Absolute Regression

I entered Maga Village with my father.

Walking through the marketplace together brought back fresh feelings. There’s always a special thrill that comes with experiencing something for the first time.

“How long has it been since you last came to Maga Village?”

“It’s been quite a while.”

From his words, it seemed he hadn’t been here in a long time.

“Feels good to get some fresh air, doesn’t it?”

What did this street mean to my father?

We walked slowly, looking at the shops lining the street, the vendors set up in front of them, and the passersby. We strolled leisurely through the place.

People seem to naturally have a certain presence. My father neither unleashed his inner power nor emitted any aura, yet the path opened naturally for him.

People unconsciously moved aside rather than block his way. My father had something indescribable about him that couldn’t be explained merely by presence.

I stopped in front of a fabric shop that sold both silk and clothing.

“Father, since we’re out like this, why don’t we get matching martial arts uniforms?”

“I have dozens of martial arts uniforms made by master tailors.”

“But you don’t have any matching ones with your son, do you? Just one set, please?”

I entered the fabric shop first. My father followed me, unable to resist my request.

Inside the shop, there were all kinds of silks, fabrics, and clothes piled up.

Before my father could change his mind, I hurriedly chose a martial arts uniform.

“How about the uniform hanging over there?”

It was a martial arts uniform emblazoned with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s emblem. Originally, the emblem shouldn’t be used lightly, but since it couldn’t be stopped from being sold, it had eventually been accepted as a sort of souvenir.

But my father pointed elsewhere.

“What about that one?”

It was a bright white martial arts uniform, embroidered with plum blossoms on the sleeves and legs, making it look like it belonged to the orthodox sects.

“You want to go with that one?”

“You said you wanted to visit the Central Plains next time, right? You can’t wear something like that there, can you?”

“!”

I was really surprised. He remembered my words about visiting the Central Plains together!

“I like it too. We’ll take two of those uniforms, please.”

Surprisingly, my father paid for them.

“You said you’d buy me a meal, right? I’ll buy the clothes.”

“Thank you, Father.”

I carefully packed the two sets of uniforms, each wrapped in paper.

There were so many things I wanted to say, but I kept silent. If I blabbered on, my father might say something sharp to break the awkward atmosphere. It was best to just enjoy the current mood and situation.

“Where are you buying the meal?”

“Over there.”

I took my father to the Flowing Wind Tavern.

If I were to bring my father, we should probably go to the best inn, tavern, or brothel in the area, but I didn’t want to. The best places would likely already be frequented by Demon Supremes, and I thought somewhere meaningful to me would be better.

“This is my regular spot.”

Jo Chunbae greeted us with a broad smile.

“Today, you’ve come with a guest I’ve never seen before.”

“Not a guest, but family.”

“It’s the first time you’ve brought family. Right? Yes? Family? When you say family…”

Startled, Jo Chunbae scrutinized my father.

He couldn’t see my father’s face because of the bamboo hat, but he could tell from the aura that my father wasn’t young. Jo Chunbae took a step back instinctively.

Then he asked me with his eyes.

No, right? Really not, right?

I answered with a nod.

Yes, it’s the person you’re thinking of.

Realizing that the person accompanying me was the Heavenly Demon, Jo Chunbae turned pale and trembled like a leaf. How could I miss out on such great entertainment?

I ordered the dishes my father selected.

“Please make it delicious.”

“Yes.”

Jo Chunbae’s legs were shaking as he walked to the kitchen. Thanks to that, he heard my voice transmission for the first time.

—Cook comfortably. Surely, my father wouldn’t kill you just because the food is bad?

Jo Chunbae stumbled even more and barely made it into the kitchen.

“When was the last time you had a drink at a place like this?”

“I used to come when I was young.”

“But never after becoming the Cult Leader, right?”

My father nodded.

“Don’t you feel suffocated?”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, coming out into the world might be more suffocating. There are so many people you’d want to kill, but you can’t kill them all.”

I poured my father a drink as he chuckled softly. My father also filled my cup. Now, exchanging drinks felt natural. Well, we were even getting matching outfits now.

“You’ve increased your inner power significantly. How did you do it?”

“I got the Blood Divine Pill from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.”

My honest answer surprised my father.

“He gave that to you? That greedy man?”

“I guess I look pitiful to everyone. Whenever they see me, they want to give me elixirs.”

“Indeed.”

My father drank, and I emptied my cup too. He seemed to have a lot to say, but in the end, he only said this.

“As long as you didn’t lose anything of yours.”

“Don’t worry. I take after you in being greedy when it comes to martial arts.”

In the meantime, the dishes were served.

Jo Chunbae was originally someone who roamed the tavern. He possessed the skill to run around with dishes full in both hands without spilling a drop.

Even if there was alcohol spilled on the floor, he wouldn’t slip. He moved gracefully like a master using the Lightfoot Technique, darting around swiftly, and when someone ordered an expensive dish, he would quickly rush over like a master using the Phantom Step Technique to take the order.

But today, Jo Chunbae was different. He walked gingerly, as if he was crawling, fearing that the dishes might spill. It was the first time I had seen him handle food so cautiously.

“I thought an assassin was coming.”

At my tease, Jo Chunbae, with a pleading look not to speak to him, carefully set down the dishes.

“If you need anything else, please call me anytime!”

Then, with a nearly choking face, Jo Chunbae went downstairs.

He couldn’t stand on the first-floor stairs to eavesdrop on my father’s food evaluation. Trying to eavesdrop on the Heavenly Demon would cost him his life.

My father tasted the dishes and nodded.

“They’re not bad.”

“Please tell the owner directly later. He’ll be really pleased.”

“Useless talk.”

“To someone, that useless talk could be a lifelong memory and a source of pride. If you don’t say it, they’ll never know.”

My father just silently continued eating with his chopsticks.

Then, suddenly, he asked.

“Why did the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader get so shaken? Tell me about that.”

Originally, I should have answered, ‘It was to acquire a divine artifact and eventually to win people over.’

But as a successor, I gave a more fitting answer.

“I tried to separate the Heavenly Wind Cult from the Eight Supreme Demons.”

“So? Did you succeed?”

“It seems successful for now.”

“What did you promise in return?”

“I want to establish a branch of the Heavenly Wind Cult in the Central Plains. Even if it’s a very small one.”

“Absolutely not!”

“Why not?”

My father gave an unexpected answer.

“Do you know why I oppose them coming to the Central Plains?”

“Is it not because of the historical conflict between the Blood Cult and our Cult?”

My father shook his head.

“What does the past have to do with it? That’s not the reason.”

“Is it because they joined hands with the Eight Supreme Demons?”

“That was intentional. I let them join hands.”

My father said something that would shock the Demons if they heard it.

“Whether to strike the Heavenly Wind Cult or the Eight Supreme Demons. If they are entangled, it’s easier to find an excuse.”

Indeed, I could tell that Father was not afraid of the Heavenly Wind Cult or the Eight Demonic Lords at all.

“Then why do you oppose it?”

“It’s not the right time yet. Just know that.”

The words “not the right time yet” struck me deeply.

I could sense Father’s thoughts. The expansion of the Heavenly Wind Cult into the Central Plains was significant not only for us but also for the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance.

Especially if the Murim Alliance, which had once suffered great damage from the Blood Cult’s invasion, started to drive the Heavenly Wind Cult’s expansion as a revival of the Blood Cult, it could lead to significant political repercussions.

When Father said it was not the right time, was he also saying that he would decide the timing?

‘Father, are you perhaps dreaming of unifying the martial world deep in your heart?’

That dream was not achieved due to Hwa Moogi, but considering Father’s abilities, it might just be possible. Although the Blood Heaven Blade Demon called me a hidden dragon, the real hidden dragon might be Father, who has yet to awaken…

I felt an urge to subtly probe Father’s thoughts, but I restrained myself. If I did it carelessly, this pleasant moment might be ruined. There would be plenty of opportunities to find out later.

“I understand. I will handle the matter myself.”

“How?”

“I am personally connected with the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult, so I will resolve it on a personal level.”

“Personally? That’s the hardest way.”

“But it’s also the most effective. Don’t worry, I won’t be arrogant in thinking I understand other people’s hearts. I won’t be greedy in trying to win others’ hearts, and I will never trust them completely.”

It was half true. I didn’t want to live a life like that. What’s the point of becoming a Heavenly Demon if I must suspect everyone?

I might not fully understand people’s hearts, but I would try. I might not win everyone’s hearts, but I would at least gain enough to avoid treating each other with lies and hypocrisy. I still intended to trust those who deserved it.

“Leave the matter of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to me. I will handle it well.”

Father nodded and then stood up.

“Thanks for the meal. Come play Go with me next month.”

“Yes! You’d better sharpen your stones!”

When Father extended his hand, one of the two martial robes I had placed beside me flew into his grasp.

He took it and went down to the first floor.

More than buying the martial robe together or calculating the cost, it was more touching to see Father take the robe on his own without being told.

And the unexpected side of Father was completed by Jo Chunbae.

As Father passed by, Jo Chunbae, who was standing next to the counter, bowed so deeply that his forehead almost touched the floor.

“It was an honor to serve you.”

Father, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks.

“The food was good.”

Leaving behind Jo Chunbae, who was too shocked and touched to speak, Father walked outside.

Jo Chunbae, who had been standing there blankly, belatedly shouted.

“Yes! Thank you! Please visit us again!”

Father was already walking far away.

Only then did Jo Chunbae relax, letting out a long sigh of relief before collapsing into a chair.

He took out a bottle of alcohol he had hidden under the counter and drank it in one go. He usually didn’t drink while working, but today was beyond ordinary.

Leaning against the second-floor railing, I asked him.

“How do you feel?”

“I have no regrets even if I die now. If I am reborn, I will live as the owner of the Flowing Wind Tavern again.”

“If you are reborn, you should live as a hero of Murim.”

“No, I am satisfied with this life of watching over someone like you, Master. It’s enough to serve delicious food.”

“You could live like this even if you become a master.”

“That would be more miserable. I would have to endure it even though I am a master.”

“I see.”

Watching Jo Chunbae drink was a rare sight. I then looked outside the tavern. Far away, I could see Father walking slowly among the people. Who would know? That they had just passed by the Heavenly Demon.

Before my regression, I didn’t observe well.

I didn’t notice Father’s back, Jo Chunbae’s flushed face smiling happily, or those people busily walking somewhere. I didn’t see them. I didn’t look at their eyes or mouths to understand their hearts. Because I didn’t see, I didn’t know, and because I didn’t know, I couldn’t win.

Yes, I didn’t lose to Hwa Moogi. I lost to my life. To my indifferent life.

“Master, would you like more alcohol?”

Jo Chunbae asked from below.

“No, I have people to see today.”

Leaving the Flowing Wind Tavern, I walked the same path Father had taken back to the Cult.

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