Chapter 686: Don't Kill Without Permission

TL: FoodieMonster007

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman arrived at the Mythical Sect. Jo Chonggwan, having heard the news, came out to greet her.

"Welcome. You must be tired from your long journey."

"Thank you for the invitation."

Jo Chonggwan's gaze shifted to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors standing behind her. He noted the veil, which was adorned with a single flower.

He figured she brought many bodyguards because the tournament was hosted by the unorthodox sects.

Still, he thought it was pointless. How strong could martial artists from a brothel truly be? If anything, having so many would only serve to irritate Ahn Hupyeong.

Jo Chonggwan led her to the main hall. Once the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was seated, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon positioned himself directly behind her, with the Faceless Warriors fanned out to his left and right.

Ordinarily, they would have scattered, squatting in corners, perching on windowsills, or even sitting on tree branches outside to watch. Today, however, they behaved like disciplined martial artists.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman glanced back slightly, her eyes landing on the veil of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon standing right behind her.

Her gratitude extended beyond his protection. He was not the kind of person who belonged in a place like this, which made her even more thankful that he was there for her sake.

Her gaze returned to the front. Yes, with him standing behind her, who could she possibly fear?

Jo Chonggwan served her tea and spoke with caution.

"I should be showing you to your quarters immediately, but someone wishes to see you, Pavilion Master."

"May I ask who it is?"

"He will be here soon. Please have some tea while you wait."

Jo Chonggwan bowed politely before leaving the hall.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

Forcing a guest who had journeyed from afar to wait without even letting her unpack was a clear breach of etiquette. It suggested the matter was either extremely urgent or the other person was simply rude.

In this situation, it was both.

A moment later, Ahn Hupyeong entered. When it came to rudeness, he was second to none.

He was in a hurry, irritated that his father had appointed the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman as a judge.

He worried his father, in his old age, had fallen for some bewitching woman from a brothel and become her pawn.

As a frequent patron of brothels, Ahn Hupyeong knew better than anyone how well the courtesans managed men. One might think his father, who had built a legacy among the unorthodox sects and possessed such profound martial arts, would not fall for something so trivial. But it was often the strongest who were most susceptible, because those women knew how to worm their way, like ghosts, into the space between the vanity and loneliness of a man who had reached the top.

The moment Ahn Hupyeong saw the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, he was certain.

My premonition was right.

She was beautiful but also possessed an elegance. He sensed a dignity in her that seemed out of place for a brothel owner. It now seemed entirely plausible that his father could have fallen for her.

The martial artists serving as Ahn Hupyeong's bodyguards followed him inside, lining up behind him with threatening glares.

Ahn Hupyeong did not greet the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. Instead, his first act was to gesture dismissively at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors, ordering them to leave.

This single action revealed exactly what kind of person he was.

Ahn Hupyeong was a man who wielded his power however he pleased. He had not grown up caring about the opinions of others. He had lived a life where people left when he told them to leave. Until now.

However, the opposing martial artists did not move.

Ahn Hupyeong's gaze naturally shifted to the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. Before he could speak, she asked a question first.

"Who are you?"

He stared down at her in silence for a moment.

"I am Ahn Hupyeong, the Mythical Sect Young Sect Leader."

Hearing this, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman rose from her seat and offered a polite clasped-hands greeting.

"So you are a person of high station. I am Yeojeong, leader of the Thousand Flower Palace. Thank you for the invitation."

"I wasn't the one who invited you, so there's no need for you to thank me."

He then looked back at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors.

Alright, now that you know who I am, you should get out!

He stared at them, his eyes conveying that exact thought, but they still did not move.

Before the atmosphere could become hostile, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman quickly intervened.

"I'm quite timid, so I've ordered them not to leave my side for any reason. Please understand, Young Sect Leader."

"If a situation arose where you had reason to be afraid, do you really think you'd be safe just because they're here?"

"I would at least find some comfort in their presence."

"So you refuse to send them out, no matter what?"

"Please understand the feelings of a timid woman experiencing the unorthodox sects for the first time."

Ahn Hupyeong scoffed and looked back at his own subordinates.

"Get them all out."

There was a reason Ahn Hupyeong was being so forceful. A woman running a large brothel like the Thousand Flower Palace had to have considerable nerve. He planned to crush her spirit from the very beginning. He wanted to see her composed face tremble with anxiety once her protectors were gone.

The man who stepped forward was Sa Chu, the leader of Ahn Hupyeong's martial artists. As the one responsible for the Mythical Sect heir's safety, he was naturally a man of outstanding skill.

He walked toward the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon but stopped abruptly. He could get no closer, halting about a dozen paces away.

Sa Chu stared, his gaze shifting between the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors.

What are these bastards?

From the moment he entered and saw them, he had a strange feeling. He had met all kinds of rough and savage characters from the unorthodox sects, but he had never encountered any who gave off this particular feeling.

They weren't rough, yet they were clearly not pushovers. They seemed too sane to be madmen, but too bizarre to be considered sane.

How could he have known? He was facing the most peculiar demons led by the Eight Demon Supremes.

The one in the center especially drew his eye. Judging by his position, he was clearly the leader. He was simply staring back in silence. It was unsettling. Yes, that was the perfect word for it. Sa Chu felt he shouldn't be careless, yet he didn't sense the aura of a true master. He had a feeling the man would be nothing special in a fight, but he still did not want to fight him.

Had the man read his mind? A slight smile appeared in his opponent's eyes.

He's smiling?

Smiling in a situation like this? Ordinarily, Sa Chu would have already stabbed him through the heart and cut off his head. For some reason, however, he had no desire to do so.

Ahn Hupyeong was the one who broke the tense standoff.

"What is it? Is he an opponent you need to be so tense about?"

Ahn Hupyeong looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon with a new expression. Of course, even if this was a master who could make Sa Chu tense, he had no reason to be afraid. No one would dare to harm him.

After all, he had been born wearing the powerful protective armor of being the Mythical Sect Young Sect Leader.

"I'm the esteemed Mythical Sect Young Sect Leader. Have I been bringing around a man weaker than a brothel owner's swordsman all this time?"

Sa Chu's eye twitched, but he did not draw his sword.

Just then, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman gently placated Ahn Hupyeong.

"I've been so busy selling alcohol that I'm ignorant of the ways of the jianghu. So please, Young Sect Leader, forgive me generously."

Ahn Hupyeong then asked with a cold gaze, "What is your relationship with my father?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman already understood why he was acting this way. On her way here, she had used the local Thousand Flower Palace information network to learn a great deal about the Mythical Sect. This was information that even the All-Knowing Hall or the Hidden Moon would struggle to acquire. After all, only she could know the kinds of things this very Ahn Hupyeong had said while drunk at the Thousand Flower Palace.

"I have never met the Chief."

Ahn Hupyeong scoffed.

And yet he calls you to this important event? When you've never even met?

He naturally assumed the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was lying. This was precisely why he had tried to intimidate her. He believed that such insignificant beings would only spout lies when spoken to.

Just then, Jo Chonggwan's voice came from outside. "The Chief is looking for the Young Sect Leader."

Father is stopping me? Ahn Hupyeong thought his prediction was correct.

He turned and walked toward the door.

"What are you staring at like an idiot when you can't even kill him? Let's go."

Sa Chu turned away from the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Countless thoughts had raced through his mind in that brief time, but his final conclusion was simple.

It's a relief I didn't have to fight.

People who knew him would never believe it, but he genuinely felt that way.

Unaware of his subordinate's thoughts, Ahn Hupyeong spoke to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon from the doorway.

"You're on my list. If I see you smiling next time, you'll die by my hand."

After delivering the cold warning, Ahn Hupyeong left the room.

To lighten the stiff atmosphere, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman said with a smile, "What will you do now that you can't smile? I think you might have to change your alias."

At her joke, not only the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon but also the Faceless Warriors beside him laughed silently.

The smile Ahn Hupyeong should have truly worried about was the one from the Faceless Warriors.

The moment he insulted the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, the protective armor of being the Mythical Sect Young Sect Leader became nothing more than a scrap of cloth.

This was because the Faceless Warriors were the type to hack someone to pieces first, without any regard for such things.

Knowing them better than anyone, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said only one thing to them.

"Don't smile."

To them, a smile meant action. So his words also carried another meaning.

Don't kill without permission.

After leaving the main hall, Ahn Hupyeong glared coldly at Sa Chu.

"What was that all about?"

"He was no ordinary man."

"Right, I'm sure he wasn't. So that makes you an ordinary man. Have you been deceiving me all this time, pretending to be extraordinary?"

Sa Chu made no excuses and simply bowed his head low.

Ahn Hupyeong did not insult him further. He knew very well how strong Sa Chu was. The Pavilion Master must have brought an incredible master with her.

Yes, to secure a position within the Mythical Sect, she would have to make that kind of investment.

"Summon Yong Seonsaeng."

Sa Chu flinched in surprise at the name, which was always brought up like an all-purpose solution.

"The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman is a guest at this tournament."

"Who said anything about killing her?"

"If Yong Seonsaeng gets involved, things will escalate. And…"

"What? What are you trying to say? That even Yong Seonsaeng can't win?"

"No, that's not it."

Sa Chu fell silent.

He had a fleeting thought that it might actually be true. Then another thought followed. What if Yong Seonsaeng came and fought the man, only to discover his skills were nothing special despite the strange atmosphere? Either outcome would be a problem.

That was why it was better not to summon him.

Ahn Hupyeong strode forward and said, "If it's a problem that even Yong Seonsaeng can't solve, then something is happening behind my back, isn't it? Summon him at once."

Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn also arrived at the Mythical Sect. Tournament registrations were being accepted at the grand training grounds, which were filled with a great many people.

There were numerous women, and many people who had accompanied them.

When Lee Ahn entered, people naturally turned to look at her. Her veil could not conceal a beauty that drew everyone's gaze.

"The lines are over there."

So many people had gathered that registrations were being handled in about a dozen separate lines.

"Look here."

Lee Ahn, who was about to get in line, spotted a tournament poster on the wall.

"Ah, the prize for becoming the world's number one beauty isn't fifty thousand taels, it's thirty thousand. As a bonus, the winner gets to attend a banquet with the Evil Alliance Chairman."

Geom Mugeuk thought about the Evil Alliance Chairman. Come to think of it, it had been quite a while since he had seen him. Who knew he would miss those small eyes.

"You're disappointed it's not fifty thousand taels, aren't you?"

Lee Ahn flinched but tried to play innocent. "Of course not!"

"Feels like you lost twenty thousand taels, doesn't it? Be honest."

"…It is a little disappointing. Especially for a tournament covering the entire Central Plains."

Geom Mugeuk laughed out loud, and Lee Ahn laughed along with him.

Lee Ahn was happy to be spending this time with Geom Mugeuk. Even now, she could feel the stares of those around them, but she focused only on him.

She didn't know when they would have another chance to laugh and chat together like this again.

"Alright, look around, and if you find anyone prettier than me, please kill them," Lee Ahn whispered.

Geom Mugeuk looked around at her words.

"Wouldn't that make you the public enemy of the murim?"

"Your friend is the head of the Demon Slaying Brigade, what's there to worry about!"

Geom Mugeuk also enjoyed this time with her. Lee Ahn provided a unique comfort, and he knew well that this consideration was a product of her intelligence.

"Let's go get in line over there, too."

The two of them found the shortest of the dozen or so lines and joined it.

It was at that exact moment that a series of gasps erupted from the distance.

Naturally, everyone's gaze turned in that direction. The crowd parted, and a woman walked toward them through the opening.

The woman, dressed in a form-fitting palace gown, captured everyone's attention. She was beautiful. Her looks so overshadowed her splendid clothes that no one even noticed what she was wearing.

There were many beautiful women here, but her beauty overwhelmed them all. The only one who could compare was Lee Ahn.

If Lee Ahn's beauty was pure and white, this woman's was flamboyant. If Lee Ahn's was intelligent and innocent, this woman's was sensual.

As everyone held their breath, the woman walked directly to where Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn were standing in line.

Now standing before the two of them, the woman smiled alluringly.

"This line seems to be the shortest."