Chapter 171
“An alliance.”
Silence fell within the Family Head's Hall for a moment after Yeo Un-hwi’s proposal.
It was such an abrupt suggestion that everyone wore surprised expressions.
This was true for the Family Heads of the Five Great Families, and equally so for their Successors.
Nevertheless, Yeo Un-hwi continued his explanation without hesitation.
“We have just fought a major battle against the Demonic Cult. The fact that the Five Great Families emerged victorious from this battle is now becoming known. If that happens, most people, rather than wondering about the inside story of how the Five Great Families managed to repel the immense power of the Demonic Cult, will be greatly shocked by the mere fact that the Five Great Families possess such formidable strength.”
Of course, many would praise and revere the Five Great Families for their victory against the Demonic Cult.
However, those who had long held power from their lofty positions were different.
They would surely view the Five Great Families, who accomplished something even the Murim Alliance couldn't easily do, as a thorn in their side, and would try to curb their power through various means of suppression.
Therefore, they needed allies to weather and overcome the winds of a new era that would surely arise.
Even more so, to confront the unknown enemies known as “Black Darkness,” whose true nature had not yet been fully revealed!
In that sense, those who rushed to the aid of the Peng Family without hesitation when they faced an unparalleled crisis were truly the most suitable partners.
From the perspective of the Family Heads, Yeo Un-hwi's abrupt proposal might have seemed presumptuous,
but fortunately, no one took it that way.
The existence of Yeo Un-hwi had already transcended his roles as the Peng Family's Son-in-law and the Commander of the White Wolf Unit; he was the Successor of the Martial God who had saved them from an existential crisis. No, he was practically the Martial God of this era.
The weight of his words was by no means light.
“Yes. I understand what you mean.”
“An alliance. An interesting proposal, indeed.”
However, the other Family Heads of the Five Great Families had slightly different thoughts.
An alliance to stand against those who threaten the Five Great Families.
*Is that truly the case?*
Though Yeo Un-hwi hadn't explicitly stated it, the Family Heads felt they understood his true intentions behind proposing this alliance of the Five Great Families.
In truth, the Peng Family doesn't particularly need such an alliance at present.
The existence of Yeo Un-hwi is with just one person.
What is there to worry about when an absolute Martial God, whom the world cannot defeat, stands here?
Therefore, as long as he didn't leave his post again like last time, the Peng Family would be unshaken.
Even the Demonic Heavenly Cult, which Under Heaven feared, was defeated by him alone, wasn't it?
Their thought was that Yeo Un-hwi bringing up the alliance was clearly more a gesture of gratitude and repayment to those who had helped the Peng Family than a matter of necessity.
From their perspective, the Martial God himself had extended a hand to offer help.
*Such generosity of spirit.*
The Family Heads were not foolish enough to refuse such an offer out of mere clumsy pride.
In truth, this conversation felt somewhat novel.
The relationship between the Five Great Families had long been strong, the families having held meetings generation after generation.
Nevertheless, it now seemed right to reveal that relationship to the entire Central Plains and form an alliance.
Only then would everyone be cautious, understanding that to touch anyone belonging to this alliance would be to touch the entire alliance.
“The Namgung Family will gladly accept that proposal.”
“The Hwangbo Clan as well. No, rather, it’s welcome news. Haha.”
“The Tang Clan will also join.”
“Our Jegal Clan also agrees.”
Starting with Namgung Hwan, the Family Heads of all the clans accepted Yeo Un-hwi's proposal.
“Then, what should we name it?”
“How about the Great Heaven Alliance?”
Everyone nodded at Heavenly Brain Jegal Sung's words.
A peaceful world under heaven. Good.
Everyone seemed quite pleased with it.
The Great Heaven Alliance. Yeo Un-hwi also found the name agreeable.
“Alright, since the name has been decided, let’s set a date later to finalize the detailed rules and other matters.”
They also decided to set a future date for the inauguration ceremony of the Great Heaven Alliance.
The inauguration ceremony needed to be as grand as possible.
So that everyone could witness the birth of the Great Heaven Alliance.
However, they had been away from their respective families for a long time, and to prepare for the Great Heaven Alliance's inauguration, they decided to set a date for the next meeting and temporarily return to their own clans.
On their faces, as they departed, was a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
They were returning from a perilous situation, where they had rushed to help a friend, having gained much.
*Whew.*
Soon after, the Family Heads of each clan departed from the Peng Family.
It felt as if a great commotion had just passed.
But then,
“Come see me for a moment.”
For some reason, Peng Mugang called Yeo Un-hwi aside.
Following him, Yeo Un-hwi arrived at the Family Head's Room, where Peng Seo-jin was already waiting.
However, Peng Mugang's expression was peculiar.
He seemed to be in a complicated mood.
*Hahaha, this is truly maddening.*
Peng Mugang, who had been quieter than usual throughout the meeting, was actually quite conflicted internally.
*Why?*
Honestly, he was indeed happy to have such an extraordinary son-in-law.
What father-in-law in the world would dislike a son-in-law who is the Foremost Person of All Time, the Successor of the Martial God, and strong enough to single-handedly invade the Demonic Cult that threatened his family and utterly destroy it?
But that wasn't all.
Peng Mugang already knew all the circumstances and secrets of the life Yeo Un-hwi had lived.
Thus, in Peng Mugang's eyes, because he had truly opened his heart to him, Yeo Un-hwi was no longer just an annoying Son-in-law.
Peng Mugang had decided to embrace this foolish man, who loved his daughter and granddaughter more than life itself, as his own child.
But then, this same Yeo Un-hwi had suddenly gone alone, invaded the Demonic Cult, smashed everything, and returned.
While others merely marveled at his Divine Might, decisiveness, and initiative, Peng Mugang's feelings were complicated in many ways.
How to put it? Proud yet conflicted, perhaps.
Yes. This was a heart filled with worry.
A sincere concern for his son, his daughter's husband, his granddaughter's father, and his son-in-law.
However, as a Martial Artist himself, he didn't want to nag endlessly about such matters.
*Ha, it's difficult. So difficult.*
Peng Mugang, who had been scratching his head, then looked at Yeo Un-hwi.
Yeo Un-hwi still stood there with a bewildered expression.
“Ahem. I never thought I’d say something like this in my life, but...”
Peng Mugang then cleared his throat and spoke.
“Always take care of yourself.”
“Huh?”
“If you make my daughter a widow, be prepared to face my wrath. Understand?”
“Ah, yes. Father. I will keep that in mind.”
*Pfft!*
Peng Mugang was awkwardly uttering uncharacteristically gentle words, and Yeo Un-hwi was equally flustered by the unexpected words of concern and answering hesitantly.
At the sight of the two, Peng Seo-jin couldn't help but burst out laughing.
“Seo-jin, what’s so funny that you’re laughing?”
“Ah. I’m sorry. I should have held it in. *Puhahaha!*”
Ahem.
As Peng Seo-jin couldn't stop laughing, Peng Mugang let out a loud cough.
His neck was flushed red, as if he was greatly embarrassed.
At that sight, Peng Seo-jin felt inexplicably happy.
It was because she could see that her father was truly beginning to accept her Older Brother as family.
Of course, Yeo Un-hwi was a man of immense power and destiny, beyond imagination, but his family would gladly embrace him and continue to overcome challenges together.
*Whatever mission he might have, if they faced it together, what couldn't they overcome?*
She had that belief.
It was around the time the atmosphere, mixed with embarrassment and laughter, gradually calmed down.
“Ah, um. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Yeo Un-hwi spoke with a slightly awkward expression.
“Hmm? What is it?”
“This was awkward to mention when others were present, so I’m telling you now... The truth is, I somehow ended up with a title.”
“A title?”
Peng Seo-jin, along with Peng Mugang, looked at Yeo Un-hwi with puzzled expressions.
“What kind of title are you talking about?”
“Well, that is...”
After the story Yeo Un-hwi soon revealed, Peng Mugang asked again with the most astonished expression he had ever worn in his life.
“*W-w-w-w-what did you say?!*”
“O-Older Brother...?”
Peng Seo-jin, equally shocked, felt her legs give out and slumped to the floor.
“Haha, it just sort of happened.”
*How does one “just sort of happen” to acquire such a terrifying title?*
“*Heh, hehehe...*”
As Peng Mugang let out a hollow laugh as if he had lost his mind, Peng Seo-jin, slumped on the floor, with a face that looked as if her soul had departed, thought.
Just a moment ago, it felt like they could overcome anything with strong family love, but upon reflection, it seemed Yeo Un-hwi's fate was far too terrifying to navigate with just family love.
*What is happening to things now?*
*Is this really okay?*
Leaving the dazed Peng Mugang and Peng Seo-jin behind, Yeo Un-hwi exited the Family Head's Room.
He had given them space, saying they needed some time to process the unbelievable story.
Haha. Well, now.
They seemed quite surprised.
And rightly so.
As the person involved, he himself had been just as surprised.
Still, he had no intention of hiding it.
*At least not from his family, he had decided.*
“Aren’t you a bit too busy, customer?”
Someone was waiting for Yeo Un-hwi as he emerged.
It was Jin So-baek, the Leader of Hao Sect.
He had not attended today’s meeting of the Five Great Families.
It was probably because attending was a burden for him every time.
He felt self-conscious, perhaps.
So, he had been waiting for a moment to speak with Yeo Un-hwi privately.
“Just how much more do you need to surprise people before you’re satisfied?”
Jin So-baek was also a figure who had been called a genius since childhood and was the sole recipient of many Disciples' expectations as the Leader of Hao Sect.
But even for him, Yeo Un-hwi was truly an anomaly, beyond all standards.
Just when he thought there could be no more surprises, Yeo Un-hwi would accomplish something even more astonishing.
But this particular incident was truly absurd.
He was the one who had seen Yeo Un-hwi off that early morning as he headed alone towards the Demonic Cult.
No matter how astonishing his Martial Prowess, he considered it too dangerous and reckless an endeavor.
But he wasn't the type to listen to dissuasion, so Jin So-baek had merely hoped for his safe return.
*Even if he caused trouble, he'd probably just make a tactical retreat and come back, right?*
But he was told that Yeo Un-hwi had completely wiped them out.
*Is this even a plausible story?*
He thought no braggart's nonsense could be more preposterous than this.
So he investigated, and it was all true.
According to what he found, the damage the Demonic Cult suffered because of Yeo Un-hwi was, if anything, *more* severe than Yeo Un-hwi had claimed, never less.
“I don’t know why everything you do makes people’s hearts pound so much. It makes me wonder if I was always such an easily startled person.”
“Hahaha! Is that so? But why do you look so grim?”
“Yes. It seems a rather significant event has occurred.”
“A significant event?”
*Whew.* “Well, you see.”
Jin So-baek took a deep breath and cautiously began to speak.
“It doesn’t seem like the Demonic Cult will remain quiet after this.”
“Hmm?”
Jin So-baek wore an extremely serious expression.
This was the most top-secret information the Hao Sect had recently acquired.
Yet, it was news akin to a disaster that the entire world would know soon.
He still wanted to believe it wasn't true, but it was intelligence obtained from someone more trustworthy than anyone else.
It was none other than
“*The Heavenly Demon, the Heavenly Demon has appeared.*”
*Damn it all!*
As he delivered the news, Jin So-baek cursed profusely internally.
*How! Why do such things happen in this particular era?!*
Jin So-baek's small dream of peacefully fulfilling his mission, retiring early, and living a carefree life felt as though it had fled far away.
This was news that was terrible, truly too terrible.
*It was like the reappearance of a malevolent deity who might destroy the world.*
Still, the fortunate thing was that the Successor of the Martial God was right before his eyes.
Of course, for him, it wouldn't be welcome news at all.
But then,
*Chirp... chirp... chirp...*
The expected reaction didn't come; only the sound of birds passed through the silence that had fallen between them.
Then Yeo Un-hwi asked blankly,
“Hmm... Is that so?”
“Huh?”
For some reason, Yeo Un-hwi reacted as if this terrible news was nothing significant at all.
*What? This man, he surely doesn't know what the Heavenly Demon is, does he?*