Absolute Regression

Chapter 537: Where Death Awaits

When Geom Mugeuk returned from his outing and entered the inner courtyard of the Sky Flower Pavilion, the Evil Smiling Demon was standing on the roof with his arms crossed.

“The Faceless Swordsmen aren’t visible, are they?”

“I sent them all to a nearby safehouse.”

Now that they had figured out the enemy's intentions, there was no longer a need to guard this place.

Geom Mugeuk leapt lightly and landed on the roof.

“Where have you been?”

“I’ve been sending urgent messages here and there.”

“I suppose the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance was one of them.”

“I’ll go meet the Young Leader in person.”

The Evil Smiling Demon knew how Geom Mugeuk handled things. He never tried to do everything alone. What needed to be communicated in advance, he communicated. He consulted, prepared, and planned.

What mattered to him was everyone’s safety. In this case, the safety of Bih Sa-in would be the most urgent concern. Because he never sought to become a hero, he often ended up becoming one.

“They're pushing ahead with this plan even though they failed to kill Miss Cho. They must have a different objective in mind.”

The Evil Smiling Demon spoke as he looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“They might have changed their target to the Young Cult Leader.”

“Possibly.”

If so, it would truly cause a great uproar.

The Evil Smiling Demon knew. He understood the current relationship between the Cult Leader and Geom Mugeuk. The moment something happened to the Young Cult Leader, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“What should I do?”

The Evil Smiling Demon understood that in difficult times, trusting Geom Mugeuk’s judgment was the wisest choice.

“They always conspire behind the scenes, sow discord, and attempt assassinations. What choice do we have? We must become stronger. We must turn all their tricks into opportunities for growth and experience.”

Geom Mugeuk added with a sharp gleam in his eyes.

“I know you’ve gotten stronger lately. Become even stronger.”

The Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes also gleamed intensely.

“Yes, understood.”

“In that spirit, when I return, teach me a technique.”

The Evil Smiling Demon could guess Geom Mugeuk’s intent. Even though his martial cultivation had improved recently, he still couldn’t keep up with Geom Mugeuk’s skills.

In the end, that spar would serve to make him even stronger.

“Alright.”

The Evil Smiling Demon gratefully accepted the gesture. At a time when his martial level was undergoing changes, training with Geom Mugeuk would be a great benefit to his own growth. Geom Mugeuk, too, was aware of this—that was why he made the offer.

Just then, in the distance, the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress could be seen walking with the courtesans. She was preparing in her own way for what was to come.

The Evil Smiling Demon said quietly,

“Thank you for looking after that person.”

Especially when she had been called sister-in-law, Yeo Jeong had been deeply moved—this the Evil Smiling Demon could feel clearly.

“Of course, I should look after her. She is my first sister-in-law, after all.”

The Evil Smiling Demon asked with a glance.

Will you get to see your first sister-in-law?

Geom Mugeuk's eyes responded.

Who knows. Only you would know, will I even get to see her in this lifetime?

And so, the two of them stood on the wind-blown rooftop, overlooking the Sky Flower Pavilion.

*         *         *

A man was walking down a lavishly decorated corridor.

There were rooms on both sides of the hallway, each fitted with small windows that allowed visibility inside. Women were confined within.

From middle-aged women to children so young one could call them little girls—they were all withdrawn and terrified.

As the man, a stranger to them, peered into the rooms, the women lowered their heads in fear.

He resumed walking.

At the end of the hallway stood an old man dressed in luxurious and expensive silk garments.

The old man was using a young girl as a shield, pressing a dagger to her throat. Cornered and desperate, the old man looked extremely dangerous.

“Stop! Take one more step and the child dies!”

At the old man's threat, the approaching man halted.

“Drop your sword!”

The dagger looked ready to pierce the girl's throat at any moment.

“Hurry!”

The man calmly placed his sword on the ground and spoke with composure.

“Calm down. If the child gets hurt, you die too.”

Even in this urgent situation, the man remained composed.

The old man asked frantically,

“If this girl dies, you're finished too. You'll be blacklisted from promotion for life!”

“That would be troublesome. I still have places to climb.”

Because he was standing away from the lamp, his face remained obscured.

“Which unit are you from? Blue Dragon Group? White Dragon Branch?”

“Does it matter?”

“Let me go, and I’ll ensure your rise.”

The old man was desperately trying to coax the man.

“You abducted women and sold them to men, even young girls. How could someone like you be released?”

Among serious crimes, this was among the gravest—punishable by execution without exception. That’s why the old man couldn’t afford to be captured.

“Among those who bought the young girls are men with money and power.”

“Yes, fortunately, it’s all recorded in the ledger.”

“Then you know. Do you think you, a mere martial artist, can handle them? Within a day, you'll be assassinated, and that ledger—your only evidence—will disappear.”

Threats gave way to persuasion.

“Let me go, and I can guarantee your rise. What position do you want? Squad leader? Division leader? Branch leader? Just name it.”

Then, from within the darkness, the man replied.

“Alliance Leader.”

The old man’s face twitched. But now was not the time for anger—it was time for persuasion.

“Yes, you could become Alliance Leader someday. So just let me go…”

In that instant, the old man stopped mid-sentence.

The man had taken a single step forward. On his chest, the word was written:

Demon-Slaying.

He was Jin Hagun, the Division Leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade.

“You’re leaning slightly to your left, standing on a stone—aim one palm-width higher!”

At the moment the old man frowned, unable to understand what that meant—

Thwack!

Thud!

A sword pierced through the wall behind and skewered the disheveled old man directly through the throat.

It was a blade from one of the Demon-Slaying Brigade subordinates who had approached from the rear. Jin Hagun had merely been buying time until his subordinates reached the back wall.

“Don’t look back. Come this way.”

The child walked toward Jin Hagun. He knelt down and made eye contact with the still-frightened girl. In a soft tone, Jin Hagun spoke.

“Mister here is someone high up in the Martial Alliance. There’s only one person who can order Mister around—and that’s the Alliance Leader.”

Having heard the threats the old man had uttered earlier, he wanted to reassure the child.

“There are bad people in the world, but most uncles are good. And this time, Mister here is going to lock up all those bad men in the thunder prison.”

Only then did the child’s expression begin to relax with a sense of relief.

Jin Hagun believed that the relief he now saw on her face was what defined the Martial Alliance.

When people were scared and suffering, the name they should be able to call on—after their mother—had to be the Martial Alliance.

Jin Hagun extended a hand to the child.

“Shall we go out together?”

The child nodded and grasped Jin Hagun’s offered hand. Though he had done his best to soothe her, her hand still trembled. Jin Hagun held her hand tightly.

“Let’s go home now.”

At that moment, martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade entered and led out all the imprisoned women.

Jin Hagun handed the ledger he had obtained to a subordinate and gave an order.

“Capture every last one of them. Leave no one behind!”

“Yes, sir!”

Jin Hagun reassured the women.

“I am Jin Hagun, Division Leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade. Not only the ones who captured you, but all those involved will face punishment. Don’t fear their revenge—they won’t be getting out of the thunder prison until the day you grow old and pass away.”

The women wept, overwhelmed by the realization that they were finally safe. The martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade comforted them and helped them into carriages.

Just then, a subordinate of the Demon-Slaying Brigade approached Jin Hagun and delivered a message.

“An urgent letter, sir.”

All eyes from the Demon-Slaying Brigade turned to Jin Hagun.

“What’s the matter?”

As he tucked the message into his chest, Jin Hagun replied.

“A friend’s in danger.”

*         *         *

At the round table set up in a warehouse on the outskirts, three people were seated.

The two men glaring fiercely at each other were the leaders of the Black Spider Faction and the East Tiger Faction, respectively.

As the conflict over interests intensified, dozens were either killed or injured. Since both factions belonged to the Unorthodox Alliance, the Alliance itself had to step in and mediate.

The one seated between them was Bih Sa-in.

“Since this fight arose over profits, the resolution to this dispute will also be based solely on numbers.”

There had been rumors that the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance had recently been quite active, but no one had expected he would come in person to resolve the matter.

“From now on, the two of you will divide things like this.”

Though the two faction leaders were dissatisfied with the division mediated by Bih Sa-in, neither dared to argue.

“No matter how it’s divided, I can’t possibly satisfy both of you. After all, it was a fight to take it all, wasn’t it?”

In the past, he would have subdued them with murderous pressure—obey or die. That had been the force that upheld the Unorthodox Faction.

But now, Bih Sa-in was a friend of Geom Mugeuk. Yes, if one was Geom Mugeuk's friend, this much was to be expected.

“Let me fill the space left behind by that severed greed.”

The two faction leaders looked at Bih Sa-in.

“I’ll remember you both. Even after I become the Alliance Leader, I will still remember. Compared to the money you think you're losing right now, doesn’t that sound like the greater profit? Or am I mistaken?”

The final question carried an icy pressure filled with unmistakable killing intent.

The two men immediately sprang up and saluted with clasped fists.

“Not at all!”

“Perish the thought!”

And of course, the closing remark was as it should be.

“I’ll be sure to remember the both of you.”

Once the two men had withdrawn, Bih Sa-in leaned back in his chair and spoke.

“You can stop spying now. Come out.”

From atop a pile of crates, Geom Mugeuk revealed himself.

“I didn’t expect you to have such an intellectual side.”

Geom Mugeuk lightly jumped down from the stack. Since Bih Sa-in had already noticed his presence, he had sent a sound transmission to Il-rang to have everyone else step out.

“I thought you’d say, ‘Let the winner take it all!’”

“That’s your side’s way of doing things, isn’t it?”

Geom Mugeuk answered with a laugh.

“Let’s just say it was my father’s way.”

Geom Mugeuk had rushed over like the wind using Star Light Step. The limits of Star Light Step had yet to be reached. He only grew faster by the day. In this way, Geom Mugeuk’s Central Plains grew ever narrower.

The two of them stepped out of the warehouse. As they strolled together along a narrow path, they conversed. The Thirteen Wolves followed from a distance.

“What happened this time?”

Geom Mugeuk stopped walking and said to him,

“Murdered by a notorious enchantress—such will be the rumor spreading in the streets about the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.”

Bih Sa-in stared at Geom Mugeuk in silence. Though he had phrased it as a joke, it was clear that he was conveying a fact. At the very least, Geom Mugeuk was not someone who would joke about life and death.

Geom Mugeuk told Bih Sa-in everything that had happened so far, without leaving out a single detail.

“It seems they’re trying to kill you at the Sky Flower Pavilion.”

A twitch appeared on Bih Sa-in’s otherwise fearsome face. No matter how composed a person might be, no one could remain unshaken in the face of a conspiracy against their life.

“In fact, we were already keeping an eye on the Baekgye Trading Company.”

“For what reason?”

“It hasn’t been made public yet, but we received reports of deepening conflict between the Division Leader and the Deputy Division Leader.”

“Even so, you accepted the Deputy’s invitation?”

“I figured, since he’s in conflict with the Division Leader, he must want something from me—perhaps he was hoping for mediation, which is why he invited me.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk guessed at a deeper intent from the Baekgye Trading Company.

“Perhaps they deliberately showed signs of division to invite you without raising suspicion.”

Bih Sa-in made a face as if to say surely not. But if that were true, it meant they had prepared this scheme with precision and intent.

“But how do they plan to kill me? Poison?”

The Thirteen Wolves who protected him were always on edge regarding the possibility of poisoning. Since they checked every drink and dish, poisoning was near impossible.

“They might have developed a poison that even the Thirteen Wolves couldn’t detect. Or perhaps… something we haven’t even imagined might appear.”

At those words, Bih Sa-in’s gaze deepened. It meant that whatever it was, it might not even be poison, yet still capable of killing both him and the Thirteen Wolves.

Bih Sa-in’s gaze burned as he looked at Geom Mugeuk. Once again, Geom Mugeuk had rushed to warn him of danger.

“Thank you.”

“When you come to save me next time, run twice as fast.”

“I will.”

“By the way, I also called Division Leader Jin. I asked Lady Jin to come as well.”

Bih Sa-in looked surprised.

“Why did you call them?”

The enemy’s identity had not yet been uncovered. Involving Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong could expose them to danger as well.

Then Geom Mugeuk whispered.

“We can’t be the only ones in danger, can we?”

“……”

Bih Sa-in wore an expression of disbelief for a moment, then raised his voice.

“Don’t joke around!”

Yes, this was what it meant to meet Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk gave a more reasonable answer.

“I called them to show: ‘If you mess with us, look who you’ll be facing!’ To prove that we aren’t people you can carelessly lay hands on.”

That might have been part of the reason, but Bih Sa-in sensed there was another—deeper—reason.

“Tell me the real reason!”

Only then did Geom Mugeuk reveal the truth.

“If a friend is in danger, isn’t it only right to let them know?”

“!”

It was an unexpected answer. So obvious, yet so often overlooked.

“If they’re your friend, shouldn’t you keep them away from dangerous situations?”

That was what Bih Sa-in had believed friendship to be. But Geom Mugeuk thought differently.

“So what if you die somewhere without me knowing? What am I supposed to tell people? That my friend died without asking for my help? Hahaha. That it was so dangerous he didn’t even call for me? I can’t accept that. I’m the kind of man who looks back on the past. Someone who can’t sleep all night because of something that happened during the day. I’d keep thinking about it over and over. If it came to that, I’d rather die together!”

Bih Sa-in knew one thing for sure. He, too, would be furious. If Geom Mugeuk died without even asking for his help.

“From now on, I’ll always tell everything. If Jin Hagun is in danger, I’ll tell. If I’m in danger, I’ll tell. I’ll ask you to come save me. And if you don’t show up, I’ll spread the rumor that you’re a coward. I’ll even threaten you with that. Because this isn’t something I can be proud of by saying, ‘I solved it all by myself!’ And as for the excuse, ‘I didn’t want to put my friend in danger,’ let me just say in advance—I refuse that kind of nonsense.”

Bih Sa-in could tell. This was Geom Mugeuk’s true heart. This was the kind of friendship Geom Mugeuk wanted.

“Oh, and I also called a new face. Look forward to it.”

“Who on earth did you call this time?”

But of course, Geom Mugeuk wasn’t the type to give a straight answer. He leapt away, soaring far into the distance, and called out:

“So don’t show up in those gloomy martial robes. Wear something stylish that women would like! Something that goes well with white! See you then!”

Before Bih Sa-in could ask anything else, Geom Mugeuk had already become a speck in the sky and vanished. He had arrived suddenly, and now left just as suddenly. The surroundings went quiet. It really did feel like a storm had passed through—a fleeting dream.

Il-rang approached him.

Bih Sa-in summarized Geom Mugeuk’s words for him.

“A notorious enchantress is trying to kill me, so he’s telling me to wear something stylish that women like.”

“...Excuse me?”

To the bewildered Il-rang, Bih Sa-in turned his gaze to the sky where Geom Mugeuk had disappeared.

And thinking that friends would be with him even in the place where death awaited, a broad smile formed on his rugged face.

“Something that goes well with white.”