Absolute Regression

After leaving the Valley of the Wicked, I headed to the Southern Heavens Blade Family, where the Blood Heaven Blade Demon resided.

In the courtyard, Seo Daeryong, who was training, was startled upon seeing the white mask dangling from my waist.

“Gasp! No way! Did you really kill the Evil Smiling Demon?”

After saying this, Seo Daeryong seemed shocked by his own words and quickly covered his mouth.

“Of course. Did you think I would let such a villain live?”

When I spoke coldly, Seo Daeryong lowered his hand from his mouth, looking relieved.

“That’s a relief. I really thought you killed him.”

“I told you, I did kill him!”

“The Pavilion Lord isn’t foolish enough to carry around evidence of a murder on his waist.” 1

“I was so shocked by the mask that I spoke without thinking. But why do you have that mask? Are you planning to infiltrate the Valley of the Wicked?”

“Why would I need this to infiltrate there? Maybe you would need it for an infiltration.”

With a single Dark Shadow Step, no Faceless Swordsman could ever sense my presence.

“This is a gift from the Evil Smiling Demon.”

Seo Daeryong looked even more shocked than before.

“The Evil Smiling Demon gave you a gift?”

“Yes, personally, at Maga Village. He even paid money for it.”

“What’s more surprising is that he carried money. I thought he would just kill and take whatever he wanted. Anyway, you must be the first and last person to receive a gift from the Evil Smiling Demon.”

“Investigator Seo.”

“Yes.”

“There are as many uncertainties in our future as there are in people’s hearts. Did you ever imagine on the day we first met that we would be having this conversation in the courtyard of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s home?”

“Indeed, that’s true. When I was persuaded by the Pavilion Lord at the tavern, I never imagined such a training hell awaited me.”

As he sighed, I smiled.

“One day, you’ll also say this: ‘I never knew that hellish training would save my life.’”

Seo Daeryong smiled at me. He himself was proof of those words. There was no longer any crookedness or gloom in him. One can never know what lies ahead. ʀÅƝőＢƐs

Leaving him to resume his training, I entered Gu Cheonpa’s house.

The Blade Demon was pulling books from the bookshelf.

“Keep playing tricks like that, and you’ll lose your head.”

“Is it fitting for someone who reads poetry to use such vulgar language?”

“It’s because you’re wearing such an unlucky thing.”

As I entered the room, I put on the white mask as a joke.

Just like I did with Soma, I placed the mask on my head like a hat.

“I will be leaving the sect with the Evil Smiling Demon tomorrow. I came to ask you to take care of things while I’m away.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon continued to pull books from the shelf, not even looking back as he spoke.

“Don’t worry, everything will run smoothly. It runs fine without me, and it will run fine without you.”

“Isn’t that right? It’s running too smoothly, in fact. Oh, and please inform So Yeonrang on my behalf.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Tell her I couldn’t say goodbye because I was too busy.”

The reason I specifically asked the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was to create an excuse for the two of them to meet again.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon seemed to understand my intention and snorted but did not refuse. This indicated that he too wished for reconciliation with the Sword Supreme.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

As I turned to leave, old man Blade asked from behind.

“Are you really planning to bring the Evil Smiling Demon to our side?”

“Maybe not to our side, but at least I won’t let him become our enemy.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“If the Evil Smiling Demon teams up with Muyang, he will become several times more troublesome than he is now.”

“The Evil Smiling Demon is not someone who would truly serve the Eldest Young Master.”

“That’s the problem. The two of them will continue working together, trading tasks and rewards while keeping a suitable distance. They won’t have emotional conflicts or hurt each other’s pride. They’ll get along better than anyone else, even better than with the Demonic Buddha.”

In reality, they did get along well. Their compatibility in work made them closer than Ma Bul or the Blade Demon.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

“Wait a moment.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon rearranged the books he had taken out, placing them in different spots. As the last book was placed,

Slide.

The bookshelf opened, revealing a secret room. It was a sophisticated hidden passage that opened when specific books were placed in specific spots.

What surprised me more than the existence of the secret room was that he opened it so casually in front of me.

Gu Cheonpa entered the secret room and came out with something.

He casually tossed what he had retrieved onto the table in front of me.

“Take it.”

“What is this?”

I opened the neatly wrapped package to find a thin garment inside.

“It’s the Ghost Protector Garment. Wearing it will make getting beaten up a bit less painful.”

It was more than just a little less painful. The Ghost Protector Garment was among the highest-quality armors, impervious even to swords.

“Are you really giving me such a precious item?”

“Yes.”

“You should wear it, sir.”

“What use would it be for an old man like me? It’s unbecoming.”

“Then sell it.”

“Sell it?”

“Yes, make some money.”

“And do what with the money?”

Come to think of it, he had no heirs to pass his wealth to.

“Enjoy gourmet food as you travel around the Central Plains.”

“What gourmet food? At my age, I can barely digest the noodles I had for lunch.”

Knowing it was not just a joke made my heart ache. I understood because I had experienced it myself. No matter how skilled one is, aging is inevitable.

“Do you not want to wear it? If you don’t, forget it.”

“How could that be?”

As he tried to take it back, I snatched it faster than light and wore the Ghost Protector Garment on the spot. Isn’t it customary to wear such armor immediately as a sign of respect?

“It’s a perfect fit! It feels really comfortable.”

It was thin and flexible, almost like I wasn’t wearing anything. With this garment, along with wrapping myself in the Celestial Silk and using the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Technique, I wouldn’t be cut even if hit by sword energy or sword force.

Gu Cheonpa, who didn’t care for showing off, had already moved to the courtyard where Seo Daeryong was to avoid my thanks and started to endlessly nag him.

After watching the two practice martial arts for a while, I quietly left his residence.

I intended to repay the Blood Heaven Blade Demon not with words, but with actions.

* * *

“When are you leaving again?”

For some reason, Lee Ahn seemed less worried about me than the Blade Demon.

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Then we can’t have a farewell party. Ah, I was hoping we could all gather and have a drink for the first time in a while.”

“Lee Ahn! Is that important right now? I’m about to head to the Central Plains with the Evil Smiling Demon. Isn’t it dangerous? I’ll escort you! Where’s the old Lee Ahn?”

“I miss her too, that affectionate Lee Ahn.”

“It’s all because of training. We should stop it.”

I approached and examined Lee Ahn’s hands. The calluses layered on her palms spoke of her rigorous training.

“These days, it feels different when I hold a sword.”

Though she didn’t elaborate, I understood what she meant.

The Soaring Sword Art, having reached the eighth level, would constantly tempt and stimulate her. It would push her to seek out strong opponents and fight them.

Although she still had a long way to go compared to me or a Demon Supreme, the Soaring Sword Art at the eighth level meant she was practically unmatched in the martial world.

“I’ll go trembling in fear with that terrifying Evil Smiling Demon.”

“You went directly to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion to get permission for that terrifying task, didn’t you?”

“Who told you that?”

“Investigator Seo already visited.”

“He must be the most talkative right-hand man in the martial world.”

Even at my joke, Lee Ahn didn’t laugh.

“I was always the first to know about your news. Naturally, I followed you whenever you left the cult.”

“Are you upset?”

Then, her true feelings burst forth.

“Yes, I’m upset. I’m so, so upset.”

With a long sigh, her suppressed emotions poured out.

“I’m worried! I want to follow and protect you! I know I’ve been given the overly generous position of Haunted Shade Corps Squad Leader instead of just a guard, but what I still want is to protect you by your side. I want to die by your side if I must. That’s my dream… I thought that if I became stronger, I could truly protect you, and until I become that useful person, I must endure and train… endure and train…”

Then, Lee Ahn broke down.

“…I knew you were so busy and tired… I didn’t want to tell you this… I’m sorry. I’ll keep training hard.”

In the end, tears she had held back began to fall from her eyes.

“Pack your bags.”

She flinched at that moment.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong. Please don’t kick me out.”

“What are you talking about? Pack your bags. You’re coming with me tomorrow.”

She was stunned.

“Really?”

“You’re right. If you don’t protect me, who will? Come with me. Go ahead and protect me to your heart’s content.”

“Yes! I’m really happy!”

For the first time in a long while, Lee Ahn was so happy she jumped for joy.

“Thank you, Young Master. Thank you so much.”

“Leaving home is tough. What’s there to be thankful for? Especially when our companion is the Evil Smiling Demon.”

“Even if it were the Cult Leader, I’d still go! I’ll see you later. I have a lot to prepare. Women have a lot to get ready!”

Lee Ahn ran out of the training ground, looking busy.

Watching her excitement, I realized one thing.

Martial arts training is good, and changes in life are good, but the joy she feels right now… this moment is the most important.

Maybe my desire for her to become stronger had an underlying selfishness to ease my mind.

Wasn’t her hardship inevitably going to become my hardship, driven by my cowardly subconscious?

Her life was vibrantly alive and moving forward in the present, while I might have pushed her into this training ground to hide my own anxieties.

I finally realized that the true moment to use the Divine Poison Purification Technique was not connected to her but to the moment I overcame my own anxieties. Thus, I was able to make a decision.

Yes, now is truly the right time.

When we return from this journey, she will come back as a different person. 2

* * *

The next morning, I went to the Valley of the Wicked with Lee Ahn.

When we arrived, Soma had already finished preparing for departure.

“I plan to travel quietly with just one companion to serve me.”

The mask of the Faceless Swordsman, introduced by the Evil Smiling Demon, was stylishly marked with blue lines.

“This is Cheng Myeon.”

He greeted me politely. I knew him well as the right-hand man of the Evil Smiling Demon.

His martial arts skills were excellent, and his loyalty was even more commendable. When I came to find the Secret Demonic Soul, he was still the right-hand man of Soma.

He was also a tragic figure who couldn’t become the next Evil Smiling Demon because the current one had lived too long.

I introduced Lee Ahn to them.

“This is my bodyguard.”

Lee Ahn greeted the Evil Smiling Demon politely.

“I’m Lee Ahn. It’s an honor to meet you.”

I added a word.

“She is also my heart.”

Lee Ahn’s face turned slightly red, but given the situation, she quietly bowed her head and remained silent.

The Evil Smiling Demon laughed at my words.

“First, you revealed your right hand, and now you’re showing where your heart is.”

“I’m revealing all my weaknesses so you won’t know which one is real.” 3

“Shall we depart, then?”

“Sounds good.”

Soma and I got into the carriage, while Lee Ahn and Blue Face sat on the driver’s seat. Though they had just met, they exchanged nods, sharing an understanding of their mutual duty to protect their masters.

As the carriage set off, the Evil Smiling Demon couldn’t hide his joy.

“I’m feeling good.”

“It’s been a while since I last visited the Central Plains, so I’m happy too.”

I meant it. For a while, I had been confined to the Cult, shuttling between the Underworld Pavilion, the training ground, the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, and the Flowing Wind Tavern.

At least when I felt suffocated, I could use the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique to rest in a new place. Without that, I would have been truly frustrated. So, I could only imagine the frustration of the Evil Smiling Demon, who had been confined for two years.

“You brought that mask, didn’t you?”

Hanging from my waist was the white mask he had given me as a gift.

“Of course, since you gave it to me, I had to bring it.”

“I’ll make you a better one instead of that cheap thing.”

He meant he would make one like his, where the eyes couldn’t be seen from the outside.

“No, it’s fine. I prefer this one.”

“You prefer that one?”

“Didn’t you personally buy it for me? That’s enough for me.”

“Second Young Master, I’m someone who starts by doubting people. The more pleasant the words, the more I doubt them.”

“Of course, you should be suspicious. If someone treats a person with ‘Evil’ in their nickname so well, there must be an ulterior motive, right?”

“What is your ulterior motive, Second Young Master?”

I smiled broadly.

“Didn’t you say it was harder to make various expressions? I find it better this way. I can respond with this ambiguous expression.”

He couldn’t press further. I, too, didn’t urge him to keep his promise of taking off his mask.

“Aren’t you curious about where we’re going?”

“We’re probably going to some mundane place.”

Soma laughed loudly at my joke.

In the meantime, the carriage left the Cult grounds and began to speed toward the Central Plains.

1 : Booo, you’re no fun XDXDXD

2 : Some romance on the horizon ?

3 : Hiding in plain sight, huh ? Still, the wording is revealing ^^

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