Daddy is too Strong-Chapter 181

It took more than a month to finish brewing the jukyeopcheong, Wei Zhongqi’s treasured bamboo liquor.

This bittersweet yet subtly sweet liquor was one of the most beloved drinks in the Central Plains. Its popularity was such that those on a tight budget prioritized jukyeopcheong, replacing luxurious dishes like meat pancakes and chicken legs with cheaper options like noodles and dumplings.

Everyone enjoyed it, from tenant farmers to young masters of prominent sects. The head of the Heavenly Demon Sect was no exception.

Wei Zhongqi paused as he reached for the jukyeopcheong. A sinister energy, accompanied by thunder and lightning, surged in from afar. Not just one, but many.

Wei Zhongqi’s eyes narrowed. “That’s... Laum.”

Laum was the commander of the Demon King Baal’s first legion. Although Wei Zhongqi had only seen him once in his life, that memory was firmly etched into his mind. He was the master of the Valley of Six Bloods and the man who had once fought the Transcendent Murmu to a standstill.

“Baal seeks an audience with you.”

Laum’s words sent a shock through Wei Zhongqi. Just the fact that Baal’s commander had come calling on him was enough to make his mind race, but the mention of Baal’s summon left him pale as if struck by lightning.

“Why is he looking for me?” Wei Zhongqi asked.

“It’s undoubtedly good news for you, so you’d best come quietly.”

There was no other choice. Even if he refused the invitation, Laum would take him to Baal by force. The chances of winning against Laum in a fight were nearly zero. The commander’s strength, who had evenly matched Murmu in a fight, was overwhelming, and he had countless demons of the first legion under his command.

Black clouds flashed, and lightning struck Wei Zhongqi’s yard. A horse, its body coursing with electricity, materialized. Laum mounted the Thunder Steed, which had suddenly appeared on the ground.

He tapped the empty saddle and said, “Get on.”

***

It was a rainy Saturday morning. Do-Jun sat by the balcony, watching raindrops patter against the window.

The autumn rains had kept falling for days. A growing pile of laundry sat waiting, and the drying rack from the balcony had been moved into the living room. With the high humidity, the clothes were taking forever to dry.

Thinking about heading to the large appliance store to buy a tumble dryer, Do-Jun returned to his chair. He unfolded the morning newspaper and skimmed the front page.

“Behemoth Secures Hidden Piece on the Third Floor of the Core, Day 8 of the Raid...”

As Young-Chul had hoped, the operation in the Core was progressing smoothly. As a result, Young-Chul’s influence, both domestically and globally, was increasing day by day.

Do-Jun’s phone buzzed with Young-Chul’s daily message. Speak of the devil!

Young-Chul: Supervisor Lee! The persistent rain has caused significant temperature fluctuations. Please be careful not to catch a cold and always take care of your health. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out at any time, 24/7.

Who could imagine that in a world where even the president was cautious around the Hunter’s Bureau Chief, that very Chief was going out of his way to avoid upsetting Do-Jun?

“Someone put a hole in the sky,” Byeol muttered, her face pressed against the balcony window as she stared outside. She had been stuck indoors because of the constant rain over the past few days.

According to the weather forecast, the heavy rain was expected to last through next week. Byeol shook her small, chick-shaped coin purse, which had grown fat from a week without trips to the supermarket.

“Having too much money is a pwoblem too,” she sighed.

Amused by her comment, Do-Jun chuckled softly.

Byeol’s allowance, earned through good deeds, kept increasing in her expense log without any recorded expenses. She was unsure of how to handle it.

“Daddy, is it waining tomorrow, too?”

“Probably.”

“I wish it wouldn’t...”

“Why?”

“Because if it wains, I can’t go outside.”

“You can still go out in the rain.”

Byeol turned her head toward him, her expression showing disbelief. Smiling, Do-Jun opened the wardrobe in the bedroom and pulled out Byeol’s raincoat from a box tucked in the corner.

“I can go pway outside?” she asked, still in shock at this seemingly groundbreaking news.

“Of course.”

“Can you not tell Mommy, then?”

Whenever it rained, Yoon-Hee preferred Byeol to stay indoors, worried she might fall and hurt herself outside. Byeol wasn’t exactly aware of the fact that she was a mythical creature with power rivaling that of most dragons.

“Okay. It’ll be our secret. What are you going to do outside?”

Byeol smiled brightly and pulled out a notebook she had been scribbling in. Do-Jun took it and started reading the wobbly handwriting on the second page. Beneath the big title “Plan,” there was a numbered list of things to do—Byeol’s planned activities.

“First, I’ll go to the stowe,” Byeol said enthusiastically.

“Alright.”

“Next, eat Choco Pie.”

“Got it.”

“No, wait. First, buy taiyaki, then eat Choco Pie. Choco Pie is too filling to start with.”

Do-Jun chuckled. “And then?”

“Play with Squa!”

“Sounds good.”

“Are you gonna stay home, Daddy?” Byeol suddenly asked him.

Shaking his head, Do-Jun replied, “No, I’m going out to buy a dryer.”

“A dryer? What’s that?”

“It’s something that makes clothes nice and dry.”

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Byeol looked at the “Plan” for a moment, then carefully put it in the drawer under the TV stand. “Can I come with you, Daddy?”

Smiling warmly, Do-Jun said, “Of course.”

***

The Heavenly Thunder Horse arrived at Solomon’s Altar in the Deep Realm.

Wei Zhongqi stood before Baal, the Demon King, in a private audience. Baal, one of the two entities closest to being the King of the Deep Realm, had placed him in an impossible predicament. If Baal so willed, Wei Zhongqi’s life would be snuffed out easily, like a candle in the wind.

However, Baal was nowhere to be seen. The throne on Solomon’s Altar—the citadel reserved only for the highest-ranking of Solomon’s Seventy-Two Demons—remained empty, but Wei Zhongqi could feel Baal’s presence occupying it.

Why isn’t he saying anything? Just as Wei Zhongqi began wondering what Baal wanted to discuss, the Demon King finally spoke.

“This is the first time we’re speaking after the Great War,” he said. For a throne located over a hundred meters away, the voice was unnervingly clear, as if whispered right next to Wei Zhongqi.

The Great War.

A battle of kings vying for dominion over the Deep Realm.

Solomon’s Seventy-Two Demons, the Transcendents, and rulers from across the realms—all fought over the title of Emperor.

How could anyone forget?

Baal said, “I have a proposal for you. It is your choice alone, and I will not kill you even if you refuse it.”

Wei Zhongqi glanced at the sword hanging from his waist. He had prepared to fight Baal if necessary, despite the odds. Still, hearing Baal say he wouldn’t kill him made him swallow nervously. He was fully aware that his life was entirely in Baal’s hands.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the news that the commander of my third legion, Kamatra, is dead,” Baal remarked.

Wei Zhongqi nodded.

Kamatra had ascended to Earth and was killed by someone.

“The position is vacant,” Ball declared, “and I want to offer it to you.”

As soon as Baal mentioned Kamatra's death, Wei Zhongqi somewhat anticipated what he might say. Still, when his assumption proved correct, his palms grew clammy with sweat.

“If you’re as clever as the rumors say, you should know who to pledge your loyalty to.” Baal’s cold, piercing gaze bore into Wei Zhongqi as he continued, “After the Great War, the dragons, including the Overlord, vanished for thousands of years, and so did the Spirit Queen. Once Earth’s Encroachment concludes and the Great War resumes...”

Who do I think will claim the throne? However, asking that question to himself calmed Wei Zhongqi instead of unsettling him.

Would he have accepted this offer a year ago?

Wei Zhongqi spoke for the first time. “There is only one person I serve beneath the heavens.”

No, he would have refused back then as well.

Even if it meant dying on the spot, his respect and pride in that one person were unwavering. When he had encountered that person again at the Treasure Goblin Company, he had been as ecstatic as a child receiving the world.

“It sounds like you already have a master you serve. Is it Imfelheim? I see. You must have seen potential in him,” Baal commented.

Wei Zhongqi said nothing, not bothering to mention the king of Earth. After all, Do-Jun had little interest in the affairs of the Deep Realm, just as he had been indifferent to worldly matters during his time in the Heavenly Demon Sect.

“Are you confident you won’t regret this? I am giving you an opportunity,” Baal said.

“I....”

***

Rain poured down as if a hole had been punched in the sky, but Yoon-Hee was still in a great mood. She was finally catching up on laundry, which she hadn’t been able to do for days because of the lack of sunlight. After unloading the washing machine, she put the damp clothes into the dryer.

“It’s spinning!” Byeol remarked.

“Isn’t it fascinating?” Yoon-Hee asked her.

“Yes! And it’s so warm and soft!”

Yoon-Hee and Byeol watched the dryer spin, their eyes sparkling with curiosity, like kids discovering a new toy for the first time. Seeing them, Do-Jun chuckled softly while re-reading the dryer’s manual.

Bzzzt!

Suddenly, a Fissure formed outside on the street. It wasn’t an ordinary fissure but a dimensional gate created by the Book of Transfer, something Do-Jun immediately recognized.

***

In the courtyard of Changshin Villa, two men sat facing each other in a traditional pavilion. Between them was a small table with three steaming plates of pajeon.[1]

“And this is...?” Wei Zhongqi asked hesitantly, seeing the dish for the first time.

“It’s called pajeon,” Do-Jun replied.

“Pajeon?”

“In Korea, we eat this on rainy days.”

“Ah, I see.” Wei Zhongqi nodded at Do-Jun’s explanation.

Do-Jun poured jukyeopcheong into a cup for Wei Zhongqi, who accepted it with both hands, showing courtesy.

The sound of the rain brought back memories for Wei Zhongqi. It reminded him of the times he and Do-Jun used to drink together when they were in the Heavenly Demon Sect. Rainy days, sharing bottles of jukyeopcheong with steamed dumplings as a side dish—unlike the noisy taverns filled with martial artists chattering away, their drinking sessions were peaceful.

One glass.

Then another.

Each sip brought a sense of peace.

Leaning against a pillar, Do-Jun gazed up at the sky.

The Heavenly Demon was always composed. He never showed intense anger or joy. Wei Zhongqi didn’t dare speculate about what Do-Jun might be thinking. He was simply grateful to be part of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

“This pajeon... it’s delicious,” Wei Zhongqi commented.

It paired perfectly with jukyeopcheong.

Do-Jun smiled faintly and nodded.

1. Korean-style pancake with green onion. ☜