The news of the Poison Dragon Mercenary Corps’ destruction and Hawk and others being slain spread like wildfire.

Ma De, the captain of the Black Cat Team, laughed upon hearing the news: "What a joke! How could those seven guys be dead along with Hawk and the others? From what I know, even when the Black Cat Team suffered heavy losses, not a single hair on those seven was harmed. With Hawk and the others’ capabilities, which are no match for the Black Cat Team, how could they cause casualties for those seven?"

"Not to mention massive casualties, possibly no survivors at all; that’s absolutely impossible."

"I really don’t understand why such false news is spreading around. It’s mind-boggling."

"I really want to know who spread this news."

"It’s puzzling that those seven guys don’t come out to clarify things, as if they’ve vanished from the world without a trace, it’s extremely strange."

"As killers, such an astonishing record should be a raising of their status, yet they abandon this glorious outcome? That’s ridiculous, it makes one doubt whether those seven are actually killers."

"I can’t understand it; there are so many things I can’t understand."

"Those seven seem to have deliberately acknowledged the false rumors, as if they’re happy to see such an outcome."

"Deliberately hiding their achievements; this isn’t what a killer should do."

"I won’t believe, not even if you beat me to death, that those seven terrifying guys just died like that."

Ma De never expected the outside world to almost universally accept the news as fact, because they had never witnessed the terrifying power of the seven firsthand. Having experienced their horrors himself, Ma De did not believe those outside rumours. Yet, under the heavy clouds of doubt, he had no idea what secrets were truly hidden.

He was unwilling to accept it, determined to understand the secrets involved, otherwise he wouldn’t find peace of mind.

"Minister, I want you to use your authority to focus on investigating the identities of those seven individuals and who is spreading this false news," Ma De contacted his superior, voicing his requests.

After Ma De returned, his superior didn’t hold him accountable; it was as if the casualties in the Black Cat Team had never happened, and nobody mentioned it, so naturally, nobody was held responsible. Holding someone accountable would imply admitting to the mistakes of the mission, which would bring scandals between the Minister and the Poison Dragon Mercenary Corps into light, so they pretended nothing happened.

"Why bother with so many things? That’s not something you need to concern yourself with," the Minister said displeased: "No matter how powerful those seven were, if they died at the hands of Hawk and the others, so be it. Even if they’re not all dead, they can’t cause trouble, which is why they’re hiding, or they’re truly all dead. Your current task is to reorganize the Black Cat Team, don’t concern yourself with other matters, that’s not your responsibility to worry about. Hawk and the others are no good, it’s understandable they were exterminated simultaneously."

Ma De wasn’t concerned about the Minister’s words, confidently stating: "Minister, please seriously consider my suggestion. With professional insight and experience, I am absolutely certain those seven aren’t something Hawk’s men can destroy."

"Everyone outside says they’re dead, so they’re dead," the Minister said impatiently: "In the battle with the Poison Dragon Mercenary Corps, they exhausted each other, what’s the fuss about? Because those seven accepted it implicitly, why do you worry?"

"Minister, the existence of this force is intriguing, we must clarify things in case we encounter those seven again, or if they become enemies, it wouldn’t be good," Ma De said with great effort.

He was worried about becoming enemies with the seven again, which would naturally have dire consequences.

"Are you really that impressed by those seven? So afraid of them?" The Minister was dissatisfied with Ma De’s cowardly thoughts.

"The Black Cat Team is no match for those seven, their power is too strong," Ma De said seriously.

The Minister wanted to curse Ma De out, for the Black Cat Team had suffered massive casualties, yet he didn’t seek to improve the team’s overall strength but instead went on about how great the enemy was, which greatly displeased him.

The Minister contained his displeasure and said: "I will instruct the subordinates to investigate the whereabouts and identities of those seven. Whether we encounter them in the future or not, whether they’re foes or not, once useful intelligence is gathered, I’ll inform you since you firmly believe they’re not dead. Then, when we gather intel on them, it would be time to avenge Black Cat’s casualties using the lives of those seven."

"As long as we’re thoroughly prepared with lethal moves, I am willing to act as bait to avenge Black Cat," Ma De said resolutely.

"That’s good, remember your words, and maintain this killing intent," the Minister concluded the conversation.

Both Ma De and the Minister harbored intentions of vengeance against Ye Fan and the other seven.

The casualties among the Black Cat Team wounded their pride and dignity, and if given a chance, they would naturally seek retribution.

The Minister didn’t give it much thought, in his view, those seven were likely dead, just as the world believed.

After hearing Ma De’s words, he thought otherwise.

Given the seven’s peculiar identities and mysterious actions, eye for an eye was necessary.

Peng Bird initiated a call to Left Boss.

"Left Boss, the task you assigned, I failed to accomplish," Peng Bird said with an apologetic tone, extremely respectful.

"What task is that?" Left Boss asked, not understanding what Peng Bird meant.

"It’s about meeting those seven people," Peng Bird said cautiously.

Left Boss was amused and interested: "Those seven guys don’t appreciate the favor shown, even ignoring me; is their arrogance so great?"

Anyone who knew him understood he’d become disgruntled. He’d provided the seven with so much useful information, forming a bond, yet they couldn’t be bothered even to acknowledge his invitation; it was displeasing.

"Left Boss, the seven don’t know about your invitation. I’ve lost contact with them, and those seven vanished without a trace, I don’t know where they went," Peng Bird said distressingly.

"That’s how it is, they don’t recognize favor, let them be then. If they show up again, don’t give them a warm welcome. If they set foot on my turf again, make it difficult for them," Left Boss said impatiently, then hung up.

Peng Bird set down his phone and recalled Ye Fan and the other seven, wistfully saying: "You missed an opportunity, truly a pity, now that opportunity has turned into malice."