Monochrome Sovereign [EN]: Chapter 185

Fifteen days later.

“Seventy, huh.”

Moyong Gun sighed.

“We lost quite a few.”

“I have no excuse.”

“No. As you’ve experienced this time, individual martial prowess and tactics become powerless against the strength of a group. Even the greatest masters of the world can die from a third-rate assassin’s hidden dagger. It’s a natural, if unfortunate, outcome.”

Moyong Woo lowered his head.

“It’s all my fault. I promise you won’t see such a sight again.”

“Haha, I already know your abilities and courage. What’s important is not repeating past mistakes. You’ll do well.”

Of course, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed. Moyong Woo had said he would minimize the Tangma [a military unit] troops’ losses and handle everything with the Myulsa Unit [a special forces unit].

However, even the most talented person in the world finds it extremely difficult to control others as they wish.

Moreover, this was the first time Moyong Woo had managed a combat unit of five hundred. Considering the notoriety, combat power, and numbers of the Hoerangdan [a notorious group of bandits], it was more impressive that only seventy had died.

“Let’s start by hearing how you attacked the Hoerangdan.”

Moyong Woo explained in detail how he encountered the Hoerangdan and how they fought.

Surprise flickered across Moyong Gun’s face.

“Huh! Hostages?”

“Yes, sir.”

“So, you anticipated that they would resort to such a despicable act and had the Myulsa Unit go around?”

“I didn’t foresee that far ahead. I simply sent them because the village was under attack, and it seemed advantageous for an assault.”

A small admiration appeared on Moyong Gun’s face.

“Impressive. Even if you recite the Seven Military Classics [ancient Chinese military texts] by heart, it’s difficult to display even one-tenth of it in actual combat.”

“It was because I trusted Commander Yeon’s abilities. If not, I would have sought other methods.”

“That guy has thousands of snakes in his belly [a metaphor for being cunning]. But as you said, his abilities are undeniable. And it’s your insight that saw and trusted that ability.”

Moyong Gun nodded, seemingly satisfied.

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

Although the result was different from what he had confidently declared, after hearing the details, it seemed like he deserved praise rather than blame.

Moreover, most of the credit for sweeping through the Hoerangdan went to Tangma Commander Moyong Woo. The name of the Myulsa Unit was mentioned, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s name was not.

‘Good.’

It was a truly satisfying outcome. It wasn’t the best, but it was safe to say he had caught a big fish.

“In any case, I’ve specifically identified my shortcomings in this operation. It was a meaningful mission in many ways.”

“Hahaha! If that’s what you think, then it’s good.”

Moyong Gun laughed heartily, truly pleased.

But Moyong Woo was not.

‘Brother. People died.’

A meaningful mission?

That’s right. The battle with the Hoerangdan was definitely a meaningful mission for Moyong Woo.

But it was something he shouldn’t have said out loud. Because his people had died.

He suppressed the surging sadness and spoke like this, all to deceive Moyong Gun.

Moyong Woo was newly resentful of his situation. Thinking of his dead subordinates, he was saddened by the current situation where he was saying things he should never have said.

‘I’m sorry.’

Moyong Woo, having briefly composed himself, spoke.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m thinking of holding a memorial service for the fallen soldiers. I plan to keep it small and among the Tangma troops, so I might not be able to see you for three days.”

Moyong Gun’s eyes sparkled.

“A memorial service?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, that’s good too. After all, they were all your subordinates, so I think it’s good to have a time of remembrance for them.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Haha, what is there to understand? You are the Tangma Commander. It’s not strange at all for a commander to hold a memorial service for his fallen soldiers.”

It was a good thing, rather.

‘This isn’t bad.’

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 spent that time figuring out how to replenish the lost troops and moved quickly to gain more power.

That was why Moyong Woo’s statement about holding a memorial service sounded fresh to Moyong Gun.

At the same time, this was also an opportunity.

‘Your actions will greatly impress the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance] members.’

The Tangma Commander is someone who cares for his fallen soldiers as if they were his own. He is a responsible hero.

Such rumors would spread throughout the entire alliance.

Naturally, the alliance members would pay attention to Moyong Woo, and Moyong Woo’s presence would grow even larger.

And all that power would return to him.

Moyong Gun smiled and said,

“This older brother will personally fill the missing troops. Don’t worry about that.”

* * *

“Have you been well?”

“Yes.”

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

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Not at all.”

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

“Ah…”

“What could possibly hurt a tough iron bone like you?”

“I’m a little disappointed.”

“Be quiet.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong made an awkward expression.

Although he said that, Yeon-Wi prayed for Yeon Ho-Jeong’s safety every day. After the Tangma Myulsa Unit departed, he hadn’t slept peacefully for a single day.

Muk Bi spoke politely.

“I’m fine, Father.”

“Yes. It’s enough that you came back safe and sound.”

Yeon-Wi was completely different from Moyong Gun.

He was just happy that his son and the child he considered his daughter had returned safely. Mission? Of course, that was important too, but more important than that was human life.

Fortunately, he heard that there were no casualties in the Myulsa Unit. That was enough.

“I have so much to talk about, but you must be exhausted from the journey. Let’s rest today, and we can talk in detail starting tomorrow.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said to Muk Bi,

“If you’re tired, go and rest. I have things to talk about with my father.”

“Should I?”

Muk Bi genuinely wanted to rest. No, before resting, she wanted to wash. She hadn’t been able to take a bath once on the way back.

Muk Bi bowed her head and quickly left the room. Her heart had shrunk to the size of a bean, wondering if she had smelled bad to Yeon-Wi.

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue. Now, just by looking at Muk Bi’s eyes and actions, he could tell what she was thinking.

“Did I tease her too much?”

Once, he had teased her about smelling bad, and ever since then, she had shown a pathological obsession with washing. In fact, she was cleaner than anyone else, but he felt like her life had become tiring because of him.

Yeon-Wi asked,

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine. It’s not like I walked on my own two feet.”

“Riding a horse is also work.”

“I’m a tough iron bone, remember?”

Yeon-Wi chuckled.

“Alright, what is it that you wanted to say to this father of yours?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong spoke cautiously.

“Are you not in a bad mood?”

“What mood?”

“My name was omitted from the mission report this time.”

Yeon-Wi nodded.

“So, you knew about it too.”

“Yes.”

“Not just knew, but you deliberately omitted it?”

“That’s right.”

“Is there a reason? Of course, this father knows that you’re not a petty person who seeks fame, but there’s no reason to deliberately omit your name.”

The report detailed the Myulsa Unit’s achievements.

But that was all. The names of a few soldiers and the mention of military advisor Jeagal Ayeon and Muk Bi’s sniping skills were there, but Yeon Ho-Jeong’s name was nowhere to be found.

‘…….’

Yeon Ho-Jeong was about to reveal his relationship with Moyong Woo to his father but then decided against it. He thought it wasn’t the right time yet.

‘Well, if I tell him when the time comes, it won’t end with just a spanking.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong clicked his tongue and said,

“I’m going to give them a push this time.”

“Are you trying to make the Moyong Family Head lower his guard?”

“If he were the type to lower his guard so easily, it would be much easier to deal with him.”

“Then?”

Yeon Ho-Jeong said cheerfully,

“Politics is about giving, but political strife is about give and take, isn’t it? They’ve been hit hard, so they must be seething with anger. I need to boost their morale.”

Yeon-Wi smiled wryly.

“I think sometimes, how nice it would be if I could see inside your head as it is.”

“Ah, this is…”

“It’s alright. I know that if you could explain it, you would have explained it already. These kinds of problems are in the realm where reason and instinct intertwine, so it’s difficult to explain easily.”

“Haha.”

That wasn’t all of it, but he was grateful and felt guilty that he said that.

‘One time.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong sighed inwardly.

‘Let’s endure just one more time.’

Unlike before, he was gradually embracing and understanding many things about him.

It was painful to hide his true feelings from this father.

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

Yeon-Wi asked,

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

“For now, yes. I also have something I want to hear.”

“Something you want to hear?”

“Yes.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes changed.

“I’m curious about what has happened in the meantime.”

Yeon-Wi’s face became serious.

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

It was just that the way they interpreted it was different, but since he had already established himself, it was no longer a pity to worry about even the smallest things together.

“There were many trivial things, but there’s nothing that I need to explain to you. However…”

“…?”

“I’ve been having a bit of a headache with the Black Path-related matters.”

“Black Path-related matters?”

Yeon-Wi told him about the matter concerning Yang Cheon. And also about how he had visited Moyong Gun.

Yeon Ho-Jeong’s eyes flashed.

‘Father has changed too.’

In the past, his father would not have tried to gain the wisdom of a greedy petty person, even if the world were to split in two.

Such a father had changed. He had realized that it was a situation that was difficult to overcome with only the uprightness of the pure White Path.

“So, what did Moyong Gun say?”

“He said this. It’s a problem that can be solved by making the opponent mistakenly believe that it wasn’t us.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled.

Seeing his son’s smile, Yeon-Wi asked,

“Do you agree with his idea?”

“I agree. We can’t just stand still, and we can’t move easily. If that’s the case, then we need to move first, and to avoid being like a rat hiding, the Murim Alliance’s name shouldn’t be involved.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. However…”

Yeon Ho-Jeong stroked his chin.

“I don’t know what Moyong Gun’s intentions were in saying that. Also, no matter what, there will be quite a few casualties if we attack Yang Cheon.”

“Hmm.”

“Strategically speaking, and when considering negotiations, we should minimize casualties as much as possible.”

A faint smile appeared on Yeon-Wi’s face.

‘Impressive kid.’

As expected, his son was different from Moyong Gun.

Their insight and intellect were evenly matched, but they looked at different things.

Moyong Gun would accept a certain amount of sacrifice for his goals. But his son said that it was important to minimize the sacrifices on their side before achieving the goal.

‘You’ve changed too.’

Yeon Ho-Jeong wasn’t like this originally either. He wasn’t as extreme as Moyong Gun, but he was much rougher than he was now.

He had changed. Just like him.

Yeon-Wi was proud of his son’s change.

Yeon Ho-Jeong, who had been lost in thought for a moment, asked,

“Is that attack in progress?”

“Yes. It hasn’t been sent to the Black Path yet, but orders are expected to come down from the higher-ups soon.”

Yeon Ho-Jeong smiled and got up from his seat.

Yeon-Wi looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you doing that?”

“I think I have some business with the schemer too.”

“…You don’t mean?!”