Chapter 22

Yang Hwa-young, sitting in the carriage, asked with a smile,

"Do you understand the meaning of this painting?"

A strong energy was contained within his benevolence. Heads naturally bowed.

"I do not."

"It is you, right now."

"Pardon?"

Not only Charyeon, but also Jeong I-chu beside her, was startled.

Belatedly, Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak nodded as if they understood something. Yang Hwa-young's words carried great weight.

"Master!"

Despite Charyeon's earnest call, the carriage coldly departed.

Once they were away from the two, Naeng Isang asked seriously,

"What Celestial Energy did you sense in that child?"

Cheon Mu-ak felt similarly. If it was Yang Hwa-young, he might have discerned some energy that they had missed.

Yang Hwa-young slowly shook his head.

"Then why did you give her guidance?"

An unexpected answer came.

"Because she's pretty."

"Pardon?"

"She reminds me of my younger days."

"......!"

"......!"

Yang Hwa-young's eyes narrowed.

"She looks just like me, doesn't she?"

Cheon Mu-ak sweated profusely at the subtle gaze demanding a positive response. Ah, he thought he could live the rest of his life without telling lies at this point.

"...You are very alike."

Yang Hwa-young smiled contentedly.

Naeng Isang asked in a weary voice,

"If you were just going to tell her, why even draw a painting?"

"It makes me look good. As you get older, you have to package yourself well and maintain a sense of gravitas. That's all there is to us old folks, isn't it?"

Naeng Isang and Cheon Mu-ak eventually burst into hollow laughter.

At that moment, Yang Hwa-young glanced back.

Far in the distance, Charyeon and Jeong I-chu were standing in that spot.

Yang Hwa-young's eyes sparkled. As if proving that aging doesn't just bring wrinkles, his gaze was deeply meaningful.

Meanwhile, Charyeon and Jeong I-chu were still examining the paintings.

"Why am I a turtle? Is my Footwork wrong? Or..."

Jeong I-chu was just as clueless, wishing he could provide a clear explanation in times like these.

"For now, keep this painting and his words in your heart. There may come a day when they will be of great help."

"Yes."

The two set off again. Their gloomy mood had somewhat lifted after meeting Yang Hwa-young's group.

Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the Palm Heart Clan.

The Martial Artists guarding the entrance sent word inside, and soon a middle-aged Martial Artist appeared. He was an unfamiliar face, perhaps newly recruited by the Palm Heart Clan.

"Follow me."

His tone was curt, making for a poor first impression. Moreover, he didn't even reveal his identity.

Charyeon frowned disapprovingly behind his back, but Jeong I-chu stopped her with a look. She was angry. Wasn't she the Sect Leader of the Righteous Sword Sect? He should at least offer a proper greeting.

The man's rudeness didn't end there. He led the two to a corner room in a detached building and left without a word.

"What kind of person is that?"

Jeong I-chu said with a placid expression,

"The temperaments of Jianghu people vary. We must respect that."

"This is a matter of etiquette. It's separate from individuality."

Jeong I-chu was also upset. He had lived his whole life as a Martial Artist. Why be a Martial Artist if not to draw your sword and confront unfair or unjust situations?

But he had to swallow his resentment. The moment that resentment burst out, reality wouldn't be as ideal as he wished. That's why he had come to this place today.

A long time passed without any news.

"The least they could do is offer us some tea, isn't that basic courtesy?"

"We didn't give them advance notice, so it's partly our fault."

It had been a long time since he had felt this helpless. Moreover, what a miserable situation to be in, especially in front of his daughter?

"They must be busy."

Half an hour passed like that. Still, no one came.

Charyeon finally jumped up from her seat and shouted,

"This is intentional! The least they could do is send someone, even a yard sweeper, to explain the situation!"

Jeong I-chu closed his eyes tightly and said nothing.

Charyeon sighed and sat down. She felt that if she acted out any more, her father's heart would grow even heavier.

Another half an hour passed before the man from before reappeared.

Without a word of apology, the man said abruptly,

"Today won't work."

Charyeon's eyes immediately turned fierce. She forcibly restrained herself from reaching for the hilt of her sword.

Hiding his anger, Jeong I-chu asked calmly,

"Did you inform the Clan Lord?"

"The Clan Lord is away."

Charyeon burst out,

"Why are you telling us this now?"

The man's gaze turned cold. His angular face revealed his thoughts: how dare a young girl speak up?

But Charyeon wasn't one to back down.

"Who are you? Are you the Palm Heart Clan Lord? Or maybe the Clan Lord's brother? Who do you think you are to disrespect my father like this? Do you think the Righteous Sword Sect is a joke?"

A blatant sneer crossed the man's lips. It was a mockery, implying that they couldn't even attach the word "Righteous" to their Sword Clan.

Charyeon was about to unleash a torrent of abuse when Jeong I-chu said quietly,

"Stop it!"

"Father!"

"Apologize to him at once."

Jeong I-chu's voice rose. Charyeon clenched her fists tightly.

"......"

"Now!"

Charyeon reluctantly bowed her head.

The man scoffed.

Jeong I-chu said calmly to the Martial Artist,

"Please tell him when he returns that I came by."

"I will."

The two left the room.

Jeong I-chu didn't say a word as they walked down the hallway. Charyeon was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not angry with you."

"I just couldn't stand it."

"Yes, when you can't stand it, you shouldn't. But you must always be cautious when living in the Jianghu."

"...Yes."

To be giving his daughter such a lecture in this situation, how pathetic could he be?

Jeong I-chu felt a bitter sense of self-loathing for his life of constant endurance. He had wanted his children to live lives where they could speak their minds.