Chapter 183: A Wake-up Call

The team silently moved forward along the road in the darkness, because the horses had been ridden all day long, they did not ride them but led them forward on foot.

“Let’s find a place to rest,” Wu Qingsong finally said when both men and horses were exhausted.

They had traveled nearly ten miles east from the site of the incident. With the communication methods available in this world, it was unlikely that the soldiers who had escaped the battle could quickly report their encounter.

In fact, Wu Qingsong doubted they had the capacity to accurately recall their features and numbers amidst such chaos. They had intentionally worn common leather armor this time, instead of the insectoid-shell armor they had previously worn, making it difficult for them to be recognized.

However, Ram was clearly angry at Daryl’s impulsiveness and had deliberately avoided speaking to him throughout the journey, which noticeably worsened Daryl’s mood.

The group chose a flat area sheltered behind a hill to rest, giving the horses water and food. Daryl, along with a few mercenary soldiers, searched nearby for dry firewood. 

Wu Qingsong approached him and said, “Can we talk?”

“We have nothing to talk about,” Daryl replied curtly.

“Come on, we’ve fought side by side. Don’t you think there’s anything worth talking about?”

Daryl paused for a moment but remained stubbornly silent, shaking his head.

Wu Qingsong signaled the others to go elsewhere to look for dry wood, leaving just the two of them behind.

“Do you think you did something wrong?” he asked.

There was no response.

“Then do you think what Ram said was wrong?”

Still no answer.

Wu Qingsong offered him a water bottle, but he didn’t take it.

“I think your intentions weren’t wrong,” Wu Qingsong said as he took a sip of water himself and stretched. “But your methods were, and that’s your biggest problem so far. From our interactions over the past few days, I believe you’re not stupid, but on this issue, you seem quite hopeless.”

Daryl angrily lifted his head.

“Do you think I’m wrong? It’s okay, we can discuss this.”

“I have nothing to talk to you about.”

“People who can’t face their mistakes will never improve or succeed. What are you afraid of? Afraid to face the truth, or afraid it proves you’re actually foolish?”

“I don’t need your advice!”

Daryl’s attitude made Wu Qingsong shake his head and laugh. At least he responded, which meant he wasn’t beyond help.

The real challenge lies with those who remain silent no matter what you say. With such individuals, you can’t tell if they’re listening or if your words are falling on deaf ears. Nor can you discern what they think about what you’ve said. 

Although Daryl’s reactions might not be ideal, at least he responded. This meant that he not only listened but also reflected and was willing to engage, which gave some hope.

“If you continue this way, I believe you’ll never surpass your sister,” he continued. “Even if your swordsmanship is ten times better than hers, to the Silver Moon Wolf Clan, you’d just be a reckless fighter. Completely useless.”

There was no response, so he pressed on, “I believe a true warrior isn’t just about how well they can fight. It’s more important to be able to accurately and quickly assess your circumstances and respond accordingly. Sure, combat skills are a basic requirement, but if you always react as you do, the Silver Moon Wolf Clan would be doomed under your leadership. It wouldn’t last a few days.”

Daryl angrily lifted his head again.

“You disagree, huh? Then let’s hear your reasoning.”

Once again, there was no response.

“Judging the situation and good communication, I believe, are basic qualities for anyone, especially a leader, but clearly, you don’t have these qualities,” Wu Qingsong continued. “Showing compassion for the weak, punishing the unmerciful, and standing up for justice isn’t wrong. In fact, it’s a virtue. But what could the three of us have done in that situation? I understand your shock and anger, but didn’t you consider a better way to eliminate those people? If we had returned first and gathered everyone’s wisdom to devise a strategy, couldn’t we have dealt with those brutes more effectively and prevented their escape?”

“You make it sound easy, but by the time we came back with a plan, those people would have been killed!”

“So, what? You decided to just charge in without thinking? To act first and think later?” 

The fact that Daryl was responding was a significant improvement and bolstered Wu Qingsong’s confidence. 

“What would happen to those mousepeople if you died? Who else would save them? Even if you don’t consider your sister’s feelings, have you thought about that?”

“I’m protected by a magic necklace, I won’t die that easily.”

“How can you be sure? What if the enemy has magical artifacts that could neutralize your magic shield? What if they have a true powerhouse capable of breaking your shield? Even if they can’t directly handle you, what if they threaten the lives of those mousepeople to force you to deactivate your magic shield?”

Daryl was completely stunned. He had never considered these possibilities, especially the last one, which seemed highly likely.

“Would you sacrifice your life for the mousepeople?” Wu Qingsong asked again.

This question pained Daryl. As someone tasked with revitalizing the Silver Moon Wolf Clan, he obviously couldn’t afford to risk his life here, but if such a scenario were to unfold…

“What would you do if the enemy started killing those mousepeople one by one right in front of you, forcing you to deactivate your magic shield?” Wu Qingsong continued, pressing him further.

“No matter what you say, that didn’t happen,” Daryl almost yelled.

“We were just lucky that Liuli disoriented them from the start,” Wu Qingsong shook his head. “If Liuli and the others had been a bit slower, or if there had been one or two clearer-headed people among them, do you think such a situation couldn’t have happened? Do you believe you can always rely on luck to win?”

“You didn’t even ask for Beck’s and my opinion, even though we have our differences. In such a situation, shouldn’t you have set aside past grievances and sought our help? Asked for our advice? Did you not consider that your actions could have easily resulted in injuries or even deaths among your companions? In that situation, we could have chosen many more efficient and effective actions to stop those villains. But you chose to go your own way, choose the method that put all of us at the greatest risk and was the least efficient. Do you think the slap Ram gave you was unjustified?

“You’re unwilling to think of a better plan, unwilling to trust your companions, and you don’t consider their safety. You think you can solve everything by yourself? What was the outcome? If it hadn’t been for Liuli’s help, if it hadn’t been for Ling, for me, for everyone, and just you alone, what could you have achieved? Those four war wolves would have been enough to occupy you and deplete the energy in your magic necklace. Without others’ help, you would have just died here in vain. Do you think you’re a hero? Think you’re noble? No, Daryl, you are not only stupid and impulsive, but you’re also very selfish. You always only consider yourself and never think about others.”

“You’re talking nonsense!” Daryl finally couldn’t bear it any longer and roared.

“I thought the pointless deaths of your friends would teach you something, but clearly, they haven’t. They died pointlessly, died because of your impulsive heroism and your arrogance. Facing their corpses, facing their families, you cried, but what then? Is it over just because you cried? Does crying make everything alright? You haven’t learned anything. You haven’t truly learned your mistakes from their deaths, nor have you thought about why they died. They died trusting you, but did you deserve that trust? Haven’t you thought about how to avoid putting others in such situations in the future?”

Daryl, roaring, grabbed Wu Qingsong’s collar and clenched his fist tightly, as others quickly rushed over.

Wu Qingsong looked at him with a cold smirk. 

“In this world, who can claim they are without fault? If you can’t even admit your mistakes, what else can you do? If you continue like this, I suggest you better not return to the Silver Moon Wolf Clan to harm others. If you want to be a hero, that’s fine, but a hero who only burdens others should stay as far away as possible.”