Chapter 46

'I should have met her sooner. Damn it.'

If he had, Jeong Charyeon would be sitting next to him right now, instead of that Sa Ma-yeong, who always wore that old man's smile. He didn't even consider the possibility that Jeong Charyeon might reject him. After all, he was Im Ha-gi of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan.

Im Ha-gi was being watched silently by Sa Ma-yeong.

She was a smart woman.

She could guess Im Ha-gi's current mood. She knew that his eyes never held affection when he looked at her. Being here with Jeong Charyeon today, she felt like she could clearly see his heart.

Frankly, she was displeased and angry. But she didn't have the courage to get up and leave. This matter wasn't just about them; it was about the Clan and Clan. Even if she didn't like it, she had to go to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with him.

That's how she had been raised.

Jeok Leegeon moved back to sit next to Jeong Charyeon again.

"Did you miss me while I was gone?"

"Why don't you wipe the grease off your mouth?"

Jeok Leegeon then roughly wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Ew, disgusting."

Jeong Charyeon recoiled to the side with a horrified expression.

Sa Ma-yeong watched the scene with interest. She felt a strange envy for their carefree demeanor.

Jang In-geol asked Im Ha-gi, "By the way, when is Soho coming?"

Soho referred to Im Ha-gi's younger brother, Im Yang-gu. He was supposed to be going to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering with Jang In-hwa, but he hadn't arrived yet.

"Yang-gu will arrive tomorrow morning. He's a little late because he has some business to take care of, so you don't have to worry too much."

Jang In-hwa nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

Jang In-hwa's eyes were captivating. She had eyes that made men's hearts flutter. Of course, Im Ha-gi was a man, so he immediately reacted to her gaze.

Im Ha-gi looked back and forth between Jeong Charyeon, Jang In-hwa, and Sa Ma-yeong.

As the saying goes, the other man's rice cake always looks bigger, and Sa Ma-yeong looked the most plain.

The prettiest person was Jeong Charyeon, followed by Jang In-hwa. Jang In-hwa's seductive eyes gave the feeling that she would loosen her clothes if he just reached out.

'I want her.'

Im Ha-gi gave Jang In-hwa a strange look.

Jang In-hwa responded with a bewitching smile.

Jang In-geol's insides churned at the sight of their exchange.

He was known as a lecher. When it came to women, he was a pro in his own right.

Jang In-geol knew exactly what Im Ha-gi was thinking right now. But he had no choice but to endure and yield. He had to put up with it even as Im Ha-gi drooled over his younger sister.

This is power, and this is the world.

A world where you have to do as others tell you if you don't have strength.

'You bastard, just you wait. Someday, I will definitely get rid of you with my own hands!'

At this moment, his anger towards Im Ha-gi was greater than his anger towards Jeok Leegeon.

Had he unknowingly released his killing intent?

Im Ha-gi turned to look at him. Jang In-geol relaxed his expression and asked with a smile, "By the way, has any information come out about this Dragon Phoenix Gathering?"

Everyone focused when the Dragon Phoenix Gathering was mentioned.

Im Ha-gi shook his head.

"As you know, the task for the Dragon Phoenix Gathering is only revealed on the day of the event."

"So, the content changes every time?"

"That's right. Unexpected tests can come out."

Im Ha-gi frowned and said, "As you know, I participated in the last Gathering as well. Unfortunately, I was eliminated at the Second Gate."

"It seems you were unlucky."

"The Dragon Phoenix Gathering isn't something you can win just by being good yourself. You have to have good chemistry with your partner."

"So, there are tasks that you have to solve together?"

Im Ha-gi nodded.

"Of course. For example, the Second Gate of the last Gathering was this kind of event. Two people, a man and a woman, enter an Array Formation through different entrances. They have to dismantle the Array Formation and meet at an agreed-upon location to escape together. Even if one person finds the way, it's useless if the other person can't get out. In fact, there were countless Rising Stars who collapsed from exhaustion without being able to escape."

Jang In-geol nodded. His partner this time was Wan A-yeong. Wan A-yeong was the only daughter of Devil Craftsman Wan Pil, who was staying as a guest of the Palm Heart Clan.

Devil Craftsman Wan Pil was a renowned expert in the Hubei area, wielding a strangely shaped axe as his weapon. He was the most skilled among the Palm Heart Clan's guests, which was why he and his daughter were participating in this Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

However, Wan A-yeong's appearance was lacking. That was also why he hadn't brought her to this gathering today.

'Damn it.'

Jang In-geol frowned as he recalled Wan A-yeong's plain face.

'Just you wait.'

Jang In-geol inwardly gritted his teeth. When the day comes when he gains power...

Jang In-geol glanced at Jeong Charyeon.

He would possess not only Jeong Charyeon but all the beautiful women of the Martial World.

It was then.

"Waaaaah!"

A shout erupted from outside the window.

"It's Ok-ryong!"

Im Ha-gi's expression hardened at the mention of Ok-ryong.

Ok-ryong Yang Suchang.

He was the successor of the Shoutern Mountains Alliance and a famous figure in the Hunan region with his handsome face.

"That guy seems pretty famous?"

Jeok Leegeon asked, and Sa Ma-yeong replied with a smile, "There's a famous saying in Jianghu: 'Northern Divine Dragon, Southern Jade Dragon.'"

This time, Jang In-geol tried to please Im Ha-gi.

"Ok-ryong is just full of empty fame. It's absurd to compare him to Sohyeop Im."

Jeok Leegeon said with a stern expression.

"What's all the fuss about some spectacle?"

It was then.

"Waaaaah!"

"The woman with him is Chungking's Top Beauty, Miss Seol!"

Whoosh--

Jeok Leegeon, as fast as the wind, clung to the window.

"Ah! I can't see well because she's surrounded by people?"

Why? Why don't you just jump down?

Jeong Charyeon shook her head in disbelief.

Jeok Leegeon turned to Sa Ma-yeong and asked, "If she's Chungking's Top Beauty, she must be pretty, right?"

Sa Ma-yeong smiled.

"Of course, she's pretty. I heard that Yang Sohyeop and Miss Seol are pairing up for this Dragon Phoenix Gathering."

The moment those words were spoken, Jeok Leegeon shouted, "The Northern Divine Dragon is here! Ok-ryong! Come up here if you have the guts!"

The bustling atmosphere outside was replaced by silence.

"Waaaaah! The Northern Divine Dragon has challenged the Southern Jade Dragon!"

A roar erupted.

Jeok Leegeon, who had shouted, was already hiding under the window.

Im Ha-gi was startled and jumped to his feet.

"What are you doing?"

Judging by the increasing volume of the cheers, Ok-ryong was coming this way.

Jeok Leegeon, leaning slyly against the wall and hiding his body, grinned and said, "Don't you want to see Chungking's Top Beauty?"

Good heavens.