Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 67

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 67
Wi Baek, the Inner Sect Master and Overseer of the Dokgo Family, surveyed the Main Hall.
“Attendance at recent meetings has increased considerably. It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen more than half the seats filled.”
This was the venue for the monthly conference where various matters of the Main Sect were discussed.
There were more occupied seats than empty ones. Originally, more than half had remained vacant, but things had changed recently.
‘This must be due to the intensification of factional strife.’
The Law Enforcement Bureau’s blade dance, initiated by the previous Geumsan Sect Leader, had produced this result.
“Today we have quite a few urgent matters to address, so let us dispense with formalities and begin immediately.”
“….”
“It appears that a band of bandits skilled in martial arts has been rampaging in northern Guangdong. The Wi clan, a vassal family of the Main Sect, has requested support.”
“How audacious. Mere bandits daring to act beneath the Main Sect’s nose.”
“The times are turbulent, so such incidents are bound to occur.”
“Save the idle chatter for another occasion.”
Wi Baek continued without a flicker of expression.
“We shall nominate someone to handle this matter.”
“Cheongryugak will handle it. With appropriate personnel….”
“No, I heard Cheongryugak suffered personnel losses recently. The Main Sect will take charge of this.”
“Surely! Northern Guangdong has always been the Main Sect’s responsibility!”
“Surely? Is that tone not a bit excessive?”
The very first agenda item sparked fierce contention. The meeting, expected to last less than an hour, stretched on for over two hours.
“…Let us conclude the urgent matters here. If any Sect Leaders have additional reports, please speak now.”
“The Main Sect has something to report.”
All eyes turned toward the man who spoke slowly.
A man of remarkable acumen who had recently been accumulating wealth.
His identity was none other than….
“Geumsan Sect Leader. What is the matter?”
It was Son Tae-im, the Geumsan Sect Leader.
“Well, you see, the development of trade routes to Guizhou and the recruitment of escort services are nearly complete, and the business is proceeding smoothly.”
“Already?”
“Thanks to successful negotiations with the Jeongcheon Alliance. Hehehehe!”
He subtly elevated his own credit for conducting the negotiations.
The Sect Leaders’ eyes gleamed as they regarded him.
‘Truly remarkable capability. The new Jeongcheon Alliance Leader is said to be quite formidable.’
‘Was his talent hidden in the shadow of the previous Sect Leader?’
‘I hear he’s expanding several other ventures beyond the Guizhou trade route….’
‘But his hair keeps….’
Son Tae-im felt the weight of the Sect Leaders’ gazes and forcefully suppressed the corners of his mouth that threatened to curl upward.
‘Ahhh… so this is how the reward for that hardship comes.’
A few strands of hair had been lost, and considerable weight had been shed.
Nothing had changed during Dokgo Myeong’s absence. Rather, he’d had to frantically process work under the guise of welfare inquiries that came through correspondence—inquiries that were nothing short of threats.
“Understood. Should our sect require any resources, please do not hesitate to inform us. We shall provide our full support.”
“Thank you.”
Even Wi Baek the Overseer, the second-in-command of that sword sect, was observing me with an enigmatic gaze as he spoke.
My self-esteem.
It was surging back—this feeling of my once-depleted pride rising anew!
That was when it happened.
“One final matter I wish to inquire about. Why has the situation in Anhui not been brought up in discussion?”
He was one of the Baekgak sect leaders who belonged to neither the outer faction nor the elder council.
“By the Anhui situation, you mean?”
“I heard that Young Master Dokgo Myeong became entangled with the Huangshan Sect through a debt of gratitude.”
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Wi Baek’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“That matter had justification even for the Main Sect. I believe it is not something to be further discussed.”
“Justification? Since when have matters in Gangho been resolved by justification alone?”
The sect leader countered calmly.
Wi Baek paused, searching his memory.
‘Oknim Sect Leader Dan Ri-cheong. From Anhui. Has certain connections with Huangshan.’
Wi Baek’s eyes grew cold and distant.
Perhaps these words were merely the will of the Huangshan Sect flowing through his mouth.
“What is your intention in speaking thus?”
“I am not unaware of the Overseer’s intellect, yet you continue to speak in riddles.”
Oknim Sect Leader Dan Ri-cheong clicked his tongue.
“Anhui is Huangshan’s territory. It became so after the Namgung family’s fall.”
“….”
“If the Main Sect has not abandoned Anhui Province, then regardless of which path is chosen, the Main Sect’s position must be decided. Whether to censure Young Master Myeong or to seek reconciliation….”
“Oknim Sect Leader.”
Wi Baek regarded Dan Ri-cheong with an impassive expression.
“A sect leader of the Main Sect must represent only the interests of the Dokgo Family.”
“That is naturally….”
“It appears to my ears that you are representing something else entirely.”
“…!”
Oknim Sect Leader’s face hardened.
“What, what misunderstanding….”
“Speak of this matter no further.”
“How can this be brushed aside so easily! This is not a matter that can be overlooked!”
“The Family Head is directly questioning the Young Master about this himself.”
“What did you say?”
“The Family Head? Directly, you say?”
The assembly stirred at once.
“Wait—questioning him, you say? What do you mean by that?”
“It seems you weren’t aware.”
Wi Baek continued matter-of-factly.
“Young Master Dokgo Myeong has already returned to the Main Sect.”
In that instant, a trembling voice muttered from somewhere, barely audible.
“…He’s already here?”
* * *
“Welcome back, Young Master Dokgo Myeong.”
When I arrived at the Gajubu to offer my return greetings from my journey, the one who greeted me was Black Dragon Sect Leader Lee Seong-cheon.
“But where are we heading now?”
“The Sect Leader is currently behind the Gajubu. We’re heading in that direction.”
“Behind the Gajubu? What’s there?”
“There’s a Training Hall.”
A Training Hall? There was such a place there?
“Yes, well. I understand for now.”
“Then this way.”
I nodded vaguely and cast a subtle glance at Black Dragon Sect Leader’s back.
‘Lee Seong-cheon. The Sword of the Sword Saint.’
My eyes twitched slightly.
Perhaps it was because I’d done nothing but martial training since obtaining Hongcheon Gi. Suddenly, a competitive spirit surged within me.
‘What’s the gap between him and me now?’
Whoosh!
My sensory perception naturally awakened.
I furrowed my brow.
There was virtually no qi leaking outward.
He was containing all his energy internally. It was a realm as natural as breathing.
‘He’s far surpassed the level of a Nine Factions elder.’
So compared to me now?
Then, Lee Seong-cheon’s head suddenly turned.
Our gazes met in the empty air.
“….”
“….”
A flicker of something crossed Lee Seong-cheon’s eyes.
“You’ve grown considerably, Young Master.”
His tone still revealed no emotion.
I opened my mouth slightly.
“May I ask you something?”
“Please do.”
“Is serving the Sect Leader worthwhile?”
“….”
Lee Seong-cheon paused for a moment.
Dokgo Myeong tilted his head quizzically.
“I didn’t ask anything I shouldn’t have, so why do you look like that?”
“…It is nothing.”
“So, is it manageable? It seems like it would be incredibly difficult.”
“I simply serve with utmost sincerity.”
Lee Seong-cheon’s monotone voice seemed to carry a hint of bewilderment.
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle.
‘Indeed, who would ask such things of the Black Dragon Sect Leader himself?’
He is the shadow and blade of the sword master. Undoubtedly present, yet nonexistent without the sword master.
Ordinary people exchange such casual remarks as they pass through life, but Lee Seong-cheon likely never heard them easily in his lifetime.
‘Despite possessing such martial prowess.’
No, rather because of that very power.
They would see him not as a person, but merely as a sharp blade.
Dokgo Myeong suddenly became curious about Lee Seong-cheon.
“What thoughts drive you to serve?”
“….”
“I’ve been curious for a while now. Whenever I see those high-ranking officials, they always travel with hidden guards, and it seems like living that way must be quite difficult.”
“What is the reason for your curiosity about such matters?”
Lee Seong-cheon countered with a question.
It was the first time. He had asked me a question.
Dokgo Myeong felt the distance between them narrow by a step.
“I’ve always lived asking about this and that. Nothing particularly grand. Just stories about how people live. Things that no one really asks about.”
“….”
Tap!
Then, Lee Seong-cheon stopped walking.
“We have arrived.”
Before them, at the rear of the Gajubu, a low stone wall came into view.
Nothing in particular was felt. Only a serene atmosphere filled the space.
“My guidance ends here. You must enter alone from this point forward.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Be cautious.”
“Pardon?”
“It will not be easy.”
At Lee Seong-cheon’s words, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
Was there something beyond that wall?
Dokgo Myeong, puzzled, soon let out a soft laugh.
“Well, has there ever been anything easy about this household?”
“….”
Lee Seong-cheon lowered his head slightly.
‘Did he just smile?’
At the barely perceptible shift, I tilted my head and moved forward.
Lee Seong-cheon’s voice came from behind.
“When we meet next time, I shall have prepared an answer to your question.”
At those words, I let out a quiet chuckle.
* * *
Beyond the threshold lay a Training Hall scene as common as any you’d find elsewhere.
One step.
Two steps.
I advanced slowly.
Then, in an instant, the world before my eyes began to spin violently.
‘What is this?’
As I turned my eyes, my vision followed a beat too slowly.
Blood rushed downward, and my breath caught as though seized by invisible hands.
I immediately summoned my inner energy.
Whoooosh!
Hyocheon Qi surged forth to reinforce my meridians, while Hwicheon Qi and Hongcheon Qi shielded my organs and blood vessels.
“Huff, huff….”
My breathing eased somewhat, yet my vision continued to spin.
I turned back with difficulty.
‘Damn it.’
A hollow laugh escaped me.
‘I thought I’d covered over a hundred paces, but it was only ten steps?’
Then, from somewhere indeterminate, Dokgo Cheon’s voice reached me.
“You’ve arrived.”
“…Sect Leader.”
“Come closer. It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face.”
“I’m still recovering from my journey, so wouldn’t it be better if you came to me instead?”
“Haha, you speak nonsense.”
Whoooosh!
A sudden gust of wind swept across the space.
The pressure intensified. My skin throbbed as though carved by a blade.
‘Damn it! Just say you won’t do it if you won’t!’
Whiiiine!
I often perceived the danger warnings sent by my sensory meridians as colors.
The Path of Death appeared in crimson.
The Path of Life appeared in azure.
And the color of this place… was entirely red.
‘Qi.’
What enveloped this vast expanse was neither a formation nor the techniques of the demonic sects.
Across both my past and present lives, I faced the Qi of a Sword Master for the first time.
Crack!
I clenched my teeth and straightened my waist, taking a deep breath.
‘Right, then. Let me show you what I can do.’
I slowly lowered my body.
My leg muscles, tensed with tremendous force, bulged outward.
‘You think I can’t do this?!’
And in that instant.
Whoooosh! Boom!
As the Hui Cheon energy erupted fiercely from the Yongcheon acupoint on my soles, my body shot upward like a cannonball.
The force constricting my entire body doubled, surging forward, and my mind spun dizzy for a moment.
‘Push outward with Hui Cheon, breathe with Hongcheon!’
And in the final moment.
Boom! Crash!
I folded several layers of space and landed on the ground.
The light of the three divine energies drawn up to their extreme burst forth, leaving traces of brilliance in all directions.
“Huff, cough…”
I barely supported my trembling legs and breathed in ragged gasps.
At that moment, laughter rang out.
“Hehehehe! Just as I thought—you never do anything like ordinary people. Not even walking, and you fearlessly leap over it in one bound?”
There stood an old man holding a sword at an angle.
The Sword Master, Dokgo Cheon.
* * *
“How about taking the epithet ‘Peaceful Winds’ for yourself? Wherever you go, there’s never a moment of peace.”
“Peaceful? There’s no terrain more treacherous than that.”
“A fellow who floats with only his mouth above water when he falls in. Yet your tongue moves quite well despite all that struggling?”
“I’m already at my limit, so couldn’t you go easy on me now?”
“Hehe, very well. I shall do so.”
Ting!
Dazzling sunlight shimmered at the tip of Dokgo Cheon’s sword.
Immediately after, all the oppressive force vanished as if drawn into the blade.
My eyes brightened.
‘That’s it.’
The true nature of the oppressive force that occupied the space.
It was certain that this single blade had caused it all.
“So, what was your reason for suddenly pressuring me like that?”
“I was testing you.”
“What kind of test, sir?”
“I was curious what you relied upon to cause such trouble wherever you go.”
Dokgo Cheon stroked his ash-colored beard.
“Fortunately, it seems you were not relying on the family name to run amok. Had you been, you would never have come this far.”
Though his tone was measured, Dokgo Myeong felt a chill run down his spine.
It was both acknowledgment and warning from Dokgo Cheon—a message that had I relied solely on the family name and acted recklessly, I would not have been forgiven.
“It seems others have undergone this trial as well.”
“How did you know that?”
“Didn’t you say there was nothing ordinary about what I did?”
“Heh, that’s right. Before you, there were five others.”
Dokgo Cheon stroked his chin.
“Two of them succeeded.”
Dokgo Cheon did not speak of what became of the remaining three.
A brief silence fell.
Then Dokgo Cheon broke the silence and asked.
“What did you perceive?”
….
Dokgo Myeong pressed his lips firmly shut.
What did I perceive?
I saw blades. Countless blades.
The ground beneath my feet, the air I breathed—everything was Dokgo Cheon’s blade.
“I witnessed the Blade Embryo.”
“…What?”
“That Blade Embryo—could you tell me its name?”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyelids twitched.
“Why do you call it a Blade Embryo?”
“Because it was unfolded through the blade—what else would you call it?”
“You’re saying you actually saw it, not merely guessed or inferred?”
“Why do you ask?”
….
A piercing gaze swept down from the crown of Dokgo Myeong’s head to the tips of his toes.
“…Your body and inner energy have grown considerably. Yet your training in that body hasn’t exceeded two years.”
“I’ve endured considerable hardship during this time.”
“A little hardship alone could not have allowed you to perceive such things.”
Thud.
Dokgo Cheon’s smile vanished. The air around him grew sharp once more.
“You’ve always been like this.”
Dokgo Cheon clasped his hands behind his back and regarded Dokgo Myeong directly.
“You obtain what cannot be obtained, you perceive what cannot be perceived. As if you had experienced it before.”
….
Dokgo Cheon’s gaze pierced through Dokgo Myeong like a blade, sharp and penetrating.
“I have refrained from asking the questions that have accumulated about you. I feared it might hinder the growth of this unnamed seedling sprouting in my garden.”
Flash!
A threatening light erupted from Dokgo Cheon’s eyes.
“I didn’t ask about your sudden change in temperament, nor your implausible martial achievements, nor your peculiar insight. But this—I must ask.”
“….”
“Have you ever encountered someone who has reached the Celestial Realm?”
The Celestial Realm.
In this vast expanse of Zhongyuan and Gangho, only three had reached that transcendent stage—demigods beyond all reach—and the world called it by that name.
“Don’t think you can escape with lies. You must speak the truth.”
The sword Dokgo Cheon let hang emitted an ominous aura.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————