Chapter 695: You Said This Was Where I’d Die?
An Hu-pyeong arrived at the grand hall with a pounding heart.
The unfamiliar martial artists surrounding the building from the entrance were the guards of the Unorthodox Alliance’s Alliance Leader’s Hall. Their overwhelming presence made the fighters of the Divine Transformation Gang look like children. No one dared to meet their eyes.
‘Should I have changed into new clothes before coming?’
He could ignore the whole world, but he had to look good in front of the Alliance Leader and the Young Leader. Being part of the unorthodox world, one misstep in front of them could mean the annihilation of his entire family in an instant.
Taking a deep breath, An Hu-pyeong stepped inside.
The seat of honor where his father usually sat was now taken by the Alliance Leader.
His father stood a little apart, hands clasped together with reverence. It was the first time An Hu-pyeong had ever seen him stand before someone in such a deferential manner.
‘So that’s the Alliance Leader.’
Unable to meet his gaze directly, An Hu-pyeong lowered his head and moved forward. He practiced smiling with his head bowed. Since he always went around with a scowl, forcing a smile felt unbearably awkward.
‘I must make a good impression.’
With a trembling heart, An Hu-pyeong walked forward and offered a respectful greeting.
“It is an honor to meet the Leader I have always respected.”
“Good to meet you.”
Baek Jagang already knew what kind of man An Hu-pyeong was.
Since he was visiting the Divine Transformation Gang, it was only natural that he had been briefed on the basic information about the leader’s family.
A dissipated heir who loved alcohol and women. Just by looking at this An Hu-pyeong, the future of the Divine Transformation Gang seemed dark.
Of course, when An Cheong-gwang joined hands with his backers, it didn’t just become dark—it turned into pitch-black darkness.
An Cheong-gwang sent his son a sound transmission.
―Don’t make a mistake. Do well!
―Don’t worry, Father!
Just then, the door opened and someone entered.
Turning toward the entrance, An Hu-pyeong was startled.
‘Why is that bastard here?’
The person who walked in was none other than Bih Sa-in.
An Hu-pyeong quickly spoke to Baek Jagang and his father.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
He rushed over to Bih Sa-in, who was walking toward them.
After blocking Bih Sa-in’s path, An Hu-pyeong frowned and whispered.
“What do you think you’re doing coming here?”
He must have been said that he was called in by the Vice Gang Leader at the entrance and got allowed to enter.
Just thinking that the guards of the Alliance Leader’s Hall would let anyone inside just because they were looking for him showed how self-centered and thoughtless An Hu-pyeong was.
“Get out. Leave now.”
His whisper was more irritable than ever. An Hu-pyeong was on edge. If he ruined this moment, it truly would be the end of him.
“Do you want to die?”
So desperate was he to impress the Alliance Leader that even Bih Sa-in’s face didn’t scare him now.
Like Sa Chu before him, An Hu-pyeong never once considered the possibility that Bih Sa-in could be the Young Leader.
That the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance would ask Lee Ahn’s guard if there were many beauties present? Impossible, wasn’t it?
An Hu-pyeong understood this frightening-looking fellow. Right, if the Vice Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang asked him to come in, how could he refuse? And on top of that, if he was paid double?
Then Bih Sa-in repeated the very words An Hu-pyeong had spoken earlier.
“Didn’t you say you’d tell the person I serve directly?”
It was the first time he heard Bih Sa-in’s voice. It wasn’t a pleasant voice, no more than looking at his face was pleasant, but now was hardly the time to point that out.
“The one I serve is right there, so speak to him yourself.”
An Hu-pyeong’s gaze followed Bih Sa-in’s. There sat Baek Jagang.
This bastard was insulting the Alliance Leader? This was his chance. A perfect chance to win the Alliance Leader’s favor.
I tried to let this thoughtless fool leave peacefully, but then he insulted the Leader, so I could not hold back.
He thought quickly in that brief moment.
“You crazy bastard!”
An Hu-pyeong shouted toward the door.
“Sa Chu! Drag this bastard out right now!”
An Cheong-gwang, who had been watching, turned pale and rushed forward.
Of course, An Cheong-gwang had already met Bih Sa-in. When he saw his son running toward him as Bih Sa-in entered, he thought they had already greeted each other at the martial arena. In any case, his son was always the quickest when it came to looking out for his own interests.
At least he had that much ability, An Cheong-gwang had been thinking—until now.
And then his son ordered that the Young Leader be dragged out?
An Hu-pyeong assumed the reason his father came rushing out, face deathly pale, was because of Bih Sa-in’s ruthless appearance. With the Alliance Leader watching, what was he doing not driving him out right away?
Before his father could resolve things, An Hu-pyeong decided to act first.
The moment An Hu-pyeong raised his hand to slap Bih Sa-in across the face—
Clench!
An Cheong-gwang, barely arriving in time, seized his wrist. Not that he would have been able to land the slap even if he had tried.
Shocked beyond measure, An Cheong-gwang, his face drained of color, stared at his son.
An Hu-pyeong spoke loudly.
“This insolent fool must have chased after me, wanting to become one of my subordinates. But then he dared to insult the Leader!”
From afar, Baek Jagang asked.
“What did he say to insult me?”
“He said that if he was to be hired, I should first receive the Leader’s permission.”
Baek Jagang smiled as he replied.
“That’s not wrong.”
Before An Hu-pyeong could even grasp what that meant—
Slap!
An Cheong-gwang struck his son’s cheek mercilessly. More than the pain, the shock left An Hu-pyeong speechless.
“Father?”
“How dare you act so rudely before the Young Leader? Get on your knees this instant and beg forgiveness.”
An Hu-pyeong blinked.
‘Young Leader? What Young Leader?’
As he still stood there in a daze, another slap landed.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
An Cheong-gwang’s hand, striking his son’s cheek without mercy, carried the weight of pent-up emotions. After all the disgraceful things this useless son had done, now he had gone and committed this insane act.
He should have beaten him senseless while raising him from the start.
If this incident drove the Alliance Leader away, he might very well kill his own son with his bare hands.
At that moment, Baek Jagang sent a sound transmission to Bih Sa-in.
―This must be the Young Cult Leader’s handiwork.
His own disciple would never bother hiding his identity and creating such an incident. If there had been a reason to beat someone, he would have half-killed him outright.
―Isn’t this just a way of saying to teach your child properly?
Of course, Geom Mugeuk hadn’t foreseen this exact scenario, but in the end, it had turned out this way.
―Had I been alone, that brat would already be a corpse.
Hearing Bih Sa-in’s sound transmission, Baek Jagang’s lips curled into a faint smile. He could picture the scene without even needing to watch.
All the pent-up emotions of the years poured out.
Slap! Slap! Smack! Slap!
When he judged that his son had been beaten enough, Bih Sa-in finally stepped forward.
“That will do.”
At that, An Cheong-gwang stopped his beating.
An Hu-pyeong’s face was swollen red, and with tears welling, he stammered.
“…F,father.”
“You dared to insult and raise your hand against the Young Leader? You deserve death. That hand should be cut off first.”
“Please, spare me, Father!”
“Why don’t you beg forgiveness at once?”
An Hu-pyeong dropped to his knees and pleaded.
“I failed to recognize such an esteemed person and committed a mortal sin! I was wrong! Please spare me!”
But Bih Sa-in did not scold him.
He could have destroyed An Hu-pyeong completely here and now, but he chose not to.
He had already known An Hu-pyeong was a dissipated, arrogant fool. Scolding him further wouldn’t change his nature; it would only leave him more resentful inside.
Besides, he was here to prevent an assassination plot against his master. There was no need to create personal enmity with An Hu-pyeong.
Helping him to his feet, Bih Sa-in spoke kindly.
“My apologies. I had not yet revealed my identity.”
“No, Young Leader! Thank you for forgiving me.”
But just as Bih Sa-in expected, a man didn’t change in an instant. An Hu-pyeong felt no true remorse; instead, he directed his resentment at someone else.
Someone should have been blaming either his father or Bih Sa-in. Instead, he blamed the wrong man.
‘This is all that bastard’s fault!’
That guard of Lee Ahn! He had only misunderstood because the Young Leader had spoken with him.
‘I’ll make amends to the Young Leader somehow, but that bastard—I’ll crush him!’
Just as always, he had taken out revenge only on those weaker than himself. Why should this moment be any different?
An Cheong-gwang lowered his head before the Alliance Leader and apologized.
“I apologize for showing you such a disgraceful sight.”
Baek Jagang replied in a pleasant tone.
“It was nothing but a misunderstanding. Pay it no mind.”
Just then, a cheer rose from outside. It seemed the main tournament was about to begin.
To smooth over the awkward atmosphere, An Cheong-gwang stepped forward.
“It looks like the finals are about to start. Allow me to escort you to the guest seats.”
Baek Jagang rose from his seat, bringing the matter to a close.
“It would be discourteous to keep the ladies waiting.”
* * *
The waiting room was filled with women.
Lee Ahn quietly observed from a corner.
She was searching for the assassins of the Court of Beauties among the contestants. Or rather, she was not searching for them. That was the trick: to find them, she had to act as if she were not.
There were a few women who gave her a feeling. Nothing more than a feeling.
It wasn’t Lee Ahn the guard, but Lee Ahn the martial artist, who had picked them out.
At that moment, Cha Iran entered the room.
After glancing around once, she walked over to where Lee Ahn was.
Lee Ahn kept her eyes fixed on the women she had singled out, not on Cha Iran. She was watching to see who reacted to Cha Iran’s arrival—or who didn’t.
Cha Iran came to stand before her.
“What shall I do? It seems this young lady’s guard has already fallen for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“We agreed to celebrate my advancement to the finals with drinks. Just the two of us, privately.”
She meant to include Lee Ahn, but phrased it as though it were only the two of them.
Lee Ahn didn’t rise to the provocation. Geom Mugeuk would never have agreed to such a thing, and even if he had, there would have been a reason.
“You won’t drink with him without my permission.”
Tilting her head, Cha Iran asked challengingly.
“Is that confidence? Or arrogance?”
“It’s understanding. I know that person.”
“A guard knowing her master well is common enough. But a master who knows her guard well? Now that’s rare.”
Cha Iran sat down beside Lee Ahn.
Even then, Lee Ahn kept watching how the women around them reacted.
That had been her purpose in joining the tournament to begin with. By uncovering someone like this, she might save a life from their side.
Cha Iran suddenly remarked,
“You’ve finally drawn even the treasured sword.”
Lee Ahn was indeed wearing a treasured sword, but that wasn’t what Cha Iran meant. In her words, it was like saying her makeup looked beautiful.
Of course, Cha Iran knew better than anyone the skill of the woman who had done her makeup.
“Considering the opponent, I must be careful. When you put on makeup, you become a different person.”
“This young lady is scarier without makeup. Pure beauty.”
“You’re trying to unsettle me by any means.”
The two women looked at each other and laughed.
Yes. You ought to be afraid. Of those grueling hours of training, sweating without even a touch of makeup.
At that moment, the waiting room door opened and a martial artist announced loudly,
“The finals are about to begin!”
From outside came the roar of the gathered heroes.
* * *
At last, it was Lee Ahn’s turn.
Clad in a pure white palace gown and with beautiful makeup, she slowly climbed the steps.
When she reached the stage, she saw the countless gathered warriors.
A thunderous cheer.
She had thought that once she stood here, her heart would pound so hard with shame and embarrassment it might burst. That was why she had gone up into the mountains at dawn and swung her sword over and over.
Yet now that she was actually on stage, she found she was not trembling as much as expected.
‘Perhaps I’m stronger in real battle than I thought.’
Lee Ahn walked slowly along the prescribed path.
And then she saw him.
Among the countless people, she spotted Geom Mugeuk looking at her. As if by miracle, her eyes fell right on him.
Though Geom Mugeuk had revealed no presence at all, she had found him.
Among all those people, only Geom Mugeuk appeared in color; the rest were like black and white.
He was smiling at her.
Lee Ahn suddenly realized something.
This journey had been a time for her to confirm her feelings for the Young Cult Leader. For the first time, she had even felt jealousy. She had liked him since they were children, but the feelings she had discovered this time were far deeper.
She walked forward with confidence.
At the center of the stage, she could see the judges’ table specially set up.
Among the three examiners, she saw the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion. Their gazes met.
Here she was fulfilling her duty, and there the Mistress was fulfilling hers.
‘As long as I stand here, there will be no chance for Soma’s dagger to pierce the Young Cult Leader.’
Thus, two women resolved to protect their man, exchanging a silent understanding with their eyes.
From the moment she stepped onto the stage until she came down, nothing happened.
Just before stepping down, she looked once more at Geom Mugeuk.
His lips seemed to move.
Not bad for a clumsy one, eh?
Perhaps that was what he said. Smiling to herself, she left the stage.
As she descended, someone approached Geom Mugeuk’s side.
“It’s been a while.”
Amazingly, it was Baek Jagang, the Alliance Leader. Wearing a bamboo hat, no one realized who he was.
When An Cheong-gwang had offered to escort him to the guest seats, he had declined, saying he wished to watch quietly. He had slipped into the crowd instead.
The two men gazed at the stage as they spoke. Geom Mugeuk released his Energy Emission Training, forming an invisible barrier so that no one nearby could overhear their voices.
“I told you not to come. Why are you here?”
“I came to see you.”
“Not for the beauties, then?”
“Why not both? I came to see you—and the beauties as well.”
Geom Mugeuk turned to Baek Jagang and said,
“In truth, if you hadn’t come, I would have been disappointed.”
“You said this was where I’d die, didn’t you?”
The two of them looked at each other and laughed. In truth, Geom Mugeuk had wanted to see Baek Jagang. He would never know just how attractive those small eyes of his seemed now.
“Ah, here she comes. That woman there is the assassin who intends to kill you, Leader.”
The woman stepping onto the stage was none other than Cha Iran.
Her entrance made the gathered heroes burn with fiery excitement, but for Baek Jagang, his heart grew cold instead.
“Tell me, then. Why should I not leap onto that stage this instant and kill her? I am not the sort who sits idly, waiting for someone who seeks my life.”
He was not one to toy with his enemies. To him, an enemy was someone to be killed with all his might. He was, after all, always the Leader in martial robes.
“If I have no reason to be convinced…”
Baek Jagang’s narrow eyes became narrower still. Those eyes shone with such intensity, they seemed the very source of all murderous intent in the world.
“…then I will kill her here and now.”