Absolute Regression

Chapter 611: Aren’t They Earning More Money Than Us?

And so, a few days passed.

Geom Mugeuk devoted himself to his duties as acting Cult Leader. In the past, he would have finished his work and headed straight to the Flowing Wind Tavern to drink, or gone to hang out with the Demon Supremes.

But not this time. Realizing that his father had been struggling far more than he had imagined, and had borne a heavy mental burden, he couldn’t bring himself to go enjoy himself. It was also because the role he had taken on was a heavy responsibility.

And today, finally!

“What’s the next item on the agenda?”

“There is none.”

When Geom Mugeuk lifted his head, Sima Myung was staring at him with a surprised expression.

“You’ve completed all the tasks on time.”

Everyone had known that the Young Cult Leader was a bright man, but no one had expected him to adapt this quickly. It wasn’t just intelligence. The Young Cult Leader had a sharp insight into human psychology and a precise understanding of how the organization operated.

‘As expected, blood doesn’t lie.’

The Young Cult Leader’s deep insight made it feel as though one were working directly with the Cult Leader himself.

Until now, Sima Myung had only seen the results the Young Cult Leader produced. But now, he personally experienced how those results were achieved.

“You are remarkable.”

“It’s not that I’m remarkable. It’s just that my determination to get rid of this tiresome job as quickly as possible has kicked in.”

“For someone thinking that way, you’ve handled things extremely well. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As Sima Myung gathered the documents and turned to leave—

“There’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Please go ahead.”

“The Demon Supremes know that I’ve returned, right?”

“Not only them, the entire cult is aware.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk couldn’t hold it in and shouted.

“Then how is it that not a single one has come to see me? Isn’t this too much?!”

He had hoped that whenever he stepped outside the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, he’d see the Blood Heaven Blade Demon sticking his saber in the ground and drinking.

He had wished to see the Evil Smiling Demon towering atop a massive demonic statue, looking down at him and grinning.

He thought the Drunken Demon would come staggering in, reeking of alcohol, teasing him—“Isn’t this tough work? Want this older brother to help you out?”

“No one came at all?!”

Sima Myung comforted Geom Mugeuk with a gentle tone.

“They’re people who wouldn’t come unless the Cult Leader summoned them to begin with. They’re not ones who often approach the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.”

“Well, of course they wouldn’t dare approach my father. But how could they treat me the same way as him?”

At that, Sima Myung asked meaningfully,

“Are you different?”

Geom Mugeuk asked back with a startled look.

“Then are we the same? I’m way easier to deal with than Father, aren’t I?”

Surprisingly, Sima Myung thought the opposite.

“Perhaps the Demon Supremes find it harder to face the Young Cult Leader than the Cult Leader himself.”

“Me?”

Geom Mugeuk looked not just surprised, but utterly dumbfounded.

It was a remark he truly hadn’t expected. At first, he naturally thought it was a joke—but judging by the serious look on Sima Myung’s face, it seemed to be sincere.

“Didn’t you see it the day I returned to the cult? The way Fist Demon King and One-Slash Sword Supreme walked out before I even finished talking? I’m probably the most approachable Young Cult Leader in the cult’s history. And yet, I’m difficult?”

Sima Myung did not agree with Geom Mugeuk’s words.

“I believe they find you more difficult.”

“But I joke around and play pranks all the time, don’t I?”

They found him more difficult than Father? That couldn’t be true!

Still, with a sliver of doubt, he asked,

“What about you, Strategist?”

Instead of answering, Sima Myung simply gave a mysterious smile, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Wait! You should at least answer before leaving!”

But Sima Myung exited without another word.

“How can I be considered difficult when they’re all ignoring me like this?”

Left alone, Geom Mugeuk spoke into the air.

“Jeokyeon, what do you think? Am I difficult to you, too?”

A reply echoed from the void.

“…You are difficult, but not as difficult as the Cult Leader.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

Then why did that clever Sima Myung say such a thing?

After sitting in place for a moment, Geom Mugeuk suddenly sprang up from the Throne Mat.

“Where are you going?”

“I need to confirm whether it’s true.”

“Which Demon Supreme are you going to see?”

Naturally, one would assume he was going to visit one of the Demon Supremes.

“I’m not going to any Demon Supreme.”

“…What?”

Geom Mugeuk strode out along the Blood Path.

“There’s someone who’ll tell me the truth without worrying about my mood.”

*         *         *

Dozens of boxes were laid out in a line across the floor.

Inside each box were various hidden weapons—some containing just a few, others containing over a dozen.

The man walking toward them was Geom Mugeuk’s older brother, Geom Muyang.

“Are these them?”

“Yes, these are the counterfeit hidden weapons that were recovered.”

Geom Muyang held several key positions within the cult, one of which was overseeing the weapons produced by the Iron Workshop.

His primary duty was to distribute the arms manufactured in the Iron Workshop to the various regional branches and divisions.

But recently, a new matter had demanded his attention.

It was the issue of identifying counterfeit weapons being produced throughout the Central Plains.

Various weapons forged by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had been counterfeited and sold through the martial underworld’s black market.

Among these counterfeits, the most numerous were undoubtedly the hidden weapons.

Particularly, those that used launching devices were the prime targets for counterfeiting—because they fetched high prices.

Just the fact that they were modeled after hidden weapons used by demons gave these fakes perceived value. Even though possessing them could lead one to be branded a demonic practitioner, many still sought the cult’s hidden weapons.

And recently, the number of these counterfeit weapons had sharply increased.

Geom Muyang picked up a hidden weapon from the first box. It was shaped like a cylinder.

“This is the Killing Net.”

Listening to his subordinate’s explanation, Geom Muyang fired it at the wall.

Puaaak!

Originally, this hidden weapon was supposed to launch dozens of projectiles like a net, sweeping across the front.

But only a dozen or less flew out and embedded themselves into the wall.

“Crude.”

Counterfeit hidden weapons were typically made this poorly. If the makers had the skill to replicate them properly, they wouldn’t be wasting their time producing cheap fakes in the first place.

However, as time passed, some of the counterfeits were starting to resemble the real ones more and more convincingly.

“They’re mostly being distributed through Honam. We’re in the process of identifying the manufacturer.”

Even though the forgers knew they’d be killed if caught, the job was too lucrative—so the fakes kept coming.

Given the scale of the distribution throughout the Central Plains, it was clearly not the work of an individual but an organized group.

“The next one came in from Hubei.”

Geom Muyang took a hidden weapon from the next box and launched it at the wall.

Shuuuuuk!

Paaaak!

“This one’s stronger than the one we recovered last time. Have they improved it?”

“Seems like it. Their skills are advancing rapidly.”

As Geom Muyang picked up another hidden weapon from the next box, the subordinate explaining the weapons suddenly bowed respectfully to someone approaching.

Geom Mugeuk was walking toward them.

“If you fire that one in this direction, it won’t be an assassination attempt on the Young Cult Leader—but on the acting Cult Leader. That’d be twice the crime, wouldn’t it?”

Of course, even at that remark, Geom Muyang went ahead and fired.

Shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk!

Papapapapapak!

The projectiles embedded themselves into the wall beside where Geom Mugeuk had been walking. Now that was the brother he knew.

“It’s been a while, brother.”

Seeing the two brothers, the subordinate quietly stepped back to give them space.

Geom Mugeuk looked at the embedded hidden weapons and asked,

“Testing weapon strength?”

“Counterfeit hidden weapons modeled after our cult’s designs.”

Geom Muyang tossed the one in his hand to Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk examined the weapon he caught.

“This is fake? It looks pretty convincing.”

“They’re getting more precise by the day.”

“How much do these go for?”

“Anywhere from a few dozen nyang to several hundred.”

At that, Geom Mugeuk shouted in disbelief.

“Aren’t these guys making more money than us?!”

At the joke, the corners of Geom Muyang’s mouth slightly curled upward. He bent over to pick up another hidden weapon from the next box and asked,

“What brings you here?”

Though his tone remained brusque, Geom Mugeuk could tell—the look in his eyes had softened compared to the past.

“I came to see you, brother.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to.”

Geom Muyang snorted and raised the hidden weapon again.

“Move aside. I’m busy.”

“Busier than me?”

Geom Mugeuk let out a sigh as he spoke.

“If I had known there was this much work, I wouldn’t have fought you over the successor position. I would’ve gladly handed it over to the one I hated most. Oh right, that would’ve been you back then.”

At those words, Geom Muyang finally let out a soft chuckle.

Shuk shuk shuk shuk shuk!

Pak pak pak pak pak!

The hidden weapons flew again, grazing Geom Mugeuk’s shoulder and embedding themselves into the wall.

“Alright, enough! Stop pretending to be busy and talk to me for a bit.”

Geom Mugeuk blocked the front of the wall and waved his hands to the sides.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Father has gone into seclusion, and his son who hasn't seen him in ages is now the acting Cult Leader. In a situation like this, if you’ve got nothing to say, then what’s that mouth for?”

Geom Muyang picked up a hidden weapon from the next box.

“The day before Father went into seclusion, he came to see me.”

“What did he say?”

Geom Mugeuk’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

“He told me to keep a close eye on you, to see whether you cause trouble or not.”

Geom Mugeuk raised his voice.

“He said that to you too? Father, that’s too much! Just what does he think of his son?!”

His resentment now turned in another direction.

“If he said something like that, you should have come to help your younger brother.”

“As you can see, I’ve got plenty of work myself.”

In truth, Geom Muyang had gone to see Sima Myung.

He had wondered whether there was anything he could do to help Geom Mugeuk, but hearing that his younger brother was adjusting to the work more quickly by the day, he had turned back. He figured that not helping might, in fact, be more helpful to him.

How could Geom Muyang not understand? If their father had truly been worried Geom Mugeuk would mess things up, he wouldn’t have named him successor in the first place. This was a successor’s training.

Their father hadn’t come to see him because of Geom Mugeuk, but because of his own guilt. Because he felt sorry toward his firstborn son.

‘Father, I’m alright.’

Geom Mugeuk, by becoming the successor, had come to understand their father better. Geom Muyang, by not becoming the successor, had also come to understand their father better.

“Why would I help someone just because he’s younger?”

“Everyone’s too harsh.”

“Everyone?”

“I heard something ridiculous from Strategist Sima today. He said the Demon Supremes probably find me harder to deal with than Father.”

Geom Muyang let out a low hum.

“What kind of reaction is that?”

Geom Mugeuk looked at him, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Don’t tell me… you think that too?”

“To me, you’re a joke.”

“Right? That’s the proper reaction.”

Then Geom Muyang said something completely unexpected.

“But if we’re talking about the Demon Supremes… they might actually find you more difficult.”

Geom Mugeuk was stunned and asked back.

“They think I’m harder to deal with than Father? Are you serious?”

Geom Muyang nodded.

“You stir people’s hearts and grab them by the collar. Even when someone wants to stay still, being around you drags them out onto the stage.”

That was how Geom Muyang saw Geom Mugeuk.

“Being around you makes people feel like they have to do something well.”

He believed the Demon Supremes were no different from him.

Of course, for himself, their father was far more difficult to deal with. He had always wanted to be in their father’s good graces, and that feeling hadn’t changed much even now.

But to the Demon Supremes, both Father and his younger brother were simply others—outsiders. It was certainly different from how he himself viewed the two.

“Father is someone whose actions can be predicted. But you… you're unpredictable.”

Geom Muyang aimed the hidden weapon he was holding at Geom Mugeuk.

“We’re done talking, so move.”

Standing in front of the wall, Geom Mugeuk gave his thanks.

“Thanks. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have heard that from any of the Demon Supremes. Do you even realize how important you are to me? I’ll make sure they craft a doll of you in Maga Village. Though of course, it won’t turn out as cool as mine…”

“Ugh, just take this!”

Swaaaaaaak!

Papapapapapak!

“Aaagh!” Geom Mugeuk’s scream rang out.

The force of the shot startled even Geom Muyang.

The hidden weapon he had just fired had flown out with real power.

“You okay?!”

At his shout, Geom Mugeuk, who had been leaning awkwardly against the wall, slid down to the floor.

“Geez, that scared me.”

A steel needle was embedded just above his head. It had missed by the slimmest margin. The distance had been short, and the power immense—if it hadn’t been Geom Mugeuk, he would’ve been hit for sure. In truth, Geom Muyang was even more shocked than the one who had been targeted.

“You really went all-in on planning my assassination!”

Geom Muyang stared blankly down at the weapon in his hand. Caught up in their conversation, he hadn’t even looked at what he was firing. No—honestly, even if he had looked, it would’ve been the same. There was no way his brother would get hit by a fake hidden weapon anyway.

Blitz Blade.

It was one of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s signature hidden weapons.

Its power pierced through both shields and armor. Unless one was a high-level expert, it was nearly impossible to defend against.

The Martial Alliance had even classified Blitz Blade as one of the Ten Great Golden Dragon Hidden Weapons. Not only because of its raw power, but because the needle of Blitz Blade was coated in deadly poison.

Thus, even within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, the use of Blitz Blade was heavily restricted. In the martial world, poison and hidden weapons were the greatest sources of conflict. Unless it was in wartime, Blitz Blade was banned within the cult.

Chiiiiiiik.

That’s how potent the poison was—bubbles frothed and the wall melted away. A faint blue glow surrounded the now-exposed needle.

“Even coated with deadly poison? This one feels real.”

“That can’t be.”

Geom Muyang shook his head with a serious expression.

Blitz Blade was one of the Ten Great Golden Dragon Hidden Weapons. It was under strict management.

Geom Mugeuk walked over to him.

“A fake with this kind of power?”

He took Blitz Blade from Geom Muyang and examined it. It was crafted too precisely to be called a counterfeit.

“Instead of killing the guy who made this… shouldn’t we be hiring him?”