My Father Is the Number One Under Heaven - Chapter 45

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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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Chapter 45. I Wish to Continue On With You
He was saying that the Baekrang Unit needed a new Captain who was truly suited to the role, and that it wasn’t too late to make the change now.
At Peng Gyeong-ho’s words, every face among the Baekrang Unit members turned cold and rigid.
As if this news that had just come out was entirely unwelcome to them.
Hm?
Peng Mu-gang could hardly have failed to notice their reaction.
In fact, he’d expected them to welcome such talk—but instead their response was wholly unexpected.
Yet whether Peng Gyeong-ho noticed their reaction or not, he continued speaking with undisguised confidence, pressing ahead with his proposal.
“I speak this not in any way to demean the current Captain, but because the burden has grown too heavy for him to bear alone. I merely wish to lighten that load. And surely our Peng Clan has among us those perfectly suited to lead the Baekrang Unit. I believe it would be wise to elevate such men and thereby strengthen the Unit’s future endeavors.”
Throughout this, Yeo Un-hui offered no reaction whatsoever, remaining silent with his lips closed.
Peng Mu-gang glanced briefly at Yeo Un-hui, then turned to regard Peng Gyeong-ho.
“Do you have someone in mind?”
As though awaiting this very question, Peng Gyeong-ho answered with a brightened expression.
“It would be presumptuous to say it aloud, but I believe my own son would be quite well suited for such a position.”
“You mean Do-hwan?”
“Yes, exactly so.”
To suggest one’s own son in such circumstances was enough to make any observer feel embarrassed for him.
Yet it was possible that such boldness came from genuine confidence in his own blood.
Indeed, his son Peng Do-hwan was regarded with considerable expectations within the Peng Clan.
Since childhood, his martial prowess had far surpassed that of warriors his own age, and among the younger generation of warriors, his skill was distinctly exceptional.
Moreover, his character and bearing were excellent, and he was already expected to become one of the prominent figures representing the Peng Clan in the distant future.
Having such a son, it was natural that Peng Gyeong-ho would step forward to advocate for him and speak of his virtues with pride.
In truth, his reasoning was not entirely without merit.
If one were to place a worthy warrior in the Captain’s position of the Baekrang Unit—one of the three great Military Units representing the Habook Peng Clan—then entrusting it to Peng Do-hwan with an eye toward the distant future was not merely acceptable; it was arguably a very sound choice indeed.
“Do you remember? I consulted with you about this matter once before.”
“I do recall.”
“Back then you opposed it strenuously. Now you wish to entrust it to him?”
“Mm. In truth, I believed the timing was not right then. My son was not yet fully prepared, as I saw it.”
“And now he is prepared.”
“To the eyes of others there may seem to be little difference, but from a parent’s perspective, I believe he is ready now.”
“Heh heh.”
It was wordplay—a rhetorical dance.
On the surface it appeared to be humility, yet Peng Mu-gang knew that the true intent behind Peng Gyeong-ho’s words was entirely different.
Before—indeed, until just before this recent achievement—the Baekrang Unit had been nothing but a troublesome rabble, perpetually causing incidents and mischief of every kind.
It would have felt burdensome to entrust them with anything.
The thought must have haunted him: what if his son, who received such high expectations from all around him, should have his future path marred by some scandal brought upon him by the Baekrang Unit? That was why he had refused before.
For though they were called one of the three great Military Units representing the Peng Clan, after the previous Captain’s retirement and departure from the Peng Clan, they had behaved like unbridled colts, wild and reckless.
So Peng Gyeong-ho had even gone so far as to forcibly extract his son from their ranks, taking great pains to do so.
He had believed there was nothing to be gained from remaining among them.
But everything had changed now.
The Baekrang Unit had severed the head of the Geuk-ak Soma—one of the absolute evils spoken of throughout the martial world with dread and terror.
This was a magnificent achievement that would shine brilliantly upon the name of the Habook Peng Clan and be praised by countless people for years to come.
Peng Gyeong-ho now coveted the position of Captain of the Military Unit that had accomplished such a great deed.
“Heh heh.”
His intentions were transparent, yet the way he clothed them in words was masterfully done.
Still, Peng Mu-gang could not fault such ambition entirely, for he himself had already considered that Peng Do-hwan was well-suited to the Baekrang Unit.
Knowing already what Peng Mu-gang thought, Peng Gyeong-ho had stepped forward with such confidence.
“Of course, Do-hwan would certainly be adequate for the position.”
Peng Gyeong-ho’s face brightened at Peng Mu-gang’s words.
“However, on a day like this, we should also hear what those directly concerned think. What say you?”
Peng Mu-gang’s gaze turned toward the members of the Baekrang Unit.
Yet Peng Gyeong-ho believed such a question was hardly necessary.
His son enjoyed deeper support among the rising generation within the Peng Clan than almost any of his peers.
Moreover, he understood that his son had maintained close relations with the Baekrang Unit all along.
This had always been a source of displeasure to him, but now such a fact was quite fortunate.
They would surely welcome him gladly.
Yet, unfortunately for Peng Gyeong-ho, the hearts of the Baekrang Unit proved otherwise.
In response to Peng Mu-gang’s question, O Chae-mu opened his mouth without the slightest hesitation.
“With respect, sir, the Baekrang Unit wishes to continue on with our current Captain.”
“What? What… what?”
Peng Gyeong-ho’s face went pale at O Chae-mu’s answer.
He had never expected such a response.
Yet all the members of the Baekrang Unit, O Chae-mu included, wore expressions of unwavering resolve.
Surprisingly, Peng Mu-gang appeared equally unmoved.
He had thought they would simply accept it without complaint.
Soon Peng Mu-gang surveyed the faces of the Baekrang Unit members one by one before speaking.
“Is this the will of the entire Baekrang Unit?”
“Yes! That is correct. We all wish for this.”
“Mm. I see.”
“What are you saying right now!”
Unable to comprehend the situation, Peng Gyeong-ho cried out to the Baekrang Unit.
Events were unfolding in a manner entirely contrary to his expectations.
Weighing all the circumstances, he had been certain that both Peng Mu-gang and the Baekrang Unit would readily accept his proposal.
Yet……
“No, why would you do this? Clearly, by any measure, it should be far more fitting that our Do-hwan take the Captain’s position……”
“My apologies, Elder. But our will shall not change.”
“What? Ha.”
At O Chae-mu’s words, Peng Gyeong-ho let out a hollow laugh, at a loss for words.
Then Peng Mu-gang burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha ha! It seems affection has grown deeper in this short time than I thought. Very well. If those who have rendered such great service wish it so, then it shall be done.”
“But, but Master of the Clan! This cannot be!”
Peng Gyeong-ho pressed on with his objections.
In that instant,
A low, resonant hum.
The air inside the Patriarch’s Hall grew impossibly heavy.
Peng Mu-gang had released his presence.
“Ugh.”
Confronted with Peng Mu-gang’s fierce aura, Peng Gyeong-ho gasped involuntarily under the crushing pressure.
Then Peng Mu-gang fixed him with a gaze as cold as winter frost.
“What do you mean it cannot be? Did I not just say that is what I will do? Are you now defying my will?”
“That is not what I meant……”
“Say no more. The mood was pleasant enough without ruining it.”
“…I understand. My apologies.”
Under the terrible pressure of Peng Mu-gang’s presence, Peng Gyeong-ho quickly retreated.
Soon Peng Mu-gang withdrew his aura.
“Ha ha ha! The mood grew heavy there for a moment.”
And as if he had never worn that cold expression at all, he smiled broadly once more.
“Let all hear: effective today, I lift the confinement on the Baekrang Unit and order their return to the main estate. Furthermore, I shall bestow rewards upon every member of the Baekrang Unit. Today, eat and make merry as you wish.”
“Yes, Master of the Clan!”
All answered with strong voices and bowed deeply at Peng Mu-gang’s words.
Yet Peng Gyeong-ho’s expression remained dark.
Great dissatisfaction was taking root in his heart.
But he did not know.
That Yeo Un-hui was watching him quietly all the while.
***
“Papa!”
The moment Yul-i saw Yeo Un-hui step into the room, her face bloomed with unbridled joy and she bounded toward him with a leap.
“Ha ha. You little thing! You’ll hurt yourself if you run like that.”
“It’s okay because Papa’s here!”
“What? Ha ha ha!”
Nestled in his arms, rubbing her face against his chest, Yul-i made Yeo Un-hui smile with warmth and affection.
The moment he saw her, all the scattered thoughts and worries seemed to vanish in an instant.
It was something he felt each time—children were truly a wondrous thing to their parents, almost like magic itself.
“You’re back?”
Peng Seo-yeon, another reason for Yeo Un-hui’s happiness, greeted him.
Yet for some reason, though it had been only days since he last saw her, there was no warmth in her greeting.
Rather, her face seemed laden with anger.
‘Why?’
He racked his mind for what he might have done wrong, but nothing came to him.
Hmm.
Even if the reason remained unclear, one thing was certain: this was absolutely no time for reckless action.
A single moment of carelessness could invite calamity.
He feared his wife’s anger as much as anything in the world.
He cleared his throat quietly.
From that moment on, Yeo Un-hui began making a conscious effort to measure both his words and actions with care.
What made him even more tense was that while he played with Yul-i in his arms, his wife said nothing at all.
Ordinarily she would greet him warmly and recount whatever had happened in his absence.
At the very least, she would hover near him and prattle on about Yul-i—but now, there was only silence.
Then, at some point, Peng Seo-yeon finally spoke.
“Why don’t you give it up?”
“What? Where is that coming from?”
“Tell Father that you’d like to step down as Captain of the Baekrang Unit. I hear there’s someone willing to take it on instead.”
News from the Patriarch’s Hall had reached her already. She certainly moved fast.
Yeo Un-hui lifted his gaze and studied his wife’s face carefully before asking, “Has something happened?”
“Has something happened? Of course something has happened. My husband, who’s never even trained in martial arts, goes off with rough soldiers to suppress bandits, and then I hear he encountered the Great Demon Lord—someone dozens of masters couldn’t defeat even if they attacked together. What else would you call that?”
Now Yeo Un-hui understood why she was acting this way.
“How do you think I felt hearing such a thing? Can you imagine how shocked I was?”
“My dear.”
“And then to hear that the Baekrang Unit had taken the Geuk-ak Soma’s head—is my husband all right? Was he seriously wounded? What if the news itself was wrong? What if something happened to him at that demon’s hands? What about Yul-i and me? How would we even—”
Tears were streaming down Peng Seo-yeon’s cheeks now.
Her hardened expression all this while had been nothing but her fighting desperately to hold back her grief and tears.
“I’m sorry.”
Of course, encountering the Geuk-ak Soma had been no fault of Yeo Un-hui’s.
Yet he spoke those words with perfect sincerity.
He was simply sorry for causing his wife such worry.
“Mother, are you crying?”
Yul-i approached her mother with a confused expression on her face.
Peng Seo-yeon forced a smile and stroked her daughter’s hair.
“Yes, my dear. It’s all right. Mother is… Father came home, and it made me so happy I cried.”
“Happy? But why cry if you’re happy?”
Yul-i asked again, her face showing she didn’t understand her mother’s words.
“Well, once in a hundred times, that’s just how it is.”
“So I cry once every hundred times too?”
“I suppose so.”
“Ohhh. I see.”
Satisfied that Mother was all right, Yul-i soon scampered over to the bed, curled up with her doll, and began rolling about playfully.
Then Yeo Un-hui gently drew his wife into his arms and patted her back tenderly.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“Hmph, that’s enough of that.”
“Come now. You still look unhappy to me. Come, tell me—what would it take to lift your spirits?”
“You said it yourself just now. All you need to do is step down as Captain of the Baekrang Unit.”
“Hmm.”
Yeo Un-hui found himself genuinely troubled.
In truth, encountering the Geuk-ak Soma and taking his head had never been his intention at all.
Still, he had thought that if he simply credited the Baekrang Unit with the deed, there would be no real problem.
Moreover, it would give the unit a reason to have its confinement lifted.
Though for such a cause, the merit was far too great.
But he had never imagined that the mere fact of having faced the Geuk-ak Soma would cause Peng Seo-yeon such distress.
‘I’ve been thoughtless.’
He realized he had been lacking in consideration for his wife.
Now he found himself genuinely wondering whether he truly needed to relinquish his position as Captain of the Baekrang Unit.
He had only just begun to form a real bond with the men, and things were finally becoming interesting.
But what could he do?
His wife and Yul-i mattered more to him than anything else.
And so, just as he was about to agree,
“That’s right. I know. I know you can’t just abandon it now like that.”
Peng Seo-yeon let out a long sigh and spoke.
Yet the fact that he was at least pretending to struggle with the decision had thawed her heart, just a little.

“No. If you wish it, I’ll quit tomorrow.”
“Tch, you speak well.”
“I’m serious.”
“That’s enough.”
Her lips pouted, but she understood nonetheless.
For reasons she couldn’t name, he wanted to continue his work with the Baekrang Unit.
That he had found such purpose here in the Peng Clan — that much, at least, was something to be grateful for.
“But then you’ll make me a few promises.”
“Promises?”
Peng Seo-yeon opened her mouth as Yeo Un-hui tilted his head in confusion.

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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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