Absolute Regression

Chapter 724: The Master Was Not a Master

Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at his reflection in the copper mirror.

He had taken off the martial robe he always wore and dressed in ceremonial clothes. It was for presiding over today’s wedding.

Blood Heaven Blade Demon cleared his throat for a moment.

“Today, here in this place, the groom Seo Daeryong and the bride Dan Ah have, by the will of Heaven, come together to form a bond for a hundred years.”

Then, Blood Heaven Blade Demon shifted his tone back and forth.

“Have come together. Have come together indeed.”

Since none of it rolled off his tongue naturally, dissatisfaction surfaced on Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s face.

If he were to follow his true temper, he simply wanted to say it like this:

Today is the day the two of you form a blood oath!

But that was not possible. He once again practiced the ceremonial speech.

“The groom Seo Daeryong pledged himself to this cult early on and walked the arduous path of the demonic way……”

When he couldn’t remember the latter part, Blood Heaven Blade Demon took a paper from his sleeve and read it. After mumbling the written lines for a while, he spoke again.

“After serving as a Special Investigator of Underworld Pavilion, he rose to the position of its master at a young age. The bride Dan Ah roamed across the Central Plains……”

He unfolded the paper again and memorized the rest. His tense voice quivered at that moment when someone spoke from behind.

“Now, how can the one presiding over the wedding tremble more than the groom himself?”

A faint smile appeared on Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s lips. The voice belonged to Geom Mugeuk.

Turning to face Geom Mugeuk, Blood Heaven Blade Demon said,

“Tremble? Who says I am trembling?”

“Isn’t it because you’re too nervous to memorize it?”

“Do you think I can’t even memorize something this trivial?”

Geom Mugeuk laughed and said,

“If you try to recite it word-for-word like that, you will surely forget it. Your mind will turn completely blank, and nothing will come to you.”

Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s brow twitched, but he could not deny the words. Geom Mugeuk was right. Even though he had practiced since last night, it still wouldn’t stick. If he had to do it in front of everyone, his mind would surely go empty.

“I’d rather face a life-and-death duel with the Martial Alliance Leader.”

In such a case, he would not even bat an eye before going to fight. But why was this trivial matter making him tremble so much?

Geom Mugeuk suggested a solution.

“Just say what you truly wish to say to Daeryong. Even if it is short, it doesn’t matter. In fact, guests these days prefer it brief.”

Blood Heaven Blade Demon admitted honestly.

“In my youth, I could memorize entire martial arts manuals on the spot. Why can’t I memorize this?”

“It’s because you want to do well for your disciple’s wedding.”

“Why won’t you just say it’s because I’m old!”

After sulking for a moment—

Fwoosh.

Blood Heaven Blade Demon burned the paper containing the ceremonial speech with Heat Yang Energy.

“I’ll just say this one line: live well and live happily!”

“That suits you perfectly, Elder. Everyone will love it.”

Then, Blood Heaven Blade Demon said something unexpected.

“Otherwise, why don’t you give the wedding speech instead?”

“Me?”

Geom Mugeuk’s face turned dumbfounded.

“You’re the one who turned that rascal Daeryong into a proper man and even got him married, aren’t you? You speak much better than I do.”

“It was you, Elder, who made Leader Seo into a man. If you hadn’t taken him as your disciple, would the current Leader Seo even exist?”

“That was only because I got tricked by your sly scheming.”

“It wasn’t me who, while drunk, clung to Elder’s trouser leg, nor was it me who let that Daeryong sleep on your bed.”

In that sense, Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Seo Daeryong truly shared a fated connection.

“You went through hardship raising him into a man and bringing him to marriage.”

Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared hard at Geom Mugeuk. Seeing that he had come to look after him, knowing he would be nervous on a day like this, made him think how steady and reliable the man was.

“How goes the fist training with your master, the Fist Demon King?”

Everyone already knew Geom Mugeuk was shut away in the quarters of the Fist Demon King, training.

Geom Mugeuk raised his tightly clenched fist.

“From a baby’s fist, it became a boy’s fist, and finally, just yesterday, it was acknowledged. This fist is now an adult’s fist.”

The Thunderous Asura Fist had advanced another level. As those who pursued the pinnacle of martial arts shared their insights openly during training, the results were astounding.

Not only Geom Mugeuk but the Fist Demon King himself felt deeply from the training. For in the end, the Fist Demon King had said this:

—Perhaps my fist might roar again.

A thunderous sound had once come and gone. If it returned now, what kind of sound would it be? No, what kind of power would that fist unleash?

“This is all thanks to you, Elder.”

“How is that thanks to me? It was your master who taught you well and your own effort that bore fruit.”

“You showed me the right direction, Elder. Without that, I would have rushed in the opposite way. Effort with the wrong direction only returns as despair. If you don’t know where to go, then rest instead! That was all thanks to your teaching.”

Seeing Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s face brighten with satisfaction, Geom Mugeuk added with a smile,

“Now, you must tell Daeryong where he should go as well. Let’s go.”

*         *         *

At that time, Seo Daeryong also stood before the copper mirror.

He wore a red ceremonial robe embroidered with clouds and cranes, silk shoes, a coronet on his head, and a jade belt at his waist. His own appearance felt utterly unfamiliar to him.

Seo Daeryong asked the reflection in the mirror,

“Daeryong, do you deserve to be this happy?”

Just then, a voice came from behind.

“You do.”

Startled, he turned to see Demonic Army Commander Jangho standing at the door.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

With an emotional face, Seo Daeryong stepped toward him.

“Thank you, Commander.”

They had once shared a meal when Dan Ah was introduced, but afterward, he had been too busy to meet her separately.

“How do you feel?”

At Jangho’s question, Seo Daeryong answered with a smile.

“You just heard a moment ago, didn’t you?”

Jangho laughed along.

“Come, let’s go.”

Outside, four members of the Demonic Army were waiting.

“Today, we have been assigned to attend the bride and groom.”

“You really didn’t have to go this far.”

It might have seemed like nothing, but it carried a weighty meaning.

For the Demonic Army to move like this meant that the Demonic Army Commander himself acknowledged his friendship with Seo Daeryong. Knowing Jangho’s stern character, this was truly a great favor to Seo Daeryong.

“Thank you, Commander.”

“Think nothing of it.”

If he had not met Geom Mugeuk and changed his life, he would never have exchanged even a single word with this man. But now, they were this close.

They arrived at the venue where the wedding would be held.

The great martial arena was decorated entirely with red and golden cloth, along with banners.

At its center stood a large folding screen, and before it was set a table prepared for the wedding.

On either side, spaces had been arranged for the bride and groom to greet the guests.

Sitting in the groom’s seat, Seo Daeryong was startled. A great many seats had been prepared for guests, and his first thought was: could all of those possibly be filled?

Soon after, the flower palanquin carrying the bride arrived.

When she stepped out, Dan Ah’s heart sank. Despite all the prepared seats, not a single person was there. Even though the ceremony was about to begin.

With trembling nerves, she sat down in the seat prepared for the bride.

Next came Geom Mugeuk and Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

Seo Daeryong rose from his seat and greeted them.

“Master! Young Cult Leader!”

With so few guests, Seo Daeryong felt inwardly flustered.

Geom Mugeuk looked around.

“The wedding is about to begin, yet not many people have come.”

It wasn’t that not many had come—other than the Demonic Army members who escorted them, there were truly only a handful.

“Where are the Investigators and Enforcement Martial Artists of the Underworld Pavilion?”

At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Seo Daeryong hung his head low.

“It seems I must have behaved poorly in my daily life.”

His face looked as though he might cry any moment. For himself, he didn’t care. He had always lived a lonely life anyway.

But for Dan Ah, this could not become such a bleak wedding. He didn’t want her to see this. Please, just twenty more, no—even ten more people, he begged inwardly.

“As long as the ones who truly wish to congratulate you are here, that’s enough. Look—your Master is here, Commander Jang is here, Lee Ahn is here, Second Young Lady and Youngest Young Lady are here. And most importantly, I’m here!”

Seo Daeryong tugged at Geom Mugeuk’s collar and pulled him aside. Then he whispered earnestly.

“Young Cult Leader, please at least summon some guards. It’s too shameful for Miss Dan to see it like this.”

He had never imagined so few would come. He had always worked so hard, but perhaps it had only ever been his own effort.

“Would my guards be enough?”

“…What?”

Geom Mugeuk suddenly raised his hand high.

Fwoooosh! Bang! Boom!

At that signal, fireworks exploded in every direction. Brilliant and beautiful bursts of light bloomed in the blue sky.

Bang! Boom! Boom!

At last, the guests began to file in. Geom Mugeuk had deliberately kept them waiting to tease Seo Daeryong.

“Young Cult Leader!”

Seeing them enter the hall, Seo Daeryong’s eyes welled up.

“The bride isn’t even crying, and yet the groom is about to?”

“I—I was just really shocked!”

“What, you thought you’d get married before me and not at least go through something like this?”

The first to enter were the Investigators and Enforcement Martial Artists of the Underworld Pavilion.

“Leader! Congratulations!”

Led by the senior investigator Gok Myung, the Investigators poured in to congratulate him. Behind them came the Enforcement Martial Artists.

“And of course, my own guards are here too.”

Indeed, the Young Cult Leader’s guards came as well to offer congratulations.

Seo Daeryong became dizzy receiving all the greetings flooding toward him.

Watching that sight, Dan Ah let out a deep sigh of relief. In truth, up until moments ago, she had been even more nervous and flustered than Seo Daeryong.

‘Thank goodness.’

Thinking back to when no one was there a little while ago, the thought that she herself might have no guests didn’t even matter.

But even that problem was soon resolved.

A great group of guests rushed in to congratulate her as well. They were none other than the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps led by Seo Jin.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Miss Dan!”

When Seo Jin spoke on their behalf, Dan Yeon stepped forward to introduce her sister.

“This is the leader of the Tenebrous Ghosts Corps unit that I belong to.”

Dan Ah bowed her head respectfully.

“We are still lacking in many ways. Please continue to guide us well.”

“Yeon is already doing excellently. You needn’t worry.”

Other members stepped up to congratulate her.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“I am in the same unit as Dan Yeon. Congratulations.”

“Congratulations!”

It wasn’t just one or two—almost the entire unit had come to offer their blessings, leaving Dan Ah deeply moved.

Relief washed over her. The worries that had kept her sleepless all through the previous night vanished in an instant. This much congratulations was more than enough. In fact, it overflowed.

And they were not the only guests that day.

Numerous Branch Leaders and Leaders of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came to congratulate Seo Daeryong. Given the nature of the Underworld Pavilion, relations with other organizations had never been friendly. Yet, still many came to extend their wishes.

It was thanks to Seo Daeryong’s fair handling of affairs. While there were plenty who disliked him, there were also many who respected the way he managed things.

At that moment, the martial artists parted like waves, creating a path.

The first to arrive along it was a Demon Supreme. Though he seemed the type to arrive last, unexpectedly he was the first—Evil Smiling Demon.

Wearing a white mask, he approached Seo Daeryong with several Faceless Swordsmen in tow.

Evil Smiling Demon offered his congratulations.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you so much. I never imagined that you, Soma-nim, would come here in person.”

Even though he held the position of Master of the Underworld Pavilion, Seo Daeryong had not dared to invite the Demon Supremes.

“It was Lord Blade Demon who invited me.”

But truthfully, even without Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s invitation, Evil Smiling Demon would have come. He was Geom Mugeuk’s right hand, after all.

At that moment, Seventeenth Beauty, standing behind Cha Iran, looked among the Faceless Swordsmen behind Evil Smiling Demon, searching for the Crescent Moon Faceless Swordsman. To her surprise, he was there.

Just as she had struggled to be sent on this mission, it seemed he too had strived to come. Their gazes met in the air. Meeting like this at a wedding, of all places, was deeply meaningful.

He was not the only Demon Supreme present.

Drunken Demon and One-Slash Sword Supreme appeared together as well.

Seo Daeryong was startled at their unexpected visit.

Drunken Demon handed Seo Daeryong a gift of wine and congratulated him.

“It’s a sweet fruit wine. But when you feel the need for strong liquor, come find me.”

Then, Drunken Demon called out loudly to Geom Mugeuk.

“I’ve brought good liquor for tonight’s celebration feast!”

Looking toward where he gazed, the third-generation drunken guest Lyu Bin was standing there with boxes of liquor stacked high.

Geom Mugeuk could sense it. Since the last time they met, Drunken Demon had become even freer.

Turning to the other Demon Supremes, Geom Mugeuk shouted,

“Tonight we drink until dawn! No one is allowed to think of going home!”

One-Slash Sword Supreme also brought a gift. But rather than giving it to Seo Daeryong, she handed it to Dan Yeon.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you, Sword Supreme.”

Since joining the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, Dan Ah had once learned swordsmanship from One-Slash Sword Supreme. She had not officially become her disciple, but in her heart, she considered her a master.

She had dearly wanted to invite her, but had not dared to summon a Demon Supreme. Yet here she was.

One-Slash Sword Supreme gave her a flower pot as a gift—one of the flowers she especially cherished.

“Though it may seem flowers bloom on their own, they take much care. They need sunlight, wind, and even replanting. I imagine married life will be the same.”

It was clear what meaning lay in the gift.

“We will take good care of both, Sword Supreme.”

Watching beside her, Seo Daeryong wanted to shout:

The flower pot in my office—I still haven’t killed it, it’s alive and well!

But while he was lost in such thoughts, One-Slash Sword Supreme spoke to him.

“You are truly a fortunate man.”

At first, Seo Daeryong thought those words were about Dan Ah.

But now, he realized they were meant for someone else.

One-Slash Sword Supreme was looking at someone. Seo Daeryong followed her gaze.

It was Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

He was smiling brightly as he welcomed the guests.

“!”

The sight struck Seo Daeryong’s heart with a resounding shock.

One-Slash Sword Supreme spoke as if amazed.

“Even I have never seen that face before.”

The master who never smiled was now beaming as he greeted the guests.

He smiled at the Demon Supremes, at the Branch Leaders and Leaders, even at ordinary martial artists.

He was thanking them for coming, telling them where to sit. To people he normally wouldn’t spare even a glance, he was even telling them to stay and be sure to enjoy a meal later.

In that moment, his master was not the Demone Supreme.