Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 64

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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 64
‘What in the world am I witnessing right now?’
Seo Ryun gazed ahead with a troubled expression.
There, riding side by side, were Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Yeon.
“Just try it once.”
“I’m not doing it.”
“You keep deflecting. But I can tell just by looking—you’re cut from the same cloth as me, aren’t you?”
“What are you even saying?”
“Your posture and breathing are unstable—you’ve only recently acquired something new, haven’t you? I know the feeling well. Your hands itch, you want to spar with someone. Your sister will oblige.”
“No, I don’t want to!”
“That’s casual speech!”
“Ugh, blood’s barely dried on your hands and you’re already—”
“What was that?”
“…I don’t want to, okay?”
The two continued bickering endlessly as they rode forward.
‘Huh.’
Seo Ryun let out a sigh.
Dokgo Yeon was extraordinary in every way.
At fifteen, she had already surpassed her peers, and at her current age, she had mastered half of the Main Sect’s Eight Divine Techniques—a martial prodigy of overwhelming caliber.
Perhaps because of such talent, she was known in many ways as…
‘An unpredictable person.’
Whether you called her arrogant or lawless.
She dismissed the Main Sect’s elders as monkeys, or stormed into the Shaolin Temple demanding to see the martial arts of the greatest masters…
Among the Dokgo Clan, no one visited the Law Enforcement Bureau as frequently as she did.
Her brother Dokgo Gun could somewhat control her, but even that was rare.
‘Yet he handles that Dokgo Yeon so effortlessly?’
No, even so.
An elder asking a favor, yet her tone was…
“I can’t. I don’t want to. Don’t ask.”
“Why on earth not!”
“If I don’t want to, I don’t want to. Leave me alone.”
Was that formal speech or casual speech?
Seo Ryun shook his head in bewilderment.
Dokgo Yeon scratched at her horse’s mane with an impatient expression.
“Is it because of your injuries? Don’t worry. We can spar with just martial techniques until you’re fully healed. Surely you won’t refuse that?”
“I will refuse.”
“You insolent brat!”
Dokgo Yeon’s face flushed red and purple with anger.
“Fine, that’s it!”
Whoosh!
Dokgo Yeon’s eyes gleamed as she drew the spear she’d planted beside her horse.
“Let’s see if you can stay still even when the spear blade flies right past your nose!”
“Ah! M-Miss Dokgo!”
Thud!
In an instant, before anyone could stop her, Dokgo Yeon thrust the spear directly toward Dokgo Myeong’s ribs.
Twang! Whoosh!
The spear stopped precisely one inch before Dokgo Myeong’s torso. The surging energy wave caused his robes to flutter.
And Dokgo Myeong didn’t even blink.
“This…! What would you have done if I hadn’t stopped the spear!”
“Well, the martial contest would’ve been off the table anyway.”
“…!”
Dokgo Yeon’s face hardened completely. A chill seemed to radiate from her, and a murderous glint flickered in her eyes.
Regardless, Dokgo Myeong leaned back against his saddle with perfect composure.
“Yawn! Seo Ryun, let’s stop by an inn soon and grab something to eat. I haven’t had anything since this morning.”
“…The Deputy Commander of the Demon Slaying Unit is currently responsible for our travel arrangements.”
“Is that so?”
Just then, Jang Mu-ak suddenly thrust his face forward.
“Ah, you mean an inn?”
Jang Mu-ak smiled broadly. It was a gentle, easy smile—hardly what you’d expect from the Deputy Commander of the notoriously brutal Demon Slaying Unit.
“There’s an excellent inn called the Gungbo Restaurant in the county we’ll be passing through soon. How does that sound?”
“This won’t delay our schedule because of me, will it?”
“What does it matter? The young master is hungry! I’ll take you there at once.”
“Ha! Jang, you know how to handle yourself in society. I like that.”
“Oh, thank you. I must say, I’m quite fond of you as well, young master.”
“Hahaha!”
“Hehehehe!”
Dokgo Myeong and Jang Mu-ak laughed together as they moved forward.
Seo Ryun no longer even felt bewildered.
Just then, Geum Seok-du nodded beside Seo Ryun.
“Indeed, the young master has a point.”
“…What point?”
“We haven’t eaten a single meal since we departed this morning.”
“…”
“Why else would the great poet Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty have created Dongpo Pork? Food is truly that important.”
I felt like I was losing my mind.
Truly.
* * *
True to Jang Mu-ak’s boast, the Gungbo Restaurant at the inn they visited was quite delicious.
Only when the meal was nearly finished did Seo Ryun finally speak.
“So then, why do you refuse the martial contest so firmly?”
“Hm?”
“You mentioned needing a sparring partner not long ago, did you not? And would not Dokgo Yeon not be a suitable match for what you seek?”
He had a point there.
From observing her words and temperament, one could discern the nature of her martial arts. With such an aggressive disposition, her techniques could only be tyrannical or direct in nature.
‘She would make quite a suitable opponent to refine Jahagyeol against.’
Indeed, at around thirty years of age, she was already regarded as elder-class among the Nine Sects—there was no better sparring partner to be found.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“It seems Seo Ryun and I have grown quite close.”
“Sir?”
“To speak so candidly without reservation—we’ve become that sort of companions.”
“Ah, my apologies. I spoke out of turn…”
“Out of turn? Nonsense. What’s wrong with speaking freely?”
*Gulp.*
Dokgo Myeong swallowed his drink and shifted his posture slightly.
He could see Dokgo Yeon seated at the far end, glaring at him with fierce eyes.
“The reason I haven’t been sparring… it’s not something Seo Ryun would particularly enjoy hearing.”
“What do you mean?”
“More tedious politics from the Main Sect, that’s all.”
*Thud.*
Dokgo Myeong crossed his arms and leaned back against the chair as he spoke.
“Do you truly believe that woman came all the way to Anhui merely to guard me?”
“Sir?”
“The Beontcheon Myeolsa Corps is counted among the Main Sect’s elite forces. They wouldn’t mobilize for something so trivial.”
“But sir, you were gravely wounded as the Young Master.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a derisive snort.
“Since when has the Main Sect sent protective forces whenever the Young Master suffers injury?”
“That is…”
Seo Ryun trailed off.
Because it was the truth.
The Dokgo Clan thoroughly abandoned any incidents occurring during private excursions, regardless of whether the victim was the Young Master. Their family doctrine held that those unable to fend for themselves had no place in the household.
Only when the Young Master faced death would the Main Sect mobilize.
Not for vengeance over a kinsman’s death, but to punish those who had damaged the prestige of the greatest household under heaven.
After a moment’s contemplation, Seo Ryun spoke.
“Then it must have been sent by the Outer Sect Leader.”
“…Hm?”
“Recently, you have begun to distinguish yourself within the Main Sect. Perhaps the Outer Sect Leader sent the Myeolsa Corps to express goodwill or create an opportunity for connection?”
“…Heh, Seo Ryun. What’s gotten into you?”
“Sir?”
“You never showed interest in such matters before.”
The corners of Seo Ryun’s mouth lifted slightly.
“It’s just that… serving you has made me realize that being steadfast doesn’t mean I have to be foolish.”
A shift in perspective born from observing Dokgo Myeong.
There was something peculiar in the way Dokgo Myeong acknowledged this.
“Good. You’ve seen it quite accurately.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded in agreement.
“The problem is that it’s not purely goodwill.”
“What do you mean?”
“She sent my daughter.”
“…Pardon?”
“She wants to signal her goodwill—to both me and the other side.”
Seo Ryun, momentarily disoriented by the casual mention of “my daughter,” suddenly brightened with understanding.
‘She’s accounting for the Elder Council faction!’
The authority of Clan Leader Dokgo Cheon had remained unshakeable for far too long.
Yet he had stepped back, merely observing from a distance.
This was why the Outer Sect and the Elder Council faction had begun their competition. Or rather, Dokgo Cheon had orchestrated it that way.
For decades now.
‘The scales seesaw back and forth, but ultimately they’ve achieved equilibrium.’
Then a variable had emerged.
‘The young master himself.’
Seo Ryun’s gaze turned toward Dokgo Myeong.
A weight that had fallen from an unexpected place, surprising everyone.
Its true magnitude remained unknown, but it was certainly no light thing.
And the Outer Sect Master had been the first to extend his hand toward it.
“Did the young lady act with all of this in consideration?”
“A woman with nothing but schemes in her head? There’s no way.”
*Thunk.*
Dokgo Myeong set down his empty cup carelessly.
“I thought it would be troublesome when I heard someone was coming… but I never expected her to send my daughter.”
The visit of Dokgo Yeon and the Demon Slaying Unit had been unexpected. Deep down, I felt an ominous certainty that I could no longer extract myself from the Main Sect’s quagmire.
‘Damn, what a nuisance.’
This cursed family.
It’s suffocating. Truly suffocating.
There’s not a single thing that brings peace of mind.
“You must be in quite a difficult position. The journey back is long, so you’ll likely remain this way the entire time.”
“That’s why I’ve been thinking… what if we just held a martial contest?”
“…Weren’t you just saying moments ago that we shouldn’t do that?”
“A martial contest only becomes political if we interpret it that way, right? Honestly, where would I find an opponent of that caliber?”
“Pardon?”
“No, I’m fed up! Did you think I’d just be pushed around like this? He’s simply misjudged me.”
Dokgo Myeong began to laugh.
‘What is he thinking about now?’
Seo Ryun no longer bothered to hide his uncomfortable expression.
“What exactly are you trying to do?”
“When you raise a dog, you have to train it properly from the start.”
“…Pardon?”
“And there’s nothing quite like the carrot and the whip for training!”
The carrot and the whip?
Weren’t those used for breaking in horses?
“Of course, I won’t give any carrots. But! If they bring a carrot on their own, I can whip them as much as I want! Do you understand what I’m saying?”
No, I don’t understand a single word.
Fortunately, it seems my sanity is still intact.
“Tsk, I should get that fool Seok-du to help… Huh? But where did he go?”
“Well, now that you mention it….”
Dokgo Myeong and Seo Ryun scanned their surroundings.
Soon they spotted Geum Seok-du and their eyes widened.
“Huh.”
“…Why is he over there?”
Dokgo Myeong and Seo Ryun stared blankly in Geum Seok-du’s direction.
At that moment, Geum Seok-du was….
“Lady, allow me to pour you a drink.”
“Mm, very well.”
For some reason, he was pouring wine respectfully for Dokgo Yeon.
* * *
“I despise men with loose tongues, yet your stories are strangely entertaining.”
“Haha, thank you, Lady.”
“If you get bored during the journey, come keep me company. The dark-faced men of my Demon Slaying Unit have no talents beyond swordplay, so they’re tedious.”
“Oh, what an honor just to hear such words.”
Geum Seok-du even received an escort back to his seat. On the way, several members of the Demon Slaying Unit even sent him looks full of goodwill.
“Young Master? Seo Martial Artist? What are you doing? The food is getting cold. Just as Jang Deputy Commander said, the dishes at this Gungbo Restaurant are truly exquisite.”
Geum Seok-du returned naturally, plopped down in his seat, and began wielding his chopsticks.
“….”
“….”
“Why are you looking at me like that? You’ll give me indigestion.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“No, what were you just doing over there?”
“Ah, the Lady seemed to be drinking alone, so I thought I’d keep her company for a bit. Since we’re traveling such a long distance anyway, wouldn’t it be good to build rapport beforehand?”
Seo Ryun let out a quiet exclamation, while Dokgo Myeong shook his head with an expression of utter disbelief.
‘…Right, that’s the kind of man he is. Even back in the Demon Slaying Unit, he had a knack for building connections with members of other units.’
I learned many skills and martial techniques from my fellow members in the Demon Slaying Unit, but this man’s ability to win people over was something I could never master.
“So, what did you talk about?”
“He asked about you, so I told him what seemed appropriate.”
“You didn’t badmouth me, did you?”
“….”
“…You little bastard?”
“It was all for your sake.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned and nodded.
“A corpse speaks?”
“I’m serious. Don’t raise your fists—just listen to what I have to say first.”
“Fine, speak.”
Geum Seok-du swallowed hard.
He glanced around cautiously, then began speaking in a hushed, conspiratorial tone.
“Young Master, didn’t you actually want to have a martial duel?”
“Keep going.”
“I don’t know all the details, but it seemed you refused because you were worried about getting entangled with that young lady and facing trouble. Isn’t that right?”
Ah.
Seo Ryun exhaled quietly in admiration.
He already knew Geum Seok-du was perceptive and resourceful, but he hadn’t expected him to be this sharp.
“And then?”
“So I told him—you also enjoy martial duels, Young Master. If he provided some compensation, you’d accept a duel anytime. I suggested he give it some thought.”
“….”
“Was that perhaps overstepping? I thought that’s what you wanted, Young Master….”
Seo Ryun, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow.
‘Compensation for a duel?’
No matter how much Dokgo Myeong liked calculating gains, he wasn’t some wanderer selling his blade to anyone. This was different.
“Geum Seok-du, no matter what, what you did undermines the Young Master’s dignity….”
Then Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“Haha! Well done, my Seok-du! That’s exactly why I chose you first!”
“Haha! Thank you.”
“Seo Ryun, that’s exactly it. I kept refusing, but then they want to give me something just to have a duel? So I just pretend I can’t refuse and accept! Got it?”
“Haha! Young Master, I know your heart so well. Surely we’re meant to serve together for three lifetimes.”
“Right, right. But Seok-du.”
“Yes, Young Master!”
“Ever heard of a chicken rib?”
“Pardon?”
“No, never mind. Just that. Haha!”
Geum Seok-du tilted his head in confusion, then his face went pale.
“Hey, don’t worry. I love chicken rib too! How delicious is it?”
“Uh, uh….”
“Anyway….”
Dokgo Myeong’s tongue flicked across his lips as he gazed toward Dokgo Yeon.
“I wonder how she’ll respond?”
* * *
“Have you ever entered the Main Sect’s Armory of Ten Perfections?”
“…?”
“You speak of forming the Musa Corps? Then what you need most is a martial technique capable of uniting a group as one.”
“….”
“I possess the authority to open up to the Sixth Gate of the Armory of Ten Perfections! I shall grant it to you.”

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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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