Absolute Regression

Chapter 577: Because It Looks Too Old

When Geom Mugeuk opened the guest room window, cold air flowed in. A faint early morning mist drifted through the alley in front of the inn.

He had entered the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique in the evening and was just now coming out.

Though eight hours had passed by the clock, he had actually trained for a full two days. This was because the steadily progressing Heavenly Time Secret Art was now offering six times the amount of time compared to reality.

During those two days, he had completely exhausted his inner energy, recovered, exhausted it again, and recovered once more. He couldn’t even count how many demonic ghosts had appeared and vanished repeatedly.

And at the end of the training, he unfolded a space meant solely for himself within the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.

It was a hot spring in a snowy field, where the rising steam created a dreamlike atmosphere.

Soaking his body in that place relieved the exhaustion from a day and a half of continuous training.

He had practiced the Nine Calamities Demon Art so much that it felt like the demonic ghosts would show themselves through the rising steam, asking to stretch their bodies too.

He could feel it coming. The Nine Calamities Demon Art at the Seventh Star was about to ascend to the next level.

The experience and insight gained from the battle with the Dark King, combined with the realization he felt while reinterpreting the forms of the Golden Dragon Sword Art, caused his martial arts realm to stir.

The act of reinterpreting the reinterpretation of the Sword King’s technique had given him an unexpected and special enlightenment. It was something he had never done before—reinterpreting a martial art of a martial artist, together with a master like the Sword King.

‘I must keep doing this.’

He could feel that this work with the Sword King would bring him great achievement.

Just then, the window of the next guest room opened, and someone poked their head out.

“Not sleeping?”

It was none other than Lee Ahn.

“And you?”

“Got caught up in cultivation, and suddenly it’s this late.”

Lately, she had been sensing that the atmosphere was far from ordinary. An enemy capable of making even Geom Mugeuk tense had appeared in this place filled with novices. So how could she possibly fall asleep?

“Cultivation’s good, but sleep is important too.”

“Look who’s talking.”

She already knew that Geom Mugeuk always trained until dawn. Of course, since he trained quietly in his room, she figured he was cultivating inner techniques. But she didn’t know. She didn’t know just how much sword energy and sword force raged from the room right next to hers.

“I’ll sleep plenty after I’m dead!”

At her words, Geom Mugeuk gave a faint smile.

‘You’ve already slept enough.’

So in this life, stay awake.

Grow old, live long, and even when you become a white-haired old woman, stay awake and gaze at the world with those beautiful eyes.

Lee Ahn with white hair would probably age beautifully. Would they still be able to stand side by side and see the world together, even then?

“That person… is strong, right?”

For the first time, Lee Ahn asked about the Sword King.

Geom Mugeuk nodded honestly.

"How strong is he?"

"Have you ever seen a true master barefoot?"

"No."

"He's just that strong."

Though she understood he meant the Sword King was an exceptional master, Lee Ahn made a show of brushing it off casually.

"Well, if it’s to that extent, I guess it’s fine. But you’re not lacking in uniqueness either, are you, Young Master?"

As she said this, she tapped her left chest twice with her hand.

"To pierce your heart, someone would have to pierce not one, but two."

Half in jest, half serious—her words made Geom Mugeuk laugh in amusement. But his gaze toward her had grown deeper. After all, what she had just said was something she had already brought to reality.

"Is this the advantage of having two hearts?"

"Just trust me!"

"Your heart must never get pierced! I’m going to sleep now, trusting in that heart of yours!"

"Sleep plenty for my share too."

Of course, in Geom Mugeuk's mind, the order was reversed.

If someone wanted to pierce her heart, they would have to get through his first.

His own heart would be pierced long before any sword reached Lee Ahn’s. Everything he had been doing was to ensure that such a moment would never come.

While Lee Ahn was gazing at the stars in the early morning sky, in the room next door, another battle raged silently—one where the earth split and cliffs collapsed.

*         *         *

The Sword King showed up to class on time the next day.

He even came prepared with the next three forms of the Golden Dragon Sword Art.

"Now, today I’ll teach Forms Four through Six."

What in the world did this man want?

Geom Mugeuk couldn’t help but wonder as he looked at him, though at least one thing was clear—why he was continuing to teach the Golden Dragon Sword Art.

The look in his eyes said it all.

—Let’s have another round!

Yesterday’s reinterpretation had been a loss for him. He had acknowledged that the version Geom Mugeuk had reinterpreted was better. That’s why he had come back to challenge him again today.

—No matter how much you base it on mine, this time you won’t be able to make it better.

Geom Mugeuk answered him with his eyes.

‘Let’s do it. Even if we kill each other later, for now… let’s enjoy this.’

They both instinctively understood it. To meet such a rival while walking the path of the martial artist was something that might only happen once in a lifetime.

The Sword King demonstrated from the Fourth Form to the Sixth Form.

The watching martial artists turned to one another and whispered.

"What is that?"

"It’s different from yesterday."

"He’s doing whatever he wants."

Today’s interpretation of the forms shown by the Sword King was yet another new one.

The Golden Dragon Sword Art he had shown yesterday had been smooth and flexible like water. It had even resembled a dance.

But today, he was indifferent. There was no better word to describe it than indifference. He swung his sword with detachment. Walked forward step by step and stabbed without hesitation. His movements continued like he was casually kicking a stone on the ground.

Of course, the trainees couldn't perceive the profound essence of martial arts imbued in each and every motion. So once again, it merely looked like another half-hearted demonstration to them.

In contrast, Geom Mugeuk removed his shoes and followed the Sword King's forms barefoot.

At this, the trainees frowned even more deeply.

They already believed that his claim of wanting to be a shield for Lee Ahn and Seo Jin was just an act to impress the women. Now they were convinced he was training barefoot to win over the instructor as well.

"Shouldn't we call some Black Dragon Class seniors to put him in his place?"

"He's really unbearable."

There were even whispers like this being exchanged.

Of course, not all the trainees were like that.

Yu Gwang and Gyo Seok were doing their best to follow along. Gyo Seok did it for his friend’s sake, and Yu Gwang did it for Lee Ahn’s.

Seeing Lee Ahn follow the forms so earnestly, he couldn’t just sit still.

"You really like that woman, don’t you?"

When Gyo Seok shook his head, Yu Gwang shook his even harder.

"That’s not it."

"Then what is it?"

"These days I’m so anxious I can’t even sleep. But when I see that lady, I feel calm. Strangely, all the anxiety just disappears. That woman has something about her."

"It’s just because she’s pretty."

"No, it’s not!"

Yu Gwang tried his hardest to follow the forms. Gyo Seok, unable to resist, also followed along. He always scolded him to stop indulging in delusions, but he knew his friend had something special.

And so the second day of class came to an end.

Geom Mugeuk and the Sword King met again at the same place they had met on the first day.

Watching Geom Mugeuk display his martial arts, the Sword King smiled with satisfaction.

Yesterday, Geom Mugeuk had reinterpreted what he had been taught. But today, he was performing the forms exactly as he had learned them.

"Today’s forms, as reinterpreted by you, Instructor, are perfect. To ruin such a good form out of a petty desire to win would be disrespectful, wouldn’t it?"

Upon hearing this honest admission of defeat, the Sword King let out a sigh.

"Why sigh when I’m admitting defeat?"

"Because you acknowledged it so cleanly."

And then, unexpectedly, came words heavy with meaning.

"A Young Cult Leader like you is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence in the history of the demonic cult. But to have to kill someone heaven has sent down with my own hands... how could I not sigh?"

He still brimmed with confidence that he could kill Geom Mugeuk.

"The one who will die is you, Instructor. Just like your comrades who have already died at my hands."

It was the first time he brought up the other Twelve Zodiac Kings to the Sword King. Just how would he react?

"Comrades? Who are you calling comrades?"

The Sword King did not consider the previously fallen Twelve Zodiac Kings to be his comrades. In fact, for the first time, the always composed man showed displeasure at being placed on the same level as them.

"Let me show you my comrades."

In the next moment, the Sword King released his qi manifestation. It was the first time he had revealed his qi since they met.

Saaaaaa.

Sparkles lit up in all directions.

At a glance, it looked like jewels glittering under sunlight.

But that wasn’t it. They were all sword blades.

From the walls, floor, ceiling—sword blades protruded from every surface. Hundreds, thousands of blades. The entire space was densely packed with sword edges sharp enough to cut with even the slightest movement.

When Geom Mugeuk turned his head to the side, a sword blade was pointed right at his face. Another jutted out on the opposite side. Blades protruded from the front, above his head, from everywhere.

He reached out and touched one of them.

Ssshk.

His fingertip was cut, and blood trickled out. The qi was so sharp that it actually sliced his finger. Of course, it also happened because he hadn't activated his Protective Energy.

Through the glimmering forest of blades, he could see the Sword King in the distance.

"What do you think of my friends?"

It meant that only the sword was his friend.

In this place so full of loneliness, where could a real friend even be?

With a cheerful smile, Geom Mugeuk replied to him.

"You have so many friends that there’s no room for me to squeeze in."

Apparently pleased with the answer, the Sword King laughed as well.

Ssssss.

As the Sword King's qi faded, all the surrounding sword blades vanished in an instant.

"Later, before you die, would you grant me one request?"

Geom Mugeuk could feel it. Perhaps the very reason the Sword King had revealed himself to him, and had been taking his time teaching so leisurely, was to make this request.

"Very well. I’ll grant your request, instructor—before I kill you."

Of course, he didn’t promise without adding something of his own.

"In return, I ask that you grant me one request as well. I’ll tell you right now."

"Go ahead."

"Please continue reinterpreting the Golden Dragon Sword Art all the way to the final form—just like you’ve done so far. Let’s keep wagering."

A flicker of doubt passed naturally across the Sword King's face.

"No matter how well I reinterpret it, it’s a martial art that’s ultimately useless to you, isn’t it?"

"There are three reasons."

"Three whole reasons?"

"First, because I find this wager incredibly fun."

He believed the Sword King felt the same. Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to be here, having this kind of conversation.

"Second, there’s someone I want to pass this completed martial art down to."

And finally—

"This is just my intuition, but I think my martial arts realm will rise by the time this process is over."

You’re asking me to teach you? The Sword King laughed as if to say just that, then asked,

"Where did you learn to be so shamelessly honest?"

"From people who aren’t boring. They never treated my honesty as a weakness."

A strange emotion passed over the Sword King's face. Just yesterday, as they parted, he had said there were too many boring people in this world.

"We met as trainee and instructor, didn’t we? Since fate brought us together this way, I want to learn all I can."

Though it was surely not an easy request, the Sword King did not ponder for long.

"If I want to be someone who’s not boring, I guess I can’t refuse. Fine. I’ll grant your request."

"Thank you."

Just as he turned to leave, the Sword King suddenly asked,

"What if the request I make of you is something you can’t grant?"

Geom Mugeuk answered with a regretful smile.

"That’s why I asked you first."

Even though it implied that he intended to become stronger first—and kill him if needed—the Sword King, true to his word, taught him all the way to the final form of the Golden Dragon Sword Art. It was something that hadn’t been part of the plan when he first took on the role of temporary instructor.

On some days, Geom Mugeuk reinterpreted the form better. On other days, the Sword King did. Sometimes they combined their interpretations to refine the form, and sometimes they created entirely new ones.

The forms would flow like water, then stir like wind, burst into searing flame, and at times even crash down like lightning.

It was as if the two of them were playing a match of Go, move by move. A joy that might never come again in their lifetimes—and a clash of pride as well.

The trainees sensed something was happening, but they couldn’t tell exactly what. None of them could comprehend the profound essence of the martial techniques unfolding before them.

And on the day Geom Mugeuk finally learned the last form of the Golden Dragon Sword Art, the technique was reborn—complete in a new form.

What the two of them had created was different from each other’s. They had constantly influenced one another, yet even to the end, they arrived at different interpretations.

While they had burned with competitive spirit as they trained, by the time it was all over, neither of them cared who had won more.

Geom Mugeuk held out a wrapped object to the Sword King.

"What’s this?"

"A gift."

"A gift of death? Something that releases Formless Deadly Poison when opened?"

"If that were the case, I wouldn’t have wrapped it so sloppily."

The Sword King unwrapped the package. Inside was something he had truly not expected.

It was a pair of shoes.

"They just looked too old."

For the first time, a flicker of confusion crossed the Sword King’s eyes. But soon, he flipped the shoes over and gave them a shake—checking to see if there might be a hidden weapon inside.

"Why are you giving me this?"

To his curious question, Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.

"My martial art has reached the Eighth Star."

The realm of the Nine Calamities Demon Art, which had been surging within him, had finally risen to the Eighth Star last night.

Only Geom Mugeuk knew how overjoyed he had been at the sheer might of the now even stronger Nine Calamities Demon Art. He had reached the Eighth Star in the shortest time in the entire history of the Cult Leaders.

Though it should have been a matter of concern and caution, the Sword King instead beamed with a bright smile.

"Why are you smiling? Don’t you feel worried?"

"Whether I win or lose—wouldn’t it be more glorious to defeat someone of the Eighth Star than the Seventh, and also less embarrassing?"

Geom Mugeuk could feel it for certain now. Facing this man was harder than dealing with the combined threat of the Battle King and the Dark King. In every sense of the word.

The two of them silently gazed at each other. Then, with a calm look in his eyes, the Sword King asked,

"You’ve become stronger—so why are you handing me shoes instead of a sword?"

Until the end, Geom Mugeuk answered him with honesty.

"I think... I want to become even stronger."