Absolute Regression

Chapter 556: Like the Sun, Like the Wind

The night air was clear and cold.

Bih Sa-in and Han Seol walked together through the inner courtyard of the Sky Flower Pavilion.

To her, even this walk was an extension of surprise. When they had departed from the Northern Sea Ice Palace, would she have ever imagined she would be strolling under the moonlight alone with the Young Cult Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance?

“Watch your step there, below.”

Much of the Sky Flower Pavilion had been damaged in last night’s battle. Bih Sa-in felt quietly sorry for suggesting a walk in such a place, especially when she had just been drinking well. He had come out with no plan, worried she might ask him to dance.

“If I startled you, I apologize.”

At Bih Sa-in’s apology, Han Seol shook her head.

“No, really. I wanted some fresh air. I drank more than I usually do.”

Her face, too, was flushed from the drink.

The two of them paused their steps for a moment. The Faceless Swordsmen, who had been stationed on a nearby roof, discreetly withdrew. The Cold Ice Twin Swords also stood at a distance, refraining from disturbing this moment.

“The moon is so bright tonight.”

At her words, Bih Sa-in also looked up at the night sky. As if the suffocating darkness that had once covered the world was never there, the moon and stars now harmoniously decorated the sky, weaving a beautiful night.

A brief, awkward silence passed.

Bih Sa-in wanted to make a good impression on her. To speak without blunders, to be cool. Maybe that desire made him feel pressured—ironically, the words didn’t come out.

‘Act naturally. Be relaxed.’

But the more he tried, the more his heart pounded. This was a first for him.

The one who spoke first was Han Seol.

“When I received the letter from the Young Cult Leader asking to meet here, honestly, I was surprised. I never imagined I’d be invited to a gathering with your friends.”

If they had been close, Bih Sa-in would have said this: Friends who find joy in surprising others—that’s what life’s about.

“He’s the kind of friend who always keeps his word.”

“Last time, the palace received great help from the Young Cult Leader. If not for that invitation, my mother would never have allowed me to come to the Central Plains.”

She said it was for helping the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but she could feel it. More than that, what truly moved her mother’s heart was how that frozen relationship between them had begun to thaw.

While Han Seol was briefly thinking of the Palace Master, Bih Sa-in had been glancing at her.

To his eyes, she was simply beautiful. Objectively speaking, Lee Ahn was far more beautiful, and Jin Haryeong was also more beautiful.

But when he saw them, it was just a passing thought—‘They’re beautiful.’ With Han Seol, his heart fluttered. For the first time, he realized it was possible to fall in love at first sight.

But that didn’t mean he could confess to her.

No—he *could* confess. But then what?

He was someone who had to lead the Unorthodox Alliance, and she would eventually have to return to the Northern Sea Ice Palace. There was no way the Young Palace Master would approve of this relationship. The Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance surely wouldn’t be pleased either.

‘Right. This is no time to be distracted by a woman.’

That’s what his mind told him—but his gaze kept drifting toward her.

“Shall we go that way?”

She looked toward the path leading to the rear garden.

“Sure.”

The two of them began walking toward the rear garden.

Along the way, Bih Sa-in failed to come up with any interesting conversation. In the end, he admitted honestly,

“Sorry. I’m not good with words.”

“It’s okay. I’m the same.”

Bih Sa-in was curious. She had once said her ideal type was a reliable, quiet man. But was that just something she said to tease Geom Mugeuk, or did she mean it?

As they walked in silence, they stopped in front of a section of the wall that had collapsed.

“I wonder which scoundrel brought down this beautiful wall?”

At her regretful comment, Bih Sa-in responded with a flinching expression.

“That was me.”

“What?”

“I broke it during a fight here.”

She had only meant to break the awkward silence, but it just so happened to be the very spot Bih Sa-in had destroyed.

Looking again at the fallen wall, Han Seol said,

“It might be nice to put a door here.”

Bih Sa-in chuckled at her words. Han Seol smiled along with him.

Seeing her smile, Bih Sa-in instinctively turned his head away. It felt like looking at a brilliant white snowfield—too dazzling to meet her gaze.

Thanks to that, at least the awkwardness had passed.

“Oh, by the way. I’ve been invited to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

Bih Sa-in nodded calmly. They had invited the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace; there was no way they’d let her go alone.

“It’ll probably be fun.”

Truthfully, he wanted to go with her. In fact, the words “Let me come with you!” rose all the way to his throat. If he had just said it aloud, maybe like with Geom Mugeuk, it would have led to a string of jokes.

While thinking such things, the two had already walked a full circle around the Sky Flower Pavilion.

‘Already?’

Bih Sa-in felt regretful. He hadn’t really said anything meaningful. Still, he couldn’t suggest they take another awkward lap.

“I had a good time.”

“I did too.”

Han Seol turned and walked toward the building where the drinking was still ongoing.

“Miss Han.”

“Yes?”

After a brief hesitation, Bih Sa-in summoned the courage to speak.

“Try wearing warm-colored martial robes sometimes.”

Han Seol’s lips curled into a faint smile as she sensed the tremor in Bih Sa-in’s voice.

“They’ll look good on you.”

Just as she was about to turn away, she added,

“Oh, and I’m going to the cult to see my sister.”

With that, she stepped inside the building.

Bih Sa-in stood blankly for a moment, then looked up at the roof and spoke.

“Stop spying and come out.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun revealed themselves from where they had been hiding on the roof.

The two sat side by side at the edge of the roof.

“From now on, I don’t think we need to worry about the Unorthodox Alliance anymore. The one who’s going to be Leader is that oblivious? Hah, I almost died from the frustration.”

Bih Sa-in ignored Geom Mugeuk and addressed Jin Hagun instead.

“I expect that from him, but what about you?”

Jin Hagun let out an awkward laugh. Geom Mugeuk had dragged him along, saying they should go eavesdrop—but did he really get dragged out by force? Honestly, it sounded like fun, so he came.

Geom Mugeuk answered on his behalf.

“Our great leader Jin should let loose once in a while too. How can you live as a righteous hero every day?”

“It’s not letting loose, it’s like a model student being led astray by a bad friend.”

“Talking this well now? Why didn’t you speak up like that earlier!”

Geom Mugeuk held out a bottle of liquor he had brought.

“Come on, get up here! I’ll teach you about women! What are women, really?”

“No thanks. I don’t want a lecture from someone who doesn’t even know where his own heart is.”

Bih Sa-in lightly leapt up and sat beside them at the edge of the eaves.

Maybe his heart was burning; he gulped down from the bottle and let out a long sigh.

His heart was still pounding. No, it trembled even more now than when they were together. What did she think of that walk? Did he ruin it by calling her out so recklessly?

Geom Mugeuk said to Bih Sa-in,

“I like you. Was saying that really so hard?”

“And after that?”

If it were this Geom Mugeuk, maybe he’d have a follow-up. Maybe he had an answer?

This time, Geom Mugeuk drank straight from the bottle.

“That’s something to worry about when the time comes. You don’t wear a raincoat today just because you’re worried it might rain tomorrow, do you?”

Jin Hagun gave a small smile, and Bih Sa-in took the bottle from Geom Mugeuk and drank.

“Easy to say when it’s not your problem.”

“That’s why you should listen. To those words that come easily.”

Bih Sa-in’s hand, mid-drink, paused. As he looked over with a face asking what that meant, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“Because your heart must be a mess right now.”

He was right. A thousand thoughts had been swirling inside his head.

The paused bottle tilted once more. He wasn’t even sure anymore what was the right thing to do.

“Don’t worry. The red thread between you two hasn’t snapped yet. I tied it myself with Celestial Thread.”

At that moment, the first rooster crowed from afar, and the dawn mist began to brighten the world.

“This night, too, has passed.”

The three of them felt reluctant. They knew that once morning came, they would each have to return to their own paths.

In their hearts, they wanted to enjoy themselves for days on end—but they couldn’t. Each of them was important, each was busy. And above all, the Sky Flower Pavilion still needed to be repaired.

“Ah! I want to keep playing! I want to keep having fun!”

Geom Mugeuk’s shout sliced through the dawn air, expressing what they all felt.

The next morning, the Sky Flower Pavilion Master served a farewell breakfast.

Everyone had drunk too much the night before, but the hangover soup she had carefully prepared was delicious.

After the meal, they said their farewells with regret.

The three friends felt it, but so did their subordinate martial artists. They all understood—chances like this wouldn’t come often in their lifetimes. In fact, the day they might have to point their swords at each other could come first.

Geom Mugeuk said to Jin Hagun and Bih Sa-in,

“If you’re ever in danger, don’t hesitate to call me. Got it? Not calling because it’s dangerous—that’s not what friends do.”

In response, Bih Sa-in offered a farewell joke.

“If another one of those nasty bastards we fought shows up, I’ll be sure to call you.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk flinched and took a small step back.

“In that case, you can call Leader Jin first.”

With that, Bih Sa-in said goodbye to his two friends and offered a respectful thanks to Evil Smiling Demon. Thanks to their protection yesterday, he had been able to enjoy time with his subordinates.

But today, the most reluctant farewell for him was Han Seol. Of course, he didn’t show it at all on the surface.

“I hope you enjoy your time in the Central Plains and return safely.”

“Thank you. Please take care as well, Young Leader.”

Just as he turned to leave, Bih Sa-in suddenly spoke.

“If you happen to pass near the Unorthodox Alliance on your way back, feel free to stop by. There are some beautiful places nearby. If you’re in the area and send word, I’ll come out to meet you.”

He turned away quickly right after. He hadn’t meant to say it—he’d gone back and forth in his mind, and then it just slipped out.

‘Ah, I messed up.’

As he turned away, he drew in a sharp breath. And he’d said it in front of so many people.

To hide his embarrassment, he walked off briskly without waiting for her reply. He walked so quickly that even the Thirteen Wolves were caught off guard and hurried to follow him.

At that moment, Han Seol’s voice called out from behind.

“Alright.”

Bih Sa-in stopped in his tracks and turned around. Han Seol smiled and said,

“I’ll stop by on the way back.”

Bih Sa-in held himself back from breaking into a full smile. But from that expression alone, Han Seol could read his emotions.

“Then I’ll see you then.”

With that, Bih Sa-in departed with the Thirteen Wolves.

Geom Mugeuk restrained himself from sending a sound transmission to tease Bih Sa-in. He wanted him to fully savor this happiness.

Instead, he sent a sound transmission to Jin Hagun.

―If you think about it, he’s actually a playboy. Isn’t he tricking us?

At that, Jin Hagun chuckled. From his perspective, none of the three of them had anything in common with being a playboy.

Geom Mugeuk said his farewell to Jin Hagun as well.

“I’ll be looking forward to good news.”

Jin Hagun understood what those words meant. It referred to the news of him officially becoming the successor. Yes, he too wanted to share that news with Geom Mugeuk and Bih Sa-in.

“Even if it turns out to be bad news, I won’t regret it.”

The one silently watching their farewell was Jin Haryeong.

She, too, felt regret. Truthfully, she wanted to go to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult with Han Seol, but she couldn’t. Part of her pride was hurt at the idea of seeming like she was just lingering around Geom Mugeuk.

At that moment, the Sky Flower Pavilion Master approached her, having been standing at a distance.

“Miss Jin.”

“Oh, Pavilion Mistress. Thank you for the kind words yesterday.”

“I enjoyed it as well. It’s been a while since I had such fun.”

Through their many conversations the night before, the Sky Flower Pavilion Master had gotten a sense of her feelings for Geom Mugeuk. Or rather, Jin Haryeong had used her drunkenness as an excuse to reveal her emotions. She had wanted to confide in someone—not someone close, but someone she might never see again.

After exchanging greetings, the two of them stood side by side, watching Geom Mugeuk and Jin Hagun talking.

Then, suddenly, something welled up inside Jin Haryeong. Words she hadn’t spoken even at the banquet suddenly slipped out in this moment of parting.

“Until now, I’ve always been the main character. Granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader, the One Beauty of Hubei—wherever I went, I was always at the center. When I spoke, people listened. Everyone always looked only at me. Even now, it’s still like that. But…”

She trailed off for a moment, then let out a sigh and continued.

“Last night, I felt like a side character just circling around the main one.”

It was something she could never have said to anyone else. And yet, with this Sky Flower Pavilion Master, her inner thoughts flowed out so naturally. She had felt it since yesterday—there was a strange kind of trust the woman inspired.

After a brief pause, the Sky Flower Pavilion Master asked,

“When you see the Young Cult Leader, what do you feel? Does he seem like the main character?”

“That person? He’s always the main character.”

“Is that really so?”

“Pardon?”

Geom Mugeuk had just finished his farewell with Jin Hagun and was now chatting individually with the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade. Joking with them, he said the Demon-Slaying Brigade Leader had become too cool lately and was making things difficult for him.

In that moment, Jin Haryeong understood what the Sky Flower Pavilion Master had meant.

‘Ah, come to think of it… that person always tries to make others the main character.’

Come to think of it, it had been the same when he first met her. He had been Seo Daeryong’s attendant then.

“He looks like the sun, but I think the Young Cult Leader is more like the wind.”

Suddenly, an image rose in Jin Haryeong’s mind—Geom Mugeuk drinking alone. She didn’t know why that image came to her.

The Sky Flower Pavilion Master looked at Jin Haryeong.

“If Miss Jin chooses a journey with the wind, things will become very difficult. But it won’t be because of a soft heart or the difference in your stations. It’ll be because the wind cannot be grasped.”

Jin Haryeong looked at her with trembling eyes. Her chaotic heart, lost without direction, had been given a kind of signpost.

“May I come visit again sometime? Alone, next time?”

“Anytime.”

Jin Haryeong lowered her head in a polite bow to express her gratitude.

Then she shouted to Jin Hagun.

“Brother, this farewell is dragging on too long! Let’s go already!”

And she called out to Geom Mugeuk with cheerful boldness.

“Take good care of Miss Han!”

She also shouted a farewell to Han Seol.

“Miss Han, not all men in the Central Plains are that talkative. Don’t get the wrong idea!”

And so, Jin Hagun, Jin Haryeong, and the Demon-Slaying Brigade left the Sky Flower Pavilion.

Now came the final farewell of the day.

Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Swordsmen chose to remain at the Sky Flower Pavilion.

“Please go ahead first. I’ll stay a bit longer before returning.”

Evil Smiling Demon would stay to help rebuild the damaged Sky Flower Pavilion and set up countermeasures to prevent such events from recurring.

He returned the pristine High-grade Heavenly Silk thread that had been thoroughly washed. As Geom Mugeuk wrapped it around the hilt of the Black Demon Sword, he said,

“We survived another fight.”

Then came Evil Smiling Demon’s low, sincere words.

“It was an honor to fight alongside you.”

Geom Mugeuk also offered him heartfelt thanks.

“I only lived because of you.”

Geom Mugeuk bowed respectfully, as one would to the Demon Supreme.

“Then, I’ll see you again at the cult.”

At that, the Faceless Swordsmen standing behind Evil Smiling Demon also bowed in perfect unison with the formality due to the Young Cult Leader.

From within their masks, their eyes were smiling. Eyes full of goodwill. The Faceless Swordsmen, too, had shared in the gains of this journey.

Having said his farewells to everyone, Geom Mugeuk turned to Han Seol.

“Well then, shall we go taste the spiciest, most stimulating, and most perilous flavor in all the Central Plains?”