Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 88

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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 88
“May I ask what sort of plan you’re envisioning?”
Before Wi Baek withdrew after finishing his report, Dokgo Cheon let out a soft chuckle at his question.
“Are you asking about Myeong-i?”
“Were you perhaps considering granting the neutral faction to Young Master Dokgo Myeong?”
“Heh, I haven’t said a word, yet you’ve already seen through it?”
“If you command it, I shall prepare accordingly.”
Dokgo Cheon’s lips curved into an enigmatic smile.
I truly appreciated this aspect of Wi Baek.
Though he ranked among the finest minds under heaven, he always sought to understand my intentions before making his own judgments.
He was a strategist so scrupulously devoted to his duties that one might call it obsessive.
“There’s no need for that. Why would I hand over power to that boy for free in the first place?”
Wi Baek, who had fallen silent in thought, nodded his head.
“…So you intend to guide the neutral faction toward choosing Young Master Dokgo Myeong, yet refrain from intervening in the outcome itself.”
“Precisely. You see it clearly.”
Serious conflict was about to erupt within the clan.
When that happened, the neutral faction would be in the most precarious position. Like bats clinging to both sides to line their own pockets, they would be the first to be torn apart.
Seong Sang-gak Sect Leader Jin I-chu, the true head of the neutral faction, would seek shelter, and naturally his gaze would fall upon Dokgo Myeong.
The structure of the clan and the current situation crystallized perfectly in Wi Baek’s mind.
‘No one in the Main Sect possesses the conditions that Young Master Myeong does.’
Recent rumors spoke of him enjoying the Clan Leader’s favor, and he possessed both the financial resources of Geumsan Sect and exceptional martial prowess.
Most importantly, he was still young enough to be molded—though whether he could actually be controlled remained to be seen.
“It was to check both factions, then. Did you have Young Master Myeong in mind from the beginning?”
“Not at all. I only began considering it recently.”
In other words, I had come to believe it was now possible.
That a mere youth barely past his coming-of-age could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Outer Hall Master and the Elder Council Leader.
“Regardless, the Inner Sect has nothing to do. Simply observe from a distance.”
“Both a gift and a test, then.”
“If you give a grandson everything he asks for, he’ll develop bad habits. Ahahaha!”
Wi Baek followed along with a faint smile at Dokgo Cheon’s hearty laughter, then carefully opened his mouth.
“Will it be alright? Young Master Myeong sometimes displays inexperienced tendencies.”
His handling of affairs is sharp and decisive.
Yet when dealing with people, he often allows sentiment to sway him.
“That’s precisely why I’m giving him this test.”
“…”
“If that fool Myeong-i acts with such naive sentiments again, he’ll be stripped bare before he even builds his own house.”
The sect leaders of the neutral faction are parasites. Merely looking after one’s own people, as Dokgo Myeong has done thus far, will not be enough to control them.
“You have no intention of offering even the slightest hint?”
“I’ve already given it. If he learns and awakens properly, he’ll handle it easily.”
“Even if the Outer Sect faction or the Elder faction intervenes, you intend to simply observe?”
Dokgo Cheon nodded firmly.
“Of course. If I hadn’t realized the need to settle this swiftly before anyone else intervened, that would mean I’d lost my senses entirely. In that case, I’d deserve a thorough lesson.”
Dokgo Cheon let out a dry chuckle.
Indeed, what would I do?
It was time to test whether I could properly utilize everything I’d learned from him thus far.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong offered no response.
Jin I-chu, interpreting this silence as contemplation, curled the corners of his mouth upward.
“Let us be honest with each other, Young Master Myeong.”
Jin I-chu’s voice deliberately lowered.
“Just as our neutral faction needs you, don’t you need us as well?”
It was common knowledge that both the Elder Council and the Outer Sect had made contact with Dokgo Myeong.
“If factional conflict intensifies, your position becomes just as precarious as ours in the neutral faction. There is no other path but to join our faction.”
“So you’re telling me to bow my head to you now?”
Jin I-chu found himself chuckling despite his intentions.
The way he bristled with pride was almost endearing.
“Bow your head? That’s poor phrasing. If I must put it differently… let us join forces, something like that.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded matter-of-factly.
Just as Jin I-chu was inwardly celebrating his success, Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth.
“Are you finished spouting nonsense?”
“…!”
“I had low expectations, but this exceeds even my imagination. What in the world are you saying?”
Jin I-chu’s face contorted in fury.
“Have you lost your mind! What is this!”
“Consider this a warning. You should watch your tongue.”
“Who are you to say that! I’m giving you fair warning! If you don’t show proper respect, I won’t remain idle!”
That was the moment.
Whoosh!
A frost-like killing intent surged forth.
This was Dokgo Myeong, who had just finished an intense martial exchange moments before.
The raw, primal murderous aura mixed with the faint scent of sweat drained all color from Jin I-chu’s face.
“Star Image Hall Master, there won’t be a second time.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled, pulling only the corners of his mouth.
The chilling aura that had been flowing vanished in an instant.
Thud!
Dokgo Myeong leaned back against the chair with leisurely composure.
“There was only one posture you could have taken in my presence. Lowering that stiff neck of yours and begging for acceptance.”
“…”
“And there is only one condition I will present to you: surrender your sect badge and withdraw. In exchange, I’ll allow you to keep your life and the wealth you’ve accumulated as Sect Leader.”
Jin I-chu’s face flushed crimson with rage.
My expression had already hardened to the point where it seemed as though killing intent might seep out.
“What kind of absurd condition is this! Do you think I would accept that?”
“If you cannot accept it, then leave.”
“Young Master, it seems you’re not grasping the situation.”
Jin I-chu’s eyes were bloodshot.
“If I simply leave like this, it wouldn’t be good for you, would it?”
“Why do you think so?”
“I’m telling you again—you need us.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“Yes, well, the group you lead is indeed necessary to me.”
“…Then!”
“But a tiger cannot bow its head just to join a pack of wild dogs, can it?”
Jin I-chu’s eyes were bloodshot.
“Wild dogs?”
“Yes.”
“Ha! Even if you are a tiger, Young Master, what would you do if that pack of wild dogs refuses to accept you?”
“If necessary, I would simply devour them.”
“Truly, your confidence is hollow.”
“Why? Does it seem impossible?”
Jin I-chu found my smile deeply unsettling.
Where did such confidence even come from?
Jin I-chu deliberately turned away from that unease and spoke.
“I have misunderstood you, Young Master.”
“So it appears.”
“Did we truly have only you as a choice? You were merely our best option.”
“Your second choice being negotiations with the Elder Council or the Outer Sect faction—bold words indeed.”
“…”
It was a direct hit.
Jin I-chu’s eye wrinkles twitched.
“But could those people truly serve as even a second choice?”
“What?”
“Have you never considered the difference between worst and second-worst?”
“What does that even—”
Dokgo Myeong openly scoffed, cutting off Jin I-chu’s words.
Then, with a grave expression as if offering a warning, I spoke.
“One piece of advice: if you must choose between the two, choose the Elder Council.”
“…?”
“Because they are the lesser evil. Of course, that’s assuming they even agree to meet with you.”
My laughter-tinged voice echoed like a curse, or perhaps a prophecy.
“Nonsense!”
Jin I-chu burst to his feet with a sharp laugh.
“I’ll take my leave now. Let’s see how far this goes. In a few days, I’ll be watching to see what the Young Master has to say!”
Jin I-chu spun around and placed his hand on the door handle.
At that moment, Dokgo Myeong’s voice came from behind him.
“I’m telling you plainly. When you open that door and leave, if you return here again, you’ll have to give up much.”
“That won’t happen.”
“We’ll see. It doesn’t seem like it will take long.”
“No need to see me out.”
“Until we meet again.”
Bang!
Jin I-chu closed the door and departed.
* * *
“…So the Star Image Hall Master really did come looking for the Young Master?”
Son Tae-im entered the study after Jin I-chu left, asking with a surprised expression.
“Was there anything I said that was false?”
“No, it’s just….”
Son Tae-im hesitated.
Then Geum Seok-du, looking worn down by exhaustion, stumbled into the study.
“Young Master… here… are the things you mentioned….”
Thud!
A fairly thick stack of documents—bamboo slips, books, and letters—piled up before Dokgo Myeong.
“Information related to the neutral faction and records of the sect leaders’ assets and past histories.”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes looked hollow as he spoke.
Dokgo Myeong blinked and looked at Geum Seok-du.
“Why do you look like you’re dying?”
“…Are you asking me that, Young Master?”
“Hmm?”
“I wake before sunrise and train until evening, then learn work at Geumsan Sect after dinner… I barely sleep two hours a day….”
“Ah….”
“And whenever I try to rest from training, that demon Maecheon Yang says things like ‘Heh heh, you can rest after you’re dead.’ It’s infuriating!”
“….”
“On top of that, you took me out recently to root out traitors. I’ve never been this exhausted since I cried ‘wah!’ coming out of my mother’s womb!”
At Geum Seok-du’s plaintive complaint, Son Tae-im’s eyes gleamed.
‘Oh, well said, Brother Geum! You speak the truth!’
Of course, he couldn’t voice such rebellious thoughts aloud.
Geum Seok-du let out a wail.
“I can’t go on like this! Just kill me instead! Argh!”
“Fine then, rest.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said rest. You said you wanted to rest.”
Geum Seok-du flinched and trembled.
“W-why are you suddenly saying this?”
“Ah, you need rest. If you want to rest.”
“Am I really allowed to rest?”
“I’m telling you, yes? Let me see—do you want to start resting from today?”
“….”
“People need to rest and live. Yes, that’s right! Even though I’m dying these days, you absolutely must rest, Seok-du!”
“….”
Yes, I understood.
Honestly, no one worked harder than Dokgo Myeong.
He rose first and slept last.
Dokgo Myeong was the one who trained most intensely while handling the busiest affairs.
Geum Seok-du exhaled a deep sigh.
“No, that’s not it.”
“You really can rest, you know?”
“…I was just complaining a bit.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“Seok-du.”
“…Yes.”
“Have you ever lived this diligently before?”
“….”
“You won’t realize it now because you’re too busy, but once you venture into Gangho, you’ll understand. Those Gangho cultivators you so admired will eventually seem lacking compared to you.”
Geum Seok-du closed his mouth.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and gestured with his chin.
“Everything you’re doing now is for that dream you mentioned before. Just endure a little longer.”
“Yes.”
“Whether you fail or succeed, if you’ve truly exhausted yourself with effort, won’t you have no regrets?”
Geum Seok-du sighed again and muttered.
“…You certainly have a way with words.”
“What did you say?”
“Your ears are sharp too. Annoying.”
Smack!
“Ow!”
“Go train.”
“…Yes.”
Geum Seok-du groaned and withdrew.
Dokgo Myeong glanced up at Son Tae-im, who remained in the study.
“Tae-im.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Later, discreetly give that fellow some rest time. He’s diligent but lacks experience in handling people.”
“Yes, I understand. That said….”
Son Tae-im continued hesitantly.
“Could you spare some time for me once this is over?”
“So our Tae-im is finally ready?”
“Pardon?”
“When I go where you’ve summoned me, there won’t be poisoned wine and assassins waiting, will there? Not a chance. I’ve already seen through everything.”
“Ah, no sir, what are you saying? Why would I do such a thing to you?”
“You’ve really never even considered it?”
“….”
“Hmm, no answer?”
“No, that’s not it!”
Honestly, I doubted whether even ordinary assassins could capture this man. Unless we brought one of the Three Sovereigns—the Killing Star itself.
Son Tae-im waved his hand dismissively.
“I simply have something to show you. Once this matter is concluded, please spare me some time then.”
Son Tae-im’s expression grew serious.
At that subtle intensity, Dokgo Myeong found himself nodding without thinking.
“Fine, I understand. It’s nothing serious, is it?”
Son Tae-im smiled bitterly.
“I can only hope it is something serious.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing at all. Rather, when do you think this will be finished?”
Dokgo Myeong wore a meaningful smile.
“It won’t take long. I’m counting on you to wrap things up.”
“Yes.”
* * *
That evening.
A small commotion arose among the neutral faction’s Sect Leaders gathered as always in an upscale pavilion.
“Is it really true that happened?”
“But I heard he had such an unassuming nature that even servants and guards didn’t dare treat him carelessly… How could he be so arrogant and reckless?”
“Unassuming? What a joke! He was nothing short of a ruffian! He even showed killing intent toward me!”
At the words of the neutral faction’s Sect Leaders, Jin I-chu raised his voice.
After seething for a while, Jin I-chu took a sip of wine to calm his anger.
“I apologize. It seems staking everything on that young fool was a mistake from the start.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“I’ve arranged meetings with both the Elder Council Leader and the Outer Hall Master. I plan to meet with the Elder Council Leader first.”
“…Will that be alright?”
“I’ll have to forfeit quite a bit of accumulated wealth and interests… but they won’t cast us out.”
“Your wealth…you mean?”
The Sect Leaders’ expressions wavered slightly.
Jin I-chu furrowed his brow.
“What does mere wealth matter? If we can just weather this storm, we can rebuild our fortune anytime! What’s important is maintaining this position, is it not?”
“Ah, no, that’s not it… The Sect Leader Jin clearly said that choosing either faction would be dangerous…”
“Don’t worry and trust me. Follow as you have until now.”
The Sect Leaders’ reactions were peculiar.
Irritation flared for a moment, but Jin I-chu forced a smile.
“We are a unified community of shared fate. As a neutral faction, are we not true loyalists maintaining the clan’s balance?”
“Ha, haha! That’s right. Of course!”
“Of course! Sect Leader!”
Jin I-chu’s expression hardened.
As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, the situation became increasingly ambiguous. It seemed I could not afford to waste any more time.
Thus, the next day.
Jin I-chu received a reply to the letter he had sent to the Elder Council Leader.
His health was not good, so he should choose another auspicious day.
The Elder Council Leader had rejected Jin I-chu’s request to visit.
Just as Dokgo Myeong had said.

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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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