Chapter 140
As evening fell, the banquet began.
In truth, Dokgo Yeong was the only one who shared a meal with the White Wolf Unit.
If there was any consolation, it was that.
They didn't want to feel the blatant hostility they had experienced while eating from the entrance.
If that happened, they would likely get indigestion quickly.
But of course, dining with Dokgo Yeong wasn't exactly comfortable either.
No, it would be more accurate to say it was very uncomfortable.
Who would be at ease dining with one of the Twelve Venerables of the World?
Moreover,
You try this dish. It's absolutely exquisite.
I'll eat as I please, so please stop making me uncomfortable.
Listening to their conversation made the discomfort feel ten times worse.
It was uncomfortable beyond measure.
"How do you manage not to join in on that conversation?" Do-gyeong jokingly asked Gi-su and Gi-sang.
Where?
There.
Do-gyeong nodded towards Yeo Un-hwi and Dokgo Yeong.
Immediately, the twin brothers' faces turned pale and their bodies shuddered.
Sister. No matter how reckless we are, we know where to draw the line. We don't have multiple lives to spare. Are you crazy? You want us to butt in there?
Do-gyeong, you sometimes seem to think we're completely empty-headed.
Sometimes? Do you really think it's just sometimes? Isn't your confidence a bit excessive?
The twin brothers didn't ask any further.
They felt they might get hurt if they did.
But the awkward and uncomfortable atmosphere didn't last long. Perhaps because Dokgo Yeong was being so casual, or because one drink led to another, the White Wolf Unit soon began its usual rowdy drinking party.
Among them, the one who had asked when they could go home, saying he already missed it, was eating and drinking the most heartily.
Oh? He had even gone over to pour a drink for Dokgo Yeong... he must have truly lost his mind.
Judging by the looks in Do-gyeong, Gi-su, and Gi-sang's eyes, they were clearly determined to tease him mercilessly once he sobered up the next day.
Watching the White Wolf Unit behaving as usual, Yeo Un-hwi smiled and enjoyed the feast, eating just enough to feel satisfied.
Leaving behind the White Wolf Unit, who had already started their drunken revelry, Yeo Un-hwi went out for a brief night walk.
He had already been given permission to freely wander around except for a few designated areas, so there was nothing stopping him.
His wandering feet eventually led him to a pond where moonlight sparkled on the surface.
Looking at the moon reflected on the calm water, Yeo Un-hwi suddenly thought of his family.
His wife and Yul-i must be looking at the same moon.
Although his time in the Demonic Alliance had not been as bad as expected, he still found himself wanting to return home soon.
As he was slowly enjoying the night air, thinking of Peng Seo-yeon and Yul-i, Yeo Un-hwi's eyes suddenly twitched.
This is...?
It was some kind of energy.
A very faint energy that had been left long ago was on the verge of disappearing.
And Yeo Un-hwi had recently felt an energy similar to this.
It is in Sichuan.
Yeo Un-hwi's eyes gleamed coldly.
*The next day.*
Dokgo Yeong smiled and presented something to the White Wolf Unit, who had been summoned to the Alliance Leader's Hall early that morning.
Piled high on soft, luxurious fabric were gifts Dokgo Yeong had prepared for the White Wolf Unit.
And each one was enough to make their eyes widen in amazement.
Wow, unbelievable.
Incredibly expensive, top-quality night-shining pearls and various gold and silver treasures sparkled before the eyes of the White Wolf Unit.
It was as if they had raided the Demonic Alliance's treasury. What if someone saw this?
Ah. Since the owner was the Black Emperor himself, perhaps it didn't matter?
But the White Wolf Unit couldn't simply accept all of this at face value.
It was excessive, far too excessive.
Of course, this was just a small gesture of goodwill from the perspective of the Demonic Alliance Leader, the Black Emperor.
Nevertheless, accepting this carelessly could potentially make this matter appear unfavorable to others.
Although it was said that everything had been arranged in advance with the Murim Alliance, this meeting was unprecedented, and there were not a few eyes watching it closely.
Therefore, it was right to be more cautious in one's actions.
A single mistake could potentially harm the Hebei Peng Family.
Fortunately, there was no one in the White Wolf Unit who would be swayed by such things... or so they thought, until they saw Do-gyeong smacking the back of Gi-su and Gi-sang's heads as the brothers drooled and reached for the night-shining pearls.
Those two were the exception.
Well, well.
Dokgo Yeong clicked his tongue as he watched Yeo Un-hwi and the White Wolf Unit adamantly refusing even when he insisted on giving the gifts.
Others would gleam with greed and they'd pounce on the gifts, but these people were waving their hands in refusal.
He seemed to understand why.
Yes. He had been short-sighted.
Everyone has his or her own position to consider.
“I see. In that case...”
Soon, Dokgo Yeong decided he would have his subordinates load all these things onto a carriage and dump them at the Peng Family's doorstep.
If they wouldn't take them, he would just send them secretly.
He was truly the type of person who had to follow through once he made up his mind.
Yet his expression revealed nothing of his intentions.
This was what experience looked like.
Still, he wanted to give them something right away.
While inwardly plotting, Dokgo Yeong outwardly laughed bitterly, and Yeo Un-hwi shook his head.
Thank you, but we'll just accept your kind intentions.
Oh my! How can you only accept intentions! I think that's the worst thing to say!
Was that really something to get so upset about?
Let's see... Ah, yes. Then at least take this.
Soon, Dokgo Yeong pulled out a small box from among the pile of gifts.
He opened the box to show them.
Inside were elixir pills. Moreover, their fragrant scent was so strong it tickled and even stung the nose.
Just by looking, one could tell they appeared extremely precious.
No, precious didn't even begin to describe it.
Even the number was precisely prepared to match the total number of White Wolf Unit members.
This quantity might be worth more than all the treasures laid out here combined.
Seeing Yeo Un-hwi's surprised expression, Dokgo Yeong chuckled.
What do you think? Will you accept these? I deliberately prepared them to match your numbers. Haha!
No, this was even harder to accept...
But when he glanced back, everyone's eyes were glued to the elixir pills. It seemed they truly coveted these.
Soon, Yeo Un-hwi let out a deep sigh.
"Alright."
As Yeo Un-hwi nodded, not only Dokgo Yeong's face brightened, but the White Wolf Unit members behind him also cheered.
Soon, Dokgo Yeong personally handed out those precious pills to each member of the White Wolf Unit.
Can we really accept these?
Everyone's expressions were a mix of bewilderment and joy.
Yeo Un-hwi looked at the White Wolf Unit members and then thanked the Black Emperor.
Then he suddenly asked.
Why are you being so kind to us?
"Hm?"
Dokgo Yeong smiled brightly at Yeo Un-hwi's question.
Why shouldn't I be?
At those words, Yeo Un-hwi's face went blank for a moment.
You already know, don't you? I've said it myself. You are benefactors who have lifted a burden from my shoulders.
You haven't said much else, for that.
Despite spending a considerable amount of time with Dokgo Yeong, he hadn't particularly talked about his younger sister. Why was that?
It wasn't as if he was giving some serious, heavy words of gratitude.
The Namgung Family had told the White Wolf Unit stories about their youngest daughter, whom they had avenged.
They had mourned together, commemorated, and comforted each other.
But Dokgo Yeong hadn't said a word about it.
He laughed more than he cried, and rather than reminiscing about his sister, he wanted to hear more about the White Wolf Unit.
It felt distinctly different from the time with the Namgung Family.
Looking at Yeo Un-hwi for a moment after his question, Dokgo Yeong suddenly smiled.
It was a smile that was the same as before, yet deeper.
Well. What good would it do for you to know everything about my sister? What's important is the fact that you resolved the grudge of that child who was my family, whom I loved more than anyone.
At Dokgo Yeong's words, Yeo Un-hwi's eyes widened for a moment.
I see. Everyone has his or her own way.
The Namgung Family in their way, and Dokgo Yeong in his way, remembered and cherished them, and expressed gratitude to the White Wolf Unit.
I understand. You're right.
Yeo Un-hwi also nodded with a small smile.
Before long, the White Wolf Unit left the Alliance Leader's Hall.
However, there was someone watching the White Wolf Unit's retreating figures from a distance.
It was Sama Ryang, the Chief Strategist of the Demonic Alliance.
He had been keeping a close eye on them since the moment the White Wolf Unit arrived.
Of course, there had been no problems so far.
Perhaps there wouldn't be any in the future either.
What could they possibly do here?
This was the Demonic Alliance, filled with masters far surpassing the White Wolf Unit.
But what was this strange feeling?
Sama Ryang felt an ominous premonition that something might happen, just by looking at them.
Of course, he knew better than anyone that this was an overreaction.
“Am I being too sensitive?”
It was then.
So this is where you were.
A middle-aged man with a fierce face and one eye appeared.
He was a figure Sama Ryang was not at all pleased to see.
It was Ma Seak, the Ghost-Eyed Demonic Monarch, the second-in-command of the Demonic Alliance.
He was one of the Ten Great Masters, known for his excessive ambition and hatred for the Orthodox Faction.
He was famous for engaging in all sorts of dirty schemes behind the scenes if it meant getting what he wanted or eliminating the Orthodox Faction that irked him.
From Chief Strategist Sama Ryang's perspective, he was the most troublesome and uncontrollable figure in the entire Demonic Alliance.
Therefore, he also did not welcome encounters with Ma Seak if possible.
But Ma Seak now wore a very displeased expression.
It was inevitable that the White Wolf Unit, now flaunting itself before his eyes, would irritate him, who hated the Orthodox Faction more than anyone.
Especially within the Demonic Alliance.
He was barely restraining himself only because they were guests of the Black Emperor, trying to avoid encountering them as much as possible.
Hmph. To think I'd live to see the day when Orthodox dogs are invited and treated well in the Demonic Faction.
They are benefactors of the Alliance Leader, so what can we do?
Benefactors? Kik!
Ma Seak chuckled as if it were absurd.
It seems the old man is going senile. Don't you think?
Just because words leave your mouth doesn't make them true. If you don't want that maw of yours torn apart, please watch your language.
At Ma Seak's words, sparks flew in Sama Ryang's eyes.
There were words one could tolerate and words one could not.
Sama Ryang's eyes gleamed fiercely.
Ma Seak also growled with all his might.
You green whelp, how dare you wag your tongue so fearlessly!
They glared at each other as if they might draw blood at any moment.
Then Ma Seak twisted the corners of his mouth into a sneer.
Well, fine. What can be done about what's already happened? Just make sure he doesn't make such a mistake again.
You're not thinking of doing anything, are you?
Sensing something ominous in Ma Seak's tone and expression, Sama Ryang narrowed his eyes and asked.
Ma Seak merely shrugged.
Who knows. I might, or I might not. Heh heh.
Ma Seak soon disappeared from the spot.
Watching his retreating figure, Sama Ryang bit his lip hard.
He thought that perhaps the reason for his unease was not the White Wolf Unit, but Ma Seak.