“Are you making another heart?”
At the sound of Bi Sa-in's voice from behind, a smile formed on Geom Mugeuk's lips.
It seemed he had seen him talking with Cha Iran.
“Unfortunately, the new heart you saw is not one that beats in my body.”
Geom Mugeuk turned around.
Normally, there was no room for even a faint smile on Bi Sa-in's terrifying face, but now, a space for a rather large, pleased greeting had been made.
He had come on high alert because this was where a plan to assassinate his Master was unfolding, but he couldn't hide the happy feeling of seeing Geom Mugeuk.
“When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“That’s just like you.”
Just when he was wondering what he was going to say now.
“The main event of the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven Contest is about to begin. How overworked must your horses have been, all for your obsession to see the beauties?"
It wasn't just the horses that were dragged into his teasing of Bi Sa-in.
Even Han Seol, who had returned to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, was brought into it.
“What would Miss Han think if she knew you arrived just in time for the main event?”
Bi Sa-in was dumbfounded.
He was the one who sent a dispatch telling him to come early since he was coming anyway!
Seeing Geom Mugeuk start teasing him the moment they met, it finally felt like he had truly met him.
It was at that moment.
Someone walking up from behind spoke.
“Didn't I say I'd tear your mouth open if you opened it?”
In that instant, Bi Sa-in saw it.
The mischief that flashed across Geom Mugeuk’s face.
Just as he expected.
“I really wasn't going to, but this man forced me to.”
Geom Mugeuk was truly incorrigible.
Anyway, not the eyes, not the nose, but he'd tear open his mouth? Geom Mugeuk's mouth? That mouth that even the Alliance Leaders couldn't handle!
Who could this poor sacrificial lamb be, making such an arrogant statement without even knowing who he was talking to?
The voice of An Hu-pyeong came from behind him.
“Hey, is that true?”
If speaking to a friend out of gladness was considered forcing him to speak...
Bi Sa-in nodded obediently, like a man who had emptied his mind.
He intended to play along with Geom Mugeuk's little game.
At that sight, An Hu-pyeong frowned.
He asked a question, but the man just nods his head without answering? Right, anyone who hangs out with this despicable escort would be the same.
He was displeased from the very start.
“Hey, turn around.”
Bi Sa-in slowly turned around.
Upon seeing the other's face, a curse erupted from An Hu-pyeong's mouth.
“Well, damn it!”
It wasn't that he meant to curse, but it was a curse that burst out from sheer shock.
It was truly the first time in his life he had seen someone with such a terrifying face.
Bi Sa-in’s face was covered in scars.
Cut and distorted, it was chilling just to look at.
As fate would have it, the beauties who were entering the waiting room at that moment saw the scene.
In the life of the insolent An Hu-pyeong, showing a cowed appearance in front of women was unacceptable.
“Why does your face look like that? Did you fight all the battles in the world by yourself?”
Unfortunately, he didn't recognize who he was talking to.
Perfect, he doesn't recognize him!
Geom Mugeuk spoke as if he were wronged.
“When such a frightening person speaks to me, how could I not respond?”
The corner of Bi Sa-in’s mouth twitched up slightly.
He was now used to Geom Mugeuk playing pranks using his face.
He also knew now that this was his way of showing consideration.
When others made fun of his face, he would join in, as if to say:
Don't worry about it, friend.
Just enjoy it too!
“Young Lord, if that scary face spoke to you, could you have not answered?”
Yes, he would probably feel disappointed if Geom Mugeuk didn't pull such pranks.
At Geom Mugeuk's words, An Hu-pyeong nodded.
He disliked the escort, but he acknowledged the truth of what was just said.
He would have answered too.
“You, do you know that guy?”
At An Hu-pyeong's question, Bi Sa-in glanced at Geom Mugeuk.
Seeing as he referred to Geom Mugeuk as 'that guy,' it was a situation where he had to pretend not to know him.
Bi Sa-in shook his head as if he didn't know.
He was still annoyed that he didn't answer with words, but it wasn't easy to get angry while looking at that face.
“If you don’t know each other, why did you talk to him?”
At that, Geom Mugeuk stepped forward instead of Bi Sa-in.
“He approached me and asked if many beautiful women had come. He said he rode really hard because of this competition.”
An Hu-pyeong couldn't help but scoff.
“With that face, he’s into women?”
At An Hu-pyeong's words, Bi Sa-in's eyes twitched.
Feeling an unexplainable chill, An Hu-pyeong took out a shield.
“I am the Young Lord of the Divine Flower Sect. The host of this competition.”
Then he asked Geom Mugeuk again.
“You were smiling while you talked?”
At An Hu-pyeong's interrogation, Geom Mugeuk asked back, feigning injustice.
“Well, I have to smile when I see that face, how can I frown?”
An Hu-pyeong laughed out loud.
Right, that was also true.
Yes, it's not easy to frown while looking at this face.
“Hey, ruthless face.”
Not only did he call him by a name he shouldn't have, he even offered him a job.
“I don't know who you work for, but have you considered working for me?”
A fierce-looking martial artist talking to Geom Mugeuk in front of the participants' waiting room.
He naturally assumed he was an escort who had accompanied a contestant.
“I'll pay you double.”
There was a reason he wanted to hire him.
He felt like if he had a scary guy like this with him, he would have nothing to fear in the world.
And one more thing.
An Hu-pyeong turned his head to look back at Sa Chu, who was behind him.
“My escort has been quite unsatisfactory lately.”
It was the same right now.
When he spoke, there should have been some reaction, but he was just staring blankly, his mind elsewhere again.
Sa Chu found Bi Sa-in's face familiar and was trying to recall where he had seen it.
There was no way he could forget a face like that.
The scariest face he had ever seen belonged to the successor of the Unorthodox Alliance.
He had seen him from a distance, but that intense face was unforgettable.
However, the idea of the Unorthodox Alliance's successor standing in front of the waiting room talking to this escort was never in his mind, so he didn't think for a moment that the person was Bi Sa-in.
This was despite hearing the news just a little while ago that the Young Alliance Leader had arrived today.
Ah, that's why it couldn't possibly be the Young Alliance Leader.
He would be exchanging greetings with the Sect Master right now, not having a conversation with that escort in a place like this first.
“What are you doing now!”
Sa Chu snapped back to his senses at An Hu-pyeong's rebuke.
“My apologies.”
“How many times has this been! You've had a lot of problems lately!”
As An Hu-pyeong glared at him with an angry face, Sa Chu bowed his head deeply.
‘Why do things like this keep happening lately?’
Just then, a martial artist ran toward them.
“The Sect Master is looking for you urgently.”
Before leaving, An Hu-pyeong said to Bi Sa-in.
“If it’s hard for you to say, I'll speak directly to the person you serve.”
As An Hu-pyeong turned and walked away, Sa Chu followed behind him.
“You stay behind and tear that guy's mouth open!”
An Hu-pyeong walked away briskly, taking all his other subordinates with him.
He knew it wasn't a literal order to tear his mouth.
The opponent was a demonic practitioner and the escort of Lee Ahn, whom he liked.
If he actually tore it, all hell would break loose.
If he took it literally, it was obvious he would have to take all the blame.
Sa Chu looked at Geom Mugeuk and warned him coldly.
“Watch that mouth of yours from now on! It'll really get torn open!”
Geom Mugeuk put on a mock-startled expression and covered his mouth with his hands, while Bi Sa-in truly wished someone would tear that mouth open, feeling a sense of regret.
Watching Sa Chu walk away into the distance, Geom Mugeuk spoke.
“Trying to tear my mouth! To someone who makes a living with his mouth!”
Bi Sa-in laughed.
He didn't know how many times he had laughed since he arrived.
This was why seeing Geom Mugeuk was so enjoyable.
Just then, the First Wolf walked over, greeted Geom Mugeuk, and then reported to Bi Sa-in.
“The Alliance Leader is looking for you.”
He had come to see Geom Mugeuk as soon as he arrived, but now it was time to go and greet the Divine Flower Sect Master.
“See you later.”
“I’ll have to greet the Alliance Leader later.”
It meant he would stay as close to Lee Ahn as possible for now.
It also meant that the situation was not easy.
“I’ll explain things to him.”
“Thank you.”
After walking a few steps, Bi Sa-in turned back and said.
“Thank you for letting me know about this.”
“We agreed to, didn't we?”
That they would definitely let each other know if anything happened.
Geom Mugeuk and Bi Sa-in faced each other and nodded.
Meanwhile, Sa Chu, who was walking listlessly, turned to look back.
‘No matter how I think about it, he looks familiar.’
Just then, a new person caught Sa Chu's eye.
There was one more person with the two of them.
And that new person was someone Sa Chu knew.
‘First Wolf?’
Sa Chu recognized the First Wolf.
There was a time when his dream was to become one of the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path.
He eventually gave up because his skills weren't good enough.
Because he admired them so much, there was a time when he guarded the main gate of the Unorthodox Alliance just to see their faces.
How could he not recognize the First Wolf, even if he didn't know the others? But why was the First Wolf here?
“Argh!”
Sa Chu let out a scream.
At that, An Hu-pyeong, who was walking far away, turned to look at him.
Seeing him standing alone in the distance and screaming.
“That guy is really crazy these days, crazy.”
An Hu-pyeong shook his head and started walking again.
Bi Sa-in and the First Wolf walked towards where Sa Chu was standing.
Sa Chu saw it.
Martial artists who had been hiding somewhere began to join and follow behind Bi Sa-in, one by one.
One, two, three…
The number grew to a total of thirteen.
They were the very ones he had wanted to be, even in his dreams.
Bi Sa-in and the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path walked past him as he stood completely frozen.
Bi Sa-in passed by without giving him a single glance.
From the sight of the First Wolf, he had a suspicion, but now it was certain.
‘It really is the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance!’
Sa Chu stood in place, his body trembling.
His master, who only ever caused trouble, had finally caused a major incident.
It was a wonder he had survived that encounter.
Ah, there was a reason he survived.
Bi Sa-in hadn't said a single word, but there was someone who had done all the talking for him.
His gaze turned towards Geom Mugeuk in the distance.
He was still standing in front of the waiting room.
‘Who are you?’
Who are you to be talking with the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance? Did you really meet him without knowing?
Or did you meet him knowing something?
‘Who in the world are you!’
At that moment, his eyes met Geom Mugeuk’s.
Geom Mugeuk looked at him, grinned, and then made a gesture of tearing his mouth wide open with both hands.
In that instant, Sa Chu could feel it.
It was a warning to just stay quiet.
A warning that if he said anything unnecessary, his mouth would be torn.
Sa Chu turned abruptly and started walking.
Just then, he saw a group of people heading towards the competition venue in the distance.
It was the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Mistress, followed by the Evil Heart Laughing Demon and the Faceless Ones.
Sa Chu abruptly changed direction again and walked on.
‘Why is everyone doing this to me?’
A dozen carriages entered the inner courtyard of the Divine Flower Sect.
It was the personal carriage of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, made so that it could not be cut by ordinary swords and would not burn in fire.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack!
The doors of the carriages, which had stopped in a single line, opened simultaneously, and the Alliance Leader’s guards alighted.
As befitting the top guards of the Unorthodox Alliance, their gazes were deep and sharp.
After they got out and lined up in front of the carriages, the one carriage door that had remained closed finally opened.
The person who stepped out of the carriage was the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, Baek Ja-gang.
Dressed in a plain martial robe rather than ornate clothes, he stood out even more.
His presence was something no one could imitate.
The Divine Flower Sect Master, An Cheong-gwang, ran up to him and bowed his waist.
“Greetings to the Alliance Leader.”
He truly did not know that Baek Ja-gang would arrive today.
Cha Iran had not informed him that Baek Ja-gang would be arriving early.
She wanted him to show a natural look of surprise and confusion.
Unaware of such an inside story, An Cheong-gwang bowed his waist, tense.
‘Why did he come early? Could he have found something out?’
The busy Unorthodox Alliance Leader would not have come several days early.
“I did not expect you to arrive so early.”
Then, Baek Ja-gang slowly approached him.
An Cheong-gwang’s heart pounded like crazy.
If the Unorthodox Alliance Leader had come knowing something, he was a dead man.
It was the first time in his life he had been this nervous.
Baek Ja-gang helped him straighten up from his bow.
Then, after staring at An Cheong-gwang for a moment, he suddenly asked.
“Are you planning to kill me with this competition?”
“!”
Too shocked by the direct question, An Cheong-gwang’s eyes widened.
“No, sir. What are you talking about?”
His voice trembled.
An Cheong-gwang pleaded again as if he were wronged.
“Absolutely not!”
In that moment, a chill ran down Baek Ja-gang’s spine.
Although he knew An Cheong-gwang was lying, Baek Ja-gang laughed out loud and said.
“I mean my heart feels like it's going to explode because there are so many peerless beauties.”
An Cheong-gwang, whose heart had dropped, could now see that Baek Ja-gang had been joking.
“My own heart almost exploded first.”
An Cheong-gwang smiled in relief.
He was still afraid, not knowing if it was a joke or if he had asked knowing something, but he couldn't discern the true meaning from Baek Ja-gang’s expression.
“As it happens, the main competition is being held today, so please enjoy it at your leisure. Now, let us go inside.”
They walked towards the great hall together, conversing.
“My boy Sa-in will probably enjoy it more than I will.”
“Has the Young Alliance Leader come with you as well?”
When Baek Ja-gang nodded, An Cheong-gwang looked around.
“Where is the Young Alliance Leader?”
“He said he'd just take a quick look and went off to watch the competition first. That boy, not even saying hello.”
In truth, it wasn't disrespectful.
Not only Bi Sa-in, but also Geom Mugeuk, whom he went to meet, were of a much higher station than the Sect Master.
“Isn't he still in his prime? My son is the same.”
An Cheong-gwang had a subordinate who was following him go find his son.
“Go at once and inform the Young Lord that the Alliance Leader has arrived, and bring him here.”
Then he said to Baek Ja-gang.
“My son has always admired the Young Alliance Leader. He would always say he wanted to be like the Young Alliance Leader.”
At that, Baek Ja-gang also spoke to his escort.
“Go find Sa-in. We should let the young ones greet each other.”
An Cheong-gwang smiled happily and said.
“My son will be truly delighted.”