Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 76

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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 76
“I pay my respects to the Sect Leader.”
Swish! Swish!
As I entered the study, Dokgo Cheon was moving his brush across paper with his back turned to me.
“You’ve arrived early.”
“What are you working on?”
As I approached from the side, I could see the lines being drawn on the paper.
“Are you painting orchids?”
“There is a certain resonance between wielding a brush and wielding a sword.”
Swish!
The brush stroke extended in one fluid motion, the ink crossing the paper like a single blade’s arc.
It didn’t take long for a single orchid to take shape.
Dokgo Cheon set down his brush and turned to face me.
“What do you make of it?”
“Hmm….”
I held my chin and tilted my head.
“It looks like a few earthworms crawling across the paper.”
“….”
In that moment, Dokgo Cheon’s mouth fell silent as if his words had abandoned him.
I scratched the back of my head.
“My apologies. I’m quite ignorant in such matters.”
“Go sit. Would you care for some tea?”
“That’s not necessary.”
Dokgo Cheon carelessly tossed the paper with the orchid painting to the corner of his desk.
For something he’d taken such care to paint, he was treating it rather roughly.
Dokgo Cheon settled into his seat and abruptly broached a subject.
“So, I hear you’re maintaining balance while holding both ropes.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
“You’re starting with that topic?”
“What else did you expect?”
“I thought you’d begin with talk of the succession.”
“I didn’t realize you had the luxury of worrying about that right now.”
“Pardon?”
Dokgo Cheon shook his head firmly.
“Can you maintain your balance? With a fox wearing a bear’s skin and a hundred-year-old serpent licking their chops on both sides?”
The fox would be Dokgo Un-hak, and the serpent would be Dokgo Hwi-hwa.
Dokgo Un-hak was known as a benevolent man, yet his actions were underhanded, while Dokgo Hwi-hwa was an old monster whose true intentions were difficult to discern.
“As long as they’re merely licking their chops and not acting, it should be manageable, shouldn’t it?”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes gleamed with light.
“You wretch… you never intended to play tug-of-war in the first place, did you?”
“I know my place well. Would I dare fight against masters of such schemes?”
“Then?”
“I intend to become the central axis, not merely a counterweight.”
A brief silence fell, and Dokgo Cheon spoke with a long exhale.
“The more I see, the more fascinating you become. Who taught you such things?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Such conduct, such calculations, such sense of balance… These are things one can only truly obtain after experiencing enough painful lessons.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled bitterly.
“There was simply someone who excelled at such things.”
“Surely not your father?”
“Just someone like that.”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression stiffened slightly.
-Martial prowess can certainly resolve many things. But creating the stage upon which to display that prowess—that is politics.
If one wishes to accomplish something as part of the Demon Slaying Unit, one must become the person wielding the blade, not merely a well-forged sword.
‘Baek Mu-heun.’
The name that suddenly surfaced dampened my spirits.
It was he who had taught me about the world of schemes and how to navigate such a world.
“A foundation… becoming a third force, it seems you’ll have quite the struggle.”
“Still, it must be done.”
“Do you have a method in mind?”
“I intend to gnaw away at both sides and grow my own strength.”
“Before that?”
“Sir?”
“Is that truly all there is?”
Dokgo Cheon narrowed his eyes.
“Are you feigning ignorance, or do you truly not understand?”
“…What do you mean, sir?”
“Hmm.”
After a moment’s pause, Dokgo Cheon spoke.
“If this old man were to show people what happened just now, what do you think they would say?”
“Why do you suddenly ask such a thing?”
“Answer first.”
Dokgo Myeong replied with an uncomfortable expression.
“…Would they not each answer according to their own perception?”
“That’s only because it’s you.”
“Sir?”
“Ninety-nine out of a hundred would spout flattery.”
The corners of Dokgo Cheon’s mouth twisted upward.
“There seems to be a serene beauty to it. You must have some refinement in calligraphy, painting, and poetry. The beauty of emptiness and restraint… they would prattle on with such nonsense.”
Dokgo Myeong furrowed his brow.
“Speaking words I don’t wish to speak, calling falsehoods true… it’s truly frustrating.”
At my muttered complaint, Dokgo Cheon’s expression hardened.
“That perspective is precisely the origin of your problem.”
“Pardon?”
“That is the perspective of a subordinate. Why would one destined to stand above the masses harbor such thoughts?”
“…!”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression froze.
“The most difficult task in this world is changing a person’s mind. There is but one thing that makes it possible.”
Money and power.
And Dokgo Cheon had distilled both into something remarkably simple.
“Authority.”
Dokgo Cheon gestured with his chin toward the paper I had marked.
“And that is precisely the essence of authority.”
It was the ancient parable of calling a deer a horse.
Whether the orchid brushed across the painting was truly beautiful or utterly ruined mattered not at all.
“What are you trying to say?”
“The Outer Sect Leader and the Council of Elders possess that very authority.”
“So you’re saying I should seize it from them.”
“Can you seize it?”
Dokgo Cheon laughed as though amused by my naivety.
“You lack the authority to change the minds of those beneath them.”
“…!”
“When did your goal become stealing from those in power? Wasn’t it to build your own?”
“Are you telling me to become a person of authority?”
“You speak strangely.”
Dokgo Cheon wore a subtle smile.
“Are you not already an excellent wielder of authority?”
“…!”
In that moment, it felt as though someone had struck the back of my head.
From the moment I became a true blood descendant of Dokgo Cheon, no longer a cadet of obscure origins from a wandering ronin lineage.
From the moment I began gathering people by my convictions and building strength.
I had already been walking the path of one wielding authority.
Seeing my dazed expression, Dokgo Cheon continued.
“You speak of becoming the fulcrum of the scale, yet you only think of lightening both sides.”
“That is….”
“If you intend to hunt a beast, you must first find prey to feed yourself. No beast avoids its sustenance.”
Observing my grandson’s sealed lips, Dokgo Cheon’s brow narrowed.
He felt a measure of disappointment toward Dokgo Myeong, who could not organize his thoughts.
‘So this is a facet he possesses.’
Thinking back, this fellow Dokgo Myeong had only fought against those stronger and more formidable than himself.
One must know how to build and how to seize. Only then does one become a true ruler.
‘I thought he merely understood the value of affection.’
Dokgo Cheon shook his head.
In that state, he couldn’t be trusted with important matters.
“Very well. Let us end here for today….”
Dokgo Cheon began to speak but closed his mouth instead.
‘This boy?’
He saw his grandson’s eyes deepen with intensity.
As if he had just achieved enlightenment through martial arts, confusion vanished from his expression and determination began to emerge.
“I apologize for showing such incompetence. Thank you for your guidance.”
“There is no need to speak words you do not mean simply to overcome this moment.”
“But you said that speaking words you do not mean is what power is?”
In that instant, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“However, if I live only as you have taught me, I suspect there would be little enjoyment in it.”
“What? Enjoyment?”
“Is it not so? What pleasure would there be in constantly hearing similar flattery about that orchid?”
“You intend to distance yourself from power?”
“Why would I distance myself from it? You said I am a man of power, did you not? Now that I think about it, I believe I can put it to use.”
‘Put it to use?’
Power as a tool. Dokgo Cheon’s eyes widened slightly.
Dokgo Myeong smiled wickedly.
“I intend to gather only those one-in-a-hundred contrarians who speak as crookedly as I do. That would be far more entertaining.”
“Can you overcome such rebellious spirits?”
“Of course.”
“What makes you so confident?”
“Because there is no contrarian in this world more crooked than me!”
How confident. Utterly confident.
Pure arrogance, truly.
Dokgo Cheon let out an involuntary laugh.
“Then what do you intend to do now?”
“Upon reflection, I believe I need not do anything at all.”
“Why is that?”
“Because the prey will walk straight into my jaws of their own accord.”
Dokgo Cheon’s smile deepened.
“Correct. Precisely that.”
….
“I thought you merely spoke righteous words and harbored soft thoughts, but that is not the case.”
“Yes, my perspective has changed. Though my methods will differ from yours.”
Dokgo Cheon nodded.
“I do not know what lines you will draw or how you will move, but remember this one thing.”
“I shall listen carefully.”
“Do you wish not to be swayed by the world, but to sway the world itself? Then it must be the world that moves, not you.”
“….”
“The eye of the typhoon is calm. Do not forget this.”
* * *
Whenever I came to the Sect Leader’s residence, my energy drained away.
Not once did a conversation with him ever end easily.
And recently, I’d noticed that Dokgo Cheon seemed to subtly enjoy these exchanges as well.
‘But that was certainly profound wisdom.’
It would have sufficed when I was the Demon Slaying Unit’s commander, but not anymore.
I needed to elevate my perspective.
Slurp!
Dokgo Myeong drank the tea that was still steaming.
“But why are you being so kind as to teach me everything?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You’re not the type to gently point out someone’s shortcomings and teach them, are you?”
Dokgo Cheon let out a scoff.
“When have I ever?”
“Come now, why are you like this?”
“You are the most precious bloodline in this world. It is only natural that I teach you when I see your deficiencies.”
Was the Sect Leader really the type to say such things?
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Whether you like it or not, it is Yongheol who represents the greatest family under heaven. I cannot simply overlook an inadequate display.”
…So that’s how it was.
One should never expect sentimentality from this family.
“But why have you given me no teachings until now?”
“Would you have listened if I spoke?”
“….”
“Even before that, you avoided me. Whenever you saw my face, you’d turn pale and lose your breath—how could I show interest and offer teachings?”
Dokgo Cheon chuckled softly.
“Let us end the idle talk here.”
Clink!
Dokgo Cheon set down his teacup.
“You seem capable of handling yourself properly within the family. I trust you will not be distracted when attending to matters.”
“Is this where the main discussion begins?”
“Have you guessed why I summoned you?”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“The rooting out of spies you mentioned before. You need my assistance with that, don’t you?”
Dokgo Cheon shook his head at Dokgo Myeong’s words.
“You underestimate this old man far too much.”
“The Black Dragon Sect and Tianerge wouldn’t have been efficient enough, would they?”
“I’ve already extracted most of it. The Bloodfiend Sect—it took considerable time just to uncover that name.”
“…!”
Dokgo Myeong froze for a moment.
And Dokgo Cheon didn’t miss that reaction.
“As expected, you seem to know far more than I thought, Myeong-i.”
“…What do you mean, sir?”
“The woman we captured at Guhuashan seems to possess quite a bit of information. Or perhaps….”
“….”
“You knew about it from before.”
Flash!
Dokgo Cheon’s gaze sharpened.
Dokgo Myeong spoke calmly.
“Does that change anything?”
“Heh heh! Nothing changes. This old man is simply curious.”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong feared this aspect of Dokgo Cheon.
More than the martial prowess of reaching the pinnacle or the cunning that built the Cheonha Jeil Sega, it was this dexterity.
‘That’s a level of experience I cannot reach right now.’
He had spent decades governing the world. I couldn’t hope to overcome that immediately.
But in this matter alone, at least regarding the Twin Demon League….
‘I have no choice but to win.’
Dokgo Cheon’s brow furrowed.
He sensed the composure etched in his grandson’s expression.
“Thank you.”
“…?”
“From your reaction, I can now confirm one thing for certain.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled wickedly.
“You’ve discovered more than expected, but you haven’t uncovered everything yet.”
“What?”
“Thanks to that, I now know exactly how strong my hand is in this moment.”
Twitch!
The corners of Dokgo Cheon’s eyes moved ever so slightly.
This is why conversations with this audacious grandson were entertaining.
Not opposing him or seeking his approval, but openly matching wits with him.
“When I first brought up the matter of the Sega, you must have calculated that I would summon you.”
“I didn’t expect you to obtain even the name Bloodfiend Sect.”
“Just how much do you know?”
“And how much do you know, sir?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“And how far do you intend to go?”

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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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