Chapter 691: It's Not Like He Won't Come Just Because It's Dangerous, Right?

TL: FoodieMonster007

"If he's such a great demon, why not kill him?"

Ahn Cheongwang was curious. He knew very well that this woman could kill anyone she set her mind to. He himself had nearly been killed just a moment ago.

"There are many kinds of demons," she said. "There are scary demons, cruel demons, and demons who play with people until they break. What kind of demon do you think that one is?"

He had expected her to describe a demon more terrifying than any she had mentioned.

"A good demon."

Ahn Cheongwang thought she must be joking, but her expression was serious.

"When demons and evil spirits fight, they might feel kinship, go easy on each other, or share the spoils. You know what I mean. You've lived that way. But that good demon has none of that. He just lops things off. If he were just a good-natured fool we could use him, but the problem is, he's a demon. Being good is a problem, and being a demon is a problem."

Ahn Cheongwang sensed that this woman was afraid of the young man.

A young master from the Demonic Cult who could frighten this woman.

Did such a person really exist?

In that instant, Ahn Cheongwang recalled a single person. It was someone he had initially dismissed, thinking it was impossible for him to be here.

"The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult?"

An answer that should not have come emerged in response to his doubtful question.

"I take back what I said about you resembling my son. You're a very smart man."

Now he understood. He understood why the Evil Alliance had not given him any information. A good demon? That was right. He had heard a rumor that the man was called the Demonic Knight.

"You crazy bitch!"

He swore at her for the first time since they had met.

She did not get angry. Instead, she smiled brightly, like a madwoman.

"That's why you need to go crazy too."

Cha Yiran slowly extended her hand toward Ahn Cheongwang's neck. Her fingers traced the red line drawn on his throat, stopping at the end.

"That Young Cult Leader doesn't go easy on people like I do."

"I have someone to introduce you to, Young Lady."

Ahn Hupyeong finally led Lee Ahn to the guest hall. He was desperate to make a good impression on her in any way possible.

Sa Chu tried to dissuade him with telepathy, but it was no use. [If you let a contestant meet a judge, it will cause problems later.]

[What problem?] Ahn Hupyeong retorted. [I'll just say we met by chance while passing by.]

Sa Chu absolutely did not want to go to the guest hall. He had no desire to see those frightening and bizarre people again, nor did he want to become any more entangled with them.

[If the Chief finds out, there will be a fiery scolding.]

However, even this warning was no match for a man willing to risk everything for this woman.

[Right, he'll find out if you tattle.]

In the end, unable to sway Ahn Hupyeong's stubbornness, they arrived at the guest hall where the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was staying.

As they entered, they found the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and her entourage were not in the relaxed state they had been in before.

Had they seen them coming through the window?

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was standing, and her bodyguards were all lined up in a row. They looked as if they were showing their respects to welcome a distinguished guest.

"Welcome."

At the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's greeting, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors standing behind her also bowed in unison.

Ahn Hupyeong was so pleased he felt like he could fly. This extremely courteous reception was more than he expected. These people had not been this polite before.

Right, this is how it should have been from the start. These people have finally come to their senses.

With his prestige bolstered in front of Lee Ahn, Ahn Hupyeong puffed out his chest and spoke boisterously.

"Have you all been well?"

How could he have known? That polite greeting was directed at Geom Mugeuk, who was standing behind him.

At that moment, Sa Chu was observing, wondering how these two bodyguards, who gave off a strangely similar vibe, would treat each other.

He's smiling?

Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon were looking at each other and smiling.

Do crazy people recognize each other?

He did not go so far as to think they might actually know each other.

Just then, Sa Chu's eyes met with one of the Faceless Warriors.

Was this the one who had stared at him from his side before? With their faces covered by veils, they all looked so similar he couldn't tell.

Sa Chu pretended not to see him and naturally turned his gaze away, then toward another direction. On the side he had turned to, another Faceless Warrior was staring intently at him.

Seriously, why do they keep staring at me!

Sa Chu finally lowered his head.

Don't look! Please don't look!

He peeked up, and they were still staring.

I haven't told anyone that Physician Yong is dead. And I won't in the future either!

While Sa Chu fought a desperate battle to find a place for his eyes, Ahn Hupyeong was ecstatic.

"This is my esteemed guest, this Young Lady. I was showing her around the main quarters and we stopped by. This is the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, who will be judging this competition."

I'm the kind of person who can introduce you to the judge of the competition!

Ahn Hupyeong's shoulders soared toward the sky.

Even though he said she was a judge for the competition, Lee Ahn did not seem particularly uncomfortable.

"I'm Lee Ahn."

Ahn Hupyeong liked that about her too.

As expected of a demonic practitioner, she has a straightforward personality.

It would have been really annoying if she had made a fuss, asking why he introduced her to a judge and spouting insincere words about wanting to become the world number one beauty fair and square.

Naturally, Lee Ahn and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman acted as if they were meeting for the first time.

"Are you perhaps a contestant in this competition?"

Ahn Hupyeong answered for Lee Ahn.

"That's right. This Young Lady has passed the preliminaries. Ah, you two will be seeing each other in the finals."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's expression hardened slightly. Of course, this was an act for Ahn Hupyeong's benefit. It would have been strange for her to accept such a situation without question.

As if uncomfortable, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman dismissed those around her.

"I'd like to speak with my guests quietly, so all bodyguards, please step outside."

At her command, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Warriors immediately went out.

Lee Ahn looked back at Geom Mugeuk and said, "Please wait outside."

Lee Ahn knew the reason the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman had sent the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon out was to give him time with Geom Mugeuk. Otherwise, there would have been no need to send him out.

Geom Mugeuk also left without a word.

Then, Ahn Hupyeong looked at Sa Chu.

"What are you doing, not leaving?"

Sa Chu was inwardly flustered. He hadn't expected to be told to leave as well.

You want me to stay out there with them? Please!

However, Ahn Hupyeong was not the type to be a coward and keep only his bodyguard when the women had both sent theirs away.

In the end, after receiving a scolding via telepathy, Sa Chu was also kicked out.

In the courtyard, Geom Mugeuk, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, and the Faceless Warriors stood staring at him.

An unorthodox sects martial artist has his pride!

No, he didn't. Sa Chu pointlessly looked up at the sky, avoiding their gazes.

Then, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon strode toward him.

Why? Why are you coming over here!

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon patted the terrified Sa Chu on the shoulder and smiled.

Just as Sa Chu relaxed, thinking it was a gesture of thanks for keeping his secret.

"……"

His acupoints were sealed in an instant, and he fell backward, asleep.

The Faceless Warriors stood guard in all directions. In their midst, Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon conversed.

He had been planning to secretly visit the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon at night anyway, but now he was able to come openly, guided by Chief So.

Since time was short, Geom Mugeuk got straight to the point.

"The mastermind this time is a female assassin named Cha Yiran."

Geom Mugeuk also told him about the group of female assassins she led. The Faceless Warriors all listened in as well.

"They lack the characteristic aura of assassins, so you must be especially careful."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, as well as the Faceless Warriors, nodded.

Hearing about them, a question naturally arose in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's mind.

"If you know who the enemy is, why not eliminate them? The Pavilion Master's prophecy took place on the stage. Therefore…"

"You're suggesting we eliminate them all before the finals open, correct?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon nodded. Although he wasn't showing it, the prophecy had been weighing on his mind. It was a matter of life and death for none other than Geom Mugeuk.

"Why are you not doing so?"

As if he had already considered it, Geom Mugeuk revealed his reasons.

"There are two reasons. The first is to take out any other masterminds along with them."

Just as the Murim Alliance had not only the Heaven's Edge Hermit but also Physician So Cheongrak of Myeongsim.

Killing the Evil Alliance Chairman was no ordinary plot. Another hidden mastermind could reveal themselves. If they couldn't deal with them all at once, the danger would return someday.

"Actually, the second reason is what troubles me more."

Geom Mugeuk's gaze deepened as he raised a fundamental question.

"Why are they trying to kill the Evil Alliance Chairman?"

Of course, it could be a long-prepared plan. Just as the Murim Alliance had prepared for decades, they could have schemed to kill the Evil Alliance Chairman by roping in the Mythical Sect.

But why kill the Evil Alliance Chairman now, after the Murim Alliance has failed? And when they likely know of his own involvement?

"Even if this plan succeeds, Young Alliance Chairman Bi will inherit the position. What possible benefit could there be for them to push this plan forward?"

Because of these questions, he had not acted rashly.

"They might have another plan."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon nodded in complete agreement. As expected, the Young Cult Leader saw through this situation far more than he had imagined.

"What do you intend to do now?"

Geom Mugeuk smiled faintly and replied, "It's a prophecy from our Pavilion Master, so it can't be wrong, can it? Will you join me on stage?"

How could he not know that this didn't mean he would meekly let himself be stabbed by a throwing knife?

Knowing it was a call to face destiny head-on, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes lit up with a smile.

"I will be with you until the end."

The surrounding Faceless Warriors listened to the two men's conversation in silence. The smiles in their eyes resembled the smile of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who had vowed to be with him until the end.

Just then, Ahn Hupyeong's voice came from inside the building, telling them to come in.

Geom Mugeuk and the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon went inside first.

The Faceless Warriors pressed Sa Chu's acupoints to wake him.

When Sa Chu, who had been lying on the ground, opened his eyes, he found the Faceless Warriors squatting in a circle, looking down at him with concern.

"!"

Sa Chu closed his eyes again.

He wished it were a dream, but from inside the building, Ahn Hupyeong's shout of "What are you doing, not coming in?" could be heard.

Bi Sayin entered the training ground.

This was the private training ground of the Evil Alliance Chairman, Baek Jagang.

"You called for me?"

Baek Jagang was meticulously polishing an iron dummy made of millennium cold iron. There were countless sword marks on it, all made for the Evil Alliance Chairman.

"I know when and how each of these was made."

That statement alone was enough to understand Baek Jagang's level and the mindset with which he swung his sword, one strike at a time.

"Whenever I wanted to surpass someone, several people would overlap on this iron dummy. The person who came to mind most often was the Demonic Cult Leader."

Bi Sayin could tell. The Master had truly wanted to surpass Geom Woojin. Seeing the Master speak of this so casually, he thought that he might have surpassed some new realm of mastery.

"I wonder who it will be in your life," Baek Jagang said.

Unexpected words flowed from his mouth. "I intend to pass this down to you now."

Bi Sayin was startled.

"Chairman!"

"I intended to pass it down to you from the beginning. Take it and train well."

Bi Sayin knew better than anyone what this iron dummy meant to Baek Jagang. To pass it down meant that he truly cherished and acknowledged him.

Bi Sayin did not refuse. He respectfully clasped his hands and bowed his waist.

"I will definitely achieve complete mastery of the Tyrannical King Annihilation Sword Technique. I will definitely become stronger."

His powerful resolve was tinged with deep emotion.

Baek Jagang nodded with a reassuring smile.

Just then, a subordinate's voice was heard from outside.

"The Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult has sent a messenger pigeon."

At the news, Baek Jagang and Bi Sayin looked at each other.

Since no one was allowed in the training ground, Bi Sayin went out to receive the messenger pigeon. He then read it.

"What business did he send it for?"

"It's regarding the world number one beauty pageant."

The two were well aware of the pageant being held in Anhui. The Mythical Sect Leader had personally visited to ask for permission to hold it and to create a banquet with the Evil Alliance Chairman as the prize.

The Mythical Sect was one of the sects that had long striven for the Evil Alliance. Their loyalty had not wavered even after their recent rise in power and prestige. That was why he had given his permission.

And now, Geom Mugeuk had sent a messenger pigeon about it.

After checking the message, Bi Sayin's expression hardened and his eyes grew serious.

"It says there is a plan to assassinate you, Chairman, at that banquet."

Since it was a messenger pigeon from Geom Mugeuk, the information could not be wrong. It even mentioned who the enemy was.

"She is a female assassin of the highest skill and leads an organization of female assassins."

Despite it being an assassination plot against him, Baek Jagang was rather pleased. He had felt somewhat left out when he received the report about the incident at the Murim Alliance.

Are these people only targeting the Murim Alliance Lord? Are they ignoring me?

Bi Sayin bowed his head with a look of shame.

"I apologize for making you hear such crucial information through the Young Cult Leader."

This too was not Bi Sayin's fault. If blame were to be assigned, those who handled information would have to be disciplined. However, Baek Jagang didn't mind at all, nor was he angry.

"At first, I thought the Young Cult Leader was simply outstanding. But having experienced it, I see that fate has its own way of dealing with the Young Cult Leader. So don't worry about it."

His words implied that the ties between the masterminds and Geom Mugeuk were deeply entangled.

"So, what did he say?"

"He sent an earnest request that you do not attend this banquet."

However, Baek Jagang had no intention of being absent.

"How can the main character not show up to a plot to kill him?"

Bi Sayin knew his master was not one to back down. Moreover, in a situation where Geom Mugeuk was handling the matter in his stead? The Master was not someone who entrusted his own affairs to others.

"But the Young Cult Leader sent two messenger pigeons."

"……"

"One was the official messenger pigeon I just mentioned, and the other came to me."

Bi Sayin checked the second message on the spot. After confirming its contents, he handed the pigeon's message to Baek Jagang. He had wondered why he was being shown a personal message.

After confirming the contents, Baek Jagang's small eyes disappeared with a great laugh.

[It's not like the Chairman is the type to stay away just because it's dangerous, right? Since he's coming anyway, you might as well bring him early!]