Chapter 695: Didn't You Say This Is Where I Die?

TL: FoodieMonster007

Ahn Hupyeong arrived at the main hall with a pounding heart.

Unfamiliar martial artists surrounded the building from the entrance. They were the Evil Alliance Chairman's Hall bodyguards. Their intimidating presence made the Mythical Sect martial artists look like novices, and he didn't dare meet their eyes.

Should I have changed into new clothes?

He could ignore everyone else in the world, but he had to make a good impression on the Evil Alliance Chairman and the Young Alliance Chairman. As a member of the unorthodox sects, one wrong move with them could lead to the annihilation of his sect in an instant.

Ahn Hupyeong took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The Evil Alliance Chairman was seated in the place of honor where his father always sat.

His father stood a short distance away with his hands clasped respectfully. It was the first time Ahn Hupyeong had ever seen his father stand so politely in front of someone.

So that's the Evil Alliance Chairman.

He didn't dare look him in the face, so he walked with his head slightly bowed. He had practiced smiling with his head down. It felt incredibly awkward to try and smile when he was used to scowling all the time.

I have to make a good impression.

With a trembling heart, Ahn Hupyeong walked forward and greeted him politely.

"It is an honor to meet the Chairman, whom I have always respected."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Baek Jagang replied.

Baek Jagang had a rough idea of what kind of person Ahn Hupyeong was. When visiting the Mythical Sect, it was only natural that he would be briefed on the Chief's family.

Ahn Hupyeong was a degenerate heir who loved alcohol and women. Looking at him alone, the future of the Mythical Sect seemed bleak. Of course, the moment Ahn Cheongwang joined hands with the forces behind the scenes, it had gone from bleak to pitch-black darkness.

Ahn Cheongwang sent a telepathy message to his son.

[Don't make any mistakes. Do well!]

[Don't worry, Father!]

Just then, the door opened and someone entered.

Ahn Hupyeong turned his head to look at the entrance and was startled.

What is that bastard doing here?

The person who entered was none other than Bi Sayin.

Ahn Hupyeong quickly spoke to Baek Jagang and his father.

"Please excuse me for a moment."

Ahn Hupyeong rushed over to Bi Sayin, who was walking toward them. He stopped Bi Sayin in his tracks, scowling as he whispered.

"What do you think you're doing following me here?"

He assumed Bi Sayin had probably gotten in by telling the guards at the entrance that the young Chief had summoned him. The very thought showed just how self-centered and thoughtless Ahn Hupyeong was, to believe the Chairman's Hall bodyguards would let just anyone into a place where the Chairman was present simply because they claimed to be looking for him.

"Get out of here. Scram."

It was an exceptionally irritated whisper. Ahn Hupyeong's nerves were on edge. If he messed this up, it would truly be the end.

"Do you want to die?"

Focused solely on making a good impression on the Evil Alliance Chairman, he wasn't even scared of Bi Sayin's face right now.

Just like Sa Chu before him, the possibility that Bi Sayin could be the Young Alliance Chairman never even crossed Ahn Hupyeong's mind. The Evil Alliance Young Alliance Chairman asking Lee Ahn's bodyguard if a lot of beauties had come? How could that be possible?

Ahn Hupyeong thought he understood this scary-looking fellow. Right, how could he refuse an offer from the young Chief of the Mythical Sect to work under him? Especially when he was offered double the pay.

Then, Bi Sayin repeated what Ahn Hupyeong had said earlier.

"Did you say you would speak directly to the person I serve?"

It was the first time he had heard Bi Sayin's voice. It wasn't as pleasant to listen to as his face was to look at, but now was not the time to point that out.

"The one I serve is over there, so go ahead and tell him yourself."

Ahn Hupyeong's gaze followed Bi Sayin's. Baek Jagang was there.

This bastard is insulting the Evil Alliance Chairman? This is my chance. A golden opportunity to make a good impression on the Evil Alliance Chairman.

He had been trying to send this clueless fool away nicely, but he couldn't hold back when he insulted the Chairman. In that brief moment, his mind raced.

"You crazy bastard!"

Ahn Hupyeong looked toward the door and shouted.

"Sa Chu! Drag this son of a bitch out of here, now!"

Ahn Cheongwang, who had been watching, rushed over in a panic.

Of course, Ahn Cheongwang had met Bi Sayin before. When he saw his son run over as Bi Sayin entered, he assumed they had already met and exchanged greetings at the duel grounds. The boy was faster than anyone when it came to his own interests. He had just been thinking that it was a relief he had at least that much talent.

Telling someone to drag out the Young Alliance Chairman?

Ahn Hupyeong thought his father was rushing over with a pale face because of this man's ruthless appearance. As if to say, what are you doing not chasing him out quickly while the Chairman is watching?

I have to act before Father comes and resolves it.

The moment Ahn Hupyeong raised his hand to slap Bi Sayin's cheek.

GRIP!

Ahn Cheongwang, arriving just in the nick of time, grabbed his wrist. Of course, Ahn Hupyeong wouldn't have been able to land the blow even if he hadn't been stopped.

Utterly shocked, Ahn Cheongwang stared at his son, his face white as a sheet.

Ahn Hupyeong said loudly.

"It seems a man who doesn't know his place has followed me, wanting to become my subordinate. But he insulted the Chairman."

From a distance, Baek Jagang asked.

"What did he say to insult me?"

"He said I needed to get the Chairman's permission to hire him."

Baek Jagang smiled and said.

"He's not wrong."

It was then, as Ahn Hupyeong blinked, not understanding what that meant.

SLAP!

Ahn Cheongwang slapped his son's cheek without mercy. The pain was a secondary concern. Ahn Hupyeong was too stunned.

"Father?"

"How dare you be so rude to the Young Alliance Chairman? Get on your knees and apologize at once."

Ahn Hupyeong blinked.

Young Alliance Chairman? What Young Alliance Chairman?

As he stood there, still dazed, another slap flew at his face.

SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!

Emotion was packed into Ahn Cheongwang's hand as he relentlessly slapped his son's cheek. After all the foolish things he had done, his son had now committed this act of madness.

He should have raised him by beating him like this from the start. What if this incident became a problem and the Evil Alliance Chairman left? He might really beat his son to death.

At that moment, Baek Jagang's telepathy reached Bi Sayin.

[This is the Young Cult Leader's handiwork, I see.]

His own disciple wasn't the type to create such a situation by deliberately hiding his identity. If there was a need to beat someone, he would have already half-killed them himself.

[He's telling me to educate my own child properly, is that it?]

Of course, Geom Mugeuk might not have predicted this exact situation, but this was the result.

[If I had been alone, that man would have arrived as a corpse.]

A faint smile touched Baek Jagang's lips at Bi Sayin's telepathy. He could roughly imagine the situation without seeing it.

All the emotions that had built up over the past years poured out.

SLAP! SLAP! CRACK! SLAP!

When he felt Ahn Hupyeong had been hit enough, Bi Sayin stepped in.

"That's enough."

Ahn Cheongwang stopped the beating.

Ahn Hupyeong, his face swollen and red, said with a whimper.

"…Father."

"How dare you curse at the Young Alliance Chairman and raise your hand to strike him? You deserve to die. I should cut off that hand first."

"Please spare me! Father!"

"Will you not apologize at once?"

Ahn Hupyeong knelt and begged.

"I have committed a crime worthy of death by failing to recognize a person of your stature! I was wrong! Please spare my life!"

Bi Sayin did not scold him. He could have crushed Ahn Hupyeong further right here, but he didn't.

He had come already knowing that Ahn Hupyeong was a haughty degenerate, and scolding him more here wouldn't change his character. If anything, he would only harbor more resentment inside. Besides, he was here to stop a plot to assassinate his master, so there was no need to create a grudge with Ahn Hupyeong.

Bi Sayin helped Ahn Hupyeong up and said in a kind tone.

"My apologies. I failed to reveal my identity."

"Not at all, Young Alliance Chairman! Thank you for your forgiveness."

However, just as Bi Sayin had predicted, a person doesn't change in an instant. Far from reflecting, Ahn Hupyeong was blaming someone else. The target of his resentment should have been his father or Bi Sayin, but he blamed the wrong person.

This is all because of that bastard!

Lee Ahn's bodyguard! He had misunderstood because he saw the Young Alliance Chairman talking to that guy.

I'll make it up to the Young Alliance Chairman somehow, and as for that bastard, I'll…!

How could this moment be any different from his past life of always retaliating against those weaker than himself?

Ahn Cheongwang went before the Chairman and bowed his head in apology.

"I apologize for showing you such an unsightly scene."

Baek Jagang said in a pleasant tone.

"It was a misunderstanding, so don't worry about it."

Just then, a roar of cheers came from outside. It seemed the main tournament was about to begin.

Ahn Cheongwang stepped forward to break the awkward atmosphere.

"It seems the main event is about to start. I will escort you to the VIP seats."

Baek Jagang stood up, bringing the situation to a close.

"It's not polite to keep the ladies waiting."

The waiting room was filled with women.

Lee Ahn was quietly observing her surroundings from a corner of the room. She was trying to identify the assassins from the Beautiful Bridges among the participants.

To find an assassin, one must not look for an assassin. That was the key.

There were a few women who gave her a certain feeling. It was literally just a feeling. These were women found not by bodyguard Lee Ahn, but by martial artist Lee Ahn.

Just then, Cha Yiran entered the waiting room. After scanning the interior, she walked over to where Lee Ahn was.

Lee Ahn didn't look at her, instead watching the women she had identified. Who would react to Cha Yiran's appearance? Or, who would not react?

Cha Yiran walked right up to Lee Ahn.

"What should I do? It seems this Young Lady's bodyguard has already fallen for me."

"What do you mean?"

"We've decided to have a drink to celebrate making it to the finals. Just the two of us, intimately."

She meant for Lee Ahn to join them, but she said "the two of us."

Lee Ahn didn't fall for her provocation. Geom Mugeuk wouldn't have done that, and even if he had, there would have been a reason.

"He won't be able to without my permission."

Cha Yiran tilted her head at Lee Ahn and asked provocatively.

"Is that confidence? Or arrogance?"

"It's knowing him well."

"A bodyguard who knows their leader well is common, but a leader who knows their bodyguard well? That's a precious relationship."

Cha Yiran sat down next to Lee Ahn. Even then, Lee Ahn was observing how the surrounding women reacted. This was her original purpose for participating in the competition anyway. By identifying someone like this, she could save one of their own.

Cha Yiran said abruptly.

"You've finally drawn your treasured sword."

Lee Ahn was indeed wearing a treasured sword, but what Cha Yiran meant was that her makeup was beautiful. Indeed, Cha Yiran would be much better at recognizing the skill of the woman who did her makeup than she was.

"My opponent is who she is. Be careful, I become a different person when I wear makeup, you know?"

"This Young Lady is scarier without makeup. Pure beauty."

"You're trying to get me eliminated one way or another, aren't you."

The two looked at each other and laughed.

Yes, you should be scared. Scared of all that time I spent training, sweating, without a single touch of makeup.

Just then, the waiting room door opened and a martial artist announced loudly.

"The main tournament is now beginning!"

The roar of the crowd could be heard from outside.

Finally, it was Lee Ahn's turn. Dressed in a pure white palace gown with beautiful makeup, she slowly ascended the stairs.

When she stepped onto the stage, she could see the countless heroes of the martial world.

A deafening roar.

She thought her heart would burst from embarrassment when she came up here. That's why she had been up since dawn, swinging her sword on the mountain. But now that she was on stage, she wasn't as nervous as she thought she would be.

I might actually be a natural at this.

Lee Ahn slowly walked along the designated path.

And then she saw him.

Among the countless people, she saw Geom Mugeuk looking at her. It was like a lie, how clearly she saw him. Even though Geom Mugeuk wasn't revealing any presence, she found him.

Among all these people, she could only see Geom Mugeuk. Everyone around him turned to black and white, and only Geom Mugeuk remained in color.

Geom Mugeuk was smiling at her.

A thought suddenly occurred to Lee Ahn. This vacation was a time for her to confirm her feelings for the Young Cult Leader! She had even felt the emotion of jealousy for the first time. She had liked the Young Cult Leader since he was a little kid, but the feelings she realized this time were deeper than before.

Lee Ahn walked with confidence.

As she stood in the center of the stage, she saw the specially prepared judges' table in front of her. Among the three judges, she saw the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. Their eyes met.

She was here, and the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was there, each doing their part.

Where I stand now, the Young Cult Leader will not be stabbed by the Smiling Demon's throwing knife.

Thus, the two women, each trying to protect their man, communicated with their eyes.

Nothing happened from the time she got on stage until she came down. Before leaving the stage, she looked at Geom Mugeuk one last time. It seemed like Geom Mugeuk's lips were mouthing something.

The ugly one's pretty impressive, huh?

Isn't that what he would have said? She smiled to herself and descended the stage.

As Geom Mugeuk watched Lee Ahn leave the stage, someone approached his side.

"It's been a while."

Surprisingly, it was the Evil Alliance Chairman, Baek Jagang. He was wearing a bamboo hat, so no one recognized him as the Evil Alliance Chairman. When Ahn Cheongwang offered to escort him to the VIP seats, he had said he wanted to watch quietly today and had blended into the crowd.

The two men watched the stage in front of them as they talked. Geom Mugeuk emitted his energy to create an invisible barrier around them, preventing their voices from being heard by those nearby.

"I told you not to come, so why are you here?"

"I came to see you."

"You didn't come to see the beauties?"

"Why not? I came to see you and the beauties."

Geom Mugeuk turned to look at Baek Jagang and said.

"To be honest, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't come."

"Didn't you say this is where I die?"

The two men looked at each other and laughed. In truth, Geom Mugeuk had wanted to see Baek Jagang. He would never know how charming those small eyes of his looked to him right now.

"She's coming out now. That woman over there is the assassin who wants to kill you, Chairman."

The woman who stepped onto the stage was none other than Cha Yiran.

At her appearance, the crowd erupted with fiery passion, but in contrast, Baek Jagang grew cold.

"Tell me. Give me a reason why I shouldn't jump on that stage right now and kill that woman. I am not a man who waits and watches someone who is trying to kill me."

He was not one to play with his enemies. He was a man who killed his enemies with all his might. He was, after all, a Chairman who always wore a martial arts uniform.

"If you don't give me a reason I can accept…"

Baek Jagang's small eyes narrowed even further. That point shone intensely, as if it were the source of all the killing intent in the world.

"I will kill her right here, right now."