Absolute Regression

Chapter 540: Will I Be There Then, Too?

Jin Haryeong also joined them in the mirror view.

“We all owe you our lives, and yet you're trying to save everyone again.”

If it hadn’t been for Geom Mugeuk, neither she nor her brother would still be alive. Even the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress had said she survived thanks to Geom Mugeuk. She also knew that Bih Sa-in had survived because of Geom Mugeuk.

The two figures in the mirror turned their gaze toward the remaining person.

“Even if you were in the wrong, and someone killed you justly, I would still end up living a life full of anger. Maybe not every day, but on the days when you came to mind, I’d explode in rage. Just imagine it. Me, living my life lashing out at others.”

Geom Mugeuk, speaking words that hurt others? Jin Haryeong didn’t even want to imagine such a thing.

“But to lose you to some schemers hiding in the shadows? And in a place I brought you to? I’m not doing this because of you. I’m doing this because of me—because I would be the one tormented for life. So don’t even think about getting hurt or dying!”

With those words, Geom Mugeuk was the first to leave the room.

Jin Hagun looked back at his younger sister and spoke calmly.

“This is why we should have come the moment we got the message.”

Jin Haryeong had something she wanted to say to her brother.

“Don’t give your heart too much to the Young Cult Leader.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll be the one who suffers far more than he will.”

She was speaking of what would happen if they ever lost each other. No matter what the Young Cult Leader said, she didn’t worry about him. That was just the kind of person Geom Mugeuk was to her. But she worried about her brother.

Jin Hagun looked again at the mirror and adjusted his clothes.

“I’m a selfish man, too. Maybe that’s why… I had such worries.”

Just confiding in Geom Mugeuk had brought him some relief. Yes, how could this path ever be easy? But it was enough that someone truly understood how difficult it was and supported him.

Jin Haryeong had been quietly surprised when Jin Hagun shared his inner turmoil. She had thought he was genuinely happy taking on the role of Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader.

If he had confided in someone else, she would have felt jealous for sure—because he had never shared such worries with her.

“You don’t give your heart either.”

“I won’t. And even if I did, it wouldn’t change anything.”

At that, Jin Hagun suddenly raised his voice.

“What’s wrong with you?”

It wasn’t the outburst of the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader. It was the outburst of a brother.

Of course, it was also an outcry that would lead nowhere. He couldn’t exactly tell the Young Cult Leader to go ahead and try to make it work with her.

Jin Hagun turned abruptly and left the room.

Left alone, Jin Haryeong sat on the edge of Geom Mugeuk’s bed and spoke.

“How do you even give your heart to someone?”

After a brief pause, she quietly added.

“If you’ve already given it all away.”

* * *

Jin Hagun and the Demon-Slaying Brigade were deployed to the Sky Flower Pavilion.

“The liquor is stored in this warehouse. When an order comes in, just bring it from here. Here’s the list of liquors.”

Yeo Jeong guided them around, teaching them what needed to be done.

As he learned the tasks from her, Jin Hagun assigned the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade to each room. He also had them plan in advance where to hide their swords and how to evacuate the courtesans in case of emergency.

The martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade had no complaints about this mission. They already owed their lives to Geom Mugeuk from past events.

In fact, working in a courtesan house was a refreshing change. How long had it been since they wore anything other than martial uniforms?

The courtesans of the main division had been handpicked by Yeo Jeong herself, so even amidst the recent string of changes, they remained composed.

On the contrary, the newly arrived Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists became the talk of the house.

Which one was the most handsome, who was the kindest, who resembled whom—

Several days passed like that, with everyone gradually adjusting.

“Am I the only one feeling uneasy?”

The one Jin Haryeong stopped was Jin Hagun. He was carrying an armful of liquor bottles and looked at his sister.

“I’m busy! Customers are waiting!”

Jin Hagun brushed past her and dashed off.

And he wasn’t the only one. The Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists had quickly adapted to their roles. Some of them looked as if they’d worked here for years. One of them had even received a love letter from a courtesan.

Even the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress acted as though nothing was amiss, attending to the courtesans and diligently performing her role.

In the end, the one Jin Haryeong sought out was Geom Mugeuk.

He was holed up inside the house, busy with who knew what.

“Aren’t you worried?”

“About what?”

“The Demon-Slaying Brigade and the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader are hauling liquor around the Sky Flower Pavilion right now. Don’t you think the secret’s already leaked?”

Even if it was the main division of the Sky Flower Pavilion, it seemed likely the secret had gotten out. No, it probably already had.

“Yeah, they probably know.”

“They do? Then those guys from the trading company that day must be thinking, ‘The ones hauling liquor are Demon-Slaying Brigade martial artists,’ right?”

“Exactly.”

And yet he was calmly letting them carry liquor?

“They probably know everything. That I’m here, that the Demon-Slaying Brigade is here. They might even know that you came with us.”

“Then, shouldn’t we strike Baekgye Trading Company first and find out who’s behind this?”

“How?”

That question made Jin Haryeong hesitate.

“Well, you guys must have a way to make them talk, right?”

“You sound like you’re expecting some mystical Great Technique for Forcing Open Mouths. We’re no different from you. Pull out fingernails, sear with fire.”

“We don’t do things like that!”

“You do too.”

Jin Haryeong couldn’t firmly deny it. There was no guarantee there weren’t red-hot skewers glowing somewhere in the Martial Alliance’s underground torture chambers.

"Then why aren’t you doing anything? Your friend’s life is on the line."

To that, Geom Mugeuk calmly replied.

"Because my friend’s honor is also on the line."

Jin Haryeong flinched.

Baekgye Trading Company belonged to the Unorthodox Alliance. Attacking them without clear evidence would be seen as a direct insult to the Unorthodox Alliance.

"If anyone’s going to strike, it should be Bih Sa-in."

With a slightly flushed face, Jin Haryeong nodded in agreement.

"I wasn’t thinking clearly."

Besides, right now they had formally invited Bih Sa-in.

Then Geom Mugeuk said, in a subdued tone,

"This is exactly why."

"What is?"

"It feels like someone is trying to pull us into this."

Jin Haryeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

"To anyone watching, it would look like I’m supposed to make contact with Baekgye Trading Company or dig up information from them, right? To the point that you’re coming to me and urging me to attack them. Do you really think they haven’t considered that?"

She hadn’t thought that far ahead. But what if Geom Mugeuk was right? What if the enemy was someone capable of digging a trap and patiently waiting at Baekgye Trading Company?

"Then we’re in serious danger right now, aren’t we?"

In response, Geom Mugeuk asked her in return.

"In danger? Who is? Inside the Sky Flower Pavilion, we’ve got the Demon-Slaying Brigade. Outside, we’ve got the Faceless Swordsmen. I’m here. So is Soma-nim. You and Leader Jin are present, and Young Leader Bi is going to arrive leading the Thirteen Wolves."

It was a force strong enough to make anyone say, "Is this really a dangerous situation?"

"If you were the enemy, could you make a move in a situation like this?"

To Geom Mugeuk’s question, Jin Haryeong shook her head.

"I’d run without looking back."

Exactly. To overcome this side, it would practically take a war.

"But they remain as they are. They haven’t even canceled the invitation. That must mean they have a dangerous move planned."

There was one part of Geom Mugeuk’s reasoning she couldn’t understand.

"You don’t want anyone to get hurt or die, right? Then why don’t we just avoid all of this? Decline the invitation and strike Baekgye Trading Company with Young Leader Bi."

Then Geom Mugeuk said something she hadn’t expected.

"Then they won’t use the move they’ve prepared."

She had been thinking that would be for the best—until those words hit her.

"You’re not seriously—?"

But he was.

Geom Mugeuk nodded and said,

"Yes. I need to find out what that move is."

Jin Haryeong understood then. It was Geom Mugeuk who was trying to lure the enemy in.

"Why?"

"Because even if it’s not used now, it’ll definitely be used one day."

And then he added something that answered her unspoken question.

"Will I be there when that happens?"

"!"

What Geom Mugeuk feared was that their trump card would be played when he was no longer there.

When he wasn’t there for Jin Hagun, when he wasn’t there for Bih Sa-in, when he wasn’t there for someone else.

If it was such a powerful move, then he wanted to face it himself while he was still around to stop it.

Jin Haryeong soon recalled what he had said a few days ago while looking into the mirror.

—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.

Truly selfish indeed.

While worrying this much about others’ safety.

While fretting over not only the present but also the uncertain future that could happen at any moment.

"Isn’t it hard, living like this?"

Geom Mugeuk held an unwavering belief in how he lived.

"If people die just because I didn’t live this way… that’s when it’ll be hard."

Saving those who should not die — that was the mission of this life.

With a smile, Geom Mugeuk said,

"Don’t worry too much. If we die, those bastards won’t be safe either. The Cult Leader and Alliance Leaders of the Orthodox, Unorthodox factions will begin their vengeance for losing their children and disciple."

"Don’t smile! None of this is funny."

Her orabeoni must trust Geom Mugeuk more than he trusts himself. Since Geom Mugeuk had prepared this thoroughly, her orabeoni was probably just trusting that and calmly hauling liquor.

"What should I do, then? Should I help with the dishes in the kitchen or something?"

"No. You protect the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress."

Just like Jin Hagun, Jin Haryeong accepted it without hesitation.

"Alright. But unlike orabeoni, I can’t make promises. I might not be able to protect her with my life, but I’ll protect her up until the very moment I die."

Geom Mugeuk smiled and said to her,

"Backing out just before dying is harder than dying while protecting."

* * *

Three days before Bih Sa-in’s arrival.

Geom Mugeuk summoned everyone to his residence — the Extreme Evil Soma, Jin Hagun, Jin Haryeong, and Yeo Jeong.

Papers were stacked high on Geom Mugeuk’s desk. These were the findings sent by the Heavenly Communication Pavilion and Hidden Moon.

They contained detailed information on members of the Baekgye Trading Company, their financial affairs, their internal relationships, and their dealings with other trading companies. It was a comprehensive breakdown of the Baekgye Trading Company.

From these, Geom Mugeuk shared the most critical information with everyone.

"Recently, the Baekgye Trading Company completed an expansion project. They enlarged the martial arts arena, tore down old buildings, and constructed new ones. And the Heavenly Communication Pavilion uncovered something special about the materials used in the construction."

The Heavenly Communication Pavilion had gone so far as to investigate even the materials used in the project.

"It was a disguised construction."

At Extreme Evil Soma’s conjecture, Geom Mugeuk nodded and replied.

"Yes. Based on analysis of the materials, it seems they’ve installed offensive mechanical formations and battle formations. And top-tier ones at that. They're said to be extremely lethal."

At the mention of deadly mechanical formations and battle formations, everyone’s expression turned grave. Those weren’t things one could build easily—just finding a master capable of making them would cost an immense amount of money.

With a shocked look, Jin Haryeong said to Geom Mugeuk,

"You were right. Baekgye Trading Company was a trap."

When Geom Mugeuk slowly nodded, this time Jin Hagun asked,

"What do you plan to do?"

Everyone’s eyes turned to Geom Mugeuk. He had already made up his mind before calling them here.

"Whether we smash that place is something the Unorthodox Alliance can decide later. For now, let’s prepare a feast for our friend. Get the finest liquor and the most exquisite dishes ready."

As he looked around at everyone, Geom Mugeuk added,

"If this feast ends well, the real celebration can begin."

* * *

In the dead of night, at a graveyard, the distant howling of wolves echoed.

Weather-worn tombstones that looked as though they would crumble with a touch only heightened the eerie atmosphere.

There stood Pyeong Wi, the Deputy Leader of Baekgye Trading Company. The entire time he waited for someone, he was tense. And rightly so.

What had been waiting in the darkness revealed itself.

Floating through the air, parting the night sky, came a palanquin.

The palanquin had a strange aura. Painted entirely in black, it looked as though a chunk of darkness itself had broken off and begun to move.

Around the palanquin were four people dressed in black, their faces hidden behind black veils. They too hovered at the four corners of the palanquin, flying through the air with a presence that was anything but ordinary.

From the lanterns in their hands emitted an eerie blue glow, like something only seen in the eyes of ghosts. The palanquin felt like something linking the living world and the afterlife.

Tok, toktoktok.

Every living thing in the palanquin’s path died.

Birds and insects dropped from the air, flowers wilted and withered in an instant, and even trees shriveled and twisted.

The palanquin stopped midair in front of Pyeong Wi.

With a formal tone, Pyeong Wi spoke.

"Tomorrow, at last."

Tomorrow was the day they had invited Bih Sa-in. Tomorrow night, he would meet Bih Sa-in personally at the Sky Flower Pavilion.

From within the floating palanquin came a woman’s voice.

"I sense fear in you."

It was a voice both enchanting and dreamlike, shaking the very soul of its listener.

Pyeong Wi’s pupils trembled. How could he not be afraid? Regardless of their plans, he would have to walk into a place where the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, Extreme Evil Soma, the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, and the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader were all present.

Once more, the woman’s sweet voice flowed from the palanquin.

"Do not be afraid."

A sorrowful wind blew, covering the moon with clouds.

"The night is always on our side."