Black and White Untitled

Episode 5.
The Return of the Prodigal Son (4)

Lee Jeong-hak couldn’t help but be amazed.

“There was a reason the kids kept telling me to go to Goyangru. I didn’t know the view would be this good.”

He had a solid physique and a deep voice. He seemed young, but he looked more mature than his age.

“What is that lake in the distance? Is it Lake Taihu?”

“It’s not Taeho, it’s a small lake next to it.”

“Small? Even though it’s this far away, isn’t it still pretty big?”

“Haha, compared to Taeho.”

The boy who was explaining things quite confidently next to Lee Jeong-hak seemed to be around the same age as Yeon Ji-pyeong.

The boy was Yang Woo (楊遇), a student of Yeon Ji-pyeong at Seowon. Although not as famous as Yeon Ga, he was the successor to a famous martial arts school in the region.

“There are certainly many good places in Jiangsu Province. It’s not as good as Anhui, though.”

“Is Anhui that great?”

The corners of Lee Jeong-hak’s mouth went up.

“Of course. Doesn’t Brother Yang know this saying? If you look at Mt. Huangshan once, you won’t be able to see the Five Great Mountains.”

“Ah! I heard about it!”

“Is the scenery of Anhui only in Huangshan? It’s not because I live in that area, but there is no place in the Central Plains like Anhui.”

Lee Jeong-hak looked back at the woman standing behind him and asked.

“Isn’t that right, my lady?”

The woman nodded briefly. A look of indifference was evident on her expressionless face.

Lee Jeong-hak pretended not to see her expression.

“Anyway, it was good that I came as my brother said. I think a glass of alcohol with good food would taste great.”

At first glance, it seemed like he wasn’t yet at the age to appreciate the true taste of alcohol. However, Yang Woo quickly clapped his hands in agreement.

“That sounds like it. While we’re on the subject, should I order a bottle of alcohol?”

“That’s great! I heard this place is famous for its fish dishes. Let’s order some together.”

“great.”

Lee Jeong-hak, who was bursting out laughing, suddenly looked at Yeon Ji-pyeong.

Although he was somehow controlling his expression, it looked awkward and uncomfortable to anyone who saw it. Lee Jeong-hak tilted his head.

“Why are you doing that, little brother?”

“… … .”

“Younger brother.”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

“Your expression doesn’t look very good?”

“ah…….”

Yeon Ji-pyeong was polite to everyone. But he never lied.

“I thought I should introduce you to my older brother first.”

Lee Jeong-hak said with a smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot for a moment that your brother was here.”

Speech and behavior that is not terribly rude, but not entirely acceptable either.

It was a situation that could have been easily laughed off. However, Yeon Ji-pyeong could not say that it was okay. This was because it involved her own family, not anyone else.

When Yeon Ji-pyeong was about to open his mouth again.

“Peace.”

“Yes, brother!”

“Bring him here.”

It was an exquisite moment. Yeon Ji-pyeong hesitated and spoke to Lee Nam-il-nyeo.

“Go.”

“… … .”

“This guy?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah. Okay.”

Lee Jeong-hak’s still relaxed face.

But those around him didn’t notice that the look in his eyes had changed slightly.

It was when the group was walking to the table where Yeonhojeong was sitting.

“Huh? Lady Namgung?”

Unexpectedly, the woman did not join the group.

She sat down calmly in a seat far away, resting her chin on her hand and looking out the window. She seemed completely uninterested in the conversation of her companions.

A look of confusion appeared on Yang Woo’s face, and thick tendons appeared on Yeon Ji-pyeong’s chin.

In a slightly chilly atmosphere.

Lee Jeong-hak suddenly burst into laughter.

“Haha! Looks like you’re still feeling a little down.”

He took a step forward and took the lottery ticket from Yeonhojeong.

“I am Lee Jeong-hak of the Anhui Lee family. It is an honor to meet the grand prince of the Bishan Love Family.”

Regardless of his previous words and actions, it was a polite greeting.

Yeonhojeong also stood up from his seat and took the lottery ticket.

“Nice to meet you. This is Yeonhojeong.”

Lee Jeong-hak smiled awkwardly.

“I hope you understand my group. There was something that upset them.”

It was a word referring to a woman, Namgung Sanghwa.

Yeonhojeong shook his head.

“It’s okay.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Lee Jeong-hak’s face brightened as if he was relieved.

“My younger brother praised me so much at the academy. It’s nice to see the strong bond between brothers.”

Yeonhojeong glanced at Yeonjipyeong. Yeonjipyeong’s face turned slightly red.

“Unlike me, he is a kind and smart guy. Please take good care of him.”

“Of course. He’s such a good kid.”

A fairly friendly conversation.

At that moment, a cold voice was heard.

“Did you bring me here just to look around?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Namgung Sanghwa. There was a subtle annoyance on her face.

Lee Jeong-hak said hurriedly.

“How could that be? It was nice to meet you, Yeon-hyung. I have company, so I must go now.”

“Okay then.”

Lee Jeong-hak suddenly heads towards Namgung Sang-hwa.

Yang Woo, who was following behind, glanced at Yeonhojeong.

His eyes were slightly furrowed as he looked at Yeonhojeong. Although he had a close friendship with Yeon Ji-pyeong, he did not look favorably on Yeonhojeong.

It was because the rumors were so bad. In addition, Yeon Ji-pyeong always had a hard time because of Yeon Ho-jeong. He was someone who made his close friend suffer, so he couldn’t look at him kindly.

“Horizon. Will you be there?”

Yeon Ji-pyeong was impressed.

“There?”

Yangwoo turned around, pretending not to hear.

“No, see you later.”

With those words, Yang Woo walked towards Namgung Sanghwa and Lee Jeonghak.

Yeon Ji-pyeong bit her lip while looking at Yang Woo’s back and sat down across from Yeon Ho-jeong.

“I’m sorry, brother.”

“what?”

“It’s just… … I came here for no reason… … .”

The chaotic atmosphere was bothering him. In addition, he felt like the other group was strangely ignoring him. He himself was not happy, but it was nothing compared to his brother.

Yeonhojeong smiled faintly.

“I don’t care.”

I was sincere.

It would be rude to talk too much when you’re not even close, but it’s okay to just say hello with a smile. Besides, they were students at the academy my younger sibling attends.

I don’t know how long I’ll be at Seowon, but I don’t want to see my younger brother get in trouble because of me.

Of course, I had something to say to my younger brother.

“There is a difference between being polite and being timid. I wish you knew the difference.”

“yes?”

“Kang-ho doesn’t listen to the words of good people. It’s good to be good, but I wish you would try harder to become a better person.”

Yeon Ji-pyeong tilted his head. At first glance, it seemed understandable, but it was also a puzzling statement.

Yeonhojeong said with a smile.

“Is the ancestral sac still sufficient?”

“Huh? Oh, of course!”

“Then shall we have a drink too?”

Yeon Ji-pyeong’s expression brightened.

“great!”

The two immediately ordered drinks.

Although he didn’t tell his brother, it was Yeon Ji-pyeong’s first time drinking alcohol. Not only was he old, but he also didn’t have time to train in martial arts and academics.

The brothers shared a drink for the first time. It was an emotional moment for both of them.

How much time has passed like that?

bang!

A cold silence fell.

“Fuck!”

A sharp shout tore through the silence.

“Stop talking! I don’t like it, whether it’s a vow or a swindle!”

The owner of the sharp voice was Namgung Sanghwa.

Her face was flushed red, whether from the alcohol or the anger. Her breathing was ragged and her eyes were bloodshot.

When he was still, he had a very bright appearance, but when he got angry, he was completely different.

Lee Jeong-hak said hurriedly.

“My lady, do not misunderstand what I am saying. In any case, it is impossible to disobey the master’s orders… … .”

“Shut up! Do you think I came all the way to this dirty neighborhood just to see what my father thinks?!”

“Oh, my lady!”

“You want me to cool my head at the temple? You damn mother! Why did you throw me out like a child when I’m still here? You must have thrown me in a remote place like this! What the hell, what do you think I am!”

His speech was extremely rough. He didn’t seem like someone who had studied the rules of a prestigious school.

Yangwoo opened his mouth carefully.

“My lady, please calm down a little.”

“what?”

“That… …isn’t this the seat that Brother Jeonghak created to cheer you up? I’m afraid others will see you, so I’ll stop being angry… … .”

Taaaaaah!

“Huh!”

The sheep fell over sideways.

Namgung Sanghwa looked down at the fallen Yangwoo with cold eyes.

“You let me chase you around like a puppy that needs to take a dump, and now you dare lecture me? Do you want to die?”

Yang Woo looked up at Namgung Sanghwa with bewildered eyes.

Lee Jeong-hak stood up and stopped Namgung Sang-hwa.

“Young lady, please stop. I fully understand you, young lady.”

“Understand? Who are you to understand me!”

“Of course, I also find it difficult to understand the situation you are in. What I do understand is that Yang Woo has crossed the line.”

Yang Woo looked at Lee Jeong-hak with shocked eyes.

Lee Jeong-hak pretended not to see him.

“And, there is some truth to what Yang Woo said.”

“What?!”

“Isn’t it right for you to come here as a representative of the Namgung family? I’m afraid that others will see this sight.”

Namgung Sanghwa created a sculpture.

“Man? Are you talking about this idiot?”

“Young lady.”

“Or those guys?”

The Yeon brothers were where Namgung Sanghwa pointed with his hand.

Lee Jeong-hak’s face hardened.

Namgung Sanghwa shouted.

“Don’t try to make me understand with your ridiculous words! I’m Namgung’s daughter! If anyone keeps nagging, just rip their mouths off!”

There is literally nothing to see.

Lee Jeong-hak felt embarrassed. He knew that Namgung Sang-hwa had a rather arrogant personality, but today was just too much.

This was not a anger that would subside quickly. Lee Jeong-hak thought about it.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to direct this anger elsewhere?’

For a moment he looked back.

Yeonhojeong was sitting with his back to the ground, so it was hard to tell, but Yeonjipyeong’s expression wasn’t very good.

It was understandable. We were not strangers, but I heard people say that I was drunk. Anyone would feel bad.

Lee Jeong-hak’s eyes lit up.

“Still, I have to endure it.”

“What?”

“This is a place where descendants of the most prestigious families in Jiangsu Province, along with your family, are counted as the seven great families. Shouldn’t they have their own status?”

“Seven great generations? Grade?”

Namgung Sanghwa snorted.

“Since when has the main family recognized Yeonga Naburangi as a member of the Seven Great Families?”

That was a dangerous statement.

I tried to direct the anger towards the Yeon brothers, but I didn’t expect them to say something like this. Lee Jeong-hak started talking without realizing it.

“That’s not what I meant. I said it was for the sake of Young Lady Yang Woo and me… … .”

The ending of the sentence is ambiguous.

The tone is so polite and courteous that no particular intention can be felt.

But to someone who has had much more high-level and brutal experiences, these are just clear words.

Yeonhojeong burst into laughter.

“They play cutely.”

“… … ?!”

Everyone’s faces hardened at the words that came out with laughter.

It was a voice that even the most incompetent Yang Woo could hear. There was no way Namgung Sanghwa or Lee Jeonghak could not hear it.

bang!

Namgung Sanghwa slammed the table and shouted sharply.

“What did you just say?”

Yeonhojeong emptied his glass without saying anything.

There was no sign of panic or tension. Namgung Sanghwa felt ignored by that appearance.

“I asked you what you said, you son of a bitch!”