Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 456

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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 456
In truth, I had been repeating an incantation to myself from the very beginning, a constant affirmation whispered within my heart.
‘Do not judge by what is revealed. Everyone deserves at least one chance. I will wait with patience.’
Just as Dokgo Myeong had done with the Cheonma Sect Disciples, I too was attempting to do the same—a woman now dreaming of rebuilding her family.
‘But what did he just say?’
My emotions soared and plummeted between heaven and hell in mere moments.
Before I could stop myself, sharp words spilled from my lips.
“Now… you’re saying such things?”
“What words are those?”
“Knowing full well what my family has endured…”
Heat surged up my throat in an instant, but I clamped my mouth shut and forced it down.
I understood that speaking emotionally would help nothing.
“Please, just think about it once more. I’m not saying I’ll build a martial faction in the jianghu right now. I’m simply talking about rebuilding our family…”
“Still, I have no intention of it.”
Namgung Hun glanced at me cautiously, then released a heavy sigh and spoke as if reasoning with me.
“Until twenty years ago, I simply lived as a member of the Namgung clan.”
“…”
“Do you know how much I suffered during all that time? Not only did I have to hide, but I couldn’t even form proper relationships with people.”
“The Moyong Family is gone now. You don’t have to hide anymore.”
“…Regardless, you’re asking me to return to the jianghu again. I refuse.”
Namgung Hun spoke flatly and crossed his arms.
“I was living quite well in my own way. Just by changing my surname, my life became rather decent. No running, no fear!”
“Is fighting in gambling dens what you call living well?”
“Though I’m in this state now, if I just save up some seed money, I can make a comeback!”
I bit my lower lip.
Then I forced myself to speak, my voice strained.
“Then why did you gather the family’s legacy in the first place?”
“Who knows. Perhaps even I had a sense of responsibility when I was young.”
Namgung Hun reclined awkwardly in his chair as he spoke.
“In any case, I won’t do it. But since I’m keeping quite a few precious things, I’ll hand them over if you give me some money.”
I trembled like someone in shock.
‘So this is what I’ve been hearing about.’
I could understand refusing to help, even with a hundred concessions.
But there was no reason for him to behave in such a manner.
“…So you’ll just continue like that?”
“…?”
“Living a degraded life? Turning your back on your parents who gave you life and your own roots?”
At last, sharp words poured from my mouth.
Namgung Hun’s brow furrowed.
“What could you possibly understand?”
“What did you say?”
“A wretch who wasn’t even born when relatives scattered like leaves and the entire family burned to ash….”
“…!”
Namgung Hun drained his cup in one gulp and grumbled.
“The world is in this state, and you speak of rebuilding the family? And you want me to stake my life on restoring a house already ruined, hoping to enjoy some fleeting glory?”
“….”
“What harm comes if that accursed family never rises again? Why don’t you just find yourself a decent husband and marry while you have the chance….”
Bang!
Namgung Sohwa finally pushed herself up from her seat.
“….”
She fixed him with a cold stare, then turned sharply and walked out without another word.
Namgung Hun watched her departing figure in silence.
* * *
After the two left, Namgung Hun remained alone, finishing every last morsel of food and drink.
It felt wonderful to nourish his body with such expensive cuisine after so long.
“A lowborn life? I was once called a merchant lord, and yet lowborn….”
As he staggered along on the wine’s influence, he chuckled to himself repeatedly.
“Still, things worked out well. Once I sell off the hidden goods, I’ll have decent money….”
Namgung Hun glanced around cautiously before pulling out the purse tucked in his robes—something Dokgo Myeong had suddenly thrust into his hands as he followed Namgung Sohwa out.
Inside the thick pouch lay gleaming silver coins alongside a single slip of paper—a hundred-tael note from the Central Plains Bank.
“What fortune! A windfall like this calls for white rice and pork tonight.”
Instead of the barley and oats he usually bought, Namgung Hun purchased white rice and thick cuts of freshly butchered pork, then headed home.
His home was in a remote neighborhood in the northwestern part of the city—the kind of place regarded as a slum.
“Hey there! Wife! Children!”
Namgung Hun called out in a louder voice than usual.
With a clatter from inside, the children came tumbling out first.
“Father!”
“Father, you’re home? Wait, what is that?”
“Can’t you see? Tonight we’ll have white rice, so look forward to it.”
His two young sons bounced with wide eyes.
Soon after, a middle-aged woman with refined features emerged behind them.
“Merchant lord, you’ve returned?”
“Haha! Wife! Start the fire at once. Let’s give the children a proper meal tonight!”
“But how did you afford such expensive white rice….”
The woman’s surprised gaze fell upon her husband’s swollen face.
Her expression hardened.
“Did you get into another fight because of those ruffians from the Yi Long Gang?”
“Well, I did get into something, but this money isn’t from that….”
“Merchant lord.”
“Ahem! The children must be hungry, so let’s feed them first. I’ve already eaten.”
“…I understand for now.”
But at that moment, the woman who had been turning to leave suddenly stopped, as if startled by something she’d noticed.
When Namgung Hun followed her gaze and turned his head, he saw a familiar face.
“Weren’t you following after your niece? Now, why are you….”
It was none other than Dokgo Myeong.
He chuckled and strode into the courtyard with casual confidence.
“Would it be alright if I got a meal as well?”
“What?”
“You two were fighting so fiercely out front earlier that I haven’t had a proper chance to eat.”
Namgung Hun swallowed hard, watching him intently.
“But still… how can we possibly host a blood relative of the greatest martial family in such a humble place?”
“How curious.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“If you’re a businessman, shouldn’t you make sure not to miss someone like me?”
“…!”
“Usually people would try to make extra room, even by force… wouldn’t they?”
Namgung Hun stared blankly at Dokgo Myeong, speechless.
The dusky evening sky spread out behind Dokgo Myeong’s back. Whether it was the fluttering, mysterious black robe, it seemed as though he himself was coloring the very heavens.
That enigmatic man spoke.
“Let’s talk over a meal.”
* * *
The meal was nothing extravagant.
“Wow, your cooking skills are incredible! What did you use to make this?”
“It’s just something pickled in a sauce made with beans and spices….”
“It tastes better than most inn dishes. The dumplings have such juicy filling! Mmm!”
“Please, have more.”
Namgung Hun, his wife, and their two sons watched Dokgo Myeong with uncertain eyes.
Tall stature, sturdy build, refined features.
By all appearances, he looked like a man of noble bloodline. Despite the good cooking, one wouldn’t expect it to suit his palate, yet he ate the most heartily among them all.
“Gulp.”
Even their second son, who had recently started being picky about side dishes, swallowed his saliva and began eating along with him.
Namgung Hun regarded Dokgo Myeong with a subtle expression.
‘But wait, we don’t even have much food for our own family. Why is he eating so much?’
Please show some restraint!
Wasn’t he just making polite conversation when he said he’d eat? Is he really trying to empty our entire storehouse?
“Ah, that was delicious. Your cooking really is exceptional.”
Could such words really come from the mouth of a nobleman’s son?
I have no idea.
I really have no idea….
“Oh, you’re too kind to say so.”
“Ahem!”
In any case, after emptying two bowls of rice, I settled onto the wooden platform in the courtyard, swinging my legs leisurely with an air of contentment.
Namgung Hun approached me with an awkward gait.
“Why… why have you come back again?”
I chuckled softly and dragged the bundle closer.
“Since I’ve eaten, shall we share a drink?”
“We already did earlier, so why would we… wait, surely that’s not fine wine?!”
“As you can see.”
“My goodness! Of course we must drink!”
Namgung Hun quickly sat down on the platform.
“But only two bottles? You’re being rather stingy, aren’t you?”
“…”
This man truly had a talent for saying irritating things. This wouldn’t be easy.
The two of us each took a bottle and poured our own drinks.
We exchanged casual conversation from time to time. It was mostly about Namgung Sohwa.
When we’d emptied about half the bottles, I spoke up.
“Drunkards, gamblers, merchants—those obsessed with something and causing trouble—they aren’t truly human.”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“They’re beasts. Once the disease takes hold of their mouths, it spreads to their very brains in an instant.”
“…?”
I drained my cup in one gulp.
“So, do you know how to distinguish between a beast and a human?”
“Stop with this depressing talk about drinking, and just have your drink.”
“Try answering. What do you think are the characteristics of a beast?”
Namgung Hun laughed softly.
“No hierarchy, no propriety, no family, just driven by instinct—isn’t that what makes a beast?”
“You certainly understand well.”
“Hehehehe.”
Namgung Hun laughed with a bitter edge, pouring more wine into his cup.
“You’re saying I’m a beast, aren’t you?”
Namgung Hun emptied his cup while chuckling quietly. His eyes and expression were exactly those of a madman.
Then I suddenly spoke.
“Help me with the reconstruction.”
Namgung Hun stared at me intently.
So there was a reason I’d come this far. Of course, it was only natural.
“No.”
“What is your reason?”
“I’ve already told you everything.”
“No, you haven’t said anything to me yet.”
Namgung Hun blinked.
I couldn’t understand why this young man had been acting this way since earlier.
Whatever his reason, it was clear he’d come to persuade me, so as long as I didn’t say “fine,” it would be over.
“Besides, wouldn’t you manage just fine without me? I’m not interested.”
“You wouldn’t be able to succeed without me, which is why I came looking for you.”
“Why?”
“Sohwa may be formidable in martial arts, but she’s still a woman, isn’t she?”
Namgung Hun stared blankly at Dokgo Myeong.
“Major undertakings are meant to be handled by men. Even if a woman excels, there are limits, aren’t there? And even if the restoration succeeds, what about the family leadership? A woman as the family head in this world? The realm would mock us.”
At those words, Namgung Hun burst out without thinking.
“Do we distinguish between men and women in the martial world? You’re far more incompetent than you appear!”
Then Dokgo Myeong smiled with a peculiar grin and tilted his head.
“Why are you angry? You were acting like you wanted to sever ties just moments ago.”
“…!”
Namgung Hun flinched in surprise and stepped back.
Soon after, Dokgo Myeong asked with a calm expression.
“Let me ask again. What’s your reason?”
“What, what do you mean?”
“Why are you trying to sever ties?”
Namgung Hun looked away.
“What have you been talking about this whole time….”
Dokgo Myeong gazed directly at Namgung Hun and spoke.
“You’re not a beast.”
“What?”
“If you were a true beast obsessed with business, you wouldn’t be trying to sell off Sohwa’s family legacy—you’d be scheming how to cling to her and exploit her instead.”
Just then, Namgung Hun, who had been bringing a cup to his lips, froze.
Alcohol spilled from the cup.
“A relative who’s been thriving lately? For someone mad about business and money, where could you find anyone more tempting? If you were truly a beast, you wouldn’t be selling goods—you’d be scheming how to cling to her. That’s what a real beast would do, isn’t it?”
“….”
“Oh, what a shame—you’ve spilled such fine wine. Here, have another cup.”
Dokgo Myeong extended the bottle with a subtle smile. Namgung Hun, caught off guard, accepted and filled his cup to the brim.
Dokgo Myeong continued.
“What did you do the moment you received money from me? You didn’t go to gambling dens or indulge in luxury—you bought rice and meat and returned home, didn’t you?”
“….”
“And looking at your children, they all seem bright and healthy in character. Your wife was worried about your condition first and foremost. This is hardly the household of a reckless patriarch.”
“I’m a strict person at home. I keep a tight grip on things.”
Namgung Hun spoke like an incompetent man once more, but Dokgo Myeong shook his head firmly.
“One cannot earn such respect through strictness alone.”
“Ha, what would you know? Do you even have children?”
“I have no children, but I am someone’s child, after all.”
Namgung Hun’s words caught in his throat.
They say when you see the child, you see the parents.
Conversely, when you see the parents, you see the child. And in those children just now, I saw no trace of a scoundrel.
“…Don’t speak of it.”
Namgung Hun set down his cup and spoke with a grave expression.
“Don’t say anything to Sohwa… to my niece. I’m asking you.”
Namgung Hun’s voice had changed completely.
It was as though a different person had emerged in an instant. Not a trace of his former frivolity remained, and from his solemn, resolute countenance emanated an unmistakable presence.
“Tell me what you were thinking when you did this. Help me understand.”
“I understand.”
In that moment, Namgung Hun let out a hollow laugh.
He had inadvertently spoken the very words he had sworn never to utter.

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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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