Chapter 110
“…Huh.”
At the unexpected, matter-of-fact call, Grandmaster Beom-eum looked at her with keen interest.
Soso, of course, had been startled by the sudden appearance of Beom-eum, but after Je-galcheon, she had quickly regained her composure.
Her body, fortified by immense spiritual energy, was not easily cowed by force.
She walked toward Beom-eum without hesitation.
In contrast, Beom-eum, unaware of her background, could not contain his surprise.
A seemingly ordinary young lady, standing so upright and confident before him…
“Apologies for interrupting your conversation,” she said.
“…Speak, then.”
“While I am grateful for your invitation to the sect, we have urgent business in Sichuan.”
“Sichuan?”
“So, may I ask that you rescind the invitation? It is an extremely important matter and cannot be postponed.”
Before Sa-woo succumbed to madness, before another irreversible disaster struck, his derangement had to be treated.
To do so, she had to go to Sichuan and meet Wolya Yosun again.
But in that moment, Beom-eum burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Now I understand what’s going on. I’ve heard much about you, Siju.”
A benevolent smile spread across Beom-eum’s face.
“Siju… you are the Golden Goddess, aren’t you?”
“…!”
She had been seen through perfectly.
Startled, Soso hurriedly touched her face.
She had clearly hidden it behind a veil—how did he know immediately?
Could it be that one who stands at the pinnacle of martial arts knows nothing unknown?
Moreover, she felt his gaze spark with something dangerous.
Even though a pure, serene aura surrounded him, cultivated over years as a sage, there was a strangely uneasy feeling—just like when she had met Namgung Hyuk.
Like a black serpent crawling over her body. Chilling, eerie.
“If Siju is truly the Golden Goddess, then there is all the more reason for you to visit the sect.”
“May I ask why?”
“Of course. Aren’t you curious about the Golden Goddess of fifty years ago?”
“…!”
Soso was again taken aback. She had never imagined Beom-eum would mention the Golden Goddess of the past.
“Within the sect, several martial artists who personally fought the Celestial Demon War fifty years ago still survive. Not just me, but Myeongheo, Hwangbo Dowoon… You could hear stories about her that no one else has told.”
Her interest was piqued.
Even better, at the martial arts sect she could meet Myeongheo, the grandmaster of sorcery she had long wanted to see.
As Soso wavered, unable to decide immediately, Beom-eum spoke again.
“If you visit the sect now, a position befitting the title of Golden Goddess will be granted. How about the Deputy Master of the Medical Hall?”
The naturalness of his suggestion startled everyone around.
The Martial Arts Sect was the envy of all. To join, one had to pass countless tests.
And yet, the position of Deputy Master was offered to a woman whose abilities they had not even witnessed.
Dokgo Ran bravely questioned Beom-eum.
“…Sect Master, even if she is the Golden Goddess, isn’t it too much to give such an important post to someone whose abilities haven’t been confirmed?”
“Sheikage would not have lied. Even his report alone proves her abilities,” Beom-eum replied.
As he spoke, he glanced at Baek Garim, who had approached without him noticing.
Granting the Golden Goddess a post in the sect was a way to watch over her, preventing her from colluding with the Dark Cult—a plan Baek Garim had suggested.
Baek Garim smiled benignly, as if he had no objection to Beom-eum’s proposal.
Of course, Beom-eum intended to give her a position to monitor her.
But he had another reason for bringing it up now.
“Cheong Eon-woo is more stubborn than expected. But if the Golden Goddess goes to the sect, he will follow.”
When Beom-eum had received reports from Hong Siyoung, he had no clear idea of the relationship between Cheong Eon-woo and the Golden Goddess—only that they traveled together.
But observing them in person revealed one fact:
“Cheong Eon-woo wishes to protect the Golden Goddess.”
He maintained a neutral expression, making it impossible to read emotion from his face, but Beom-eum noticed his subtle gestures: the way his body shifted when near her, moving quietly to her side when she stepped forward.
Clearly, he was very concerned for her.
If the Golden Goddess went, Cheong Eon-woo would surely follow.
Threatening or using force to bring a survivor back from the Dark Cult was impossible for a sect master who always prioritized justification.
“So, what does Siju think?”
Beom-eum assumed she would follow him unquestioningly.
Even if she had urgent business, the post of Deputy Master of the Medical Hall was hard to refuse!
But she said:
“Sect Master, I am grateful for your proposal, but I must visit Sichuan. May I come to the sect after attending to Sichuan?”
“Huh… you are resolute, Siju.”
“This is truly important to me.”
“But matters related to the Dark Cult are urgent. As one who protects the Central Plains from the evil winds, you should understand my position in speaking to both Sijus.”
Beom-eum tried further to persuade the Golden Goddess.
“Is this not for the peace of martial arts? For the greater good, set aside personal matters temporarily.”
Soso exhaled deeply.
This man was utterly unreasonable. He had clearly come to Je-gal’s residence with the intent to take her and Sa-woo away.
She realized that if the argument continued, she would be at a disadvantage.
Beom-eum would likely use any excuse, even Je-galcheon and Je-gal Haesu, to persuade her and Sa-woo.
‘No, I’ll need to delay going to Sichuan slightly…’
It seemed safer to stop by the Martial Arts Sect first before heading to Sichuan.
But she did not intend to blindly follow Beom-eum’s demands.
At that moment, a scene flashed in her mind: Je-gal Haesu deliberately coughing up blood at Namgung’s estate.
‘Even if I collapse spitting blood, I’ll never reveal what happened at Namgung’s… ugh!’
‘Even if I die, I’ll never blame Namgung… ugh!’
Truly an impressive performance.
Soso realized that while she couldn’t fake vomiting blood like Je-gal Haesu, she could certainly act shamelessly.
Perhaps, by acting as if unaware, they might abandon the plan to take her to the sect.
‘Alright, let’s try it.’
A small smile played on Soso’s lips.
“Sect Master, I understand your words regarding the greater good. You are correct; any righteous martial artist should cooperate to stop the Dark Cult.”
“Ah, thank you for understanding,” Beom-eum said.
“But—”
“…?”
Beom-eum tilted his head.
In a soft, singing voice, Soso spoke slowly:
“The personal matter I must not give up is as important to me as my life. Giving it up is a matter of life and death, and the post of Deputy Master of the Medical Hall is insufficient.”
“…Insufficient?”
“Yes. If you grant me the Master’s seat itself, I will accept your proposal.”
Soso spoke confidently, smiling beneath her veil.
The post of Master of the Medical Hall in the Martial Arts Sect—only one known for virtue could ever reach it.
She never expected such a position would be handed to her immediately.
Sure enough, surprise spread across Beom-eum’s face and those of the Martial Arts Sect officials behind him.
Soso smiled triumphantly beneath her veil.
But then, Beom-eum’s voice immediately followed:
“I accept Siju’s proposal.”
