Absolute Regression

Chapter 715: Is It Us You Worry About the Moment You Open Your Eyes?

Moonlight streamed down the alley where blood had been scattered.

Behind the martial artist who collapsed while clutching his throat stood Cha Iran.

She closed her eyes and felt the surrounding energy. Using the keen senses unique to an assassin, she searched, but there were no more enemies around.

A moment later, the First Beauty came to her and reported.

“All have been taken care of.”

Behind her, the figures of the Court of Beauties’ assassins could be seen. Because Cha Iran, the First Beauty, and the remaining assassins had returned to the alley without delay, they were able to minimize losses. Still, many assassins of the Court of Beauties were injured or killed in this fight.

And the battle was not yet over.

“We go back.”

Cha Iran sent the severely wounded to receive treatment and led all assassins still able to fight back to where Hwa Do-myeong had been fought.

She had never thought her fate would intertwine with the Demonic Cult like this.

Live together or die together. That was the kind of battle this had become.

She had placed her faith in the Evil Smiling Demon and came here to rescue her subordinates.

But the enemy was Hwa Do-myeong. This time, he had revealed a new side of himself, disappointingly exposing his true nature. Yet the fact that he was a strong man had not changed. The bamboo-hatted martial artists beside him were also no ordinary figures.

Above all, Hwa Do-myeong had not tried to flee even after seeing the Evil Smiling Demon. That could only mean he had something he relied on.

“Hurry.”

She performed light footwork and ran ahead.

It was for Geom Mugeuk, but in the end, it was also for herself.

She had already become a traitor to her own organization, so if Geom Mugeuk failed here, her choice would become meaningless.

While Cha Iran was burdened with such worries, the Seventeenth Beauty behind her was thinking of someone else.

She desperately wished that Crescent Moon, the faceless swordsman, was still alive.

She kept having a bad premonition. A vision of herself discovering a mask with a crescent moon drawn on it among tangled corpses kept flashing in her mind.

The closer they drew, the stronger the smell of blood became, and her heart pounded even harder.

Thus, the moment Cha Iran and the assassins stepped out of the alley and reached the battlefield they had left earlier—

They stopped in their tracks. The sight before them was nothing like what they had expected.

First of all, Geom Mugeuk was still sitting with his eyes closed.

At that, Cha Iran let out a breath of relief.

‘The Young Cult Leader is alive.’

And the Evil Smiling Demon was alive as well. He sat in front of Geom Mugeuk with his eyes closed. He seemed to be circulating his qi, recovering his internal energy.

And around the two of them were the faceless swordsmen.

They were handling the corpses.

A large pit was already filled with bodies, and even as they arrived, the faceless swordsmen were still carrying corpses over.

It was so that when the Young Cult Leader opened his eyes, he would not be met with the sight of a battlefield strewn with corpses.

The Seventeenth Beauty first looked for the Crescent Moon faceless swordsman. Normally, she could spot him instantly, but perhaps because of her anxious heart, she couldn’t see him anywhere.

So she began by counting the faceless swordsmen.

One, two, three… eight, nine, ten!

Thankfully, all the faceless swordsmen were alive.

At that moment, her eyes met with the one closest, who was carrying a corpse. Only then did she realize he was the Crescent Moon faceless swordsman. Though his clothes were soaked in blood, he didn’t appear to be seriously injured.

The Seventeenth Beauty gave a slight bow of greeting to the Crescent Moon faceless swordsman who was staring at her.

The Crescent Moon faceless swordsman also bowed his head slightly in return.

Another faceless swordsman carrying a body beside him looked at the two, but they pretended not to notice and avoided further eye contact.

Meanwhile, Cha Iran was inwardly shocked.

‘So they killed them all!’

The first person she searched for was Hwa Do-myeong.

At first, she couldn’t find his corpse. Judging from the three bamboo hats lying on the ground, it seemed all the bamboo-hatted martial artists had been killed.

But Hwa Do-myeong’s body was nowhere in sight.

‘Did he escape?’

Then her eyes caught sight of something.

It was a fan.

A familiar fan sticking out from the pit of corpses.

The man holding that fan in death was one whose face was slashed with countless lines. His makeup had faded, so she hadn’t recognized him immediately. Looking closer, she realized it was Hwa Do-myeong. The red streaks that once crossed his face had all turned ashen gray.

More shocking than his death was the fact that the faceless swordsmen had simply tossed him and his subordinates into the pit like so much refuse.

The faceless swordsmen.

Their leader, the Evil Smiling Demon.

Cha Iran reminded herself not to let her guard down.

Just because a man like Geom Mugeuk could smile and seem unlike a demonic practitioner, she must not fool herself into thinking the others were good people as well.

These were demonic practitioners of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. And not just any—but of the Valley of Wicked.

Watching the faceless swordsmen begin to cover the pit of corpses, Cha Iran lifted her gaze to the night sky.

There was no turning back now. With Hwa Do-myeong, one of their blood kin, dead, his backing organization would surely seek her life.

By then, the moon had waned, and countless stars had become the new masters of the night sky.

*         *         *

The energy of the Flying Blood Serpent was entirely refined into inner power and stored within the core.

Geom Mugeuk could be certain of it.

When it came to inner strength alone, he now stood as the greatest in the martial world.

Of course, no one could ever know for certain what the world might bring… no. At this point, he was certain he stood at the very top.

The five energies that once rampaged within his body had now quietly settled into slumber.

Only one energy remained.

Where could the final orb be hidden?

And what would happen once all six energies were gathered?

With that final thought, Geom Mugeuk slowly opened his eyes.

The Evil Smiling Demon was looking at him. He had been there when Geom Mugeuk closed his eyes, and he was still there when he opened them again.

“You have awakened?”

The eyes of the Evil Smiling Demon curved in a warm smile.

Instead of offering thanks, Geom Mugeuk stretched his body wide and said,

“I slept well, thanks to you.”

As Geom Mugeuk rose to his feet, the Evil Smiling Demon also stood.

His body felt lighter and clearer than ever before. It wasn’t because he had slept until dawn. The dantian filled with refined internal energy was vast and deep, like an ocean.

This immense internal energy that seemed inexhaustible no matter how much was used gave him a sense of stability and confidence that words could not capture.

What if he unleashed the Sixth Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art—Heavenly Demon World Annihilation—with this power?

The Heavenly Demon World Annihilation, which demanded nearly all of his inner strength—if it were wielded with this massive reserve, what then? Before, everything within sight had been obliterated.

Now, the outcome would be unimaginable.

And if he could control the Heavenly Demon World Annihilation as freely as his father once had?

If he could forge a sword of light with this energy?

Geom Mugeuk’s heart pounded with excitement.

As soon as he awakened, the faceless swordsmen lined up neatly and saluted him with a respectful clasped-fist bow. He could sense joy in their eyes.

Geom Mugeuk examined their condition. While his own body felt so light, their uniforms were drenched in blood, and many bore injuries.

It was easy to imagine how fierce a battle they had endured.

“You’ve worked hard guarding me.”

At those words, the faceless swordsmen broke into bright smiles. Such words from the Young Cult Leader were more than enough. If the Young Cult Leader merely acknowledged them, they would gladly sacrifice their lives.

On the opposite side of the faceless swordsmen stood the assassins. Among the line of assassins was Cha Iran.

Geom Mugeuk walked over to her.

“I wasn’t too heavy, was I?”

“You were so heavy, I nearly collapsed.”

She had fulfilled the task he had entrusted to her.

“You kept the promise I asked of you—that when I opened my eyes, Soma-nim would be by my side.”

“I make it a rule always to keep promises.”

“Then let us make one more.”

“You want me to let that person go, don’t you?”

She thought he meant they would now go together to rescue Ak Gunhak.

But Geom Mugeuk shook his head. The promise he spoke of was something she had never expected.

“Until I destroy them all, rest under the shadow of our cult.”

Though his words were wrapped gently, what Geom Mugeuk truly meant was this.

“I will protect you.”

Yes, only the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult could say such words to them.

“Is it us you worry about the moment you open your eyes?”

Geom Mugeuk answered with deepened eyes.

“Because it was you who allowed me to open my eyes.”

This was his way of saying thank you.

Forming a true bond with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult was something that required cautious judgment. Had it been anyone else making the offer, she would have politely refused.

But in this matter, she did not bring pride or the honor of her organization into it.

When she thought only of the lives of her subordinates, the answer was not difficult.

“Then I will entrust myself to you for a time.”

Cha Iran offered a respectful clasped-fist salute. The assassins behind her all bowed in unison as well. Among them, one woman wore a smile of unknown meaning.

Geom Mugeuk also returned the salute with proper courtesy.

“Once we eliminate them all, you will be free to leave whenever you wish. I promise you this on the name of the Young Cult Leader.”

Thus, the assassins of the Court of Beauties decided to take temporary refuge under the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

Geom Mugeuk asked the Evil Smiling Demon,

“What of the man with the painted face?”

“He is dead.”

“Well done.”

The Evil Smiling Demon nodded and added one point.

“Judging from the words he spoke, he seemed to be blood kin of an important figure.”

Geom Mugeuk recalled what Cha Iran had said before.

That it would be best not to provoke him.

Surely, he must have been blood kin of the Hwa family.

“But even so, could he be as important as my own blood kin?”

At Geom Mugeuk’s jest, the Evil Smiling Demon laughed, and Cha Iran also smiled.

She could feel it—the way the atmosphere changed because Geom Mugeuk was there. Expressions brightened, and spirits lifted. The Evil Smiling Demon, the faceless swordsmen, even herself and the assassins—everyone seemed to be affected.

The sun rose brilliantly, and the world brightened.

At last, the long night had ended.

*         *         *

Lee Ahn stood by the window, watching the sunrise.

She told herself that surely Geom Mugeuk would manage well, that things would be fine since the Evil Smiling Demon was with him. But no matter how positively she thought, she could not help but worry.

Then, behind her, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion spoke.

“I’m sorry… all because of me.”

“Yes?”

When Lee Ahn turned back with a puzzled expression, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion explained.

“You wanted to go with the Young Cult Leader, didn’t you?”

Lee Ahn smiled and replied,

“Instead, Lord Soma must be fighting with ease now. Better for Lord Soma to fight in peace without me, than to fight anxiously with me at his side.”

They were words that elevated the Evil Smiling Demon and humbled herself. At the same time, they were words that acknowledged the bond between the Evil Smiling Demon and the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion.

Looking at Lee Ahn with gentle eyes, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion asked,

“Are you worried the prophecy will come true?”

But Lee Ahn gave an unexpected answer.

“No, I hope the prophecy does come true.”

The Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion looked at her with questioning eyes, and Lee Ahn revealed her honest thoughts.

“Since the Young Cult Leader already knows what the prophecy is, he would have prepared himself well. I’d rather no unexpected variables arise.”

From those words, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion understood.

“You trust the Young Cult Leader more than the prophecy itself.”

Lee Ahn did not deny it.

Just then, as Lee Ahn turned her gaze back outside, a delighted exclamation escaped her lips.

People were walking into the courtyard.

At the center was Geom Mugeuk, with the Evil Smiling Demon and Cha Iran at his left and right. Behind Cha Iran followed the assassins, and behind the Evil Smiling Demon came the faceless swordsmen.

Geom Mugeuk waved toward Lee Ahn at the window. She was so overjoyed she nearly burst into tears, but she steadied her emotions and waved back with vigor.

Seeing them enter the guest hall safely, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion gave thanks to the heavens.

Because she was the one who had foretold it, she had lived in fear that it might truly come to pass.

As she thought on this, the Evil Smiling Demon flashed her a bright smile. If no one else had been watching, she might have run straight into his arms.

Lee Ahn noticed the bandages wrapped around Geom Mugeuk’s chest.

“You’re injured?”

At her startled question, Geom Mugeuk pressed a hand to his chest.

“I was stabbed in the heart.”

At those words, not only Lee Ahn but also the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion gasped in shock.

“It was Lord Soma who stabbed me.”

The Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion realized then that the prophecy had indeed come true. She had thought this one would prove false. But then—how had he survived?

“Are you all right?”

At Lee Ahn’s worried tone, Geom Mugeuk began to exaggerate.

“All right? Hardly. Soma stabbed me so painfully—ah, don’t even ask. If it weren’t for the fact that I have the strongest and finest heart in the world, I’d be dead.”

Lee Ahn whispered toward the Evil Smiling Demon,

“You should have stabbed him harder. Or if not the heart, then that mouth of his…”

Of course, everyone heard her teasing remark.

“The mouth won’t do. Better to stab the heart instead!”

When Geom Mugeuk played along, everyone laughed.

“But I must tell you, Lee Ahn, your prize money is gone.”

With the leader of the Divine Transformation Gang dead, and now Hwa Do-myeong as well, it was impossible for the Greatest Beauty Under the Heavens Selection Tournament to continue.

At that, Lee Ahn looked at Cha Iran and said,

“You must be disappointed, Lady Cha.”

“Are you being serious?”

To her question, Lee Ahn smiled brightly and replied,

“About half serious.”

Cha Iran also smiled. If the final stage had truly been held, what would the outcome have been?

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Lee Ahn.

“For the time being, Lady Cha will be with us. Lee Ahn, you will be responsible for her.”

“Yes!”

Lee Ahn looked toward Cha Iran. In her eyes was genuine joy and a warm welcome.

Cha Iran answered that kindness.

“Then I suppose I must teach you something.”

She glanced down at her assassin’s robe, still stained with blood.

“That assassin’s garb is the kind of clothing one only wears on days like this.”

She meant she would teach Lee Ahn about choosing clothes, applying makeup, and how a woman should adorn herself.

Lee Ahn chuckled softly.

“I do miss the dress I wore on stage that day.”

As the two women exchanged such ordinary words, everyone finally felt that the battle had truly ended.

But Geom Mugeuk still had one matter left unresolved.

Now that he had returned, there was someone he needed to see first—the one who had been the center of all these events.

“I will go pay my respects to the Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance.”