Chapter 23

As Jeong I-chu left the Palm Heart Clan with such discomfort, someone called out to him from behind.

"Are you not Great Warrior Jeong?"

Turning around, it was Kwon Hyuk-gi, the Eight Flying Hands, who was there as a guest of the Palm Heart Clan.

"It's been a while, Lord Kwon."

Jeong I-chu greeted him with pleasure.

Kwon Hyuk-gi was a master of palm techniques, and his nickname was Eight Flying Hands because his hands were said to be so fast that they appeared as eight when he struck. He had been making a name for himself in Shandong and had recently been staying as a guest of the Palm Heart Clan.

The Palm Heart Clan was showing off its power by inviting several masters besides Kwon Hyuk-gi. Of course, it cost a fortune, but the Clan Lord of the Palm Heart Clan never skimped on that part.

"This is Lord Kwon of the Eight Flying Hands. Greet him."

"I am Jeong Charyeon."

"Hehe, the Unrivaled Beauty of the Murim, indeed, you've grown up very beautifully."

As he said that, he subtly scanned Charyeon from head to toe. It was a very unpleasant gaze that only Charyeon herself could sense. Charyeon's brow furrowed slightly.

Jeong I-chu, unaware of this, greeted him politely.

"I will treat you to a drink soon. Then, I'll be on my way."

As Jeong I-chu turned to leave after offering a formal greeting, Kwon Hyuk-gi casually suggested.

"Why don't you buy that drink today instead of postponing it?"

Frankly, Jeong I-chu wasn't in the mood to face Kwon Hyuk-gi. But with Kwon Hyuk-gi coming out like this, he couldn't refuse outright.

He wondered if he had something to say. Since he was a main guest of the Palm Heart Clan, he thought he might be of some help in this matter.

"Haha, very well. It's been a while since I've had a chance to catch up with Lord Kwon."

"As expected, Sect Leader Jeong is magnanimous."

"Charyeon, you go back first."

Then Kwon Hyuk-gi shook his head.

"Instead, let's have your daughter come with us."

Jeong I-chu wondered why he was so insistent on taking Charyeon along. Perhaps he wanted to give her some good advice regarding this matter, so Jeong I-chu readily agreed with a good heart.

"Then let's do that."

And so, the three of them left the Palm Heart Clan.

There was someone watching that scene from the window of the three-story building.

It was Jang In-geol.

The middle-aged man who had guided Charyeon and Jeong I-chu earlier was standing behind him. Jeong I-chu hadn't recognized him, but he was Choong So, the Four Secret Swords, who had been newly recruited and volunteered to be Jang In-geol's right-hand man. Although he was one rank lower than Kwon Hyuk-gi, his martial arts skills were known to be equal.

"I've riled up that bastard nicely."

"That's not enough."

Choong So smiled bitterly as he watched Charyeon's group walking far away.

"I've told Brother Kwon firmly, so that bastard will be in big trouble."

Jang In-geol gave a sinister smile.

"Hehe, that arrogant bitch. How dare she reject me."

He was determined to completely ruin Charyeon.

He would make her body and mind completely devastated.

Someone entered his room.

It was Jang Dae-san, the Clan Lord of the Palm Heart Clan. He was a burly man with solid muscles, but unlike his bear-like appearance, he was known as a cunning fox skilled in scheming.

Jang In-hwa followed behind Jang Dae-san. As the two entered, Choong So politely greeted them and went outside.

Jang Dae-san subtly opened the door to make sure Choong So had completely disappeared to the end of the hallway before cautiously asking.

"How is he?"

"He's useful enough."

"He's not someone to trust deeply."

"I'll use him appropriately and discard him."

"Don't forget. The most sure way to succeed in Jianghu is to trust no one."

"I am always mindful of that."

Jang Dae-san sat down with a satisfied smile.

"I heard there's trouble on the Righteous Sword Sect side?"

Jang In-geol was a little flustered. It seemed Jang In-hwa had blabbered about the matter with Charyeon in the meantime.

Keeping the Righteous Sword Sect in check and further absorbing and integrating it into the Palm Heart Clan was the first task assigned to Jang In-geol this year. At the same time, it was also a test of his capabilities as a successor.

Jang In-geol glared at Jang In-hwa, but she even gave a relaxed smile. She had been receiving Jang Dae-san's love all to herself. Jang In-hwa was the only one that the ill-tempered Jang In-geol couldn't do anything about.

Jang In-hwa sent a pathetic look and said.

"What's the reason for going out to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with that bitch Charyeon? How much does that help with this matter? Could it be that you have other intentions?"

"You!"

Jang In-geol was flustered as if he had been hit in the bullseye.

Jang Dae-san was well aware that his son was fond of women. But he didn't think it was a flaw. He had never thought of his own lust as a weakness.

"Since I've entrusted this matter to you anyway, I'll trust you."

"I can handle it well."

Jang Dae-san gave a low warning to Jang In-geol's boast.

"The Righteous Sword Sect has a deep tradition. In short, it means they have potential. Although Jeong I-chu is indecisive and full of affection, that also means he has a lot of popularity. In any case, he's quite the figure with connections in the Martial World. Don't think of it lightly."

"I will keep that in mind."

"Oh, there's been contact from the Northern Sky Clan."

"Did they accept our offer?"

Jang In-geol asked with a delighted expression, and Jang Dae-san nodded.

"Yes. They accepted our conditions."

"Oh, that's something to celebrate."

This time, the Palm Heart Clan had put all its efforts into connecting Jang In-hwa with Lim Yang-gu, the second son of the Northern Sky Clan. They had spent a considerable amount of wealth, and finally, the Northern Sky Clan had confirmed the matter.

"It's a pity that he's the second son."

The eldest son, Lim Ha-gi, had already decided to go out with a daughter of the Sima Clan. Although the Palm Heart Clan was the Unrivaled First Clan, it was no match for the Sima Clan.

Then Jang In-hwa smiled meaningfully.

"Things in the world... sometimes the second son becomes the eldest son."

Jang Dae-san, guessing his daughter's intentions, laughed heartily.

"If that happens, it's only a matter of time before our Palm Heart Clan becomes the first clan in Hubei, no, the first clan in the world. Hahaha!"

After that, there were more ugly stories that would make anyone frown if they heard them, but the smiles did not disappear from the faces of the three people.

At the same time, on the roof of the Palm Heart Clan.

Jeok Leegeon was lying down, looking up at the sky. Muyeong was standing next to him with his arms crossed.

"They're having fun."

They were hearing all the conversations of the Jang family under the roof, which ordinary masters could never hear.

Jeok Leegeon sat up.

"We'll take over the Palm Heart Clan first."

"Didn't you say we'd start with the Northern Sky Clan right after the competition?"

"I did."

"You said the Palm Heart Clan wasn't even worth our time."

Jeok Leegeon nodded.

"Why did you change your mind?"

He was asking, but Muyeong had a face that seemed to guess something.

Jeok Leegeon stared intently at such Muyeong.

"Muyeong, that's a bad habit. Asking when you know. Sneakily probing."

Then Muyeong smiled awkwardly.

Jeok Leegeon looked at where Jeong I-chu's group had disappeared.

"He's going to be my father-in-law. Of course, I don't know about the future."

As the story of the future was added, Muyeong laughed silently.

"I can't let such a person be harmed by these bad guys. And what am I going to do if I play around? Let's earn even a penny more. It's not going to be just a penny or two that we'll need later."

Jeok Leegeon got up from his seat.

"I'll solve that first."

"Don't worry. I'll have it ready."

The laughter of the Jang family was faintly heard from under the roof.

Facing Muyeong, Jeok Leegeon smiled evilly.

"Let's eat these bad bastards first."