Chapter 123
"The ninth Seed of Ruin has been completed."
It was in a vast Grand Hall with an open sky above.
*Inside, a man was bowing his head to someone.*
Small candles were placed throughout the hall.
In the flickering red flames, the interior of the hall was faintly visible.
There were a massive throne at the highest point and six smaller seats below it.
The man continued to report to the one seated in the only occupied smaller seat.
Was it an illusion?
The man's voice sounded like the unidentified voice that had echoed in Tang Guhwi's mind just before he became crippled.
"This seed, unlike the others, won't take long to bloom. We might even be able to see the third stage, Full Bloom."
"Is this a suitable person?"
"That... is not."
"Then it's just one of the countless seeds scattered on the ground."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. Still, the energy of Full Bloom isn't bad. Make sure to retrieve it properly."
"Yes, understood."
"Hmm."
The one seated on the smaller throne slowly stood up.
And he slowly raised his head to look at the sky.
The black night sky was full of stars.
"The flow of the heavens has greatly changed."
A subtle, indescribable expression crossed his previously expressionless face.
"Because of this, our plans have been accelerated by decades."
But that subtlety soon turned into ecstasy.
"However, this means that soon “The Master” will be reborn in a new body."
"Oh, f-finally!"
The man who had been reporting trembled as if overcome with emotion.
"Until that day, scatter more Seeds of Ruin. Until we secure a suitable body, a compatible one."
"Yes! I will do as you command."
The one who had been looking up at the sky sat back down on the throne.
His eyes glowed an eerily bright blue.
"In this era without Heavenly Martial Power, we will finally achieve all of our goals."
"Hmm."
\*\*\*
The news of Tang Guhwi had not yet reached the Peng Family.
For some reason, Yul-i wore an extremely troubled expression.
It was a rare occasion when everyone was able to dine together.
Peng Mugang and Peng Seo-jin had returned from their long journey to the Five Great Families gathering, and the head of the Hwangbo Clan, Hwangbo Gyun, had also paid a visit to the Peng Family, so Dan Hee-young had suggested this meal.
The delicious food and pleasant atmosphere were all good.
If only it were for the three grandfathers trying to get Yul-i's attention.
"Yul-i. Come here, here. Here."
"Yul-i, Your real grandfather has come after so long, so let's eat together."
"Ahem. All things considered, the eldest grandfather should take precedence. Come, sit next to me."
"Uung..."
And so, Yul-i was extremely troubled by the three grandfathers trying to get her to sit next to them.
"All of you, stop that and eat. You're troubling Yul-i."
Finally, Peng Seo-yeon intervened, and the three grandfathers reluctantly began to eat properly, smacking their lips in dissatisfaction.
In the end, Yul-i sat between Peng Seo-yeon and Yeo Un-hwi as always, enjoying her meal happily.
But just because Peng Seo-yeon had said something, it didn't mean the “battle for granddaughter's love” would end so easily.
Whenever Yul-i wasn't at Sowol Academy or eating and sleeping separately, people constantly sought her out.
"Now, Yul-i. Shall we fly high with grandfather today?"
As Peng Mugang pulled out his trump card and tried to take Yul-i far away, Hwangbo Gyun snorted and quickly blocked his path.
"Hey, if I remember correctly, I was always a bit better at lightfoot skills since our younger days. Hand Yul-i over quietly. I'll let her experience what true lightfoot skill is. Yul-i deserves the best experience. Yes, indeed!"
At that, Peng Mugang snorted.
"Hah, what nonsense. You were never better than me at anything except Fist Art since our youth! How dare you lie! In front of my granddaughter!"
"Your granddaughter? Yul-i is our granddaughter! She already calls me Big Grandfather."
"Why are you the Big Grandfather?"
"Because I'm two years older than you? Come to think of it, why don't you call me Big Brother?"
"What nonsense. We've known each other for how many years, and now you want me to call you Big Brother in our old age?"
"The older we get, the more we should observe such courtesies, little brother."
"If you don't want to get kicked in the behind by your little brother and sent packing, shut that mouth."
"Tsk. What an ill-mannered tiger."
"What? You old bear."
It was truly a childish argument that was impossible to listen to.
While Peng Mugang was bickering uselessly with Hwangbo Gyun, Gu Wang-pyo quietly picked up Yul-i and smiled.
"Yul-i, instead of those fierce and scary grandfathers, let's play with this grandfather. Haha."
"You there! Elder Gu, where are you trying to pull a fast one? Isn't the White Martial Squad training today?"
"Oh, the unit commander is taking care of all that. Haha."
"This won't do. I'll have to send the White Martial Squad somewhere far away where help is needed for a while."
"Ahem. I'm not feeling well, so I'll send the unit commander for that task."
"My, my. There's no elder who disobeys the Family Head like you do."
"Haha. How could that be? What hurtful words."
Anyway, amidst the grandfathers' chaotic competition, Yul-i could only wear a blank expression.
Even without such competition, Yul-i liked all her grandfathers.
Well, she liked Peng Mugang the most among them.
But Yul-i was a good child who didn't say that out loud, fearing it might hurt the other grandfathers' feelings.
Just then, Peng Seo-yeon, who had discovered them bickering over Yul-i in the garden, came running.
How many days had this been going on?
They were truly grandfathers who wouldn't listen.
"Are you all really going to keep this up?"
It seemed a proper intervention was needed now.
First, Peng Seo-yeon's gaze turned to Gu Wang-pyo.
Gu Wang-pyo flinched at her look.
"Elder Gu! Stop bringing gift bundles now. Yul-i will be spoiled. It should only be occasional."
"Alright... I understand."
At those words, Gu Wang-pyo's face fell.
"Tsk. So that's what it was. Yul-i's heart was swayed by that. How can a person be so materialistic?"
"Indeed."
Peng Mugang and Hwangbo Gyun clicked their tongues at Gu Wang-pyo, who was being scolded.
But soon, Peng Seo-yeon's next scolding was directed.
"And Hwangbo Family Head."
"Huh? M-me?"
Hwangbo Gyun stuttered unusually.
Peng Seo-yeon continued without hesitation.
"Yes! You should stop buying Yul-i so many sweets too! She eats too many sweets and doesn't want to eat her meals. Too much snacking is bad for her health."
"I-I see."
"Tsk tsk, they are not even thinking about the child's health. Have I been with people who don't know moderation all this time?"
Peng Mugang snickered gleefully at the dejected Hwangbo Gyun.
But Peng Seo-yeon-yeon-yeon-yeon's scolding wasn't over yet.
"And Father."
"Me? No, why..."
"Please fly in moderation. I don't know if she's enjoying it or scared, but lately she's been wetting the bed every night."
"...A-Alright. I understand. I'm s-sorry."
And so, following Gu Wang-pyo and Hwangbo Gyun, even Peng Mugang wore a dejected expression.
This would have been unimaginable with the Peng Seo-yeon of the past.
But when it came to matters related to Yul-i, she had no hesitation in speaking her mind, whether it was to the head of one of the Five Great Families or the Murim Alliance Leader himself.
Mothers were strong.
"You all understand, right? You must remember what I just said."
They all nodded reluctantly, but their faces still said, “But this is all for Yul-i.” Seeing this, Peng Seo-yeon let out a deep sigh and said:
"That's not all there is to doing things for Yul-i. You need to teach her that she can be happy with small things too. She's really getting spoiled. I'm telling you. Would you all be happy if Yul-i's personality became bad?"
At those words, the three grandfathers briefly imagined “Yul-i with a sulky face, grumbling and being ill-mannered.”
Well, that might be cute in its own way. But they thought the current Yul-i was more lovable.
However, even after Peng Seo-yeon said this, the three grandfathers still couldn't quite grasp what small things they could do to make Yul-i happy.
It was then.
"Ah. Here you all are."
It was Yeo Un-hwi, who had just finished training with the White Wolf Unit.
On his way back, he spotted Peng Seo-yeon, Yul-i, and the three grandfathers gathered in the garden and approached.
"Daddy!"
"Haha. Did you have fun playing with your grandfathers?"
"Yes! It was fun!"
After briefly greeting the three grandfathers, including Peng Mugang, Yeo Un-hwi easily picked up Yul-i.
Soon, Peng Seo-yeon asked with a bright smile.
"Did the training go well?"
"Well, same as always. I don't do much. Here you go."
"Oh? What's this?"
What Yeo Un-hwi-hwi-hwi-hwi held out was two flowers.
"I picked them on the way because they were pretty. Here, one for Yul-i too."
"Ah! Flowers!"
Sometimes when Yeo Un-hwi brought flowers, Peng Seo-yeon would put them in a vase.
Whether the flower was small or large, it contained Yeo Un-hwi's heart, so the faces of Yul-i and Peng Seo-yeon who received the flowers brightened radiantly.
Seeing this, the grandfathers scratched their heads.
It was a feeling of almost understanding, but not quite.
But if they were so happy with small flowers being picked and given, the grandfathers wondered if they should uproot a magnificent tree.
How had they all courted in their youth?
It seemed they were still far from understanding the happiness found in small things.
Then, suddenly, as he watched the lovable, smiling Yul-i, Hwangbo Gyun made a surprised face.
"By the way, it's amazing the more I look. How could such a lovely granddaughter be born from that fierce tiger-like Peng Family Head?"
"Indeed. Haha."
Elder Gu Wang-pyo agreed with Hwangbo Gyun's words.
It was hard to tell if it was a compliment or an insult.
Peng Mugang narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"Well, Seo-yeon and Seo-jin are like that too. It's fortunate they take after their mother's side."
The two old men chuckled to themselves, muttering regardless of Peng Mugang's glaring at them.
Had those two always been this close?
He had thought they were on rather cold terms.
Peng Mugang felt even more tired as Hwangbo Gyun and Gu Wang-pyo became unnecessarily friendly.
"That's right. I've decided. I'll take Yul-i as my grandson's bride."
At Hwangbo Gyun's sudden nonsense, Peng Mugang snorted.
"You're talking about a grandson's bride. Don't you even have your son married yet, let alone grandchildren?"
"My, the maternal grandfather should stay quiet. For things like this, we need to ask the paternal grandfather's opinion too. Let's see. You, perhaps..."
Hwangbo Gyun's gaze soon turned to Yeo Un-hwi.
Yeo Un-hwi replied awkwardly.
"Ah, my parents all passed away when I was young."
"...A-ahem. I'm sorry."
"It's all right."
It was already an old story.
But for some reason, Hwangbo Gyun felt like he had unintentionally touched upon something he shouldn't have, and cleared his throat for a moment.
Then, as if he had suddenly had a good idea, he said.
"Ah, then this will do. I'll become your father."
"Pardon?"
"Then I'll become Yul-i's paternal grandfather, right?"
At these nonsensical words, Yeo Un-hwi wore a dumbfounded expression, which was rare for him.
Regardless, Hwangbo Gyun glanced at Peng Mugang and said with a shameless face.
"In-law, I look forward to our future relationship."
Was this man truly insane?
It was a thought Peng Mugang often had when he saw Hwangbo Gyun joking, but today was the worst of all.
At this point, he became curious about the state of the Hwangbo Clan, which he had never been interested in before.
Was it really running smoothly?
Even Gu Wang-pyo-pyo-pyo-pyo, finding it absurd, didn't play along with this joke and let out a hollow laugh.
His face said he wished someone would stop this madman.
"Sigh, please stop saying such strange things now."
Peng Seo-yeon stepped in at the right moment.
Then, as if to confirm once more, Peng Seo-yeon firmly said to the three grandfathers.
"Let me say this one last time. From now on, please don't give Yul-i excessive gifts like you have been. Understood?"
"But! Still..."
"What do you mean, “but still”?"
When the three grandfathers reacted simultaneously, Peng Seo-yeon furrowed her brow, making them all flinch.
To think such a day would come when even the family heads of the Five Great Families would flinch from a gaze.
"If you keep doing this, what are you going to do on Yul-i's birthday? Hm?"
"Huh?"
"What did you say?"
For a moment, the three grandfathers tilted their heads.
Peng Seo-yeon replied as if they should have known.
"Yes. Yul-i's birthday is coming up soon."
At those words, the eyes of the three grandfathers, especially Peng Mugang's, widened dramatically.