Absolute Regression

Chapter 718: When Cornered, Remove the Mask

The carriage raced vigorously toward the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s main division.

In the lead carriage rode Geom Mugeuk, the Evil Smiling Demon, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion, Lee Ahn, and Cha Iran. Normally, they would have split into three separate carriages, but with so many injured, they all rode together.

The Evil Smiling Demon and the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion sat side by side, and across from them sat Lee Ahn, Geom Mugeuk, and Cha Iran.

During this journey, Cha Iran was able to see an unexpected side of Geom Mugeuk. It was the sight of him working.

Since starting the journey, the Hidden Moon messenger birds had kept flying to him.

During battles with enemies, the messages had paused, but now that he had some spare time, the delayed reports were pouring in. They contained news of what had happened in certain regions, which masters had been killed by whom, what kind of deals had been made by trading companies. Gowol had carefully selected the information and sent it to him.

Fwoosh.

Each time he finished reading a report, he ignited his Heat Yang Energy to burn it. For messages that required a reply, he immediately wrote back.

At times, he even exchanged sound transmissions with the Evil Smiling Demon about intelligence-related matters. She had never seen him so serious at work, and it felt strange to adapt to it.

She also realized just how broad Geom Mugeuk’s knowledge really was.

“There is a place called Gwanho Tavern in that village. It’s run by two brothers, and their fish dishes are absolutely superb. If you ever get the chance, you must go. In the next village, there is a doctor named Gu, an incredibly skilled physician. If anyone is injured nearby, head straight to that village.”

And that wasn’t all—he even knew the roads inside out.

“Instead of that path, take the left turn and go down the lower road, it will get us there much faster.”

He even gave directions to the Faceless Swordsman driving the carriage.

“Your sense of direction is truly enviable. Mine is terrible,” the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion admitted with envy.

Geom Mugeuk smiled as he replied.

“Doesn’t the Mistress see a path far more important than mine?”

The Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion smiled pleasantly. Indeed, there were those who made one want to keep talking, even if it was just one sentence.

Before the sun set, Geom Mugeuk had the carriage stop.

“Let’s rest here for tonight.”

They had been avoiding villages whenever possible during their journey. With their numbers, they would draw too much attention, so they preferred to camp outdoors, even if it was inconvenient.

They positioned the carriages in a circle with an open space in the middle, then let the horses roam free on the field.

In the center, they lit a large bonfire and prepared places to sleep. Both the Faceless Swordsman and the assassins were skilled in everything, so without being told, they worked swiftly and efficiently.

“Well then, tonight I shall demonstrate my skills.”

Geom Mugeuk rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. Cha Iran leaned toward Lee Ahn with a look that said, surely the Young Cult Leader couldn’t possibly be good at cooking.

“We’re not about to eat something we’ll have to swallow purely out of loyalty, are we?”

At her worry, Lee Ahn spoke highly of Geom Mugeuk’s culinary skills.

“Once you taste it, you’ll find loyalty you never had will naturally arise.”

Cha Iran thought it was just empty boasting. She knew Geom Mugeuk was versatile, but really—could he even cook well?

The Faceless Swordsmen and the female assassins, who had gone out to gather food, returned with a wild boar they had hunted, along with vegetables and fruits.

Geom Mugeuk looked for someone to help with the cooking.

“Now, has anyone here ever cut up meat and vegetables, not just people?”

Everyone only glanced at one another without stepping forward. To volunteer as the assistant of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Young Cult Leader was no easy matter.

“Well then, I have no choice. I’ll just choose two myself.”

Geom Mugeuk picked one from the Faceless Swordsmen and one from the assassins. Naturally, the two he chose were Crescent Moon of the Faceless Swordsmen and the Seventeenth Beauty.

“All right, you two go wash and prepare those vegetables.”

They could tell that he had deliberately chosen them because the three had once met at the pavilion.

Even though they had smiled and spoken together back at the pavilion, now they began working without so much as glancing at each other.

At that moment, Cha Iran’s sound transmission reached him.

—You’re far too persistent.

—I must hear what they talk about!

Cha Iran shook her head with an expression that said he was impossible to deal with.

But Geom Mugeuk only obsessed in words—his hands were wholly focused on cooking. After all, there were far too many mouths to feed.

Geom Mugeuk began butchering the wild boar they had caught.

Ssshhk, sshhk, sshhk!

His hands truly moved swiftly. In an instant, he had stripped the hair, split open the belly, removed the innards, and drained the blood. It had been a long time since Geom Mugeuk had put his skills on such full display.

Once the meat was prepared, he began making a secret marinade.

For the first time, Cha Iran realized that there was no seasoning that wasn’t inside the Young Cult Leader’s pouch.

He coated the meat repeatedly with the sauce he made.

“Normally it should be aged a while to bring out the full flavor, but we don’t have the time.”

Geom Mugeuk extended his hand. Energy flowed from his palm, enveloping the meat.

“Ah! To think such a precious martial art would be used just to let seasoning soak into meat.”

At Lee Ahn’s lament-like jest, Geom Mugeuk replied,

“It’s going into your mouths, so it’s being used in the most precious way possible.”

He then picked up a log lying on the ground and turned to those nearby.

“Now then, get ready to applaud!”

After drawing all eyes to himself, he tossed the log high into the air.

Whoosh.

Like lightning, the Black Demon Sword was drawn.

In an instant, dozens of flashes of sword light wrapped around the log. A moment later, something rained down.

Chak chak chak chak chak chak!

What fell into Geom Mugeuk’s hands was, shockingly, dozens of chopsticks.

He had done it so effortlessly that one might think, “Ah, maybe I could do that too.”

But those who had witnessed it firsthand knew better—their jaws hung open. They understood at once that this was something absolutely no ordinary person could replicate.

They had just watched chopsticks being crafted at a level they might see once in a lifetime.

And Geom Mugeuk did not stop there. He scattered the chopsticks in all directions.

Swaaash!

Like throwing concealed weapons, the chopsticks flew through the air and landed precisely in everyone’s hands.

Cha Iran stared down at the chopsticks in her grip with astonishment.

They were all uniform in size and thickness. They were so perfect that one might have believed he had blinded them with sword light and swapped in something bought from a shop.

The Faceless Swordsmen burst into applause. The assassins joined in as well.

At their heartfelt admiration, Geom Mugeuk waved his hand with a boastful air, as if it had been nothing at all.

Thus ended Geom Mugeuk’s cooking, where even secret techniques had been put to use.

“Eat with a sense of occasion. This isn’t an opportunity that comes often.”

The Faceless Swordsmen agreed, but the assassins of the Court of Beauties agreed even more. When else in their lives would they ever taste the cooking of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Young Cult Leader?

Astonishingly, the food was truly delicious. Cha Iran thought to herself that she had never eaten meat this good, not even in an inn.

But what truly surprised her was neither the exquisite taste of the meat, nor the chopsticks he had personally made.

Geom Mugeuk personally handed out portions of the meal to each individual. On large, clean leaves, he placed meat, rice, and vegetables, distributing them one by one. Like a cook supporting soldiers on the battlefield, he served everyone as he spoke. These words left Cha Iran astonished.

“I thought most of you preferred to be alone, so I prepared your meals separately.”

It was his consideration—each could take their food and eat quietly wherever they wished.

Cha Iran imagined what she would have done if she were camping with her subordinates.

Most likely, she would have eaten what her attendants served her. Perhaps shared a meal with the First or Second Beauty. The others—she would not have cared, assuming they would take care of themselves.

But Geom Mugeuk had noticed even what kind of people the Faceless Swordsmen and assassins were. It was something she, despite being with them for so long, had never thought about.

“Keep those chopsticks safe. Once I become the Cult Leader, they’ll sell for a fortune.”

After tending to the Faceless Swordsmen and assassins, he then prepared meals for Cha Iran, the Mistress of the Sky Flower Pavilion, and Lee Ahn. Only at the very end did he prepare food for himself and the Evil Smiling Demon.

“Please, the three of you eat first. I’ll dine separately with Soma-nim.”

Geom Mugeuk and the Evil Smiling Demon leapt away to a distant hill and settled down.

Once it was just the two of them, the Evil Smiling Demon slowly removed his mask and placed it atop his head. He was imitating what Geom Mugeuk often did when he wore his mask.

And how could Geom Mugeuk forget to praise his face once again?

“If your opponent ever happens to be a woman, and you find yourself cornered, then with the very last of your strength, remove your mask. That alone will give you a chance to turn the tide.”

The Young Cult Leader’s praise always felt good, so the Evil Smiling Demon smiled brightly.

The two shared their meal together. Geom Mugeuk was delighted that he had removed his mask before him. Eating together, drinking together—he was overjoyed to share such pleasures with him.

When the meal was finished, the Evil Smiling Demon voiced something he had left unsaid.

“When I thrust my blade at the Young Cult Leader’s heart…”

His honest feelings followed.

“I was afraid.”

Geom Mugeuk fell silent for a moment, sinking into thought.

“My apologies. I wasn’t worried at all.”

“What if I had made a mistake?”

After saying this, the Evil Smiling Demon lowered his mask back into place. At least in that hypothetical, he couldn’t control his expression. He hadn’t realized it in the moment of striking, but afterward, the thought of it kept haunting him.

Sensing his heart, Geom Mugeuk calmly shared his own.

“I simply had this faith. I may die at any time, but at the very least, it won’t be by your dagger. I don’t know whose hands I’ll fall to, but not yours. Isn’t that obvious? With that thought, I felt at ease.”

By now, darkness had begun to blanket the surroundings. They could have lit a small fire, but they didn’t.

They simply enjoyed the quiet and the dark.

The Geom Mugeuk who laughed and bantered cheerfully before others was now utterly calm and silent when alone with the Evil Smiling Demon.

And he knew. This was his true self. Perhaps he was even more taciturn than he was.

So he wanted to let him rest quietly, at least when they were together.

The Evil Smiling Demon did not speak another word until their time there ended.

*         *         *

Now the carriage was only a day away from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s main division.

On this day, Geom Mugeuk cooked for them one last time.

“Alas, my fantastic cooking ends with today.”

Everyone was disappointed, but one person in particular was most disheartened. It was the Seventeenth Beauty, who had, since the first day, continued to assist with the cooking alongside Crescent Moon of the Faceless Swordsmen.

Thanks to Geom Mugeuk, she had been able to create memories of washing and preparing vegetables together with Crescent Moon.

‘Thank you, Young Cult Leader.’

She was truly grateful for the Young Cult Leader’s consideration.

At that moment, Cha Iran approached Geom Mugeuk and asked,

“Aren’t you tired?”

At her words, everyone’s gaze turned to her. She had spoken provocatively in front of them all.

Throughout the journey, Geom Mugeuk had kept his energy high, caring for everyone. He had cooked for them himself, fed them, eased the atmosphere with jokes and lighthearted words.

The Faceless Swordsmen had always liked the Young Cult Leader, but now even the assassins were beginning to feel genuine fondness toward him.

“I had no time to feel tired while enjoying the fun of winning your favor.”

If that had all been just an act to earn points, then they were now watching the greatest actor in the Central Plains. But not one of them thought it was an act.

“And with my internal energy overflowing, how could I possibly tire?”

After a brief pause, Cha Iran asked again.

“I meant, don’t you get tired of people?”

It wasn’t a question just about this trip.

She cared for her subordinates, yes—but separate from that, she had no true faith in people.

Would feeding them so earnestly really change anything? If the chance to betray arose, they would betray, with nothing more than an apology.

“I’m playing with a cheat, am I not?”

“What do you mean?”

“The Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. These seven words are the shield that protects me. There is no situation too difficult or vexing for me.”

He was saying there was no way he would ever be trampled down by people.

But Cha Iran knew. Those seven characters weren’t only a shield.

They also held the blade of desire—the yearning to dominate, to flaunt, to indulge. It was also the primal blade of wanting to rule through fear.

Yet he had never swung that blade. Yes—perhaps that was the very reason she had come this far, the reason she stood here now, speaking these words with him. Because he had never once swung that blade.

With that blade, he had crafted chopsticks instead.

Geom Mugeuk met her gaze deeply and returned the question.

“And you? Are you not tired?”

A faint sigh escaped Cha Iran’s lips.

Then she straightened her back and lifted her head toward the sky.

She stared at the drifting clouds in silence, until at last, she made her decision.

“The bridges we have crossed until now were bridges of death. From here on, the bridges we cross shall be newly built.”

Cha Iran bowed formally before Geom Mugeuk.

“Cha Iran pledges this body to serve the Young Cult Leader with loyalty.”

The assassins standing behind her all bowed in unison.

“We pledge to serve the Young Cult Leader with loyalty.”

During their journey here, they had already resolved to follow Cha Iran’s will.

Geom Mugeuk smiled radiantly as he helped Cha Iran to her feet. His face was filled with joy.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

Cha Iran looked at Lee Ahn, who stood a little ahead. Her face too was filled with joy.

“Someone once told me… when a hand reaches out, grip it tightly.”

*         *         *

The next day, the carriage arrived at the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s main division.

Cha Iran and the assassins were astonished at the overwhelming scale of the place.

The carriage that had entered the main division finally came to a stop. As Cha Iran and the assassins stepped down, they were stunned by the sight before them.

All of the Faceless Swordsmen of the Valley of Wicked had gathered there to wait. They had only ever seen ten Faceless Swordsmen at once before, but now, with countless masks filling their vision, they were once again overwhelmed.

No—truthfully, the one most shocked was the Seventeenth Beauty. Blending into that crowd, she felt as if she would never be able to find Crescent Moon of the Faceless Swordsmen again.

At that moment, Cha Iran’s gaze was drawn elsewhere. Among the towering statues of evil spirits that stood around them, one in particular caught her eye.

It was a statue of a demon, depicted with its massive hand outstretched forward.

Looking up at that immense hand, Cha Iran felt anew the weight of the hand she herself had chosen to grasp.

Standing beside her, Geom Mugeuk looked up at the statue alongside her.

“Cha Iran, welcome home.”