Chapter 103

Cheong-ra hurriedly tried to hide the beauty water, almost dropping it. Dang Ran-yeong slowly clicked his tongue.

"I didn't know you were struggling to this extent. Should I torment you a little less from now on?"

Even as he quickly tucked the beauty water into his bosom, Cheong-ra inwardly flared up. To be aware of it and still torment him like that, it seemed he had no conscience. It was truly detestable that he didn't even say he wouldn't torment him, but that he'd do it less.

"I was just maintaining my sword."

Dang Ran-yeong nodded, barely listening to Cheong-ra's habitual excuse.

"They say they're starting to accept applications for the World's Greatest Beauty Contest today. Let's go and apply."

Cheong-ra's heart sank slowly at those words. The peaceful and leisurely time at this mansion was now over. Once the World's Greatest Beauty Contest ended, his connection with Dang Ran-yeong and the others would likely end too.

"Has the time already come for that?"

Cheong-ra said somewhat bitterly as he stood up. He reflexively looked for his veil in Dang Ran-yeong's hands, but there was nothing.

"Where's the veil?"

"There's no need to wear it around here. We need to spread some rumors today anyway."

"Ah, you mean the rumors about our bad relationship."

Cheong-ra nodded and followed Dang Ran-yeong's steps. Going out without a veil after so long felt refreshing.

"You said the more rumors spread about our bad relationship, the less suspicious the Blood Cult would be, right?"

"Yes. To the Blood Cult, it should look like I'm deliberately using Beauty as bait."

Isn't it actually quite similar to using me as bait? Cheong-ra thought inwardly as he stepped outside the mansion. Dang Ran-yeong had only told Cheong-ra what he needed to do, without mentioning the plans for the other companions.

Soon feeling people's gazes, Cheong-ra hardened his expression coldly to spread rumors. He also pretended to reluctantly follow behind Dang Ran-yeong at a slow pace. It didn't take long for them to draw attention.

"Isn't that... Moonlight Flashing Sword?"

"And the one next to him, Green-Eyed Poison Dragon? So the rumors were true. They say their relationship isn't good."

"I heard they had a big fight in Chang’an and Xiangyang. The atmosphere looks tense."

With two famous people walking together, there were many stares and whispers following them. Even Cheong-ra, who was used to people's attention and interest, felt somewhat burdened. Fortunately, current Beijing was full of people as famous as Moonlight Flashing Sword and Green-Eyed Poison Dragon, as well as many beauties.

According to Dang Ran-yeong, the World's Greatest Beauty Contest was being held by Makdong, the owner of the Golden Flower Merchant Group. The name Makdong sounded familiar, and after pondering for a moment, Cheong-ra remembered. He asked Dang Ran-yeong through voice transmission,

–Isn't Makdong the name that came from the mouths of those Golden Fox hunters? The one who buys spirit beast by-products in Jiujiang?

–Yes. He must be closely related to the Blood Cult.

So does that mean we'll be going to Jiujiang next? As Cheong-ra was thinking this, he shook his head inwardly. Even if Dang Ran-yeong went to Jiujiang to deal with this Makdong person, it was no longer his concern.

The registration for the World's Greatest Beauty Contest was being held at an inn operated by the Golden Flower Merchant Group, and it was crowded with spectators and peddlers everywhere. As beauties elegantly walked into the inn, either from luxurious carriages or on foot through the streets, people craned their necks to watch and admire them.

"Look at that! It's Hua Subin, the Blue Flower Fairy, the most beautiful woman in Beijing. Ah, her figure is truly like a blooming flower."

"Peng Chulian, one of the Four Beauties of the Martial Arts World, is here too!"

"That's Go Yeoryeong, the Phoenix Sword, whom we've only heard about. Her appearance is as outstanding as her talent."

The gazes of the whispering and constantly admiring onlookers suddenly all turned towards Cheong-ra.

Cheong-ra, who had been helplessly admiring the beautiful appearances of Hua Subin, Peng Chulian, and Go Yeoryeong, hesitated. He had come to apply for the contest without much thought, but now he realized there were too many spectators. Honestly, wasn't it quite ridiculous for Moonlight Flashing Sword to come all the way to Beijing to participate in a beauty contest? As this thought occurred to him, his steps came to an abrupt halt.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you moving forward?"

Dang Ran-yeong, standing behind, pushed his back with an unpleasant gesture. Cheong-ra turned around sharply and pretended to glare at him with all his might while sending a voice transmission.

–Young Master Dang, let's come back later. There are too many eyes watching. No matter how I think about it, a martial artist who's also a man coming to participate in the World's Greatest Beauty Contest doesn't look good. I have a reputation to maintain...

–What reputation? Moonlight Beauty Sword? Shouldn't that make you participate even more?

As Dang Ran-yeong just teased him lightly despite his plea, Cheong-ra inwardly sighed.

Participating in the World's Greatest Beauty Contest itself wasn't a problem for Cheong-ra, and he even felt a bit excited about it. When else would he see so many beauties gathered in one place in his lifetime? But despite this anticipation, he couldn't help but worry about his reputation. Just then, the onlookers whispered,

"They say not only women but also men are participating, it seems that's true."

"Those two... could they be Moonlight Flashing Sword and Green-Eyed Poison Dragon?"

"They're handsome, but still, for men, and martial artists at that, to participate in such a contest...?"

Hearing these words, Cheong-ra felt this wouldn't do and was about to leave when Dang Ran-yeong blocked his path as he tried to turn back.

"Young Master Baek, where are you trying to go?"

Cheong-ra's ears perked up at being called "Young Master Baek" instead of "Beauty." Being called Young Master Baek meant they were to continue acting. Cheong-ra kept glaring fiercely at Dang Ran-yeong, hoping he might take some action. Then, expecting the other to play along, he shouted in a somewhat loud voice,

"I came here reluctantly, but I can't do this anymore. I'm going back!"

As he said this and took a big step forward, Cheong-ra's body froze. It was because Dang Ran-yeong suddenly raised a terrifying aura. The mouths of the people who had been watching with interest snapped shut, and they even stepped back hesitantly. As martial artists and people from the Tang Clan of Sichuan, coupled with Green-Eyed Poison Dragon's terrifying reputation, they didn't want to risk saying the wrong thing and getting marked.

"Who said you could go back on your own?"

"I..."

Cheong-ra's hand unconsciously went to his sword hilt, feeling the other's fierce aura just as intensely.

"Young Master Baek, if you don't obey my words willingly, you might not see a very pleasant sight."

Dang Ran-yeong just smiled slightly, but given the ominous atmosphere, even that smile looked vicious. He approached the frozen Cheong-ra and suddenly grabbed his face.

Cheong-ra's heart pounded at this action, and he tightly gripped his sword hilt. As Dang Ran-yeong unhesitatingly committed such a rude act that would warrant drawing a sword if he were a martial artist, the people watching with fear while craning their necks swallowed hard.

"Have you forgotten? I am Young Master Baek's..."

Dang Ran-yeong spoke close to Cheong-ra's ear as if telling a secret, using voice transmission.

–Secret intimate partner.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't a lie... But the stern tone was clearly intentional.

–Beauty, is this good enough?

He was satisfied that it didn't look like he was voluntarily participating in the beauty contest. Cheong-ra nodded slightly and added more to his act. He spoke vilely, as if Dang Ran-yeong had secretly threatened him. It seemed like a very familiar attitude for him even in normal times.

"Now, if you understand, start moving again."

Soon, Cheong-ra pushed Dang Ran-yeong away roughly, escaping from his grasp, and pretended to bite his lip hard as if upset. Dang Ran-yeong also raised his aura in response, glaring at Cheong-ra as if they were about to fight, and then reluctantly let go of his hand on the sword hilt. Then he turned around sharply and strode forward.

The person receiving contest applications at the Golden Flower Merchant Group's inn quickly straightened up, pretending not to have been watching with great interest. They didn't want to get caught up in trouble by angering martial artists. Cheong-ra spoke in a cold voice,

"I am Baek Ri Cheong-ra, Moonlight Flashing Sword."

"Yes, I've confirmed Young Master Baek Ri Cheong-ra, Moonlight Flashing Sword's participation in the Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid Contest."

The official name of the World's Greatest Beauty Contest was Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid, meaning outstanding and beautiful men and women like phoenixes, qilins, irises, and orchids. It felt exactly like a term referring to the New Blood Cult's sacrifices, causing Cheong-ra to unconsciously frown. The person writing down Cheong-ra's name looked very nervous.

"Is, is there something not to your liking..."

Cheong-ra remained silent for a moment to show that he was very displeased about being forced to participate, then shook his head.

"...It's nothing."

Just then, Go Yeoryeong, the Phoenix Sword, was coming out after finishing her registration. With the chilling aura unique to martial artists, a seductive appearance like a peony flower, a well-trained physique, and an elegant and noble attitude, she truly had a figure befitting the Phoenix-Qilin-Iris-Orchid. After exchanging a light eye greeting with this rare beauty as she came out, Cheong-ra's mood improved considerably.

But contrary to his inner feelings, he didn't forget to hide it outwardly. He focused only on passing by Dang Ran-yeong with a cold attitude, as if he didn't even want to speak. Dang Ran-yeong smirked and asked, following behind Cheong-ra,

"Are you satisfied?"

"Well..."

Cheong-ra, his cheeks slightly flushed, answered vaguely as if it wasn't the case. But in truth, he was satisfied. Not only had he maintained his reputation, but acting with Dang Ran-yeong to deceive others' eyes had been more enjoyable than he expected.