Chapter 177 — Deok's Advice
As evening dusk rose, they saw smoke rising from a village far away, smaller than a dot in the distance.
In Liaodong, one could look in every direction and find no sign of people.
But after crossing the border, villages appeared here and there.
In truth, if they chose, they did not need to sleep outdoors.
Part of it was Youngwoo's lack of sociability.
Part of it was that lodging and meals required something to be offered in return, and he had little to give.
No.
The memory of his former poverty still refused to accept spending money so easily.
Could he draw blades here?
Common people lived nearby.
How would it look if blood was spilled in such a place?
Had Cheolun been right when he said they should simply go far away?
They had made camp here, lit a fire, and even raised their banner.
Youngwoo sat blankly after leaving the work half-finished.
Cheolun came and sat close beside him.
"What is it? Are you troubled?"
"Hm."
"Why? You looked as if you would kill them all a moment ago."
"Master told me not to kill people."
"Ah, I heard that too. He told you to endure, and endure again."
"But I cannot endure it. Because of those bastards."
Cheolun offered an alternative.
"How about sweeping them away just this once, and then enduring from next time? He is the bastard who killed Yongcheol."
"Was that boy's name Yongcheol?"
"Yes. You did not even know his name."
"I only saw his face now and then. He had such a bright face. Harmless. Kind. If a boy like that was driven to suicide, how badly broken must our army be?"
"Those bastards said the boy's spirit was weak, and that was why…"
"I hated those words even more."
"Let us kill them all and endure from next time, Jungnangjang. Yes?"
Human hearts are alike.
Youngwoo nodded.
"Understood."
They came at dusk.
No.
They had already arrived and had been watching from afar before approaching.
Youngwoo straightened his back.
They came riding horses no larger than ponies, and the sight was ridiculous.
Four men followed behind them, holding weapons that only vaguely resembled spears.
"What is it?"
"Jungnangjang. You have been summoned."
"By whom? Why?"
"There is something missing from the inspection at the border."
It was an obvious trick.
They gave an unconvincing reason, and if he refused to comply, they would use that as another pretext to crush him.
"Ah, I cannot be bothered to go back. You come here. No, you already came. Since you are here, ask your questions. I will answer."
"You must come with us."
Youngwoo's eyes sank low.
"Tell him to come here."
Youngwoo growled the words low with internal force, and the men flinched.
It was as if a tiger had roared beside them.
One fellow drew his legs together.
He had clearly pissed himself.
"No. We were ordered to bring you."
"Name?"
"I am Deok."
"Good. Deok, go tell Kim Baeksu to come himself. Tell him I will wait here for one day."
"No, you must not do that."
Youngwoo was much younger, but he was still a jungnangjang.
Deok could not speak informally and could only plead.
"You will truly be in great trouble if you do this."
Youngwoo laughed faintly.
"I have been through many things. What greater trouble could there be? Tell him to come. I know. I know that if you go and deliver that message, that son of a bitch will rage and beat the messenger."
"..."
"Do you know Yongcheol?"
"..."
"That bastard killed him, did he not?"
"No. He killed himself."
"He tormented him so badly that the boy could not endure without killing himself, yes?"
"Yes."
"Then that bastard killed him."
"…I said nothing."
"Yes. Live like a fool that way. Stand there blankly while a fellow soldier of great Goryeo is beaten to death, and then say, I said nothing, while you dodge responsibility. I think a bastard like that deserves to die."
Only then did Deok speak properly.
"If you do not come, a large force will come. They may already have set out. Please run."
Youngwoo smiled broadly.
His forehead, however, remained furrowed.
"How is it that they have no imagination? They move exactly as expected."
"You knew?"
Youngwoo pointed around him.
"This is a field of death laid out to crush you. I am setting traps."
Deok looked distressed.
"You are outnumbered. Please run."
Only when Yongcheol was mentioned did he turn into something like a human being.
At the very least, he was not on Kim Baeksu's side.
Youngwoo said,
"Go tell the men. Tell them not to come here and throw away innocent lives. Tell them to withdraw and be careful. As time passes, this place will turn into a natural fortress."
"Ah, you think too lightly of this."
"A large force is coming."
"How many?"
"Three hundred may come."
"Where did the other two hundred go?"
"They must hold the post. They cannot empty everything. You must flee."
"I think this. Those who killed Yongcheol must die."
Deok waved his hands.
"You are outnumbered, Jung-gwa-bujeok衆寡不敵."
Youngwoo smiled softly.
"Three hundred will not come. They will send a few first, and if that fails, they will send more. Go back. Go and tell him. Tell him to come himself."
"Do you truly mean to fight? Just the two of you?"
"Then we must fight. Should we be taken away and killed quietly?"
"That is not what I mean."
"I know that if I do not go with you, you will be in trouble. But I cannot die just to spare you trouble."
"That is true."
"So deliver my words properly. Tell him to come. He likely will not come just because I call him, but if he does not, say I will report that matter to His Majesty."
Deok's eyes widened.
"That matter?"
"Tell him that, and he will know."
Deok said,
"That is not specific."
"Such things must not be made specific. He is like a dog or pig, but still… If you say that, he will come. He is a coward by nature, the kind who stays back and orders his men around. You know that, yes?"
"Yes. I know it well."
"If you say I will speak of that matter, he will come."
"Understood."
Youngwoo sent Deok away as though chasing him off.
"Quickly. Go quickly. Night will fall."
Night had already fallen.
The night was our time.
The time of those few in number.
The time of those without strength.