Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 424

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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 424
“I pay my respects to the Commander.”
“Moyong Soldier? How did you arrive so quickly?”
“The moment I heard that you required my presence, I rushed here without delay.”
Moryong Sohgyo smiled and bowed respectfully.
Seven days after sending word through Hao Mun, Moryong Sohgyo arrived at the Martial Alliance.
“It must have been difficult to step away from your duties. Is Zhejiang stable enough?”
“How could I delay when summoned by you? Things have stabilized sufficiently that my presence is no longer essential.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
Moryong Sohgyo spoke with a deliberately forlorn expression.
“Yet it seems you’re not particularly delighted to see me. I hurried here, and you immediately discuss business.”
“No, that’s not it at all. I was simply concerned about you.”
“If that were true, you would have sent personal messages beyond official correspondence.”
As disappointment dripped from her voice, Dokgo Myeong grew flustered, and Moryong Sohgyo covered her mouth with a laugh.
“I was only joking. Why are you so tense?”
“…Have you been well?”
“Yes, I’m honored by your concern.”
Whether from overwork or not, she appeared thinner than when they parted in Zhejiang, yet her expression was noticeably brighter.
“Soldier!”
“Welcome.”
The managers soon arrived one by one to greet her.
Meanwhile, the existing disciples’ faces bore expressions of unmistakable complexity.
“It’s nice to see her. Nice, but…”
“We’re doomed!”
Neungmyeong, a newcomer who had never dealt with Moryong Sohgyo, asked with a puzzled expression.
“She’s as beautiful and impressive as I’ve heard, so why does everyone look so grim?”
The Cheonma Sect members released a heavy sigh.
“What are we to do with this foolish recruit?”
“This fake captain is sometimes dense, I tell you.”
Following Yang Un-rang and Jang Han-chung’s lament, Jin-sa provided the answer.
“Do you know whose mind conceived those group training sessions we conduct regularly?”
“Those brutal drills? Didn’t the Captain devise them?”
“It was Moyong Soldier.”
Neungmyeong’s eyes trembled slightly.
Bang Dan-a even cursed outright.
“Damn it, at first I thought she might be normal, but later she developed training regimens so harsh that even the managers struggle with them!”
The complexions of the other newcomers listening nearby turned ashen in an instant.
‘Why does this unit have no normal people?’
In any case, Moryong Sohgyo joined them thus.
“Now that our Soldier has arrived, the Cheonma Sect is finally complete!”
“…What exactly do you mean by ‘complete form’?”
“How would I know?”
Moryong Sohgyo asked, leaving the whispering managers behind.
“You called me because you need me to train the Cheonma Sect, correct?”
Dokgo Myeong shook his head.
“Take command of the Eradication Corps as well. You’ll need to become the military strategist for the entire Jeongmu Army.”
Moryong Sohgyo was startled.
“Y-you’re telling me to control the Eradication Corps, which is composed of elite disciples from prestigious sects?”
“What’s the problem?”
“There are many!”
Moryong Sohgyo raised her voice.
“Though I’ve defected, I am still of Moyong blood. You know what reputation the Moyong Family has in the martial world.”
A notoriety perhaps worse than that of a traitor to the state.
The Moyong Family had been villains of the highest order, attempting to sell the martial world to the demons of the Jeongheol Sect.
“Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, I bear the label of a traitor who betrayed her own family. The elite disciples will not listen to a word I say.”
“There won’t be anyone like that. Anyone with complaints will have a little chat with me.”
“…?”
With the matter of the Eradication Corps, Dokgo Myeong’s authority had risen like Mount Taesan—high enough to kick even the most noble of men out on their backsides.
“And do you know how many military strategists in this world today have actually experienced war through real combat rather than theory?”
“That would be….”
Even including the main family, there would be fewer than twenty.
“Among those, how many have actually served in the field and experienced the front lines?”
None whatsoever.
It was natural for military strategists not to stand on the front lines. In the first place, the martial world did not employ strategists for units of martial artists.
“From now on, the Jeongmu Army will only take on special missions beyond what the Cheonma Sect handled in previous wars. In fact, in some ways, the missions will be even more demanding than before.”
“….”
“We don’t have time. Less than a hundred days remain until we capture the Grand General and the Jeongheol Sect Leader. There’s no one but you.”
“I understand.”
Moryong Sohgyo nodded as if she had made her resolve.
“I will do my best with whatever limited abilities I possess.”
“Do well. You need to wash away some of that infamy with this.”
For a moment, Moryong Sohgyo’s eyes widened, then she smiled helplessly and nodded.
“I will live up to your expectations.”
“My expectations are quite high, so be prepared.”
“I know well how demanding it is to handle people—I’ve experienced it.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s eyes gleamed.
“First, I should see for myself.”
* * *
Moryong Sohgyo immediately toured the Jeongmu Army.
‘A strategist devises schemes for the commander’s objectives. Usually, that’s how it works. But my commander is different.’
Dokgo Myeong possessed an unparalleled mastery of political maneuvering and strategic scheming.
His instinctive animal sense for exposing the weaknesses and blind spots in any situation, grounded in his vast experience, rendered conventional tactics obsolete.
‘Not so much brilliant in knowledge as in wisdom… truly a difficult master to serve.’
To assist someone so versatile, I had to contend with my own inadequacy.
That’s what I believed—until I came to know Dokgo Myeong.
That keen intuition for striking at weaknesses and blind spots was itself Dokgo Myeong’s vulnerability.
“You’re already conducting training, I see?”
“Cooperation with the Cheonma Sect is what matters most right now.”
“So this is joint training?”
“The Eradication Corps is still a bit awkward and stumbling, but the results aren’t terrible.”
The Cheonma Sect and Eradication Corps were training together, their forces intermingled.
Moryong Sohgyo reflected.
‘This is it. He always grasps the answer to every problem. That’s why he’s unconventional and bolder than anyone else.’
The insight to perceive the most creative and swift path that cuts through the heart of a problem.
Yet there are times when taking the longer route is necessary to find the right answer.
“What’s your assessment?”
“They don’t mesh well together. Restraint… or rather, I’d call it a lack of understanding.”
“Accurate.”
One side consisted of disciples from orthodox sects, rigid in their principles; the other comprised rough warriors who had rolled through battlefields. They could not easily unite.
“Especially since the Eradication Corps’s level is so extraordinary that the Cheonma Sect members are on edge.”
Baek’s elite were elite for good reason. Every member of the Eradication Corps possessed superior internal and external cultivation, martial skill rank, and physical conditioning.
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“In our terms, even an ordinary member would be at the level of Yang Un-rang from the Five Pillars of the Cheonma Sect.”
“To that extent?”
“In one-on-one combat alone, we’re clearly outmatched.”
“Even including yourself, sir?”
“Ha! You have to exclude me and the managers! Do I have time to play with the youngsters?”
“….”
“Of course, in group combat or actual warfare, we’d overwhelm them completely.”
Moryong Sohgyo agreed with that assessment.
She quickly finished her analysis and nodded.
“What level of coordination are you aiming for?”
“I’m not expecting them to move as one unified force like the Cheonma Sect.”
“That means….”
“But they need to be able to deploy their full strength and cooperate with the Cheonma Sect.”
“Understood. I’ll make cooperation the primary objective. There are three approaches: the superior strategy, which is certain but has drawbacks; the middle strategy….”
“What does our Moyang Soldier recommend?”
“Pardon?”
“Let’s go with whatever choice our Moyang Soldier makes.”
Moryong Sohgyo smiled faintly.
This is it. It’s this absolute trust that builds my confidence.
“The Cheonma Sect and the Eradication Corps can certainly have a positive influence on each other. There will be some resistance, of course.”
“Resistance?”
“Both internally and externally. But I trust that the Commander will handle it well. So…”
Moryong Sohgyo’s eyes gleamed.
“Let’s do it the Cheonma Sect way.”
The very next day.
The two martial artist squads, who had been training awkwardly together, gathered in one place.
Dokgo Myeong, standing on the platform, spoke.
“From now on, kill each other.”
“…?!”
Watching the horrified Eradication Corps disciples, Moryong Sohgyo clenched her teeth and spoke.
“Commander! Please!”
“I’m joking. Our soldier will explain from here on.”
Moryong Sohgyo quickly stepped forward and spoke.
“We will begin the sparring match. However, excluding lethal strikes, with no rules, and it will take place in the mountains rather than on a sparring platform.”
* * *
“Yun Cheong of the Gonggong Sect, Bang Dan-a of the Cheonma Sect!”
Yun Cheong, a disciple of the Gonggong Sect, furrowed his brow.
“You’re telling me to fight a woman?”
“Is there a problem?”
“Change my opponent. How can I draw my sword against a woman? Besides, she looks far too young.”
At those words, Bang Dan-a’s eyes flickered.
“Haha! Have you never gotten your ass beaten by a woman before? Something wrong with your mouth!”
“Ah, no! How could you speak such words…!”
“Words, my ass. Get ready. Cough! Ptui!”
Her speech, neither formal nor casual, made the Cheonma Sect disciples giggle, while the Eradication Corps disciples were taken aback.
The sparring match took place in the wild lands north of Maengseong, not on a sparring platform.
Thinking how the environment itself was so practical—so very like Dokgo Myeong—Yun Cheong’s eyes gleamed.
‘Either way, I will win.’
The martial prowess of Bang Dan-a was clearly inferior to his own.
Yun Cheong spoke.
“Come.”
Bang Dan-a snorted and glared at him.
“No good. Your jaw needs some adjusting today.”
“Please, do something about that manner of speech…”
Bang Dan-a rushed at him, stealing the breath from his words.
“How cowardly!”
“You told me to come!”
Clang! Clash! Zzzzzzzing!
Countless metallic clashes erupted through the air.
Ferocious. And powerful.
The sword strikes targeting only vital points sent chills down my spine. One misstep and I could suffer a devastating defeat.
‘But that’s all!’
As expected, my understanding and mastery of swordplay surpassed his by a level.
The moment Yun Cheong planted his feet to unleash his technique.
Whoosh!
Bang Dan-a hurled dirt.
“Ugh! What?!”
Bang Dan-a pressed her assault against the retreating Yun Cheong.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Her sleeve tore and strands of hair were sliced away.
Sand particles obscured Yun Cheong’s vision, and he gritted his teeth.
‘First, I need to create distance!’
A downward strike channeling all his inner force.
Boom!
Bang Dan-a couldn’t absorb the impact and flew backward through the air.
But in that instant, Yun Cheong sensed something flying toward him from the front.
Whoosh! Boom!
‘A thrown sword…!’
The Swordsman actually threw his blade!
But there was no time to be surprised.
“…Didn’t I tell you to watch your mouth?”
“Wh-when did you—!”
Bang Dan-a had closed in with feline grace and extended her fist.
Crack!
Yun Cheong’s jaw snapped upward.
Bang Dan-a’s victory was decisive.
Once Yun Cheong regained his senses, he shouted at Dokgo Myeong.
“I cannot accept this! How can warriors of the Baek Sect resort to such crude tactics?!”
“Will you establish rules and fight on the battlefield too? Will you maintain etiquette even in death?”
“…!!”
“Next!”
The matches continued.
“We’ve been defeated.”
“We won!”
“Damn it, losing to those refined scholars!”
As the matches progressed, victories alternated between the two units. The Cheonma Sect seemed to lead initially, but the Eradication Corps began claiming victories with increasing frequency.
This pattern of training repeated continuously.
“Now we’ll move into group training. We’ll divide the Cheonma Sect and Eradication Corps into the Red Army and Blue Army, assign roles and scenarios, and conduct a mock battle.”
“I’m not doubting you, but will things really change just by doing this?”
“They will. Don’t worry.”
Moryong Sohgyo led the training with a confident smile.
And so the two units began to share what felt like hellish hours together.
“The Cheonma Sect won again.”
“Why? What’s the reason?”
There was a reaction from the Cheonma Sect as well.
“I need to increase basic training. Fundamentals really are important after all.”
“Captain Namgung! Could you review my Samjae Sword technique?”
One day passed, then two.
As time flowed, a new understanding took root in the minds of those who had once avoided each other.
‘I was confident in actual combat, but I can’t keep up with their methods at all.’
‘Is that the orthodox foundation Captain Namgung kept emphasizing?’
The Cheonma Sect learned the solidity that came from the teachings of an established school, while the Meorak Sect learned the importance of real combat and experience.
Of course, there was resistance.
“Is this truly right? To continue training without any formality or restraint, using any means necessary?”
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
“…!”
“If you don’t like it, leave. I won’t stop you.”
“Fine! Good! I’m leaving!”
They could have simply left quietly, but they didn’t.
“Captain Jeong. I’ve only observed in passing, but isn’t this excessive? What you’re teaching is the art of killing.”
“Such ominous and chaotic training seems like it will set a bad precedent. I’m concerned that our sect’s disciples might be corrupted by such influence.”
Pressure from outsiders came in various forms. It was polite, but it was interference nonetheless.
Dokgo Myeong’s response was consistent.
“Are you telling me to dull the blades of soldiers heading to war?”
“…!”
“If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to take them with you.”
If you’re upset, then leave.
Dokgo Myeong dismissed them outright.
The ability to act so boldly came down to holding autonomous authority. Of course, if he failed to produce results this way, the backlash would be severe.
“And didn’t you say you’re also training against sorcery!”
“Is this appropriate? Heterodox methods! In this sacred Martial Alliance!”
When Dokgo Myeong completely ignored all interference, even petty complaints emerged.
An elder from the Moshan Sect expressed displeasure and let it slide, but this side had no choice. In the end, results had to prove everything.
“Still, they’re becoming more solid.”
Dokgo Myeong observed the Cheonma Sect and thought.
Did they realize?
That they were now matching the elite of the White Sect.
‘How times have changed.’
In my past life, those who were used as cannon fodder had now become protagonists in their own right.
At that moment, a large shadow approached from behind Dokgo Myeong.
“Uh, brother.”
“Hmm, Hong Ta. What is it?”
Hong Ta withdrew two objects from his bosom.
“The blue silk has snapped.”
“…!”
“The red silk has also begun to burn. What this means is….”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed with intensity.
“Has Sado finally seized the moment?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“We must prepare. Get the disciples ready at once. I’m going to meet with Baek Mu-heun.”
“Yes!”

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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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