Chapter 685: With So Many Pretty Women Around
Chapter 685: With So Many Pretty Women Around
It was a truly unexpected invitation.
"This is the first time I’ve ever been invited to serve as a judge," the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master said, her voice laced with bewilderment.
Lee An, however, took it as a matter of course. "They sought out the best judge possible. After all, you know more about beauty than anyone else in the world."
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion boasted dozens of branches across the Central Plains, and that was without even counting this main headquarters. Having met and dealt with countless beauties throughout her life, the Pavilion Master was the perfect choice for such an invitation. Whoever had made the selection had chosen well.
"Has there ever been a 'World’s Most Beautiful Woman' contest before?" Geom Mu-geuk asked.
The Pavilion Master shook her head. "No. As far as I know, this is the first time such a competition is being held."
It was impossible to know if this contest had existed in his life before the regression. Geom Mu-geuk hadn't been interested in such trifles back then, so it might have happened, or it could be a new development caused by the various ripples he had created since his return.
"Who is hosting the event?"
The answer was a name they hadn't expected.
"The Shinhwa Guild."
The Shinhwa Guild was a sect belonging to the Unorthodox Faction, and it was a renowned and formidable power within the Murim.
Lee An knew of them as well. Why would an Unorthodox sect, rather than an Orthodox one, host such a public spectacle?
"Why would the Shinhwa Guild suddenly hold an event like this?"
At Lee An's question, Geom Mu-geuk pointed a finger at her. "Because of you."
"What? Me?"
As she tensed up, Geom Mu-geuk said with a smirk, "To officially announce your name to the Murim."
"Oh, come on, that's ridiculous..." Lee An's expression suddenly faltered. "Wait. You're not telling me to enter this contest, are you?"
"Why wouldn't I? If it were a 'World's Most Handsome Man' contest, I would have entered myself. No, wait—I would have sent our Lord Smiling Demon."
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon felt a wave of relief behind his mask. He knew that if it were Geom Mu-geuk, the man really would have found a way to force him onto that stage.
"Why do I have to participate?" Lee An pressed.
"There might be an enemy among the contestants. Find them while you're among them."
In the past, she might have scoffed, What kind of enemy would be among beauty contestants? but now she knew it was a distinct possibility.
Normally, Lee An would have reacted with a flat refusal.
No way! Absolutely not!
She would have been waving her hands, backing away, and giving him a look that said, Just try to make me—I won't even forgive the Young Cult Leader! She would have thrown every possible objection at him at once.
Geom Mu-geuk was likely expecting that reaction. He probably wanted an excuse not to take her to such a dangerous place. After all, it was the location where a Demon Lord was destined to drive a dagger into the Young Cult Leader's chest.
"I'll participate."
"Really?" Geom Mu-geuk asked, genuinely surprised.
Lee An nodded firmly.
"But why the sudden change of heart?"
Lee An turned to the Pavilion Master and asked tentatively, "How much is the prize money?"
The Pavilion Master looked taken aback by the unexpected question. She knew Lee An wasn't the type of person to enter such a contest for mere coin. But she soon guessed the sentiment behind the inquiry.
"Since it's a contest to crown the most beautiful woman in the world, surely they'll offer at least fifty thousand taels?"
Lee An's eyes widened, and she shouted, "Fifty thousand taels?!"
"There might be additional prizes as well."
"Fifty thousand taels! That's enough to retire and live in luxury for the rest of my life! A life of leisure! The dream of every working soul!"
Lee An turned to Geom Mu-geuk with an excited face. "I'm going! Fate has given me the chance of a lifetime."
How could Geom Mu-geuk not know? She was doing this because she was afraid he would send her back to the Main Cult for her own safety.
The Pavilion Master added another word of encouragement. "And it won't just be the prize money. Large merchant groups in the Central Plains will invite you to their events, and they'll pay hundreds of taels just for an appearance."
"Hundreds of taels just for showing my face!"
Geom Mu-geuk grabbed her and shook her playfully. "Get a grip! You're blinded by greed!"
"How many merchant groups are there in the Central Plains?"
"What about the Ghost Shadow Squad?"
"Tell them to keep splitting into teams and fighting each other!"
After their playful banter subsided, Geom Mu-geuk spoke seriously. "Lee An, I'll take you with me. But you don't have to enter the contest."
Showing off her beauty in front of a massive crowd of heroes? He knew Lee An would truly loathe doing that. He expected her to jump at the chance to opt out.
"No, I'm going to enter."
No matter how much she disliked it or how embarrassed she felt, she had a clear reason to participate. "The platform you saw in the prophecy—it's the stage for this contest, isn't it?"
The Pavilion Master nodded. "It seems so."
That was where Geom Mu-geuk's heart was fated to be pierced.
"I'll be standing on that stage with you," Lee An declared.
Geom Mu-geuk could feel her firm resolve. Lee An was showing him once again that she was someone who would willingly do something she hated to death if it was for his sake.
You are trying so hard to protect me, but I am the one who will protect you.
"I will go with you as your escort warrior."
Lee An felt a secret sense of relief. Right—with Geom Mu-geuk by her side, what was there to fear?
Geom Mu-geuk then assigned a role to the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. "Lord Smiling Demon, please take charge of the Pavilion Master's protection."
"Understood."
Geom Mu-geuk turned back to the Pavilion Master. "Where is the contest being held?"
"In Qingyang, Anhui Province."
Qingyang was the territory of the Shinhwa Guild. They were holding the contest in their own backyard.
"When can you leave?"
"Anytime."
"Then let's leave early tomorrow."
The Pavilion Master nodded and looked down at the invitation in her hand. "I'm going there to judge, but for some reason, I feel like I'm the one being judged."
She was right. Whether it was fate or a mastermind pulling strings behind the scenes, they were being drawn in.
Geom Mu-geuk smiled and said to her, "Please give Lee An a vote at the end!"
Lee An shouted in shock, "That's unfair judging! Don't even say things like that!"
"Oh? You seem confident you'll make it to the end. I thought you were just participating for the sake of it?"
"That's not what I meant! Ugh!"
Her face slightly flushed, Lee An ran into the building, and Geom Mu-geuk followed her inside.
The Pavilion Master and the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon watched them with smiles. Then, the Pavilion Master spoke up abruptly.
"Thank you."
After hearing the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon's advice, she had told the Young Cult Leader everything honestly. If she hadn't even told the Smiling Demon, she didn't want to imagine how heavy her heart would feel right now.
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon looked at her and smiled. It was a smile that needed no further words. His white mask shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
*
A young man was looking up at a platform that was in the final stages of construction.
The platform was being built on a grand and luxurious scale; this was the venue for the World’s Most Beautiful Woman Selection Contest.
All around the man, masters exuding a cold aura stood guard. Passersby didn't dare approach and gave the area a wide berth. One could tell just by looking at his guards that this man's status was anything but ordinary.
This young man was An Hu-pyeong, the successor of the Shinhwa Guild, the host of the contest.
"Young Master, have you come out?"
A middle-aged martial artist walked up to his side and bowed politely. The man was Chief Manager Jo, the external manager of the Shinhwa Guild who was in charge of preparing for the contest.
"The marketplace is already bustling with people."
People from all over the Central Plains were beginning to flock to the city to watch the event. While martial arts tournaments were held everywhere, this was the first official beauty pageant of its kind, and the interest of the populace was focused here.
An Hu-pyeong kept his eyes on the platform as he asked, "Chief Manager Jo."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Do you know what my dream is?"
"It is to marry the most beautiful woman in the world."
He had heard it many times since they were young. Since that dream hadn't changed, it was a sincere one. If anyone else had said it, Jo would have mocked them for having such a lofty dream with such an average face, but...
"Your dream is about to come true. Congratulations, Young Master."
"It's too early for a toast. The woman who becomes the world's greatest beauty must accept my choice."
"What woman would refuse you, Young Master?"
A confident smile spread across An Hu-pyeong's lips.
Chief Manager Jo knew that even if the woman refused, it wouldn't matter. Having watched him since childhood, Jo knew exactly how persistent and terrifying An Hu-pyeong could be. Even after all these years, Jo still felt nervous about making a slip of the tongue in front of him.
Furthermore, the man was a lecherous rake. He had been obsessed with women since he was a boy. Jo didn't know which woman would be crowned the most beautiful in the world, but he suspected it might be the most unfortunate award of her life.
"When does it begin?"
"The preliminaries start in three days. Beauties from all over the Central Plains are arriving one after another for the contest."
An Hu-pyeong stared at the three chairs placed in front of the platform. Those were the seats for the judges. On either side of them, VIP seating had been prepared.
"And the judges?"
"Two of the three have already arrived. We are only waiting for the last one, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master."
Suddenly, An Hu-pyeong's eyes flashed sharply. "The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master? Isn't that a kisaeng house?"
"That is correct. We invited her as a judge this time."
An Hu-pyeong's expression immediately hardened. "You chose a mere madam of a kisaeng house as a judge?"
"The Heavenly Flower Pavilion is no ordinary establishment. It is the largest and most famous pavilion in the Central Plains, with dozens of branches."
You've been there many times yourself, haven't you? The words were at the tip of Jo's tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say them. Perhaps An Hu-pyeong hated the idea precisely because he visited such places so often.
"A kisaeng house is still a kisaeng house."
His mood soured at the thought of marrying a woman judged by a madam. "Who on earth decided on this woman as a judge?"
Chief Manager Jo looked troubled but eventually spoke cautiously. "It was the Guild Master."
An Hu-pyeong flinched in surprise.
"There was originally someone else, but he changed it at the last minute."
Puzzlement appeared on An Hu-pyeong's face. His father had spent his entire life doing nothing but swinging a sword.
"Let me know when the Pavilion Master arrives."
*
The carriage carrying Geom Mu-geuk's party entered the marketplace of Qingyang.
Geom Mu-geuk poked Lee An in the side. "Stop staring!"
Lee An, who had been staring at the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon sitting across from her, jumped. She couldn't help it. Starting this morning, as they approached their destination, the Smiling Demon had taken off his mask and put on a veil.
It was the first time she had seen him without his mask, even if the veil covered everything below his eyes.
"You're so handsome!" Lee An blurted out, as if possessed. Realizing she had said it to his face, she hurriedly lowered her head.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Smiling Demon and said, "It's frustrating, but I have to admit it."
With his eyes and forehead revealed, the Smiling Demon looked like a completely different person. The special veil also played a part. It was a sophisticated and stylish veil embroidered with a single flower, and the words 'Heavenly Flower' were stitched at the bottom.
"I embroidered and made that myself," said the Pavilion Master sitting next to her. "But why did you ask me to make ten more exactly like it?"
The Smiling Demon had requested ten more, and she had made them, but he still hadn't told her why.
"There’ll be a riot the moment he takes that veil off," Geom Mu-geuk joked. "Every beauty in the Central Plains will be following him, so ten won't be enough!"
The Pavilion Master laughed merrily. "I suppose I should make more veils, then!"
Just then, the coachman's voice came from the driver's seat. "We have arrived at our destination."
The Extreme Evil Smiling Demon was the first to step out of the carriage. The moment they saw the outside, everyone understood why ten more veils were needed.
Ten martial artists were waiting in front of the carriage. Surprisingly, they were the Faceless Guests who had arrived ahead of them. Among the Faceless Guests, these were the ten most skilled.
At some point, they had been given the veils; they had all removed their masks and were wearing veils just like the Smiling Demon. Since they were wearing the same martial robes and the same veils, they looked exactly like escort warriors from the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
The Smiling Demon had concluded that the only reason he would ever be forced to drive a dagger into Geom Mu-geuk's chest was because of the Pavilion Master—if she were taken hostage and her life used as leverage. Now that he was aware of that possibility, he would never let it happen.
He had only brought ten to avoid drawing too much attention, but if he could have, he would have brought every single Faceless Guest.
Standing before the ten Faceless Guests, the Smiling Demon smiled. He was now the head of the Pavilion Master's security.
"Shall we go, Pavilion Master?"
The Pavilion Master was deeply moved. She was beyond grateful to the Smiling Demon for going to such lengths for her sake. Before stepping out of the carriage, she turned back to Lee An.
"I'll see you on the final stage, then."
"The finals?! I won't make it that far!"
The Pavilion Master gave a small smile and stepped out.
Step, step, step, step.
The ten Faceless Guests surrounded her on all sides. Leading the way was the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon. They disappeared into the crowd.
Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An stayed in the carriage for a moment instead of getting out together. They thought it was better to leave a gap between their departures to avoid drawing eyes.
Lee An's eyes trembled slightly as she looked out the carriage window. "There are so many people."
Now that she was actually about to face that crowd, she seemed to be getting nervous.
"A martial arts tournament would be better, wouldn't it?" Geom Mu-geuk asked.
Even on the way here, Lee An had practiced her martial arts whenever she had a spare moment. She had always been obsessed with training, but this time she had worked even harder. Her dream was to be the world's greatest martial artist, not the world's greatest beauty.
He expected her to say a tournament would be better.
"No. I can enter a martial arts tournament even when I'm older, but I can only challenge for the title of 'World’s Most Beautiful Woman' now, right?"
Lee An put on the veil she had brought and stepped out of the carriage first. Since she was doing this, she intended to do it well—like someone who truly wanted to be the most beautiful in the world. Only by focusing and immersing herself in the contest would she be able to spot anyone suspicious.
Geom Mu-geuk didn't get out immediately, watching the people passing by through the window for a moment.
We've finally arrived.
He wondered what events awaited them here. He believed that everything that had led him to this place was fate—finding the Dream of the Divine Maiden in the Murim Alliance's vault, the Pavilion Master receiving the prophecy, and even being invited here.
And as he had always done, he would fight back with everything he had.
"What are you thinking about in there?"
He turned his head to see Lee An standing outside the carriage, looking at him.
"I was worrying about what our Lee An will do with so many pretty women around."
"From what I can see, there isn't a single woman here prettier than me."
Above her snow-white veil, Lee An's beautiful eyes crinkled in a bright smile.
"And let's save those worries for after I've actually signed up for the contest."