Chapter 694: Why Is Your Face Such a Mess?
Chapter 694: Why Is Your Face Such a Mess?
“Are you fashioning a new heart?”
At the sound of Bi Sa-in’s voice from behind, a smile spread across Geom Mu-geuk’s lips. It seemed the man had witnessed his conversation with Cha Yi-ran.
“Unfortunately, the new heart you saw isn't one meant for my own chest.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned around.
Originally, there had been no room for even a faint smile on Bi Sa-in’s terrifying face, but now, a significant space for warmth and welcome had opened up.
Because they were in a place where a plot to assassinate his master was afoot, Bi Sa-in had arrived feeling tense, but he couldn't hide the joy he felt upon reuniting with Geom Mu-geuk.
“When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“Typical of you.”
Mu-geuk wondered what he was going to say next, and he wasn't disappointed.
“The finals for the World’s Most Beautiful Woman contest are about to begin. I wonder how much you must have overworked your horses in your obsession to see the beauties?”
It wasn't just the horses that were dragged into the teasing. Even Han Seol, who had returned to the North Sea Ice Palace, was brought up.
“What would Miss Han think if she knew you arrived exactly in time for the finals?”
Bi Sa-in was speechless.
Who was the one who sent a missive telling him to come early since he was coming anyway!
Seeing Geom Mu-geuk start teasing him the moment they met, Bi Sa-in finally felt like he had truly reunited with his friend.
It was then that someone walked up from behind and spoke.
“I told you I’d rip your mouth open if you spoke again, didn't I?”
In that moment, Bi Sa-in saw it—the flash of mischief in Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes. Sure enough.
“I really wasn't going to say anything, but this man forced me to.”
Geom Mu-geuk was truly incorrigible.
By the way, not the eyes, not the nose, but the mouth? He was going to rip THAT mouth? The mouth that even the Alliance Leaders couldn't handle!
Who was this poor sacrificial lamb, making such arrogant remarks without even knowing who he was talking to?
An Hu-pyeong’s voice came from behind.
“Hey, is that true?”
If talking to a friend out of joy was considered being "forced" to speak...
Bi Sa-in nodded obediently, like a man who had cleared his mind of all worldly concerns. He was going to play along with Geom Mu-geuk’s rhythm.
An Hu-pyeong frowned at the sight.
I asked him a question, and he just nods without answering? Yeah, anyone hanging out with that obnoxious guard would be the same. He hadn't liked this guy from the start.
“Hey, turn around.”
Bi Sa-in slowly turned around.
The moment An Hu-pyeong saw the man’s face, a curse burst from his lips.
“Holy shit!”
It wasn't an intentional insult; it was a curse born of pure shock.
He had never seen someone with such a terrifying countenance in his entire life. Bi Sa-in’s face was covered in scars—slashed and distorted, a sight that sent a chill through one's chest just by looking at it.
To make matters worse, the beauties entering the waiting room saw the scene. In the life of the arrogant An Hu-pyeong, showing weakness in front of women was unacceptable.
“Why is your face such a mess? Did you fight the whole world by yourself?”
Unfortunately, he failed to recognize who the man was.
Aha, he doesn't recognize him! Geom Mu-geuk spoke with a feigned sense of grievance.
“When such a scary person speaks to me, how could I possibly not answer?”
The corners of Bi Sa-in’s mouth twitched upward. He was now accustomed to Geom Mu-geuk playing around with his face. He knew by now that this was Mu-geuk’s own way of showing consideration. When others mocked his face, Mu-geuk would join in as if to say: Don't worry about it, friend. You should enjoy it too!
“If it were you, Young Guild Master, could you refuse to answer when a face that scary talks to you?”
Indeed, Bi Sa-in would have felt disappointed if Geom Mu-geuk didn't play these kinds of pranks.
An Hu-pyeong nodded at Geom Mu-geuk’s words. His dislike for the guard was one thing, but he had to admit the point. Even he would have answered.
“You, do you know this guy?”
At An Hu-pyeong’s question, Bi Sa-in looked at Geom Mu-geuk. Seeing the man address Mu-geuk so disrespectfully, it was a situation where he had to pretend not to know him.
Bi Sa-in shook his head as if he had never seen him before.
An Hu-pyeong still didn't like the fact that the man wouldn't answer with words, but it wasn't easy to get angry while looking at that face.
“If you don't know him, why did you talk to him?”
Geom Mu-geuk stepped in on Bi Sa-in’s behalf.
“He approached me and asked if many beautiful women had arrived. He said he rode here as hard as he could just for this contest.”
An Hu-pyeong couldn't help but sneer.
“With a face like that, he’s a lecher?”
Bi Sa-in’s eyes narrowed at An Hu-pyeong’s words. Feeling an inexplicable chill, An Hu-pyeong pulled out his shield—his status.
“I am the Young Guild Master of the Sinhwa Guild. I’m the owner who organized this contest.”
Then he asked Geom Mu-geuk again.
“You were laughing while you talked?”
At the interrogation, Geom Mu-geuk asked back as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“I have to laugh when I see a face like that; how could I possibly scowl?”
An Hu-pyeong laughed out loud. Yes, that was true. It wasn't easy to scowl while looking at a face like that.
“Hey, Merciless Face.”
Not only did he call him by a name he shouldn't have, but he even offered him a job.
“I don't know who you're working under, but how about working for me?”
He assumed the fierce-looking martial artist talking to Geom Mu-geuk in front of the waiting room was a guard who had followed a contestant.
“I’ll even pay you double.”
He had a reason for wanting to hire him. He felt like if he had a terrifying guy like this following him around, he wouldn't have to fear anything in the world.
And there was one more thing. An Hu-pyeong turned his head to look at Sa Chu behind him.
“My current guard has been quite pathetic lately.”
It was the same now. If he spoke, the man should show some reaction, but Sa Chu was staring blankly elsewhere again.
Sa Chu was preoccupied, trying to recall where he had seen Bi Sa-in’s face. There was no way he could forget a face like that.
The most terrifying face he had ever seen was that of the Successor of the Unorthodox Path Alliance. He had seen him from a distance once, and that intense face was unforgettable.
However, the idea that the Successor of the Unorthodox Path Alliance would be chatting with this guard in front of a waiting room was simply not a possibility in his mind. He never imagined the man could be Bi Sa-in, despite having heard the news just moments ago that the Young Alliance Leader had arrived.
Ah, that’s why it’s even more impossible for him to be the Young Alliance Leader. He would be busy greeting the Guild Master right now; there’s no way he’d be talking to this guard first in a place like this.
“What are you doing?!”
Sa Chu snapped back to reality at An Hu-pyeong’s rebuke.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“How many times is this! You’ve been having a lot of problems lately!”
As An Hu-pyeong glared with an angry face, Sa Chu bowed his head deeply.
Seriously, why do things like this keep happening lately?
Just then, a martial artist came running toward them.
“The Guild Master is looking for you urgently.”
Before leaving, An Hu-pyeong said to Bi Sa-in:
“If it’s hard for you to say, I’ll speak to your master personally.”
As An Hu-pyeong turned and walked away, Sa Chu followed behind him.
“You stay behind and rip that guy’s mouth open before you come!”
An Hu-pyeong strode away, taking all his other subordinates with him. Sa Chu knew he didn't literally mean to rip it open. The opponent was a demonic practitioner and the guard of Lee An, whom the Young Guild Master liked; if he actually ripped it, there would be hell to pay.
If he followed the order literally, it was obvious he would have to take all the blame.
Sa Chu gave Geom Mu-geuk a cold warning.
“Watch that mouth of yours from now on! It really will get ripped!”
Geom Mu-geuk covered his mouth with his hands with a mock-surprised expression, while Bi Sa-in felt a twinge of regret that no one could actually rip that mouth open.
Watching Sa Chu walk away into the distance, Geom Mu-geuk said:
“To think he’d try to rip my mouth! To a man who makes his living with his mouth!”
Bi Sa-in laughed. He didn't know how many times he had laughed since arriving. This was why he enjoyed seeing Geom Mu-geuk.
Just then, the 1st Wolf walked over, greeted Geom Mu-geuk, and reported to Bi Sa-in.
“The Alliance Leader is looking for you.”
He had come to see Geom Mu-geuk first upon arrival, but now it was time to go greet the Sinhwa Guild Master.
“I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll have to greet the Alliance Leader later.”
This meant he would stay as close to Lee An as possible for now. It also meant the situation was that difficult.
“I’ll explain it well to him.”
“Thank you.”
After walking a few steps, Bi Sa-in turned back and said:
“Thanks for letting me know about this.”
“We agreed to do that.”
To always let each other know if something happened. Geom Mu-geuk and Bi Sa-in nodded to each other.
Meanwhile, Sa Chu, who was walking away dejectedly, looked back.
No matter how much I think about it, he looks so familiar...
Then, a new person caught Sa Chu’s eye. There was one more person with the two of them. And that new person was someone Sa Chu knew.
The 1st Wolf?
Sa Chu recognized the 1st Wolf. There was a time when his dream was to become one of the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path. He eventually gave up because he lacked the skill.
Because he admired them so much, there was a time when he guarded the main gate of the Unorthodox Path Alliance just to catch a glimpse of their faces. He might not know others, but how could he fail to recognize the 1st Wolf? But why was the 1st Wolf there?
“Gah!”
Sa Chu let out a scream.
An Hu-pyeong, who was walking far ahead, turned back to look at him. Seeing him standing alone in the distance and screaming...
“He’s really gone crazy lately. Truly crazy.”
An Hu-pyeong shook his head and resumed his pace.
Bi Sa-in and the 1st Wolf walked toward where Sa Chu was standing. Sa Chu saw it. Martial artists who had been hidden somewhere began to join and follow behind Bi Sa-in one by one.
One, two, three...
The number grew until there were thirteen in total. They were the ones he had dreamed of becoming, even in his sleep.
Bi Sa-in and the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path passed by him as he stood completely frozen. Bi Sa-in passed him without giving him a single glance.
He had suspected it from the 1st Wolf’s appearance, but now he was certain.
It really is the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance!
Sa Chu stood in place, his body trembling. His master, who did nothing but cause trouble, had finally caused a massive disaster. It was a miracle he was even alive after that encounter.
Ah, there was a reason he survived. Bi Sa-in hadn't said a single word, but there was someone who had said everything for him.
His gaze turned toward Geom Mu-geuk in the distance. He was still standing in front of the waiting room.
Who are you?
Who was he to be chatting with the Young Alliance Leader? Did he really meet him without knowing? Or did he know something?
Just who the hell are you!
Just then, his eyes met Geom Mu-geuk’s.
Geom Mu-geuk gave him a wide grin and mimed ripping his own mouth open with both hands. In that moment, Sa Chu could feel it. It was a warning to just stay quiet.
A warning that if he said anything unnecessary, his mouth really would be ripped open.
Sa Chu spun around and hurried away. Then, he saw a group heading out toward the tournament grounds in the distance. It was the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master, followed by the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Guests.
Sa Chu abruptly changed direction again.
Why is everyone doing this to me?
*
About a dozen carriages entered the inner court of the Sinhwa Guild. They were the personal carriages of the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader, built to be impervious to ordinary blades and fire.
Clack, clack, clack, clack!
The doors of the carriages, which had stopped in a perfect line, opened simultaneously, and the Heavenly Demon Hall Guards stepped out. As the top guards of the Unorthodox Path Alliance, their gazes were deep and fierce.
Only after they had stepped out and lined up in front of the carriages did the door of the main carriage finally open. The person who stepped out was the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader, Baek Ja-gang.
He wore ordinary martial robes rather than flashy clothing, which made his presence stand out even more. It was an aura no one could imitate.
Sinhwa Guild Master An Cheong-gwang ran forward and bowed low.
“I greet the Alliance Leader.”
He truly hadn't expected Baek Ja-gang to arrive today. Cha Yi-ran hadn't informed him that Baek Ja-gang would arrive early. She wanted him to look naturally surprised and flustered.
Since he had no way of knowing the inside story, An Cheong-gwang remained bowed, feeling tense.
Why did he come early? Did he notice something?
There was no reason for the busy Alliance Leader to arrive several days early.
“I did not expect you to arrive so soon.”
Baek Ja-gang slowly approached him. An Cheong-gwang’s heart pounded wildly. If the Alliance Leader had come knowing something, he was a dead man. It was the first time in his life he had been this nervous.
Baek Ja-gang helped the bowing man to his feet. He stared silently at An Cheong-gwang for a moment before suddenly asking:
“Are you planning to kill me with this contest?”
“!”
Startled by the direct question, An Cheong-gwang’s eyes widened.
“No, sir. What do you mean by that?”
His voice trembled. An Cheong-gwang protested again, sounding aggrieved.
“Absolutely not!”
In that moment, goosebumps rose on Baek Ja-gang’s neck. He realized An Cheong-gwang was lying, but instead, Baek Ja-gang laughed loudly and said:
“I mean that there are so many peerless beauties that I feel like my heart might burst.”
Only then did An Cheong-gwang, whose heart had nearly stopped, realize that Baek Ja-gang was joking.
“My own heart almost burst first.”
An Cheong-gwang smiled with relief. He was still fearful of whether it was a joke or if the man had asked because he knew something, but he couldn't discern the true intent from Baek Ja-gang’s expression.
“It just so happens that the finals are being held today, so please take your time and enjoy. Now, let us head inside.”
They talked as they walked toward the main hall together.
“Sa-in will probably enjoy it more than I will.”
“Has the Young Alliance Leader also arrived?”
When Baek Ja-gang nodded, An Cheong-gwang looked around.
“Where is the Young Alliance Leader?”
“He said he’d take a quick look and went to see the contest first. The rascal didn't even greet me.”
In truth, it wasn't an act of rudeness. Not only Bi Sa-in, but also Geom Mu-geuk, whom he went to meet, were people of much higher status than a Guild Master.
“Isn't he in the prime of his youth? My son is the same.”
An Cheong-gwang had a subordinate go find his son.
“Go at once, inform the Young Guild Master that the Alliance Leader has arrived, and bring him here.”
Then he said to Baek Ja-gang:
“My son has always admired the Young Alliance Leader. Whenever he opens his mouth, he says he wants to be just like him.”
Baek Ja-gang then said to his own guard:
“Go find Sa-in. We should introduce the young people to each other.”
An Cheong-gwang said with a pleasant smile:
“My son will be absolutely delighted.”