Absolute Regression

Chapter 536: Resentment Doesn’t Suit People Like Us

That powerful temptation did not work.

It was because Seo Danmyeong had responded in a low voice.

"You cannot wipe them out."

Geom Mugeuk was curious. Just who was the client for him to say something like that?

In any case, having pushed him hard, now it was time to pull him back gently.

"You're right, not every problem can be solved with strength."

Geom Mugeuk tried to persuade him with a gentle gaze.

"Cause is good, and so are principles, but first, shouldn't we survive? Netweaver. I really like this name. I hope you'll continue to craft marvelous webs. And when time permits, lend us a hand with our affairs too."

With death being the alternative, how could Seo Danmyeong’s heart not waver?

Jaein, who had been listening, stepped in to support Geom Mugeuk.

"How can we trust the claim that you'll spare us?"

That was precisely what Seo Danmyeong wanted to ask more than anything.

"Because it’s a promise from the Young Cult Leader."

Seo Danmyeong looked at Geom Mugeuk. He knew better than anyone that trusting someone from the Demonic Cult was a foolish act.

But if he refused even after the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult had gone this far, he would simply be the first to die by their hands.

Jaein also looked at Seo Danmyeong with desperate eyes. Isn’t survival the first priority?

When Seo Danmyeong still said nothing—

"Then just die."

Leaving behind those soft-spoken words, Geom Mugeuk opened the carriage door to leave.

In the end, a name slipped from Seo Danmyeong’s lips.

"Baekgye Trading Company."

At those words, Jaein tilted his head. He had expected a far more grandiose name—just a trading company? Then why did he say the Demonic Cult couldn’t wipe them out?

"Who are they for you to say such a thing?"

Geom Mugeuk answered the question in his place.

"Because behind them stands the Unorthodox Alliance."

Baekgye Trading Company was also a place Geom Mugeuk knew. He had come to know them when he first left with the Evil Smiling Demon. They had expanded into Guizhou with full support from the Unorthodox Alliance.

Now that he thought of it, it was also at Baekgye Trading Company that he first met Bih Sa-in.

Later, after telling Bih Sa-in what he wanted to know, they had made money in Evil Smiling Demon’s territory before retreating from Guizhou.

And now, Baekgye Trading Company had reappeared.

"That's right. Knowing full well that the Unorthodox Alliance is backing the Baekgye Trading Company, I couldn’t refuse their request."

At Seo Danmyeong’s words, Jaein asked with a surprised expression.

"Then does that mean the Unorthodox Alliance orchestrated this incident?"

Seo Danmyeong did not reply, but that silence was clearly an affirmation.

Now it was clear why Seo Danmyeong had pushed himself so hard to carry out this matter. And why he had hesitated to reveal the client until the end.

It was now clear why even Goeak, one of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Alliance, had been mobilized in the end. They must have believed he was an ally.

"Who came from Baekgye Trading Company? Did Division Leader Seo Jungtae come in person?"

At Geom Mugeuk's question, Seo Danmyeong shook his head.

"The Deputy Division Leader came. He's someone I know."

Seo Danmyeong said this with tense eyes as he looked at Geom Mugeuk.

"This is all I know. Will you keep your promise to let me live?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded.

"Of course."

Just as the tension began to leave Seo Danmyeong’s face—

A voice came from outside.

"Is it done?"

Seo Danmyeong’s eyes widened, not understanding what was happening. Jaein flinched, having recognized the voice.

"It’s done."

The moment Geom Mugeuk responded—

Whoosh! came the sharp sound of wind.

Thwack!

A Blood Disaster Finger pierced the carriage wall and went straight through Seo Danmyeong’s face.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The wind-borne strikes kept coming, hitting his body one after another.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Even after his death, the Blood Disaster Fingers continued to pierce his corpse, revealing Evil Smiling Demon’s fury.

When the strikes finally stopped, the carriage was riddled with holes. Through one of them, Evil Smiling Demon could be seen standing with his back turned.

Realizing he might be next, Jaein, who had been clutching his head, looked up. His face was full of fear and rage.

"You promised to spare us!"

"I did."

The moment he had sent the Ghost Slayer Squad to Sky Flower Pavilion, fate had already been sealed. There was no way Evil Smiling Demon would spare the one who tried to kill the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress.

Jaein, terrified, looked at Geom Mugeuk.

"Are you going to kill me too?"

Through the hole, Evil Smiling Demon still stood with his back turned, looking up at the sky.

"Do you want to die?"

Jaein answered with a trembling voice.

"No. I want to live."

"Then live."

Geom Mugeuk opened the carriage door and stepped outside. The one most surprised was Jaein.

"Why are you sparing me?"

He could’ve died with the flick of a finger.

Geom Mugeuk looked back and said,

"I told you I'd spare you if you helped me, didn’t I?"

If Evil Smiling Demon had insisted on killing him too, there would have been no stopping it—but his wrath had ended with Seo Danmyeong’s death.

"And aren’t you still learning?"

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted to Seo Danmyeong’s corpse.

"If you live like he did, one day you’ll end up just like that. Learn how to weave your net out in the world. Only then will it truly be yours."

Jaein could feel it. The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult was giving him a chance.

At that moment, Evil Smiling Demon, who had been standing at a distance, turned toward them. The moment their eyes met, Jaein lowered his head deeply. His heart pounded as if it would burst.

How much time had passed?

When Jaein finally raised his head again, the two had already vanished.

A deep sigh of relief escaped him as the realization of being alive sank in. He felt as if he had finally escaped from the opponent's net—but then the thought struck him.

The chance given to him again by the Young Cult Leader might just be part of a far greater net.

*         *         *

When Geom Mugeuk and Evil Smiling Demon returned, Sky Flower Pavilion was functioning normally.

Except for a few Faceless Swordsmen who were watching the surroundings, the rest remained hidden, resting in the guest quarters at the rear courtyard.

"Baekgye Trading Company made the request?"

Even Yeo Jeong seemed surprised, her face showing a rare hint of astonishment.

As someone who operated Secret Flowers, she was well-informed on many matters. Naturally, she also knew about Baekgye Trading Company, which had ties to Evil Smiling Demon.

"Something feels off."

On the way back, Geom Mugeuk and Evil Smiling Demon had discussed the situation, and Geom Mugeuk had told him that Yeo Jeong, being a sharp woman, would certainly see through it.

"At a glance, it might look like Baekgye Trading Company is trying to get revenge for the losses they suffered when they retreated from Guizhou, but something’s odd."

This was the part she focused on.

"If it were a regular martial family, maybe. No one understands better than I how martial artists will stake their lives over petty pride. But Baekgye Trading Company are merchants. Their loss back then was monetary, and now you’re telling me they’re willing to suffer even greater losses just to settle a grudge?"

At that, Geom Mugeuk looked toward Evil Smiling Demon and said,

"As expected! There's no one more astute than Sister-in-law."

At the word "Sister-in-law," Yeo Jeong’s cheeks flushed slightly. It was a term she had never heard—not even once—since becoming entangled with Evil Smiling Demon. And who would say such a thing? Their relationship was a secret. Honestly, it made her feel good.

Evil Smiling Demon was a little flustered as well. But he understood exactly what the Young Cult Leader meant by those words. The Young Cult Leader had been considerate and thoughtful of her all along. How could he not know who that sentiment was for?

Breaking the silence that followed, Yeo Jeong continued speaking.

"It’s not because I’m clever. It’s because I know things about Baekgye Trading Company. The Division Leader of Baekgye Trading Company is someone who places the highest value on making money. The reason they joined hands with the Unorthodox Alliance was also to maximize their profit. It doesn’t make sense for such people to spend this much just to repay a past grievance."

Looking at the expressions of the two, Yeo Jeong smiled.

"You’ve already discussed this, haven’t you?"

Evil Smiling Demon smiled back at her and said,

"Don’t forget who you're standing with."

It meant, “Would I miss something while standing beside the Young Cult Leader?”

In truth, when Evil Smiling Demon first heard the name Baekgye Trading Company, his emotions of guilt and anger clouded his judgment.

However, after talking with Geom Mugeuk, he was able to calm down and realize that this incident was not so simple.

Geom Mugeuk offered a clear reason to agree with her observation.

"That's right. When the martial world is thrown into chaos, it's the merchants who suffer losses."

Yet they were being told that Sky Flower Pavilion was planning something that would overturn the martial world.

"It seems there's another layer to this incident."

Yeo Jeong shared her honest thoughts.

"In truth, I kept wondering who would bear such deep resentment toward me."

At that, Evil Smiling Demon finally spoke with a heavy tone.

"How could that be? Resentment suits people like us."

Evil Smiling Demon hoped that he was the true target of this grudge. That Sky Flower Pavilion and Yeo Jeong were merely fleeting elements in a much larger scheme—passing stops on a journey, nothing more.

"First, we need to find that Deputy Division Leader of Baekgye Trading Company. I’ll send a message to Heavenly Communication Pavilion to track him down."

Just then, a subordinate of Yeo Jeong’s announced a visitor.

"A guest has arrived and wishes to see you, Pavilion Mistress."

A visitor, at a time like this? Yeo Jeong looked briefly at Geom Mugeuk and Evil Smiling Demon, then asked the subordinate,

"Who is it?"

"He says he is the Deputy Division Leader of Baekgye Trading Company."

The report shocked all three of them.

With her eyes, Yeo Jeong asked the other two what they wanted to do.

Geom Mugeuk left the decision to Evil Smiling Demon. After all, this was a matter of protecting his woman.

Evil Smiling Demon gave a single nod to Yeo Jeong. The person they had been looking for had walked right to them—he was not someone they could avoid.

"Bring him to the main hall."

The Deputy Division Leader of Baekgye Trading Company, Pyeong Wi, entered the main hall where the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress awaited.

Yeo Jeong was seated at the far end, and about twenty steps away from her was the seat prepared for him. He thought that surely, hidden somewhere in between, there would be martial artists poised to protect her.

"You’re very cautious."

To his somewhat brusque opening line, Yeo Jeong responded with a warm smile.

"As a woman who deals with drunken guests, I’ve grown rather fearful. I hope you understand."

Their gazes exchanged probing glances, assessing one another.

Yeo Jeong already knew the basics about the Deputy Division Leader of Baekgye Trading Company.

He was known as the most trusted aide of Division Leader Seo Jungtae and was said to possess significant martial prowess. Just as strong as his martial skills was his pride, from what she had heard.

And indeed, he carried sharp eyes and an unyielding air.

"What brings such an esteemed guest here today?"

Now she knew—standing before her was Pyeong Wi, the man who had commissioned Netweaver to kill Chohee. Yet Yeo Jeong showed no trace of that emotion.

"I’ve come to make a proposal to Sky Flower Pavilion."

"Please, go ahead."

"At the start of next month, a distinguished guest will be visiting. We wish to rent the entire Sky Flower Pavilion to host that person."

It was not uncommon for martial factions to entertain martial artists at pleasure pavilions. However, renting out an entire establishment as large as Sky Flower Pavilion was rare.

"To rent the entire pavilion would be quite expensive."

Pyeong Wi’s eyes turned sharp, and the corners of his lips curled slightly.

"I misspoke."

Yeo Jeong politely bowed and apologized. Only then did Pyeong Wi relax his gaze.

"Don’t worry about the money."

"And who exactly is this guest you plan to host?"

"I cannot say."

It was a firm response.

She could sense it—this was the very incident that would turn the martial world upside down.

Yeo Jeong spoke politely but firmly.

"I’m sorry, but by principle, we cannot rent out the entire pavilion without knowing who the guest is. If you must maintain secrecy, we can instead offer a special room."

For a moment, Pyeong Wi's expression twisted. It wouldn’t have been strange for him to radiate killing intent, but instead, he offered something even stronger.

"I’ll pay ten times the daily income of Sky Flower Pavilion."

Does he know exactly how much we earn here to offer ten times that?

Regardless, it had no effect on Yeo Jeong.

"There are things more important than money."

Pyeong Wi’s eyes darkened.

Yeo Jeong could read his thoughts in that gaze. How dare someone who runs a pavilion talk about things more important than money?

"If word gets out, your life may be in danger. Are you sure you want to hear this?"

Even under Pyeong Wi’s threat, Yeo Jeong silently nodded.

"A principle is a principle."

Sensing that she wouldn’t budge, Pyeong Wi finally relented.

"Very well. I’ll tell you. But you must keep this a secret."

"Do not worry. Isn’t it because you trust this pavilion’s discretion that you came to us?"

After staring at her in silence for a moment, he finally spoke a name that shocked her.

"I will be hosting the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance."

Yeo Jeong was stunned, and she didn’t hide her reaction. To Pyeong Wi, it must have seemed like she was surprised by the identity of the guest—but the truth behind her shock was different.

'They're planning to kill the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance on that day!'

The martial world would be thrown into chaos, and she would be the one blamed for it.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"No, I regret it. I should’ve refused without asking for the name."

Pyeong Wi smiled faintly. It was natural for her to feel burdened. Once the name was known, refusing was no longer an option.

"If you need anything, feel free to contact us."

"Very well."

Pyeong Wi rose and left the main hall.

Only after he was completely gone did a hidden door at the rear open, and Geom Mugeuk and Evil Smiling Demon stepped out.

"I kept seeing that terrifying face in my mind lately…"

Though Geom Mugeuk spoke casually, both Evil Smiling Demon and Yeo Jeong could tell—his eyes had grown cold.

"I was planning to gather everyone soon anyway."

With a faint smile, Geom Mugeuk said to Yeo Jeong,

"Now then, are you ready to shake the martial world to its core?"