Absolute Regression

Chapter 451: Sign Every Document Thoroughly

Joo Hyangwol walked toward the entrance of the inn.

A martial artist from the Hwangdo Trading Company recognized her and greeted her.

"Miss Joo, you’ve arrived?"

"What’s going on?"

"Nothing at all. If you go inside, the young master will be here shortly."

Joo Hyangwol looked at the young man they had been squabbling with. She turned her head without much thought, but inwardly flinched.

The eyes of the young, handsome man were clear and deep. His appearance was so striking that it was hard to forget once seen, and it drew her gaze.

Standing behind that young man was a middle-aged man. He wasn’t looking this way. With his arms crossed, he was watching the people passing by in the marketplace.

The moment she saw them, a surge of indescribable emotion welled up and disappeared. Since it was a first-time experience, she couldn’t tell what that emotion was.

Regardless, the moment she saw the two of them, she could feel it.

‘They’re father and son.’

Their faces didn’t resemble each other, but somehow, their aura felt the same.

And behind the middle-aged man, another man stood.

‘A bodyguard?’

*         *         *

They were none other than Geom Mugeuk, Geom Woojin, and Hui.

Hui had insisted on eating separately, but Geom Mugeuk had forcibly dragged him along. Though this trip was meant to be a journey for him and his father, he also wanted it to be a journey for Hui and his father.

At least for this trip, he hoped Hui wouldn’t stay hidden, but would walk around on his own feet as much as possible. To meet his father’s gaze and share meals together.

So this moment was precious. Once the journey ended and they returned, they would go back to their original lives.

Why was he doing this much for him?

Because I knew. I knew the life Hui had lived, the one where he willingly laid down his life for Father. The man who had protected Father all his life had ended it by offering that life in the end. ṘΆŊộꞖƐṣ

Joo Hyangwol asked the martial artist from the Hwangdo Trading Company,

"Why aren’t you letting them in?"

"Young Master Hwang has reserved the entire inn for today."

Joo Hyangwol frowned.

It had been Young Master Hwang who had set this inn as their meeting place. He could have come to the Joo Clan Sword Family instead, so it had felt odd that he insisted on this place. But now it seemed he had done it to flaunt his wealth by reserving the entire inn.

Geom Mugeuk spoke to her.

"I’m someone traveling with my father. I came a long way to treat him to the cuisine of this place."

She looked at Geom Mugeuk and Geom Woojin. The usual her would have turned them away, telling them to find another inn. That would’ve been the right thing to do for them, too. Going in would likely bring more harm than good.

But today, her choice was different.

"Let them in."

"Young Master Hwang instructed that no one else be allowed inside."

"I’ll take responsibility. Come, let’s go in together."

Joo Hyangwol tried to enter with the three of them, but the martial artists continued to block their path.

Only when she cast them a cold stare did they finally step aside.

"Truly, thank you. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to serve my father a meal."

And so, Joo Hyangwol led the three of them inside.

This wasn’t like her usual self.

‘Yes, it’s because he said he was on a journey with his father.’

Ever since she came here, she had been thinking about her late father.

"Was there a particular reason it had to be this inn?"

"Among the dishes here, the cold platter made with twelve vegetables and the duck boiled in fine medicinal herbs are real delicacies. They’re also great for one’s health. I really wanted to treat Father to them."

She felt envious of the man before her.

If her father were alive, she would have treated him well. She would’ve traveled with him and bought him as much nutritious, delicious food as he wanted. But by the time she matured, it was already too late.

"Still, making a scene with the martial artists from the Hwangdo Trading Company wasn’t the best decision."

Lately, the Hwangdo Trading Company had become quite powerful, so she assumed these men knew that too. Yet the young man seemed to think little of them.

"Even if it had been the Martial Alliance blocking the way instead of the Hwangdo Trading Company, I would’ve still gone in. It’s our first trip together."

Still, that was a bit much. Bringing up the Martial Alliance so casually? Did he even know what kind of place the Martial Alliance was?

Geom Mugeuk looked toward Geom Woojin and added,

"This is a hard-earned opportunity."

Geom Woojin was going along with whatever his son wanted.

The person most surprised by this was Hui.

While Geom Mugeuk was arguing out front, the Cult Leader had simply waited in silence. Knowing the Cult Leader’s usual nature, this was something Hui could never have imagined.

"Sir, please choose one dish you’d like to eat."

"I’m fine."

"No, you have to choose something. If you don’t pick, I won’t order. Did you hear that just now? That growling sound from Father’s stomach? Ah, my poor father, unable to maintain his dignity..."

"I’ll choose."

Who could possibly win against Geom Mugeuk? In the end, Hui also chose a dish.

Watching them, Joo Hyangwol flinched slightly. Without realizing it, she had a faint smile on her lips as she watched the scene.

"If anyone comes and asks why you’re here, just say my name. I’m Joo Hyangwol of the Joo Clan Sword Family."

"Thanks to you, I was able to be a dutiful son."

As she turned to leave, she offered one last piece of advice.

"If this is fate, then let me say something from a good place. The two of your swords stand out too much."

Geom Mugeuk had wrapped his sword in the Supreme Heavenly Silk, while Geom Woojin had covered his sword with bandages. The sight of father and son both hiding their swords was, ironically, what made them stand out even more. In truth, it wasn’t the swords that had caught her eye, but the two of them themselves—though she didn’t consciously realize it.

“If we remove the cloth, it’ll draw even more attention.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Geom Mugeuk simply smiled. After all, no matter how much they stood out, he couldn’t roam the Central Plains openly while wearing the Heavenly Demon Sword at his waist.

“Enjoy your meal. I doubt you’ll have to pay for the food.”

She said this because he had reserved the entire inn.

“I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think that would be right.”

“What do you mean?”

“Those people probably didn’t pay to reserve the place. At the very least, we should pay for our share.”

Joo Hyangwol was surprised.

“You heard it too, didn’t you? That they reserved the entire inn.”

“Then go ask the owner. Ask him how much he’s getting in exchange for the reservation. I doubt they even set a price. Try to sneak past the guards at the entrance and ask quietly.”

She went and spoke with the innkeeper.

“How did you know?”

The owner had said this: It’s quite alright, such distinguished guests are holding an important meeting—of course I should help.

In other words, he likely wouldn’t be properly compensated.

“That’s just what martial sects tend to do. They say they’ll settle things later, but it’s a blessing if they even toss a few coins for the food they ate. They almost never consider the business lost from turning away other guests.”

Joo Hyangwol’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Strictly speaking, showing off in front of these guests had been something to be embarrassed about.

“I’ll confirm with Young Master Hwang when he arrives.”

“Just be mindful of who will suffer if you question him.”

She understood what he meant. Ultimately, it would be the innkeeper who bore the consequences.

“Still, I’ll repay the favor I owe you if I ever get the chance.”

It was at that moment that a man entered the inn.

“Miss Joo, you’re already here?”

He was Hwang In, the successor of the Hwangdo Trading Company. She had expected him to arrive flanked by guards, but surprisingly, he had come alone.

As he approached her, Hwang In’s gaze naturally shifted to the people beside her.

“May I ask who these people are?”

Then, one of the martial artists from the entrance came in and whispered what had happened earlier into his ear.

Hwang In found it unexpected. According to prior information, Joo Hyangwol wasn’t the type to meddle in others’ affairs.

Since she figured he might try to drive them out unless she stepped in, Joo Hyangwol said to Hwang In,

“They’re my guests.”

“Ah, I see.”

He responded gently, but inwardly remained puzzled.

‘She’s not the kind of person who would go this far. Was the background check wrong?’

Then a thought crossed his mind.

‘Could they be on the same side and just pretending not to know each other?’

It was possible. The family head must have felt uneasy about sending her daughter out alone.

"It’s an honor to meet such distinguished guests."

Indeed, the three gave off an extraordinary presence.

When he’d looked into it beforehand, there had been no mention of such individuals. They had to be people brought in from outside.

"I am Hwang In of the Hwangdo Trading Company."

At that, Geom Mugeuk stepped forward and greeted him on behalf of the group.

"We’re merely passing travelers. There’s no need to concern yourself with us."

Hwang In assumed that the man was deliberately avoiding revealing their identity.

‘Were they hired with money? Or could there still be people trying to support the Joo Clan Sword Family?’

It didn’t matter either way. Today’s matter wasn’t one to be resolved with force.

At that moment, the food Geom Mugeuk had ordered was served.

"Ah, Father. Please try this first."

Like someone who had truly come just to eat, Geom Mugeuk focused completely on the meal.

He scooped food into small dishes and served it to his father and to Hui.

His lack of interest in the situation only deepened Hwang In’s conviction.

‘They’re trying not to seem like allies to avoid suspicion.’

The pride of martial artists, honestly!

If asked who were the easiest to deal with as a merchant, Hwang In could say with certainty—it was martial artists. Because of that foolish pride of theirs.

"Come, let’s go."

Hwang In sat with Joo Hyangwol at a central table in the inn.

"Shall we have a drink?"

He poured her a cup, but Joo Hyangwol left her glass on the table without touching it.

"Why did you choose me?"

"I thought young people might have an easier time understanding each other."

Joo Hyangwol had never heard any rumors about Hwang In. He didn’t have a particularly good reputation, but neither did he have a bad one.

"What’s the reason you want to invest in us?"

"There’s always only one reason why a trading company wants to join hands with a sword clan. Because we need the clan’s strength."

"Then why not invest the money directly into forming a sword unit inside your own company?"

"Of course, we’re training martial artists on our own. But do you know this? In the martial world, no one acknowledges the swords of merchants. They openly scoff, saying we bought our blades with money. That’s why it’s hard to attract experts. They don’t want to hear that they were sold off for cash. Honestly, don’t you feel the same way?"

Faced with the sudden question, Joo Hyangwol couldn’t say no. Because part of her did feel that way.

"That’s why. If you want to conduct major business in the martial world, you need the name value of the Joo Clan Sword Family. Ah, of course, I don’t mean to belittle you or your family, so please don’t misunderstand. We want a mutually beneficial partnership."

But Joo Hyangwol didn’t want to join hands with them.

It wasn’t because she knew much about the Hwangdo Trading Company, nor because she was deeply familiar with the internal affairs of the Sword Clan. Nor was it that she could foresee the outcome of this collaboration.

It was simply because she couldn’t trust her mother’s judgment. Whenever her mother was in a rush, she always made mistakes.

She knew she shouldn’t assess the issue with the Hwangdo Trading Company based on emotions, but emotionally, she couldn’t help but feel this way.

Perhaps it was because her expectations had been low, but Hwang In seemed more decent than she had imagined. She thought he would be the type to flaunt his wealth and chase women, but he came across as someone with conviction and thought.

“How exactly are you proposing we work together?”

“We merchants don’t believe in promises made by word. We only trust in contracts.”

Hwang In handed her a document.

“This is an agreement stating that the Hwangdo Trading Company and the Joo Clan Sword Family will join forces. You may read through it and sign. It was originally meant for the family head, but since you were sent as her representative—and you are her daughter as well—you are more than qualified. Take your time. It’s always best to read thoroughly before signing any document.”

Joo Hyangwol was inwardly flustered. She had expected some conversation during this meeting, but she hadn’t anticipated that they would come prepared with an actual written agreement.

‘Did Mother know about this?’

At least one thing was clear—her mother would be pleased if she returned with a signed agreement. After all, she was the one who had tried to send her out dressed in a lavish ceremonial robe.

She wanted to say she would refuse and storm out. But considering the current state of the Sword Clan—and her mother—she couldn’t do that.

Joo Hyangwol began reading the agreement.

Some parts were immediately understandable, while others remained confusing even after multiple readings.

Why are these unnecessary phrases here? Let’s just remove all that and keep it simple.

That’s what she wanted to say, but the problem was, she couldn’t clearly say what should be left in.

Some phrases felt like they were absolutely necessary—yet also seemed like they could be omitted. There were too many ambiguous sections.

‘Knowing things vaguely is no better than knowing nothing at all.’

No, it was worse than knowing nothing. She was glossing over uncertain phrases as if she understood them.

You dare try to trick us?

She finished reading the last page but found no line that justified yelling something like that.

Should I just sign it and hand it to Mother? Tell her not to regret it later because it was her decision, not mine?

If only this had happened a few years ago, back when she was more reckless.

‘If only Father were still alive...’

At that moment, her gaze unconsciously drifted to where Geom Mugeuk sat.

Perhaps because they knew this was an important occasion, they were quietly eating and speaking among themselves. Only when she focused did she begin to hear their conversation.

"Tastes good, doesn’t it?"

"It’s alright."

"And you, sir?"

"It’s delicious."

"You see? Didn’t I say it’d be good? Let’s go around all the inns in the Central Plains known for great food, then kidnap the best cook and take him back with us! Or better yet, let’s each find one that suits our own tastes and abduct three in total!"

At his joke, Joo Hyangwol smiled without realizing it. It wasn’t a moment to laugh, yet just watching them gave her a strange sense of relief.

She’d been plagued by frequent nightmares and felt emotionally unstable lately, so why did she feel so at ease? These were people she had met for the first time today.

Then, her eyes met Geom Mugeuk’s.

Was it even fair for such foolish eyes to also be so deep?

The moment that thought crossed her mind, she surrendered herself to what felt like fate.

She stood up abruptly, agreement in hand, and began walking toward where Geom Mugeuk sat.

Hwang In was taken aback by her sudden movement, but chose to observe the situation with caution.

As she walked toward Geom Mugeuk, a thought crossed her mind.

‘This is insane.’

Today, her instincts were running completely wild.

"You said you’d repay the favor, didn’t you?"

"I did."

"Can you repay it now?"

"We’re martial artists, not merchants. We can’t stand being in debt."

She handed him the agreement she’d been holding.

"Then please find me a reason to tear this apart."