Preparations Below (2)
A massive yawn stretched out, the kind that could summon heat haze even though it wasn’t spring.
“Ugh, I’m so sluggish.”
The voice was thick and lazy, the exact tone that would feel perfect for soothing a pounding hangover. And Peng Woon, who had indeed drunk quite heavily the night before, found himself calming his churning stomach as he listened to his lord’s yawn.
Peng Mookang, who had been scratching at his chest, finally spoke.
“Woon-ah.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Wake that bastard up.”
“Understood.”
A moment later, Peng Woon returned with a bucket of water and dumped it over the collapsed young man.
Splash!
“Guhk!”
The young man shot upright in shock.
His build was enormous, yet his overall proportions were perfectly balanced. It was the kind of body that would draw admiration from anyone who saw it—a truly magnificent physique.
At least, that would have been true under normal circumstances.
Right now, the young man’s body was covered in cuts and bruises, so mangled that the word “miserable” felt like an understatement. His hair, matted with dried blood, looked like withered seaweed.
Seated on a chair atop the training ground and looking down at Peng Daeho, Peng Mookang clicked his tongue.
“He really has improved quite a bit.”
Peng Daeho grumbled in response.
“Are you really beating your own son half to death just to test his skills?”
“Training should be like real combat. A single drop of sweat shed now can prevent a bucket of blood from being spilled later.”
“If it were just sweat, that would be one thing.”
“This isn’t the first or second time, is it? Stop whining. You look pathetic.”
“After turning your son into this mess, you still have the nerve to say that?!”
On the surface it looked terrible, but inside it was even worse. He was suffering from both internal injuries and fractures. The fact that Peng Daeho could still sit up and argue like this showed just how incredible his endurance was. At this level, most people wouldn’t even be able to twitch a finger.
Peng Mookang let out a small chuckle.
“What’s so bad about that appearance? It’s better than getting your head chopped off by some random bastard’s blade.”
“You’re being too harsh. Today was especially brutal. Before some nameless fool’s sword could take his head, he nearly died from the beating.”
“Then he should train even harder.”
Peng Daeho exploded.
“I’m already losing sleep over it!”
And that was the truth.
The Martial Alliance had plenty of experts and geniuses. Stimulated by the sight of them, Peng Daeho had more than doubled the intensity of his training compared to when he was back at the family estate.
Every single day was a brutal regimen that made one want to vomit blood. It was a level of training that would make even the most stubborn poison-obsessed maniacs stick out their tongues in disbelief.
“Are you talking back to your father right now?”
“Is it wrong to talk back to a father who’s trying to kill his own son?”
“There’s no unfilial son like you in the world. Where else would you find a parent who pours so much love into training you like I do?”
Peng Daeho glared at his father with puffed-up cheeks before abruptly turning his head away.
There was no point in trying to reason with him. Peng Daeho had his own fair share of experience in the Jianghu and had met quite a few people known for their eccentric personalities, but none of them could compare to his father.
No, it would be a blessing if it ended at just being eccentric. This was nothing but disguised assault under the name of training!
The words had nearly climbed all the way up his throat. He could usually endure most pain with a smile, but every single one of his father’s punches brought agony far beyond the level of a simple fracture.
He knew it was training, but wasn’t this method a bit too extreme?
“Stop talking nonsense and focus. If you’ve come to your senses, start circulating your energy.”
“My shinbone is broken, you know.”
“Who told you to sit in a lotus position? Did you throw away the standing cultivation you learned with such difficulty to some dog?”
“I told you my shinbone is broken! Forget lotus position—I can’t even do standing cultivation!”
“Then do it lying down, you idiot! Damn, this kid talks too much. With a body the size of a mountain, who the hell did he take after to end up like this?”
Peng Daeho grumbled as he flopped onto his back. The fact that he would lie down the moment he was told to showed that his temper was no ordinary thing either.
But only for a moment.
Soon, Peng Daeho’s expression grew peaceful. He had entered a state of cultivation in the blink of an eye.
The ferocious look on Peng Mookang’s face also softened.
“That kid…”
He didn’t say it out loud, but his face was filled with pride.
Peng Woon spoke up slyly.
“His blade techniques have improved, but his close-quarters combat ability has grown tremendously, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed. I thought he was just starting to walk around with a bit more confidence in his shoulders, but to think he’s grown this much.”
Peng Mookang looked down at his own solar plexus.
Beneath his loose clothing, a small bruise had formed near the center of his chest. Even though he had blocked it, the penetrating force of the Pa Gap Choo had still managed to break through his defense and strike him.
He hadn’t used his full strength, but it was still impressive. It was clear that Peng Daeho had not only trained his body but had also deeply cultivated his internal energy and explosive force techniques.
“It must have been quite the stimulus for him. After all, it wasn’t just anyone—his own little brother had grown so much.”
Peng Daeho’s twin brother, Peng Manho, was currently serving as a soldier in the Myeolsa Army under the Uijeong Army.
He trained as a soldier and was deployed into operations as a soldier. Having crossed countless lines between life and death, Peng Manho’s combat ability had become truly formidable.
Naturally, Peng Daeho could not purely rejoice in his younger brother’s growth without any selfish feelings.
The reason was simple: he was the young family head. Moreover, as someone carrying the blood of the notoriously aggressive and prideful Hebei Peng Family, it was only natural. If anything, it was Peng Manho’s relaxed personality that was the unusual one.
“Is that why you’re doing this?”
“Hm?”
“By striking the young master’s body, you’re helping his internal energy flow more smoothly and burning away his turbid qi, aren’t you?”
That was the true reason behind the terrible pain that accompanied Peng Mookang’s punches. The penetrating explosive force injured him while simultaneously incinerating his turbid qi and kneading his internal energy like dough. To Peng Daeho, it truly felt like death itself.
Peng Mookang shrugged.
“Don’t misunderstand. Both Daeho and Manho are equally precious to me. However, as the family head, I must draw out the maximum potential of the one who will succeed me. That is not a right, but a responsibility.”
“I see.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have done it if the boy wasn’t ready. In such a short time, he’s managed to climb this far. Quite impressive.”
Peng Mookang’s face was full of admiration as he looked at his son.
Peng Woon cleared his throat.
“Still, the fractures were a bit excessive.”
“It’s fine. His Iron Body Technique is still holding strong. He should recover in about six days. Occasionally striking him this hard is good. The more he takes, the greater his progress in the Iron Body Technique will be. His bones and muscles will become both more flexible and tougher.”
Though the training looked rough, there was meticulous calculation hidden within it.
Peng Mookang yawned again.
“Aigoo, maybe I should rest properly today. There’s another Bonggong meeting tomorrow, apparently.”
“Another meeting?”
“Indeed. I can understand why, but the meetings are far too frequent.”
In any organization, becoming a leader required vast knowledge, sharp wisdom, and the insight to read the times. In that regard, Peng Mookang was an excellent family head.
But he was still a man of the Peng Family. Bold, straightforward, and someone who disliked complicated matters. Unless it would harm the family, he generally had no fondness for using his head.
“Once that kid wakes up, I’ll give him a little scolding and then rest. You should go in and rest too. You drank quite a lot yesterday, didn’t you?”
“Haha, didn’t you drink even more, Family Head?”
“Don’t waste time with pointless formalities under the excuse of respecting your superior. A person should know how to live efficiently.”
Peng Woon smiled.
“Understood. Then I’ll head in first.”
“Go ahead.”
But Peng Woon couldn’t take more than a few steps before he stopped.
…?!
His eyes gleamed.
“Family Head?”
“Yeah.”
A strange light appeared on Peng Mookang’s face.
“Looks like we have an unexpected guest.”
The newcomer made no attempt to hide their presence. Yet they also weren’t releasing it ostentatiously, which only made the dignified aura approaching them feel even more imposing.
A moment later, a young and clear voice rang out from beyond the gate.
“Is anyone here?”
Peng Mookang answered.
“The gate is open. Come in.”
Creeeak.
Through the open gate, Yeon Hojeong revealed himself.
Yeon Hojeong gave a precise, disciplined fist salute.
“I greet the Family Head of the Peng Family. I am Yeon Hojeong of the Yeon Family.”
It was a short greeting, but one that overflowed with masculine dignity.
Peng Mookang rose from his seat.
“The great commander of the Uijeong Army has come all the way to this shabby place.”
“You flatter me.”
“Is this our first time meeting face to face like this?”
The two had only seen each other’s faces a few times during the Bonggong meetings. Since it was an official setting, there had been no personal conversation, and they had barely even made eye contact.
“That is correct.”
“I entrusted my son to you but never once came to visit. I don’t particularly like it when people start spreading rumors.”
He was referring to Peng Manho. Yeon Hojeong nodded.
“I understand.”
“How is he? Is the boy doing well?”
“He is performing his duties more than adequately. Of course, there is still room for further growth.”
Peng Mookang grinned.
“The more you beat him, the stronger he becomes. That goes for all the men of the Peng Family, not just him. Please put plenty of sincerity into hammering him so he can grow properly.”
“Since the Family Head says so, I will make sure to roll him around even more.”
“Now that’s music to my ears.”
To a third party, the conversation would have sounded completely bizarre.
But Peng Mookang was satisfied with Yeon Hojeong’s straightforward words. He greatly liked people who showed themselves boldly and without pretense.
Yeon Hojeong glanced at Peng Daeho.
“By the way, Brother Peng seems to be training quite diligently as well?”
“He is working hard. He can’t afford to lose to his little brother, after all.”
“That’s true.”
“Though from your perspective, he must still be terribly lacking. What do you think? Does he seem somewhat useful now?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“His inner qi is circulating very vigorously. His body has also been trained to a level incomparable to when I first met him. This kind of effort would be difficult even for most poison-obsessed maniacs.”
“Kahaha!”
Peng Mookang burst into unrestrained laughter.
There wasn’t a trace of ill will in that laugh. He didn’t find Yeon Hojeong arrogant or conceited in the slightest.
“If even the greatest genius of the younger generation says that much, then at least that boy hasn’t been slacking in his training.”
“That is too much praise. Brother Peng will become an excellent family head.”
“Thank you for the kind words.”
“It was nothing.”
“That aside.”
Peng Mookang tilted his head.
“What brings you here at this hour? It seems you have something specific to say.”
“Indeed, I do.”
“Shall I have them prepare some drinks?”
Yeon Hojeong unknowingly let out a small chuckle.
“To be honest, before coming here, that was exactly what I had hoped for. I wanted to slowly sip wine and get to know the Family Head properly.”
It was a statement that could have sounded quite arrogant.
Peng Mookang asked with a smile.
“But not anymore?”
“Yes. I think I’ll ask you directly.”
“Kahat! Direct is good. What is it?”
“Are you a spy dispatched by the Three Sects?”
It was an incredibly bold question.
Beyond being bold, even if the other person truly was a spy, there was no way they would answer, “Yes, I am a spy.” Yet Yeon Hojeong had asked anyway.
Peng Mookang’s reply was masterful.
“Do I look like someone smart enough to waste time on such troublesome nonsense?”
“As I thought, you are not.”
“I wouldn’t do it even if they offered me the emperor’s throne. I already have enough white hairs to worry about as it is.”
The world would never know that this was simply Peng Mookang’s personality.
But Yeon Hojeong found that personality of his very likable.
“Then I will believe that you are not.”
Peng Mookang’s eyes sparkled.
“Of course I’m not. But… you believe my words?”
“If it’s true, it’s true. If it’s false, it’s false.”
“Kahahahaha!!”
Peng Mookang’s laughter rang out louder and more vigorously than ever before.
“This friend is truly something else. I like him a lot. Now I understand why my second son follows you so closely.”
“You flatter me.”
“Right, in that case.”
Peng Mookang’s eyes instantly sharpened.
“What would you like me to do for you?”
What a quick-witted man.
Truly, there isn’t a single easy opponent among them.
Yeon Hojeong spoke with a serious expression.
“Please help me root out the spies.”