Aiming at the Light (2)
Yeon Hojeong let out a long breath.
Moyong Woo leaned back in his chair.
“Another day has passed like this.”
The training for the Tangma Army was incredibly demanding.
Setting everything else aside, there were five hundred soldiers. Guiding that many troops with precision required tremendous mental energy. Even with the squad leaders assisting, without a proper commander, maintaining control over the training was no easy task.
Of course, he had grown used to it by now, but that didn’t make it any less exhausting. He had simply adapted. The soldiers were improving at a rapid pace, so he had to constantly adjust the training to match their growth.
‘We should start formation training soon as well.’
He had heard rumors that the Myeolsa Army was devoting itself entirely to formation training.
‘The Myeolsa Army has the Jegal family’s talented daughter serving as their strategist. I heard they dismantled and improved the Jegal family’s formations to suit the Myeolsa Army’s characteristics. Since a direct descendant of the family is personally teaching them, their proficiency must be increasing quickly.’
Moyong Woo stroked his chin.
‘Someone with exceptional understanding of formations… Is there anyone besides the Jegal family who could fill that role? The Tangma Army will need a completely different kind of formation training.’
The Tangma Army and the Myeolsa Army had completely different characteristics.
The Myeolsa Army had fewer members, and their martial arts specialties were clearly defined. They excelled in street fighting and infiltration operations, and they could also fulfill their role as a vanguard unit admirably.
In contrast, the Tangma Army consisted of five hundred soldiers armed with heavy armor. While they struggled in battles requiring high mobility, they were a powerful unit specialized for large-scale engagements on open plains and frontal assaults.
Naturally, formation training was far more necessary for the Tangma Army than for the Myeolsa Army. Especially since the army was divided into squads, each squad would need formations tailored to their specific traits. They also needed to master large-scale formations that could be combined without conflict.
“Hoo… My head hurts.”
At that moment, a playful voice came from the window.
“What’s wrong? Got something troubling you?”
Moyong Woo smiled. He had already sensed Yeon Hojeong’s presence a little while ago.
“Why come through the window when there’s a perfectly good door?”
“It’s late at night. There shouldn’t be anyone watching, but I was afraid someone might see and get the wrong idea.”
“Haha.”
Moyong Woo turned his head toward the window. Yeon Hojeong was already sitting on the windowsill with his legs crossed.
“Come in and sit down.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
Yeon Hojeong sat in the soft chair across from Moyong Woo and smiled as he tapped the armrest.
“This is really nice. The budget must be generous, huh? This is a luxury item. Top quality.”
“My brother gave it to me as a gift.”
“He’s got deep pockets.”
Moyong Woo smiled as he looked at Yeon Hojeong.
“Have you finished everything for today?”
“What’s there to finish or not finish? I took it easy today.”
“Good. You’ve been living far too busily lately. If you keep running without rest, you’ll eventually burn out.”
Yeon Hojeong gave a small chuckle and asked in a casual tone.
“By the way, is something bothering you? Why the sudden headache?”
Moyong Woo clicked his tongue.
“It’s because of the Tangma Army’s training.”
“Why? Are they not listening? If they don’t listen, giving them a good beating every now and then isn’t a bad…”
“It’s not that. They’re doing exceptionally well. If anything, I often feel that my own abilities are lacking.”
“How humble.”
“I’m being sincere.”
“But why the Tangma Army training? Can’t you just keep doing what you’ve been doing?”
“It’s because of formations.”
Interest sparked in Yeon Hojeong’s eyes.
“So the Tangma Army is finally starting formation training as well?”
“That’s right. I heard rumors that the Myeolsa Army’s formation training has been incredibly successful. Is that true?”
Yeon Hojeong shrugged.
“I stayed out of the formation training. I left it entirely to A-yeon and Muk Bi, so I don’t know exactly how they conducted it.”
“That sounds just like you.”
“Still, we did have a spar once. A serious one.”
Moyong Woo’s eyes sparkled.
“How was it?”
“It was brutal. To be honest, even if both sides went all out with the intention of crushing each other, I don’t think I could have inflicted any significant damage before getting torn apart.”
Surprise appeared on Moyong Woo’s face.
“Even with your martial prowess?”
He was one of the few people who truly understood just how strong Yeon Hojeong was.
It wasn’t simply that his martial arts were powerful. The real reason Yeon Hojeong was so formidable was that he utilized his martial arts more efficiently than anyone else.
His extreme practical combat ability and his personality that never let his guard down.
It might be an overstatement, but when it came to pure combat capability, there would be no shortage of arguments for Yeon Hojeong being the best in the Central Plains. Of course, that was separate from the raw strength of his martial arts.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“It was terrifying. It wasn’t just about forming a formation and moving together. It felt like they were organically connecting each other’s internal energy to amplify the formation itself. Even ordinary attacks were completely deflected by the momentum alone.”
He said “ordinary attacks,” but for a master of Yeon Hojeong’s caliber, even a casual strike carried lethal killing intent. If they could deflect such attacks with nothing but momentum, it was indeed an incredible formation.
“Impressive. The Myeolsa Army has advanced another level.”
“It’s all thanks to finding the right people. The soldiers were also incredibly thirsty for strength.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head.
“By the way, if formations are the problem, why not just use the Moyong family’s formations?”
Moyong Woo shook his head.
“It’s not that I haven’t considered it. But I don’t think that will work.”
“Why? Are you worried my brother won’t allow it?”
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. He would probably welcome it. He would think he could turn the Tangma Army into a true force under the Moyong family’s control.”
“Hmm, that makes sense. So, the reason you’re not teaching the Moyong family’s formations to the Tangma Army is because you’re concerned it would turn them into my brother’s private army?”
“That’s part of it. More importantly, I believe the Tangma Army needs formations that suit the Tangma Army. At least among the ones I know from our main family, there isn’t a single formation that fits them.”
Yeon Hojeong chuckled.
“Where would you find a formation that fits perfectly from the start? Even if it’s a bit tight or loose, you just adjust it gradually.”
“You’re right. However, the difference between our family’s formations and the Tangma Army’s characteristics is simply too great.”
“Hmm.”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“Should I ask A-yeon to create a formation that would suit the Tangma Army?”
Moyong Woo’s eyes widened.
“Is that possible?”
“It’s just a request. There’s no reason she couldn’t do it. Of course, whether she can actually create one depends entirely on her ability.”
“Hmm.”
“What do you think? Should I ask her?”
Moyong Woo smiled.
“It’s fine. I’ll look into it on my own as well.”
“You’re very confident.”
“It’s not so much confidence as it is simply the right thing to do. Besides, our relationship shouldn’t become known to others. If Lady Jegal helps us, there’s a high chance it will create unnecessary rumors.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I’ll look for someone with deep knowledge of formations outside of the Jegal family. It might take some time.”
“Having you help me already makes me feel reassured.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
‘He’s much calmer than before.’
Growth wasn’t just about becoming stronger in martial arts or gaining more knowledge.
Adjusting one’s mindset to fit the environment was also a form of growth. In that sense, Moyong Woo had taken another step forward.
“Anyway, that aside.”
Moyong Woo asked with a puzzled expression.
“What brings you here at this hour? Of course, I’m always glad to see you.”
Yeon Hojeong clicked his tongue.
“No need to beat around the bush. I’ll ask you directly.”
“……?”
“Can you remove Dang Sang-ah from the Tangma Army?”
Moyong Woo’s eyes widened.
“Dang Sang-ah?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
Yeon Hojeong scratched his head.
“It’s not exactly that something happened… Hmm, it’s a bit awkward to explain in my own words.”
“Go ahead and tell me. If I’m going to approve her withdrawal, I should at least know the reason.”
“You know the Tang family head, right?”
“Of course.”
“It seems the Tang family head wants to properly educate his daughter now.”
“Hmm.”
“You know their relationship wasn’t good before, right?”
“I do. That’s why Dang Sang-ah struggled so much.”
“My father worked hard to mediate between them. Thanks to that, their father-daughter relationship has become quite harmonious now. It seems they’ve come to understand each other well.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
“I don’t know exactly what the Tang family head is thinking. But he wants to give his daughter proper training while he still can. The special forces units of the Tangma-Myeolsa have very strong influence from their commanders, don’t they?”
“That’s true.”
“So he asked me. Since I’m also a commander, and in the end, I was the one who practically forced her to enlist.”
Moyong Woo chuckled.
“That really was absurd.”
“You didn’t refuse either, brother.”
“How could I refuse when you were pushing so hard?”
“Hmph, nice excuse.”
“Hmm.”
Moyong Woo leaned back in his chair and fell into thought.
A moment later.
“Looking at the Tangma Army as a whole, her withdrawal won’t cause any major problems. In fact, if she is going to withdraw, now—before we begin formation training—would be the perfect time.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Also, as you said, given the nature of these special forces units where the commander’s influence is strong, there shouldn’t be any issues with her leaving. However…”
Moyong Woo’s eyes gleamed.
“If the person herself does not want it, then no matter how much you ask, I don’t want to force her withdrawal. Above all else, an individual’s will is the most important thing.”
Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I don’t want to force her to leave either. As you said, her own wishes are the most important.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“No, I feel bad for making such a difficult request.”
“Haha, it’s been quite a while since I’ve heard you say you’re sorry.”
“Has it?”
Yeon Hojeong stood up from his seat.
Moyong Woo spoke with a slightly disappointed expression.
“You’re leaving already? We haven’t seen each other in a while. Shouldn’t we at least have a drink?”
“I still need to deliver the message to the Tang family head. And I have a prior engagement. It’s already late. If I stay any longer, I might get shot by an arrow.”
“What a shame. Then make some time soon. I feel like I’m starting to forget my sworn brother’s face.”
“Always so dramatic.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled as he walked toward the window.
But then he paused.
“Is everything going well?”
“Hmm?”
“I mean with the Moyong family. You said you’d handle it, so I assume it’s going fine, but…”
Moyong Woo chuckled.
“Are you worried?”
“I’d appreciate it if you thought of it as simple curiosity rather than worry.”
“There’s nothing particularly noteworthy yet. You can rest easy for the time being.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Ah! By the way…”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes sharpened.
“Why? Is there something bothering you?”
Moyong Woo’s face grew serious.
“Not exactly bothering me… Well, it’s something that’s been making me feel uneasy.”
“What is it?”
“Yeon-hwa has started to move.”
“Hmm.”
“A while ago, my brother gave her quite a severe scolding. After that, she stayed in her quarters reflecting on herself, but today she had a private meeting with him.”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes turned icy.
“The conversation with the Black Dragon Department must have come up without fail.”
“I believe so. But that wasn’t what was bothering me.”
“Then?”
“It’s… hard to explain logically, but something feels off. When I think about it calmly, there’s nothing particularly strange, but I have this feeling that she’s plotting something.”
“You smell something fishy?”
“Yes. I smell something.”
Yeon Hojeong stroked his chin.
“Father and daughter met today… The Black Dragon Department definitely came up… Hmm.”
He smiled.
In that chilling smile, the madness of the Black Dark Emperor that had not yet completely faded was slowly beginning to stir once again.
“Looks like I’ll have to ask that beggar one more favor.”