Absolute Regression

As the Alliance Leader turned his gaze towards us, the previously noisy hall began to quiet down.

His eyes shifted from his granddaughter to me, standing beside her. I avoided making direct eye contact and slightly bowed my head.

Even without looking, I could tell his gaze was scrutinizing me. It was a tense moment, and I made no attempt to hide my tension. After all, it would be stranger if an ordinary servant like me didn’t feel nervous in such a setting.

Even if I were to be exposed, I tried my best not to reveal myself.

The Martial Alliance Leader, Jin Paecheon, addressed me.

“Who might you be, young hero?”

At that exact moment, Jin Haryeong spoke loudly.

“He’s the person I’m seeing.”

This was her plan to save me.

Though I had chosen to face things head-on, she also opted for a direct confrontation. I had somewhat expected it, but seeing it in action, I felt grateful for her courage and consideration. For the granddaughter of the Alliance Leader to say such a thing in front of so many people—how could that be an easy feat?

Her words caused a stir among those present. Among them were Jo Sohyeop and his father, the Master of the True Dragon Manor, Jo Ryongjang.

Jo Ryongjang frowned deeply. He was in the middle of arranging his son’s marriage, and the prospective daughter-in-law had brought another man along.

On the other hand, Jo Sohyeop was smiling as he looked at us. Yet, he was undoubtedly feeling deeply humiliated.

When Jin Paecheon raised his hand, the crowd instantly fell silent.

“I wasn’t asking you,” he said to Jin Haryeong before turning his attention back to me.

“Who are you, young hero?”

“I am Geom Yeon.”

“From which sect do you come?”

“I am an attendant accompanying Seo Ryong, the young lord of Seodo Sect in Gansu.”

At the word “attendant,” the surrounding murmurs grew even louder than before.

Although Jin Paecheon rarely showed his emotions in front of the gathered martial artists, at that moment, he couldn’t hide his confusion.

Jin Paecheon glanced at Jin Haryeong. His expression seemed to ask, “Are you really going to go this far?” Jin Haryeong’s expression was resolute, as if to say, “Yes, I am.”

Jin Paecheon’s gaze returned to me. Regardless of her bombshell declaration, I wondered just how much the Alliance Leader had deduced about me.

“Young hero Geom.”

Though I had introduced myself as a servant, he still addressed me as “young hero.”

“Haryeong has always been a mischievous child since she was young. Her specialty was especially in surprising people. Once, she even attempted to reverse the principles of swordsmanship, nearly leading to a qi deviation. And today, she’s brought you along to surprise us all.”

Jin Paecheon spoke as if today’s events were just another one of her pranks.

“Everyone’s been surprised enough, so I believe your role here is complete. You’ve been dragged along by that rascal, and you’ve endured a lot. I’ll treat you separately another time, so please take your leave for today.” ℟αNỐʙЁS̩

The Alliance Leader concluded the situation in this manner. Some might believe that Jin Haryeong was merely playing a prank, while others might think the Alliance Leader was trying to brush off her defiance in this way.

At least one thing was clear: no one actually believed I was truly the person she was dating.

Of course, Jin Haryeong wasn’t going to back down so easily.

“Remember how shocked you were back then when I almost got a qi deviation? If you hadn’t been there, I might not even be alive today. So, I’ve decided not to play pranks anymore. This person here is truly someone I care about.”

Everyone’s eyes once again focused on me. Some clicked their tongues or sighed at my appearance.

Their expressions said it all, ranging from, “Yes, even the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” to “Even the Alliance Leader isn’t an exception.” They simply couldn’t voice their thoughts openly in front of him.

“Are you saying you like that man?”

“Yes.”

She answered without hesitation to her grandfather’s question.

Tension hung between them, tighter than any confrontation on a martial stage. Everyone, except Jo Sohyeop and the Master of the True Dragon Manor, watched the unfolding drama with keen interest.

“So, you might marry that man, then.”

At the mention of marriage, Jin Haryeong flinched.

“Marriage is a significant life event, so we need to get to know each other better first.”

“You made this declaration in front of so many people, so what’s there to hesitate about? Fine. Since he’s the one you want, I’ll arrange for you to marry him.” 1

“Grandfather!”

“I’ll marry you off right here and now. Isn’t this what you’ve been asking for? You said you didn’t want a marriage of convenience, that you wanted to marry someone you love. Very well, I’ll grant your wish!”

Jin Paecheon didn’t stop there and pushed even further.

“Prepare for the wedding immediately.”

At the Alliance Leader’s command, his subordinates actually started making preparations for the wedding on the spot.

As things progressed in this unexpected direction, Jin Haryeong’s face clearly showed her alarm.

While she knew her grandfather’s personality wasn’t an ordinary one, she hadn’t anticipated that he would push for a wedding right here and now.

“We haven’t even greeted his family yet.”

“Martial artists aren’t ones to be bound by formalities; everyone will understand. Just go and greet them properly later.”

Jin Haryeong looked at me with a flustered expression. Truly, this was a situation I hadn’t foreseen either.

“Our prospective son-in-law, come over here and have a drink with me.”

Prospective son-in-law? This was truly something I had never heard in my life, even counting my previous life before regression. And to hear it from the Martial Alliance Leader, no less? Father, here I am, being called son-in-law by the Martial Alliance Leader while receiving a drink! 2

I accepted the drink poured by the Alliance Leader. It was my first drink from him.

“Thank you.”

“Please take good care of my granddaughter from now on.”

From the deep and cold gaze directed at me, I knew. He had already discerned my true identity. For now, he intended to address the issue concerning his granddaughter in front of the martial artists, and deal with me afterward.

He gave me a faint smile. It wasn’t a smile of pleasure; it was a warning—one that said, “We’ll talk later.”

In the meantime, the wedding preparations were carried out swiftly. Since weddings among martial artists were not uncommon in the Martial Alliance, preparing for one was no difficult task.

In the end, Jin Haryeong raised the white flag.

“Stop! I give up. We are not getting married.”

Only then did Jin Paecheon smile.

Who do you think you are to mess with this old man? 3

I acknowledge defeat, Grandfather. But I need to explain this.

With such expressions exchanged, Jin Haryeong began explaining the situation to everyone.

“Esteemed elders, respected seniors, I apologize for ruining this precious gathering today. There’s a reason I caused such a disturbance. Someone tried to kill this person out of jealousy simply because he was with me. I concocted this plan to protect him.”

At that moment, someone in the audience clapped and shouted.

“Impressive!”

It was Jo Sohyeop.

“To go this far for such a shabby and unattractive servant! Truly remarkable!” 4

As he clapped, others joined in.

I could sense that Jo Sohyeop was brimming with venom. All the better. People often make mistakes when emotions run high. Go ahead and act even crazier.

Jin Haryeong raised her voice and addressed everyone.

“From now on, if anyone touches this man, I will personally seek revenge in my name. My grandfather has always taught me to refrain from bullying the weak, so I hope you all remember that.”

Mentioning the Alliance Leader was a very clever move.

After finishing her speech, Jin Haryeong tugged on my sleeve.

“Let’s go now. Grandfather, I apologize for today’s events. I’ll come back later to formally apologize.”

She and I bowed politely to the Alliance Leader before I followed her out of the hall.

After leaving the banquet hall, we walked in silence through the inner grounds of the Martial Alliance.

Then, she came to a stop.

“I’m sorry for not telling you in advance.”

“It’s fine.”

“You told me once, didn’t you? That people get hurt because of my selfishness.”

“I didn’t exactly say it that way.”

“But that’s what you meant. You were right; even in how I handled this situation, I acted selfishly. But no matter how much I thought about it, this was the only way I could protect you.”

Regardless of whether the method was right or wrong, she genuinely tried to protect me.

“Since I said it in front of my grandfather, no one would dare make a move against you. And if someone does, well, that would work in my favor. It would give me an excuse to never have to engage in a political marriage. I could just say, ‘See, Grandfather, you said he was a good person, but look at this.’”

“In that case, I’ll gladly die for your sake, my lady.”

Jin Haryeong looked at me with a slightly annoyed expression.

“I know you’re joking, but please don’t make such jokes. Ever since I was young, my grandfather drilled this into me countless times: our righteous sect exists solely to protect good people from evil ones. I may not be that great of a person, but I won’t just stand by and let others be unhappy because of me.”

“You’re remarkable.”

“I wasn’t saying it to receive praise.”

“But are you okay with this? By tomorrow, word of what happened today will spread.”

“It won’t be a bad rumor. In fact, the story will likely spread positively: the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader caused a commotion to save an attendant! The Alliance manages such things, you know. Didn’t you realize?”

She stared at me intently.

“At least until the Soaring Dragon Tournament is over, no one will be able to touch you. Find an opportunity and leave, go far, far away. Don’t go back home; find somewhere else to go.”

She pulled out some money from her robes and handed it to me.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to treat you to noodles and drinks three times.”

It was more money than the cost of noodles and drinks. It was clearly meant for my escape.

There was a hint of regret in her gaze. She seemed to believe this would be our last moment together. Even if I didn’t leave immediately, she had no intention of getting closer to me. She wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be in danger again.

“I wish you happiness.”

As I watched her turn and walk away, I looked down at the money in my hand.

Then, I raised my head to the bright, clear moon above.

“Father, the unified martial world you dream of can only be achieved by killing all such people.” 5

After a moment of melancholic contemplation, I shook my head with a deep sigh, and spoke as I turned away from gazing up at the night sky.

“I have something to say.”

At some point, Martial Alliance Leader Jin Paecheon had silently positioned himself behind me. He must have overheard the entire conversation between her and me.

“Of course, you must speak. And you must choose your words wisely, for your very life hangs on each one of them.”

With his meridians opened, Jin Paecheon was not the same person I had seen earlier in the banquet hall.

His presence felt like an ocean. From afar, a deep resonance like the call of a whale echoed, and the breeze carried the scent of the sea. I felt as if I were alone, drifting in a boundless ocean. 6

In the next moment—

Chak! Chak! Chak! Chak! Chak! Chak! Chak! Chak!

Dozens of martial artists descended from all directions, striking the ground like bolts of lightning. They wore white masks and were dressed in white martial uniforms. These were the elite warriors of the Heavenly Dragon Guard, known to follow the Alliance Leader to the ends of the earth—even to hell if necessary.

Chaaeng!

When dozens of them drew their swords simultaneously, it sounded as if a single person had unsheathed a blade. Just from the sound, it was clear how well-trained and skilled these warriors were. The aura emanating from their swords constricted around me like a spider’s web.

“I wish to speak with the Alliance Leader alone.”

“And why should I oblige you?”

“What I am about to say is for the Alliance Leader’s ears only.”

The Alliance Leader did not order them to withdraw, nor would the guards easily retreat, especially when faced with an unknown master.

“If I had come here today to ambush the Alliance Leader, there would have been other opportunities and methods. At the very least, I would not attempt it under such tense circumstances.”

Upon hearing this, the Alliance Leader spoke to them.

“Withdraw.”

In an instant, they leapt away and vanished from sight. Although they disappeared from view, I knew they hadn’t completely gone. I also understood that it was impossible to make them withdraw fully.

They were not mere subordinates following the Alliance Leader’s orders; they were his protectors. No matter what happened, they never left his side.

They followed all orders, except for any command that told them not to protect the Alliance Leader.

Therefore, to kill the Alliance Leader, all of them would have to be eliminated.

I sent a sound transmission to Jin Paecheon.

—From now on, I will speak through sound transmission.

—Reveal your true identity.

I disclosed my identity to him.

—I am from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult…

Before I could even finish my sentence—

Boom!

A streak of force shot from Jin Paecheon’s hand like lightning and struck me.

Bang!

An explosive sound echoed around me as dust billowed into the air.

When the dust settled, I was still standing in the same spot, my arms crossed in front of me, using my body protection energy to block the force.

Looking at Jin Paecheon through my crossed arms, I continued my earlier statement.

—…the second son of the Cult Leader.

Swoosh!

Boom!

This time, an even more powerful force flew toward me and struck.

I didn’t budge, still standing in place with my arms crossed, blocking the force. Even though my protective energy was pushed to its limits and my arms felt as if they were about to be torn off, I was still uninjured.

—…Geom Mugeuk.

By blocking these two bursts of force, I proved my identity through my skill.

The Alliance Leader’s eyes shone like those of a tiger. He was completely different from the man who had asked, “Who are you, young hero?” earlier. Now, he was exuding a fierce and formidable presence. And I could feel it—this burning intensity was his true nature.

—Why has the son of the Cult Leader approached my granddaughter?

I unfolded my crossed arms and straightened my lowered posture.

—To save your granddaughter.

Jin Paecheon’s aura grew more ferocious. The overwhelming pressure swirling around me made it feel like my entire body was being torn apart.

This was the aura of the current Martial Alliance Leader, capable of shredding a person apart with mere presence alone.

The next burst of force would be incomparably stronger than the ones before. If he drew his sword, every strike would be one that decided life or death.

This was just the beginning—the battle to persuade him or not.

—I am the only one who can save your granddaughter.

Jin Paecheon’s aura shifted from ferocity to something terrifying. Dark clouds gathered, the world darkened, and the sea began to churn violently.

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1 : Crap, he knows. And he’s ready to push her until she admits she lied. Family is scary sometimes XDXDXD

2 : I want to see Sima Myung and Geom Woogin faces when they receive the report XDXDXD

3 : You’re still too young, little tortoise ^^

4 : First, fuck you, second you truly have a tick face, shameless bastard.

5 : Yeah, not worth it. If they were all assholes who make the people suffer it would be fine, but most of them seem to work on making a better world just like us. As long as they don’t go overboard, we can help them.

6 : He is an ocean, while Mugeuk is the boundless sky. The ocean brings melancholy, loneliness and awe, the sky brings freedom, drive and yearning. Don’t we all desire to fly ?

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