Absolute Regression

Chapter 563: I Went Through All That Trouble to Bring It, So You Better Take It

Lee Ahn slowly walked up to the second floor.

Up close, Lee Ahn looked even more beautiful than when seen from afar. Moreover, an aura that could not be approached could be felt from her.

“Young Cult Leader!”

Lee Ahn stood in front of Geom Mugeuk.

If there had been no one else around, she would have called him "Young Master" instead of "Young Cult Leader." She would have run to him crying "Young Master!" and thrown her arms around him. That was how much she had missed Geom Mugeuk.

“You’ve done well.”

At that one sentence from Geom Mugeuk, all the stiffness and nervous tension in Lee Ahn’s heart melted away like a lie.

‘He’s finally back!’

The emotion Geom Mugeuk had felt when seeing his father—Lee Ahn was feeling exactly the same.

Lee Ahn’s gaze naturally turned toward Han Seol.

The first reason Han Seol had come to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was to meet Lee Ahn. She had worried she might not get to see her, but thankfully, Lee Ahn had returned.

Han Seol called out to Lee Ahn.

“Unnie.”

It was the first time they were meeting since deciding to be sisters. She had thought it would be very awkward and uncomfortable, but unexpectedly, it wasn’t.

Everyone who didn’t know their relationship was shocked to hear the word “Unnie.”

“I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“You said you’d show me around the Central Plains next time, didn’t you?”

Han Seol had remembered exactly what Lee Ahn had said.

“Yeah, I’m glad you came.”

Looking at Lee Ahn smiling at her, Han Seol could feel it—something about Lee Ahn had changed. But she couldn’t quite tell what that change was.

Seo Daeryong greeted Lee Ahn cheerfully.

“Lee Ahn, welcome back.”

“Have you been well, Pavilion Leader?”

Then Geom Mugeuk interjected casually.

“Out of all of us, he’s been doing the best.”

As he said that, he looked at Dan Ah. Lee Ahn, quick on the uptake, widened her eyes.

“No way? It’s not true, right? You traitor!”

Lee Ahn showed their closeness by joking without formality, and Seo Daeryong gave an embarrassed laugh.

Lee Ahn smiled brightly at Dan Ah and said,

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Division Leader.”

Dan Ah looked toward the youngest and said,

“The youngest was able to enter the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps thanks to the Young Cult Leader. Go on, greet her.”

Dan Yeon had been staring at Lee Ahn in a daze and only came to her senses belatedly.

“Ah, you’re just so beautiful… I’m Dan Yeon. I just joined. First Squad Leader told me to start tomorrow.”

Dan Yeon gave a respectful clasped fist salute as she greeted her.

Lee Ahn quietly observed her, then suddenly asked a question.

“Did anyone tell you what our organization does?”

“Yes, I heard it’s the place that becomes the Young Cult Leader’s shadow.”

“Good. Then let me ask. What would you do if the Cult Leader’s order and the Young Cult Leader’s order were in conflict?”

Dan Yeon answered without hesitation.

“I should follow the Young Cult Leader’s order.”

“That would be rebellion, wouldn’t it?”

She flinched at the word “rebellion,” but Dan Yeon’s thoughts were firm.

“If the body doesn’t exist, then the shadow is a meaningless existence anyway.”

At Dan Yeon’s response, Lee Ahn looked at Geom Mugeuk and said,

“She hasn’t even started her first day yet, and she’s already more loyal than I am?”

At those words, a smile spread across Dan Yeon’s face. She liked people who were amusing. In fact, among the Three Dan Sisters, she was the brightest and most witty. Like earlier, when she had jokingly called Seo Daeryong a traitor—and now again—Lee Ahn had completely won her over.

What made her feel such affection for Geom Mugeuk wasn’t only the fact that he was the Young Cult Leader. It was exactly because of moments like this—his ability to throw out such easygoing jokes.

“Still, I should’ve sent the food to the Father.”

At Lee Ahn’s questioning gaze—asking what he meant—Geom Mugeuk simply smiled an ambiguous smile.

Jangho stepped forward and greeted her again.

“Martial artist Lee, welcome back.”

“You’ve gotten even bigger, Lord Jangho!”

It had also been a while since she reunited with Cheon So-hee.

“I used to see you every day, and now it’s hard to even catch a glimpse of your face.”

“The Young Cult Leader is saying we should revive the Midnight Training Group sometime soon.”

After finally finishing her greetings with Kang Dal as well, they all sat down together.

Geom Mugeuk raised his cup high and shouted,

“My heart has returned!”

Lee Ahn, feeling embarrassed by his dramatics, still raised her own cup high.

And so, they all toasted cheerfully and drank together.

As she lowered her cup, Dan Yeon whispered to Seo Daeryong,

“Brother-in-law, that was such an obvious lie.”

She was referring to when Seo Daeryong had earlier said her older sister was prettier.

As Seo Daeryong gave an awkward laugh, Dan Yeon whispered again.

“At times like that, you’re supposed to say, ‘To me, she’s even prettier.’”

“Ah!”

Seo Daeryong also whispered to Dan Yeon.

“Help me out from now on, sister-in-law.”

“Well, the quality of my advice will probably depend on the size of your allowance.”

That made Seo Daeryong laugh. Suddenly, a thought passed through his mind.

‘Is it okay for me to be this happy?’

He feared that the heavens might become jealous of this happiness and send misfortune.

Then he happened to look toward Geom Mugeuk, who was drinking with Lee Ahn.

What he had only vaguely understood in his head, he now seemed to know clearly in his heart—why Geom Mugeuk had worked so tirelessly.

To Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn was Dan Ah, Jangho was Dan Bi, and he himself was Dan Yeon. That must be why Geom Mugeuk had worked so diligently, so that misfortune would not dare to approach them. So that laziness wouldn’t bring misfortune upon them.

‘I will protect them through diligence as well, Young Cult Leader.’

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk met his eyes, and the two clinked their cups mid-air before emptying them.

Even though there were people meeting for the first time at the table, the atmosphere was good.

The presence of Geom Mugeuk as a pillar had allowed everyone to lower their guard.

They laughed and chatted. Everyone spoke comfortably and without worry.

Toward the end of the drinking session, people began talking in small groups.

Dan Bi, who had joined as an Enforcement Martial Artist of the Underworld Pavilion, shared various conversations with Seo Daeryong and Kang Dal. She was usually the quiet type, the middle sister who rarely spoke. But she wasn’t so withdrawn that she would miss the opportunity to bond with her direct superiors.

Seo Daeryong said to his two subordinates,

“I believe our Underworld Pavilion is like a guiding star. It plays the role of keeping people from losing their way on a dark night. Since everyone always seeks an easier path, I think even if every organization in the cult is shaken, we must be the one that never wavers.”

Dan Bi cautiously asked,

“How can we remain unshaken?”

Seo Daeryong answered honestly,

“Each of us has to find our own guiding star.”

Kang Dal and Dan Bi fell silent, lost in thought, and quietly emptied their cups.

Seo Daeryong’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk. He could say this because he had already found his own guiding star.

Meanwhile, Dan Yeon was staring only at Lee Ahn.

She had completely fallen for Lee Ahn, the leader of the organization she now belonged to. She was beautiful, strong, and most of all, witty. Lee Ahn was everything Dan Yeon dreamed of becoming.

“Division Leader, do you have a dream?”

At Dan Yeon’s brave question, Lee Ahn replied,

“To survive well for a long time.”

Lee Ahn left out one very important part.

Geom Mugeuk was chatting and drinking with Cheon So-hee and Jangho, talking about this and that. Stories about the Fist Demon King, and about Jangho’s painting.

Cheon So-hee, for the first time in a long while, felt like she could breathe again. Being able to gather like this, talk, and drink—it was wonderful. In the past, she used to drink freely with the Iron Fists of the Eastern Fist Faction, but since becoming a successor, those moments had disappeared.

“We’ll take our leave now.”

Since they had to face their first day in the new organization tomorrow, the Three Dan Sisters rose from their seats first.

Dan Ah had remained quiet throughout the entire drinking session.

In truth, she could drink well and, if she chose to, talk quite a bit. But today, she held back from both. It was because of Seo Daeryong and her younger sisters—she didn’t want to make a single mistake.

Before parting, Lee Ahn quietly said to Dan Ah,

“Pavilion Leader Seo is truly a good person.”

“Thank you.”

As they stood up to leave, Kang Dal also said his goodbyes.

“I can’t be playing around when my subordinate is preparing for tomorrow, can I?”

Though that’s what he said, it was really because he knew it was time to step aside and give space for the long-awaited reunion. He was someone who knew when to join and when to withdraw.

Han Seol stood up as well.

“The elders seem tired, so I should go ahead too.”

On the first floor, among the Cold Ice Twin Swords, Sahan was asleep, leaning on his wife’s shoulder. He had gotten drunk after drinking for the first time in a long while.

Geom Mugeuk said to Han Seol,

“Miss Han, I have a favor to ask.”

“Please go ahead.”

“Leave a message on this wall.”

At those words, Jo Chunbae—who was on the first floor—brightened up. As expected, Geom Mugeuk understood his heart and looked after him.

Han Seol immediately shook her head.

“I don’t think I’m qualified.”

“Then leave it on this wall. Let’s reserve this one for the names of our young masters. Please, let our Young Palace Master open it.”

At his gentle request, Han Seol eventually left a message.

―Had a great drink with friends. Han Seol, Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

And so, a message from the successor of the Northern Sea Ice Palace was finally inscribed on the wall of the Flowing Wind Tavern.

At the word “friends,” Seo Daeryong smiled warmly, and Jo Chunbae beamed from ear to ear in delight.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Jo Chunbae expressed his gratitude to Han Seol and looked at Geom Mugeuk with a big smile. If it weren’t for Geom Mugeuk, she never would have left such a message.

With everyone having left, only Geom Mugeuk, Cheon So-hee, and the three regulars of the drinking group remained at the Flowing Wind Tavern. Cheon So-hee had been about to leave too, but Geom Mugeuk deliberately made her stay.

“Stay and drink just a bit longer. I have something to bring.”

While Geom Mugeuk briefly stepped away, the four of them chatted about this and that.

Then Lee Ahn asked Seo Daeryong,

“How does it feel to have someone you like?”

To Seo Daeryong, Jangho and Lee Ahn were more than just drinking buddies.

“To be honest, even though I came back with Miss Dan… I’m scared. I’ve lived my whole life thinking only of myself, selfishly, so I wonder if I can do well. I worry that I’ll regret it later.”

Since none of them were married, they completely understood Seo Daeryong’s feelings.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk’s voice echoed from the first floor.

“For concerns like that, you’ve got to ask someone with experience.”

Geom Mugeuk came up to the second floor with Jo Chunbae. He was now carrying a leather satchel and a long sword case, having been somewhere in the meantime.

“Owner, do you regret getting married?”

At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Jo Chunbae laughed and replied,

“There were times I did. After a big fight with the wife, whew, that night I’d fall asleep dreaming of the days when I lived alone.”

His candid confession made everyone laugh.

“But I’d have regretted it even if I stayed single. No matter how disobedient a child is, the thought of not having him in my life terrifies me. And with both love and hate mixed in, as I’ve grown older, my wife is the only one who remains.”

Geom Mugeuk said to Seo Daeryong,

“For love troubles, counseling is available at the Flowing Wind Tavern!”

“Yes, sir!”

Jo Chunbae bowed, overwhelmed with gratitude, and went back down to the first floor. As he descended the stairs, he was smiling. Who would’ve thought he’d end up giving relationship counseling to the Pavilion Leader of the Underworld Pavilion?

Seo Daeryong’s gaze shifted to the sword case and leather satchel Geom Mugeuk had brought.

“What is that, though? It looks like a sword case.”

Geom Mugeuk handed the sword case to Lee Ahn.

“Here, a gift.”

Lee Ahn was taken aback as she accepted the case. She hadn’t expected to receive a gift here of all places.

“A gift?”

The case had the sun and moon beautifully engraved upon it, and even just from the finely crafted exterior, one could tell the contents were no ordinary object.

Inside was a single sword.

Lee Ahn slowly drew the blade.

“Ah!”

A gasp escaped her lips.

Saaaaaaa—

A chilling sword aura spread in all directions in an instant. It was clearly no ordinary treasured sword.

“That is the Sun and Moon Sword.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, not only Lee Ahn, but also Jangho, Seo Daeryong, and Cheon So-hee were visibly shocked. The Sun and Moon Sword was a famed treasured blade in the martial world.

It was the very sword received from the Black Snake Gang Leader during the incident involving Bih Sa-in. Later, Bih Sa-in had gifted the sword to Geom Mugeuk, who at the time had said he would give it to “his heart.” Since then, he had kept it safely stored away, until now, the moment to give it to Lee Ahn had come.

“Why are you giving me such a precious sword?”

“Because you’ve now reached a level where you can protect this sword. Congratulations, Lee Ahn.”

“Ah, I knew it! You noticed.”

She had finally achieved mastery in the Soaring Sword Art, something she had long dreamed of. Even for someone gifted in martial arts, it would’ve been impossible to accomplish in such a short time—yet it had become possible thanks to Geom Mugeuk’s generous instruction.

“You’re really giving this to me?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded. For a martial artist, a sword is like a second life—now, the Sun and Moon Sword would become her second life.

And the sword suited her perfectly.

“I won’t refuse. I know I’ll never get a sword like this again in my life. I’ll take it.”

“I figured you’d like it, so I even made sure to bring the sword case.”

“Thank you so much, Young Master.”

Though she felt burdened, the joy was overwhelming—she felt as if she could fly. She wanted to immediately wield the Soaring Sword Art with this blade.

At the same time, receiving such a gift by herself made her feel guilty and burdened toward the others.

How could that feeling not be obvious? Seo Daeryong said to Geom Mugeuk,

“No matter how close she is to your heart, this is too much! What about the rest of us?”

He had said it jokingly, trying to lighten the mood—but what Geom Mugeuk said next was unexpected.

“There’s something for my martial sister and Lord Jang as well.”

It had seemed unlikely, but Geom Mugeuk began taking things out from the leather satchel.

Two sets of armored robes emerged from the satchel.

To Jangho, he gave the Invincible Vajra Robe, and to Cheon So-hee, the Huayang Robe.

These armored robes were treasures taken from the treasury of the Galaxy Trading Company Head. They were the very items Geom Mugeuk had layered on himself and taken for safekeeping.

Jangho and Cheon So-hee were both startled. They hadn’t expected to receive something so precious as a gift.

“This is far too valuable! I can’t accept it!”

At Cheon So-hee’s refusal, Geom Mugeuk reached for the armored robe to take it back.

“Then I’ll take it back?”

Cheon So-hee smiled sheepishly and didn’t let go of the Huayang Robe.

“Still, it’s a gift from my senior brother. I must accept it.”

The armored robe she received today was so valuable that even if she saved her entire life, she wouldn’t be able to afford it. Even with money, it was something that couldn’t easily be obtained.

Cheon So-hee made a vow in her heart.

‘Someday, wearing this armor, I will protect the Cult Leader with my life.’

Jangho wore an uneasy expression. Thanks to Geom Mugeuk, he had even become the Demonic Army Commander, and now he was receiving such a precious gift on top of that.

“I don’t know if I deserve to accept something this valuable.”

“You must. I shamelessly became the embodiment of greed right in front of my father to bring these back for you.”

Jangho looked over at Seo Daeryong. Then Seo Daeryong smiled and said,

“I already received mine. There’s a reason I’m the right arm.”

Seo Daeryong had already received the White Scale Armor from Geom Mugeuk.

This time, Lee Ahn asked Geom Mugeuk,

“What about yours, Young Cult Leader?”

Geom Mugeuk spread open his robes. Underneath, he was wearing the Black Dragon Soaring Armor.

“Of course I picked out the best one for myself, so don’t feel burdened.”

He had worn it deliberately, knowing they might feel too guilty to accept theirs otherwise.

The three of them were more grateful for the thoughtfulness than for the armor itself.

“Truly, thank you, Young Cult Leader.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at them with a heart full of satisfaction.

Yes—grow stronger. Grow so strong that no one dares lay a hand on us.

“This isn’t a gift I’m giving to you. It’s a gift to myself—my heart, my right arm, my left arm, and my only junior sister.”

After the drinking session, Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn took a walk down a forest path at dawn. Now alone with him, Lee Ahn brought up something she hadn’t said while others were around.

“You haven’t asked about this mission.”

The mission was to bring Seo Jin, the younger sister of the Spirit Master(TL/N: Ch1), into the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps as Second Squad Leader.

Seo Jin.

The only friend from his life before the regression.

If he hadn’t met her, his regression would never have come to pass.

In this life, he hoped she wouldn’t live as a wanderer but instead live a happier life through her connection with Lee Ahn.

“You failed, didn’t you?”

If she had succeeded, she would’ve returned with her.

“Did something else happen this time too?”

Last time, Lee Ahn had gotten involved in another incident after receiving water from a village woman.

“No, this time I met Miss Seo.”

“You met her?”

“Yes, I even convinced Miss Seo. It really wasn’t easy.”

“Then why didn’t she come with you?”

“She said she’d come after finishing what she had to do. She said she had business at Golden Dragon Martial Hall.”

Golden Dragon Martial Hall.

A martial school renowned across the martial world as the greatest, having produced countless masters.

“She said she’ll come straight over once she’s done... Young Cult Leader?”

Lee Ahn turned her head. Geom Mugeuk was standing still, his expression hardened.

“What’s wrong?”

In his life before the regression, the person who had killed her was from Golden Dragon Martial Hall. Perhaps this was the time when that fateful connection first began. Or perhaps fate had changed.

Geom Mugeuk could feel it.

The sweet days of rest over the past few days were at an end—now it was time to return to the rivers and lakes.

“Lee Ahn, you haven’t unpacked yet, right?”