Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 89

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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 89
“It’s been far too long since I’ve had the pleasure of seeing you, Outer Hall Master.”
“Indeed it has! I was beginning to forget the face of my old friend Jin! Hahaha! Come now, sit here beside me.”
Dokgo Un-hak, the Outer Hall Master, laughed heartily and gestured for Jin I-chu to take the seat across from him.
Jin I-chu opened his mouth, his expression grave.
“Still, I felt obligated to visit at least once. Haven’t I been neglecting you terribly?”
“Not at all. I understand completely. Both you and I stand in positions of leadership, after all.”
It was a response befitting someone truly deserving of the rare epithet “magnanimous man.”
After being turned away at the Elder Council’s gates—indeed, being driven off before he could even reach the entrance—his wounded pride was beginning to heal.
“But surely you haven’t come merely to exchange pleasantries. What brings such a busy man as yourself to visit?”
“…Outer Hall Master.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll speak plainly. Would you not benefit from having our neutral faction’s support?”
“Haha, this is quite an unexpected proposal.”
His tone remained gentle, yet his eyes had grown cold.
A fox wearing a bear’s mask.
Dokgo Un-hak was no true magnanimous man at all.
“If I recall correctly, when I made such a proposal before, you refused. What wind has blown to make you speak such words now?”
“I’ll speak without shame. Accept us, and I swear my absolute loyalty.”
“Hmm.”
“Several sect leaders stand with me. Should you take our faction under your command, you need not fear losing ground in the power struggle against the Elder Council.”
Dokgo Un-hak laughed at Jin I-chu’s breathless torrent of words.
“Compose yourself. It seems even a seasoned veteran like yourself has been quite shaken by the Family Head’s declaration.”
“…”
“But why us? Had I been in your position, I would have approached elsewhere first.”
Jin I-chu swallowed hard.
What other place could he mean?
Was he asking knowingly, or in genuine ignorance?
Jin I-chu suppressed his trembling and opened his mouth.
“In truth, I visited Saheon-gak first.”
“So you sought out Myeong-i?”
“Yes, but…”
Jin I-chu, about to recount what had transpired, suddenly clamped his mouth shut. Speaking of it would only drag him deeper into the mire.
Dokgo Un-hak, observing his hesitation, spoke first.
“It seems he refused you.”
“Well, yes, that was the outcome.”
“He showed good judgment.”
“Pardon?”
Dokgo Un-hak chuckled softly.
“He likely intended to withdraw from this tug of war. Perhaps he even sensed that the Elder Council Leader has recently abandoned his ambitions.”
“….”
“By refusing the neutral faction, it seems you’ve made clear your intention not to oppose the tide of factional strife.”
“That was… something different.”
“It was probably influenced by my younger brother.”
“Pardon?”
“You know Jin I-chu, don’t you? That Un-hak fellow would prefer not to get entangled in such matters if he could help it.”
Jin I-chu’s expression grew ambiguous.
‘No. That can’t be it…. What was that reaction from the Saheon Sect Leader and Dokgo Myeong back then….’
Conviction settled over me.
Dokgo Un-hak was misunderstanding something. Or perhaps the entire family was.
“Excellent! Then all is well.”
At that moment, Dokgo Un-hak nodded with a smile.
“I welcome your shared purpose. If Sect Leader Jin helps the Outer Sect, it will be like having ten thousand soldiers!”
“Is that… truly so?”
“Of course! When we’re in need of even a single faction, and you’ve brought such forces to our side, how could I refuse?”
Dokgo Un-hak grasped Jin I-chu’s weathered hand and patted the back of it gently while speaking in a soft voice.
“I’m already grateful for you making time in your busy schedule, and now you show such hospitality—I hardly know what to do with myself.”
“Don’t speak such things. Next time, let’s share a drink together.”
“Yes, it would be an honor.”
“Honor? Now that we’re in the same boat, such formality makes me uncomfortable. Haha!”
At the mention of being in the same boat, Jin I-chu felt inwardly relieved.
‘Things have gone well.’
Dokgo Un-hak patted Jin I-chu’s shoulder with his other hand.
“Go now and inform the neutral faction, and let’s arrange a meeting soon.”
“Yes, Outer Hall Master. I’ll hurry.”
“Good. Hehe!”
Jin I-chu wore a satisfied smile.
He was already looking forward to seeing that arrogant direct descendant’s expression crumble.
* * *
A group of people gathered in the Outer Sect.
“Well then, let’s hear what you all think. What are your opinions?”
Gathered before Dokgo Un-hak were the key sect leaders and military strategists of the Outer Sect.
They began speaking eagerly one after another.
“Most of what was said is likely true.”
“It’s been confirmed that Sect Leader Jin left Saheon-gak with an angry expression after his visit. Shortly after, he also met with his subordinate sect leaders.”
“Hmm. And?”
“He only mentioned contact with Saheon-gak, but there’s a possibility he also made contact with the Elder Council.”
“Not a possibility—he definitely did. And he probably got to them before us.”
Dokgo Un-hak chuckled softly.
It felt entirely different from the refreshing smile he’d shown Jin I-chu.
“Unlike the usual Jin Sect Leader, he’s being far too deferential. Could this be a trap set by the Elder Council?”
“That’s unlikely. Our Elder Council Leader has an unexpectedly rigid side to him—he wouldn’t even deign to speak with those bat-like fellows.”
“….”
“Or perhaps he’s wary of me. He wouldn’t want any upheaval or disturbance within the faction. The old guard always fears change.”
Dokgo Un-hak suddenly wore a thin, cold smile.
“Either way, isn’t it pathetic? After being turned away at the gate, he comes crawling to us offering his loyalty. Can a person be so shameless? Haha!”
Dokgo Un-hak saw through everything.
It was only natural.
Dokgo Un-hak was regarded as the “Lesser Sword Sage” and was often compared to Dokgo Cheon for his perceptiveness. Jin I-chu’s psychology was no different from Sun Wukong in the palm of Buddha’s hand.
“So, what shall we do?”
“There’s no reason to refuse, is there? We should absorb them.”
“The only obstacle would be interference from the Elder Council. If we absorb them, we’ll also be swallowing the dust they carry with them.”
Dokgo Un-hak nodded.
“Well then, since there’s no opposition, shall we discuss how to handle things after the absorption?”
The key sect leaders and strategists gathered in the chamber exchanged glances.
Everyone knew this wasn’t a genuine question.
Dokgo Un-hak often posed tests disguised as questions.
Those being tested had to answer in a way that aligned with his intentions and the greater trend. The people in this room had all been filtered and selected through such trials.
“First of all….”
That was when it happened.
Creak!
“First, after absorption, the sect leaders should be handed directly to the Law Enforcement Bureau. As for the sect members, it would be best to divide them and integrate them into our forces.”
A young man with characteristically narrow eyes, a smile playing at their corners.
The one who had suddenly opened the study door was none other than Dokgo Un-hak’s son, Dokgo Gun.
“Haha! You were supposed to arrive tomorrow, yet here you are already.”
“Yes, Father. I hope you’ve been well. I overheard your fascinating discussion and took the liberty of joining in without permission. My apologies.”
“Never mind that. But dividing the sect members, you say?”
Dokgo Gun spoke with a smile in his eyes.
“Lower waters always mirror the upper waters. All the more so with long-entrenched administrators—they inevitably form their own rules and networks.”
“You speak of customs.”
“If they don’t abandon their old habits upon entering, they’ll only create friction with our existing forces. Otherwise, we should simply sweep them all away.”
The key figures of the Outer Sect gathered in the chamber unconsciously broke into cold sweat.
With a smile as gentle as spring, he spoke such ruthless words with complete naturalness.
That was Dokgo Gun.
“Of course, we must first ensure they truly come under our wing.”
“Haha, that much is certain. So, what do you all think?”
“I believe the young master’s words are the best course.”
“There may be some resistance, but ultimately….”
After a brief discussion, Dokgo Un-hak gestured.
“Well then, let’s conclude here. The rest of you may leave. Proceed according to what we’ve discussed.”
“Yes.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
The people filed out like a receding tide.
Dokgo Un-hak greeted his son with a warm smile.
“You’ve returned safely. I apologize for summoning you so abruptly during the suppression mission.”
“It’s no trouble.”
“Tell me, have you heard the family news?”
“Yes, I heard Father made a public declaration yourself?”
Dokgo Gun smiled gently once more.
Between his narrow eyes, dark pupils gleamed faintly.
Though he was his own son, Dokgo Un-hak often could not fathom what lay behind that gentle, knowing gaze.
“I thought it was time to bring this to an end.”
“I see.”
“Things have unfolded exactly as you predicted before you left. The Family Head has declared our expansion beyond the family’s borders.”
“….”
Dokgo Un-hak stared intently at his son for a moment.
“Is there something troubling you?”
“No.”
“If something troubles you, speak freely.”
“It’s just… I have a strange feeling about it.”
“Hmm?”
“You said you approached Saheon-gak but were refused.”
“Ah, you mean Sect Leader Jin. Yes, that’s what happened.”
“Do you truly believe Myeong-i has no interest in the Main Sect’s politics?”
“….”
Dokgo Un-hak’s expression stiffened slightly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“It’s merely my own thought.”
“…If Dokgo Myeong had such intentions, Sect Leader Jin would never have come to me.”
Dokgo Un-hak spoke as though confirming it to himself.
Dokgo Gun gazed at his father in silence for a moment before speaking.
“Would it be possible for me to meet with Myeong-i?”
“You wish to meet Myeong-i? Why?”
“Merely curiosity about my younger brother. Our paths have never properly crossed, as our timing has always been off.”
Dokgo Un-hak was momentarily taken aback.
Dokgo Gun showed equal interest in everyone.
Because of this, Dokgo Un-hak had always believed his son showed equal disinterest in everyone.
‘Yet he shows peculiar concern for that child.’
During the martial contest, at Geumsan Sect, when he sent his younger sister Dokgo Yeon, and even now.
He had rarely seen his son pay such careful attention to anyone.
“Do as you wish. But be careful. If you get dragged down because of Yeon, it will give the impression that we’re hanging onto him.”
“Understood. I will keep that in mind.”
“Yes, you haven’t even recovered from your journey yet. Go rest.”
After his son left, Dokgo Un-hak let out a long sigh.
‘What was he trying to say?’
His son’s insight sometimes surpassed his own.
Could it be that he had misread something about Dokgo Myeong?
If so, what?
Dokgo Un-hak fell into deep contemplation.
* * *
Recently, Dokgo Myeong seemed utterly indifferent to everything else, consumed entirely by his training.
And as always, it was Jang Sam’s role to express concern about such devotion.
“Young Master, I’ve gathered all the information.”
“Good? You’ve worked hard. Huff, huff…”
“…”
“…”
Dokgo Myeong continued his training, while Jang Sam lingered hesitantly.
Suddenly, Dokgo Myeong felt a strange sense of loss.
The moment he glanced at Jang Sam.
“But… will this really be alright?”
Jang Sam spoke in a tentative voice.
Only then did the frustration in his chest clear.
“Ah, this is what makes things feel right.”
“…Yes? What do you mean?”
“So what else?”
“No, are you really sure about this? You’re not doing anything. You just told me to gather family news and rumors…”
“Isn’t Tae-im moving?”
“Can that really be called moving?”
Jang Sam let out a deep sigh.
“You said you’d absorb the neutral faction. Shouldn’t you be going around persuading them yourself?”
“Me? Why?”
“Because a thirsty man digs the well.”
“A well, you say…”
Boom!
Dokgo Myeong threw the massive iron weight he’d been carrying onto the ground.
“Jang. The Sect Leader taught me something.”
“…You’re calling me ‘brother’ naturally now. So what is it?”
“It’s not that I should move—it’s that those around me should move.”
That was the virtue one who held power should possess, one who stood above and wished to command others.
“What does that mean?”
“The thirsty ones shouldn’t be me—they should be everything around me. I need to become the well they’re desperately searching for with their eyes wide open.”
“I’m not entirely sure what you mean, sir…”
“Hmm. But it seems the time is finally approaching…”
Jang Sam’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
“You seem a bit worried, don’t you?”
“Worried? Don’t you know who I am?”
That was when it happened.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound of someone rapping on the door echoed through the chamber.
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft chuckle.
“Looks like they’ve come to dig the well.”

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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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