Chapter 572: PAID

Childhood Friend of the ZenithWords: 1622

As the meeting concluded, silence filled the air.

Drip.

The stillness was so absolute that the only sound was the occasional water droplet echoing in the cave.

Was it because of the shocking nature of what I’d just said?

After all, I’d just dropped a bombshell: that in three months, we’d attack Hannan—home to the Murim Alliance and the Shaolin Temple.

Ordinarily, such an announcement would be enough to leave anyone stunned.

But I didn’t think that applied here.

These people weren’t the type to be shocked by something like this.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

As evidence, I glanced at the ceiling.

Amid the quiet,

Wooong—!

Energy gathered at the point where the ceiling met the walls, rippling in violent, chaotic waves.

I lowered my gaze and scanned the room.

Ten pairs of eyes stared back at me, their lips sealed but their expressions speaking volumes.

Some bore mocking smiles.

Others had eyes brimming with anticipation.

They all had different motivations, but their shared goal was the same.

There was no fear among them.

How could there be?

‘I handpicked them knowing they were incapable of such things.’

These were people who wouldn’t hesitate to resort to any means to achieve their objectives.

They didn’t flinch at displaying their greed or suppressing their emotions.

Among them were only the most skilled and ambitious, each one bound by an invisible leash.

‘Not that they’d think of it as a leash.’

What they thought didn’t matter.

What mattered was simple:

‘Whether I can use them or not.’

That was all.

As I pondered, a voice broke the silence.

“Three months, you say?”