Absolute Regression

I left the residence of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and went to find Lee Ahn.

She was still deeply engrossed in her training, and her progress in the Soaring Sword Art had been remarkable.

“Lee Ahn.”

“Yes?”

“Once you receive the Poison Purification Technique, you may leave whenever you wish.”

“Huh? Why are you saying this all of a sudden?”

As I left the Cult Leader’s residence, thinking that shackles did not suit the man in shackles, Lee Ahn suddenly came to mind.

I wondered if she, too, might have invisible shackles binding her.

Not all shackles are visible, after all.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One-Slash Sword Supreme were connected by shackles of animosity that were difficult to sever.

What about my father? Like the man shackled in front of the Thunder Bell, perhaps my father was also bound by the responsibilities of the Heavenly Demon. Burdened with the heavy responsibility of protecting the cult.

“I’m saying you should feel free to choose your own path in life. You don’t have to be the leader of the Haunted Shade Corps. You can leave the cult and travel the Central Plains. Live as a hidden master in a peaceful village. You’ve received martial arts training from me, so there’s no need to repay any favors. You’ve already done more than enough for me, so feel free to make your own choices.”

Lee Ahn listened quietly to my words, then smiled and said,

“I guess I’ll have to reveal one more tail.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m happier and living a better life beside you, Young Master. Traveling is only enjoyable for a day or two, and being a hidden master is also fleeting. I’m happy every day within your protection. I’m not a fool; if I really hated it, I would have risked my life to escape long ago. I don’t know why you always see me as so good-natured.”

I chuckled as I looked at her.

“How many hidden tails do you have left?”

“About seven, maybe?”

“That’s plenty. Keep training.”

As I turned to leave, an unnecessary worry surfaced, and I added,

“But make sure to always keep at least one tail hidden.”

In my experience, having a secret technique up your sleeve is crucial.

Seeing her expression that seemed to say, ‘I know all that already,’ I left the place. Yes, as long as she knew.

* * *

The Demonic Buddha came to see the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

He was determined, and his eyes reflected that resolve as he entered.

“Did you kill someone on your way here? The murderous intent is overflowing from someone who follows the Dharma.”

“The Buddha I serve sometimes violates the precept against killing.”

“You’ve become the Buddha of Colors, and now the Buddha of Killing. You must be a very busy person.”

The Demonic Buddha did not sit but stood and stared at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. Standing upright, he was almost at eye level with the seated Cult Leader. Sensitive about his height, matching eye levels like this indicated that he was very angry.

“Listen, Heavenly Wind Cult Leader!”

“What is it?”

“How long have we known each other?”

“I don’t quite remember.”

“Exactly. It’s been so long that we can’t even recall, and yet you treat me like this?”

“Please, sit down. Let’s talk while seated.”

But he did not sit and continued to glare at the Cult Leader. The golden aura emanating from him grew even more intense.

“I didn’t expect you to resort to such transparent tricks!”

“Did you call it a trick?”

The Cult Leader’s expression hardened, but the Demonic Buddha had come prepared.

The One-Slash Sword Supreme and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon began to persuade the other Demonic Supremes. The Demonic Supremes reacted differently when they met the Demonic Buddha compared to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. They were all individualistic and unafraid of others’ opinions, so it was impossible to predict whose side they would take in the end.

Thus, the Demonic Buddha came directly to confront the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

“Seducing the young disciple of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme and taking her as your disciple? What exactly are you trying to do?”

“I didn’t seduce her. That child came to me on her own.”

“Then you should have sent her back! As an adult, you should have sent her back!”

“Why should I do that?”

“Why do you want to become the master of our cult’s disciple?”

“Because the martial arts those ghost sorcerers learn are the Blood Cult’s demonic arts!”

“Are you saying you’re a member of the Blood Cult now? Are you serious?”

Everyone knew that the Heavenly Wind Cult was the successor to the Blood Cult, but openly mentioning or linking them was forbidden. The Blood Cult had a history of waging wars against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The only reason the Cult Leader was invited was because he was the leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

“Are you just playing with words now?”

“I could somewhat understand when you staged the theft of the sacred artifact. But this time, I can’t tolerate it at all.”

“A staged incident? You’re accusing a friend whose sacred artifact was stolen of staging it? I came here trusting you, and I got the sacred artifact stolen. Instead of taking responsibility, you make such baseless accusations!”

“Did you think we’d believe that? The Demon Supremes aren’t fools.”

“You don’t seem that smart yourself.”

“What did you say?”

“How many times in your life have you been called smart? Be honest.”

For a moment, the Demonic Buddha’s expression hardened. He knew very well that he wasn’t considered particularly intelligent.

Using harsh words to shoot others down and suppressing their momentum was a method he often employed to steer conversations in his favor.

As the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader prodded at his inferiority complex, the Demonic Buddha decided to play his trump card.

“Listen, my friend. This place isn’t the wilderness.”

“Are you seriously threatening me now?”

“It’s not a threat, just stating the reality. I’ve been close to you for a long time, but the other Demon Supremes don’t feel the same. I can’t predict how they’ll react.”

“With your poor imagination, it can’t be much. You’d probably lead them to kill me.”

“If that were the case, at least we’d be able to say our farewells.”

A tense atmosphere hung between the two.

“Don’t underestimate the Demon Supremes. They’ll try to dispose of you in a much more miserable way.”

“Why do you keep underestimating me while telling me not to underestimate them?”

“I’m not underestimating you. You simply have a fatal weakness.”

“Weakness?”

“If the Demon Supremes decide to eliminate you, they won’t foolishly attack you directly. Instead, they’ll drive a wedge between you and the Cult Leader and let that destroy you. Can you handle that, our Cult Leader?”

Faced with a threat involving the Heavenly Demon, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was momentarily speechless. The Heavenly Demon, who loathed the Blood Sect, was indeed a significant weakness for him.

“Pretend to search for the sacred artifact for a few days, then leave. Expel your disciple. I’ll speak to the Demon Supremes for you.”

“And if I refuse?”

The Demonic Buddha merely chuckled and walked out. That left the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader even more infuriated, and he remained silent for a long time.

Eventually, he spoke.

“I’ve just made up my mind.”

Gritting his teeth, the Cult Leader glared at the shackled man in front of the Thunder Bell.

“I will ensure the Second Young Master becomes the Heavenly Demon.”

* * *

“What brings you here, Second Young Master?”

Today, as always, the Strategist Advisor, Sima Myung, was buried in work.

“I came to see you because I wanted to play. If you have time, let’s visit Maga Village together.”

Sima Myung was startled by my suggestion.

“Maga Village?”

“You’re the most important person in the sect, but the sect won’t collapse if you slack off for a day.”

“The sad secret is that it wouldn’t collapse even if I slacked off for a year.”

“Then, to keep the secret hidden, let’s just have fun for two hours.”

“Sounds good.”

Without hesitation, Sima Myung closed his documents and stood up. He must have guessed that I didn’t just come to play.

“If you’re not around, the Martial Alliance will immediately attack.”

“You must not know the Heavenly Communication Pavilion very well. There’s a line of smart strategists waiting for me to step back.”

“Those people have chosen a difficult path.”

We left his office with smiles.

The place I took him to was the Flowing Wind Tavern.

“So, it was here after all.”

It meant he knew the Flowing Wind well. Well, he probably knew everything about me, so of course, he would know about the Flowing Wind.

“Are you disappointed? Were you expecting the best brothel in Maga Village?”

It was an exaggerated joke, but Sima Myung accepted it with a laugh.

“I was hoping to pretend I couldn’t resist and follow you.”

“This is why preconceptions are scary. I’ll make a reservation for the next time we slack off!”

“Hahaha.”

We sat across from each other in my usual spot on the second floor of the Flowing Wind.

I introduced Sima Myung to Jo Chunbae, who came to take our order.

“This is the Strategist Advisor of our sect. Greet him.”

“Uh-heok!”

Jo Chunbae bowed deeply to Sima Myung, looking like he was about to faint. These days, he was overwhelmed by visits from high-ranking people. First, the Demonic Army Commander, then the Demon Supremes, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and now the Strategist Advisor. Especially, the title of Strategist Advisor carried a different weight than any other.

“I’ve always respected you. You’re the person I respect the most.”

“The person you respect the most isn’t my father?”

Jo Chunbae was startled by my joke.

“Of course not! I respect the Strategist Advisor second.”

“Oh, I thought I was the second.”

“Actually, it’s the Pavilion Leader that I respect the most…”

He pretended to be flustered to match the mood.

“I’m just kidding. Bring the drinks first and make sure today’s food is delicious.”

“Yes, sir!”

After Jo Chunbae served the drinks, he hurried back to the kitchen.

I poured a drink for Sima Myung.

“This is our first time drinking together, just the two of us, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“I should have invited you sooner, but I was late.”

“No, you’ve been very busy.”

“Busy? You’re the one who’s busy, I’m always slacking off.”

“If you say that, what are the real slackers supposed to do?”

He was the one who knew best how diligently I had been running around lately.

We drank while chatting about this and that. Sima Myung could drink more than I expected.

“You can really hold your liquor.”

“Of course. I used to drink like a fish in my younger days.”

“That’s surprising.”

I couldn’t quite picture Sima Myung as a heavy drinker in his youth.

“So, what brings you here?”

He knew I hadn’t come just to play. I decided to get straight to the point.

“I have something I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

“What makes a good strategist?”

Sima Myung’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. Then his gaze shifted to his drink.

“When I was young, I often asked myself that question, but it’s been a while since I last thought about it.”

It’s always difficult to answer such questions. What if someone asked me what makes a good martial artist? What would I say?

But Sima Myung answered immediately.

“In my opinion, a good strategist is one who is smarter than the opposing strategist. No profound meaning, just literally smarter than the other strategist. That’s my answer. It’s fine if there’s someone smarter than me in our cult. It’s fine if they’re here in this tavern. It’s fine if you’re smarter than me. But…”

After a brief pause, Sima Myung continued.

“You have to be smarter than the strategists of the Martial Alliance. You have to be smarter than the strategists of the Unorthodox Alliance. That’s all that matters.”

It was an answer I hadn’t expected. As if anticipating my reaction, Sima Myung smiled and asked.

“Is it a bland answer?”

“That’s why it resonated with me.”

“When I was younger, I probably would have come up with a different answer. Maybe something more scholarly.”

I could guess what he meant. The older and more skilled one becomes, the simpler the answers tend to be.

“Martial artists in the field can adapt and improvise. They can change their tactics based on the situation. But strategists don’t have that luxury. One wrong plan, and it’s total annihilation. If you die by your own choice, there’s less regret. But how unjust would it be to die because of a superior’s poor judgment? That’s why I always tell junior strategists to become desperately smarter! Everything hinges on that.”

This was the first time I realized that Sima Myung had such thoughts. Just like it was my first time discovering that he could drink well.

Sima Myung refilled my empty glass and spoke.

“Now, it’s my turn to ask a question.”

In fact, I didn’t come to hear what makes a good strategist. I had come today to hear this question from him.

“Why did you ask such a question?”

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