Absolute Regression Chapter 354 : Only if we leave him alone will the Young Lead

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis

Murim Term Consultant: Kopke

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Chapter 354: Only if we leave him alone will the Young Leader die

Once Bih Sa-in left, his subordinate Sahon approached the Battle King, pulling the cart.

“I’ll move the luggage for you.”

As Sahon loaded the gifts given by the martial artists onto the cart, the Battle King also took a seat.

As they exited the training ground, their telepathic conversation began.

―So the Young Leader noticed after all?

The Battle King gave a slight nod. It was sothing he had already anticipated when the assassins failed to kill Pyo Gigwang.

―Then why did he co?

―A declaration of war. And to show off. Assassins like the ones you sent won’t work on him.

―He’s still young.

A sneer curled up on Sahon’s lips. In contrast, doubt lingered in the Battle King’s heart.

―He’s definitely changed from before.

But he couldn’t quite tell what exactly had changed. 1

―Have you figured out how he survived today’s ambush?

At Sahon’s question, the Battle King shook his head.

―Could the Alliance Leader be helping him?

―Not the Alliance Leader. If he were involved, things wouldn’t be handled this way.

―Then the Young Leader will undoubtedly seek help from Monster Evil and Flash of Light.

Monster Evil and Flash of Light. They were part of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters, elites Bih Sa-in had once brought along to flaunt his influence during the three way eting concerning the Heavenly Flower Sect’s fate.

―He likely will.

―If we give him ti, it’ll work against us. I’ll personally lead my subordinates and take care of it before he ets them.

―That won’t be necessary.

The Battle King lay down among the luggage piled on the cart and uttered incomprehensible words.

―Only if we leave him alone... will the Young Leader die.

* * *

Descending from the cliff, Bih Sa-in imdiately sent a letter and rented a carriage and horses. To avoid attention, he left behind the Thirteen Wolves and headed to his destination alone with Geom Mugeuk.

Bih Sa-in silently looked out at the scenery.

He cald himself ahead of the great battle to co. He was prepared to die, and this would be more dangerous than any battle he’d faced until now.

Of course, part of him wanted to avoid it. A voice in the corner of his mind constantly urged him to run to the Alliance Leader.

―Already forgot? You got angry and made a decision earlier—you regretted it, didn’t you? Sa thing now. Once this is over, you’ll regret this choice. Go now, tell the Alliance Leader and fix this.

With complicated feelings, Bih Sa-in looked toward Geom Mugeuk.

As always, Geom Mugeuk sat quietly with his eyes closed.

Then, suddenly, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

“Regretting it again?”

“You must have eyes on the back of your head, and on your eyelids too.”

“So I’m like a monster? Just say I see with my heart.” 2

Geom Mugeuk slowly opened his eyes.

“Every ti we ride a carriage, you close your eyes and start murmuring sothing. What is it you’re practicing?”

“Heavenly Demon Body Protection Technique.”

Bih Sa-in was inwardly taken aback. He hadn’t expected the exclusive martial art of the Heavenly Demon to be ntioned.

“Is it alright to tell such a secret?”

“What’s the harm? It’s not like I told you the incantation. What’s so wrong with just saying the na of the technique?”

There were realms one couldn’t reach just by learning verbally or trying to imitate. It was a statent that had slipped out without him realizing.

“I’ve lost.”

“I think it’s fine to admit that, too.”

“So what? Am I supposed to just let you drag around?”

“What’s the harm? Being dragged around, you get to see stars, birds, clouds. Sure, the one doing the dragging will strut around and act high and mighty at first, but after a while, even that person will get tired. They’ll start hoping soone would drag them for a change.”

Bih Sa-in gave him a look as if to say, Unbelievable.

“You talk like you’ve lost before, when you never have.” 3

“You know my father, right? There’s no point in hiding anything from him. He sees through everything. You should see the way he mocks .”

It was hard to believe that even soone like Geom Mugeuk could be forced on the defensive by soone. Then again, it made sense if that soone was Geom Mugeuk’s father.

“What kind of person is your father?”

“You probably know more about him than I do.”

Bih Sa-in gave a faint smile at the half-joking, half-serious response.

“I’ll introduce you next ti. et him and judge for yourself.”

'Will the day co when I greet the Heavenly Demon?'

“You’re getting serious again. It’s not the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance greeting the Heavenly Demon. It’s just a friend greeting a friend’s father.”

'A friend’s father.'

In his life, friend was as foreign a word as any.

“By the way, why aren’t you asking who we’re going to et?”

Well, that’s because he already knew. Geom Mugeuk had a good guess as to who Bih Sa-in was going to for help.

“Which of the two are you eting first?”

Bih Sa-in shook his head.

“Do you know sothing? You really co off as lacking any humanity in monts like this.”

He regretted the words the mont he said them. If soone so lacking in humanity were helping him, would he even be here?

“Let ask just one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do you think even Senior Gwe or Senior Gwang won’t be enough?”

When he had seen Instructor Hwang, his skill felt on par with that of an Alliance Training Center instructor.

In other words, soone whose ability far surpassed his own to deceive his senses.

Geom Mugeuk answered honestly.

“If the two of them attack together, it might be possible. Alone? Not a chance.”

Bih Sa-in had sowhat expected that answer, but it still surprised him. To think their opponent required a joint effort from two of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters.

Then Geom Mugeuk added sothing even more shocking.

“If their coordination isn’t perfect, it’ll still be tough.”

* * *

The carriage arrived at the appointed location.

“Young Leader, welco.”

“Thank you sincerely for coming all this way.”

“Flash of Light is waiting inside. Co, let’s go in.”

They were two of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters who had a close connection with the Unorthodox Alliance. More precisely, they were individuals who followed the Alliance Leader.

Monster Evil glanced over to confirm there was only one accompanying person.

“Ca quietly, I see.”

He had t Geom Mugeuk once in the past, but did not recognize him in this mont.

Geom Mugeuk wore a mask and kept his head low, avoiding eye contact. He also suppressed his qi to the level of an average mber of the Thirteen Wolves.

The idea that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult would be posing as a mber of the Thirteen Wolves and escorting Bih Sa-in was much too ridiculous to even occur to him, so Monster Evil failed to recognize Geom Mugeuk.

Geom Mugeuk entered the room as well. Since mbers of the Thirteen Wolves always accompanied the Young Leader, it didn’t raise any suspicion.

Inside the room, a drinking table had been prepared, and Flash of Light was already waiting.

“Thank you for coming, Senior.”

Flash of Light, who was typically silent by nature, simply offered a slight nod in greeting.

Bih Sa-in sat at the table and sent a telepathic ssage to Geom Mugeuk.

―Would you like to reveal your identity and sit with us?

―It’s fine. I’ll stay here.

Geom Mugeuk remained standing a short distance behind Bih Sa-in.

“I started drinking while waiting. Here, Young Leader, have a glass.”

As they drank, they shared light conversation—from personal well-being, to the Alliance Leader, to recent happenings in the martial world.

Then Flash of Light offered a drink to Geom Mugeuk as well. Geom Mugeuk turned his head and drank beneath his mask.

Bih Sa-in was quietly impressed.

‘So the Young Leader has the skill to conceal his presence even before these two.’

After several rounds, the real discussion began.

“So then, what did you call us here for, Young Leader?”

“There’s sothing I need to ask of you two, Seniors.”

Bih Sa-in spoke with caution.

Even Monster Evil, who now wore a pleasant expression, was a notoriously cruel and volatile grandmaster with a fearso reputation in the martial world.

Flash of Light, though his quiet deanor made him seem less nacing, was known for being faster than words with his sword.

The reason they were showing him courtesy now was solely out of respect for the Alliance Leader. Bih Sa-in had yet to build any personal bond or trust with them.

“I’ve identified a covert group that poses a threat to the Alliance.”

At those words, Monster Evil and Flash of Light’s gazes turned sharp.

“Who are they?”

“Their leader is Instructor Hwang Seokgyeong from the Alliance Training Center.”

When Hwang Seokgyeong’s na was revealed, the two n looked utterly baffled. They were more shocked by the fact that it was him than by the ntion of so secret force threatening the Alliance.

“If you know who the enemy is, then just eliminate them. Why call us out here?”

“He’s hiding his true strength.”

“To the extent that we’re necessary?”

“Yes. Both of you will need to go.”

A mont of silence passed. Bih Sa-in did not conceal the opponent’s skill. He made no foolish mistake of downplaying Hwang Seokgyeong’s ability just to preserve the two n’s pride.

Monster Evil asked with half disbelief.

“Does the Alliance Leader know?”

“Not yet.”

“Why haven’t you told him?”

What ca next was key to persuading them.

“He’s been entangled with from the start. He even tried to kill .”

“He tried to assassinate you?”

“Yes. That’s why I want to end this man with my own hands.”

Monster Evil stared at Bih Sa-in.

“So you want to handle this well and earn the Alliance Leader’s recognition.”

Bih Sa-in answered honestly once again.

“That’s right.”

Monster Evil glanced at Flash of Light. Flash of Light said nothing and simply kept drinking.

Monster Evil didn’t readily offer his help.

“If what you say is true, it’s quite dangerous. Why should we help?”

Bih Sa-in didn’t say it was a great opportunity to gain rit in the Unorthodox Alliance, nor did he claim it would be doing a favor for the next Alliance Leader. He didn’t bother saying that an instructor dreaming of becoming the Alliance Leader was absurd.

“I’ll be direct. If I beco Alliance Leader, I’ll give each of you what you want.”

“Do you even know what I want?”

“On the day I rise to the position of Alliance Leader, I’ll give you the secret manual of Slashing Ghost Shadow Step that’s stored in the treasury.”

A glint shone in Monster Evil’s eyes.

Slashing Ghost Shadow Step was the secret manual Monster Evil had long desired. When trained alongside his exclusive technique Slashing Iron Body, it produced far greater effects—but unfortunately, he had never been able to learn Slashing Ghost Shadow Step.

The reason he had done so many things for the Alliance Leader all this ti was precisely to obtain that manual.

It was a double-edged promise. If he accepted this condition, he would do everything he could to help Bih Sa-in ascend to the leadership as soon as possible.

But once the manual was handed over, Bih Sa-in would no longer be able to use him.

“Is there any guarantee you’ll keep your word?”

“If you want, I’ll write a contract under my na.”

Only then did Monster Evil nod.

“Very well, I accept under that condition.”

Bih Sa-in then looked at Flash of Light.

“Senior, I don’t yet know what it is you desire. Please tell what you want.”

Only then did Flash of Light finally speak.

“I want your life.” 4

Silence fell upon the room.

Then, Monster Evil let out a hearty laugh.

“When soone rarely speaks, a joke like that really lands.”

Bih Sa-in laughed along as well.

But Flash of Light didn’t laugh. The words that followed were unlike his usual self—poured out all at once.

“When you went out earlier to greet the Young Leader, I laced the drink with Energy Dispersing Poison. They say it’s a specially refined version of Black Queen—indeed, you didn’t notice it. Unless you possess a body immune to all poisons, you won’t be able to use your internal energy for the next half hour. Of course, I took the antidote in advance.”

In that instant, Monster Evil checked his internal energy. His expression turned cold. His energy had indeed dispersed.

“What is this? Playing such tricks—it doesn’t suit you.”

Instead of responding, Flash of Light simply continued what he had been saying.

“Today, the one who will kill the Young Leader here will be you. After you kill him, it’ll appear as if you vanished from the martial world. A large sum will be deposited into your account at the Central Plains Money Exchange, and evidence will surface suggesting you accepted a commission to kill him.”

Flash of Light calmly said such utterly horrifying words without so much as blinking.

“You lunatic! You’ve gone mad, haven’t you? Think I’ll just sit and die because I don’t have internal energy?”

Despite his roaring confidence, despair filled him. Fighting Flash of Light without internal energy? It would be like a child fighting a martial artist.

“Sorry for using Energy Dispersing Poison. It just ans I didn’t underestimate your skill, so don’t take it too harshly. I’ll see to it that your body is buried in a sunny place.”

Bih Sa-in was no less shocked and confused. Even with his internal energy, he couldn’t handle Flash of Light. The real problem was that Geom Mugeuk had also drunk the liquor.

Now that he thought about it, the one who gave the drink to Geom Mugeuk had been Flash of Light. He should’ve suspected sothing when that normally silent man went out of his way to offer a drink to a subordinate.

“You’re working with Hwang Seokgyeong?”

Flash of Light didn’t answer, but his silence was a clear affirmation.

“Why did you side with him?”

Flash of Light stared out the window for a mont before quietly replying.

“I fought him... and lost. I promised that if I lost, I’d serve him.”

There was reverence in the way he said ’him’.

Bih Sa-in realized that, just as Geom Mugeuk had said, Hwang Seokgyeong truly was a formidable figure. It wasn’t just about the promise. He had been genuinely captivated by Hwang Seokgyeong’s strength and had willingly submitted.

Then, at last, Geom Mugeuk, who had silently watched all this unfold from behind, opened his mouth.

“Strange, isn’t it? The human heart. Between the two of them, I had thought Monster Evil would be the one to betray us.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, everyone turned to him. His sudden interjection drew curious looks not just from Monster Evil but from Flash of Light as well. The tone of conversation also did not sound at all like that of a superior and a subordinate.

“Don’t tell ... you predicted this situation?”

“You going to et these two—Hwang Seokgyeong must’ve predicted that as well. And yet he didn’t try to stop you. Two of the Seven Great Unorthodox Masters might beco enemies, and he just let it happen? Doesn’t that strike you as highly suspicious?”

Now that Bih Sa-in heard it, it did seem suspicious. Why hadn’t these thoughts co to him at the ti?

“Then why didn’t you prepare for it?”

“Prepare how?”

“You shouldn’t have drunk the liquor.”

“How could I not drink when he was staring right at with those wide eyes? Was I supposed to spit it out in front of that guy?”

Shiiing!

Flash of Light’s swift sword sliced through the air.

Tap.

The mask, severed by the blade, clattered to the floor. Knowing the blow wasn’t ant to kill him, Geom Mugeuk didn’t dodge. In fact, it took greater courage and skill to read the opponent’s intent and not evade, rather than trying to dodge the strike itself.

Revealing his face, Geom Mugeuk lightly rubbed his chin and mouth and spoke.

“I’ve been having a hard ti with that mask anyway. Thanks for slicing it off. I’ve been saying, the inner lining on this thing really needs to be replaced.”

1 : Because you are a hollow man, unable to understand the feelings of others.

2 : It is a far more difficult discipline to master compared to martial arts. The human heart is ever changing, ever lying, and ever mysterious.

3 : Not in this life, but before, he constantly lost. It took him more luck to survive till the end than to acquire all the ingredients for the Great Regression technique.

4 : I already had doubts when he kept silent about Bih Sa-in assassination attempt, so I can’t say I’m surprised.