Chapter 42

At that moment.

There was someone overlooking the Martial Training Ground, which was filled with people.

It was Bong Suchan, the chief director of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. As one of the Four Great Elders of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, he was a man who had secured a firm position at the young age of fifty.

Behind him, Yoon, the person in charge, was reading documents and reporting.

"The final number of participants for this Dragon Phoenix Gathering is two hundred and twenty-four."

To Yoon's report, Bong Suchan, the chief director, coldly said,

"A lot of riff-raff applied."

Of course, the applicants were not riff-raff. They were disciples and successors of prestigious clans from various regions.

Not only were the successors of the Four Great Hegemons participating, but there were also rumors that the Four Great Clans would be participating in this competition. As a result, the number of applicants had increased compared to the previous competition.

Bong Suchan seemed displeased in many ways.

"Hmph! These days, youngsters are so weak. Their mental state is rotten to the core."

Yoon knew that Bong Suchan was a thoroughly jaded member of the older generation. He had no right to lecture the young people.

"That's right. It can't be compared to Master's time."

He ended up flattering him. Originally, Bong Suchan was an extremely authoritarian person. The type to reward honest advice with a thunderbolt. He was the kind of superior who was best to just go along with.

"How are the preparations for the tests going?"

"The first and second rounds are fully prepared. The third round is undergoing final inspection."

"There must be no mistakes."

"Don't worry. We are making thorough preparations."

Bong Suchan lowered his voice.

"Is that ready?"

"It's here."

Yoon handed over a few pages from the documents he was holding.

Bong Suchan, who was checking the documents, lowered his voice.

"You worked on it discreetly, right?"

"Of course."

"Pay special attention to maintaining secrecy. It wouldn't be good if word got out before the competition."

"Don't worry. Among the staff, only I know about this matter."

Yoon showed the most loyal eyes and a resolute expression he could muster.

Bong Suchan nodded.

"I trust you. You may leave."

After bowing, Yoon went outside.

Holding the documents that Yoon had left behind, Bong Suchan left the room.

The place he sought was a secret conference room located underground. It was used when there were important meetings.

Inside the room, six old masters were already sitting around a table, drinking tea.

As Bong Suchan entered, they rose, performing a Clasped-fist Salute. Bong Suchan also treated them with respect.

Bong Suchan handed them the documents he had received from Yoon earlier.

"The final list is out."

"Oh, thank you for your hard work."

Everyone's eyes turned to the documents.

They were the judges who would be in charge of this Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

To introduce one or two representatives, the old man sitting in the center was Yeom Chung, the Iron Plate Teacher, who was the chairman of the judging committee. He was a renowned figure in the Jianghu. He used a pair of iron abacuses as weapons and was widely known for his strong sense of justice and fair character.

The old man sitting directly opposite Yeom Chung was Baek Sanggi, the Storm Kick, a master of kick techniques who had played an outstanding role in the Great Orthodox-Demonic War twenty years ago.

A middle-aged man who looked decidedly younger than the two was Baek Bongpa, a renowned master from Henan. Eight years ago, he was a master who had shown his mettle by reaching the top four in the Heavenly Dragon Battle.

The remaining two masters were also renowned figures of similar caliber.

Among those who served as judges for the Dragon Phoenix Gathering and the Heavenly Dragon Battle, there were no masters from the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, the host of this competition, or the Four Great Hegemons. This was intended to prevent any possible noise.

Originally, there were seven judges in total, but one had not yet joined.

"Has Great Warrior Won not arrived yet?"

The person Yeom Chung was asking about was Won Yongbae, the Setting Sun Blade.

"I believe he will join us soon."

At Bong Suchan's answer, Yeom Chung nodded. The Setting Sun Blade was a person who liked freedom. Among the judges gathered here, the only one he had a personal friendship with was the Setting Sun Blade. He was thinking that it would be good to have him here, as he usually followed him well.

Moreover, there was one reason why he was needed.

Yeom Chung put down the documents and revealed his inner thoughts with a slightly displeased expression.

"I say again, I don't think this is necessary."

Bong Suchan cursed him inwardly.

'Damn old man.'

Bong Suchan soothed him with a pleasant expression.

"But shouldn't we show basic courtesy to the prestigious families of the Jianghu?"

What they were looking at was a list of sixty names.

These were the people who had been selected by the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan from among those who had attended this Dragon Phoenix Gathering. The names of the successors of prestigious Orthodox sects, including the Four Great Clans, and emerging clans that had recently risen to prominence were written on it. Of course, there was an element of considering the relationship with the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan.

"We must have them take the test fairly."

Knowing Yeom Chung's stubborn personality, Baek Sanggi stepped forward this time.

"I understand Great Warrior Yeom's concerns, but I think it's enough to exempt them from the most basic preliminary round."

They were planning to secretly inform the people on the list of the contents of the first preliminary round.

Even that did not please Yeom Chung, who valued principles.

"If this becomes known, the righteous people of the Jianghu will be greatly disappointed in the Orthodox Alliance, as well as us who are in charge of the judging."

Bong Suchan shook his head.

"But if the descendants of prestigious families are eliminated en masse in the first preliminary round, the interest in this competition will drop by half. Think about it. Sohyeop Im of the Hegemon Clan is eliminated in the first preliminary round? This is a buzzkill, even just thinking about it, isn't it?"

"Of course they won't be eliminated. Shouldn't they be called descendants of prestigious families?"

"But there's also luck, isn't there? Variables can occur."

Baek Sanggi, who was listening, chimed in to support Bong Suchan.

"Since ancient times, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering has been about patting young children on the shoulder, isn't it? Don't think too seriously about it. If Senior continues to do that, Bong Danju will be in a difficult position... Let's help that person with his work now. The competition is tomorrow, isn't it?"

When Baek Sanggi stepped forward like that, Yeom Chung could no longer express his dissatisfaction.

It seemed to be a tradition that had been passed down like that. If the Setting Sun Blade were here, he would be a great help to him. It was a pity. The remaining five were all watching the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan's every move.

Baek Bongpa, who had been silent, cautiously stepped forward.

"But is the blood king sect missing?"

"That's how it turned out."

Bong Suchan watched his expression.

"I met a descendant of that side before. I thought they would become the cornerstone to protect the Jianghu in the future."

He had heard a secret rumor that Baek Bongpa had an affair with the blood king sect Leader's wife.

'So that wasn't a rumor.'

Bong Suchan laughed heartily and said.

"Ah, I heard about that too. I was so busy handling things that there was such a mistake. I will correct it soon."

Then, other judges also joined in, mentioning new names.

As a courtesy to the judges, they would exert influence for about one person.

Yeom Chung, who was listening silently, felt frustrated and uneasy.

He wanted to gather those who had been omitted from the list and shout, 'You fools, why have you lived like this? This world is so unfair,' but that would not happen. After all, he was also a part of that unfair world.

He was one of the many powerless adults in the Jianghu.

The meeting in the underground secret room continued for a long time.