Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 186

The Ties Were Not Severed

Half a month later.

“Seventy, huh.”

Moyong Gun let out a sigh.

“You’ve lost quite a few.”

“I am ashamed.”

“No need to be. As you’ve realized this time, individual strength and tactics are often powerless against the force of a group. Even the greatest masters in the world can be killed by a single dagger thrown by a third-rate fighter. It’s the natural order of Jianghu. It was an inevitable result.”

Moyong Woo bowed his head.

“It was all my fault. I assure you, such a thing will not happen again.”

“Haha, I already know of your abilities and boldness. What’s important is not to repeat past mistakes. I’m confident you’ll do well.”

Of course, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed. Moyong Woo had vowed to minimize the losses of the Tangma Army and handle everything with the Myeolsagun.

However, no matter how talented a strategist one might be, it’s extremely difficult to control others and wield them as one pleases.

Besides, this was Moyong Woo’s first time managing a combat unit of over five hundred soldiers. Considering the infamy and combat power of Heilangdan, as well as their numbers, it was actually more remarkable that only seventy had died.

“Now, let’s hear how you managed to take down Heilangdan.”

Moyong Woo began to recount in detail his encounter with Heilangdan and how the battle unfolded.

Surprise flickered across Moyong Gun’s face.

“What? Hostages?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, you’re telling me that you anticipated they might resort to such a despicable tactic and had Myeolsagun circle around them?”

“I didn’t foresee that far. However, the village was under attack, and it seemed advantageous to send them there for a surprise attack.”

A hint of admiration appeared on Moyong Gun’s face.

“Impressive. Even if one memorizes the Seven Military Classics by heart, it’s difficult to execute even a tenth of it in real combat.”

“I trusted Captain Yeon’s abilities. If not for that, I would have devised another plan.”

“He’s a snake with thousands of tricks up his sleeve. But as you said, his capabilities are undeniable. And recognizing and trusting that ability is also a testament to your discernment.”

Moyong Gun nodded in satisfaction.

“You acted thoroughly as a leader. That’s enough.”

Though the result differed from the confident words he had initially spoken, after hearing the details, it seemed that praise was more appropriate than criticism.

Moreover, most of the credit for the operation against Heilangdan now fell to Tangma Army’s commander, Moyong Woo. Although the Myeolsagun name was involved, Yeon Hojeong’s name did not appear.

‘Good.’

It was a satisfying outcome. Though not the best, it was fair to say they had caught a big fish.

“Anyway, I’ve identified the specific issues in my strategy during this operation. It was a meaningful mission in many ways.”

“Hahaha! If you see it that way, then all is well.”

Moyong Gun laughed heartily, clearly pleased.

But Moyong Woo was not.

‘Brother. People died.’

A meaningful mission?

Indeed, the battle against Heilangdan had been a meaningful mission for Moyong Woo.

But that was not something he should say aloud. His men had died.

Suppressing the rising sadness and saying this was all to deceive Moyong Gun.

Moyong Woo suddenly felt the bitterness of his position. The situation, where he had to say things that he should never speak of while thinking of his fallen subordinates, felt pitiful.

‘I’m sorry.’

After briefly calming his heart, Moyong Woo spoke.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m thinking of holding a memorial service for the fallen soldiers. It will be a modest ceremony, just among the Tangma Army, without making a big announcement. I might be unavailable for three days.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes gleamed.

“A memorial service?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, that sounds good. After all, they were all under your command. Taking some time to honor them isn’t a bad idea.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Haha, what is there to understand? You are the leader of the Tangma Army. It’s not strange at all for the leader to hold a memorial service for the soldiers who died.”

In fact, it’s a good thing.

‘This isn’t a bad idea.’

Moyong Gun thought. If it were him, would he have held a memorial service for the fallen soldiers?

The answer was ‘No.’

He would have focused on replenishing the lost troops and quickly moved to gain a more concentrated power.

Because of this, Moyong Woo’s suggestion of holding a memorial service sounded refreshing to Moyong Gun.

At the same time, it was also an opportunity.

‘That action of yours will greatly impress the leaders of the Martial Alliance.’

The leader of the Tangma Army is someone who treats fallen soldiers as his own body. He is a great hero with a sense of responsibility.

Such rumors would spread widely throughout the entire alliance.

Naturally, the leaders would take notice of Moyong Woo, and his presence would grow even more.

And all that power would return to him.

Moyong Gun smiled and said, “I’ll personally replenish the missing troops. Don’t worry about that part.”

* * *

“Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

A rare smile appeared on Yeon Wi’s usually stern face.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Not at all.”

“I wasn’t asking you, I was asking Bi-a.”

“Oh….”

“What would be the chance of a tough iron-boned guy like you getting hurt?”

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

“Silence.”

Yeon Hojeong made an embarrassed expression.

Although he said that, Yeon Wi prayed for Yeon Hojeong’s safety every day. Ever since the Tangma Myeolsagun set out, there hadn’t been a single day where he slept peacefully.

Mok Bi spoke politely.

“I’m fine, Father.”

“Good. It’s enough that you’ve returned unscathed.”

Yeon Wi was entirely different from Moyong Gun.

He was just happy that his son, and the girl he considered like a daughter, had returned safely. The mission? Of course, that was important too, but life was more important.

He was extremely relieved to hear that there were no casualties in the Myeolsagun. That was enough.

“I have a mountain of things I want to talk about, but you must be exhausted from the journey. Rest for today, and we’ll talk more in detail starting tomorrow.”

Yeon Hojeong turned to Mok Bi.

“If you’re tired, go and rest. I have something to discuss with Father.”

“Shall I?”

Mok Bi truly wanted to rest. More than resting, she wanted to wash up. She hadn’t bathed once on the way back.

Mok Bi bowed her head and quickly left the room, her heart pounding in fear that she might have smelled bad to Yeon Wi.

Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue. He could now tell what Mok Bi was thinking just by her eyes and actions.

“Maybe I teased her too much.”

Once, he had teased her about smelling bad, and since then, she had developed an obsessive habit of cleaning herself. In reality, she was cleaner than anyone, but because of him, her life had become more burdensome.

Yeon Wi asked, “Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine. I wasn’t even walking on my own two legs.”

“Riding a horse is still work.”

“I’m the tough iron-boned guy, remember?”

Yeon Wi chuckled.

“Alright, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

Yeon Hojeong cautiously replied, “Are you not upset?”

“About what?”

“My name was left out of the mission report.”

Yeon Wi nodded.

“So, you knew as well.”

“Yes.”

“Not just knew—did you intentionally leave it out?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Do you have a reason? I know you’re not someone who craves fame, but there was no need to leave your name out, was there?”

The report detailed the achievements of the Myeolsagun in considerable detail.

But that was all. It mentioned the names of a few soldiers and the military advisor Jegal Ahyeon, as well as Mok Bi’s sniping skills, but Yeon Hojeong’s name was nowhere to be found.

‘…’

Yeon Hojeong considered telling his father about his connection with Moyong Woo but then decided against it. He thought it wasn’t the right time yet.

‘Indeed, when the time comes to tell him, a simple scolding won’t be enough.’

Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips and spoke.

“This time, I’m thinking of giving them a push.”

“Are you trying to make the Moyong family head lower his guard?”

“If he were the type to be so easily fooled, he’d be much easier to deal with.”

“And so?”

Yeon Hojeong replied cheerfully, “Politics is about giving, but political strife is about give-and-take, isn’t it? He’s probably fuming after taking so much damage, so I should give him a bit of encouragement.”

Yeon Wi smiled wryly.

“Sometimes I think, how nice it would be if I could see directly into that mind of yours.”

“Oh, well…”

“It’s alright. If you could explain it, you would have done so already. These matters lie in the realm where reason and instinct intertwine, making them difficult to explain easily.”

“Haha.”

That wasn’t the whole truth, but regardless, hearing him say that made Yeon Hojeong feel both grateful and guilty.

‘Just once.’

Yeon Hojeong sighed inwardly.

‘Let me hold out just one more time.’

Unlike before, his father had increasingly come to accept and understand many of his actions.

Hiding his true intentions from such a father was becoming more and more painful.

‘I’ll tell you everything soon, Father.’

Yeon Wi asked, “So, is that all you wanted to say to me?”

“For now, yes. But there’s something I want to hear from you as well.”

“Something you want to hear?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes changed.

“I’m curious about what’s been happening.”

Seriousness spread across Yeon Wi’s face.

His son had truly become an adult. An adult who looked at the world from the same position, with the same perspective as him.

Although their interpretations might differ, Yeon Hojeong had already reached a level where it was no longer burdensome to share even the smallest concerns with him.

“There have been many trivial matters, but nothing worth explaining to you. However…”

“…?”

“There’s been some trouble related to the Black Path.”

“Trouble related to the Black Path?”

Yeon Wi told him about the situation with Yangcheon, and how he had visited Moyong Gun.

Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.

‘Father has changed too.’

In the past, his father would never have sought out the schemes of a greedy, petty man, even if the world was falling apart.

But now his father had changed. He had realized that the pure and untainted righteousness of the White Path alone was not enough to navigate this treacherous world.

“And what did Moyong Gun say?”

“He said it’s a matter of making them mistakenly believe that it’s not us.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

Seeing his son smile, Yeon Wi asked, “Do you agree with his thinking?”

“I do. We can’t just sit still, but we also can’t move hastily. If we want to act, we need to ensure that the Martial Alliance’s name doesn’t come up.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. However…”

Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.

“I’m not sure what Moyong Gun’s intentions were in saying that. And no matter what, if we’re going to target Yangcheon, there will be considerable casualties.”

“Hmm.”

“From a strategic perspective, and when considering the alliances, we should do our utmost to minimize those casualties.”

A faint smile appeared on Yeon Wi’s face.

‘What a commendable young man.’

Indeed, his son was different from Moyong Gun.

Their insight and intellect were on par, but they focused on different things.

Moyong Gun was willing to accept a certain level of sacrifice to achieve his goals. However, Yeon Hojeong believed that minimizing their own casualties was more important before accomplishing the goal.

‘You’ve changed too.’

Yeon Hojeong hadn’t always been like this. He used to be much more reckless, though not quite to the extent of Moyong Gun.

But he had changed, just like his father.

Yeon Wi felt proud of this change in his son.

After a moment of contemplation, Yeon Hojeong asked, “Is the operation underway?”

“It is. Although it hasn’t been launched against the Black Path yet, orders will be coming down from the higher-ups soon.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled and stood up.

Yeon Wi looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you standing up?”

“It seems I also have some business with that sly fox.”

“…Are you serious?!”

A wicked smile spread across Yeon Hojeong’s face.

“Political strife is give-and-take. I’ve given something, so now it’s time for me to take something in return.”