Absolute Regression

Chapter 694: Why Does Your Face Look Like That?

"Are you making yourself a new heart?"

At the sound of Bih Sa-in’s voice from behind, a smile appeared on Geom Mugeuk’s lips. It seemed he had witnessed him conversing with Cha Iran.

"Unfortunately, the new heart you saw is one that won’t beat inside my body."

Geom Mugeuk turned around.

Bih Sa-in’s terrifying face had never allowed even a faint smile before, yet now there was room for a rather large glimmer of delight.

He had come here on edge, since this was a place where they were plotting to assassinate his master. But the joy of meeting Geom Mugeuk was something he could not conceal.

"When did you arrive?"

"Just now."

"As I expected, it’s you."

He thought Geom Mugeuk was about to say something serious again, but instead—

"The final round of The Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens Selection Tournament is about to begin. How much must your horses have suffered for your obsession with seeing beautiful women?"

It wasn’t just the horses that were dragged along for the sake of teasing Bih Sa-in. Even Han Seol, who had returned to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, had been brought up.

"What will that young lady think if she finds out you arrived just in time for the finals?"

Bih Sa-in was dumbfounded.

Who was the one that sent a messenger in advance, telling him to come early since he’d be coming anyway?

It wasn’t until he saw Geom Mugeuk start teasing him right away that he truly felt like he had met him again.

Just then, someone approached from behind and spoke.

"Didn’t I say if you open your mouth, I’ll rip it apart?"

In that moment, Bih Sa-in saw a flash of mischief cross Geom Mugeuk’s face. As expected—

"I really didn’t want to, but this person forced me to speak."

Geom Mugeuk was truly incorrigible.

But really, not the eyes, not the nose, but the mouth? Rip apart that mouth? That very mouth even the Alliance Leaders couldn’t handle!

Who could this pitiful victim be, spouting such reckless words without even knowing who he was dealing with?

From behind came the voice of An Hu-pyeong.

"Hey, is that true?"

If the friendly words he had spoken to his friend were being brushed off as something forced—

Then Bih Sa-in, like a man who had already let go of everything, nodded without protest. He was playing along with Geom Mugeuk’s mischief.

Seeing this, An Hu-pyeong frowned.

He had asked a question, and yet the man only nodded without answering? Of course. Birds of a feather flock together with that irritating bodyguard. He disliked him right from the start.

"Hey, turn around."

Bih Sa-in slowly turned around.

The moment he saw his face, a curse burst from An Hu-pyeong’s lips.

"Good grief, damn!"

It wasn’t an intentional insult, but a reflexive outburst of shock.

Never in his life had he seen someone with such a frighteningly harsh appearance.

Bih Sa-in’s face was covered with scars.

His face was cut and twisted, and just looking at it sent a chill through the chest.

At that moment, the beauties entering the waiting room happened to see him. For An Hu-pyeong, a man who never bowed his head to anyone, showing weakness in front of women was unthinkable.

"Why does your face look like that? Did you fight every battle in the world by yourself?"

Unfortunately, he didn’t recognize who he was speaking to.

Of course—he didn’t recognize him! Geom Mugeuk spoke as if wronged.

"How could I not answer when such a frightening man spoke to me?"

The corners of Bih Sa-in’s lips lifted slightly.

By now, he had grown accustomed to Geom Mugeuk joking about his face.

He also knew this was Geom Mugeuk’s way of caring for him. When others mocked his appearance, Geom Mugeuk would join in the mocking, only to add,

Don’t mind it, friend. Just enjoy it too!

"If even the Vice Gang Leader himself were faced with such a terrifying face speaking to him, could he possibly ignore it?"

Yes, if Geom Mugeuk didn’t tease him like this, he would probably feel disappointed.

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, An Hu-pyeong nodded. He still disliked the bodyguard, but he couldn’t deny what had just been said. He would have answered as well.

"You, do you know that man?"

At An Hu-pyeong’s question, Bih Sa-in glanced at Geom Mugeuk. Since he referred to Geom Mugeuk with ‘that man,’ it was clear he had to pretend not to know him.

Bih Sa-in shook his head as if he didn’t.

An Hu-pyeong still didn’t like that he refused to answer verbally, but it was hard to stay angry while staring at such a face.

"If you don’t know him, then why did you speak to him?"

Instead of Bih Sa-in, Geom Mugeuk stepped forward.

"He came to me asking whether many beautiful women had arrived. He said he had ridden hard, all for the sake of this tournament."

An Hu-pyeong couldn’t hold back a sneer.

"That face… chasing after women?"

At those words, the corners of Bih Sa-in’s eyes twitched. Feeling an inexplicable chill, An Hu-pyeong drew out his shield.

"I am the Vice Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang. I’m the host of this tournament."

Then he turned back to Geom Mugeuk.

"You were smiling as you talked with him, weren’t you?"

Pressed by An Hu-pyeong, Geom Mugeuk protested.

"Then what was I supposed to do—make a scowl at that face? Of course I had to smile!"

An Hu-pyeong burst out laughing. Yes, that was true as well. It wasn’t easy to keep a straight face while looking at such a face.

"Hey, you ruthless-looking fellow."

Not only did he call him by a name he shouldn’t, he even went so far as to make an offer.

"I don’t know who you work for, but how about working under me?"

In front of the participants’ waiting room stood the grim-faced warrior conversing with Geom Mugeuk. Naturally, An Hu-pyeong assumed he was a bodyguard accompanying one of the contestants.

"I’ll pay you double."

He had his reasons for wanting to hire him.

Having a terrifying man like that at his side would make him feel as though there was nothing in the world to fear.

And there was more.

An Hu-pyeong turned his head to glance back at Sa Chu.

"My bodyguards these days have been utterly useless."

Even now was no different. When he spoke, there should have been some reaction, but Sa Chu was once again absent-minded, his attention wandering elsewhere.

Sa Chu kept staring at Bih Sa-in, trying to recall why he looked so familiar. A face like that was not one you could forget.

The most frightening face he had ever seen belonged to the successor of the Unorthodox Alliance. He had only seen him from a distance, but the impression of that intense face had never left him.

But never in his wildest thoughts did he imagine that the successor of the Unorthodox Alliance would be standing outside the waiting room chatting with this guard. Even though he had just heard that the Young Leader had arrived today, the thought that this man might actually be Bih Sa-in never crossed his mind.

No, that made it even less likely. The Young Leader would be greeting the Gang Leader right now. There was no way he would be here speaking first with some bodyguard.

"What are you doing right now!"

Snapping out of his thoughts at An Hu-pyeong’s rebuke, Sa Chu straightened up.

"My apologies."

"How many times is this now! You’ve been making too many mistakes lately!"

An Hu-pyeong glared at him angrily, and Sa Chu lowered his head deeply.

‘Why do these things keep happening to me these days?’

Just then, a warrior ran up to them.

"The Gang Leader is urgently requesting you."

Before leaving, An Hu-pyeong said to Bih Sa-in,

"If it’s too hard for you to speak, I’ll just tell the one you serve myself."

With that, An Hu-pyeong turned and strode away, Sa Chu following behind him.

"You, stay here and tear that guy’s mouth apart!"

An Hu-pyeong marched off with the rest of his subordinates.

Of course, Sa Chu knew he didn’t mean it literally.

Not only was the other man a demonic practitioner, he was also the bodyguard of Lee Ahn, whom he favored. If he truly tore that mouth, it would cause an uproar.

And if he actually carried out the order, he would surely end up shouldering all the blame himself.

Sa Chu shot Geom Mugeuk a cold warning.

"Watch your mouth from now on! Or it really will get torn apart!"

Feigning shock, Geom Mugeuk covered his lips with his hand, while Bih Sa-in looked on, secretly wishing that someone might one day manage to tear that mouth after all.

Watching Sa Chu walk off into the distance, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

"Tear a man’s mouth? A mouth that earns its living with words!"

Bih Sa-in laughed. He had already laughed several times since arriving, and it was all thanks to Geom Mugeuk. That was why it was so enjoyable to be with him.

At that moment, Il-rang approached, greeting Geom Mugeuk before reporting to Bih Sa-in.

"The Alliance Leader is asking for you."

He had come straight to see Geom Mugeuk upon arriving, but now it was time to greet the Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang.

"See you later."

"I suppose I’ll have to greet the Gang Leader later."

It meant he intended to stay as close to Lee Ahn as possible for now. Which also meant the situation was far from simple.

"I’ll explain things properly."

"Thank you."

After taking a few steps, Bih Sa-in turned back and said,

"Thank you for telling me about this matter."

"We promised each other, didn’t we?"

If anything came up, they would make sure to inform one another.

Geom Mugeuk and Bih Sa-in exchanged a firm nod.

Meanwhile, Sa Chu, who was trudging along weakly, glanced back.

‘No matter how I think about it, his face is familiar…’

At that moment, his eyes landed on a new figure.

There was someone else with the two men. And that new figure was someone Sa Chu also knew.

‘Il-rang?’

Sa Chu recognized Il-rang. There had been a time when his dream was to become one of the Thirteen Wolves. He had given up in the end, lacking the skill.

Back then, he respected them so much that he even stood guard at the gates of the Unorthodox Alliance just to catch a glimpse of their faces. If nothing else, there was no way he could fail to recognize Il-rang. But why was Il-rang here?

"Ugh!"

Sa Chu let out a loud scream.

Hearing the cry, An Hu-pyeong, who was walking ahead, turned back.

Seeing him standing there alone, screaming to himself—

"That guy’s really lost his mind these days, completely crazy."

An Hu-pyeong shook his head and continued walking.

Bih Sa-in and Il-rang were heading in Sa Chu’s direction.

Sa Chu saw them.

From hidden spots, warriors began appearing one by one, gathering behind Bih Sa-in as they followed him.

One, two, three…

The number kept increasing until there were thirteen. The very ones he had once dreamed of becoming—

The Thirteen Wolves.

Frozen stiff, Sa Chu watched as Bih Sa-in and the Thirteen Wolves walked past him.

Bih Sa-in didn’t so much as glance his way as he passed.

When he first saw Il-rang, he wasn’t sure. But now there was no doubt.

‘It really is the Young Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance!’

Sa Chu stood trembling in place. His reckless master had finally caused a truly monumental disaster. It was a miracle he was still alive in that moment.

Ah, but there was a reason he had survived.

Bih Sa-in hadn’t spoken a single word, but someone else had spoken for him.

Sa Chu’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk, who still stood before the waiting room.

‘Who are you?’

How was it that he had been conversing with the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance? Did he really meet him by chance? Or did he know something?

‘Just who in the world are you!’

At that moment, his eyes met Geom Mugeuk’s.

Geom Mugeuk gave him a wide grin and then mimed stretching his lips apart with both hands.

In that instant, Sa Chu understood. It was a warning to keep silent.

It was a warning that if he spoke carelessly, his mouth would be torn apart.

Sa Chu quickly turned and walked away.

In the distance, he caught sight of a group heading toward the tournament hall. It was none other than the Sky Flower Pavilion Mistress, followed closely by the Evil Smiling Demon and the Faceless Swordsmen.

Sa Chu spun around again and walked in the opposite direction.

‘Why is everyone doing this to me?’

*         *         *

A dozen carriages entered the inner compound of the Divine Transformation Gang.

These were the exclusive carriages of the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance, crafted so they could not be cut by ordinary blades or burned by fire.

Chak chak chak chak chak!

All at once, the doors of the lined-up carriages swung open, and the Alliance Leader’s guards stepped out. True to their reputation as the greatest protectors of the Unorthodox Alliance, their eyes were sharp and unyielding.

Once they had lined up in front of the carriages, the door of the one that had not yet opened finally swung wide.

The one who stepped down was none other than Baek Jagang, the Alliance Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.

Though he wore simple martial clothes instead of splendid attire, it only made him stand out more. His presence was something no one else could ever imitate.

Rushing forward to greet him, An Cheong-gwang, Gang Leader of the Divine Transformation Gang, bowed deeply.

"I pay my respects to the Alliance Leader."

He truly had not known Baek Jagang would arrive today. Cha Iran had deliberately withheld the news of his early arrival, so that An Cheong-gwang’s surprise and confusion would look natural.

Unaware of this scheme, An Cheong-gwang remained bowed, tense with unease.

‘Why did he come early? Did he perhaps discover something?’

There was no reason for such a busy Alliance Leader to arrive days ahead of schedule.

"I never expected you to arrive so soon."

Baek Jagang slowly walked toward him.

An Cheong-gwang’s heart pounded wildly. If the Alliance Leader had learned of anything, his life was forfeit. He had never felt such fear in his life.

Baek Jagang raised him from his bow.

Then, staring straight at him, he suddenly asked,

"Did you plan to use this tournament to kill me?"

"!?"

At the direct question, An Cheong-gwang’s eyes flew wide with shock.

"No, absolutely not. What do you mean by that?"

His voice trembled. An Cheong-gwang, as if wronged, protested again.

"Never! That is not the case!"

A chill crept down Baek Jagang’s spine at his words.

He knew An Cheong-gwang was lying. Yet instead of pressing further, Baek Jagang burst into loud laughter.

"I meant there are so many beauties gathered that my heart feels like it will burst."

An Cheong-gwang’s chest dropped with relief, realizing then that it had been a jest.

"My heart nearly burst first."

He forced a smile of relief. Still, he could not be certain whether it had truly been a joke or whether the Alliance Leader had been probing him. Nothing in Baek Jagang’s expression revealed his true intentions.

"Since the finals are being held today, enjoy yourself at your leisure. Now then, please, come inside."

Together, they walked toward the Grand Hall, conversing as they went.

"You’d probably prefer Sa-in over me."

"Did the Young Leader also come with you?"

When Baek Jagang nodded, An Cheong-gwang looked around.

"Where is the Young Leader now?"

"He said he wanted to take a quick look first and went to watch the tournament. Didn’t even bother with a greeting."

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t rude. After all, both Bih Sa-in and the one he had gone to meet—Geom Mugeuk—stood in positions far above the Gang Leader.

"Isn’t that the way of youth? My son is the same."

An Cheong-gwang ordered one of his attendants trailing behind him to fetch his son.

"Go at once and tell the Vice Gang Leader that the Alliance Leader has arrived. Bring him here immediately."

Then he turned back to Baek Jagang.

"My son has always admired the Young Leader. He never stopped saying he wanted to be like him."

Baek Jagang, too, gave an order to one of his guards.

"Go and bring Sa-in here. The young ones should meet each other."

An Cheong-gwang laughed pleasantly.

"My son will truly be delighted."