Chapter 111
“The Five Great Families Gathering?”
“Yes.”
Yeo Un-hwi repeated the words Peng Seo-jin had just spoken.
It was as if one were asking what it was.
The Five Great Families Gathering. Even for Yeo Un-hwi, who had memories of his past life, it was the first time he had heard of it.
Peng Seo-jin smiled faintly and began to explain.
“It’s an event that has been passed down since the time of the Family Head two generations ago. It’s held every two years to, shall we say, strengthen our bonds.”
But while it was called strengthening bonds, there was another, true reason for creating such a gathering.
It was the same now as it was then.
Long ago, the Nine Sects One Alliance and the Murim Alliance not only represented the Orthodox Martial World, but they also made decisions on all matters, large and small, in the martial world as they pleased, wielding their power to an excessive degree.
It was so severe that the Orthodox Martial World of that time was rife with complaints against them.
The Five Great Families were no different.
They were even openly hostile toward the Five Great Families, so how could the families not have complaints?
They were displeased with the growing power of the Prestigious Families, the only ones who could keep them in check.
Thus, the Nine Sects One Alliance and the Murim Alliance would find fault with every little thing, trying to diminish the power of the Five Great Families whenever an opportunity arose.
But naturally, their actions only fueled the resentment of the Five Great Families. At the time, the families shared the common thought that they could only survive by joining forces, and so they decided to hold a regular gathering every two years.
The effect was immediate.
When the Five Great Families, who were more prideful than anyone, began to unite beyond their expectations, the Murim Alliance and the Nine Sects One Alliance were thrown into a great commotion.
Although the gathering itself did not immediately lead to any major movements or problems, the mere fact that it continued was a great burden to the Nine Sects One Alliance and the Murim Alliance.
And so, rather than trying to check or provoke the Five Great Families, they began to refrain from touching them carelessly from then on.
No one was foolish enough not to know that any further, unnecessary power struggles would result in great losses for both sides.
And so, the Five Great Families Gathering that began in this way has continued to this day.
“I see.”
If it was from the time of the Family Head two generations ago, it was quite an old event.
Nevertheless, the reason Yeo Un-hwi, with his memories as the Blood Demon, did not know of it was likely because before his return, he had been focused solely on punishing evil men and had paid no attention to things like the Five Great Families Gathering.
That was why this new piece of information felt somewhat unfamiliar and fascinating.
“But you don’t need to worry about it too much, Brother-in-law.”
Peng Seo-jin smiled brightly at Yeo Un-hwi, who was nodding.
“This time, the gathering will be held in Anhui Province, where the Namgung Family is located, and Elder Gu Wang-pyo and the White Martial Squad will accompany Father as always.”
Of course, Peng Seo-jin would also be attending in his capacity as the Eldest Young Master of the Peng Family.
Usually, not only the Family Head, but also the representative martial force and the heirs of each family would attend.
Although the White Wolf Unit had recently made a great name for itself in the Central Plains, it was still natural for the White Martial Squad, led by Elder Gu Wang-pyo, to perform such duties, given their age and position.
Naturally, Yeo Un-hwi had no complaints about that either.
In fact, he welcomed it if it meant no more troublesome tasks were added to his plate.
Well, if that’s the case.
Yeo Un-hwi nodded.
***
But then, something happened that completely defied Peng Seo-jin’s expectations.
“…Pardon? The White Wolf Unit for this gathering?”
Peng Seo-jin asked again with a surprised face.
In the Peng Family Head’s office.
Peng Mugang, who had summoned Peng Seo-jin, Gu Wang-pyo, and Yeo Un-hwi—the leaders of the three great martial forces representing the Peng Family—slowly opened his mouth.
“Yes. They made the request.”
“From the Namgung Family?”
When Peng Mugang nodded, Peng Seo-jin wore a look of utter confusion.
“What is the reason?”
To meddle, telling the family who to bring and who not to, in which martial force each family brought to the Five Great Families Gathering, was quite impolite.
No, as far as he knew, nothing like this had ever happened before.
But for the Namgung Family, of all people, to make such a request.
It was completely unexpected.
That would mean it was the will of the Namgung Family’s Head, the Sword Emperor, Namgung Hwan.
That made it even stranger.
As far as Peng Seo-jin knew, the Sword Emperor was a rather blunt man, but he was also someone who valued etiquette above all else.
So he couldn’t understand why such a man would risk being impolite to request that they bring the White Wolf Unit.
“Well, that is a strange one.”
Gu Wang-pyo looked just as puzzled as Peng Seo-jin.
No matter how much the White Wolf Unit had been making a name for itself lately, it was strange that they would want to see it so badly as to commit such a discourtesy.
Of course, the Namgung Family’s request didn’t hurt his pride or make him angry.
He was not the type of man who was steeped in a sense of authority or privilege and only concerned with his pride.
Rather, if he didn’t have to escort the Family Head to this gathering and could stay behind, he could drink to his heart’s content… *Ahem.*
In any case, watching the still-puzzled faces of Gu Wang-pyo and Peng Seo-jin, Peng Mugang gave a faint, bitter smile and said.
“It’s probably because of the matter with the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon.”
“Ah. Ah. I see.”
Only then did Peng Seo-jin’s face show understanding.
That was right.
For that reason, it was certainly plausible that they would make such a request.
Haha. To think he hadn’t thought of that.
However,
“The Extreme Evil Laughing Demon?”
What did that have to do with anything?
Gu Wang-pyo still looked like he didn’t understand.
This time, Peng Seo-jin explained.
“The Namgung Family lost their youngest daughter to the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon.”
“Good heavens!”
They were killed, along with the Demonic Alliance Leader’s younger sister, in a most gruesome way.
It was still unknown why the two were in the same place, but after the two women were killed at the hands of the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon, the Namgung Family and the Demonic Alliance were greatly enraged and declared they would tear the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon to pieces in the cruelest way in the world.
Because the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon had completely vanished after that, their revenge had not been carried out even after a long time.
But now, that same Extreme Evil Laughing Demon had been beheaded by the White Wolf Unit.
From their perspective, it was understandable that they would want to see the White Wolf Unit.
Gu Wang-pyo, too, seemed to finally recall the incident and let out a bitter laugh.
“If that’s the story, then it seems right for the White Wolf Unit to go this time, rather than our White Martial Squad.”
Peng Mugang nodded at Gu Wang-pyo’s words.
He had thought everyone would understand.
Peng Mugang himself, having read the Sword Emperor’s heart, had decided to do so.
However, he believed it was right to proceed after letting Gu Wang-pyo, Peng Seo-jin, and Yeo Un-hwi know of these circumstances, which was why he had gathered them here.
By the way,
*‘Hah. Damn it all. This isn’t right.’*
Peng Mugang clicked his tongue for another reason.
It was because the situation in which the White Wolf Unit kept getting entangled in complicated matters was becoming quite a headache.
How on earth had things come to this?
At first, it was simply intended to give Yeo Un-hwi a hard time.
But as things grew bigger and bigger, he was now beginning to wonder if it was really alright to keep Yeo Un-hwi as the commander of the White Wolf Unit.
It seemed that things were happening that were becoming increasingly difficult for Yeo Un-hwi, a man who came from a line of scholars, to handle.
Peng Mugang’s gaze turned to Yeo Un-hwi.
At that, Yeo Un-hwi grinned.
‘The nerve of him!’
My head is aching because of you, and yet what do those White Wolf Unit bastards see in a guy like that to follow him so devotedly!
To Peng Mugang, his son-in-law, who was grinning foolishly, was truly detestable.
But he couldn’t just replace the commander of the White Wolf Unit right now, so Peng Mugang decided to watch the situation a little longer.
And so, it was decided that Yeo Un-hwi’s White Wolf Unit, not the White Martial Squad, would accompany them to this Five Great Families Gathering.
*‘Haha. Well, I’ll be.’*
Even Yeo Un-hwi-hwi hadn’t expected the matter of the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon to lead to this, so he could only offer an awkward smile.
Time passed, and the day of the Five Great Families Gathering drew near.
“Alright. Shall we get to work today?”
“Uooooh!”
As their leader stood up, his subordinates let out a spirited cry.
***
It is in a mountain path near Anhui Province.
They were a newly formed band of bandits who had recently set up their base on this road.
Lately, they have been making a pretty penny on this path.
This place was a veritable gold mine.
There were plenty of places to hide, and there was plenty of traffic. And if they were lucky, they could get their hands on a good sum of money.
They had only just started their life of banditry, but at this rate, they felt they could quickly grow their funds, their numbers, and their skills to become a well-known band of bandits.
And so, today as well, the bandits diligently set out to do their work.
How long had they been lying in wait at their usual spot?
“Boss! They’re coming!”
In the distance, a group was heading toward the road it was guarding.
“Kekekek. Excellent.”
The bandit leader smiled with satisfaction.
At his small gesture, the bandits rolled up their sleeves and drew their respective weapons.
“As always, when I give the signal, surround them.”
“Yes!”
The bandit leader, who had been slowly waiting for the distant group to draw near, was about to lower his hand to signal his subordinates as they approached.
But
“Huh?”
The bandit leader, who was about to lower his hand to give the signal, suddenly froze and his eyes widened.
It was because of the flag he saw among the group.
It was a flag he knew, one he had seen many times before.
“Boss?”
Everyone looked puzzled at his or her leader’s strange behavior.
Then, next to him, one of his subordinates asked.
“Should we attack?”
But what came out of the leader’s mouth was a different answer.
“Hide.”
“Pardon?”
“Hide, I said! You punk! Hurry!”
The leader gestured frantically to his subordinates.
Soon, the bandit leader and his men flattened themselves to the ground and hid.
But his gesture had been so urgent that his still-bewildered subordinates whispered back to him, although they had hidden.
“Hey, what’s gotten into you?”
“Can’t you see that flag? Huh?”
“The, the flag?”
“Yeah! If we touch them, we’re all dead men! Just shut up for a bit!”
As they held their breath for a while, the group that had terrified their leader soon passed by and disappeared down the road.
Only after a long time had passed and the flag was out of sight did the leader raise his head with a sigh of relief, and his subordinates asked him.
“Hey, Boss. What was all that about? What’s with that flag?”
“The Tang Clan of Sichuan.”
“Pardon?”
“I said, it’s the Tang Clan. Those guys.”
“The, the, the Tang Clan?”
“Yeah.”
Finally understanding their leader’s words, the subordinates began to tremble all over.
“B-but why on earth is the Tang Clan here? They should be in Sichuan?”
“How should I know? The important thing is that we almost died.”
“You’re right. As expected of the boss. If you hadn’t recognized them in time, we would have all been dead.”
“Huh? Is that how it works?”
“Of course. You’re amazing, Boss.”
“Uahaha. Right. Right! Everyone, don’t lose heart, and let’s wait for the next customer.”
And about two hours later, another group appeared. This place really was a gold mine.
“Good, good. Let’s get this done quickly this time!”
“Yes!”
“Alright, I’ll give the signal, so everyone… huh?”
As he was speaking, the leader’s eyes widened again.
“W-wait!”
The leader couldn’t help but scream at his subordinates again, as if in terror.
“H-hiiiiiide!”
Soon after, the flags that appeared were two.
They were the flags symbolizing the Jegal Clan and the Hwangbo Clan, respectively.
In the end, the leader once again hid himself with all his might, along with his subordinates.
And after they had all passed, they stared with blank faces at the retreating backs of the two families.
“My goodness. What is going on?”
What on earth was happening that they were all heading to Anhui?
By the way, this road… the bandit leader muttered blankly.
“Was this road not a gold mine, but the road to the underworld…?”
It seemed that if he wanted to live out his natural lifespan, he would have to move his base of operations.
He had thought it was a good spot, but he had been completely mistaken.
The spot was bad. Very, very bad!
If he had let his guard down for even a moment, he would have died several times over today alone.
By the way, what in the world was about to happen in Anhui?
The man known as the bandit leader once again looked in the direction where the Five Great Families had disappeared and gulped.