Chapter 706: If I'm Killed by the Handsome Young Cult Leader

TL: FoodieMonster007

"Martial Artist Lee."

At the call of the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, Lee Ahn, who had been standing by the door monitoring the situation outside, turned her head.

"Please get some rest."

Since receiving the mission to protect her, Lee Ahn had not let her mind wander for a single moment. She blocked the windows, checked the ceiling and walls, and monitored the hallway for any presence, repeating the process endlessly.

Lee Ahn pressed her ear to the door again and said.

"There's a saying passed down among bodyguards. An incident always happens the one time you look away."

Only after checking outside again did she turn back to the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

"I'm fine, Pavilion Master."

"Being a bodyguard seems like a truly difficult job."

"Thank you for your concern."

Lee Ahn felt at ease when she was with the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

They first met when Lee Ahn's body was suffering from side effects. The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman had treated her with such kindness from that moment on, making her feel like an older sister or a friend.

That was why she was even more diligent in her bodyguard duties. She could not afford to lose her just because she could not resist looking away that one time.

"Don't worry, I'm a former bodyguard for the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Young Cult Leader, after all…"

The next moment!

Lee Ahn spun around quickly, drawing her sword.

SWIIISH!

Her sword flashed like lightning, cutting through the empty air.

SRRRK, THUD! THUD THUD!

The door, sliced into a tilted cross shape, collapsed inward.

There was no one behind the fallen door.

"Come out."

At Lee Ahn's words, something popped out from the wall next to the doorway.

FWOOSH.

The object that unfurled was a fan painted with a beautiful woman. It fluttered gently, as if waving a flag of surrender. The person who peeked his face out was none other than Hwa Domyeong. He greeted Lee Ahn cheerfully, like an old acquaintance.

"Congratulations on reaching the finals, Martial Artist Lee!"

His makeup was so ridiculously thick that it was hard to tell what his face looked like, or what expression he was making.

However, she could tell one thing.

He's no ordinary master.

When she had cut the door, he had clearly been standing behind it. He had dodged her attack in that fleeting instant.

The mere fact that she could not gauge her opponent's skill meant he was by no means her inferior.

"Of course, the tournament was turned upside down when you all flipped everything over."

Hwa Domyeong examined the cross-section of the door that had fallen to the floor in pieces.

"To reach such a level at your age."

Only then did he enter, fanning himself nonchalantly.

Lee Ahn focused all her senses on her sword and her opponent, slowly backing away.

"To have such skill on top of those looks. You have every right to be arrogant. Truly amazing!"

He snapped his open fan shut and clapped his palm with it repeatedly, as if applauding.

Lee Ahn took something from her robes and placed it in her mouth. It was an Antitoxin Bead, a precaution against fan users who sometimes spread poison by opening and closing their fans.

In a situation like this, one did not take care of the person they were protecting first. If Lee Ahn was poisoned, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman would surely be poisoned as well, so she had to take the Antitoxin Bead first.

Only then did she use her free hand to signal the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman behind her. She used a hand signal rather than words, as the opponent could use that moment to launch a surprise attack.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman then put the Antitoxin Bead that Lee Ahn had prepared for her into her mouth.

Seeing this, Hwa Domyeong waved his fan back and forth, dismissing the notion with his hands.

"Don't worry. I don't use poison. I'm not a meticulous person. I'm so clumsy I'd probably end up poisoning myself with my own poison."

Lee Ahn, who had been listening, asked curtly.

"Who are you?"

Since her opponent was showing her courtesy, Lee Ahn also asked with basic etiquette.

"Let's just say I'm an errand boy for today. A well-wisher would also be fine."

"You've already offered your congratulations, so state your business."

"But first, let's put that sword down. Just looking at the blade makes my stomach churn."

However, Lee Ahn did not lower her sword. It would be nice to be as relaxed as her opponent, but he was not someone she could let her guard down against.

Just then, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman spoke calmly from behind.

"Did you summon me here?"

It was a question of whether he had called for her to be a judge at the tournament. She had a feeling that this strange man had come looking for her.

Indeed, her guess was correct.

"You could say it's something like that."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, who had been looking at him, walked to the table in the center and sat down first.

"Please sit."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman said, looking at Lee Ahn.

"It's alright, Martial Artist Lee."

Normally, Lee Ahn would have stopped the unidentified man from approaching the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman. She figured, however, that the Chairwoman was acting boldly because she had a plan.

Lee Ahn stepped back, allowing Hwa Domyeong to sit.

Seated, Hwa Domyeong stared intently at the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman and asked.

"They say you see things we cannot, don't they?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman simply stared back at him without a word.

"Do you see anything in me?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, who had been gazing at him, shook her head.

"I don't see anything."

Whether that was true or not was something only she could know.

This time, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman asked.

"Why were you looking for me?"

"I have a message to deliver."

"Go on."

Beneath the thick makeup, his eyes turned cold. That single change in his gaze made the once frivolous man feel like a completely different person.

SHWAAAK.

Hwa Domyeong opened his fan, completely covering his face. From behind it, a cold and eerie voice, not his original one, flowed out.

It was such a natural voice that it felt like it might be his true voice, not an imitation.

"The Evil Alliance Chairman must die. If you defy this fate, the murim will be destroyed."

For a moment, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's eyes widened in shock. Lee Ahn, who was standing between them and listening, was also greatly surprised.

The moment that astonishing message ended.

The fan swayed lightly.

SHRRRRK.

His form vanished abruptly, as if a ghost had disappeared.

Lee Ahn raised her ki and scanned the surroundings, but Hwa Domyeong was already completely gone.

"Are you alright?"

At Lee Ahn's question, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman nodded and rose from her seat.

"I must see the Young Cult Leader right now."

"The Evil Alliance Chairman must die?"

Having heard the story, Geom Mugeuk glanced at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon standing beside him. The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon met his gaze with an equally surprised expression.

Then came the even more shocking part of the story.

"He said that if this fate is defied, the murim will be destroyed."

The one who relayed the message was Lee Ahn. The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was momentarily lost in deep thought.

"What kind of person was he?"

At Geom Mugeuk's question, Lee Ahn described him. His features were so distinct that it was easy to explain.

"He was a man with thick makeup, a flamboyant outfit with many accessories, and a fan painted with a beautiful woman. His stealth and movement techniques were incredible. I couldn't tell how much of a master he was."

Geom Mugeuk looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. His eyes asked if he knew the person, but the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon shook his head.

He was also a figure Geom Mugeuk had not known in his life before regression. This meant that, at the very least, he was not another one of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

For someone with such skills and characteristics to be unknown meant he was not a figure who had been active on the front lines of the murim. Or perhaps he had died before the era of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

In any case, one thing was certain.

"It seems the reason they were targeting the Evil Alliance Chairman is related to the message that man delivered."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and Lee Ahn nodded in agreement.

Just then, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, who had been quiet, opened her mouth.

"What he said was a prophecy."

A surprising fact was revealed by her.

"I knew the moment I heard it. That these words were a prophecy."

It seemed there was something that only she could sense.

If so, a question naturally arose.

"Is there another person in this era who can make prophecies besides you, Pavilion Master?"

At Geom Mugeuk's question, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman nodded.

"The Saintess was able to deliver prophecies. I left the palace early, so I don't know who can make prophecies now."

Geom Mugeuk could guess from her words. That she was the one who was supposed to be the next Saintess.

She had rejected the fate bestowed upon her and left the palace.

From that, another fact could be naturally deduced.

The reason the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman had been invited as a judge for this tournament was related to the prophecy the man had delivered.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman looked at Geom Mugeuk with a worried expression.

Her heart was heavy, knowing that Geom Mugeuk and the Evil Alliance Chairman maintained a good relationship. If the man's words were a prophecy, just as she felt, then that prophecy would also be fulfilled.

Although he read the anxiety in her eyes, Geom Mugeuk offered a relaxed smile.

"It's alright. It's not that I don't believe your prophecy, Pavilion Master, but I believe it can definitely be changed. If not, wouldn't my fate be to have my chest pierced by the Smiling Demon's throwing knife?"

Geom Mugeuk could still feel the lingering worry in the smile the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman forced.

Yes, until now, those prophecies must have come true. That must be why she was so worried.

However, Geom Mugeuk had his own beliefs.

If a prophecy shows the path, it is a human who walks that path.

I will find another path!

Geom Mugeuk left the room to meet one person.

"I must see the Evil Alliance Chairman."

An estate not far from the Mythical Sect.

The Beautiful Bridges assassins stood guard on all sides.

Cha Yiran was alone in the room. She sat silently, staring at a box containing a bead on the table. Geom Mugeuk's words echoed in her mind.

[The leader came in person. I can't just leave her subordinates behind and cause her to lose face, can I?]

The way her subordinates looked at her had certainly saved her face. One might ask what great meaning that held, but it definitely had meaning. She had become the leader who led them out of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's den.

[If you fight by taking what your opponent can never give up as a hostage, wouldn't that be a rather dull life?]

She fiddled with the box as she recalled Geom Mugeuk's words. As her dilemma deepened, she heard someone's voice.

"Weren't assassins supposed to be ruthless?"

Hwa Domyeong stood at the door, having entered at some point.

"Assassins are meant to be ruthless. The kind assassins are the ones who die young."

Hwa Domyeong walked over and sat down across from her.

"What did the Young Cult Leader demand in exchange for releasing your subordinates?"

Cha Yiran continued to look down at the box as she said.

"He asked me to be sure to kill any rude person who enters a room without the owner's permission."

Hwa Domyeong opened his fan and covered his face.

"Don't forget, I'm a spectator, not an enemy."

The moment he appeared before the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman, he had gone from a spectator to an actor on the stage. Yet, he still claimed to be a spectator in front of her.

"What did he demand for releasing your subordinates?"

When she still did not answer, Hwa Domyeong guessed.

"He asked for the bead, right? Or maybe? To give up on killing the Evil Alliance Chairman? Or did he ask you to tell him who's at the top?"

Still staring at the box, Cha Yiran answered.

"He didn't demand anything."

Hwa Domyeong could tell from her expression that she was telling the truth. A sneer preceded his surprise.

"He's playing with you. The Young Cult Leader is an arrogant man."

"Shouldn't I be grateful he's playing along?"

"What?"

"If he hadn't, we all would have died there."

A moment of silence passed, and Hwa Domyeong fanned her as if to flatter her.

"You're not someone who dies easily, are you?"

"The moment that Young Cult Leader, who had been spouting nonsense, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, I had a thought. Ah, I could actually die."

"Were you scared?"

She just stared at the box and shook her head from side to side.

"If I'm killed by the handsome Young Cult Leader, will a handsome demon push me into the fiery pits of hell?"

At her words, Hwa Domyeong laughed and said.

"Then you can be the one to kill me."

At that, Cha Yiran lifted her head and looked at Hwa Domyeong.

"Not right now."

Hwa Domyeong avoided her gaze, turning his body to the side as he sat, fanning himself gently.

Then, without looking at her, he asked abruptly.

"When are you going to do it?"

The time that would change everyone's fate flowed from Cha Yiran's lips.

"Tomorrow."

Hwa Domyeong stood up from his seat.

"I'd better get to bed early today if I want to see a good show tomorrow."

Just then, Cha Yiran asked.

"That person, Ak Gunhak, where is he now?"

Hwa Domyeong's gaze grew cold.

"Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking of confessing before I die."

"Before who dies? You? Or Ak Gunhak?"

"In your opinion, who do you think will die sooner?"

Silence flowed between the two.

Finally, Hwa Domyeong turned and said.

"A confession doesn't suit you. An assassin who falls in love becomes unhappy."

The moment Cha Yiran lightly bit her red lips.

Both of their gazes simultaneously turned towards one wall.

An immense presence could be felt from far beyond the wall.

The next moment.

SHWAAAK. Hwa Domyeong opened his fan and vanished in an instant.

Cha Yiran retrieved the bead box from the table. Then, turning her back to the wall, she raised her protective enhanced qi.

KWAAAAANG!

With a deafening explosion, an entire wall was blown away. A massive wave of enhanced qi raged in its place.

KWAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Everything was swept away by the enhanced qi.

When the rising dust settled.

The room she had been in was completely gone, with nothing left.

Only Cha Yiran, standing with her back turned, stood there alone.

"This was a new outfit, and now it's ruined again."

She, who had her back turned, slowly turned around.

In the distance, a man in a black martial arts uniform was walking this way.

He was none other than the Evil Alliance Chairman, Baek Jagang.

It was not a surprise attack. He had announced his arrival with his aura, so this was his greeting.

The First Bridge flew in with the assassins and blocked his path.

Baek Jagang warned in a low voice.

"That kid went to the trouble of sparing your lives. Don't make me kill you with my own hands."

Cha Yiran could feel it. Baek Jagang intended to kill everyone who stood in his way.

Cha Yiran commanded the First Bridge.

"Stand down."

The First Bridge hesitated for a fraction of a second but soon accepted the order. The Evil Alliance Chairman was not an opponent she and her subordinates could stop.

Baek Jagang strode forward until he was right in front of her.

"I will now ask my questions."

Baek Jagang's sharp gaze flew at her as if to pierce through her.

"I will not ask you twice."