Sunbae!”
Son Tae-im swallowed dryly.
Hang San-gwi was crunching through roasted duck bones and all, while Bang Dan-a was shoving bottles of alcohol into the mouths of her juniors with both hands.
Yang Un-rang was flirting with the female disciples, and Jin-sa was conversing with Gwak Dae-ryong about being “in the same business.”
‘It’s chaos.’
Even these individuals represented a relatively sensible sight.
The real spectacle lay elsewhere…
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
Chopsticks moved at a terrifying speed.
Actually, Son Tae-im couldn’t even see the chopsticks themselves—he could only follow their afterimages.
“Older sister, please chew and swallow.”
“Hmm? I’m chewing and swallowing properly.”
“But that’s…”
“Yes, this tastes good. Hwa-a, eat plenty too.”
The one inhaling food at a frenzied pace was none other than Namgung Sohwa.
She was on pace to devour an entire cow by herself. Or perhaps she already had.
At that moment, a shout erupted from beside her.
“A contest! Today I’ll humble you!”
“You dare challenge me, Young Master? Come on then.”
Cheolmu-baek and Dokgo Ak faced off with the intensity of a life-or-death duel.
Surprisingly, it was not a duel but a drinking contest.
Glug-glug-glug-glug!
A massive alcohol jar large enough to fit an entire person tilted toward the sky.
Geum Seok-du, who had returned today, stood beside him clapping his hands in encouragement.
‘Is that even human?’
Had a beggar somehow gotten into his stomach?
No, Son Tae-im, a former beggar himself, was certain that even beggars didn’t eat like that.
“…But something feels off.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
What else could possibly be missing from this chaos?
Then Son Tae-im spoke.
“The Young Master isn’t here.”
That person who had now become the Deputy Sect Leader.
Dokgo Myeong, who would normally be delighted and tormenting the disciples more than anyone else, was nowhere to be seen.
“Ah, I heard the Deputy Sect Leader is dining separately with the Saheon Sect Leader.”
“With the Saheon Sect Leader?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, something has seemed odd lately… I wonder what it could be.”
Son Tae-im’s expression grew worried.
‘Now that I think about it, this sudden gathering really did come out of nowhere.’
Only then did I notice something awkward about the managers’ demeanor.
Even as they ate and drank boisterously, their eyes frequently darted uneasily toward the Cheonma Sect’s main gate.
It was as if they were waiting for someone.
‘Could they be deliberately acting this way to prevent the mood from becoming somber?’
Son Tae-im let out a hollow laugh.
These young men were quite devoted to one another.
Those connected to Dokgo Myeong were always like this. Despite sharing no blood ties, if you looked closely, they acted exactly like family.
‘I’m no different, it seems. The fact that I can see this means as much.’
Suddenly, Son Tae-im snapped to attention.
“No! This isn’t the time for that!”
“Sir?”
“Once the alcohol and food run out, they’ll scatter to the winds! Quick! We need to keep them contained here!”
“…Anyone listening would think you were demons from the underworld.”
“Aren’t they?”
“….”
“We need to scour every inn nearby and bring back food and drink! Help me!”
“Understood. However, since I’m assisting the Finance Director’s duties, you should provide compensation.”
“Ah, fine.”
Son Tae-im and Jo Ryang-ui rushed out of the Cheonma Sect.
* * *
In one corner of the Cheonma Sect where the gathering was in full swing.
There was a spot where an unusually large number of people had gathered.
“So, so you’re saying… ghosts actually exist?”
“Yes, of course! If monsters exist, why wouldn’t ghosts?”
“Eeeek!”
“So that thing I saw when I fainted back then really was a ghost!”
“Wasn’t that just you fainting because of the Captain and seeing things?”
“Ah, is that so?”
This was precisely where Hong Lu and Hong Ta, the siblings of the Daesan branch, were seated.
Though they were treated as outsiders and discriminated against as practitioners of the left-hand path in society, they had already integrated remarkably well into the Cheonma Sect.
No, more than integrating well—they were immensely popular at gatherings like this. Hong Ta offered simple divinations and fortune readings, while Hong Lu captivated everyone with fascinating stories about realms beyond the martial world.
“So you’re saying ghosts aren’t what we think they are?”
“Yes, exactly. Far more people have died than are alive now, so if the souls of those who’ve lost their bodies could influence us so easily, what would happen?”
“Now that you mention it, that makes sense.”
“Right, right. Hah!”
The Cheonma Sect disciples gathered closely all nodded in unison at Hong Lu’s words.
Hong Ta added to the explanation.
“One body and one vital essence can only contain one corresponding soul. Ghosts possessing people or clinging to them—such things rarely happen. Don’t worry.”
“Phew, that’s a relief. I’ve been getting sleep paralysis frequently lately, so I was worried.”
Then someone raised their hand and asked.
“But ‘rarely’ means it’s still possible, doesn’t it?”
“Sharp observation. Yes, that’s correct. Hehehehe!”
At Hong Ta’s words, the faces of the Cheonma Sect disciples turned pale in an instant.
Hong Ta chuckled and added an explanation.
“But as I said, such things will almost certainly not happen.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“The harmony and unity of vital essence, spirit, and body-mind—you martial artists know this well, don’t you?”
The disciples all nodded in agreement.
“The same principle applies to what you call left-hand path studies and mystical arts. There exists a harmony of essence, energy, and spirit. If you forcibly disrupt that, what good could possibly come of it?”
“Ah, I see.”
“It’s right to consider it impossible. There are only exceptions.”
“Exceptions?”
“People like us.”
A strange gleam flickered in the round eyes of Hong Lu and Hong Ta.
Those who met their gaze felt an inexplicable chill and trembled slightly.
Seeing their reaction, Hong Lu smiled and naturally continued her explanation.
“Just as some are born with talent for martial arts, others are born with the calling of a shaman.”
“A shaman?”
“To explain it in the way of the martial world, quite roughly speaking… those whose upper dantian has opened or become enlarged for certain reasons.”
“So such people can just hear gods and see souls and call upon wind and rain and such things?”
“If they’re fortunate, yes.”
If they’re fortunate?
At those ominous words, everyone focused even more intently on Hong Lu’s story.
“Those with such constitutions are typically frail and often die young before reaching adulthood, or grow up as idiots.”
“Why is that?”
“What would happen if only one element of spirit, energy, and divine essence became disproportionately enlarged?”
“Ah!”
Everyone nodded in understanding.
If only one leg grew massive while the other two remained normal, they would either break under the strain or collapse entirely under the weight.
“With good fortune and karmic connection, one might master their innate nature and walk the path of the Martial Way.”
“Or, through elixirs and medicine to regulate the body, or by learning secret techniques to control the upper dantian within martial cultivation, one could preserve their life.”
Either way, it was no simple matter.
Those born with such talents were usually rejected and despised by society.
“Then what if fortune turns against them? Do they all die?”
“Death would actually be the ordinary outcome.”
Hong Lu’s voice grew sinister.
“They might encounter heretical cultivation and become legendary demon lords, or they might serve chaotic spirits and malevolent ghosts, becoming cunning sorcerers who deceive the masses.”
Everyone gasped in astonishment.
Then another person raised their hand.
“But if souls and spirits exist, and gods and such things are real… then does that mean the afterlife, reincarnation, and past lives are all real too?”
Hong Lu shook her head with a troubled expression.
“I have no way to answer that.”
“Why?”
“Rather, I would ask you—do enlightenment and ascension truly exist?”
Everyone’s expressions became complicated.
They had heard that such things were possible when martial cultivation reached its limits, but if asked whether they actually existed…
‘Who knows.’
There was no answer but to admit ignorance.
Yet if one day someone at the level of the Three Celestial Venerables ascended, it seemed one could simply accept it as fact rather than dismissing it as impossible.
“You might think of it as similar to that.”
“So it’s possible?”
“Yes.”
By now, far more people had gathered to listen intently to the conversation.
Though Hong Lu and Hong Ta were still young enough to be called boy and girl, they emanated a mysterious aura that transcended the mundane world.
“But that is not all. I have also heard that in the Western Regions, there exists a living Buddha who knows past lives, present lives, and future—called a Living Buddha.”
“Really? Such a person exists?”
“Ah yes, the Potala Palace in the lands beyond the borders.”
Whispers of intrigue rippled through the crowd.
Hong Ta’s lips parted.
“Perhaps somewhere in this world, there are those born with celestial destinies beyond the imagination of ordinary people, guided by incomprehensible principles and karmic connections.”
Words difficult to comprehend at first glance.
Hong Ta smiled faintly.
“They might even be closer than you think.”
* * *
For the past few days, Dokgo Myeong had been consumed by endless worries and thoughts, irritation rising to the crown of his head.
Hyeok Wi-sang had also come to the past?
In truth, this wasn’t such a grave problem.
I had anticipated it inwardly.
‘No matter how much I’ve caused upheaval, there are more than one or two things different from my previous life. Just recently, the incantations of the martial techniques used by Jeongheol Disciples had changed, as if in preparation for a countermeasure.’
I had my doubts, but I wasn’t foolish enough to fail to anticipate this.
The problem lay elsewhere.
‘Then, which one am I?’
Dokgo Hyeon or Dokgo Myeong?
If I am Dokgo Hyeon, where did the original Dokgo Myeong go? And why do memories and emotions as Dokgo Myeong surface?
If I am Dokgo Myeong, have I merely accepted everything as Dokgo Hyeon and lost myself? Or is it merely imagination?
Then why have I reached this realm, and why do I feel all the rage and emotions of Dokgo Hyeon?
At the end of these cascading questions, one answer emerged.
‘If I am both, everything makes sense.’
Two yet one, one yet two.
If I am Dokgo Myeong who accepted Dokgo Hyeon’s spirit, everything is explained.
‘In truth, there is no evidence. It is merely the most comfortable answer I can arrive at.’
But what other answer could I reach? There are problems whether I call myself Dokgo Myeong or Dokgo Hyeon.
Most importantly, it didn’t matter to Dokgo Myeong which I was. My concern was not for myself, but for the people around me.
“…And so, that is my conclusion. It was the greatest secret I have been hiding all this time.”
Dokgo Myeong spoke without reservation, revealing all his doubts and the conclusion he had reached.
“….”
Dokgo Wi-hak, who heard his confession, was visibly shaken. He tried to maintain a composed expression, but his trembling eyes were filled only with confusion.
“You jest… no, you do not.”
“….”
“But I find it difficult to believe.”
“I understand.”
“What you have just told me….”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s lips moved soundlessly for a time before he painfully uttered a single word.
“Is it truly the truth?”
“It is the truth, with nothing more to hide.”
Dokgo Wi-hak sighed deeply and fell into thought.
So this is what restless unease feels like.
Honestly, I felt wronged, but Dokgo Myeong could say nothing and only shifted his weight uncomfortably.
After a long silence, Dokgo Wi-hak spoke.
“So that was it?”
“Father?”
“All this time, I thought you simply could not accept me… that you refused to call me father.”
“…!”
“Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.”
Dokgo Wi-hak let out a hollow laugh.
At that sorrowful smile, I realized I had done something unforgivable to him.
Dokgo Wi-hak nodded slowly and released a long sigh.
“It’s difficult to believe so readily.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“But now everything makes sense. All the doubts I harbored about you have been resolved like this….”
I hadn’t expected him to believe me outright.
Honestly, the fact that he listened to such an absurd story seriously was enough to reveal the true character of Dokgo Wi-hak.
If it were me, I would have kicked him out for spouting such nonsense.
“I apologize for keeping it hidden.”
“May I ask why you didn’t hide it to the end and are telling me now?”
“I gathered my courage. Like the Sect Leader….”
I hesitated before continuing.
“…Like Father.”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s eyes widened and his mouth closed.
The conversation stopped. An awkward silence fell between father and son.
After a moment, Dokgo Wi-hak slowly opened his mouth.
“You intend to tell your managers as well.”
“How did you know?”
“A parent can tell what their child is thinking just by looking at their expression.”
After a brief silence, Dokgo Wi-hak rose from his seat.
“Will you give me some time?”
“Yes, as much as you need.”
“I will send your managers here. Speak freely with them.”
Dokgo Wi-hak hurriedly left the Saheon Sect.
Not long after, the Five Cheonma Sect Elders gathered at the Saheon Sect.
I told them everything without reservation.

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