Absolute Regression

Chapter 539: Have You Ever Served Drinks at a Courtesan House?

Geom Mugeuk and the Evil Smiling Demon had emerged from the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.

It was the moment they returned from illusion to reality, and for both of them, it had been two days they could never forget.

When Geom Mugeuk opened the door, Yeo Jeong was standing there.

"Who has come?"

Yeo Jeong answered with a slightly flushed face.

"The Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader and Lady Jin Haryeong."

Of course, Yeo Jeong knew. That the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader was the grandson of the Martial Alliance Leader and the most powerful candidate to succeed him.

She hadn’t expected that Jin Hagun would visit Sky Flower Pavilion. Soon, the Young Cult Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance would arrive. If that happened, then the successors of all Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions would gather in one place.

Yeo Jeong realized that this situation might be the greatest crisis of her life, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience something truly irreplaceable.

"A friend is in danger, so I called them."

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Yeo Jeong expressed her envy.

"I'm jealous. I've never had such a friend in my life."

At her words, Geom Mugeuk replied as if feeling hurt.

"You say you don’t have a friend? Then what about me?"

As if she couldn’t bear the weight of such words, Yeo Jeong quickly lowered her head.

"I’ll bring them here."

As Yeo Jeong turned and walked away, she realized that the Young Cult Leader had every reason to feel hurt. When she had been in danger, he had brought Chohee and run nonstop to reach her. It was no different than how the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader had rushed here.

'Now that I think about it, I do have a friend.'

She had the Evil Smiling Demon, like the sky itself, and another friend like the earth who came running in her time of need. There was nothing more she could wish for in life.

After Yeo Jeong stepped away, Geom Mugeuk sat down immediately and began circulating his energy. As he had no internal energy, he sought even a moment to complete a single small cycle.

While Geom Mugeuk circulated his energy, the Evil Smiling Demon stood by his side, acting as a guard. He recalled the snowy landscape he had seen inside the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.

With eyes closed and energy circulating, Geom Mugeuk spoke. He had reached a realm where he could speak freely even while performing internal energy circulation.

"Soma-nim, your martial prowess can still advance beyond this."

The Evil Smiling Demon had long ago perfected the Blood Disaster Finger and Frantic Demonic Palm. With recent changes in life and the increase of his internal energy, his martial arts had progressed even further, and the two days of training had solidified his level.

And now Geom Mugeuk was saying he could rise even higher from this point. He had already reached the level of Eleven Stars—meaning he could reach the pinnacle of Twelve Stars.

"If the Blood Disaster Finger and Frantic Demonic Palm are perfected, your martial art will be reborn as something completely different."

If it had been anyone else, he might have doubted. But if it was Geom Mugeuk, he could believe it. They had shared more life-and-death experiences together than anyone else. Geom Mugeuk had witnessed his martial arts up close, countless times.

"Grow stronger, Soma-nim."

The Evil Smiling Demon had always felt it—there was a clear reason and a distinct target behind Geom Mugeuk’s relentless pursuit of strength.

“Is the enemy we must face really that powerful?”

Geom Mugeuk took a moment before answering.

“They are.”

The Evil Smiling Demon quietly nodded. In that case, no more words were needed.

“I will become stronger.”

If only to protect the Young Cult Leader.

And he wasn’t the only one growing stronger. Recently, not only himself but the other Demon Supremes had each been increasing their strength in their own way.

That was why he had a strong feeling. That this generation of the Eight Demon Supremes would become the strongest in history.

At that moment, Yeo Jeong arrived with Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong.

Upon entering the room, they were first surprised to see Geom Mugeuk performing energy circulation, and then once more upon seeing the Evil Smiling Demon standing beside him. They hadn’t expected to find the Evil Smiling Demon here.

“Greetings to the Demon Supreme.”

“Come in, Lord Jin.”

Compared to Jin Hagun, who greeted them somewhat awkwardly, Jin Haryeong greeted them with a bright expression.

“It’s been a while!”

“Lady Jin, it’s good to see you.”

With that greeting, Jin Hagun realized just how much both he and his younger sister had changed.

The fact that he had greeted someone first, and the way Jin Haryeong was speaking so cheerfully—these were things that would have been unthinkable before.

Jin Hagun’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk, who was still circulating his energy. Yes, that was the right way to put it.

Everything could be divided into before and after meeting Geom Mugeuk.

After getting to know Geom Mugeuk, everything had changed. Not just his own life, but even his younger sister, who was now gesturing silently to ask the Evil Smiling Demon if Geom Mugeuk was hurt.

Jin Haryeong was happy to see Geom Mugeuk after so long. Seeing him cultivating energy at a moment like this only reinforced her image of him. Naturally, a joke slipped out.

“You summon the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader and yet you’re in the middle of energy circulation? That’s bold of you!”

Jin Hagun shot her a look, warning her not to behave so casually in front of the Demon Supreme and the Young Cult Leader.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk completed a small cycle and opened his eyes.

“I just wanted to show how much I trust our Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader.”

Geom Mugeuk sprang up from his seat. The Evil Smiling Demon standing beside him was inwardly surprised.

‘His speed in completing the cycle is astonishingly fast.’

Of course, this small cycle wouldn’t be enough to replenish all of Geom Mugeuk’s immense internal energy, but at that speed, it truly seemed like he would fully recover in no time.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun exchanged greetings first.

“You arrived early?”

“I happened to be nearby.”

Then Geom Mugeuk looked at Jin Haryeong. Instead of greeting him, she summarized the situation.

“Who would believe it? That the successor of the Martial Alliance would dash over the moment he got word from the Demonic Cult’s Young Cult Leader that the Unorthodox Alliance’s Young Leader was in danger.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled at her. She gave off a more composed impression than before—a sign that she had grown.

"By chance, I wasn’t far either. I usually don’t come to Guizhou."

Perhaps it was fate urging her to see him. She almost said the words, but held them back.

After exchanging greetings, Geom Mugeuk introduced Yeo Jeong to them.

"This is the owner of this Sky Flower Pavilion, and someone I both admire and respect."

Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong offered her a polite greeting. The fact that Geom Mugeuk had emphasized his admiration and respect meant she was an important person.

Yeo Jeong silently looked at the two of them. Geom Mugeuk was curious. What kind of fate was she reading in them?

"Seeing the two of you, I can tell that the future of the righteous Martial World is brighter than ever."

"You flatter us."

With the formalities concluded, the Evil Smiling Demon stepped aside. He figured his presence might make the two feel uneasy.

"Then, please have your discussion."

Just as the Evil Smiling Demon was about to leave the room with Yeo Jeong, Geom Mugeuk made a request to her.

"Pavilion Mistress, I’m sorry, but may I ask you to work your magic once more? They’ve been suffering hardships while away from home and haven’t even had a proper meal."

Before she could answer, Jin Hagun declined.

"It’s fine. There’s no need to trouble yourself on our behalf."

But Yeo Jeong smiled and replied.

"How many chances in my life will I have to serve a meal to the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader? Please don’t turn away this great honor that’s been given to me."

With those words, Jin Hagun could no longer refuse.

Yeo Jeong understood Geom Mugeuk’s intention. He wanted to help deepen her connection with Jin Hagun.

Sky Flower Pavilion was spreading across the Central Plains, regardless of orthodoxy or unorthodoxy. A connection with the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader could only benefit her. Especially if it was a bond she extended herself.

As she left, Yeo Jeong exchanged a glance with Geom Mugeuk, her eyes offering a silent greeting.

‘Thank you, Young Cult Leader.’

With that, the Evil Smiling Demon and Yeo Jeong departed, leaving just the three of them in the room.

"Tell me in detail what happened."

"Our dancer friend seems to have made many enemies."

Geom Mugeuk told them everything that had happened related to Sky Flower Pavilion.

After hearing it all, their expressions hardened. On the way there, they had joked that Geom Mugeuk might have exaggerated the situation just to see them. But having listened to the full story, it was clearly serious.

"This isn’t something a mere trading company could plan. There must be someone behind it."

Jin Hagun's eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk.

"It might mean they’re targeting you."

At that, Geom Mugeuk pulled the two of them into the frame.

"Or it could be you they’re after. What if the person behind it expected I would call you?"

“So we’re in danger because we made the wrong friend?”

“No, we’re safe from being picked off one by one because we made the right one.”

Now Jin Hagun understood that those words weren’t just for show. Their enemies had targeted both orthodox and unorthodox alike.

“Our cult is currently conducting an intensive investigation into Baekgye Trading Company. Results should come soon. Then, we might be able to learn what their ultimate goal is.”

Jin Hagun was grateful that Geom Mugeuk had called him. If Geom Mugeuk and Bih Sa-in had handled everything themselves and he had only heard about it afterward, he would’ve felt somewhat hurt.

“Thank you for calling me.”

“You won’t be thankful after hearing what I’m about to say.”

What prank was he planning now? Both Jin Hagun and Jin Haryeong grew curious about what Geom Mugeuk was about to suggest.

And, as always, it was something they could never have expected.

“Have you ever served drinks at a courtesan house?”

* * *

“That suits you, actually.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Jin Hagun looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror. He was dressed just like the workers of Sky Flower Pavilion.

He truly never imagined that he would do something like this in his life.

“If you start training now, you’ll be proficient by the beginning of next month.”

Not only that, but the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade had also been instructed to disguise themselves as workers of Sky Flower Pavilion.

The reason Jin Hagun stood before the mirror in such attire was due to Geom Mugeuk’s request.

“You’ll be protecting the courtesans here.”

Geom Mugeuk spoke seriously as he tried to persuade him.

“We don’t know what might happen that day. Things might end quietly, or something beyond our expectations could unfold. I don’t know if you’re aware, but I always assume the worst.”

What Geom Mugeuk was most concerned about was the safety of the courtesans.

“If things escalate, no one will be able to spare a thought for them. But we also can’t assign this duty to the Faceless Swordsmen.”

Geom Mugeuk looked directly at Jin Hagun and said,

“You and the Demon-Slaying Brigade will protect them that day.”

It was understandable if Jin Hagun felt upset about being brought here with his entire unit just to protect courtesans. It could feel like being pushed aside from something important.

But Jin Hagun nodded readily and replied,

“I’ll protect them.”

Jin Haryeong was quietly surprised by his answer. Despite the situation, there was not even a trace of resentment, not even a sense of doing it unwillingly out of obligation to Geom Mugeuk.

It was the attitude of someone sincerely accepting the request.

Even Geom Mugeuk was taken aback by how readily he agreed.

“You didn’t refuse? I thought you’d say, ‘Then I’ll go rescue Bih Sa-in and you can serve drinks instead.’ That’s what I would’ve done.”

At that, Jin Hagun looked Geom Mugeuk straight in the eye and asked—

“Isn’t it because this is the more important task that you entrusted it to me?”

Geom Mugeuk’s clear and deep eyes curved with a pleasant smile.

“Thank you for understanding how I feel.”

At that, Jin Haryeong cut in and shouted,

“Don’t be fooled! He just didn’t want to deal with drunk troublemakers, so he dumped the job on you, brother!”

Feigning shock, Geom Mugeuk played along with her joke, acting as if he had been caught.

Of course, she also knew. She knew very well that Geom Mugeuk was genuinely concerned about the courtesans’ safety.

What truly surprised her was her brother’s response. There was a reason why Jin Hagun had so readily accepted Geom Mugeuk’s request.

“Just before coming here, during our last operation, we rescued some children and women.”

He kept recalling the look of relief that had appeared on the face of that child.

“At that moment, it really hit me. Destroying evil is important, but saving their lives is even more important.”

To anyone else, it might have sounded like an epiphany that came far too late.

In truth, Jin Hagun had already saved countless lives and performed many righteous deeds.

“Somewhere along the way, doing the righteous thing just became expected of me.”

It became natural to save. Natural to kill. Because he was the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader—wasn’t it only natural? Someone destined to become the Alliance Leader couldn’t afford to rest.

“And surprisingly, even doing the right thing builds up fatigue.”

He had felt it, but denied it, pushing forward with nothing but his mission in sight.

While relentlessly running forward, he had seen that child’s face glow with relief, right before his eyes. He had felt the small hand gripping his own.

That was the moment righteousness took form and embedded itself in Jin Hagun’s heart.

No, perhaps he had deliberately engraved that moment in his heart—so he could withstand this deep exhaustion.

“If I were given the choice between slaying a hundred evil men or saving a single child, I would go save the child. But then what? What if those hundred evil men go on to kill countless innocent lives?”

He wanted to ask Geom Mugeuk. What would you do? Do you think I’m making the right choice?

Those unwavering eyes of Geom Mugeuk gazed back at him. Yes, he could share such a burden because of those eyes. Because he knew Geom Mugeuk would look at him that way.

Because he knew Geom Mugeuk was the kind of person who would offer not a complicated answer—but a clear one.

“Don’t worry. Go save the child. I’ll go kill the villains. I’ll take on the villain’s role.”

Jin Hagun gave a faint smile. Even if he spoke like that, how could one not know that he too would choose to save the child?

“You’ll become a truly admirable Alliance Leader. One who holds the hands of those who truly need to be protected. That path will be difficult and exhausting. You’ll save a hundred, only to regret and regret again for the one you couldn’t. When it becomes too much to bear, come find me. I’ll cheer you up with a wild time. So when that time comes, don’t you dare brush me off! Don’t say things like, ‘That guy… he was fine when he was young, but now he’s just a smooth-talking Demonic Cultist who talks too much!’ You better not!”

Jin Hagun stared at Geom Mugeuk for a moment, then suddenly spoke.

“I will. I’ll call you a smooth-talking Demonic Cultist!”

“You wound me, my dear Alliance Leader!”

Jin Hagun believed it. Even then, Geom Mugeuk’s words would still shine just like they do now. And even if they didn’t shine, they would still resonate with his heart.

That’s why, even when he becomes a graying old Alliance Leader, burdened with questions too awkward to ask others, he would go to him and say—

—Ah, I’m not sure. What do you think?

Jin Hagun looked at his reflection in the bronze mirror again and spoke.

“Someone might get hurt or die that day. But among those people, it won’t be any of the courtesans here.”

At that firm resolve, the look in Geom Mugeuk’s eyes deepened as he stood behind Jin Hagun.

“That day, none of us will get hurt or die. My smooth-talking demonic path is far too selfish compared to your righteous one—I simply can’t stand seeing such a thing happen.”