My Dad Is the Strongest Under Heaven
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 31. Just Who Is This Benefactor!?
“They say the Grand Young Master has returned!”
“Word is the Patriarch stepped in himself and rescued him from those villains.”
“As expected of our Patriarch! By the way, they say the Grand Young Master wasn’t gravely injured, right?”
“Well, he clearly went through an ordeal, but it seems there is no lasting damage.”
“Is that so? What a relief, truly a relief!”
With Peng Seojin’s safe return, the Hebei Peng Clan breathed a collective sigh of relief.
From the lowliest martial artists to the servants and the inner circle.
It showed just how much everyone in the clan cherished their Grand Young Master.
“What do you mean by that?”
In the Patriarch’s study of the Peng Clan.
The Peng Clan’s physician was reporting to the Patriarch, Peng Mugang, with an utterly astonished expression.
“You’ve never seen anything like this before?”
“Well, that is… I do not know if I should call this a miracle or what, but…”
Even the physician who had performed the examination continued to stammer in disbelief.
From the wound, it was clear that he had suffered from a lethal poison, and the flesh on his arm had been on the verge of necrosis—yet how it had healed as cleanly as if washed away was something he could not comprehend in the slightest.
“Was it that fellow?”
At those words, Peng Mugang immediately recalled a certain man.
The man who had parried his relentless, fury-laden attacks with effortless ease, completely unshakeable.
His martial prowess was one thing, but his gaze had left a profound impression etched into Peng Mugang’s mind.
It was as though a blazing sun burned within those eyes.
In all his long years traversing the Murim, Peng Mugang had never seen anything like it.
Just what was his true identity?
He clearly appeared young, yet the depth of his inner energy and martial arts defied description.
Perhaps he was an elder grandmaster who had achieved Body Reconstruction through cultivation.
No, that explanation was far more plausible.
Because Peng Mugang had never heard of nor seen anyone possess such terrifying martial prowess at such a tender age.
Regardless, Peng Mugang could not fathom why such a grandmaster would save Seojin.
“Mmm.”
His identity, his true strength, his reasons.
Since nothing was clear at the moment, Peng Mugang felt a lingering frustration despite the fortunate outcome.
‘No. That won’t do.’
Shaking his head, Peng Mugang quickly brushed aside the rising frustration.
Now was not the time for such thoughts.
Above all, the greatest blessing was that his son was safe.
That was enough.
Just as the physician said, he knew very well by now.
Had it not been for that mysterious master, even if he had rescued his son from that place, Seojin’s condition would likely have been catastrophic.
In other words, that unknown man was a benefactor to the Peng Clan.
There was no reason to treat such a benefactor as an enemy.
Peng Mugang simply wished to repay the debt of gratitude.
He was a man who could never rest easy until he settled every score—be it a debt of blood or a debt of kindness.
Yet to repay that kindness, he first had to know the man’s identity, which remained a mystery…
The only things he remembered were…
‘That piercing gaze, and… that scent.’
Unbeknownst to most, Peng Mugang was born with a sense of smell that at times far surpassed his sensory perception of qi.
Once he caught a scent, he never forgot it.
He could even distinguish between the countless people he had met in his life purely by scent with his eyes blindfolded.
In a sense, his nose was Peng Mugang’s third eye.
And yet…
“Hmm. It was definitely a strangely familiar scent… Where have I smelled it before?”
It lingered on the edge of his mind.
That was something even his benefactor(?) had never anticipated.
***
“Ugh…”
Having remained unconscious for a long time after returning to the Peng Clan estate, Peng Seojin finally stirred from his deep slumber.
Tossing slightly, he slowly opened his eyes with a grimace.
“Seo—Seojin-ah? Are you awake?”
As he barely came to his senses, the voices of his mother and sister reached his ears.
Turning his head, he saw his family watching over him.
Their faces were filled with profound worry.
“How is everyone… Ah. I… I have returned home.”
Fragments of scattered memories flooded into his mind.
Assassins, his warriors, the cliff, the river, the agonizing poison, and his wounds.
Among them, the last thing Peng Seojin remembered was the dense forest, where his father and the mysterious man who had saved him clashed in a misunderstanding.
Or rather, to be precise, it was his father who had misunderstood and attacked.
At any rate, desperately trying to stop them before losing consciousness was all he could recall.
And now, after time had passed, he had just awakened here.
Just how much time had gone by?
Judging by how his entire body felt stiff and thoroughly sore, several days must have already passed.
Peng Seojin slowly pushed himself up.
Since it was still difficult for him to sit up on his own, Yeo Woonhwi stepped forward and supported him.
“Mother. And everyone.”
Seeing his family’s eyes welling with tears, Peng Seojin managed a faint smile.
“I have caused you all great worry.”
“Don’t say such things.”
“Indeed. Your mother is simply grateful that you returned to us safely.”
Peng Seoyeon and Dan Heeyoung shook their heads as if his apology pained them even more.
After all, no matter how grown and mature he was, in Dan Heeyoung’s eyes, he was always a son she worried for.
How she had agonized during the long days without news, terrified that something terrible had happened to him.
To have him back like this was nothing short of a blessing.
“What became of my escorts?”
Peng Seojin, who had been smiling apologetically, asked with a grave expression.
Having only just regained consciousness, his immediate concern was for them.
It was a clear reflection of his true character.
Yet deep down, he already had an inkling.
Considering the circumstances when they parted, and the sheer cruelty shown by the enemies…
Still, he had asked with a sliver of hope, praying that his premonition was wrong.
However, seeing the faces of his family darken at his question, Peng Seojin bit his lip hard in sorrow.
“I see. They have already…”
Every single one of them had served by Peng Seojin’s side for years.
They were like close companions whom he trusted and relied on more than anyone.
‘Just run, Grand Young Master! You must survive!’
‘Hurry! Go quickly, Grand Young Master! Leave this to us!’
‘Aaaargh! You bastards! You will not pass!’
Were those really their final moments?
As their final cries echoed in his memory, Peng Seojin’s heart grew heavy.
Along with overwhelming guilt, he felt a painful sense of his own inadequacy.
If only he had been stronger… If only…
Worried by his expression, Dan Heeyoung gently patted Peng Seojin’s shoulder.
“For now, think of nothing else and rest. The clan will take good care of…”
“No, Mother.”
Peng Seojin shook his head resolutely.
He had to personally take care of the surviving families of the escorts who gave their lives in this incident.
He believed that was the very least he owed to the men who had fallen.
He was determined to do so.
“Alright. Then I will speak with the others about it. For now, close your eyes and get some more rest.”
“Yes, Mother.”
But before all that, recovering his strength came first.
Only then could he accomplish anything.
After comforting Peng Seojin, Dan Heeyoung and Peng Seoyeon left the room, while Yeo Woonhwi also gave Peng Seojin a brief nod before turning around.
And yet…
“…Hm?”
Peng Seojin blinked.
For some reason, Yeo Woonhwi’s back seemed to overlap with a figure he had seen somewhere before.
The very man who had saved him…
“Ha. The fatigue must not have cleared yet.”
It was a thought that defied all reason.
How could such a thing even be possible?
Lying back down, Peng Seojin shook his head vigorously to dispel the absurd thought.
It seemed he truly needed more sleep.
***
A bright, bubbling giggle rang out.
A little girl’s laughter drifted from within the room.
It was the sound of Yeo Woonhwi playing with his daughter, Yul-i.
Even though he wasn’t doing anything particularly special, Yul-i was overjoyed, giggling incessantly.
Watching the two of them, Peng Seoyeon wore a gentle, fond smile.
“Whew…”
She let out a long sigh without realizing it.
It was not a sigh of worry.
It was a sigh of sheer relief.
Only now could she finally put her heart at ease.
From the moment she heard news of her brother, she and her mother had tossed and turned night after night.
Yet no matter how much time passed, there had been no word of him, and she had felt firsthand what it was like for one’s heart to shrivel with dread.
They were such precious family.
She once again felt a deep pang of remorse for having been so callous, cutting off contact and living apart from them for so long.
By heaven’s grace, her brother had returned.
Cradled in their father’s arms.
Yet his condition had looked dire beyond words.
The white robes he always favored were stained crimson with blood, and some parts had even turned black from poison.
Seeing him so battered and broken, Peng Seoyeon had been left utterly speechless.
She could not even begin to imagine what horrors he had endured.
Thankfully, the physician said that with a little rest and quiet recovery, he would be completely fine.
And not long after, her brother had opened his eyes.
What a relief, truly.
Tonight, she would finally be able to sleep peacefully.
And yet… what was that?
A sudden memory crossed Peng Seoyeon’s mind.
‘…rest. I will… return.’
She couldn’t remember how she had fallen asleep, but her husband Yeo Woonhwi’s voice still echoed faintly in her ears.
Yet she couldn’t clearly recall what he had said to her.
“Dear.”
“Hm?”
Yeo Woonhwi, who had been playing with Yul-i, turned his head to look at Peng Seoyeon.
“Did you say something to me while I was sleeping a few days ago?”
“Me? Well, when? I don’t recall.”
At Peng Seoyeon’s question, Yeo Woonhwi tilted his head inquisitively.
“Hmm. I’m certain you… No, was it a dream?”
“You must have had a dream. Haha. By the way, are you looking only at me even in your dreams? I’m touched.”
“Hmph. Not at all. Forget it.”
As Peng Seoyeon’s cheeks flushed, Yul-i scampered over and pointed a tiny finger at her cheek.
“Mommy, Mommy! You’re embarrassed! Your cheeks are red!”
“Goodness, Yul-i! How could you tease your mother!”
“Hahaha!”
Yeo Woonhwi burst into hearty laughter.
It was a side of him he never showed to outsiders.
After laughing for a good while, catching a moment when Peng Seoyeon looked away, Yul-i and Yeo Woonhwi met each other’s eyes and shared a little wink.
It meant, ‘Our little secret.’