Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 181

“Total of five hundred, casualties one hundred and twenty.”

“…….”

“Among them, seventy are dead, and the rest are seriously or moderately injured.”

Moyong Gun’s face darkened as he listened to the report.

‘Seventy…….’

He had anticipated casualties.

The opponents were powerful figures who had honed their strength for ten years in the outer regions. Though labeled as bandits, their power surpassed that of most sects. [Sects are organized martial arts groups or schools.]

Some casualties were inevitable. But he hadn’t expected seventy deaths.

‘It was sloppy.’

Yes, it was sloppy.

His tactical assessment wasn’t poor. It wasn’t a particularly brilliant tactic, but he had executed a reasonably efficient operation.

However, his timing was off.

He had the ability to observe the enemy’s reactions, but he was slow to recognize them, and his allies were slow to respond to the orders given.

He had managed to control his squad leaders and soldiers, but that was all.

‘It’s all my fault.’

If there had been more training time.

If he had worked harder to mold the entire Tangma Army into a cohesive unit, they wouldn’t have suffered such losses.

The soldiers of the Tangma Army were all martial arts experts with considerable experience. But they lacked experience working together to annihilate an enemy.

Still, he had thought they could handle the enemy well enough. He had cautioned them to be careful, but Moyong Gun himself had underestimated the enemy.

It was a painful mistake.

‘Forming a formation or strengthening the offense and defense is secondary. I need to improve my ability to see the bigger picture, and the soldiers need to react immediately when an order is given. That’s the priority.’

In fact, he had been concerned about that, so after the founding ceremony, he had focused on building camaraderie rather than combat training. If he hadn’t done that much, the damage would have been much greater.

But still, the regret was unavoidable.

“Go to the Beggars’ Sect branch and find skilled physicians. Have the injured rest in the temporary quarters within the merchant guild, and have the rest clear the rubble.”

“Understood.”

“And Squad Leader Jin.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Jin Pae shook his head.

“Although it hasn’t been long since the army was founded, I also failed to manage my subordinates properly. The high number of casualties is largely the fault of the squad leaders.”

“Don’t think that way. You all did your best.”

“…….”

“Let’s get stronger.”

“Of course.”

Jin Pae bowed his head and left the room.

Moyong Gun sighed.

“I never knew leading people would be this difficult.”

Leading itself wasn’t the problem. He had a remarkable talent for handling crowds.

The problem was his heart.

‘My people died because of my shortcomings.’

It wasn’t that he hadn’t been prepared for it. But the deaths of his subordinates were a much greater shock than he had anticipated.

‘In the end, it means I’m still lacking in experience.’

Moyong Gun closed his eyes.

‘But even if I gain experience, will I be able to remain composed in the face of my people’s deaths?’

It was then.

“What are you doing?”

“Huk!”

Moyong Gun was startled and looked towards the door.

There was Yeon Ho-Jeong.

“When did you come?”

“Just now. I called you several times, but you didn’t answer, so I came in to see if something was wrong.”

“Ah…….”

“I can tell by your expression. Why are you so lost in thought?”

Moyong Gun smiled bitterly.

“It’s because of what happened due to my mistakes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded coldly.

“That’s right. It’s your fault, brother.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes widened.

“W-what did you just say?”

“I said it’s your fault, brother. For whatever reason, the death of a subordinate is the fault of the leader.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s face showed a hint of bewilderment.

“I thought you would understand that much?”

“Of course. But what surprised me was…….”

“Huh?”

Moyong Gun felt a needless cough coming on.

“You’re finally calling me brother.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong frowned.

“You told me to call you that, didn’t you?”

“Of course, I did.”

“Why? Does it feel awkward now that you’ve heard it? Do you want to take it back?”

“No way.”

His answer was filled with terrifying determination. It was as if he had an obsession with the title of brother.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“You have such an incomprehensible way of thinking.”

Moyong Gun scratched his cheek.

“Because I don’t have a younger sibling.”

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

He had lived a lonely life for a long time. He certainly had Lee Geon, whom he could call his own, but Lee Geon served him as his lord, not as a brother.

Moyong Gun wanted a comfortable, brotherly relationship with Yeon Ho-Jeong for that reason. They were moving together towards a single goal, but if they could also genuinely care for each other, that would be a good thing.

“Anyway, it’s not something that will easily get better just by trying to pull yourself together. Time will take care of it, so don’t force yourself.”

Moyong Gun, who had been staring at Yeon Ho-Jeong, asked abruptly.

“Has Yeon-je had such an experience too?”

“Hmm?”

“I mean, have you ever lost your people, your subordinates?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong nodded.

“Of course.”

He had lost countless subordinates. He had lost even those closest to him, those he had been like brothers with.

He had seen his family die in the first place. If that was an experience, then Yeon Ho-Jeong had accumulated quite a harsh set of experiences.

“People say it’s a peaceful era. But I think differently. There has never been true peace in the world of martial arts. Not even now.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Those with powers that ordinary people can’t even imagine are roaming the world. It may look peaceful on the surface, but in reality, it can’t be.”

A cold chill ran over Yeon Ho-Jeong’s expressionless face.

“The world always sows its seeds on the cries of the powerless. Individual peace is possible, but the peace of all cannot exist.”

Confusion arose on Moyong Gun’s face.

“Then…… doesn’t that mean that chivalry is meaningless?”

“It has meaning. It can’t fundamentally change the world, but at least I can throw a bucket of water on the hellfire burning in front of me.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

It was a bitter smile.

“Black and white, good and evil, life and death. We’re just fools running in a never-ending cycle, not knowing anything.”

It was quite a pessimistic statement.

Moyong Gun asked.

“Is that why?”

“Why what?”

“The Hallway Unit. Is that why you annihilated them?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said nonchalantly.

“They came to be annihilated anyway.”

“Of course, they did. But they surrendered. It doesn’t seem right to kill those who have lost their will to fight so coldly.”

“Then why didn’t you stop me?”

Moyong Gun sighed.

“I don’t know…… maybe I also thought they shouldn’t be left alive.”

It was a frank statement.

Yeon Ho-Jeong sat on the table.

“A soldier from the main army once told me. The opponent is evil, but is there a need to kill them so horribly?”

“What was Yeon-je’s answer?”

“Death is equal for everyone. So, the wicked should die as painfully as possible.”

“……!”

“I don’t have the right to do that? Of course, I don’t. But I just act according to my beliefs. If there are people who try to reform those who deserve to die, there are also people like me who think they should be killed on sight.”

“That seems like…… a painful path in its own way.”

“It was at first. But now it feels refreshing.”

Moyong Gun’s face hardened.

“The wicked are still people. You shouldn’t feel refreshed by that.”

“I don’t see the wicked as people.”

“…….”

“So, it feels refreshing.”

Moyong Gun chuckled.

“I’ve got a younger brother who’s truly hard to handle.”

“That’s why you should choose your friends carefully.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

“Whether you live as the Tangma Army Commander, the Moyong Clan Head, or the Martial Alliance Leader, you’ll have countless experiences like this. Try to prepare yourself in advance.”

“Yeon-je. I…….”

“I know, you don’t want to be the Martial Alliance Leader.”

“…….”

“It’s also my job to change your mind. I’ll keep persuading you, so be prepared for that too.”

Moyong Gun chuckled and sat on the windowsill.

“Hey, Yeon-je.”

“What?”

“Since we’re on the topic, let me ask you. Why do you want to make me the Martial Alliance Leader?”

“Because of the way you’re acting right now.”

“Hmm?”

“Because you’re someone who feels pain and self-reproach over the deaths of your subordinates, yet naturally holds the determination not to let it happen again.”

“…….”

“Someone who can separate the sadness of reality from the determination for the future, while still maintaining a good nature.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled brightly.

“There’s no one more suitable to be the Martial Alliance Leader.”

Moyong Gun coughed awkwardly.

“I’m embarrassed. I’m not as great as you make me out to be.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not praising you for being great. Do you think there aren’t other people like you in this vast world?”

“……Ahem. Then I’m even more curious. Why does it have to be me?”

“It still has to be you.”

“So, the reason is…….”

“Because that’s how we can destroy the Moyong Clan.”

Moyong Gun’s face hardened.

Yeon Ho-Jeong chuckled.

“Just kidding. The real opponent of the Moyong Clan is me, not you, right?”

“I guess so.”

“There are many kind people like you, and many capable people too. There are even people who are both kind and capable. But the reason I think you’re suitable to be the Martial Alliance Leader is…….”

“The reason is?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong was silent for a moment.

His gaze, as he looked at Moyong Gun, was clear and deep.

“It’s just a gut feeling.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“It’s an answer that exists here.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong got off the table.

“Whether you become the Clan Head or the Alliance Leader, it’s important to constantly cultivate yourself. Let’s keep working hard in the future.”

Moyong Gun smiled.

“Do you know something?”

“What?”

“Yeon-je, you’re a truly reliable younger brother.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong shook his head.

“It’s not hard to be a pillar of support when things are tough. Just don’t break.”

“I wouldn’t show such a pathetic sight.”

“So you know it’s a shameful thing.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“To Pa Sa-Reuk.”

The Hallway Unit leader, Pa Sa-Reuk, was not yet dead. His legs were cut off, and his body was covered in large and small injuries, but thanks to his unimaginable vitality, he was still breathing.

Of course, Yeon Ho-Jeong had deliberately kept him alive.

Moyong Gun asked.

“Is there something to gain from him?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong paused.

“The Hallway Unit is the best bandit group in the outer regions. They’ve been sweeping through the areas of Xizang [Tibet], Qinghai, and Gansu for the past ten years, right?”

“That’s right.”

“They’ve rarely entered the Central Plains, right?”

“That’s what I’ve heard. Even when they did, they were very careful. After all, most of the Nine Great Sects are concentrated in the northern part of the Central Plains.”

“But this time, they’ve made a big move. Although there aren’t any notable sects in Shandong, they still tried to destroy the Haeryong Merchant Guild.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes flashed.

He had only thought about defeating the enemy, but he had never seriously considered what their intentions were.

“Then what do you think, Yeon-je……?”

“It means they have a reliable backer. At least, that’s what I think.”

“A reliable backer, are you saying that the Hallway Unit is colluding with people from the Central Plains?”

“Or.”

A terrifying murderous intent surged in Yeon Ho-Jeong’s clear and deep eyes.

“Somewhere in the outer regions, there might be people backing them.”