Absolute Regression

Chapter 628: I Intend to See This Through with Them to the End

It had been exactly one quarter-hour.

Everyone looked at Geom Muyang with astonished expressions. Judging by the blood on Geom Muyang’s hand, it was evident that he had done the interrogation himself.

Geom Muyang slowly walked toward Jin Hagun.

Jin Hagun inwardly felt relieved upon hearing that the White Dragon Branch Leader had confessed.

He had doubted whether the man was telling the truth, but if that suspicion had been mistaken, the consequences would have been irreversible.

First, he asked about the White Dragon Branch Leader’s condition.

“Is he alive?”

Geom Muyang responded with an expression that seemed to say it was obvious.

“There’s no threat to his life.”

If he had died, it would have been a grave discourtesy to Jin Hagun, who had entrusted the task to him.

That made it all the more surprising. He had extracted a confession from someone who didn’t seem likely to talk, and done so without causing lasting harm.

“What did he confess?”

At Jin Hagun’s question, Geom Muyang looked around. It was an unspoken question, asking whether it was appropriate to speak in front of the Demon-Slaying Brigade subordinates.

Jin Hagun gave a slight nod, as if to say it was fine.

“The one behind it wasn’t someone high-ranking in your group. It was a person with no official position in the Martial Alliance.”

Jin Hagun felt a subtle sense of relief, and at the same time, confusion. If it wasn’t the Alliance’s leadership, why had the White Dragon Branch Leader been swayed by them?

Then, a name he had never imagined came out of Geom Muyang’s mouth.

“Hermit of Heaven and Earth Hwa Yulcheong.”

“!”

Jin Hagun’s eyes widened in shock.

He never expected that name to be spoken. It was a name that should not have come up.

Is this for real? Truly? Jin Hagun stared at Geom Muyang as if trying to pierce through him.

“That can’t be.”

Jin Hagun became even calmer instead. It was something simply too absurd.

Hwa Yulcheong was an absolute master of the orthodox sects. Not only was his martial skill unparalleled, but his character was also so admirable that countless martial artists respected him. He had no desire for wealth or power. Whenever he received money, he helped the poor, and never forgave those who committed evil deeds.

And most decisively—

“He was a lifelong friend of my grandfather.”

He had been the closest friend of Jin Paecheon, the Martial Alliance Leader. They had shared many long years together. He probably trusted Hwa Yulcheong more than his own grandson.

To name such a man as the mastermind—how could Jin Hagun possibly believe that?

Not only the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, but even Gwak Yeong found it hard to believe. Among the orthodox martial artists, who didn’t know Hermit of Heaven and Earth?

Jin Hagun declared firmly.

“He must have lied.”

Jin Hagun even began to doubt Geom Muyang. Could he be trying to deceive him for some unjust purpose? No—this was a name that defied deception, no matter how much one wanted to be fooled.

“I must hear it from the White Dragon Branch Leader directly.”

“Do as you wish.”

Jin Hagun strode into the building, with Geom Muyang following behind. The martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade and the martial artists of the branch also followed in behind.

In the center of the spacious room, the White Dragon Branch Leader sat on a chair.

Jin Hagun had assumed that although the man had claimed to be fine, he would still be half-dead. Yet surprisingly, he was intact.

There wasn’t a single wound on his face, and there was even a spark of life in his eyes. Only his clothes were thoroughly soaked in blood.

When he saw Jin Hagun, he showed signs of relief, but upon seeing Geom Muyang enter behind him, he flinched and averted his gaze. He was utterly terrified. It was a stark contrast from the defiant man he had been earlier.

Jin Hagun stepped in front of him.

“Branch Leader Do, are you all right?”

The White Dragon Branch Leader felt overwhelmed with emotion, but couldn’t express it. The fear of Geom Muyang standing behind him was immense.

“I’m here now, so it’s all right. Now tell me again—who is behind this?”

With eyes full of fear and resentment, the White Dragon Branch Leader finally opened his mouth.

“It was too painful… so I blurted out any name! I am ashamed!”

After saying that, he broke into sobs. Anyone could see the injustice in his expression.

Jin Hagun turned to look at Geom Muyang. Despite the White Dragon Branch Leader retracting his confession, Geom Muyang didn’t press him. He looked as if he had anticipated that the man would change his statement.

As expected, Geom Muyang spoke indifferently.

“This is why I don’t trust people.”

He said nothing more. It was as if to say, it’s your choice whom to believe.

Jin Hagun had trusted Geom Muyang when he left the White Dragon Branch Leader in his care. It was because he believed in him that he had handed him over.

But now, he was starting to doubt. Could he truly believe Geom Muyang’s words?

Because of that weighty name—Hermit of Heaven and Earth.

The White Dragon Branch Leader spoke tearfully.

“Please believe me. Believe in my loyalty.”

After a brief moment of thought, Jin Hagun spoke to the White Dragon Branch Leader.

“It seems I may have misunderstood you.”

Jin Hagun’s demeanor toward Geom Muyang changed abruptly.

“Hermit of Heaven and Earth is behind this? I nearly fell for the demons’ deceit.”

He stared coldly at Geom Muyang and said,

“Did you think a trick like this would work?”

At that, the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade simultaneously drew their swords and aimed them at the branch martial artists. The branch martial artists likewise unsheathed their swords.

A tense standoff spread between them.

But in both numbers and strength, the branch martial artists were no match for the Demon-Slaying Brigade. If the order to attack was given, it would only be a matter of time before they were annihilated.

Geom Muyang simply gazed at Jin Hagun with deep eyes. Their gazes entangled in midair.

Caught off guard by the sudden turn, Gwak Yeong was flustered. She wanted to step forward and shout.

I believe in the Great Young Master!

Because she had seen for herself that the White Dragon Branch Leader was not the man she thought he was. She wanted to declare she’d stake her life to vouch for it.

But she couldn’t step forward. This was not her place. Moreover, the one who had promised to save her younger sibling was none other than the leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade.

Jin Hagun apologized to the White Dragon Branch Leader in a gentle tone.

“Branch Leader Do. I am sorry.”

“It’s nothing. It is enough that you now recognize my loyalty.”

He truly looked like a man who had just escaped death. Given his personality, one would expect him to say something to Geom Muyang even in this situation, but the fear had taken such a deep root that he couldn’t even meet his eyes.

“When you return, go see a physician first for treatment. I will report this matter to the Alliance Leader.”

At that moment, the White Dragon Branch Leader flinched. If this reached the Alliance Leader, the fact that he had confessed would also reach Hermit of Heaven and Earth. That he had blurted out the name under torture.

“Please, don’t tell him that I named such a noble figure.”

“I cannot do that. I must report everything to the Alliance Leader. But don’t worry too much. Once he hears the full story, he will understand that you were forced to speak under torture.”

The White Dragon Branch Leader pleaded again, almost desperately.

“Is there truly any need to trouble such an esteemed person?”

Jin Hagun stared at him. The warmth in his gaze vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.

“Are you afraid you’ll be silenced for good?”

At that moment, Jin Hagun didn’t miss the White Dragon Branch Leader’s expression. The unmistakable fluster of someone whose weak spot had been struck.

Jin Hagun pressed him.

“You say you just blurted out a name from the pain, yet of all the people in the world, you named Hermit of Heaven and Earth? That’s your excuse? Do I look like a fool who would believe that?”

Hermit of Heaven and Earth was the last person one would associate with conspiracy. He wasn’t a name one would spit out at random under duress.

Moreover, earlier Geom Muyang had said the enemy leader was among the Martial Alliance’s top ranks. If a name was to be mentioned, it should have been someone from that level.

And above all, the desperate effort to ensure Hermit of Heaven and Earth never heard of the confession—everything pointed to the truth: that he had truly named Hermit of Heaven and Earth as the one behind it.

That was why Jin Hagun felt a chill down his spine, and the thought crept in that Hermit of Heaven and Earth might actually be involved. It was such an improbable name to come out without reason.

The White Dragon Branch Leader continued pleading and making excuses until the end.

“No! Please! This is all a misunderstanding! I was only…”

Jin Hagun, no longer willing to listen, pressed his pressure point.

As the White Dragon Branch Leader collapsed to the floor, Jin Hagun gave an order to the martial artists of the Demon-Slaying Brigade.

“Everyone, sheathe your swords.”

The ones who had surrounded the branch martial artists withdrew their swords and stepped back.

The branch martial artists also sheathed their swords with a sense of relief. They had just brushed against the boundary of life and death in mere moments.

Jin Hagun then offered a respectful apology to Geom Muyang.

“I only acted to confirm that man’s true intent, so I hope you will understand.”

Surprisingly, Geom Muyang had already understood his intent.

“I believed you would.”

“Didn’t you say you don’t trust people?”

After a brief pause, Geom Muyang answered.

“Because you’re Mugeuk’s friend.”

Just as Jin Hagun trusted the elder brother of Geom Mugeuk, Geom Muyang also trusted Geom Mugeuk’s friend.

“My younger brother wouldn’t befriend just anyone.”

If Geom Mugeuk had heard this, he would have boasted about it all day long.

With that, the misunderstanding was resolved, but Jin Hagun’s heart still felt heavy.

‘Was it truly Hermit of Heaven and Earth?’

Even after confirming that the White Dragon Branch Leader had confessed, he still couldn’t believe it.

“What do you plan to do now?”

At Geom Muyang’s question, Jin Hagun shook his head with an expression that said even he didn’t yet know what to do.

And then, he threw the question back to Geom Muyang.

“What about you?”

Normally, he should have said, this is our matter, so you and your people should leave Wuhan.

But he didn’t. If not for him, they never would have uncovered this enormous secret.

From the corner of his eye, Geom Muyang spotted Gwak Yeong standing far off.

Even if he left now, Jin Hagun would protect her and save her younger sibling.

There was no need to help Jin Hagun. It was an internal affair of the Martial Alliance, and Jin Hagun should handle it.

But there was still a reason why he had personally stepped out this time.

Because of those counterfeit weapons, he had nearly killed his own younger sibling with his own hands. That fury would not subside unless every last one of those bastards was wiped out.

That reason alone was enough to justify his decision.

“I intend to see this through with them to the end.”

*         *         *

Demonic Buddha sat alone, deep in thought.

He was in a vacant hut in the mountains near Wuhan. After sending Byeoksan Sword back home, he had stayed here temporarily.

He could control the golden radiance that emitted from his body, but there was no hiding his small stature.

Since Wuhan was full of martial artists coming and going, he stayed hidden whenever someone passed by—afraid that someone might recognize him.

At that moment, there was a presence outside.

“Is anyone there?”

“Come in.”

The person who entered the hut was the Poison King. It was their first meeting since arriving in Wuhan.

Back at the main sect, it had usually been Demonic Buddha who went to find the Poison King—but today, it was the opposite.

“The atmosphere here is quite nice.”

He said it just to break the awkwardness, but really, how could a cold, abandoned hunter’s hut have a good atmosphere?

A brief silence followed. Though the two had once roamed Heavenly Poison Forest together gathering poisonous herbs, they hadn’t seen each other much lately, and a bit of awkwardness had settled between them. They had returned to their original dynamic.

Just then, Demonic Buddha rummaged through a sack in the corner and quietly handed something to the Poison King.

“I found it while out on a walk earlier.”

It was three or four roots of poisonous herbs.

“This is Devil’s Life Herb!”

The Devil’s Life Herb was one of the poisonous herbs on the list that the Poison King had prepared to collect here in Wuhan.

No matter how much effort he had put into searching, it never appeared—yet Demonic Buddha had spotted it easily while on a casual stroll.

“Thank you truly.”

With the appearance of the poisonous herb, the awkward atmosphere instantly vanished.

The Poison King’s eyes sparkled as he spoke.

“Shall we go out for a walk?”

Seeing how eager the Poison King looked to head out immediately, Demonic Buddha gave a faint smile. His eyes truly sparkled whenever poison was involved. One could only naturally think—he truly deserves the name Poison King for his love of poison.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“I’m getting a bit hungry. Let’s have a quick bite before heading out. Wait just a moment. It’s nothing special, but it’ll fill us.”

Demonic Buddha rolled up his sleeves and began preparing a meal.

In the sack, there were several kinds of mushrooms. It seemed he had picked them alongside the poisonous herbs.

He first lit a fire at the campfire in front of the hut, boiled some water, and cooked the mushrooms.

“You gave me the Devil’s Life Herb, so I should be the one to treat you to a meal.”

“Can you cook?”

The Poison King shook his head. It was always Sangseon who cooked the meals. On the other hand, Demonic Buddha’s movements were practiced and sure.

“You’ve cooked quite a bit before, haven’t you?”

“I’ve often wandered the Central Plains alone, having to prepare my own meals.”

Because Demonic Buddha had such a noticeable appearance, he often ate alone while camping. Even on this trip, he had packed the basic seasonings he would need while out in the wild.

Who would guess that the short man quietly cooking in the forest somewhere was none other than Demonic Buddha?

The Poison King quietly observed Demonic Buddha as he cooked. Normally, he had no interest in the other Demon Supremes—but Demonic Buddha was different.

Though the dish was simple, Demonic Buddha’s mushroom meal was excellent.

“This is delicious.”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

The Poison King moved his chopsticks busily. All he wanted was to finish quickly and head out with Demonic Buddha to collect poisonous herbs together.

At that moment, Sangseon arrived and conveyed the contents of an urgent message from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.

“According to the information sent by the Great Young Master, the one behind this incident is said to be Hermit of Heaven and Earth.”

Unlike the calm Poison King, Demonic Buddha was taken aback.

Because he knew all too well what kind of standing Hermit of Heaven and Earth held within the orthodox sects, and how deep his friendship was with the Martial Alliance Leader.

“That is truly unexpected.”

At Demonic Buddha’s words, the Poison King mentioned two names.

“Han Wolgaek and Byeoksan Sword.”

Demonic Buddha nodded. Yes, only someone like Hermit of Heaven and Earth would be able to summon Han Wolgaek and Byeoksan Sword.

If he was truly involved—

This matter had become far more dangerous.

“Even so, the Great Young Master will see it through to the end.”

The Great Young Master he knew was not someone who abandoned what he started midway.

The Poison King silently fiddled with the Devil’s Life Herb in front of him. His gaze now was different from the one he had when he suggested a walk. He understood too—that he might have to step forward himself.

Demonic Buddha recalled the most important reason he had come.

To keep the Poison King from stepping in.

But what if things escalated like this? What if misunderstandings piled up and things began to spiral?

The golden radiance from Demonic Buddha’s body grew more intense.

“Our enemy will not be Hermit of Heaven and Earth—but the Martial Alliance Leader.”