Absolute Regression

“Where have you been?”

In response to Seo Daeryong’s question, I told him where my destination had been.

Seo Daeryong blinked and asked. He wasn’t even surprised anymore.

“You went there in four days?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not joking or playing around, are you?”

I nodded, and Seo Daeryong shook his head.

“I won’t ask any more. I won’t even try to understand. If I overthink it, I’ll just end up being the strange one. It wouldn’t even be surprising if you suddenly said, ‘I’m joining the Martial Alliance tomorrow’ at this point” 1

“As long as you understand. By the way, where is the Great Drunken Demon?”

I remembered the last time we parted. He was sitting in a small boat, drinking alone.

I had told him to cut the nonsense about peace in the martial world and speak the real reason, and now I thought he might have been angry at my words.

“Unless you’re honest, we can never truly be like brothers.”

Perhaps he had a desire for there to be no wars. But I could definitely feel that he didn’t approach me for that reason alone.

“By the way, Investigator Seo, why have you been limping since earlier?”

“There was hellish training from my master yesterday.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

At that moment, Gu Cheonpa entered the office, guided by another investigator.

As we had been talking about him, Seo Daeryong was startled.

“Master!”

For Seo Daeryong, he was always a respected and beloved master.

It would be nice if he treated him more warmly, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon just slightly nodded and said,

“You step outside for a moment.”

“Yes!”

Seo Daeryong went outside. He had been limping so much in front of me, but now he gritted his teeth and walked out firmly.

Investigator Seo, stay strong. It’s not easy to open the heart of your stern master.

Old man Blade’s small, sharp eyes looked even fiercer today. He hadn’t seemed in a good mood yesterday, and today was a continuation of that.

“Welcome, senior.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon got straight to the point.

“Song Sa-hyuk came to see me yesterday.”

I understood immediately. Seo Daeryong’s hellish training had been because of the Great Drunken Demon.

“He brought a bottle of alcohol. A very expensive one.”

Though speaking calmly, the Blade Demon seemed displeased with the situation.

“Why did he come?”

“He said he just wanted to give it to me, then left after handing over the alcohol.”

He had begun his effort to reconcile with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. It took him five days to decide to bring a bottle of alcohol.

“It’s similar to when Soma came and asked me to pass something to you.”

“This is different. That was because he had business with me, but this time it’s because he had business with you.”

“I still think it’s about you.”

He really was perceptive.

“No, this is the first I’ve heard of it. So, did you drink the alcohol?”

“Why would I drink it without knowing what’s inside? I just poured it out.”

“How could you discard someone’s goodwill like that?”

“Why do you care about someone else’s goodwill?”

“Because it’s expensive alcohol. You should’ve given it to me.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me suspiciously.

“It was you, wasn’t it? You must’ve done something. Otherwise, that drunkard wouldn’t do something he’s never done in his life.”

I thought about being honest but decided to deny it to the end. For this reconciliation to work out, the two of them had to resolve it themselves.

“No, I don’t know anything about it. Maybe he was impressed by you while drinking at the Flowing Wind Tavern that day.”

“Impressed by what? All I did was curse at him.”

“Who else in the world would curse at him like that? Maybe he had a change of heart.”

“Don’t defend the Great Drunken Demon. Didn’t I clearly say? He’s a cunning man. Young Master, don’t give your heart to someone unworthy. The farther you go, the harder it is to return.”

Saying only what he wanted to, Gu Cheonpa eventually left the office.

The reconciliation between the two depended on Song Sa-hyuk’s next move. During that process, he would shed another layer of prejudice that would allow me to learn more about him.

* * *

That night.

I sat on a distant tree branch, watching Lee Ahn train. Though I was far enough that she couldn’t notice me, I could see her expressions clearly.

She was practicing the Soaring Sword Art with a serious face, dripping with sweat. Repeating the same moves over and over again. She wouldn’t stop until the repetition bore fruit.

Then, someone entered her training ground.

Surprisingly, the person who came to see her was Cheong Myeon, the right hand man of the Evil Smiling Demon.

“Lee Ahn.”

“Oh, Cheong Myeon.”

“Sorry for coming at such a late hour.”

“No, it’s fine. What brings you here?”

“The offer to join as a squad leader, is it still open?”

“Until you firmly decline, the position of the First Squad Leader is always vacant.”

Lee Ahn’s voice trembled. She was flustered by Cheong Myeon’s sudden visit. On the other hand, Cheong Myeon continued with his prepared questions.

“What will the Haunted Shade Corps be doing in the future?”

“The Haunted Shade Corps will operate solely for the Young Master.”

“What if the Cult Leader’s orders conflict with the Young Master’s orders?”

Lee Ahn only gave a faint smile as if she had already answered.

“Do you know what you’re implying?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

Their gazes intertwined in the air. From Cheong Myeon’s eyes behind the mask, one could sense his dilemma.

When this strange woman, once excessively fat and now incredibly beautiful, suddenly asked him to take on the position of squad leader, he had honestly thought she was crazy.

Despite the fact that she had saved his life by destroying a carriage, asking him to give up the future position of Demon Supreme to become a squad leader?

At that moment, he thought, “Heaven truly doesn’t give everything. She’s so beautiful, yet crazy!”

But as time went on, he couldn’t stop thinking about that crazy woman.

The more he tried to shake off the thought, the more he wanted to roam the martial world with her, rather than wait twenty or thirty years to become a Demon Supreme, if that time ever came. The thought persisted, and he couldn’t help but think of Lee Ahn.

If she had made the proposal before her transformation, would he have been so conflicted? He scolded himself for being a fool swayed by beauty, but he couldn’t help thinking about it. After all, if not for her, he’d be dead.

Lee Ahn chose honesty over flattering words to draw Cheong Myeon in.

“I trust the Young Master. If he says the sky is the ground, I’ll live thinking the sky is the ground from that day forward. If he says, ‘Die in my place,’ I’ll die in his place. Sometimes I practice in front of the mirror, wondering what words to leave behind. I have various words prepared. Some to ensure he remembers me for a long time, some to let him send me off without burden, and some to hurt him. What I will say, I won’t know until the time comes. That’s the kind of organization the Haunted Shade Corps is. If you join, you should know this.”

As she spoke, her trembling subsided.

“There’s no need to decide right now. Please make a careful decision for my sake too.”

“For this martial artist’s sake? What do you mean by that?”

“The position I proposed to Cheong Myeon-nim is really important and precious to me. It’s the position of the leader of the first division in the organization where I took my first command. I don’t want to see you regret it. I don’t want to make that precious position a place of regret for anyone. So, take your time and make a decision without any regrets. I’ll keep the position of the first division leader open until you decide. Even if the other division leader positions are filled, I’ll leave the first division leader position vacant.”

Their gazes intertwined in midair.

“Can I continue to wear this mask even if I enter the Haunted Shade Corps?”

“Yes. But you must talk to me often. So that if someone appears in front of me wearing the blue mask and pretends to be you, I’ll recognize you right away.”

Cheong Myeon, who was staring at Lee Ahn in silence for a moment, bowed his head politely and then left.

As he disappeared, Lee Ahn finally heaved a sigh of relief.

“Whew! I thought I was going to die from nervousness. What did I even say? Ah! I screwed up. I rambled on too much!”

Watching from a distance, I burst into laughter.

At that moment, someone suddenly flew over and landed on the branch next to where I was sitting.

Surprisingly, it was the Evil Smiling Demon. He must have come here following Cheong Myeon.

“After sleepless nights of worrying, he finally came here.”

It seemed that Soma had already noticed Cheong Myeon’s worries.

“You fool! What are you doing, enchanted by beauty?”

“Isn’t it a beauty worth being enchanted by?”

“You took my mask, and now you’re taking my subordinate.”

“Let’s set the record straight. The mask was a gift, and it’s not me but Lee Ahn who’s taking Cheong Myeon.”

“Then I must avenge myself on that pretty heart.”

“In that case, just consider it as me taking him.”

The Evil Smiling Demon laughed quietly. It sounded like a growling beast, indicating he wasn’t in a good mood.

“What will you do if Cheong Myeon decides to leave?”

“Would I still be the Evil Smiling Demon if I just let him go? I would have to cut off at least one of his arms before sending him off.”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking. When Lee Ahn first made the proposal to Cheong Myeon, Soma, who was watching, didn’t say anything. So I thought he might let him go peacefully, but maybe not. It was hard to understand his feelings towards Cheong Myeon.

“It’s okay to let him go freely, isn’t it?”

“Are you saying that being the leader of an empty organization is better than the future Demon Supreme?”

“In this regard, yes. The Demon Supreme is a matter of the distant future, while being a leader is something he wants now.”

Actually, there was another reason from the start. Even as Cheong Myeon grew older, he wouldn’t be able to sit in the Demon Supreme’s position.

The current Evil Smiling Demon didn’t know. He didn’t know that he would keep the Demon Supreme position for such a long time. Nor did he know that Cheong Myeon would spend all those years supporting him.

“Both Soma-nim and I are bound by our fates and can’t live freely, aren’t we? Let’s at least let Cheong Myeon live as he pleases.”

“What if he regrets it later? What then?”

“What can we do? He made the choice, so he has to regret it. He might come back to you later, asking to be taken back.”

“No chance.”

“Please take him back. There’s a good enough reason.”

“And what reason is that?”

“Because the Cheong Myeon who has lived his own life and returns will be different. A Cheong Myeon who has wandered and returned will be stronger. The sword of someone who has experienced regret will be faster.”

The Evil Smiling Demon stared at me intently.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Weren’t you always curious about what’s inside my mask? I’m always curious about what’s inside you, Young Master.” 2

I felt a twinge of discomfort but answered calmly.

“Sometimes I’m curious too. What is inside me that makes me talk as if I’ve lived my whole life? Talking so much and trying to teach—I’m not popular with women these days, am I?”

“At least you know that.”

Soma laughed loudly, and I laughed along.

“Since we’re on the subject, let me ask one favor. If Cheong Myeon chooses to become a leader and you get angry enough to want to cut off his arm, please meet me first.”

“Why? So you can cut off my arm and prevent it?”

“Why would I do that when I prefer you over Cheong Myeon?”

“Then why meet?”

“For Lee Ahn’s sake, I’ll try to dissuade and convince you somehow. I mean it sincerely.”

“I’ll think about it.”

The Evil Smiling Demon flew off swiftly.

My gaze turned back to Lee Ahn.

She calmed her excitement and resumed her tedious martial arts training.

You’re doing well, Lee Ahn. In the end, Cheong Myeon will be more impressed by your skills than your persuasion. I believe Soma’s forgiveness depends on that too.

* * *

The next day, Seo Daeryong came into the office with an excited face and asked immediately.

“Leader, have you heard the rumors?”

“What rumors?”

Seo Daeryong brought really surprising news.

“They say Master is going to have a match with the Great Drunken Demon.”

I was startled.

“Really?”

“I’m not sure if it’s a rumor or the truth. The rumor came from the Southern Heavens Blade Family. But isn’t it an unwritten rule that Demon Supremes don’t fight each other?”

Seo Daeryong seemed worried that the rumor might be true.

“Are you worried?”

“Honestly, yes.”

“What are you worried about? Your master has been training his martial arts intensely lately.”

“But he’s also quite old.”

Does the Blood Heaven Blade Demon know? That his disciple is worrying about him like this. If he knew, would he have put him through hellish training just because he was in a bad mood? 3

As I got up from my seat, Seo Daeryong asked.

“Where are you going?”

“To buy some liquor. Very strong liquor today.”

“Ah! Are you going to stop Song Sa-hyuk?”

As I left the office, I said.

“There won’t be a duel. He’ll die by my hand first.”

I told them to reconcile, but instead, they’re talking about dueling? I really can’t live like this. I just can’t.

1 : Prediction ? We’ll see….

2 : Perceptive. Also, about wandering and regret, Mugeuk know it well.

3 : Definitively. He would be pissed that his disciple considers him old (though it’s true ^^)

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