My Father Is the Number One Under Heaven - Chapter 152

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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 152. We Must Protect It No Matter What
“…That is all we have managed to uncover.”
The Clan Patriarch’s chamber.
It was Jin So-baek who had come seeking out the Peng Estate in Hebei.
Now the chamber hung heavy with silence as they absorbed the account Jin So-baek—who had introduced himself as the Master of Hao Wen—had delivered.
Peng Sejin, along with Peng Mugang and Elder Gu Wang-pyo, wore expressions of equal gravity.
The news was that the Demonic Sect, together with four of the Ten Demon Stars, was marching toward the Peng Estate in Hebei with a formidable force.
Of course, one might have doubted Jin So-baek’s identity and the veracity of his account.
But he possessed a sacred relic to prove he was the Master of Hao Wen.
The Red Feather Fan.
It was the sacred emblem that symbolized the Master of Hao Wen.
True to its renowned reputation, an otherworldly aura emanated from the crimson fan.
This meant, in other words, that everything Jin So-baek had just told them was truth.
The Master of Hao Wen would have no reason to come all this way and spin lies.
“Surely the Demonic Sect doesn’t truly mean to march upon us?”
“How can such a thing be…”
It was difficult to comprehend.
What could their purpose possibly be? Why had matters come to this pass?
All were bewildered and unsettled, yet dwelling on such questions served no purpose in this moment.
The deed was already in motion; now came the harder task of deciding what must be done.
That was the priority.
But what ignited the fury of everyone in the chamber was a particular detail from Jin So-baek’s account—something concerning the Murim League.
He reported that despite his conveying this crisis to them, they showed no sign of action whatsoever.
They had not even moved to verify whether the intelligence they had received was true—this revelation drew bitter laughter from all present.
For such indifference amounted to a declaration that they would offer no aid to the Peng Estate in its hour of need.
“How could the Murim League act this way!”
“Indeed. These representatives of the Orthodox Martial Arts Faction turn a blind eye to such a crisis!”
Peng Mugang’s sense of betrayal ran equally deep.
How had things rotted to such a degree?
The relations had never been warm, true enough, but once there had been unity—the Orthodox Faction had rallied as one when danger arose, lending aid as if it were their own plight.
And now…
“In any case, we are grateful. It was kind of you to come in person and share this truth with us.”
Peng Mugang conveyed his sincere thanks to Jin So-baek.
“Not at all.”
“But might I ask why you extend such aid to us? We share no sect affiliation.”
Peng Mugang found it puzzling that Hao Wen, an organization with which they had no prior connection, would come forward so readily.
Jin So-baek smiled faintly and replied.
“I had occasion to cultivate an acquaintance with someone from your clan at an earlier time. When word of this crisis reached me by chance, I could not turn away, and so I have come to inform you.”
“Who was this person?”
“Forgive me, but I am one who trades information for coin. The only thing I can offer freely without expectation of recompense is the news I have brought today. I must ask for your understanding.”
“Hmm. Very well. I understand.”
It was curious that someone from the Peng Estate had dealings with Hao Wen, yet he could hardly press the matter.
Besides, this man had stepped forward willingly to aid the estate.
“Then what must we do now?”
With the Murim League refusing to act, their only hope for aid lay with the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects.
But it would take far too long for them to arrive.
By the time they did, everything might already be decided.
Yet neither could they simply sit idle.
Peng Mugang sent messengers to every place within reach.
One never knew how events would unfold; it was best to attempt everything possible.
“For now, it might be wise to evacuate all the household members to safety.”
“That seems prudent. At least until we can join forces with others elsewhere…”
“No. That is not possible.”
Peng Mugang shook his head against the elders’ counsel.
“But Patriarch. For now, this may be our only option…”
“This is not a matter of pride. If we flee like that, what will they do?”
Would those who had mustered such force simply withdraw empty-handed?
Unlikely.
Their wrath would inevitably turn instead upon the ordinary people dwelling throughout Hebei.
And deliberately so.
“Surely not to that extent.”
At Peng Mugang’s words, the color drained from every face in the room.
“Why should we assume they’re Demonic Cultists? Besides, we’ve dealt with such matters many times before.”
“Then…”
“We fight. However we must.”
It would be a reckless battle, no doubt, but didn’t the title of Overlord of Hebei demand that much of him?
Whatever consequences it might bring.
‘Truly worthy of the Peng Estate in Hebei.’
Yet no matter how he turned it over in his mind, the odds of victory were nonexistent.
Having observed the decision Jin So-baek made, he soon offered his respects and withdrew from the Patriarch’s hall.
His head throbbed; he massaged his temples.
There was nothing more he could do now.
And yet—what was this feeling?
That was when it happened.
“Oh! Dad’s friend!”
A small child suddenly appeared and greeted Jin So-baek warmly.
He had run into Yul-i and Peng Seo-yeon, who were strolling through the garden.
Peng Seo-yeon, having seen him before, smiled brightly in recognition.
“What brings you by today? My husband has just stepped away.”
“Ah, I had some other business to attend to, so I stopped in.”
“I see. Then we’ll see you again soon.”
“Of course.”
“See you later! Safe travels!”
Yul-i waved her hand with an endearing smile.
Jin So-baek found himself smiling and nodding along.
Dad’s friend… how amusing that was, hah…
Once he had fully left the Peng Estate, Bae Cho-jin, his subordinate, approached him.
“How did the conversation go?”
“How could it go well? I only delivered news of despair.”
“I suppose that much is true.”
Jin So-baek scratched his head vigorously.
“Damn. This will drive me mad.”
The image of Yul-i, whom he’d just met, lingered before his eyes.
Moreover, the Peng Estate in Hebei he had witnessed was truly a fine place.
Warm with the scent of humanity, yet retaining the dignity of a regional overlord, radiating righteous influence.
Such a place might very well vanish at the hands of Demonic Cultists.
Jin So-baek’s gaze fell upon Bae Cho-jin, the woman who always followed him.
“Perhaps it’s time I name a successor in advance. Can you handle it?”
“I beg your pardon? What do you—”
“How many Martial Units can Hao Wen rally most quickly?”
“Why do you ask? No… surely not! Please tell me I’m wrong!”
“I can’t afford to lose such an honored guest so easily.”
“No! The odds are impossible! Impossible!”
Even if all of Hao Wen’s Martial Units converged, their forces far exceeded that.
The Peng Estate in Hebei and Hao Wen alone could never hold them back.
So what in heaven’s name was this man thinking?
“Just do what you can and then withdraw. Don’t worry. And I’m counting on you.”
But how could that possibly work?
And if he was planning to slip away himself, why ask her to count on him?
Yet Bae Cho-jin fell silent when she saw the resolve burning in Jin So-baek’s eyes.
It struck her that Hao Wen might very well vanish alongside the Peng Estate.
She couldn’t very well leave a lord like that and slip away herself.
“Damn! Hell! Why do I have to meet such a crazy-headed lord!”
“Hey, hey! Sounds like your inner thoughts are leaking out?”
“Ugh. I don’t know! This is madness! Absolute madness!”
Soon after, they began moving with even greater urgency.
***
Meanwhile, the Peng Estate itself was in turmoil.
Having decided to stay and fight rather than flee, following the will of Clan Patriarch Peng Mugang, preparations for battle had to be made.
To hold back against them as long as possible!
But before any fighting could start, evacuating the household came first.
“…So leave as quickly as you can, all of you. If you hear news that the Peng Estate in Hebei has survived, then return. But if that doesn’t happen, do not come back.”
Peng Mugang gathered all the household staff and spoke these words to them.
Everyone who heard the announcement stood slack-jawed and stunned.
What in the world was this, out of nowhere?
The day had been proceeding like any other, and now the Demonic Sect was attacking?
So those without martial skill were to leave at once?
“Patriarch… how can we possibly leave without you? We cannot.”
“That’s right. We’ll fight alongside you!”
Everyone made their intentions clear — they would stay together.
But Peng Mugang shook his head firmly.
“Those are Demonic Cultists. Whoever we face, they show no mercy. And if any of you without martial skill remain here, we won’t be able to fight properly either, will we?”
“But Patriarch, we…”
“You’ve all worked hard all this time. I only pray you reach safety.”
At this sudden parting, everyone’s eyes filled with tears.
“My… my dear.”
“Father.”
The faces of Dan Hui-young and Peng Seo-yeon had turned ashen.
The pleasant time they’d spent together in the garden just moments before now felt like nothing more than a dream.
“I’ll fight too.”
“You need to look after Yul-i.”
“Father.”
“Don’t worry. The Peng Estate is not so easily overcome. I will hold this place so that everyone can return safely.”
But Peng Seo-yeon knew better.
She knew how impossible that truly was.
“Grandfather, is something wrong?”
Sensing the weight of the moment, Yul-i looked up at Peng Mugang with a flicker of unease in her eyes and asked.
At this, Peng Mugang smiled quietly and lifted Yul-i into his arms.
“Something wrong? Our little Yul-i is just going on a pleasant outing with Grandmother and Mother. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
“Grandfather isn’t coming?”
“Grandfather has something to attend to, so I can’t go just now.”
“Aw. I wish you were.”
“Next time we’ll go together with Grandfather, I promise.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“Yay! I’m so happy!”
Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle!
Yul-i’s anxiety melted away, and she laughed brightly.
Peng Mugang chuckled warmly in return.
Soon he set Yul-i down gently, gazed at her for a long moment, and spoke again.
“Yul-i, now be sure to stay healthy.”
“Yes!”
To her grandfather’s words, Yul-i answered briskly and cheerfully.
Afterward, Peng Mugang took Dan Hui-young’s hand and squeezed it firmly.
Dan Hui-young understood.
At times like this, she could not afford to show weakness.
“Protect them. The Estate, and yourself too. Do you understand?”
“Of course. Who would I be to disobey such a command?”
Then Peng Sejin also took his leave of the family.
He stood beside Peng Mugang with more composure than anyone, his bearing solemn.
Soon all the household staff had hastily gathered what they could carry and set out on their way.
Watching Dan Hui-young, Peng Seo-yeon, and Yul-i disappear among those who were leaving, Peng Mugang suddenly called out to his daughter.
Perhaps, he thought, he might never have another chance to say these words.
“Seo-yeon.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I was truly glad that you came back to us, you know.”
“…!”
Peng Mugang offered his belated sincerity to his daughter.
At his words, tears threatened to spill from Peng Seo-yeon’s eyes, but she held them back with all her strength.
Dan Hui-young reached over and patted her shoulder gently.
And so the servants of the Peng Estate soon departed, one and all.
What remained were only the martial warriors of the Peng Estate, prepared for battle.
“If there are any among you who wish to leave even now, you have my permission. Go.”
“How could such a thing be? Surely you do us too little honor, Clan Patriarch. We are all prepared to stake our lives in battle for the Peng Estate.”
At Peng Mugang’s words, Gu Wang-pyo laughed heartily and spoke.
All of them seemed to brighten at Gu Wang-pyo’s words, their eyes alight with resolve.
Thus, aside from Baeklang Dae, which had departed for the Sa-do Alliance, the White Martial Unit and the White Tiger Unit emerged, as did the Murong Division, the Clan Patriarch’s own guard.
And with them came proud warriors bound to the Peng Estate, filling the space entirely.
They were men who had already made peace with death in this place, for the sake of the Peng Estate.
Peng Sejin was no exception.
When Peng Mugang suggested he flee with the servants, he shook his head.
He was a warrior of the Peng Estate before he was a Crown Prince.
Today, in this moment, he would stake his life alongside all of them.
Once Peng Mugang had confirmed the resolve of every man present, he nodded and raised his voice.
“From this moment forward! Cast aside all thought of defeat, all belief that victory is impossible! No matter what comes, we will hold this place! Do you understand!”
“Yes!”
Thus the Hebei Peng Clan made ready to meet their enemies in full strength.
And then—
“They’re here!”
Not long after, they appeared.
The Demonic Sect—those blood-starved murderers.

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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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