Lee Jeong-hak couldn't help but admire.
"The kids told me to go to Goyangru for a reason. The scenery is so beautiful."
He had a sturdy physique and a deep voice. He looked young, but he seemed more mature than his actual age.
"What is that lake over there? Is it Taihu?"
"It's not Taihu, it's a small lake next to it."
"Small? It's so far away and it's that big. Isn't it very large?"
"Haha, compared to Taihu."
The boy next to Lee Jeong-hak explained politely. He looked about the same age as Yeon Ji-pyeong.
The boy was Yang Woo, who studied with Yeon Ji-pyeong at the academy. He was the successor of a fairly famous martial arts school in the region, although not as much as Yeon's family.
"Indeed, Jiangsu has many nice places. But not as good as Anhui."
"Is Anhui that amazing?"
Lee Jeong-hak's lips curled up.
"Of course. Don't you know this, young brother? Once you see Huangshan, you won't care about the Five Sacred Mountains."
"Ah! I've heard of that!"
"Anhui's scenery is not just Huangshan. It's not because I live there, but there's no place like Anhui in the Central Plains."
Lee Jeong-hak turned to the woman behind him and asked.
"Isn't that right, miss?"
The woman nodded briefly. Her face was expressionless and gloomy.
Lee Jeong-hak pretended not to see her expression.
"Anyway, I'm glad I followed the young brother's suggestion. It would be great to have a good meal and a drink."
He didn't seem to know the true taste of alcohol yet. But Yang Woo clapped his hands and agreed.
"That sounds good. How about we order a bottle of wine since we're talking about it?"
"That's a good idea! They say the fish dishes here are famous. Let's order some together."
"Sure."
Lee Jeong-hak, who was laughing loudly, suddenly looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong.
He was trying to keep his face, but anyone could see that he was awkward and uncomfortable. Lee Jeong-hak tilted his head.
"What's wrong, brother?"
"…"
"Yeon brother."
"Yes? Oh, yes!"
"Your face doesn't look good."
"Ah…"
Yeon Ji-pyeong was polite to everyone. But he didn't lie.
"I thought I should introduce you to my brother first."
Lee Jeong-hak said with a smile.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I forgot that you had a brother."
It wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't a very nice thing to say either.
It was a situation that could be easily laughed off. But Yeon Ji-pyeong couldn't say that he was fine. It was because it involved his own family.
When Yeon Ji-pyeong was about to open his mouth again.
"Pyeong-ah."
"Yes, brother!"
"Come here."
It was a perfect moment. Yeon Ji-pyeong, who hesitated, said to the couple,
"Please excuse me."
"…"
"Lee brother?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Sure."
Lee Jeong-hak's face was still relaxed.
But his eyes had changed a bit, which the people around him didn't notice.
It was when the group walked to the table where Yeon Ho-jeong was sitting.
"Huh? Miss Namgung?"
Unexpectedly, the woman didn't come with the group.
She sat calmly in a distant seat, resting her chin on her hand and looking out the window. She didn't seem interested in the group's conversation.
Yang Woo's face was flustered, and Yeon Ji-pyeong's jaw was tense.
In the slightly chilly atmosphere.
Lee Jeong-hak suddenly burst into a hearty laugh.
"Haha! You still seem to be in a bad mood."
He stepped forward and bowed to Yeon Ho-jeong.
"I'm Lee Jeong-hak of Anhui Lee family. It's an honor to meet the eldest son of Byeoksan Yeon family."
It was a polite greeting, regardless of his previous behavior.
Yeon Ho-jeong also got up and bowed.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yeon Ho-jeong."
Lee Jeong-hak smiled awkwardly.
"Please understand about my companion. There was something that upset her."
He pointed to the woman, Namgung Sang-hwa.
Yeon Ho-jeong shook his head.
"It's fine."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Lee Jeong-hak's face brightened with relief.
"Yeon brother praised you a lot at the academy. It's good to see the brotherly bond between you two."
Yeon Ho-jeong glanced at Yeon Ji-pyeong. Yeon Ji-pyeong's face turned a little red.
"He's different from me. He's kind and smart. I'll appreciate your care."
"Of course. He's such a nice kid."
It was a fairly friendly conversation.
Then, a cold voice came.
"Did you bring me here to watch?"
Everyone's eyes turned to Namgung Sang-hwa. She had a hint of annoyance on her face.
Lee Jeong-hak hurriedly said.
"Of course not. Yeon brother, it was nice to meet you. I have to go now. I have a companion."
"Please do."
Lee Jeong-hak quickly headed to Namgung Sang-hwa.
Yang Woo followed him and looked at Yeon Ho-jeong.
His eyes were slightly frowning. He was close to Yeon Ji-pyeong, but he didn't like Yeon Ho-jeong.
It was because of the bad rumors about him. And because Yeon Ji-pyeong always suffered because of Yeon Ho-jeong. He couldn't look kindly at someone who made his friend suffer.
"Ji-pyeong, are you going to stay there?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong frowned.
"Stay where?"
Yang Woo turned his body as if he didn't hear.
"No, let's see you later."
With that, he walked to Namgung Sang-hwa and Lee Jeong-hak.
Yeon Ji-pyeong bit his lips as he watched Yang Woo's back and sat across from Yeon Ho-jeong.
"I'm sorry, brother."
"What for?"
"Just… I shouldn't have suggested coming here…"
He was bothered by the chaotic atmosphere. And he felt that the other group was somehow ignoring his brother. He wasn't feeling good either, but it wouldn't compare to his brother.
Yeon Ho-jeong chuckled.
"I don't mind."
He meant it.
He didn't care about the gossip of strangers, as long as he could exchange greetings with a smile. Besides, they were the students of the academy where his brother attended.
He didn't know how long they would stay at the academy, but he didn't want to see his brother in trouble because of him.
Of course, he had something to say to his brother.
"Being polite and being timid are different. I want you to know the difference. The martial world doesn't listen to the words of the kind. Being kind is good, but you should strive to be a better person."
"What?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong tilted his head. It was a vague and confusing statement.
Yeon Ho-jeong smiled and said.
"Is your allowance still enough?"
"What? Oh, yes!"
"Then shall we have a drink?"
Yeon Ji-pyeong's face brightened.
"Sure!"
The two ordered alcohol right away.
He didn't tell his brother, but it was Yeon Ji-pyeong's first time drinking. He didn't have time to drink because of his age and his training in martial arts and academics.
The brothers shared a drink for the first time. It was a precious moment for both of them.
How long had it been?
Bang!
A cold silence fell.
"Damn it!"
A sharp scream tore the silence.
"Stop talking! I hate the academy and the trash!"
The owner of the piercing voice was Namgung Sang-hwa.
She was red with anger or alcohol. Her breathing was rough and her eyes were bloodshot.
She looked very beautiful when she was calm, but when she got angry, she was terrible.
Lee Jeong-hak hurriedly said.
"Miss, don't misunderstand me. We can't disobey the lord's order anyway…"
"Shut up! Do you think I came to this filthy place because I care about my father's eyes?!"
"Mi-miss!"
"Go cool your head at the academy? You're like a damn old man! It's obvious that he stuck me in this backwater because he hates me as his child! Damn it, what do you think of me!"
She spoke very rudely. She didn't sound like someone who learned the etiquette of a noble family.
Yang Woo cautiously opened his mouth.
"Miss. Please calm down a little."
"What?"
"Well… Isn't this a place that Lee Jeong-hak made for you to feel better? It's scary to be seen by others, so please stop the anger…"
Zap!
"Ack!"
Yang Woo fell to the side.
Namgung Sang-hwa looked down at him with cold eyes.
"You followed me around like a dog in heat and you dare to lecture me? Do you want to die?"
Yang Woo looked up at her with a frightened eyes.
Lee Jeong-hak got up and stopped Namgung Sang-hwa.
"Miss, stop it. I understand you enough."
"Understand? Who are you to understand me!"
"Of course, I can't fully understand the situation you're in. What I understand is that Yang Woo crossed the line."
Yang Woo looked at him with a shocked eyes.
Lee Jeong-hak ignored him.
"And, Yang Woo has a point too."
"What?!"
"You came here as a representative of the Namgung family, one of the seven great families of Jiangsu. Aren't you afraid of others seeing this spectacle?"
Namgung Sang-hwa sneered.
"Others? You mean you or this pig?"
"Miss."
"Or those bastards?"
Namgung Sang-hwa pointed to the Yeon brothers.
Lee Jeong-hak's face hardened.
Namgung Sang-hwa shouted.
"Don't try to make me understand with your cheap words! I'm the daughter of Namgung! If there's a worm crawling around, I'll rip their mouth off!"
She didn't care about anything.
Lee Jeong-hak felt embarrassed. He knew that Namgung Sang-hwa was very arrogant, but today she was too much.
This anger wouldn't subside soon. Lee Jeong-hak racked his brain.
'Maybe it would be better to divert this anger somewhere else?'
He turned around for a moment.
Yeon Ho-jeong was sitting with his back to him, so he couldn't tell, but Yeon Ji-pyeong's face was not good.
It was understandable. He heard them calling him names while he was drunk. Anyone would feel bad.
Lee Jeong-hak's eyes lit up.
"But you have to endure it."
"What?"
"You're here with the descendants of the best noble family of Jiangsu, along with your family, one of the seven great families. Don't you have to maintain some dignity?"
"Seven great families? Dignity?"
Namgung Sang-hwa snorted.
"When did my family ever recognize the Yeon family as one of the seven great families?"
It was a dangerous remark.
He wanted to turn the anger to the Yeon brothers, but he didn't expect this kind of remark. Lee Jeong-hak circled around without knowing.
"That's not what I meant. Yang Woo and I are for you, but…"
He trailed off.
His tone was so polite and courteous that he didn't seem to have any intention.
But to him, who had much more sophisticated and fierce experiences, it was nothing but a transparent trick.
Yeon Ho-jeong smirked.
"You're playing cute."
"…?!"
Everyone's face hardened at the words that came out with the smirk.
It was loud enough for even Yang Woo, who had the lowest internal energy, to hear. Namgung Sang-hwa and Lee Jeong-hak couldn't miss it.
Bang!
Namgung Sang-hwa slammed the table and shouted.
"You bastard, what did you just say?"
Yeon Ho-jeong emptied his cup without a word.
He didn't show any panic or tension. He looked like he was ignoring her.
"What did you say, you damn brat!"