Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 449

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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 449
“The aroma is quite distinctive.”
Baek Mu-heun smiled as he spoke.
“These are tea leaves from Tianzhu that came through the Silk Road.”
“Tianzhu? I thought trade routes were blocked?”
“I have been granted permission for commerce, allowing me to obtain certain goods.”
“Amitabha Buddha. What a privilege to taste such rare leaves.”
The abbot of Shaolin, Muram Daesa, who was also one of the Three Emperors, wore a benevolent smile.
“I hear you’ve been quite busy lately—I hope my visit isn’t an intrusion.”
“Even if I were occupied, I would make time.”
“I understand you’re preparing for the selection of a new alliance leader.”
“…Where did you hear that?”
“Though I am merely a humble Buddhist disciple of little consequence, my years have granted me ears that listen well.”
While I had subtly cultivated such an atmosphere, the Blue Plan had not yet progressed sufficiently to broach the matter openly.
Yet Muram Daesa seemed to have sensed something in the air.
“Yes. We cannot allow even trivial matters to be decided by the council of elders indefinitely. We must establish the position of alliance leader to create a proper chain of command.”
“And you intend for Baek Jang-mun to occupy that seat?”
Baek Mu-heun paused briefly before offering a refreshing smile.
“Yes, that is correct.”
Muram Daesa laughed heartily in response.
“Excellent. Then all is well.”
At first glance, Muram Daesa hardly seemed to match the title of Gwon Hwang.
His build was ordinary, the energy he emanated was closer to that of a monk than a martial artist, and his speech and voice carried an air of simplicity.
“But is that the only reason you visited me?”
“That was one reason, but I also came to ask you several things.”
“Please, ask whatever you wish.”
One of Muram Daesa’s eyes widened slightly.
Within those benevolent eyes curved like a crescent moon lay a gaze sharp as a blade, concealed beneath.
“A single grain of sand is so light its very existence goes unnoticed, yet when many accumulate, they can weigh more than a stone of equal size.”
“What do you mean?”
“How do you intend to treat those small things that are cast aside?”
“You speak of the commoners.”
Baek Mu-heun offered a subtle smile.
“I have never considered them light.”
“Is that sincere?”
“Rather, they are the heavy ones.”
Baek Mu-heun took a sip of tea and continued.
“The discourse of martial artists inevitably ends in violence. Gratitude is built with blood, resentment is created through force, and conversation is conducted with blades. The minority—the martial world itself—is what is light.”
Muram Daesa laughed with evident satisfaction.
“Baek Jang-mun teaches me a lesson. Indeed. The people should rightfully be heavier, and the martial world lighter…”
It was quite different from the thoughts of ordinary martial artists in the jianghu. Depending on how one listened, it seemed like words that could be interpreted in multiple ways.
“I nearly made an unnecessary intrusion. Indeed, there was no need for excessive words with the Sect Leader.”
“Was there something you were concerned about?”
“Not long ago, my Master contacted me directly.”
Baek Mu-heun’s eyes widened.
Gwon Hwang Muramdeok had only one Master.
“Did Beobjon speak to you directly?”
“Indeed.”
After Geom-jon’s disappearance, the Singnyeo Sect had risen to prominence, and now the name of Beobjon—whom I had thought had long since transcended—had emerged.
Was the past era moving once more?
“Where is he now?”
“That, I do not know.”
“Daesa. If Beobjon were to assist us, all matters would become far easier.”
Baek Mu-heun could not hide his excitement.
But Muram Daesa merely shook his head, muttering his disapproval.
“That one has transcended and could become a Buddha at any moment. Yet he binds himself to this Saha world’s tumult, so surely there must be reasons we lesser, partially enlightened ones cannot perceive.”
“Still, the fact that he offers counsel means he is concerned.”
“He may read a thousand leagues from where he sits. How can I know whether he concerns himself or not?”
….
Baek Mu-heun smiled bitterly.
“Then what did he advise?”
“He said that if you do not deviate from the righteous path, there is no need to fear war, nor to worry about the government’s intervention.”
“I understand.”
Baek Mu-heun nodded.
“I will keep that in mind.”
“I have one final question.”
“Please ask.”
“I heard that the Sect Leader destroyed the main headquarters of the Jeongheol Sect.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Was there anything unusual about that place?”
Baek Mu-heun shook his head.
“What was unusual was that nothing seemed unusual.”
I had expected a palace like those of Western kingdoms or a vast fortress, but the Jeongheol Sect’s main headquarters was situated on a plateau and displayed a lifestyle similar to the sects of the Central Plains. Aside from a few bizarre artifacts, there was nothing particularly problematic about what was stored inside.
“But why do you ask such a thing, Daesa?”
“In fact, their eight-character incantation originated from a certain minor sect in the Central Plains.”
“You speak of the White Lotus Sect.”
Shaolin was essentially the grand headquarters of Central Plains Buddhism. Though Muram Daesa’s sect differed from Shaolin, he seemed to have grasped the connection.
“According to what our headquarters has discovered, they possess a certain rare scripture.”
“A scripture… you say?”
“Indeed. Do you have any inkling of what it might be?”
Baek Mu-heun asked in return.
“What manner of scripture is this that has captured Your Eminence’s attention?”
“It appears to be a scripture describing Musaeng Nomo, the divine feminine deity they venerate, and something akin to the afterlife called the Realm of True Emptiness.”
The foundation of Buddhism rests upon the cycle of rebirth. Yet they worship a woman of Musaeng—one who transcends that very cycle.
“It is said to contain teachings on immortality and eternal life, along with the forbidden methods to attain them.”
“…?!”
“Legend holds that their Singnyeo has inherited this knowledge through the generations. Of course, true immortality and eternal life cannot possibly exist….”
“So you mean to say there may be some methodology written within capable of wielding power worthy of such names, at the very least.”
“Precisely. It would be a forbidden scripture of Sima Waidao, nothing less.”
Muram Daesa continued with a hardened expression.
“I regard this as merely a scripture born of common heretical delusion. However, since our sect possesses records related to it, I believe scriptures that bewitch people and create cultic organizations should be burned or placed under strict control.”
A scripture containing the power to reach immortality and eternal life.
Baek Mu-heun immediately summoned Nang-wang and ordered him to examine the evidence.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong and Namgung Sohwa were guided by members of the Hao Sect.
Upon arriving at the first village and presenting their token at a location bearing the Hao Sect’s emblem, disciples immediately showed them the way without question.
“The Hao Sect is expanding remarkably fast.”
“Quite impressive indeed.”
Following the disciples’ guidance, they arrived at a secluded hillside.
Deep within the slope stood an old manor. At its entrance waited a young girl with bright, intelligent eyes.
“Go inside and deliver word. I am….”
“The Realm of True Emptiness, Musaeng Nomo. We know you are our sect’s benefactor. Please, come in.”
“…?”
“Do enter. She awaits you.”
“Awaits? Who?”
“The Singnyeo.”
The young girl already knew their identities.
Dokgo Myeong asked.
“You knew I was coming?”
“Yes, she said the Savior would arrive within the coming days.”
“I am no savior of yours.”
“I never said you were our savior.”
The girl offered a gentle smile, and Dokgo Myeong’s expression became one of someone who had just taken a blow.
‘This feeling… it’s similar to before.’
He recalled meeting that eccentric elder at the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
These people seemed to exist slightly apart from the world where Dokgo Myeong walked and lived, and this young girl emanated that same serene detachment.
“What is your name?”
“For now, I am called Hye. Please, come this way.”
The moment they stepped into the manor following the girl, the fragrance of incense common to temples wafted through the air.
“Will the lady remain here with us?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The Singnyeo wishes to meet with you privately.”
Namgung Sohwa turned to look at Dokgo Myeong. Dokgo Myeong gave a small nod.
He was soon guided inward.
The moment he approached a space that corresponded to the inner quarters of the estate, a voice reached his ears.
“Please, come in.”
“Then I shall not be shy.”
A voice clear and unmuddied.
Upon opening the door and entering, he saw an elderly woman performing her devotions before a simple hanging scroll.
“I apologize for the meager hospitality. Please, come this way.”
“It seems you knew I would come.”
“I merely guessed you would arrive around this time.”
“Is that truly all?”
The woman turned her head.
“That is truly all.”
An old woman with deeply wrinkled skin and a swarthy complexion, bearing the appearance of one who might collapse at any moment.
‘Her eyes….’
Was it due to her age? Or was there some other reason?
Unfocused, opaque white pupils were directed toward Dokgo Myeong.
The Singnyeo offered a gentle smile.
“My eyes must not be pleasant to look upon.”
“They do not appear to be a congenital condition.”
“Yes, a minor side effect.”
The moment Dokgo Myeong sat upon the cushion placed before him, the Singnyeo hesitated and began to rise.
“First, I must offer my gratitude. I beg you to accept my bow, my benefactor.”
Just as the Singnyeo began to bend her knees in an awkward gesture, Dokgo Myeong extended his hand and stopped her.
“I know not what etiquette your people follow, but in these lands, there is no propriety in a young man accepting a bow from an elderly woman who can scarcely move.”
“How kind you are.”
“It is merely inconvenient.”
The Singnyeo gently grasped his hand.
“You must have many questions for me. Please, ask.”
“The spark.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“What was that warning you gave me?”
“Have you extinguished the spark?”
“I will not engage in riddles. Answer my question.”
“Since you ask while already knowing the answer, I have answered your question with another.”
“….”
“It is merely a small skill. Since they harbored desires, I anticipated these and offered warning.”
“You must think me a fool.”
A ferocious aura emanated from Dokgo Myeong’s entire body.
Singnyeo’s clouded pupils trembled.
‘Ah.’
Though her physical eyes had long since lost their light, her spiritual sight still occasionally revealed intensely vivid visions.
And so she saw it.
The form of a demonic deity drenched in blood from head to toe.
That figure appeared as a Demon King ruling over the night itself, a devil defying heaven wreathed in ashen whirlwinds.
‘What is this?’
Singnyeo trembled.
At the same moment, she perceived another form.
A pioneer shining brilliantly as if containing the very sun itself. An immaculate clarity of spirit, pure to its absolute limit, enveloped him.
Divine and demonic, good and evil.
In this man called Dokgo Myeong, elements that could not coexist were inextricably intertwined.
Then it came.
“Singnyeo.”
“….”
“You’re seeing something right now, aren’t you?”
A blue flash flickered across Dokgo Myeong’s eyes.
Shudder!
Singnyeo’s body trembled involuntarily and staggered.
This time, Dokgo Myeong did not catch her.
“Yes, fine. Truth be told, it doesn’t matter much anyway. There are no shortage of charlatans in this vast realm who claim to peer into the future.”
Among them, nine out of ten are fraudsters, and of the remaining one, half are merely clever-minded, with only the other half being genuine.
Someone like you could very well be genuine.
But that wasn’t the reason I came all this way.
“However, I cannot simply overlook this. So speak.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“What are you hiding?”
“….”
“Even thinking back on it, something feels off. Sado seemed to know nothing either, so I let it slide several times, but no matter how I consider it, the pieces don’t fit together.”
Dokgo Myeong revealed a hostility that made him seem anything but someone who had saved their lives.
“The Jeongheol Sect knew of your existence. They knew and left you be. And beyond using you as bait, they had another purpose.”
Dokgo Myeong spoke with absolute certainty.
“Tell me what it is.”
“If I cannot do so… what will you do?”
The answer that followed Singnyeo’s trembling voice was brief.
“You’ll have to die.”

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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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