Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 50

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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 50
A young beggar in tattered clothes widened his eyes in surprise.
“Is that so? Such a thing happened?”
“I’m telling you! Just look around the marketplace. Don’t you see how much better everyone’s expressions are?”
“So that’s what caused it?”
“Those Heukwoong Gate bastards made everyone in this neighborhood suffer terribly. But in just one day, everything changed like this. How fortunate that is.”
A man who sold food by West Lake spoke with a brightened expression.
How much suffering the Heukwoong Gate had caused all this time.
No one could stop those who had connections with the Moyong Family and the government officials, and as a result, only innocent people died.
“Well, since my mood is good, let me show some generosity. Here, have another dumpling.”
“Oh my! Thank you so much!”
The young beggar grinned and accepted a dumpling.
“I don’t know who that righteous swordsman is, but he’s truly a hero. Thanks to him, I got to eat an extra dumpling too, didn’t I?”
“You certainly have a way with words. Yes, a hero indeed. A true hero.”
“But have you heard anything about who those people are?”
“Ah, I’ve heard a bit about it. They say it was a young man in his twenties and a swordsman in his forties?”
“A young man?”
“Yes! I heard that young man killed the Black Bear Sect Leader in a single strike and even faced the Saber Wind Master alone.”
“Come now, how could a young man possibly defeat Song Mun-ak?”
“Just ask anyone around here! They’ll all tell you the same thing.”
….
The beggar’s eyes deepened for a moment.
‘Everyone here is telling the same story.’
The beggar, Ju Won-gwang, the youngest faction leader of the Gaebang After-Sect, pondered while chewing his dumpling.
‘Is there a late-stage master of that caliber in this region?’
There could be.
After all, the Moyong Family, one of the Four Great Clans, was nearby.
‘But the Moyong Family has been corrupt for a long time. If it were one of their people, they would have spread word of it widely.’
Then was it merely baseless rumor?
He didn’t think so. While rumors tend to be exaggerated, they must contain some kernel of truth to spread at all.
‘…No matter how I think about it, I can’t place them.’
Though the testimonies were few and the rumors had low credibility, when he combined what he’d heard, the story was quite specific.
They stormed Hwawollu, and the young man single-handedly killed the Black Bear Sect Leader and the Saber Wind Master, while the man who appeared to be his escort blocked reinforcements during the assault. Afterward, they seemed to have escaped immediately, but in the meantime, they launched a direct assault on the Heukwoong Gate itself and subdued all the sect’s core members and disciples.
‘…Does this even make sense?’
It would be possible with at least two masters at the peak realm, and experienced ones at that.
The Heukwoong Gate wasn’t particularly strong aside from the Black Bear Sect Leader and the Saber Wind Master.
But a young man? He killed Song Mun-ak?
‘I heard the Dokgo Clan’s Cheonil Division moved, but could it be?’
The Dokgo Clan?
That made even less sense. Those arrogant enough to call their direct line “dragon blood”—why would they travel all the way to distant Hangzhou to destroy a dark sect faction?
Still, the Dokgo Clan is the only one with any real possibility. I’ll need to see them in person to know for sure.
Ju Won-gwang rose from his seat with a grunt.
“The dumplings were delicious. You’ll be blessed for your kindness. Hehe!”
Despite his calculating and complex thoughts, Ju Won-gwang’s expression was that of a beggar itself.
The Innkeeper chuckled and waved his hand.
Ju Won-gwang bowed his head smoothly and turned, his eyes gleaming with a sharp glint.
* * *
Whoooosh—!
Dokgo Myeong sat in lotus position, operating the Hui Cheon technique.
Like fire spreading across dry straw, the energy flowing through the meridians instantly healed my internal injuries and burned away the turbid qi.
As I continued my cultivation, I reflected on the battles at Hwawollu and the Heukwoong Gate.
I could see my shortcomings. I shouldn’t have sustained internal injuries against such small-time riffraff.
Dokgo Myeong exhaled a long breath.
Internal injuries and external wounds both. I was thoroughly battered inside and out.
Looking at the results alone, there were no problems. There had been a numerical disadvantage, and Song Mun-ak was indeed a peak master.
But I had Dokgo Hyeon’s experience. Against someone like Song Mun-ak, I should have been able to handle even two or three more.
My inner energy reserves were too monotonous and linear, as was my combat approach.
The Geuk Shin Gyeol is an offensive martial art, but I could have compensated by utilizing the Gam Gak Gyeol.
I also pushed the output of Hui Cheon too high. As a result, my movements lost precision, leading to these injuries.
Even my handling of the situation was like that. Why did I act so recklessly?
From Hwawollu to the Heukwoong Gate.
Looking back, there were many hasty moves. Of course, I proceeded because I was confident enough, but failing to account for variables was a clear mistake.
Whoooosh!
As I operated my true energy, I soon realized the reason.
It was because of the Hui Cheon technique.
I was learning the Geuk Shin Gyeol, a martial art focused on offense, and the Hui Cheon technique that matched it. Since energy inevitably influences the heart and soul, my aggressive nature became more pronounced.
In my past life, I hadn’t achieved such rapid growth at this stage.
In short, I had grown too strong, too quickly.
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly.
I’ll need to put in some effort going forward.
The solution was simple.
Train until I dropped.
To use the Geuk Shin Gyeol more smoothly, I’d need to increase my physical training intensity, and to avoid being swayed by the Hui Cheon technique, I’d need to focus on my cultivation as well.
Actually, there was one other method.
Obtaining the next secret technique from the Cheonwae Gyeong.
The problem was that unlike the Hui Cheon technique, which could be unlocked simply by filling one’s inner energy, the next secret technique had conditions attached.
Still, it was fortunate that it didn’t seem like it would take very long to obtain the next secret technique.
“Phew!”
Dokgo Myeong finished his cultivation and opened his eyes.
Seeing the faint red glow of Hui Cheon energy flowing out, Seo Ryun opened his mouth.
“Are you finished?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Thanks for watching over me, Protector.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I pushed myself up from the bed in the room I’d taken at the inn.
Seo Ryun examined me with a careful gaze.
Only four days had passed since the Heukwoong Gate incident. The external wounds from the blade still needed more time to heal, but it seemed my internal injuries had fully recovered as of today.
Truly, my recovery was extraordinary.
And perhaps the secret to that recovery lay in this special inner energy of mine.
“Hm! Now I can move around a bit. How about you, Seo? Should I watch over you now?”
“No, sir. My injuries were never that severe to begin with.”
“Is that so? Ah, what about that bastard Geum Seok-du?”
Geum Seok-du had left the group temporarily, saying he had something to take care of.
Seo Ryun smiled as he spoke.
“He just arrived and is waiting downstairs.”
“Is that so? Then let’s go.”
I descended to the lower floor of the inn.
“You’ve arrived?”
Geum Seok-du had laid out an elaborate feast.
He’d ordered more than ten dishes, and several bottles of alcohol were visible.
I blinked in surprise and asked.
“Where did you get the money to order all this?”
“I don’t go around starving, sir, but naturally you should be treating us this time.”
I let out an exasperated sigh.
“Did I leave any money with you?”
“A man shouldn’t be stingy when it comes to eating properly.”
“Stingy? You’ve ordered enough that we can’t even finish it all.”
“Didn’t you make quite a bit of money this time? Show some generosity with this much. A man shouldn’t be so petty….”
“You little bastard!”
Whoosh!
I swung my palm toward the back of Geum Seok-du’s head.
But then….
“Huh!”
Geum Seok-du dodged it.
Both Seo Ryun and I widened our eyes. Though I’d swung without much force, we never imagined he could avoid it.
“Oh, you dodged?”
“Uh, sir? Why are you clenching your fist?”
Geum Seok-du’s face went pale.
“You begged me so earnestly to take you along, and now you’re throwing punches right away? That’s not how a person should behave. As the Master said, violence is….”
I glared at him.
Crack!
Geum Seok-du felt his vision darken in an instant.
“Ughhhhhh!”
“Let’s behave ourselves.”
“But what did I do wrong…?”
“If you get hit again, I think you’ll understand.”
“My apologies. I’ll keep quiet.”
Geum Seok-du sensed the killing intent and immediately lowered his head.
Seo Ryun exclaimed in admiration.
‘Remarkable.’
That was quite the swift strike and retreat.
More than that, I’d never seen anyone backtalk after experiencing Dokgo Myeong’s technique firsthand.
“Impressive.”
“Pardon? Pardon?”
“I’ve clearly misjudged you. You are truly impressive.”
“Pardon?”
Geum Seok-du could only blink at Seo Ryun’s words of admiration.
Dokgo Myeong’s expression hardened instantly.
“So, are you finished organizing?”
Dokgo Myeong asked while picking up some grilled meat to eat.
“Yes, I’ve mostly finished.”
“That’s all the luggage?”
Beside Geum Seok-du lay a couple of large bundles.
“Yes, these are all items that are difficult to obtain easily…”
“We’ll need to arrange for a carriage when we leave.”
“Thank you.”
Seo Ryun paused his meal and looked at Dokgo Myeong.
“Are you returning to the family now?”
“That was the original plan… but I need to stop by somewhere first.”
Dokgo Myeong continued moving his spoon as he spoke.
“Seok-du. Take it out.”
“Ah, yes.”
Geum Seok-du pulled out what appeared to be a map from his garment.
“Do you remember what that is, Seo Dae-ju?”
Seo Ryun examined the map and nodded.
“It’s the map that was discovered in the Black Bear Sect Leader’s vault, is it not? Didn’t the Gold Alliance take it?”
“It’s not just any map—it’s the Jangbodo.”
Geum Seok-du spoke while swallowing his noodles.
“What did you just say?”
“Gulp! Ahem! Jangbodo, I said Jangbodo. It’s a map marking hidden treasures.”
“…?”
Seo Ryun’s eyes widened.
“How did you know that?”
“There would be no reason to hide an ordinary map in a safe, and besides, this map differs somewhat from actual geography. That suggests something special about it.”
“Just from that, you’re certain it’s Jangbodo?”
“Not entirely. But if you look closely, various symbols and ciphers are hidden throughout. Moreover, don’t those four square-shaped mountains and the paths surrounding them resemble a character?”
“The character for ‘vessel’ and ‘dog’?”
“The character for ‘vessel.’ And wasn’t there someone, about a hundred years ago, who used this character as a symbol?”
Seo Ryun’s eyes gleamed.
“The Vessel King!”
“Yes, you know of him.”
“How could I not?”
The Vessel King, Yeocheon-wi.
A legendary master craftsman from a hundred years ago who created countless divine weapons and miraculous devices, earning the title of Divine Craftsman.
“So this Jangbodo is connected to the Vessel King?”
“Likely so.”
“Likely?”
“With just this alone, we can’t accomplish anything. The terrain is strange, and I can’t discern anything more without deciphering the symbols and ciphers. Only then will we be certain.”
There was a reason Song Mun-ak had obtained this map yet taken no action.
“Then couldn’t this Jangbodo be a forgery?”
“No, it’s likely genuine.”
Dokgo Myeong responded with absolute certainty.
‘My memories are hazy, but… it was an actual event in my past life.’
For a time, that Jangbodo had brought a storm of blood across the Gangho.
Eventually, they even discovered the underground space, but I heard through rumors that the ground collapsed during the battle there, and they found nothing.
‘But that event happens several years from now.’
Of course, Jangbodo wasn’t just one map—the entire Gangho had been in turmoil.
But now we’re far in the past from that time. There’s no reason for crowds to gather, and the underground space won’t collapse.
‘I can’t let this slip!’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
After this battle with Song Mun-ak, I desperately needed weapons capable of withstanding the output of Hui Cheon.
“But didn’t you say we can’t find anything with just this? How would we even…?”
“There’s a way for that too.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled slyly.
Geum Seok-du’s eyes gleamed.
“What method is that?”
“We have someone in our clan with remarkable talent in this field.”
“Oh! Who might that be?”
Dokgo Myeong tilted his head.
“You, that’s who I’m talking about.”
“Me? You mean me?”
“Find it.”
“Find what?”
“The secret of Jangbodo.”
“….”

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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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