Chapter 696: Who is Number One?
Chapter 696: Who is Number One?
Geom Mu-geuk could sense the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader’s sincerity.
Baek Ja-gang wanted to leap onto that stage this very instant and strike Cha Yi-ran down.
She was currently parading across the platform, captivating the gaze of every martial artist in the crowd. A woman whose existence should have remained in the shadows was now smiling radiantly for the whole world to see.
It was all a ploy to kill the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader. All to be crowned the World’s Most Beautiful Woman.
Then, a startling suggestion escaped Geom Mu-geuk’s lips.
“Kill her.”
“!”
Baek Ja-gang’s eyes widened slightly. It was an unexpected response.
“Kill her?”
“Yes. Kill her.”
Baek Ja-gang could tell—these words were not a lie. No goosebumps rose on the back of his neck.
Baek Ja-gang turned his gaze back toward Cha Yi-ran. She was beaming at the judges’ table from the center of the platform, preparing to step down.
The intense killing intent radiating from Baek Ja-gang felt like a drawn bowstring, ready to snap toward the stage at any moment.
How many moves could an assassin exposed to the world last against the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader?
Baek Ja-gang would likely step over her corpse and declare:
I am the Unorthodox Path Alliance Leader. Congratulations on the opening of the World’s Greatest Beauty Tournament.
The members of the Unorthodox Path would go wild at his surprise appearance. They would cheer without even asking why he had killed her, for he was a man who possessed the absolute trust and support of the Unorthodox Faction.
Sss.
The pinpoints of his pupils, where his killing intent had been concentrated, dilated as the murderous aura vanished.
Baek Ja-gang revealed the reason he had stood down in a calm voice.
“If she were a woman who truly needed to be killed, you would have already done so before I arrived.”
Geom Mu-geuk flashed a bright smile at that profound display of trust. Now, it was his turn to reciprocate.
“Yes, there was a reason I didn’t kill her.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked toward the stage. Cha Yi-ran was descending amidst a storm of cheers.
“Would she really have been entrusted with such a massive undertaking alone? There is likely another mastermind behind her.”
Baek Ja-gang nodded. He understood the intent: lure out the other conspirators and wipe them out together. Someone else could be hiding anywhere among this crowd of martial artists.
“But there is an even bigger reason. Why target you, Alliance Leader? Even if an assassination succeeded, Bi Sa-in is in a position to inherit the leadership.”
In truth, this was also why Baek Ja-gang hadn't killed her yet. Even if he were to strike, he wanted to know the motive first.
“Well, dying at the hands of the World’s Most Beautiful Woman wouldn’t be the worst way to go.”
It was a joke, implying he would wait rather than strike first.
As he prepared to leave, Baek Ja-gang asked one last question.
“What would you have done if I had actually killed her?”
Geom Mu-geuk thought for a moment before speaking calmly.
“If you killed her, I would have found another way.” He added while looking at Baek Ja-gang, “With you here, Alliance Leader, what is there to worry about?”
Again, no goosebumps rose. Baek Ja-gang could tell that Geom Mu-geuk truly believed in him. For a man who talked as much as he did, the instances where Geom Mu-geuk actually made Baek Ja-gang’s skin crawl were few and far between.
Pulling his bamboo hat down, Baek Ja-gang vanished into the crowd.
*
Nothing else happened until the preliminary stages were over.
Three days after the event concluded, the eight finalists were announced. Along with seven other beauties, including Cha Yi-ran...
Lee An had advanced to the finals.
There were no upsets.
*
An Hu-pyeong sat at the front of the stage, his face swollen like a bruised melon.
He had come out to watch the tournament even in this state. He wanted to brag to Lee An that he had been watching her, and he was also curious about the other beauties.
He didn't care about the stares from those around him.
I am the Young Guild Master of the Sinhwa Guild. No matter what I look like, I’m still above the likes of you. Who would dare look down on me? That was the mindset he lived by.
Of course, his current mood was the absolute worst.
Earlier, he had been too shocked and flustered to think straight, but as time passed, the pain and sense of injustice became overwhelming. He thought looking at beautiful women might cheer him up, but the passionate cheers of the crowd only made him feel more depressed.
Indeed, when one feels miserable, one shouldn't look at happy things, but at those even more unfortunate than oneself.
Just then, someone held something out to him. Turning his head, he saw Sa Chu offering him ice wrapped in a cloth.
“Apply this to your face.”
“Forget it!”
He reacted irritably, but Sa Chu continued to hold out the bundle.
“I said forget it! Are you mocking me?!”
An Hu-pyeong snatched the bundle and hurled it to the ground. The shouting made his face throb.
“Damn it, that hurts.”
Sa Chu stared at An Hu-pyeong in silence. He felt the man got what he deserved, yet seeing him in such a pathetic state still didn't sit well with him.
“How much of my money is left in the bank?”
“About twelve hundred taels.”
“Is that all?”
Considering how recklessly he spent money, it was a miracle that much was even left.
“What kind of gift can I buy with that?”
“What kind of gift are you referring to?”
“What else! I’m going to buy something for the Young Alliance Leader. I have to get back on his good side, don't I?”
He had to do something. Since he had cursed at and tried to strike the Young Alliance Leader, he was currently in deep trouble.
“It will be difficult to buy something the Young Alliance Leader would like with that amount of money.”
“Damn it!”
Just then, a roar of cheers erupted. Looking up at the stage, he saw Cha Yi-ran walking out.
“That woman?”
She was the woman who had been talking to Lee An’s guard. Strangely, she was someone he had found difficult to even approach. Seeing her overwhelming beauty, a thought suddenly flashed through An Hu-pyeong’s mind.
“Yes, that’s it! I have to find that guy!”
An Hu-pyeong jumped up and ran into the crowd. Sa Chu sighed, wondering what kind of trouble he was going to cause now, and followed after him.
*
After much searching, the person An Hu-pyeong finally found was Geom Mu-geuk.
“What on earth happened to your face?”
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk had a good idea why. He had hoped the beating would have knocked some sense into the man.
“None of your business! You know that person who talked to you earlier?”
“You mean that scary-looking man?”
“Did he really ask if many beauties had come?”
“Yes. He said it was hard work rushing here so he wouldn't be late.”
An Hu-pyeong’s eyes sparkled.
“You said you were going for drinks tonight, right? Where are you taking the ladies?”
“I haven't decided yet. If we go, I was thinking of renting a room at a nearby tavern.”
“Come to Hwamyeong Pavilion! I’ll rent out the whole place.”
Hwamyeong Pavilion was the largest and most expensive tavern in the marketplace. An Hu-pyeong had decided to make up for his mistake by introducing Cha Yi-ran to Bi Sa-in.
Yes, if the man had a weakness for women, this arrangement would surely work.
When Geom Mu-geuk put on a troubled expression, An Hu-pyeong scowled.
“An important guest will be joining us.”
“Who might that be?”
Knowing the man’s pride as a guard, An Hu-pyeong figured he would never bring Lee An and Cha Yi-ran unless he knew who the guest was. An Hu-pyeong held up two fingers.
“The person ranked second among the Rising Stars of the Murim.”
“Who is that?”
“The Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.”
This was also an opportunity to show Lee An what a powerful person he associated with. He could get on the Young Alliance Leader’s good side and impress Lee An at the same time.
He was slightly worried that Bi Sa-in might take a liking to Lee An... Well, if that happened, there was nothing he could do. He would just switch his targets to Cha Yi-ran. For now, securing the Young Alliance Leader’s favor was more important.
“You just have to bring them. I’ll let you eat and drink expensive food and liquor you’ve never tasted in your life.” An Hu-pyeong threatened in a low voice, “If you don't show up, I’ll literally rip your mouth open!”
At the mention of ripping his mouth open, Sa Chu, standing behind An Hu-pyeong, flinched. His eyes met Geom Mu-geuk’s.
Sa Chu covered his own mouth with his palm—a silent sign that he had absolutely not said anything.
As An Hu-pyeong turned to leave, Geom Mu-geuk asked, “Then who is the first among the Rising Stars?”
As if asking how he could not know that, An Hu-pyeong replied as he strode away.
“Shouldn't a demonic cultist like you know better?”
*
A table was prepared in the center of Hwamyeong Pavilion. All sorts of delicacies from land and sea were laid out, accompanied by the finest liquor.
“If anyone messes up today, you’re all dead!”
At An Hu-pyeong’s shout, the cooks and waiters of Hwamyeong Pavilion became incredibly tense. Just then, An Hu-pyeong noticed Sa Chu standing there blankly. He grabbed Sa Chu’s shoulder from behind and shook him.
“What now? What’s wrong?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
“Are you scared because the Young Alliance Leader is coming? Just stand there quietly.”
In truth, Sa Chu’s heart was racing not because of the Young Alliance Leader, but at the thought of meeting the 13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path up close. He wondered why so many shocking things were happening lately.
Just then, Bi Sa-in entered. An Hu-pyeong ran over to greet him.
“You’ve arrived?”
Following behind Bi Sa-in were the 13 Wolves. They scattered and took up positions around the room, occupying spots where they could react immediately if anything happened to their master.
Sa Chu bowed politely to Bi Sa-in, then performed a fist salute to the 13 Wolves as well. He bowed once in each direction. Since people didn't usually go that far with their greetings, the 1st Wolf took notice of him.
“Are the others not here yet?” Bi Sa-in asked.
An Hu-pyeong answered quickly, “They should be on their way.”
An Hu-pyeong looked at Sa Chu and tried to signal him to go check. However, Sa Chu was busy staring at the 13 Wolves and wasn't looking at him.
Sigh, is he losing his mind again?
Sa Chu was feeling a mix of overwhelming emotion and sorrow. These were the people he had truly admired since he was young. The title '13 Wolves of the Unorthodox Path' was etched into his heart.
A dream unfulfilled.
If I had worked harder back then, could I have been standing in that position?
Just then, Geom Mu-geuk entered. An Hu-pyeong, who had been rejoicing, flinched. Only Geom Mu-geuk and Lee An had arrived.
An Hu-pyeong ran over and whispered to Geom Mu-geuk, “Where is Miss Cha?”
“We agreed to meet here.”
“You told her she definitely had to come, right?”
“She’ll be here.”
These were words that could have waited until after greetings were exchanged, but his desire to introduce Cha Yi-ran to Bi Sa-in took precedence.
The next thing on his mind was the introductions.
“This gentleman here is the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Path Alliance.” An Hu-pyeong puffed out his chest. Miss, I am a man who associates with the Young Alliance Leader.
“And this is Miss Lee An, who advanced to the finals.” This time, he held his head high as he looked at Bi Sa-in. I am a man who interacts with such beauties!
“Now, please, have a seat.”
As everyone sat down, Geom Mu-geuk quickly claimed a seat as well.
“Do you have any idea what kind of gathering this is?!” An Hu-pyeong hissed. “Where does a mere guard think he’s sticking his nose in?”
Geom Mu-geuk spoke as if he were being wronged.
“Didn't you say you’d let me eat food and drink liquor I’ve never tasted in my life? Didn't you say the person ranked second among the Rising Stars was coming?”
“Is this guy crazy?!”
Bi Sa-in asked in a low voice, “Then who is number one?”
An Hu-pyeong waved his hands in a panic. “This fellow is just talking nonsense!”
Watching the commotion, Sa Chu frowned. Out of all the mistakes, only those words reached his ears. The 13 Wolves were standing right there, yet An Hu-pyeong was speaking so thoughtlessly about a 'mere guard.'
Sa Chu bowed his head slightly toward the 1st Wolf, who was standing a short distance away, as if apologizing on An Hu-pyeong’s behalf.
Just then, the 1st Wolf’s voice transmission reached Sa Chu.
— How are your younger siblings?
Sa Chu looked at the 1st Wolf in shock. What did that mean? In that moment, Sa Chu’s eyes widened. He sent a voice transmission back, his voice trembling.
— You remember me.
He remembered that day long ago. Back when he was a green youth, waiting at the entrance of the Unorthodox Path Alliance just to catch a glimpse of the 13 Wolves. And on the day he finally met them, Sa Chu had summoned the greatest courage of his entire life.
He had blocked the path of the 13 Wolves. And he had asked the question that no one around him could answer.
“How can I become one of the 13 Wolves?”
The person who had stepped forward and listened to him back then was that very man, the 1st Wolf.
“I heard the 13 Wolves are the greatest warriors of the Unorthodox Path Alliance. I want to become the greatest warrior so I can feed my siblings until they are full.”
They had left without saying a word, but surprisingly, the 1st Wolf had remembered him from that day.
— How do you remember me?
— Because you are the only person who blocked our path and survived.
Sa Chu was truly grateful and moved that he was remembered. But because of that, he couldn't look the 1st Wolf in the eye anymore and lowered his head.
He was a man who had once harbored such a grand dream. And now, he was reduced to following that delinquent An Hu-pyeong around, cleaning up his messes.
Just then, the 1st Wolf walked slowly as if patrolling the area and passed by Sa Chu. He gave the man, who had his head buried low, a firm pat on the shoulder. It was an action more empowering than any words in the world.
Sa Chu made a vow. He would never wash these clothes that the 1st Wolf had touched; he would keep them well-preserved for the rest of his life.
It was at that moment.
Grab.
An Hu-pyeong grabbed his shoulder from behind. “Go to the kitchen and keep an eye on things yourself. Make sure there are no mistakes.”
He had grabbed the exact spot the 1st Wolf had touched.
“You could just say it! Why do you have to grab me?!” Sa Chu barked.
An Hu-pyeong looked at him with a startled face. Everyone’s attention focused on him.
“I’m asking why you have to be like this?!”
It was the first time Sa Chu had ever shouted at An Hu-pyeong. It was also a cry directed at himself.
After a moment of bewilderment, An Hu-pyeong asked coldly, “What is wrong with you?”
Just then, over An Hu-pyeong’s shoulder, Sa Chu saw Geom Mu-geuk. Geom Mu-geuk held up his palm and mimed covering his mouth, exactly as Sa Chu had done for him earlier.
Sa Chu could tell. It was a sign to say nothing for now. Until now, everyone had told him to be quiet. Shh! Shh, or I’ll rip your mouth open, they had said.
But this gesture was different. This was an act done for his sake. Just let it go quietly. Now is not the time. He could feel that sentiment.
“I’m sorry. I must have lost my mind for a moment.”
Sa Chu ran toward the kitchen with his head bowed. Since now wasn't the time to grill him, An Hu-pyeong turned back and addressed the table.
“Managing subordinates is so difficult these days. You all understand, right?” He laughed out loud as he spoke.
But no one laughed with him. In fact, no one was even looking at him. The 13 Wolves were each staring straight ahead, and Lee An and Bi Sa-in were sharing a conversation. Geom Mu-geuk was watching Sa Chu as he walked toward the kitchen.
Where is everyone looking?
In that brief moment, he felt as if he had been cast aside and left alone. He hadn't even felt this way when his father beat him.
Right then, someone spoke from behind him.
“Please move aside.”
An Hu-pyeong turned around to see Cha Yi-ran standing there. The woman who would finally save his pride had appeared.
“Oh! Miss Cha, you’ve finally arrived.”
When he greeted her warmly, Cha Yi-ran tilted her head. “Who are you?”
“I am An Hu-pyeong, the Young Guild Master of the Sinhwa Guild.”
Instead of introducing herself, Cha Yi-ran gave a thin smile. “The face of such a distinguished person is quite swollen.”
Cha Yi-ran walked past him. Though Bi Sa-in and Lee An were there, her gaze was fixed solely on Geom Mu-geuk.
“There are so many guests. I thought we were going to meet just the two of us.”
Just as she reached the table...
Hum.
The Secret Casket inside Geom Mu-geuk’s robe reacted subtly.
Cha Yi-ran spoke with a seductive smile. “Who knows? Maybe something good will happen when it’s just the two of us?”