It was a truly unexpected invitation.
“This is the first time I’ve been invited as a judge.”
As the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress spoke, as if she couldn't understand, Lee Ahn considered it only natural.
“They must have called for the best judge. Because you know more about beauty than anyone else.”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion, aside from its main branch here, had dozens of branches throughout the Central Plains.
In that process, she had met and experienced countless beautiful women, which was likely why she received such an invitation.
Whoever it was, they had made the right choice.
“Has there been a Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest before?”
At Geom Mugeuk’s question, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress shook her head.
“No, as far as I know, this is the first time this contest is being held.”
It was impossible to know if this contest had been held in his life before the regression.
It was a matter of no interest to him, so it might have happened, or it might be happening now due to the various changes after his regression.
“Who is hosting the contest?”
Then, an unexpected name came up.
“They say it’s the Divine Flower Sect.”
The Divine Flower Sect was a sect belonging to the Unorthodox Faction, a very famous major sect in the martial world.
Lee Ahn also knew of the Divine Flower Sect.
For the Unorthodox Faction, not even the Righteous Sect, to host such a contest?
“Why would the Divine Flower Sect suddenly host such a contest?”
At Lee Ahn’s question, Geom Mugeuk pointed a finger at her.
“It’s because of you.”
“What? Because of me?”
To the tensed-up Lee Ahn, Geom Mugeuk said with a smile.
“To officially announce your name to this martial world.”
“Oh, what nonsense…”
For a moment, Lee Ahn’s expression faltered.
“Surely, you’re not telling me to enter this contest, are you?”
“Why not? If it were a 'Greatest Handsome Man Contest,' I would have entered. No, I would have sent our Laughing Demon Sovereign.”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon felt a sense of relief from behind his mask.
He knew that Geom Mugeuk would have somehow forced him to enter.
“Why do I have to participate?”
“There could be an enemy among the contestants. Find them while you’re among them.”
In the past, she would have thought, ‘What kind of enemy would be among the contestants?’ But now she knew it was possible.
Normally, Lee Ahn would have reacted like this:
I don’t want to! Absolutely not!
Waving her hands, stepping back, and even giving a look that said, ‘Just you try and make me, not even the Young Cult Master will be forgiven!’ She would have expressed every form of refusal at once.
Geom Mugeuk was likely waiting for such a reaction.
To avoid taking her to that dangerous place.
Because it was the place where a Demon Sovereign was to plunge a dagger into the Young Cult Master’s chest.
“I will participate.”
“Really?”
When Geom Mugeuk asked in surprise, Lee Ahn nodded her head.
“But why?”
At that, Lee Ahn casually asked the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress.
“How much do you think the prize money will be?”
At the unexpected question, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress looked surprised.
She knew well that Lee Ahn was not the type of person to participate in such a contest for money.
Then, she could soon guess what was on Lee Ahn’s mind as she asked this.
“Since it’s a contest to select the greatest beauty under heaven, shouldn’t they give at least fifty thousand Nyang?”
Lee Ahn’s eyes widened as she exclaimed.
“They’re giving fifty thousand Nyang?”
“There might be separate prizes too.”
“Fifty thousand Nyang! That’s an amount you could retire on and live a life of leisure! A life of idleness! The dream of every worker!”
Lee Ahn said to Geom Mugeuk with an excited face.
“I’m entering too! Fate has given me a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”
How could Geom Mugeuk not know? She was doing this because she was afraid he would send her back to the Main Sect, telling her it was dangerous.
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress added a word to support her.
“And would it be just the prize money? The great merchant groups of the Central Plains will invite you to their events, and they’ll give you a few hundred Nyang each time.”
“Just for showing my face, a few hundred Nyang!”
Geom Mugeuk grabbed her and shook her.
“Get a grip! You’re possessed by money right now!”
“How many merchant groups are there in the Central Plains?”
“What about the Ghost Shadow Branch?”
“Just tell them to keep fighting in their divided teams!”
After the two of them finished their playful banter, Geom Mugeuk spoke seriously.
“Lee Ahn, I’ll take you with me. And you don’t have to participate in the contest.”
Showing off her beauty in front of countless heroes? He knew well that Lee Ahn would truly not be up for it.
He thought she would naturally say she was happy with that.
“No, I’m going to participate in the contest.”
No matter how much she disliked it, no matter how embarrassing it was, she had a clear reason to participate in the contest.
“The stage you saw in the prophecy, it must be the stage of this contest venue, right?”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress nodded.
“I think so.”
And that was where Geom Mugeuk would be stabbed in the heart.
“I will be standing on that stage with you.”
Geom Mugeuk could feel her firm resolve.
Lee Ahn was once again showing that she was someone who would willingly step forward for him, even for something she hated to death.
Even though you are trying to protect me like this, the one who protects you is me.
“I will go with you as your Escort Martial Artist.”
Lee Ahn was inwardly relieved.
Yes, with Geom Mugeuk by her side, what was there to fear?
Geom Mugeuk also assigned a role to the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
“Laughing Demon Sovereign, please take charge of the Pavilion Mistress’s escort.”
“Understood.”
Geom Mugeuk asked the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress.
“Where will the contest be held?”
“It’s in Qingyang, Anhui Province.”
Qingyang was the region where the Divine Flower Sect was located.
They were holding the contest in their own front yard.
“When can you depart?”
“Anytime is fine.”
“Then let’s depart early tomorrow.”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress nodded and looked down at the invitation she was holding.
“I’m going to judge, but for some reason, it feels like I’m going to be judged.”
She was right.
Whether it was fate or some hidden forces, they were drawing us in.
Geom Mugeuk smiled and said to her.
“Please give one vote to Lee Ahn at the end!”
Lee Ahn, startled, cried out.
“That’s unfair judging! Don’t say such things!”
“Oh? You seem confident you’ll make it to the end. I thought you were just participating for the sake of it.”
“That’s not what I meant. Aish!”
Her face slightly flushed, Lee Ahn ran into the building, and Geom Mugeuk followed her.
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress and the Evil Heart Laughing Demon watched them with a smile.
Then, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress suddenly said.
“Thank you.”
After listening to the Evil Heart Laughing Demon, she had told the Young Cult Master everything honestly.
If she hadn't even told the Evil Heart Laughing Demon, she hated to imagine how she would be feeling now.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon looked at her and smiled.
It was a smile that needed no more words, and the white mask, reflecting the sunlight, shone brilliantly.
A young man was looking up at a stage where the final construction was underway.
The stage was being built to be large and splendid; this was the venue for the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest.
Around the man stood masters exuding a cold aura.
Passersby dared not approach and took a wide detour.
Just by looking at his escorts, one could tell that this man’s status was not ordinary.
This young man was An Hu-pyeong, the successor of the Divine Flower Sect, which was hosting the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest this time.
“Young Master, you have come out?”
A middle-aged martial artist walked up to his side and greeted him politely.
The middle-aged man was Jo Man, the general steward of the Divine Flower Sect, in charge of preparations for the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest.
“The marketplace is already bustling with people.”
People from all over the Central Plains were beginning to flock to see the contest.
While martial arts tournaments were held all over the Central Plains, this was the first official Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest, so the interest of the people of the Central Plains was focused on it.
An Hu-pyeong, his gaze still fixed on the stage, asked.
“General Steward Jo.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Do you know what my dream is?”
“It is to marry the greatest beauty under heaven.”
It was a phrase he had heard many times since he was young.
Since that dream had not changed, it was a sincere one.
If someone else had said it, he would have scoffed, thinking, ‘With that plain face, you have big dreams!’
“You are about to achieve your dream. Congratulations, Young Master.”
“It’s still too early for a toast. The woman who becomes the greatest beauty under heaven must accept my choice.”
“What woman would refuse the Young Master?”
A confident smile formed on An Hu-pyeong’s lips.
General Steward Jo knew.
Even if that woman refused the choice, it would be useless.
He knew well how persistent and frightening this An Hu-pyeong was, having watched him since he was young.
Even after watching him for so long, he was still nervous about misspeaking in front of An Hu-pyeong.
Moreover, he was a womanizing playboy.
Since he was young, he couldn't get enough of women.
He didn't know which woman would become the greatest beauty under heaven, but he thought it might be the most unfortunate award in her life.
“When does it start?”
“The preliminary rounds will be held in three days. Beauties from all over the Central Plains are arriving one after another for the contest.”
An Hu-pyeong looked at the three chairs placed in front of the stage.
They were the seats for the judges.
On either side, VIP seats were arranged.
“The judges?”
“Two of the three have already arrived. We just need the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress to arrive.”
In that moment, An Hu-pyeong’s gaze shone sharply.
“The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress? Isn’t the Heavenly Flower Pavilion a courtesan house?”
“That is correct. We have invited the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress as a judge this time.”
At that, An Hu-pyeong’s expression immediately hardened.
“You mean to say you’ve appointed the owner of a mere courtesan house as a judge?”
“The Heavenly Flower Pavilion is no ordinary courtesan house. It is the largest and most famous courtesan house, with dozens of branches in the Central Plains.”
You’ve been there many times, haven’t you? The words rose to his throat, but he couldn’t bring himself to say them.
Perhaps he disliked it more because it was a place he frequented.
“Still, a courtesan house is a courtesan house.”
The thought of marrying the greatest beauty under heaven, judged by the owner of that courtesan house, completely soured his mood.
“Who on earth appointed this woman as a judge?”
General Steward Jo looked troubled to speak, but finally said cautiously.
“It was the Lord.”
An Hu-pyeong was momentarily startled.
“It was originally someone else, but he changed it at the last minute.”
At those words, a look of bewilderment appeared on An Hu-pyeong’s face.
His father had lived his whole life swinging a blade.
“Let me know when the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress arrives.”
The carriage carrying Geom Mugeuk’s party entered the marketplace of Qingyang.
Geom Mugeuk nudged Lee Ahn’s side.
“Stop staring!”
Lee Ahn, who had been staring at the Evil Heart Laughing Demon sitting in front of her, was startled.
She couldn’t help but stare.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon had taken off his mask and was wearing a veil since this morning when they arrived at their destination.
It was the first time she had seen the Evil Heart Laughing Demon without his mask.
Though a veil covered the area below his eyes.
“You are so handsome!”
Lee Ahn blurted out as if mesmerized.
Then, realizing she had said it to his face, she quickly bowed her head.
Geom Mugeuk looked at the Evil Heart Laughing Demon and said.
“Though it pains me, I must admit it.”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon, with his eyes and forehead revealed, looked like a completely different person.
Moreover, the special veil also played a part.
It was a stylish and cool veil with a single flower embroidered on it, and below it, the characters for ‘Heavenly Flower’ were inscribed.
“I embroidered and made it for him myself.”
It was the work of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress, who was sitting next to him.
“But why did you ask me to make ten more exactly like it?”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon had asked her to make ten more, and she did, but he hadn't given her a reason then or now.
“The moment he takes off that veil, there will be chaos. The beauties of the Central Plains will all follow him, so ten won’t be enough!”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress laughed happily at Geom Mugeuk’s joke.
“I suppose I’ll have to make more veils!”
Just then, the voice of the coachman came from the driver’s seat.
“We have arrived at our destination.”
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon opened the carriage door and got out first.
The moment they saw outside, everyone understood why ten more veils were needed.
Ten martial artists were waiting in front of the carriage.
Surprisingly, they were Faceless Ones who had arrived earlier and were waiting.
The ten most skilled among the Faceless Ones.
Somehow, they had been notified, and they too had taken off their masks and were wearing veils like the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
Dressed in the same martial robes and wearing the same veils, they looked exactly like Escort Martial Artists from the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
The Evil Heart Laughing Demon had concluded that the only reason he would have to plunge a dagger into Geom Mugeuk’s chest was because of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress.
If she were taken hostage and her life was used to threaten him.
Now that he was aware of that possibility, he would never let it happen.
He had brought only ten to avoid attracting attention; if possible, he would have brought all the Faceless Ones.
Standing before the ten Faceless Ones, the Evil Heart Laughing Demon said with a smile.
He was now the head of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion’s escort.
“Now, let us go, Pavilion Mistress.”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress was moved.
She was immeasurably grateful to the Evil Heart Laughing Demon for taking such care of her.
Before getting off the carriage, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress turned back to Lee Ahn and said.
“Then I’ll see you on the final stage.”
“The final stage! I won’t be able to make it.”
The Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress gave a smile and then got off the carriage.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack.
The ten Faceless Ones surrounded her on all sides.
The one leading them was the Evil Heart Laughing Demon.
And so, they disappeared into the crowd.
Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn did not get off together but stayed in the carriage for a while.
With so many eyes around, they thought it was better to get off with some time in between.
Lee Ahn’s gaze, looking out the carriage window, trembled slightly.
“There are so many people.”
It seemed she was getting nervous about appearing before so many people.
“You’d rather have a martial arts tournament, right?”
Even on the way here, Lee Ahn had practiced her martial arts whenever she had a moment.
She was already crazy about training, but this time she trained even more diligently.
Because her dream was to become the greatest master under heaven, not the greatest beauty under heaven.
He thought she would naturally say that a martial arts tournament was better.
“No, I can enter a martial arts tournament even when I’m older, but I can only challenge for the title of greatest beauty under heaven now, right?”
Lee Ahn put on the veil she had brought and got out of the carriage first.
Since she was entering, she intended to do her best.
Like someone who had really come to become the greatest beauty under heaven.
She had to focus on this contest and immerse herself in it to be able to spot anyone suspicious.
Geom Mugeuk did not get out but watched the people come and go through the window for a moment.
‘We’ve finally arrived.’
He wondered what awaited them here.
He believed that it was all fate that had led him to this place.
Discovering the Heavenly Maiden’s Dream in the Martial Alliance Treasury, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress receiving a prophecy, and even being invited here.
And as he had always done, he would face it and fight with all his might.
“What are you thinking so hard about without getting out?”
He turned his head to see Lee Ahn standing outside the carriage, looking this way.
“With so many pretty women around, I’m worried about what our Lee Ahn will do?”
“As far as I can see, I don’t see any woman prettier than me.”
Above the pure white veil, Lee Ahn’s beautiful eyes smiled brightly.
“And let’s worry about that after we’ve registered for the contest.”