The Melee (3)
“Commander.”
“Hm?”
Moyong Woo turned his head to find Gyu Byeok, the first company commander of the Tangma Army, standing before him.
“The entire army has taken their positions. They’re now inspecting their weapons and resting.”
“Understood.”
“Um……”
“Something else on your mind?”
Gyu Byeok licked his lips.
“Are you all right, sir?”
Among the five company commanders, Gyu Byeok was the most passionate and lively. He occasionally made mistakes because of it, but his human charm was exceptional, and many followed him.
Even he had been watching Moyong Woo’s mood for a long time before finally asking what was on his mind. That alone showed how deeply he respected Moyong Woo.
Moyong Woo tilted his head.
“What do you mean?”
“Well…… At first, we were a bit angry too.”
“So what exactly are you talking about?”
“Ahem! I mean the existence of the Uijeong Army.”
“I don’t understand at all. Why? Do you dislike the Uijeong Army?”
“N-no, sir. It’s not that.”
He wondered if the question might unnecessarily wound Moyong Woo’s pride, but he had already come this far. Gyu Byeok decided to respect his own nature.
“Do you have no complaints about Yeon Gunjang—no, the Grand Commander—becoming the left commander of the Uijeong Army?”
It was a question Moyong Woo had never expected. At least, not from his perspective.
But it seemed the company commanders felt differently. Scattered throughout the area, the commanders and several soldiers perked up their ears.
Moyong Woo frowned.
“The Grand Commander’s abilities are exceptional. What complaint could there be in him leading the Uijeong Army?”
When he answered that way, no one had anything to say. Anyone else would have scratched their head in embarrassment or cleared their throat and backed off.
Of course, Gyu Byeok was not like that. In a sense, he was the most honest man in the Tangma Army.
“Either way…… The Grand Commander is still very young. Younger than you, Commander.”
“Does age determine a person’s ability? If anything, achieving such skill at a young age makes him even more remarkable, doesn’t it?”
“O-of course, that’s true. We all know the Grand Commander’s talent is extraordinary and that he’s more than qualified to lead the Uijeong Army.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s not exactly a problem, but…… Doesn’t it make you angry?”
“Angry?”
Moyong Woo kept tilting his head in confusion.
Gyu Byeok wondered if Moyong Woo was pretending not to understand. Any ordinary person would have grasped the meaning of his question.
But looking at the commander’s face, it really seemed he didn’t understand.
Gyu Byeok spoke honestly.
“Commander, you’re older and more experienced than the Grand Commander. Of course, the two of you are called the Twin Sword Heroes, but at least in terms of experience, you’re a step ahead. So I was wondering if you felt any jealousy that the Grand Commander, not you, now oversees the Uijeong Army.”
Moyong Woo chuckled.
“Why? Did I seem so incompetent that I’d be jealous enough to neglect my duties?”
“Gah! N-no, sir! I would never think that! I just……”
“Hahaha.”
Moyong Woo burst into clear laughter.
Gyu Byeok, along with the other commanders and soldiers, stared at him in surprise.
Though Moyong Woo was always strict and sharp in official matters, his nature was fundamentally gentle. His human charm was outstanding, and he clearly distinguished between public and private affairs, so the entire Tangma Army followed him sincerely.
Yet even they had never seen Moyong Woo laugh like this.
Still smiling, Moyong Woo spoke.
“My apologies. Truthfully, I understood the meaning of your question from the start. I simply wanted to play a little prank, but it seems I flustered you more than I intended. I apologize.”
“Not at all! There’s no need for apologies!”
Gyu Byeok licked his lips again. He now regretted saying something unnecessary that might have troubled his superior.
Moyong Woo shook his head.
“But my feelings are sincere. I feel not the slightest jealousy.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Perhaps you all think I’m a fool for feeling this way.”
“Gah! Absolutely not!”
Moyong Woo looked up at the sky.
The land, the weather, and the people were different, but the sky above Guangdong Province was the same. Gazing at the stars densely embroidered across the dark night sky seemed to clear his complicated thoughts and ease his heavy heart.
“The Grand Commander’s abilities are exceptional. You all know that, of course. But I can say with certainty that he is far more outstanding than you realize. Right now, you’re only seeing a tenth of his true capabilities.”
Rare high praise flowed from Moyong Woo’s lips.
Moyong Woo was as sparing with excessive compliments as he was with criticism. In other words, he was not one to exaggerate.
Yet he rated the Grand Commander of the Uijeong Army this highly. The commanders were so surprised they lost their words.
Moyong Woo smiled.
“Jealousy requires a similar level to begin with. What jealousy could there be toward someone on an entirely different plane? Chasing after him might take a lifetime.”
“……!”
“I understand how you feel. I never said it outright, but you must have been quite disheartened that I, your commander, did not become the left commander of the Uijeong Army. Watching the Myeolsa Army soldiers, you may have felt an unwarranted sense of defeat.”
The commanders and soldiers could not bring themselves to deny it. Their superior was speaking from the heart. This was not the time for polite, empty words.
“Then let me ask you the opposite. In your eyes, has any Myeolsa Army soldier ever looked down on you?”
At that moment, First Company Commander Jin Pae spoke.
“Never. Their expressions never changed. If anything, they seemed surprised that the Grand Commander became the left commander of the Uijeong Army.”
Moyong Woo nodded.
“That is the Myeolsa Army. I have no personal ties with individual soldiers, so I cannot be certain, but there is nothing particularly special about them. Their origins? Yes, they come from the Nine Factions and Six Families. But origins do not prove a person’s worth. Their education is merely different.”
Gyu Byeok said, “In this world, education determines rank and status.”
His words carried unmistakable envy, and beneath it, a deeper resentment.
He had been ignored for lack of proper training and had wandered without guidance. Even when he tried to achieve something on his own, he had no foundation for success, so he had been powerless.
That was why he clung to origins and thirsted for knowledge. Even after gaining some renown in his region, he still cared about public opinion for that very reason.
Most people were the same. The root of asking whether he felt jealous of Moyong Woo lay there as well.
“Many people draw such distinctions, though implicitly. But the truly great do not. Those with shallow learning become intoxicated by superiority, while those who have learned properly seek to share.”
“……!”
The commanders mulled over Moyong Woo’s words.
The foolish see what they possess as special, while the wise seek to share it.
That was Moyong Woo’s standard for distinguishing the foolish from the wise.
“The code of the great houses is far stricter and more restrictive than you imagine. There are those born into noble families who act like scoundrels, and those who strut about believing themselves the best. But far more descendants of great houses live by enduring and restraining themselves, constantly pondering what is right.”
Moyong Woo looked around at the Tangma Army.
Soldiers scattered here and there—more than half of them were watching him. The sincerity in his voice and the glimpse into a world they did not know had captured their attention.
“The one who united such people into a near-perfect combat force is none other than our Grand Commander.”
The commanders swallowed unconsciously.
“Setting aside the code of the great houses, the Myeolsa Army soldiers each have their own pride. Do you think it is easy for them to bow their heads and pledge loyalty to a young man of similar background?”
“……!!”
“That is why I respect and revere the Grand Commander. He is the real thing.”
“The real thing……”
“Yes. The real among the real. Because he burns everything he has not for personal glory, but for the world.”
Moyong Woo’s smile faded.
“Since the Uijeong Army was formed without prior notice, it’s only natural you feel uneasy. But what I want to tell you is this.”
“……”
“The Grand Commander is one of the few true champions in this world. His command alone is reason enough to choose death.”
At that moment, Fifth Company Commander Gye Eok spoke.
“As you say, Commander, there are few true people in this world.”
“Hm?”
“But in our eyes, you are also one of the true ones.”
Gye Eok bowed his head.
“Since you trust him, we will believe and follow him as well.”
It was not because an order had been given that they would follow Yeon Hojeong. Because their own commander, Moyong Woo, acknowledged him, they too would acknowledge the Grand Commander.
Moyong Woo looked around once more.
The commanders and soldiers all wore similar expressions.
After gazing at them with a peculiar look, Moyong Woo soon grinned.
“For now, that is enough. Thank you for trusting me.”
This was something even Moyong Woo had not expected.
Just as he respected Yeon Hojeong, the soldiers respected him for clear reasons as well.
Because of this side of Moyong Woo, the soldiers also believed he was no less a man than Yeon Hojeong.
Moyong Woo looked up at the sky again.
“……I wonder what Yeonje is doing right now.”
* * *
“Young Master Yeon! No—Grand Commander!”
“Speak comfortably. It’s been a while, Junior Beggar. By the way, did you come personally as the head of this intelligence operation?”
“Now isn’t the time to discuss such things.”
Ga Deuk-sang explained in detail everything that had happened so far to Yeon Hojeong.
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“The Shadow God’s great disciple?”
“Yes. I don’t know his name, but he sent this kind of message.”
“Hmm.”
“What do you think, Grand Commander?”
Yeon Hojeong fell into thought. The current Shadow God is Hong Gwan—that is, Yayul Jeok, the spy of the Saeum Sect. Then his great disciple is……?
Yeon Hojeong had seen the Shadow God during his time as the Black Dark Emperor.
The Shadow God of that era had been younger than him. Still middle-aged, of course, but younger than expected, which had surprised him. Could it be that guy…… is this one now?
There was no way to know. He had never met him in person. Even if it was the same person, there was no guarantee his personality would match the Shadow God from back then.
After a moment, Yeon Hojeong spoke.
“Handle that matter yourself, Junior Beggar. I can’t make a judgment right away.”
“Damn it, I came to ask your opinion because I feel the same way.”
“By the way, there was an earthquake in his territory?”
“Reports say two supreme masters clashed. It might be slightly exaggerated, but an ordinary battle wouldn’t……”
“Strange.”
“Huh? What is?”
Yeon Hojeong frowned.
“Confusion Commander was the target, but…… that damned woman isn’t that thoughtless. Could it be a trap?”
No matter how clever Yeon Hojeong was, variables always arose in worldly affairs. Can’t be helped.
After thinking once more, Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“Arrange a meeting with that so-called great disciple. I’ll meet him myself.”