It was truly an unexpected invitation.
“This is the first time I’ve been invited as a judge.”
When the Cheonhwaru Master spoke as if she could not understand, Ian thought it was only natural.
“We’ve called the finest judge. Who better understands beauty than you?”
Cheonhwaru had dozens of branches throughout the Central Plains, not counting the main pavilion here. Having met and experienced countless beautiful women in that process, it was only right that she receive such an invitation. Whoever it was, they had chosen well.
“Has there ever been a World’s Greatest Beauty Contest before?”
At Geommugeuk’s question, the Cheonhwaru Master shook her head.
“No, as far as I know, this is the first time it is being held.”
Whether this contest had been held in her previous life before the regression was impossible to know. Since it was something she had no interest in, it might have taken place, or it might have come about due to the various changes after her regression.
“Who is hosting the contest?”
Then, an unexpected name came up.
“They say it is the Shenhua Bang.”
The Shenhua Bang was a famous major sect in the martial world, belonging to the unorthodox faction. Ian also knew of the Shenhua Bang. It was not even an orthodox faction sect—why would an unorthodox faction host such a contest?
“Why would the Shenhua Bang suddenly host such a contest?”
To Ian’s question, Geommugeuk pointed at her.
“Because of you.”
“Huh? Because of me?”
To her, now extremely tense, Geommugeuk spoke with a smile.
“They are trying to officially announce your name to the martial world.”
“Ah, that’s ridiculous….”
In that instant, Ian’s expression stiffened.
“Don’t tell me… you mean for me to participate in this contest?”
“Why not? If it were a contest for the World’s Greatest Handsome Man, I would have gone. No, I would have sent our Lady Soma.”
Geugaksoma sighed in relief behind her mask. She knew that if it were Geommugeuk, he would have somehow truly sent her.
“Why do I have to attend?”
“There may be enemies among the participants. Find them while you are among them.”
In the past, she would have thought, *What enemies could there be among the participants?* But now she knew that it was possible.
Normally, Ian would have done this.
*I hate it! Absolutely not!*
Waving her hands, stepping back, even a look that said she’d show no mercy, not even to the Young Sect Leader, if he tried to make her do it. She would have refused everything at once. Geommugeuk would have been waiting for this reaction, too—trying not to take her to that dangerous place. Because it was a place where the Demon Lord would plunge a dagger into the Young Sect Leader’s chest.
“I will participate.”
“Really?”
When Geommugeuk asked in surprise, Ian nodded.
“Why on earth?”
Then Ian casually asked the Cheonhwaru Master.
“How much is the prize money?”
At the unexpected question, the Cheonhwaru Master looked surprised. She knew full well that Ian was not someone who would attend such a contest for money.
And soon, she could guess what was in Ian’s heart as she asked this.
“It is a contest to select the World’s Greatest Beauty, after all. Surely they would give at least fifty thousand nyang?”
Ian’s eyes widened and she shouted.
“They give fifty thousand nyang?”
“There may be separate prizes as well.”
“Fifty thousand nyang! That is enough to retire and live off of for a lifetime! Living idly without working! The dream of every salaried worker!”
Ian said to Geommugeuk with an excited face.
“I am entering too! Fate has given me the chance of a lifetime!”
How could Geommugeuk not know? That she was acting this way because she was afraid he would send her back to the main sect, saying it was dangerous.
The Cheonhwaru Master added another word to help her.
“As if the prize money is all there is. The great merchant guilds of the Central Plains will invite you to their events, and each time they will give several hundred nyang.”
“Hundreds of nyang just for showing my face!”
Geommugeuk grabbed her and shook her.
“Get a hold of yourself! You are bewitched by money!”
“How many merchant guilds are there in the Central Plains?”
“What about the Ghost Shadow Squad?”
“Just keep telling them to divide into factions and fight!”
After the two played around like that, Geommugeuk finally spoke seriously.
“Ian, I will take you with me. And you do not have to participate in the contest.”
To flaunt her beauty before countless heroes? He knew all too well that Ian would not be willing. He had naturally expected her to readily agree.
“No, I will participate in the contest.”
No matter how much she hated it or felt embarrassed, there was a clear reason to participate.
“The stage you saw in the prophecy—it is this contest stage, isn’t it?”
The Cheonhwaru Master nodded.
“It seems so.”
That was where Geommugeuk would be stabbed in the heart.
“I will stand on that stage with him.”
Geommugeuk could feel that she had made a firm resolve. Once again, Ian showed that she was someone who would gladly step forward, even for things she hated to death, if it was for his sake.
*Even so, you try to protect me, but the one who protects you is me.*
“I will go with you as your escort warrior.”
Ian was inwardly relieved. Yes, with Geommugeuk by her side, what was there to fear?
Geommugeuk also assigned a role to Geugaksoma.
“Lady Soma, please take charge of the Pavilion Master’s escort.”
“Understood.”
Geommugeuk asked the Cheonhwaru Master.
“Where will the contest be held?”
“In Qingyang, Anhui Province.”
Qingyang was the region where the Shenhua Bang was located; they were hosting the contest in their own front yard.
“When can you depart?”
“We can leave anytime.”
“Then let us leave early tomorrow.”
The Cheonhwaru Master nodded and looked down at the invitation she held.
“I am going to judge, yet somehow I feel as if I am the one going to be judged.”
It was a fitting thing to say. Whether it was fate or a force behind the scenes, it was pulling them in.
Geommugeuk said to her with a smile.
“Please cast one vote for Ian in the finals!”
Ian shouted in surprise.
“That is biased judging! Please do not say such things!”
“Oh? You must have confidence that you will make it to the finals. Weren’t you just joining for the sake of participating?”
“That is not what I meant. Ugh!”
Ian, her face slightly flushed, ran into the building, and Geommugeuk followed after her.
The Cheonhwaru Master and Geugaksoma watched the sight, smiling.
Then the Cheonhwaru Master suddenly spoke.
“Thank you.”
After hearing Geugaksoma’s words, she had told the Young Sect Leader everything honestly. She did not even want to imagine how her heart would feel now if she had not told Geugaksoma as well.
Geugaksoma smiled at her.
A smile that needed no further words.
The white mask reflected in the sunlight was shining brilliantly.
* * *
A young man was looking up at the stage, where final construction was in full swing. The stage was being built large and splendidly; this was the very place where the World’s Greatest Beauty Contest would be held.
Experts radiating chilling auras stood all around the man. Passersby did not dare approach and circled far around him. Just by looking at his escorts, one could tell that this man’s status was no ordinary thing.
This young man was none other than An Houping, the heir of the Shenhua Bang who was hosting this World’s Greatest Beauty Contest.
“Young Master, have you come out?”
A middle-aged martial artist walked up to his side and greeted him respectfully. The middle-aged man was Cao Wan, the external chief steward of the Shenhua Bang, who was in charge of the preparations for the World’s Greatest Beauty Contest.
“The streets are already swarming with people.”
People were beginning to gather from all over the Central Plains to watch the contest. While martial arts tournaments were held all over the Central Plains, this was the first time such an official World’s Greatest Beauty Contest was being held, so the attention of the Central Plains people was focused here.
An Houping kept his eyes on the stage and asked.
“Steward Cao.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Do you know what my dream is?”
“To marry the World’s Greatest Beauty.”
He had heard it countless times since childhood. Since that dream still had not changed, it was sincere. If it had been anyone else, he would have mocked them, saying, *Dreaming big with that ordinary face!* but…
“You are about to make your dream come true. Congratulations, Young Master.”
“The celebration is premature. The woman who becomes the World’s Greatest Beauty must accept my choice.”
“What woman would refuse the Young Master?”
A confident smile formed at An Houping’s lips.
Steward Cao knew. Even if that woman refused the choice, it would be useless. He knew well how tenacious and terrifying this An Houping was, having watched him since childhood. Even after watching him for so long, he was still nervous about misspeaking in front of An Houping.
Moreover, he was a lecherous womanizer. Since childhood, he had been mad about women. He did not know which woman would become the World’s Greatest Beauty, but he thought that perhaps she would become the most unfortunate winner in her life.
“When does it begin?”
“The preliminaries start in three days. Beauties from all over the Central Plains are arriving one after another for the contest.”
An Houping looked at the three chairs placed before the stage. They were the seats for the judges. VIP seats were prepared on either side of them.
“What of the judges?”
“Two of the three have already arrived; we only need the last one, the Cheonhwaru Master, to arrive.”
In that instant, An Houping’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“The Cheonhwaru Master? Isn’t Cheonhwaru a pleasure house?”
“Yes. We have invited the Cheonhwaru Master as a judge this time.”
Then An Houping’s expression hardened at once.
“They appointed a mere pleasure house owner as a judge?”
“Cheonhwaru is no ordinary pleasure house. It is the largest and most famous, with dozens of branches in the Central Plains.”
*You’ve been there often, haven’t you?* The words rose to his throat, but he could not spit them out. Perhaps he hated it even more because it was a place he had frequented.
“At the end of the day, a pleasure house is a pleasure house.”
Thinking of marrying a World’s Greatest Beauty judged by that pleasure house owner made him feel thoroughly disgusted.
“Who on earth decided to make this woman a judge?”
Steward Cao made an expression that it was difficult to say, then finally spoke carefully.
“It is the Sect Leader.”
In that instant, An Houping was startled.
“It was originally someone else, but he changed it at the last minute.”
At those words, doubt sprouted on An Houping’s face. It was his father, who had spent his whole life wielding a blade.
“Inform me when the Cheonhwaru Master arrives.”
* * *
The carriage carrying Geommugeuk’s party entered the streets of Qingyang.
Geommugeuk poked Ian in the side.
“Stop staring!”
Ian had been staring at Geugaksoma sitting in front and was startled. She could not help but look. That morning, upon arriving at their destination, Geugaksoma had removed her mask and donned a veil.
It was the first time seeing Geugaksoma without a mask. Though the area below her eyes was covered by the veil.
“You are so handsome!”
Ian blurted out as if mesmerized. Realizing she had said it to her face, she hurriedly lowered her head.
Geommugeuk looked at Geugaksoma and said.
“It pains me, but I cannot deny it.”
With eyes and forehead revealed, Geugaksoma looked like a completely different person. Moreover, the special veil also played its part. It was a stylish and splendid veil adorned with a flower, and below it the characters *Cheonhwa* were embroidered.
“I embroidered it myself.”
It was the work of the Cheonhwaru Master sitting beside her.
“But why did you ask me to make ten more of the same thing?”
Geugaksoma had asked her to make ten more, but had never given the reason, neither then nor now.
“The moment I take off this veil, chaos will erupt. The beauties of the Central Plains will all follow me, so ten is not enough!”
At Geommugeuk’s joke, the Cheonhwaru Master laughed pleasantly.
“I suppose I shall have to make more veils!”
Then the coachman’s voice came from the driver’s seat.
“We have arrived at the destination.”
Geugaksoma opened the carriage door and stepped out first.
The moment they saw outside, everyone knew. Why ten more veils had been needed.
Ten martial artists were waiting before the carriage. Surprisingly, they were the Faceless Ones who had come ahead and were waiting. The ten strongest among the Faceless Ones. They had somehow received them and, like Geugaksoma, removed their masks and wore veils.
Wearing the same martial robes and same veils, they looked exactly like escort warriors from Cheonhwaru.
Geugaksoma had concluded that the only reason she would have to stab a dagger into Geommugeuk’s chest was the Cheonhwaru Master. If the Cheonhwaru Master were taken hostage and threatened with her life. Since Geugaksoma had recognized that possibility, such a thing would never happen.
She had limited it to ten to avoid drawing attention; if possible, she would have brought all the Faceless Ones.
Standing before the ten Faceless Ones, Geugaksoma spoke with a smile. She was now the chief of Cheonhwaru’s escorts.
“Now, let us go, Pavilion Master.”
The Cheonhwaru Master was moved. She was ineffably grateful to Geugaksoma for going to such lengths for her.
Before getting out of the carriage, the Cheonhwaru Master turned back to Ian and spoke.
“Then I will see you at the finals stage.”
“The finals! I will not make it there.”
The Cheonhwaru Master smiled and got out of the carriage.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack.
The ten Faceless Ones surrounded her in all directions. Leading them was Geugaksoma.
Thus they disappeared into the crowd.
Geommugeuk and Ian did not get out together and remained in the carriage for a moment. Because of the attention, they thought it better to get out separately rather than together.
Ian's eyes gazing out the carriage window trembled slightly.
“There are so many people.”
It seemed she was nervous about standing before so many people.
“A martial arts contest would be better, wouldn’t it?”
Even on the way here, Ian had trained in martial arts whenever she had a moment. She had always been obsessed with training, but this time she trained even harder. Because her dream was to become the World’s Greatest Expert rather than the World’s Greatest Beauty.
He had naturally expected her to say a martial arts contest was better.
“No, I can enter a martial arts contest even when I am older, but I can only challenge for World’s Greatest Beauty now, right?”
Ian donned the veil she had brought and got out of the carriage first.
Since she was going to do it, she was determined to do it well. Like someone who had truly come to become the World’s Greatest Beauty. She had to focus on the contest and immerse herself completely in order to discover any suspicious persons.
Geommugeuk did not get out and watched the people passing by through the window for a moment.
*We’ve finally arrived.*
What events awaited them here? He thought it was all fate that had led him here. From discovering the Divine Maiden’s Dream in the Martial Alliance report, to the Cheonhwaru Master receiving a prophecy, and even being invited here. And as he had done until now, he would fight with all his might.
“Aren’t you getting out? What are you thinking so hard about?”
When he turned his head, Ian was standing outside the carriage looking at him.
“With so many pretty women around, I am worried what will become of our Ian?”
“In my eyes, I do not see any woman prettier than me.”
Ian’s beautiful eyes smiled brightly above the white veil.
“And let us worry about that after we register for the contest.”