Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 5

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 5
Before the main gate of Saheon-gak.
Jang Sam paced nervously in front of the gate.
“First the young master, and now the clan leader himself summoned to the Gajubu… Sigh, what is happening?”
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
It was shocking enough that the kind young master had resorted to violence, but to be dragged before the Gajubu no less.
And that reckless fool had returned from the Gajubu long ago, yet Dokgo Myeong still hadn’t come back.
“Why is the young master taking so long?”
As he continued to sigh heavily.
Jang Sam spotted someone approaching from down the path.
“Young master!”
Jang Sam dropped the broom he’d been holding and rushed forward.
“Why are you so late!”
“What are you doing out here? Wait inside.”
“How could I possibly stay calm inside, sir?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled broadly at the sight of Jang Sam’s worried expression.
‘So Jang was here too.’
Jang Sam looked exactly as he did in my memories.
That honest, affectionate face, and that restless nature that wouldn’t let him sit still.
Dokgo Myeong glanced around the ground near the main gate.
‘This fellow’s habits haven’t changed one bit.’
Not a speck of dust was visible near the Saheon-gak main gate, which meant he’d been sweeping continuously instead of staying put.
Given how caring and anxious he was by nature, today’s events must have been quite a shock to him as well.
“It’s strange—seeing you again stirs my emotions.”
Dokgo Myeong gazed at Jang Sam with distant eyes and smiled.
But then.
“Emotions? Young master, did you eat something bad today?”
“…”
This fellow just destroyed the poignancy of our reunion entirely.
Jang Sam let out a deep sigh.
“Sigh, what were you thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“What did you say to the clan leader? I was already shocked that you beat Dokgo Ak, but a martial duel? Where did that come from!”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
“Wait, how do you already know that?”
It had only been about an hour since I left the Gajubu—how could Jang Sam possibly know?
“The rumors have already spread throughout the family.”
“Rumors? What rumors?”
“The servants from Baek Ok-gak are spreading the word everywhere! About what happened today and your duel with Dokgo Ak!”
“Baek Ok-gak?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes twitched.
Baek Ok-gak—wasn’t that where that reckless fool’s father served as the sect leader?
“Hmm… so that’s how it turned out?”
Dokgo Myeong let out a scoff.
‘That scheming little bastard. Already making his moves?’
Since Dokgo Ak had left before him, he must have spread rumors in the meantime.
Why would he spread word of a martial duel?
His son had been humiliated by that notorious dullard—wasn’t he trying to turn this into a grand spectacle to salvage his reputation?
“Why are you just laughing about this! And what kind of duel are we even talking about?”
“It just happened that way.”
“It just happened that way… goodness.”
Jang Sam stamped his feet anxiously.
“Young Master Dokgo Ak has already mastered the Whirlwind Blade Technique. There’s even talk that he’s been permitted to train in advanced martial arts starting this month… If things go wrong, you could be seriously injured, Young Master!”
The Whirlwind Blade Technique was one of the fundamental sword arts of the Dokgo Clan.
Though called basic, its principles were so vast and profound that few achieved mastery even after passing their twenties.
“Regardless, he’s the one I beat down earlier today.”
“That was because Young Master Dokgo Ak was exhausted after training and you caught him off guard! If you fought properly, you’d lose every single time! Every time!”
“Even so, I’m not that far behind, am I?”
“Do you really believe that?”
“….”
“….”
Jang Sam looked at Dokgo Myeong with a pitiful expression.
Then he hardened his expression and continued.
“In any case, Young Master, you don’t realize how serious this situation is!”
Though he didn’t say it aloud, Jang Sam could already envision what would happen after the duel took place.
Dokgo Myeong was already half-fallen from the family’s favor. Despite being a direct descendant and receiving various privileges, a humiliating defeat in such an official duel could cost him his standing entirely.
“I’m not ignorant of it.”
“Sir?”
“I understand perfectly well.”
In that moment, Dokgo Myeong’s demeanor shifted.
Jang Sam’s eyes widened.
‘Of course he would know.’
Dokgo Myeong let out a cold laugh.
‘And if I lose, I know all too well how this wretched family will react.’
How absurd—that even I, Dokgo Hyeon, had to endure such talk over a duel with some reckless fool.
‘Yes, I understand it well enough…’
Dokgo Myeong gazed quietly at his own palms.
Rather than being covered in scars and calluses, they felt soft and delicate.
‘How could these possibly be the hands of a martial artist?’
Dokgo Myeong, who had been fidgeting with his knuckles, let out a deep sigh.
‘No, actually this works out better.’
Having nothing properly mastered simply meant there was much to fill in.
Besides, if no one expected me to win, wouldn’t the shock be all the greater when I did?
“What on earth are you thinking? Even if you hold a martial contest, he’ll definitely be grinding his teeth to harm you. I can’t bear to see you get hurt.”
Jang Sam grasped Dokgo Myeong’s sleeve with worried eyes.
“Just trust me this once. It’ll be different from before.”
As Dokgo Myeong gently removed Jang Sam’s hand, he hesitated for a moment.
“Do you have some plan?”
“Of course. First, guide me somewhere. There’s a place I need to go.”
“Preparations? What preparations?”
“Shouldn’t I prepare to win?”
“Prepare to win? You’re not going to train in martial arts, are you?”
“Yes.”
Jang Sam’s expression became peculiar.
“Can a month of training really close the gap?”
“Merely?”
“Pardon?”
“If I were only preparing to merely close the gap, I wouldn’t bother preparing at all.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed with light.
Fighting that reckless fool Dokgo Ak—I could never think of merely winning in an ordinary way.
I had to do it properly.
Not as Dokgo Myeong, but in Dokgo Hyeon’s way.
* * *
As Jang Sam had said, news of the martial contest between Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Ak spread quickly.
Naturally, word of the contest reached the Muhakbu, the institution that educated the younger generation of the Dokgo Clan.
“Ah, speaking of which, Director. Did you hear what happened at the Gajubu today?”
As the meeting in the director’s study came to an end, one of the Instructors broached the subject with subtle intent.
“The Gajubu? Has something happened already?”
Maecheon Yang, the Director of the Muhakbu and master of the Three Absolute Swords, turned his gaze toward the Instructor.
“This morning, it’s said that Young Master Dokgo Myeong had a fierce fight with Young Master Dokgo Ak.”
Maecheon Yang’s eyes widened.
“Both of them? Tell me in detail.”
“Well, you see….”
The Instructor cleared his throat briefly and explained today’s events in summary.
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes, the rumor has already spread throughout the family.”
Having heard the entire story between the two, Maecheon Yang let out a hollow laugh.
‘That Young Master Dokgo Myeong actually fought, and now….’
A martial contest, no less.
Maecheon Yang lifted his teacup, recalling Dokgo Myeong.
He was merely one of the many martial arts instructors who had passed through Dokgo Myeong’s life over the years.
Therefore, he knew better than anyone not only Dokgo Myeong’s pitiful martial talent, but also his timid nature.
“Young Master Ak… well, he’s hardly famous, is he? They say even a worm will squirm if you step on it, so it seems Young Master Myeong finally snapped after holding back for so long.”
One of the instructors spoke with a cold sneer.
“Young Master Myeong was hasty. Proposing a martial contest he couldn’t even win.”
“He’s a fool beyond measure. What could he possibly understand?”
“Still, I never expected him to be so foolish.”
Maecheon Yang clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Since the matter had been spoken of in front of the family head, it had now become far more than a simple martial contest between two young direct descendants.
In particular, Dokgo Wi-hak, Dokgo Myeong’s own father, found himself in an even more difficult position.
A child’s affairs naturally reflect upon the parents, do they not?
With the eyes of the household servants now fixed upon this matter, Dokgo Myeong had not only dug his own grave but had also dragged his father Dokgo Wi-hak’s reputation down with him.
“Still… I found it rather bitter.”
At that moment, one of the instructors who had been quiet spoke softly.
“What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it lamentable? A single mistake born of youthful foolishness, and he faces such a great disaster…”
“Lamentable, you say…”
Maecheon Yang let out a low chuckle.
“Isn’t that simply how the main family operates?”
A brief silence fell.
Maecheon Yang set down his empty teacup.
“Enough idle talk. It’s nearly time for instruction to begin, so let’s all rise.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
The instructors rose in unison and bowed their heads to Maecheon Yang.
Maecheon Yang moved forward with a seemingly satisfied smile at their respectful greeting.
The moment he opened the study door.
“Hm?”
Someone was standing in front of the door.
As Maecheon Yang slowly lowered his gaze, the figure raised his head and flashed a grin.
“…!”
Maecheon Yang started in surprise, drawing a sharp breath.
“Having an interesting conversation, are we?”
The person standing before the door.
None other than Dokgo Myeong.
“D-Dokgo Myeong, we greet you!”
“We greet you, Young Master!”
Maecheon Yang and the instructors hastily bowed in respect.
‘Why has Young Master Myeong come here?’
Dokgo Myeong, who hadn’t set foot in the Muhakbu for years now, had suddenly appeared here—but why?
“Yes, yes, you all seem to be doing well, Instructors.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned and nodded his head.
Without another word, he strode into the Study with heavy footsteps.
The Instructors silently rolled their eyes, following Dokgo Myeong’s figure.
Screech!
The sound of a chair being dragged echoed loudly through the room.
Dokgo Myeong dropped into the seat of honor as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“What are you all doing?”
Dokgo Myeong swept his gaze across the Instructors.
“Yes?”
“Why are you all standing around? Sit down. Sit.”
“Ah, yes, Young Master….”
The Instructors exchanged glances and one by one took their seats.
“What interesting story were you all discussing so eagerly this early in the morning?”
“Heh, the Muhakbu does hold frequent meetings, you see.”
“Is that so? I heard laughter from quite a distance away and thought you were tearing apart some incompetent direct branch member.”
“….”
The Instructors clamped their mouths shut.
The corners of Dokgo Myeong’s mouth curled upward.
That smile did not feel like a smile at all.
‘Could he have heard us?’
Maecheon Yang examined Dokgo Myeong carefully.
His expression was difficult to read. Only his eyes, with their distinct boundary between white and iris, swept across the surroundings.
‘…Something does seem different from usual, but if he had heard what we said, he wouldn’t react like this.’
Even if he had heard, given Dokgo Myeong’s nature, he would pretend not to have heard.
Having reached this conclusion, Maecheon Yang regained his composure and smiled with ease.
“How could that be? Isn’t that right, everyone?”
“Yes, Young Master. How could we ever dare….”
At that moment.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes grew cold.
“You lack perception and courage.”
His voice was low.
But it was loud enough for both Maecheon Yang and the Instructors to hear clearly.
Thud!
Dokgo Myeong leaned back against the chair and swept his gaze across Maecheon Yang and the Instructors.
“I’ll let you off the hook this time.”
At those words, Maecheon Yang’s expression wavered.
‘He heard us.’
If he had heard, how much had he heard?
Or rather, before that.
‘Is this really Dokgo Myeong?’
He bore no resemblance to the Dokgo Myeong I knew.
The Dokgo Myeong in Maecheon Yang’s memory was always a boy who smiled vacantly and gazed absently at the sky—never someone who would step forward and probe others like this.
“Well, since you came asking for a favor, I’ll let it slide this time. To be honest, I’m curious about this fool Myeong-i’s karma too.”
“…?”
“Anyway, we don’t have time, so let’s get to the point.”
Dokgo Myeong swept his gaze across the Instructors as he spoke.
“Let’s have a match, each of you. Instructors.”
…What is he saying right now?
Didn’t he skip over quite a lot of explanations?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————