Chapter 21

If an apology was necessary, Jeong I-chu had forcibly followed Jeong Charyeon, who had insisted on going alone.

He couldn't send his daughter alone to the Palm Heart Clan, which was no different from a tiger's den. He thought that if they went together and apologized, the Clan Lord of the Palm Heart Clan would also take a step back.

Jeong I-chu, his voice choked, changed the subject.

"So, how far has your training progressed these days?"

"There's no particular progress."

"Even that is a great achievement, so don't be too greedy. One more thing. To survive in this harsh Jianghu, you must always hide three parts of your strength. You must not reveal your achievements carelessly."

"I will keep that in mind."

Charyeon was the only one among his three daughters who had chosen the path of a Martial Artist. Jeong I-chu was looking forward to the day when he could pass on the Jeong Sword Sect to Charyeon.

In addition to that,

'I need to find a good son-in-law...'

His first son-in-law, Seo Baek, was a kind and good person in terms of personality.

But being a good person didn't necessarily make him a good Jianghu person. To be a good Jianghu person, one had to have a decisive and strong personality. Seo Baek lacked that decisiveness. Just like himself.

Jeong I-chu's honest desire was to have a son-in-law who was strong in both Martial arts and personality as Charyeon's spouse. If possible, he also wanted a good Clan so that Charyeon could live without hardship for the rest of her life.

Of course, there was also a problem. If he was a descendant of a good Clan, it would be difficult to ask him to come to the Righteous Sword Sect and inherit the family business. Jeong I-chu was prepared for that as well. Inheriting the Clan was a matter for later. His daughter's happiness was important.

Meanwhile, Charyeon was thinking of Jeok Leegeon.

Hyang Yi, who had visited his lodging in the morning, had informed her that Jeok Leegeon had already left. She said it didn't seem like he had slept there at all last night.

It seemed he had left straight from that pond yesterday.

He could have at least had breakfast before leaving.

She felt a little disappointed that the talkative fellow had left without saying a word.

Charyeon shook her head as if trying to shake off her thoughts of Jeok Leegeon. The more she was conscious of it, the more she kept thinking about Jeok Leegeon.

At that moment, a cart approached and stopped beside them.

Jeong I-chu and Charyeon's gazes naturally turned to the cart.

"Could you share some of those rice balls? We old folks are hungry."

Without being asked, Yang Hwa-young quickly went and sat next to them.

"You folks come on over too."

With that, he urged Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak.

Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak, who had suddenly become hungry and shameless old men, hung their heads low. Cheon Mu-ak, who was particularly proud, even felt his face burning. It was fortunate that he was wearing a bamboo hat.

Neither Jeong I-chu nor Charyeon had the heartless personality to mistreat passing hungry old people.

Charyeon pushed the remaining rice balls, except for the one she was eating, in front of Yang Hwa-young.

"They're a little cold, but they should be edible. Please, eat as much as you like."

With Charyeon and Jeong I-chu's Martial arts skills, they couldn't discern that the three of them had extraordinary energy.

"You're not only pretty, but you also have a beautiful heart."

Yang Hwa-young readily took a rice ball and bit into it. Then, he gestured to Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak to eat quickly.

Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak reluctantly took a bite.

"Ah! Delicious."

Yang Hwa-young smiled like a child. The wrinkles around his crescent-shaped eyes crinkled even more. Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak were also impressed by the taste.

It was only natural, as Madam Ahn's cooking skills were truly superb.

Jeong I-chu gestured to Charyeon to get up. He wanted to let the old folks eat in peace.

That's when it happened.

"If there's something coming, there must be something going."

Yang Hwa-young took out a sickle and drew something on the rock.

Swish, swish, swish, swish.

Everyone's attention was focused on it. Charyeon and Jeong I-chu, who were about to get up, also watched the scene for a moment.

Naeng Isang, who was watching, asked with a curious face.

"What on earth are you drawing?"

"It seems to be a Go board."

At Cheon Mu-ak's words, Charyeon and Jeong I-chu nodded.

The sickle stopped for a moment.

Yang Hwa-young said in a low voice.

"It's a turtle."

"....."

"....."

Swish, swish, swish, swish.

Naeng Isang interjected again.

"If you draw a ring, it will look more like a turtle..."

Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack--

"...Never mind."

Swish, swish, swish, swish.

Soon, a simple drawing was completed.

It was a picture of a turtle crawling to the top of a mountain.

Compared to Yang Hwa-young, who had a satisfied smile, everyone tilted their heads.

"What is this?"

In response to Naeng Isang's question, Yang Hwa-young took another rice ball and got up from his seat.

"Well, I've paid for the meal, so let's go."

Yang Hwa-young jumped onto the cart. Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak followed behind him.

"Elder, please bestow a little more grace."

From the moment he started drawing, Jeong I-chu realized that the three people were not ordinary people. He had a feeling that this was definitely a teaching related to the Martial arts of Ascension. He had to cling to their trouser legs.

The quick-witted Charyeon quickly knelt down.

"This dull and foolish junior seeks the teachings of the senior."