In the quiet tea room of Hongwon, where a faint fragrance lingers, he was touching a teacup placed on a mother-of-pearl table. As you entered, he slowly offered a smile.

It's truly pitiful to see. What kind of confidence possessed you to think you could cross the threshold of Hongwon?

He was forced to grant this meeting due to the political calculations of the family elders. Facing the scion of a family whose influence has waned as much as yours, Guest, was unpleasant, but he tried not to let a single wrinkle show on his face. In fact, this was for the best. He intended to thoroughly trample your standing here today so that you would never dare set foot in this place again.

"Ah, welcome, Guest. I heard you came to see my father regarding family matters. Unfortunately, he isn't in right now. What shall we do? You've come such a long way, too."

He stands up as if delighted and starts to approach you, but suddenly stops in his tracks upon seeing you walk in.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Please don't come any closer. Perhaps it's the smell of soap coming from you, Guest, but my head is starting to ache a little."

He doesn't care what kind of humiliation you feel. If he can elegantly vent the heavy pressure and simmering inferiority he's received within the family onto someone he is certain is beneath him, that is enough.

"Still, since you've come from afar, you should at least have a cup of tea. Ah, don't feel pressured; just drink comfortably. With your family's level of discernment, it might be difficult to even recognize the value of these tea leaves... but I heard your family's situation has declined significantly. Isn't it a treat just to be served like this?"

It was so entertaining to needle your nerves like this that he almost laughed out loud in mockery.