Chapter 45
Peng Gyeong-ho's words implied that they should replace the current White Wolf Unit commander with someone more suitable as soon as possible.
At his words, the faces of all the White Wolf Unit members hardened coldly.
As if they found the suggestion completely unwelcome.
Oh?
Peng Mugang couldn't help but notice their reaction.
He had expected them to welcome such a suggestion enthusiastically, so their response was quite unexpected.
But whether aware of their reaction or not, Peng Gyeong-ho continued speaking proudly:
"I'm not saying this to belittle anyone, but the current situation has become too burdensome for the commander. I simply wish to lighten that load. And we have people in our Peng Family who would be perfect as the White Wolf Unit's commander, don't we? I believe it would be right to appoint one of them and give the White Wolf Unit more strength in their future activities."
Throughout this, Yeo Un-hwi remained silent, his mouth tightly shut without showing any reaction.
After briefly glancing at Yeo Un-hwi, Peng Mugang looked at Peng Gyeong-ho.
"Then do you have someone specific in mind?"
As if he had been waiting for that question, Peng Gyeong-ho's face brightened as he answered:
"It's embarrassing to say with my own mouth, but I think my son would be quite suitable for that position in many ways."
"You mean Do-hwan?"
"Yes, that's right."
To push his own son in this situation - it was embarrassing just to watch.
But perhaps he had that much confidence in his child.
After all, his son Peng Do-hwan was highly anticipated within the Peng Family.
From a young age, he had shown martial talent far surpassing others his age, and his skills were considered exceptional even among young martial artists.
Moreover, he had a good personality, so he was expected to become one of the Peng Family's representative figures in the distant future.
With such a son, it was understandable that Peng Gyeong-ho would step forward to promote and boast about his son like this.
In fact, his words weren't entirely wrong.
If they were to appoint someone with skills befitting the commander of the White Wolf Unit, one of the three military forces representing the Hebei Peng Family, thinking of the distant future, having Peng Do-hwan take on the role wouldn't be bad. No, it could even be considered a very wise choice.
"Do you remember? I once consulted with you about this matter before."
"Yes, that's right."
"Back then you strongly opposed it, but now you want him to take on the role?"
"Ahem. To be honest, I thought it wasn't the right time back then. I judged that my son wasn't fully prepared yet."
"And now he's prepared?"
"Others may not see much difference, but from a parent's perspective, I think he's ready now."
"Haha."
It was wordplay.
Though it sounded like he was being humble, Peng Mugang knew the true intent behind Peng Gyeong-ho's words was quite different.
Before. No, until they achieved this merit just now, the White Wolf Unit had been nothing but troublemakers causing all sorts of problems.
It must have been burdensome to take charge of such a group.
He probably worried that his child, who was highly anticipated by everyone, might have his future path tarnished because of the White Wolf Unit. That's why he refused back then.
Though they were called a representative military force of the Peng Family, after the previous commander retired and left the Peng Family, they had truly been acting like wild colts with no reins.
So at the time, Peng Gyeong-ho had forcibly pulled his son, who was a White Wolf Unit member, out of there.
He thought there was nothing good to gain by staying with them.
But now everything had changed.
The White Wolf Unit had beheaded the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon, one of the Absolute Great Evils known as the epitome of terror in the martial world.
This was a tremendous achievement that would greatly enhance the name of the Hebei Peng Family and be praised by many for years to come.
Peng Gyeong-ho now coveted the position of commander of such an impressive military force.
"Haha."
Though his motives were transparent, Peng Gyeong-ho's packaging of them was truly masterful.
But Peng Mugang couldn't say his actions were wrong, since he himself had thought Peng Do-hwan would suit the White Wolf Unit well even before this.
Knowing Peng Mugang's thoughts, that's why Peng Gyeong-ho had stepped forward so confidently.
"Of course, Do-hwan would certainly be suitable for that position."
At Peng Mugang's words, Peng Gyeong-ho's face brightened.
"However, on a day like today, we should also hear the thoughts of those directly involved. What do you all think?"
Peng Mugang's gaze turned to the White Wolf Unit members.
But Peng Gyeong-ho thought asking their opinion was pointless.
His son had a very good reputation among the rising stars of the Peng Family.
Moreover, as far as he knew, his son had maintained close friendships with the White Wolf Unit until now.
Though that had always displeased him, right now he was very glad of that fact.
They would surely welcome this gladly.
But unfortunately, the hearts of the White Wolf Unit members were different from what he thought.
In response to Peng Mugang's question, O Chae-mu opened his mouth without hesitation:
"I apologize, but our White Wolf Unit would like to continue with our current commander."
"What? W-What did you say?"
Peng Gyeong-ho's face showed great surprise at O Chae-mu's answer.
He never expected such a response.
But O Chae-mu and all the White Wolf Unit members had equally resolute expressions.
It was unexpected for Peng Mugang as well.
He had thought they would readily accept.
Soon, Peng Mugang carefully looked at each of the White Wolf Unit members' faces and asked:
"Is this the will of the entire White Wolf Unit?"
"Yes! That's right. We all want this."
"Hmm. I see."
"What on earth are you all saying!"
Peng Gyeong-ho shouted at the White Wolf Unit with an utterly baffled expression.
The situation was unfolding very differently from what he had imagined.
Considering all the circumstances, he had thought both Peng Mugang and the White Wolf Unit would gladly accept his proposal.
But...
"No, why are you doing this? Clearly, in every way, it would be much better for my Do-hwan to take on the commander position..."
"We're sorry, Elder. But our decision won't change."
"What? Hah."
At O Chae-mu's words, Peng Gyeong-ho let out a scornful laugh.
Then Peng Mugang burst into laughter.
"Haha! It seems you've grown quite attached in this short time. Well, if that's what those who achieved such great merit want, we should grant it."
"B-But Family Head! This can't be!"
Peng Gyeong-ho tried to stubbornly insist until the end.
At that moment,
Kuuung.
The air in the Family Head's Hall became incredibly heavy.
Peng Mugang had revealed his energy.
"Urgh."
Facing Peng Mugang's fierce energy, Peng Gyeong-ho felt an immense pressure and involuntarily let out a groan.
Then Peng Mugang looked at Peng Gyeong-ho with an utterly cold face.
"What do you mean this can't be? Didn't I just say that's what I'll do? Are you saying you're going to go against my will?"
"T-That's not what I meant..."
"That's enough. You're ruining the good mood."
"...I understand. I'm sorry."
Thus, under Peng Mugang's terrifying pressure, Peng Gyeong-ho quickly backed down.
Soon, Peng Mugang withdrew his energy.
"Hahaha! The atmosphere got a bit heavy for a moment there."
And as if he had never shown that cold face, he laughed heartily once again.
"Listen, everyone! From today, I lift the White Wolf Unit's probation and order your return to the main family. And I will bestow rewards on all White Wolf Unit members. For today, eat and enjoy to your heart's content."
"Yes, Family Head!"
Everyone bowed their heads and responded with strong voices to Peng Mugang's words.
But Peng Gyeong-ho's expression remained dark.
Great dissatisfaction was taking root in his heart.
But he didn't know.
That Yeo Un-hwi was quietly observing him.
"Daddy!"
As soon as Yul saw Yeo Un-hwi enter the room, she leapt towards him with an incredibly happy face.
"Haha. This girl! You'll get hurt if you jump like that."
"It's okay because Daddy's here!"
"What? Hahaha!"
Yeo Un-hwi burst into laughter, looking lovingly at his daughter who had jumped into his arms and was now nuzzling her face against his chest.
As soon as he saw Yul, it felt like all sorts of stray thoughts instantly vanished from his mind.
He always felt this way, but children truly were magical, wondrous beings for parents.
"You're back?"
Paeng Seo-yeon, another reason for Yeo Un-hwi's happiness, greeted him.
But for some reason, despite not having seen each other for days, she didn't look glad to see him.
Rather, that face looked quite angry about something.
'Why?'
He tried to think if he had done something wrong, but nothing particular came to mind.
Hmm.
Even if he didn't know the reason, one thing was clear - in times like this, he absolutely must not act rashly.
One moment's mistake could bring great trouble.
He too feared his wife's anger more than anything.
Ahem.
From that moment, Yeo Un-hwi began trying his best to be careful with his words and actions.
What made Yeo Un-hwi even more nervous was that his wife remained silent even as he played with Yul in his arms.
Usually at times like this, she would happily chat about various things that had happened while he was away.
Or at the very least, she would sit beside him and chatter about all sorts of things Yul had done.
Then at some point, Paeng Seo-yeon opened her mouth.
"Why don't you quit?"
"Hm? What do you mean by that all of a sudden?"
"I mean, why don't you talk to Father and step down from the White Wolf Unit commander position? I heard there's fortunately someone else who wants to do that job."
It seemed she had already heard about what happened in the Family Head's Hall. That was fast.
Yeo Un-hwi looked up and gazed quietly at Paeng Seo-yeon's face before asking:
"Did something happen?"
"Of course something happened. My husband who's never learned martial arts went off with a bunch of rough warriors to subjugate bandits, and then I hear news that he encountered a Great Demonic Master that even dozens of skilled masters couldn't defeat. What do you think?"
"Ah, that... you mean that incident..."
Only then did Yeo Un-hwi realize why Paeng Seo-yeon was acting this way.
"How do you think I felt when I heard that news? How shocked do you think I was?"
"Darling."
"And then to hear that the White Wolf Unit beheaded the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon - I wondered if my husband was alright. What if he was badly injured? No, what if the news about capturing the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon was wrong in the first place? What if something had happened to him at that demonic leader's hands? What about me and Yul? What would we do..."
By now, Paeng Seo-yeon's eyes were brimming with tears.
The reason her face had been so stiff until now was because she had been desperately trying to hold back her sorrow and tears.
"I'm sorry."
Of course, encountering the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon wasn't Yeo Un-hwi's fault.
But Yeo Un-hwi said those words with sincere feeling.
He was simply sorry for making his wife worry so much.
"Mommy, are you crying?"
Yul approached her mother with a puzzled face.
Paeng Seo-yeon forced a smile and stroked Yul's head.
"Yes, Yul-ah. It's okay. Mommy just cried because she was happy to see Daddy."
"Huh? Why cry if you're happy?"
Yul asked with a face that showed she didn't understand her mother's words.
"It happens once in a hundred times."
"Then will Yul cry once in a hundred times too?"
"Maybe?"
"Hehe. I see."
Roughly understanding that her mom was okay, Yul soon scampered off to the bed and rolled around hugging her doll.
Then Yeo Un-hwi gently embraced Paeng Seo-yeon and patted her back.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"Hmph, it's fine."
"Come on. It doesn't seem fine, you still look upset. Come on, tell me. What can I do to make you feel better?"
"I already told you earlier. Quit being the White Wolf Unit commander."
"Hmm."
Yeo Un-hwi was genuinely troubled.
In truth, encountering the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon and beheading him was not something he had intended at all.
Still, he thought that by roughly coordinating stories and passing the credit to the White Wolf Unit, there wouldn't be any problems.
It would also give the White Wolf Unit a reason to have their probation lifted.
Though it was too great an achievement for just that reason.
But he hadn't thought at all that Paeng Seo-yeon would worry this much just from the fact that he had encountered the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon.
'I was too insensitive.'
He felt he had been lacking in consideration for his wife.
In this situation, he seriously wondered if he should really step down from the White Wolf Unit commander position.
Just when he was starting to build some camaraderie and find it interesting.
Well, it couldn't be helped.
His wife and Yul were more important to him than anything.
So just as he was about to answer that he understood,
"I know. I know you can't just quit carelessly now."
Paeng Seo-yeon sighed deeply as she spoke.
Her heart had softened a bit since he at least pretended to consider it.
"No. If that's what you want, I'll quit even tomorrow."
"Tch, you say that so well."
"I mean it though?"
"It's fine."
Though she pouted her lips, she could tell.
For some unknown reason, he wanted to continue with the White Wolf Unit's work.
The fact that her husband had found something he wanted to do here in the Peng Family was fortunate in its own way.
"Then promise me a few things instead."
"Promises?"
As Yeo Un-hwi tilted his head quizzically, Paeng Seo-yeon soon opened her mouth.