Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 471

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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 471
In the deep of night, grandfather and grandson sit facing each other with only a single small lantern burning between them.
Perhaps even now, beyond this room, the world churns with intricate schemes and tangled grievances. Yet today, none of it penetrated these walls.
In this space undisturbed by interference, Dokgo Cheon transmitted to Dokgo Myeong the martial arts that encompassed his entire life.
“The Seeking Defeat Sword is both seeking defeat and seeking supremacy. The sword principle of the Seeking Defeat Sword lies in advancing with eyes fixed forward.”
Martial arts that Dokgo Cheon had pursued throughout his life, perfected through Dokgo Myeong’s understanding and the koan he had posed.
“In other words, it is pure offense without compromise. There is no retreat, no evasion. It is a sword technique for advancing without compromise, conquering through victory. Seize the initiative and overwhelm your opponent with the first strike.”
It was a sword technique, yet more than mere technique. Within the essential secrets of the Seeking Defeat Sword lay Dokgo Cheon’s life itself.
Dokgo Myeong carved into his heart every carefully explained secret, hoping to dispel misunderstanding, without omitting a single character.
“It is martial arts learned through enlightenment and understanding. Your Seeking Defeat Sword will differ from mine, and thus your answer shall become the correct answer. Do you understand what I am saying?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“That is everything of the Seeking Defeat Sword. Even I have not yet perfected it, but I sense you will be different.”
“Is this something you have given only to me?”
At Dokgo Myeong’s words, Dokgo Cheon smiled.
“It will be transmitted to the family as well. You are my successor, but I am still the patriarch of the Dokgo Family.”
“I understand.”
“Do you feel slighted?”
“How could I? Had you not intended this, I would have sought your permission and conveyed it myself.”
“Heh heh, now you even see through my heart.”
Dokgo Cheon nodded.
“Anyone may enter the path, but few will achieve mastery. Even that one, Un-hak, will not.”
“…”
“Only through experience and enlightenment can one achieve mastery of this sword technique. Mere understanding and acceptance are insufficient.”
“I will be different, will I not?”
“You will be different.”
Dokgo Myeong gripped the secret manual tightly.
After gazing at its cover for a moment, he looked up at Dokgo Cheon.
“What do you intend to do now?”
A familiar cold smile had settled upon Dokgo Cheon’s face.
“I must break the last one.”
“…!”
“Unlike Mujeon, who remained in seclusion observing from afar, Muryeong… that one will require some preparation even from me. Your reunion with me will likely come in the distant future.”
“How distant?”
“That remains unknown. I will be watching your form from afar.”
“Must you hide to do so? Mujeon said he would not interfere, so is this not resolved?”
Dokgo Cheon shook his head.
“I sense that the struggle between us three has now become twisted beyond remedy. Or perhaps it was part of a greater conflict that began long before.”
“What do you mean…”
“Think of it simply. Has anything truly changed?”
Dokgo Cheon smiled faintly.
“The Martial Alliance, the Archery Sect, the Bloodfiends—it’s all the same. If I don’t reveal myself, the currents that move the world will grow wary and burdened by me. I will do my work in the shadows, and you will do yours.”
A child who exceeded my expectations and showed me something more.
Whatever shackles bound him, whatever currents pressed down upon him, I felt certain he would overcome them all and forge ahead.
Chirp! Chirp chirp!
After the long night passed, bird calls echoed from outside as pale sunlight began to filter through the window.
Dokgo Myeong felt that the time had come.
Sure enough, Dokgo Cheon spoke softly.
“I suppose I must take my leave now.”
It occurred to me that Dokgo Cheon’s secret visit here must have been quite troublesome. He had come only when the eyes around him had vanished and he was left alone.
So before parting, Dokgo Myeong decided not to hold back the words he had been carefully treasuring.
“Before we part, might I speak as your grandson?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why do you dream of becoming the greatest under heaven?”
Dokgo Cheon stared at him intently.
“Are you suggesting it is a meaningless obsession?”
“You have dreamed of it your whole life—how could it be meaningless? I simply wish to understand that meaning.”
“….”
Dokgo Cheon fell silent for a long while before answering with a peculiar expression.
“I cannot remember. It was certainly there once… but it has been so long since I thought of such things, since anyone asked me such a question.”
Watching Dokgo Cheon fall into thought, Dokgo Myeong closed his mouth.
‘Yes, that is what I expected. That is precisely why I asked.’
Many believe that those who reach enlightenment must possess clear goals and purpose.
But Dokgo Myeong knew the truth—sometimes the meaning behind a dream fades away, and one simply becomes consumed by the dream itself.
The Cheonma Sect Leader Dokgo Hyeon had lived that way. He lived like that in hell.
Then, Dokgo Cheon’s eyes suddenly gleamed as he spoke.
“I was born into a chaotic world, and I possessed strength. I wanted to stand tall and proud. Yes, that was certainly it.”
“That’s admirable. A bit embarrassing perhaps, but isn’t that the flavor a true martial artist’s dream ought to have?”
Dokgo Cheon turned to look at Dokgo Myeong with a strange gaze—as if asking why he would ask such a thing.
“The truth is, I asked that question because of what I wanted to ask next.”
“Then ask.”
“After you become the greatest under heaven, what will you do then?”
“After that?”
Dokgo Cheon faltered.
“After that….”
He was visibly flustered.
He had never thought of such a thing. Of course, one would naturally assume that becoming the greatest under heaven would be the end, would they not?
That was precisely why I had to ask.
Dokgo Myeong hoped his grandfather would not live a hellish life, but rather live as a human being.
Though the words were somewhat childish and embarrassing, pursuing a dream should be meaningful and joyful. Only when the process of achieving it and what comes after are also joyful can one truly live as a human being, can they not?
“If you have no answer, why not begin thinking about it now?”
“….”
“It might be quite fitting to retire after becoming the greatest under heaven.”
“Retire?”
“Yes, by then you should enjoy the blessings of having raised a fine grandson. I shall prepare the most magnificent golden jubilee celebration the world has ever seen.”
Dokgo Cheon gazed at his grandson for a long moment.
“After that, you’ll travel the realm with me. We’ll see beautiful sights, eat delicious food, drink fine wines, and enjoy ourselves. Don’t you think that would be wonderful?”
“What meaning would that hold?”
“Of course it would have meaning. You’d be touring the world you conquered with your own eyes.”
“…!”
“Wherever we go, you’d feel the satisfaction of ‘Ah, I am the greatest here too!’ And I would proudly declare, ‘This is my grandfather!'”
“You would cast aside all your duties?”
“It’s a journey with the greatest under heaven—who would dare object? And I am your successor, after all.”
Dokgo Cheon’s face, lost in thought with his mouth closed, was something Dokgo Myeong-i had never seen before.
After speaking at length, Dokgo Myeong-i bowed his head slightly.
“If I have overstepped, I apologize.”
The world had grown bright by then, and the sound of footsteps echoed from the front courtyard of the residence.
“You always pose such profound questions to me.”
A very peaceful smile graced Dokgo Cheon’s face.
“When we meet next, be sure to have an answer prepared for that question.”
“I look forward to it.”
Dokgo Cheon rose from his seat.
Dokgo Myeong-i silently stood and bowed deeply toward him.
As he did, Dokgo Cheon’s voice reached his ears.
“Grow stronger, Myeong-a. To travel with the greatest under heaven, you must become at least the second greatest.”
Dokgo Myeong-i grinned widely. Dokgo Cheon smiled as well. The smiles of grandfather and grandson bore a certain resemblance.
Dokgo Cheon soon departed, walking gracefully into the distance.
* * *
Lee Seong-cheon glanced sideways at his commander’s retreating figure as he led the way ahead.
Then Dokgo Cheon’s voice reached him.
“Sect Leader.”
“Yes, what is your command?”
“If you have something to say, speak freely. Do not hesitate so.”
Lee Seong-cheon’s eyes wavered slightly as he followed.
“You seem to be in good spirits.”
“Hehehehe.”
Dokgo Cheon merely laughed without speaking.
After walking in silence for a time with an unreadable expression, he murmured softly.
“He asked what comes after becoming the greatest under heaven.”
“Young Master Myeong-i, you mean?”
“I could not answer. Have you given it thought, Seong-cheon?”
“My apologies.”
“Hehe.”
Dokgo Cheon laughed with genuine delight.
Though Lee Seong-cheon had served him for no short time, this was the first occasion he had heard his Commander’s laughter sound so at ease.
“Then I must strive ceaselessly, if only to look forward to that day.”
Since leaving the family, after confronting the hidden currents of the martial world and facing Mujeon in combat.
For the first time, Dokgo Cheon appeared to be truly human.
‘So you have chosen to live a human life.’
Lee Seong-cheon did not voice these words aloud. He simply felt grateful.
“Where shall we go, sir?”
“Those fools who dared target me without hesitation on my return from facing Mujeon. First, we must uncover their identities.”
“I shall pick up their trail.”
“Very well.”
Lee Seong-cheon vanished like mist.
Dokgo Cheon glanced back, his face bearing a smile both gentle and serene, suffused with quiet satisfaction.
It was the smile of a grandfather returning home after meeting his grandson.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong devoted himself to physical recovery within the secluded residence.
Had they deliberately constructed the residence in such a place? The air brimmed with natural essence, making it ideal for bodily restoration.
Provisions and energy-sustaining pills were abundantly stocked, and fresh water could be drawn from the waterfall just beyond, so I decided to remain here for a time.
‘Is this the influence of bloodfiend essence? The recovery speed is remarkable, but…’
It seemed my physical constitution had ascended to a new tier.
I could feel my entire body—bones, organs, blood vessels, nerves, and vital energy—had become far more resilient. The medicinal bath I had been immersed in likely contributed to this as well.
‘Breath-gathering, Northern Darkness Art, and even the Reverse Heavenly Energy of Primordial Chaos Art… Perhaps I could even create a new technique.’
Since none of these were orthodox martial arts, by orthodox standards, the resulting technique would be indistinguishable from demonic cultivation like Sima Waidao’s.
But I would set that aside for now.
I devoted roughly half each day to physical recovery, and spent the remaining hours with my eyes fixed upon the secret manual my grandfather had given me.
But there was one problem.
It was difficult.
Not merely difficult—it was damnably difficult.
I had thought nothing in my life would be as challenging as the Heavenly Exterior Realm, yet this martial art shattered that assumption in an instant.
‘You said it was not a sword technique learned through the mind? Yet without understanding the fundamental principles of martial arts, I cannot comprehend even a single line?’
Typically there are entry-level arts, foundational arts, ascending arts, and supreme techniques, but this transcended all such categories.
I grew so frustrated my head would burn with heat. Then I would scream like a madman, and occasionally go splash myself under the waterfall.
‘So that is why you gave me the secret manual at a residence beside the waterfall?’
After arduous effort, I not only memorized the overview but came to understand it completely, then began my initiation into the Nine-Defeat Sword.
Time passed like a dream—sometimes crawling, sometimes rushing.
I did not merely read the words written in the manual; I thought of my grandfather writing them.
Then one day, I grasped the Hyeonchel Heavy Sword and walked toward the waterfall.
Whoooosh!
The heavy sword of Hyeon Cheol-jung rang out with a resonant note.
“….”
Dokgo Myeong, sword in hand, assumed the most fundamental of stances—the middle guard, feet shoulder-width apart, blade aimed at the center line.
Countless sword techniques flickered through his mind, appearing and vanishing, appearing and vanishing again….
Soon, Dokgo Myeong forgot every martial art he had ever known.
With his mind completely emptied, he could no longer move. Dokgo Myeong simply held that stance, gazing endlessly at the waterfall.
It was then.
“…Grrrrr?”
Hoa, who had been sprawled nearby enjoying his leisure, rose to his feet.
As Hoa gazed upon his master standing motionless before the waterfall, his pupils suddenly dilated into vertical slits.
Tssssss!
Formless energy waves shimmered like heat haze across Dokgo Myeong’s entire body.
Whiiiiing!
Every sense within him awakened.
Dokgo Myeong felt the entire world drawing near to him.
The memories of Dokgo Hyeon and Dokgo Myeong.
Past life and present life.
Yesterday and today.
Heavenly Realm and Nine Defeats Sword.
All of it intersected.
The sensory imprints carved themselves into his soul, awakening the countless memories etched upon his flesh. Every moment of experience he had endured intertwined and was reborn as a singular whole.
“Ahhhh….”
His understanding of martial arts, the depth of his inner energy cultivation, his physical form, his enlightenment.
All of it had already been prepared.
The reason he had not crossed the barrier until now was merely one thing—the insufficiency he felt within himself.
And the Nine Defeats Sword, the meeting with Dokgo Cheon, became sufficient catalyst to fill the vessel that was Dokgo Myeong.
Whoooosh!
With his breath, all the vital energy of heaven and earth began to commune with Dokgo Myeong.
Now Dokgo Myeong felt the infinity of martial arts.
And within that infinity, he awakened to his own martial way that he wished to inscribe.
Flash!
Dokgo Myeong’s closed eyes opened.
Whoosh!
The world stopped.
The water cascading from the cliff froze, and the droplets shattering against the surface froze as well.
And in that instant, he saw the flow of all forces, their principles, and the path that pierced through them.
Dokgo Myeong extended his foot.
It was the Shattering Heaven Step.
In this realm where everything had slowed, only Dokgo Myeong remained unslowed.
Boom!
The water’s surface rippled, and the air itself warped.
All that power converged without dispersal, gathering at the sword’s tip.
The Hyeonchel Heavy Sword extended forward.
A water droplet suspended in the void shattered as it collided with the blade.
Forward, and forward again, until at last the sword’s edge touched the waterfall.
Whoooosh!
In an instant, the waterfall split asunder.
Kabooom!
The water’s surface exploded, revealing the waterfall’s base as droplets scattered in all directions.
“Haahhh….”
Time rapidly returned to its proper flow, and the waterfall that had been severed moments before crashed down once more.
Dokgo Myeong gazed quietly at the waterfall.
His eyes were resolute and unwavering.
They held an even more characteristic gleam of his own—confident and upright.
The Martial Extreme Realm.
The moment when Dokgo Myeong, having finally breached that formidable wall, stepped into the pinnacle of enlightenment.

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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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