Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 52

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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 52
“What did you just say?”
I narrowed my eyes, my face twisted in displeasure as I glared ahead.
We were inside the barracks of the Martial Arts Alliance’s Northern Route Demon Slaying Army.
“As the Left Commander of this unit and the head of the Demon Slaying Unit, I find the merits you’ve reported to be unbelievable.”
“What the hell are you spouting now?”
“Tsk! Watch your tongue. How dare you speak to me, the Right Commander of this unit, when you’re nothing but the leader of a ragtag squad!”
“….”
Mokam Jinrin of the Huangshan Sect raised his eyebrows high.
I briefly considered smashing his forehead so he’d never raise those eyebrows again.
“Then who do you think stopped the Heavenly Yin Divine General that appeared on the front lines?”
“Do you have proof?”
“Proof? People were dying left and right—was I supposed to grab his clothes as evidence?”
I shouted in exasperation.
Mokam Jinrin let out a scoff.
“How am I supposed to believe that you lot severed the arm of one of the Cult of the Divine Blood’s Six Demon Generals without any evidence?”
“What?”
“Murderers, hypocrites, thieves, swindlers, barbarians. Isn’t the Demon Slaying Unit composed of people of lowly status and those cast out from their sects?”
I found myself at a loss for words.
Mokam Jinrin smirked and looked around at the martial artists gathered in the barracks before speaking.
“As I said, I—nay, our sect—cannot believe in this man’s merits. What do the rest of you think?”
Mokam Jinrin. He had always belittled the Demon Slaying Unit.
Many of the unit members could have been pardoned and escaped the battlefield if their merits were recognized, but he showed no such consideration.
The reason he deliberately acted this way was simple.
-Even I, an elder of the Huangshan Sect, have suffered repeated defeats, yet you lot dare claim victory?
In essence, it was contempt and jealous envy.
It was a familiar treatment, a familiar life. How many people fill their pride by belittling others?
“Well, if the Jinrin says so…”
“Indeed, without evidence…”
Mokam looked at me with open ridicule.
“Demon Slaying Unit Commander, do you understand now?”
I had to suppress the rage rising within me.
“Yes, Commander Mokam. I understand.”
“Now you’re finally making sense…”
“It seems even cultivators of deep refinement cannot help but develop a disease of the mouth.”
“What?”
My eyes flashed.
“After all, there’s no way such nonsense would spill from your lips unless you were truly afflicted.”
“What are you saying right now…?”
“I happen to be quite skilled at curing that particular disease. You should trust me on this.”
Whoosh!
I swallowed my rage, beating him until he was half-dead instead of dead. That earned me a charge of assaulting a superior, but such things were routine for me.
And now, that bastard was walking right before my eyes.
* * *
Mokam, the first disciple of the Hwangsan Sect, voiced his irritation.
“Worthless vagrants brazenly parading about the front grounds of the great Hwangsan Sect. Should I have simply tolerated this?”
“But Master, there are many eyes watching. Breaking his arm outright might…”
“Didn’t those wretches dare block my path? He should be grateful it was his arm and not his neck. Tsk.”
Mokam clicked his tongue and muttered.
His disciple, Mokgang of the Hwangsan Sect, smiled wickedly as he spoke.
“Still, that bastard will tremble at the mere mention of our sect’s name now.”
“Indeed. Perhaps some good food would lift your spirits, Master.”
“Hey! Innkeeper! Come take our order!”
Even the youngest disciple, Mokyul, joined in to appease Mokam.
The three martial brothers—Mokam, Mokgang, and Mokyul—plopped down at an empty table.
“They appear to be disciples of the Hwangsan Sect.”
“Their conduct now is the same as it was back then.”
“Do you know who they are?”
“Hmm… somewhat.”
Dokgo Myeong wore a peculiar smile.
That was when it happened.
“Ah, ah! Senior brother!”
“Get out of the way!”
A commotion erupted from where the Hwangsan Sect disciples sat.
Thud!
Then Mokam abruptly planted himself at our table, glaring at us.
“You lot, you seem to be martial artists. How dare you observe us without fear.”
…
Seo Ryun immediately noticed Dokgo Myeong’s lips curling up ominously.
‘This won’t do!’
The other party was from one of the Nine Sects. Not this time!
Seo Ryun hastily spoke up.
“We were merely curious, observing disciples of such a renowned sect. If we’ve offended you, we sincerely apologize.”
“Hmm?”
Mokam’s eyes wavered for a moment.
His eyelids slowly lifted as he studied Seo Ryun.
“Could you be the Fierce Tiger Sword?”
“You know of me?”
“About six years ago, when we pursued the Blood Tears Ghost, we met. You don’t remember me?”
Seo Ryun’s eyes widened.
“The Bloodthirsty Ghost…? No, surely not!”
“I am Mokam. Now I recall.”
Six years prior, Seo Ryun had pursued a demon beast that wreaked havoc in Honam all the way to Anhui. The reinforcements that arrived from Hwangsan at that time were none other than Hwangsan’s elder Hyeon-un Jinrin and his disciple Mokam.
“I failed to recognize you in that fleeting encounter. It is good to meet you.”
“Hahaha! So you were from the Dokgo Clan! My apologies!”
The moment Mokam’s identity as a member of the Dokgo Clan was revealed, he grinned slyly—a far cry from his earlier hostility.
“And this person is…?”
Mokam cast a sidelong glance toward Dokgo Myeong.
“…Hmm.”
Seo Ryun did not answer immediately.
He merely cast a subtle glance, as if seeking permission.
‘That fierce tiger swordsman is being this cautious?’
Mokam’s expression shifted to one of surprise.
Then Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth.
“Why are you reading the room just to introduce someone? Seo, it seems you’re only loyal when people are watching.”
“That’s not—Young Master, I am always….”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and turned his head away.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Dokgo Myeong of the Dokgo Clan.”
“Dokgo Myeong?”
“Ah, that….”
In that instant, Mokam unconsciously murmured before letting out a stifled laugh.
‘Ah, that fool?’
Though Mokam’s mountain dwelling had kept him from hearing news of the remote Guizhou, he was well aware of the greatest fool born into the greatest family under heaven.
“Ah, Young Master Dokgo Myeong. Delighted to make your acquaintance. I am Mokam of Hwangsan. These are my disciples.”
“Amitabha Buddha. I am Mokgang.”
“Amitabha Buddha. I am Mokyul.”
Dokgo Myeong gazed at Mokam and broke into a wide grin.
“I am also delighted. Very much so.”
“…Huh?”
Mokam flinched.
What was this? Why was he smiling?
Moreover, he could not fathom why that smile felt so ominous.
“I am Geum Seok-du. I am also pleased to meet you.”
“Mm.”
Mokam merely nodded curtly at Geum Seok-du before immediately turning his attention back to Dokgo Myeong.
“Since fate has brought us together, would you not join us at our table?”
In that moment, Seo Ryun’s ears betrayed him.
He was subtly speaking down to him.
No matter how much his seniority exceeded Dokgo Myeong’s, this was hardly proper courtesy.
“Wait. Right now….”
“Well, do you think so?”
Yet Dokgo Myeong responded without concern, speaking first.
Mokam chuckled softly.
“Come now, you three should sit over here as well.”
The three brothers took their seats, and shortly after, food was laid upon the table.
“Did you also come seeking news of the former sect leader?”
“You could say that.”
“We received orders from the Main Sect and came down with our master.”
“Your master?”
“He uses the alias Hyeonun. You haven’t heard of him?”
“Ah, I’m not well-versed in Gangho affairs.”
“Well, that’s understandable. I see.”
Mokam’s mouth twitched at one corner.
“But where is this master of yours?”
“He delayed his descent due to Main Sect business. Is anyone else coming from the Dokgo Clan?”
“I suppose this is all of us?”
“Ah… is that so?”
Mokam no longer concealed his scorn.
“I thought the Dokgo Clan had taken interest in the former sect leader’s matter, but it seems otherwise.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Setting aside Seo Dae-hyeop, it’s just you and a single attendant who’ve come, isn’t it?”
“…”
“…”
In that instant, Seo Ryun and Geum Seok-du’s expressions hardened.
There was no need to ponder whom he meant by “attendant.”
“I’m not an attendant…”
Geum Seok-du muttered with a dejected face.
Seo Ryun glared at Mokam with a bitter expression.
‘What is he trying to do now?’
Seo Ryun glanced cautiously at Dokgo Myeong.
‘If it were up to me, I’d say something…’
In the past, he would have rushed forward without hesitation.
But fearing it might trouble Dokgo Myeong, Seo Ryun kept his mouth firmly shut.
Clatter!
Mokam, as if savoring the tense atmosphere, leisurely finished his meal and set down his utensils.
“Since we’re on the subject, let me offer you a word of advice.”
“Advice?”
“Just return to your family as things are. Or consider it a worthwhile experience and simply observe.”
“…”
“I understand you’re at an age when such matters capture your interest, but I’m concerned you might get hurt.”
His words treated the other party as though they were a foolish child.
Mokam leaned back arrogantly in his chair and continued speaking.
“To be honest, if you get greedy and end up getting beaten, it’s only you who loses, isn’t it? What would happen if that precious body of yours got hurt? Haha!”
Bang!
Unable to contain himself any longer, Seo Ryun slammed the table and rose to his feet.
“Mokam! Now that you mention it, what is this rudeness you’ve been spouting since earlier!”
“Rudeness? I’m just expressing concern for a junior of the Gangho.”
Mokam laughed with ease.
That was when it happened.
“So it seems your mouth has been afflicted with a chronic disease since back then.”
Every eye in the room turned toward Dokgo Myeong.
“…What did you just say?”
Pfft!
A smile played at the corners of Dokgo Myeong’s mouth.
It was the kind of smile one might give while watching a dog or cat perform tricks—amused and condescending.
“I was worried you might have changed from before, but you’re consistently an insufferable bastard, so my heart feels completely refreshed.”
“What?”
“Out of consideration for the Huangshan Sect’s reputation, I’ll overlook it this once. Don’t embarrass yourself further—apologize now while you still can.”
Mokam’s face twisted like a wrung-out rag.
“Embarrassment? Did you just tell me to be embarrassed!”
Killing intent began to gleam in Mokam’s eyes.
“I offered you good-natured advice, and this is the rudeness I receive!”
Whoosh!
Murderous intent and dense qi erupted from Mokam’s entire body.
It was the aura of the Huangshan Sect’s secret technique—the Threefold Illusory Divine Art.
“Kuh, even killing intent! Hehehehe!”
Dokgo Myeong’s smile deepened.
Seo Ryun felt his skin prickle with dread.
“M-Master! Wait a moment…!”
“Seo Daeju.”
“…Yes?”
“Don’t interfere. Stay still. That’s an order.”
“…!”
Creak!
Dokgo Myeong rose from his chair with a scraping sound.
“Perfect timing, you bastard. I was worried you might not pick a fight.”
Even so, it would be awkward to simply beat him based solely on the karma of a past life.
Thank you for giving me the excuse first.
Really.
‘Not to mention picking a fight right in front of my Seo Daeju!’
A ruffian with principles who doesn’t care about circumstances, a fearless madman.
Indeed, the disciples of the Nine Great Sects are different in every way.
“How dare you! Your arrogance reaches the heavens! Just because ignorant commoners praise you as the Cheonha Jeil Sega, you think that makes it true!”
It was the moment Mokam shouted.
CRASH!
With the deafening explosion, everyone in the hall gasped in shock.
Thud! Crack!
“Ugh!”
Mokam flew backward, shattering several tables at the inn in the process.
* * *
“Senior brother!”
“What is this!”
Only then did Mokgang and Mokyul grasp the situation and reached out toward Dokgo Myeong.
But Dokgo Myeong was faster.
Whoosh! Bang!
“Ack!”
With a single strike, Mokgang’s jaw snapped to the side.
His legs gave way and he collapsed.
Just before he hit the ground, something came flying at him.
“Gh, ugh!”
Dokgo Myeong’s hand twisted around Mokgang’s collar.
Without giving him a chance to break free, Dokgo Myeong hurled Mokgang at Mokyul with nothing but arm strength.
Whoosh! Crash!
“Gasp!”
Mokyul, who was charging forward, tangled with Mokgang and tumbled across the ground.
“…!”
Mokyul, who had hastily pushed Mokgang aside, was horrified.
A black shadow was descending before his eyes.
It was Dokgo Myeong’s foot.
BOOM!
“Choke!”
With a brief cry, Mokyul too lost consciousness.
Mokgang and Mokyul.
The foremost disciples of the renowned Hwangsan Sect were utterly subdued.
“You two are only guilty of failing to manage your senior brother properly, so I’ll let it end here.”
That was when it happened.
“Young master, please!”
Seo Ryun hurriedly stepped between Dokgo Myeong and Mokam.
“These are disciples from Hwangsan’s main sect! This could escalate!”
“It’s already escalated!”
Well, that’s true enough.
Though I suppose…
“Since things have already escalated this far, I’ll see it through to the end!”
Don’t go! Please! Come back!
Seo Ryun was desperate.
“B-but still! There’s no need to go this far, is there?”
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s gaze pierced through Seo Ryun’s eyes.
“Listen well, Seo Daeju.”
“Yes?”
“I was disrespected, the Main Sect was disrespected. And above all, that bastard Seok-du was disrespected.”
“…!”
“That’s what made this matter grow. If I swallow this now, I’ll have to tell every new subordinate henceforth to hold their breath before the name of the Dokgo Clan.”
“…!”
“I refuse to live that way.”
Seo Ryun no longer tried to stop Dokgo Myeong.
Instead, his eyes blazed with unwavering resolve.
“Then… then I shall handle it myself.”
“Hmm?”
“I will take responsibility. I cannot allow your hands to be soiled, Young Master…”
“What nonsense is this!?”
Seo Ryun flinched in surprise.
“I finally get a taste of action, and you’re going to steal it from me? Move aside!”
What?
A taste of what?
Boom!
Before Seo Ryun could protest further, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes flashed brilliantly as he stomped the ground.

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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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