Chapter 69

Inside the returning ship, Im Cheon-se and Ban Noe were having a secret conversation.

"What do you think?"

Ban Noe pondered for a moment.

In fact, to be honest, when Ban Noe first heard the news, he thought that Im Ha-gi and Im Yang-gu might not be safe.

It was a competition they had organized. Moreover, it was a competition where all eyes of the Jianghu were focused. If there were those who tried to shake up such a competition, he guessed that the consequences would be enormous.

He was relieved to hear that there were almost no casualties among the Dragon Phoenixes, but that was precisely why he couldn't help but tilt his head.

"I plan to release all the kids from Biseondang (Secret Line Party) to investigate this matter. We will soon find some clues."

Biseondang were the elites of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan and were Ban Noe's direct subordinates. They were specialized in handling information, digging up the masterminds of conspiracies, and investigating.

"There is one thing I can guess for now."

"What is it?"

"This incident cannot be accomplished just by being a master. The Third Gate was conducted in utmost secrecy. Even the Dragon Phoenixes only found out about it after arriving on the island."

Im Cheon-se nodded.

"Moreover, considering the fact that the Mechanical Device was also manipulated, they already knew everything."

"Does that mean?"

"There must be a traitor in our Clan."

Im Cheon-se's brow furrowed at the word traitor.

"And it's a fairly high-ranking person. In my estimation, we cannot rule out the possibility of it being at least the Clan Lord or a Elder."

A murderous aura flowed from Im Cheon-se's narrow eyes. The kind of people he hated the most were traitors.

"That traitor... do you have anyone in mind?"

"Yes."

He answered, but he didn't say who it was. That alone was enough for Im Cheon-se. He was sure that Ban Noe would find the traitor.

His conviction always became reality. It wasn't something he had experienced once or twice, so Im Cheon-se felt a little more relaxed.

"But one strange thing is the fact that Yin Demon Insect was involved. As you know, Yin Demon Insect is a notorious lecher, the best among the Evil-doers. If it turns out to be his solo act, the conclusion is surprisingly simple, but I don't think Yin Demon Insect would have done something so bold. Decisively, Yin Demon Insect has been working alone until now. If there is a mastermind behind this... why would they hire Yin Demon Insect of all people?"

Im Cheon-se's eyes narrowed at Ban Noe's suspicion. There was something that resonated with him. Even if he was the mastermind behind this, he wouldn't have wanted to use a lecher.

"Perhaps the person behind it wanted to completely tarnish the reputation of this Dragon Phoenix Gathering. Of course, it's a very unlikely prediction."

"Someone who hates the Dragon Phoenix Gathering itself?"

Indeed, it was a strange guess.

In the end, Im Cheon-se shook his head. It was Ban Noe's job to figure out the whole story by pondering.

Ban Noe changed the subject.

"Please leave that matter to me for now. The problem is the Dragon Phoenixes who lost their lives in this incident. Their Clans won't just stand by."

"That's right."

The accident was a major accident. If ordinary Martial Artists had died, the death of three or four of them would have been nothing. But the victims were the children and disciples of famous figures in the Jianghu.

"In that sense, it's a stroke of luck that Yang Suchang was the one who dealt with Yin Demon Insect."

Then Im Cheon-se gave him a puzzled look. In fact, he was upset to hear the report that Yang Suchang had defeated all the intruders.

"What do you mean?"

"Yang Suchang's reputation will greatly increase because of this incident. It's a shame when you think about the young master, but it's also fortunate for us. We must make Yang Suchang and all those who have made small contributions perfect heroes."

"Make them heroes?"

"Yes. It's a sorry thing to say to the dead children, but we have to create public opinion that they died because they were weak. We must drive their deaths into the shame of their Clans. The key to this incident is to get public opinion on our side."

Im Cheon-se nodded.

The law of the Jianghu ultimately belongs to those with power. If they create the right atmosphere there, they will be able to minimize their anger.

"Besides, Yang Suchang of the Shoutern Mountains Alliance has become a hero. In that situation, it would be very burdensome for the Shoutern Mountains Alliance to question this competition. If we promise appropriate compensation to the victimized Clans, there won't be a big problem."

"But they lost their children. There will surely be someone who won't just let it go."

"That's right."

Ban Noe's eyes sharpened. As meaningful as that gaze was, a quiet word flowed out.

"...Some unavoidable things will happen."

Im Cheon-se, who guessed the hidden meaning of the words, turned his head and looked at the distant horizon. Seabirds were flying peacefully.

Away from them, another secret conversation was taking place. It was between the master and servant of the Shoutern Mountains Alliance.

"The young master has done a great job."

Yang Inmyeong shook his head at Mak Hwi's congratulations.

"It wasn't Suchang who did it."

Mak Hwi was startled.

"That child can't handle Yin Demon Insect yet."

"Then who?"

Yang Inmyeong hesitated for a moment to answer.

Yang Inmyeong, who was looking at the river, suddenly asked.

"I heard that child also participated in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering?"

"Are you perhaps referring to that young man named Jeok Leegeon we saw in Chunpung?"

"Yes, Jeok Leegeon."

"Yes. I heard that he participated with a child from the Righteous Sword Sect."

Mak Hwi asked with a surprised look.

"Do you think that young man did it?"

Yang Inmyeong did not answer. He couldn't know either.

But he couldn't forget that strange energy of Jeok Leegeon that he had seen in Chunpung. He had a feeling that whether he did it directly or not, he was somehow involved.

"Shall we investigate secretly?"

Yang Inmyeong shook his head at Mak Hwi's words.

"There's no need to provoke him unnecessarily. Let's just pretend we don't know and watch him for now."

"I understand. But..."

Mak Hwi's voice faded.

"Are you going to let this incident pass?"

"What would you like me to do?"

"We must hold them accountable. This incident will greatly damage the reputation of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan."

"That's right. But I'm thinking of just letting this incident pass. No, rather, I'm going to help the Hegemon Clan resolve this incident well."

Mak Hwi could not guess the deep intentions of his master.

"You will miss a good opportunity."

"Of course, we could use this incident as an excuse to drive them into a corner. But this alone won't dig a deep enough pit to bury them."

"Then?"

"Think about it. The ones who planned this incident are truly daring. There's no guarantee that an accident won't happen at the Heavenly Dragon Battle if it happened at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering."

Only then could Mak Hwi understand Yang Inmyeong's deep meaning.

He was hoping that the forces behind the scenes would cause an even bigger incident and drive the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan into an even bigger crisis.

Mak Hwi was greatly impressed by his master's scheme. But on the other hand, he also felt uneasy. He didn't even know who was behind it, but he was unhappy that he was dancing to their tune.

Meanwhile, Sa Do-baek and On Won-tak were also having secret talks with their subordinates, who were like their limbs, about this incident.

They were looking at this incident from different perspectives, but they had one thing in common.

Change.

A wind of change was blowing.

They had been constantly expanding their power for the past twenty years. They had been filling their own bellies while avoiding conflicts as much as possible and watching each other's moves.

It was like a dream. But now the long night was over and the morning was dawning. It was time to wake up from the dream.

Soon the ship arrived at the dock.

Many people had already come out after hearing the rumors. Among those who were desperately looking for a ship were Jeong I-chu and Hwa Ryeon.

Seeing Jeong Charyeon getting off the ship, the two ran over.

"Charyeon!"

From the completely pale faces of the two, one could tell how worried they were.

"Father!"

Jeong Charyeon ran towards Jeong I-chu.

Jeong I-chu hugged Jeong Charyeon. Tears welled up in Jeong I-chu's eyes. Hwa Ryeon finally shed the tears she had been holding back. They were so surprised to hear the news that a big accident had occurred at the Third Gate and that the masters of the Four Hegemons had entered the island and it was a mess.

"Thank you."

Jeong I-chu squeezed Jeok Leegeon's hands tightly.

He was so grateful that he was safe.

Jeok Leegeon said with a serious face.

"I really had a hard time saving your daughter."

"........"

Jeong I-chu quietly pulled away his hand. Jeong Charyeon smiled and took her father's hand.

"Let's go home now."

Jeong Charyeon glanced back and saw that Jeok Leegeon was swaggering along well.

For some reason, Jeong Charyeon smiled.

Yeah, just follow me like that. Not yet...