Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 459

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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 459
“What do you mean? Secret techniques from the main branch?”
“Please, calm yourself first.”
“How can I calm down after seeing this?!”
Namgung Hun let out a bitter laugh.
“Well… many of them are so damaged they’re unrecognizable. In truth, most are uncertain whether they’re even secret techniques at all.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“There are likely more that are either not authentic or don’t belong to the Namgung Family. I simply gathered whatever looked plausible.”
Namgung Sohwa seemed confused, but Dokgo Myeong, who had been listening quietly, immediately grasped the meaning.
“You’re saying you purchased texts that contained similar passages and terminology.”
“Precisely.”
Namgung Hun laughed bitterly.
“The problem is, I’ve only mastered the fundamentals. My understanding of the main branch’s martial arts is shallow, so I can’t be certain.”
“You mean miscellaneous texts could be mixed in? Or even if authentic, they might be severely damaged.”
“…Otherwise, they never would have fallen into my hands in the first place.”
Dokgo Myeong glanced briefly at the books stored wrapped in oil paper.
‘Ancient documents are the most common stolen goods circulating in both black markets and common trade.’
Unidentified texts. That alone stimulates people’s fantasies.
And typically, when selling such severely damaged books, some passages are disclosed beforehand…
‘This man collected everything that seemed to contain content relevant to the Namgung Family’s martial arts.’
While secret techniques from different schools might seem entirely different, those from the same lineage share common elements.
Take the Mudang school as an example—due to their emphasis on softness and harmony, characters like softness (柔), stillness (靜), transformation (化), and compliance (順) frequently appear in their secret formulas. If a secret technique contains phrases like “using softness to overcome hardness,” “striking after the opponent,” or “responding with compliance,” one could reasonably infer it belongs to the Mudang school.
Of course, that was an extreme example. For the Nine Great Sects, even basic mastery level techniques hide their formulas in countless metaphors and allegories, making them difficult to recognize.
And Namgung Hun would know this too.
“I just kept buying them on the off chance, foolishly so.”
Namgung Hun watched carefully, as if concerned about raising false hopes.
At that moment, Dokgo Myeong spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice.
“Whether foolish or not, we’ll know once we examine them.”
“Hmm?”
“Unlike the Nine Great Sects, the Three Great Families’ martial arts have almost no leaked secret formulas. They’re true family martial arts, after all.”
“Why is that?”
“Unlike the Nine Great Sects, they lack spiritual or religious elements, so their secret techniques are quite straightforward. But if there’s been almost no leakage, what would that suggest?”
“…?”
Namgung Hun tilted his head, seemingly not understanding. In this regard, his shallow martial arts cultivation showed.
But our Namgung Bujang grasped it immediately.
“Uncle! You might have mostly authentic texts!”
Her voice was twice as loud as usual, revealing her excitement.
“W-what do you mean by that?”
“You said you purchased everything that looked plausible, which means there’s a high chance they’re actually the main branch’s secret techniques!”
“…!!”
“Let me take a closer look!”
Namgung Sohwa immediately removed the oil paper and carefully began reading through the half-charred tome, which looked as though it would crumble to dust at the slightest touch.
“Palace of Heaven’s Resonance, Flames Ascending to the Heavens… with these incantations and formations…”
Namgung Sohwa’s eyes sparkled with recognition.
“Flying Swallow. This secret manual might be the Flying Swallow Sword Technique.”
“…!”
The Flying Swallow Sword Technique.
It was a martial art that served as a bridge before advancing to the Heavenly Palace Grand Resonance Sword Method. Among the Namgung Family’s intermediate martial techniques, it held a position equivalent to the Iron Sword Eight Forms of the Dokgo Family.
“And this one… though only the first three sections remain, it’s definitely the Thirteen Thunder Lightning Strikes. And it even has the paired Heavenly Palace Energy Cultivation that goes with it.”
“…!”
“This one has the Ancient Soul Single Sword and the Pursuing Soul Sword Technique as well… ah!”
Namgung Sohwa let out a cry as though she might faint.
Of course, it was actually Namgung Hun who looked ready to lose consciousness.
“Is that… truly the case?”
“I’ll need to analyze it further, but… I’m certain!”
“Ah! H-heaven has blessed us. How could such a miracle…!”
Dokgo Myeong spoke calmly.
“It wasn’t heaven—it was the miracle your desperation created.”
Namgung Hun’s lips trembled for a moment, and he lowered his head.
“Let me examine a bit more.”
Namgung Sohwa continued to scrutinize the damaged tomes.
Some were unrelated miscellaneous texts, and those that appeared to be authentic were all incomplete.
Some were half-burned by fire, others had smudged ink or pages stuck together so the characters overlapped, and some had lost their opening and closing sections entirely, leaving only the middle portions.
‘It doesn’t matter!’
Perhaps in her generation, she would never be able to restore everything perfectly. She might not be able to recreate them exactly as they were originally.
In fact, that was more likely.
But she didn’t care.
The martial techniques born from such efforts would still be ‘Namgung martial techniques.’
“But what is this?”
Just then, Namgung Sohwa picked up an undamaged tome and asked.
“It’s a book we received from the home of someone who was a servant of the main family in the previous generation. The contents caught my eye, so I purchased it on a whim…”
“At first glance, it seems to contain only poetry or song lyrics.”
She examined the tome with an uncertain expression.
The contents were disorganized, and the characters were bewilderingly obscure.
Was this also just a miscellaneous text?
Yet why did it trouble her mind so?
“This one requires further study… eh?”
Suddenly, Namgung Sohwa’s body went rigid.
Dokgo Myeong asked.
“What is it?”
Namgung Sohwa swallowed hard, her throat dry.
Soon she murmured in a trembling voice.
“Father… mentioned it once. That the Namgung Family originally developed an inner cultivation technique that diverged from the Changgung Great Evolution Divine Art…”
At those words, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
The Namgung Family’s supreme cultivation method was not merely the Changgung Great Evolution Divine Art alone. There existed another supreme technique that stood as its equal—one so powerful that it required the Sect Leader’s permission to learn.
“The Heavenly Thunder Divine Art? Are you speaking of that now?”
“W-well, I’m not entirely certain, but…”
“Let me see it.”
The moment Dokgo Myeong extended his hand, Namgung Hun cried out in alarm.
“What do you mean ‘let you see it’!”
Dokgo Myeong’s brow furrowed.
“Why are you reacting this way?”
“That’s what I should be asking!”
“Hmm?”
“If it’s the genuine text, what are you thinking! It’s a family secret technique—you shouldn’t be seeing it at all!”
“Ah…”
Right, that’s something only those of the Namgung name should see?
Dokgo Myeong laughed awkwardly and scratched his head.
“Ah, my mistake. I wasn’t thinking.”
“A mistake, you say…”
Namgung Hun wiped away cold sweat with a sigh of relief.
“…”
By then, Namgung Sohwa was already absorbed in Mumeong’s texts.
Time passed.
In the silence, only the sound of turning pages continued.
“…Ah.”
Moments later, Namgung Sohwa slowly lifted her head, her expression dazed.
Dokgo Myeong read her face and chuckled softly.
‘It’s the genuine text.’
And not merely genuine—it was complete and undamaged.
Wasn’t this a miracle?
‘This could become the catalyst for growing even stronger.’
The Emperor Sword Form was an exceptionally practical martial art, so there were aspects that didn’t align with the Changgung technique.
But the Heavenly Thunder Divine Art…
‘If it’s a technique like the oral tradition, it should complement it perfectly. Extraordinarily so.’
In the process of restoring family martial arts, the possibility of gaining deeper enlightenment in martial technique was substantial.
Though unintended, Namgung Sohwa had encountered a stroke of fortune.
* * *
The three discussed their plans moving forward for a moment.
There were several crucial elements the Namgung Family would need to overcome in order to be rebuilt.
They were people, power, wealth, fame, and martial prowess.
“I thought martial prowess would be the greatest obstacle among them.”
“Why is that? Has the Sect Leader’s achievements not already transcended the realm of martial arts?”
“If it were just my own group, that would have sufficed. But the martial world doesn’t consist of me alone, does it?”
“….”
“Excluding the Imperial Sword Form, I only know of four martial techniques from the main family. Actually, just two, really.”
The Great Flame Heart Method and its superior technique, the Heavenly Palace Great Flame Divine Art, the Unobstructed Sword Technique and its superior form, the Heavenly Palace Unobstructed Sword Technique.
Moreover, all were techniques that only direct descendants learned.
“At minimum, we need foundational techniques and entry-level arts, intermediate martial techniques, and heart methods suited to individual constitutions. And here, all of that has been prepared.”
“But they’re all severely damaged.”
“It will take time, but it’s entirely possible.”
Namgung Sohwa bowed deeply once more.
“Uncle. You’ve done something truly remarkable. Thank you again.”
“Please, don’t bow like that. I’ve simply done what was necessary.”
Namgung Sohwa smiled brightly.
“That’s why I have something to ask you.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“Uncle, would you take on the role of Overseer of the main family?”
“Pardon?”
Namgung Hun was greatly flustered as Namgung Sohwa continued.
“To make the martial world recognize the main family, I need to continue traveling the realm. In the meantime, I need someone to manage the family.”
“How could I possibly take on such a heavy responsibility? Please find someone else.”
“Someone else? Who?”
“Pardon?”
“Our family was destroyed. And not just destroyed—even the distant relatives were completely wiped out.”
Why did she have to phrase it so bluntly….
Namgung Hun broke into a cold sweat.
“S-still, if I search around, surely there’s someone, isn’t there?”
“The relative I finally found after searching was so desperately acting to distance himself from me?”
“….”
“I need to be able to trust whoever I choose.”
Perhaps he’d ended up serving a Sect Leader with more backbone than expected.
Namgung Hun’s complexion turned pale.
“I-I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
“So, you’ll take the position?”
Namgung Hun couldn’t answer easily.
No matter what, the Overseer? Him?
That’s when it happened.
“Come on, let’s wrap this up quickly. I’m starving to death.”
Dokgo Myeong, who had been lounging in the back with endless yawns, interjected.
“At this rate, night will fall. Are you planning to drag this out further, get moved by emotion, and start crying? Looking at this, it seems like you’re secretly enjoying yourself.”
“Enjoying? How could that be!”
“That’s right! We thought Uncle was like a captain!”
“Look at how you’re taking sides just because he’s family!”
“Of course I’m taking his side—he’s family!”
“Ah, is that so? My relatives are all rather… peculiar.”
“….”
In the end, Namgung Hun had to nod his head with an awkward expression.
“Hehe, well… if you would only command it, I shall devote myself entirely.”
Can this really work?
It feels good to be trusted, but something about the process feels…
“I’m counting on you, Uncle.”
“However, there is a problem. The matter is… my circumstances…”
“Your circumstances?”
Namgung Sohwa nodded as if she understood immediately.
“Ah, you mean debt.”
Namgung Hun laughed with a rueful smile.
“Rebuilding will require considerable funds, but all I possess is mountains of debt. Building estates, gathering people—it all requires money…”
“Don’t worry about such things.”
“Pardon?”
“Even so, the person here is counted among the wealthiest in the realm.”
Namgung Sohwa gestured toward Dokgo Myeong as she spoke.
In that moment, Dokgo Myeong tilted his head.
“Me? What about me?”
“You’ll help, won’t you?”
Dokgo Myeong suddenly wore a gentle smile.
“Why?”
“Pardon?”
“Why should I help?”
* * *
Namgung Sohwa stared intently at Dokgo Myeong.
Her heart sank with a heavy thud.
‘Ah, this is…’
His lips curved in an arc of a smile, but his eyes burned with an intense light.
Right now, Dokgo Myeong was not joking—he was serious.
He opened his mouth again.
“Until now, it was my captain’s affair.”
“….”
“But from now on, it won’t be.”
Whoosh.
It felt as though an invisible line was being drawn between us. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
‘No. He’s doing this intentionally.’
This is a test.
He had always taught me this way—not by instructing directly, but by making me discover things for myself.
“Surely you’re not upset? I’d feel terrible if you were.”
Sigh, really. He always knows how to shake people like this.
Such an infuriating man.
‘In moments like this, don’t get swept along. Seize the initiative first.’
I smiled calmly.
“Upset? I apologize. I was just too excited, wasn’t I?”
….
“Please forget what I just said.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened in surprise, then crinkled with amusement.
“It’s nothing to worry about.”
It worked. Now it’s time to advance.
That’s what I learned. From this man, precisely.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“…A deal?”
“I’ll provide you with a fair return for the Guardians’ support.”
Dokgo Myeong answered without hesitation.
“Why are you being like this? Do you think I’m doing this for something like that?”
Is that not it?
No. I had the right direction. If he were sincere, he would have turned serious.
The problem was that I was moving too hastily.
“The Namgung Family’s prosperity is only a matter of time. Within ten years—no, within ten years, the name ‘Three Great Families’ will be attached to us. Wouldn’t this be an opportunity for that power to become entirely aligned with the Captain?”
“Why are you so confident the reconstruction will succeed?”
“Because I’m here.”
“Your arrogance is quite strong.”
“If I fail, wouldn’t that be when the Captain falls as well?”
I could see Dokgo Myeong’s eyes waver.
Good. I landed a blow.
“Even so, the risk and losses involved in recovering the investment are too great.”
“Then I’ll concede some of the rights that have been bound to my name during the war with the Moyong Family.”
“That’s not a valid trade. In the first place, if the Guardians withdraw, are you confident you can manage on your own?”
When your opponent holds the blade, you must shake the board once.
“There’s the Jeol Family.”
Dokgo Myeong’s smile deepened in an instant.
I had shaken him properly. Now it was time to retreat slightly and draw him forward.
“But I hope the Guardians will help us. Because they’re trustworthy, and we can learn from them.”
Dokgo Myeong pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
“It’s still not enough.”
If I retreat again, then I must push forward with full force one last time.
“Will that be alright with you?”
“Hm?”
“Then I may need to step back from the Cheonma Sect’s affairs for a while to personally manage the family’s matters.”
“…!!”
Namgung Sohwa smiled with an expression of absolute confidence.
“You’ll help me, won’t you?”

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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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