Absolute Regression

I chose the path I knew.

Before the regression, I had chosen the mission on the right, and today, I picked the envelope on the right again.

Now, I could accomplish any mission!

This was not the time to display such confidence. It was an opportunity to humbly make up for past failures.

The envelope contained a single piece of paper with four characters written on it.

False Demon Punishment

It was the command that had been given to me in the past.

Sima Myung sent a transmission to explain. It was to ensure that neither of us knew the other’s mission.

―Recently, a strange organization called Heavenly Society has begun to operate secretly in the martial world. They claim to create a new martial world under heaven’s mandate, but they are merely individuals seeking personal gain. They have recently impersonated our cult’s Demon Supreme, causing various incidents, and can no longer be ignored. Young Master, you are to find their leader, eliminate them, and destroy Heavenly Society.

In truth, before the regression, when I heard this transmission, I had underestimated them because they had not demonstrated any skill and were merely impersonating our cult’s Demon Supreme.

But now, I understood it differently. To dare to impersonate the Demon Supreme meant they either had the confidence to handle it or had another hidden scheme. These people were not ordinary.

“I will carry out the order.”

As soon as I accepted my mission, Geom Muyang picked the remaining envelope. Of course, I knew well what mission was written in that envelope.

After providing Geom Muyang with basic information through transmission, Sima Myung spoke to both of us.

“The missions must be resolved alone. However, while you are carrying out the missions, you may use all the information networks of the cult’s Heavenly Communication Pavilion, and you may also utilize the Demonic Army, the four strong demons of the cult, and the eight Demon Supremes once.”

This meant we had to complete the missions alone but could receive the cult’s assistance when eliminating the enemies.

As Sima Myung finished speaking, my father spoke.

“A frog in a well or a flower in a greenhouse cannot lead our cult. Solve it definitively and return!”

My father did not even say a single word to be careful while assigning this dangerous mission. I laughed to ease the tense atmosphere.

“Father, who would you prefer to succeed and return among us?”

At my question, my father’s lips slightly curled up. I could sense that he was holding back something he wanted to say.

In truth, the look in my father’s eyes as he gazed at us was fair. He did not send any personal looks to either me or my brother.

Before the regression, I would not have been looking at my father at this moment. All I had thought about was completing the mission somehow.

But now, I was looking at my father.

Father, don’t worry. I will resolve this safely and return.

I conveyed that belief through my gaze. This was also part of my effort to become the successor. The more my father believed in me, the closer I would get to the position of the successor.

My gaze shifted from my father to Geom Muyang.

‘Brother, return successfully as you always do. I will come back successfully as well. Ah, don’t look at me so coldly, as if you don’t understand my feelings.’

* * *

The next morning, while I was preparing to depart, Lee Ahn came to see me.

“Did you call for me?”

“I’m going to leave the cult for a while and come back.”

“Where are you going?”

“I can’t disclose that.”

I raised my finger and pointed upward. Lee Ahn understood that I was leaving to carry out an order from the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

“Bring back something delicious when you return!”

“I’m not going on a trip. I’m going to handle something very dangerous.”

“I’m busy with martial arts training, so I’ll leave now.”

“Terrifying enemies will be pouring out.”

“Take care!”

Lee Ahn, who had run to the door, sighed and turned back.

“Do you realize how much better it would be if you just left like this? Do you know how dangerous this mission is? Let me come along and help.”

She had switched from the playful Lee Ahn to the Lee Ahn who was always worried about me.

“It’s something I must do alone. And I’m joking as well. You don’t need to worry.”

“Really?”

“Don’t worry unnecessarily and focus on your own tasks.”

“Actually, Brother Cheong Myeon came to see me recently.”

I pretended not to know, even though I had seen them meeting with my own eyes.

“Did he propose?”

“No, he’s still thinking about it. He just asked me a few questions and left.”

“What’s your feeling?”

“Fifty-fifty. To be honest, I wish he would come now, but when he really does, I might be more worried. It would mean he’s starting a new life because of me.”

“Worrying about what comes after is ignoring Cheong Myeon’s concerns. It might seem like you’re responsible for him, but that’s not true at all.”

“Not true?”

“Yes, Cheong Myeon will come after careful consideration. He will decide to come to you because he believes it’s more beneficial. If he comes and realizes it’s not right, he will leave. So, don’t feel burdened.”

Lee Ahn smiled brightly at my words.

“Become stronger, Lee Ahn. Then nine out of ten problems you’re worried about will resolve themselves.”

After parting ways with Lee Ahn, I left my residence.

Before leaving, I intended to see the Demon Supremes one by one. Although they weren’t people I particularly needed to check on, this time, I wanted to see them before I left.

The first place I visited was the Valley of Wicked, home of the Evil Smiling Demon.

He was always in that white room, staring at the wall, but today, Cheong Myeon informed me of his absence.

“The Demon Supreme left the cult a few days ago.”

“Can you tell me where he went?”

“He left without telling me.”

“When he returns, let him know that I stopped by.”

“Yes, I will.”

As I was turning to leave, Cheong Myeon asked me a question.

“May I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“This may seem like an odd question, but what does the Haunted Shade Corps mean to you?”

Understanding why he asked this question, I answered honestly.

“In the future, it will be my main force. It’s also the organization led by the person I cherish the most. It will probably become the busiest organization in the martial world. People will think fondly of the times they were under the Evil Smiling Demon.”

I could see Cheong Myeon’s eyes smiling behind his mask.

“Thank you for sharing that.”

Cheong Myeon bowed his head in greeting. I could have said a few words for Lee Ahn’s sake, but I didn’t. Only if he made his own decisions would even his regrets be meaningful.

Next, I visited the One-Slash Sword Supreme.

After hearing about past events from the Great Drunken Demon, I found myself pondering her life.

If things had worked out with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, would she be happier now?

“You seem to look younger these days.”

“Don’t say such nonsense. I’m worried because I’ve gotten more wrinkles lately.”

Despite her words, So Yeonrang’s face brightened at the rare compliment about her appearance.

“I heard you drank with Song Sa-hyuk.”

“How did you know?”

“He visited. He brought some good liquor and gave it to me. It was unusual for him.”

“What did he say when he gave you the liquor?”

“He was so proud and happy, bragging about how he became sworn brothers with you.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing. Becoming sworn brothers with me will mess up his priorities.”

“Then be friends with me, too.”

“Even as a joke, don’t say such things. I meant it as a joke.”

The Great Drunken Demon didn’t come just to boast about being sworn brothers. He probably confessed everything to me and felt sorry for her.

Indeed, how Song Sa-hyuk would act remained to be seen.

“As you know, the Great Drunken Demon doesn’t get along well with Gu Cheonpa. Will that be alright?”

“Senior, I need your help.”

“How?”

“Even if you don’t feel inclined, please speak kindly of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. I understand your disapproval, but I ask this for my sake.”

The One-Slash Sword Supreme remained silent. It seemed that even my presence couldn’t erase her resentment towards the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Still, I hoped things would improve. If the Great Drunken Demon stopped badmouthing old man Blade and started speaking positively, her feelings towards him might gradually change too.

Next, I visited the Great Drunken Demon.

However, Lyu Bin delivered unexpected news.

“The Great Drunken Demon has entered seclusion for training.”

I was taken aback by the sudden announcement.

“Seclusion training, all of a sudden?”

“He said he needed to detoxify himself from all the drinking he had done recently.”

“That’s good news, right?”

“Yes, it’s exactly what I had hoped for. Thank you very much, Young Master.”

“You’re welcome. We’ve also agreed to drink less and eat more while drinking, so please take good care of him.”

“Yes, I will.”

I had always felt that Lyu Bin had feelings for the Great Drunken Demon. Did he know about her feelings? He might be pretending not to know, just like a sly old fox.

Among the Demon Supremes, I visited Gu Cheonpa last.

“The Elder’s blademanship is becoming sharper.”

As usual, he was engrossed in training.

“As you grow, so too will your enemies become stronger.”

“Are you really training to face my enemies? Or are you preparing for a clash with the Demon Supremes who support my brother?”

“It’s not just about the successor battle.”

“Then what?”

“Do you remember what I said before? That when a dragon ascends to the heavens, it brings storms with it.”

“Of course. You said that, Elder. And that my people were being swept away by that storm.”

“That’s right. You said you were just a loach causing trouble in the muddy water, but I think that the sleeping dragons in the martial world will awaken because of that commotion.”

“Aren’t you overestimating me?”

“Not at all. You have the potential to stir the entire martial world. And given what you’ve shown so far, this is still an understatement. Be careful out there. Though it seems like our cult, the Martial Alliance, and the Unorthodox Alliance dominate the martial world, we only represent a small fraction of all martial artists. We never know when someone stronger than us will appear. Don’t forget, the Murim is a place where eccentric masters are as numerous as grains of sand.” 1

“I will always act with caution and discernment.”

“And wait a moment.”

Gu Cheonpa went into his room and came out with a small box. Inside, there was a single pill.

“This is a Fast Recovery Pill. Use it if you find yourself in a tight spot.”

The Fast Recovery Pill was an elixir that, when taken, allowed one to recover their internal energy two to three times faster than usual when depleted. Because it had no side effects, it was very expensive and hard to come by.

“Save it for yourself, Elder.”

“Are you planning to work this old man to death by making me take a Fast Recovery Pill? You take it and use it.”

He forcefully placed the pill in my hand. Feeling his concern and affection, my heart welled up.

Don’t worry, Elder. I will return safely.

Since I was receiving it anyway, I decided to lighten the mood.

“Don’t you have anything else to give me? Why don’t you check inside for more?”

“There’s nothing left! Nothing at all!”

“From your strong denial, it seems you do have more. I’ll look forward to it next time.”

As I was about to leave, smiling, Gu Cheonpa asked,

“How did things go with that cunning fellow?”

“We’ve decided to become sworn brothers.”

The Blade Demon first looked incredulous, then impressed.

“If you were truly a loach, you could never have become sworn brothers with that cunning fellow.”

Although he didn’t like the Great Drunken Demon, he acknowledged that becoming sworn brothers with him was quite an accomplishment.

“Trusting in you, Elder, I’ll do my best.”

“That’s why this old body is still wielding this heavy blade.”

After leaving the residence of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, I departed from the cult.

When I reached an area devoid of people, I started to run in earnest. Recently, I’ve come to prefer moving alone thanks to the Starlight Step.

However, I made sure to rest properly when needed. All my movements were reported to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, so there was no need to let everyone know how fast I could actually run when needed.

I utilized the Starlight Step to its extreme and ran to the designated points. Once I arrived, I spent the remaining time practicing the Wind God’s Four Steps.

My Dark Shadow Step became more stealthy, the Divine Lightning Step faster, and the Underworld King Step more ferocious. I trained continuously, pouring all my effort and focus into it. For now, my martial arts goal was to master the Wind God’s Four Steps completely.

According to the information provided by Heavenly Communication Pavilion, the Heavenly Society had caused various incidents in the Honam area.

The most recent incidents occurred in two places: Yeongheung and Donggu.

In the past, I went to Yeongheung first to investigate the incidents and track down Heavenly Society. However, it was eventually revealed that the incidents in Yeongheung were not the work of Heavenly Society but imitators.

Because of this, I had wasted a lot of time in the past. By the time I went to Donggu to trace their tracks, I was so anxious that I missed crucial clues and ultimately failed the mission.

Of course, this time I made the right choice.

Upon arriving in Donggu, I went straight to the site of the incident: Moon Wind Sect.

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1 : FYI, Murim/Jianghu can be translated as “World of Martial Arts”, but since it’s an handful, the term stayed as a staple.

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