Chapter Title: The Returned Prodigal Son (4)
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Lee Jeong-hak couldn't hold back his admiration.
"The kids kept telling me to check out Goyang Tower, and now I get why. Who knew the view would be this stunning."
He had a sturdy build and a voice to match—deep and resonant. He looked young, but carried himself with a maturity beyond his years.
"What's that lake way over there? Tai Lake?"
"Not Tai Lake itself, but the small one attached to it."
"Small? It's massive even from this far away, isn't it?"
"Haha, compared to Tai Lake."
The boy explaining so maturely beside Lee Jeong-hak appeared to be around the same age as Yeon Ji-pyeong.
The boy was Yang U, who studied alongside Yeon Ji-pyeong at the academy. He was the heir to a fairly renowned martial arts hall in the region—not quite on the level of the Yeon Family, but respectable.
"Jiangsu really does have its share of nice spots. Not quite as good as Anhui, though."
"Is Anhui really that impressive?"
A grin tugged at the corner of Lee Jeong-hak's mouth.
"Of course. Doesn't even Brother Yang know that one look at Mount Huang makes the Five Great Mountains lose their appeal?"
"Ah! I've heard that one!"
"And Anhui's scenery isn't just Mount Huang. I'm not saying this because I live there—there's no place in the Central Plains that rivals it."
Lee Jeong-hak turned to the woman standing behind him.
"Isn't that right, Miss?"
The woman gave a curt nod. Her expressionless face radiated utter boredom.
Lee Jeong-hak pretended not to notice.
"Anyway, Brother Yang was spot on—we came to the right place. Pair some good food with a drink or two, and it'll be pure bliss."
At a glance, he didn't look old enough to truly appreciate fine liquor. But Yang U clapped his hands eagerly in agreement.
"Sounds perfect. Since we're on the topic, shall we order a bottle?"
"Great idea! They say the fish dishes here are famous. Let's get those too."
"Sure thing."
Lee Jeong-hak burst into hearty laughter, then suddenly glanced at Yeon Ji-pyeong.
He was clearly trying to keep a straight face, but anyone could see how awkward and uncomfortable he looked. Lee Jeong-hak tilted his head.
"What's wrong, brother?"
"...."
"Brother Yeon."
"Yes? Oh, yes!"
"You don't look so good."
"Ah...."
Yeon Ji-pyeong was always polite to everyone. But he never lied.
"I figured I should introduce you to my brother first."
Lee Jeong-hak smiled.
"Ah, my bad. I forgot your brother was here for a second."
It wasn't outright rude, but it wasn't exactly polite either.
It was the kind of thing one could laugh off easily. But Yeon Ji-pyeong couldn't brush it aside—not when it involved his own family.
As Yeon Ji-pyeong opened his mouth to speak again.
"Ji-pyeong."
"Yes, brother!"
"Bring them over."
It was perfect timing. Yeon Ji-pyeong, who had hesitated, said to the man and woman.
"Please, come this way."
"...."
"This brother?"
"Hm? Ah, yeah. Let's do that."
Lee Jeong-hak's face remained as relaxed as ever.
But those around him didn't notice the subtle shift in his eyes.
It was then, as the group walked toward the table where Yeon Ho-jeong sat.
"Huh? Miss Namgung?"
Unexpectedly, the woman didn't join them.
She went to a spot some distance away, sat down calmly, propped her chin on her hand, and gazed out the window. She seemed utterly uninterested in the group's conversation.
Embarrassment flickered across Yang U's face, and a thick vein bulged in Yeon Ji-pyeong's jaw.
The atmosphere grew a touch chillier.
Suddenly, Lee Jeong-hak let out a boisterous laugh.
"Haha! Looks like she's still in a bad mood."
He stepped forward and offered Yeon Ho-jeong a cupped-fist salute.
"Lee Jeong-hak of the Anhui Lee Family. It's an honor to meet the young master of the Bi Mountain Yeon Family."
Regardless of his prior behavior, it was a greeting that showed due respect.
Yeon Ho-jeong rose from his seat and returned the salute.
"Good to meet you. I'm Yeon Ho-jeong."
Lee Jeong-hak gave an awkward smile.
"I hope you can understand about my companions. Something must have upset her."
He was referring to the woman—Namgung Sang-hwa.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
"It's fine."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Relief lit up Lee Jeong-hak's face.
"Brother Yeon was singing your praises back at the academy. It's heartwarming to see such brotherly bonds."
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Yeon Ji-pyeong. His younger brother's face flushed slightly.
"Unlike me, he's a good, smart kid. Take good care of him."
"Of course. He's such a good boy, after all."
The conversation flowed amiably enough.
Then, a cold voice cut in.
"Did you drag me here just to gawk?"
All eyes turned to Namgung Sang-hwa. A hint of irritation clouded her features.
Lee Jeong-hak hurried to respond.
"Of course not. Good to meet you, Brother Yeon. I have my group, so I'll take my leave."
"Sure."
Lee Jeong-hak rushed back to Namgung Sang-hwa.
Yang U, following behind, shot Yeon Ho-jeong a quick glance.
His brow furrowed slightly as he looked at him. He was close with Yeon Ji-pyeong, but he didn't think much of Yeon Ho-jeong.
The rumors were just too negative. Plus, Yeon Ji-pyeong always seemed to suffer because of him. He couldn't look kindly on someone who made his good friend miserable.
"Ji-pyeong. You're staying there?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong scowled.
"What do you mean by 'there'?"
Yang U turned away as if he hadn't heard.
"Never mind. See you later."
With that, Yang U headed to Namgung Sang-hwa and Lee Jeong-hak.
Yeon Ji-pyeong bit his lip, watching Yang U's back, then sat across from Yeon Ho-jeong.
"Sorry, brother."
"For what?"
"Just... I suggested coming here for no reason..."
The chaotic atmosphere was getting to him. And it felt like that group was subtly looking down on his brother. He didn't like it, but it had to be worse for him.
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled softly.
"Don't worry about it."
He meant it.
He had no interest in chatting up strangers, but a friendly greeting was no big deal. Besides, they were students from his brother's academy.
He didn't know how long he'd be around the academy, but he didn't want his brother embarrassed on his account.
Of course, he had some words for his brother.
"Being polite isn't the same as being timid. I hope you learn the difference."
"Huh?"
"The jianghu doesn't listen to the kind and gentle. Kindness is good, but I want you to strive to become someone even better."
Yeon Ji-pyeong tilted his head. It made a sort of sense, yet it was vague.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled.
"Still got money in your pouch?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah!"
"Then shall we have a drink?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong's face brightened.
"Sounds good!"
The two promptly ordered drinks.
Yeon Ji-pyeong hadn't said anything to his brother, but it was his first time drinking. Between his age and training in martial arts and studies, he hadn't had the chance.
The brothers shared their first drinks. It was a deeply moving moment for both.
How much time passed like that?
Bam!
A tense silence fell.
"Damn it all!"
A sharp shout shattered the quiet.
"Cut the chatter already! I said I hate the academy and all that crap!"
The piercing voice belonged to Namgung Sang-hwa.
Whether from liquor or rage, her face was flushed red. Her breathing was ragged, her eyes bloodshot.
She looked strikingly beautiful when calm, but in anger, she was a outright demoness.
Lee Jeong-hak spoke up quickly.
"Miss, don't misunderstand me. Either way, we can't defy the family head's orders..."
"Shut up! You think I came crawling to this filthy backwater because I'm scared of my father?!"
"M-Miss!"
"To cool my head at the academy? Damn that old fart! Too sentimental to disown his kid outright, so he sticks me in this dump! The hell does he take me for?!"
Her speech was utterly crude—no trace of a prestigious family's upbringing.
Yang U ventured cautiously.
"Miss. Please calm down a bit."
"What?"
"Well... this gathering was Brother Jeong-hak's idea to help you unwind. People might see, so maybe stop..."
Slap!
"Guh!"
Yang U toppled sideways.
Namgung Sang-hwa glared coldly down at him.
"I let a yapping puppy like you trail after me, and now you dare lecture me? You wanna die?"
Yang U stared up at her in stunned disbelief.
Lee Jeong-hak stood and tried to intervene.
"Miss, that's enough. I understand where you're coming from."
"Understand? Who the hell are you to understand me?!"
"Of course, I can't fully grasp your situation. What I mean is that Yang U crossed a line."
Yang U looked at Lee Jeong-hak with shocked eyes.
Lee Jeong-hak ignored him.
"And he does have a point."
"What?!"
"You came here representing the South Palace Family, didn't you? People might see this spectacle."
Namgung Sang-hwa sneered.
"People? You mean you and that worm?"
"Miss."
"Or those guys?"
She jabbed a finger toward the Yeon brothers.
Lee Jeong-hak's face hardened.
Namgung Sang-hwa bellowed.
"Don't try to placate me with pretty words! I'm a daughter of the South Palace! If some bastard whispers behind my back, I rip his damn mouth off!"
She saw nothing but her own fury.
Lee Jeong-hak felt a pang of distress. He knew Namgung Sang-hwa was arrogant, but today was beyond excessive.
This anger wouldn't subside quickly. He racked his brain.
'Maybe better to redirect it elsewhere?'
He glanced back suddenly.
Yeon Ho-jeong sat with his back turned, oblivious, but Yeon Ji-pyeong's expression was grim.
And rightly so. They weren't strangers, yet he'd been called all sorts while she was drunk. Anyone would be upset.
A glint entered Lee Jeong-hak's eyes.
"You still need to hold back."
"Hold back what?"
"This is a gathering with heirs of Jiangsu's top prestigious family, counted among the Seven Great Families alongside yours. We must maintain some dignity, no?"
"Seven Great Families? Dignity?"
Namgung Sang-hwa scoffed.
"Since when did the main family acknowledge those Yeon Family nobodies as part of the Seven Great Families?"
It was a dangerous remark.
He'd meant to redirect her ire toward the Yeon brothers, but not to this extent. Lee Jeong-hak backpedaled instinctively.
"That's not what I meant. Yang U and I only have your best interests at heart..."
He trailed off.
His tone was so polite and refined, it seemed devoid of ulterior motive.
But to Yeon Ho-jeong, who had far more experience with far deadlier intrigues, the intent was crystal clear.
Yeon Ho-jeong let out a scoff.
"Playing your little games so cutely."
"...?!"
Everyone's faces froze at the scoff and the words that followed.
It was loud enough for even Yang U, with the weakest internal energy here, to hear clearly. Namgung Sang-hwa and Lee Jeong-hak had no chance of missing it.
Bam!
Namgung Sang-hwa slammed the table and shrieked.
"You bastard, what did you just say?"
Yeon Ho-jeong drained his cup without responding.
No hint of fluster or tension. To Namgung Sang-hwa, it felt like outright dismissal.
"I'm asking what you said, you damn punk!"