Chapter 689: No Returns Allowed
Chapter 689: No Returns Allowed
“What are you thinking so hard about? What’s wrong with you today?!”
Sa Chu remained in a daze even after they had cleared the guest hall. At An Hu-pyeong’s sharp, displeased glare, Sa Chu quickly bowed his head.
“It’s nothing, Young Master.”
“Find Teacher Yong immediately! Find out where on earth he’s slacking off and drag him here right now!”
How am I supposed to find a man who no longer exists? Sa Chu thought bitterly. Whether the man had been dissolved into nothingness by Bone-Melting Acid or buried somewhere in the backyard, he was gone.
Sa Chu hesitated. Normally, he should have spoken the truth—that Teacher Yong had likely been murdered by those people, and that they had warned him to keep his mouth shut.
But what would happen if he told the truth?
An Hu-pyeong would immediately run to the Guild Master to report it. And how would the Guild Master react?
Teacher Yong was a man tolerated only for his martial prowess, despite his arrogant and reckless behavior. The Guild Master would likely fly into a rage, blaming them for getting the man killed over a useless errand.
And then what? Would they mobilize every martial artist they had to hunt those people down? Or would they conclude it was best to leave them alone until the tournament ended?
The latter was highly probable. This tournament was far too important, having already been publicized throughout the Murim. Furthermore, they still didn't know why the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master had been invited as a judge.
If the matter of holding someone accountable for Teacher Yong’s death was postponed...
Sa Chu thought of the Smiling Demon and those Faceless Guests. If they were capable of making Teacher Yong vanish without a trace, killing him would be child's play. In the end, he would be the one to pay the price for ignoring their warning to stay silent.
Even if the decision was made to capture them immediately, could they actually pull it off?
A few experts wouldn't be enough. On the other hand, the guild wouldn't start a full-scale war right before such a massive event.
No matter what happened after he spoke...
‘I’ll be the one who dies.’
If An Hu-pyeong had been a leader who actually cared for his subordinates, Sa Chu might not have reached the conclusion that he had to look out for his own skin first.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to find Teacher Yong, Young Master.”
“What do you mean?”
Sa Chu wasn't saying this because the man was dead, but because he wanted to live.
“It seems the Guild Master took action and sent him back.”
“My father did?”
“You know Teacher Yong’s personality, don't you? There’s no way he wouldn't have shown up if he said he would. Since he’s not here... who else but the Guild Master could have stopped him midway?”
It was a plausible enough guess that An Hu-pyeong nodded. It had been strange from the start that his father had summoned Teacher Yong early. He must have intended to prevent An Hu-pyeong from using the man for his own whims.
“Fine, forget Teacher Yong. Just find out who those masked bastards are. They’re definitely not ordinary.”
An Hu-pyeong began to walk away, then added as if he had just remembered something.
“Oh, and I heard there’s a woman from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult attending this tournament. Find out where she’s staying.”
A beauty from the Demonic Cult? He had never enjoyed the company of a woman from the Cult before; this was an opportunity. Even in the midst of this, his lust remained unchanged.
“Yes, I understand.”
After Sa Chu let out a heavy sigh, he glanced back at the guest hall in the distance.
In an instant, he jumped in fright, a gasp escaping his lips.
The Faceless Guests were pressed against the windows of the guest hall, staring at him. There were so many of them that it seemed impossible for that many faces to fit in the frames.
The sight was just as bizarre and terrifying as the earlier "shushing" gesture.
Sa Chu spun around and hurried away, desperate to put distance between himself and that place.
Find out who they are?
God, I really don't want to know.
*
Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An took a room at an inn in the marketplace.
“Give us a large room with two beds,” Geom Mu-geuk requested.
Lee An was startled. She had assumed he would get two separate rooms, but he had only taken one.
“Until this tournament is over, we’re sleeping in the same room.”
Now that he knew their opponent was an assassin, he had no intention of letting her sleep alone.
Feeling a bit shy, Lee An spoke up. “You still don't trust my skills, do you?”
“It’s not that. I need you to protect me.”
The innkeeper smiled warmly with an expression that said, ‘I know exactly what’s going on in your young hearts.’
“Let’s eat first. You haven’t tried the cuisine here in Anhui Province, have you?”
“No. Have you tried it, Young Master?”
“Of course I have.”
Geom Mu-geuk called a waiter and skillfully ordered several dishes. He knew the famous local specialties well and picked out the ones that would suit Lee An’s palate.
“Wait, when did you ever come here to try these?”
I tried them thanks to you. Because you saved me.
The inn was crowded with people who had come for the tournament. Lee An’s gaze deepened as she watched them.
Earlier, Geom Mu-geuk had said that this street was full of beautiful assassins. If so, some of the people eating right next to them might be assassins led by her.
“Young Master, you asked me to protect you, but I didn't even realize that woman was an assassin.”
An escort warrior was supposed to be sensitive to the presence of assassins. They had to be. Yet, she hadn't felt a thing from her. She had even felt a twinge of jealousy toward the woman. Thinking about it now was incredibly embarrassing.
“That’s because they are special assassins.”
“But you recognized her, Young Cult Leader.”
That’s because I already knew.
“Well, I’m a special person,” Geom Mu-geuk replied.
Lee An laughed at his familiar boastfulness.
“They likely didn't receive the standard training that most assassins go through. That’s why you don't feel the typical habits or the unique aura of an assassin from them.”
After all, she and her Beauty Cult were not ordinary killers.
Lee An nodded. “I suppose they didn't need assassin training. They possess a weapon more powerful than any blade.”
The price for that enchanting smile would be one's life.
*
Three days later.
Lee An’s expression was grim as she walked out of the building where the preliminaries had been held. She trudged along with her head down.
“I knew this would happen! Me, the World’s Most Beautiful Woman? I knew it was trouble when everyone was making a fuss before it even started! That’s why I said I wouldn't do it!”
She waited for words of comfort, but there was no reaction from Geom Mu-geuk. When she looked up, she saw him already walking across the training ground.
“Huh?”
Lee An hurriedly ran after him. “Where are you going?”
“Where else? We have to get ready for the finals.”
“I told you, I failed!”
“A monkey might fall from a tree, and the Sword King might drop his sword, but there’s no way you would fail a beauty pageant. Especially not in the preliminaries.”
A flicker of joy crossed Lee An’s face. She felt better hearing those words than she did about passing the round.
“Don’t flatter me too much! I’ll actually start having expectations.”
“I have to, so I can tease you even harder later.”
The preliminaries had ended the moment she removed her veil. She had hoped to see the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master’s face, but she wasn't among the preliminary judges. It seemed she would only appear for the finals.
“But where are we going now?”
“I told you, we’re getting ready for the finals.”
“Where?”
Geom Mu-geuk led her to a building slightly away from the main marketplace. From the outside, it was hard to tell what it sold, but inside, it was an exquisite clothing shop.
It was different from the typical shops in the market. It dealt in extremely rare garments—clothes made by famous master craftsmen from all over. Naturally, the prices were exorbitant.
“How did you know about this place?”
“The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master told me. She told me to bring you here and buy you some clothes.”
“Ah, I see.”
Since she couldn't take care of it herself, she must have mentioned it to Geom Mu-geuk beforehand. And he wasn't the only one she had spoken to.
“Welcome.”
A middle-aged woman, who appeared to be the owner, came out to greet them. She also seemed to have received word from the Pavilion Master, as her attitude was very polite.
“Please, choose any garment that catches your eye.”
Lee An looked around the interior. There were so many ornate and beautiful clothes that she felt overwhelmed.
“Um, this is my first time in a place like this.”
It wasn't just Lee An’s first time; it was Geom Mu-geuk’s first time in such a place as well.
“Take your time,” the middle-aged woman said, stepping back to watch which clothes she would choose.
Lee An browsed the selection. Since they were made by masters, the quality was undoubtedly superb. However, having only ever worn martial robes, she couldn't quite judge which would suit her.
Then, Lee An stopped in front of a pure white palace dress. It didn't have elaborate patterns, but it was a garment that emphasized the figure more than what she was currently wearing.
“Do you think I could wear something like that?”
Her face was already flushing just from the thought.
“If it’s only once in your life, wouldn't it be okay to try it at least once?”
After a moment of hesitation, Lee An made her decision. Geom Mu-geuk’s words had helped her decide.
“I’ll take that one.”
The middle-aged woman smiled. “A fine choice. This garment was crafted stitch by stitch by a master.”
Lee An had never owned such an expensive piece of clothing. I won't even be able to draw my sword in this for fear of tearing it!
Just then, someone spoke from behind.
“I’ll buy that dress.”
Turning around, they saw a woman entering the shop. To their surprise, it was Cha Yi-ran.
Though she now knew the woman was an assassin, Lee An treated her naturally.
“They say if coincidences keep happening, it’s not a coincidence. We meet again.”
Cha Yi-ran was honest about the encounter. “It’s not a coincidence this time.”
It probably wasn't last time either.
“I saw you entering this place and followed you in.”
“Why?”
“To scout what kind of clothes my rival is buying.”
Cha Yi-ran gave Geom Mu-geuk an enchanting wink.
“And to have that meal we missed out on.”
She was straightforward. In the face of her blatant display of interest, Lee An gave an unexpected response.
“Can I ask you a favor?”
“Go ahead.”
Please stay away from my escort! ...was what she wanted to say. Instead, she said, “Please help me pick out my clothes.”
Intrigued by the unexpected request, Cha Yi-ran’s expression turned curious. “That’s not a request one usually makes of a rival.”
“And asking to share a meal isn't something one usually says to a rival’s personal bodyguard, either.”
Cha Yi-ran gave a small smile of acknowledgment. “Fair point.”
Laughter suited her well; she was charming no matter how she smiled.
“Fine, I’ll pick one out for you.”
She scanned the clothes hanging inside. First, she dismissed the dress Lee An had initially chosen.
“No matter how many stitches a master put into it, that dress doesn't suit you.”
She even provided the reason.
“You have a pure face. If your clothes are pure as well, it becomes cliché and boring. This one would suit you much better.”
She pointed to a brilliant red palace dress hanging on the opposite side. It was much more revealing and far more ornate than the white one.
After weighing the two options for a moment, Lee An spoke to the shop owner.
“I’ll take both.”
She also explained her reasoning for buying both.
“Whether I believe you or not, Miss Cha, I have to buy both.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you’re telling the truth, then I should buy this red one because it will suit me. If you’re lying, then the white one will suit me, so I should buy that too.”
Cha Yi-ran laughed brightly. Looking at her laugh like that, how could anyone think of her as an assassin? It was a laugh that inspired such thoughts.
Lee An sent a message via Voice Transmission to Geom Mu-geuk.
— I couldn't help it. I had to maintain my momentum.
— One of those is coming out of your monthly salary.
— No! I can't go around wearing a year’s worth of earnings on my back!
The middle-aged woman packaged the clothes to Lee An’s measurements, and Geom Mu-geuk paid the bill. The three of them then left the shop.
Cha Yi-ran spoke to Geom Mu-geuk. “Let’s eat. You promised.”
Geom Mu-geuk declined with a slight smile. “I never made such a promise.”
“It’ll only take a moment.”
When she looked at Lee An, the girl replied, “No. Even if my lady allowed it, I wouldn't.”
At Geom Mu-geuk’s firm words, Cha Yi-ran laughed. “This just makes me want to be with you even more.”
Lee An smiled and bid her farewell. “I suppose I should have let you have the white dress.”
She left with the parting shot that the other woman would need to become even prettier if she wanted to seduce her escort.
Geom Mu-geuk followed behind her, carrying the clothes in both hands. Watching their retreating figures, Cha Yi-ran smiled.
“How cute.”
Cha Yi-ran looked up at the sky. As her expression went blank, she looked like a completely different woman. Her clear, cold gaze and her bright charm shifted into a dark, demonic allure.
“No matter what clothes you wear, those destined to die will die.”
*
The walk back to the inn was a path of regret.
“I’m ruined! I’m the kind of person who pinches pennies even when buying a single meal. Ah! Style is fleeting, but debt is forever!”
“It wasn't even that stylish,” Geom Mu-geuk teased.
“I can't do this. I’m going back right now to return them.”
“That elegant and kind-looking shop owner said this when I was paying: ‘I’m sorry, but no returns allowed!’”
“She didn't even want the white dress!”
Lee An’s eyes suddenly sparkled. “There’s only one way out of this.”
“Right, the thirty thousand taels!”
Crying out for their one big shot at life, the two returned to the inn.
However, unexpected guests were waiting for them. It was the Young Guild Master, An Hu-pyeong, and Sa Chu.
“They’re here,” Sa Chu said.
At his words, An Hu-pyeong, who had been sitting with his back to them, spoke in a low, dignified tone without turning around.
“You are the first woman to ever make me wait like this.”