Chapter 186. The Thread Was Not Severed (4)
Two weeks later.
“Seventy.”
Moyong Gun let out a sigh.
“Quite a heavy loss.”
“I have no face to show you.”
“No. As you felt this time, individual martial prowess and tactics are inevitably powerless before the might of the masses. Even the world's greatest masters fall to a third-rate thug's thrown dagger. It's the way of the jianghu. A natural outcome, if anything.”
Moyong Woo bowed his head.
“It's all my failing. You won't see this from me again.”
“Haha, I know your abilities and your breadth of mind well enough. The key is not repeating past mistakes. You'll do fine.”
Of course, it would be a lie to say he wasn't disappointed. Moyong Woo had boasted of minimizing Tang Ma Army losses and handling everything through the Myeol Sa Army.
Yet even a genius of the world couldn't freely manipulate others at will. Moreover, this was Moyong Woo's first time commanding a force of over five hundred.
Considering the Hwarang Group's notoriety, combat strength, and numbers, losing only seventy was actually remarkable.
“First, tell me how you took down the Hwarang Group.”
Moyong Woo detailed their encounter with the Hwarang Group and the battle that followed.
Surprise flickered across Moyong Gun's face.
“What? Hostages?”
“Yes.”
“So you anticipated those scoundrels pulling such a petty trick and sent the Myeol Sa Army around them?”
“I didn't foresee that far. The village was under attack, and it offered an advantageous position for ambush, so I sent them.”
A glint of admiration crossed Moyong Gun's features.
“Impressive. Even those who recite the Seven Books of Martial Strategy by heart struggle to apply even a tenth in real combat.”
“It was because I trusted Commander Yeon's abilities. Otherwise, I'd have sought another way.”
“A snake with thousands of schemes coiled in his belly. But as you say, his abilities are the real deal. And recognizing and trusting in them speaks to your own insight.”
Moyong Gun nodded in satisfaction.
“You moved thoroughly as a commander. That's what matters.”
The results differed from his bold claims, but hearing the details, this deserved praise, not criticism.
Moreover, most of the credit for crushing the Hwarang Group now fell to Tang Ma Army Leader Moyong Woo.
The Myeol Sa Army's name appeared, but not Yeon Hojeong's.
Good.
A truly satisfying outcome. Not the absolute best, but a fine catch nonetheless.
“In any case, I've pinpointed my shortcomings in this operation. A most meaningful mission all around.”
“Hahaha! If you see it that way, then all is well.”
Moyong Gun burst into genuine laughter.
But Moyong Woo did not.
Brother. People died.
A meaningful mission? True enough. The battle with the Hwarang Group had indeed been meaningful to Moyong Woo.
But he couldn't voice that aloud.
His own people had died.
He suppressed the surging grief and spoke those words solely to deceive Moyong Gun.
Moyong Woo felt a pang of bitterness at his own position.
Thinking of his fallen subordinates, this moment—speaking words he should never utter—filled him with sorrow.
I'm sorry.
Composing himself briefly, Moyong Woo said, “Brother.”
“Hm?”
“I'm thinking of holding a separate rite for the fallen soldiers. Quietly, just among the Tang Ma Army, so I may be absent for three days.”
Moyong Gun's eyes gleamed.
“A memorial rite?”
“Yes.”
“Hm, very well. They were all your subordinates, after all. Taking time to honor them is hardly amiss.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Haha, what's to understand? You're the Tang Ma Army Leader. A commander honoring his dead is no oddity.”
Quite the opposite—it was commendable.
This isn't bad at all.
Moyong Gun mused.
If it were him, would he hold a rite for the dead? The answer was no.
He'd spend that time replenishing losses and moving swiftly to build denser power.
That was why Moyong Woo's proposal struck him as fresh.
And it was an opportunity.
Your actions will deeply move the alliance members.
The Tang Ma Army Leader cherished his soldiers as his own body. A hero with a sense of responsibility.
Word would spread through the alliance.
Naturally, they'd pay more heed to Moyong Woo, elevating his presence.
And all that power would flow back to him.
Moyong Gun smiled. “I'll personally refill your losses. No need to worry on that front.”
“Have you been well?”
“Aye.”
A rare smile softened Yeon Wi's stern face.
“No injuries?”
“None at all.”
“I wasn't asking you—I meant Bi-a.”
“Ah……”
“When would iron bones like yours get hurt?”
“That's hurtful.”
“Quiet.”
Yeon Hojeong made a sheepish face.
Though his words were gruff, Yeon Wi had prayed daily for his son's safety.
Not a single night had passed peacefully since the Tang Ma Myeol Sa Army departed.
Muk Bi spoke politely. “I'm fine, Father.”
“Good. Safe return is all that matters.”
Yeon Wi was nothing like Moyong Gun.
He rejoiced simply that his son—and the girl he saw as a daughter—had returned unharmed.
The mission? Important, yes, but lives mattered more.
Thank heavens the Myeol Sa Army reported zero casualties.
That sufficed.
“You must have mountains to say, but the journey wearies body and soul. Rest today; we'll talk details starting tomorrow.”
Yeon Hojeong turned to Muk Bi. “If you're tired, go rest. I need to speak with Father.”
“Shall I?”
Muk Bi genuinely wanted rest. A bath, even more so.
She hadn't washed once on the return.
Bowing quickly, she hurried from the room.
Her heart pounded like a pebble, fearing she'd offended Yeon Wi with her scent.
Yeon Hojeong smacked his lips.
He could read her thoughts from her eyes and demeanor now.
Did I tease her too much?
One jest about her smell, and now she obsessed over cleanliness.
She was cleaner than anyone, yet he'd made her life harder.
Yeon Wi asked, “Aren't you tired?”
“I'm fine. It's not like I walked.”
“Riding is work too.”
“But I'm iron bones, right?”
Yeon Wi chuckled softly.
“So, what is it you wish to tell this father?”
Yeon Hojeong spoke cautiously. “You're not displeased?”
“About what?”
“My name's missing from the mission report.”
Yeon Wi nodded. “So you knew.”
“Yes.”
“Knew? You deliberately omitted it.”
“Yes.”
“Any reason? I know you're no fame-seeker, but why erase your name entirely?”
The report detailed the Myeol Sa Army's feats extensively.
But that was all. Names of a few soldiers, Jegal A-yeon's strategies, Muk Bi's sniping—yet no trace of Yeon Hojeong.
……
Yeon Hojeong nearly confessed his bond with Moyong Woo but held back.
The time wasn't right.
Even when it is, it won't end with a rod.
Smacking his lips, he said, “I let them have the spotlight this time.”
“To lower Moyong Ga-ju's guard?”
“If he were that complacent, he'd be far easier prey.”
“Then?”
Yeon Hojeong grinned brightly. “Politics is about giving, but political strife is give and take. They've suffered plenty lately, seething with venom. Time to toss them a bone.”
Yeon Wi gave a wry smile. “Sometimes I think how nice it'd be to peer into your head as is.”
“Ah, well……”
“Enough. I know you'd have explained if you could. These matters blend reason and instinct—hard to articulate.”
“Haha.”
Not the whole truth, but his understanding brought gratitude and guilt.
Just once.
Yeon Hojeong sighed inwardly.
One more time. Bear it.
Father embraced and understood more of him now.
Hiding things pained him.
Soon, Father. I'll tell you everything.
Yeon Wi asked, “Is that all you had to say?”
“For now. I have questions too.”
“Questions?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong's eyes sharpened.
“I'm curious what happened while I was gone.”
Seriousness settled on Yeon Wi's face.
His son had truly become a man.
Seeing the world from the same vantage, interpreting it differently.
With his own family now, no shame in sharing even trifles.
“Plenty of petty matters, but nothing worth telling you. Except……”
“……?”
“A headache from black path business.”
“Black path matters?”
Yeon Wi recounted the Yang Cheon affair—and his visit to Moyong Gun.
Yeon Hojeong's eyes flashed.
Father's changed too.
The old him wouldn't seek counsel from a grasping villain, even if the world split.
Now he had. Pure white path righteousness alone couldn't navigate this board.
“What did Moyong Gun say?”
“He said to make the enemy mistake us for someone else.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
Seeing it, Yeon Wi asked, “You agree?”
“I do. We can't sit idle or move rashly. So we act—but to avoid skulking like rats, keep the Martial Alliance's name out.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Though……”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“I can't guess his intent. And whatever happens, striking Yang Cheon means casualties.”
“Hm.”
“Strategically or morally, we must minimize losses.”
A faint smile touched Yeon Wi's lips.
Fine lad.
His son differed from Moyong Gun.
Insight and mind evenly matched, but perspectives diverged.
Moyong Gun accepted sacrifices for goals.
His son prioritized minimizing them first.
You've changed too.
Yeon Hojeong hadn't always been so.
Rougher than now, if less than Moyong Gun.
He'd evolved. Like his father.
Yeon Wi took pride in it.
After a moment's thought, Yeon Hojeong asked, “Is the strike underway?”
“Yes. Not sent to the black path yet, but orders from above soon.”
Yeon Hojeong rose with a laugh.
Yeon Wi eyed him curiously.
“Why?”
“Seems I have business with the sack of schemes too.”
“……You don't mean?!”
A wicked grin spread across Yeon Hojeong's face.
“Political strife is give and take. I gave one—now I'll take mine.”