Absolute Regression

Chapter 618: I'm Worried We Might Handle It Too Well

The Akyang Branch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had been in a constant state of tension.

When the Great Young Master arrived with the elite of the Changsha Branch, everyone had thought it was just a passing breeze.

If something urgent comes up, one might stop by. Wouldn’t gusts occasionally blow through a life lived as a demon? As long as you didn’t get swept away by them, it was fine.

But the wind kept blowing.

The next day, martial artists from the Pyeonggang Branch arrived.

Being close by, their circumstances were well known. The strongest martial artists from the Pyeonggang Branch had arrived. They had even opened their armory and equipped themselves with bodyguard armor.

Starting with them, elites from all over Honam began to gather.

The elites of the Ikyang Branch arrived, followed by the martial artists of the Hengshan Branch. That renowned person from the Hengshan Branch, who had been making waves lately, also showed up, and even the monstrous newcomer from the Yeongheung Branch could be seen.

From other branches and sub-branches as well, elites began arriving one after another.

Only then did it become clear. This wasn’t just a passing breeze—it was a typhoon. Their Akyang Branch was caught right in the eye of it.

And today, finally, a piece of news arrived from within the storm.

Ho Myeong entered Geom Muyang’s room in quick steps.

“A message came from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion. They’ve found the woman from the Iron Workshop who had a burn on the back of her hand.”

Even if the number of women working in the Iron Workshop was small, it wasn't as if there were only one or two such women in the Central Plains. Yet, the Heavenly Communication Pavilion had produced results.

Geom Muyang did not doubt those results. If they said they had found her, then they had found her.

Geom Muyang abruptly rose from his seat.

“Let’s go.”

As Geom Muyang reacted as if to go capture her immediately, Ho Myeong wore a troubled expression.

“But the place she belongs to is...”

Ho Myeong cautiously added.

“She’s part of the Iron Workshop under the Main Division of the Martial Alliance.”

“!”

Geom Muyang’s expression stiffened. It was the name that was the most troublesome to deal with.

Ho Myeong continued relaying the information from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.

“The woman’s name is Gwak Yeong, age twenty-seven. She is one of the three artisans of the Iron Workshop under the Martial Alliance Main Division.”

“An artisan at twenty-seven?”

To have become an artisan of the Martial Alliance Iron Workshop at such a young age—and as a woman at that—meant she had not only talent but had put in extreme effort.

“But she created a top-grade item?”

She had even personally met Gu Yong to sell the item. It was difficult to understand.

“They’ve confirmed that she was away from the Iron Workshop around the time she met Gu Yong. But the problem is, after returning to Wuhan, her whereabouts have been lost. They suspect it’s due to the news of the Black Hand Faction reaching her.”

Judging from her movements, she was certainly the woman they had been looking for.

“In the end, we’ll have to go to Wuhan.”

At Geom Muyang's muttered words, spoken like a monologue, Ho Myeong could not offer any response.

The place where the Main Division of the Martial Alliance was located.

For the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Wuhan was truly a forbidden territory.

Moreover, even if they notified them in advance, entering Wuhan with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's elites was impossible. The Martial Alliance would never allow such an operation.

“I will enter Wuhan alone.”

There was a reason behind such a decision.

“All the elites are gathered here. They wouldn’t expect me to go into Wuhan alone.”

At that, Ho Myeong spoke firmly.

“That’s absolutely not allowed.”

“Then do you have another plan?”

Of course, there wasn’t one. Even so, sending Geom Muyang in alone was out of the question.

“Then at least let me and my subordinates accompany you.”

Ho Myeong stared at Geom Muyang with eyes that made it clear he would not back down.

“If you insist on going alone, then cut us down and go.”

Geom Muyang looked out the window for a moment, lost in thought. Before long, he nodded and gave his permission.

“Very well. Then let’s inform only the Branch Leader here and slip out quietly.”

He meant not to inform any of the other martial artists here.

But the Branch Leader had to be told. If the Great Young Master were to suddenly disappear and someone went looking, rumors would spread quickly.

“Understood. I’ll find a discreet way for us to leave.”

At that, Geom Muyang gestured for Ho Myeong to come look out the window.

Ho Myeong walked over and looked outside with him.

Wagons and carts delivering supplies were arriving in long lines.

As more people took up residence here, naturally the traffic of people coming and going increased as well. To feed all these people, a massive amount of ingredients and food had to be purchased, and more people were needed for dishwashing and cleaning too.

Thus, every day, several carts and wagons transported food and people.

Ho Myeong understood what Geom Muyang was suggesting.

“That’s right. No one pays much attention to the outgoing carts.”

While the incoming wagons were thoroughly searched, the empty wagons and carts leaving were not inspected as closely.

Several days later, a large wagon was approaching Wuhan.

“We’ll be arriving in Wuhan shortly.”

Packed in the rear cargo compartment were Geom Muyang, Ho Myeong, and the elites of the Changsha Branch.

They had removed their martial uniforms and donned plain worker clothes. Some had taken off their shirts, while others had disguised themselves as elderly men with wrinkles and beards. The wagon had been disguised as one transporting laborers to a construction site in Wuhan.

They were more tense than ever before. Though they were elites of the branch, none had experience carrying out an operation right in front of the Martial Alliance’s Main Division.

Instead of reassuring his subordinates, Ho Myeong emphasized the danger.

“As you all know, this operation is extremely dangerous.”

It was truly a mission that risked their lives.

“We’ll be dealing with two types of enemies—those who created the top-grade item, and members of the orthodox factions.”

In some ways, the martial masters of the Martial Alliance were more dangerous than those who created the top-grade item. After all, how many of those martial masters bore grudges against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?

More importantly, since they hadn’t notified the Martial Alliance about this mission, there would be no justification if they were killed by their hands. And above all, this was an operation involving none other than the Great Young Master.

“Our mission is simple. Follow the Great Young Master’s orders and protect him.”

Ho Myeong looked at Geom Muyang and spoke firmly.

“We will serve you well so that we may all return safely.”

What he left unsaid was: even if we all have to die. Ho Myeong’s loyalty was genuine.

Geom Muyang, staring at the steadily approaching Wuhan, replied indifferently.

“I won’t return alone on this path.”

*         *         *

When the Blood Heaven Blade Demon lifted his head and looked out the window, something was floating in the air, flying straight toward him.

Startled, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon watched as a book slowly drifted in and landed before him.

He caught the book mid-air. As he confirmed the title, a glint passed through his eyes, and he immediately began flipping through the pages and reading.

“What if it was poisoned? How can you just grab and read a book like that? You even lick your fingers sometimes when you turn the pages.”

The one who emerged from the darkness in the distance, falsely accusing him of wetting pages with saliva, was Geom Mugeuk.

Without even glancing at Geom Mugeuk, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon continued flipping pages as he said,

“Dying while reading a book wouldn’t be the worst way to go.”

With a cheerful shout, Geom Mugeuk burst into the room.

“Elder! I missed you!”

As Geom Mugeuk ran up to embrace him, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up and offered a formal salute with his hands clasped.

“I greet the acting Cult Leader.”

Geom Mugeuk halted awkwardly in mid-step.

“Come on, why the formality? Between us?”

“Do you have any commands to give, acting Cult Leader?”

“It’s me, you know! That incredibly handsome Young Cult Leader who, after returning from being on an outside mission, came rushing straight to see you first, turning down the other seven Demon Supremes who begged me to visit them first. You wound me deeply!”

Only then did the Blood Heaven Blade Demon relax his expression and sit back down.

“Too much? You’re the one who’s too much, showing up only now to greet me.”

“That’s why I brought a gift, didn’t I? The book you’ve always wanted to read—it just happened to be in the Heavenly Demon Library.”

The book he had brought was a collection of essays left behind by an ancient master. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon had read all the other volumes the master left behind, but this was the only one he hadn’t been able to find.

Still keeping his eyes on the book, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon spoke.

“You do know you're not allowed to take books out of there, right?”

“And yet, you're reading it so eagerly.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon quickly flipped another page.

“This is the only chance I’ll get to read it.”

“No, take your time. It’s a gift.”

“You’re giving this to me?”

“When you say something like that, you’re supposed to look at me!”

Even then, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s gaze remained fixed on the book.

“You can’t give this book away without the Cult Leader’s permission.”

“But I’m the Cult Leader.”

“You’re the acting Cult Leader.”

“Then let’s revise the rules. Interim rules are still rules, aren’t they? Besides, this is an offense to Father as well. If there was a book you wanted to read, you could’ve just asked to check the Heavenly Demon Library. Was that so hard?”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon said nothing and kept reading. The special relationship between father and son was not something easily put into words.

“You’ve been holed up in the Heavenly Demon Library these days, I hear?”

“I figured, if not now, when else would I get to read?”

“That’s a good attitude.”

A satisfied smile curled on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s lips.

“Deciding to read this time was all because of you, Elder.”

“Because of me?”

“After meeting you, I came to appreciate the joy of reading.”

“You didn’t even read that much. You always dozed off after a few pages.”

Ignoring that, Geom Mugeuk continued,

“I thought, ‘Elder must be so strong because he reads so much. That’s why he’s so impressive.’ And maybe if I read a lot too, I could break through the martial wall that’s got me stuck.”

He genuinely believed those words, and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon even nodded in agreement.

“No matter how high the wall, if you stack books like steps, you’ll reach the top one day.”

He meant that one should overcome it by climbing atop the books one had read.

“If you can’t reach the top, it just means you haven’t read enough.”

“I might be the first Young Cult Leader trying to reach the next level of the Nine Calamities Demon Art through books.”

After a short pause, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon responded.

“Which is why your Nine Calamities Demon Art will be the strongest.”

When Geom Mugeuk looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, he was still focused on the book.

But when the Blood Heaven Blade Demon glanced up slightly, Geom Mugeuk was now the one staring at the bookshelf.

“There are a lot of books I haven’t seen before.”

Whether the Blood Heaven Blade Demon took his words as flattery or a joke, he didn’t know—but it was true that the Elder’s influence played a huge role in his decision to enter the Heavenly Demon Library.

Geom Mugeuk began pulling books out one by one to inspect them.

How much time had passed?

“Put this book back.”

“Why? I told you, it’s a gift.”

“It’s fine. I’ll ask the Cult Leader for it later.”

Geom Mugeuk shot him a suspicious look.

“You already finished it, didn’t you?”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon flinched, and Geom Mugeuk pressed his advantage.

“Of course you finished it. You only half-listened to me earlier while you were reading, didn’t you? Right? You didn’t even look at my face once, did you? Wasn’t there a chapter in that book titled, ‘My Young Cult Leader, Traded for a Book’?”

At last, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled broadly. It had been a long time since he’d read a good book, and joking with Geom Mugeuk like this made him truly happy.

At that moment, a report came from outside—Jeokyeon’s voice.

“Military Strategist Sima requests an audience with you at the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.”

Up until now, reports had been delivered directly with summaries of what had occurred. But for him to be called to the Heavenly Communication Pavilion—that meant something had happened.

“Elder, I’m off. I’ll see you later.”

“Take the book!”

Geom Mugeuk caught the book, which the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had carefully sent using Void Telekinesis, and tucked it into his robe before disappearing from view.

As he left and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was about to sit again, he noticed a book sitting in the spot where Geom Mugeuk had just been. A book he hadn’t seen before.

As if he knew it wouldn’t be accepted right away, Geom Mugeuk had even prepared a note.

—The main cult won’t collapse just because a poetry collection goes missing from the Heavenly Demon Library.

It was also a book the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had never been able to obtain or read. In fact, it was a book he wanted even more than the one from earlier.

Even a comment he’d once made in passing—Geom Mugeuk had remembered it.

“You really haven’t changed, even as acting Cult Leader.”

And perhaps, he wouldn’t change even when he became the Cult Leader for real.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled deeply as he sat and began to read the book. This time, he turned the pages very slowly. Even moistening his finger with a touch of saliva.

Geom Mugeuk had already heard that his brother had headed to Wuhan.

The reason Sima Myung had called him today was because someone else was also heading to Wuhan.

A new flag was raised on the topographical map. The character written on the flag was han (寒), “cold.” In the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, any martial artist represented with a flag signified one of considerable skill.

“Han Wolgaek is heading to Wuhan.”

Han Wolgaek was a martial master of the orthodox faction, someone who had lost family to a demon in the past. His grudge against the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult ran deep.

“Coincidentally, not long after the Great Young Master departed for Wuhan, he too set off in that direction.”

It could be coincidence—or it could be something else.

If that were all, Sima Myung wouldn’t have called Geom Mugeuk.

“Han Wolgaek is a high-alert figure to the cult, and we’ve always tracked his movements. However...”

A second flag was raised on the map. This time, the character was byeok (碧), “blue.”

“During the investigation of an unrelated matter, we discovered that Byeoksan Sword is also heading to Wuhan.”

He, too, was a martial artist skilled enough to warrant a personalized flag. The problem was the timing. Just as the Great Young Master made his way to Wuhan, two renowned orthodox masters were heading there as well.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze deepened.

“If they’re going because of my brother, then at the very least, someone with the ability to move two such flags is behind it.”

He didn’t know how those two martial masters were connected to the ones behind this incident, but they were undeniably elite figures representing the orthodox factions. Even if they attacked, they couldn’t simply be killed. Not in Wuhan, especially.

Sima Myung spoke cautiously.

“At the very least, two.”

What if there were other martial masters joining them that the Heavenly Communication Pavilion hadn’t yet detected?

“Please order the Great Young Master to return.”

It might have been said out of a military strategist’s sense of foreboding, but—

“My brother won’t come back.”

Geom Mugeuk looked directly at Sima Myung. Even now, Sima Myung was not trying to send him. In fact, the more dangerous the situation became, the more he would resist sending him.

And even without asking to go, Sima Myung firmly stated first,

“No.”

Geom Mugeuk nodded without argument. He understood that, to Sima Myung, protecting the successor of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was a mission more important than any other.

Honestly, even if Sima Myung had asked him to go, it would’ve been something to seriously consider. Going himself when the danger was still unclear? That would be the worst option. Ignoring his brother’s pride and request just to protect his life alone.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward the green Demon Supreme flag on the topographical map. Sima Myung’s eyes naturally followed.

“Are you worried the Poison King won’t be able to handle it?”

“No, I’m worried he might handle it too well.”

Sima Myung understood exactly what he meant and silently nodded.

If the Poison King unleashed a massacre in Wuhan…

Right now, the strongest force of deterrence in the martial world had been deployed to the front lines.

Both the Poison King and his brother were unyielding individuals. People who would never break. But someone was needed who could act in their stead.

“Deliver news of this situation to one person.”

And so, word was delivered to that one person.

Not long after, the strategist who had gone to convey Geom Mugeuk’s message returned.

He returned and placed a new flag on the map. The person his brother trusted most, the one who understood him best—the golden flag was his.

“Demonic Buddha has just departed for Wuhan.”