Absolute Regression

Chapter 690: Is It Something to Get Angry About?

An Hu-pyeong slowly rose from his seat and turned around.

As stylish and composed as possible.

“I am from the Divine Transformation Gang……”

The moment he looked at Lee Ahn, An Hu-pyeong was at a loss for words.

Those eyes looking at him from behind the veil.

Eyes that seemed to suck in the soul—how could such eyes exist in this world?

Yet they were right here.

He felt his mind go blank as his heart began to pound violently.

A natural resolve born out of that violent pounding.

‘I will make this woman mine, no matter what.’

The determination was so loud that even Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn, who were facing him, could sense it.

“Who are you?”

Only after Lee Ahn’s question did An Hu-pyeong come to his senses and finish introducing himself.

“I am An Hu-pyeong, Vice Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang.”

He spoke confidently, but the reaction he expected did not come.

Lee Ahn just kept staring straight at him.

“I’ve introduced myself.”

It was a clear cue for her to introduce herself as well, so Lee Ahn spoke softly.

“Seems you already knew who I was when you came here.”

“Of course.”

Even though the other was a demonic practitioner, An Hu-pyeong was not afraid at all.

To him, who had never properly encountered a demonic practitioner, the Demonic Cult was nothing more than a distant existence outside the greenhouse.

“What is the reason you sought me out?”

An Hu-pyeong was experiencing something unfamiliar. No woman who knew of his status had ever acted so coldly toward him.

‘Is this what women of the Demonic Cult are like?’

He had fallen for this woman at first sight. It had been such a long time since his heart had pounded like this.

“Please, sit down.”

Lee Ahn waited for Geom Mugeuk’s sound transmission, but he said nothing. A silent order telling her to handle it herself.

―This matter must also be connected with the Divine Transformation Gang, right?

At least he responded to her sound transmission.

―Not just connected, but deeply entangled.

In battles like this, the side with more information always had the advantage.

―Let’s use this man to learn about the internal affairs of the Divine Transformation Gang.

Lee Ahn sat across from An Hu-pyeong.

When Geom Mugeuk stood behind her, only then did An Hu-pyeong register his presence.

Yet, astonishingly, he kept his eyes fixed only on Lee Ahn.

With feelings like that, how could he be pleased with the presence of this young, handsome guard? An Hu-pyeong shot Geom Mugeuk a cold glare, but Geom Mugeuk calmly pretended not to notice.

Watching that reaction, Sa Chu felt a strange sense of familiarity.

That composure—where had he felt it before?

How could a mere guard act with such composure…… As that thought connected, Sa Chu flinched in shock.

That handsome man behind the veil!

Sa Chu remembered the Evil Smiling Demon. That man too had stood behind the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion with the very same composed presence.

On the other hand, An Hu-pyeong could not take his eyes off Lee Ahn.

“I have roamed across the Central Plains and met many martial artists of the Demonic Cult, but I believe this is the first time I have seen someone as beautiful as you.”

“Who from our Cult have you met?”

He had not expected her to ask so directly, and inwardly he was flustered. What demonic practitioners did he really know? In the end, he dragged up the only names he had ever picked up like scraps from gossip.

“I have met the Demon Supreme before.”

This boast, in truth, was not a complete lie. He really had met the Demon Supreme once without realizing it himself. That time, he had even been warned that if he dared laugh again, he would die.

Before the woman sitting across from him could ask which Demon Supreme he meant, An Hu-pyeong hurriedly added,

“Ah, and last time I also briefly met the Demonic Army Commander. There was a matter involving my gang that required cooperation.”

The only names from the Demonic Cult he had ever heard were the Demon Supreme and the Demonic Army Commander. Still, compared to the Demon Supreme, the Demonic Army Commander felt easier to speak about.

Lee Ahn gave a faint smile. It was clearly a mocking smile, yet he completely misinterpreted it.

‘That’s right. I said I knew the Demon Supreme and the Demonic Army Commander. How could you treat me so arrogantly now? Do I not look different to you now?’

Emboldened, An Hu-pyeong even asked,

“Have you ever seen the Demonic Army Commander yourself?”

When Lee Ahn only continued smiling, he grew more excited.

“Of course you haven’t. He’s far too busy a man. Even I only saw him for the briefest moment. But the next time you come to Anhui, I will personally host you at a fine place. Then, we can go see him together.”

Boasting nonsense, An Hu-pyeong pushed a drink toward Lee Ahn.

“Come now, accept a cup from me.”

“No, thank you.”

Though Lee Ahn declined, he presumptuously filled the cup in front of her.

“Between people meeting for the first time, a drink is what makes things easier, don’t you agree? Come, let us drink.”

“I don’t drink just any liquor offered by anyone.”

“By anyone?”

“I know nothing about you. I don’t even know if you’re truly the Vice Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang.”

At that, An Hu-pyeong seized the chance to offer,

“Would you like to visit our gang yourself?”

“I was there earlier today for the preliminary round.”

“Not that. Don’t you want to see the stage where the finals will be held? If we are lucky, you might even get the chance to greet one of the examiners.”

Hearing this, Sa Chu’s expression darkened. He understood exactly who his master was referring to—the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion.

To bring her there just to impress a woman? His master was more than capable of pulling off such absurdity.

‘That place is forbidden!’

He truly never wanted to set foot in that guest hall again.

“Let us go. You will not regret it, young lady.”

Lee Ahn, who had risen from her seat, hesitated for a moment.

He had never allowed a woman to look down on him before, yet now he waited only for her answer.

“I’ll change my clothes and come down.”

Saying that, Lee Ahn went upstairs.

An Hu-pyeong smiled in satisfaction.

‘It’s done! She’s fallen for it!’

Of course. What good was all that haughty pretense? Could she refuse when the Vice Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang himself invited her?

At that moment, his eyes met Geom Mugeuk’s as the latter followed Lee Ahn upstairs.

Geom Mugeuk pretended not to notice the fierce glare directed at him and also went up to the second floor.

“That fellow beside the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion, and now this one too. Why are there always these unpleasant men sticking close to women?”

If he sensed that much, he should have kept his distance!

Sa Chu barely stopped himself from blurting that out.

Perhaps because he was reminded of the one who had guarded the Master of the Sky Flower Pavilion, Sa Chu felt something off about the atmosphere between those two just now.

“You must be cautious, sir. We don’t even know what position that woman holds in the Demonic Cult.”

“Why? Do you think she’s hiding some great skill?”

The problem was precisely that it could not be determined. Usually, such cases came down to two possibilities—either she had no great skill and thus it went unnoticed, or she was vastly stronger.

Of course, there was no way such a young woman could be vastly stronger than him. Besides, that young guard standing behind her seemed weak as well.

And yet—why did he feel such unease?

There was a reason An Hu-pyeong was convinced Lee Ahn could not be a master.

“With that face, how could she have great martial ability? Tell me, if you had a face like that, would you waste time training martial arts?”

It was not the only reason—his own desire that she not be some extraordinary woman added weight to his belief.

“Would a woman of truly great status participate in a mere tournament like this? Stop worrying pointlessly and tell the attendants to tidy up my room. Prepare liquor and food as well.”

While he was indulging in dreams that could never come true, Lee Ahn was asking Geom Mugeuk for his opinion.

“Are you sure it’s fine to go?”

“You already decided, didn’t you?”

“I’m just worried it was the wrong decision. Ah! Decisions are the hardest thing in the world! From now on, Young Master, you make the decisions. If you say, ‘Beat him up,’ I’ll beat him. If you say, ‘Kill him and bury him,’ I’ll bury him!”

“Young Lady, I am only a guard.”

“That’s my life you’re holding! Give it back, my life!”

Though she whined dramatically, in truth Lee Ahn had already made a firm decision.

She only played like this because it was Geom Mugeuk. She knew all too well how dangerous this mission was.

This time, it was an assassination plot aimed at killing the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance without her even realizing it. It was the very scheme that had surfaced in the prophecy of Geom Mugeuk being stabbed in the chest by the dagger of the Evil Smiling Demon.

Lee Ahn placed the white palace dress that Geom Mugeuk had brought on the bed.

If it could prevent that incident from happening, she would not hesitate to go up on stage naked, let alone wearing this dress.

“Are you really going in that outfit?”

“If I’m doing it, I might as well do it properly.”

While she changed clothes, Geom Mugeuk waited at the door.

Moments later, the door opened and Lee Ahn stepped out.

Dressed in a pure white palace gown, she walked out with a shy expression. It was a dress that should not be worn with a sword, but because she wore one, it gave her an unexpectedly unique charm.

Her heart pounded, wondering how Geom Mugeuk would react.

“That woman lied.”

“What?”

“She said if your face is pure, then pairing it with a pure dress would be boring and dull. But, Lee Ahn, you look twice as pure.”

Lee Ahn smiled brightly. Hearing such words from Geom Mugeuk was far more joyful than thousands praising her beauty.

“I’m going to be rich.”

“What?”

“In a tournament like this, surely there’s gambling on who will become the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens. I’ll bet my entire fortune on you.”

“What if you lose everything?”

“Then you’ll have to work under me for life to pay it back. And to repay the price of that dress too.”

“Young Cult Leader is the one who is wasting it, so why should I repay it!”

The two faced each other and laughed.

In truth, betting it all was worth it. She still had three chances left.

Wearing the red palace gown, removing the veil, and then applying makeup.

“Thanks to someone, I’m daring to dream big.”

“It’s not me who made you pretty. I only restored you to what you already were.”

As they went down the stairs, Lee Ahn briefly imagined a different picture.

Herself, traveling the martial world alongside Geom Mugeuk in peace.

A martial world without hidden forces or schemes. Laughing, chatting, and exchanging silly words.

She wanted to walk hand in hand with him, sharing past stories as they went.

‘Yes, to make that happen, I must turn these present dangers into the past. Into things I can someday laugh about when telling the story.’

Seeing her in the white palace gown, An Hu-pyeong stared with his mouth wide open.

As they left the inn and walked together, An Hu-pyeong felt as if he owned the whole world. Walking side by side with such a beauty filled him with bliss.

While walking, Lee Ahn asked,

“But there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Please, ask.”

“Why did the Divine Transformation Gang host this tournament?”

“Well, of course, to discover beauties like yourself and to raise the fame of our gang.”

Lee Ahn stopped in her tracks and fixed her eyes on him.

“I don’t mean reasons like that. I want the real reason. You know the real reason, don’t you?”

Faced with her question, he could not say he didn’t know.

But he couldn’t tell her either—because he himself had no idea.

“I want to know the real reason.”

Listening, Geom Mugeuk thought Lee Ahn was doing an excellent job.

An Hu-pyeong’s face already showed signs of impatience. He clearly wanted to dig up the truth somehow, just so he could boast about it.

That was when they arrived at the stage where the finals would be held.

“This is where the finals will take place.”

The stage was complete, and behind the seats for the honored guests was a wide space arranged so countless spectators could watch.

As they all looked around the place together—

An Hu-pyeong suddenly shouted while staring at Lee Ahn.

“I will make you the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens!”

Lee Ahn looked at him and had to compose her expression to keep from laughing. For Geom Mugeuk had just sent her a sound transmission.

―That’s thirty thousand nyang solved!

Sa Chu, listening, was utterly dumbfounded. They had only just met! And An Hu-pyeong hadn’t even seen her face without the veil yet.

If he was such a womanizer, he should at least be more cold-headed in judgment. But then again, he was still young. Yes, that was An Hu-pyeong all over.

Lee Ahn looked at him and asked,

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

An Hu-pyeong replied with full confidence.

“I am a man who always keeps his promises.”

*         *         *

Someone was watching them.

Standing with his arms folded atop a roof was none other than An Cheong-gwang, Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang.

He frowned automatically at his son’s absurd promise.

Ssshhk.

Then came a tearing sound—his skin splitting. A sound that should never have come from his neck.

Drip.

Something hot slid down his throat.

When An Cheong-gwang touched his neck, his hand came away stained with blood.

Only then did he see the dagger pressed against his throat.

The hand holding that dagger was slender and white.

Ordinarily, he should have been dead by now, blood gushing from his throat.

But the wound was shallow.

It had not been swung to kill.

Then a woman’s voice came from behind him.

“You can’t kill your own child. It’s not easy, is it?”

The one who appeared was Cha Iran.

It was she who had just cut An Cheong-gwang’s neck with that dagger.

“Shall I kill him for you instead?”

An Cheong-gwang looked at her with indifferent eyes. Even with his fiery temper, he let the slash to his neck pass as nothing more than a jest.

“You should at least keep your promise properly.”

Cha Iran smiled as she answered,

“Like father, like son—you both do seem fond of promises.”

An Cheong-gwang’s gaze shifted back to his son.

“There was never any word that the Demonic Cult would intervene in this matter, was there?”

“The unexpected always happens. Did you ever imagine you would cause something like this?”

No, even he himself had not. He had never imagined life would bring him to such a moment.

But perhaps, deep down, he had always vaguely thought a day like this would come.

Considering that it had taken him less than half a moment to make a decision that would change his life completely—only slightly longer than deciding what to eat—perhaps it was inevitable.

“Who is that woman from the Demonic Cult?”

“You really can’t hide blood.”

Realizing she meant he resembled his son, An Cheong-gwang’s expression hardened coldly.

“Is saying you look like your son something to get angry about? I meant your question was the wrong one.”

An Cheong-gwang soon understood what she was truly trying to say. He was indeed different from his son.

“Then who is that man?”

At the proper question, Cha Iran looked toward Geom Mugeuk and spoke.

“Someone you cannot handle. Someone whose true identity even the Unorthodox Alliance you served your whole life would never reveal to you.”

She smiled brightly and added,

“You thought you could clasp hands with devils and the demon himself would not come?”