Chapter 82
"All members of the former Martial Force Unit of the Peng Family have successfully completed their assigned support missions."
"Good work. Make sure to give appropriate rewards to the Martial Force Unit. Next."
"...The amount they're demanding for this transaction is excessive. However, from the Peng Family's perspective, we're in a situation where we need to quickly conclude this deal. The longer we delay, the more losses we incur. I'm not sure what to do..."
"Even if we take a loss, don't give in to their demands. If we show weakness in negotiations once, their demands will only grow more excessive over time."
"Then..."
"For now, prepare for the worst by looking into a few other potential business partners in advance. And if it comes down to it, we'll use this opportunity to switch to a new partner."
"But we've been doing business with them since the previous generation..."
"That's precisely why they're coming on so strong. However, don't you think it's about time we showed them that their thinking is mistaken? Or am I wrong?"
"No, you're right."
"Next."
In the Family Head's Hall of the Hebei Peng Family.
They were currently dealing with various matters, both big and small, concerning the Peng Family's internal and external affairs.
Some issues were mere reports, while others were problems that were ambiguous or difficult to resolve.
But as always, Peng Mugang, the Family Head of the Peng Family, showed no hesitation in handling any matter.
He was more decisive and clear than anyone else.
That's because he had his own firm standards and absolute confidence in those standards.
The people of the Peng Family trusted and followed such a Peng Mugang.
And so, today too, Peng Mugang was spending his day rather quickly as the Family Head of the Peng Family.
Just like usual.
But people didn't know.
That he had been pondering over something for the past few days.
And today, he had made up his mind.
"You know, for a very brief moment, I thought that Yeo Un-hwi might have been that masked expert who saved you."
"Pfft! Cough! ...What?"
In the Family Head's room.
Peng Seo-jin, who was enjoying tea while sitting across from Peng Mugang, spat out his drink at his father's sudden remark.
It was fortunate that he didn't spray it on his father's face, but Peng Seo-jin now wore a very surprised expression.
He figured it out? When? How?
He coughed for a moment as if he had choked, then looked at Peng Mugang with wide eyes.
Seeing his son's intense reaction, Peng Mugang nodded as if he understood.
"Of course, I know how ridiculous that thought is."
"But the scent was so similar."
"Scent?"
"Yes, the scent I caught from that masked expert and the scent coming from Yeo Un-hwi."
"Ah, I see."
He had forgotten for a moment.
That his father, Peng Mugang, possessed an extraordinary sense of smell that others couldn't even imagine.
Nevertheless, he couldn't help but think it was truly remarkable.
To be able to catch and identify someone's scent in such a brief moment and chaotic situation.
Though he was his father, it was truly awe-inspiring.
But he said he had thought that?
Does that mean he no longer thinks so? Why?
As if to answer Peng Seo-jin's questions that were suddenly crowding his mind, Peng Mugang let out a deep sigh.
"I must have been mistaken."
"Pardon?"
What was this about now?
"It's just too implausible, isn't it? If that fellow really had such martial arts skills, what reason would he have to hide them? It's not like he learned demonic arts or anything problematic."
At that time, Peng Mugang had seen and felt it.
During the brief moment when he exchanged attacks with that unidentified expert due to a misunderstanding, he sensed an extremely pure energy from his opponent.
It had a depth and purity unlike any other energy Peng Mugang had encountered in his life.
At the time, he had been too preoccupied with saving Peng Seo-jin from danger to dwell on it, but as time passed, that energy he had witnessed became more and more vivid in Peng Mugang's mind.
That's how impressive that opponent had been.
Peng Mugang was simply curious about how one could possess such energy, and what kind of martial arts that person had learned.
As his thoughts reached this point, he became even more convinced that it couldn't have been Yeo Un-hwi.
"I must be getting old. To mistake a scent like that."
Well, at the time when he was rescuing Peng Seo-jin, the area was filled with a mix of fishy smells from the nearby river and various scents from the forest.
Add to that the smell of blood rising from dozens of corpses.
No matter how keen Peng Mugang's sense of smell was, it would have been extremely difficult to accurately identify and remember one specific person's scent in such a situation.
"Anyway, what a foolish suspicion I had. It was an impossibly ridiculous suspicion. Haha. Don't you think?"
"Ahaha... Yes."
Peng Mugang let out a hollow laugh, as if he still found it absurd even now.
Watching his father, Peng Seo-jin couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh as well.
It was as if he had turned away with the answer right in front of him. But he understood.
Though his father was someone who judged people more coldly than anyone else, when it came to his sister, he wasn't so cold.
It was understandable.
Although he acted incredibly gruff and had never properly expressed his love, in truth, Peng Seo-yeon was the most precious and proud daughter to Peng Mugang.
Hence, whenever the topic of his daughter came up anywhere, Peng Mugang's mouth would curl into a smile and his shoulders would rise.
But then that daughter had fallen for some man, abandoned everything, and disappeared, only to return quietly after a long time. How could his heart not be troubled? It was natural that it wouldn't be easily resolved.
Peng Seo-jin and Dan Hee-young had managed to smooth things over with their easygoing personalities, but Peng Mugang wasn't that type of person.
If anything, he was rather stubborn.
So how unpleasant and unsatisfactory must Yeo Un-hwi appear in Peng Mugang's eyes?
No matter what good deeds he did, he would find fault, and even if he said the right things, Peng Mugang would say they were wrong.
Considering that, it was surprising that he had come so close to the truth.
"Anyway, that's that. Seo-jin."
"Yes, Father."
"I've recently made up my mind about something. Would you like to hear it?"
"Of course. By all means."
Peng Mugang grinned and spoke to Peng Seo-jin, who had nodded in response.
And upon hearing what he had to say, Peng Seo-jin's eyes widened.
"What?"
Peng Seo-yeon, who had just arrived at the Family Head's room in response to Peng Mugang's summons, asked with a surprised face.
"You want to teach Yul-i martial arts?"
Peng Mugang nodded.
"Why are you so surprised? You and Seo-jin both started learning martial arts at about Yul-i's age, so it's not that strange. And now that she's started her literary studies, wouldn't it be good to gradually start learning martial arts as well?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Peng Seo-yeon's face showed some concern.
"Yes. This mother also agrees with Yul-i learning martial arts."
Dan Hee-young, who had come to the Family Head's room with Peng Seo-yeon, chimed in.
But for some reason, Peng Mugang asked Peng Seo-yeon, who seemed hesitant:
"Is there a problem?"
"It's not so much a problem, but honestly, I'd prefer if Yul-i learned martial arts only when she really wants to."
Peng Seo-yeon wished that the education methods of the Peng Family, which she once considered natural, wouldn't be forced upon Yul-i.
If she had continued living only within the Peng Family, knowing nothing else, she might not have had such thoughts. But she had already spent a considerable amount of time outside the Peng Family, giving birth to and raising Yul-i.
During that time, her thoughts had changed a lot.
Things she used to consider natural no longer seemed so, and things she hadn't realized were precious became invaluable.
So now, Peng Seo-yeon only wished for Yul-i to grow up freely, happily, and healthily.
She intended to teach the basics but prioritize Yul-i's choices for anything beyond that.
She had no intention of forcing her daughter to become something or learn something specific.
But Peng Seo-yeon hesitated to say this, thinking her father would dislike it most of all and issue a stern rebuke.
However,
"Yes. That's right."
Unexpectedly, Peng Mugang nodded readily to Peng Seo-yeon's words.
At some point, he had begun to show a different side from the endlessly scary and oppressive father she had known.
Especially when it came to matters concerning Yul-i, he was incredibly accommodating.
Perhaps this change had begun since meeting Yul-i.
It was truly remarkable.
While Peng Seo-yeon was still surprised by Peng Mugang's unexpected response, he spoke again.
"Then let's ask Yul-i directly."
"We can call Yul-i now and ask her to decide, right?"
"I... suppose so?"
Peng Seo-yeon nodded unconsciously at Peng Mugang's words.
Soon, they called for Yul-i to come to the Family Head's room.
Yeo Un-hwi brought Yul-i.
As Yul-i entered the room with a bright face, holding her father's hand, Peng Mugang asked her.
If she wanted to learn martial arts. But it didn't end there. When Yul-i asked, "Martial arts?" in response,
"Yul-i. If you learn martial arts,"
Peng Mugang began to list the reasons why Yul-i should learn martial arts with tremendous enthusiasm.
"Haha..."
Rather than asking for her opinion, isn't this more like trying his best to persuade her?
Anyway, the sight of Peng Mugang, uncharacteristically putting his heart and soul into explaining to little Yul-i while curling and uncurling his massive fingers, was truly a spectacle.
Thanks to this, Peng Seo-yeon, Yeo Un-hwi, Dan Hee-young, and Peng Seo-jin, who were in the room, couldn't help but let out small laughs.
Regardless, Peng Mugang's explanation continued.
"Also, if your body becomes healthy, you can live happily with your family for a long time. And you'll become stronger than others."
"What's good about being stronger?"
"Then you can protect your friends."
"Wow! Really?"
"Of course! When bad people try to bully your friends, you can save them with martial arts. Isn't that wonderful?"
"If I learn martial arts, can I protect Dad and Mom too?"
"That's right."
"Then! I want to learn martial arts!"
"Oh! Really?"
Peng Mugang's face brightened.
Yul-i had agreed more readily than he expected.
He thought it would take a bit more time.
But then,
"Grandfather!"
"Yes?"
"I'll learn martial arts and protect you too!"
"M-Me?"
"Yes! I'll protect Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, Mom, and Dad, all of them!"
Yul-i smiled brightly at her grandfather.
Peng Mugang looked dazed at his granddaughter's words.
Protect him.
It was the first time he had heard such words from someone else.
Having spent his entire life always being the one to protect others, his granddaughter's words felt incredibly unfamiliar.
But whether it made sense or not, it didn't matter; he didn't dislike it.
Protect him...
"Haha. Thank you, my granddaughter."
A gentle smile had spread across Peng Mugang's face without him realizing it.
And pleasant smiles also spread across the faces of the family members watching their exchange.
And so, from the next day, Yul-i began learning martial arts from Peng Mugang.
Yul-i worked harder than expected.
With a sense of mission to quickly become strong and protect her grandfather, family, and friends.
Of course, that was still a very distant goal, but still.