Absolute Regression Chapter 384 : Secret Ingredients Cannot Be Disclosed

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis

========================

Chapter 384: Secret Ingredients Cannot Be Disclosed

Jo Chunbae had been in an exceptionally good mood lately.

He had enjoyed the most rewarding vacation of his life and played the role of a wonderful son-in-law.

There was truly nothing more he could wish for.

All because of that person.

“Owner, have you been well?”

He was now living a life where the Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult greeted him with a bright smile.

“Young Cult Leader, what brings you here at such an early hour?”

“I ca because I have sothing to discuss with you.”

“Please, co in.”

Jo Chunbae led Geom Mugeuk inside.

Geom Mugeuk looked around the Flowing Wind Tavern. Even though it had been a while since his last visit, nothing had changed.

“As expected! The mont I step in, I feel at ease.”

“Hearing that truly leaves at a loss for words.”

Geom Mugeuk sat in his usual spot on the second floor.

“You should sit too, Owner.”

Jo Chunbae sat down across from him, inwardly tense.

‘What is it he needs to talk about?’

Geom Mugeuk handed him a slip of paper with a eting date written on it.

“I believe I’ll need to rent out the entire Flowing Wind Tavern for this day. Will that be alright?”

“Of course.”

It was Geom Mugeuk who had saved both his family and his life. Renting the place out for a day? He would gladly give it up for a month. If Geom Mugeuk asked to take the tavern itself, how could he possibly refuse?

“But who’s coming that it has to be like this?”

Up to now, people had always just shown up out of the blue. Even the Heavenly Demon appeared without warning, and so did the Demon Supres. But who was coming now that they would notify in advance and try to reserve the entire tavern?

“There will be an important eting for our cult. I spoke highly of you to them. I said I absolutely wanted to host them here.”

“Thank you very much, Young Cult Leader.”

At this mont, a slight misunderstanding occurred.

Jo Chunbae thought the cult was simply holding a eting here, planning to sell so drinks and promote the Flowing Wind Tavern’s na.

“Please take extra care with the alcohol and food preparations. I’m sorry, but I cannot reveal in advance who the guests are. And I must also ask that you not tell anyone about this eting until the day itself.” 1

“No problem at all, please don’t worry.”

Jo Chunbae laughed heartily, full of confidence.

‘Finally, a chance to repay at least a little of my debt to the Young Cult Leader.’

His gaze shifted toward the back wall. No matter how distinguished the guest—

‘I have even served the Cult Leader!’

And not just him. He had hosted drinking parties with the Demon Supres, the Demonic Army Commander, and even the Underworld Pavilion Lord.

“When it cos to entertaining important guests, I’ve been through it all, haven’t I? Just leave it to !” 2

Owner, this ti the guests are mainly people who specialize in running the martial world.

It was top secret, but they could have tipped Jo Chunbae off about who was coming. The problem was that it would have only backfired.

Jo Chunbae wouldn’t sleep a wink from anxiety, and he’d end up scaling a cliff to get better ingredients. No, his heart might not even hold out until that day.

“Then I’ll trust you, Owner.”

In truth, Geom Mugeuk had wanted to just barge in like he usually did. Custors would be on the first floor, and the Martial Alliance Leader would say, “Let us through”, as he made his way upstairs through the crowd.

He simply wanted to show things the way they usually were. After all, Jo Chunbae would surely handle it well, just like he always had. A three-way eting right in the middle of the custors!

Of course, he couldn’t go as far as to insist on that. It would be much too troubleso for the escorts. 3

“I’ll co back a bit later with my brother for a al.”

“I’ll prepare sothing you both enjoy.”

As he stepped out of the tavern, Geom Mugeuk crossed the street and walked toward a middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat. 4

“Did you stay outside because of ?”

At that, the man removed his hat.

“So you recognized .”

To his surprise, it was none other than Wang Sooksoo, the head chef and representative of the Cult Leader’s Hall. 5

It seed the Strategist Advisor had sent Wang Sooksoo to ensure there were no oversights in the upcoming eting. Regardless of his trust in Geom Mugeuk, the guests to be received were none other than the Martial Alliance Leader and the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.

“I just thought there might be sothing the tavern needed, so I ca by.”

Though he said that, he was clearly here to inspect. He’d check the food, the hygiene standards, and everything else.

“Please don’t worry about . Just do what you ca to do.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Wang Sooksoo was feeling uneasy, knowing that it was Geom Mugeuk who had chosen the eting location.

“I may be fine, but I’m not sure the tavern will be.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s not just anyone—we’re talking about Chef Wang himself inspecting the place. How could that shabby little tavern possibly satisfy you? There’s probably not a single thing you’ll like about it.”

Wang Sooksoo silently agreed. Holding a eting like this in a place like that tavern—it truly seed ridiculous.

“Then may I ask why you chose that place?”

There were many reasons, but Geom Mugeuk gave the one he knew would resonate most with Wang Sooksoo.

“The food is good.”

Sure enough, Wang Sooksoo nodded in imdiate agreent.

“If that’s the reason, then it’s good enough.”

“Then I’ll see you later.”

Geom Mugeuk watched as Wang Sooksoo entered the Flowing Wind Tavern before heading to the Main Division.

There, he t his brother Geom Muyang, who was working in his office on matters related to the upcoming eting.

“What brings you here?”

“I ca to see your face.”

“I’m busy. Now that you’ve seen , off you go.”

He acted gruff, but his face showed a hint of welco.

“Let’s eat together. We can check out the eting location while we’re at it.”

“I said I’m busy.”

“My brother, who’s collected every bad trait under the sun, is now even the poster child of deskbound theorists? Deciding everything from behind a desk without even seeing the site? How’s anything supposed to go right? You should go check it out yourself, say to the owner, ‘This needs to be fixed, doesn’t it?’ And as your little brother, I’d say, ‘Don’t you think you should yield a bit here?’.”

Geom Muyang plugged his ears and stood up from his seat. 6

* * *

The two of them walked side by side toward Maga Village.

“You’re attending the eting too, right, Brother?”

“Why? Do you not want to attend?”

“How could I not? I need to show off to the people from the Martial Alliance and the Unorthodox Alliance that I beat this guy and beca the successor.”

Geom Mugeuk was a little worried that Geom Muyang might say he wouldn’t attend.

But unexpectedly, Geom Muyang was firm and confident.

“If I don’t go, they’ll say I didn’t show up because I was ashad of losing the successor position. I’ve got to go just to avoid that humiliation.”

He clearly didn’t want to go, and yet he said he would. That made Geom Mugeuk feel thankful. 7

“On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t let you co. People might whisper, ‘Why make the younger one the successor when you have such a capable older brother?’”

“As long as you know.”

“The sibling pair from the Martial Alliance, Commander Jin and his sister, will be there too. We’ve got to show them we’re the cooler brothers.”

“That why you invited ?”

“Yup. I wanted to show off who I have around . I’m serious.”

“How childish.”

While they chatted about this and that, Geom Mugeuk suddenly asked,

“Do you still have that dream?”

“What dream?”

“The one where you beco the successor.”

Co to think of it, he hadn’t had that dream in a while. He used to dream it so often in the beginning.

“Every night.”

Geom Muyang realized that dream had finally left him. No matter how busy he had been, it wasn’t sothing he could have just forgotten. He felt a strange mix of relief and sadness. 8

“I’ll still dream it the night before I die.”

“You’re pathetic.”

“I’ll dream it even after I’m in the grave.”

Maybe even he found it funny—Geom Muyang chuckled faintly.

Geom Mugeuk could sense that his brother had let go of those feelings.

“If you keep dreaming it, maybe one day it’ll co true. Who knows what life has in store?”

Suddenly, Geom Muyang stopped in his tracks and shouted with an angry face,

“Don’t you even think about it!”

Every now and then, the image ca to mind—of Geom Mugeuk stepping down without warnings and shoving the position of Heavenly Demon to him before running away. The more he got to know his brother, the more vivid that scene beca. 9

“Why are you trying to wake from my dream?”

Geom Muyang glared at his brother, his expression deliberately cold. This was one thing he had to make absolutely clear.

“Once you’ve taken the seat, you keep it. I won’t forgive you for giving it up. Got that?”

“Got it. I won’t give it up. What do you take for, an idiot? Why would I give up sothing that good?” 10

The two of them resud walking. They didn’t speak another word until they reached the Flowing Wind Tavern.

anwhile, Wang Sooksoo was deeply impressed.

The food tasted better than he’d expected. It had a subtle yet deep flavor. It was the kind of taste that anyone could enjoy, free of polarizing elents, and yet it carried its own unique identity.

“How did you make this broth?”

“It’s a pork-based broth with so secret ingredients. Even for soone from the Cult, I’m afraid I can’t reveal those secret ingredients.”

“That’s quite alright.”

This elderly man had claid to be from the Cult and said he wished to try the food here before the eting.

Having run his tavern for many years, Jo Chunbae knew better than anyone how the Divine Cult operated. Soone coming ahead of ti to inspect things was perfectly natural.

After sipping the broth again, Wang Sooksoo was visibly moved.

“It tastes different from the first sip.” 11

“Oh no, not at all. Not at all.”

Jo Chunbae waved his hands modestly, but his lifted shoulders betrayed the pride behind his words.

“Ah, then please try this one too.”

Even the Cult Leader had tasted this dish!

Wang Sooksoo tried the dish Jo Chunbae offered and looked thoroughly satisfied.

“This is also good. This one suits my taste the best.”

At that, Jo Chunbae leaned in and said with a grin,

“Shall I pack so for you?”

“Would you?”

“Truth be told, I’ve often been told I was born with the gift of flavor since I was young. I have a sensitive palate too, so I understand taste well. You might already know, but cooking, just like martial arts, requires talent.”

“I’d love to bring the Cult’s chefs here soti. I want them to taste this and see how even with such humble ingredients, a deep flavor can be achieved.”

“Oh, no, co now. It’s nothing, really.”

Jo Chunbae waved his hands again. He was in such a good mood, it was as though his fluttering gestures could lift off like butterflies.

Just then, lost in his excitent, Jo Chunbae finally noticed Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang standing at the entrance, watching him.

“Oh! Young Cult Leader, Eldest Young Master! When did you arrive?”

Jo Chunbae greeted the two respectfully.

“This guest here is from the Cult, sent for an advance inspection,” he explained.

Geom Muyang stepped forward and greeted Wang Sooksoo first.

“Wang Sooksoo.”

“Eldest Young Master.”

At the ntion of “Wang Sooksoo”, Jo Chunbae flinched. Sooksoo? This man was a chef? Wang Sooksoo?

Having been in this business so long, how could he not have heard of Wang Sooksoo? Could it be? That Wang Sooksoo?

With a trembling voice, Jo Chunbae turned haltingly to Geom Mugeuk and asked,

“No way… this person is? No, right?”

Geom Mugeuk smiled and replied,

“That’s right. This is the head chef in charge of the Cult Leader’s Hall.”

Startled beyond words, Jo Chunbae leapt in shock. All the butterflies he had sent soaring ca crashing down.

“Oh my goodness!”

Not just any chef—but the head chef of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion! And he had gone on and on, boasting about how he made his sauces, how he brewed his broths.

“This foolish man swung a stick and lectured on martial arts in front of the Sword Deity himself.”

But Wang Sooksoo shook his head.

“Sotis, that stick can be sharper than the Sword Deity’s own blade.” 12

They say truly delicious places are hidden in the most unexpected corners, and the Flowing Wind Tavern was just such a place. Even when Geom Mugeuk had said the food was good, Wang Sooksoo had quietly dismissed it, thinking, how good could it be?

Wang Sooksoo turned to Geom Mugeuk.

“I believe that food and people are connected by fate. I think the flavor here also played a part in your bond with this tavern.”

It was the mont Jo Chunbae had earned recognition from the head chef of the Cult Leader’s Hall.

“Thank you for the al.”

“It was an honor, Sooksoo-nim!”

Before leaving, Wang Sooksoo made sure to take all the food Jo Chunbae had packed for him. Just seeing that left Jo Chunbae deeply moved.

“That delicious dish, please send it up to the second floor.”

Leaving the emotional Jo Chunbae behind, Geom Mugeuk and Geom Muyang went upstairs.

Geom Muyang sent a sound transmission.

―Wasn’t that good for fate to be involved.

―Why’re you using sound transmission? Just say it out loud and be an in front of the Owner.

―He’s so overwheld right now, I don’t think he’d even hear .

Jo Chunbae was still staring endlessly at the departing figure of Wang Sooksoo.

“Sit here, Brother. This spot has a good view of the outside.”

Geom Mugeuk offered him the better seat.

“If I can’t give up the Celestial Zenith Throne, I should at least give up this seat.”

Brother, do you know? To , this seat is more precious than the Celestial Zenith Throne.

* * *

When Jin Hagun ca out of the eting room, Jin Haryeong was waiting.

“Took you long enough.”

“They’re neck-deep in a pride match.”

At Jin Hagun’s words, Jin Haryeong asked,

“What pride?”

“They’re debating the number of escorts compared to the Unorthodox Alliance.”

“To bring more?”

Jin Hagun shook his head.

“To bring fewer.”

Jin Haryeong burst out laughing. They were worried that having more escorts would make it seem like they were afraid.

“They really sweat the small stuff.”

“To them, it’s a big deal. But why?”

“I saw they left off the eting list.”

“Yeah, I heard they did.”

“Why?”

“Because both of us can’t go.”

Jin Haryeong’s expression turned to suspicion.

“In case sothing goes wrong and at least one of us survives?”

Jin Hagun nodded.

“Well, go in and persuade them. If you can’t, Big Brother is the one who stays behind.”

No one knew Jin Haryeong’s personality better than Jin Hagun. And he also knew how much she wanted to see Geom Mugeuk.

“I was in the middle of persuading them.”

“No need for to ntion it then. Guess I couldn’t trust my amazing big brother.”

“Am I really amazing, though?”

Jin Hagun stepped back inside.

With a faint smile, Jin Haryeong looked up at the sky through the hallway window.

The clouds floated by so slowly they looked still, but ti was flowing swiftly.

* * *

Until just before departure, Baek Jagang remained in his private training ground.

Ever since the date for the eting had been set, he had spent all his ti there, like a man preparing for war.

Today as well, he was glaring at the iron mannequin.

In his eyes, Geom Woojin was standing over that iron figure.

He was still staring at him with those arrogant eyes.

Then soone spoke from outside.

“It’s Bih Sa-in. It’s almost ti to depart.”

“Co in.”

Bih Sa-in stepped into the room.

“Do you know who’s standing there?”

Bih Sa-in looked at the iron mannequin. Over it, he could see the image of Geom Mugeuk.

“Who is standing there?”

“The Cult Leader is. Just as I saw him ten years ago. Ever since the three-way eting was decided, he’s been standing there nonstop.”

Bih Sa-in stared at the iron mannequin as well, then suddenly asked,

“Did you cut him down?”

Baek Jagang fell silent for a mont. The silence stretched, but Bih Sa-in didn’t think he had made a mistake. He was certain his master had been waiting for that question.

“I did not.”

Bih Sa-in admired this quality in his master. He never concealed the truth out of pride or concern for appearances.

“It was here that I realized why I chose to face him.”

“What was the reason?”

“He grew too large in my heart.”

Bih Sa-in could roughly guess what that ant.

“When you et him this ti, he’ll shrink.”

But a new unease arose in Baek Jagang’s heart.

“What if he turns out to be even bigger than the one I imagined?”

Had he ever seen his master be this honest? Was it Geom Mugeuk who had changed him, or was it Geom Woojin?

“Then perhaps you’ll understand a little of how I feel. The frustration of a disciple who keeps facing a rival that only grows larger each ti.”

Baek Jagang smiled without a sound.

Bih Sa-in felt uplifted seeing his master smile. Each ti he smiled, it felt like they took one step closer. Even if it might just be a delusion, it felt good.

Soon after, attendants entered with garnts in hand. They were the formal, extravagant robes worn by the Unorthodox Alliance Leader during official public appearances.

But Baek Jagang declined them all.

Instead, he donned a simple, clean black martial robe—just like the one he wore when he first stepped into the unorthodox world.

The black robe suited him perfectly, and sohow held more dignity than the elaborate attire from before. 13

“Let’s go. To the Cult.”

1 : Full surprise then ? I quite agree, and not because of the security ^^

2 : It’s just a tiny bit more until you reach the ‘everything’ category XDXDXD

3 : I agree, it would have been great. Maybe next ti ^^

4 : Bamboo hats are always shady ^^ First rule of Murim !!!!

5 : Heeey, it’s been a while~~ ^^ For those who don’t rember him, that’s normal, we recently edited his na to a more accurate Wang Sooksoo instead of Lim Suksoo. He first appeared in chapter 4 ^^

6 : Lol, this bullying XDXDXD

7 : It’s always nice to confirm the character growth of all those who interact positively with Mugeuk ^^ I rember thinking early on that killing Muyang was inevitable…. But that was before Mugeuk revealing all his whale dancing talent ^^

8 : I know that feeling, a door that closes definitely.

9 : Perceptive ^^ That’s pretty much the sa image I had XDXDXD

10 : “Tsk, busted.” XDXDXD

11 : Oooooh, talented. *admirative clapping*

12 : Enlightennt can co from anywhere, even from a beetle hiding from the rain.

13 : Probably because it is practical, which follows the Unorthodox Path more rather than unnecessary luxury. Furthermore, certain items get imbued with aning through their user’s feelings, and wearing the sa clothes he t Geom Woojin with for the first ti is far more poetic than the ceremonial robes of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader.