Chapter 104

Cheong-ra thought they would walk back to the mansion, but there was a carriage with the White Jade Merchant Group's emblem near the inn. It seemed they had spread enough rumors. As he got into the carriage, Cheong-ra expressed the doubt he had been harboring.

"But still, is the Phoenix Sword really participating in such a contest?"

Among the Four Beauties of the Martial Arts World, Peng Chulian wasn't particularly skilled in martial arts due to her lack of talent. She was at best a second-rate expert. However, Go Yeoryeong, as a daughter of the Go family, hadn't earned the title of Phoenix Sword for nothing. Moreover, her family was wealthy enough that she didn't need to participate in such a contest for money.

Their family storehouse must be overflowing with spirit medicines and good medicinal ingredients, so it was hard to understand why a martial artist would participate in a contest that made them a spectacle for people. If it weren't for his deal with Dang Ran-yeong, Cheong-ra wouldn't have done this either. Dang Ran-yeong explained nonchalantly,

"The spirit medicine offered as a prize in this contest is the Vermilion Face Fruit. The owner of the Golden Flower Merchant Group recently announced this fact himself."

"The Vermilion Face Fruit...!"

Cheong-ra exclaimed in surprise. The Vermilion Face Fruit was one of the red berry-shaped spirit medicines that, when consumed by a martial artist, enhanced their inner energy, and even if taken by a non-martial artist, it could maintain their youth for a long time. It was a precious spirit medicine usually only presented to the imperial family, now offered as a prize.

Knowing the prize was the Vermilion Face Fruit, Cheong-ra could understand why Go Yeoryeong was participating in the contest. Even he felt tempted, more for maintaining youth than enhancing inner energy.

It was clear that other places would also gather beauties from various regions to participate in the contest, aiming for the Vermilion Face Fruit. In the end, it would result in sacrifices for the Blood Cult walking in of their own accord. Above all, he doubted whether the Vermilion Face Fruit was really genuine.

"Would they really offer a real Vermilion Face Fruit as a prize?"

"It's highly unlikely. The winner of the beauty contest would be a flawless sacrifice, so it would be a waste to feed them a hard-to-obtain spirit medicine."

Cheong-ra's brow furrowed. Offering tremendous spirit medicine and gold as prizes to gather beauties and martial artists from all over, confirming the status of sacrifices, brainwashing them, and using them as offerings...

Just today, how many spectators were there, and how many people were going to the inn to register for the contest? Cheong-ra realized this was more dangerous than he had thought. He wasn't talking about his own safety. Dozens or hundreds of innocent lives might be lost.

"Shouldn't we stop the contest from being held, even now?"

Although his role was to participate in the contest and break the brainwashing formation, Cheong-ra, who was starting to worry, suggested.

"Even if we prevent the brainwashing, the Blood Cult will still gain information about suitable sacrifices without lifting a finger. How do you plan to stop it?"

Dang Ran-yeong didn't answer and just curled up the corners of his mouth. It seemed he still had no intention of sharing the future plans with him. Feeling not so good about being excluded, Cheong-ra unconsciously sighed as he felt the carriage stop. As he opened the door and went out, Cheong-ra hesitated. Instead of the mansion, he saw a building with the White Jade Merchant Group's name prominently displayed.

"Young Master Dang, why are we here?"

"Obviously, because I have something to buy."

Saying this, Dang Ran-yeong, who had followed him out, calmly urged the puzzled Cheong-ra.

"What are you doing, Young Master Baek? Aren't you going in?"

Cheong-ra frowned at being called "Young Master Baek." Were there still more appearances they needed to show people? Although he would act, he still didn't like that form of address much. Regardless of his inner feelings, Cheong-ra obediently followed Dang Ran-yeong into the White Jade Merchant Group, where the shop owner quickly rushed out and bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the ground.

"Lord Owner! It's an honor to serve you. We've prepared everything as you instructed. Please, come this way."

As the owner of the merchant group suddenly appeared majestically, the gazes of all the customers in the White Jade Merchant Group instantly turned towards them. Dang Ran-yeong went upstairs with an arrogant attitude. Cheong-ra followed behind, pretending to do so reluctantly.

The building here wasn't as tall as the one in Chang'an, but it was much wider. Also, like in Chang'an, it seemed they differentiated customers by floor, as the clothes and accessories of the people on this floor were quite luxurious. As soon as Dang Ran-yeong sat in a large, heavy chair, the shop owner personally brought tea. Cheong-ra, still thinking they were acting, stood with his arms crossed and refused all of the shop owner's offers.

"That's enough. I don't want to drink anything like tea."

No, actually, he did want to drink it. The tea Dang Ran-yeong offered was usually so luxurious it made one feel their mouth was becoming extravagant.

However, his regret about the tea was soon forgotten. Servants working at the White Jade Merchant Group came hurrying in with their arms full of large boxes. Cheong-ra sent a curious gaze.

The servants politely set down the boxes and opened them all at once, revealing various colors of luxurious silk and accessories. Even Cheong-ra, who had become accustomed to considerable luxury while staying with Dang Ran-yeong, was surprised.

"This silk is all Shu brocade from Sichuan. What do you think of the craftsmanship of artisans who have worked for decades, Lord Owner? The patterns are truly elegant and beautiful."

As the shop owner spoke, Chengdu Shu brocade, one of the four great brocades, flowed out of the box like water.

Various patterned silks with gold and silver thread embroidery generously used, such as Peony brocade, Cloud and Thunder brocade, Moon and Flower brocade, Square brocade, Phoenix Pattern brocade, and Tide Pattern brocade, were spread out colorfully all around. Even the wealthy customers in Beijing couldn't close their mouths, watching the suddenly unfolded luxurious scene.

Chengdu Shu brocade, produced only in Sichuan, was so expensive that the most expensive ones were sometimes traded for the same weight in gold. Considering that ordinary silk was traded for one horse per bolt, it was an enormous price. Even at this sight of all the brocade spread out, Dang Ran-yeong just arrogantly nodded slightly.

"It's a bit disappointing, but this will do."

"Thank you, Lord Owner."

The shop owner bowed deeply, very pleased even at Dang Ran-yeong's somewhat insincere praise.

"Now, Young Master Baek."

Cheong-ra, who had been admiring the silk with a dazzled gaze, thinking "So this is what Dang Ran-yeong always wears...", turned his head at the voice calling him. Dang Ran-yeong nodded towards the silk and asked,

"Which silk do you think would be good for you to wear?"

Cheong-ra's heart pounded at his words. He had thought they came to fit Dang Ran-yeong's clothes, but were they here to fit his clothes? As Cheong-ra tried hard to manage his expression while feeling very excited, Dang Ran-yeong continued,

"To win the contest, you shouldn't wear such cheap clothes."

At those words, Cheong-ra looked down at his own clothes. The white martial arts uniform with Moon Lake Sect's symbol embroidered on it was made of quite good fabric. But after seeing the Shu brocade spread all around, even if it wasn't cheap, it looked faded in comparison.

It wasn't that Cheong-ra didn't wear silk clothes because he had no money. In fact, he often secretly looked with envy whenever women passed by in gorgeous attire. He, who loved beautiful things, wanted to wear beautiful things on his body too.

The reason he didn't was that he didn't want to create a sense of discomfort by being the only one wearing silk clothes and accessories in Moon Lake Sect. He was also wary of appearing too greedy for luxury in others' eyes. But above all, it interfered with training and fighting. Again, it was strange that Dang Ran-yeong, a martial artist, was wrapped in such accessories.

Cheong-ra hardened his expression, suppressing the words "I'd like to have just one outfit made with that Shu brocade" that were rising to his throat.

"That's enough. This outfit is sufficient for me."

Cheong-ra flatly refused, as it would be strange to readily accept silk clothes while pretending to be on bad terms with Dang Ran-yeong. However, inwardly he was debating whether to send a voice transmission saying, 'If you're going to make clothes for me anyway, I'd prefer the Moon and Flower brocade with patterns of moons and flowers intertwined...'

"Young Master Baek is indeed a great beauty. But aren't you showing too much confidence in your appearance? Even if you don't wear makeup, at least make the effort to wear silk clothes. You need to win the contest to bring me the spirit medicine, don't you?"

As Dang Ran-yeong mocked him in a rude tone, the people standing against the wall watching laughed softly. Rather than agreeing with the mockery, they seemed to be trying to humor him. Cheong-ra glared at him, his face reddening as if angered.

Of course, in reality, his cheeks weren't red from anger but from pleasure.