Chapter 175
“No, can you really come here like this? Things must be chaotic there right now. You even need to appoint a new Strategist.”
Yeo Un-hwi said, looking at Dokgo Yeong with a bewildered expression.
Dokgo Yeong chuckled and replied.
“Is that something the person who killed that Strategist should say?”
“If you’re referring to the time I caught that Spy who would have eventually stabbed you in the back, free of charge, then I certainly regret it. I should have just left him alone. I didn’t realize you’d be so ungrateful.”
“Hmm? Didn’t I thank you?”
“For the Demonic Alliance Leader to be so stingy with his thanks… I truly understand today why the Demonic Path is called the Demonic Path.”
“What? Hahahaha! You are always joking.”
“I’m not joking.”
Everyone wore blank expressions, listening to the conversation between Yeo Un-hwi and the old man who had suddenly appeared riding a Black Demon.
That old man, possessing an extraordinary Internal Energy/Aura, seemed to be the Demonic Alliance Leader.
If he were the Demonic Alliance Leader…
“H-Black Emperor…?”
One of the Peng Family’s Martial Artists unconsciously blurted out that moniker.
The Black Emperor, of all people.
The absolute ruler of the Demonic Path and one of the Twelve Venerables is an Absolute of this era.
He had suddenly appeared at the Hebei Peng Family.
For those unaware of the full circumstances, this was an emergency no different from the Demonic Cult invading.
No, it was even worse than that.
After all, even the Demonic Cult Leader, the Heaven-Shattering Demonic Emperor, hadn’t personally invaded.
Considering the opponent’s identity, drawing swords and confronting him would have been the correct response, but what was this?
This is a friendly atmosphere.
The Black Emperor truly looked as if he was visiting the home of a dear friend he had longed to see.
The man, the pinnacle of the Unorthodox Faction, gazed at the Hebei Peng Family’s Son-in-law.
What in the world was this situation?
This was on a completely different level from the Soul Annihilation Unit paying a visit, one of the Demonic Alliance’s strongest Martial Force Units.
Most of the people present merely exchanged glances.
Then, their gazes soon turned towards the White Wolf Unit.
Those gazes seemed to say,
Hey, you crazy bastards. What were you thinking, bringing the Demonic Alliance Leader here?
Ugh. I thought those blockheads had finally gotten their act together recently!
…and so on.
At this, all the members of the White Wolf Unit, who had returned to the Peng Family with joy, merely scratched their cheeks with awkward smiles.
D-did we make a mistake? Why does the atmosphere feel like this?
Indeed. This isn’t what we had in mind…
After receiving news that the Hebei Peng Family was in grave danger, Yeo Un-hwi departed in haste, and the White Wolf Unit also set off for Hebei, following him.
It was then that the Black Emperor stepped forward, offering to accompany them.
He said he didn’t know if they would be late, but he would gladly go with them and help.
From the White Wolf Unit’s perspective, there was no reason to refuse the Black Emperor’s offer.
No, they were even grateful.
A Master of the Twelve Venerables’ caliber had joined them, after all.
However, even before they arrived, news came that the Demonic Cult incident had been well-handled, and upon their arrival, they found themselves in the position of having suddenly brought a monstrous monster to the Peng Family, which was just beginning to stabilize.
They had expected to be praised for bringing such formidable reinforcements, but how were they supposed to accept this turn of events with the timing off?
Thus, the joy of returning to the Peng Family had vanished, leaving the White Wolf Unit to merely observe the mood.
“Haha. Don’t scold them too much. I simply insisted on coming along because I couldn’t ignore the misfortune that befell my Benefactor, and also to retrieve Black Killer.”
Of course, it would have been ideal to arrive in Hebei with Yeo Un-hwi, but the Black Emperor wasn’t confident he could keep up with Yeo Un-hwi’s Lightfoot skill.
He, too, had a certain pride in his Lightfoot skill, but after seeing Yeo Un-hwi disappear beyond the mountains in an instant, making a Thunder Sound, the Black Emperor quickly abandoned that thought.
That’s why he came with the White Wolf Unit.
Of course, Yeo Un-hwi had no intention of scolding the White Wolf Unit.
Once the Black Emperor made up his mind, there was no way the White Wolf Unit could stop him.
It was then.
Peng Mugang, the Family Head of the Hebei Peng Family, stepped forward.
“Welcome to the Hebei Peng Family. I am Peng Mugang.”
The Black Emperor’s eyes widened slightly as he saw him.
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Dokgo Yeong. It seems the rumors were true, that a peerless Master, reminiscent of the legendary Great Tiger, resides in Hebei.”
“Haha. To hear such words from the Black Emperor, one of the Twelve Venerables, is quite embarrassing.”
But the Black Emperor was sincere.
From the start, he was a person whose cultivation had reached a level where the Ten Great Masters were beneath his notice.
However, Peng Mugang had made his eyes widen.
It was clear that with the right catalyst, he could aim even higher.
Peng Mugang soon smiled and said.
“Well then. Instead of standing here, please come inside.”
It was already clear from Dokgo Yeong’s tone and demeanor that he harbored no hostility.
Peng Mugang, who had already heard in detail from Yeo Un-hwi about what had transpired in the Demonic Alliance, readily welcomed the Black Emperor and the Soul Annihilation Unit.
Dokgo Yeong nodded and followed Peng Mugang, stepping inside the Peng Family estate.
“Young Lady Yul-i. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to train with Grandpa.”
“My goodness. You’re working hard again today!”
“Yes!”
Yul-i was crossing the garden, carrying a Wooden Saber, heading somewhere.
It was almost time to practice Martial Arts with her grandfather, so she was on her way to meet him first.
But then,
“Ah! It’s Dad!”
Yeo Un-hwi’s figure, entering the Family Head’s Hall beyond, caught Yul-i’s eye.
Soon, Yul-i ran towards him with an excited expression.
“Bring it.”
Peng Mugang, who had just entered the Family Head’s Hall, ordered someone to bring something.
It was the Black Emperor’s Divine Weapon, “Black Killer,” which had been stored deep within the Peng Family.
Soon, after briefly seeking everyone’s consent, Dokgo Yeong slowly drew Black Killer.
“Have you been well?”
A smile spread across Dokgo Yeong’s lips as he gazed at Black Killer.
Vwoom.
As if responding to its master’s words after a long separation, Black Killer’s blade hummed softly.
“Well then.”
Dokgo Yeong, having sheathed the Sword, then looked at Yeo Un-hwi.
For some reason, his gaze was peculiar.
It was a gaze that seemed to hold various complex emotions.
Yeo Un-hwi wore a puzzled expression at that gaze.
Dokgo Yeong’s gaze then shifted towards Peng Mugang.
He clearly seemed to have something to say.
And then,
Swoosh.
Dokgo Yeong bowed his head.
At that sight, everyone in the Family Head’s Hall wore surprised expressions.
“I, Dokgo Yeong, sincerely apologize to the Hebei Peng Family.”
“No, why are you doing this? An apology?”
Peng Mugang also looked quite surprised, as if he hadn’t anticipated such a situation.
And rightly so, for the master of the Demonic Alliance and a peerless Master, one of the Twelve Venerables, had bowed his head in front of everyone.
And in the Hebei Peng Family, which belonged to the Orthodox Martial World, no less.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Yeong continued his explanation.
“This old man acted stubbornly, simply out of a desire to see my younger brother’s Benefactor, which put the Peng Family in danger. So, isn’t it only natural for me to apologize?”
In truth, if Yeo Un-hwi hadn’t left, the story would certainly have been very different.
As soon as Yeo Un-hwi had heard the news of the Demonic Cult heading towards Hebei, he would have dealt with all of them, preventing them from even setting foot in Hebei.
However, thanks to Dokgo Yeong sending even his Divine Weapon, Black Killer, and extending an irresistible invitation, Yeo Un-hwi had gone to the Demonic Alliance, and the incident occurred during that time.
What if things had gone wrong, even slightly, and Yeo Un-hwi hadn’t arrived in time?
He didn’t even want to imagine it, but if that had happened, Yeo Un-hwi would have become a terrifying existence, incomparable to his state before his Regression/Return, and would have dyed the entire Murim in blood.
More than anything, Dokgo Yeong would clearly never have been able to face Yeo Un-hwi again.
It would have been no different from committing a grave sin that even sacrificing his own life couldn’t atone for.
Fortunately, such a thing hadn’t happened.
Nevertheless, Dokgo Yeong wanted to sincerely apologize for this.
Feeling truly sorry.
Hahaha.
Peng Mugang was, surprisingly, more astonished by Dokgo Yeong’s apology.
Amazing, truly amazing.
He wasn’t merely talking about the depth of his Martial Arts.
It was easy for people, when in a slightly elevated position, to become arrogant and haughty.
At some point, they would feel it natural to command others, and everyone else in the world, apart from themselves, would seem foolish.
The higher one rose, the harder it became to bow one’s head.
Their necks would have been stiff for so long without them even realizing it.
Even if a moment came when they had committed a grave mistake and needed to apologize, they couldn’t bring themselves to acknowledge their own errors and faults.
They believed that doing so would make them weak and shake their position.
Most powerful people and those in authority in the world were like that.
But they were wrong.
A truly strong person is someone who, regardless of their position, can acknowledge their own mistakes and faults, sincerely apologize, shake it off, and move on.
Such a person constantly reflects on themselves, introspects, and strives.
And when many people begin to sincerely follow such a person, that person becomes a true monarch in every sense of the word.
In Peng Mugang’s eyes, the Black Emperor was such a person.
Who would call such a man a Demonic Path practitioner?
He felt that it was no coincidence that the Demonic Alliance’s influence had begun to surpass that of the Murim Alliance in the current era.
This one man alone made it possible.
As a Martial Artist belonging to the Orthodox Faction, he should have undoubtedly felt an extreme sense of crisis at Dokgo Yeong’s demeanor, but for some reason, Peng Mugang found himself liking Dokgo Yeong.
It was like meeting a true man after a long time.
Peng Mugang, who had been watching Dokgo Yeong for a moment, smiled gently and nodded.
“It seems that answer should come from my son-in-law, not me.”
At his words, Peng Mugang’s and Dokgo Yeong’s gazes turned towards Yeo Un-hwi.
Yeo Un-hwi, receiving the gazes of the two old men, scratched his head and then nodded.
“Yes. I accept your apology.”
He couldn’t say it was fine.
After all, it was true that he had been semi-forced into accepting the invitation.
However, Yeo Un-hwi didn’t dislike the Black Emperor as a person either.
And he felt that the Black Emperor would be a source of strength for the Peng Family in some way in the future.
In that sense, Yeo Un-hwi had readily accepted Dokgo Yeong’s apology.
“So it seems.”
“Since you say so, I am simply grateful.”
“Haha. Well, since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you stay for a few days?”
“Would that be alright? Won’t you be criticized for associating with the Demonic Path?”
“Hahahaha. Something even more significant has already happened, so it’s fine. Hahahahaha.”
At this point, with the Heavenly Demon also present, things like the Orthodox, Demonic, and Heretic Factions didn’t matter anymore.
At Peng Mugang’s reaction, Dokgo Yeong tilted his head. Something even more significant? What could that be?
For some reason, Peng Mugang’s expression seemed extremely detached. As if he had achieved enlightenment.
He was curious about why that was, but Dokgo Yeong decided to ask slowly.
For some reason, Peng Mugang seemed to genuinely welcome him.
He was clearly pleased.
He thought that perhaps today, he might gain a true conversational companion, one who transcended the boundaries of Righteous and Demonic Factions.
Of course, Dokgo Yeong was much older.
What did it matter?
They were both growing old together.
Meanwhile,
Tap, tap.
Someone tugged on Yeo Un-hwi’s pinky finger.
Yeo Un-hwi turned his head in that direction, and a smile spread across his lips.
“Haha. Since you haven’t eaten yet, let’s go. I’ll show you just how delicious the Peng Family’s food is today.”
“Oh. That’s welcome news. Then I shall look forward to it.”
“Alright. Shall we go then?”
Peng Mugang said with an excited expression.
But then,
“Oh! A new grandpa. Hello.”
Yul-i, who had somehow ended up in Yeo Un-hwi’s arms, smiled adorably at Dokgo Yeong.
At that smile, Dokgo Yeong’s eyes widened, and then his expression softened.
“Oh, who is this adorable little one?”
Peng Mugang’s face contorted.
“Ah. This is going to be a disaster.”