Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 53

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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 53
“Damn bastards! What the hell have you been spouting since earlier!”
Whoooosh!
A surging momentum.
A dull sound, like striking a leather drum, reverberated through the air.
Crash!
But in that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s body technique accelerated sharply.
“Huh!”
It was the forward footwork—Gwangjuk Unsang.
Dokgo Myeong, who had vanished with a crimson afterimage, reappeared right before Mokam’s eyes.
Mokam hastily extended his hand.
Whoosh!
It was a hastily deflected palm strike, yet it followed precisely along Dokgo Myeong’s trajectory.
‘So this is the caliber of a Nine Sects elder, even if rotting?’
Crash!
Dokgo Myeong’s hand swept upward in a straight line.
The Extreme Divine Technique’s Hwacheon Strike—the Flame Blade unfolded in the form of a hand knife.
‘Fool! How dare you counterattack without even blocking the Chuhon Strike!’
The Chuhon Strike was the supreme technique of Hwasan, renowned for its speed.
It could fly forth before Dokgo Myeong’s hand knife reached him!
Crack! Screech!
“What?”
In that moment, Mokam stared at his own shoulder with a vacant expression.
The hand knife embedded in his right collarbone was slicing through bone like a blade.
“Ugh, ugghhhhh!”
His right arm went limp.
Yet beyond that pain, Mokam seemed shocked by something else.
“How, how is this possible! I moved first…!”
“Fool. You should have assessed your opponent before attacking.”
Thud!
Dokgo Myeong stepped closer with a scoff.
Layered upon his sense for reading gaps was the Hwacheon Strike—a technique of ultimate strength and speed.
Even striking late, it could only be faster.
Whoosh!
“Huh!”
Dokgo Myeong accelerated sharply once more.
Mokam hastily extended his palm strike.
Swish!
Dokgo Myeong simply tilted his head slightly to evade. With one arm broken and unable to properly execute footwork, there was no way he could withstand this blow.
Crunch!
“Aaaahhhhh!”
First an arm, then a leg.
The shin split open as if sliced clean through by a blade.
Mokam stared at Dokgo Myeong in shock.
‘How could he sever flesh and bone with bare hands….’
He hadn’t broken it—he’d cut it.
And then I could feel it.
The flawless flow of true energy enveloping the body.
What that signified was singular.
‘A master at the pinnacle realm?!’
So that was it.
So that was why I couldn’t discern my opponent’s true level.
‘Wasn’t he called a dullard!? How, how is he at a realm I’ve barely managed to set foot in!’
Several levels above me?
That fool who was called a dullard?
Mokam had no time to collect his shocked mind.
Mokam, collapsed in a pitiful heap, crawled across the ground like an insect.
“S-stop! I’ve misunderstood you! I’ll apologize for my slip of the tongue right now, r-right away….”
Crack!
“Aaaahhhhh!”
Mokam shrieked.
“Do you think you can do this and walk away unscathed!”
“…?”
Dokgo Myeong’s fist paused momentarily.
Mokam’s mouth moved frantically.
“T-this is Anhui! You think you can survive intact in front of our sect’s courtyard…!”
Boom!
In that instant, a fist crashed into the ground beside Mokam’s head.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Mokam instinctively jerked his head back to evade.
The fist embedded in the floor slowly withdrew, and the debris trailing from it blurred his vision.
“Tsk, you dodged that?”
“…H-huff!”
“What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that, so could you say it again?”
“….”
“No, you were talking quite loudly before. Say it again, won’t you?”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong smiled.
“You asked if I’d be fine, didn’t you?”
Mokam trembled as he looked up at Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“There’s nothing that seems fine about it. I’m just going to make it fine.”
“…!”
“But before that!”
Dokgo Myeong brought his fist down hard.
“That mouth! Let me fix that mouth first!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Ugh, ugggghhhhh!”
* * *
Dokgo Family, Saheongang.
Jang Sam was hurrying across the peaceful courtyard of Saheongang, as tranquil as always today.
“Sect Leader! A message from the Young Master has arrived!”
“Mm.”
Dokgo Wi-hak, who had been drinking tea, nodded his head.
It seemed the lecture on the Five Relationships he had given before had borne fruit, as he was sending correspondence.
“Bring it here.”
“Yes, here it is.”
Dokgo Wi-hak unfolded a rather substantial letter.
To the Honored One, in this season of autumn’s mid-point, may your vital essence remain eternally robust….
“….”
Crinkle!
Strength surged into the hands of Dokgo Wi-hak as he gripped the letter.
‘He didn’t write this himself.’
It was clear he had hired some skilled ghostwriter to compose it.
Birds of a feather flock together—looking at the sentence structure, the ghostwriter seemed to possess the same cunning nature as that Myeong-i.
‘Still, this is something.’
Dokgo Wi-hak composed himself and read through the letter carefully.
And then.
“….”
Before long, he squeezed his eyes shut.
“S-Sect Leader? Are you unwell? Has something happened to the Young Master?”
“It’s nothing like that.”
“What on earth was written in it….”
“…Read it yourself.”
Jang Sam swallowed hard and took the letter with trembling hands.
The message was long, but the content was simple.
I saved some people. As a bonus, I obtained quite a bit of wealth, which I’ve sent to the Geumsan Sect.
Since I happened to acquire the Jangbodo of the Former Heavens as well, I’m going to retrieve it.
Did I do well?
“Uh… what’s the problem with this?”
Jang Sam tilted his head in confusion.
“There was also a letter from Seo Ryun on the back page.”
“What?”
Upon checking, it was indeed there.
Jang Sam read that as well.
Frequenting an illegal gambling den at West Lake.
What? Where did he go?
The details are complex and I cannot write them all… [abbreviated]… The dark path sect Heukwoong Gate that operated that place was annihilated.
Seized the Heukwoong Gate’s wealth, and in the process, acquired a talented individual.
Even discovered the old Jang Bo.
“Uh…”
Where did he go and what did he destroy?
Is it that wherever he goes, there’s turmoil?
And Jang Bo on top of that?
“Y-young master should be fine, right?”
Jang Sam asked urgently.
“…He should be fine.”
At least I had no concerns about my son’s safety.
‘Even I have not grasped the foundation of it.’
Beyond martial prowess or realm, Dokgo Myeong possesses an incomprehensible strength that feels almost bizarre. In actual combat, he would easily defeat opponents several steps above him.
Jang Sam let out an awkward laugh.
“Still, this time it should end without major problems, right? He caused an incident, but it’s not like he did it to just anyone—he did it to a bad person…”
That was when it happened.
Crash!
The main gate of Saheongang burst open.
“S-Sect Leader! This is urgent! News has arrived from the Geumsan Sect’s branch master in Anhui…!”
Geumsan Sect Leader Son Tae-im came rushing in breathlessly.
“I’ve already heard the news. Calm yourself.”
At Dokgo Wi-hak’s composed response, Son Tae-im’s eyes widened.
“Yes, yes? You’ve heard?”
“A messenger bird just arrived.”
“B-but how can you be so calm about this?”
“…?”
“…?”
Something felt off about the conversation.
“What are you talking about?”
“D-didn’t you hear that the young master got into a conflict with Hwasan Sect disciples?”
“…What did you just say?”
“He beat up three first-rate disciples under Mokgang of Hwasan, and one of them even coughed up blood!”
Clatter!
The teacup in Dokgo Wi-hak’s hand slipped and fell.
* * *
Hyeon Un-jin, the elder of Hwasan who had descended the mountain a few days late, his brow furrowed with displeasure.
“What in the world has happened here?”
His gaze turned downward.
My disciple, Mokam, lay there battered and broken.
The bleeding was minimal, but the external injuries were severe. His lips were split, two front teeth were missing, and his nose was crushed.
That much could be overlooked.
The real problem was the fracture in his collarbone and shin.
‘Can this even be called a fracture?’
The wounds were as clean as if made by a blade.
While treatment would be simple given how cleanly the injuries were inflicted, the aftereffects would surely be considerable.
“I sent him to scout the atmosphere around Guhua Mountain, so why is Mokam lying here with such grave injuries?”
“That is… well…”
“You see… the thing is…”
Watching the disciples’ eyes dart about nervously, Hyeon Un-jin burst out in anger.
“Your master’s words don’t make sense! Speak the full truth at once!”
“We, we apologize!”
“So what happened was…”
Mokgang and Mokyul explained the situation with sorrowful expressions.
“…”
After hearing the entire account, Hyeon Un-jin’s face contorted strangely.
“So what you’re telling me is…”
“…”
“A direct descendant of the Dokgo Family, barely of age, picked a fight with you…”
“…Yes.”
“And he subdued both of you before reducing Mokam to this state?”
“Y, yes, that’s correct.”
“And you couldn’t even exchange blows for ten seconds?”
“…”
“You expect me to believe such a tale?”
Hyeon Un-jin’s eyes narrowed to slits.
Mokgang cried out urgently.
“No, truly it is not a lie! That man’s martial prowess was simply too formidable…”
“Silence!”
At Hyeon Un-jin’s shout, the disciples flinched.
“If that were true, it would be an even greater problem! What kind of boast is it that your senior brother suffered such injuries while you conveniently remained unconscious?!”
“…”
“…”
At those words, Mokgang and Mokyul hung their heads in dejection.
Even though they were disciples themselves, rather than feeling relieved that they hadn’t been seriously injured, they were being scolded harshly. No matter how much he favored Mokam, his words were excessive.
“You look displeased?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Right, it shouldn’t be. You useless wretches!”
Hyeon Un-jin scrunched up the bridge of his nose and spun around sharply.
A disciple still struggling to regain consciousness came into view.
‘Among the disciples I’ve accepted, he was the one with the most exceptional talent.’
Thanks to this boy, I at least managed to hold my own in front of the other elders….
“Move him to a physician’s clinic at once. Staying in this squalid place will only aggravate his wounds.”
Hyeon Un-jin furrowed his brow and looked around.
True to his words, the clinic where Mokam lay was a cramped, out-of-the-way establishment.
“….”
“….”
But both Mokgang and Mokyul were hesitating.
“Why are you doing this again?”
“Well, that is….”
“We have no money.”
“What?”
Hyeon Un-jin’s head snapped around.
“The travel funds from the main sect should be considerable?”
“That is… we’ve lost our money pouch.”
“What did you say?”
“We’re not certain if it was their doing, but when we came to our senses, the money pouch was gone.”
“Tch!”
Three disciples beaten by a single man—I’m already dying of shame, and now they’ve been robbed as well?
“It seems Hwasan is being looked down upon far too much. How dare anyone lay hands on Hwasan disciples in this land of Anhui?!”
Hyeon Un-jin spun around sharply.
“His name was Dokgo Myeong, correct?”
“Yes? Ah, that’s right.”
“Where is that bastard now?”
Hyeon Un-jin’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
* * *
“Is it really alright to be doing this?”
Geum Seok-du, sipping wine, asked cautiously.
Two days had passed since we compensated the ruined inn and secured new lodgings.
In that time, Dokgo Myeong had climbed Guhua Mountain a few times following Jang-bo and gathered information, but took no other significant action.
“What now?”
“Even a stray dog doesn’t eat from someone else’s yard without permission, does it?”
“That’s true enough.”
“But these aren’t strays, and you’ve beaten up disciples of Hwasan, the regional overlords of Anhui.”
Dokgo Myeong’s brow furrowed sharply.
“Tsk! If only you hadn’t stopped me back then, I could have handled the entire cleanup without any problems!”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“If there’s a problem, you just eliminate the problem itself, don’t you?”
“….”
Eliminate the problem itself… what?
“Sigh.”
Geum Seok-du, frustrated, gulped down the wine he’d been drinking straight from the bottle.
“So you were making a fuss, but the wine goes down just fine, I see.”
“Wine bears no fault.”
Geum Seok-du emptied the wine bottle in an instant.
Dokgo Myeong, who had been staring intently at him, tilted his head.
“Iryong Cheongju? Isn’t that the wine that costs five silver taels? Where did you get the money to drink that?”
“I never run short of money wherever I go.”
“Did you gamble just now?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“Those Hwangsan Sect disciples.”
“Huh?”
“I took my revenge in my own way.”
Revenge?
Why is that coming up now?
Wait, hold on.
“You didn’t steal their money pouch, did you?”
“Steal? It was revenge.”
“…When exactly?”
“Pardon? Right before the fight started. Didn’t you know?”
“….”
I didn’t know.
Truly.
‘And it wasn’t even after he passed out… before the fight?’
Crunch!
Dokgo Myeong unconsciously gripped the money pouch in his robes.
Geum Seok-du’s brow narrowed.
“No matter what, I would never rifle through my master’s belongings. I’m hurt.”
“Ah, well, yes. I understand.”
It was then.
“Young Master! It’s Seo Ryun!”
Thud!
Seo Ryun burst through the door.
“What’s wrong? Why are you in such a rush?”
“Ah, this is serious. We need to move immediately!”
Seo Ryun spoke in breathless urgency, his words tumbling out rapidly.
“An entrance has just been discovered! The masters of Gangho are rushing toward Guhua Mountain as we speak!”
“What!?”

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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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