Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 445

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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 445
The Jeongmu Army’s operations had been suspended.
I thought the Demon Slayers would be in the same situation, but less than two months had passed when Baek Song came seeking me out at the military affairs bureau.
“You’re asking for a mission?”
Jegal Mun regarded Baek Song with an expression of surprise.
“Yes, General.”
“Your enthusiasm is commendable, but we still need more time for preparations, so let’s wait a bit longer.”
Jegal Mun spoke decisively and turned his gaze back to the documents.
But Baek Song did not retreat and spoke again.
“All members of the Demon Slayers have completed their recovery. We are ready to undertake any mission.”
Jegal Mun set down the documents and sighed.
“Commander of the Demon Slayers. You should understand what I mean.”
“…I understand that the Jeongmu Army possesses independent authority over the selection and execution of missions.”
“To be precise.”
Jegal Mun corrected her words in a firm tone.
“It is the Jeongmu Army Leader who holds that authority, not the Jeongmu Army itself.”
“…”
“Tell me. Why are you pushing so hard for this?”
“I believe our main force cannot afford to remain idle.”
“Is that what the Jeongmu Army Leader said?”
Baek Song hesitated for a moment before answering.
“It is a decision made by myself and my disciples.”
Jegal Mun sighed once more.
“The Demon Slayers are not merely a combat unit. You must understand that there are many political interests and symbolic meanings intertwined with it.”
“…”
The Black Blade—the elite of the Baek Clan, the sword of the Martial Alliance.
Yet that sword was not pointed only at enemies.
-The greatest sects of the Martial World have sent their successors and disciples to the battlefield, so what are you doing now?
The Demon Slayers, and by extension the Jeongmu Army, were both a justification and a universal panacea.
A blade that could not be drawn carelessly, could not be damaged, and once drawn, had to be capable of cutting through everything.
“The problem is the concerns of some elders recently. There are endless voices of worry about the safety of the disciples and blood relatives they sent to the Demon Slayers.”
“Is it because of the casualties from the Qinghai Battle?”
“It’s also due to information related to the Shinheol Sect. They’re facing reality.”
Most of the Demon Slayers’ members were talented individuals responsible for their respective factions’ current generation, and some elders showed a tendency to protect their own people.
If they died meaninglessly on the battlefield, the future of the sect they had cultivated with all their strength would disappear, so it was understandable.
“If you understand, then withdraw. Wait a little longer and missions will be assigned whether you like it or not.”
Once the Azure Plan begins, the martial world will suffer upheaval. Then, whether you like it or not, all manner of missions will be assigned to the Demon Slayers.
“I understand your words, General.”
“…?”
“But I believe now is not the time to prepare, but rather the time to move, however slightly.”
Jegal Mun’s eyes twitched slightly.
“Just as plum blossoms bloom after enduring the harsh winter, the Demon Slayers must roll through the mud to prepare for the threats that lie ahead. We are ready for such preparation.”
After a moment of silence, Jegal Mun asked in a grave tone.
“Do all the disciples share this sentiment?”
“Yes, sir. We do.”
“….”
“General. If we move, won’t the various sects have no choice but to become actively involved?”
“….”
“Send us into a deadly situation. We will return stronger.”
Jegal Mun regarded Baek Song with a look of fresh appreciation.
After a moment, he spoke.
“You’ve changed.”
“Changed…. Yes, I suppose I’ve matured somewhat.”
But from Jegal Mun’s perspective, it was the opposite.
The previous Baek Song had been a most exemplary talent—one who faithfully carried out expectations and teachings. But now she had become a martial artist who knew how to push forward with her own convictions.
‘The Huashan Sect prides itself on strict discipline. The Heavenly Fire True Immortal might not view this favorably.’
But that was not Jegal Mun’s concern.
He nodded.
“Very well.”
“Thank you!”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
“Sir?”
“As the General, not as one coordinating opinions with the Council of Elders, I too have been thinking that things cannot continue as they are.”
Jegal Mun’s voice grew quieter.
“There are few in this Martial Alliance who truly see reality. They cannot accept the fact that we no longer have the luxury to maintain appearances and stand idle. Perhaps even I have been guilty of this.”
“…?”
“I too have come to believe that the Demon Slayers must not remain a sheathed sword kept for display, but rather become a sharp blade that must be wielded even if it becomes chipped or cracked.”
“You mean….”
“You will handle the persuasion yourselves. I will merely be responding to your request.”
Though he said this, he would likely face complaints from the elders. But he did not mind such a thing.
“What kind of mission do you seek?”
“What I mentioned earlier was not merely words spoken in enthusiasm.”
“It will be dangerous.”
“That is what we desire.”
Jegal Mun nodded curtly and reached toward the mountain of documents piled before him.
They were urgent matters gathered from all corners of the Central Plains.
Bandit suppression, heretical sect outbreaks, the rise of the Black Blade faction, border security issues, and more.
After finding an appropriate mission, Jegal Mun began to pull out the document but paused for a moment.
“What is the matter, sir?”
“….”
Jegal Mun furrowed his brow as if lost in thought, then retrieved a single document that had been kept separately.
“This is a mission to track down the remnants of the Jeongheol Sect and conduct investigations in the Zhongqing and Sichuan regions. Since it’s entangled not only with Paedobyeon but also the Jeongheol Sect, combat will be inevitable.”
It was a mission for preparing the black plan.
Jegal Mun spoke decisively.
“The danger level is critical. Moreover, it must be conducted in secrecy.”
“I noticed the General took particular interest in this matter. Why does this document contain so much information regarding what mission?”
Jegal Mun’s eyes gleamed with a desolate light.
“It’s a mission concerning the martial world beyond the frontier.”
“Beyond the frontier… you say?”
“The mission objectives are to assess the situation, establish an intelligence network through cooperation with Gae-bang, and finally track the Shinheol Sect. The danger level is the highest of the highest, and support from the Alliance will be insufficient.”
Jegal Mun asked.
“Which will you choose?”
After only a brief moment of deliberation, Baek Song chose the frontier mission.
It was time to step out from the greenhouse into the battlefield.
* * *
Baek Mu-heun had returned.
He had finally discovered the Jeongheol Sect’s headquarters and burned it to the ground, returning with various spoils of war.
“I heard the story, but I never expected the Jeongmu Army to actually suspend operations.”
Baek Mu-heun let out a hollow laugh.
Right after establishing merit, it had been an opportunity to build a golden tower with countless accolades. Both within and outside the Alliance, there was room to accumulate tremendous influence and power, yet Dokgo Myeong had stepped back.
“Truly, he’s an unfathomable man.”
Baek Mu-heun shook his head as if resigned and lifted his teacup.
Jegal Mun asked.
“What aspect do you mean, sir?”
“At times he pursues ambition to the point of excess, yet at other times he casts everything away like a leaf. Isn’t he truly difficult to deal with?”
Through this affair, Dokgo Myeong had been able to gain much.
No, he had already gained it, and could have desired more.
“Because of him, things didn’t unfold as expected. I suspect he did this knowingly?”
“It didn’t appear so. It seemed to be merely an instinctive intuition.”
“Instinctive intuition, you say.”
Baek Mu-heun smiled.
Not all members of the Council of Elders viewed Dokgo Myeong favorably.
Until now, he had attempted to influence the political situation despite not being an elder, displayed unyielding arbitrariness, and above all, was a member of the Dokgo Family, which was building an independent faction within the martial world alliance.
Monopoly invites restraint. The moment Dokgo Myeong became greedy, those who eyed him like a pack of wolves would emerge.
Baek Mu-heun, despite sensing such an atmosphere, had chosen to observe and watch for now.
But then…
“By stepping back, he cleanly severed all suspicions with a single stroke. He relinquished profit while securing merit and reputation.”
“Public opinion is not unfavorable. Especially after he demonstrated his commitment by not sleeping and remaining at his post throughout the funeral, many elders now acknowledge him.”
“I envy him. Despite knowing and experiencing everything, to be capable of such genuine actions.”
Baek Mu-heun held Dokgo Myeong in the highest regard. He truly believed there was no one who recognized him as much as himself.
“Regardless, with the obstacle removed, we must push forward again.”
“Wasn’t this supposed to proceed only after the White Plan was completed?”
“We’ll do it together. We need to have some preparations finished before the Alliance Leader Selection Ceremony early next year.”
Baek Mu-heun aggressively accelerated his plans immediately upon his return.
This was the beginning of the Blue Plan.
The martial artists gathered by the Martial Alliance through the White Plan had been thoroughly mixed without distinction of sect or region, completed some training, and were dispatched to various locations. Now, through actual combat, they would bury their sense of belonging to their sects beneath loyalty to the Martial Alliance.
“If casualties occur in operations, direct that anger toward the enemy, and simultaneously channel it into criticism of the impure elements within the Alliance who refuse to cooperate.”
“And if the operation succeeds, what should we do?”
“The success of the operation becomes justification for the necessity of the Alliance. General, proceed with both careful deliberation and bold action.”
Baek Mu-heun displayed remarkable political acumen as he rapidly seized control of the Martial Alliance.
Coercive policies against those who opposed the Alliance or refused to join were implemented across all regions, and the same occurred within the Alliance itself.
It didn’t take long before the voices of those hesitant about war and the elders opposed to it faded, and the war faction rose to become the dominant force.
Though a backlash was possible, fortunately or unfortunately, events that fueled the war faction began erupting one after another.
“Urgent report! The Blue Sword Master of the Huashan Sect has been assassinated by his own disciple!”
“What are you saying!”
“From the north, urgent report! The Heavenly Lord of the Gonggong Sect has set fire to the Sangcheon Palace and taken his own life!”
“No, what in the world…”
As news of the Jeongheol Sect’s destruction spread, the hidden schemers in the martial world ignited their final flames.
And Baek Mu-heun did not miss that opportunity.
He redirected the shock that struck the Central Plains martial world into fury against the enemy, and made that fury the legitimacy of the Martial Alliance.
In this rapidly changing era of chaos, the power of the Martial Alliance that grasped the times grew day by day.
Meanwhile, the Cheonma Sect stood apart from the flow of the times, scattered in all directions.
* * *
At the moment the Demon Slayers were dispatched beyond the new territories.
The Cheonma Sect also began scattering across the Central Plains.
“Why does this make me so nervous?”
“Come to think of it, isn’t this the first time?”
“What is?”
“Haven’t we always acted together?”
The Cheonma Sect, which had always acted together in actual combat, training, and even eating, sleeping, and resting, was torn apart for the first time. The disciples scattered with confused hearts to carry out their assigned tasks.
Bang Dan-a was walking somewhere with several hot-blooded Cheonma Sect disciples.
“By the way, where are we going? Should we sneak a peek by tearing open the letter of introduction?”
“Oh, that’s actually a good idea?”
“Good idea? The Captain said he’d kill us if we opened it beforehand.”
….
Bang Dan-a carefully folded the letter in her hand and tucked it into her bosom.
“Well, it doesn’t matter where. As long as we can fight fiercely, I’m satisfied.”
“Surely they assigned us to a place that suits our temperament?”
Thus they arrived at a certain pavilion of the Martial Alliance.
A man greeted them.
“I am Yeong-han of the Mudang Sect. I’ve heard of you. Welcome.”
“…The Mudang Sect?”
“Now, let us begin with breathing exercises.”
Bang Dan-a simply smiled without speaking.
‘Heh, what a nuisance.’
Hang San-gwi and some of the disciples were entrusted to the Hwangbo Ga.
‘Damn it. The Captain must have known and sent us deliberately!’
The Hwangbo Ga was once a family famous for hunting bandits. Hang San-gwi trembled with fear as he entered their service as a guest retainer.
Fortunately, there were disciples heading to familiar places as well.
“Hmm, the Dokgo Family.”
Yang Un-rang headed toward the Dokgo Family with his usual playful smile.
“Everything is fine, but it would be even better if there were a beautiful lady there.”
Not long after.
Yang Un-rang had to tremble with fear as he watched the woman reading Dokgo Myeong’s personal letter.
“Krahahahaha!”
“….”
“This clever little brother! Excellent! Nothing wrong with this!”
The scarred woman who had finished reading the letter burst into wild laughter.
She was none other than the mad dog of the Dokgo Family, Dokgo Yeon.
“So, you’re my sparring partner?”
“Pardon? A sparring partner?”
“It’s written right here.”
“Ah!”
Yang Un-rang sprang to his feet and grinned.
“It seems there’s been some misunderstanding. I just need to confirm… Ugh!”
“Where are you going? I was told I could play with you however I like.”
“P-please spare me! This won’t do! This won’t do!”
Thus, the Cheonma Sect disciples each found themselves in precisely the right place.
And the Managers were no different.

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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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