Absolute Regression

Chapter 531: Even If the Entire Martial World Blocks the Way

They parted into three directions at the entrance to the branch.

The carriage carrying Geom Woojin and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon headed to the main cult, while Seo Daeryong and the three women went to the safe house, and Geom Mugeuk and Chohee went to the Sky Flower Pavilion.

Shortly after Father's carriage departed, Jangho and the Demonic Army completed their preparations for departure. They would follow Father's carriage back to the cult.

Before leaving, Geom Mugeuk exchanged farewells with Jangho. This time, Jangho and the Demonic Army had played a significant role. It was he who had saved Seo Daeryong’s life back at Chongqing.

“Commander Jang.”

“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”

The two exchanged glances in the air. Even without words, they understood how much they meant to each other.

Geom Mugeuk always felt reassured by the loyalty radiating from Jangho. With this man here, anything could be entrusted to him.

Jangho would surely understand Geom Mugeuk’s heart from that look alone.

Geom Mugeuk turned his gaze to the Demonic Army standing behind Jangho. Today, he expressed his gratitude to them.

“You are the wall. The iron wall that protects me, my father, and the cult’s instructors. This time again, thanks to that unyielding wall, we were able to complete the journey safely. Thank you all.”

Geom Mugeuk cupped his fists and expressed his thanks to them. It was the first time he had formally done so.

The Demonic Army responded with equally dignified expressions, cupping their fists in unison and bowing respectfully.

“We pledge our loyalty!”

Jangho gave a final farewell.

“Then, I’ll see you at the cult!”

Jangho looked after Seo Daeryong until the end. As the Dan Sisters were watching, he bowed to Seo Daeryong even more respectfully.

“If you visit the cult, let’s have a drink. It’s on me.”

“I’ll send word once I return. Definitely!”

Seo Daeryong emphasized the word ‘definitely’ with an expression full of things left unsaid. He was truly grateful, so even if they drank, he should be the one buying. He would drink with Jangho all night.

Thus the Demonic Army departed, then Seo Daeryong, and finally, Geom Mugeuk.

Now only Kang Dal and his subordinates remained. It felt like a storm had passed. Everything that had happened before felt like a dream, but now that everyone had left, this moment felt even more surreal.

One of the subordinates, watching the distant carriage, said,

“The Branch Leader personally showed us a way to reach the Main Division, but there are so many requirements.”

There had to be fleeing women, the Underworld Pavilion Lord, the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, the Demonic Army and its Commander, the Demon Supreme and the Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. Ah, and a prepared Branch Leader too.

“We can’t go. So don’t forget and make sure to visit us.”

Kang Dal spoke as he walked inside.

“We’ve all worked hard, so tonight, we feast!”

Everyone cheered as they went inside.

*         *         *

“I’ll drive the carriage.”

As someone who had lived as a wanderer for a long time, she naturally knew how to drive a carriage well.

“No, it’s alright.”

When Seo Daeryong politely declined, Dan Ah ended up sitting next to him on the driver’s seat. She couldn’t let a high-ranking member of the Demonic Cult handle the reins while she sat comfortably in the back.

“You’re still not fully healed. Please ride comfortably inside.”

“I’m fine. I’ll keep you company.”

Seo Daeryong was grateful and happy that she sat beside him. But the problem was how nervous he felt.

He couldn’t even look at her, only staring straight ahead as he drove the carriage.

What should I say? Should I ask about her time as a wanderer? Or about her sisters? Would she find it annoying if I spoke to her?

All sorts of thoughts ran through Seo Daeryong’s mind. That clever head of his was now completely useless. No—if anything, it was generating even more useless thoughts.

Dan Ah was the one to speak to Seo Daeryong first.

“You drive the carriage well.”

“Yes.”

Seo Daeryong answered with a sheepish smile. His gaze was still fixed forward.

Hadn’t he once driven the Cult Leader’s carriage? Drawing on the skills he had learned from Hui, he handled the reins expertly. If Geom Mugeuk saw him now, he’d probably tease him for driving even more carefully than he had with Father in the carriage.

But what good was being good at driving a carriage? He couldn’t even say a word to her.

There were watchers observing the two of them.

If they were outside, it might have been dangerous—but the watchers were inside. Through a small window between the driver’s seat and the cabin, Dan Bi and Dan Yeon were peeking at the pair.

The two whispered in frustration.

“He’s just staring forward and driving the whole time.”

“How can he be so clueless about a woman’s feelings? If she’s sitting next to you, at least say something.”

“Please, just look to your side!”

Once again, Dan Ah was the one to initiate conversation.

“You seemed close with the Young Cult Leader.”

Now that was a topic Seo Daeryong had plenty to say about.

“He’s the one who pulled me out of despair and pessimism. I would give my life in loyalty to him.”

Dan Ah covered the hole behind the driver’s seat with her hand.

Her sisters’ mutterings were slightly leaking through.

Even without hearing them clearly, she could guess what they were saying. Something like, “You’re just starting to get to know each other and you’re already talking about giving your life for someone else? What’s so great about a man like that?” They were likely trading such remarks.

“Do you… have someone like that, Miss Dan?”

Seo Daeryong asked, and Dan Ah replied,

“Not yet. But I suppose I’ll have to find one going forward.”

As she said that, Dan Ah turned to look at Seo Daeryong. But Seo Daeryong was still looking straight ahead, driving the carriage.

Even if Seo Daeryong was oblivious, her younger sisters understood their elder sister’s heart.

It was clear she had feelings for Seo Daeryong. Though they, too, weren’t the most perceptive, they thought someone that pure wasn’t a bad match.

But the problem was this:

“He’s a demonic cultivator. Would that really be okay?”

And not just any demonic cultivator—one from the upper leadership.

As always, the youngest didn’t hesitate.

“If unni is happy, I’m fine with it.”

Even Dan Bi, the most cautious of the three, nodded in agreement. If it were any other matter, she would’ve firmly said not to get involved with the Demonic Cult. She believed that any entanglement with a demonic cultivator would end badly.

But for their sister’s happiness—

Ever since they lost their parents young, their older sister had spent her life sacrificing for them.

Because of them, she had never had a proper relationship with a man. Even when someone nice came along, their sister had turned away.

“If it’s for unni, I’d even let her go.”

Would she be able to endure a life without her sister? She couldn’t say for certain. It would probably be painful. And yet, if her sister could be happy, she would willingly choose that pain.

Then the youngest, Dan Yeon, said,

“Let her go? Why should we?”

Seeing Dan Bi’s confused expression, Dan Yeon explained,

“We’ll just join the Demonic Cult too.”

Dan Bi wore a dazed expression, then broke into a smile. She had never considered such an idea. But yes, her sister was right. They could just become demonic cultivators too.

They peeked out through the hole again.

‘Please just look to your side!’

After some time riding in silence, Seo Daeryong suddenly spoke.

“I might not seem it, but I’m shy and terrible with people.”

As if to prove it, Seo Daeryong’s gaze remained locked forward.

“It’s only because of the Young Cult Leader’s influence that I’ve improved this much. Even that poem I recited that day—I just happened to memorize it the night before.”

He just laid it all out, honestly.

Dan Ah didn’t reply.

‘Should I not have said that?’

Just as a wave of regret was washing over Seo Daeryong, Dan Ah responded calmly.

“I, on the other hand, am full of tricks.”

Startled, Seo Daeryong looked at her.

“Having lived as a wanderer for so long, I’ve picked up more than my fair share of tricks. If the Cult Leader saw me, he might even be disappointed.”

“No! That’s not true! I think you’re wonderful no matter what!”

As he got flustered, Dan Ah smiled and said,

“Recite another poem for me sometime.”

Seo Daeryong’s eyes wavered as he looked at her.

At that very moment—

Thud!

Having stared only at her, the carriage jolted violently as it failed to avoid a stone on the ground.

From behind, her two sisters shouted out,

“Watch the road!”

*         *         *

Meanwhile, the carriage carrying Geom Mugeuk and Chohee raced down the official road.

The carriage Geom Mugeuk had chosen couldn’t carry cargo, and only had room for two people on the driver’s seat—but that made it faster.

Half a day had passed since their departure, and Chohee had reached one conclusion.

‘This Young Cult Leader is special.’

Having dealt with many men as clients over the years, she prided herself on her discerning eye when it came to men.

But this man defied her expectations in more ways than one.

First of all—

He was too good at driving a carriage. Not just good—exceptionally skilled.

As if speed was his only concern, Geom Mugeuk focused entirely on handling the reins.

Dududududu.

The carriage veered off the main road and entered a narrow path. It was the kind of road where a single carriage would fill the entire space. One misstep and the wheels would slip into a rut. And yet, Geom Mugeuk drove the carriage with expert ease.

She had expected someone of the Young Cult Leader’s status to only ride in luxurious carriages driven by subordinates.

Chohee looked over the side of the carriage. It was barely staying within the road by the thickness of a sheet of paper.

The second remarkable thing—

Even more surprising than his driving skills was his sense of direction.

Geom Mugeuk knew the roads too well. He weaved in and out of side paths, always rejoining the main route seamlessly. Whenever a shortcut appeared, he took it, shaving off time from their journey.

‘Does he travel this road every day?’

That’s how familiar he seemed. But there’s no way the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult would be out driving this route in a carriage daily, right?

‘Is he really the Young Cult Leader?’

This growing suspicion was linked to the third remarkable point.

“We’re the only ones traveling right now, aren’t we?”

Despite all the ground they’d covered, she hadn’t once seen any escort martial artists following them. With all the winding paths and side roads they’d taken, she figured even if someone tried to pursue them, they wouldn’t be able to catch up.

“Yes, it’s just us.”

It was the answer she’d expected, yet Chohee looked at Geom Mugeuk with astonished eyes. She had known he wasn’t ordinary, but to travel completely alone with her?

“I’ve always preferred to travel alone.”

“Still, I thought you’d bring at least a few escorts. You’re a distinguished figure.”

“That’s my father’s philosophy. The more precious something is, the less it should be coddled. Raise it to feel a sense of lack.”

Sure, some parents might raise their children that way. But you’re the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, aren’t you?

The fourth remarkable thing—

It was how Geom Mugeuk treated her.

If he knew she was a courtesan, there might’ve been a trace of condescension in his tone or gaze. But from the beginning until now, he had never lost his sense of respect.

The more Chohee sensed how special the Young Cult Leader was, the more her doubts grew. She had seen the Heavenly Demon, and even the Demon Supreme, at the branch.

Are you really the Young Cult Leader?

The Young Cult Leader personally escorting someone? And the Cult Leader permits it?

One suspicion gave rise to another.

‘Could he be pretending to gain my trust just to extract information?’

Yes, it never hurt to be cautious—especially considering the importance of the information she held.

Chohee forced away those dark thoughts and replied with a bright expression.

“Well, I suppose escorts aren’t really necessary. With all these twists and turns, who could possibly launch an attack?”

“They could.”

“Pardon?”

“We’re not alone right now.”

Chohee looked at him with a puzzled expression. Then Geom Mugeuk said something that left her stunned.

“Someone is tailing us. They’ve been following since we left the branch.”

Chohee’s eyes widened in shock.

“They’re highly skilled in tracking techniques.”

The pursuer was so skilled that no one but an expert would have noticed being followed.

“Then… does that mean they know the Young Cult Leader is escorting me?”

“They might. Or they might not.”

The pursuer had been watching the outskirts of the branch and started following when Chohee departed. The branch had been under the guard of Father, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and the Demonic Army—no one could have slipped in to scout the situation directly.

So the enemy had kept watch from outside and began tailing her carriage the moment she left.

Chohee realized the danger was far from over.

That meant their enemy could be someone even more dangerous than the Seven-Route Pursuit and Assassination Unit.

As the possibility that she was exposed to an even greater threat dawned on her, her nerves tightened.

“Aren’t you curious? About what I know?”

Given the circumstances, it would’ve been natural for him to pressure her to reveal everything she knew.

“I am curious.”

“Then why don’t you ask?”

“If you were able to say it, you would have already.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at her. His clear and profound eyes seemed to peer straight into her heart.

“I know that you’re no ordinary courtesan, Miss Cho.”

At that, Chohee flinched slightly.

“What kind of ordinary courtesan hires a wanderer to protect herself? What kind of courtesan would risk her life to protect a secret while surrounded by demonic cultivators? You must be someone with deep significance to the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress. Perhaps you were acting on their orders.”

Chohee remained silent.

Geom Mugeuk asked calmly.

“Do you remember me saying I was acquainted with the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress?”

Chohee nodded.

“Then it’s about time you asked me how close I am with the Pavilion Mistress.”

She repeated Geom Mugeuk’s own words back to him.

“How close are you with the Pavilion Mistress?”

Then, Geom Mugeuk spoke words she hadn’t expected.

“Even if the entire Martial World tries to block the way, I will take you to the Pavilion Mistress. That’s how close we are.”

“!”

He might end up wounded or nearly killed fighting alongside the Evil Smiling Demon.

But the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress must not be harmed.

Because she was the woman of that demon.

Only then did Chohee understand. The reason Geom Mugeuk was escorting her was because of the Pavilion Mistress. She let out a breath of relief. Her greatest uncertainty had just been cleared.

“Then I’m glad. What I have to say is vital information for the Pavilion Mistress.”

Chohee added with a cautious gaze.

“So please, even if the entire Martial World stands in your way, make sure you get me there.”