My Father Is the Number One Under Heaven - Chapter 137

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 137. A Word When You Return
Honam. Akyang.
This city, graced with a beautiful lake, glowed with vibrant light even in the late evening hours.
At the heart of the city stood the headquarters of the Sadao Sect.
In the central chamber of that headquarters, the Sect Master’s Hall, an elderly man tended to orchids by the windowsill, watering them with care.
This old man was none other than Dok Go-yeong, known as the Dark Sovereign—one of the Twelve Supremes who commanded the martial world, and the master of the Sadao Sect.
Beside him stood a handsome man with sharp, keen eyes, his presence quiet and measured.
Yet when the Dark Sovereign noticed something troubling in his companion’s demeanor, he let out a soft chuckle.
“This affair seems to displease you greatly.”
“To be honest… I don’t quite understand why you would go to such lengths.”
The handsome man with the keen eyes hesitated for a moment before speaking.
He was Sa Ma-ryang, the Chief Strategist of the Sadao Sect.
Recognized for his brilliance at an early age, he had served as the senior aide to the retired previous Chief Strategist, accumulating experience before inheriting the position two years ago.
It was already common knowledge that the Dark Sovereign held Sa Ma-ryang in high regard.
He continued.
“If you wished to repay them, a suitable gift would suffice. I fail to see why you would incur such losses simply to see them.”
“Hah, hah. You speak sense, I suppose.”
“Then why?”
“Why? What would be wrong with it?”
“No, no—there’s nothing wrong at all.”
Who in the martial world today would dare question the Dark Sovereign’s whims? None but those who had reached his level.
Perhaps only a handful existed at such heights.
Sa Ma-ryang exhaled quietly.
“That’s not quite what I meant…”
“I know what you’re trying to say. But what can one do? When age settles in, sometimes a man becomes more stubborn than he was as a reckless child. Take it as the eccentricity of an old man and forgive me.”
The Dark Sovereign laughed heartily.
“It would have been far simpler for me to go myself, but given that ‘that affair’ happened not long ago, I cannot afford to leave my post. So this is the only way.”
“Yes, Sect Master. If that is your word, then so be it.”
What more could he say? He could only accept.
Opinions on the Dark Sovereign split drastically into two extremes.
A man who knew only direct confrontation, and a mastermind of cunning strategy.
Both assessments held truth.
The Dark Sovereign surpassed all others in these two entirely different forms of warfare.
Yet in truth, the Dark Sovereign preferred the former—the clash of full force, where victor and vanquished were revealed by who fell first.
Whatever method his opponent chose, he would crush them with it, demonstrating an overwhelming difference in power.
In that sense, Dok Go-yeong was a terrifying figure indeed.
He was the sort of man who maintained composure in any circumstance, any conflict, and dominated his enemies with perfect precision.
Yet there was one matter where the Dark Sovereign abandoned reason—his younger sister.
A woman who had lost her life long ago to the Absolute Demon, one of the most terrible evils of her time.
When his cold-stiffened sister’s body was brought back, the Dark Sovereign had cradled her and sworn with bloodshot eyes
to tear the Absolute Demon apart in the most agonizing way he knew.
But after that, the Absolute Demon vanished.
As if erased from the world.
Even the Namgung Clan trembled before the Dark Sovereign’s wrath—that much was certain.
Yet no matter what methods were tried, the Absolute Demon could not be found. Then came word that some martial force from the Hebei Peng Estate had subjugated him, and Dok Go-yeong desperately wished to meet them.
Had it not been for a certain unexpected matter arising recently, that meeting would have already taken place.
But the encounter was delayed, and as soon as that recent affair was concluded, he could contain himself no longer and invited them to the Sadao Sect.
Yet was it truly right to summon them here?
Chief Strategist Sa Ma-ryang remained uncertain on that question.
After all, what harm could come from merely inviting them? And yet something unsettled him, a nagging unease he could not name.
Moreover, to accomplish this, they had even sent ‘that’…
Sa Ma-ryang exhaled quietly again.
His head was beginning to ache from it all.
Meanwhile, the Dark Sovereign gazed out the window and spoke.
“I do hope my sincerity reaches them. If they refuse after I’ve gone this far, I shall be rather disappointed.”
***
“Hah…”
Silence fell over the House Lord’s Hall of the Hebei Peng Estate.
Even Peng Mugang’s eyes widened.
What Chu Hun-sang-geom had drawn forth was indeed enough to astonish them all.
From the blade’s edge to its hilt, every inch of the strange, pitch-black sword revealed itself in Chu Hun-sang-geom’s hands.
Though it was merely a weapon, the aura it emanated was far from ordinary.
“Is that… the Heuk Sal Sword?”
Someone within the House Lord’s Hall muttered the words before they could stop themselves.
The Heuk Sal Sword.
It was the divine weapon that symbolized the Sadao Sect Master.
Chu Hun-sang-geom paid no mind to the reaction around him, speaking in a measured tone.
“The Sect Master instructed me to deliver this. And he said that once the Baeklang Dae returns safely without incident, it shall be returned to him.”
Everyone understood at last.
Just how sincere the Sadao Sect Master was in this invitation.
For a martial artist, a weapon is second only to life itself. There is no need to speak of its importance.
Yet some weapons transcend mere function, becoming a symbol of their wielder.
Chang Gui’s Meteor, the Sword Emperor’s Falling Moon, and the Martial Emperor’s Flowing Blade were such weapons.
The Black Demon’s Heuk Sal Sword was no different.
And everyone knew how precious Dok Go-yeong held his blade.
From his youth to this very moment, the Heuk Sal Sword had never left his side.
Yet he had sent it.
‘He would go to such lengths?’
Peng Mugang found himself momentarily speechless, his expression blank.
It was a rare thing indeed to see such a reaction from him.
Nor was he alone in his shock.
Those gathered in the House Lord’s Hall were equally taken aback, and some even wondered if the blade might be counterfeit.
Of course, Dok Go-yeong would never perpetrate such an absurdity.
To send his sacred treasure merely to invite a single martial brigade to the Sadao Sect.
For one of the Twelve Supremes, the Sadao Sect Master himself, to lay bare his divine weapon and make such a request.
This was not something easily refused.
Yet it did not feel like mere coercion.
Rather, it conveyed his sincerity.
Though he could not fathom why he would go to such lengths.
In any case, it was a vexing predicament.
Ordinarily he would have refused outright, but now that matters had come this far, he could not simply turn away.

“Hmm. What am I to do?”
Peng Mugang’s gaze soon shifted to Yeo Un-hwi, Captain of the Baeklang Dae.
Yeo Un-hwi replied with a slight smile.

“I shall simply follow the Patriarch’s decision.”
“You would lay this difficult choice upon me?”
“That is not my intent. I merely believe it is my duty to follow your will.”
“Ha. Your words flow like a clear stream, don’t they?”

Peng Mugang’s gaze then turned to Chu Hun-sang-geom.
“But the Murim League will not sit idle when they learn of this.”
No matter how things stood, this was a matter of whether the Hebei Peng Clan, belonging to the righteous faction of the Martial World, would accept an invitation from the Sadao Sect.
With so many eyes watching, it could not proceed on the basis of mere understanding between the two parties.
As if anticipating the question, Chu Hun-sang-geom replied.
“We have already secured their consent on this matter on our way here.”
“They agreed without resistance?”
“Yes. They had little choice in the matter.”
Little choice—what on earth had been done to bring this about?
From Chu Hun-sang-geom’s tone and expression, it was clear that some significant transaction had transpired between the Murim League and the Sadao Sect for this invitation to succeed.
“It seems you have prepared thoroughly.”
“There is no other intention behind it. We simply wish to ensure that this invitation proceeds without unnecessary obstacles. We hope you will understand how sincere our Sect Master’s resolve is for this gathering.”
Peng Mugang gazed once more at the Heuk Sal Sword that Dok Go-yeong had sent, then let out a long sigh.
At this point, what more was there to deliberate?
“Your meaning is perfectly clear. Should anything befall the Baeklang Dae contrary to your word, know that the Peng Estate will not hesitate to wage war against the Sadao Sect.”
“Such a thing will not come to pass.”
“Very well. Then we shall accept this invitation.”
Thus, the perilous invitation from the Sadao Sect was accepted.
And so the Baeklang Dae set forth toward the Sadao Sect.
***
The departure was set for two days hence.
Since it would be a long journey to the Sadao Sect headquarters in Akyang, Honam, the members of Baeklang Dae had to prepare hastily for the unexpected expedition.
“The Sadao Sect, you say.”
Peng Seo-yeon spoke, her face clouded with thought.
Yul-i had just left for Somol School.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you stepped back even now? Leave it to the vice-captain.”
Yeo Un-hwi shook his head at his wife’s words.
“It’s not something to be disposed of so easily. The Sect Master of Sadao seems to want Baeklang Dae as it was when we slew the Absolute Demon.”
“But no matter what—”
Peng Seo-yeon’s face was etched with deep concern.
And with reason.
From her perspective, Yeo Un-hwi was a man who had only just begun to learn martial arts. To accept an invitation from none other than the Sadao Sect and travel that vast distance as Captain seemed far too perilous.
Yet Yeo Un-hwi laughed as though to dismiss her worries.
“There’s no need to worry so much. As I said before, the Sect Master of Sadao has staked his own honor on this matter. That means he’s sincere in this invitation. And with Myeol Hun Brigade accompanying us, we’ll come to no harm even in Sadao’s territory.”
What trouble could there possibly be, then?
From the perspective of the Black Sovereign, there would be no reason to involve himself in such tedious affairs merely to do something about Baeklang Dae.
Yet worry did not leave Peng Seo-yeon’s face.
Her mind understood, but anxiety was something no amount of reason could dispel.
The thought that he simply need not go had crossed her mind dozens, perhaps hundreds of times.
Of course, she knew.
That with the Black Sovereign having come this far, there was no choice but to go.
Yet Peng Seo-yeon raised the matter out of that lingering hope, however faint.
Yeo Un-hwi offered her a gentle smile.
For in his wife’s concern, he felt a profound love.
“My dear.”
Then, suddenly, Yeo Un-hwi regarded Peng Seo-yeon with grave eyes.
“There’s something I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
“It is…”
Yeo Un-hwi’s lips moved soundlessly for a moment.
But soon his mouth curved upward in a quiet smile.
“Not now. When I return—when I return, I shall tell you then.”
At his cryptic words, Peng Seo-yeon could only tilt her head in bewilderment.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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