Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 479

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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 479
Dokgo Hye exhaled a short sigh.
‘In the end….’
She gazed at Dokgo Myeong.
His eyes gleamed with a piercing azure light, boring into her with an intensity that allowed no room for half-truths or evasion.
That was when it happened.
Crash!
The Main Sect Guards who had rushed toward the back courtyard discovered the two of them.
“Dharma Protector Vice-Leader, what brings you here….”
“Elder Dokgo Hye?”
The gathering erupted into chaos in an instant.
The arriving clansmen looked around in bewilderment.
The ground was split with jagged cracks, and the ornamental trees and stones lay scattered and shattered by the aftermath of the qi clash.
In the center of it all stood Dokgo Hye, her appearance disheveled, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
‘…What on earth.’
Then Dokgo Myeong spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“It’s nothing to concern yourselves with. We were merely having a light sparring match between family members—why all the fuss?”
“L, light sparring…?”
The clansmen surveyed the overturned courtyard before turning their gaze to Dokgo Hye.
This was the territory of the Outer Faction, and those who had gathered were also of the Outer Faction, so they could not simply accept Dokgo Myeong’s words and withdraw.
“You may all withdraw. As the Dharma Protector Vice-Leader said, the martial bout simply became a bit more intense than expected.”
“Are you truly certain you are well?”
“What could possibly be wrong?”
Dokgo Hye spoke with a composed smile.
“If the Elder says so….”
The clansmen withdrew, and silence returned once more.
Dokgo Myeong regarded Dokgo Hye intently.
Not a Jeongheol Disciple, nor a Bloodfiend, nor anything else strange.
Surely not Beobjon.
‘The possibility that she studied martial arts without entering the main temple of Shaolin? Absolutely none. And only Beobjon exists outside such constraints.’
In the meantime, Dokgo Hye had straightened her clothing and hair, returning to her usual dignified appearance.
She opened her mouth.
“Remarkable martial arts indeed. It would not be an exaggeration to say you have established your own school. You have already reached the level of establishing your own martial way and lineage, Myeong-i.”
“Thank you for the praise.”
“So… have you seen what you wished to see?”
…
“How troubling and bewildering this is. Was there truly a need to go this far?”
Dokgo Hye rebuked him with refined eloquence.
Dokgo Myeong did not turn away but asked directly.
“Why did you inherit Beobjon’s martial teachings, Aunt?”
“To ask a martial artist about the origins of their martial arts is a grave discourtesy.”
“Yes, I understand. So please tell me.”
“Why should I?”
“You’re quite bold.”
“There’s no reason not to be bold.”
Dokgo Hye’s gentle eyes grew noticeably colder.
“Whoever one studies under is a personal matter and a secret. You have neither the right to know this aunt’s secrets nor the right to press me on them. Don’t forget that I’ve shown you considerable consideration.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed sharply.
“Are you unaware that the Three Masters are competing against each other? Don’t you think it’s abnormal for someone who isn’t even a disciple to inherit martial arts from a different bloodline?”
“That is a matter of the past. Even the Sect Leader didn’t wish for future generations to be swayed by those old grievances. How dare you use that as grounds to pressure me?”
“….”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Her tone was gentle and measured, like a patient admonishment.
Dokgo Myeong fell silent for a moment, then exhaled a long breath before speaking.
“Aunt. I don’t particularly like this family.”
This family is far too bleak, too brutal, too harsh.
“But there are people I cherish and people I respect, so I cannot abandon it. Family disputes must be settled among family members. I have no intention of standing idle while outsiders create chaos.”
“Say what you wish to say.”
“The two blood successors of the main branch—one who is a strong candidate for the next Sect Leader and his master—have studied under someone who stands in opposition to the current Sect Leader.”
Dokgo Myeong met Dokgo Hye’s gaze directly.
“Doesn’t that sound full of conspiracy and secrets?”
“Gun has nothing to do with this. I did not transmit Beobjon’s martial arts to him.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“If you don’t believe it, what will you do? It is the truth.”
“….”
“I am bound by such restrictions. Would Beobjon have granted me power without such safeguards in place from the beginning?”
There was no sign of deception in her words. She was speaking only the truth.
“Now I understand why you’ve turned your blade toward me. You suspected me of being a Sezak or something similar that has infiltrated the family?”
Dokgo Myeong let out a cold laugh.
It was a chilling smile that instantly froze the atmosphere that had begun to ease.
“That suspicion remains unchanged.”
“….”
“I won’t ask what circumstances brought this about. Truth be told, I’m not interested. What interests me is your purpose, Aunt.”
Dokgo Hye sighed softly and spoke.
“How unfortunate.”
“…?”
“That ferocity of yours. All those countless days you’ve endured, walking the edge of a blade, have honed your heart and body to such sharpness.”
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed.
Whoosh!
A desolate wind swept forth.
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze upon Dokgo Hye turned glacial and sharp.
“Let us dispense with this fruitless discourse. It is time for you to decide.”
Dokgo Hye offered a gentle smile.
Though pallid—perhaps from internal injuries—her eyes remained clearer than ever as she regarded Dokgo Myeong.
“I am not his successor.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Dokgo Myeong’s eyes.
“Wuliang Daoshi, the Eminent Monk of Shaolin, had but one direct disciple—Muram Daesa. I merely sought instruction in his martial arts because I required strength. As for my purpose….”
Dokgo Hye’s gaze grew even more luminous.
“There is none.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
Dokgo Hye spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, soft and delicate.
“How could I harbor any purpose from the beginning? Myeong-i. I am not your enemy. How could I be? Think on it yourself.”
“….”
“Why would I harm the house that raised me? Furthermore, I harbor no interest in power, so I shall not oppose you in factional strife.”
Dokgo Hye’s expression grew grave.
“Yet I do not believe the Main Sect’s direction—establishing all standards through force—is righteous. Should the Main Sect ever overstep its bounds, I shall do whatever I can to restrain it. If there is a purpose, that is it.”
“….”
“I merely concealed my martial arts for reasons of my own. I harbor no ulterior motives. Does this answer suffice?”
I could sense not only her sincerity but also her grievance.
‘It is not unreasonable.’
Possessing Beobjon’s martial arts would indeed pose numerous problems for her.
Dokgo Myeong withdrew his aggressive presence with composure.
“I have overstepped today. I apologize for my rudeness.”
Dokgo Hye was taken aback by her nephew’s swift change, but she nodded without delay.
“No. I understand your position.”
“I have but one more question. What was your reason for examining my martial arts?”
Dokgo Hye fell silent for a moment before asking in return.
“Do you know of a martial art called the Saengsa Gong?”
“I have only heard tales of it.”
Dokgo Hye stared intently into Dokgo Myeong’s eyes for a long while.
Then her eyes brightened.
“You truly do not know.”
“I heard of it from the disciples of the Twin Horse Alliance. What is the Saengsa Gong?”
“The Saengsa Gong is….”
After a brief pause, she continued.
“A supreme secret art of the esoteric teachings, derived from the scripture known as the Saengsa Bigyeong.”
“…!”
“It was the fruit of heterodox cultivation completed just before the esoteric sect’s collapse. It flowed into the martial realm, and as certain individuals mastered it in martial form, it became what is now called the Saengsa Gong.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes blazed with realization.
Could this be a practice that succeeded the Mumeong Scripture and the White Lotus True Scripture?
“What was your reason for seeking it out?”
“It is a dangerous martial art. It must be recovered and burned.”
“….”
A brief silence fell.
Dokgo Myeong, who had been watching the sun beginning to set, exhaled a long breath and clasped his fists in salute.
“I shall take my leave for today. Please forgive my rudeness once more. I will send the repair costs for the damaged pavilion and medicine for internal injuries immediately.”
“There is no need.”
“No, it is a matter of sincerity from our sect.”
Dokgo Hye let out a bitter smile as if she could not refuse.
“If it will ease your heart, I shall accept it gratefully.”
“Yes, then.”
Dokgo Myeong bowed respectfully and turned to leave immediately.
As Dokgo Myeong exited the hall, his expression gradually faded away.
The household members who saw him walking with a rigid face bowed their waists.
“We greet the Deputy Chief of the Dharma Protectors.”
“Deputy Chief, what a fine… oh.”
Dokgo Myeong walked forward quickly without responding.
Unlike usual, when he would cheerfully acknowledge greetings from servants and guards alike, the household members looked at his retreating figure with expressions of surprise rather than displeasure.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes sank deeply.
‘I did not lie.’
A perfectly concealed hostility was raging within his dark pupils.
“But I did not tell everything either….”
It became certain.
Dokgo Hye and Dokgo Gun.
They were hiding something. And those who conceal their true intentions can never become allies.
They are enemies.
* * *
As Dokgo Gun set down the teacup himself, Dokgo Hye spoke.
“Myeong-i came to visit.”
“Your complexion does not look well. Are you alright?”
Worry was evident in Dokgo Gun’s voice and expression. To anyone watching, he appeared as a kind man concerned for his master and aunt’s health.
“…Yes, I am fine.”
But Dokgo Hye knew.
That all of this was learned behavior.
Dokgo Gun’s gaze was utterly dry and dark.
“So Myeong-i is not a complete master of the Life and Death Technique.”
“That is correct.”
“But he truly wielded the Reverse Heavenly Energy as the rumors said.”
Dokgo Gun’s eyes gleamed.
“Are there not limited means to learn the Reverse Heavenly Energy, as you have said? How does that child wield it?”
“That much remains uncertain.”
“….”
“Truly, it is a perilous power. Moreover, she was entering the stage of control. Should such a power, whose value is understood and whose value can be exploited, fall into the hands of one who seeks to use it… it would be nothing short of catastrophe.”
Dokgo Hye’s hands trembled without her realizing it.
She had merely unleashed it, yet she felt the immense power. It was indeed dangerous.
“Do not worry, madam. Is there not one in all the realm more capable than he in dealing with the Bloodfiends?”
“Yes, that child is indeed so. A truly remarkable one who far exceeded my expectations.”
Dokgo Hye exhaled a long sigh.
Dokgo Gun, who had been watching her intently, asked.
“Was there anything else that occurred, madam?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did something else happen?”
A subtle atmosphere settled between them.
Dokgo Hye spoke honestly with a short sigh.
“There was a mistake. Myeong-a discovered the Limitless Omnipotent Ability.”
Dokgo Gun stared at Dokgo Hye for a moment.
Dokgo Hye could not read the meaning in his gaze.
If Dokgo Myeong’s eyes were too intense to read, then Dokgo Gun’s eyes were too cold to decipher.
“Is that all, madam?”
“That is all.”
“Then there should be no major problem.”
Dokgo Gun set down his teacup.
Dokgo Hye continued slowly.
“It seems Myeong-a has some misunderstanding about us. She appears to view us as one of the moves on the chessboard laid by the Three Masters.”
“It is surprising that she knows of the previous generation’s affairs, but it is disconcerting that she harbors such a misunderstanding.”
“I apologize. Because of me, that child may become quite wary of you.”
“It is of no concern.”
Dokgo Hye murmured while feeling the warmth of her teacup.
“I should send word. It seems a proper discussion regarding that child is necessary. She may well become a new foundation for us.”
Dokgo Hye rose from her seat.

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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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