Chapter 71

Infinite was abuzz with two shocking rumors.

The first was about Yang Suchang's heroic performance at the third gate of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

Moreover, the Southern Mountains Alliance intentionally spread the rumors, so they spread like wildfire. Wherever two people gathered, they talked about nothing else.

A few men sitting at Great Peace Pavilion were also engrossed in the story. The rumor had been exaggerated to the point where it had become a complete heroic drama.

"They say Sohyeop Yang drew his sword, slashed seventeen times in a row, and sheathed it in the blink of an eye. Isn't that amazing?"

"Truly amazing, amazing. It's a pity I didn't see it with my own eyes."

"To bisect the Yin Demon Insect! Was Sohyeop Yang's martial arts at that level?"

"Isn't he the heir to the Southern Mountains Alliance? He must have had a hidden ace up his sleeve."

"With this, Sohyeop Yang has become the best of the Four Hegemons' heirs."

"Of course. Sohyeop Yang, who even saved the lives of other Dragon Phoenixes, is a great hero of Jianghu."

The second rumor, in contrast, was very tragic.

"By the way, did you hear? Great Warrior Ga of the Blood King Sect hanged himself."

"I heard. He lost his disciple and his daughter was crippled because of this incident... In the end, he ended up like that."

"It's truly unfortunate."

"Does this mean the Heavenly Dragon Battle won't be held because of this?"

"The Heavenly Dragon Battle will be held as scheduled. We can't let the biggest Martial Arts Tournament in Jianghu be ruined by the incident caused by that lustful demon."

"That's a relief. That's a relief."

"Actually, the real tournament is the Heavenly Dragon Battle, isn't it? This accident can't cancel the Heavenly Dragon Battle."

A man sitting far away, listening to the men's conversation, smiled bitterly. He was the very person who had created this 'accident'.

'Damn it.'

Bong Suchan, who had covered his face by pressing his Bamboo Hat low, was the man. What he had planned for so long and controlled perfectly in the dark had become just this 'accident'.

'Who the hell intervened?'

He pondered and pondered, but couldn't figure it out. He had monitored not only the bodyguards of the Dragon Phoenixes but also all the ships entering the island. Clearly, no new masters had entered the island.

'Damn it!'

How would the flying swallow association react to this?

It had been twelve years since he joined the flying swallow association this year.

Twelve years ago, when he was working as a mere squad leader of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, they had recruited him.

The flying swallow association had steadily supported him for twelve years. It was thanks to the flying swallow association's material and moral support that he became one of the Four Great Elders of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan.

Bong Suchan emptied his glass again. Even after drinking, his mouth felt parched.

For the flying swallow association, betrayal meant death, and incompetence was worse than betrayal. What would happen to him because of this failure? He felt instinctively afraid.

To run away?

That was out of the question. It was an organization that had supported him for the past twelve years without expecting any reward. The only faces he knew, who had been recruited, were just one or two.

A secret organization run as a thorough Cell Organization. Nevertheless, the terrifying tenacity to support him for twelve years without any conditions for today. That was the scary thing about the flying swallow association.

Sometimes he wondered if even the head of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan was a member of the flying swallow association.

When Bong Suchan had emptied a few more glasses, the person he was supposed to meet sat down in front of him.

The woman who had covered her face with a veil was Yeon Sipsa, the masked woman who had been chasing Gu Ik-hwan.

"What happened?"

Bong Suchan flinched at Yeon Sipsa's cold question. It was a coldness he could never get used to.

'A young girl whose ink hasn't even dried on her head!'

But he could never show such annoyance.

Although he had never faced her directly, he knew that Yeon Sipsa's skills were far superior to his own. The fact that she had been sent as his supervisor, even though he was quite useful as one of the Four Great Elders of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan, showed how much trust she had within the flying swallow association. She was young, but she was a powerful figure.

"It seems a variable has occurred."

Yeon Sipsa's lips twisted at Bong Suchan's respectful answer.

"Eliminating that variable was your mission."

"Of course, but variables are called variables because they cannot be predicted in advance."

Yeon Sipsa's sneer deepened. While cursing inwardly, Bong Suchan avoided the woman's gaze.

"Hweju is greatly disappointed by this."

Bong Suchan's shoulders instinctively shrank at the word Hweju. He had seen her once when he joined the flying swallow association.

Hweju was a woman.

But Bong Suchan could guarantee that no one in Jianghu could ignore her as a woman if they faced her directly.

She was a mass of enormous murderous intent. The murderous intent, which made his whole body tingle and made it hard to even stand, was still unforgettable. He felt a curse, hatred, and deep resentment that had been accumulated over a long period of time from her. Moreover, only an aura of contempt emanated from her empty, vacant eyes. At that time, Bong Suchan had felt a fear that he could not express in words.

The being Bong Suchan feared most in this world was Hweju.

"I have no excuse."

Fear was evident in Bong Suchan's words.

"The association has decided to give you another chance, especially in recognition of your contributions so far."

Bong Suchan let out a sigh he had been holding back.

'They must think I'm too valuable. Because of their investment.'

Anyway, he had saved his life for now.

"Execute the second plan."

"I understand. But..."

Yeon Sipsa's eyes sharpened as Bong Suchan trailed off.

The request to somehow prevent his family from being suspected because of this incident disappeared.

"Leave it to me."

Bong Suchan got up from his seat first.

As he stood up, Yeon Sipsa warned him coldly.

"If you fail this time, you're finished."

Bong Suchan sighed. The old saying was always right.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. It had been so sweet when he was receiving their support. Now he was paying the price.

Of course, Bong Suchan had no intention of dying yet.

Even after Bong Suchan left, Yeon Sipsa did not leave her seat. When she had emptied two glasses of wine alone, a new man took the seat where Bong Suchan had left.

Yeon Sipgu, who hid his knife-like eyes under a Bamboo Hat, was the man.

"Monitor him secretly from behind. There must be no more failures."

Yeon Sipgu nodded reliably and left the seat.

Yeon Sipsa, who had emptied her third glass, also got up from her seat.

The conspiracy was still in progress.