Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 6

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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 6
Jang Sam couldn’t make sense of the situation at all.
Not in the slightest.
And most of all, Dokgo Myeong.
“…Young Master. You said just a moment ago that you were going to practice martial arts.”
“Yeah.”
“So why are you here if you’re supposed to be practicing martial arts?”
Jang Sam glanced around the surroundings.
Bluestone slabs laid out across the floor, training weapons lined up in rows on one side.
It was the Training Hall sponsored by the Muhakbu.
And Dokgo Myeong stood in the center of the Training Hall, stretching his limbs and loosening up his body.
“Did you hear the wails of some ghost who couldn’t participate in a sparring match? What’s this about sparring with the Instructors?”
Dokgo Myeong spoke flatly, tossing out the words.
“This is martial arts training.”
“Pardon?”
“Sparring is martial arts training.”
Jang Sam blinked his eyes.
“Usually… isn’t it the opposite? You practice martial arts and then do sparring matches.”
Learning techniques and building inner energy was called training, and sparring was meant to test what you’d trained, wasn’t it?
Though Jang Sam hadn’t learned martial arts himself, he at least understood that much.
“That’s normally how it works, true.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“But not for me. I need to spar first.”
What on earth is he talking about? I don’t understand any of this.
“Just watch for now. You’ll understand once you see it.”
Jang Sam tilted his head with a bewildered expression.
‘What in the world is Young Master thinking?’
Dokgo Myeong’s voice was filled with confidence and conviction. Though Jang Sam had watched him since infancy, he’d never seen him like this before.
“I have things to do now, so stop talking and go prepare what I mentioned earlier.”
“…Yes, I understand for now.”
Jang Sam hurried away.
After sending Jang Sam off, Dokgo Myeong dropped to the ground and crossed his legs in meditation.
‘Let’s begin.’
There was something he needed to do before the sparring began.
Dokgo Myeong calmly observed the state of his body, then let out a light sigh.
‘Half a day… no, at this rate I should be generous and say half a day.’
Half a day. That was the amount of time he could survive as a new recruit entering the Demon Slaying Unit in this condition.
Even that wouldn’t last a quarter of a day without the knowledge and experience from my past life.
‘Regardless of what I do going forward, I need to figure out martial arts first.’
Now that he was a direct descendant of the Dokgo line, he had the opportunity to learn various martial arts.
The family martial arts of the Dokgo Clan that only direct descendants could master, the countless divine techniques and secret methods slumbering within the Muhakbu.
Beyond that, there were also martial arts I had acquired in my previous life.
‘Not a single one of them falls short.’
Yet none of them truly appealed to me.
In truth, which martial art I would learn had been decided from the beginning.
‘Not the martial arts of others, but my own martial art.’
I harbored no regrets about the path I had walked in my previous life. So there was no need for my martial arts to change simply because my life had changed.
‘The Cheonwae Gyeong.’
I sat in lotus position and focused my consciousness on my dantian.
After a brief observation, I let out a soft chuckle.
‘This Myeong-i fellow. Better than I expected?’
My inner energy was quite solid. Of course, it was still meager in absolute terms….
‘At most five years’ worth, perhaps.’
For a direct descendant of a Noble Family to have only five years of inner energy at nineteen was practically nothing.
Dokgo Ak would have several times more than this.
‘Still, this much is sufficient for entry.’
Though the inner energy was scant, I possessed the means to utilize it.
Without hesitation, I circulated my inner energy according to the incantations of the Cheonwae Gyeong.
Whoooosh!
The inner energy drawn from my dantian spread throughout my entire meridian network. The inner energy flowing through the meridians….
Crack!
I released it all at once.
Along with the sensation of my dantian contracting, all the vital energy scattered.
The energy dispersing in all directions in an instant. I refocused my mind.
‘This moment is crucial.’
I grasped the vital energy attempting to escape my body and scattered it throughout my entire frame.
Shhhhhhh!
The scattered vital energy seeped into my muscles, bones, and sinews. Like a painter applying thin layers of pigment, I spread the energy uniformly across my entire body.
‘Concentrate harder. More evenly.’
How much time had passed like this?
Flash!
I opened my eyes.
For just a moment, a blue light flickered in my pupils before vanishing.
“Phew….”
My vision spun slightly.
This was my first circulation of energy in this new body, so I must have concentrated excessively.
I lowered my head slightly and tapped my lower abdomen. My dantian had emptied completely, leaving me with a peculiar sense of hunger.
“Tsk, what a waste.”
Anyone watching would have called it madness to abandon the inner energy I had painstakingly accumulated.
It was practically a regression compared to before the circulation, but….
‘That’s right. This is the correct path.’
The inner energy I’m relinquishing now is an investment for the future. Though it may seem like a loss in the present, it will become the solid foundation upon which I’ll build a fortress called Muhakbu in the days to come.
‘Yes, the foundation my past self could never create.’
In my previous life, I was obsessed with growing stronger day by day. That’s why I focused on building high and splendid structures, however flawed, rather than establishing a solid base.
This life will be different.
I will build my foundation steadily from the ground up.
And upon that foundation, I will construct the formidable and magnificent fortress of martial arts that Dokgo Hyeon could never achieve.
“The preparations are complete.”
Dokgo Myeong rose from his seat with a satisfied smile.
One month from now.
During the time given to me, I had to prove this preparation’s worth through martial contests.
Thud, thud!
As I was loosening up my body while waiting, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the Training Hall.
“….”
Maecheon Yang walked in, his brow furrowed with displeasure.
Dokgo Myeong smirked slightly.
* * *
Maecheon Yang recalled his encounter with Dokgo Myeong with a stern expression.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt like laughing bitterly.
Not only did this young master suddenly storm into the Muhakbu, but now he wanted to spar with the Instructors?
And not just anyone—Young Master Dokgo Myeong himself.
He had naturally intended to refuse. It would be a waste of time for both the Instructors and Dokgo Myeong.
But then… he couldn’t refuse.
Because of a single document Dokgo Myeong had presented.
The Instructors of Muhakbu shall unconditionally accept Dokgo Myeong’s request for martial contests. Furthermore….
…the above is hereby approved in the name of Dokgo Cheon, the Gaju of the Dokgo Clan.
“Ugh….”
Maecheon Yang recalled the document with the Gaju’s official seal stamped clearly upon it and let out a deep sigh.
‘What on earth is he thinking?’
In any case, it was the Gaju’s command, so Maecheon Yang had no way to refuse.
In the end, Maecheon Yang headed to the Training Hall to spar with this absurdly young direct descendant.
“Are you truly certain about this?”
Maecheon Yang spoke with a sigh as he faced Dokgo Myeong.
“Wouldn’t it be better if I brought one of my disciples who would be a more appropriate opponent for you, Young Master? That would surely be better for you as well, wouldn’t it?”
“Deputy Chief Maecheon. I understand you have much to say, but let’s try first and talk afterward. If you still have things to say then, I’ll listen.”
“….”
Maecheon Yang let out a deep sigh.
“…What rules shall we follow?”
“Just a standard martial contest. For the duration of one quarter hour, using only external techniques without inner energy. If we must set rules, then don’t go easy on me just because I’m a direct descendant—fight properly.”
“Yes, understood.”
Maecheon Yang reluctantly nodded his head.
“Fine. Then… Jang Sam! Go fetch what we prepared!”
“Yes, sir!”
Jang Sam, who had been waiting in the corner of the Training Hall, grunted as he brought over a small incense burner.
He then planted a long stick of incense into it and picked up some charcoal with tongs. It appeared to be incense that would burn for a quarter of an hour.
‘At least he seems intent on doing this properly.’
“Then prepare yourself.”
Dokgo Myeong grasped the hilt of his sword and drew it.
Shing!
A sharp metallic ring echoed through the air.
As Dokgo Myeong swung the handle, sunlight reflected off the blade, dazzling Maecheon Yang’s eyes.
It was a real sword.
“Heh, you intend to use a real blade?”
Maecheon Yang let out a hollow laugh.
“Of course.”
“…Yes, well, if that’s what you wish, then so be it.”
Truly, he’ll only come to his senses after a serious injury.
‘I’ll teach him a lesson or two and be done with it.’
Shing!
Maecheon Yang drew his sword with an indifferent expression.
“Then let’s begin.”
Clang!
The blades of Dokgo Myeong and Maecheon Yang began to clash.
* * *
Clang! Scrape-scrape-scrape!
The Training Hall rang with ceaseless metallic sounds.
Half a quarter of an hour into the match.
Maecheon Yang’s expression, which had been indifferent when he first drew his sword, had grown tense.
The Dokgo Myeong that Maecheon Yang knew was someone who couldn’t even properly execute a downward slash, let alone engage in actual combat.
Much less with a real blade.
He had thought that after just a few exchanges, the boy would grow frightened and reconsider.
But.
Clash! Scrape!
Blade locked with blade in the air.
Clash! Whoosh!
When he thrust at an opening, it was evaded.
Boom!
When he attacked head-on, it was blocked.
Dokgo Myeong—that fool Dokgo Myeong—was moving like this.
‘This isn’t… the scene I imagined at all.’
Maecheon Yang could not hide his bewilderment.
Dokgo Myeong showed no fear. Rather, the more their blades clashed, the more boldly he pressed his attack.
Clang!
Maecheon Yang, parrying the sword Dokgo Myeong swung, stumbled for a moment.
“Hmm….”
A low groan escaped from Maecheon Yang’s lips.
‘Is this really that Dokgo Myeong?’
Skilled footwork, movements flowing like water, measured breathing. Even reconsidering it, I found myself impressed.
‘Heh, this is beyond imagination….’
Maecheon Yang, who had been indifferent at first and surprised next, was now smiling.
Thump!
Though Maecheon Yang did not notice, at some point strength began to flow into the hand gripping his sword.
Whoosh!
As his spirit awakened, Maecheon Yang’s blade began to swing with even greater sharpness.
Dokgo Myeong, blocking that strike, let out a faint laugh.
“So you’ve finally decided to fight properly?”
“When did you become so slow?”
“Spare the complaints for later. Let’s do this right from now on. I’m starting to feel the response myself.”
Response? What did he mean by that?
Dokgo Myeong exhaled sharply as he observed the confused Maecheon Yang.
Whooom!
My body grew hot. The energy I had spread throughout my body beforehand was finally beginning to respond.
Blaze!
Every sense in my body stood on edge.
Attacks the original Dokgo Myeong could not have evaded, I evaded. Openings I could not have seen, I now saw.
The signs of Cheonwae Gyeong activating.
Dokgo Hyeon’s martial arts were awakening within Dokgo Myeong’s body.
‘I’m on a roll.’
Dokgo Myeong adjusted his grip on the sword and exhaled sharply.
‘Let me push one step further.’
Boom!
Strength surged through my body.
Simultaneously, a straight thrust pierced forward.
“Hm?”
Maecheon Yang twisted his head to evade the blade.
Whoosh!
In that instant, what he thought was merely a thrust did not retract but instead descended in a sweeping arc.
Clang clang clang!
Maecheon Yang hastily drew his blade to block the assault.
‘Something has changed?’
It was at that moment when Maecheon Yang looked at Dokgo Myeong with startled eyes.
Boom!
A resonant strike far heavier than before thundered across the Training Hall floor.
* * *
Jang Sam had spoken the truth.
Normally, martial arts training begins with conditioning the bones and muscles, refining techniques, or accumulating inner energy.
But the Cheonwae Gyeong is different.
A martial art that can only be awakened through real combat in the gap between life and death.
Conventional training comes only after that. If one cannot cross the threshold of entry, training holds no meaning from the start.
‘In my current state, actual combat is impossible. But with the sensations from my past life, sparring should suffice.’
Crash!
Blade met blade, and a tingling shock rippled through my entire body.
The killing intent emanating from a sharp weapon instills tension in the body without needing conscious effort.
And that tension pierced through me like lightning, stimulating every sense in my body.
Whoosh!
In an instant, I felt the energy I had dispersed throughout my body surge up powerfully.
‘It’s here!’
My vision seemed to expand dramatically. My five senses sharpened, perceiving everything around me.
Maecheon Yang’s breathing in and out, the writhing movements of his muscles, the scent of dust and wind he stirred up.
Whooooom!
A blue light seeped into my pitch-black pupils like watercolor bleeding across paper.
‘What is this?’
Maecheon Yang sensed my transformation. His momentum shifted dramatically as well.
At the same moment, I suddenly threw myself toward Maecheon Yang’s blade.
“Gasp! Young Master, danger—wait?”
Maecheon Yang’s eyes widened in shock as he cried out urgently.
Whoosh!
I spun through the air, evading Maecheon Yang’s blade by the thickness of a single sheet of paper.
Hwoosh!
Followed immediately by a straight, piercing strike.
“Ugh!”
Clang!
With the shift in momentum, the sound of the blades colliding changed as well.
A sound like shattering glass pierced my ears.
Whoosh! Clang!
My movements were like an awl.
I drove my body into precise positions with precision, targeting and thrusting into every opening in Maecheon Yang’s defense. At times, even he flinched at these razor-sharp strikes.
‘Was Young Master Dokgo Myeong always this aggressive?’
No.
Maecheon Yang swallowed hard.
This was confidence.
Certainty in himself, the confidence that he could evade.
That was why he could move like that.
‘…I was mistaken.’
I had thought he was acting rashly, suddenly challenging me to a match out of nowhere.
But it wasn’t recklessness.
‘He wasn’t proposing a match without any plan whatsoever.’
It wasn’t impetuousness—he simply understood himself more clearly than anyone else.
That was when it happened.
“One incense stick!”
Jang Sam’s voice rang out from beyond the Training Hall.
“One incense stick has burned completely!”
Maecheon Yang and Dokgo Myeong’s gazes turned toward the incense burner simultaneously.
The incense that had been placed there was now nothing but ash.
“Huff, huff! Phew….”
Dokgo Myeong caught his breath.
Maecheon Yang stood dazed, staring down at his own body in shock.
Shred!
The shallow cut across the front of his martial robe fluttered in the air.
Then Dokgo Myeong straightened his waist and lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile.
“Well, Deputy Chief Maecheon? Do you still have anything to say?”
“….”
Maecheon Yang lifted his head with a somewhat hollow smile.
“Hehe, not at all. How could I?”
Maecheon Yang suddenly assumed the formal fist salute.
Then, bowing his waist, he spoke.
“That was an excellent match, Young Master.”
“Yes. I learned something from you as well, Deputy Chief Maecheon.”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong brushed back his sweat-dampened hair and returned the formal fist salute.
Maecheon Yang stared intently at Dokgo Myeong.
‘Perhaps….’
Maecheon Yang’s eyes gleamed.
In just one incense stick’s time, this was the extent of his improvement.
Then what about tomorrow?
The day after that?
And… a month from now, when the match with Dokgo Ak was scheduled?
‘Hehe, what a foolish thought.’
Maecheon Yang let out a hollow laugh.
Yet his eyes never left Dokgo Myeong, who was loosening his tense muscles.

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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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