Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 62

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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 62
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Numerous visitors had gathered at the entrance of the manor that Dokgo Wi-hak had secured.
The Baekjeong Sword School, the Miri Sect Leader… The faces of the guests who had come were illustrious. Without exception, they were disciples of martial sects that held some influence in the Anhui Province martial world.
“We have come to pay respects to Young Master Dokgo Myeong of the Dokgo Family! Is he present?”
Knock! Knock!
The First Disciple of the Baekjeong Sword School called out and rapped upon the gate.
Creak!
The manor door swung open, revealing a man whose body was wrapped tightly in bandages.
The man—Seo Ryun—brightened his eyes and asked.
“From whence do you hail, and who might you be?”
“I am Wi Jeong-deok, First Disciple of the Baekjeong Sword School. I heard that Young Master Dokgo Myeong was here and came to call. Would it be permissible to request an audience?”
“…Circumstances are unfavorable for receiving guests. Though it may be discourteous, would you be willing to depart for today?”
“Wait, just a moment! Have you not refused us for two days straight?”
“And you are?”
“I am the Sect Leader of the Wicheon School. I understand the circumstances, but surely you could allow us at least to lay eyes upon him before we depart?”
“…”
Seo Ryun’s eyes, brimming with caution, swept across the gathered crowd.
‘They are all martial artists, are they not.’
Seo Ryun himself had not yet fully recovered from his internal injuries, and Dokgo Myeong’s movements remained restricted.
Though there were soldiers stationed here, they amounted to only a handful of guards from the Cheonil Pavilion, the intelligence organization of the Main Sect.
“Then… might I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?”
“We have come regarding the matter of Bidong that occurred two days ago.”
“…Why would you seek us out over a matter concerning Bidong?”
“Surely you do not feign ignorance of this?”
An awkwardness surfaced upon Seo Ryun’s face.
That subtle courtesy only made his mouth feel drier still.
‘News of the Dragon Scale Robe that the Young Master brought should not have spread, should it?’
Currently, only five people knew of the Dragon Scale Robe’s existence.
Dokgo Myeong, Seo Ryun, Geum Seok-du, Dokgo Wi-hak, and the White-Robed Divine One.
Among them, there was no one who would have revealed such a fact.
‘If there is another reason to seek us out regarding the Bidong matter…’
Was it knocking out martial artists while rushing toward Guhua Mountain?
Was it striking down those who had blocked the entrance to Bidong?
Was it fighting while striking the back of the heads of martial artists who had swarmed during the struggle to seize the Divine Soldier?
‘…’
Seo Ryun squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his hand to his forehead.
There were too many loose threads—he could not discern which was the true cause…!
“W-well then, might I go inside and inquire of the Young Master regarding his intentions?”
“Of course. How could a guest press the master of the house?”
Seo Ryun swallowed hard.
‘There’s no choice. I must slip away secretly with the Young Master.’
Seo Ryun’s expression hardened as he furrowed his brow.
No matter the reason, abandoning a guest and withdrawing in secret could only damage his reputation.
Still, it had to be done. Even if the Young Master would rebuke me later!
“Please wait a moment. I shall return shortly.”
Seo Ryun turned with resolute determination.
And in that very instant.
A figure appeared in the distance, waving his hand frantically.
“Ah, Seo Dae-ju! What’s all this commotion about?”
Ah, truly.
Ah, it’s really the Young Master!!
* * *
A young man walked forward.
His body was wrapped in bandages, and a black robe hung across his shoulders.
The followers watched the young man approaching from beyond the door with tense eyes.
His injuries were clearly severe even from a distance. His energy was dim and his complexion far from healthy.
Yet he did not appear weak.
Like a wounded beast, the very atmosphere around him was dangerous.
It was an appearance befitting the reputation that had captivated the attention of countless followers in Gi-wang’s legacy.
“What is all this commotion about since morning?”
The young man came to a stop before the assembled crowd.
His gaze swept across the surroundings with confidence.
It was an appearance overflowing with self-assurance that bordered on arrogance.
“These are guests who have come seeking an audience with you, Young Master.”
“I didn’t summon those people. Who are they?”
“They are renowned figures from the Anhui martial world.”
“Renowned figures? But why me?”
Why indeed! Or rather, why would they not!
Seo Ryun’s face went rigid.
“Young Master!”
“Young Master Dokgo Myeong!”
Then, the renowned figures stirred, each crying out loudly.
‘This cannot be!’
Seo Ryun rushed forward to block Dokgo Myeong’s path in that urgent moment.
“Wi Jeong-deok of the Baekjeong Sword Gate has come to repay a debt of gratitude to my benefactor!”
“The Sect Leader of Wicheonmun comes to pay respects to Dokgo Jiao-long, who saved his disciples!”
“I myself am from Miryeomun…!”
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The warlords suddenly dropped into the formal bow of respect, lowering their heads.
“…Huh?”
Seo Ryun blinked his eyes.
‘Repay what?’
The lead disciple of Baek Jeong-geomun, standing at the front, opened his mouth with an emotional expression.
“Young Master, do you not remember me?”
“…You know me?”
“Hehe! So you truly do not remember. How remarkable you are.”
“…?”
Dokgo Myeong tilted his head in confusion.
He’s praising me even though I don’t remember him? Is he ill or something?
“When I was trapped in Bidong, did you not seize my collar and drag me to the passage?”
“Huh?”
“The same goes for our Wei Qingmen disciples! Thanks to you, our disciples….”
“We were fighting so fiercely, seeking to gain new recruits, yet you saved lives in the midst of it all….”
“My brother saw you—a young master who did not immediately withdraw but turned back to save even one more person!”
“A true knight-errant you are, Young Master!”
“We could not remain idle and have come to repay this debt!”
The front gate of the manor suddenly became lively and boisterous.
Geum Seok-du muttered beside him, “Did they all lose their minds together?”
“Hehehehe….”
The corners of Dokgo Myeong’s mouth lifted upward.
“Hahaha! I merely fulfilled my duty as a martial artist, yet you make such a fuss over it. Haha!”
“….”
“….”
Seo Ryun and Geum Seok-du’s expressions darkened noticeably.
“Indeed!”
“Such a young man exists in the Gangho…!”
Unlike those who knew the circumstances, the renowned figures of Anhui’s martial world gazed upon Dokgo Myeong with genuine admiration.
“Ah! What is there to make such a fuss about doing something so obvious?”
“Truly a knight-errant!”
“A model for the righteous sects!”
“Hehehehe!”
Dokgo Myeong could not suppress the rising corners of his mouth and grinned widely.
“Ahem! Now then, please, let us stop this.”
Soon after, Dokgo Myeong cleared his throat, deliberately feigning composure.
“I am already grateful simply to be recognized by you all. Therefore, I shall accept your sincerity in spirit alone.”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes widened.
‘Did he really injure his head?’
And in response to those words, the guests raised their voices once more.
“How can you say such a thing!”
“I’ve come to repay your kindness, so please, tell me anything you wish!”
“Is not a human life the most precious thing of all? I merely did what was natural.”
“Hah…!”
“Such a person exists within the Dokgo Family….”
But it was at that very moment.
“Cough!”
Suddenly, Dokgo Myeong erupted into a violent fit of coughing.
“Cough! Cough! Hack!”
Splash!
Blood poured from his mouth in torrents.
“Y-Young Master?!”
“Gasp! Young Master!”
Seo Ryun and Geum Seok-du were startled and rushed to Dokgo Myeong’s side.
“Geum Seok-du! Go prepare medicinal broth at once! I shall attend to the Young Master!”
“Y-Yes, yes!”
“Young Master! Are you alright!”
Dokgo Myeong trembled and clutched at his chest in apparent agony.
“U-Ugh! What is this all of a sudden!”
“Why is this happening!”
As the guests milled about in confusion, Dokgo Myeong opened his eyes weakly, his complexion ashen.
“I-I am fine…. Ugh!”
Fine? He looked anything but fine.
“If you’re fine, why are you coughing up blood!”
“Cough! Hack! The internal injuries I sustained while rescuing those Gangho warriors that day have merely flared up a bit….”
“Ah, no! Internal injuries, you say!”
“What?!”
The gathering stirred with emotion.
In their eyes, the young man barely past his teens appeared as a noble hero of legend.
And Seo Ryun.
‘…His vital energy is stable though?’
He glanced at Dokgo Myeong with a puzzled expression.
And then he was startled.
The corners of his mouth were twitching.
As if he were smiling….
“Cough! Cough! As for repaying kindness… it is unnecessary. Though I am injured, I saved many lives, so I am satisfied…!”
Smile.
Dokgo Myeong, nestled in Seo Ryun’s arms, wore a most pitiful smile.
Solemn and noble.
The Gangho warriors could not suppress their sighs of admiration.
And in that moment.
“Ugh!”
Dokgo Myeong suddenly collapsed with a sharp cry.
“No, no!”
“A physician! Get a physician!”
“No! I have a miraculous elixir! Please take this!”
“Ohhhhh!”
Absolute chaos erupted.
Seo Ryun watched Dokgo Myeong’s lips tremble against his shoulder and let out a hollow laugh.
‘I don’t even know anymore.’
Seo Ryun gazed toward the distant sky.
* * *
And a day passed.
“Hehehehe!”
Geum Seok-du, who had prepared the medicinal broth, sat on the edge of the bed watching Dokgo Myeong eat candied fruits.
“This is how life should be lived. Don’t you think so, Seok-du?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled again and gazed ahead.
There lay countless gifts piled high.
Miraculous elixirs, remedies for internal injuries, precious tonics, fine silk bolts, scrolls painted by master artists….
‘And the manor’s security is being provided as well.’
Disciples sent by local sects had volunteered to handle security, so I didn’t bother stopping them. How could I refuse when they wanted to repay their debt of gratitude?
Geum Seok-du watched the grinning Dokgo Myeong with a troubled gaze.
“Is this really acceptable?”
“What’s not acceptable about it?”
Geum Seok-du let out a bewildered laugh.
Then Seo Ryun heaved a deep sigh.
“Still, this doesn’t seem right. The gifts should be returned….”
“Why?”
“Well….”
Self-harm extortion… or rather, should I call it self-harm performance?
Either way, weren’t these items obtained through misunderstanding and deception?
“Seo Dae-ju.”
Dokgo Myeong placed one foot on the bed and smirked.
“Do you really think those people are doing this purely out of gratitude?”
“Pardon? Then what?”
“It looks good. The appearance is what matters.”
“Appearance… you mean?”
Seo Ryun furrowed his brow, not understanding.
Dokgo Myeong smirked.
Well, this fellow was rather dull.
“Word spread that a so-called ‘non-human’ had appeared, and sect leaders, their disciples, and family forces all rushed over. But it turned out to be a false alarm, and quite a few people died and were injured in the process.”
“….”
“What do you think the martial artists and common folk around here will say?”
At best, they’d call me incompetent; at worst, they’d treat me like a fool.
“But in the midst of all that, a figure appeared who could redirect their attention.”
“You speak wisely, sir.”
“Exactly. The emergence of a righteous hero—that’s what I mean.”
The same story could be told in entirely different ways.
A master craftsman from the previous generation, thought to be a great man, had laid traps in his own tomb.
Yet a young hero emerged from those traps and saved countless lives.
And so the martial artists of Gangho did not forget the hero’s sacrifice and repaid his kindness… Ah! What a beautiful tale it is!
“From their perspective, they can forge a connection with the Yong bloodline as a bonus. And they avoid the shame of being called shameless for not repaying kindness before.”
“Are you saying… they’re all thinking such things?”
Seo Ryun’s expression grew complicated.
It felt as though he’d glimpsed an aspect of Gangho he’d never wished to see.
“They might be, or they might not. The point is simply that the outcome is what it is. What really matters is….”
Dokgo Myeong shrugged his shoulders.
“The fact that we saved them.”
“….”
“If we were just concerned with our own survival, we could’ve simply destroyed the entrance and been done with it. Couldn’t we?”
“Yes. It would have taken time, but it would certainly have been possible.”
“But we saved everyone. So why refuse what they’re offering? If we’re going to receive it anyway, we might as well squeeze out more!”
“….”
Seo Ryun’s expression, which had fallen silent for a moment, shifted in a subtle way.
“Sir, might I ask one final question?”
“By all means.”
“Then ultimately, why did you save them?”
“Hmm?”
“It wasn’t for righteousness, nor were you seeking compensation.”
If he’d been seeking compensation, he would have demanded it outright. Yet now Dokgo Myeong seemed content to simply accept what was being offered.
Why?
Why had Dokgo Myeong chosen to save them that day?
‘Whether it was the Jeongcheon Alliance, the Geumsan incident, or now… the master’s actions are always so ambiguous.’
Neither righteous nor calculated for gain.
At that moment, Dokgo Myeong smacked his lips and spoke.
“It bothered me.”
“Sir?”
“It seemed like we could’ve brought them out if we’d done it right. How could I just leave them there? Tsk, I didn’t take you for such a heartless man, Seo Dae-ju.”
“That’s not what I meant to say….”
Then, Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly and murmured in a voice barely audible.
“There are already too many faces haunting my dreams. I can’t afford to add more.”
“Huh?”
Crunch!
Dokgo Myeong bit into a pastry and grinned widely.
“I just did it because it seemed like I could. That’s all there is to it.”
Dokgo Myeong had no desire to become a righteous hero.
Beat those who deserved beating, kill those who deserved killing—what kind of frozen-to-death hero was that? Nonsense.
He’d rather pursue success. Gain renown, earn some respect in Gangho, make plenty of money, eat well, and live in comfort.
But he had no intention of living selfishly and shamefully like the old Sect Leader of Geumsan, the Paedo Sect Leader, or that Hyeon Un-jin bastard.
‘If it seemed like everyone would die if I tried to take them along, I would’ve abandoned them and fled immediately.’
So that meant….
He simply wanted to live like a human being.
Moderately virtuous, moderately self-interested, and just moderately.
Just as Dokgo Hyeon had once dreamed, and as the Chamma Sect had dreamed.
“….”
“….”
Both Seo Ryun and Geum Seok-du regarded Dokgo Myeong with peculiar eyes.
There it was again.
This inexplicable depth that the usually frivolous and infuriating Dokgo Myeong occasionally revealed.
Wasn’t it precisely this aspect that had drawn both of them to follow Dokgo Myeong?
‘It’s not the righteous path.’
Nor is it the demonic path. Then where was the direction Dokgo Myeong was walking toward?
‘I’ll understand eventually.’
Turbulence swirled in Dokgo Myeong’s wake with each step.
Methods still difficult to accept. Yet if he continued forward like this to the very end, results would emerge.
Then it happened.
Flutter!
A hawk descended upon the window sill.
“A messenger hawk? Ah!”
It was a carrier hawk operated exclusively by the Main Sect for urgent communications.
“The Sect Leader mentioned that reinforcements from the Main Sect would arrive, so this must be related news?”
“Yes, but….”
Seo Ryun unfolded the letter tied to the hawk’s leg and froze.
“Young Master, you must prepare yourself.”
“Huh? Who’s coming?”
“That is….”
* * *
“Quite the promising young rascal, isn’t he? Hahahaha!”
A woman atop a horse read the letter and burst into laughter.
Her subordinate, who had ridden up beside her, asked cautiously.
“Was there some remarkable news written in it?”
“The situation’s already been sorted out. I hurried over, but it seems I’m late.”
“Pardon? Already, you say?”
“Indeed.”
A woman.
Dokgo Yeon—the eldest granddaughter of Dokgo Cheon, patriarch of the Dokgo Family, and the renowned commander of the Overturning Heaven Demon Slaying Brigade—answered.
“I hear Anhui’s martial world is in quite an uproar. They say his reputation is skyrocketing like ascension itself?”
“Pardon?”
“Demon King of Destruction, Dokgo’s Soaring Dragon, Dokgo’s Sleeping Dragon, Fist Paragon… Have you ever seen someone earn so many titles on only their second venture into Gangho?”
“…Do all those titles refer to Young Master Dokgo Myeong?”
“They do, it seems.”
A smile curved across Dokgo Yeon’s crimson lips.
“I’ve heard much about him lately. Now I’ll finally see him properly.”
A woman who had long surpassed the level of late-stage mastery and earned her name across the realm by the age of thirty.
Dokgo Yeon, the Thundering Spear Dragon, turned her gaze toward Dokgo Myeong.

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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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