Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 87

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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 87
Dokgo Yeon burst into laughter.
“Ha, haha, haaa….”
Then, without realizing it, she exhaled a sigh of relief.
‘I almost went down for the count.’
Her back was damp with sweat.
In that final moment, she truly thought disaster had struck. If it had pierced through as intended… it wouldn’t have ended with mere light injuries.
Dokgo Yeon smirked.
‘In any case, where else would you find someone who sacrifices their body to help another achieve a moment of enlightenment? Even this ungrateful little brother of mine cannot help but be grateful, no matter how much he resists.’
But then, a giggling voice came from above her head.
“But what was that just now? You were so scared you squeezed your eyes shut and went ‘Aaah! Ugh!’ like that?”
“….”
“Aaah! Ugh! Aaah! Ugh!”
“…Stop it.”
“Hehz mur.”
“Don’t you dare mimic me!”
“Dtur-hehz mulrug!”
Dokgo Yeon trembled with shame and fury.
“Your sister sacrificed her body to help you! Why must you be like this!”
“Hey, that’s what I should be saying!”
“What?”
“What kind of madman fights a martial artist in the midst of consolidating enlightenment?”
“Huh?”
“Huh? Huuuh? Wow, I’m about to go mad from inner demons.”
Dokgo Myeong grabbed his own neck and squeezed his eyes shut before snapping them open.
“You should’ve just matched my moves lightly! Why did you have to release killing intent like that! Without the Dragon Scale Robe, if I’d taken that spear strike wrong, I’d have gone mad from inner demons right then and there!”
Dokgo Myeong, who had been shouting furiously, suddenly stopped.
“Ugh….”
Throb, throb!
As the tension eased, the pain from his chest where he’d allowed a full strike and from his entire body where the spear had struck began to intensify.
‘But wait, what’s this?’
Something felt off.
It hurt tremendously, yet only the pain remained.
‘I thought for certain that whether internal or external injuries, I’d be seriously wounded somewhere?’
It should have been impossible given that he hadn’t yet acquired proper defensive techniques or qi specialized in protection.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyebrows twitched.
‘…Could it be?’
Then, Dokgo Yeon clicked her tongue and continued speaking.
“I was wondering what you were going on about… it seems you don’t understand something.”
“Understand what?”
“That’s simply how it’s done, you fool. Besides, demonic possession only afflicts weak monkeys, does it not?”
“…?”
“Well, you might not understand. I forgive you.”
“….”
I had to endure this. I had to bear it.
She was abnormal in every conceivable way.
Dokgo Myeong took a deep breath, desperately suppressing his rage, and spoke with careful deliberation.
“What nonsense has this mad woman been spouting since earlier?”
“Wh-nonsense?”
“What kind of deranged person fights a martial artist lost in a trance as if it were real combat!”
Dokgo Yeon’s brow furrowed sharply.
“My father did exactly that!”
“…What?”
“My father trained me in precisely this manner.”
Dokgo Yeon’s father.
His name was Dokgo Un-hak, the Outer Hall Master of the Dokgo Clan and a martial artist revered as the Sword King.
“No, really?”
“Of course, when I regained my senses, he seemed irritated for some reason, but regardless, that’s what he did.”
Well then, that makes sense.
Dokgo Myeong turned his head away and clicked his tongue quietly.
“…Tsk!”
“Did you just click your tongue? You actually clicked your tongue?”
“….”
“Either way, wouldn’t things have been harder without me! If you’re grateful, then say so!”
It had certainly helped, admittedly.
Though it defied all logic, the brutal reality of actual combat had allowed me to abandon my old methods far more quickly.
Still, even so….
‘Say I’m grateful?’
To this person?
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes narrowed with displeasure.
“…Your expression is quite disrespectful. Myeong-i, why do you always make such an irritating face whenever you look at me? Do you really want to die?”
“If you can, then try!”
Whoosh! Crash!
“This mad woman is launching a surprise attack?”
“Let’s settle this once and for all today!”
That was when it happened.
Rumble!
A wave of energy surged between them.
With just that, the momentum of both Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Yeon dissipated as if washed away.
Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Yeon turned their gazes simultaneously toward one corner of the Training Hall.
“Sect Leader?”
Dokgo Myeong’s body trembled.
Dokgo Wi-hak had drawn near with a stern gaze.
“I’ve been watching quietly, yet your conduct has crossed the line.”
“No, Sect Leader. This crazy woman really….”
“Crazy woman? Is that how you speak to your elder sister?”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong clamped his mouth shut.
Dokgo Yeon’s eyes widened at the sight.
‘This bastard actually tucked his tail between his legs?’
Wasn’t this the same man who charged headlong at the Outer Hall Master, his own father, the Elder Council Leader, and even the Family Head himself?
Then Dokgo Wi-hak’s gaze turned.
“Yeon.”
“Yes, yes? Uncle?”
“It’s fortunate I was watching, because what you did also clearly overstepped. Do you understand?”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s stern gaze bore down upon Dokgo Yeon.
Dokgo Yeon flinched.
“Ah, yes. I’m, I’m sorry….”
“That apology isn’t meant for me.”
“I, I apologize. Myeong.”
Dokgo Yeon lowered her head without thinking.
She was not one to bow her head simply because someone told her to, yet she was overwhelmed by the subtle pressure emanating from Dokgo Wi-hak.
Seeing this, Dokgo Myeong also grumbled and lowered his head.
“…I’m grateful as well.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Dokgo Wi-hak nodded at the sight of the two.
“Today, Myeong, you have a visitor, so end your training here. Yeon, you should return.”
“Yes? A visitor?”
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze finally turned toward the space behind Dokgo Wi-hak.
“Heh, heheheh! What a magnificent sparring match I’ve witnessed. My eyes have truly been opened!”
“…?”
Jin I-chu, wearing an awkward smile, stepped forward and greeted them.
“And you are?”
“Ahem, you fool. This is the Sect Leader of the Star Image Hall. Where are your manners?”
No matter how high his status in the main sect, Dokgo Myeong’s position was merely that of the Musa Corps Commander. He needed to maintain at least basic courtesy.
“Ah, Saheon-gak Sect Leader. Please don’t say such things. I arrived without notice, so how could I expect formalities?”
“That and this are different matters.”
At Dokgo Wi-hak’s firm words, Jin I-chu smiled brightly.
“So, you’re the Star Image Hall Sect Leader?”
“A pleasure to meet you, Young Master Myeong.”
“…Hmm.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed as he lowered his head with apparent indifference.
‘Finally, a reaction.’
This Dokgo Clan member was the leader of the neutral faction.
A man like a chicken rib that both the Elder Council and the Outer Sect had shunned as filthy had come of his own accord.
‘Let’s see what he has to say.’
Meanwhile, Jin I-chu’s eyes were equally bright.
‘More impressive than the rumors! To match that mad dog in combat!’
I had already heard the rumors that his individual martial prowess exceeded the late-stage Hoo-gi level.
But to think he would match Dokgo Yeon, that legendary prodigy evaluated as being at the level of a Nine Sects elder.
‘No, didn’t he even achieve victory, not just a draw?’
He was no mere blood vessel favored by the family head. He was already a fully grown big fish.
‘I must hook him.’
My choice of Dokgo Myeong had been the right call after all.
A satisfied smile played at the corners of Jin I-chu’s mouth.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong, Jin I-chu, and Dokgo Wi-hak sat together in the reception hall of Saheon-gak.
“Well then, it seems you’ve exchanged greetings, so I shall take my leave now.”
Dokgo Wi-hak, who had been keeping his seat for some time, rose without hesitation as tea was placed before him.
“No, why are you leaving so soon? We haven’t even brought up the matter we came for yet….”
Jin I-chu hastily tried to stop Dokgo Wi-hak.
Dokgo Wi-hak shook his head.
“I won’t be needed for what’s about to be discussed.”
“But surely, since you are the father of the young master….”
“I don’t meddle in Myeong-i’s affairs. And I believe you came here to speak with Myeong-i, not with me.”
“That is….”
“Then please, have your conversation.”
Dokgo Wi-hak yielded his seat with firm words.
Jin I-chu’s expression became ambiguous.
‘That sword demon trusts his son to this degree?’
Jin I-chu regarded Dokgo Myeong with an uncertain gaze.
Dokgo Myeong suddenly displayed an odd smile.
“You’ll wear out my face.”
“Ahem, it seems the Saheon-gak Master truly trusts the young master.”
“Of course. Where in this world could you find someone more trustworthy than him?”
“….”
Jin I-chu smiled enigmatically.
‘I’d heard he had the flaws of youth—being careless or spouting nonsense—but it seems that wasn’t entirely wrong.’
The conversation seemed to be proceeding more smoothly than expected.
Jin I-chu let out a subtle cough.
“I’ve heard the news. You must have worked incredibly hard. Not only did you deal with the traitors, but I hear you obtained an enormous amount of information?”
“I was fortunate.”
“Fortunate? When the Patriarch himself acknowledged your merit, such accomplishments are hardly common. Even the Grand Young Master, who is far older than Young Master Myeong, would never have dared attempt such a feat.”
Jin I-chu spoke with genuine admiration, even gesturing expressively with his hands.
“That aside, this is the first time we’ve met face to face like this.”
“Indeed.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly before asking abruptly.
“So, what brings you to seek me out?”
“Heh, you’re more straightforward than I heard.”
“Whether I’m straightforward or hot-headed depends entirely on what you’re about to say.”
Dokgo Myeong leaned back leisurely against the chair, regarding Jin I-chu with an easy gaze.
Jin I-chu suddenly felt a chill run through him.
‘What is this?’
Those eyes were sharp yet clear.
He felt as though those eyes could pierce right through him.
‘Like the Patriarch himself….’
Jin I-chu swallowed dryly.
It must be his imagination.
How could he compare a young man barely past his twenties to the supreme ruler who moves all of Gangho?
“…I believe you can guess why I’ve come. Would it be acceptable to get straight to the point?”
“Let’s hear it then.”
Jin I-chu’s brow twitched slightly.
That casual, arrogant tone irritated him a bit, but he maintained his smile and continued.
“…How do you view the factional disputes within the Main Sect?”
“I consider it an inevitable problem.”
“Why inevitable?”
Jin I-chu’s eyes gleamed.
“Throughout history, when power divides internally, organizations collapse. That is the current state of the Main Sect.”
“….”
“If the Outer Sect faction and the Elder faction continue to clash like this, the outcome is as clear as day. Is it not?”
“So what are you trying to say?”
Jin I-chu spoke with a determined expression.
“That our neutral faction maintains this balance.”
“Yes, I understand that much. So what exactly are you trying to tell me?”
Jin I-chu’s brow twitched again.
But as the saying goes, patience three times over can even avoid murder.
Jin I-chu continued with a still-gentle smile.
“In any case, our neutral faction has been mediating the escalation of conflict between the Outer Sect and Elder factions, maintaining the balance of power within the family. But it seems we can no longer manage this. I believe you understand why.”
“Please continue.”
“The Patriarch has completely withdrawn his hand, has he not? If this continues, the two factions may very well destroy our neutral faction.”
“And so?”
Jin I-chu’s lips curled upward.
“Join our neutral faction, Young Master.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes narrowed to slits.

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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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