Chapter 159
On the day Yeo Un-hwi headed towards the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains after his conversation with Jin So-baek, a Family Head Meeting of the Five Great Families was held early at the Peng Family.
This was because many issues remained to be discussed, including how to deal with the remaining Demonic Cultists and how to prepare for future conflicts with the Demonic Cult.
However, an unfamiliar face was present at that meeting.
It was none other than the Leader of Hao Sect, Jin So-baek.
He had come specifically at Peng Mugang's request.
Haha, Jin So-baek mused, to think that he, of all people, would ever attend a Family Head Meeting of the Five Great Families.
It truly felt like anything was possible.
Of course, this wasn't a decision made solely by Peng Mugang's discretion.
The Family Heads of the other Five Great Families had already agreed to Jin So-baek's attendance at the meeting.
Everyone knew.
Everyone knew how crucial a role Jin So-baek and the Hao Sect had played in the recent conflict with the Demonic Cult.
If not for him, they wouldn't have been able to stop the Demonic Cultists.
Therefore, no one would oppose such a person attending the meeting.
But for Jin So-baek, squeezed between the Family Heads of the Five Great Families, it was undeniably awkward and embarrassing.
Hoo-hoo, he thought, this was quite surprising.
Regardless of his inner thoughts, Jin So-baek sat there, feigning composure, and Peng Mugang inwardly admired his demeanor.
From what he had already experienced, he knew well that Jin So-baek was no ordinary man.
Yet, this man treated Yeo Un-hwi with the utmost respect, as if he were his lord, something Peng Mugang had often observed recently.
It was truly a strange phenomenon.
It was clear that this relationship was not merely built on overwhelming Martial Prowess and coercion.
Given this situation, Peng Mugang found himself increasingly astonished by the true nature of his son-in-law, Yeo Un-hwi.
As Peng Mugang was lost in thought about Yeo Un-hwi, who was not present,
Hwangbo Gyun spoke, as if urging them on.
Come, come, let's start quickly. We need to head back as soon as this meeting is over.
Impatience was evident in his voice as he tapped the table.
Because of the families assisting the Peng Family, the full strength of each family was currently deployed.
Since no one knew how the defeated Demonic Cult would move next, one couldn't help but worry about one's virtually empty family.
However, someone dispelled his worries.
If it's about the safety of your families, you don't need to worry about that.
It was Jin So-baek.
Considering the current situation, I have already secretly deployed Hao Sect branch forces to each of your families so no one would notice, of course.
Hmm? Is that true?
Also, it seems the Demonic Cult is unaware of this situation, as there have been no unusual movements from their side. If any suspicious activity is observed later, I will inform you immediately.
Oh, I see!
I should have informed you before proceeding, but it seemed like something that needed to be handled quickly, so I took the liberty. My apologies.
Haha. No, no!
Indeed. On the contrary, we are grateful!
Only then did a faint sense of relief appear on the Family Heads' faces.
*My, he handles things so perfectly,* they thought.
Indeed, there was a reason he became the Leader of Hao Sect at such a young age.
Hwangbo Gyun, seemingly quite pleased with Jin So-baek, laughed heartily and said,
My, my, young man! You are truly an outstanding talent! Have you ever considered working for our family?
Pardon? I am the Leader of Hao Sect.
Even better! Would you consider leading the Hao Sect and joining our family?
*...What an original idea.*
Jin So-baek wore a dumbfounded expression.
Then, the peculiar gazes of the others turned towards Hwangbo Gyun.
Even Tang Jinwoo subtly waved his hand at Jin So-baek, clearly signaling, "Don't answer that nonsense; just ignore it."
Following that advice, Jin So-baek simply chuckled.
No, why are you just laughing? I'm serious...!
Enough with the nonsense. Let's get to the main point.
It was Tang Jinwoo.
Hwangbo Gyun's silent protest against Tang Jinwoo, who had abruptly cut him off, was soon suppressed by the other Family Heads.
But before that, there's something I'm curious about. And I'm sure everyone else is thinking the same thing.
Everyone immediately understood what Tang Jinwoo was about to say.
It was something they had been curious about since entering this room. No, it had been ever since they witnessed that sight yesterday.
All the Family Heads' gazes turned towards Peng Mugang.
"Hmm."
He had expected such a question.
It was only natural.
After all, they had witnessed something so incredible with their own eyes.
*If anything, they've been remarkably patient until now,* he thought.
Sure enough, Namgung Hwan spoke this time.
Didn't you say your son-in-law was a Scholar who knew nothing of Martial Arts?
I did.
Then what exactly was that Martial Prowess?
The Family Heads of the Five Great Families, including Namgung Hwan, were individuals who had strived their entire lives to become strong.
In fact, some of them were currently listed among the Ten Great Masters, and some even aimed to become one of the Twelve Venerables.
Thus, they could tell how immense and utterly unbelievable Yeo Un-hwi's Martial Prowess was.
Normally, they wouldn't pry so deeply into another's Martial Arts. Nor were they the type to do so.
After all, everyone had immense pride in their family's Martial Arts.
But when it came to Yeo Un-hwi, it was different.
They wanted to know.
They wanted to know how he had reached such a supreme realm at such a young age, and what kind of Martial Arts could make him so powerful.
Peng Mugang paused for a moment.
He, too, was deliberating how much to reveal.
Having finished his deliberation, he finally spoke.
It's not a particularly complicated story. To tell you exactly what I heard, long ago he apparently gained a Fortuitous Encounter.
A Fortuitous Encounter?
What kind of Fortuitous Encounter could that be? Who exactly left behind such a Fortuitous Encounter?
Just then,
The Martial God.
The Family Head of the Jegal Clan, Heavenly Brain Jegal Sung, spoke.
The one who left that Fortuitous Encounter was the Martial God, wasn't he?
How did you know?
Our Jegal Clan possesses many ancient records. Of course, there were also records left by those who personally witnessed the Martial God's Martial Arts long ago.
*As expected of the Jegal Clan.*
The fact that such detailed records were kept, and that he had read and mastered all of them, was simply astonishing.
The records state that a Golden Dragon descended from the heavens and incinerated all Demonic Force in the world. That's exactly what we witnessed.
A brief silence fell over the room.
Then Peng Mugang let out a deep sigh, and nodded.
Yes. To be frank, my son-in-law is indeed the successor of the Martial God.
Everyone's eyes trembled.
*The Successor of the Martial God?*
That meant the Successor of the Martial God had appeared in the current era.
That's... quite extraordinary.
Indeed. It is.
But despite nodding and agreeing, Peng Mugang's face wasn't particularly bright.
Hwangbo Gyun was the first to notice his expression.
Hwangbo Gyun, who had been quietly observing Peng Mugang's mood, spoke up.
You don't look well. What's wrong? Are you worried?
At Hwangbo Gyun's question, the other Family Heads' gazes turned to Hwangbo Gyun, and then to Peng Mugang.
Peng Mugang, who had been silent for a moment, belatedly nodded quietly.
Indeed. It's none other than the Martial God's Martial Arts. If that fact becomes known in the Murim...
His words trailed off, but they didn't need to hear the rest to understand.
The Murim operated on the logic of power.
If it became known that the Successor of the Martial God had appeared, Yeo Un-hwi would, whether he liked it or not, find himself at the very center of the Murim's currents.
And many would target him.
Be it his martial arts or his life.
Clearly, what lay before Yeo Un-hwi, now possessing immense power, was no path of flowers.
A perilous destiny awaited him.
Realizing what Peng Mugang was worried about, the Family Heads each nodded slightly.
It was certainly something to worry about.
Even if just a Secret Manual of someone once known as the Zenith appeared, the Murim would erupt in bloodshed and the stench of gore.
But there was also a saying among the people:
Worry is only for when there's no visible solution.
Hmm, Hwangbo Gyun, who had been tapping his temple, suddenly spoke.
Listen here. Honestly, I don't think I could win if I fought your son-in-law.
Peng Mugang looked at Hwangbo Gyun with a disdainful gaze.
What kind of sudden remark was that in this situation?
Hwangbo Gyun clicked his tongue at Peng Mugang's gaze, thinking, *Tsk, this man, so lacking in comprehension,* and continued.
I, Hwangbo Gyun, am not afraid of anything in the Murim that tries to stop me. Because I am strong! Who dares to block my path? Whatever tries to stop me, I will effortlessly sweep it away.
Yes. I suppose so.
Hwangbo Gyun was certainly strong enough to make such bold claims and possess such confidence.
But then, how much more so for your son-in-law!
Peng Mugang's eyes widened.
He understood what Hwangbo Gyun was trying to say.
No matter what happens, your son-in-law will be perfectly fine. In fact, from what I saw, it looked as if the Martial God had half-Manifested himself.
Haha. That's certainly true.
I think so too.
Everyone nodded at Hwangbo Gyun's words.
Ha, Peng Mugang ultimately let out a hollow laugh.
He usually seems like such a fool, but sometimes he's surprisingly sharp.
Your son-in-law is strong. At least he won't be getting beaten up anywhere, will he? So don't worry too much. Instead, just guide him well so he doesn't stray down a bad path. Though, from what I've seen so far, he already seems like an upright fellow.
That's true.
Instead of worrying about your son-in-law, you should focus on protecting your other family members. If they can't target your son-in-law, they'll surely target his family.
That's also true.
Peng Mugang had, in fact, been seriously contemplating that very issue.
He resolved.
The aim was to no longer be the fiercest and most formidable, but the one who protected best.
Speaking of which, why isn't your son-in-law with us today? I wanted to see his face.
I tried to bring him, but he's been nowhere to be seen since morning.
With the White Wolf Unit not yet returned, he hadn't gone for training either.
Hmm? He left without saying anything?
At the sudden interjection, the Family Heads' gazes turned to Jin So-baek.
For some reason, Jin So-baek seemed to know where Yeo Un-hwi had gone.
Do you happen to know?
Pardon? Ah, well... he did say he had to go somewhere urgently, but as for where...
Jin So-baek's voice trailed off.
Then Peng Mugang asked again.
Where?
He just said it was an urgent matter.
Are you certain?
Y-yes, of course. Ahahaha...
Peng Mugang asked again, suspiciously, but Jin So-baek quickly nodded.
Come to think of it, Yeo Un-hwi left without saying anything, so I probably shouldn't say anything either.
Besides, how could I possibly say, “Actually! Your son-in-law went to smash the Demonic Cult that picked a fight!”
Ahahahaha.
In the end, Jin So-baek chose to laugh it off again.
Just laugh. In times like these, you just laugh it off. Hahahaha...
*Meanwhile, at that very moment.*
*RUMBLE!* A streak of golden Divine Form shot forth towards the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Wherever he passed, the Thunder Sound echoed.