"Phew."
Yeo Un-hwi gazed at the Murim Alliance building from afar.
*Will he do well?*
No, he will do well.
A man like Jegal Gil might find it difficult to make up his mind, but once he did, he was more thorough than anyone else.
So there was no need to worry.
Now he would become a deadly poison to villains, more lethal than anyone else.
However, there might be a few occasions when he would need to lend a hand.
Well, as long as the rotting Murim Alliance could change, that would be welcome anytime.
How would the Murim Alliance change from now on?
Yeo Un-hwi was simply looking forward to it.
Of course, it was still too early to tell.
Jegal Gil's sacrifice and dedication would take a considerable amount of time.
But even so, it would be far better than the future of the Murim Alliance he knew.
That was enough.
Soon, a smile spread across Yeo Un-hwi's face.
"Well, it was nice to see you. Stay healthy until we meet again, friend."
With those words, Yeo Un-hwi's figure shot off like light in the opposite direction.
Recently, after the unwelcome visit of the Scholar Forest Group to the Hebei Peng Family, followed by the news of the Demonic Cult and their horrific actions.
For a while, the Peng Family had been in quite a chaotic state.
Add to that the coming and going of the Murim Alliance investigator, and it couldn't have been otherwise.
But as with any situation, after some time passed, the Peng Family quickly regained its usual appearance.
However, this time, a strange rumor began to circulate within the Peng Family.
"Hey, have you heard?"
One of the Peng Family workers suddenly spoke to his colleague while working.
The colleague, who had been working diligently, tilted his head in confusion.
"Heard what?"
"About Young Lady Seoyeon's husband."
"Huh? Oh, that scholar guy. What about him?"
"They say he's quite a powerful master."
"What? What kind of nonsense is that?"
The man listening to the story frowned and asked.
"Why would someone who only knows about books suddenly become such a master?"
"Well, they say several people actually saw it."
"Who?"
"They say it's a secret."
"Come on, man. You should believe believable things. Does that make any sense? If he were a master, he would have been bragging and boasting about it everywhere by now. Why would he hide it while knowing that people are mocking and cursing him as a scholar? Why? For what reason?"
"Well, when you put it that way, I guess you're right."
"It's just a baseless rumor, a baseless rumor. You don't even know who exactly said it."
"I suppose you're right. Haha."
"Aish! I thought it was an interesting story... Aish! Stop with this useless talk and let's get back to work."
"Ahem. Right."
The man who had brought up the rumor and received criticism for it cleared his throat and resumed his work.
However, they had no idea.
That the rumor they just heard was true, and if anything, it was understated.
During the confrontation between the Scholar Forest Group and the White Wolf Unit, Peng Seo-jin had tried to keep things quiet, but not everyone was good at keeping such secrets.
A few people who couldn't resist the urge to gossip told one or two people around them about Yeo Un-hwi, calling it a secret, and that rumor spread gradually.
The strange thing was that rumors usually tend to be greatly exaggerated as they spread, but oddly enough, in Yeo Un-hwi's case, it was the opposite—the story became diminished as it spread.
In fact, except for those who had actually seen Yeo Un-hwi's martial arts, even those who were spreading the story thought it was such an unbelievable tale that this unique phenomenon occurred.
As a result, hardly anyone actually believed the rumor.
It was that unbelievable of a story.
"Hmm."
In the Peng Family head's room.
Peng Mugang, the current owner of the room, was lost in thought, though not exactly worried.
*Why? Why is he doing so well without complaining? And why are the White Wolf Unit members, who usually don't listen, getting along so well with him and following him this time? Why?*
Peng Mugang's head was tilted as if he couldn't understand at all.
It was because of the concern caused by Yeo Un-hwi, whom he had appointed as the commander of the White Wolf Unit.
This was different from his plan. Although he said it was a kind of test, he didn't expect him to do this well.
Honestly, rather than seeing him do well, he wanted to see him struggle and flounder.
But! But, why!
"Hmm."
While Peng Mugang was groaning at the unsatisfactory reality as he sipped his tea, Dan Hee-young, who was drinking tea beside him, was smiling brightly with a very pleased expression.
Why?
Amusingly, it was for the same reason as Peng Mugang.
In response to Dan Hee-young's suggestion to help their son-in-law adapt to the Peng Family by giving him some tasks, Peng Mugang had, ridiculously enough, entrusted him with the position of commander of the White Wolf Unit.
To someone who didn't know any martial arts!
Moreover, when Dan Hee-young found out about this fact belatedly, it was right after Yeo Un-hwi had already left the main house with the White Wolf Unit for bandit subjugation.
She was really shocked and angry, but she thought she should confront her husband after her son-in-law returned safely.
But, lo and behold.
He returned from his first bandit subjugation mission with the White Wolf Unit, having achieved great merit.
Of course, when she heard that the opponent was the Absolute Great Evil or the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon, Dan Hee-young thought she would faint.
She too was well aware of their notorious reputation.
Naturally, her son-in-law, who didn't know any martial arts, couldn't have fought them directly, but still, the fact that he led them well and returned without any problems made Dan Hee-young very proud.
Then, by chance, she had seen the White Wolf Unit members following Yeo Un-hwi as they passed by.
"Commander! Do you have any tasks for us? Please give us any orders anytime!"
"Commander! This guy is clumsy and might cause an accident, so please leave him to me!"
"What are you talking about! You're all still far from being able to serve the Commander! Step back!"
"Hey, are you trying to get close to the Commander all by yourself?! How can you do this?!"
She didn't know exactly what had happened or what Yeo Un-hwi had done to them, but it was clear that the entire White Wolf Unit seemed to be sincerely following Yeo Un-hwi.
Dan Hee-young was very satisfied with this fact.
In the end, regardless of her husband's intentions, entrusting Yeo Un-hwi with the position of commander of the White Wolf Unit had turned out to be a very good decision.
Recalling this, Dan Hee-young hummed a happy tune as she sipped her tea.
"Urgh."
"Hmm hmm."
Thus, their moods were starkly contrasted over the same single event.
At that moment,
"Grandmother!"
The door burst open, and Yul-i entered the room with Peng Seo-yeon.
Yul-i immediately threw herself into Dan Hee-young's arms.
"Oh my. Our puppy. You're here."
Dan Hee-young grinned at Peng Mugang, who looked surprised by the sudden visit.
"I called them. It's good for mother and daughter to see each other often, isn't it?"
"Ahem. Unnecessary things."
But Peng Mugang didn't seem particularly displeased.
"Grandfather! Hello!"
Yul-i, who had already left her grandmother's embrace, smiled brightly at her grandfather.
At that moment, Peng Mugang's usually stern face broke into a grin.
"Yes, hello. Our granddaughter."
Peng Mugang spread his large hands.
The desire to hold his granddaughter after a long time had unconsciously surfaced.
Seeing this, Yul-i ran over and threw herself into her grandfather's arms.
"That's right, that's right. Yul-ah. Did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes, I slept well. Did you sleep well, Grandfather?"
"Of course. I slept well. Haha."
Peng Mugang's mouth corners were melting, unable to stop smiling.
Looking at this scene alone, who would think he was the man called the Roaring Tiger of Hapuk?
People who had known Peng Mugang until now would surely be shocked if they saw this sight.
Even his wife, Dan Hee-young, was seeing this side of him for the first time.
She had come to know a new aspect of Peng Mugang after meeting Yul-i.
She thought she knew everything about her husband after spending so much time together.
Dan Hee-young found it fascinating that there was still a side of him she didn't know.
Meanwhile, Peng Seo-yeon had taken a seat.
"Ahem."
The relationship between Peng Mugang and Peng Seo-yeon was still awkward.
It was perhaps natural, given that they had never been close throughout their lives.
This hadn't changed much even after Peng Seo-yeon returned to the Peng Family.
How could he be so good to his granddaughter while being like this to his daughter?
To change this awkward relationship even a little, Dan Hee-young was trying her best to mediate between them.
That's why she had deliberately created occasions like today.
Quietly, Dan Hee-young took out a new cup and poured tea for Peng Seo-yeon.
Peng Seo-yeon silently drank the tea.
Peng Mugang also drank his tea without saying anything more.
"...Hm?"
But Yul-i, sitting on Peng Mugang's lap, was looking up at him with a curious face.
"Would you like to try some?"
"Yes!"
Yul-i nodded vigorously with an enthusiastic response.
Peng Mugang then offered the cup, and after carefully examining it, Yul-i cautiously took a sip and swallowed.
The reaction was immediate.
"Yuck! It tastes weird!"
"Hahaha. Is that so?"
Yul-i stuck out her tongue with a deeply furrowed brow.
It was understandable for a child.
This was tea brewed with medicinal herbs, after all.
Peng Mugang burst into laughter and patted Yul-i's head.
To Peng Mugang's eyes, even this reaction from his granddaughter was simply adorable.
Dan Hee-young smiled at the two of them and then suddenly asked Peng Seo-yeon.
"Where's your husband?"
"He went to the White Wolf Unit training today."
"Is that so? It must be physically demanding for someone who has only studied books all his life. Still, it's good to see him working hard."
"He seems to be enjoying it. I didn't expect him to do so well either."
Peng Seo-yeon smiled gently at Dan Hee-young's words.
But then,
"Hmph. It's too early to say such things."
Peng Mugang, unable to stand hearing praise for Yeo Un-hwi, snorted as if he completely disagreed.
It was a complete contrast to his behavior when he had praised the White Wolf Unit's achievements in the family hall.
Let's say the White Wolf Unit's achievements and their continued desire to work with Yeo Un-hwi as their commander were one thing.
Well, they might have been lucky to achieve some merit, and they might get along well by chance.
But Peng Mugang didn't want to acknowledge that Yeo Un-hwi was doing well overall.
After all, Peng Mugang had not yet forgiven Yeo Un-hwi.
And forgiveness was not such an easy thing.
Peng Mugang continued to grumble.
"Honestly speaking, what has that guy done so far? If a man wants to avoid being treated like a freeloader, he should at least do that much well."
"Is that why you gave such an impossible position to someone who doesn't know any martial arts?"
"What?"
"Honestly, Father, didn't you want to see him struggle and suffer under the White Wolf Unit? But he's doing well instead, so you're uncomfortable, right?"
Ouch.
Peng Mugang's face crumpled as his true feelings were so accurately exposed.
"You, you brat! What has he done well!"
"Oh, please! Both of you, why are you like this? I called you to enjoy tea together."
"Let me be clear, I have never truly accepted that guy as part of our family. No! Even if the sky falls, I will never call that guy my son-in-law!"
Having his true feelings exposed by his daughter, Peng Mugang's words became harsher than he intended.
Peng Seo-yeon bit her lip at Peng Mugang's harsh words.
"You're really too much!"
"How am I supposed to change the fact that I don't like that guy from the start!"
The atmosphere had become very heavy by now.
Even Dan Hee-young found it difficult to mediate at this point.
But then,
"Hic... Grandfather."
Yul-i's voice reached Peng Mugang's ears as he was growling intensely.