Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 413

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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 413
In this chaotic era, when countless bandit gangs and Black Blade factions ran rampant, and the existing regional sects focused more on expanding their influence than maintaining order.
It was always the powerless commoners who suffered in times of turmoil.
They couldn’t afford to quit their work—they lived hand to mouth—yet lacked the courage to become bandits. The ordinary people who earned their daily bread day by day could only endure and groan.
But in a certain rural village in Anhui Province, an intriguing rumor began to spread.
“So… if I join and raise my rank a bit, they protect me from unfair treatment?”
“Exactly that.”
“And if I get a position and handle tasks, they pay me?”
“That’s not all! If your abilities are recognized, you could even learn the scholarly studies or basic martial arts you once gave up on!”
In a certain inn of the rural village.
The innkeeper, who doubled as the village chief and local notable, found his ears perking up at the words of an old neighborhood friend who had suddenly returned home.
“Ah, forget it. How could someone like me, who’s only run an inn my whole life, do anything else? I have no real talents…”
“You don’t have to quit your original work. Isn’t that obvious?”
“Really?”
“I’m telling you!”
“But ultimately, those benefits require raising your rank, don’t they?”
“Goodness, what an obstinate friend you are. You just raise it and that’s that!”
The man shook his head vigorously.
“There’s no real coercion just from joining, I tell you!”
“Is… is that so?”
“Raising your rank is quite easy too. You can recruit people around you, report local news and rumors, or handle small ‘requests’ when they come down—that’s all it takes!”
“Wait, recruit people around me?”
“For every ten people, you advance one rank, they say.”
Recently, commoners had been joining some mysterious organization in increasing numbers.
Some said it was a sanctuary created by some righteous master to protect the common folk.
Some said it was a sect formed by commoners banding together to protect one another.
Some said it was merely a baseless rumor drifting through the martial world.
But that sect undoubtedly existed.
“So, what exactly is the name of this sect?”
The innkeeper asked, and the man answered.
“Hao-mun.”
“Hao-mun?”
“Yes, Hao-mun indeed.”
Many had joined with uncertainty in their hearts.
Some had even forgotten they’d joined at all, while others handled a few tasks on a trial basis and earned modest supplementary income.
The innkeeper was among the latter.
“Here, this is a token symbolizing a Hao-mun disciple. You’re already a Jeong-rank disciple!”
“Thank you. Heh heh.”
The man grinned and spoke to the innkeeper.
“Remember this now. A black lantern with this emblem marked on it. If you ever find yourself in a difficult or dangerous situation, go to a place where one of these hangs, and they’ll surely help you.”
“Is that really so? I can’t help but doubt it…”
“Just trust me.”
Then one day.
The Innkeeper’s child was abducted by mountain bandits who suddenly appeared in the village.
Striking the ground in anguish, he recalled his friend’s words, and in a city a day’s journey away, he discovered a tavern with a black emblem drawn on its banner.
After exchanging secret signals and showing the token symbolizing a Jeonggeup member of the Hao Sect, he explained his situation. Days later.
The bandit stronghold burned, and his child returned to his arms. It was only natural that the Innkeeper swore loyalty to the Hao Sect.
He vowed to repay this debt by rising to a higher rank, actively recruiting new members, carrying out orders from above, and gathering and reporting various intelligence—all in service to the Hao Sect.
And just a few months later, the Innkeeper met the man again.
“It’s been a while. I heard you’ve accomplished something great.”
“Now I understand. You… were actually already a member of the Hao Sect from the beginning, weren’t you?”
The man, his childhood friend from his hometown, simply offered a meaningful smile.
“Here, take this. Your rank has been elevated. And… from the Byeong rank onward, you can truly be called a disciple.”
The Innkeeper followed his friend without hesitation.
There he received basic training, and returning with the title of Branch Chief, he began reporting extensive information about martial artists passing through the neighborhood to his superiors.
The Hao Sect expanded at a rapid pace.
Without anyone knowing, from the very bottom where no one’s eyes could reach.
* * *
“…And so it has now infiltrated Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, southern Anhui, Fujian, and Hunan provinces.”
Just before the Martial Alliance’s dissolution.
A gathering convened to seriously strengthen the foundations of the Dharma Protector Division and the Cheonma Sect.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened at Geum Seok-du’s words.
“Hmph.”
“What do you mean…”
Dokgo Jo-hak and Jo-ryang, along with Son Tae-im, marveled in disbelief.
Dokgo Myeong asked.
“It’s already spread that widely? How many disciples are there in total?”
“In truth, I haven’t grasped it all. There may be disciples I don’t even know about.”
“Hmph, what kind of scheme did you employ?”
Dokgo Jo-hak shook his head repeatedly.
Geum Seok-du scratched his head habitually as he spoke.
“The lower the stratum of society, the more people need something to lean on. I merely opened a small channel, and they multiplied in an instant.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled with satisfaction.
“Bestowing favor and making them disciples… that’s quite effective.”
“I learned it all from you, Captain.”
“Hmm?”
Geum Seok-du grinned widely.
“The trick of simply binding people through favors, that is.”
“Don’t say it like that—people will misunderstand! When did I ever—”
“Aren’t the people bound that way now composing the Dharma Protector Division and the Cheonma Sect?”
Geum Seok-du, who had been grinning, continued in a slightly more serious tone.
“I intend to operate it as a cellular organization. To actually learn the sect’s information, one must reach at least the rank of a regular disciple. From the soldier rank onward, they enter special management, and from the A and B ranks, they’re at the stage just before becoming officers, so I plan to filter them several times.”
“This doesn’t seem like something that came from your head. Who devised it?”
“Moryong Sohgyo, our Sect Leader, helped us. These two gentlemen here also provided considerable assistance.”
Dokgo Jo-hak and Jo Ryang-ui shook their heads.
“We merely provided some support. This is purely Geum’s ability. Or should I say, Geum the Sect Leader now?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed as he flipped through the report.
‘This… is taking better shape than I expected.’
The information acquisition method resembles the Gae-bang approach, the recruitment method is similar to the Jeongheol Sect, and the overall structure and methodology bear resemblance to Cheon I-gak’s methods as well.
‘Jo Ryang-ui, Moryong Sohgyo, and Geum Seok-du. With such sharp minds helping, this is turning out exceptionally well.’
Since they are ordinary people without martial arts training, information extraction becomes easier. They’ve skillfully exploited the blind spots of martial artists who tend to rely blindly on their inner energy perception.
“With this, could we say the Dharma Protector Division’s intelligence network is functioning properly?”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes brightened.
Geum Seok-du closed his mouth.
“In truth, conducting thorough espionage activities like other intelligence organizations is still difficult.”
“Why is that?”
Dokgo Myeong covered the documents as he spoke.
“It must be because you still lack middle management and officer-level personnel. They must be people with loyalty that reaches your will as Sect Leader. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, that’s actually our biggest problem right now. Should we just settle for this situation for the time being?”
Dokgo Myeong pondered briefly before speaking.
“Cultivate talent directly. Don’t think about recruiting.”
“Pardon?”
“No matter how cellular the organization, a sect is still a sect. Create people who will move according to your will.”
“Ah!”
“Furthermore, try operating Jeon Seo-gu as well, and establish branch headquarters as bases so information can be exchanged rapidly.”
“Branch bases? But wouldn’t that risk exposing our trail?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“Some exposure is necessary. Being somewhat visible allows you to lower their guard.”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes brightened.
“That seems like a good idea. There were actually people with considerable enthusiasm… I’ll give it a try.”
“Good. You’re doing well.”
At Dokgo Myeong’s words, Geum Seok-du laughed.
“And… there’s one more piece of information I must report.”
“What is it?”
“Movements of Jeongheol Disciples have been detected.”
Clink!
Dokgo Jo-hak’s hand trembled as he raised his cup, and Dokgo Myeong’s expression hardened.
“What’s the source of this information?”
“I learned of it while consolidating reports. Strange monks have been spotted moving about in various places, spreading teachings and gathering believers.”
“Understood. Continue tracking that matter.”
“Yes, we’re already classifying this as top priority and collecting intelligence on it.”
The Jeongheol Sect’s movements were likely an attempt to deploy schemes again before the Bloodfiend Sect could act.
‘It’s been quite some time since the war ended. Now that the Martial Alliance is opening, they seem to be preparing.’
Dokgo Myeong narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.
The Hao Sect was already operational. Though it would still need time measured in years, the intelligence network might not be a concern.
‘Gae-bang has the hands of Secret Garden on it. More precisely, Baek Mu-heun’s. If the Hao Sect operates properly, it will become a great asset.’
Dokgo Myeong exhaled slowly.
Ultimately, the Martial Alliance had to open.
With the unified strength of the martial world gathered there, I had to completely finish off the Jeongheol Sect, which was barely clinging to life, and break the Bloodfiend Sect’s neck before it could even drool with greed.
Dokgo Myeong turned to look at Jo Ryang-ui.
“When is our Sect Leader’s deputy expected to return?”
“He said he would return as early as today.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“Then I ask for everyone’s continued efforts. From now on, let’s tighten the reins of vigilance once more.”
That night.
Dokgo Myeong, who had been training in the martial training ground, received a summons from the Sect Leader’s residence.
* * *
“It’s been a while, Uncle.”
Screech!
The brush of Dokgo Un-hak, who sat in the Sect Leader’s office, slipped and ink smeared across the paper.
“…Uncle?”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you scheming?”
“So the main house has become so desolate that I can’t even call my uncle ‘uncle’? Since when did things become like this?”
At Dokgo Myeong’s playful remark, Dokgo Un-hak’s expression turned sour.
“…Seeing you act so frivolously, at least you haven’t changed as a person.”
“Pardon?”
“Did something happen between you and the Mudang Jang Mun?”
Dokgo Myeong hesitated.
“Why would she come up here?”
“Never mind. It doesn’t sound particularly unpleasant.”
What, he’s uncomfortable just because I called him uncle once?
‘This family is really something. Tsk tsk!’
Though the form of address was warm, the relationship between them wasn’t particularly warm, so the two quickly moved on to matters of business.
“The consultations with the sect leaders of each faction and the family heads of the martial clans have concluded. And… I hear the initial construction of the Martial Alliance headquarters is already complete. The financial power of the Central Plains Merchant Guild is truly formidable.”
“The Central Plains Merchant Guild invested? Wow, that’s impressive.”
“Why do you act surprised? You already knew, didn’t you?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“Cheon Tong Dae-in.”
“….”
Dokgo Un-hak continued speaking in an even tone.
“You’re aware that Jang Mun Baek Mu-heun of the Jeon Jin Sect is handling this matter, aren’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about….”
“I already know that you attended a secret gathering of righteous path luminaries early this year and reached an agreement. Let’s not waste time with unnecessary talk.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
It wasn’t a probing tone—it was one of certainty.
“How did you know?”
Baek Mu-heun could be known. The existence of secret organizations was the same. There had been quite a few rumors about such things.
But how did he know that Myeong had attended?
“Do I seem incapable of such things?”
Dokgo Un-hak wore a faint smile.
I’d been struck down in one blow.
Dokgo Myeong let out a hollow laugh and shook his head repeatedly.
“Returning to the matter at hand… yes, the opening ceremony will be held. It will be held grandly under the name of the Martial World Grand Tournament.”
“Do you have the leisure for that? I hear bandits and Black Blade forces are rampaging everywhere, causing quite a commotion.”
“That’s precisely why we’re holding it so grandly. It carries a warning.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“Furthermore, I have been appointed as an Elder. The Sect Leaders of the three great families, excluding the Je Gal Clan, and several mid-tier sects have agreed to support me.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“How do you intend to conduct yourself?”
Dokgo Myeong couldn’t answer immediately.
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes grew cold.
“As long as you act as a member of this family and move for the family’s benefit, I will not consider you an enemy. Whether you hold secret meetings with righteous path luminaries or plot in the shadows with the remnants of the Jeon Jin Sect.”
“Is that why you called me here?”
“Yes.”
A brief silence fell.
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly and shrugged before speaking.
“Now you understand my methods well, don’t you, Uncle?”
“….”
Dokgo Un-hak regarded Dokgo Myeong quietly for a moment with his mouth closed. Dokgo Myeong did not avoid that gaze.
Soon, Dokgo Un-hak narrowed his eyes in displeasure and opened his mouth.
“I’ve said what I needed to say. You may withdraw now. I’ll see you at the opening ceremony.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and offered a brief bow before turning to leave.
But he soon stopped abruptly and turned slightly back.
“By the way, while you’re serving as an Elder in the Martial Alliance, who do you plan to entrust with family matters?”
“The Elder Council Leader and the Wei Commandant are here—what concern is that?”
“You’ll surely entrust it to someone else.”
Dokgo Un-hak chuckled and picked up a document as he spoke.
“I plan to entrust it to Gun.”
“….”
“If you have nothing more to say, then withdraw.”
“Yes, then.”

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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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