Chapter 136
The White Wolf Unit was in constant training again today.
The rough and naive energy they had when they first met is nowhere to be found now.
Thanks to the Wind Dragon Primordial Art, each member of the White Wolf Unit had become incredibly strong, and their level was progressing quite rapidly towards the next stage.
They still had a long way to go.
As they were dedicating themselves to training like this today, Yeo Un-hwi suddenly said he would teach them a new Combined Formation.
He brought it up so casually that everyone thought he was just going to teach them something very simple.
In any case, since the White Wolf Unit often engaged in large-scale group battles, it wouldn't hurt to learn various methods for dealing with enemies.
But then,
*Rumble.*
A huge boulder had just completely crumbled.
Simple... was it?
The power of the Combined Formation they had just witnessed was truly astonishing.
*Hoo.*
Yeo Un-hwi took a deep breath and slowly turned around.
How was it? Since I demonstrated it alone, there might have been some awkward or clumsy parts, but if you coordinate properly, it should show quite impressive power.
...Huh?
The White Wolf Unit members all wore faces that said they had no idea what part was supposed to be awkward or clumsy.
Gi-su and Gi-sang clicked their tongues and started whispering to each other.
How on earth does he know all this stuff?
Isn't it too late to be wondering about that now?
I know, but it's amazing every time I see it. Sometimes I wonder if he's some hidden master who's undergone Rejuvenation.
Oh, that makes sense.
Hey, hey. Everyone, focus.
Gu Tae-san spoke up, addressing Gi-su and Gi-sang who were chattering uselessly.
At that, the twin brothers' lips jutted out, complaining that he was only nagging them.
Watching the White Wolf Unit members, Yeo Un-hwi smiled slightly.
Anyway, since you've already mastered the Wind Dragon Primordial Art, you should be able to do this quite quickly. However, becoming proficient is a different story, so practice whenever you have time.
Yes, sir!
At Yeo Un-hwi's words, everyone's faces soon filled with enthusiasm.
It was then.
Brother!
Peng Seo-jin came running in a fluster.
But for some reason, his appearance was different from usual.
He now wore an extremely surprised expression.
Yeo Un-hwi asked with a puzzled face.
What's the matter?
W-well.
Peng Seo-jin swallowed hard before speaking.
I think you need to come and see for a moment.
***
A little while ago,
Well then, good work.
A shift change was taking place at the entrance of the Peng Family estate.
A warrior who had just arrived to guard the gate held his head and groaned.
Ugh. My head is splitting.
Looks like you were drinking late again last night.
Haha. That's right.
And yet you've never been late for duty even once. How do you manage it?
Of course. I'm a man who clearly separates public and private matters.
There you go again, acting all proud when you get a compliment. If you're so clear about public and private, you shouldn't have gotten drunk in the first place when you knew you had early duty the next day.
Ahem. But life would be too boring that way.
Stop talking nonsense and just get married already. Then you won't have time for such things. Where would you find time to drink every day when you're busy supporting your children? Not a chance.
Hmm. That sounds terrifying in its own way.
It was the usual everyday scene.
The appropriate tension of those guarding the gate consisted of familiarity, drowsiness, and a bit of chatter.
Today, the sky was exceptionally clear.
One warrior who had come after drinking last night was stretching out a long yawn, his body growing languid in the warm sunlight.
Hm?
A group appeared.
At a glance, they all exuded an unusual aura.
In that moment, the gatekeepers' eyes sharpened.
It was indeed a fitting appearance for warriors of the Peng Family, one of the Five Great Families.
Halt! Who goes there!
At the warriors' challenge, the unidentified group stopped.
Soon, they removed the black cloaks they were wearing.
Then, the embroidery on their chests caught the eyes of the Peng Family warriors.
A red-eyed crow.
That was...
In that moment, the gatekeepers' eyes widened.
Then, the man with the sharpest gaze among them opened his mouth.
Tell them inside. The Demonic Alliance has come with a message.
And now.
The Family Head's Hall of the Peng Family was filled with a tense atmosphere.
It was because completely unexpected visitors had suddenly come to the Peng Family.
“The Soul Annihilation Unit...”
Family Head Peng Mugang's gaze turned to the uninvited guests who had just arrived at the Peng Family.
The Soul Annihilation Unit.
They were one of the strongest and most elite combat units boasted by the Demonic Alliance.
In fact, it wouldn't have been strange if they had drawn swords against each other at any moment.
However, the aura of those standing before Peng Mugang was not fierce, but extremely restrained and solemn.
It even felt polite to a degree.
By now, Yeo Un-hwi was in the Family Head's Hall along with Peng Seo-jin.
I am Jo Il-ha, leader of the Soul Annihilation Unit.
Jo Il-ha, the Soul Chasing Twin Swords, introduced himself.
He too was one of the supreme masters representing the Demonic Alliance.
He continued speaking plainly, without any flattery or affectation.
Please understand that we have come so suddenly without prior notice.
So, what business brings the elite warriors of the Demonic Alliance all the way to Hebei?
First, I would like you to see this.
He took out a letter from his breast.
Soon, the letter was handed to Peng Mugang.
As he read the letter, Peng Mugang frowned.
What on earth could the contents be?
After letting out a short, incredulous laugh, Peng Mugang spoke again.
So, you're saying you've come to invite the White Wolf Unit to the Demonic Alliance?
Everyone in the Family Head's Hall doubted their ears at Peng Mugang's words.
An invitation?
The Demonic Alliance inviting the White Wolf Unit? What nonsense was this?
Such a thing had never been heard of before.
That is correct.
Do you think that makes any sense?
Peng Mugang wore an incredulous expression at the Soul Chasing Twin Swords' plain answer.
They weren't even from the same faction, but rather from the Orthodox and Demonic Factions.
Although it had been a long time since the war had stopped, the relationship between the Orthodox and Demonic Factions was still best described as a “dog-monkey relationship”.
Of course, the Demonic Cult was another matter entirely, but in any case, if they hadn't come so politely like this now, it wouldn't have been strange at all if swords had been drawn immediately.
And yet, an invitation from none other than the Demonic Alliance, the pinnacle and symbol of the Demonic Faction?
What an absurd thing this was.
I merely follow 'His' orders. Whether His orders make sense or not is not important.
Those who knew would understand.
This was the most characteristic answer of Jo Il-ha, the Soul Chasing Twin Swords, leader of the Soul Annihilation Unit.
He was famous for being more loyal than anyone else.
And of course, the 'Him' he referred to meant none other than Black Emperor Dokgo Yeong, the master of the Demonic Alliance and one of the Twelve Venerables of the World.
Black Emperor Dokgo Yeong.
He was the figure who had made the current Demonic Alliance that overwhelmed the Murim Alliance, a true ruler of the Demonic Faction with outstanding intellect and world-shaking martial arts.
He was also known for his extremely fierce and cold personality, and was a being that no one could stop once a fight started and one of the most dangerous figures even among the Twelve Venerables.
In fact, many said that if it weren't for Grandmaster Muheo of Shaolin, called the “Fist Emperor”, the Orthodox Martial World might have been devoured long ago.
And now that person had suddenly sent an invitation to the Peng Family.
To none other than the White Wolf Unit.
Of course, it wasn't hard to guess the reason for the invitation.
From what he had heard, the Demonic Alliance's younger sister had also been killed by the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon.
So it was clearly for the same reason as the Namgung Family.
But this was a completely different situation.
Peng Mugang had more than one or two questions arising in his mind, along with bewilderment.
Above all, it was the timing.
How long has it been since the White Wolf Unit cut down the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon? Why only now?
We had our own circumstances. However, I cannot explain them.
The Soul Chasing Twin Swords politely but firmly refused to explain the reason.
But from his attitude and the appearance of the combat unit members lined up behind him, Peng Mugang sensed that these 'circumstances' were by no means a small matter.
Hmm.
Peng Mugang seemed to think for a moment, then shook his head.
I'm sorry to those of you who have come so far, but I'll pretend I didn't hear this.
He knew well what kind of person the Demonic Alliance Leader was.
No, the entire martial world would know.
He was not the type of person to engage in trickery or schemes behind the scenes.
Rather, he would fight bloodily head-on if he fought at all.
But how could he send his people based on that belief alone?
But our Alliance Leader specifically ordered us to bring back the benefactors.
Despite the firm refusal, the Soul Chasing Twin Swords showed no sign of backing down.
*At that moment,*
*Kuuung.*
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the Family Head's Hall changed.
A fierce aura erupted explosively from Peng Mugang's body.
How insolent! Are you saying you'll drag them away by force!
Kugh!
Even the elite warriors boasted by the Demonic Alliance bit their lips hard under the aura of Peng Mugang that suddenly enveloped them.
It was truly tremendous pressure.
“Is this... the Hegemon of Hebei, called the Tiger of Hebei!”
Everyone was amazed by that aura.
Of course, it couldn't compare to their master “Black Emperor Dokgo Yeong”, but it was still astonishing.
If Dokgo Yeong gave the impression of a “completed martial artist with no gaps”, Peng Mugang felt like facing a “legendary great tiger” straight out of legend.
They were completely different, but one thing was the same.
They were beings that inspired fear in those who faced them as enemies.
My kindness ends here. If you think you can do as you please in this Peng Family, you are sorely mistaken.
The aura emanating from Peng Mugang's body pressed down on the Soul Annihilation Unit even more fiercely.
The bodies of the entire Soul Annihilation Unit trembled.
It was at its limit.
At that moment, the Soul Chasing Twin Swords, who had been silently observing the situation, slightly bowed his head.
I seem to have caused a misunderstanding. That is not the case, so please withdraw your aura.
What?
Peng Mugang's gaze turned to the Soul Chasing Twin Swords.
And then he looked into his eyes.
Sincere eyes that looked straight at him were definitely not the eyes of someone telling a lie.
After looking into those eyes for a moment, Peng Mugang withdrew his aura.
Very well. Then speak. What did you mean by those words earlier?
The Soul Chasing Twin Swords nodded at Peng Mugang's words, still growling fiercely though he had only withdrawn his aura.
Then he took something out.
Soon, everyone's eyes widened when they saw it.
That. Why was that here now?