Absolute Regression

I had thought the woman Seo Gong married was a villainess.

However, the woman I saw now was far from being a villainess.

“I heard you’ve been working hard researching Gwi Gate’s secret arts. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

At Im Hyang’s concern, Seo Gong’s lips stretched into a smile.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m very hungry.”

“Let’s have a meal.”

The Spirit Master, Im Hyang, and the warriors who followed her entered the inn where we were staying.

As a result, we could hear their conversation clearly.

“To be honest, my parents were against this marriage. They said the heirs of Gwi Gate are always so focused on their research that they make their wives lonely.”

“Oh, that’s a misunderstanding. That will never happen. I promise you. I will never make you feel lonely.”

I didn’t hear the exact details of why Seo Gong’s marriage fell apart. When we parted ways last time, he had said his married life was more of a hell, so it seemed they lived together until then.

If it was because he made her lonely while researching the Great Regression Technique, then? If that was the case?

‘Seo Gong, you can’t keep that promise now.’

Of course, that might not be the reason. Judging by the way he looked at Im Hyang now, he might give up his family business and stake everything if she decided to leave. If he liked her that much, why did his married life become a living hell?

Lee Ahn sent me a telepathic message.

―Are those two the ones who’s marriage you’re trying to stop?

―Yes.

―How can we stop it when they seem so happy? If we try to stop it now, they’ll become our mortal enemies.

Not just enemies, but eternal, unforgivable enemies.

We turned our attention back to their conversation.

“My father might be harsh towards you. Even if he is, please understand.”

“Of course. I know how much the Lord cherishes Lady Im.”

Could it be that their parents caused the breakup? Finding out the reason was the first priority.

They ordered their meal.

“I don’t like stir-fried dishes.”

The Spirit Master quickly responded to Im Hyang’s clear preference.

“That’s good. I don’t like them either.” 1

“Really?”

“It seems we are a perfect match!”

But I saw it. The momentary hesitation in Seo Gong’s eyes. The regret that said, ‘But I do like them.’ 2

Poor Spirit Master. From now on, he would have to say goodbye to stir-fried dishes. Well, considering his current state, he would likely be content to survive solely on food grain pills for the rest of his life. ℞άɴоʙƐș

When they started eating, we began our conversation. I didn’t lower my voice to draw their attention.

“Do you want to get married?”

For those about to marry, the most significant topic would naturally be marriage. As expected, I could feel Seo Gong and Im Hyang listening intently.

“I’m not going to.”

“Why not?”

“Marriage comes with a lot of responsibilities, doesn’t it? I’m not confident I can take responsibility for someone else. It’s already hard enough just taking care of myself.”

I couldn’t tell if this was her true sentiment or if she was saying this because she knew I was trying to dissuade the two from getting married.

This time, Lee Ahn asked me a question.

“Do you want to get married?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I just want to live freely.”

“What about children? Don’t you want to have children?”

“Children, huh…”

I had been asked this question only once before, by Seo Jin, Seo Gong’s younger sibling. My answer back then was predictable. At that time, I was engulfed in guilt and anger over surviving alone; how could I even think of having children?

“I’m not confident I could raise them well.”

“Well, not every parent raises their children well.”

Lee Ahn’s expression darkened slightly. Regardless of the Spirit Master’s current situation, I asked her a question I had been wanting to ask.

“Do you resent your parents?”

“I did when I was younger.”

She had been abandoned by her parents at a very young age, making her way to the Cult without knowing who they were. 3

“And now?”

“Now, I don’t really think about it. Hating them only harms me.”

I intentionally asked about her parents, encouraging her not to bury her emotional scars.

Instead, I wanted her to dig up and express those buried feelings, regret saying them out loud, and eventually speak about them again as if they were nothing. Only after going through this process multiple times would the emotional wounds start to fade slightly. Just burying them in her heart and trying to forget? That would never work. No matter how deeply you bury them, they never decay or disappear.

Lee Ahn gave me a big smile and said,

“My parents are probably living well somewhere, eating good food and enjoying their lives.”

It was at that moment.

“That won’t be the case.”

The person who couldn’t hold back and interrupted was Im Hyang.

“No matter the circumstances, Miss’s parents must be heartbroken.”

She was clear about her food preferences, and she was definitely the type to voice her opinions on such matters.

Lee Ahn spoke softly to her.

“Not all parents love their children. Some parents see their children as money-making entities simply because they gave birth to them. Some even beat, abuse, or sell their children.”

Her last words weighed on my mind. Perhaps Lee Ahn had lived her life believing her parents had sold her.

“It’s the story of a very few parents. I’m sure your parents had their reasons.”

Sympathy and pity were in Im Hyang’s gaze as she looked at Lee Ahn. Despite her seemingly naive appearance, it was clear she was someone who openly expressed her emotions even to strangers. 4

It could have been offensive, but Lee Ahn responded gently.

“Thank you for your comfort.”

“No, I was meddling unnecessarily. I’m sorry.”

Im Hyang apologized, and Lee Ahn responded politely.

“No, you spoke out of kindness. I reacted too sensitively.”

Thus, the two apologized to each other.

Im Hyang then introduced herself.

“I’m Im Hyang, daughter of the Im family.”

Im Hyang introduced Seo Gong, and Lee Ahn introduced me.

“This is my senior brother.”

We usually introduced ourselves this way to new people. Since we had learned the same martial arts, it wasn’t entirely incorrect.

“To apologize, let me treat you to a drink. It seems you two have reunited after a long time, so let’s meet tomorrow or the day after when you have time.”

At Lee Ahn’s suggestion, Im Hyang shook her head.

“No, if anyone should treat, it should be me.”

Watching the two argue about who would treat, the Spirit Master stepped in.

“Actually, I’m planning a small celebration with some close friends tomorrow and would like to invite both of you.”

“We can’t possibly attend such an honorable event.”

When Lee Ahn declined, Im Hyang spoke up.

“No, please come. It would put my mind at ease.”

With Im Hyang also insisting, Lee Ahn reluctantly accepted their invitation.

“Alright, we will come tomorrow.”

After finishing their meal, Seo Gong and Im Hyang said their goodbyes and left the inn first.

Once they had gone, Lee Ahn beamed.

“Did I do well?”

“Excellent. I think I can leave everything to you.”

“Oh no! I still don’t understand why we need to stop their marriage!”

Lee Ahn watched them walk away. Even as they walked, Seo Gong couldn’t take his eyes off Im Hyang.

I recalled the final moments I spent with the Spirit Master.

―Is it still hell?

―A hotter hell. I have no face to ask, but I still plead. If she doesn’t listen until the end, tear apart my betrothal document.

―To that extent?

―More than that.

If I really wanted to, I could stop him, but I was worried that forcing him would make him even more miserable in this situation. They say the most difficult thing in the world is matters between men and women. 5

“I still don’t know what to do.”

* * *

The next afternoon, Lee Ahn and I visited the Gwi Gate.

As we followed the guide into the inner garden, I felt an eerie energy everywhere.

―Lee Ahn, do you feel the energy to the left?

―Yes, it’s a feeling I’ve never experienced before.

―It’s the ghostly energy of Gwi Gate.

It felt very different from the ghostly energy of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme.

“Those who use this kind of ghostly energy must be dealt with carefully. You never know what might happen, so it’s most important not to panic. Panicking means death.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

As we entered the inner garden, we saw three people talking in front of the flower garden.

There were Seo Gong, Im Hyang, and the one person I had longed to see, Seo Jin.

“Don’t trust my brother. He’s the kind of person who wouldn’t notice a martial arts duel happening next to him if he’s focused on work. I’m right don’t I, dear brother.”

Im Hyang, thinking Seo Jin was joking, laughed.

“I’m not joking.”

“Then I must perform a splendid duel. One impressive enough to turn his head towards me.”

As they talked, they noticed our presence and looked in our direction.

My eyes met Seo Jin’s.

I was supposed to meet her much later. So seeing Seo Jin now felt very unfamiliar.

So, you had a youthful time like this too.

She fit the rough life of a wanderer so well. She was smart, thoughtful, and loyal.

The current her didn’t remind me of that time. Now, she was a bright and cheerful girl who had grown up loved in a prestigious family.

Lee Ahn’s voice reached me.

―You didn’t look at those beautiful courtesans of Sky Flower Pavilion this way. Your gaze is different when you look at that woman.

Lee Ahn knew me best.

―No jealousy, please. 6

―Oh my! It’s not jealousy, it’s curiosity!

Of course, how could my gaze towards Seo Jin be ordinary?

My friend.

In this life, I won’t let you wither away in an unknown field. You said you were satisfied with your life as you were dying, but I won’t let you meet such an end. It’s a promise as a friend.

With that, we approached them. The Spirit Master introduced us to Seo Jin.

After the introductions were over, Seo Jin showed interest in Lee Ahn.

“Your eyes are so beautiful, why do you wear a veil?”

I glanced at Lee Ahn, signaling her to show her face. Use your charm, Lee Ahn!

Catching on to my intention, she took off her veil.

An exclamation of admiration naturally came from the two women, but unexpectedly, the target, Seo Gong, showed no particular reaction.

I asked him.

“Young Master Seo, isn’t our junior sister beautiful?”

I intended to show him that there were such beautiful women in the world.

“She is beautiful. But our Lady Im is even more beautiful.”

I could tell. Seo Gong spoke sincerely.

They say love makes you blind, but this was more like he was under a spell.

I sent a message to Lee Ahn through our telepathic link.

— Ugly! Put your veil back on.

— I already did. What’s with this guy!

— I tried to stop the marriage with beauty, but it’s not going to work.

— If he likes her that much, why stop it? It’s nice to see.

It was then. Im Hyang looked at the Spirit Master with a hardened face.

“What’s wrong, Lady Im?”

“Don’t you know why I’m angry?”

“I have no idea.”

Seo Gong looked genuinely puzzled.

“Why are you not being honest? Isn’t that lady more beautiful? Did you think I’d like it if you said otherwise?”

She believed he was lying, thinking Lee Ahn was indeed more beautiful even in her own eyes.

“To my eyes, you are more beautiful.”

“That’s a lie, isn’t it?”

“No. You are truly more beautiful. I could swear it to the heavens.”

“Really?”

Only after confirming this did Im Hyang’s expression soften.

At that moment, I was certain.

Both from how she butted into our conversation yesterday and her current behavior, it was clear. She was the type who had to confirm things for herself, strong-willed if strong-willed was the term.

If she had pressured Seo Gong with that personality, eventually, the infatuation clouding his eyes would have faded.

Disheartened by her, he would have sought refuge in researching the Great Regression Technique. Their relationship would have deteriorated even further.

This isn’t solely her fault. She’s openly showing who she is, but the Spirit Master himself can’t see it.

Even now, Seo Gong was smiling at Im Hyang, completely captivated.

Oh, Seo Gong. What are we going to do? Do I need to tear you apart even more?

1 : A rare note from our TL : Simp !!! To that, I answer, yeah, simp.

2 : Hmm, little lies accumulating overtime ?

3 : To protect her maybe ? Naïve, I know, but always better than the sadly probable alternative.

4 : Such pity can be more painful than scorn for some peoples

5 : As Doc Emett Brown said, the greatest mystery of the universe isn’t Time, but Women.

6 : Shoot down that flag right now !!!

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