Absolute Regression

Chapter 581: You Didn’t Forget about the Favor, Did You?

The area around the martial stage was dark.

The person who descended silently onto the scar-covered stone floor was Geom Mugeuk.

Before stepping down, Geom Mugeuk had emitted his qi in all directions. Countless streams of qi spread out like a spiderweb as he probed for any hidden presence nearby.

In the darkened office of Yeon Baekin that could be seen from this place, in the other windows of the building, and even in the darkness surrounding the martial stage—there was no one hiding. That meant the entrance was well concealed.

First, he stepped up onto the martial stage and examined the floor, but no entrance could be found.

He hadn’t expected an entrance to be on the stage to begin with. In the midst of a fierce fight, the ground might crack or collapse, exposing an entrance—so it made no sense to construct one there.

But what kind of person would place an entrance in such a place? Someone who gave symbolic meaning to things?

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to the VIP seating area. A special section had been arranged for the Hall Master, instructors, and trainers to sit and observe. Centered around the large, ornate Hall Master’s seat, the instructors' and trainers’ seats were arranged to the left and right.

Geom Mugeuk began his search at the Hall Master’s seat. The large chair, fashioned like a Throne Mat, was fixed to the floor.

‘It’s definitely here.’

Through the countless experiences before his regression, Geom Mugeuk had become well-versed in mechanical devices.

The most important mindset when searching for such mechanisms was to believe with certainty that it existed. Strangely enough, when one harbored even the slightest doubt, hidden mechanisms would never be seen. Only with absolute conviction could they be found.

Geom Mugeuk slowly ran his fingers beneath the chair, meticulously inspecting even the slightest of cracks.

After checking the Hall Master’s seat, he examined the instructor’s chair next. Then again, and again, he checked the next chair.

Then, on the third chair, he felt a subtle crack. A round crack. One so faint that it would have gone unnoticed unless he had firmly believed it was there.

Geom Mugeuk slowly pressed down on that spot.

He felt it sink inward slightly, but no entrance revealed itself.

An ordinary person might have dismissed it, thinking it was nothing—but Geom Mugeuk knew.

‘It’s a door that opens with a dual mechanism. This is the first stage.’

Geom Mugeuk returned to the Hall Master’s seat.

As he sat and began examining various parts again, the golden dragon ornament on the previously immovable handle shifted to the side. Again, ever so slightly.

At that very moment!

Srrrk—smoothly, the lower section opened, and while still seated, he began descending.

Once he stood up from the chair, it rose back to its original position, and as the ceiling door shut, the surroundings were swallowed in pitch-black darkness.

Geom Mugeuk used the New Eye Technique to scan the surroundings. When he pressed the device located right next to where he had descended, the ceiling opened once more and the chair descended. After the time it would take for someone to sit on the chair passed, it automatically rose again. It was a top-grade mechanism, working with remarkable precision and smoothness.

Geom Mugeuk looked around again. The space was no more than three or four meters wide, and on one side of the wall, there was a mechanism leading downward.

He cautiously approached the device. Since he couldn’t know what lay below, he didn’t step onto it carelessly.

Instead, he inspected the space between the mechanical components. If there was a gap large enough to descend through, he planned to jump down that way. No matter how deep it was, with his martial prowess, he could descend in silence.

However, the mechanism here was designed such that one had no choice but to ride it in order to go down. And once boarded, it was surely constructed to alert those below that someone was coming.

That was when it happened.

Srrrk.

The ceiling opened once more, and the chair came down. To his surprise, the one who descended was the Sword King. He held both hands full—carrying liquor and meat.

Stepping off the chair, he boarded the mechanical platform.

Standing in the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique, Geom Mugeuk was visible only to himself. When the ceiling opened, Geom Mugeuk had vanished at the exact same moment.

While Geom Mugeuk could see outside, and thus watched the Sword King, the Sword King simply gazed at an empty space.

Inside and outside the mechanism, the two stood facing each other.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to the man’s feet. He was wearing the shoes that Geom Mugeuk had given him.

Soon after, the mechanism carrying the Sword King descended below.

Wooooong.

Only after he had gone down did Geom Mugeuk step out from the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique and reveal himself.

Silently, he stared down into the endless darkness where the platform had vanished.

‘What is it that you are searching for down there?’

When Geom Mugeuk returned, Yeon Baekjin was waiting in the guest room with Lee Ahn and Seo Jin.

“The entrance was there.”

At those words, Yeon Baekjin’s face lit up. His hunch had proven correct.

“Knowing my brother’s personality, I figured he’d place the entrance somewhere in plain sight.”

“Well discovered.”

Yeon Baekjin was delighted by the fact that he had personally located the place that would have great impact on his fate in the current situation.

“Let’s enter together at once. I’ll come with you.”

Yeon Baekjin wanted to go inside as well. He wanted to see for himself whether the peerless divine art truly existed there.

But Geom Mugeuk firmly shook his head.

“Even knowing the entrance, we cannot rush in carelessly.”

The reason was something Yeon Baekjin hadn’t anticipated.

“There’s a master near your brother… someone even I cannot approach lightly.”

Of course, Yeon Baekjin was taken aback. A master whom even the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult couldn’t handle? Had he ever seen such a person within the martial hall?

In that moment, as if by reflex, one person came to mind.

“Is it that temporary instructor?”

He didn’t know why that man surfaced in his thoughts. But the person he had seen in his brother’s office kept bothering him. The very man who had taught strange techniques to the White Dragon Class trainees.

“That’s right. It’s him. As long as he’s around, it’s impossible to kill your brother. If you act rashly, you’ll be the one to die first.”

“Then why didn’t he just order that man to kill me in the first place? There would’ve been no need to summon the White Snake Corps.”

“Because he’s not someone to be used lightly. He probably fears that man more than the White Snake Corps.”

Yeon Baekjin felt stifled. His brother was trying to kill him, and now it turned out that beside that brother was a master whom even the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult approached with caution.

Lee Ahn asked Geom Mugeuk.

“What will you do?”

“I’ll have to go in when that man isn’t around.”

He had to find out what the Sword King was trying to uncover. If possible, he had to snatch it first. This was a matter entirely separate from personal feelings toward the Sword King.

If the Sword King had poured this much care and effort into it, then it was surely something extremely threatening to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

As he returned to this place, Geom Mugeuk had already devised one plan.

Looking at Yeon Baekjin, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

“You’ll have to die. Wouldn’t it be strange if the number one in the White Snake Corps came to kill you and you survived?”

Was this him finally revealing his true nature? A startled Yeon Baekjin flinched, but Geom Mugeuk’s inexplicable actions followed.

He asked Lee Ahn and Seo Jin.

“Which of you is better at drawing snakes?”

* * *

When Gi Seok opened his eyes from sleep, someone was looking down at him.

It was a man wearing a mask and even a bamboo hat pressed low. Through the parted collar, a coiled white snake was visible.

‘White Snake Corps!’

Of course, the man disguised as a member of the White Snake Corps was none other than Geom Mugeuk. The person who painted the image on his chest was Lee Ahn. Seo Jin, naturally, assisted at her side. “Coil it one more time,” “The tail needs to go higher.” As the two women put their heads together, a convincing white snake was born.

Gi Seok forced himself to remain calm. Surely, this man hadn’t come to kill him. If he had, he would never have woken up at all.

“What happened to the request?”

To Gi Seok’s question, Geom Mugeuk answered in a low voice.

“It’s been taken care of.”

He had altered his voice to sound deeper.

“Then why have you come to me? I’ve heard the White Snake Corps never contacts the client directly.”

“This case is an exception.”

Geom Mugeuk went to the chair placed in the corner and sat down. Meanwhile, Gi Seok had risen from his bedding and sat upright. His opponent had not moved the sword placed beside the bed. That meant he was confident in his own skill.

“Yeon Baekjin said something strange before he died.”

Gi Seok felt a jolt in his chest at those words, but he replied nonchalantly.

“When death approaches, people say all sorts of things, don’t they?”

Geom Mugeuk quoted the exact words of Baek O-Sa of the White Snake Corps, who had already died.

“Most people give predictable responses—threats, hatred, begging. But Yeon Baekjin said something different.”

The very words Gi Seok had hoped would never be spoken now flowed from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth.

“You’re digging up treasure underground, aren’t you?”

Gi Seok was fuming on the inside.

‘Damn it! He should’ve just died instead of running his mouth.’

Gi Seok immediately denied it flatly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Geom Mugeuk spoke calmly.

“It was suspicious from the beginning. To call someone like me—the number one ranked in the White Snake Corps—to kill the younger brother of a mere Hall Master.”

Gi Seok was startled once more.

‘So this guy really is the top-ranked member of the White Snake Corps.’

He already knew the Hall Master had asked the White Snake Corps to handle the matter thoroughly. But to think they had sent the top rank?

The reason was that the Corps Leader had felt an inexplicable sense of dread—but Gi Seok misunderstood it this way:

‘They sent this guy to extort money from us.’

He had underestimated his opponent simply because he was from a martial hall. All he saw in the famed Central Plains Martial Hall was the scent of money. They probably came to squeeze more out of a naïve martial artist, and Yeon Baekjin had ruined everything by opening his mouth.

What expectations could one have from people who killed for money? They were people one should never have gotten involved with in the first place.

As expected, the opponent released a cold killing intent and demanded money.

“Since I personally had to step in, you’ll need to pay an extra three hundred thousand nyang.”

Faced with this absurd demand, Gi Seok could already foresee how this would unfold.

‘Because of that greed, the top rank and even the Corps Leader will all be replaced.’

They had no idea what kind of master resided on this side.

“This isn’t my decision. I’ll have to report to the Hall Master first.”

Turning coldly, Geom Mugeuk relayed his final message and left.

“Within five days, bring three hundred thousand nyang to the main division of the White Snake Corps. For each day late, I’ll add one hundred thousand.”

Summoned urgently, the Sword King entered Yeon Baekin’s office.

Just from Yeon Baekin’s expression, it was clear something serious had happened. The Sword King sat down and spoke as if nothing were wrong.

“I drank with the kids yesterday. I think I’ve had enough rest now, so I plan to resume the work. I’ve roughly picked out which officials to take underground.”

Yeon Baekin spoke cautiously.

“Before you go, there’s one urgent request I’d like to make.”

“Go ahead.”

Yeon Baekin spoke in as calm a tone as he could manage.

“My younger brother was killed by the White Snake Corps.”

The Sword King didn’t seem surprised at all, as if he had already anticipated this.

Yeon Baekin had expected him to look at him with a certain expression.

Was it not you who killed him, not the White Snake Corps? I killed him! Say it with pride!

But strangely, the Sword King wore a faint, unreadable smile. It wasn’t a sneer directed at him—that much was certain.

“There’s a problem. Before he died, the brat revealed the existence of the underground vault to one of the White Snake Corps.”

It should have been a serious issue, yet the Sword King remained composed.

“What did they demand?”

“Three hundred thousand nyang.”

Yeon Baekin pulled a thick envelope from his coat and placed it before the Sword King.

“Here’s three hundred thousand nyang.”

It wasn’t to be delivered to the White Snake Corps. This was a request to take the money—and eliminate them. Their demands wouldn’t end with just three hundred thousand.

“Under normal circumstances, I would’ve handled it myself. But right now, I don’t have the time or leeway to find someone who can deal with the White Snake Corps.”

What he feared even more was the possibility of attracting another wolf.

But he couldn’t just leave them be. There was no way the White Snake Corps would back off after catching the scent of money.

“I’m ashamed to make such a request.”

Yeon Baekin lowered his head.

The Sword King studied him with an unreadable expression, then smiled.

“When you’re doing something big, flies are bound to swarm. I’ll take care of it.”

For reasons unknown, the Sword King accepted his request without hesitation.

Yeon Baekin was the one who ended up flustered. He hadn’t expected such easy acceptance. He had braced himself for harsh words, even prepared to kneel if necessary.

Yet the Sword King smiled as he took the envelope containing three hundred thousand nyang and stood from his seat.

“When do you plan to leave?”

As he left the office, the Sword King replied.

“After I finish class.”

* * *

“Today is my last lesson.”

The Sword King had everyone perform the Golden Dragon Sword Form. Most hadn’t learned it properly, so they simply demonstrated the standard version.

After the trainees had performed the Golden Dragon Sword Art, the Sword King spoke to them.

“Only a handful of you truly paid attention to my lessons.”

He pointed out several individuals—Geom Mugeuk, Lee Ahn, Seo Jin, and even Yu Gwang and Gyo Seok, who had diligently followed along.

“Only the five of you learned properly.”

The eyes of the other trainees looking at them were not kind. They believed those five had only followed the absurd techniques either because they were infatuated with the women, or trying to gain favor with this temporary instructor.

“Follow me. I’ll show you a new world.”

The Sword King turned sharply and began walking away. He didn’t even offer a farewell to the remaining trainees.

The five who had been chosen followed behind him.

The Sword King arrived at the martial stage used for the Yellow Dragon Class exit examination. Standing on the stage, he asked Geom Mugeuk,

“Where is everyone else, and why are you the only one here?”

Geom Mugeuk was the only one who had arrived.

“I sent them a sound transmission telling them to flee. By now, Lee Ahn is likely escorting them to a hidden safehouse of the main cult.”

Geom Mugeuk also stepped up onto the martial stage and stood before him.

“What’s with the sudden move?”

The Sword King asked, feigning ignorance, but Geom Mugeuk already knew his intentions.

“You realized that I’d figured out your plan, didn’t you?”

Bringing everyone here—especially not just him but even the other officials—could mean only one thing: he had planned to take them all underground.

That would’ve been a heavy burden for Geom Mugeuk.

“One shield can’t protect four others, can it?”

The Sword King laughed heartily. He wasn’t the least bit disappointed that the other four hadn’t come. In fact, his expression said he had somewhat expected this outcome.

“If you had been on our side, we would’ve achieved our goal by now.”

He didn’t ask what that goal was. Their relationship wasn’t close enough yet to warrant that kind of question. He had to save that question. When the time came to ask it just once—that was when the question would hold power.

The Sword King pulled an envelope from his coat and handed it to Geom Mugeuk.

“What’s this?”

“You asked for it, didn’t you?”

Inside were three hundred thousand nyang.

“You’re giving this to me even after realizing what I’m up to?”

“It’s not my money anyway, is it? I get to boast to that man that I handled the matter, and I get to score points with you by giving you the money.”

As expected, this man wasn’t ordinary.

“If I’d known, I should’ve asked for a million.”

“If you had, you would’ve regretted it more. You won’t even get to spend it all before you die anyway.”

Geom Mugeuk chuckled as he pocketed the money. Apparently, the shoes he’d given were worth three hundred thousand nyang.

“But how did you know? That I was the one behind this whole thing?”

“The moment the Hall Master told me Yeon Baekjin was dead, I knew.”

This was precisely the reason.

“You’re not someone who lets people you’ve bonded with die so easily, are you? There’s no way Yeon Baekjin would’ve been killed by the likes of the White Snake Corps.”

He had grasped Geom Mugeuk perfectly.

“You’re giving me too much credit.”

“I’m still underestimating you. After all, I’m letting you live.”

And that feeling was related to why he had called Geom Mugeuk here today.

“You didn’t forget about the favor, did you?”

“Of course not.”

What kind of request was he about to make?

Because they were standing on the martial stage, Geom Mugeuk had expected it to be a request related to combat.

But the Sword King’s request was completely unexpected.

“Let’s dig the ground together.”