Absolute Regression

Chapter 502: Is It Truly a Rescue Mission?

Even if he had just called him a drinking buddy, Seo Daeryong would have been touched—but Jangho used the word ‘precious’.

Seo Daeryong was moved. An unexpected gesture from a blunt person often carried several times more weight than usual.

Even if it was a completely unfitting thing to say in a situation where blood from the dead masked man was flowing toward their legs.

“If we make it back, drinks are on me.”

He wanted to drink all night at Flowing Wind Tavern with Jangho.

Seo Daeryong had always liked Jangho. Watching him quietly sit and drink without saying much, he always looked cool. Even the scar on his face only made him look cooler.

Looking back, Jangho had been something of a milestone to him, who had started as an investigator and wanted to become a martial artist.

‘I want to become a martial artist like him.’

In contrast, the Young Cult Leader wasn’t really suitable in this regard.

Geom Mugeuk had been doing things Seo Daeryong wouldn’t even dare to imitate. The path he walked was one that ordinary people could never follow.

And that was exactly why, to Seo Daeryong, Jangho was a more realistic goal.

“It would be nice if she were here with us.”

When Jangho mentioned Lee Ahn, Seo Daeryong also found himself missing her.

“Truly. I wonder what she’s doing and where.”

Still, one thing was certain. She was undoubtedly growing stronger with each passing day.

“When Lee Ahn returns someday, we’ll have so many things to talk about that night. Both of us and her.”

Their moment of idle fantasy passed quickly, and the two returned to reality.

In the distance, the sound of weapons clashing was followed by a string of screams.

Startled, Seo Daeryong shouted.

“Shouldn’t we hurry over?”

“Yes, let’s go.”

“I’m worried your subordinates might be hurt.”

While Seo Daeryong’s heart was racing with urgency, wanting to run over immediately, Jangho remained calm. He didn’t rush. Today, the top priority of the Demonic Army was to protect Seo Daeryong.

And Jangho believed.

He believed that the ones screaming over there were all enemies.

Their large builds weren’t the result of simply eating a lot.

They were built through bone-carving effort, blood-shedding training, and the accumulation of real combat experience across countless battlefields.

“We’ll be fine. We’re the Demonic Army.”

Pride in the Demonic Army, and unwavering faith in his subordinates.

Seo Daeryong was now seeing for himself what his final sentiment should be toward the Underworld Pavilion investigators and Enforcement Martial Artists. ṟἈΝó₿Ɛṧ

“Our weaklings from the Underworld Pavilion... once we return, they’re all starting hell training.”

Of course, he himself would be leading that training.

Fighting against the masked men today had taught him a great deal.

Using Blood Storm of the Annihilating Blade, which consumed a massive amount of internal energy, had worked well—but during the final fight, he had nearly died from a lack of energy. He had learned firsthand that failing to control one’s internal energy could lead straight to death.

‘I’ll train like I’m about to die! Sleep is for the dead!’

As he walked away from that place, Demonic Army members began surrounding Seo Daeryong.

Standing on tiptoes between the towering figures, Seo Daeryong called out to Jangho.

“Yesterday I was surrounded by Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists, and today I’m surrounded by Demonic Army. Have you ever seen a life like this?”

*         *         *

Joo Gweol had not held back.

He had taken the lead in fighting against the masked men. Though he had complaints about Jin Hagun and had misjudged the situation, no one could question his loyalty to the Alliance or his care for his subordinates.

Puaaak!

Joo Gweol’s sword pierced through the neck of a masked man. Without a moment to wipe the blood splattered on his face, he deflected a flying hidden weapon with his blade.

He wasn’t someone who had earned his position as Martial Alliance Branch Leader through bribes or flattery.

“Watch the rear! Block the left side!”

He roared out commands while leading the charge against the enemy.

Joo Gweol couldn’t believe it. How could the enemy dare to attack when so many martial artists were defending?

‘Those mad demonic cult bastards!’

Joo Gweol was convinced the attackers were demonic path followers. No other group would dare to commit such a brazen act.

And the fact that the demonic path had struck a branch of the Martial Alliance—that was no different from declaring war.

From the front lines, Joo Gweol shouted to a martial artist of the branch fighting a masked man.

“Watch out!”

Someone was stabbing at him from behind. Shockingly, it wasn’t a masked man—it was a martial artist in Martial Alliance uniform.

It was too late to dodge.

Shwaaaak! Kwaang!

The ribs of the attacker behind him shattered, and he rolled across the ground. A giant martial artist had charged in like lightning and sent the attacker flying with his massive body.

That such a huge figure could move this fast?

The Demonic Army moved in ways that shattered the common belief that only slim people could be fast.

In the distance, another Demonic Army warrior soared through the air and swung his sword with precision.

A masked man perched in a tree, launching hidden weapons, fell, along with the severed branch.

Those who had ambushed the Chongqing Branch today fell into two groups: masked individuals, and those disguised in Martial Alliance uniforms.

‘These cowardly bastards!’

They had snuck up from behind in Martial Alliance attire and killed real Martial Alliance martial artists.

Such deception was only possible because martial artists from many different branches and divisions had gathered here for support, making it hard to tell who was who.

At first, this cowardly attack had caused major losses—but the moment the Demonic Army joined the fight, the tide began to turn.

The Demonic Army first began swiftly eliminating the masked martial artists. They made no attempt to identify those disguised as allies and prioritized killing the masked enemies.

The martial prowess of the Demonic Army was on a different level compared to regular branch martial artists.

Jeong Hyeok of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, who was fighting alongside them, confirmed that their martial skills were not inferior to the elite warriors of his own unit. In fact, many of them were displaying techniques that surpassed even those standards.

It made sense. The Demonic Army members sent here were among the most skilled of their ranks.

Just then, as Joo Gweol was momentarily distracted by the Demonic Army’s fighting—

Shiiik—

An attack came flying from behind, and he twisted his body.

‘Too late!’

Puk!

The tip of a blade, held by an enemy in Martial Alliance uniform, stopped right before his face. The attacker collapsed, revealing Jangho standing behind him.

“Thank you.”

He had saved his subordinates when the rain of hidden weapons had poured down earlier—and now, he had saved Joo Gweol himself.

In response to his grateful words, Jangho merely nodded once.

The Demonic Army warriors who had arrived with Jangho leapt forward all at once. With their addition, the battlefield was cleared even faster.

Once all the masked enemies who had run rampant were eliminated, rooting out the hidden foes became far easier.

“Gather by branches! And by divisions!”

As the Martial Alliance martial artists regrouped, the disguised enemies began to reveal themselves.

The Martial Alliance and the Demonic Army worked together to quickly eliminate them. Capturing them alive proved difficult. Those who failed to escape chose to slit their own throats without hesitation. The lack of even a moment’s doubt proved how well-trained they were.

And so, all enemies were either killed or had escaped the premises.

Martial Alliance martial artists began restoring order to the hall. The wounded were taken to physicians, and the dead were gathered in one place.

Joo Gweol let out a deep sigh. If it hadn’t been for those giant martial artists, the damage would have been catastrophic. But thanks to them, the situation had been controlled with minimal losses.

Joo Gweol expressed his gratitude to Jangho.

“Thanks to you, we repelled the demonic path bastards’ attack.”

At that moment, Seo Daeryong stepped forward.

“The ones who attacked us today weren’t from the demonic path. Doesn’t it tell you something that they tried to kill me?”

Joo Gweol looked at Jangho. His eyes asked whether that was true, and Jangho nodded as he replied.

“They truly aimed to kill him.”

Couldn’t it still have been staged? The words rose to his throat, but he swallowed them. Deep down, he still believed this was the work of the demonic path. The attack was too vile and bold for it to be anything else.

Who, if not the demonic path, could dare attack a branch packed with Martial Alliance martial artists?

“Then who in the world are these people?”

To Joo Gweol’s question, Seo Daeryong answered calmly.

“They’re likely ones trying to sow discord between you and us.”

Joo Gweol let out a light sigh and gave orders to his subordinate.

“Thoroughly verify the identities of the dead first.”

“Understood.”

Joo Gweol turned to Seo Daeryong.

“Until we uncover who’s behind today’s incident, you won’t be allowed to leave.”

“Even if you told me to leave, I wouldn’t go.”

He had to stay here anyway—at least until Geom Mugeuk returned.

Jangho spoke to him.

“Until the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader comes back, we’ll stay and protect you.”

“I appreciate that.”

Owing him a debt of life, Joo Gweol’s gaze toward Jangho had softened.

Joo Gweol spoke to Jeong Hyeok of the Demon-Slaying Brigade with concern.

“I’m worried about the Brigade Leader.”

Given that their enemies had even attacked a Martial Alliance branch, he was understandably concerned for Jin Hagun.

Then Seo Daeryong, with a subtle smile, replied—though it was something Joo Gweol wouldn’t understand.

“He’ll be fine. There’s someone who followed him, even after giving up his right arm.”

*         *         *

“There it is.”

The place Jin Hagun was looking toward was a Manor.

Right now, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun stood side by side in a forest, far from the Manor.

It was such a distance that one needed to activate the New Eye Technique just to read the signboard above the front gate.

Hyangsu Mountain Lodge.

A secluded mountain lodge, far from the marketplace.

“We’re currently conducting a covert investigation on that lodge. The results should come in soon.”

Jin Hagun explained, and Geom Mugeuk asked:

“How did you find out that the Famed Name Manor Head was being held there?”

“As you know, we’ve been combing through all of Chongqing to find the missing Famed Name Manor Head and their family.”

Not a single corpse had been discovered from Famed Name Manor, so there remained hope that they might still be alive.

“There were quite a few people there that day. So I ordered surveillance on all physicians in Chongqing.”

He had thought that if any of them were wounded, someone might have purchased large amounts of medicine for treatment.

“And sure enough, we found someone in a local clinic who had bought a huge amount of medicinal herbs for treating injuries.”

It was news the search teams had long been waiting for.

“Judging by the types and quantities of herbs, it could very well have been for treating people from Famed Name Manor. So we searched the surrounding areas—and found that mountain lodge. Then, we discovered that a martial artist from Famed Name Manor was spotted there.”

There was no more room for doubt. Whatever the circumstances, the moment a Famed Name Manor martial artist had shown themselves, the lodge had to be investigated.

“Let’s hope the Famed Name Manor Head and their family are still alive. Come, let’s begin the rescue operation without delay.”

“Is it truly a rescue operation?”

There was a clear reason why Geom Mugeuk questioned the nature of this situation.

“At such a coincidental time—right after Branch Leader Seo was taken by your people—Famed Name Manor just happens to appear?”

Of course, Jin Hagun also harbored suspicion over this coincidence—but it was the only lead connected to the Famed Name Manor Head. Even if it was a trap, he had no choice but to step into it.

At that moment, a subordinate from the Demon-Slaying Brigade rushed over to deliver an urgent report.

“The Chongqing Branch has been attacked.”

Jin Hagun was shocked. He had anticipated the possibility, but he hadn’t truly expected a branch to be struck.

“What happened?”

“They say dozens on our side have died or been wounded.”

Jin Hagun’s expression hardened. He was furious. This had happened while he and the Demon-Slaying Brigade were away from their post. And what if this was all a ruse? What if that Manor held nothing?

“What about the one who was imprisoned in the thunder prison?”

“They say he’s unharmed.”

Hearing this, Geom Mugeuk felt relieved. Though he had sent Jangho and the Demonic Army, one could never be certain what unforeseen variables might arise in murim affairs.

“And the enemies?”

“They were all killed.”

Jin Hagun looked at Geom Mugeuk. Given that Seo Daeryong had survived the ambush and that the attackers had all been eliminated, it was clear the Demonic Army had played a major role.

“Your judgment was correct. Thank you.”

Had it not been for the Demonic Army’s reinforcement, the damage would have been incomparable to what it was now. As always, this Young Cult Leader’s insight did not betray trust.

“Then this place must have been a lure.”

He believed they had used the surviving Famed Name Manor martial artist to bait him here.

But Geom Mugeuk had a different view.

“It may not be.”

Jin Hagun looked at him with a face that asked, “What do you mean?”

“What if this is the real conspiracy?”

Geom Mugeuk shared his thoughts.

“Just because a branch is attacked doesn’t mean war will break out. Our cult and the Martial Alliance are not so loosely structured. But what about this? The annihilation of Famed Name Manor and Great Justice Warrior’s Sect was being investigated…”

He paused for a beat, then continued.

“…by the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader, whose death…”

This was an entirely different matter than simply attacking a branch. He was the grandson of the Martial Alliance Leader and a leading candidate to succeed the position.

“What if everything that’s happened up to now was just preparation for your death?”

The disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon annihilated Famed Name Manor and Great Justice Warrior’s Sect, and the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader investigating that incident was ultimately killed by the demonic path. If that’s the narrative they were constructing—

Jin Hagun stared at Geom Mugeuk in shock. On top of that, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would also be enraged. After all, the disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had been dragged to a Martial Alliance branch for investigation—and had essentially been killed there.

Words exchanged between both sides would be sharpened, and if those enemies pulled another stunt on top of that?

“If my suspicion is correct…”

Geom Mugeuk’s deepened gaze turned toward the silent Manor.

“…someone is waiting there, someone capable of killing both you and the Demon-Slaying Brigade.”