Chapter 13

"Don't push her too hard."

Jeong I-chu couldn't respond to Madam Ahn's calm words.

Madam Ahn, the mistress of the Jeong Sword Sect, usually didn't interfere with outside matters. She was very calm and wise.

As the eldest daughter of an ordinary merchant family, she was fulfilling her role as the daughter-in-law and now the mistress of a martial arts family. Not only the martial artists of the Sword Clan but also the servants, maids, and even the nearby residents respected and liked her very much.

Although she usually didn't interfere with outside matters, this time was different.

It was a matter directly related to her daughter's safety.

"Charyeon is still young."

"Eighteen is all grown up."

"Do you really think so?"

Of course, Jeong I-chu didn't think so. Even if she were twenty-eight, he would still be anxious.

Among his three daughters, Jeong Charyeon was the most expressive of her emotions. Of course, every finger hurt when bitten, but she was special among them.

"She has a strong pride."

"I know."

Madam Ahn knew how much her husband loved his daughters.

But on the other hand, Jeong I-chu was soft-hearted.

He was such a kind and generous person, so out of place in Jianghu, that he thought he had been lucky to get this far in this turbulent Martial World. Madam Ahn was worried about that.

"Even I, who only manages the household, hear rumors. Young Master Jang's reputation isn't good."

"When you're the heir to the Palm Heart Clan, there are bound to be unfounded rumors."

"It's not just rumors, it's scandals."

Jeong I-chu closed his eyes tightly.

He knew what Madam Ahn was talking about. How could he not have heard the rumors about Jang In-geol? Hwa Ryeon was the one who asked him to take on this task, but this matter was causing him a lot of concern in many ways.

Madam Ahn knew Jeong I-chu's heart for his daughter, so she thought this was enough.

"You don't look well these days."

She massaged Jeong I-chu's arm.

Jeong I-chu smiled at her with gratitude.

"It's not easy."

That was Jeong I-chu's honest feeling.

"I'm sure it's not."

Madam Ahn comforted her husband with a look of faith.

It would be nice to have a reliable son at times like this. Even though she knew she shouldn't think that way, Madam Ahn wished someone could be a strength to Jeong I-chu.

She missed her kind-hearted eldest son-in-law even more at times like this. But then again, where could you find such a kind son-in-law these days?

At that moment, the door opened and Hwa Ryeon entered. Her urgent expression changed to a smile when she saw Madam Ahn.

"Were you talking? Should I come back later?"

Madam Ahn stood up.

"No, I should go. Then, take care of things, dear."

Madam Ahn also left a warm word for Hwa Ryeon.

"Don't overdo it either. How can a father and daughter's faces be so gaunt? People will think I only fed you gruel and scold this mother."

"I'll pay attention to it from now on."

Madam Ahn left the room.

Hwa Ryeon glanced at Jeong I-chu.

She knew better than anyone that her father was uncomfortable with this matter.

"Yes, what's the matter?"

She had to bring up an unpleasant story, so her heart was heavy.

But it had to be said.

"Four more Blue Gate martial artists have expressed their intention to leave."

Jeong I-chu frowned and sighed.

Recently, the departure of Blue Gate martial artists had been increasing. It was because of one rumor. That there would soon be a big fight between the Palm Heart Clan and the Jeong Sword Sect.

Of course, it was certain that the Palm Heart Clan had maliciously spread the rumor. In the past few months, more than twenty martial artists had left because of this rumor.

The Blue Gate martial artists were the Jeong Sword Sect's entry-level disciples. In exchange for food, shelter, and martial arts training, they took on the Jeong Sword Sect's difficult tasks. In short, they were the most basic martial artists of the Sword Clan.

The Blue Gate martial artists could leave at any time. In fact, there were always three or four people who couldn't endure the training and quit each year. Of course, once they left, they could never re-enter.

After five years as a Blue Gate trainee, they took an exam, and if they passed, they were promoted to Red Gate martial artists. Most of them passed without much difficulty unless they were particularly lazy.

Once they became Red Gate martial artists, they could not leave freely. They officially became martial artists of the Sword Clan. Red Gate martial artists received a small monthly salary. In short, from that point on, the Jeong Sword Sect became their lifelong job.

After another five years as a Red Gate martial artist, they could take the exam to become White Gate martial artists. The White Gate martial artists were in charge of the Blue Gate trainees' instructors and other major and minor affairs of the Sword Clan. In short, they were the elite of the Jeong Sword Sect.

Currently, the Jeong Sword Sect had a total of seven White Gate martial artists, thirty Red Gate martial artists, and two hundred Blue Gate martial artists.

Compared to the past when they were doing well, the elite had decreased and the number of trainees had increased. The increase in the number of Blue Gate martial artists was thanks to Hwa Ryeon, who had steadily increased their numbers in recent years while in charge of the military. Just a few years ago, there were less than a hundred Blue Gate martial artists.

In any case, the decrease in the number of Blue Gate martial artists meant that the foundation of the Jeong Sword Sect was being shaken.

"Despicable bastards!"

Jeong I-chu struck the armrest of the chair he was sitting on.

He wanted to visit the Palm Heart Clan Lord and apply for a martial arts contest.

But Jeong I-chu wasn't confident.

'If only I had mastered the Crimson Snake Sword Art.'

Jeong I-chu inwardly sighed. His achievement of reaching the ninth level had not progressed any further since he turned forty.

The difference between the ninth and tenth levels was greater than the sum of all the progress from the first to the ninth levels. He regretted not sweating more when his father was alive, but it was like touching the testicles of a dead child.

"If we refuse this request again, their tyranny will become even worse."

"But I don't want to force your sister to do this."

"Leave that to me, Father, and just pretend you don't know."

"I can't do that."

Jeong I-chu couldn't help but worry.

"It's not that big of a deal. It's just going to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with Young Master Jang. It's not like she's marrying him. She can do that much for the family."

"I heard Young Master Jang's reputation isn't good."

"It's just rumors."

"Still, I don't like it."

"It could be a good thing for Ryeon. She might miss her chance to marry if she just keeps focusing on martial arts. She needs to meet the young heroes of Jianghu on this occasion."

At those words, Jeong I-chu's heart wavered slightly.

Hwa Ryeon spoke calmly.

"Father, we have no choice. Let's repay them when our sect gains power someday."

At that moment, Im Mu-yeol rushed in urgently. Im Mu-yeol was the most skilled of the White Gate martial artists and a loyal martial artist who had been with the Jeong Sword Sect for a long time. The three daughters called him Uncle Im and followed him like family.

"Sect Leader, have you heard the news?"

"What's wrong?"

"Charyeon has flatly refused Young Master Jang's request to go to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering together."

"What?"

Jeong I-chu and Hwa Ryeon were shocked.

Hwa Ryeon asked urgently.

"Uncle Im, where did you get this information?"

"Young Master Jang, who was upset about that, is now drunk and causing a ruckus at the House of courtesans. Fortunately, someone I'm close to works as a swordsman at that House of courtesans, and he told me."

Hwa Ryeon shook her head.

"That can't be true. It must be a false rumor."

There was no way Charyeon would have done such a reckless thing. No, she wanted to believe that.

"I'll go out and find out more."

"Please do."

With a serious face, Im Mu-yeol rushed out again.

"If the rumor is true, this is a serious problem."

Jeong I-chu struck the armrest of the chair once again.

"It's better this way."

"Father!"

"If they want to fight, let's fight. Tell all the disciples. If they want to leave, let them leave now."

"Father, this is not a matter to be handled based on emotions. We need to find out the truth about the rumor first."

Just then, someone said from behind.

"There's no need for that, it's true."

Charyeon was entering.

Hwa Ryeon, who was suddenly filled with anger, shouted first.

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Sorry."

"Sorry isn't going to solve anything!"

Then Hwa Ryeon discovered Jeok Leegeon, who had followed her in.

Jeok Leegeon was looking around as if he were a country bumpkin seeing a painting for the first time.

"Who are you...?"

At Hwa Ryeon's question, Charyeon hesitated and said.

"...He's the one who will be going to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with me this time."

"What?"

"What?"

Jeong I-chu and Hwa Ryeon were shocked. Their eyes were wide open as they looked at each other.

"You!"

Calming Hwa Ryeon, who was about to lash out like a sword, Jeong I-chu said calmly.

"Bring him inside first."

Jeok Leegeon strode forward and clasped his hands.

"Jeok Leegeon."

If only he could maintain just that appearance.

"I am Jeong I-chu, Charyeon's father. The fellow martial artists of Jianghu call me by the excessive name of Infinite Jeonghyeop."

"Wow-- you've decorated your house nicely."

Ah, there it goes.

"Hahaha."

Jeong I-chu was flustered. Shouldn't he normally say that he was honored to meet him or that he had heard of his reputation? Even if it was just empty words.

Hwa Ryeon shot Charyeon a fierce look that said, 'What is he?'

It's no use looking at me like that. I don't know either.

Jeok Leegeon ran to one side. Ah, he really can't stay still for a moment.

"Wow! This is a work made in Zhejiang, isn't it?"

The sculpture that Jeok Leegeon admired was made by a famous artisan from Zhejiang Province, which was famous for its woodworking. Few people recognized it, but Jeong I-chu was a little surprised that Jeok Leegeon recognized it at a glance.

"You saw it right away."

"It was also made by a very skilled person. The balance is amazing. Oh, and please speak informally to me."

"Okay, I will."

"Wow! This is porcelain from Fujian, isn't it? It's really a masterpiece. How much did you pay for it? A hundred and twenty taels?"

"A hundred and... a hundred and fifty taels."

"That's a pity. If I had been there, I could have bought it for a hundred and twenty taels."

"Hahaha."

"My discernment is amazing, isn't it? I've traveled around a lot. This is my first time in Infinite."

Jeong I-chu slyly asked Charyeon.

"So, how did you meet Young Master Jeok?"

"That's..."

Charyeon was hesitating when Jeok Leegeon, who was admiring the painting on the wall, quickly said.

"We met at a bar."

"What? A bar?"

Seeing the surprised Jeong I-chu, Charyeon panicked and made excuses.

"That's not it... I was hungry, so I happened to go to an inn..."

Ah, that guy really has a talent for exhausting people.

He could have just said that they met by chance, but he had to say that it was a bar, not an inn.

"Did you go to drink alone?"

"...Yes."

Jeong I-chu felt complicated that his daughter had gone to drink alone. He felt sorry for her, wondering how upset she must have been to do that.

On the other hand, Hwa Ryeon's main concern was not that she had gone to a bar.

"Did you meet Young Master Jang there?"

"Yes."

"As rumored, he asked you to participate in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, and you refused?"

With a look of shame, Charyeon nodded and gritted her teeth.

"That bastard, he really is quick to talk."

Hwa Ryeon's expression completely hardened. You could feel that she was really angry. Charyeon said as if protesting.

"I'll participate. I'll do it. But I absolutely hate that guy. I won't do it with him."

Hwa Ryeon was silent. Even her father, Jeong I-chu, had a troubled expression.

"If I win the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, the Palm Heart Clan won't be able to treat us carelessly, right?"

"Yes."

That was clear. The Dragon Phoenix Gathering was a festival of Jianghu that the entire Central Plains was paying attention to.