Absolute Regression

Chapter 637: I’d Like to Hear That Reckless Thought

On the way back to the Alliance Leader’s Hall, Jin Hagun kept thinking—again and again.

What should he report to his grandfather regarding the Hermit of Heaven and Earth?

It was a task entrusted to him like a test for the successor, so it would have been better to present a clear answer. But in the end, Jin Hagun’s conclusion was this:

“I honestly don’t know.”

His grandfather, whom he thought would be disappointed, silently nodded his head.

Jin Paecheon considered this a natural outcome.

If the Hermit of Heaven and Earth truly was a villain—

Then how could his grandson possibly uncover that deep and terrifying scheme that had even deceived himself?

And if he wasn’t?

Then it was only natural to be confused and uncertain, for suspecting someone innocent made everything unclear.

One way or another, it was not an easy situation to grasp.

Jin Paecheon stood up from the throne mat and slowly walked to the window.

From the Alliance Leader’s Hall, one could overlook the whole view of the Martial Alliance’s compounds.

He had lived his entire life to protect this unchanging scene. And now, he felt that he stood before a battle more difficult than any he had ever faced.

Behind him, Jin Hagun’s voice came.

“Will you meet the Hermit?”

Jin Paecheon nodded.

“A friend was ambushed. Of course, I should meet him.”

The time had come to meet face to face.

But how should he face him?

His grandson trusted Geom Mugeuk enough to believe this was not a plot by the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but Jin Paecheon couldn’t allow himself to think the same so easily.

He had to consider many possibilities. He could end up losing his closest friend to a misunderstanding.

At that moment, an unexpected report came from the air.

“The acting Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult requests an audience.”

Jin Paecheon turned around from the window. Jin Hagun also couldn’t hide his surprise. It seemed he had come without even notifying his grandson in advance.

Geom Mugeuk had come in person?

It had to be one of two things. Either he truly suspected the Hermit of Heaven and Earth was behind it—or they were the ones plotting the scheme themselves.

Jin Paecheon spoke calmly.

“Show him in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jin Hagun could feel the change in his grandfather’s energy. The gentle tone he used with his grandson had vanished, replaced by the dignity and authority of the Martial Alliance Leader.

His grandfather was now standing on the battlefield.

Geom Mugeuk might be his friend and comrade, but he was still someone who could put Jin Paecheon on edge.

As if to confirm that fact, Jin Paecheon reminded him of one thing.

“Don’t forget what rank you said you trusted him.”

Jin Hagun had said he trusted Geom Mugeuk fifth most—after their belief in righteousness, his grandfather, the subordinates of the Demon-Slaying Brigade, and the martial artists of the Martial Alliance.

His grandfather was now telling him—don’t be swayed by meaningless friendship or let emotions cloud your judgment.

“I’m keeping that in mind.”

A short while later, Geom Mugeuk entered the Alliance Leader’s Hall, wearing a bamboo hat pressed low.

He removed the hat at the entrance, then walked slowly to the foot of the throne mat and bowed respectfully in greeting.

“Alliance Leader, it is an honor to see you. Have you been well?”

Jin Paecheon stepped down from the throne mat.

He, too, greeted Geom Mugeuk with a respectful bow.

“Welcome, Cult Leader Geom.”

He addressed him not as the Young Cult Leader, but as the acting Cult Leader. Personal friendships were one thing, but there was a separate decorum to be upheld between the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Martial Alliance.

“Please treat me comfortably. I did not come today as the acting Cult Leader, but simply as a friend of Hagun.”

With that, Geom Mugeuk glanced at Jin Hagun. Their eyes met in midair. Even without words, their feelings were exchanged through their gazes.

It's good to see you, my friend.

You always show up out of nowhere and startle people, don’t you?

Though his grandfather was watching, Jin Hagun couldn’t hide his delight. The moment he saw Geom Mugeuk, he couldn’t contain it. Even though this friend always had a way of startling him, seeing him now brought nothing but joy.

Geom Mugeuk turned to Jin Paecheon once again and spoke with courtesy.

“I arrived in Wuhan today. Since the matter is related to my brother, I moved discreetly. I apologize for not notifying you beforehand.”

It was a greeting on the day of arrival, meaning he hadn’t been operating secretly in Wuhan. In other words, the issue was not that he had come to Wuhan, but simply that he had not given prior notice.

Jin Paecheon nodded quietly and asked in a gentle tone.

“How is it, being a Cult Leader?”

Geom Mugeuk looked up at the throne mat atop the steps. Just as his father’s throne mat had not been a comfortable place, neither was that of the Alliance Leader. If one sat there comfortably, the seat would’ve already been taken from them by someone else.

“I’ve come to understand how difficult it is to hold that position.”

Then, turning toward Jin Hagun, he added,

“Hey, friend. This time right now\... it’s the good part.”

Jin Hagun gave only a faint smile at Geom Mugeuk’s words.

“What? You don’t believe me?”

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Jin Paecheon.

“Let him take it over just for a while, so he can get a taste of how hard it is. It’s unfair if I’m the only one suffering.”

Jin Hagun understood. This kind of jest was Geom Mugeuk’s way of telling his grandfather: “Please, let your grandson inherit the position already.”

‘Grandfather, how could I not trust someone like him?’

He had already saved his life—and even the life of his younger sister.

That man had stood before him in many roles.

There were times when he wasn’t the Young Cult Leader, times when he was, and now he stood as the acting Cult Leader.

Each role was different, but his character remained unwavering.

That was why Jin Hagun could be sure. Even when he officially ascended as Cult Leader, Geom Mugeuk would remain exactly as he was now.

“To be honest, when I first came, I had intended to move in secrecy. I thought this wasn’t our business, but rather something the Martial Alliance should resolve.”

“Then why did you change your mind?”

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward Jin Hagun.

“I remembered a promise I made with that friend long ago. That if anything happened, we would always contact each other. That if either of us were in danger, we’d always help one another.”

Jin Paecheon then asked lightly,

“Aren’t you the one in the most danger?”

Geom Mugeuk lowered his voice, making it sound eerie as he answered,

“Of course, I’m the most dangerous one.”

Just as it seemed he was admitting it plainly—

“But only to wicked men. Unlike you, Alliance Leader, I have no mercy or compassion for the evil. I don’t believe in reforming sinners.”

It was an opportunity to understand Geom Mugeuk’s thoughts, so Jin Paecheon asked calmly,

“Why don’t you believe in it?”

“Because when one out of a hundred sinners is capable of change, the remaining ninety-nine use that one as a shield to hide behind.”

In other words, he intended to prevent a greater tragedy born from misguided forgiveness.

Jin Paecheon didn’t respond with, “But shouldn’t we still try to save that one?” His domineering nature meant that—at least on this point—they shared the same view.

“I, too, have no mercy for the wicked.”

“That’s why I respect you, Alliance Leader.”

Facing Jin Paecheon’s intense gaze, Geom Mugeuk returned it squarely and without hesitation.

“I believed I needed your permission before taking any action in this matter.”

That level of formality was more than enough. In fact, compared to the past, it was excessive. When had the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult ever notified the Martial Alliance before taking action? Only after Geom Mugeuk became Young Cult Leader had that begun to change.

Jin Paecheon asked carefully. From the moment he heard Geom Mugeuk had come, he had wanted to ask this question.

“This matter—what do you think of it?”

Not just Jin Paecheon, but Jin Hagun, too, was curious about Geom Mugeuk’s thoughts.

“You’re asking for the reckless opinion of someone who’s just arrived and hasn’t even seen the Hermit of Heaven and Earth’s face yet?”

Jin Paecheon nodded.

“Yes. I’d like to hear that reckless thought of yours.”

Geom Mugeuk held his words for a moment. Through this brief silence, he made it clear that what he was about to say was anything but reckless. And then, with firm conviction, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

“I believe the Hermit of Heaven and Earth is the one behind this incident—and that he is a villain.”

A heavy silence fell over the Alliance Leader’s Hall.

Jin Paecheon knew well what kind of man Geom Mugeuk was. He was the man who had once brought him and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader to a shabby tavern in front of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s main division.

The man who had made the Unorthodox Alliance successor and his own granddaughter dance in front of a crowd of martial masters.

The man who had danced alongside them.

The man who had ended a successor struggle without spilling blood.

That was the kind of man now speaking these words:

The Alliance Leader’s friend is a villain.

Even before hearing his reasons, Jin Paecheon’s chest grew tight. Because he knew—there ‘would’ be a convincing reason behind it.

Jin Hagun asked in place of his grandfather.

“May I ask why?”

Jin Hagun was caught between belief and doubt.

His grandfather might not wish to face the truth, but he had to hear it—for the sake of protecting his grandfather, and the Martial Alliance.

Though it was Jin Hagun who asked, the answer was directed at Jin Paecheon.

“Because I would have chosen the same method.”

“!”

It was an emotional answer, but one more powerful than any other. And because it came from Geom Mugeuk, it carried even greater weight. After all, he was a man intelligent enough to have made such a choice himself.

“Gaining the Alliance Leader’s trust means gaining the trust of the entire orthodox martial world. If not for the fact that the Hermit of Heaven and Earth is your close friend, would he have received such acclaim?”

Most likely not. The martial world is full of people who uphold justice and show chivalry. And yet, the reason Hwa Yulcheong is known as their representative is simply because he is the Martial Alliance Leader’s friend.

Then Geom Mugeuk asked something unexpected.

“Do you remember the first time you became acquainted with the Hermit of Heaven and Earth?”

Jin Paecheon nodded.

“How did you meet?”

Geom Mugeuk began probing into the origins of their friendship.

Jin Paecheon spoke of that day long ago.

There was a time in his youth when he roamed as a righteous warrior. While rooting out evil, he once heard sounds of a fight coming from a village he happened to pass by.

“When I rushed over, I saw him fighting with bandits from the Forest of Bandits who had attacked the village.”

That was their first meeting. He had helped him drive off all the thieves.

Jin Paecheon caught on to what Geom Mugeuk was implying.

“You’re suggesting that meeting was orchestrated from the start.”

Indeed, Geom Mugeuk nodded and asked,

“Why are you so sure it wasn’t?”

“Because not just the bandits, but many villagers died that day. There were more dead than living.”

Jin Paecheon let out a sigh and added,

“Even children—several children—were killed. That man… he isn’t someone who would allow that.”

Jin Paecheon answered firmly. Even if he conceded a hundred steps, even if the man had approached him with intention, to say he had done so at the cost of innocent lives—of unarmed villagers who didn’t even know martial arts?

He remembered the man holding a dead child in his arms, weeping uncontrollably. Were those tears not genuine? Tears that still lingered in his memory as vividly as if it were yesterday?

“There’s no way.”

Geom Mugeuk did not press the issue.

“That’s why I said it was a reckless thought from someone who hasn’t even seen the Hermit of Heaven and Earth’s face yet. I went too far with my speculation.”

But in his heart, he didn’t believe it was too far.

Because he had experienced something similar before. When he returned to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult in search of Secret Demonic Soul, the final material needed for the Great Technique.

At that time, he had lied about everything, with only one goal—to obtain Secret Demonic Soul.

If the Hermit of Heaven and Earth were a man of similar resolve?

But Geom Mugeuk kept such thoughts to himself.

"First, I’ll investigate this matter together with Leader Jin. Whoever this bastard is, he tried to exploit the Alliance Leader’s friendship. So we’ll respond in kind—by using that very friendship against him."

Jin Hagun nodded. With Geom Mugeuk by his side, he felt confident they could uncover the truth.

And with that sense of relief, he no longer felt wounded pride. Instead, he felt grateful—grateful to have such a dependable friend.

On the other hand, Jin Paecheon remained silent.

Though Geom Mugeuk had stepped back, calling his earlier remarks reckless, it was clear he still believed the Hermit of Heaven and Earth was behind this. If he didn’t believe that, he never would have said the man was a villain in the first place.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk offered an unexpected piece of advice.

“When you meet your friend, tell him everything honestly.”

The scope of that honesty went beyond what they had anticipated.

“Tell him I came. Tell him that my brother and I strongly suspect him. Tell him the behavior of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has been agitating, and that you’re feeling disturbed. Tell him everything, Alliance Leader—how you truly feel.”

It was indeed an unexpected suggestion, but one that came with a reason.

“You’ve held the position of Alliance Leader for a long time, so you’ve surely seen countless schemers and tacticians. If you really put your mind to it, you could probably deceive the Hermit without letting it show.”

But Geom Mugeuk didn’t believe that was possible.

The opponent was someone who had spent decades by the Alliance Leader’s side. Someone who knew the Alliance Leader better than anyone.

“No matter how it is, why should you, Alliance Leader, fight a battle of deception? You already have a far stronger weapon than that.”

The weapon Geom Mugeuk spoke of was this—

“Fight with the truth. You’ve led the orthodox martial world with a life of unwavering honesty. A half-baked truth might only be used against you by a conniving villain, but your truth, Alliance Leader—it will be as unyielding as millennial cold iron.”

But perhaps he simply couldn’t lie in front of his grandson.

With a troubled expression, Jin Paecheon admitted honestly,

“I’m actually good at lying. I’ve lied to people before.”

Geom Mugeuk laughed pleasantly.

“Yes. But fight with the truth this time.”

Of course, he didn’t believe that the Alliance Leader’s truth would defeat the villain. If sincerity and truth were enough, such a person wouldn’t be called wicked in the first place.

And yet, he still said these things to Jin Paecheon.

Because if the Alliance Leader were to meet that man with his current conflicted heart, it would be a complete defeat. He would be swept along by the man’s intentions.

No matter how smart a person may be, no matter how strong, once you allow yourself to be swayed by the opponent, it’s over. In fact, the smarter and stronger one is, the deeper and more fiercely they are dragged in.

That’s why he had set a standard for him.

Even if it might seem inflexible or a bit frustrating, it was that very inflexibility that had allowed him to steadily build everything he had. He needed to hold tightly onto that. To use the reverent and steadfast life he had lived as his weapon.

So that the Martial Alliance Leader, Jin Paecheon, could at least face the man without being shaken.

“If you do that, you might see something that only you are able to see.”