Dark and Light Martial Emperor

Chapter 182

Fate

“Total personnel: five hundred, casualties: one hundred and twenty.”

“……”

“Among them, seventy are deceased, and the rest are severely or moderately injured.”

A shadow fell over Moyong Woo’s face as he listened to the report.

*’Seventy…’*

He had anticipated there would be casualties.

Their opponents were formidable forces that had been gaining power on the Saiwai stage for ten years. Even though they were a band of marauders, their strength exceeded that of many established sects.

It was inevitable that there would be casualties. However, he hadn’t expected seventy deaths.

*’It was clumsy.’*

Yes, it had been clumsy.

His judgment hadn’t been bad. It wasn’t a particularly brilliant strategy, but it had shown a certain level of effective operation.

But the timing hadn’t been right.

He had the eyes to observe the enemy’s response, but he was slow to realize it. Moreover, the response of their troops to the orders had also been delayed.

He had commanded his lieutenants and soldiers, but that was all.

*’It was all my mistake.’*

If they had had more training time…

If he had worked harder to unite the entire Tangma Army, they wouldn’t have suffered such losses.

The soldiers composing the Tangma Army were all seasoned warriors of the martial world. However, they lacked experience in working together to annihilate an enemy.

He thought they would be able to handle the opponent sufficiently. He had warned them repeatedly to be cautious, yet Moyong Woo himself had underestimated the enemy.

It was a painful mistake.

*’Whether it’s forming a battle formation or reinforcing our defense, those are secondary issues. I need to improve my overall perspective, and the soldiers need to be able to react immediately when orders are given. That’s the priority.’*

In fact, this was why, after the inauguration ceremony, he had focused not on training them in attack and defense but on building their camaraderie. If he hadn’t done even that, the damage would have been much greater.

But the regret was still there.

“Go to the Beggars’ Union branch and ask around for skilled doctors. Have the injured rest in temporary quarters within the caravan, and the others should clear away the debris.”

“I will follow your orders.”

“And Jin Commander.”

“Yes, General.”

“Good work.”

Jinpae shook his head.

“Even though it’s only been a short time since our formation, I also failed to manage my subordinates properly. The many casualties are largely due to the commanders’ faults.”

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

“……”

“Let’s get stronger.”

“Of course.”

Jinpae, bowing his head, left the room.

Moyong Woo sighed.

“Who knew leading people would be such a difficult task?”

The act of leading itself wasn’t the issue. He had a natural talent for managing a crowd.

The problem was his heart.

*’My people died because of my shortcomings.’*

It wasn’t something he hadn’t prepared for. However, the death of his subordinates was a much bigger shock than he had expected.

*’In the end, it means I lack experience as well.’*

Moyong Woo closed his eyes.

*’But even if I gain more experience, will I ever be able to remain calm in the face of my people’s deaths?’*

At that moment…

“What are you doing?”

“Ugh!”

Moyong Woo looked at the door in shock.

Yeon Hojeong was standing there.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now. I called several times, but you didn’t respond, so I came in to check.”

“Ah……”

“Looking at your expression, I get it. I know why you’re so lost in thought.”

Moyong Woo smiled bitterly.

“Because it’s my fault.”

Yeon Hojeong nodded coldly.

“Yes. It’s your fault.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes widened at the moment.

“W-What did you just say?”

“I said it’s your fault. For whatever reason, the death of subordinates is the fault of the one in charge.”

Yeon Hojeong’s face showed a hint of puzzlement.

“I thought you would understand that much.”

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

“Huh?”

Moyong Woo felt a cough coming up for no reason.

“You finally called me ‘hyung.'”

Yeon Hojeong frowned.

“Didn’t you ask me to call you that?”

“Of course I did.”

“Why? Does it make you squirm now that you’ve heard it? Should I take it back?”

“No, absolutely not.”

The response was terrifyingly firm, as if Moyong Woo was deeply attached to being called “hyung.”

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“You’re hard to understand sometimes.”

Moyong Woo scratched his cheek.

“Well, I don’t have any younger siblings.”

But that wasn’t the only reason.

He had lived a lonely life for a long time. There had been someone close to him—Lee Geon—who could be called his person, but Lee Geon had served him as a lord, not as a brother.

Moyong Woo had longed for a brotherly relationship with Yeon Hojeong for that reason. While they were moving together toward a common goal, it would also be good if they could genuinely care for each other.

“In any case, this isn’t something that will get better just because you try to pull yourself together. Time will help, so don’t force yourself.”

As Moyong Woo stared at Yeon Hojeong, he suddenly asked,

“Have you ever had such an experience?”

“Hmm?”

“Have you ever lost your people, your subordinates?”

Yeon Hojeong nodded.

“Of course I have.”

He had lost countless subordinates, too many to count. He had even lost the person closest to him, someone he had considered a brother.

He had also witnessed the death of his family. If these were considered experiences, then Yeon Hojeong had accumulated quite a bitter share of them.

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

“Why do you think that?”

“There are people out there with unimaginable power, walking the earth. It may look peaceful on the surface, but it can’t really be that way.”

A chill spread across Yeon Hojeong’s expressionless face.

“The world is always built on the cries of the powerless. Personal peace might exist, but there can never be peace for everyone.”

Moyong Woo looked troubled.

“In that case… are you saying that chivalry (俠) is meaningless?”

“It does have meaning. We may not be able to change the world fundamentally, but at least we can pour a bucket of water on the flames of hell burning right before our eyes.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

It was a bitter smile.

“Black and white, good and evil, life and death. We’re all just fools running in circles on a never-ending wheel.”

It was a rather cynical statement.

Moyong Woo asked,

“Is that why you did it?”

“Did what?”

“The Heilangdan. Is that why you exterminated them?”

Yeon Hojeong responded indifferently,

“We came to wipe them out anyway.”

“Of course. But they surrendered. It’s hard to justify killing those who surrendered after losing their will to fight.”

“Then why didn’t you stop me?”

Moyong Woo sighed.

“Well… maybe I also thought they shouldn’t be allowed to live.”

It was an honest admission.

Yeon Hojeong perched on the edge of the table.

“One of your soldiers once asked me, ‘The enemy may be evil, but is there really a need to kill them so cruelly?'”

“And what was your answer?”

“Death is fair to everyone. So if someone is evil, they should die as painfully as possible.”

“……!”

“Do I have the right to do that? Of course not. But I just act according to my beliefs. Some people believe in reforming those who deserve to die; I believe in killing them as soon as I see them.”

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

“It was at first. But now, it’s refreshing.”

Moyong Woo’s expression hardened.

“Even an evil person is still a person. You shouldn’t feel refreshed by that.”

“I don’t see evil people as human.”

“……”

“That’s why it feels refreshing.”

Moyong Woo let out a bitter laugh.

“I’ve truly got a difficult younger brother to deal with.”

“That’s why you should choose your companions wisely.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled.

“Whether you live as the leader of the Tangma Army, the head of the Moyong Family, or even as the leader of the Martial Alliance, you’ll face this kind of experience countless times. So, prepare yourself in advance.”

“Yeon Je, I…”

“I know, you don’t want to become the leader of the Martial Alliance.”

“……”

“Changing your mind about that is also my job. I’ll keep persuading you, so prepare yourself for that too.”

Moyong Woo chuckled and sat on the windowsill.

“Hey, Yeon Je.”

“Go ahead.”

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

“Because of what you just showed me.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re someone who feels the pain of your subordinates’ deaths, who reflects on it, and who naturally resolves not to let it happen again.”

“……”

“You’re someone who can separate the sorrow of reality from the determination for the future, all while maintaining a good heart.”

Yeon Hojeong smiled softly.

“There’s no one better suited to lead the Martial Alliance.”

Moyong Woo cleared his throat.

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

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not flattering you by calling you great. Do you really think there’s anyone else in this vast world like you?”

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

“Because it just has to be you.”

“So, what’s the reason for that…?”

“So that I can bring down Moyong Gun.”

Moyong Woo’s face stiffened.

Yeon Hojeong chuckled.

“I’m kidding. The real opponent of Moyong Gun is me, not you.”

“Is that so?”

“There are plenty of good-hearted and capable people like you out there. But the reason I think you’re the right person to lead the Martial Alliance is…”

“And that reason is?”

Yeon Hojeong was silent for a moment.

His gaze, fixed on Moyong Woo, was clear and deep.

“Just a hunch.”

“Is that even an answer?”

“It is here.”

Yeon Hojeong stepped down from the table.

“Whether you become the head of the family or the leader of the alliance, it’s important to keep improving yourself. Let’s keep working hard.”

Moyong Woo smiled.

“You know what?”

“What?”

“You’re a truly reliable younger brother.”

Yeon Hojeong shook his head.

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

“I can’t show such a disgraceful sight.”

“So, you do know what shame is.”

Yeon Hojeong headed towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Pasaruk.”

The leader of the Heilangdan, Pasaruk, was still alive. His legs had been severed, and his body was covered in countless wounds, but his unimaginable vitality had kept him alive.

Of course, Yeon Hojeong had intentionally kept him alive.

Moyong Woo asked,

“Is there something you hope to gain from him?”

Yeon Hojeong paused.

“Heilangdan is the most notorious band of marauders beyond the Great Wall. They’ve swept through the Tibetan Plateau, Qinghai, and Gansu over the past decade, haven’t they?”

“They have.”

“And they rarely ventured into Zhongyuan?”

“That’s what I heard. Even when they did, they were extremely cautious. It makes sense, considering most of the major sects are concentrated in the northern part of Zhongyuan.”

“But this time, they went big. Even though Shandong doesn’t have any prominent sects, it’s still surprising that they tried to bring down the Haeryong Caravan.”

Moyong Woo’s eyes gleamed.

He had only been focused on defeating the enemy; he had never seriously considered the enemy’s intentions.

“So, what do you think, Yeon Je?”

“It means they have someone reliable backing them. At least, that’s what I think.”

“A reliable backer? Are you suggesting that Heilangdan might be colluding with someone in Zhongyuan?”

“Or…”

A terrifying killing intent surged in Yeon Hojeong’s previously clear and deep eyes.

“Somewhere beyond the Great Wall, there might be someone supporting them.”