Chapter 86
This is the bustling imperial city of Beijing, crowded with countless people.
Just now, a man with a bold and unrestrained appearance was coming out of a building.
Soon, he joined those waiting for him.
This group, consisting of two men and one woman, all possessed outstanding looks.
So much so that a hundred out of a hundred passersby would turn to look back at them.
But even setting aside their appearances, there was something extraordinary emanating from them.
"Did it go well?"
"Yeah. I don't know why Father insists on sending me on such errands. He could have sent someone else."
The man who had just returned from his errand grumbled with a voice full of complaints.
He had good reason to.
The distance from where he lived to Beijing was truly far.
Because of that, he had even ended up bringing along a friend he hadn't seen in a long time.
Fortunately, his friend had no pressing matters and willingly accompanied him.
The man's face had flushed red for no reason earlier.
Anyway, the root of all this trouble was his father who had sent him on this errand.
Really, what could he have been thinking?
Seeing the man still grumbling even after completing the errand, one of his companions burst into laughter.
"I'm sure he meant for you to broaden your horizons while you're at it."
"No way. He clearly just enjoys seeing me suffer."
Despite his friend's attempt to soothe him, the man firmly shook his head, as if such a thing was impossible.
"Come on, surely not. You're being ridiculous! Haha!"
"Our father really loves to play pranks. You know that too."
"Hmm. Well, I suppose he does have that side to him."
The man nodded as if his friend's words made sense.
In fact, just thinking about all the pranks his friend's father had pulled in the past was enough to make one shudder.
He took back his words about broadening horizons.
There was a high possibility that this was just another prank to see how they would react to being sent on a distant errand.
At that moment, the sole woman in the group spoke up.
She was a beautiful woman with fierce, sharp eyes.
"So, what are we going to do now?"
"Well, what should we do?"
"If you don't have any specific plans, why don't we enjoy ourselves a bit more in Beijing since we've come all this way?"
"Ah! What is there to enjoy in Beijing? We'll probably just end up drinking and fooling around."
"Well, I suppose that's true."
"Why? I want to have more fun in Beijing."
"Hey, why did you even come all the way here?"
"What? You think I came because I like you?"
"Then who did you come for?"
When the man said this, the woman made an extremely fierce face, causing the man who had teased her to laugh heartily.
"Anyway, what are we really going to do now?"
"Let's eat something first. We haven't had a proper meal today."
"Alright, let's decide what to do over a meal."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Soon, they headed towards a reputable inn in Beijing.
After finding suitable seats, a waiter quickly came to take their order.
"Four servings of noodles, one fish-flavored pork, and one braised pork belly."
"Would you like any alcohol?"
"Then add a bottle of bamboo leaf green wine."
"Yes, understood."
The food arrived quickly after ordering.
As expected of a famous inn in a big city, the food was quite delicious.
It seemed that this level of taste was the bare minimum to survive in such a place.
Occasionally, there are such places.
Brave souls who manage to run inns despite serving terribly tasteless food.
No matter how hunger is said to be the best sauce, such places become harder to forgive the hungrier one gets.
Anyway, fortunately, the place they found had excellent food, allowing them to eat enthusiastically.
"Whew! I'm full."
"We must come here again next time. The braised pork belly was truly exquisite."
"That's right. The noodles were clean and delicious, and the fish-flavored pork was also great. Excellent."
They all wore extremely satisfied expressions.
Except for one person.
"Hmph... We should have eaten somewhere with a better view. What is this? I was expecting to dine and drink in a place with a nice atmosphere. How annoying."
Why complain now? Especially after eating with such gusto.
It seemed that complaining was a habit for this woman.
"That's enough."
One of the men frowned and spoke up, unable to bear it any longer.
"Why do you always have to make the atmosphere so unpleasant? Huh?"
"Did I say anything wrong?"
When one of the men snapped back as if he had endured enough, the woman retorted without backing down.
"Hey, stop it, both of you."
Another man stepped in to mediate between the quarreling companions.
"Why are you making such a big deal out of this? It happens sometimes."
"It's because you always indulge her that she acts like this."
"Alright, alright. Let's not ruin our meal. I'll treat you to a meal with a nice view next time. How's that? Will that satisfy everyone?"
"Okay."
"Oh, come on! Satisfied my foot! I'm going to order a ton next time, so be prepared."
"Yes, yes. Do as you please."
Fortunately, the argument fizzled out like that.
Now that they had finished their meal and still had plenty of time left, it was time to consider what to do next.
But nothing particularly appealing came to mind.
It was then.
"Two servings of noodles and one bamboo leaf green wine, please."
A new customer had just taken a seat next to them.
"Isn't it really amazing?"
But as soon as they sat down, one of them brought up a topic out of the blue.
Puzzled by this sudden question, his companion tilted his head and asked back.
"What are you talking about?"
"The White Wolf Unit."
"Ah, you mean the one from the Hebei Peng Family?"
At the mention of the Hebei Peng Family, the bodies of those who had been pondering what to do next all flinched simultaneously.
Regardless, the group that had just started chatting began to converse enthusiastically.
"Yes. Recently, they beheaded that cruel Extreme Evil Laughing Demon, and they've been doing a lot of good deeds like subjugating bandits and such."
"Well, the Hebei Peng Family has always done a lot of good deeds."
"That's right! That's why they're experiencing a lot of good fortune lately. Heaven must be rewarding them."
"Hmm? Good fortune?"
"Haven't you heard? The Peng Family's eldest daughter has returned. It's been quite a while since that news."
"Ah, you mean one of the Six Dragons and Four Phoenixes?"
"That's old news now. They're called the Six Dragons and Three Phoenixes these days. Anyway, the Peng Family is receiving a lot of praise lately! It's good to hear!"
"That's right. It's good to know such a place exists. Don't you think? I wish other places would learn from them."
"Exactly! Haha!"
They didn't realize.
From the moment they entered the inn and sat down to start their conversation, the group at the next table had been quietly listening without saying a word.
To be fair, they hadn't intentionally tried to eavesdrop, but what could they do when the conversation from the next table was so audible?
Soon, the men exchanged glances and then grinned.
"Shall we go? It's not that far from here."
"Sounds like a good idea."
"Haha. I completely forgot about the news of that guy's return. Haha."
"It's okay. You've always had a bad memory. I understand."
"What?"
"Now, now. Let's send a message ahead. They might be surprised if we show up suddenly."
Everyone nodded.
It was the moment their next destination was decided.
Except for one who frowned with displeasure.
Phew.
A woman of unparalleled beauty was practicing martial arts alone under a large tree where a cool breeze was blowing.
She was Peng Seo-yeon, once known as one of the Six Dragons and Four Phoenixes, a genius among geniuses.
Recently, she had started practicing martial arts in her spare time.
Soon, the wind swirled around her.
Fallen flower petals rose and danced in the air, creating a scene as beautiful as a painting.
"Wow! Amazing!"
Yul-i, who had been watching her mother's practice from a distance, widened her eyes in amazement.
'Hmm. This isn't right. It's not enough.'
But unlike Yul-i, whose eyes were sparkling, Peng Seo-yeon's face seemed full of concern for some reason.
Perhaps because she hadn't practiced for so long, her entire body felt stiff and rigid.
Movements that used to come easily now felt awkward and clumsy.
She had expected this, but it still felt quite bitter.
However.
What was strange was that recently, her physical condition had actually improved compared to before.
Despite not doing anything in particular.
The slight cough she used to have had disappeared, and various minor ailments she used to suffer from had all vanished.
When did it start?
She thought it might be because she was eating well and sleeping in a good environment since returning to the Peng Family, but somehow it felt like it had started even before that.
Perhaps around the time she decided to leave Sodam Village and return to the Peng Family?
What had happened then?
But no matter how much she thought about it, nothing specific came to mind.
As she stood there lost in thought, Peng Seo-yeon heard the sound of small applause.
"Mom! You're amazing!"
It was Yul-i.
Seeing her daughter clapping and jumping with joy, Peng Seo-yeon smiled gently.
Hearing her daughter's praise made her feel a bit better.
Just then,
"Haha."
Another person appeared, clapping.
It was Peng Seo-jin.
"Uncle!"
Upon seeing Peng Seo-jin, Yul-i ran over and jumped into his arms.
"Our Yul-i, did you enjoy watching your mom practice?"
"Yes. My mom is so cool!"
"Haha. Uncle thinks so too."
Peng Seo-jin, carrying Yul-i, approached his sister with a smile.
"You're still as impressive as ever, Sister."
"Hardly. If anything, I've regressed."
Peng Seo-yeon shook her head at her brother's words.
For some reason, her expression was quite serious.
Peng Seo-jin was glad to see this side of his sister.
It had been a very long time.
Seeing Peng Seo-yeon show such seriousness about martial arts.
It reminded him of the times long ago when they used to practice together frequently.
Such nostalgic memories.
But judging by her appearance, Peng Seo-yeon didn't seem to be in a good mood.
He could guess why.
She must have neglected her martial arts for a long time.
And now that she was trying to start again, how frustrating it must be.
She must feel annoyed, upset, and irritated.
But Peng Seo-jin believed in his sister.
Peng Seo-yeon was the type of person who would persevere through such difficulties and ultimately achieve her goals.
Surely, she would do well this time too.
"By the way, what brings you here?"
Peng Seo-yeon was curious about why Peng Seo-jin had come at this time, when he should be quite busy with various matters.
"Ah, actually, I have something to deliver to you, Sister."
He put Yul-i down and took something out from his breast pocket.
"A message that just arrived at our Peng Family."
"Hm?"
Peng Seo-jin handed the message to Peng Seo-yeon.
As soon as she received it and unfolded the letter, Peng Seo-yeon's face showed surprise.
"This is?"
"Yes. Those guys say they're coming to see you."
At Peng Seo-jin's words, Peng Seo-yeon broke into a gentle smile.
It was a message from her old friends.