Absolute Regression

Chapter 679: Just the Beginning of a Long Journey

The first person Geom Mugeuk met after returning from the hunt was Gowol.

“Young Cult Leader!”

Gowol felt deeply honored that Geom Mugeuk had come to his residence.

“If you had sent word, I would have come to see you instead.”

“I was so eager to see you that I ran straight here.”

“I’m relieved that you returned to the cult safely.”

Geom Mugeuk expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Gowol.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to roam around Wuhan so freely. Thank you.”

In this Wuhan operation, Hidden Moon’s help had truly been significant.

“You look like you’ve lost a bit of weight since I last saw you. You’re not unwell anywhere, are you?”

“I’m fine.”

Just then, a curt voice sounded from behind.

“With the way he works himself to the bone, it’d be strange if he didn’t lose weight.”

When Geom Mugeuk turned around, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult was standing there.

“And when a leader asks if you’re unwell, you’re supposed to say no. ‘Yes, I’m sick!’—what subordinate would say that? If it were you, you’d list every real and imaginary ailment, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. I would’ve exaggerated. I don’t even know all the places I’m hurt, so how could anyone else? If I don’t say it, no one will know. But, Cult Leader, how did you know I’d be coming here and arrive at just the right time?”

At that, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader narrowed his eyes and stepped closer, glaring at Geom Mugeuk.

“I was watching to see if you’d come to meet Strategist Go first after returning from the hunt.”

“I thought so. My survival instincts just pulled my feet in this direction.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader wanted to nag him further, but Gowol’s gaze silently told him, That’s enough!

Gowol asked Geom Mugeuk,

“How was the hunt?”

With a pleasant smile, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“It was the most splendid hunt I’ve ever had in my life.”

Gowol knew well just how difficult it had been to accomplish this hunt.

They had to carry out a successor’s contest without shedding blood, open the heart of the Great Young Master who had been pushed out of that struggle, and even sway the heart of the Demonic Cult Leader.

If he himself had been ordered to do it?

He would have felt it easier to attack the Martial Alliance and win. That was how hard it had been—yet Geom Mugeuk had succeeded.

“Young Cult Leader, I’m sure you’re busy, so please go tend to your other affairs.”

Who else did he need to see besides him? All eight Demon Supremes would surely want to meet Geom Mugeuk, not to mention Lee Ahn, Seo Daeryong, and Jangho.

Just the fact that Geom Mugeuk had come to see him first was enough to move and humble him.

That was why there was something he very much wanted to say.

“Young Cult Leader. From now on, you don’t need to worry about me.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was about to step forward with an expression that said, “There he goes saying something useless again,” but Gowol’s eyes restrained him. Cult Leader, don’t get involved!

“I’m not someone the Young Cult Leader needs to worry about. My role is to take care of the matters that the Young Cult Leader should be focusing on. That’s the duty of a strategist.”

In the end, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped in.

“What are you, a slave? Saying you’ll work hard even if no one cares about you.”

Since Geom Mugeuk was present, Gowol responded to the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader with proper courtesy.

“I’m already well compensated.”

“What compensation?”

“Don’t I receive a monthly stipend?”

At that, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader scoffed.

“That measly bit of money?”

“I receive quite a lot. As far as I know, I’m right below the Chief Strategist.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader was momentarily taken aback.

“Really?”

“Of course. I’m not someone who works for free. I’m the type to secure the best treatment I can.”

When the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked to Geom Mugeuk for confirmation, Geom Mugeuk nodded.

“If it were up to me, I’d pay him the most, but with the Chief Strategist around, I can’t do that.”

Blinking for a moment, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader then demanded of Geom Mugeuk,

“Why don’t I get paid? Do you know how much I’ve suffered at Strategist Go’s side?”

“I know full well how much our Cult Leader has endured.”

“Then why not pay me?”

“If you receive a stipend, it would officially place you under me. How could I dare do that?”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader smacked his lips, thinking for a moment.

“I’ll do it, so pay me too.”

Of course, it was said half in jest. No matter how much the stipend was, he was still wealthy enough to consider it mere pocket change.

“That would be difficult.”

“Why? I’m willing to set aside my pride, so why not?”

“You’re the master of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme—how could you receive a stipend under me? In fact, I should be the one receiving an allowance from you. ‘Young Cult Leader, good work. This isn’t much, but take it and use it well.’ While we’re at it, why don’t you give me some spending money?”

“Enough! That’s enough!”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who had tried to get something out of the conversation, now felt as if he had almost ended up giving more, and looked at Gowol with a dumbfounded expression.

“You saw that clearly, right? You heard it? How he tries to squeeze even a single coin out of me. That’s how merciless the Young Cult Leader is.”

Geom Mugeuk and Gowol exchanged smiles.

“Well then, Strategist Go. There’s somewhere I want to take you. Cult Leader, you should come too.”

Geom Mugeuk led the two of them into the Inner Compound.

Not far from the Young Cult Leader’s residence stood a newly constructed building.

It had been completed only recently, and its main gate’s signboard was covered with a black cloth.

“What is this place?”

In response to Gowol’s question, Geom Mugeuk raised his hand and gave a small signal.

Srrrk.

The black cloth over the signboard was pulled away.

Two characters were engraved on the signboard—

Hidden Moon.

The moment he saw it, Gowol’s eyes widened.

“This is the Hidden Moon Main Division.”

At those words, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader also looked utterly shocked. No one had expected a sign bearing “Hidden Moon” to be put up inside the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Geom Mugeuk had already taken care of the most important matter as well.

“My father has already granted his approval, so Hidden Moon is now an official organization of the cult—my direct subunit.”

It was something Geom Mugeuk had been preparing ever since Gowol and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had traveled across the Central Plains to build the Hidden Moon network.

Gowol was moved. He had never imagined that Geom Mugeuk had been making such preparations for his sake.

“Come on, let’s take a look inside.”

Following Geom Mugeuk, the two stepped in.

“It can’t compare in scale to the Heavenly Communication Pavilion, but it has everything it needs.”

As they opened the door and entered the corridor, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader glanced along both walls.

“These walls… they’re not ordinary.”

“Yes, sharp eye. There are mechanisms installed inside. They’re not active yet, but once they are, no one will be able to enter carelessly. Since this is a place that handles information, security must be tight.”

These weren’t just any ordinary mechanisms—they were the highest level of defensive traps, enough to show how much care Geom Mugeuk had put into this place.

After passing through the long, mechanism-lined corridor, they arrived at a large room.

“This is the operations room.”

It wasn’t just a newly built shell of a building—the interior facilities were also complete.

One wall was fitted with devices capable of processing information coming in from all across the Central Plains.

“This will be your office.”

It had a fine desk, a comfortable chair, and bookshelves, arranged so that the entire operations room could be overseen from there.

Geom Mugeuk then opened a door inside the office.

“This is your personal room.”

In the spacious area, there was only one thing—a bed.

“In here, don’t read, don’t sit and think—just sleep.”

It was a room made with Geom Mugeuk’s concern for Gowol’s health in mind.

Gowol felt truly grateful for such careful thought.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

His voice trembled.

The facilities didn’t end there.

“There’s also a rest area for the martial artists working here. Dedicated chefs will stay on-site to prepare meals.”

Not only were there workspaces, but also places to eat, sleep, rest, and wash—everything was perfectly arranged.

“In case of an emergency, there’s also a hidden space for you and the strategists to take cover in. Of course, there’s an escape route leading out of the building as well.”

If the Hidden Moon in the Inner Compound was attacked, it would mean the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had already been breached—but Geom Mugeuk had still accounted for that worst-case scenario. After all, Gowol and the strategists were non-martial.

“If Hidden Moon ever needs combat support, contact the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps under Lee Ahn. They’ll actively assist.”

“Yes, Young Cult Leader.”

Gowol was truly moved. He finally had a place within the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. This was the moment he saw the fruits of all his hardship, building the Hidden Moon’s network throughout the Central Plains.

Silently, Gowol clasped his fists in a formal salute to express his gratitude.

Geom Mugeuk returned the salute, as if to say he was counting on him.

‘Strategist Go, this is only the beginning of a long journey.’

Geom Mugeuk intended to appoint Gowol as Chief Strategist when he became the Cult Leader.

He planned to have Sima Myung, who had devoted his life to the cult, retire honorably from the Chief Strategist’s position and spend his remaining years in peace. Of course, having worked all his life, he wouldn’t adapt to a life of leisure so easily, but in time, he would learn to enjoy the pleasure of doing nothing.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, who had been criticizing Geom Mugeuk not long ago, asked with an awkward look,

“Don’t I get a room?”

---

After meeting with Gowol and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, Geom Mugeuk headed to the Valley of Wicked.

When he stepped into the valley, the passing Faceless Swordsmen greeted him respectfully.

It wasn’t merely out of obligation to the successor. The eyes behind their masks were smiling brightly. They were genuinely glad to see him.

This was thanks to the rapport he had built with them during the fight against the Dark King. Geom Mugeuk now felt glad to see them as well.

Receiving their warm welcome, Geom Mugeuk entered the residence of the Evil Smiling Demon.

The moment he stepped inside, he said nothing and simply watched.

The Evil Smiling Demon stood in the center of the room.

Floating before him was a dagger—the Millennial Cold Iron Dagger that Geom Mugeuk had given him earlier.

When the Evil Smiling Demon snatched it from the air—

Chak! Chak-chak-chak-chak-chak! Chak-chak! Chaaaaak!

He swung the dagger in a continuous sequence—thrusting, slashing, blocking, and thrusting again.

Short sword arcs formed one after another in the air.

The pattern those arcs created was truly unique.

‘I’ve never seen a trajectory like that.’

If a dagger came flying at such an angle—would one really be able to dodge it so easily?

After unleashing a flurry of dagger strikes, the Evil Smiling Demon slowly caught his breath and looked toward Geom Mugeuk.

“You’ve come?”

With his usual unchanging courtesy, he greeted him. Geom Mugeuk smiled brightly.

“Yes, I’ve returned.”

Walking over, Geom Mugeuk asked,

“That martial art just now… could it be?”

“Yes, you’re correct. It’s the Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art.”

Geom Mugeuk understood immediately—it was a deliberate display in light of his visit.

“It’s truly spectacular!”

“It’s still lacking, but I’m gradually getting the feel for it.”

If an unfinished Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art was already at this level, then when perfected, its power would be beyond description.

“It’s all thanks to the Young Cult Leader giving me the manual for the Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art.”

Then, the Evil Smiling Demon lifted his mask up over his head.

In the past, when he wore his mask, there were often times he would push it up so it sat tilted toward the sky above his head.

Now, he had lifted it in that same way, revealing his face.

“I think hiding such a handsome face behind a mask is like locking the Heavenly Demon Sword away in storage.”

At the overly flattering comparison, the Evil Smiling Demon looked slightly embarrassed. All these expressions had likely been hidden behind his mask until now.

“Even when I’m alone, I sometimes take it off like this. I’m trying to be more comfortable whenever possible.”

The Evil Smiling Demon was changing. Once, he would only remove his mask in front of Geom Mugeuk—now, he was even taking it off when alone.

And lifting the mask up over his head like this, rather than removing it completely, felt distinctly different. It felt freer.

“Lord Soma, you seem different from the last time we met.”

It wasn’t just the way he wore his mask that had changed.

The qi emanating from the Evil Smiling Demon was different.

He had already grown stronger through their two-day sparring and the real battle against an enemy.

But now, the qi he exuded felt different again.

The Evil Smiling Demon smiled.

“As expected—Young Cult Leader, you noticed.”

Even after Geom Mugeuk had left the cult on his mission, the Evil Smiling Demon had devoted himself to martial arts training.

Following Geom Mugeuk’s request for him to grow stronger, the Evil Smiling Demon had faithfully obeyed.

Now, the Smiling Fragrance Dagger Art had begun to blend with the Frantic Demonic Palm and the Blood Disaster Finger, pushing his martial realm toward a new peak.

If those three martial arts could be harmonized, they would unleash an extraordinarily fearsome might.

“It’s all thanks to you, Young Cult Leader.”

“Of course—it’s because you’ve saved my life so many times!”

“I think you’ve saved me more often.”

They both shared a bright laugh.

“By the way, how is Sister-in-law doing?”

Geom Mugeuk had already called the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion “Sister-in-law” before. When Yeo Jeong heard it, she had been deeply moved.

“She’s well. In fact, I was planning to visit her soon.”

“Ah, perfect.”

Geom Mugeuk took something from his robe.

“When you go, please give this to Sister-in-law.”

What he pulled out was one of the three treasures he had chosen from the Martial Treasury—the Dream of the Priestess.

The moment he saw the Dream of the Priestess, he had felt it was something he should give to Yeo Jeong of the Sky Flower Pavilion. He intended to follow that instinct.

Originally, he had planned to deliver it to her personally, but since he had been away from the cult too long, he couldn’t go out again to visit the pavilion. He wouldn’t entrust it to just anyone—but if the Evil Smiling Demon went himself, he could entrust it with full confidence.

The Evil Smiling Demon’s gaze settled on the Dream of the Priestess.

It was just an ordinary cloth that gave off no special feeling. And for that very reason, it was considered even more important. If it weren’t something significant to her, Geom Mugeuk wouldn’t have asked him to deliver it.

“All I need to do is bring it to her?”

“Yes. If my intuition is correct…”

Handing over the Dream of the Priestess, Geom Mugeuk said,

“You’ll know exactly what it is.”