Absolute Regression

Chapter 495: Your Demonic Path is Being Stained With Blood

"Which color do you think suits me better?"

In both of Geom Mugeuk’s hands, there was a piece of protective gear.

On his left hand was the Iron Secret Armor, and on his right was the Huayang Armor. Both pieces were the kind of protective gear that all warriors of the martial world would be willing to spill blood over to obtain.

"Shouldn’t the function be more important than the color?"

To Hui’s cautious answer, Geom Mugeuk shook his head resolutely.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about! Above all else, style is essential. Just imagine—you’re in a bloodbath where your life is on the line, and then your robe flutters open, revealing your armor!"

He held up one of the protective gears he had tossed to the side.

"Now imagine if you were wearing something this drab inside! Ah, I’d rather get stabbed and be done with it."

Geom Woojin looked at his son with a face full of dismay.

"The reason I can’t choose is all because of you, Father."

With a baffled expression, Geom Woojin asked,

"Why is it my fault?"

"The Startling Soul Armor you first picked is the coolest of them all. I simply can’t find anything better than that. So, in that sense... might you be willing to let your son have it?"

Of course, Geom Woojin gave him a look that said there was absolutely no chance.

"I’ll find one on my own. One that’s cooler and more incredible."

Geom Mugeuk went back to selecting protective gear. He picked one up again and turned around to ask,

"Which one of these is better?"

But Geom Woojin was already choosing one for Hui. He knew well that if left alone, Hui would never pick anything.

"Try this one on."

"I’m fine, Cult Leader."

"Try it on."

"Yes."

As Hui put on the protective gear, Geom Mugeuk shook the one in his hands.

"Hey! I’m still here, you know! Did I accidentally put on some auto-stealth armor?"

Ignoring him completely, Geom Woojin focused solely on Hui.

The gear he had chosen for Hui was the Shadowless Armor. It was the lightest of all the protective gear available here. For Hui, who prioritized stealth and speed, it was the most fitting choice. 𝙍а𐌽ồBЕŝ

"It suits you well."

Hui’s gaze trembled as he looked into the mirror. Not because of how he looked wearing the Shadowless Armor, but because he saw the Cult Leader’s reflection, smiling in satisfaction at his appearance.

"I don’t know if I deserve something this precious."

"Take it."

"Yes."

Of course, what he chose for Hui wasn’t just the protective gear.

Knowing that if he let Hui choose, he’d end up with the worst option, Geom Woojin also personally selected a weapon.

"Try this one."

What Geom Woojin handed over was a dagger. A cold blade with a murderous aura that seemed capable of cutting not only flesh and bone, but even a person’s heart—and engraved on its hilt were mysterious inscriptions.

"A remarkable dagger."

"That is Soul Suppression."

At the word Soul Suppression, Hui flinched. It was a dagger he had heard of before—a dagger that every dagger user knew as the finest of them all.

It was even said to surpass Heaven’s Edge, True Heart, the one Geom Woojin had first selected.

"Why don’t you keep Soul Suppression for yourself, Cult Leader? You should use it."

"As you know, have you ever seen me use a dagger? But you, on the other hand, do use them, don’t you?"

Hui understood. Even though Geom Woojin had seen Soul Suppression first, he had chosen Heaven’s Edge, True Heart, the second-best, intending to give the better one to him.

‘Cult Leader!’

Geom Woojin held out Soul Suppression, and Hui accepted it with trembling hands and utmost respect.

"Now, try channeling your internal energy into it. As you know, the first time is important."

Hui carefully infused his internal energy into Soul Suppression.

Woooong.

The dagger vibrated in response to Hui’s energy. It was the moment it recognized its new master.

"Ah!"

Hui, who rarely showed emotion, couldn’t help but express admiration this time.

Even with just one infusion of energy, he could feel just how extraordinary Soul Suppression was. He had never held such a fine dagger before. It gave him the confidence that he wouldn’t lose to anyone if he fought with this blade.

‘Let’s work well together from now on.’

Hui fastened the leather belt he usually wore over the Shadowless Armor. Tucked into the belt were several daggers and a few unidentified tools.

He drew one dagger and replaced it with Soul Suppression.

Then, turning to Geom Woojin, he respectfully offered a martial salute and bowed his head.

"Thank you, Cult Leader."

He said nothing more. No words could express what he was feeling right now.

"It suits you well. Take anything else you need while you’re here."

"This alone is more than enough."

Hui answered firmly. Sensing that Hui might hand it all back if he offered more, Geom Woojin didn’t insist.

Only after taking care of Hui did Geom Woojin turn to look at his son.

He had expected Geom Mugeuk to be sulking, wondering why he hadn’t gotten anything.

"So, how do you look?"

Geom Mugeuk was already fully dressed.

"I matched the color to Father’s gear and decided on the Black Dragon Soaring Armor."

Among the protective gear, the Black Dragon Soaring Armor was an excellent choice. But that wasn’t all. From wrist guards and a utility belt at his waist to knee guards, elbow pads, and even combat gloves favored by fist techniques, he had equipped himself with everything possible.

"You told me to suit up properly, Father."

Geom Woojin stared at him and said,

"I didn’t say to wear four layers at once, though."

Geom Mugeuk flinched at that.

"You didn’t… learn a demonic art to talk with armor, did you?"

"There’s no need for such a technique. Can’t you tell just by looking in the mirror?"

Geom Mugeuk stood in front of the bronze mirror. His figure looked bulkier than usual—clearly layered.

"It does show a little."

Indeed, Geom Mugeuk was wearing four layers of protective gear.

"Who are you trying to give those to?"

"These precious items—surely there’s someone worthy of them, right? Ah, and as I said, I do intend to wear this Black Dragon Soaring Armor. I’ll also be using these Twin Wolves."

Upon closer look, the black-colored Black Dragon Soaring Armor bore the image of a black dragon. On the Twin Wolves wrist guards, stylish illustrations of wolves were engraved.

"I gave up all sense of elegance just to wear these."

As Geom Mugeuk made a pitiful face and tried to take the gear off, Geom Woojin spoke.

"Leave it. Since you’re already wearing them, take them."

At that, Geom Mugeuk’s face lit up.

"I knew it! My father really is the best!"

He took off the extra protective gear and guards he had layered on. Even in this situation, it was clear he had selected only the best ones to hoard.

Geom Mugeuk kept the Black Dragon Soaring Armor and the Twin Wolves for himself, then neatly folded and packed away the rest.

Geom Woojin silently watched his son. He even pretended not to notice when Geom Mugeuk stealthily slipped the Blood Wind Radiance Sword in between the gear.

With the armor packed, Geom Mugeuk brought out a martial robe he had separately prepared.

"Here, put this martial robe over your armor."

Where he had found it was a mystery, but the robe was made of Heaven Silkworm Thread. While not as extraordinary as the finest-grade Heaven Silkworm Thread, it was still far superior in quality compared to ordinary martial robes.

It was lighter than standard martial robes, incomparably durable, and allowed for excellent airflow.

He gave the best one to his father, and the next best to Hui.

"I don’t like that color."

Hui thought to himself,

’You don’t have to do all this. I’ve already lost to you, the Young Cult Leader.’

And so, the three of them stood side by side in front of the bronze mirror, fully outfitted. Though the colors were different, the martial robes bore the same emblem, making them look like a master and his disciples from the same sect. Of course, Geom Mugeuk hadn’t accepted his father as a master.

"From now on, I’ll call you senior brothers. Father looks younger, so he’ll be Second Senior Brother, and Uncle Hui will be First Senior Brother. Senior brothers! Let’s hit the busiest market street in Chongqing just like this. The ladies will line up."

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw it—how the two of them were looking at him through the bronze mirror, each wearing a different smile.

Yes, smile like that. Live your lives smiling like that. I’ll keep making you laugh. Even if my jokes are lame, even if I push it too far, I’ll keep trying. Because even now, as we smile, time is moving forward. There’s no time to wear a frown.

Father strode toward the cave entrance with long, firm steps and gave Hui an order.

"Later, move everything left here into the Heavenly Demon Treasury."

*         *         *

The scent of blood reached them even from the entrance.

As Jin Hagun, Commander of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, stepped into the manor, his expression stiffened. For the stench of blood to be this strong even outside... it meant many had died.

The martial artists from the Martial Alliance guarding the entrance bowed respectfully to Jin Hagun.

Leading his warriors, Jin Hagun entered the manor.

A middle-aged martial artist stood waiting in the courtyard—Joo Gweol, Branch Leader of the Chongqing Division of the Martial Alliance.

"Welcome, Commander Jin."

"It’s been a while, Branch Leader Joo."

Joo Gweol’s demeanor toward Jin Hagun was extremely polite. Although he had yet to be officially named successor, Jin Hagun’s ascension as the next Alliance Leader was all but certain. As the Commander of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, he had steadily built his reputation through righteous conduct.

"What exactly happened here?"

"A serious incident occurred here at Famed Name Manor, and we summoned you urgently for aid, Commander."

Ordinarily, the Chongqing Division would handle incidents internally. The fact that they called him right away showed just how serious and critical this was.

"Let’s head inside."

Joo Gweol led Jin Hagun toward the building. The closer they got, the stronger the smell of blood became.

"Famed Name Manor is a well-known sect even within Chongqing. The Master of Famed Name Manor was a man who valued justice, and he was deeply respected by the martial artists of the region."

As they stepped inside, the interior was drenched in blood. Blood splattered in every direction.

"It looks like they were ambushed."

Blood trailed down the hallway like a drawn line.

It was clear that Joo Gweol’s usual manner of handling things had changed.

By stating it was an ambush, he implied they still didn’t know who the assailant was.

Usually, the Demon-Slaying Brigade was summoned when the perpetrator was known but too powerful for the local division to deal with. But in this case, they hadn’t even identified the killer, yet they called for him. Why?

The answer revealed itself as soon as the door opened and they stepped into the Grand Hall.

That room, too, was soaked in blood.

Jin Hagun’s gaze locked onto the back wall. There, letters had been written in blood.

As he stared at them, his eyes widened sharply.

-The Demonic Path Shall Rule the World (魔道天下).

If one had to choose four characters that would shock the Commander of the Demon-Slaying Brigade the most, it would be these.

Jin Hagun, still staring at the blood-written characters, asked,

"Where are the bodies of those who died at Famed Name Manor?"

The first thing he had to do was confirm if it was the work of demonic arts.

"There are no corpses."

Jin Hagun quickly turned to look at Joo Gweol.

"No corpses?"

"Yes. Not a single body was found. Judging by the amount of blood left behind, it doesn’t appear that any of them survived."

Jin Hagun’s gaze returned to the wall.

"Who would do something as bizarre as taking away the corpses of those they killed? It must be the work of the Demonic Cult."

To Joo Gweol’s conclusion, Jin Hagun calmly replied.

"If I wrote your name on that wall, would that make it your doing?"

Joo Gweol was momentarily flustered. He had expected the Commander of the Demon-Slaying Brigade to agree it was the Demonic Cult.

"But who would dare impersonate the Demonic Cult?"

"There have been cases in the past where someone impersonated them. So don’t jump to conclusions."

Joo Gweol no longer insisted on his assumption.

"I was hasty."

Whether this was truly the work of demonic beings or a setup to frame the Demonic Cult, it wasn’t a matter to overlook.

Jin Hagun gave Joo Gweol a command.

"Declare a state of emergency immediately. Mobilize all martial artists of the division for this case. Send cooperation requests not just to Chongqing, but to every neighboring division and branch. Investigate thoroughly anyone leaving the city."

"I will begin at once."

With those orders, Joo Gweol rushed out.

Jin Hagun let out a faint sigh and looked once more at the writing on the wall.

’The Demonic Path Shall Rule the World.’

Naturally, one person came to mind. Because that phrase could only remind him of one man.

’Your demonic path is being stained with blood.’

’Where are you now?’

*         *         *

The carriage continued heading south.

"Ah, so this really is goodbye to Chongqing."

Just a little farther, and they would leave the city limits.

"Are you really not going to stay? Just three more days of fun. They say the women in Chongqing are truly beautiful."

Geom Woojin quietly replied,

"Sima, the strategist, is waiting."

His father, who usually ignored every silly joke, had actually responded this time. There was no way Geom Mugeuk would let that pass.

"That means you don’t understand the strategist at all. Sima Myung must be savoring his rare freedom right now. He may enjoy being just below one and above all, but sometimes he might want to enjoy just being above all without that ’just below one’ part. Every morning, he must be stretching in front of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion courtyard saying, ’It’s so nice without the Cult Leader around! Cult Leader, please stay in Chongqing three more days!’ That’s exactly what he’s probably doing!"

As if the thought of such a Sima Myung amused him, a faint smile crept onto Geom Woojin’s lips.

Just then, the carriage came to a slow stop.

"Oh! Uncle Hui is the only one who understands me! Are we turning back?"

Of course, that wasn’t why Hui had stopped the carriage.

"There are martial artists up ahead blocking the road."

At Hui’s words, Geom Mugeuk peeked outside and saw that carriages and people were lined up along the road.

In the distance, martial artists from the Martial Alliance were stopping and inspecting travelers. And judging by the fact that there were dozens of them rather than just a few, this was no routine inspection.

At that moment, a martial artist from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, disguised as a passerby, discreetly handed a folded note to Hui and then vanished into the crowd.

Hui passed the message on to Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk unfolded the note and read its contents. Instantly, all traces of mischief vanished from his face.

"It says there’s been an incident in Chongqing. All members of Famed Name Manor, a righteous sect, have gone missing, and the words ‘The Demonic Path Shall Rule the World’ were left on the wall in blood."

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw it—the chilling energy that flashed through his father’s eyes. Whoever it was had left behind words that should never have been written.

Then, Geom Woojin quietly closed his eyes and spoke in a low voice.

"Turn the carriage around."