Chapter 96

There are stars called the Star of Heavenly Killing, or the Big Dipper. Yao Guang and Kai Yang were the names of two of those seven stars.

"Then that means there are seven red-masked executives in total, right?"

"That's most likely the case."

Cheong-ra reassessed Yao Guang's skills. If he fought one-on-one with all his might, could he barely predict a victory? The opponent wasn't completely unbeatable. Nam Gang-ryong continued his explanation.

"As it seemed difficult to rescue the fox and repel the Blood Cult members with just my and Devotee Hwan's strength, I sent a messenger bird to request help from Young Master Wi."

So that's why Wi Je-ho had been absent. And during that time, someone of unknown identity had left a dead animal. Cheong-ra wondered if the Blood Cult had left the animal as a form of mockery. But the way the animal had died and the missing jade rabbit bothered him.

"Of all people, this Kai Yang was skilled in formation techniques. Once trapped in the formation, it felt like we wandered for nearly seven days subjectively. When we finally broke through the formation, the fox couple was beyond saving, at the brink of death. Instead, we were only able to save the baby fox that the Golden Fox had hidden."

Cheong-ra looked at the baby fox with its fluffy fur like dandelion seeds. Though it was just a small creature, he felt sorry for it losing both parents in a single day. Moreover, judging by its shimmering golden fur, it didn't seem to have been born as an ordinary beast.

"You've been through a lot, Monk Gang-ryong. You should rest now too."

Even after Cheong-ra said this, Gang-ryong only closed his eyes after a long session of meditation. Though he had been expelled, it seemed he was reflecting on whether he had gone too far in taking lives as a Buddhist.

After resting, eating, and sleeping soundly for another full day, the three finally regained their strength. Throughout this time, Dang Ran-yeong didn't hide his contemptuous glances and even scolded them.

"To think you're so weak just from dealing with a single formation..."

Hwan-hong pretended not to hear and busied herself taking care of Rin-rin and the baby fox, while Nam Gang-ryong just laughed good-naturedly.

"Hey, Ran-yeong. Not everyone in the world is a monster like you. If it weren't for me, they might never have gotten out of that formation!"

Wi Je-ho, who seemed to have his pride hurt, finally snapped back and stood up abruptly. Then, looking fully recovered, he asked,

"So, what's the plan in Beijing?"

Cheong-ra, who had been doting on Rin-rin and the baby fox next to Hwan-hong in place of his stolen jade rabbit, also turned his head. Seeing Wi Je-ho ask like this, it seemed Dang Ran-yeong wasn't hiding the plan just from him. Dang Ran-yeong put down his teacup and spoke.

"The World's Greatest Beauty Contest is a means for the Blood Cult to gather excellent sacrifices."

No one, including Cheong-ra, was surprised by his words. They had all guessed as much. Cheong-ra had been wondering about something all along and asked,

"Why a beauty contest specifically? Couldn't they just kidnap people from remote places like this?"

"Hmm, that's right. Beauty probably doesn't know about this yet."

Staring intently at Cheong-ra's pale, clear appearance that earned him the nickname Moonlight Beauty Sword, Dang Ran-yeong smiled mysteriously and asked,

"Beauty, when making offerings for a ritual, how do you choose? If you had a lumpy, ugly apple and a Red Jade apple, which would you choose?"

"Obviously the latter. Wait, don't tell me..."

As an unpleasant answer immediately came to mind, Cheong-ra frowned. But even his frowning face was beautiful to look at.

"That's right. Isn't something that looks good usually tasty too? That's why those Blood Cult bastards don't just take anyone as a sacrifice. Those with outstanding talent, noble bloodlines, pleasing appearances, or high fame. These are the four criteria the Blood Cult uses to choose their sacrifices."

Hearing Dang Ran-yeong's words, several things suddenly made sense to Cheong-ra. The reason they only kidnapped young nuns at the Hengshan Sect, why the Blood Cult was holding a beauty contest, and even why Dang Ran-yeong had asked him to participate in that beauty contest.

"There's a suitable sacrifice right here, isn't there?"

Dang Ran-yeong said in an amused voice, but his eyes were sharp. Indeed, it was as he said. Cheong-ra was well aware of his own appearance. When he stayed in populous cities without wearing his veil, he quickly drew people's attention and soon found it difficult to move around.

Moreover, though he paled in comparison when next to Dang Ran-yeong these days, he was quite famous as Moonlight Flashing Sword and was considered one of the top experts in the Central Plains. Only the bloodline condition wasn't met. So, even from Cheong-ra's own perspective, it made sense that the Blood Cult would want him as a sacrifice.

"So I'm the most suitable bait. I have the reputation of Moonlight Flashing Sword, a pleasing appearance, no reason to cooperate with the Blood Cult so no risk of betrayal, and enough martial prowess to protect myself adequately."

Then Cheong-ra's face reddened slightly. Thinking about it later, it sounded like he was bragging about himself. After clearing his throat once, he asked,

"So what do I need to do?"

"First, participate in the beauty contest. Beauty should be able to easily pass not only the preliminaries but also the main competition."

"There are so many beautiful women in the world. I'm not that confident."

Cheong-ra frowned and shook his head. No matter how good-looking and beautiful he was, he was still a man after all. Aren't there far fewer men known for their beauty compared to the many women known for their beauty in the world?

"They say men and women compete in separate categories, so it should be possible."

"Ah, if it's just among men..."

Cheong-ra found himself agreeing without realizing it. Except for Dang Ran-yeong, he had never seen anyone more handsome than himself in his life. Moreover, Dang Ran-yeong's appearance was different in type and atmosphere from his own, more suited to being called handsome rather than beautiful. So in that aspect, he could say he was better. Dang Ran-yeong smirked at Cheong-ra's reaction.

"Beauty, it's nice to see such a confident attitude."

...But why had Dang Ran-yeong been teasing him so much since yesterday? Cheong-ra gave him a suspicious look. He couldn't shake the feeling that the other's attitude had changed subtly since eradicating the Blood Cult at the mountain fortress. Before, he might have mocked him, but he had never teased him in this seemingly friendly way.

"After passing the main competition, the Blood Cult will likely try to make you lose consciousness. They'll probably use a sleeping poison or paralysis poison. Then, pretend to be affected while secretly escaping. Beauty's role is to find and destroy the formation set up by the Blood Cult members."

"What kind of formation is it?"

"The kind that brainwashes the sacrifices to make them obedient to the Blood Cult."

Cheong-ra groaned softly and clicked his tongue. Poison, brainwashing, and formations. He was confident he could somehow manage to fight and kill enemies with his sword. However, these three elements were difficult for a martial artist to deal with. Cheong-ra answered honestly.

"Young Master Dang, I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to do it properly."

"Then we'll have to make sure you can."

Saying this, Dang Ran-yeong took something out of his bosom. It was a round bead that gleamed black as if made of obsidian, with a green tassel attached. Dang Ran-yeong placed the bead on the table and said,

"It's a Poison-Resisting Bead."

A Poison-Resisting Bead! This was something difficult to obtain even with a lot of money, and just mentioning its name was worth a fortune. Just having a Poison-Resisting Bead would prevent one from being poisoned by most toxins. He had heard rumors that the Tang Clan possessed a few, but he didn't know Dang Ran-yeong had one.

"I'll give this to you. Then at least you won't fall victim to poison."

To give such a precious item... Touched, Cheong-ra carefully examined the Poison-Resisting Bead. Looking closely, it wasn't just black but had a subtle green tinge, and as soon as it touched his hand, he felt a clear energy. Seeing this, Nam Gang-ryong suddenly rummaged in his bosom and took out something. It was a worn prayer bead necklace.

"Devotee Baek, wear this. It's a prayer bead necklace with demon-breaking energy that can resist evil energy to some extent."

"Thank you, Monk Gang-ryong."

Cheong-ra gratefully accepted the prayer beads. With the Poison-Resisting Bead given by Dang Ran-yeong as well, he felt reassured. Watching this, Wi Je-ho scratched his head and then busily rummaged through his luggage.

"Somehow I feel like I should give something too. Here, Young Master Baek."

He threw something, and when Cheong-ra quickly caught it, he saw it was a jade token. It was engraved with a large circle and a small circle, similar to what Wi Je-ho usually wore at his waist. As Cheong-ra looked at it wondering what it was, Wi Je-ho explained.

"It's a token that allows you to ask for my help anytime when you're in danger or trouble. Or you can use it with anyone wearing a token of this shape."

While Nam Gang-ryong's prayer beads were understandable, Dang Ran-yeong's eyebrow twitched when he saw Wi Je-ho's item. He called Wi Je-ho in a low, intimidating voice.

"Wi Je-ho."

"What? No matter what, something given by this Wi Je-ho should be worth as much as a Poison-Resisting Bead, shouldn't it? We've traveled together with Young Master Baek for some time now."

Wi Je-ho replied without batting an eye. Looking at Dang Ran-yeong and Wi Je-ho, it seemed the token had quite a significant meaning. As such items were difficult to either accept or refuse easily, Cheong-ra pondered for a moment before nodding.

"I'll use it well, Young Master Wi."

As he carefully tucked the jade token into his bosom, Hwan-hong expressionlessly took something out of her sleeve. It was Rin-rin, flicking its tongue.

"Take Rin-rin with you for that day. Rin-rin's venom will be particularly lethal to those Blood Cult bastards, so it will be useful."

Rin-rin, crawling out of Hwan-hong's sleeve, raised its head and swayed its body from side to side, and Cheong-ra doted on it affectionately. Even as he did so, Cheong-ra had a feeling that seeing these four people provide him with various things might mean this task could be even more difficult and tricky than he had anticipated.