Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 422

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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 422
Early morning.
A meeting was underway in the barracks of the Demon Slayer Division to discuss the mission.
“Division Commander, I beg you to reconsider. Putting Jongnnam on the front lines again? This time, our sect….”
“Wonhyeong Monk! Please understand our circumstances. Our sect may not be among the Nine Great Sects, but we are hardly lacking!”
“We know the Shanxi region like the back of our hands. Won’t you entrust this mission to our Hang Shan Sect?”
The representatives from each faction continued to voice their desire to take the front lines.
Baek Song, seated to one side of the conference hall, let out a quiet sigh.
‘What is this mess?’
As disciples of the Baek Sect, they refrained from raising their voices or resorting to curses.
Yet all of them were making “reasonable proposals for the mission” while actually “interfering on behalf of their sects.”
“Amitabha Buddha. This humble monk will follow the orders from above.”
“Besides, the Council of Elders hasn’t reached a decision yet, have they?”
“That may be true, but…”
“I hate to say this either, but… please consider our sect’s reputation as well. I beg of you.”
It was clear they were speaking reluctantly under pressure from their sects. Though some were simply driven by personal ambition for merit.
Baek Song decided to simply close her eyes and ears. If she continued watching, her frustration would surely leak out in sighs.
‘Where did things go wrong from the start?’
Was it because the Division Commander Wonhyeong was known for being so virtuous and spineless?
Or was it because all the disciples were talented enough to become leaders anywhere?
Or was it from when she declined the position of Division Commander at Baek Mu-heun’s suggestion?
‘Was this what the Patriarch was concerned about?’
Baek Song’s delicate brow furrowed.
She recalled the conversation she had shared with Baek Mu-heun.
-What? I don’t understand. You’re telling me to decline the position of Division Commander?
-The Demon Slayer Division may face a serious problem. I’ll do my best to prevent it, but there’s always a chance. For the sake of the future, you should step back from the front lines.
-Then if I solve that problem, wouldn’t that be the end of it?
-No, let’s just observe for now.
At the time, Baek Mu-heun had shaken his head firmly, as if sensing something ominous.
And it happened exactly as he predicted.
‘Interference from each faction, shifting of responsibility, conflicts driven by ambition for merit, the indecisiveness of the Council of Elders.’
In the end, there was only one problem.
‘Too many cooks in the kitchen.’
Receiving support from countless sects meant receiving countless interferences as well.
Moreover, since all the disciples were skilled masters of comparable ability, they could not unite as a military force for war.
‘This is going to lead to a major disaster. What on earth should I do….’
Baek Song’s worries only deepened.
And several days later, the predicted disaster struck.
* * *
Wuhan, Hunan Province, the Martial Alliance stronghold.
Baek Mu-heun’s eyes wavered.
“Jegal, would you repeat that once more?”
“The Melak Division has failed its mission. To be precise, I should say they abandoned it.”
Jegal Mun’s tone was extremely respectful.
By position, Baek Mu-heun and Jegal Mun were still equals, yet Jegal Mun was deliberately elevating his speech out of his own will.
“Several days ago, a conflict arose within the Melak Division that escalated into a martial bout. They observed the minimum standards by using wooden swords with restricted vital strikes, but it seems injuries were sustained nonetheless.”
“A martial bout? When an operation was imminent? What in the world was the Melak Division Commander doing?”
“It appears they had been resolving conflicts through martial bouts without the Commander’s knowledge.”
“This is getting worse by the moment.”
I couldn’t even laugh. My expression hardened.
“How severe were the injuries?”
“Three sustained minor external wounds, and one suffered some internal injuries.”
Nothing that would hinder the mission.
In other words, the injuries themselves were not the cause for halting the operation.
“However, it appears this incident affected cooperation and combat performance during the mission. Here is the Melak Division Commander’s report.”
As I quickly scanned the report, my eyes grew cold.
“Injuries sustained during combat, followed by concerns of potential fatalities, so they retreated temporarily for regrouping…”
“The Military Affairs Division exercised discretion to suspend the mission, and additionally notified the sect leaders of the involved disciples about the situation.”
I lifted my gaze from the report to look at Jegal Mun.
“This report doesn’t mention how the martial bout came about.”
“Upon further investigation, it appears to stem from differing opinions on formation deployment and mission execution. It seems the disciples received advice from their respective sect leaders to take more active roles…”
“Advice from sect leaders? That’s no different from direct orders. Ha, haha!”
I laughed aloud.
Then, setting down the report, I asked in a calm tone.
“What is the reaction of the elders toward those responsible for this incident?”
“They were greatly alarmed and immediately offered apologies and expressions of regret.”
It seems they at least didn’t attempt to shift blame or evade responsibility. Perhaps they themselves never imagined things would escalate to this degree.
“They must feel wronged. Everything that had accumulated simply burst forth.”
“…”
“Have the Military Affairs Division order the Melak Division to return. Tell them to transport the injured quickly.”
“What should be done about the current mission?”
I fell into brief contemplation.
After a moment of silence, I spoke words they hadn’t anticipated.
“Tell me about the current mission, and the next two missions after that.”
Jegal Mun’s expression grew serious.
“You’re planning to suspend the Melak Division’s operations for a while, aren’t you?”
“That’s correct.”
Jegal Mun’s eyes wavered briefly before he continued.
“The currently suspended mission is the elimination of the Black Blade faction that appeared in northern Shaanxi. The subsequent missions involve heretical groups believed to be connected to the Jeongheol Sect in the Shanxi and Hebei regions.”
“What would you suggest be done?”
“I believe it would be wise for Shaanxi to request that the Hua Shan Sect Leader dispatch the Plum Blossom Sword Squad. For Shanxi, entrusting it to the Master of Taihang Mountain would be optimal, and Hebei should be left to the Shaolin Temple.”
Baek Mu-heun nodded silently in response.
All three of those sects belonged to the Secret Circle, and they were also those who supported his position.
In other words, Jegal Mun had only mentioned sects that would take on the responsibilities of the Demon Slaying Division without any unnecessary complications arising.
‘How meticulous. Yet he conceals it so well.’
Baek Mu-heun regarded Jegal Mun.
In truth, since he was not yet the Alliance Leader, he had no authority to issue orders to Jegal Mun, who held the position of military strategist. However, as if to demonstrate his intentions, Jegal Mun had conducted himself with such clarity ever since visiting him recently.
“Jegal Mun.”
“I am listening.”
“How do you view this matter?”
“It is merely the result of inevitable power struggles during the Alliance’s early stages and the fact that the Alliance Leader has yet to be elected.”
“That is the logic of a strategist and schemer. My thoughts differ somewhat. Would you hear them?”
“I am all ears.”
“This is my miscalculation. My foolishness, and moreover, my incompetence.”
Jegal Mun paused briefly, then shook his head.
“You are being too harsh on yourself. It is merely the trivial conflict and growing pains that any military unit experiences.”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“…?”
Baek Mu-heun rose from his seat and slowly made his way toward the window.
“The incident itself is not the real problem. The process leading up to it is. And failing to prevent it beforehand—that is the gravest issue of all.”
He opened the window.
The landscape of the Alliance city spread before him in full view.
“I assumed everyone harbored the same sense of urgency as I did. I thought all of them would feel some degree of desperation. Foolishly, I did.”
Baek Mu-heun’s voice, muttered as if to himself, grew heavier with each word.
“I should have made it clear to them that what the martial realm faces is not merely simple chaos, but war itself—that the soldiers we command are not a gathering of noble wanderers, but warriors standing at the bloodstained frontlines of battle…”
“It was an unavoidable process.”
“Military strategist. Will you say the same after we lose in war?”
“….”
“I destroyed the Demon Slaying Division with foolish thinking. I am the very source of this calamity.”
Baek Mu-heun stood with his back to Jegal Mun, facing the wind.
‘In the end, that young man was right once again.’
How could I have missed this? Why did I view the situation so optimistically?
Why could I not foresee what that young man had predicted?
Whoooosh!
As if responding to Baek Mu-heun’s emotions, the wind entering the room suddenly turned sharp and fierce.
“This time, I must concede a move.”
* * *
Crash! Boom!
Baek Song’s eyes widened as she observed the Cheonma Sect’s training.
‘Impressive. So intricate and practical!’
It wasn’t instruction in formations or basic training, but rather drills designed for specific scenarios with appropriate responses to each situation.
“The Cheonma Sect… your division of roles is this thorough? It’s like watching a military organized by different branches.”
Dokgo Ak, who had brought her here, tilted his head in confusion.
“Isn’t the Melak Division the same?”
“No, we mostly operate in units divided by faction and lineage. We primarily conduct formation training only…”
“That would be right for fighting in the martial realm. But aren’t we the ones preparing for war?”
“…!”
Baek Song stared at the Cheonma Sect with a shocked expression.
Looking again, the phrase “perfectly coordinated” came naturally to mind.
Several hundred disciples moved frantically, raising clouds of sand, yet not a single person’s limbs tangled—everything connected organically.
‘To think that Jin Cheon-sin-geom orchestrated and operated all of this.’
In the distance, on the platform, she could see Dokgo Myeong observing the disciples with an authoritative gaze.
Baek Song murmured softly.
“…It was truly no different from a sage-king’s reign.”
“Hm? What did you just say?”
“Nothing at all. Anyway, thank you for allowing me to observe.”
“Don’t mention it. What’s the big deal between friends?”
Baek Song smiled gently.
“I’ll take my leave now. I’ll repay you with something next time.”
“I’ll see you out.”
Dokgo Ak escorted Baek Song out and returned.
And shortly after.
“Is she gone?”
“Yeah, she’s gone.”
“Phew, I thought I’d die from how suffocating it was to keep my mouth shut and train.”
The Cheonma Sect training grounds suddenly became noisy.
“But why were we doing all that?”
“Because the captain threatened to kill us?”
“You idiot! That’s not it—we were trying to make a good impression on that girl Baek Song.”
“Ah, so we were faking it?”
The Cheonma Sect disciples continued chattering away.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Even so, training continued.
In fact, this was the Cheonma Sect’s true nature. A quiet and solemn atmosphere didn’t suit them at all.
“Brother, how was it? Did she react well?”
“Yeah, hyung. It wasn’t bad?”
Dokgo Myeong, who had shed his dignity and approached with a carefree gait, grinned widely.
“Hehe, I need to hook her properly. Who knows when she might become my subordinate.”
“…You’re truly villainous. But are you really confident the Melak Division’s operations will be suspended? What if they just supplement and resume operations? Won’t that just destroy us?”
Ye-hwa, who had approached silently, suddenly spoke up.
“Don’t you still not understand the Captain? He’s already laid out all his bait cunningly.”
Dokgo Ak startled visibly.
“What, what! When did you get here!”
“A while ago.”
“Huh?”
“By the way, that woman called Baek Song is quite beautiful, isn’t she?”
“What are you talking about?”
Ye-hwa didn’t answer and turned to look at Dokgo Myeong.
“Captain.”
“Yes?”
“The guest you mentioned has already arrived.”
“Baek Jangmunin?”
“Yes.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned wickedly.
“Tell him to wait.”
“Sir?”
“I’m in the middle of training—how can I leave? Tell him to wait.”
Dokgo Myeong headed to the guest hall only after about an hour had passed.
In the guest hall sat Baek Mu-heun, who had apparently emptied his teacup several times over.
“My apologies for the long wait. I was in the middle of training, you see.”
Baek Mu-heun stared at Dokgo Myeong for a moment, then smiled faintly.
“Since you came without notice, it’s only right that I should be the one waiting.”
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Though Baek Mu-heun spoke as if it were of no consequence, his expression had grown slightly rigid.
“Jin Cheon-sin-geom.”
“Why do you make me tense by calling me by that epithet again?”
“This time, you were right.”
Baek Mu-heun spoke in a measured voice.
“I have lost. Tell me what you desire.”

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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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