ADG Chapter 10

“You’re going to enter the Phoenix Beauty Pageant?”

Bang Deok-sim stared in shock as Baek Seo-yeon nodded with determination.

“Do you know what kind of competition the Phoenix Beauty Pageant is?”

“I heard the prize money is ten thousand nyang.”

“Is money really the issue right now?” Bang Deok-sim raised his voice. 

Of course, for Baek Seo-yeon, money was precisely the issue.

“I want to try it for the experience.”

In truth, she had never once dreamed of becoming the world’s greatest beauty. She didn’t need the honor – she needed the money. Now that she knew how serious Bang Deok-sim’s internal injuries were, she refused to let Bang-sook suffer any longer. She would earn money to get him treatment as soon as possible.

“It’s a competition that judges women solely on their appearance.”

“So what?”

“Pardon?”

“Is something inherently base just because it’s judged on external qualities rather than intellectual ones?”

Bang Deok-sim was momentarily taken aback by Baek Seo-yeon’s matter-of-fact question. 

Over the past two years, she had endured many revolting experiences simply because of her beauty. That’s why Bang Deok-sim couldn’t believe his young miss would willingly enter a beauty competition. 

Baek Seo-yeon had spent all night thinking about it. 

As Cheol Moo-rin had said, stepping forward to earn money would create various problems. 

But before those problems, there was an even bigger issue – how exactly would she earn money? 

She had never earned money in her entire life. 

She had considered becoming a concubine to some elderly rich man for Bang Deok-sim’s sake, but that would only drive him to suicide. She needed something that appeared effortless while earning substantial money. 

And that’s when she found the Phoenix Beauty Pageant. 

Bang Deok-sim spoke with a dark expression. 

“I don’t like it.”

“Because you think I’m selling myself?”

“That, and I hate the idea of you becoming someone’s eye candy.”

“If that’s your only reason, I won’t give up.”

“What?”

“It’s money that ordinary people couldn’t earn in a lifetime, right? So what if I become eye candy? I’m not ashamed. I think being afraid to seize such an opportunity is what’s truly shameful.”

Bang Deok-sim studied her quietly, “You’ve changed.”

“Because I’ve finished my revenge… Now it’s time to live with a new mindset, right?” Baek Seo-yeon smiled brightly. It wasn’t just because she had completed her revenge. 

Something had changed after meeting Cheol Moo-rin. 

Seeing him living a life she could never imagine, despite being around the same age, had inspired her. She wanted to become strong like him – both in martial arts and in life. 

Finally, Bang Deok-sim conceded.

“Very well.”

He knew well that once she made up her mind, she would do everything to achieve her goal. It was surely this trait that had helped her endure their harsh two-year journey. If she had made her decision, his role would be to support her efforts.

“Thank you, Bang-sook.” 

Baek Seo-yeon left the room, leaving behind a sullen Bang Deok-sim. 

As she descended to the first floor, she thought about finding separate lodging for them. With Bang Deok-sim’s illness, staying long-term in this busy inn wasn’t ideal. They needed a quiet house where he could rest. She told the innkeeper she wanted to rent a house for several months. 

The innkeeper called a servant to fetch someone. 

While she waited, sipping tea, someone arrived. 

It was Song Yang, who had previously found a house for Cheol Moo-rin.

“This person is quite skilled at such matters.”

Actually, Song Yang wasn’t someone who usually did this kind of work. However, after receiving twenty nyang for finding Cheol Moo-rin’s house, it had become the talk of the marketplace. That’s why the innkeeper had thought to call him. 

“Well then, let’s talk as we walk.”

Baek Seo-yeon followed him out of the inn.

“So, you’re looking to buy a house?”

“Yes, I need a place to stay for a while.”

“You’ll need to stay at least six months. It’s rare to find places that rent for just two or three months.”

“I see.”

“How many people will be living there?”

“Two people.”

“Then it doesn’t need to be too large.”

They arrived at the lower village where the residential houses were clustered. Song Yang visited several houses to negotiate. But either the price wasn’t right, or if the price was acceptable, the living conditions were too uncomfortable.

“Sigh.” Finally, Baek Seo-yeon let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I’ve made you waste your effort.”

“No, no. I’ll just consider it exercise, walking around like this.”

“Let me treat you to a meal at least.”

Throughout their time together, Song Yang had sensed her kind heart. That’s why he wanted to find her a good house, but nothing met their requirements. 

She’s really not like other young women these days. 

Then, something suddenly occurred to him. 

“Wait, let’s check one more place.” 

Song Yang led her to a house in the most remote corner. 

“I actually introduced this house to someone before, but now his younger brother lives there.” 

Song Yang knocked on the door. 

The person who opened it was Cheol Moo-rin. 

“Ah! It’s you!” Baek Seo-yeon was startled. 

She never dreamed she would see Cheol Moo-rin here, not even in her wildest imagination. 

Cheol Moo-rin looked back and forth between Baek Seo-yeon and Song Yang. He truly hadn’t expected her to arrive here with Song Yang. After his transformation, when Song Yang had visited once, Cheol Moo-rin had claimed to be the younger brother and said his older brother had gone home. Seeing his resemblance and knowledge of the original transaction, Song Yang had believed him. 

“You know each other? That makes things easier. This pretty young lady here is looking for a place to stay. We’ve looked everywhere, but nothing meets the conditions.” 

Cheol Moo-rin glanced up at the sky and asked in his heart. 

Wasn’t it enough? Are you saying there’s still more fate between us? 

Song Yang tried his best to close the deal, not for the commission but because he genuinely wanted to find her a place to live. 

“It might be too spacious for living alone, but what do you think?” 

Cheol Moo-rin turned to go inside as he spoke.

“Ten nyang per month.”

And so Cheol Moo-rin accepted Baek Seo-yeon. In truth, he hadn’t accepted her because they had slept together, nor out of pity for her circumstances. He was accepting the fate that had led her here. Of course, he also held the mindset of neither blocking those who come nor holding onto those who leave. 

“Since I’m paying fairly, there’s no need to be grateful.” 

“To be truly fair, it should be fourteen nyang.” 

“Hmph!” 

With that unprofitable exchange, Bang Deok-sim entered the smaller of the two rooms they were given. Despite Baek Seo-yeon insisting he take the larger room, Bang Deok-sim stubbornly chose the smaller one. 

“Even this bed is too luxurious for me.” 

While Bang Deok-sim was unpacking, Baek Seo-yeon went to Cheol Moo-rin. “Thank you for taking us in.” She was genuinely grateful. From her previous impression, Cheol Moo-rin seemed to dislike complications. While nobody particularly likes complications, Cheol Moo-rin especially seemed suited to solitude. Moreover, knowing he certainly hadn’t accepted them out of financial need made her even more grateful. 

“I’ll clean and cook for you.” 

It was the kind of statement that would make Bang Deok-sim’s veins pop, but she meant it sincerely. This was the man who had avenged her father. She would do anything he wanted, not just cooking. 

“You know how to cook?” 

“Of course!” 

During their two years traveling through the Central Plains with Bang Deok-sim, they had often camped outdoors. At those times, Bang Deok-sim would hunt and prepare animals while she cooked rice. She had at least become experienced in cooking rice. 

“Looking forward to it.” 

“Hehe. Don’t expect too much.” 

Cheol Moo-rin noticed she had become much brighter than when he first met her. Though hardships had temporarily darkened her spirit, her natural disposition was bright. 

“Oh, and I’ve decided to participate in the Phoenix Beauty Pageant.” 

“You took my advice well.” 

“Do you really think so?” 

Cheol Moo-rin nodded, “Anyone is happiest when doing what suits them.” 

“You think the Phoenix Beauty Pageant suits me?” 

“Absolutely.” 

Her mood improved. She could tell he wasn’t just trying to make her feel better. She quietly looked around the house. Somehow it felt cozy. She would prepare for the Phoenix Beauty Pageant here. She had a good feeling about it. 

“I’ll definitely win and pay back that two hundred nyang.” 

“You’d better.” 

Cheol Moo-rin walked outside. 

“Where are you going?” 

“Nowhere. Just making sure you don’t run off with the prize money.” 

Baek Seo-yeon smiled warmly at Cheol Moo-rin’s joke. She looked up at the sky. Fluffy clouds drifted across the clear blue expanse. 

“You’re the one who’d better not run away.”

☆ ☆ ☆

Cheol Moo-rin sat on a rock near the waterfall. 

It was the same place where he always practiced martial arts. 

Since coming here, he had focused solely on breathing exercises and energy cultivation. 

First priority was filling his internal energy. 

Sssssss. 

Heat waves rose from Cheol Moo-rin’s body. His rate of energy accumulation was not only incomparable to others but also far faster than during his prime. This was, of course, thanks to his rebirth transformation. After practicing energy circulation until late into the night, he had accumulated about one-tenth of his innate energy. This was achieved through both occasional practice and today’s intensive cultivation. Originally, the rate of energy accumulation couldn’t be uniform from start to finish. It was slightly faster at the beginning and became somewhat slower toward the end. Of course, the difference wasn’t too dramatic. 

Cheol Moo-rin stood up after finishing his energy cultivation. 

Even though it was just one-tenth, he could feel power in his danjeon capable of cutting down any martial arts master in the world with a single strike. When Cheol Moo-rin extended his hand, the iron sword lying on the rock flew into his grasp with a whoosh. 

Tap. 

Cheol Moo-rin lightly kicked off the rock and soared into the air. 

Swish swish swish swish! 

Against the backdrop of the moon, the Soaring Exploding Nine Swords unfolded in the sky. It was the perfected Soaring Exploding Nine Swords, containing everything yet extremely refined, including only what was essential to each movement. 

Swoosh! Swish! Swoosh! 

Dozens of sword lights flickered, embroidering the night sky. Originally, he had planned to stop martial arts training, but his transformation had made it unavoidable. After the transformation, his body constantly craved training. 

Swiiiiish! 

Cheol Moo-rin’s sword cut through the moon.

☆ ☆ ☆

A man sat in an abandoned temple in the darkness, gazing up at the moon. He was wearing an expressionless Golden Mask^[1]. The ethereal moonlight made the Golden Masked One’s presence even more mysterious. 

A man wearing a Silver Mask^[2] entered. 

Unlike the expressionless Golden Mask, the Silver Mask was painted with a blood-red color. Though it didn’t seem intentionally theatrical, it gave the impression of crying tears of blood. The mere sight sent chills down one’s spine. Both men emanated an aura that only transcendent masters could possess, their qi so evenly matched that their relative strengths were impossible to determine. 

The Golden Masked One extended his hand toward the moonlight streaming through the broken roof and spoke,  “Moonlight that simply illuminates the world holds no charm.” The man’s voice betrayed considerable age. 

The Silver Masked One silently listened to the Golden Masked One’s words. 

“Moonlight that creeps through gaps like this is truly beautiful.”

“When this matter is finished, I shall pluck the moon for you.” 

The Golden Masked One chuckled at the Silver Masked One’s brusque response. “I know you don’t care for poetry.”

“Poetry is for those who can afford it.” 

“I’ve always believed the opposite.” 

The Silver Masked One said nothing more. 

They stared at each other through the hole in the roof. 

Their gazes were so cunningly veiled that even the most perceptive person could never discern their true thoughts. 

Just as the Golden Masked One reached out again to grasp the moonlight, the Silver Masked One suddenly spoke,  “The Blood Demon Scripture^[3] has wailed.” 

The Golden Masked One’s hand froze mid-motion. 

“The Blood Heavenly Big Dipper Energy has exploded. In other words, that boy Cheol Moo-rin is dead.” 

The Golden Masked One’s hand resumed following the flowing moonlight, before whispering, “What comes must go, what fills must empty.” The Golden Masked One looked up at the sky through the broken roof. He wasn’t watching the moonlight. His gaze was fixed on the pitch-black night sky. 

“The Blood Demon has begun moving in earnest.”

“Then we too should start moving.” 

Unlike the composed Golden Masked One, a manic bloodlust gleamed in the Silver Masked One’s eyes.

“That day… is not far off.”

☆ ☆ ☆

“Ah! This is wonderful!” 

Cheol Moo-rin was soaking in a hot spring. Soaking in the hot spring after completing all his training was his greatest pleasure. He thought this must be happiness – being able to practice martial arts to his heart’s content and rest leisurely like this. 

Baek Moo-gyeol always said he wanted to possess the world, to hold the Central Plains in his grasp. But could he ever enjoy such leisure? Probably not. 

Cheol Moo-rin had no desire to possess the world or the Central Plains. 

Well, that’s probably why his friendship with Baek Moo-gyeol had lasted this long. 

A life where one could step back from the world and observe it was enough. 

He didn’t think it was such a modest dream. 

Rather, it was the life many people desired but found difficult to achieve. 

How hard it is to step back from the world. 

One can never understand without experiencing the world’s turbulence. Even he, with the world’s greatest martial arts, had to go through much to reach this point. 

Cheol Moo-rin looked down at his chest. The faint spiral-shaped tattoo remained unchanged. The Blood Heavenly Big Dipper Energy beneath it was the same – present yet seemingly absent, responding only to blood. 

Since he couldn’t remove it right now, he would have to live with it for the time being. 

“Ah! This is wonderful!” 

What more is there to life? 

Being able to soak in hot water like this is enough. 

Splash. 

Cheol Moo-rin submerged himself in the water. 

Beyond the rippling surface, the stars in the night sky danced gently.