Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 432
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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 432
Thump!
Ye-hwa, leading the way, raised her fist.
Whoosh!
Baek Song and the special unit members of the Meorak Sect halted in unison.
‘Enemies.’
Baek Song communicated through simple hand signals.
This sign language system, used during operations, had been learned from the Cheonma Sect.
Ye-hwa nodded.
She scanned her surroundings with sharp eyes and responded through hand signals.
‘If they pass by, we resume movement… Five of them? Aren’t the three in front all there is?’
Even concentrating her senses again, she detected only three, yet Ye-hwa was saying there were two more.
“…”
Baek Song fell into contemplation, watching Ye-hwa’s back as she stared intently at something while gripping her bow.
-What do you all think is the greatest weapon for a martial artist?
Such a conversation had come up during a gathering of the Meorak Sect.
-The sword is a true warrior’s weapon!
-The advantage in close combat cannot be surpassed by the spear.
-Without inner energy, perhaps, but for a martial artist, the blade is the cure-all.
True to their prideful nature, the martial artists each championed their own unique weapons and hastened to expound their merits.
Among them, there was one weapon that wasn’t even mentioned—the bow.
-No matter what… can that even be called a martial artist’s weapon?
-It can’t compete in martial arts, and formal duels don’t apply to it.
-It’s an efficient weapon on the battlefield for common soldiers, perhaps.
Whether it could even channel inner force was questionable, and it couldn’t embody the Way or Intent.
A weapon learned entirely within the realm of technique and method.
Ultimately, the consensus was that the bow was a weapon for common soldiers or those of lower martial cultivation.
-But then… what exactly is Manager Gwak of the Cheonma Sect?
Everyone fell silent at that.
Was the bow truly a weapon unworthy of discussion in the world of martial artists?
By common sense, yes.
But anyone who had experienced the Cheonma Sect in any capacity came to understand the true value of the bow as a weapon.
“This won’t do.”
Ye-hwa suddenly spoke aloud.
“We’re wasting too much time. Let’s deal with them and move on.”
Baek Song’s eyes widened.
Ye-hwa had drawn her bowstring toward the opposite slope with nothing but brush and undergrowth.
And then.
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
A man collapsed with a thud and tumbled down the slope below.
Crack! Twang!
This time it was a curved shot.
The moment the spiral-grooved arrow left the bowstring, its trajectory curved dramatically and vanished from sight.
And as always, the wet sound of impact and a scream followed.
Splurt!
“Gack!”
Thunk!
The third arrow.
“Gurgle!”
The fourth arrow.
“Ugh!”
Whoosh!
Ye-hwa suddenly sprang to her feet, then drew the bowstring with all her strength, twisting it as she pulled.
Twang!
The arrow shot forth with a piercing whistle, penetrating the gray stone across the way.
The man who had been concealed behind the rock collapsed. A whistle was clenched between his teeth.
Ye-hwa turned to Baek Song and spoke tersely.
“We’ve fallen behind. Let’s move quickly.”
And so the detachment resumed its advance.
Two of Ye-hwa’s team members swiftly gathered the fallen enemies, hid them in the grass, and recovered the arrows.
Baek Song’s eyes trembled faintly.
‘Five enemies aside, that distance was easily over thirty paces. Yet she struck them down with barely a sound.’
It seemed absurd. Whatever talent one possessed, whatever years of training one endured, her arrows rendered it all meaningless.
Baek Song found herself thinking.
‘Could I, could the Meorak Sect, respond to this?’
When considering the universal remedy for all warfare, if one thought only of the utility and power of weapons…
‘The bow is supreme.’
More precisely, the bow held in the hands of Gwak Ye-hwa, the Hidden Dragon General and one of the Five Dragon Generals, was supreme.
Then Ye-hwa came to a halt.
“We’ve arrived. Sound the whistle.”
“Manager Gwak, what will you do now?”
“I have a separate mission.”
Ye-hwa’s gaze turned elsewhere.
The Black-Robed Men came into view—a four-person unit, the most covert squad of the Cheonma Sect.
“Commander of the Meorak Sect. The Captain has a message.”
“I’m listening.”
“The Cheonma Sect is the bait. In this battle, it falls to the Meorak Sect to strike down the enemy’s elite martial artists.”
Baek Song’s eyes gleamed.
“Have no concerns. This unit comprises the finest of the Baek clan.”
“I understand.”
Moments later, a horn blast pierced the air, followed by a lion’s roar that shook heaven and earth.
Baek Song drew her sword and cried out.
“Meorak Sect disciples! Annihilate the enemy!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
Jeongheol disciples surged forth one after another.
A new encirclement rose to engulf the enemy’s formation. Though the numerical advantage was overwhelming, Baek Song intended to lead this battle to victory.
‘Please, I beg you! Capture the enemy commander with certainty!’
Baek Song unfurled her Plum Blossom Sword, her eyes blazing with determination.
* * *
Boom!
A cannonball the size of a human head split in two under the axe’s strike and exploded.
Whoooosh!
The erupting blast created a wind pressure violent enough to trigger secondary explosions as the Heaven-Shaking Great Axe was swung.
Crash!
Six people became nothing but blood under the assault of the massive iron axe.
Then, rotating the axe lightly and striking downward at the flank, four Bloodfiends dressed as guards were crushed like those caught in a landslide and sent flying.
“That’s enough. Go now.”
Fierce flames erupted behind Cheolmu-baek.
“This is insane. Is a man really cleaving through cannons? Really?”
Looking closer, those weren’t flames but the true energy of the Solitary Yang Divine Art unleashed by Dokgo Ak.
Dokgo Ak leaped up from behind Cheolmu-baek and shot forward directly.
Slash-slash-slash-slash-slash!
Though it seemed like a single swing, dozens of sword flashes glinted in succession.
Those struck by the blade fell without even a cry. Dokgo Ak’s swordsmanship had already transcended the mortal realm, no less than Cheolmu-baek’s.
“The resistance is weaker than expected?”
“The encirclement is also poorly constructed than I thought.”
“This front line feels completely collapsed too….”
Boom!
Suddenly, someone landed beside them with a thunderous crash.
“Of course it is—they’re not the main force. So if you have any breathing room, circulate your energy.”
It was none other than Dokgo Myeong.
Blood dripped steadily from the Hyeonchul Sword slung across his shoulder.
“Not the main force?”
“What are you asking? Why did we come here?”
“…To capture the Grand General.”
“Right. Now that we’ve revealed ourselves openly, he will respond.”
That was when it happened.
Screech!
The enemies who had been feigning death sprang up from the ground and swarmed Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Myeong didn’t even draw his Hyeonchul Sword, simply watching them with ease.
Flash! Boom!
Golden light blazed, and the ambushing enemies were sent flying as if struck by a carriage.
“Grrrrr….”
A low growl that chilled the soul.
Hoa, who had swatted the enemies away with his front paws, sauntered leisurely toward Dokgo Myeong’s side.
“You’ve been acting aloof lately, but how did you get here so quickly from that far away?”
“Meow!”
“A beast the size of a house, and you’re nervous?”
“Huff!”
“I know, old friend. I felt it too.”
Dokgo Myeong turned his head.
The earth’s energy churned. The heavens’ energy had ceased its flow.
It was only at such moments that those who walked the Outer Path revealed themselves.
Kiiiiiiiieeee!
Suddenly, a ghostly wail pierced the battlefield.
From the horizon’s edge, crimson mist-like malevolent energy and spectral energy rose like dark clouds.
The longer one gazed upon it, the more dizziness and illusions took hold—grotesque twisted evil spirits and vengeful ghosts, the forms of demons and demonic creatures.
“C-Captain! Reporting!”
Hong Ta spoke, cold sweat pouring down like rain.
“Yes, Hong Ta. What is it?”
“It’s sorcery. Whether it’s a formation technique or talisman magic or something else… I’ve never encountered such energy before, so I can’t even identify it.”
“Even when the Gwisucheolmang released its spectral energy, it wasn’t this intense. We should be careful.”
Following Hong Ta, Hong Lu also swallowed hard.
Dokgo Myeong looked at Hoa.
“Hoa. I’m counting on you with them. You understand, right?”
“Grrr!”
“You can’t fight alongside me. Your role is important too.”
Hoa gazed at Dokgo Myeong with those distinctive clear eyes.
Dokgo Myeong met his gaze without hesitation.
That was when it happened.
“Captain.”
Geum Seok-du pointed toward the mist.
“They’re coming.”
Were the forces that had surrounded the survivors of the White Lotus Sect truly just bait?
Beyond the crimson mist, the forms of Bloodfiends began to appear.
“Like a swarm of locusts.”
“These are the elite forces hidden in the Headquarters.”
“Weren’t they said to be those who guard the Jeongheol Sect’s Headquarters?”
“I thought it was an exaggeration, but there are easily over a thousand of them?”
The Managers who gathered one by one shuddered.
Perhaps the actual numbers weren’t quite that many, but at least I could feel the military aura of a truly massive army.
And above them, that man existed.
Not in front, but in the empty air. Like an immortal, his hair and robe tails fluttered as he descended through the void.
The Grand General, the Cheonsal Ma Army.
Even in the midst of a hellish landscape that seemed to crawl up from the underworld, the man’s presence was unparalleled.
Crack!
Dokgo Myeong’s and the Grand General’s gazes collided in the empty air.
—There you are.
Such an auditory illusion seemed to ring out.
The corners of Dokgo Myeong’s mouth rose.
“At last our Grand General has graced us with his presence.”
An absolute master whom the Murim Alliance had been extremely wary of even in my past life, requiring countless sacrifices just to kill.
Dokgo Myeong turned to face the Managers.
“I trust you haven’t forgotten what we’ve practiced.”
“Of course not.”
“As for the rest.”
“Judging by the completion of the Meorak Sect’s deployment, they should be ready.”
“Good. Sohwa, you’re stepping back from commanding the Cheonma Sect now. Seok-du’s leadership is better than expected. Leave the frontline command to him and preserve yourself as much as possible.”
“Don’t worry.”
Dokgo Myeong’s fingers twitched as he adjusted his grip on the Hyeonchul Sword several times.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom!
As the enemy approached, the earth trembled.
Now the stage was open.
The fragmented Meorak Sect would perform well. Each of them was worth a hundred men. A hundred of them would be enough to show the Jeongheol Sect the true nature of the martial world.
The Cheonma Sect had also made complete preparations. They had trained for this battle for a long time and built their readiness thoroughly.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
My heart raced wildly, pleasantly heating every muscle in my body.
My senses had long since reached their peak. The Three Divine Energies merged through the Dark Heaven Technique surged from my entire body like a tempest.
Dokgo Myeong rolled his shoulders, moved his neck left and right a few times, then opened his mouth.
“You all must feel it, but the enemy is a master of the Limitless Realm. Especially on a battlefield like this, he’s a monster who could kill even another Limitless Realm master in an instant.”
By the standards of the martial world, a formidable master worthy of being called one of the Three Emperors.
Especially in a situation like now, leading the Jeongheol Sect’s great army, perhaps he might even be called a War God.
“But because this is a stage where he can rampage like that, we were able to draw him out like this.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned widely.
The Managers also exhaled heated breaths, their eyes gleaming with fervor.
“Mu-baek, you’re first.”
“Cheolmu-baek is here.”
“I’m entrusting the frontline and defense to you. If things go awry, you can push forward.”
“Hehehehe.”
Cheolmu-baek let out a thin smile as he gripped the Cheonhwang Halberd.
“Ak-i, you create the distraction. His attacks are wide and sweeping. Move quickly and disrupt his hands. Sohwa, you maintain control from the center and move as you see fit. You’ll have the busiest role.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled sharply.
“And I’ll handle the offense. Don’t all lose your minds thinking this is a combined assault. There’s definitely hidden support. Watch out for blind strikes.”
“Jeon Myeong!”
“Understood!”
This was how I would seal off his military and martial prowess.
And I had also prepared a secret method to counter the third blade he wielded—his techniques.
‘Come then.’
This place would become your grave today.
* * *
The collision was instantaneous.
BOOM!
“Meorak Sect! Now!”
As the deafening explosion erupted, the Meorak disciples who had been split north and south surged forward.
The Cheonma Sect protruding at the center became the bait that held the line, while a smaller force of Meorak disciples tightened the noose from the outer edges of the battlefield.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, they appeared to be pushing forward instead.
“Wicked bloodfiends! This is the blade of the martial realm!”
“Do not retreat! We are the Meorak Sect, those who punish evil and injustice!”
CLANG! CRASH! BOOM!
Many heroes who would have left their names in history had they met better times were gathered here.
The chaotic battlefield where all manner of explosions intertwined had finally begun.
And in the midst of it all.
As if ancient generals were engaging in brief close combat, two masters locked eyes with each other.
“Grand General.”
The Grand General revealed a transcendent aura as he surveyed his surroundings.
“Is this all?”
“What?”
“Is this truly the extent of what you’ve prepared?”
“…?”
“If so, you will die here.”
From heaven to earth.
The Grand General descended slowly.
“Did you think we spared you because we couldn’t kill you? No, it’s the opposite. We left you alone because killing you was difficult.”
The Grand General shook his head.
“But your success at Moyong has now erased that reason.”
The Grand General’s feet touched the ground.
BOOM!
Though he stepped down gently, the air itself resonated.
A blood-red light seeped slowly from the Grand General’s eyes.
“Do you truly believe you merely happened to obtain such a body and martial prowess by chance? Is there anything in this world that occurs without cause and effect?”
“…?”
“A foolish puppet who doesn’t even know what he carries or what he has cultivated…. It was you from the beginning. Even if all one hundred thousand disciples of the Jeongheol Sect perish, if we obtain that Inverse Heavenly Vessel, our victory is assured.”
The Grand General’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“You’ve walked into the land of your own death with your own feet, so I shall grant you that mercy. Now that your vessel alone suffices, I shall trample upon you and turn the martial world into a sea of blood….”
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong responded with an indifferent expression.
“Ugh, why is your tongue so long? When does this fool’s mouth ever close?”
Dokgo Myeong glanced at his companions around him.
“Why do these bastards always drag out their words like that? Do they think it makes them look impressive?”
“….”
“To put it simply, you need my body right now, isn’t that it?”
The Grand General’s expression twisted.
The very moment Dokgo Myeong casually flicked his Hyeonchel Sword.
Flash! Crash!
A sword light like lightning struck down upon the Grand General.
Sizzle!
Ashen dust engulfed the Grand General before being swept away by a violent gust.
The Grand General and his Managers stared at the person who had unleashed that sword qi.
“Who dares attempt to claim our Captain’s body?”
Namgung Sohwa spoke coldly.
Wow, she’s fierce.
A surprise attack while they were talking?
“We can do the talking later with a blade at that bastard’s throat. Let’s just fight already.”
Namgung Sohwa said with lethal intent.
“Ah, I was about to strike first.”
Dokgo Ak also slowly assumed the ready stance of the Ilyang Divine Sword as he spoke.
The last one, Cheolmu-baek, said nothing.
Crash!
He immediately kicked off the ground and charged forward.
The battle had begun.
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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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