Absolute Regression

Chapter 623: As Long As We Don’t Get Caught

“The Great Young Master has arrived safely at the second residence.”

At the subordinate’s report, Geom Mugeuk and Sima Myung let out a sigh of relief.

Next to the original map of the Central Plains, a detailed map of Wuhan had been created, centered around the main division of the Martial Alliance.

On top of it stood three flags.

Two flags that had nearly drawn close were now far apart.

They were the flags of Geom Muyang and Han Wolgaek.

And between those two flags, one flag had been planted. It was what had driven apart two flags that must never meet.

The Demon Supreme energy of the Poison King.

Yes, if not for that green flag, who could have possibly sent an enraged Han Wolgaek back alive?

Thank you, Poison King. Once you return, I’ll offer this body of mine for as many poison experiments as you'd like.

Sima Myung spoke to Geom Mugeuk.

“Since the urgent situation has passed, you should get some rest now. I’ll handle the remaining matters of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.”

The two had come to the Heavenly Communication Pavilion after receiving an emergency summons while they were working at the Heavenly Demon Pavilion as usual.

It would have been nice to read a book from the Heavenly Demon Library, but he had to do so while still tending to their duties. After all, standing in for his father’s position was far more important than reading.

“No, I’ll take care of the remaining matters of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion. You, sir, are the one who needs rest.”

“I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m not fine.”

Because the Heavenly Communication Pavilion had been placed on high alert, Sima Myung hadn’t been sleeping properly in recent days. The accumulated fatigue clearly showed on his face.

“Come with me.”

Geom Mugeuk grabbed Sima Myung’s hand and pulled. The place they went to was the room within the Heavenly Communication Pavilion where Geom Mugeuk had previously visited him, with the bed for Sima Myung.

“Just close your eyes for a moment. I’m not leaving until you lie down.”

When Geom Mugeuk stubbornly refused to back off, Sima Myung had no choice but to lie on the bed.

“Then I’ll have to be rude to the acting Cult Leader.”

Sima Myung thought that pretending to sleep quickly would make Geom Mugeuk leave, so he closed his eyes.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk’s hand moved gently.

Among all the techniques Geom Mugeuk had ever displayed, the softest breeze of energy flew out and pressed on Sima Myung’s acupoint. It was such an exquisite technique that he didn’t even realize his acupoint had been sealed.

Srrrk. Without even noticing he was falling asleep, Sima Myung dozed off.

After exiting the room, Geom Mugeuk quietly spoke only to the accompanying military aide who assisted Sima Myung.

“He’ll wake up on his own after two hours. Don’t wake him up before that, even if the Martial Alliance invades.”

“Yes, I’ll follow your command.”

The aide, well aware of how overworked Sima Myung had become in his aging body, bowed deeply with a grateful expression.

Geom Mugeuk left the Heavenly Communication Pavilion and returned to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion to handle the day’s remaining work.

Fortunately, he had now become fairly adept at managing internal affairs. Whenever he had to make a decision, he always asked himself:

What decision would Father have made?

That made the choices easier. Rather than asserting his own thoughts or opinions, he focused on what his father would have done. After all, he was merely standing in for his father’s duties.

Once all his tasks were complete, Geom Mugeuk headed toward the Heavenly Demon Library. His day was a busy one.

Upon entering the Heavenly Demon Library, Geom Mugeuk immediately selected a book.

There was nothing more subject to taste than reading. As such, one tended to only read books of preferred genres.

However, Geom Mugeuk once again chose a book at random today.

The unexpected knowledge gained from reading without choosing.

The unusual insight and stimulation gained from books one would never normally touch due to lack of interest—such experiences could never be understood by those who hadn’t tried it.

Geom Mugeuk felt it vaguely.

That he wouldn’t gain something just by reading many books from the Heavenly Demon Library, but that he would gain something by choosing to read indiscriminately.

After selecting his books, Geom Mugeuk flicked his finger.

Snap!

In this field where a cool breeze blew, there was only a desk and a chair.

He had tried various reading methods before. He once strung a hammock between two trees to read while lying comfortably, leaned against a bed while reading, and even lay flat on a warm floor to read.

But in the end, what he settled on was simply sitting at a desk and reading. That was the most comfortable for long time reading.

Today again, Geom Mugeuk read and read.

He read martial arts manuals, history books, poetry collections, adventure tales, and even autobiographies of peerless masters. He simply read whatever landed in his hands.

The more he read, the more he realized he wasn’t gaining knowledge, but becoming aware of how much he didn’t know—a strange experience. With each read, new fields opened to him.

In the past, he wouldn’t touch martial arts manuals unless it was for a special reason.

Needless to say, with the Nine Calamities Demon Art and the Soaring Sword Art, there was no need to desire other techniques—both were top-tier martial arts.

But this time, he even read through other martial arts manuals. They were worth reading. At the very least, any martial art that had entered the Heavenly Demon Library had value.

Geom Mugeuk set aside the book he had finished and opened the next one.

The Operating Principles of the Iron Hammer.

Truly a title that made one not want to turn the pages.

“Chui” refers to weights on a scale, but in the martial world, there were a very few martial artists who used hammers as weapons. In fact, it was so rare that one might not see a hammer-wielding martial artist more than once or twice in a lifetime.

That was why most martial artists wouldn’t even take such a book off the shelf—but Geom Mugeuk was different. He had resolved to read every book, without discrimination.

As Geom Mugeuk flipped through the pages, he tilted his head.

The title of the manual didn’t match its contents. The contents described martial arts using daggers?

Geom Mugeuk examined the cover of the book. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that someone had attached a false cover.

Riiip.

When he tore off the cover, a new title was revealed underneath. It was a completely different martial arts manual, but someone had disguised it with a title that would keep people from reaching for it.

The moment he saw the newly revealed title, Geom Mugeuk was startled. It was a martial arts manual he recognized. One that someone he knew had desperately longed for.

“So this is where it was!”

Moved by the profound fate orchestrated by the heavens, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze deepened.

He immediately lifted the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.

Along with the hidden manual, he pulled another book from the shelf. Both books were meant for him.

At that moment, outside the Heavenly Demon Library, the chief of the guards, Jeokyeon, was dropping off a meal.

He wasn’t allowed to enter, nor could he linger nearby. So he would simply leave the food at the entrance, and later, the empty dishes would be returned.

Geom Mugeuk usually stayed inside for about three or four hours, but considering that, he always came out having eaten an extraordinary amount of food.

Had he suddenly developed a huge appetite?

The quantity Geom Mugeuk requested was enough to make one wonder if multiple people were inside. Yet, as always, the dishes returned empty.

Jeokyeon murmured to himself in concern.

“Even eating this much, are you truly alright, Young Cult Leader?”

He didn’t know. That while it was a single meal outside, because the Heavenly Time Secret Art was in use, many meals were needed. One hour outside equaled seven hours inside.

The one relief was that Geom Mugeuk didn’t gain weight. Was reading truly that exhausting?

“What worries burden you so heavily that you overeat like this?”

Just then, the door to the Heavenly Demon Library opened and Geom Mugeuk stepped out.

“Who else would I be worried about? My brother, of course.”

Jeokyeon jumped in surprise.

“Young Cult Leader! No—acting Cult Leader!”

Geom Mugeuk suddenly dashed off somewhere.

“Never get an older brother in life!”

“That’s not really something within my control... But, where are you going?”

“The kitchen.”

“But I’ve already brought the food!”

“I’m not going to eat—I’m going to cook.”

“Huh?”

Leaving the bewildered Jeokyeon behind, Geom Mugeuk vanished from sight in an instant.

A meal was set in the space where the Heavenly Demon dined.

It was a meal personally prepared by Geom Mugeuk for one person.

Into that space, someone entered.

He was none other than the Evil Smiling Demon, dressed in a pure white martial robe and wearing a white mask.

Standing before the meal, Geom Mugeuk greeted him.

“It’s been a while, Soma-nim.”

This was their first reunion since his return to the cult. He had missed him dearly, but he had reserved this moment with great care.

“I greet the Cult Leader.”

The Evil Smiling Demon greeted him with formal decorum. He did not call him acting Cult Leader, but simply, Cult Leader.

How could Geom Mugeuk not understand? The Evil Smiling Demon deliberately omitted the word “acting.”

It wasn’t out of disregard for his father, but rather, a gesture of respect toward Geom Mugeuk, who had taken the seat of acting Cult Leader for the first time.

“That title... feels strange.”

“It’s a title you’ll soon grow tired of hearing.”

“Don’t even mention that seat. I never realized how much work came with it. I’ve hated reading my whole life, but here I am reading through everything in the Heavenly Demon Library.”

“That’s not the only reason, is it?”

The Evil Smiling Demon understood how Geom Mugeuk felt.

“You’re holding yourself back from rushing to the Great Young Master by burying yourself in books, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

That truly was part of it. No matter how much he trusted the Poison King and the Demonic Buddha, he still worried about his older brother.

The eyes behind the mask seemed to say:

How could I not know what’s in your heart, Young Cult Leader?

With a smile, Geom Mugeuk asked,

“Have you ever been here before?”

“This is my first time.”

The Evil Smiling Demon and a dining space were perhaps the least compatible combination.

Which is why this moment held even more meaning.

“Please, have a seat.”

Geom Mugeuk and the Evil Smiling Demon sat facing each other.

“I prepared everything myself.”

A flicker of surprise passed through the Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes.

He had already witnessed Geom Mugeuk’s cooking skills during their time camping, but to lay out such a splendid table?

“That day, when you took off your mask, didn’t I say I’d treat you to food and wine? That day is today.”

The eyes behind the mask beamed with joy. Geom Mugeuk hadn’t forgotten the words he’d once said in passing.

There was also a reason why Geom Mugeuk had chosen this location.

“This is probably the quietest place to eat, not just in the cult, but in the entire martial world.”

It was an invitation to eat comfortably and remove the mask—here, no one could peek at his face.

It was an act of consideration for the Evil Smiling Demon.

No matter how close they grew, and no matter how deeply loyal the Evil Smiling Demon showed himself to be, Geom Mugeuk never let his guard down in this relationship. Precisely because of that, he maintained utmost courtesy and respect.

The Evil Smiling Demon silently looked at Geom Mugeuk and slowly began to remove his mask. This moment of unmasking felt different from the time after their previous battle.

He placed the smiling white mask on the table.

Beneath it, the face of the Evil Smiling Demon was revealed.

Gentle eyes and perfectly harmonized features. Indeed, even upon seeing him again, the Evil Smiling Demon was undeniably handsome.

“I’ve longed for this day—one where I could drink freely with you, Young Cult Leader.”

The Evil Smiling Demon first poured Geom Mugeuk a drink with formal grace. In return, Geom Mugeuk filled his cup as well.

The two cups clinked in the air with a clear ring.

After taking a refreshing drink, Geom Mugeuk picked up his chopsticks and said,

“Please, try it.”

The moment he tasted the food, the Evil Smiling Demon offered genuine praise.

“You made this yourself?”

In response, Geom Mugeuk pulled out one of the two books he had brought. This was the second book he had retrieved from the shelf.

“I found this in the Heavenly Demon Library.”

Record of Exquisite Cookery by Taesuk.

The book had been written by Tae Jung, once the most renowned master chef in the Central Plains. Among chefs, it was a legendary recipe manual.

“I followed the recipes written here. Of course, I did get a bit of help from the head chefs. But even if I get expelled from my post as Young Cult Leader, I won’t starve to death. I’ll just reinvent myself as a supreme chef.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s joke, the Evil Smiling Demon laughed. Seeing that laugh made Geom Mugeuk’s mood lighten.

The Evil Smiling Demon might look more striking and mysterious with his mask on. But there was a liberating kind of joy in seeing that handsome smile.

“Ah, I had a fortuitous discovery in the Heavenly Demon Library this time.”

“Congratulations. Truly, congratulations.”

The Evil Smiling Demon rejoiced as if it were his own good fortune. Yes—Soma was someone who could share happiness, which was said to be ten times harder to share than sorrow, with sincerity.

And that was why Geom Mugeuk felt so pleased to hand this over.

“It wasn’t a fortuitous encounter meant for me.”

As the Evil Smiling Demon tilted his head in confusion, Geom Mugeuk pulled a book from inside his robes. It was the secret martial arts manual hidden behind the false cover.

Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art.

When the Evil Smiling Demon saw the title, he was visibly shocked. It was the first time Geom Mugeuk had seen him so startled.

“I brought it as a gift for you.”

With a trembling voice, the Evil Smiling Demon asked,

“How... did you know I was searching for this martial art?”

Because you told me.

The Evil Smiling Demon of Geom Mugeuk’s previous life. The one who had once wanted to become his friend.

Frantic Demonic Palm, Blood Disaster Finger, and Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art.

He had said that if those three martial arts were harmonized, one could unleash a divine might that bordered on invincibility.

But at some point, Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art had disappeared from the world, and the later Evil Smiling Demon only inherited the other two techniques.

Whatever story lay behind its disappearance, that martial art had been hidden all along within the Heavenly Demon Library.

Feigning ignorance, Geom Mugeuk asked,

“You were looking for this martial art?”

“Yes.”

“Didn’t you use a dagger when we fought before, Soma-nim? At the time, I thought it’d be good if you had at least one proper martial art for dagger use. Then I stumbled upon this technique, and when I saw that it had the character for ‘smile’, I thought it might suit you well.”

The Evil Smiling Demon’s pupils trembled. Now that his face was fully visible, Geom Mugeuk could clearly feel the depth of his emotion.

The Evil Smiling Demon was once again astonished by how deeply connected he was to Geom Mugeuk. And more than anything, he was overwhelmed with gratitude. So much so that he felt this debt couldn’t be repaid in this life, but maybe in the next.

“This is the secret manual I’ve desperately wished for.”

Even his voice was shaking.

‘This isn’t a secret manual I’m giving him.’

It was a gift from the man he had once been—from that older, distant version of himself from before regression.

Had that man not spoken of it, Geom Mugeuk would never have thought to give this martial art to the Evil Smiling Demon.

Geom Mugeuk thought of the Evil Smiling Demon from before his regression.

‘Don’t grieve so much anymore. Because we’ve become this kind of friend.’

With a bright smile, Geom Mugeuk held out the manual.

“I’m really glad. To think it’s something you needed. I’m the lucky one here.”

But the Evil Smiling Demon didn’t accept the manual right away. He spoke with concern.

“As you know, the martial arts manuals in the Heavenly Demon Library cannot be taken out without the Cult Leader’s permission.”

“But I’m the Cult Leader, am I not? You called me that earlier, remember?”

“Well, that was...”

At Geom Mugeuk’s playful tone, the Evil Smiling Demon showed an awkward expression. No matter how deeply he cared for Geom Mugeuk, his respect and loyalty toward Geom Woojin remained firm. Accepting this martial art while Geom Woojin was absent troubled his conscience.

Geom Mugeuk could’ve made a show of generosity, but he truly wanted Soma to feel comfortable accepting it.

He brought his hand to his mouth as if to whisper and said quietly,

“I already gave one book from the Heavenly Demon Library to Elder Doma. And this cookbook? I’m giving it to the head chef of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion. So you can receive this with peace of mind.”

Then, in an even lower voice, he added. Though it was questionable whether such secrecy was even possible in the cult, where nothing stayed hidden for long—

“As long as Father doesn’t find out, it’s fine.”