Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 45

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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 45
In the martial world of Gangho, those possessed of bizarre and peculiar temperaments and conduct are called eccentrics and recluses.
In plain terms, madmen. The martial world itself is a realm of lunatics who spend their time learning techniques to beat people rather than worrying about living well like ordinary folk—so how many madmen could there possibly be?
Most of them end up dying violently while pursuing their own obsessions, but a rare few achieve mastery in their chosen disciplines and earn their names throughout the world.
Manpaknoesa belonged to that latter category.
“You truly claim to be a disciple of that Manpaknoesa?”
Seo Ryun asked with an expression of disbelief.
Geum Seok-du scratched the back of his head with an awkward face.
“Well, since I’ve already performed the formal ceremony of discipleship, we are indeed master and disciple.”
“Is that so.”
Seo Ryun drew in a sharp breath.
Manpaknoesa was skilled in medicine, rhetoric, poetry and painting, calligraphy, music, mathematics, and countless other disciplines—so much so that he was also called the Universal Master.
The problem was that he took pleasure in using those considerable talents to plunge martial artists into predicaments.
“Yet I’ve never heard that the master had any disciples….”
“What would I gain by telling such a lie?”
“That’s true enough.”
“But how did you know of this, sir?”
“Quite composed, aren’t you. Asking questions and all?”
“Could you not answer just this one thing? It’s important to me….”
“Hand technique.”
“Pardon?”
“That card-switching technique you used in yesterday’s game. It was Soul-Stealing Fingers, wasn’t it?”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes widened.
Soul-Stealing Fingers was Manpaknoesa’s secret martial art that refined finger sensitivity and allowed the joints to move with extraordinary flexibility.
However, it was not a technique known throughout Gangho. His master used Soul-Stealing Fingers almost exclusively when playing the zither or the strings.
“How… how did you recognize it?”
“Because I learned the technique as well.”
“Do you have a connection with my master? No, that can’t be right? How on earth….”
I learned it from you, you fool.
…but Dokgo Myeong couldn’t say that, so he decided to brazenly push forward.
“Must I explain that as well?”
“Well….”
“Never mind. I think your curiosity is satisfied now.”
Geum Seok-du reluctantly nodded his head.
“…Yes, please speak now, sir.”
“Then first….”
Whoosh!
Dokgo Myeong seized Geum Seok-du by the shoulder and his eyes flashed.
“Let’s start with you taking a beating.”
“Why are you suddenly doing this? What did I do wrong?”
Geum Seok-du startled visibly, his expression turning aggrieved.
Dokgo Myeong let out a derisive snort.
“You’re still trying to pull tricks now? Are you just going to overlook the sleight of hand you used at the gambling table yesterday?”
“….”
Geum Seok-du’s expression shifted entirely as he forced an awkward smile.
“Would an apology now perhaps….”
“An apology must come from the heart.”
“I’ll return all the money.”
“That’s a given.”
Dokgo Myeong tightened his grip on Geum Seok-du’s shoulder.
“You know what happens when someone gets caught cheating at a gambling table—they lose their hands, right?”
“…!”
“Don’t worry. I won’t need your hands. Not quite that far….”
Geum Seok-du’s pupils trembled violently.
* * *
After the conversation ended, Dokgo Myeong dragged Geum Seok-du back to the inn where he was staying.
Geum Seok-du, his face swollen and puffy, drank one cup of liquor after another.
Seo Ryun, sitting beside Dokgo Myeong across from him, regarded Geum Seok-du with a somewhat pitying expression.
“You inherited the position of Manpaknoesa, yet why do you squander your talents at gambling tables?”
“Well, naturally it’s for money.”
“…There are many other ways to earn money. Is there some particular reason you’ve fallen into gambling specifically?”
At those words, Geum Seok-du’s expression grew serious.
“What in this world is as profound as gambling?”
“….”
“Skill contends against skill, one trains the eye technique to counter an opponent’s methods, and ultimately one comes to understand even the opponent’s psychology—gambling is no different from martial arts.”
Geum Seok-du continued with a wry smile.
“People look down on gambling, but gamblers have their own way, their own path—it is a form of cultivation….”
At that moment, Dokgo Myeong, who had been quietly eating side dishes, muttered.
“Tsk, your nerve was lacking.”
“…I apologize.”
“Enough. Now I want to hear your answer to my proposal.”
Just moments before, Dokgo Myeong had made Geum Seok-du a proposition.
Geum Seok-du, who had been pondering briefly, lowered his head.
“For someone as insignificant as me to be approached by such a distinguished figure….”
“Keep it brief.”
“My apologies. I am not worthy enough to serve the blood of the Dokgo Clan.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“How did you know I’m a member of the Dokgo Clan?”
“Now that you mention it….”
Seo Ryun’s eyes also flashed with keen awareness.
Dokgo Myeong and Seo Ryun had never once mentioned the Dokgo Clan.
“It’s nothing particularly remarkable.”
“Tell me.”
“Well, for example….”
Geum Seok-du gestured with his eyes toward the long sword that Seo Ryun had leaned against the table.
“The silk cord attached to this warrior’s sword is what we call Cheongbaeksa—a premium grade. Am I correct?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s been popular recently in Honam. However, the trend ended long ago in this region. And in Honam, there happens to be a martial family of considerable renown.”
“Is that all?”
“There are other things as well. Your manner of speech, the dye of your clothing, the style of your shoes…Should I continue?”
“No, that’s enough. Sufficient.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly and glanced at Seo Ryun.
‘See?’
‘Yes, I misjudged this person.’
Seo Ryun nodded with a look of surprise on his face.
Though he spoke as if it were nothing, these were things that one could not discern without considerable knowledge and study.
Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth as he gazed at Geum Seok-du.
“Are you refusing because I beat you up?”
“You gave me a few blows for attempting to use my techniques and then released me, so I’m actually grateful.”
As if he truly meant it, Geum Seok-du cleared his throat several times before continuing.
“I’m grateful that you’ve taken an interest in someone of little consequence like myself, but since it seems we’re not fated to meet, may I take my leave now?”
“Sure, well, if it’s not fate, what can we do? Go carefully.”
“Then I shall….”
Surprised that he was being sent off so readily, Geum Seok-du smiled awkwardly and began to rise.
But then, Dokgo Myeong suddenly spoke to Seo Ryun.
“Ah, now that I think about it, Seo. Aren’t there quite a few people in the Gangho who hold grudges against Manpaknoesa?”
Thud!
Geum Seok-du’s body froze mid-rise, suspended awkwardly.
“Pardon? Ah, yes. Since he’s caused many martial artists to fall into hardship, that would be the case.”
“But it turns out he had a disciple, didn’t he?”
Geum Seok-du sat back down with an aggrieved expression.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“I just want to hear the reason.”
Geum Seok-du hesitated before letting out a deep sigh.
“…There’s a matter I’ve been putting off. Just let me have this one chance.”
“A matter you’ve been putting off?”
Geum Seok-du habitually rubbed the back of his smooth head.
“It seems an opportunity to enter a big game is approaching. When gamblers come to the establishment, the Black Bear Sect Leader opens a game. How could I, as a gambler, miss such an opportunity?”
“….”
“Don’t look at me that way. It’s not just any game—tens of thousands of taels exchange hands, I’m telling you.”
Clack!
At that moment, the sound of Dokgo Myeong setting down his wine cup cut off Geum Seok-du’s words.
“Seok-du.”
“….”
Geum Seok-du’s expression became peculiar.
A boy so much younger than him was spitting out his name so bluntly—it didn’t sit well with him.
“What do you think will change if you play in the bigger game?”
“….”
In that instant, Geum Seok-du’s expression hardened.
But soon after, he pulled his lips into a smile.
“Change? No, I simply do what I want to do.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft laugh.
“Right, if you want to do it, you should.”
“Yes. Ha ha.”
Geum Seok-du lifted himself up once more.
“Your curiosities must all be satisfied now, so I’ll be taking my leave….”
“Who’s sending you?”
Why again!
Geum Seok-du felt like screaming.
“Let me in on it too.”
“…What?”
“The bigger game. Let me in on it too.”
Gulp!
Dokgo Myeong drained his wine cup in one breath, his eyes gleaming with light.
* * *
As the night deepens, Hwawollu grows ever brighter and more vibrant.
And drawn to that light, countless human figures gather with flushed faces—like moths to a flame.
Song Mun-ak, the leader of the Black Bear Sect, gazed down at the moths swarming below from the highest floor of Hwawollu.
“…I hear there’s been some trouble at the establishment lately?”
Song Mun-ak turned from the window.
True to his title as leader of the Black Bear Sect, he was a massive man built like a bear, his entire body covered in thick hair.
The proprietor of Hwawollu standing behind him trembled slightly.
“Small-time crooks are muddying the waters, you say?”
“Yes, yes… We currently have people watching them.”
“How much are they taking?”
“About three thousand taels today.”
“Our losses?”
“Approximately eighteen hundred taels.”
“Eighteen hundred?”
For an ordinary commoner’s household, two taels of silver could sustain them comfortably for a month. Eighteen hundred taels—or even the full three thousand they’d stolen—was truly an astronomical sum.
“Have the men you stationed there reported anything unusual?”
“No, sir. They said there were no signs of any techniques being used.”
Song Mun-ak’s lips twitched.
“What are their names?”
“Du-seok, they say. He was originally alone, but recently he’s been working the circuit with a young man named Myeong-hyeon.”
“Du-seok and Myeong-hyeon? Aliases, clearly. Are they con artists from another region?”
“That’s… uncertain.”
“Why?”
“Even if they’re using aliases, with that level of skill their names should be known, but there’s no information on them at all.”
“There can still be con artists even if they’re not known.”
Song Mun-ak’s eyes gleamed.
“In any case, they’re remarkably audacious fellows.”
“…”
“Even the most celebrated con artists know to cover their tracks discreetly when they’re being followed, but these ones… they’re the type who relish the thrill of their techniques working. I know these types very well.”
Song Mun-ak drained the bottle of wine in one gulp and smiled coldly.
Hwa Wol-ru-ju swallowed hard, watching Song Mun-ak.
“Are they downstairs now?”
“Yes, well, that is to say…”
“Good. Bring those fellows up here.”
“You wish to meet them?”
“Yes, and while I’m at it, let me recover some of my money.”
Hwa Wol-ru-ju’s eyes widened.
Song Mun-ak enjoyed gambling.
But winning money wasn’t truly important to him.
What he savored was watching those who had confidence in their hand techniques abandon all hope.
Wasn’t that precisely why he, once the chief steward of a major merchant house, had joined the Black Bear Sect?
“Yes, sir.”
Hwa Wol-ru-ju bowed deeply.
* * *
“Young master, perhaps we should stop here for today…”
“Why? You said we were going for a big game.”
“That’s true, but…”
Geum Seok-du glanced furtively at the money piled high on the cloth.
I had won.
Won far too much.
Promissory notes, silver, land deeds… I couldn’t even estimate how much this was.
‘Among them were some hired by the Black Bear Sect…’
I had taken it all from them.
This was money I couldn’t digest.
“Ahem! Young master, I need to visit the privy for a moment…”
“Go on, then. I’ve lived a life full of regrets—it’s time to settle accounts.”
“….”
Geum Seok-du settled back into his seat obediently.
“You have powerful backing, sir, but I do not. Why must you do this….”
“As long as the outcome is favorable, does it matter?”
“But the outcome could turn unfavorable.”
“I think it will turn out well.”
Dokgo Myeong gestured with his chin toward something.
Geum Seok-du spotted a group approaching with heavy footsteps.
‘The Black Bear Sect’s Saksungdae!’
They were the Black Bear Sect Leader’s personal retinue—warriors who had properly trained in martial arts, a rarity in the underworld.
They soon came to a halt before Dokgo Myeong.
“Would you have a moment?”
“What is it?”
“We have a better location for you. Please rise and allow us to guide you.”
The words were courteous, but their eyes gleamed with coercion.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and turned to look at Geum Seok-du.
“See? Isn’t this working out well?”
“This is….”
“Let’s go.”
The Saksungdae surrounded them and moved toward the first floor of Hwawollu.
They soon arrived at the deepest chamber of the first floor.
Geum Seok-du knew exactly where this was.
‘The Black Bear Sect Leader’s chamber….’
“Enter.”
The Saksungdae members stopped before the door and spoke.
Dokgo Myeong shrugged and winked at Geum Seok-du.
Geum Seok-du exhaled sharply and nodded.
‘So be it.’
Creak!
Geum Seok-du pushed open the door and immediately bowed his head.
“My goodness! Greetings to you!”
“So you’ve finally arrived. Pleased to meet you. I am Song Mun-ak of the Black Bear Sect.”
A gruff voice emanated from within the chamber.
A man with a frame as massive as a bear and a fierce countenance—Song Mun-ak, the Black Bear Sect Leader.
“I am honored to behold the Black Bear Sect Leader! I have long admired you, sir, who commands the nights of Hangzhou….”
“….”
Song Mun-ak paid little attention to Geum Seok-du’s chatter and instead fixed his piercing gaze upon the young man who entered behind him.
‘A master!’
Song Mun-ak’s eyes gleamed with recognition.
‘So he wasn’t just some gambling fool.’
Song Mun-ak licked his lips with his tongue.
If anything, my interest deepens. I’ve never wagered against someone who exudes such presence at such a young age, but isn’t this also a form of pleasure?
Then, the young one spoke to me.
“I was having fun gambling. What did you call me for?”
“Now that I think about it, it seems it wasn’t I who called you, but my younger brother.”
Song Mun-ak and Dokgo Myeong exchanged glances for a moment.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“Caught?”
Hwa Wol-ru-ju, who stood behind Song Mun-ak, suddenly shouted.
“You fool! Your tongue is too quick!”
“Be quiet. He’s worthy of this.”
“What?”
Song Mun-ak scratched his thick beard roughly, then plopped down before the table.
“The reason I called you. At a gambling table, why would I call you to gamble for any reason other than to play? I heard you’re skilled. Let’s play a round with me.”
“Will you really end it with just gambling?”
Dokgo Myeong spoke while surveying the surroundings.
Whiiiing!
My keenly honed senses detected the killing intent saturating every direction.
The closet, above the beams, behind the door and the adjacent room.
More than twenty Black Bear Sect disciples occupied every corner.
“If you win all the way through, it will end with gambling.”
“And if I lose?”
“We’ll think about that when the time comes.”
The Black Bear Sect Leader chuckled.
Dokgo Myeong also laughed as if amused and plopped down before him.
“Do you have sufficient stakes?”

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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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