Chapter 114
Even Minghe Ma, who didn’t seem particularly swayed by beauty, complimented Soso’s appearance.
“What a peerless beauty.”
Then, Unhan, who still hadn’t cleared up his strange misunderstanding, whispered quietly.
“…As expected, our Unwu—or rather, Sau—has remarkable taste.”
Unhan still felt awkward using the name “Sau,” but he made a sincere effort to adopt it, taking his opinion seriously.
…No, that wasn’t important.
Soso shook her head slightly toward Unhan, signaling that she wasn’t involved with Sau in any romantic way.
Of course, Soso didn’t entirely dislike the misunderstanding, but there was no way Sau would think the same.
Even now, whether in the past or after his change in personality, he didn’t seem particularly interested in women.
Yet, contrary to her worries, Sau spoke firmly:
“Elder Unhan, thank you for praising my discernment.”
Soso thought to herself, Well, that sounds like confirmation that we truly have a future together.
Why was Sau so quick to notice others’ subtleties when dealing with martial artists, yet so indifferent when it came to romance? Ugh.
Instead of stopping him, Soso turned her attention to Hwangbo Dowong.
It seemed best to deal with him first.
“As you requested, I’ve removed the veil and revealed my face. Has your doubt about me lessened even a little?”
“Ahem! I see now that even if you were called the most beautiful in the world, it would be no exaggeration.”
…I don’t recall ever claiming my face was beautiful.
Soso felt a bit aggrieved.
Hwangbo Dowong continued.
“However, I cannot fully trust you until I’ve seen your abilities. I must consider the possibility that your abilities are unnatural.”
Of course. Showing one’s face alone would never earn full trust.
Demonstrating her abilities wasn’t any easier than revealing her face.
Soso had already used her power many times, and everyone here knew of it.
Moreover, Hwangbo Dowong subtly belittled her by suggesting her abilities might be unnatural.
Daring to associate the legendary “Man-nyeon Seolsam” with mystical techniques…
Proving herself had become a task of grave importance under the reputation of Man-nyeon Seolsam.
So Soso immediately spread both hands wide and extended them forward. Then she closed her eyes and bit the soft flesh inside her mouth.
Now, even without reaching a state of selflessness, golden energy formed in her palms.
When that warm, all-encompassing energy fully manifested, Soso opened her eyes sharply.
“This is my qi.”
A mysterious woman radiating an astonishing spiritual aura.
Everyone in the room thought the same.
They were even more amazed than when they had seen her beautiful face.
Their enlarged pupils shimmered with golden energy.
Soso smiled triumphantly, even as tears flowed.
Now, no one would associate her with mystical sorcery.
Yet, even amidst their amazement, Hwangbo Dowong said:
“I-I think I’d only truly believe if you used that ability on an injured person.”
Though shocked and stunned, he still doubted her.
In the Medical Hall of the Martial Alliance, quite a few physicians had gathered.
They stood in orderly lines, bowing their heads to the leaders of the Martial Alliance seated at the head table.
Yet they couldn’t take their eyes off the enigmatic Soso.
“Could she truly be the most beautiful in the world?”
“Why did they bring such a beautiful young lady here?”
Everyone had the same thoughts.
Meanwhile, Soso looked at the assembled people in disbelief and whispered to Sau, who stood beside her.
“C-Could I really demonstrate my abilities in front of so many people?”
The answer came not in her ears, but directly in her mind.
If I were you, I’d show my abilities clearly to gain recognition rather than leave people doubting.
The telepathic message came through clearly.
Thinking back, Sau had also resolved the doubts of those around him by making his own situation clear.
If you’re worried that rumors about you might spread to the demonic sect and they might pursue you, don’t worry. As long as I am by your side, no one can threaten you.
Because he was the Celestial Demon, commanding all the demonic sects.
Sau didn’t add that part, just let out a soft laugh.
It was amusing to think that, even though he was the Celestial Demon, he now seemed wary of the demonic sect.
It seems no one has realized I am the Celestial Demon.
Before arriving at the Martial Alliance, Sau had been a little concerned about Minghe. Honestly, besides Minghe, no martial artist here could possibly suspect his true identity.
Fortunately, Minghe didn’t seem suspicious of him.
It was likely because he had already mentioned Yang’s Mind Technique and his demonic aura in advance.
Even if Minghe sensed faint demonic energy, he would assume it was merely the magic learned to survive in the demonic sect.
Sau still believed that, until curing his madness, it was best not to confront the orthodox sect.
He wanted to safely leave the Martial Alliance with Baeksam—no, with Soso and Sacheon.
There, with Yosun’s help, I’ll enhance Soso’s healing ability and cure my madness.
Then he would finally become the perfect Celestial Demon.
Everything would proceed according to his will, without spilling blood.
So his mind should have been at ease…
Yet Sau’s smile faded as he fixed his gaze on Master Beobeum’s back.
That monk still bothers me.
The monk who had appeared when the fake lunatics appeared—strong enough to master the Asura Blood-Sky Sword.
One of the Seven Martial Lords, the strongest of Shaolin—Master Beobeum.
Only someone like Beobeum could plausibly hide his demonic aura and feign being an obedient martial artist.
Sau watched Master Beobeum carefully.
He tried to guess why Beobeum had pretended to be a Celestial Demon, why he created the fake lunatics, and how he planned to handle the inevitable madness that came with mastering the Asura Blood-Sky Sword.
The reason could be simple: he wanted to become stronger, to learn martial arts that would let him rule the world.
Moreover, if Beobeum had witnessed the Celestial Demon’s martial arts fifty years ago, Sau’s hypothesis would be correct.
The beautiful, powerful Celestial Demon swordsmanship carried an almost hypnotic charm.
The current Beobeum would be slightly stronger than Minghe.
Seeing Minghe’s influence at the meeting, it made sense that Beobeum chose Celestial Demon techniques to assert dominance.
No matter how much he trains, Beobeum is still human, and cannot abandon the desire to grow stronger.
The problem, of course, was the madness.
What did that monk plan to do with it, learning such a wicked martial art?
Could it be that he planned to use it on the Golden Healing Maiden…?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Sau telepathically sent a message to Soso.
“Soso, don’t worry about anything else. Just be careful of Master Beobeum.”
“Master?”
Soso looked up at him, slightly puzzled.
Had he said something problematic?
“…….”
But just then, the physicians of the Medical Hall arrived with an injured person, interrupting the conversation.
“This one fell from a height while stacking materials at the new building and injured their leg.”
Soso examined the patient.
The leg appeared broken, with a splint supporting the calf. Compared to the martial artist treated at the Nangong residence the previous day, this injury was relatively minor.
“Sirju, do you think treatment is possible?”
Master Beobeum asked, and Soso nodded.
“Yes. But as I mentioned before, my ability is limited, so I cannot heal multiple patients at once.”
“One person should be enough for us.”
Beobeum announced loudly to the physicians:
“Step aside. This patient will be treated by Sirju.”
“Yes, Lord Leader.”
Though puzzled, the physicians reluctantly stepped back, unable to refuse.
Soso had no intention of delaying.
If something had to be done, she would finish it cleanly. Knowing Sau would protect her gave her even more confidence.
She reached toward the patient’s calf and, with practiced ease, shed tears. Soon, a mysterious golden energy began to flutter.
The strands of energy that had spread thinly gradually converged into one concentrated mass.
The golden energy, now a large mass, permeated the patient’s calf and soared into the sky.
A streak of light etched itself across the dry sky.
It looked as though a path had opened for a dragon to ascend.
“……H-How is this possible!”
“W-What… what kind of ability is this?!”
The physicians were astonished by the unbelievable spectacle. Some even fell to the ground in shock.
At that moment, someone shouted:
“Th-the Golden Healing Maiden! She has re… reincarnated!”
