Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 84

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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 84
A man sat by lamplight, reading from a book.
Flip!
As the man quietly turned the page, he spoke as if to himself.
“There should still be time before the appointed meeting.”
“My apologies. This matter is urgent.”
“Report it.”
At the voice that came from the darkness, the man closed his book.
“News has arrived from Honam to headquarters. It appears a massive purge has been conducted within the Dokgo Family.”
“Were our disciples caught up in this purge?”
“It appears they were specifically targeted from the beginning.”
“What?”
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the fragile lamplight flickered violently.
The man’s eyes gleamed with a crimson light.
“What was the damage?”
“Shadow Army Commander was affected.”
“This is incomprehensible. You detected no signs until it reached this point?”
“The Dokgo Family moved swiftly. They handled it without warning through the Clan Leader’s decree, resolving it with decisive speed.”
“Could it be that Dokgo Cheon has decided to intervene?”
“We are also considering the possibility that it may be mere whimsy.”
“Dokgo Cheon does not move without reason. Have you not gathered more detailed information?”
“The Dokgo Family’s vigilance has become stringent, making it difficult to move our people.”
“Try through the merchant association. They should be safe.”
“Yes, I will attempt it.”
“Attempting alone is insufficient. The time has come to take the first step toward the Holy War.”
“Do you mean…!”
“The plan we prepared has succeeded. The beginning of our great undertaking draws near.”
“Have you succeeded in recruiting them?”
“Recruiting, you say. They will not even know what they are doing.”
Someone in the darkness trembled with fervent emotion.
The man’s eyes flashed as he murmured.
“Now the torch is prepared. The day this filthy Zhongyuan Gangho burns is not far away.”
“Jeon Myeong. I will devote myself entirely so as not to become a burden to the Holy War.”
* * *
Boom! Crash!
Wind surged back from Dokgo Myeong’s extended fist.
“Hah, whoosh!”
Short, sharp breaths.
Then a spinning kick sliced through the empty air like a blade.
Boom!
It was as if an explosion had erupted.
My eyes twitched at that overwhelming force.
‘This is no illusion. Both my vital energy flow and martial technique execution are changing without my awareness.’
The flow of my vital energy had become denser and more potent.
The problem lay in how it had become more monotonous than expected.
‘Has something gone wrong?’
This was not a matter I could address by sitting in lotus position and observing my inner state.
I steadied my breathing and began moving my limbs again.
Boom! Screech!
In sync with my vigorous movements, azure vital energy began seeping into my bones and muscles.
The foundation of Cheonoe Gyeong was ultimately the Hyocheon Technique.
It was the pupil-training method of the Hyocheon Technique. I had returned to the beginning.
‘Could it be?’
And soon I could discern the reason for this transformation.
Boom! Whoosh!
“Gasp, huff….”
My brow furrowed as I stopped my movements, sweat dripping profusely.
‘Is it the Sensory Seal?’
Whirrrrr!
It was the Sensory Seal, the martial technique of the upper dantian.
The path revealed by the Sensory Seal was different from before.
‘No, ultimately the subject of the Sensory Seal is me. I have changed.’
Now that I thought about it, I had experienced something similar in my actual combat with the Shadow Army Commander.
Since my previous life, my combat style had primarily relied on unconventional movements that maximized the Sensory Seal and free-flowing offense and defense.
However, in that last fight, I had taken the approach of pressing down and destroying the Shadow Demon Sword head-on.
‘What is the reason?’
This was different from when I had briefly felt intensity upon obtaining the Hui Heavenly Energy.
That had merely been a momentary wavering from an imbalance in energy, but this was a case where my very nature as a person had changed.
Just as my face was about to contort.
“Your temperament has changed.”
I snapped out of my thoughts.
“Sect Leader?”
Dokgo Wi-hak walked over slowly with his hands clasped behind his back.
“It has become monotonous but more solid. Where you once sought out gaps to exploit, now you seem to crush gaps entirely before they can form.”
“You have observed it precisely.”
“Were you searching for the cause of this change?”
“…Yes, that is correct.”
I nodded.
“My martial techniques have changed far too abruptly.”
“To my eyes, that seems to suit you far better.”
“That’s precisely the problem.”
“You mustn’t overthink this. Martial arts are inherently about change and adaptation.”
“But that’s just it….”
My situation differed somewhat from others.
Unlike those walking a path they had never seen before, I already knew the direction I would take.
Yet without realizing it, I had stepped onto a path that diverged from my plan.
This was an unforeseen change, one I had never desired.
“It’s simply because this deviates so much from my expectations. I worry that perhaps I’ve been growing in the wrong direction.”
“Have you ever made a wrong choice in all this time?”
“No, that’s not it. Rather, I’ve always tried to choose the better path each time.”
“Then isn’t it simply that you’ve developed in a direction better than your expectations?”
My eyes widened.
“Could it not be that your previous methods simply didn’t suit you after all?”
“…!”
My eyes gleamed with sudden clarity.
That was when it happened.
“Young Master!”
Jang Sam suddenly rushed over, shouting.
“What is it?”
“The Clan Leader is calling for you!”
* * *
“Hmm.”
Dokgo Cheon nodded after meticulously reviewing dozens of reports.
“It’s nearly complete.”
Dokgo Cheon turned his gaze.
The two leaders of the inner and outer halls, the Elder Council Leader, and the Law Enforcement Bureau Leader sat before him.
Though all were renowned martial masters, exhaustion was evident on their faces—proof of how frantically they had worked.
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes turned toward Elder Council Leader Dokgo Hwi-hwa.
“It seems you have something you wish to say?”
Dokgo Hwi-hwa smiled wryly.
“Tsk tsk, I held my tongue for fear of hearing a scolding, but now may I ask something?”
“Speak.”
“That Jeongheol sect. Do you intend to pursue them to the very end and crush them?”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes narrowed.
“Why do you ask?”
“As the saying goes, one must cultivate oneself before governing the family, and govern the family before bringing peace to the realm. I merely wished to suggest you put your own house in order before considering such matters.”
Dokgo Cheon chuckled and turned his gaze.
At the end of that gaze sat his son, Dokgo Un-hak.
“Do you share the same thoughts?”
“Ha! Well, that’s how it is. There are quite a few vacant positions in the family, aren’t there? We need to organize things first, don’t we?”
Dokgo Cheon let out a scoff as he watched his son speak so straightforwardly.
‘They’ve already reached an agreement.’
Many key positions in the family had fallen vacant.
If they were vacant, they needed to be filled, and if they were to be filled, they should be filled by people from his own faction.
It was a declaration that he would begin in earnest the factional struggle that had been temporarily halted.
“I never intended to sweep you aside. Besides, that would be impossible from the start.”
“…?”
“The cleanup itself was the only restriction I mentioned. If you wish to fight, then do as you have until now—freely.”
Just as Dokgo Cheon was about to finish speaking, Dokgo Un-hak suddenly opened his mouth.
“Would it be acceptable if things proceeded somewhat differently from now on?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Isn’t it about time we brought this to an end?”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
I could see Dokgo Hwi-hwa’s brow furrow deeply.
This was a matter that had not been agreed upon beforehand.
“Do you understand what you’re saying right now?”
“Yes, of course.”
At that moment, the Elder Council Leader could no longer contain himself and interjected.
“Outer Clan Leader, explain yourself. Surely this old man isn’t hearing a declaration of war, is he?”
His tone remained slick, but his expression had become rigid as a mask.
Dokgo Un-hak met his gaze without flinching.
“A declaration of war. Yes, that is precisely what I’m doing right now.”
“Are you certain about this?”
“In truth, I’m not certain. The Council Leader is not someone to be taken lightly, after all. Ha!”
Dokgo Cheon, who had been observing the situation, nodded slowly.
“By speaking of this here, you’re asking that I no longer involve myself in that fight, is that it?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Your reason?”
“The practice has been sufficient. Isn’t it time we crossed blades for real?”
“….”
Dokgo Cheon stared intently at his son’s face.
Until now, Dokgo Cheon had fostered conflict and competition within the main family.
People had died and things had been lost, but all of it was to provide training.
Training for what?
Of course, it was training for what would come after his death.
When that time came, no one would fight while holding back in the struggle for supremacy of this greatest family under heaven.
“If blades are crossed, there will be no stopping midway as there has been until now.”
“I understand.”
“One of you will die or become crippled, won’t you? Are you confident?”
Dokgo Un-hak’s smile vanished.
His sharp, gleaming gaze bore a striking resemblance to Dokgo Cheon’s.
“Isn’t it the way of the Dokgo Family to accomplish what we set our minds to, regardless of the means?”
“Hehehehe!”
Dokgo Cheon burst into laughter.
That buffalo-like momentum and audacity.
Though his ambition for power sometimes led him to make mistakes, he was undoubtedly the son who resembled me most.
It was certainly so.
Yet suddenly, Dokgo Cheon sensed something lacking in his son’s demeanor.
‘He resembles me…’
The arrogant words of that brat echoed in his mind—words spoken long ago about wanting a second or third Dokgo Cheon.
That impudent grandson, indifferent to my satisfaction, consumed only with building his own domain.
Dokgo Cheon regarded Dokgo Un-hak and Dokgo Hwi-hwa with a meaningful gaze.
‘Perhaps the time has come.’
It might have been for the best.
Dokgo Cheon’s smile faded from his face.
“Very well. Go ahead and settle this once and for all. However, I impose one condition.”
“What condition, my lord?”
“I will not tolerate weakening the Main Sect’s foundations. Every result of your struggles must become a stepping stone for expansion.”
At that single word flowing from his lips, the eyes of Dokgo Un-hak and Dokgo Hwi-hwa transformed.
Expansion. Dokgo Cheon had indeed used that word.
Even Dokgo Yeon-sin, who had maintained an expressionless forward gaze, looked at Dokgo Cheon with surprise, while only Wi Baek lowered his eyes as if he had anticipated this.
“What did you just say?”
“Expansion? Did you say expansion?”
“Silence.”
Dokgo Cheon raised his hand.
“You all know the political situation is far from ordinary.”
“…”
The Nine Factions have begun to stir from their lethargy, and the lords of the Four Great Families hold meetings in succession.
In the west, Paedobyeon and Jecheonhoe have begun their conflict, and throughout Zhongyuan, martial artists from the Frontier, including the Saekmok people, are increasingly spotted.
“The only region that remained relatively quiet was south of the Yangtze. Do you know why?”
“Because the Main Sect existed.”
“Correct. The power I, Dokgo Cheon, have built became a restraining force.”
Dokgo Cheon sneered.
“I have done enough. How much longer will we remain at the level I have established?”
“…!”
Dokgo Cheon suddenly raised his hand and struck down the armrest of his seat.
Thunk!
A heavy sound reverberated through the air.
Dokgo Cheon spoke.
“I shall pass this seat to whoever devours the most of the realm.”
“…!”
“Should that come to pass, I will relinquish this throne without hesitation.”
Dokgo Cheon gazed at Dokgo Un-hak, whose face had gone pale with shock.
“If you’ve resolved to draw your blade, surely you possess such conviction?”
“Heh, my flesh trembles at this.”
“Have you lost your confidence now?”
“My answer from before remains unchanged.”
Dokgo Cheon smirked and turned his gaze toward Dokgo Hwi-hwa.
“And what of you? What are your thoughts?”
“I could never sit in that seat, so why would I covet it?”
“Then speak without that smile on your face.”
“Tsk tsk.”
Dokgo Hwi-hwa simply let her laughter flow. That was her answer.
“Then we shall end here for today. All save the Clan Leader may withdraw.”
With a brief salute, the three departed.
Wi Baek, who remained in the chamber, asked a question.
“Why have you made such a decision so suddenly?”
“I simply felt the time had come.”
“As you say, the situation is grave. Considering the intelligence Young Master Dokgo Myeong extracted from the various factions, it would be proper for you to take the helm.”
Wi Baek dared to resist Dokgo Cheon’s will directly—a privilege only he possessed.
“You know as well as I that I cannot be ignorant of such matters.”
“….”
“This is the right path. It is not I who must endure the turbulent times ahead, but the generations to come.”
“A conflict between two factions could result in the family being split asunder.”
“Will it truly?”
Dokgo Cheon chuckled softly.
‘If there were only two, perhaps.’
A peculiar light flickered in Dokgo Cheon’s eyes.
“Do not worry. It shall never be divided, for there is one who has resolved to become the fulcrum of the scales.”
“You speak of Young Master Myeong.”
“Indeed.”
“Can Young Master Myeong manage it? He holds but two factions in his hands.”
“Soon those two shall multiply several times over, making it possible.”
Wi Baek’s eyes gleamed with understanding.
He served as Dokgo Cheon’s mind. A few words were sufficient for him to grasp the grand design his lord was weaving.
“If you understand, then let the Clan prepare accordingly. Turmoil may be inevitable, but there is no need to make it unnecessarily loud.”
“I shall see it done.”
“Now that I think of it, why is this fellow taking so long to arrive?”
“Have you summoned Young Master Myeong?”
“Now that matters are settled, I should finalize the accounts.”
Dokgo Cheon wore a cryptic smile.

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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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