Absolute Regression

Chapter 634: It Seems a Great Evil Has Awakened

There are moments in human relationships when one reaches a turning point.

Usually, people realize it only after the fact — ah, so that was the moment.

But today, Jin Hagun could clearly feel it.

A bridge was beginning to form between him and his grandfather, not made of sand, but of sturdy wood.

“I will place my trust in the Young Cult Leader not as my second choice, but as my fifth.”

His grandfather had shown him the path he must take, so he had to return that gesture.

“I will first believe in our conviction that we are in the right. Second, I will believe in you, Grandfather. Third, I will believe in the members of my Demon-Slaying Brigade. Fourth, I will believe in the Martial Alliance martial artists who are silently carrying out their duties even at this moment. And after I have believed in all of them, I will then believe in the Young Cult Leader.”

Jin Paecheon gave a satisfied smile. His grandson, who had once seemed immature, had grown into someone so dignified before he knew it.

“Let’s head back now.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

The two descended from the pavilion and began walking toward the entrance of the bamboo forest.

Jin Hagun carefully asked. The answer to this question could very well change the fate of many.

“What do you intend to do now?”

Instead of answering, Jin Paecheon asked his grandson’s thoughts.

“What do you think?”

He wanted to see how his grandson would handle a matter like this. He felt that the time had finally come.

“As you saw earlier, the Great Young Master has no intention of backing down. Eventually, the force behind ‘him’ will once again try to sow discord between the main alliance and the Divine Cult. Before that happens…”

He didn’t continue right away — because what he was about to say might trouble his grandfather.

“I believe you need to meet the Hermit of Heaven and Earth.”

So they could find out whether he was truly the one behind it, or if he had been framed by someone else’s scheme.

“And if you meet him?”

“If the Hermit of Heaven and Earth is indeed behind this, he will already know he’s under suspicion.”

After all, he had manipulated the White Dragon Branch Leader to mention his name using Mind-Control Sorcery.

“If we don’t go see him and confirm it, he’ll think we are indeed suspicious of him.”

If he trusted them, he would believe that the Alliance Leader would come to inform him of what had occurred.

“Whether the Hermit is innocent or not, in either case, the fact remains that we must be the ones to make the first move. We must act first.”

Jin Paecheon silently nodded and continued walking, deep in thought.

Before long, the two reached the entrance.

As Jin Paecheon boarded the carriage that had been waiting, he gave an unexpected order.

“You go and meet him.”

It meant he was entrusting the handling of this matter to his grandson.

Jin Hagun had a feeling.

This trial might be the final one — the last test to become the successor.

“Yes, I will.”

It was completely different now from when he didn’t know his grandfather’s true intentions. Now, he could handle matters objectively, without letting their relationship cloud his judgment.

The carriage carrying Jin Paecheon departed.

As the Martial Alliance Leader’s escort departed along with the carriage, the warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade gathered around Jin Hagun, who had been left alone.

Since they were moving alongside Jin Hagun, they understood better than anyone else that something unusual was unfolding.

“We’re heading to the Humble Haven[a] manor.”

Jin Hagun stood at the entrance of the Humble Haven, looking up at the signboard.

Humble Haven.

It was a name bestowed by the martial artists of Wuhan, built in honor of the Hermit of Heaven and Earth, who had lived a life of possessing nothing.

Jin Hagun suddenly recalled that the same characters were used in the phrase meaning “capable of anything.”

Whether the life the Hermit had sought was one of having nothing, or one of wielding absolute power—he would soon find out.

When a warrior of the Demon-Slaying Brigade knocked on the door, the chief steward appeared from within.

Upon recognizing Jin Hagun, the chief steward greeted him politely.

“Welcome, Division Leader.”

The chief steward had long served the Hermit of Heaven and Earth. Despite his impressive martial arts skills, he had taken charge of managing the affairs of the Humble Haven. He had dedicated his life to the Hermit out of deep respect.

Jin Hagun looked past him and asked.

“Is something the matter?”

Behind the chief steward, the courtyard could be seen—dozens of martial artists were standing there. Even at a glance, it was clear that the atmosphere was anything but normal.

The chief steward asked with a curious look in his eyes.

“Didn’t you come after hearing the news?”

He clearly assumed Jin Hagun had already been informed.

Jin Hagun didn’t bother denying it. Whatever the issue was, he would find out once he went inside.

“Please, come in.”

The chief steward led Jin Hagun inside. The Demon-Slaying Brigade warriors followed closely behind.

Those standing in the courtyard were all martial artists from various sects based in Wuhan.

Upon recognizing Jin Hagun, they greeted him respectfully with cupped fists. He was a leading candidate for the next Martial Alliance Leader, and the Demon-Slaying Brigade under his command was composed of the elite among elite martial artists within the Martial Alliance.

The Demon-Slaying Brigade formed a corridor between them.

Jin Hagun and the chief steward walked through the path formed by the brigade and entered further in.

As he walked, Jin Hagun carefully observed the martial artists in the courtyard. Their tense expressions and rigid faces made it clear—something serious had definitely happened.

The chief steward led them to the Grand Hall.

Inside, there were more than ten people gathered, but not a single breath could be heard. The silence was absolute.

As Jin Hagun stepped inside, all heads turned toward him.

They were all familiar faces to him.

The heads of various sects based in Wuhan. Each of them commanded anywhere from dozens to hundreds of disciples.

They greeted Jin Hagun with silent cupped fists.

Jin Hagun also returned the gesture quietly. There was a reason for this wordless exchange.

Among them, a bed had been placed, and a physician was treating someone.

An old man lay on the bed, receiving treatment.

His skin was dark and rough, showing the marks of a long life spent wandering outside. His old and tattered martial robe seemed to have accompanied him through decades.

But anyone who knew him would never judge him by appearances. On the contrary, this rugged and weathered exterior only made him shine brighter.

The Hermit of Heaven and Earth, Hwa Yulcheong.

He had spent his entire life wandering the Central Plains, doing good wherever he went. If someone was in need, he would empty his pockets. If someone had been wronged, he would ensure justice was done.

Even the word "Great Hero" felt inadequate for a man like Hwa Yulcheong — and he was now lying in that bed.

Until he arrived here, Jin Hagun never imagined he would witness such a scene.

And even more so, he never imagined it would be for this reason.

The Chief Steward delivered a shocking report.

“Today, the Elder was ambushed by an unknown assailant.”

Jin Hagun’s expression hardened.

The Hermit of Heaven and Earth, attacked now of all times?

Jin Hagun’s gaze shifted to his arm.

The physician was treating his arm. It wasn’t a wound caused by a blade. The roughly torn injury was far too deep to be self-inflicted.

After finishing the treatment with utmost care, the physician addressed the gathered crowd cautiously.

“The torn and ripped wounds will eventually heal with time, but the real issue is the poison.”

The Hermit of Heaven and Earth had been poisoned?

“If the antidote doesn’t work, complications will arise.”

A cold chill spread through the room — the silent fury of those present.

Jin Hagun and the sect leaders moved a little farther away from the bed.

As Hwa Yulcheong was asleep, Jin Hagun had thought to step outside and speak, but they showed no intention of leaving. It was their silent resolve to stand guard until Hwa Yulcheong awoke.

“What exactly happened?”

In response to Jin Hagun’s quiet question, a young martial artist standing nearby spoke up.

“The Elder was injured while saving me.”

He was Hyeok In, the Sect Master of Jeong Somen, a small sect in Wuhan. He had recently succeeded the previous Sect Master, who had died in an accident.

“Upon hearing that the Elder had returned to Wuhan after a long time, I asked for his guidance. I wanted to know how to lead my sect. After receiving his invaluable words and sending him off, the demonic attackers came.”

At the word "demonic," Jin Hagun felt a chill run through his chest. That was a word that should not have been spoken here, at least not in this place.

“Did you just say it was a demonic practitioner?”

Hyeok In nodded, and as if to explain why, the Chief Steward brought out an object from beneath the bed and held it up for all to see.

“The Elder was struck by this.”

Jin Hagun’s face stiffened as he recognized what it was.

To his shock, it was Blitz Blade — a hidden weapon of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

The very weapon that had drawn Geom Muyang to Wuhan had now revealed itself before Jin Hagun as well.

“What became of the assailant?”

“They died by the Elder’s hand.”

A middle-aged martial artist standing nearby stepped forward.

He was Go Hyeong, the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect. A man who had once lost an arm fighting demonic practitioners, and who even in his sleep would grind his teeth at the very mention of the demonic cult.

“As you know, that hidden weapon has been designated by the Martial Alliance as one of the Ten Great Golden Dragon Hidden Weapons used by the demonic cult. If not for such a filthy, despicable weapon, how could the Elder have been harmed?”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

The other sect leaders neither agreed with his words nor denied them.

If the demonic cult was truly behind this, then this matter would never end with just an apology.

At that moment, another person stepped forward. It was Hwang Geun, the Sect Master of Wuhan’s Jade Pine Sect. He was someone who deeply revered the Hermit of Heaven and Earth and treated him as a teacher.

He walked once again toward the bed, looked down at Hwa Yulcheong, and spoke in a quiet voice.

“Whoever is behind this... I will devote the rest of my life to finding the fiend responsible.”

The other sect leaders nodded and stood before the bed as well.

Though all upright martial artists respected the Hermit of Heaven and Earth, the ones gathered here were those who would willingly give their lives for him.

If they began to move, Wuhan’s martial world would move with them — and if Wuhan moved, all of the martial world would be stirred.

Jin Hagun silently looked down at Hwa Yulcheong.

‘Was this all staged? Or was it truly an attack?’

At this point, he couldn't be sure.

But one thing was certain.

Even without uttering a single word in his unconscious state, the Hermit was igniting the flames of righteous fury in these elite orthodox warriors.

The demonic cult tried to kill the Hermit of Heaven and Earth!

What a massive storm this would become. For now, it was just these few who knew — but once word spread, the entire martial world would be turned upside down.

Hwang Geun turned to Jin Hagun and said,

“Division Leader Jin, I hope the Martial Alliance won’t overlook this matter.”

At that, the others turned as well. All their gazes locked onto Jin Hagun.

“The Martial Alliance must deploy the Celestial Silk Snare to prevent the culprit from escaping.”

“We must issue a formal protest to the demonic cult!”

Their demands followed one after another, but Jin Hagun remained silent.

‘Is this what you wanted? Are you truly trying to escape this mess by using them as your shield? A warning — don’t come for me. Because if you do, everyone will move. Is this how you chose to deliver it?’

Those gathered stood before Hwa Yulcheong.

It was not a wall formed simply because an orthodox martial artist had been ambushed.

It was a wall built from decades of trust, a wall of respect.

A wall constructed through countless years of effort.

And because of that, it was not something that could be easily toppled.

At that moment, a quiet voice called out from behind them.

“…That’s enough, everyone.”

With that, the room fell silent. The voice had come from the bed at the back.

As everyone turned in shock, they saw Hwa Yulcheong awakening and rising from the bed.

“Elder!”

“Master, you’re awake!”

“Thank the heavens!”

Everyone rushed to his side in relief.

“Why are you all making such a fuss over something so trivial?”

As the presence of the man who had been asleep awakened, it overwhelmed everyone present.

His presence wasn’t sharp or forceful. It was a presence of unmatched gentleness.

Yet it was a gentleness that no strength could ever break.

Hwang Geun checked his condition first.

“Something trivial? Elder, you were struck by poison!”

But Hwa Yulcheong replied as if it were nothing.

“I’ve suppressed it with my internal energy, so it’s fine.”

This time, the Sect Master of One-Sword Sect could no longer contain himself and shouted.

“It was the work of the demonic cult!”

“Nonsense! Just because their hidden weapon was found, how can you conclude it was the demonic cult?”

He reacted in a way entirely different from what Jin Hagun had expected.

“I’m fine, so don’t escalate the situation unnecessarily. If we start a conflict with the demonic cult over something unconfirmed, many innocent lives will be lost. Don’t act rashly, and be cautious with your words.”

After sternly rebuking them, he looked through the gathered crowd, searching for someone.

The one he sought was the young Hyeok In, whom he had saved.

“Are you alright?”

When he smiled at him, Hyeok In was deeply moved and bowed deeply.

“I will never forget the grace you’ve shown me.”

“What use is there in remembering this old man? Just take good care of your people. You remember everything I told you, don’t you?”

“Elder…”

Hyeok In lowered his head and let his tears fall.

Finally, Hwa Yulcheong’s gaze turned to Jin Hagun.

If it were just the two of them, he would have called him by name, Hagun. But now, he addressed him formally as the Division Leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade.

“Division Leader Jin.”

“Elder.”

Their eyes met midair. Hwa Yulcheong looked at Jin Hagun with the same gentle and compassionate gaze as always.

He had always smiled at him warmly since Jin Hagun was a child, never once changing.

Was this really the man behind the conspiracy?

That was what made it so confusing.

That was what made it even more suspicious.

Hwa Yulcheong calmly asked,

“What is happening in Wuhan?”

That’s what I want to ask you.

What are you planning to do here in Wuhan?

Everyone awaited Jin Hagun’s answer.

As the leader of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, they believed he might know something they didn’t.

Whether it was truly the work of the demonic cult or not, the ambush on the Hermit of Heaven and Earth was no small matter.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet. However, in this once peaceful martial world…”

Jin Hagun looked steadily at Hwa Yulcheong and quietly added,

“…it seems a great evil has awakened.”

[a]TL/N: Okay, so "Humble Haven/Musojang" (무소장) is a compound term that can be interpreted both as "a place/being of no possession" and "a place/being capable of anything," reflecting the dual meaning embedded in its characters.