Absolute Regression

Chapter 546: That Palanquin is Mine Now

Each time the lanterns swayed, blade-like sword energy ripped through the night sky.

The four black-clad figures fought with a lantern in one hand and a sword in the other. Yet they held off both the Thirteen Wolves and Bih Sa-in.

Shiiik! Kwaaang!

Bih Sa-in hurled his body aside, narrowly dodging the oncoming sword energy. The stone lantern behind him was sliced through and shattered.

Sasasasasasak!

A barrage of sword energy poured toward Bih Sa-in.

Blocking the flying sword energy were Il-rang, I-rang, and Sam-rang.

Pung! Puh-eong! Puh-eong!

The sword energy collided midair and dissipated.

As more sword energy rained down, another member of the Thirteen Wolves rotated into position and blocked it in seamless coordination.

The attackers were relentlessly focused on Bih Sa-in, while the Thirteen Wolves countered the incoming strikes with flawless teamwork.

A battle of fourteen against four. The reason this one-sided fight was even possible was due to the opponents’ inner energy.

They unleashed an endless storm of sword energy without rest—an astonishing feat.

At first, Bih Sa-in had assumed the battle would end quickly. With such reckless use of inner energy, their energy cores should’ve emptied in no time.

But their inner energy showed no signs of depleting.

What made them difficult to deal with wasn’t just their attacks. Whenever the Thirteen Wolves countered, the four black-clad figures evaded with strange, curving movements.

Their feet barely touched the ground—it would be more accurate to say they were flying. Their movement technique, gliding as if over ice, was unlike anything ever encountered before.

And that wasn’t all. The dark blue light emanating from their lanterns exuded an ominous energy that not only weighed down one’s spirit but also dulled physical movement.

“Fall back!”

At Bih Sa-in’s command, the Thirteen Wolves retreated three meters.

At a glance, it might have looked like they were being overpowered, but that wasn’t the case.

Bih Sa-in had retreated deliberately.

As he fought, Bih Sa-in focused on a single fact.

These weren’t normal martial artists. The reason they could move so abnormally and unleash endless sword energy was due to the shadow-like thread connected to the palanquin.

‘Let’s see how far it stretches!’

To confirm his suspicion, Bih Sa-in kept drawing back.

Amazingly, even as the fight moved completely away from Sky Flower Pavilion, the thread continued to extend.

In any case, the longer the thread grew, the better. The more it extended, the more chances there would be to sever it. And presumably, the inner energy transferred to them would lessen rather than increase.

However, as if to prove that assumption wrong, an even rougher and more powerful storm of sword energy surged forth from the four black-clad figures.

Fortunately, the Thirteen Wolves were elites among elites. Even though their opponents launched attacks that defied common sense, they remained composed and handled them skillfully.

— Il-rang! We must sever that!

— I was thinking the same.

— I’ll cut the one on the far left! Focus your attacks on the other three!

— Yes, Young Leader!

Having only evaded until now, Bih Sa-in and the Thirteen Wolves launched a full-scale counterattack.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

As the Thirteen Wolves unleashed sword energy to provide cover, Bih Sa-in kicked off the ground and charged at the black-clad figure on the far left.

Bih Sa-in dodged the sword energy fired by the black-clad figure with his footwork and thrust his sword.

Shiiik!

The black-clad figure slipped away swiftly.

Bih Sa-in twisted his body mid-move and swung his sword downward—not at the figure himself, but at the black thread connected to his body.

At that moment, the black thread rippled and avoided the strike.

Bih Sa-in relentlessly pursued the thread, while the black-clad figure launched a fierce attack against him.

The other black-clad figures couldn’t come to his aid. That was because the Thirteen Wolves were now pouring out the attacks they had restrained until this moment.

Paaak!

Blood spurted from Bih Sa-in’s shoulder. But the price he paid by throwing his body in harm’s way was well worth it.

Chwaaaak!

The thread connected to the leftmost black-clad figure was severed. Like a sliced serpent, the thread thrashed violently. Black smoke billowed out from the cut end.

Within the smoke, Bih Sa-in and the black-clad figure crossed paths.

Shiiiiiik!

Puaaak!

Blood gushed from within the smoke—it burst from the black-clad figure’s chest. Without the thread, he couldn’t stand against Bih Sa-in.

As the black-clad figure collapsed and breathed his last, the lantern he held extinguished.

The remaining three black-clad figures let out a monstrous wail at the loss of their comrade. At that cry, a banshee’s wail rang out from their lanterns.

Swaaaaaaaaaaaah!

A surge of eerie energy conjured by dark sorcery burst from the lanterns and swept toward them.

Il-rang shouted.

“Form the Exorcising Ghost Formation!”

Immediately, the Thirteen Wolves gathered around Bih Sa-in and formed a sword formation.

The powerful energy emanating from the completed formation blocked the incoming demonic energy.

As the malicious force was blocked, the wail from the lanterns turned even more sorrowful.

Bih Sa-in did not miss this moment when their attack was repelled.

Bih Sa-in, Il-rang, I-rang, and Sam-rang simultaneously lunged forward.

Il-rang launched himself off the ground, directly targeting the second black-clad figure.

I-rang aimed for the black thread, and Sam-rang predicted where the figure would dodge and aimed for that spot.

Sam-rang missed, but where the figure dodged to—Bih Sa-in was already waiting.

Slice! Puaaak!

Blood sprayed from the neck of the decapitated figure as the head fell. Drenched in blood, they threw themselves into motion again.

They had been together for a long time—long enough to understand one another with just a glance. What they had was the weight of time that surpassed even limitless inner energy.

Once they seized the upper hand, they didn’t let go.

“Thirteen Flying Sword!”

At Il-rang’s cry, the Thirteen Wolves simultaneously released their sword energy.

Thirteen streaks of sword energy flew toward the third black-clad figure with the speed of light.

Sasasasasak—

The black-clad figure slipped through the sword energy like an acrobat. It was a truly unbelievable, dazzling display of movement.

And just then, someone shouted.

“Right here, you bastard!”

When the third black-clad figure turned his head, Il-rang was already striking down on the thread connected to him.

Papapapa!

The severed thread thrashed wildly, spewing black smoke like blood.

As the black-clad figure turned back, twelve flying sword energies filled his vision. There was no escape now.

Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk! Puk!

The sword energy pierced through his body all at once. The severed thread gave one final violent twitch, and the lantern in his hand went out.

The fourth black-clad figure couldn’t help him.

He was locked in a contest of inner energy against Bih Sa-in, who had rushed to intercept him.

Their palms clashed in midair.

Swaaaaaaaaaah!

The black thread connecting the last black-clad figure to the palanquin swelled.

An enormous wave of inner energy surged into the figure’s body and began pushing Bih Sa-in back.

Bih Sa-in gritted his teeth and held his ground. The opponent’s inner energy was monstrous.

Bih Sa-in looked at Il-rang.

Even without words, their eyes said everything.

‘This is it!’

Without hesitation, Il-rang brought his sword down and severed the black-clad figure’s arm.

Slice!

“Aaaargh!”

Blood spurted from the severed arm.

The Thirteen Wolves rushed in and hacked him to pieces.

Il-rang looked over the corpses scattered across the ground and muttered coldly.

“These bastards… What did they take us for?”

And just like that, the final lantern went out.

Bih Sa-in turned to the others and asked,

“Is everyone alright?”

“We’re fine.”

The shoulder of the injured Sib-il-rang was gashed deep enough to show bone.

“It’s just a scratch.”

“If that’s just a scratch, I can’t even begin to describe mine.”

At Bih Sa-in’s remark, Sib-il-rang chuckled sheepishly.

Il-rang treated Bih Sa-in’s shoulder, and Sib-i-rang treated Sib-il-rang’s. Fortunately, neither had been wounded on their sword arm.

Bih Sa-in addressed them all.

“There’s a secret in that palanquin the threads were connected to.”

Even if dark sorcery had been at play, the inner energy those figures used had been real.

Could someone inside the palanquin really have transmitted such vast inner energy?

That was impossible. The four black-clad figures had attacked with what seemed like an endless flow of inner energy. No single person could release that much.

And besides, wasn’t that palanquin currently fighting Geom Mugeuk?

Bih Sa-in, who had been lost in thought for a moment, made a decision.

“We’re not going to help the Young Cult Leader.”

He spoke as he walked into the darkness.

“We’ll uncover the secret of that palanquin. It must be close by.”

The Thirteen Wolves silently followed behind him.

* * *

“Wager that palanquin.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, a burst of laughter from the Dark King came from within the palanquin.

“A wager only works when both sides have something to stake, doesn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“But the Young Cult Leader is about to die. What does he even have to stake?”

“Why so dramatic over hitting once? In a fight, taking a hit or two is part of it.”

Still, Geom Mugeuk remained relaxed.

“I’ll wager my mouth. What do you say? If you carry it around, at least you’ll never be bored.”

“You’ll just end up with a liver disease.”

Wit met wit. From the palanquin came a soft chuckle, followed by a calm voice.

“Young Cult Leader.”

After a brief pause, the Dark King added,

“You’ve lost. Today, you won’t be able to save anyone. Not even yourself.”

As those words ended, the Battle King stepped forward.

Geom Mugeuk spoke to the Faceless Swordsmen who had been shielding him.

“Return to your positions.”

But none of the Faceless Swordsmen moved. They had determined the Young Cult Leader was at a disadvantage.

The one who was furious at the sight was the Battle King.

“You disgusting things!”

It was irritating enough to look at them—and now they were standing in his way.

“I’ll send every last one of you flying!”

The Battle King hurled his fist toward the Faceless Swordsmen and Geom Mugeuk.

Papapapapapapapapa!

He unleashed the Lightning Chaos Dance of the Chain Wind and Cloud Fist, imbued with extreme inner energy.

Dozens of fists flew toward the Faceless Swordsmen.

Those in front of Geom Mugeuk didn’t evade but all released Evil Shadow Fingers at once.

Shukshukshukshukshukshukshuk!

But their Evil Shadow Fingers could not withstand the Lightning Chaos Dance.

Papapapapapapapak—

Breaking through the ground winds, the fist-shaped energy stormed toward them.

Yet the Faceless Swordsmen did not dodge. Even with their bodies, they were determined to shield the Young Cult Leader. Their masks bore smiling expressions, making them look utterly insane.

Bang! Kwaang! Bang! Kwaang!

Eardrum-ripping explosions rang out as the earth trembled.

The Faceless Swordsmen stared wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before them. Under normal circumstances, their bodies should have been torn to pieces.

Sssht! Ssssht! Sss! Ssssssht!

The fist-shaped energy, which had flown at them, melted away before their eyes. It was truly melting—like ice.

Something stood in front of them.

A single wall that had stopped that terrifying assault.

It was none other than the Great Demon Wall of the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

Before the eyes of the Faceless Swordsmen, every punch unleashed by the Lightning Chaos Dance dissolved.

“This wretched Nine Calamities Demon Art!”

To the sunken words of the Battle King, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“I want to make wagers with you all, and even be friendly, but you keep forcing me to raise walls.”

The Faceless Swordsmen all cupped their fists and bowed their heads in respect toward the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

Then, turning back, they looked toward Geom Mugeuk.

Smiling at them, Geom Mugeuk said,

“Thank you for protecting me.”

The Faceless Swordsmen were moved. The Young Cult Leader, who hadn’t used the Great Demon Wall even while being beaten himself, had cast it to protect them. The fact that it was the Nine Calamities Demon Art—the martial art that had saved their lives—touched them even more deeply.

Now, if Geom Mugeuk were to find the Evil Smiling Demon in the Valley of Wicked, their smiles would no doubt brighten further.

“Now, trust me and head up.”

Without hesitation, the Faceless Swordsmen leapt up onto the trees and the top of the walls. Even then, the eyes that had been watching from the darkness ahead remained fixed in place.

The Battle King and the Dark King said nothing. They were clearly stunned by the might of the Great Demon Wall.

Even the Great Annihilation Form and the Human Annihilation Form could only be avoided with the Dark Path Return Technique. And now, upon witnessing the Great Demon Wall, they were overwhelmed by its presence.

Then, the calm voice of the Dark King came from within the palanquin.

“Now I understand why the Nine Calamities Demon Art is called the Greatest of All Time Demonic Art.”

“Don’t be afraid. Right now, I’m just at Seven Stars. Let’s have a proper fight.”

Geom Mugeuk goaded the Battle King once more, hoping to draw him into a clash with the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

Just then, the long thread extending from the palanquin began to ripple violently, then hung limp. The other threads followed suit.

How could Geom Mugeuk not understand what that meant?

“Sounds like bad news.”

As a faint smile crept onto Geom Mugeuk’s lips, the Dark King’s voice dropped coldly.

“Then we must deliver bad news to the Young Cult Leader as well.”

As an incomprehensible chant began to echo from inside the palanquin, the surrounding air shifted.

The Faceless Swordsmen, perched on tree branches, simultaneously looked around. Something unseen was beginning to converge from all directions.

It was darkness—darkness imbued with life, gathering like thunderclouds. It was visible darkness, darkness within darkness.

It was a sight Geom Mugeuk and the Faceless Swordsmen had never witnessed before.

From the palanquin, a soft chant continued, tickling the ears.

In the distance, the watching eyes within the darkness widened all at once, filled with excitement.

The gathering darkness formed a single shape above the palanquin. It was darkness, but transparent. Darkness, yet glimmering.

What the darkness shaped was a woman. Within the darkness, delicate light—like the tip of a painter’s brush—flowed through and sculpted her features.

Thus formed, the woman floated in midair.

The Faceless Swordsmen and the eyes within the darkness all stared at the woman formed from darkness.

Darkness shimmered within darkness.

“All life shall return to the dark!”

The Dark King's voice emerged from the woman made of darkness. Where earlier the voice had been gentle and alluring, now it was deep and mysterious.

The moment she finished speaking—

Saaaaaaaaah—

The woman descended upon the Battle King. And then, the Battle King and the darkness became one.

The woman’s form overlapped the Battle King's body like a transparent shadow. When the Battle King raised his hand, so did the woman. They were two and yet one—one, yet two.

This was none other than the Dark King’s secret ultimate technique, the Dark Descent Technique.

The Battle King, now returned far stronger than before, had been fully possessed by the Dark King. This power—far beyond the dark energy he had previously absorbed—revealed a ferocity that was incomparable.

“It was neck and neck even one-on-one, but now? We’re fighting as two.”

As her voice flowed from the form now merged with the Battle King, the sight was truly bizarre.

At that moment, a bold voice pierced the darkness.

“We’re two as well.”

Someone fluttered through the night sky and landed beside Geom Mugeuk.

A white mask perfectly suited for the darkness—it was none other than the Evil Smiling Demon.

“You’re here?”

“Am I late?”

“You’re right on time.”

At the Evil Smiling Demon's arrival, the Faceless Swordsmen all cupped their fists and bowed in formal salute. In their eyes shone joy and an unmatched depth of loyalty.

Geom Mugeuk turned to the Evil Smiling Demon. From the eye holes, a clear light sparkled in his gaze.

“I heard you wouldn’t make it in time, so we even placed a wager.”

“I don’t like dogs that bite people.”

At the Evil Smiling Demon’s remark, Geom Mugeuk grinned brightly.

He had fought through many brutal battles alongside Soma. And tonight’s battle—he knew—would be the hardest yet.

And yet, there was no fear at all. No words were needed—for he would be fighting with his Demon Supreme.

“I won the wager. That palanquin is mine now.”

From within the Battle King’s merged form, the Dark King murmured lowly,

“Nothing will change tonight.”

Over the Battle King’s fierce face, a deep and beautiful darkness rippled.

“Let’s find out. Changing things is something I happen to be quite good at.”

Geom Mugeuk walked forward alongside the Evil Smiling Demon.

As he moved, he unsheathed the Black Demon Sword and let it hang low. The Evil Smiling Demon gently flicked the flat of the blade with his finger.

Tiiing—

A clear ring of steel echoed into the darkness.