Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 412

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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 412
When I returned to the reception hall, the managers sat motionless with vacant expressions on their faces.
Heo Yong-do blinked his eyes.
“Ah, that’s right. Wasn’t the reason we called you here today because of these things?”
“Have you truly lost your mind, sir?”
“Chuckle, chuckle. When one is crafting the masterpiece of a lifetime, how could other matters possibly occupy one’s thoughts?”
“Alas, if that is the case, then I have nothing more to say.”
Dokgo Myeong laughed and bowed obsequiously.
That masterpiece would become his personal weapon, after all.
“In any case, might you now hear what I came to discuss?”
“Wasn’t it about crafting weapons for those fellows?”
“Yes, it concerns that very matter.”
“…?”
“Mu-baek. Unpack what you brought.”
“Understood.”
Shortly after.
Before them lay the spoils the Cheonma Sect had accumulated, arranged in neat rows.
“What, what is all this?”
“Huh….”
Heo Yong-do’s mouth fell open, while Yeo Geum-do gasped in wonder, his eyes blinking rapidly.
Dokgo Myeong smiled wickedly.
“Have you heard any news of the Moyong Family and the Jeongheol Sect?”
“I’ve heard some things.”
“These are the modest supplementary spoils they so generously provided us.”
Of course, they hadn’t given them willingly, but that hardly mattered.
Dokgo Myeong pointed to each item as he spoke.
“This is a weapon wielded by captains of the upper ranks.”
“This is practically a relic-grade dharma tool….”
“That one is the divine artifact of Gwae-am Dan, one of the Moyong Family’s six thousand warriors, and this broken one was Muyong Tae’s divine blade.”
“The Sect Leader of the Moyong Family’s divine blade?!”
“Ah, and this one is a thing called the Cheolseok Lance, wielded by a fellow named Jimeol Magoon….”
The Jeongheol Sect members naturally carried all manner of demonic artifacts, and before their decline, the Moyong Family had been renowned as a wealthy noble house.
In other words, even moderately skilled martial artists carried weapons worthy of being called legendary blades.
‘The martial artists of the main house were far too dignified to even consider collecting such things.’
Why had such precious items been left scattered on the ground?
Dokgo Myeong had collected every single one he could find. Truly, every last piece!
“How was this forged? The resonance and qi are extraordinary!”
“Look at this lance as well. It’s practically monstrous. I’ve never seen one imbued with such heterodox power before. The material is unusual too—could it be cloud iron?”
The two craftsmen’s attention was drawn to different aspects, reflecting their distinct natures.
Heo Yong-do focused on the perfection of the weapons themselves, while Yeo Geum-do’s eyes were captivated by the power and materials the weapons contained.
At that moment, Dokgo Myeong pulled out a leather case from his pocket as if he’d just remembered it.
“Ah, there’s this as well.”
“What now? What else?”
“Do you know of the Windsky Flying Blade?”
“The Windsky Flying Blade? One of the Ten Great Weapons of the martial world?”
Yeo Geum-do sprang up like a frog and rushed forward at incredible speed.
“Oh, oh my! This has been crafted for hundreds of years, yet it still carries such presence! This is practically a relic!”
“Move aside! Let me see it too!”
Heo Yong-do and Yeo Geum-do’s eyes went wild as they busied themselves examining this and that for a while.
Heo Yong-do, the first to regain his composure, swallowed dryly and asked.
“Ahem! Well… it’s certainly a feast for the eyes, but why are you showing us these things?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly.
“I’m entrusting all of this to you.”
“Entrusting it?”
“Use it however you see fit. I brought it thinking it might help when crafting equipment.”
Heo Yong-do blinked and looked back at the pile of equipment stacked high.
“All of this? Really?”
“Really.”
“Even… even the Windsky Flying Blade?”
“Yes.”
“What if I take it and sell it, or break it, or melt it down for something else…?”
“Do as you please.”
“There are no special conditions? No deadline I need to rush, no budget constraints I need to stay within…?”
“Handle it as you see fit, and just produce something magnificent as the result. If you need anything else, just tell me. I have plenty of money.”
At those words, Heo Yong-do’s pupils trembled.
‘Last time he came, he brought all sorts of precious materials…!’
For a craftsman like him, the byproducts of demonic creatures were like elixirs to martial artists.
Moreover, these equipment pieces were treasures comparable to secret martial arts manuals.
‘But he’s entrusting it all to me without any conditions?’
His heart trembled.
He didn’t want to show it, but the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably, rising upward again and again.
“Heh, hehe…”
How many difficult clients had he encountered over the years.
Those with eyes that served no purpose, the picky ones, the unreasonable ones, the stingy ones, those who made unreasonable requests, and so on.
Occasionally there were decent ones, but they were only just that.
No matter how freely he handled commissions and earned the title of Demon Craftsman, he still had to read his clients’ moods.
‘But this one is different.’
Every time he comes, he brings bundles of something, has excellent taste, and even entrusts everything without any conditions.
And most importantly…
‘He doesn’t skimp on money!’
Good heavens.
In exchange for providing everything, they demand only the finest work.
What craftsman in this world wouldn’t be thrilled by such treatment!
“Kahahaha!”
Finally, Heo Yong-do burst into laughter.
“Excellent! This opportunity—I’ll stake my name as Ma Jang and craft something truly magnificent.”
Yeo Geum-do, standing beside him, revealed his own enthusiasm.
“I-I’ll lend a hand as well!”
“You covet it too?”
“How could I not?”
Both craftsmen’s eyes sparkled like stars.
* * *
“I shall take the Pungcheon Bi-do! I’ll craft a divine blade for Namgung!”
Yeo Geum-do accepted the Pungcheon Bi-do with an elated expression, then asked Namgung Sohwa to demonstrate her martial techniques.
Heo Yong-do examined Cheolmu-baek’s curved, massive iron axe with interest.
“Look at this brute. You carried something this heavy around?”
“Large and heavy means strong. Nothing else is needed.”
“You know something after all. I’ll make yours!”
Next came Ye-hwa.
“I prepared several prototypes, anticipating your arrival.”
“What are these?”
“Various arrowheads and arrow shafts. I used the corpses of demonic creatures. It will take time to grow accustomed, but once mastered, you’ll be able to combine them as needed for any situation.”
Since Ye-hwa already possessed the Jeok-gung Baek-si, there was no need for entirely new weapons, so she received an array of carefully crafted arrowheads and shafts.
The finely made pieces seemed capable of creating countless variables depending on shooting method and deployment.
“Could you perhaps also prepare protective gear for my hands and forearms where the bowstring contacts?”
“Protective equipment. That won’t take long.”
Last was Geum Seok-du.
Remarkably, Geum Seok-du had already brought detailed blueprints of the equipment he desired.
“Isn’t this a fan?”
“Yes, but hidden projectiles emerge from inside, poison flows from here, and spinning this section allows steel needles to shoot out….”
“This sounds amusing. Using a fan as a weapon?”
“Your physique suggests you excel more in evasion techniques than direct combat. What about crafting a protective undergarment instead?”
“That would be wonderful!”
Geum Seok-du agreed to receive a peculiar fan capable of deploying hidden projectiles and poison, along with protective undergarment armor.
And then.
“What about me!? Why do I get nothing!”
Dokgo Myeong replied flatly.
“Your greed knows no bounds. You already carry something excellent—what more do you want?”
“But surely you’re not excluding only me like this?”
Both craftsmen, upon seeing Dokgo Ak’s Lion Sword, spoke without enthusiasm.
“It suits you perfectly—what else do you need?”
“A blade called the Lion’s Sword of Inspecting Names and Mountains. You carry a fine weapon.”
Despite his words, Dokgo Ak accepted a protective guard for his wrist, the area swordsmen injured most frequently.
With that, all the commissions were finalized.
Work poured in like mountains, and the two craftsmen fidgeted as if they wanted to seize their hammers immediately.
“I’ll send word once each is complete. And have your disciples brought in sequentially as well.”
“Yes, we shall do so.”
“Is there anything else you wish to order?”
Dokgo Myeong hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Would you perhaps craft a single blade with special care?”
“Who is it for?”
“My father.”
Heo Yong-do’s eyes widened.
“If possible, I’d appreciate it if you could prioritize this one.”
“I heard correctly, didn’t I? A new blade for the protagonist of the Broken Sword’s Legacy?”
Interest flickered in Heo Yong-do’s eyes.
Despite knowing the circumstances, he merely smiled as if amused—less considerate than simply indifferent.
“Three days will suffice if it’s for him. Come then.”
“Pardon?”
“Truth be told, I crafted it the moment I heard the news. Since you never came, I’ve left it gathering dust without completing the final touches.”
“….”
Quite an eccentric old man. He feigned surprise, yet had already made it before I could even speak.
Dokgo Myeong simply nodded and departed Baek Ryeon Ironworks with his managers.
On the journey back to the clan.
“I wonder what kind of weapon will emerge.”
“Me too! The Heavenly Wind Jade Blade! I’m going to make it the new signature sword of the Namgung clan!”
“I want to test these arrowheads immediately.”
While everyone buzzed with excitement, Geum Seok-du approached Dokgo Myeong, who had been following at a distance.
“Captain.”
“What is it?”
“You certainly don’t spare expenses. Last time, Hyung said the silver Baek Ryeon Ironworks demands is astronomical.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“It’s all investment, pure investment.”
“Most martial sects teach that disciples shouldn’t rely on external treasures. There’s also the saying that a master doesn’t choose his tools.”
“But when a master wields a fine tool, he becomes even more formidable, doesn’t he?”
“That much is true.”
“And our disciples won’t grow complacent just because they have better equipment.”
“If they did, they’d simply receive more beatings for it.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing at all.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly and asked.
“What is it?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Why such a long preamble? Just say it.”
Geum Seok-du let out a hollow laugh.
After all, nearly a decade had passed since we’d been paired together—there was no hiding anything anymore.
“Captain.”
“Yes.”
“Are we at the point where we need to prepare this far in advance?”
“….”
“Is this battle expected to be so massive that we need to invest in all these preparations?”
At Geum Seok-du’s question, Dokgo Myeong shook his head.
“I’m simply providing what’s needed when the time comes. Have you ever seen me be stingy?”
“That’s not it, sir.”
“Don’t read meaning into every little thing. That just makes life exhausting, doesn’t it?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled broadly and gazed at the sun sinking toward the horizon.
* * *
“Acting Sect Leader.”
“Ah, Commandant Wi.”
“How did it go?”
In a certain secluded place in Hubei.
Dokgo Un-hak, who had just emerged from the conference hall, looked at Wi Baek.
“It concluded well. Everything proceeded exactly as we discussed and anticipated.”
“Is it correct that most of the investments were made by the one Cheon I-gak identified?”
“Indeed. The mysterious figure of the Upper Realm—Yeon-tong the Great. He was the former Sect Leader Baek Mu-heun.”
The two walked side by side as they spoke.
“The Sect Opening Ceremony will take place then.”
“There are still a few loose ends that could unravel, but if it does proceed, it seems they intend to make it quite grand.”
“To avoid being bound by the Nine Sects’ rules will likely present considerable obstacles.”
As they stepped outside, a carriage awaited them.
Dokgo Un-hak, who had been walking toward the carriage, suddenly stopped. Wi Baek took a few more steps before halting as well.
“What is it, sir?”
“Commandant Wi.”
“Yes, Acting Sect Leader.”
“There is no news whatsoever regarding the Sect Leader?”
Wi Baek stared intently at Dokgo Un-hak.
“Why do you ask such a thing?”
“It is merely a son’s duty to be concerned for his father. Ha ha!”
Though Dokgo Un-hak laughed as if it were nothing, his eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
Of late, he had been sensing something—a certain dissonance.
A sense that some vast, unknowable will was moving the world this way and that.
It wasn’t the kind of feeling that came from figures like Dokgo Myeong or Baek Mu-heun joining hands to shift the political landscape. This was something far more intense and oppressive.
“My apologies.”
“You don’t know, is that what you’re saying?”
“That is correct. If you had intended to intervene in the affairs of this age, you would have sent word through Yeon-tong in some manner.”
“True enough. That would be just like him—a man who can see a thousand li distant while sitting in one place.”
Dokgo Un-hak nodded and gathered his thoughts.
Soon he moved toward the carriage and climbed aboard, speaking as he did.
“As soon as I return, I’ll have Dokgo Myeong summoned.”
Now the Martial Alliance would open.
If this war had paved the way toward an age of chaos, then it was time to walk that path forward.

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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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