Chapter 55
Yes. The reason why Yeo Un-hwi was hiding his strength.
Peng Seo-jin was incredibly curious about that reason.
He had seen it clearly.
Just how extraordinary a master Yeo Un-hwi was.
With a single gesture of his hand, all those assassins had been swept away.
The number of masters who fell by his hand exceeded fifty.
To effortlessly defeat so many masters without even breaking a sweat was an incredible feat that was hard to believe even after seeing it with one's own eyes.
Even Peng Mugang, Peng Seo-jin's father and the head of the Peng Family, would find such a task difficult.
The same would be true for any renowned master.
Unless they were one of the Twelve Venerables of the World who reigned at the very pinnacle of the martial world's food chain.
Yet he had achieved such a level at such a young age.
So why was this master known as a mere scholar, and why didn't he deny it himself?
Even when Yeo Un-hwi was mocked and ridiculed as a "scholar bastard" within the Peng Family, he never revealed himself.
That's why, more than anything else, he was curious.
Why? What was the reason for doing this?
"Could it be that you learned Demonic Faction martial arts or demonic techniques...?"
"No, that's not it."
Somehow, it felt like he received this question often.
It made sense. It was the easiest assumption to make.
But the martial art Yeo Un-hwi had learned was the Heavenly Martial Divine Art. The martial art of the Martial God, the greatest person of all time.
How could any other martial art even compare?
However, he had no intention of honestly discussing that at the moment.
All he could do right now was simply deny it.
"Phew, that's a relief then."
When Yeo Un-hwi answered so firmly, Peng Seo-jin let out a sigh of relief.
That was truly something he couldn't handle on his own.
"Hmm. The reason for hiding, the reason for hiding..."
Yeo Un-hwi stroked his chin for a moment before speaking.
"It's difficult."
"Is the reason that complicated?"
"Well, it's not so much that it's complicated. No, perhaps it could be considered complicated... But to put it simply from my perspective..."
To put it simply?
Peng Seo-jin unconsciously echoed those words softly and swallowed hard.
He was quite tense, wondering what incredible secret might come out of Yeo Un-hwi's mouth.
But then,
"It's just that it seems like it would cause a lot of troublesome situations?"
"...Pardon?"
"I mean, if it becomes known, it seems like all sorts of bothersome things would happen. I feel like this guy and that guy would line up wanting to challenge me to a fight. Hmm."
While that wasn't the whole story, it was indeed the main reason.
Now, Yeo Un-hwi simply wanted to protect his family and live peacefully.
But he also knew well that it wouldn't be easy.
That was also why he had returned to the Peng Family.
At the very least, it would certainly serve as a windbreak to protect his family, if not more.
For that reason, he intended to reveal his strength only when absolutely necessary.
While it was somewhat frustrating, he thought this was the best way to minimize commotion.
Though things weren't quite going according to plan.
'Is, is he serious?'
Judging by his expression, Yeo Un-hwi's answer was sincere.
"Pfft."
Peng Seo-jin, who had been momentarily dumbfounded by that answer, burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
For some reason, Peng Seo-jin's laughter showed no signs of stopping.
After laughing for quite some time, Peng Seo-jin wiped his tears and said:
"Ah, I'm sorry about that."
"Is my story that funny? I don't see what's so amusing."
"No, it's just that I was expecting something incredibly grand to come out. But you said it so nonchalantly as if it were nothing... Hehe."
Seeing Yeo Un-hwi tilt his head in confusion, Peng Seo-jin seemed about to burst into laughter again, but he took a deep breath and managed to calm himself.
"Whew. Anyway, Brother, you really are an interesting person."
"I think that's the first time I've heard that from anyone other than my wife."
"Come now. That can't be true."
Soon, Peng Seo-jin seemed lost in thought for a moment before looking at Yeo Un-hwi and speaking.
"But for the sake of those around you, you don't hesitate to reveal your strength at all, do you?"
He had already done so several times.
Seeing Yeo Un-hwi's expression, which was answer enough, Peng Seo-jin continued speaking.
"If that's the case, trying to hide it will become more troublesome in the future. Very soon, in fact."
Yeo Un-hwi agreed.
He hadn't given it much thought at the moment, but it was true that he would soon have to worry about how to handle that aspect.
"You called me family earlier, Brother. I feel the same way. You are already a member of the Peng Family. So,"
Peng Seo-jin flashed a smile.
"Why don't you try trusting our Peng Family?"
"Trust you, you say?"
"Yes. Our Peng Family has a broader embrace than you might think. We're one of the Five Great Families of Murim, and we've produced quite a few of the Ten Great Masters of this generation. Even my father is renowned as a master on par with them."
While now there were monsters beyond the Ten Great Masters known as the Twelve Venerables of the World, in the past, the Ten Great Masters were considered the absolute powers of the martial world.
The Peng Family was a prestigious family that had consistently produced such absolute masters. Of course, Yeo Un-hwi wasn't unaware of this fact.
But he still didn't quite understand what Peng Seo-jin meant by bringing this up.
"What I'm saying is that even if you fully reveal your strength, our Peng Family can sufficiently support you from behind, Brother."
"The Peng Family will support me?"
Yeo Un-hwi had never once considered such a thing.
"Though you may not reign over us, shouldn't you be free?"
Yeo Un-hwi's eyes wavered at Peng Seo-jin's words, spoken with a grin.
'Not reigning, but free.'
For some reason, those words deeply resonated with him.
"We will stand with you. As you said earlier, Brother, we are family. Do we need any other reason?"
Yeo Un-hwi couldn't help but smile at Peng Seo-jin's words.
The word "family" was that powerful.
Soon, Yeo Un-hwi nodded.
Despite the chilly wind that had set in, he felt a sense of fullness in his heart.
"Whew. Is that the place?"
"We arrived faster than I expected."
"Of course, we came without properly resting."
Ten young men and women had just arrived at the Hebei Peng Family compound.
It was the Scholar Forest Group.
One of them smirked as he looked at the Peng Family's sign.
"I wonder how much fun they'll provide us."
"Ugh. I just wish this damn trip would end already. I'm bored out of my mind."
"Come on, stop complaining and let's go in."
When they showed their identification at the entrance, the gatekeepers quickly opened the doors for them.
Once inside the Peng Family compound, they were soon guided to the Family Head's Hall.
All traces of their behavior at the previous Guju Old Family were gone as they greeted everyone with impeccable manners and etiquette.
After the greetings were finished, Peng Mugang slowly nodded and spoke.
"Welcome. So you are the Scholar Forest Group. You must be tired from visiting various families here and there."
"Not at all. As the elders said, this has been an excellent learning experience for us young and lacking individuals."
The corners of Peng Mugang's mouth twitched upwards slightly, having already seen through their impeccable act.
Looking at each of their faces, he could clearly see that their temperaments were far from ordinary.
Yet they were managing to put on an act in front of him, the Family Head.
'Go ahead, act up as much as you want.'
He didn't mind even if something were to happen.
He could use that as an excuse to turn the Murim Alliance upside down.
These people likely had no idea about Peng Mugang's true nature yet.
Or why he was called the Roaring Tiger.
For now, Peng Mugang intended to simply observe.
"Then I hope your time at the Peng Family will also be helpful to you. Once again, welcome."
Peng Mugang spoke while carefully hiding his contemptuous feelings.
"...Wow, he really is terrifying. Did you see that face earlier?"
The Scholar Forest Group members started chattering as soon as they left the Family Head's Hall.
"And that atmosphere. It really made my knees weak."
"You know, I once encountered a great tiger while coming down a mountain with my master. The feeling was exactly like that. My master told me then to never, ever provoke the Mountain God."
"Hey, hey. Stop scaring us with weird stories. That was a person, not a great tiger."
"Anyway, let's all take it easy and not cause too much trouble on the first day."
Despite the presence of an attendant guiding them, they were freely gossiping about Peng Mugang without any regard for their surroundings.
Their arrogance knew no bounds.
Just then,
"...No, really! Young Lady Yul loves playing in the water so much. When she comes back today, I'll let her splash around happily with this again... Oh my!"
Splash!
A maid who had been chattering while walking down the corridor accidentally spilled the basin of water she was carrying onto a man who suddenly appeared from the opposite direction.
As a result, the man ended up looking like he had been caught in a sudden downpour.
"I-I'm so sorry!"
The maid, her face turning pale, bowed her head deeply.
But the face of the man who now looked like a drowned rat gradually twisted in anger.
And then,
"You damn... How dare a lowly wench like you!"
Wham!
Without any hesitation, he kicked the maid hard in the stomach.
A terrible scream erupted from the maid.
At the same time.
Yeo Un-hwi and Peng Seo-jin's group had just returned to the Peng Family compound.
"Thanks to you, I got some fresh air today."
"It was nothing. Next time, let's go with your sister too."
"I was thinking the same thing."
Though they had only gone out together once, the relationship between the two had changed incomparably from before they left.
Even on the way back, Peng Seo-jin had become more talkative than usual.
Suddenly, Yeo Un-hwi wondered if this was what it would have felt like to have a younger brother.
"Now then, Yul. Shall we go see Mommy? Hm? Yul?"
When he couldn't see his daughter who had clearly been beside him just moments ago, Yeo Un-hwi looked around.
"Ah. The Young Miss just ran off in that direction, sir."
One of the warriors who had accompanied them pointed somewhere.
This girl must be fixated on something again lately.
Though he wasn't sure what it was.
"Haha... This child. She's becoming more of a tomboy by the day."
As Yeo Un-hwi sighed deeply and shook his head as if to say she was truly incorrigible, the attendants and Peng Seo-jin who had gone out together burst into laughter.
"Well then, I'll see you later. I need to go find our daughter."
"Shall I help you look, Brother?"
"No, it's fine. This kind of thing should be done leisurely and slowly. If I find her too quickly and take her straight to her room, she'll throw a fit and cry."
"I see."
"Get married soon. It's so happy and wonderful, you know."
"Somehow, hearing you say that now makes me hesitate?"
"Haha! It's true, really true. Anyway, I'll be going now. Get some rest."
Yeo Un-hwi waved his hand slightly and then slowly started walking in the direction Yul had run off to.
Peng Seo-jin quietly watched him go.
Who would think that man was the master from back then?
Looking at his retreating figure now, he truly seemed like nothing more than an ordinary scholar.
In any case, while Peng Seo-jin was looking forward to the future with Yeo Un-hwi, he was also a little scared.
He wondered what his father would say if he knew about this.
The corners of Peng Seo-jin's mouth lifted slightly as various thoughts ran through his mind.
But just then,
"Young Master!"
An attendant approached him.
He whispered something to report, and immediately Peng Seo-jin's brow furrowed.
"What?"
It was about some unwelcome guests who had visited the Peng Family while he was briefly away.
An incident had occurred.