Chapter 151
“We’re almost there. Everyone, start getting ready.”
“Hmph. I suppose so.”
A group of merchants was making its way through a large mountain pass.
This was one of the fastest routes leading to Hebei.
But when one of them spoke, the other merchants sighed deeply and pulled something out from their robes.
It was a money pouch.
They were preparing the tribute they would soon have to give to the Mountain Bandits.
“Hmph. What a wretched business this is.”
“You can say that again. Having to pay those rotten scoundrels just makes my blood boil!”
Naturally, sighs escaped the merchants' lips; there was no joy in paying tribute.
At this, the eldest man among them startled and warned them.
“Hush now. Watch your tongues, all of you. What if they hear? Didn't we have a big incident last time? Do you want to suffer such a terrible fate again?”
The Mountain Bandits guarding this road were truly ruthless individuals.
The previous Mountain Bandits at least had some sense, knew where to draw the line, and were somewhat amenable to reason.
But whether their leader had changed, or if the whole lot had been replaced, these current ruffians simply drew their blades first against anyone passing through.
The merchants now traversing the road had already suffered greatly at their hands once before.
When one thinks of the previous Mountain Bandits, last time they had tried to reduce the tribute, only to nearly have their throats slit and everything they owned plundered.
“But aren't the Government Offices doing anything?”
One man, who had prepared the tribute as instructed but still couldn't comprehend the situation, spoke up.
Another merchant let out a hollow laugh at the man.
“Ah, so this is your first time on this road, is it? I heard you haven't been in this business long.”
“Yes. It just happened that way.”
“I see. Then listen carefully to what I have to say.”
He offered advice to the novice with an utterly serious expression.
“The Government Offices aren't much help. They aren't now, and they probably won't be in the future either.”
“No, what do you mean—”
“It means there's no one in the Government Offices who will personally step in and handle this just because people like us report it. Most officials are either too bothered or they take bribes and turn a blind eye.”
Even the one kindly explaining couldn't stop sighing, as if frustrated by the topic.
“Let's say there is an upright and honest person who would listen to people like us. But what good is it if they're in the Government Offices? Other corrupt officials won't leave such a person alone. They'll find a way to quickly drive them out, or else they won't be able to line their own pockets anymore.”
“Hmph…”
“So what can we do? We have to work, and we have to pass this road, so we have no choice but to meekly pay the tribute. It's a truly damned reality.”
The man who had only recently started his business fell silent.
What more needed to be said?
The man who had kindly explained shook his head and continued walking.
“Anyway, we're almost there. They'll appear once we get over that hill.”
Soon, all the merchants, their faces tense, prepared to offer their tribute.
They were hoping that today would pass without any major incident.
However, no matter how much time passed, no one appeared.
What's going on?
Feeling that something was amiss, a few of the merchants left the path, pushing through the bushes to scout the surroundings.
They feared that if they carelessly ignored it and passed by, they might be caught later and harmed.
But then,
“H-Heek! C-Corpses!”
The place was filled with the corpses of Mountain Bandits.
It was truly a sea of blood.
Moreover, every single corpse was torn to shreds.
And in the most gruesome way imaginable.
“M-My heavens. W-What happened?”
Just who could have passed through this place?
They didn't know yet.
Corpses would pile up like mountains on every path they took from then on.
Someone was on a horrific bloody march.
Straight towards Hebei.
“So the Murim Alliance received the news and showed no reaction at all?”
Inside a secret chamber.
Jin So-baek frowned at his subordinate's report.
“Yes. It seems they have no intention of acting immediately.”
“This is insane!”
A furious Jin So-baek slammed his fist on the desk.
Are they truly in their right minds?
Certainly, the unclear source of the information might cause hesitation.
But then, shouldn't they at least send someone to investigate?
Yet, to not move at all means...
‘It doesn't matter if it's true or not,’ is that it? Even if the Hebei Peng Family falls to the Demonic Cult?
Jin So-baek let out a hollow laugh.
The Murim Alliance seemed even more corrupt than he had imagined.
“Damn it!”
Why is this happening?
It was no coincidence that Jin So-baek had discovered the Demonic Cult's movements.
Recently, sensing something unusual in the Demonic Cult's activities, Jin So-baek had been keeping a close watch on them.
Then, they suddenly began to move.
The Demonic Cult soon divided its forces into several groups, spreading out in different directions.
Before long, they began to show movements as if gradually converging and encircling a single location.
That place was none other than Hebei.
If only a small number had moved, he wouldn't have considered it so serious.
After all, they had always operated secretly within the Murim.
But this time was different.
Moreover, the bigger problem was that the forces they had dispatched were beyond imagination.
Four of the Ten Great Demon Stars are moving?
This astonishing fact was revealed after their movements were tracked as much as possible and their forces were analyzed through various methods.
Furthermore, Gwak Un-do, the third Young Cult Master of the Demonic Cult, who was considered the frontrunner in the succession struggle, had even stepped forward.
That was a force practically equivalent to waging war.
They had prepared very thoroughly.
Naturally, they wouldn't be going to Hebei for a pleasure trip.
They had lost the Demonic Cult's elite forces and the Black Demon Castle in Hebei in the past.
What could their objective be then?
A simple investigation? No, they clearly suspect the Hebei Peng Family.
And they had moved to definitely strike the Hebei Peng Family.
Is that not a leap in logic?
One only needs to look at their forces, the blade the Demonic Cult has drawn this time, to know.
If they had merely wanted simple pressure or intimidation, they would never have mobilized such a large force.
This wasn't for show.
They are the Demonic Cult.
And the Demonic Cult has never once sheathed a blade it's drawn without using it.
Jin So-baek was confident in his judgment.
With crisis looming, the desperate Jin So-baek racked his brain and finally thought of the Murim Alliance.
What other great power in the Orthodox Martial World could stop the Demonic Cult besides them?
Gathering all the Five Great Families would be impossible immediately.
Most importantly, there was no time.
And if even one or two of the Five Great Families were missing, the plan would already be a failure.
Involving the Five Great Families carelessly would only lead to greater damage.
Thus, the Murim Alliance was the only great power capable of checking the Demonic Cult, which was why he had urgently conveyed the information.
Jin So-baek had not expected the Murim Alliance to react this way.
“Those so-called Orthodox Faction members are truly something!”
Jin So-baek clicked his tongue and rose from his seat.
And they quickly prepared to leave.
Bae Cho-jin, one of his trusted subordinates, asked with a puzzled expression.
“Where are you going?”
“I'm going to the Hebei Peng Family.”
“What? Why there... The Demonic Cult might attack soon.”
“There's still time. And I need to tell them, personally.”
They probably don't know yet.
They should at least know what kind of situation they're in, shouldn't they?
Simply sending a letter might not convince them. So, Jin So-baek decided to go himself.
Upon his decision, Bae Cho-jin asked with a look of incomprehension.
“Why are you going to such lengths? Aren't we just supposed to sell information?”
To that, Jin So-baek replied.
“Of course. This is just... what should I say? Just a small courtesy for a valuable guest.”
Jin So-baek knew.
His answer would sound very strange.
But what could he do?
He didn't even know himself.
Even as he thought of it as an investment for the future, he was well aware that it wasn't logical or rational.
Normally, he should have washed his hands of it.
But...
Anyway, thoughts can wait!
There was no time to argue and waste precious moments now.
Jin So-baek's steps towards the Hebei Peng Family were urgent.
“Grandpa! Grandma!”
Yul had just finished at Sowol Academy and returned to the Peng Family with Peng Seo-yeon.
“Oh my. Our Yul is so spirited and pretty today. Did you have fun at the Academy?”
“Yes! It's always fun and wonderful there!”
Yul smiled with an excited expression.
Sowol Academy had now become an indispensable and precious place for Yul.
Because it was filled with everything Yul loved.
Her friends, her teachers, and even the beautiful scenery within the Academy.
After Yul returned, Yul's already cheerful face would bloom even brighter.
Of course, lately there was one thing that made Yul a little downcast: she hadn't seen her dad in a while.
Her dad hadn't returned home for longer than Yul had expected.
Yul eagerly awaited her dad's swift return.
When her dad returned, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and tell him everything, even the smallest details, about what had happened at Sowol Academy.
Then, as always, her dad would smile gently and pat Yul's head.
Just thinking about it made her happy.
Yul loved her dad that much.
Of course, she loved her grandpa and grandma too.
Hehe.
Watching Yul giggle happily after returning from the Academy, Peng Mugang and Dan Hee-young also had their faces wreathed in smiles.
She was truly a beautiful and lovable granddaughter.
Thanks to such a granddaughter, they were spending their old age in unparalleled happiness.
Peng Mugang was especially so.
Wherever he went, he couldn't stop boasting about his granddaughter, her stories never leaving his lips.
The problem, perhaps, was that scoundrels who cherished his granddaughter as if she were their own were swarming around them.
Why didn't I know such happiness before?
Then, Peng Seo-yeon's face suddenly caught his eye.
He felt truly proud and grateful for his daughter who had given birth to such a lovely granddaughter.
Yet, he had never once expressed such feelings.
Well, now he openly adored Yul for all to see, but perhaps due to the years that had passed, being affectionate with his daughter still felt awkward and embarrassing.
Then, suddenly,
...I heard you started training again?
Peng Mugang, who had been lost in thought, unexpectedly spoke to Peng Seo-yeon.
“Huh? Oh. Yes...%”,
Peng Seo-yeon trailed off, wondering if he was about to nag her again.
But then,
“Then you'll probably need someone to properly guide you soon.”
The words Peng Mugang spoke were completely unexpected.
“I don't know if I'll have the time, but tell me whenever you need me.”
As Peng Seo-yeon stared blankly, hesitating to answer, Dan Hee-young nudged her.
Dan Hee-young knew that Peng Mugang had mustered some courage.
At Peng Seo-yeon's lack of response, Peng Mugang awkwardly tried to retract his words.
“Don't you want to? Well, if you don't, I won't force you...”
“No!”
Peng Seo-yeon, understanding the situation belatedly, answered in an involuntarily loud voice.
She replied with an utterly delighted expression.
“Yes! Then I'll take you up on that.”
“Ahem. Alright. I understand.”
Peng Mugang cleared his throat nonchalantly and nodded.
But did he know?
His face was uncharacteristically flushed.
“Honestly, you too. Pfft!”
“Why are you laughing like that? What did I do?”
“Nothing! Puhahaha!”
Dan Hee-young could no longer hold back and burst into peals of laughter.
Even if others called Peng Mugang the Roaring Tiger or whatever else, in her eyes, he was simply her adorable husband.
The relationship between husband and daughter, which had seemed like it would never grow close, had just taken another step forward.
Yes. That's right. One step at a time, it'll get better.
And so, the garden of the Hebei Peng Family was filled with laughter once again today.
It was then.
“Father!”
Peng Seo-jin appeared, his voice urgent.
“What is it?”
For some reason, Peng Seo-jin'F1>s face was utterly pale.
At his son's unusual appearance, Peng Mugang's face hardened.
“It's... I think you need to come for a moment.”