Absolute Regression

Chapter 661: The Reason He Stayed by the Young Cult Leader’s Side

“Master.”

At the call of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, Jin Hagun and the warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade realized it.

That the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had arrived here. That the man standing proudly at the bow of that massive ship was the previous Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme had said earlier that she was delayed because she had to meet someone important—now they knew that it was the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

“The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader has come as well?”

To Jin Hagun’s surprised question, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme replied,

“Leader Jin, you have no idea how much the Young Cult Leader has cared for you.”

Jin Hagun thought of Geom Mugeuk. Whenever he remembered him, the first thing that came to mind was that smiling face. He always seemed to be thinking of ways to tease him with silly jokes, yet he never missed anything important. After all, he was the kind of man who could bring that massive ship here in a moment of crisis.

He had no idea how much the Young Cult Leader had cared for him?

“With such esteemed figures coming all this way, how could I not know?”

At that moment, the Waterfolk poking their heads out of the water caught sight of the ship and let out strange cries in excitement. More precisely, it was a feral scream aimed at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader standing at the bow.

Jin Hagun, having seen it up close, could sense it. That excitement and fury were born from fear. Even the Waterfolk created within the Soul Reaping Art could feel the presence of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader slowly unfolded his arms, then reached a hand forward. Something appeared in his grasp.

What extended out with a swish was a fishing rod imbued with a red aura.

“Well then, how about I show off a little after so long?”

Swaaaash—

The red-tinged fishing line shot straight out.

Waterfolk in its path were snared one after another, yanked into the air. As their bodies flew like puppets, a red aura shimmered around them—

Pop! Plop! Plop-plop!

Midair, the Waterfolk let out strange, almost cute sounds before bursting into water droplets.

Swaaaash—

The red-tinged fishing line sliced through the air once more.

This time, even more Waterfolk were hurled into the air and burst into droplets of water.

Those caught on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s line did not re-form as they had before.

To those watching, it looked almost like a child’s game, but the victims screamed in terror and dove back into the water to hide.

“You bastards, where do you think you’re going!”

This time, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader swept both hands wide. Instead of a fishing rod, an enormous net appeared in his grasp. The net, pulsing with a red aura, spread out toward the sea.

Shwaaaah—

In one sweep, the net caught a mass of Waterfolk and hauled them into the air. It was as if the net itself sucked in those trying to flee, holding them tight.

“A full catch!”

Pop! Plop! Pop-pop-pop!

Jin Hagun and the warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade could hardly believe it. Who would have imagined that those terrifying Waterfolk would vanish like this?

No, under the sunlight, the water droplets bursting apart into countless shimmering beads in all directions were… beautiful.

Once all the Waterfolk had vanished, the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult looked down at Jin Hagun below the ship and cheerfully asked,

“How was that? Impressive, wasn’t it?”

In truth, Jin Hagun did not know much about the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult. However, through Geom Mugeuk, he had heard enough about the man to have an idea of his character. So he smiled and replied,

“It was impressive.”

The Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult folded his arms again, striking a pose like a dignified ship captain.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme was the first to leap into the air and spoke,

“Now, everyone, get aboard.”

Following his lead, Jin Hagun and the warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade all leapt toward the deck. Because the ship was tall, those with weaker lightness skills could not make it in one jump—they had to push off the hull midway to reach the top.

Jin Hagun flew up carrying Gwak Ju, who had been a hostage. Throughout the terrifying battle, Gwak Ju had been moved by how Jin Hagun kept looking out for him.

Although he was carrying another, Jin Hagun was still the first to set foot on the ship.

When they landed on deck, Gwak Ju belatedly expressed his gratitude. During the entire battle, there had been no chance to properly say it, and he felt he must speak now.

“Thank you very much.”

To his thanks, Jin Hagun replied quietly,

“You should thank your elder sister. She’s the one who sent us here.”

A wave of emotion passed over Gwak Ju’s face. He didn’t need to be told to know how much his sister must have struggled for his sake.

“Please, you must save her. I have to meet my sister.”

He already knew that he had been kidnapped because of his sister, a master artisan of the Iron Workshop.

He did not resent her. Rather, he worried over how upset and guilty she must have felt because of it. When he met her, there was something he would tell her before even saying thank you for saving him—

I’m fine. It’s nothing.

Jin Hagun told him,

“We will make sure to take you home.”

The warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade all landed on deck around Jin Hagun.

Once his subordinates were all aboard, Jin Hagun walked over to the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

“Cult Leader, thank you very much for rescuing us.”

Jin Hagun offered a respectful fist-and-palm salute, and the warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade followed in unison. Gwak Ju and the Grand Instructor Hwa Song also bowed their heads.

They had, after all, met the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult at the very gates of hell.

“And what is the Young Cult Leader doing, leaving a friend in dire straits without even showing his face?”

As expected, the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult’s first words upon meeting them were to complain about Geom Mugeuk.

“Well, that selfish and cold fellow has always been like that. Makes others suffer but never comes in person.”

“He must be in a difficult situation himself.”

When Jin Hagun defended his friend, the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult firmly shook his head.

“No way! Whoever it is, the one facing the Young Cult Leader must be the one in trouble.”

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult glanced behind him out of habit.

Normally, whenever he cursed the Young Cult Leader, that fellow would appear right behind him—but today, he wasn’t there. For just a fleeting moment, a trace of disappointment crossed his eyes.

Setting the feeling aside, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult came to stand beside Jin Hagun and casually asked,

“So, what has the Young Cult Leader taken from you? A treasured sword? A precious artifact, perhaps? Come on, I’m like an older brother to you, so feel free to speak openly.”

Jin Hagun was caught off guard—he hadn’t expected such a question in such an urgent situation. Cult Leader, do you not see the waves surging toward us?

“No, nothing.”

“Well, in the beginning I was embarrassed and kept it hidden too. Later, you’ll end up sharing everything.”

From this exchange, Jin Hagun could tell the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult was an even freer spirit than he had imagined. Was this the sort of man Geom Mugeuk befriended because he was like this? Or had he become like this after befriending Geom Mugeuk?

After greeting Jin Hagun, the Cult Leader’s gaze shifted to his disciple.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme lowered her head, as if ashamed.

“I’m sorry. I should have finished it myself.”

“No. You fought well enough.”

It seemed the Cult Leader had watched her battle from start to finish.

He looked toward the great wave approaching and extended a hand into the air.

Flaash!

From the void, a blue aura bloomed at his fingertip, as if caught and pulled from the air.

“The Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art spread here is far too strong. This is the first time I’ve seen such a powerful Soul Strengthening Art. They must have prepared this for a very long time.”

Jin Hagun nodded and replied politely,

“You saw correctly. This scheme has been in the making for decades.”

The one who felt those words most painfully was the Grand Instructor Hwa Song. He had spent all those years with Jin Hyeo as a companion, almost like a friend. All that time, he had been deceived.

By then, the wave had drawn near.

Standing atop the wave, Jin Hyeo was staring at the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme.

The wave advanced more slowly than normal. It was likely that as he rode it forward, he had been sizing up the newly arrived Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

The surging wave came to a stop. It hung suspended in the air like a painting, and Jin Hyeo raised it higher until he was at eye level with the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

He recognized his opponent.

“So, the crazy woman went and called for her master.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme felt a pang of guilt for dragging her master into being insulted.

“I’m sorry.”

The Cult Leader was entirely unbothered.

“The fact that your opponent’s mouth is that foul just means you fought him well.”

While reassuring his disciple, he also threw a sharp retort at Jin Hyeo.

“I’m the only one allowed to insult my disciple. Got that, you cowardly old man!”

Jin Hyeo’s aged eyes instantly turned fierce. He had already heard the word “coward” enough times today, and his response was no gentler for it.

“I’ve heard plenty of rumors about you. They say you abandoned the Heavenly Wind Cult and clung to the Demonic Cult.”

Of course, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult was not the sort to lose a war of words anywhere.

“To be precise, I clung to the Young Cult Leader.”

Just when it seemed surprising that he would admit it so easily, he added—

“The same Young Cult Leader who’s been lopping your people’s heads off one by one. Come to think of it, you might have chosen the wrong side to cling to.”

Rrrrumble!

As if reflecting Jin Hyeo’s mood, the surrounding waves rose higher and black clouds rolled in.

“Yes, I knew a day like this would come sooner or later.”

A murderous aura surged from Jin Hyeo’s body, his presence even more formidable than when he had fought the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme earlier. It was as if the strength he had hidden wasn’t just a trifling amount—it was a full third of his power, now unleashed.

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult, quietly watching him, spoke unexpected words.

“When I was young, I once heard a rumor. That someone had appeared in the Central Plains with a natural-born talent for the Soul Reaping Art.”

The Soul Reaping Art Jin Hyeo displayed now was at the pinnacle of mastery. Talent mattered more in the Soul Reaping Art than in any other martial art—without being born with it, one could never reach such a realm.

Even with the aid of the Blood Heaven Soul Strengthening Art, defeating his own disciple, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, with Soul Reaping Art alone was no easy feat. This man had to be the same genius once spoken of.

“I’d heard the news of that man stopped at some point, but it seems that talent didn’t extend to judgment.”

Jin Hyeo smirked. He did not deny being that man.

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult knew then that his hunch had been right. What made it stick in his memory was his own personality—he had grown up hearing he, too, was gifted with natural talent, so when he heard of someone like that in the Central Plains, he’d grown jealous, resentful, and had badmouthed him for quite some time.

“This little ghost-playing world really is small.”

The two men’s gazes tangled in midair, the churning sea between them.

Then Jin Hyeo asked the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult,

“Then why did you let yourself be won over by the Young Cult Leader?”

It was what he was most curious about. To step down from the seat of Cult Leader just to follow the Young Cult Leader? It was beyond comprehension.

“I wasn’t won over.”

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult sighed and added,

“I was kidnapped. By the Young Cult Leader.”

Jin Hyeo didn’t understand what he meant, but Jin Hagun, listening, gave a faint smile.

He understood why the man phrased it as being kidnapped. It was like hearing Geom Mugeuk speak right in front of him—

You, I’ve kidnapped you.

Yes, he could fully sympathize.

Of course, Jin Hyeo neither understood those words nor shared that feeling.

“To dare step into my world of your own accord… it seems you enjoy being kidnapped.”

Jin Hyeo began drawing his inner energy to the extreme.

A blue aura erupted from his body.

Sssaaaaaa—

The fierce wind whipped at the clothes of those aboard the ship. The wind steadily grew stronger.

Soon, the sea began to spray, and whirlpools started to form.

Kwaaaaaah!

And it wasn’t just one whirlpool. Multiple whirlpools began appearing all around the ship. One by one they increased until there were over a dozen. It was a terrifying sight just to behold.

The whirlpools generated beneath the surface grew larger, their rotation faster.

It looked as if they meant to smash the ship apart—but that wasn’t it.

Something rose from the whirlpools.

Puaang! Puaang! Puang!

What burst out were enormous tentacles. He had used tentacles sprouting from his back when fighting the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme earlier, but these were different—these were massive, like the arms of a giant octopus from the depths of the sea.

Kwaaaaaah!

From every direction, tentacles whipped toward the warriors. Jin Hagun and the Demon-Slaying Brigade all drew their swords and leapt into action.

Kwaang!

One massive tentacle slammed down onto the ship, causing it to lurch violently.

The warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade spread, sending arcs of sword energy flying.

The blades cut into the tentacles, leaving wounds.

Puaaaak!

Blue blood poured from the gashes.

When that blood splashed onto the deck—

Chiiiiiiik!

It corroded the wood, sending up plumes of blue smoke.

“It’s poisonous smoke!”

The warriors quickly covered their mouths and noses and retreated.

Jin Hagun sent a wave of palm force to blow the smoke away and shouted,

“Don’t slash recklessly!”

Now that the tentacles couldn’t be cut carelessly, the Demon-Slaying Brigade’s situation grew even worse.

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult still stood at the ship’s bow, arms folded.

One tentacle lashed toward him.

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, standing nearby, drew up the last of her internal energy and thrust her hand toward it.

Fwoooosh!

The oncoming tentacle burst into flames.

With a shriek, the tentacle withdrew into the water. When it rose again, it no longer attacked the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

The deck was utter chaos. One warrior was snatched up by a tentacle and flung into the air.

Jin Hagun leapt up and swung his sword.

Shhhhk—

The cut severed the tentacle, forcing it to release the man. Jin Hagun caught him in midair, pulling him free through the spray of blood.

Watching calmly, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult turned to the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme and asked,

“What should be done in a situation like this?”

“We need to find the method to break it.”

“Find it.”

The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme first looked toward Jin Hyeo. He still stood atop the wave with his eyes closed, controlling the tentacles. Three or four tentacles hovered protectively around him.

Killing him would, of course, make this entire space vanish, but her master likely wasn’t asking for that kind of fundamental solution.

“The method to break it is in the water.”

Since the tentacles had come from beneath the water, the method to break them would naturally be down there as well.

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult looked at her steadily and asked,

“Shall I go?”

“N-no, Master. Your disciple will go.”

Without the slightest hesitation, the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme dove straight into the sea.

Seeing this, Jin Hagun followed after her. He knew her internal energy was nearly depleted.

“I will assist you.”

When Jin Hagun entered the water, several warriors of the Demon-Slaying Brigade jumped in after him.

“Young ones, all of them!”

The eyes of the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult deepened as he gazed at the water into which they had disappeared.

At that moment, Jin Hyeo opened his previously closed eyes.

As the man stared at him, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult patted his own belly and said,

“I’ve lost quite a bit of weight lately. But after having a few drinks with that disciple brat from the Wilderness, my beer belly came back in no time.”

Talking about his stomach now, of all times? Jin Hyeo gave him a look that said, Is this man insane?

Even so, the gazes they exchanged were cold enough to be frightening, neither willing to allow the slightest opening.

“You asked why I let myself be won over by the Young Cult Leader? I was no different from you. I didn’t care whether others lived or died, as long as I got what I wanted. But then that insufferable Young Cult Leader started putting on an act—pretending to care for others first. His pitch-black heart hasn’t been exposed yet, but it will be someday. Isn’t that right?”

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult laughed loudly, and Jin Hyeo replied with disdain,

“Utter nonsense.”

At that, the Cult Leader’s eyes grew even more intent.

“That’s right, that’s exactly it. You grew up being called a genius, and so did I. And yet, here we are. What’s the use of being a genius in martial arts? When two narrow-minded fools like us get together, all we end up with is this kind of mess. That’s why. That’s the reason I stuck with the Young Cult Leader.”

At last, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult answered the question he had posed at the start.

“To try living a little differently.”