Absolute Regression

Cheong Myeon chose the fastest route to the White Bird Trading Company. As a result, camping overnight was inevitable.

Hunting for dinner, lighting a campfire—Lee Ahn was busy with various tasks, so I eventually stepped in, unable to watch any longer.

“To make the fire burn well, you have to stack the wood like this.”

Surprisingly, Lee Ahn had never lit a campfire before. This was her first time venturing so far from the Cult.

“Now, let me show you how to prepare the meat.”

I skillfully prepared the hunted pheasant and rabbit.

“You’re really good at this, young master. When did you learn it all?”

“I’ve got a knack for it, you know?”

The Evil Smiling Demon, leaning against the wheel of the wagon, watched us silently. Cheong Myeon stood a little distance away, keeping an eye on Soma.

“Make sure it doesn’t burn. Even if there is an assassin ambush, we can’t let the meat burn!”

“Yes!”

Lee Ahn, finding it amusing to roast the meat, did so diligently.

I genuinely hoped that this moment would be a good memory for her, even with the tension caused by the Evil Smiling Demon and Cheong Myeon. After all, it was her first trip.

When the meat was done, I offered some to the Evil Smiling Demon.

“Please have some.”

“I’m fine.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m alright.”

After cutting the meat, Lee Ahn seasoned it with salt and spices, then wrapped it in paper and handed it to Soma and Cheong Myeon.

“Save it for later if you want.”

After giving them the meat, she returned.

Even though she was very afraid of the Evil Smiling Demon, she still took care of him.

“Well then, let’s eat first.”

Lee Ahn and I cut the meat and ate.

We also drank some wine we had bought when we stopped by the village.

“I’m okay.”

Even when I offered her a drink, Lee Ahn firmly refused. She probably didn’t even want to imagine the idea of getting drunk in front of Soma.

Watching this, the Evil Smiling Demon suddenly spoke.

“No matter how much I look, I don’t see anything pretty. What exactly is supposed to be pretty about her?”

Lee Ahn flinched at that moment. Just hearing those words, she could understand the conversation that had taken place between me and the Evil Smiling Demon.

It was a rude comment to her, but in a way, it was also meant to support me. It revealed the fact that I had called her pretty.

Instead of answering, I looked far into the darkness.

“Hey, do you see the weasel under the rock, thirty meters away?”

Not only the Evil Smiling Demon, but also Lee Ahn and Cheong Myeon looked in the direction I pointed. However, all they saw was pitch darkness.

“If you find it hard to believe, check for yourself.”

Soma gave Cheong Myeon a nod. Cheong Myeon dashed towards the indicated spot.

A moment later, Cheong Myeon returned, holding a weasel.

The Evil Smiling Demon was astonished.

“Did you really see that?”

“I see things that you cannot, Soma.”

Of course, it wasn’t just due to the New Eye Technique. It was because I had mastered the Energy Emission Training taught by my father.

“The beauty of my escort is visible only to me.”

Lee Ahn quickly shook her head, as if telling me not to say such things, then bowed her head in embarrassment. 1

Evil Smiling Demon sneered.

“How can a man of your stature speak such embarrassing words?”

“I say what needs to be said. Not saying it because it’s embarrassing, not saying it because I’ve said it once, not saying it because saying it often might be burdensome, not saying it because I’m busy, and not saying it because it might seem inappropriate.”

The last comment about seeming inappropriate was directed at Soma. He once described eating under the mask as looking undignified.

“Isn’t a real man someone who says what needs to be said?”

Then I looked at Lee Ahn. Whether it was because of the campfire or embarrassment, her bowed face was flushed red.

Be confident, Lee Ahn!

I wouldn’t have even started this life without you. 2

* * *

Two days later, the carriage arrived at the White Bird Trading Company.

As we got off the carriage, the Evil Smiling Demon asked me,

“Have you finished pondering how to stop me?”

“The answer wasn’t in the carriage or in my head. I have to find it in there.”

I looked up at the large signboard of the White Bird Trading Company.

Cheong Myeon and Lee Ahn led the way, with Soma and I following behind.

I also wore the mask here. Traveling with the Evil Smiling Demon had its conveniences. If I wore it alone, I would stand out too much, but with three of us wearing masks, people just assumed we were a group accustomed to wearing masks.

When Cheong Myeon knocked on the door, a man who looked like a butler opened it from the inside.

Seeing us in masks should have startled him, but he remained calm, as if he had been expecting us.

“The leader of the company is waiting. Please, come this way.”

I thought there would be hundreds of martial artists waiting in the training yard, but there was no one there.

I released my energy and scanned the surroundings, finding no ambushes. A wise choice. Provoking the Evil Smiling Demon carelessly would have resulted in unnecessary casualties.

The man guided us to the main hall.

Nine people were waiting for us there.

First, the head of the company greeted us.

“I am Seo Jungtae, the leader of the White Bird Trading Company.”

“I am the Evil Smiling Demon.”

Soma addressed Seo Jungtae with utmost coldness. He already had a disdain for those from the unorthodox sects, so one could imagine how displeased he was with Seo Jungtae.

“It is an honor to meet a Demon Supreme of the Divine Sect.”

In contrast, Seo Jungtae was courteous. Calm and composed, he showed no fear of Evil Smiling Demon, which could be attributed to the eight experts standing behind him. This also explained the absence of other martial artists.

The eight experts wore bamboo hats that obscured their faces and dressed in attire that signified their identities as if to prevent unnecessary conflicts. On their chests was an emblem of a fierce wolf with bared fangs.

These were the fierce wolves of the Unorthodox Alliance, known to tear apart tigers and dragons. 3

They were the Absolute Experts of the Unorthodox Alliance, known as the Thirteen Wolves, capable of taking on a Demon Supreme when two of them worked together. And now, eight of them stood before us.

Despite recognizing them, Soma showed no fear.

Instead, he exuded a subtle malevolence, asserting his dominance over the surroundings.

When this malevolence affected Seo Jungtae, he did not remain passive.

As if on cue, the eight experts simultaneously released their energy. Their combined auras swiftly pushed back the malevolence, forming a protective barrier in front of Seo Jungtae. Their energy was wild yet orderly, interweaving without tangling, complementing each other to form an impenetrable fortress of intricate threads.

A battle of pride had begun.

Though the Evil Smiling Demon pressed with his malevolence, the barrier of energy pushed forward. Even he could not withstand the combined inner power of the eight Thirteen Wolves.

I didn’t want to see Soma being overpowered by the Unorthodox Alliance, so I discreetly released my demonic energy.

With my substantial inner power adding to the malevolence, the balance of power became evenly matched.

Seeing that Soma was no longer being pushed back, they intensified their efforts, but I further elevated my martial arts, pushing back once more.

Just as they were about to raise their inner power even more in frustration.

Going further would not be easy for either of us, so the Evil Smiling Demon and I simultaneously withdrew our demonic energy, as if by mutual agreement.

Ending it when we had the upper hand for a moment, the Evil Smiling Demon achieved a complete victory in the aura battle. As expected, the eight experts showed signs of irritation.

Soma sent a telepathic message.

—I never knew your internal energy was this profound, Young Master.

—It was mainly due to your formidable malevolence. My demonic energy merely supported it.

—If I get your support twice, these wolves will start wagging their tails. It was indeed you who killed Yasuo.

—Soma, focus ahead. Our enemies are right in front of us, not just one but nine.

Evil Smiling Demon turned his gaze toward Seo Jungtae, who had first spoken.

“It seems you’ve been expecting me, so you must know why I’ve come. Be careful with your words.”

“If the Demon Supreme wishes for my life, I would gladly offer it, but please hear me out first.”

“I’m listening, so speak.”

“I will be straightforward. Our company plans to expand our business in Guizhou for the next eight years. After that, we will cease all operations and withdraw.”

Two years had already passed, and adding another eight meant that the Unorthodox Alliance intended to profit from Guizhou for a total of ten years to atone for past massacres.

“You intend to feast on my blood and flesh for ten years?”

“Those killed by the Demon Supreme have long since become white bones.”

Despite his displeasure, the Evil Smiling Demon did not act rashly. It was not just because of the eight Thirteen Wolves.

When it came to handling matters, he was not a reckless person. The fact that he went straight to meeting the company leaders instead of unleashing his desires after leaving the sect was proof of that.

Finally, Soma spoke to Seo Jungtae.

“You belong to an organization, so fine. I’ll make a concession too. From this moment, exactly one year. If you’re still lingering in Guizhou conducting business after one year, I will consider it a wish to reunite with your friends who have turned to white bones.”

Despite the blatant threat, Seo Jungtae shook his head firmly.

“One year is an absolutely unacceptable condition.”

“Then let’s decide it through a duel between martial artists. If you’re afraid, you can all come at me together.”

The Evil Smiling Demon knew that the Thirteen Wolves had their pride and wouldn’t all attack at once.

Seo Jungtae appeared to be lost in thought, but I noticed through my New Eye Technique that his lips were subtly trembling. He was communicating telepathically with one of the eight experts behind him.

At that moment, Soma sent me a telepathic message as well.

—You must be disappointed. We should have had a good fight.

—Disappointed? Watching you negotiate with the Unorthodox Alliance is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is a hundred times more thrilling than a mere brawl. If what we see now seems dull, then the world must be asleep.

The Evil Smiling Demon laughed telepathically. It was the first time I heard his laughter in this manner, and it felt different. 4

—What if they don’t accept the terms?

—I guess I’ll have to kill them all and spend ten years in confinement. You take three, I’ll take four, and let’s leave one for Cheong Myeon and our ‘ugly heart.’

I laughed telepathically as well. Of course, his suggestion to fight was a joke, but what amused me was his nickname for Lee Ahn, ‘ugly heart.’ He really had a grudging nature.

At that moment, Seo Jungtae spoke firmly.

“That is absolutely unacceptable.”

I expected this response. It was time to move beyond unnecessary emotional conflicts. Now, it was my turn to step in.

“I would like to hear directly from the one who decided this is impossible.”

As I spoke up, everyone’s attention turned to me.

“What do you mean? Who are you to interfere in this important matter?”

In response to Seo Jungtae’s question, I directed my gaze to one of the men standing behind him.

“Stop hiding in the shadows and step forward to resolve this situation.”

The man I referred to was the one standing in the center of the eight martial artists.

“You know the Evil Smiling Demon’s temperament well. Anything could happen here. Are you okay with the Unorthodox Alliance’s successor getting caught up in a fight and dying in a place like this?”

My words shocked not only Soma but also Lee Ahn and Cheong Myeon.

Chaang!

All seven men, except the one I identified, drew their swords simultaneously and formed a protective formation around the man.

As expected from supreme masters, they exuded an immense presence. It was far more intense than when they had formed the wall of energy earlier. In terms of our cult standards, it was as if four Demon Supremes were protecting the man.

The man standing in the center of the sword formation slowly removed his bamboo hat. His face was covered in scars. While Jangho’s scars were impressive, this man’s scars were grotesque.

Cut, crushed, and twisted—his appearance alone was enough to send chills down one’s spine. His aura was dark and heavy, yet his cold eyes shone brilliantly.

“How did you recognize me?”

His voice sounded like metal scraping against metal, likely due to injuries to his vocal cords.

He was none other than Bih Sa-in, the official successor of the Unorthodox Alliance. Dressed identically to the Thirteen Wolves, recognizing him was tantamount to a breach of secrecy.

“Who are you?”

Bih Sa-in’s cold question prompted my response.

“Just as it would be a problem if you died, it would also be a problem if I died.”

As I spoke, I lifted my mask above my head.

“Nice to meet you. I am Geom Mugeuk, the second son of Geom Woojin, the Heavenly Demon.” 5

1 : Ehehehehehe ^^

2 : I wonder if he’s even aware of his own rizz. Probably not since he was too obsessed in his previous life to build any meaningful/lasting relationship except Gwi Ryeongja.

3 : Tigers and Dragons, a movie made by Night Shyamalan (not really XDXDXD The movie exist though, just not made by Shyamalan ^^)

4 : Maybe because it’s a genuine one ? It’s harder to hide your emotions in telepathy

5 : Intense Reveal

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