Chapter 2234
Philip clenched his teeth hard, his frustration evident. "Conrad will eventually be destroyed by his own arrogance, suspicion, and competitive nature. Is it really so difficult to admit he's not as good as Andrew?"
"Unfortunately, he'll never be able to do that. He's always trapped in his own delusions, creating problems where none exist. Honestly, I’m more than happy to watch this continue unfolding. The principle I teach my students comes down to two words: iron discipline.
“If they can’t awaken and grow through trials, then I’ll let them suffer in torment until they die. Better that than having them disgrace my reputation."
Luna didn’t dare say another word, her mind in complete chaos.
First, she was terrified of Philip’s rage. Despite her proud nature and habit of looking down on everyone except those at the very top, the general before her was absolutely the person she feared most.
No matter how arrogant she was, she was not sure she would ever have a chance to surpass him in this lifetime.
Second, Luna realized with a shock how much of a stranger she was to herself. She had made wild assumptions and judgments about Andrew’s past without understanding him at all. She had even mentally blacklisted him, thinking she had misjudged his character.
But in the end, she was the fool. It tore her apart because she would never have made such a mistake before.
Philip said, “This is the fundamental difference between Conrad and Andrew. Now listen carefully to the real truth. It’s nothing like what you and Conrad imagined, not even close.
“Iron Cavalry left scars across all of Holtrien, but we’re a world power. We can bear those wounds. However, it brought permanent destruction to Andrew. So overnight, he became completely disillusioned and left the organization.
“Overnight, his martial arts level plummeted from martial emperor down to advanced martial saint. Then, from advanced martial saint, he fell to the intermediate level, then the beginner level, almost to the point where his energy core shattered completely.
He asked, “Otherwise, do you really think those small-time crooks in Chetvine could have touched him and his father ten years ago? Do you honestly believe some mysterious figure could have easily sealed his energy core permanently?"
He added, “How ridiculous. The organization chose Andrew as their future leader precisely because he was indestructible. The only thing that could destroy him was himself. So, because of Iron Cavalry, he bore countless accusations and was branded a traitor who fled the organization.
“In reality, the entire organization was begging him to return. Even the three supreme leaders were willing to step down permanently and take the blame for Andrew. Unfortunately, nothing could change his mind.
“He used all of this, punishing himself, as a way to atone. But he had done absolutely nothing wrong… He hadn’t failed anyone, including those members of Iron Cavalry who died.”
Luna’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice shaking as if she might break down at any second. “One last question. How did Andrew even make it back from the West that year?"
Philip shook his head slowly and replied, “Nobody knows, because under those circumstances, it should have been impossible for anyone to survive and return. But he came back, and I remember the situation crystal clear, like it happened yesterday.
“He looked somewhat disheveled, but his face wore this numb smile. It was like he’d done something desperate, risking his very life, yet he was also resigned, ultimately waiting in numbness and emptiness for some unknown redemption or judgment. Reginald told us something unforgettable: when Andrew came back, his body weighed barely half of what it once had.”