Absolute Regression

Chapter 529: This Is a Dream, a Dream

Kang Dal lightly leapt up and landed on top of the wall.

“There’s only one approaching carriage. One person is sitting in the driver’s seat…”

At that moment, his gaze dropped below the wall.

Kang Dal, peering down, was startled. Someone was standing beneath the wall, where no one should have been.

It wasn’t just one. Every three or four steps, a massive martial artist stood with their back to the wall, surrounding the area.

Kang Dal threw himself backward and shouted.

“Step away from the wall!”

The branch enforcer who had been near the wall quickly backed away.

“There’s someone outside the wall!”

Kang Dal assumed they were those who had come to aid Yao Gung and the Seven-Route Pursuit and Assassination Unit.

‘Since when? I didn’t sense anything even as they encircled the wall.’

Though his attention had been consumed by the Young Cult Leader and the Underworld Pavilion Lord, it was hard to believe he had noticed nothing at all.

Naturally, a question arose.

Even if he had failed to notice, shouldn’t the Young Cult Leader or the Underworld Pavilion Lord have sensed it?

Could it mean those people were stronger than the two of them? That couldn’t be possible.

Kang Dal looked toward Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong.

Even after receiving his report, the two showed no sign of surprise. From their reaction, he understood.

‘Ah! They’re the Young Cult Leader’s subordinates!’

Of course. There was no way the Young Cult Leader would act alone. Now that he thought about it, those people had their backs to the wall. If they were aiming at them, they would’ve been facing the wall.

‘If they had ambushed us, we’d all be dead.’

Once again, Kang Dal was impressed by the skill of the main division’s demonic followers.

‘Well, they’re the ones protecting the Young Cult Leader. Of course they’re strong. You only live once — this is how one should live, boldly.’

Meanwhile, the carriage reached the entrance.

‘Whoever they are, they picked the wrong time to show up.’

Kang Dal stepped forward a few paces. Even if the Young Cult Leader and the Underworld Pavilion Lord were here, the one who held authority over this branch was him.

Kang Dal spoke to the man in the driver’s seat of the carriage.

“There are esteemed guests visiting this branch today. No other visitors will be accepted, so please leave and return another time.”

However, the carriage showed no signs of departing.

Kang Dal studied the man sitting in the driver’s seat. Though he didn’t exude any particular aura, Kang Dal instinctively sensed he was no ordinary person. That meant whoever was inside the carriage must also be of high status. Even so…

‘You bastards, the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is here right now. If you don’t want to die, get lost!’

If he shouted like that, they would likely flee without even looking back.

“I’m telling you nicely — leave now.”

Still, the carriage didn’t move.

The one who moved instead was one of the massive figures standing below the wall.

‘So in the end, the Young Cult Leader’s guards are taking action.’

That was what Kang Dal thought.

However, the martial artist did not approach the carriage and instead entered the branch.

The moment the massive figure filled the doorway and stepped in, Kang Dal and the branch's demonic followers all held their breath. A scar slicing across his face and eyes sharp as blades scanning the surroundings. As their eyes met, Kang Dal’s entire body trembled.

He was none other than the Demonic Army Commander, Jangho.

The Demonic Army had been trailing behind the carriage carrying Geom Woojin at a slight distance as they returned to the cult. Upon receiving a message from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, they had come here to support the Heavenly Demon.

How could the Cult Leader visit a branch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult without proper formality? Thus, all members of the Demonic Army were dressed in their formal uniforms that revealed their identities.

At that moment, Kang Dal saw it — the letters engraved on Jangho’s chest.

Demonic Army.

Kang Dal was stunned.

‘No way?’

It was then that Seo Daeryong spoke.

“Pay your respects. This is the Commander of the Demonic Army of our cult.”

At the word Commander, Kang Dal was so shocked he momentarily lost his senses. He had thought nothing today could surprise him any further.

The eyes of the branch’s demonic followers sparkled as they looked at Jangho. To the average demonic follower, the Demonic Army held a special meaning.

The Demonic Army — the cult’s elite force.

They were the ones sent on the most dangerous missions, and in times of war, they were the first on the battlefield. The Demonic Army was the dream and aspiration of ordinary demonic followers.

Kang Dal and the branch members all simultaneously performed the clasped-fist salute and bowed their heads.

“We pay our respects to the Demonic Army Commander!”

Even then, Kang Dal still believed that the Demonic Army had come solely to guard the Young Cult Leader. In his mind, the highest figure connected to today’s visit was the Young Cult Leader.

Led by Jangho, the Demonic Army began entering in succession.

Their overwhelming aura, unrestrained, caused not only the demonic followers but even the kneeling members of the Seven-Route Pursuit and Assassination Unit to shrink back. The sight alone was suffocatingly oppressive.

Bathed in awe-stricken gazes, the Demonic Army marched in one after another. Even one of them was spine-chilling, yet they seemed to stream in endlessly.

Four women stared at them in dazed silence. Though they didn’t know much about the Demonic Army, the sheer size and overpowering presence of those men filled them with fear.

After looking at Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong, then seeing these men — it truly felt like they were now seeing real demonic followers.

The Demonic Army lined up on either side of the entrance, forming a path.

‘They’re not here to block the carriage?’

Kang Dal’s gaze turned toward the carriage. In the moment he watched with wary anticipation, the carriage door opened.

The first to step out was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Jangho spoke to the demonic followers.

“This is the Demon Supreme of our cult, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.”

At those words, the demonic followers were again struck with shock. Who could have imagined meeting a Demon Supreme in this countryside branch?

For both Kang Dal and the branch members, this was their first time seeing a Demon Supreme in person.

“We pay our respects to the Demon Supreme!”

They shouted with thunderous voices, bowing in greeting. Kang Dal’s heart quivered.

‘To think there would come a day in my life when I would meet a Demon Supreme in person!’

He had heard all sorts of terrifying rumors about the Demon Supreme. From this point on, even one wrong breath could mean death. He disciplined his subordinates with a sharp glance.

‘Be careful! Watch your words and actions! Don’t even look!’

The well-trained subordinates responded with their eyes.

‘Understood, sir!’

But their astonishment had only just begun.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had stepped down from the carriage, stood respectfully beside it, waiting for someone else to alight.

Finally, Geom Woojin descended from the carriage.

The moment Kang Dal laid eyes on Geom Woojin, he froze. He had seen many martial artists in his life, but never had he encountered such an overwhelming presence. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who had gotten off first, also exuded an incredible aura, but he couldn’t compare to this man.

Geom Woojin slowly began walking, entering the path formed between the lines of the Demonic Army.

As Kang Dal watched, his eyes grew wider and wider. A person whom even a Demon Supreme greeted with such reverence? A man who could walk a path carved by the Demonic Army?

Jangho raised his voice and declared loudly.

“Everyone, pay your respects to the Cult Leader!”

One of the demonic followers let out a scream, “Aagh!”, and quickly clapped a hand over his own mouth. But no one paid him any attention.

Kang Dal and the demonic followers all prostrated themselves at once and shouted.

“Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, undefeated! Heavenly Demon, eternal! We pay our respects to the solemn Cult Leader!”

Kang Dal felt half his soul had fled. The Cult Leader had come to his branch?

‘Is this a dream?’

The Underworld Pavilion Lord had come, then the Young Cult Leader, then the Demonic Army, then the Demon Supreme. And now even the Cult Leader himself?

‘Yes, this is a dream. A dream.’

Though he knew it wasn’t, he still found himself thinking it in that moment.

The women were not quite as shocked as the men.

To them, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was someone who belonged to a different world altogether.

There’s the Heavenly Demon, the leader of the Martial Alliance, and the leader of the Unorthodox Alliance? That felt as distant and abstract as the sun, moon, and stars in the sky.

What shocked them wasn’t that the Cult Leader had appeared — it was that he was someone they knew.

The youngest, Dan Yeon, gasped.

“It’s him!”

The three women who saw Geom Woojin’s face were truly shocked. He was the same man they had seen that day at the inn. And more than anything else—

‘The person we served food to was the Heavenly Demon?’

The three women looked at one another in disbelief.

The youngest’s eyes seemed to say:

‘It was me! I was the one who suggested we send him food.’

Her taste in men — the Heavenly Demon?

Chohee stood behind them.

Unlike the stunned trio, Chohee fully understood just how shocking and unbelievable this situation was.

She was a courtesan of the Sky Flower Pavilion. And the man standing there was the one who appeared more than anyone else in the drunken tales of martial artists.

When I heard stories about the Heavenly Demon—everything from the wildly exaggerated boasts to the endless terror of the Heavenly Demon’s descent and the fall of the martial world—at least one thing became perfectly clear.

He was someone I would never see in my entire life.

And yet, that very person was now walking toward this place. That’s why she understood better than anyone how unreal this moment truly was.

That surreal figure walked between the Demonic Army. Those brutal warriors who looked as though they belonged guarding the Gate of Hell now wore expressions more respectful than ever before. Everything about the scene was unreal.

When Geom Woojin reached the end of the formation, he turned around.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood beside him as if standing guard.

Chak, chak, chak.

The Demonic Army that had been standing in formation moved in perfect order, taking positions and securing the perimeter.

A few members of the Demonic Army stood in front of the Seven-Route Pursuit and Assassination Unit, who remained kneeling with their internal energy suppressed. It wasn’t to protect them, but to shield such disgraceful figures from the Cult Leader’s sight.

Under the fierce, cold gaze of the Demonic Army, those men could not even breathe heavily and simply bowed their heads.

Jangho motioned for the kneeling demonic followers and women of the branch to rise. They did so, unable to meet anyone’s eyes, heads still bowed low.

Geom Mugeuk approached his father and offered a greeting.

“You have arrived.”

Geom Woojin gave a single nod, then looked toward Seo Daeryong.

His eyes asked: How did it go?

Seo Daeryong respectfully reported to Geom Woojin.

“Thanks to your concern, we safely rescued Miss Dan Ah and her sisters.”

Hearing her name mentioned, Dan Ah’s heart began to pound.

Her name was being spoken in a conversation between the Cult Leader and the Underworld Pavilion Lord.

She couldn’t believe it. Like Kang Dal, to her, this moment felt like a dream.

Then, Geom Woojin’s calm voice rang out, dispelling any notion that this was just a dream.

“Which young heroine is called Dan Ah?”

Dan Ah felt her heart plummet as if falling from a high place. The Cult Leader was asking for her!

Seo Daeryong was even more flustered. He hadn’t expected the Cult Leader to personally inquire about her identity.

His gaze turned toward Dan Ah.

‘Are you alright?’

But Dan Ah was braver and bolder than Seo Daeryong expected. Though startled, she was calm and composed when she spoke.

“I am Dan Ah. It is an honor to meet someone so noble. Under the protection of the Cult and with the help of the Underworld Pavilion Lord, my sisters and I were able to survive. I sincerely thank you.”

Geom Woojin’s deep gaze felt as if it could see straight into a person’s heart, but that wasn’t the reason he had asked to see her.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

Dan Ah widened her eyes and looked at Geom Woojin. How could she not be astonished?

The Heavenly Demon had just told her that he was glad she was safe.

“Thank you for your concern.”

At her trembling words, Geom Woojin only gave a nod. He said nothing more. That was enough.

Geom Mugeuk understood. This was his father's way of showing consideration for Seo Daeryong. Just as he himself had shown exceptional kindness to her, his father had expressed his trust in Seo Daeryong by asking after her safety.

And how could Seo Daeryong not recognize that intention?

'This grace—I will repay with my life.'

It was the moment a wall of loyalty, unshakable like the Great Demon Wall of the Nine Calamities Demon Art, was formed.

With this Cult Leader and Young Cult Leader, even if they were to scorn and hate him for the rest of his life, Seo Daeryong could still die for them.

Without a word, Seo Daeryong bowed his head deeply to Geom Woojin to express his gratitude.

There was also the consideration of his drinking companion, Jangho.

Jangho stepped forward and offered a respectful greeting to Seo Daeryong.

“We pay our respects to the Pavilion Lord.”

“I greet the Commander.”

Dan Ah was once again surprised to see that terrifying Demonic Army Commander offering such a courteous greeting to Seo Daeryong. Today, her impression of Seo Daeryong was being engraved into her heart.

In truth, it felt overwhelming. To be the object of such attention from a man so extraordinary.

Yet, even now, when their eyes met, Seo Daeryong would hurriedly avert his gaze. His eyes were filled with embarrassment.

Kang Dal and the branch’s demonic followers lined up in front of Geom Woojin. Since the Cult Leader had visited, they gave a formal greeting.

Standing before the Cult Leader, Kang Dal’s heart swelled. He could die without regret now.

'I’m the only branch leader who has welcomed the Cult Leader into his branch!'

This was something to boast about to every branch leader in the surrounding region.

And then, unexpectedly, a word of praise flowed from the Cult Leader’s mouth.

“You’ve trained them well.”

Just from a glance, Geom Woojin had assessed the demonic followers’ skills and spirit. Moreover, in their eyes was a burning loyalty to the cult and the Cult Leader.

And he had already come knowing, through written reports, what had transpired here. From how the branch was managed to the judgment shown in crisis, the pride in the cult, and the composure shown before enemies—Kang Dal was too capable a man to be left in a small branch like this.

“Thank you!”

Kang Dal had lived his life diligently. He had trained hard and trained his subordinates even harder.

Because he wanted to escape the confines of a minor branch, he had worked to become a man overflowing with merit in that very branch.

As a result, he had become a confident branch leader. That confidence led to his proud declaration: How dare the Pursuit Unit look down on us? That pride was why he had been able to accept the women. In the end, everything was connected.

Through this event, Kang Dal realized something: Opportunity does not fall from the sky—it comes from within oneself.

And just meeting the Cult Leader in person had made him feel as though sunlight had entered his life.

It was in that moment that the dazzling sun illuminated his life.

“Come to the Main Division.”