Absolute Regression

Chapter 493: Next Time, With the Character for Fate

After completing the martial arts training that had lasted all night, we walked back together.

Father took the lead, and Hui and I walked on either side, one step behind him.

This time, Father had ordered us not to remain hidden if possible, so Hui walked with us as well. Although Hui had defeated the King of Killing with stealth, living openly was also part of his life.

“By the way, Father. Before we return, I think we need to settle things with the Golden Dragon Family.”

Father already knew I intended to give them a chance. He also knew I was considering the third child as the successor.

“Honestly, this feels much more difficult than dealing with assassins, but if you give me just a few days, I’ll handle it.”

Father looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“You think you can do it in just a few days?”

“It would be impossible if I tried to persuade them the normal way.”

The Family Head and the three children.

I had to sort through their differing hearts and desires.

“So I plan to use a different method, not persuasion.”

A hint of intrigue briefly passed through Father’s eyes and then disappeared. He didn’t ask what the method was. He’d find out soon enough anyway.

When we returned to our quarters, Father began working on his fishing rod again. Checking this and that, replacing the line, carving the rod with a dagger to adjust the balance.

“If a spy from the Righteous Alliance or the Unorthodox Alliance saw this, this kind of report would be filed: ‘The Heavenly Demon is creating something with all his might, the purpose of which is unknown. Judging by the level of focus, it’s assumed to be something extremely dangerous—but it turns out to be a fishing rod in disguise.’”

Even at my joke, Father made no reply and stayed focused on the fishing rod.

He was even more serious than when teaching me martial arts. That careful touch held a firm determination not to lose.

‘Still, I will never let him win on purpose!’

On the contrary, I had to win. That way, I’d get another chance to go fishing with him.

A few days later, Geum Arin and Geom Mugeuk entered the Golden Dragon Family’s head residence.

They had rushed over at Father’s urgent summons, and Geum Ahyuk and Geum Ajong were already there.

Not just them—every master of the family had gathered. Everyone’s tension was clear, as if a decisive battle was about to begin.

Since Geum Arin had been told to bring not only Geom Mugeuk but also her guard Lim Hyuk, it was clear that something had gone wrong in the family.

When she arrived, the voice of a Golden Dragon Family martial artist could be heard from outside.

“The guests have arrived.”

Upon hearing that, Geum Cheonbang’s face stiffened in tension. It was the first time she had seen her father look so nervous.

Moments later, four martial artists entered the hall.

The moment she saw them, Geum Arin understood why her father had been so tense.

‘They’re from the demonic path!’

The energy radiating from the group was unmistakably demonic energy. Moreover, they made no attempt to conceal it. Especially the demonic cultivator walking in the center—his presence was far from ordinary. 𝐫ÃΝǒᛒĚꞩ

‘Experts!’

As she expected, he was no ordinary man. In a cold tone, the middle-aged man introduced himself.

“I am Daeyang, Branch Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Shaanxi Division.”

Geum Arin was even more surprised. This wasn’t just some high-level demonic martial artist—the actual Branch Leader in charge of the Shaanxi region had personally come.

Following behind Daeyang were only three other martial artists, but the pressure they gave off was more intimidating than if they had brought dozens.

Geum Cheonbang stepped forward and greeted them with utmost courtesy. A Branch Leader of the demonic cult was never someone to take lightly.

“I am Geum Cheonbang, leader of the Golden Dragon Family.”

Though Geum Cheonbang was a martial master who had learned the Golden Dragon Divine Art, he had always harbored a fundamental fear of martial artists since childhood. And now, standing before members of the demonic path, that fear returned in full force.

Still, he did his best to appear composed.

“Our family normally has no contact with your cult. What brings you here today?”

That morning, an urgent message had arrived from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Shaanxi Division.

The family head and all successors were to gather and wait. It was just like the demonic cult—no explanation given, only the time of their visit.

The moment he received the notice, Geum Cheonbang had requested aid from the Righteous Alliance’s Shaanxi Division. But before they could arrive, the cult had shown up first.

Daeyang scanned everyone in the hall. Those who met his eyes instinctively tensed. Regardless of martial skill, anyone who got involved with the demonic cult incorrectly could bring ruin to their entire family.

Daeyang’s gaze stopped on Geum Ahyuk. One of the martial artists who had come with him had relayed through sound transmission that the man was Geum Ahyuk.

“You are Geum Ahyuk?”

“Yes, I am.”

Though he had been rebellious and sharp-tongued with his father lately, he didn’t dare act up before these demonic path figures.

“Do you know a man named Myungshin?”

“Who is that?”

“Don’t try to deny it. We have evidence that you frequently visited his blacksmith shop and met with him.”

Only then did he realize that the person he had respectfully called ‘elder’ was in fact named Myungshin.

“We also have proof that a vast sum of money from the Golden Dragon Family flowed to him.”

Geum Ahyuk calmly explained.

“That’s true. He helped our family with various matters.”

Daeyang spoke coldly.

“He is an assassin of the Underworld and has been marked for death by our cult.”

Not only Geum Ahyuk, but even Geum Cheonbang was shocked. It was surprising enough that he was an assassin of the Underworld, but even more shocking was the revelation that they were enemies of the demonic cult.

Geum Cheonbang quickly stepped forward in place of his son.

“We were unaware of such things.”

Daeyang stared coldly at Geum Cheonbang.

“You’ll come to know once an investigation is done. We’ll be taking Geum Ahyuk with us.”

Geum Cheonbang turned pale. If his son was taken by the demonic cult, there was no telling what would happen to him.

In contrast, Geum Ahyuk turned to Myungshin first.

“Where is he now?”

“Him?”

Daeyang’s expression hardened. Even after he had made it clear the man was under a kill order, Geum Ahyuk still referred to him with honor.

Just as Geum Cheonbang moved in shock to speak on behalf of his son, Daeyang delivered shocking news.

“Myungshin, along with all the assassins of the Underworld, has been eliminated by our cult.”

At the mention of Myungshin’s death, Geum Ahyuk’s expression stiffened.

Geum Cheonbang, on the other hand, was inwardly relieved. His son had become deeply entangled with the man, even going as far as mobilizing assassins. Now, the one who had been a bad influence was dead. In that sense, the demonic cult had done him a favor.

“You people killed him?”

Geum Ahyuk raised his voice. The news of Myungshin’s death had agitated him. The man had taught him more than anyone else. Geum Ahyuk had sincerely liked and respected him.

Geum Cheonbang quickly stepped forward and tried to restrain his son.

“Be quiet.”

But Geum Ahyuk spoke words that should never have been said.

“The demonic cult framed him and killed him!”

“I told you to shut your mouth!”

“He wasn’t that kind of person. This is a conspiracy by the demonic cult bastards…”

Geum Cheonbang immediately struck Geum Ahyuk’s blood points and suppressed his demonic acupoints. Even in that state, Geum Ahyuk glared with determined eyes and furrowed his brow. The experts of the family who were present frowned at his recklessness.

“Please forgive my son’s rudeness.”

Daeyang only returned a cold stare.

With things at this point, there was no way he could send his son off with them. If Geum Ahyuk left in this agitated state, he wouldn’t survive even a day.

At that moment, the people Geum Cheonbang had been waiting for finally arrived. Martial artists of the Righteous Alliance’s Shaanxi Division had come.

“Welcome!”

Geum Cheonbang greeted them with relief. But surprisingly, the Branch Leader, whom he was familiar with, hadn’t come personally. Only a few subordinates had arrived.

“We are here to deliver the Branch Leader’s message.”

Shockingly, the Righteous Alliance already knew what was going on here. And the words they conveyed were like a bolt from the blue.

“The assassins of the Underworld are considered contributors to the martial world by the Righteous Alliance.”

The fact that the Branch Leader had only sent subordinates with this message meant the Righteous Alliance would not involve themselves in this matter.

Daeyang released a cold wave of demonic energy and pressed Geum Cheonbang further.

“Shall we take him now?”

Geum Cheonbang could not say a word in protest. His family had been connected with someone who was both an enemy of the demonic cult and honored as a martial contributor by the Righteous Alliance. A single misstep could endanger the entire Golden Dragon Family.

“Given the circumstances, for now, send the eldest.”

The second son, Geum Ajong, stepped forward. Geum Cheonbang frowned at him. Geum Ajong quickly stepped back without saying another word. Inwardly, he was thrilled. It was the moment his older brother was going down.

At that moment, Geum Arin sensed the gaze of Geom Mugeuk standing beside her. He was looking at her with calm eyes, as if he had expected this situation all along. His gaze seemed to ask: Are you just going to stand there?

―What should I do?

She sent a sound transmission.

―What do you want to do? Do you want to step in and save your brother?

―Honestly, no.

―Even so, you must stop them from taking him away—if you want to be the successor.

It was a piece of advice from Geom Mugeuk that seemed to pierce through the situation entirely.

There was no time to think long. The demonic cultivators were already approaching to take Geum Ahyuk away.

Though she felt reluctant and afraid to step forward in this situation, she summoned her courage. She chose to trust Geom Mugeuk’s advice.

“I have a request for the Branch Leader.”

Everyone’s attention turned to her. Geum Arin spoke calmly to Daeyang.

“Even if an investigation must proceed, I ask that it be conducted within our family.”

“You dare say such a thing knowing who we are?”

“It is because I know who you are that I’m saying it. We are not a martial sect, but a sect that belongs to the trade world. For the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to storm in and take away one of our bloodline members like this will stir public outrage not only in the trade world but among the martial artists as well. I’m not refusing the investigation. I’m simply asking that it be conducted here.”

Her voice trembled, but she said everything she needed to say.

“If we refuse?”

If she were going to act weakly, she shouldn’t have stepped up at all.

“Then I will do everything I can to publicize this incident across the martial world. I may be wrong, but this could end up harming your reputation, Branch Leader.”

Tension stretched tightly between the two.

Geum Arin was confident that the demonic cult wouldn’t rashly attack. With martial artists from the Righteous Alliance present, they wouldn’t risk starting a fight. That would truly escalate into a major incident.

“This concerns the bloodline of our Family Head. I ask that you proceed with just a little more caution.”

She lowered her head politely as she asked. The family members watched her with surprise. In a succession battle, one would expect her to act like the second son and willingly hand Geum Ahyuk over to the demonic cultivators.

But Daeyang, too, understood their family’s internal situation well.

“You’re involved in a succession struggle with your brothers, are you not? Why step forward?”

Geum Arin calmly answered.

“The succession battle is important—but the honor of our family is more important than that.”

Geum Cheonbang and the family’s martial masters looked at her with expressions of astonishment. In particular, Geum Cheonbang was deeply moved. His daughter had saved her brother while also defending the family’s honor. At least in that moment, she surpassed not only himself, but everyone present.

Daeyang stared at her for a moment, then took a step back.

“You’re the best among the siblings.”

With unexpected praise, he added,

“Very well, we’ll conduct the investigation here. For now, we’ll withdraw and send an investigator tomorrow.”

Geum Arin respectfully cupped her fists and expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Daeyang looked at Geum Ahyuk and gave a cold warning.

“Do not leave this place. If you do, a kill order will be issued for you.”

Leaving those words behind, the demonic cultivators all withdrew.

The martial artists of the Righteous Alliance also exited right after. At least for this matter, they made it clear they would not get involved any further.

Geum Cheonbang nodded at Geum Arin with an expression that said, Well done. The expressions of the family’s martial masters toward her had also softened.

On the other hand, the way they looked at Geum Ahyuk was cold. He had nearly dragged the Golden Dragon Family into great danger.

As the tense atmosphere in the main hall began to settle, Geom Mugeuk and Geum Arin spoke privately in front of the family head’s residence.

“I’ll be leaving this place now.”

“What?”

“I’ve done what I came here to do. It’s time to go.”

‘Done what he came to do?’ One thought flashed in Geum Arin’s mind.

“Don’t tell me… all of that just now—was it your doing?”

“Who else? Do you think the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would have backed down so easily otherwise? Even giving you compliments?”

“!”

She was stunned.

“How...?”

He moved the demonic cult? And not just anyone—he moved the Branch Leader of the Shaanxi Division? How could he have done that?

Is this man a demonic cultivator? But she hadn’t sensed even a trace of demonic energy. Or did he use the Righteous Alliance to move the demonic cult? Does the granddaughter of the Righteous Alliance Leader really like him? All sorts of thoughts raced through her mind.

“Because of this, your brother—who was considered the strongest candidate—has fallen out of favor for the successor’s position. On the other hand, you’ve become the strongest candidate. You collected debts from several Shaanxi trading groups, helped those in need, and now you’ve stepped up to save your brother while preserving the family’s honor.”

“But I still have my second brother.”

Geom Mugeuk stared directly at her and said,

“Are you aiming that far?”

For a moment, Geum Arin flinched. His gaze seemed to say: Isn’t that your task? Prove to everyone that you’re worthy of being the successor.

“No. I must do it.”

Right now, the one weighing on her mind wasn’t Geum Ajong.

“Still, involving the demonic cult was a mistake.”

Geom Mugeuk looked up at the sky. His eyes deepened, and at last, he spoke the words he had meant to say before leaving.

“You, your father, and your brothers are not good people either. You allied with evil to increase your own wealth. You tried to force families like the Joo Clan Sword Family into unjust contracts. I’m sure you’ve committed other wrongs as well.”

Geum Arin had no excuse. It was the truth.

“Do you know why I’m giving you this chance?”

Geum Arin asked in a trembling voice.

“Why?”

“Because the assassins of the Underworld were specifically targeting your family. They’re so vicious that they would have found a way to drag you in no matter what. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re innocent for falling into their trap.”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward her. It was a grave look, unlike any she had seen from him before.

“Correct all the wrongs committed while running your secret organization. And that’s not the end of it. Once you become the successor, and later the Family Head, you must live every day repaying the sins of the past. I chose you because I believed you’re the kind of person who can do that.”

Only now did Geum Arin realize: when he promised her the position of successor, it wasn’t a reward—it was punishment. He chose her because she was the one most suited to bear that punishment.

“I asked you once—could you kill your brothers? Back then, you said you weren’t sure. Now, answer me again. Can you kill them?”

After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head.

“I don’t think I can.”

Geom Mugeuk offered her reassurance.

“That’s why the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult may actually be of help to you. As long as they’re watching you, your brothers won’t dare covet your position. Use that time to grow stronger. So that one day, even without external oversight or control, you can protect yourself.”

Geum Arin felt she could finally start to understand how she had to live from now on.

This man, whom she could never fully grasp, turned out to be someone far greater than she had imagined. A man who had eradicated the Underworld, mobilized the demonic cult, and yet gave her such an opportunity.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Geom Mugeuk began to walk away without hesitation. Realizing that he was really leaving, she was caught off guard.

“Thank you… truly!”

Already far down the path, Geom Mugeuk turned his head and shouted back:

“Live your life as someone blessed with fortune!”

Geum Arin smiled. He had jokingly introduced her to the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company as a woman blessed with good fortune. She never imagined he would use those words as his final farewell.

“Who are you, really?”

“I’m Geom Yeon.”

‘Yeon as in fate? No, he said before—it was Yeon as in smoke.’ And just like that, he was vanishing like smoke.

Geum Arin stood in place until Geom Mugeuk disappeared completely from view.

‘Next time, let’s meet with Yeon as in fate, not smoke.’