Absolute Regression

Chapter 687: Affiliated Sect- Heavenly Demon Divine Cult

“As the saying goes, if you choose the right line, life becomes easier.”

Judging by her looks, she seemed like someone who would never even exchange a single word with strangers, yet the woman casually struck up a conversation.

Lee Ahn quietly observed her.

Up close like this, one would expect to spot at least some flaw, but this woman was flawless.

Even her outfit was impeccable, and her makeup was done to perfection. It was enough to make Lee Ahn genuinely want to learn how to dress and apply makeup like her.

Lee Ahn wondered if this encounter was truly by chance.

She was far too striking to be dismissed as just someone she happened to meet while standing in line.

Lee Ahn glanced toward the other lines nearby. As expected, the line they were in was still the shortest.

“You can’t tell yet if we’ve chosen the right line.”

She continued, looking toward the front of the line.

“You never know what problem might happen up ahead, right? If we’re unlucky, they could cut it off right before our turn.”

At her words, the woman curved her lips into a subtle, mysterious smile.

The gazes of the two women tangled in midair.

It was as if two peerless masters had come face to face—two contrasting beauties meeting in perfect balance.

Everyone around them held their breath, staring at the pair.

Geom Mugeuk was watching them from the closest distance.

The woman’s gaze turned to him.

Her captivating eyes shifted subtly when looking at a man, revealing she was a woman who instinctively knew how to seduce.

Lee Ahn poked Geom Mugeuk in the side.

“What are you staring so blankly for?”

Only then did Geom Mugeuk give an awkward smile.

“You’re so beautiful… I was being rude.”

Seemingly not displeased by the comment, the woman smiled, and Lee Ahn repeated exactly what Geom Mugeuk had once said in the carriage.

“It’s frustrating, but I can’t help but acknowledge it.”

Then she sent him a voice transmission.

—Please kill her, this woman.

It was a continuation of her previousl joke about wanting to kill any woman more beautiful than herself—meaning this woman was indeed more beautiful.

—Isn’t that going a bit far?

—You’re supposed to say that while looking at me, not her.

—Someone stared at Soma like this in the carriage before.

—Now you understand how I felt then.

That was what she said, but she thought Geom Mugeuk’s case was different from her staring at the Evil Smiling Demon.

Evil Smiling Demon was someone she was familiar with, someone she knew had a clear romantic interest.

But this woman? She didn’t even know who she was.

‘Did she really catch your eye that much?’

It was the first time Lee Ahn had seen Geom Mugeuk stare so intently at another woman, and she was honestly surprised.

‘Well… he is a man, after all.’

How could anyone not look at someone so beautiful?

Even as a woman herself, Lee Ahn couldn’t help but be impressed. Yes, she could fully understand it.

If Lee Ahn had noticed, then surely the woman in question had as well. With Geom Mugeuk’s gaze, a flicker of confidence passed through the woman’s eyes.

Changing the subject, Lee Ahn asked,

“Did you come here alone?”

“Yes.”

She was clearly a woman trained in martial arts, yet Lee Ahn couldn’t pinpoint her exact skill level. She didn’t know whether it was because the woman’s skills were truly outstanding or because her martial arts were unusual, but the woman was highly adept at concealing herself.

“It’s surprising to see someone so beautiful traveling alone.”

“I’m not the fearful type.”

The woman introduced herself first.

“My name is Cha Iran.”

“I’m Lee Ahn.”

Geom Mugeuk introduced himself last.

“I am Geom Yeon.”

Cha Iran smiled at Geom Mugeuk with her eyes.

“That’s a very nice name.”

“Thank you. Your name is lovely as well, Miss Cha.”

Cha Iran asked Geom Mugeuk,

“What’s the relationship between you two?”

At her question, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“She is the one I serve.”

Cha Iran tilted her head, staring intently at him.

“You don’t seem like the kind of man who serves someone.”

Then, glancing subtly at Lee Ahn, she asked,

“Where could I find such a fine martial artist?”

This woman…

The way she looked at Geom Mugeuk, the words she was saying—she was openly trying to seduce him.

Lee Ahn glanced sideways at Geom Mugeuk. Stop looking so pleased with yourself!

She spoke to the woman in a firm tone.

“You won’t be able to find one.”

“You never know.”

Cha Iran added, looking at Geom Mugeuk,

“There’s no guarantee a man will guard only one person for life, is there?”

Guard me, not this woman.

Having said everything she wanted, Cha Iran finally turned and gave Lee Ahn a wide smile.

“I’m just joking.”

Lee Ahn didn’t get angry. This was the kind of fight where losing your temper meant losing outright.

“You’re right. If he ever finds someone new he wants to protect, I should let him go without hesitation.”

It was only when someone genuinely tried to come between her and the Young Cult Leader that she realized how she truly felt about Geom Mugeuk.

Until now, she had always thought—if the Young Cult Leader fell for someone, she would sincerely bless them and be as happy as if it were her own joy. Of course, that’s how it should be… or so she had believed.

Even though the Young Cult Leader called her his heart.

Even though the Cult Leader had granted her permission to learn the Soaring Sword Art.

Even though she had become the adopted daughter of the Fist Demon King.

Even though she had become the Commander of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps.

Her heart had always remained back in the days when she guarded Geom Mugeuk.

And today, because of this woman, she realized—

She might not be able to give her blessing after all.

“If he decides to leave, will you really let him go?”

At Cha Iran’s question, Lee Ahn shook her head.

“No. How could I let someone like him go? If he says he’s leaving…”

She looked at Geom Mugeuk.

“I’ll kill him.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at Lee Ahn with startled eyes.

Then Lee Ahn turned to Cha Iran and smiled.

“I’m joking too.”

Though both claimed to be joking, there was an unspoken, taut energy strung between the two women.

Meanwhile, the line gradually moved forward until it was finally Lee Ahn’s turn to register.

Geom Mugeuk handled the registration on her behalf.

Without looking up, the martial artist in charge of registration asked,

“First, tell me the name of the participant.”

“Lee Ahn.”

The martial artist wrote the name down on the form.

“Lee Ahn… Are you a martial artist?”

“That’s right.”

“A martial artist, then. What is your affiliated sect or clan?”

And from Geom Mugeuk’s mouth came something Lee Ahn had never expected.

“Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

The martial artist wrote it down without pause.

“Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, and next…”

After finishing the entry, the martial artist suddenly froze.

“What did you just say?”

Then, spoken clearly and distinctly, came the same four words.

“Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

The martial artist lifted his head, face hardening.

Do you realize you can be punished for making such a joke?!

He was about to reprimand them sharply—

—but couldn’t. First, the veiled woman before him was far too beautiful.

And the man standing beside her was no ordinary person; he could feel it instinctively.

“I heard anyone can apply regardless of background. Was I mistaken?”

“That’s correct. Are you truly from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult?”

“That’s right.”

He hadn’t imagined the cult would send a participant to this tournament, let alone one so openly declaring their identity.

In a trembling voice, the martial artist asked,

“May I ask your position within the cult?”

“That much I can’t tell you.”

“…Understood.”

In truth, Lee Ahn was just as shocked. No—more shocked than the registrar.

She had assumed, of course, that they would conceal their identity with a false affiliation.

And yet, even with that woman standing right behind them listening—

‘He’s not doing this just to impress her, is he?’

She didn’t believe Geom Mugeuk would do such a thing, yet considering how beautiful the woman was, she couldn’t completely rule out the thought.

The registrar handed them the participation slip.

“The preliminaries will be held three days from now.”

Then he turned to the rest of the line.

“Please wait a moment.”

He hurried away somewhere.

Lee Ahn turned back. Surely Cha Iran had heard them say “Heavenly Demon Divine Cult,” yet she showed no sign of surprise.

“You don’t seem startled.”

“I told you—I’m not the fearful type.”

Their gazes clashed in midair once again.

“Still, you picked the wrong line today.”

With those words, Lee Ahn strode away.

As she did, Cha Iran called out—clearly for Lee Ahn to hear—toward Geom Mugeuk following behind,

“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”

With a faint smile, Geom Mugeuk gave a slight bow before continuing after Lee Ahn.

Once the two had left the Grand Martial Arena and completely exited the Divine Transformation Gang’s premises, Lee Ahn finally spoke.

“When a peerless beauty asks you to have a meal, why didn’t you make an appointment?”

“We’ll end up eating together later anyway.”

At her questioning look—what did he mean by that—

“That woman will approach us again.”

Lee Ahn stopped in her tracks. The stiffness in her face melted away.

“Right? Isn’t that it? She knew who we were and deliberately approached us, didn’t she? You knew all along, didn’t you? That’s why you revealed our identity.”

When Geom Mugeuk nodded, relief washed over her.

“Ah, I was nervous. I was wondering if Young Cult Leader might have fallen for that suspicious woman.”

It wasn’t entirely honest. She should have said “beautiful woman,” not “suspicious woman.”

“But there’s another reason I revealed our identity.”

“And what reason is that?”

“Because of you.”

“…Pardon?”

As Lee Ahn blinked in confusion, the last thing she expected came from his lips.

“If you become the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens but under a false identity, what meaning would that have?”

“!”

“‘Lee Ahn of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens.’ That’s how the world should know it.”

Lee Ahn could tell he meant it sincerely. And there was one more reason.

“That way, you won’t have to deal with bothersome trouble in life.”

If people knew the Greatest Beauty was from the demonic cult, who would dare to bother her? Even the most notorious libertines of the martial world, upon hearing she was from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, would quickly lose the courage to even think of meeting her.

‘Ah! He revealed it because of me.’

Lee Ahn was moved. And to think she had been misunderstanding the Young Cult Leader, who thought of her so much.

“But how did you know that woman deliberately approached us?”

The reason was simple—

He knew her.

She was one of the Twelve Zodiac Kings.

The Seventh King—Flower King.

Back when the Twelve Zodiac Kings ruled the martial world, she was the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens.

With such overwhelming beauty, she captured the eyes of every martial artist, but no one knew her true identity.

Rumors abounded. Some claimed she had attained her position among the Twelve Zodiac Kings solely through her looks. Others said one of the Twelve had loved her and seated her there.

But that was all nonsense born from ignorance.

“She’s an assassin.”

“!”

Lee Ahn’s eyes widened in shock. Never once had she imagined that such a beautiful woman could be a killer. Had Geom Mugeuk not told her, she would have found it hard to believe.

A true assassin whose identity was unknown to the world.

In the days when the Twelve Zodiac Kings reigned over the martial world, the most famous assassin known to the public was the Fourth King—the King of Killing.

But until the very moment of her death, she had continued to work in secret.

Branded with the dishonorable title of the Flower of the Twelve Zodiac Kings, it was only after her passing that the martial world learned she had been an exceptionally skilled assassin. The reason she had lived such a life was never revealed.

She had been the most beautiful assassin in martial history—and also the most skilled.

Even though the King of Killing held all the public fame that an assassin could possess, she had never sought such renown.

In that sense, she was truly a blade hidden in the shadows.

The reason Geom Mugeuk had stared at her earlier was first out of surprise, and then because he realized her approach was an attempt to use her beauty as a weapon against him.

“She approached targeting you, Young Cult Leader.”

Lee Ahn immediately tensed.

An assassin and a bodyguard—two roles fated to stand at opposite ends.

Fortunately, her target was not Geom Mugeuk.

“Her target isn’t me.”

If he hadn’t chosen The Dream of the Priestess from the Martial Treasury… If he hadn’t given it to the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress… If he hadn’t then left the cult to meet her… he wouldn’t even be here now. His being here was entirely his own decision and will.

But this tournament had been scheduled long before any of that.

In other words, her current approach to him was unrelated to the actual reason she had come to participate—it meant her objective lay elsewhere.

Geom Mugeuk stopped walking.

He was staring at a poster for The Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens tournament plastered on a wall.

Only then did Lee Ahn realize it.

“Her target is the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.”

The champion of the tournament would attend a banquet with the Unorthodox Alliance Leader as part of the prize. Given her, she could certainly become the Greatest Beauty.

Geom Mugeuk nodded. If she had personally taken on an assassination mission, the target was likely the Unorthodox Alliance Leader. Of course, it was possible she wasn’t—or that his involvement could change her objective entirely.

He intended to account for every possibility.

“Stopping her is simple.”

“You could just kill her yourself, Young Cult Leader.”

“Nothing’s been proven yet.”

“Ah, right. Then how do we stop her?”

Geom Mugeuk’s smile took on a meaningful edge.

“You just have to become the Greatest Beauty yourself. That way, she can’t attend the banquet. Lee Ahn, the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens—saves the Unorthodox Alliance Leader!”

“Stop teasing me!”

Could she truly defeat that woman and be chosen as the Greatest Beauty?

Lee Ahn recalled the sight of that woman walking toward her earlier. Even now, it was hard to believe she was an assassin.

“I suppose it was fate that we got involved with her. Of all times, she happened to walk in when our line was the shortest.”

It might be tempting to think that ending up in the same line was destiny, but Geom Mugeuk knew it wasn’t.

The Flower King led a secret assassination organization—Court of Beauties.

Every assassin in the Court of Beauties was a woman. And not just any women—they were all beautiful.

“I don’t think it was a coincidence that our line was the shortest when she entered.”

“What do you mean? Don’t tell me—”

“Yes. The assassins she leads were standing in the other lines, adjusting their lengths so that she could naturally end up behind us.”

“!”

Now Geom Mugeuk understood clearly why this was not a martial arts tournament, but a competition to choose the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens.

In this place, crowded with countless women gathered from all over the Central Plains, the assassins of Court of Beauties could mingle without drawing the slightest suspicion.

No one could know how many had already infiltrated—but one thing was certain.

“This street right now is full of beautiful assassins.”