Chapter 53

"So many people solved it?"

Jeong Charyeon couldn't believe it.

"What else would the prestigious orthodox sects be?"

The nuance was strange, and she realized it wasn't a compliment. The quick-witted Charyeon realized something.

"It can't be, can it?"

Then, Jeok Leegeon pointed at Jang In-geol with his chin.

"You can tell just by seeing that idiot already here."

No way. Such immense corruption involved?

"Why isn't this kind of thing exposed?"

"Because they probably think this kind of thing is obvious."

"What?"

Charyeon was a little shocked. And on the other hand, she thought Jeok Leegeon was really amazing.

"Are there others who can solve it with their own abilities like us?"

"Of course."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because it wasn't a problem that was so difficult that they couldn't solve it."

Ah, then what am I?

Just then, the door opened again and two people entered.

One of the two was someone Charyeon knew.

"Ah, that woman?"

She was the woman who sold items when she was looking for the Dark Electric Merchant Guild.

The man who entered with her was an older man with a stern impression.

Jeok Leegeon waved at the woman.

The woman slightly bowed her head in greeting. The man only silently stared at Jeok Leegeon.

"They solved it too."

It was unexpected that the Dark Electric Merchant Guild woman had entered, but Charyeon was surprised that they had solved the problem.

"The Dark Electric Merchant Guild does very dangerous things, but it's a group that has survived in the Martial World for a long time. Do you know what that means?"

"Strong?"

"No. It means they're smart."

Jeok Leegeon gave a strange smile.

"This is quite exciting."

Soon after, the Martial Artists of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan closed the doors.

Over a hundred people entered through another door at the front.

Led by Bong Suchan of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, there were the judges in charge of this examination, and Martial World dignitaries invited from all over the Jianghu. Most of the invited dignitaries were the parents of the Rising Stars gathered here.

A young Martial Artist struck a large iron bell placed in the corner.

De-e-e-ng!

As a signal, the door they had entered through closed.

Yoon, who was in charge of the event's logistics, stepped forward and said loudly.

"We announce that Namgung Hui-yeon of the Namgung Clan and eighty-two others have passed the first preliminary round!"

Just by choosing Namgung Hui-yeon of the Four Great Clans, not one of the Four Hegemons, as the representative, one could see the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan's commitment to hosting this competition fairly.

"Waaaaaah!"

The participants cheered.

Bong Suchan stepped forward.

"Congratulations on successfully passing the first gate!"

Thunderous applause erupted.

All the Dragon Phoenix were in good spirits. Now the real Dragon Phoenix Gathering had begun. Because the riff-raff had been eliminated in one go.

Just then, someone urgently knocked on the door from outside.

Knock knock knock knock!

It was a commotion that disturbed the ceremony. At Bong Suchan's signal, the Martial Artists opened the door.

Dozens of young people rushed inside.

"This exam is invalid!"

The man who shouted at the front was Hyeok Isang. Next to him stood Song-hwa, her eyes filled with tears. The Rising Stars around him seemed to have been brought along by his instigation.

Bong Suchan coldly retorted.

"Invalid, you say?"

"That's right."

"The reason?"

"Because we cannot accept the contents of the exam."

"Cannot accept?"

"When entering the room, the organizers clearly mentioned it. Absolutely do not touch anything. We simply followed that order."

"That's right!"

"Invalid!"

The Rising Stars in the back echoed, shouting.

The scions of prestigious families who were watching the scene sneered.

Bong Suchan was inwardly relieved.

He was worried that the issue of the problem leak had been revealed, but that wasn't it. Well, even though the scions of prestigious families seemed naive, they were thorough in keeping secrets in this area. The moment words leaked out, it would be like voluntarily leaving the fence of the prestigious clan.

"What is your name?"

"I am Hyeok Isang of the Dragon Tiger Gate."

Hyeok Isang answered confidently to Bong Suchan's question.

Hyeok Isang felt wronged. What he couldn't bear was not only being eliminated from the exam absurdly. It was because of the self-reproach that he hadn't noticed what Jeok Leegeon had figured out. He was agitated.

Bong Suchan said coldly.

"Do you... take this Martial World so lightly?"

"Wh, what do you mean...?"

Bong Suchan cut off Hyeok Isang's words.

"Don't whine. By stepping into this place, you have lost twice."

Bong Suchan didn't give the opponent a chance to refute.

"The Martial World is a place where you don't know when or where you'll be attacked. You must open your eyes wide and be vigilant. You were careless, with a 'surely not' mindset. It was clearly posted at the entrance. It starts as soon as you enter. Surely you wouldn't protest that it's unfair if you died without discovering the Assassin who was going to kill you? To whom? To King Yama?"

The disgraced Dragon Phoenix lowered their heads.

"Aren't you ashamed of those who solved the secret and came here?"

Those words were decisive.

They had rushed in, caught up in the heat of the moment. There was a glimmer of hope, but the reality was as expected.

Bong Suchan shouted with resounding internal energy.

"All of you, get out!"

With a face full of injustice, Hyeok Isang looked at Jeok Leegeon and Charyeon.

Seeing Song-hwa sobbing next to him, Charyeon's heart softened.

As the two were dragged out of the place, Charyeon sighed.

"Should I have brought her along, even if it was by force?"

Jeok Leegeon shook his head.

"As I said before, that guy is worse than Jang In-geol. Jang In-geol bares his teeth and rushes in from the front, but that guy is the type to stab you in the back."

With that, the venue was cleared.

Bong Suchan stepped forward again. He said loudly.

"Move to the second gate!"

Did we really pass the first gate?