Upper Clarity Venerable’s gaze held a warm affection as he looked at the two old men.
“I was out of touch for so long. My apologies. Trying to settle into a strange place while looking after those young ones left me completely overwhelmed.”
“Didn’t I tell you? What’s the point of all this hardship at our age?”
Had anyone else spoken such words, brows would have furrowed and voices would have risen in an instant, but these two were different. Upper Clarity Venerable gave a wry smile and nodded.
“You’re right. Perhaps I did make a mistake. Maybe I’ve brought this hardship on myself at this late hour for nothing, but I had no choice. The path forward is blocked, and knowing that myself, what else is left for me? If I cannot go on, the only option left is to place my hopes in the next generation.”
“Be that as it may…”
The two old men clicked their tongues.
“Well then. You didn’t call us here just to lament, so what’s the matter? If you have a request, ask it first. Pouring tea and wine and sharing old stories—that’s only enjoyable when the heart is at ease, is it not?”
“Haha. You’re as sharp as ever.”