My Dad Is the Strongest Under Heaven
Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Chapter 45. We Wish to Remain with Him
It meant that, before it was too late, the Captain of the White Wolf Troop should be replaced with someone suitable.
At Paeng Kyung-ho’s words, the faces of the White Wolf Troop members turned universally cold and stiff.
It was as though they were not pleased in the slightest by what had just been proposed.
Oho?
There was no way Peng Mugang would fail to notice that.
He had thought they would welcome such a suggestion with open arms, making their reaction entirely unexpected.
Yet, whether he was oblivious to their response or simply ignored it, Paeng Kyung-ho pressed on with supreme confidence.
“I do not say this to belittle anyone. Rather, the present situation has become far too burdensome for the current captain, and I merely wish to ease that weight from his shoulders. Furthermore, do we not have individuals within our Peng Clan who are perfectly suited to lead the White Wolf Troop? Appointing one of them to bolster the troop’s future endeavors would be the proper course of action, in my humble opinion.”
Throughout all this, Yeo Woonhwi made no reaction whatsoever, simply keeping his mouth shut in silence.
After casting a brief glance at Yeo Woonhwi, Peng Mugang turned his gaze toward Paeng Kyung-ho.
“Then do you have someone specific in mind?”
As if he had been waiting for that very question, Paeng Kyung-ho beamed and replied.
“It is embarrassing to say with my own mouth, but I believe my son would be well-suited for that position in many respects.”
“Do-hwan, you mean?”
“Yes, indeed.”
To push his own son forward in a situation like this was so shameless it bordered on embarrassing for those watching.
Yet, perhaps it was precisely because he held such absolute confidence in his child.
And with good reason—his son, Paeng Do-hwan, was a youth who carried immense expectations within the Peng Clan.
From an early age, his martial talent had vastly outstripped peers of his own generation, placing his martial prowess among the most exceptional of the younger warriors.
Moreover, his character was upright, leading many to believe that in the distant future, he would become one of the figures representing the Peng Clan.
With such a son, it was understandable why Paeng Kyung-ho would step forward to champion and boast of him in this manner.
In truth, his words were not entirely wrong.
If a master truly worthy of leading the White Wolf Troop—one of the three martial squads representing the Hebei Peng Clan—had to be appointed, then looking to the distant future, placing Paeng Do-hwan in charge was not a bad choice at all. In fact, it could even be considered a very wise one.
“Do you recall? Some time ago, I consulted with you regarding that matter.”
“I do remember.”
“Back then, you opposed it vehemently, yet now you ask to entrust it to him?”
“Ahem. Truth be told, I felt the timing was not right then. I judged that my boy was not fully prepared.”
“And now he is prepared?”
“In the eyes of others, the difference may seem negligible, but through the eyes of a parent, I believe he is ready now.”
“Hahaha.”
It was mere wordplay.
On the surface, he feigned modesty, but Peng Mugang saw straight through to the true intentions hidden beneath Paeng Kyung-ho’s words.
In the past—no, up until they achieved this recent meritorious deed—the White Wolf Troop had been nothing more than a band of troublemakers stirring up every imaginable disaster.
It must have been a burden to take responsibility for them back then.
He must have feared that his son, who carried everyone’s high hopes, might have a blemish cast upon his bright future because of the White Wolf Troop. That was why he had refused.
Though named one of the clan’s representative martial squads, ever since the former captain retired and left the clan, they had acted like wild horses unbound by any bridle.
Thus, Paeng Kyung-ho had gone so far as to forcibly pull his son out of the troop when he was a member.
He had believed no good could come from associating with them.
Yet now, everything had changed.
The White Wolf Troop had taken the head of Geugaksoma, the Extreme Evil Laughing Demon, one of the Absolute Great Evils whose very name struck terror across the martial world.
This was a tremendous feat that would bring immense glory to the name of the Hebei Peng Clan, praised by countless people for years to come.
Paeng Kyung-ho simply coveted the seat of the martial squad captain who had achieved such greatness.
“Hahaha.”
Though his motives were transparent as glass, Paeng Kyung-ho was extraordinarily skilled at packaging them.
Yet one could hardly call his actions wrong, for Peng Mugang himself had previously thought that Paeng Do-hwan would suit the White Wolf Troop well.
Knowing Peng Mugang’s thoughts beforehand was why Paeng Kyung-ho had stepped forward with such bold confidence.
“Certainly, if it is Do-hwan, he is more than worthy of the position.”
At Peng Mugang’s words, Paeng Kyung-ho’s expression brightened noticeably.
“However, on a day like today, we must also hear the thoughts of those directly involved. What do you all think?”
Peng Mugang’s gaze turned toward the members of the White Wolf Troop.
Paeng Kyung-ho, however, felt asking was entirely unnecessary.
Among the rising stars within the clan, his son enjoyed greater popularity and respect than anyone else.
Moreover, he knew his son still maintained close ties with the White Wolf Troop.
While that had always displeased him before, in this moment, he found that fact utterly fortunate.
They would surely welcome it with open arms.
Unfortunately, the hearts of the White Wolf Troop were far from what he imagined.
In response to Peng Mugang’s question, Oh Chae-mu spoke without a single moment of hesitation.
“Forgive us, but we of the White Wolf Troop wish to continue serving alongside our current Captain.”
“Hm? Wh-what did you say?”
At Oh Chae-mu’s response, Paeng Kyung-ho’s face filled with utter astonishment.
He had never imagined such an answer would emerge.
Yet Oh Chae-mu and the rest of the White Wolf Troop members bore expressions of absolute, unyielding resolve.
Peng Mugang was equally surprised.
He had expected them to seize the opportunity immediately.
Peng Mugang slowly examined the faces of the White Wolf Troop members one by one before asking,
“Is that the unified will of the entire White Wolf Troop?”
“Yes! It is. We all desire this.”
“Hmph. Is that so?”
“What on earth are you all saying?!”
With an expression of utter disbelief, Paeng Kyung-ho shouted at the White Wolf Troop.
The situation was unfolding entirely contrary to his expectations.
Considering all circumstances, he had been certain that both Peng Mugang and the White Wolf Troop would gladly accept his proposal.
And yet…
“No, why would you say that? From every perspective, it is only natural that having our Do-hwan as Captain would be far more—”
“We apologize, Elder. However, our resolve will not change.”
“What? Ha!”
At Oh Chae-mu’s blunt refusal, Paeng Kyung-ho let out an exasperated scoff.
Seeing this, Peng Mugang burst into a hearty laugh.
“Hahaha! It seems you have grown far more attached than expected in such a short time. Very well. If those who achieved such great merit desire it, I must grant their wish.”
“B-But Patriarch! You cannot do this!”
Paeng Kyung-ho tried to persist stubbornly.
In that instant—
Boom.
The air inside the Patriarch’s Hall grew unimaginably heavy.
Peng Mugang had unleashed his martial aura.
“Guh.”
Facing Peng Mugang’s ferocious aura, Paeng Kyung-ho let out an involuntary groan under the immense, crushing pressure.
Peng Mugang looked down at Paeng Kyung-ho with an icy expression.
“What do you mean I cannot? Did I not just say that is what I will do? Are you intending to defy my will now?”
“N-No, what I meant was—”
“Let us leave it at that. You are ruining what was a joyous atmosphere.”
“…Understood. Forgive me.”
Under Peng Mugang’s terrifying pressure, Paeng Kyung-ho quickly tucked his tail and backed down.
Soon after, Peng Mugang withdrew his aura.
“Hahahaha! The mood grew rather heavy for a moment.”
As if he had never worn a cold expression, he let out another boisterous laugh.
“Hear me, all of you! Effective today, I lift the disciplinary confinement of the White Wolf Troop and order your return to the main clan grounds. Furthermore, rewards shall be bestowed upon every member of the troop. For today, eat and drink to your hearts’ content!”
“Yes, Patriarch!”
At Peng Mugang’s decree, everyone bowed their heads and answered with thunderous voices.
Yet Paeng Kyung-ho’s expression remained dark.
A deep grievance began to sprout within his heart.
However, he did not know.
He did not know that Yeo Woonhwi had been quietly watching him the entire time.
“Daddy—!”
The moment Yul-i saw Yeo Woonhwi entering the room, her face bloomed with pure bliss as she leaped straight into his arms.
“Haha. Look at you! You’ll get hurt if you jump like that.”
“I have Daddy, so I’m okay!”
“Is that so? Hahaha!”
Holding his daughter as she nuzzled her face against his chest, Yeo Woonhwi let out a warm, joyful laugh, looking at her with absolute adoration.
The moment he saw Yul-i, all the scattered, complicated thoughts in his head seemed to vanish in an instant.
As he felt every single day, a child truly was an extraordinary, almost magical existence to a parent.
“You’re back?”
Peng Seoyeon, the other reason for Yeo Woonhwi’s happiness, greeted him.
Yet, despite not seeing each other for several days, there was no sign of joy on her face.
On the contrary, she looked thoroughly displeased.
‘Why?’
He searched his mind for anything he might have done wrong, but nothing came to mind.
Hmm.
Even if he did not know the reason, one thing was clear: in times like these, he must never act rashly.
A single misstep could invite a massive disaster.
Even he feared his wife’s wrath above all else.
Ahem.
From that moment on, Yeo Woonhwi made every effort to be as careful as possible with his words and actions.
What made him even more nervous was that his wife remained unusually quiet even while he played with Yul-i in his arms.
Normally, she would happily recount the things that had happened while they were apart.
Or at the very least, she would stay close by his side, chattering about Yul-i’s antics…
Then, after a long silence, Peng Seoyeon finally spoke.
“Why don’t you quit?”
“Hm? What do you mean so suddenly?”
“I’m asking why you don’t speak to Father and step down from being the Captain of the White Wolf Troop. From what I hear, there is fortunately someone else who wants the position.”
It seemed she had already heard what took place in the Patriarch’s Hall. News traveled fast.
Lifting his head to look quietly into Peng Seoyeon’s face, Yeo Woonhwi asked,
“Did something happen?”
“Of course something happened! My husband, who has never learned martial arts, went off with rough, burly warriors to subjugate bandits, only for me to hear news that he encountered an Arch-Demon whom dozens of top-tier masters couldn’t defeat even if they attacked together!”
“Ah, th-that matter…”
Only then did Yeo Woonhwi realize why she was acting this way.
“How do you think I felt when I heard that? How terrified do you think I was?”
“Dear.”
“And then I hear that somehow the White Wolf Troop severed Geugaksoma’s head, but what about my husband? Is he all right? Did he get severely hurt?! No, what if the news about capturing Geugaksoma was mistaken in the first place? What if something went wrong at the hands of that monster? What about Yul-i and me? What are we supposed to do from now on…?”
Before she knew it, tears welled in Peng Seoyeon’s eyes.
The cold, stiff expression she had worn until now was merely her desperate struggle to hold back her sorrow and tears.
“I am sorry.”
Encountering Geugaksoma had not been Yeo Woonhwi’s fault, of course.
Yet Yeo Woonhwi spoke with complete sincerity.
He was simply sorry for causing his wife this much worry.
“Mommy, are you crying?”
Yul-i approached her mother with a bewildered look.
At that, Peng Seoyeon forced a gentle smile and stroked Yul-i’s hair.
“Yes, Yul-i. It’s okay. Mommy is just crying because she’s so happy to see Daddy.”
“Huh? Why do you cry when you’re happy?”
Yul-i tilted her head, unable to understand her mother’s words.
“Once every hundred times, people do.”
“Then does Yul-i cry once every hundred times too?”
“Probably?”
“Whoa. I see.”
Sensing that her mother was all right, Yul-i quickly scampered toward the bed, hugging her doll and rolling around.
Watching her, Yeo Woonhwi gently embraced Peng Seoyeon and patted her back soothingly.
“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
“Hmph, forget it.”
“Come now, you clearly don’t mean that when your face still looks so upset. Come, tell me. What must I do to make you feel better?”
“I told you earlier. You just need to stop being the Captain of the White Wolf Troop.”
“Mmm.”
Yeo Woonhwi was genuinely troubled.
Truthfully, encountering Geugaksoma and taking his head had not been his intention at all.
He had thought that aligning their stories and passing the credit to the White Wolf Troop would settle the matter without issue.
It would also serve as a valid reason to lift the troop’s confinement.
Though it had turned out to be far too grand a justification.
However, he had never imagined that the mere fact of encountering Geugaksoma would cause Peng Seoyeon this much distress.
‘I was too thoughtless.’
He realized he had lacked consideration for his wife.
At this rate, he wondered if he truly ought to step down from the captaincy of the White Wolf Troop.
Just when a certain bond had begun to form and things were starting to get interesting.
Well, it couldn’t be helped.
To him, his wife and Yul-i mattered more than anything else.
Just as he was about to agree,
“Fine. I know. I know you can’t just quit recklessly at this point.”
Peng Seoyeon let out a deep sigh.
Seeing him at least make a show of agonizing over it had melted her heart a little.
“No. If you wish it, I will quit as early as tomorrow.”
“Hah, you sure talk a good game.”
“I mean it.”
“Forget it.”
Though she pouted, she could tell.
Even if she did not know the reason, he wanted to continue working with the White Wolf Troop.
The fact that her husband had found something he felt passionate about here in the Peng Clan was, in its own way, a relief.
“Instead, make me a few promises.”
“Promises?”
Toward Yeo Woonhwi, who tilted his head in curiosity, Peng Seoyeon finally spoke.