Absolute Regression

Chapter 511: So Your Martial Arts Will Be Strong

―The elder has gone there.

Geom Mugeuk recalled the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. The image of him walking alone, carrying the great blade on his back.

Jagyeong hadn’t gone to deal with that matter, believing that he could handle it on his own.

―Master might be in danger.

Worry bloomed across Seo Daeryong’s face.

―How do we find out where that place is?

At Seo Daeryong’s question, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze naturally turned toward Jagyeong.

Jagyeong, too, glanced this way while conversing with Bang Cheongmun, the lord of the Phoenix Mountain Sword Gate.

Jagyeong smiled amiably. From that smile, Geom Mugeuk could sense that his hunch had been correct. He saw this situation as a success.

Geom Mugeuk smiled broadly at him as well. The moment Seo Daeryong saw that smile, he understood. Geom Mugeuk had begun to open the Gate of Hell.

Geom Mugeuk asked Jagyeong,

“There’s something I’d like to ask our Hero.”

“Please, go ahead.”

The orthodox martial artists around them held their breath and listened closely to their conversation.

Geom Mugeuk asked bluntly,

“Where?”

A subtle smile flickered at the corner of Jagyeong’s lips. He knew exactly what Geom Mugeuk was asking.

Of course, with everyone watching, Jagyeong feigned ignorance.

“What do you mean?”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned cold.

“There’s something you don’t know about me.”

As Geom Mugeuk’s demeanor toward Jagyeong shifted, the surrounding orthodox martial artists all grew tense.

But Geom Mugeuk paid them no mind, continuing to speak while looking only at Jagyeong.

“The reason you’re still alive is not because of the orthodox warriors here. Nor because of whoever’s backing you.”

Each word Geom Mugeuk spoke was quiet, yet chilling.

“You’re alive because of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Because he doesn’t know exactly how you’re entangled with them. That’s why I’m asking. Where is the elder now?” ＲἈN∅ᛒЕʂ

Jagyeong stared straight into Geom Mugeuk’s eyes and answered.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He was confident that Geom Mugeuk wouldn’t dare attack him in front of so many orthodox martial artists. His eyes were saying this:

―So what? With this many orthodox masters present, you’re going to attack me here? Then this incident will be pinned on your side for sure.

“Why are you doing this?”

Geom Mugeuk understood. This wasn’t someone who would answer just because he was asked. He was highly skilled at hiding his true self. After all, how could someone have lived undetected as a chivalrous man while hiding the fact that he was of the demonic path, if they weren’t some hidden master?

Geom Mugeuk turned to Bang Cheongmun.

“Please step back for a moment with the others here.”

Bang Cheongmun was taken aback by Geom Mugeuk’s sudden action. Judging by what he had just said to Jagyeong, it was clear that the Young Cult Leader and that Underworld Pavilion Lord truly regarded the Azure Cloud Hero as the culprit.

“What are you trying to do?”

“I will determine who the real culprit is—right before your eyes.”

Jagyeong shouted at Bang Cheongmun.

“Do not fall for the Heavenly Demon Cult’s schemes. Please help me!”

Even if the Azure Cloud Hero hadn’t asked for help, this was a situation where he couldn’t just retreat.

Just as he was about to say as much—

Splash.

Bang Cheongmun flinched. Before he knew it, he was floating in the sky.

‘What is this?’

But looking again, it wasn’t the sky. He was standing on water, but the water was so clear that it reflected the sky perfectly, tricking him into thinking he had risen into the air.

The moment he realized it—

Splash.

Bang Cheongmun plunged into the water. He thrashed and resisted, but it was no use.

The surface drifted farther and farther away.

He started to suffocate. As the terror of asphyxiation merged with the pitch-black depths, Bang Cheongmun could endure it no longer.

‘……I’m going to die like this!’

At that exact moment, everything vanished.

Geom Mugeuk was silently staring at him.

Bang Cheongmun understood. What he had just experienced was Geom Mugeuk’s energy.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. It seemed everyone had felt the same energy.

But each felt it differently. The stronger their martial arts, the greater their fear.

That beautiful sky, the water, and the abyss.

Could a person truly possess such energy? And was it really possible to be completely subdued by nothing but energy alone? To subdue all of them?

Bang Cheongmun couldn’t believe it. He had heard the rumors that the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was strong, but he never imagined he would be this powerful.

‘If he makes up his mind… we could all be annihilated.’

Bang Cheongmun stared at Geom Mugeuk with growing fear.

Eyes as clear and deep as ever.

He began to think that perhaps the person who had just displayed such terrifying energy might truly be the same man before him now. That a deep abyss was hidden within those pure eyes.

Unlike the dreadful aura he had just shown, Geom Mugeuk spoke calmly.

“I swear on the name of the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. If I am mistaken, I will take full responsibility.”

But what if this was a scheme of the demonic cult? Just to kill the Azure Cloud Hero…

At that moment, Bang Cheongmun realized. A person this strong—who wasn’t even the Leader of the Martial Alliance or the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader—would not go this far just to harm a mere chivalrous man. He wouldn’t stake his very name on it for no reason.

Bang Cheongmun addressed the other leaders around him.

“Since the Young Cult Leader of the Divine Cult has said this much, let us step back for a moment.”

The invited sect leaders exchanged glances.

Some thought they should intervene. But after witnessing the overwhelming energy Geom Mugeuk had just shown, none of them dared to step forward.

Even if problems arose later… Bang Cheongmun would have to take responsibility for this decision he had made.

After sending everyone back, Geom Mugeuk turned to Jagyeong.

“You tried to corner the Underworld Pavilion Lord into using the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form, didn’t you?”

Jagyeong denied it to the very end.

“Is this your method? To frame and eliminate those who stand in your way?”

“That’s right. This is our method—yours and mine.”

“I, the Azure Cloud Hero, will never yield to the threat of the Demonic Cult! Come, Young Cult Leader!”

Those words weren’t aimed at provoking Geom Mugeuk—they were meant to provoke the orthodox martial artists.

Then, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.

“I’m not the one who’ll face you.”

He turned to Seo Daeryong.

“Underworld Pavilion Lord.”

“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”

“Deal with him.”

Seo Daeryong was inwardly surprised—he hadn’t expected to be the one made to fight.

But what shocked him even more was the next sound transmission.

—Kill him with the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form! Use it from the very start.

Seo Daeryong was taken aback.

‘You really want me to kill him?’

He didn’t know whether he could or not—but what worried him even more was this:

‘If I kill him, how will we find out where Master is?’

But Seo Daeryong quickly shook off his doubts. If Geom Mugeuk said to kill, then that was what he had to do. There had to be a reason behind it.

“I will take him on.”

Seo Daeryong stepped forward.

“So you intend to wear down my inner energy and have the Young Cult Leader finish me off in the end.”

He had cut off Geom Mugeuk’s intervention—and Geom Mugeuk accepted that intention.

“Even if the Underworld Pavilion Lord loses, I will not step in. I swear this as the Young Cult Leader.”

With Geom Mugeuk declaring this, Jagyeong no longer attempted to provoke the orthodox faction. Had that not been the case, he surely would have continued trying to incite them to act. He knew very well how to target the pride and honor of orthodox warriors.

But if it was that Underworld Pavilion Lord? He could kill him. He knew his martial skills well enough.

‘I’ll kill him with my own hands.’

And so, the two stood face to face.

—Didn’t I tell you? There are natural enemies in this world.

Jagyeong’s voice sounded in secret transmission, and Seo Daeryong responded. The fact that Geom Mugeuk didn’t kill him himself and instead sent him meant only one thing.

—So I really must be your natural enemy.

With that final silent exchange, the two clashed.

Seo Daeryong immediately unleashed the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form from the very first move.

Shraaaaaak!

A terrifyingly powerful strike shot forth.

Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form - First Form,

Extinguishing Blade Strike.

Had it been the Seo Daeryong from just a few days ago, Jagyeong, the Azure Cloud Hero, might have been able to block the attack with the orthodox martial arts techniques he used.

But now, Seo Daeryong had greatly enhanced his inner energy through the consumption of the Blue Jade Divine Pill and had even received Geom Mugeuk’s personal instruction in live combat training.

It wasn’t an attack that could be blocked leisurely.

Kwaaaang!

Two waves of qi clashed in midair.

Jagyeong was shocked and flustered. It was far stronger than he had expected.

‘He’s this strong?’

The problem was that the strike had come so quickly and with such force that Jagyeong had no choice but to use the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form to block it. If he hadn’t, his arm would have been severed.

The orthodox warriors watching couldn’t hide their surprise at the unexpected power.

The exchange had been so swift that they hadn’t yet fully realized that the Azure Cloud Hero was using the same martial art.

Only Bang Cheongmun, who was the most skilled among them, tilted his head slightly in doubt.

Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form – Second Form.

Extinguishing Blade Wave.

The blade energy surged forward like a wave. He had barely managed to block the First Form with all his might—how could he stop the Second Form while hiding his strength?

Once again, Jagyeong responded with Extinguishing Blade Wave.

Kwaaaaang!

A deafening roar rang out as the violent blade wind spread in all directions, pushing back the onlookers.

At the second clash, Bang Cheongmun opened his eyes wide, and the other leaders showed expressions of suspicion.

Then, when the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form’s Third Form—Extinguishing Blade Bloodstorm—clashed with its counterpart, everyone realized it.

“It’s the same martial art!”

“The Hero has learned the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form!”

Everyone was appalled to learn that Jagyeong had mastered the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form.

Only then did Seo Daeryong understand Geom Mugeuk’s intention. By using the form himself, he forced Jagyeong to respond with the same technique, thereby exposing the truth to everyone.

It was only possible because Geom Mugeuk had seen through both his and Jagyeong’s abilities with perfect clarity.

In the end, Seo Daeryong had accomplished what Jagyeong had been trying to ‘create’.

If he wanted to survive, he would have to use the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form!

Exposed, Jagyeong unleashed his demonic energy without hesitation and charged at Seo Daeryong.

Seo Daeryong swung his blade in return.

Kwaang!

The two great blades clashed with a thunderous crash. The shock traveled through both of their arms.

Surprisingly, what Seo Daeryong felt was this—

‘I can endure it!’

If not, he would have dropped his blade right then and there.

Though he had started learning martial arts in earnest only recently, he had trained harder than anyone else.

—There’s just not enough time to train.

To this complaint, Geom Mugeuk once said this:

—That’s why your martial arts will be even stronger.

—Huh?

—Sometimes, the life you’ve lived earnestly during the day can be stronger than training all day swinging a blade. Trust yourself! Trust your experience, and trust your smart self!

Originally, Jagyeong had the superior skills without a doubt.

But even he had an unforeseen weakness.

The fact that he had used orthodox martial arts for so long instead of demonic arts had come back to bite him.

In contrast, Seo Daeryong was in a razor-sharp state.

And so, the two engaged in a fiercely even battle.

Chwaaaaak! Ttaeng! Ttaaaaeng!

Lethal strikes flew one after another.

Each time their blades clashed as if splitting the heavens, sparks scattered.

The ground was deeply carved, and the ornamental stones that decorated the flower garden were shattered and scattered.

Seo Daeryong had entered a state of selflessness.

He wasn’t even aware that he was in the middle of a battle that left the mouths of the orthodox warriors wide open. The training he had pursued by squeezing time and sacrificing sleep was now guiding him.

Then, at a decisive moment, his body moved in the exact method Geom Mugeuk had taught him.

He twisted his body using a footwork technique and brought down his blade lightly, almost as if throwing it.

Shraaaaaak!

Fwaaaah!

At that instant, both their movements halted.

The one who vomited a mouthful of blood was Jagyeong.

Seo Daeryong’s blade had pierced through his shoulder and sunk deep into his torso.

Seo Daeryong’s hand trembled. This was the first time he had killed such a skilled opponent in combat.

When he learned the technique, he had merely thought, “So there’s a move like this,” but in actual combat, that single strike had become the decisive blow between victory and defeat.

‘To think he taught me such an incredible technique so easily?’

Jagyeong looked up at Seo Daeryong and spoke with a vicious expression.

“You… you bastard.”

He had a look of disbelief on his face, as if he couldn’t accept that he had lost to Seo Daeryong—not the Young Cult Leader, but this scrawny guy?

Even expressing anger felt humiliating, so he forced a smile at Seo Daeryong.

“…If you kill me, you won’t be able to find where the Blood Heaven Blade Demon is.”

The moment Seo Daeryong heard him refer to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon that way, he felt relieved.

‘So he’s not Master’s disciple!’

Jagyeong had tried to use the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s name as a shield to survive, but it didn’t work on Seo Daeryong.

“If I’ve been ordered to kill you, then he’ll take care of the rest.”

With that, Seo Daeryong brought his blade down without hesitation.

Ssak!

Chwaaaaak!

Jagyeong’s body was split in two, collapsing in opposite directions.

The scent of blood filled the air, and the orthodox martial artists all watched in stunned silence.

But Seo Daeryong didn’t see them.

The only one he looked for was Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk was watching him with a smile.

—Well done, my right arm.

Those words made Seo Daeryong’s chest tremble with emotion. He was so moved that he felt he’d brag about this fight every time he drank—for the rest of his life. Constantly gaining new stories to boast about, Seo Daeryong had once again grown stronger today.

Bang Cheongmun spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

“What you said was right. That man was the real culprit.”

He was now convinced that Jagyeong had been the true villain.

A man known throughout the orthodox world as a chivalrous hero had mastered the Heaven-Extinguishing Demonic Blade Form? Unless he was plotting a grand conspiracy, it would be impossible.

What happened today would spread the truth throughout the orthodox martial world—that this incident had been a scheme intended to drive a wedge between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the orthodox sects.

Geom Mugeuk bid farewell to Bang Cheongmun and the orthodox martial artists.

“Thank you for believing me.”

In truth, they had been half-forced to believe him due to his overwhelming strength, but hearing him say that still made them feel grateful.

“If you ever need help, just say the word. We’ll assist you.”

“We will. Then, we’ll take our leave for today.”

Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong quickly departed the place.

“You have a guess where Master might be, don’t you?”

“No.”

Seo Daeryong was startled by Geom Mugeuk’s answer.

“Then… why did you tell me to kill him?”

“He wasn’t someone who would’ve talked anyway. We’d only have wasted time.”

On that point, Seo Daeryong agreed.

“I still have a long way to go. Just look at how restless I am. You’re not worried at all, are you, Young Cult Leader?”

He had assumed Geom Mugeuk was calm because he trusted the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

“If you’re talking about the Elder, of course I’m worried. That stubborn pride of his—always trying not to trouble others—how could I not worry?”

At that, Seo Daeryong also showed his true feelings.

“Right? I feel like I’m going to die from the worry. Then why do you look so relaxed?”

Because he had something he could believe in.

“I may not believe in your Master, but I believe in my father.”

Geom Mugeuk believed in his father—and in his father’s relationship with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

When he first met the Blood Heaven Blade Demon after regressing, the Demon Supreme had acted with the belief that even if he killed the Young Cult Leader, the father would forgive him. He believed in that kind of relationship between the two.

“This matter is tied to their past. My father won’t just stand by. He’s not someone who ever leaves his affairs in someone else’s hands.”

*         *         *

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stepped through the main gate.

The training hall, which was usually crowded with people, was completely empty.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon walked across the desolate training hall and entered the Grand Hall.

Someone was seated on the Throne Mat. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon slowly walked toward him.

The person seated on the Throne spoke.

“Why don’t you ask? Why not ask if I killed everyone who was here?”

His voice echoed through the Grand Hall, raspy and cracked like the dry earth of a remote wasteland. Yet, it struck with a sharpness that clawed at the listener’s heart.

“Because I know you haven’t killed them yet.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s tone was calm and respectful.

“And why not?”

“Because that wasn’t the point of this matter. The goal wasn’t to kill them, was it? From the beginning, the intent was to draw me and the Cult Leader in.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon reached the bottom of the steps and looked up.

An old man sat upon the Throne at the top of the stairs.

His deeply wrinkled face made it impossible to guess his age. But the light radiating from his eyes was fierce—like staring directly at the sun.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s eyes trembled as he looked at the old man.

“It’s been a long time, Master.”