Chapter 65: The Meaning of a Single Sword
Jincheon was sharing tea with Ji Riik, the Sect Master of the Soaring Willow Sword Sect, and his granddaughter, Ji Yeongryeong.
“The damage was worse than I thought,” Jincheon said, breaking the silence first.
Yesterday’s attack had left part of the sect buildings in ruin. In the chaos, he hadn’t noticed—but now, under the clarity of daylight, the destruction was painfully clear.
“I’m sorry. It’s because of us...”
“That’s not so,” Ji Riik interrupted gently.
The aged sect master waved off Jincheon’s apology with quiet firmness. “The ones who caused this were those fiends. Young Lord Jincheon, you have nothing to apologize for.”
“But the fact remains that your sect was harmed...”
“And you were victims as well.”
Ji Riik’s voice held no room for debate.
“I may be old, but I’m not so far gone that I can’t recognize who bears the real responsibility.”
With age invoked, Jincheon found he had no proper reply. So instead, he spoke from the heart.
“Thank you. Even so, I can’t ignore the moral debt we owe. Please allow us to help however we can.”