Absolute Regression Chapter 243

Episode 243: As hard as I am, I can’t help it.

The place where Ma-bul resided was a huge temple called the Golden Buddha Temple.

It consisted of dozens of large and small buildings, most of which were painted gold. The towers erected here and there also had a golden glow.

The Four Heavenly Beings placed at the entrance to ward off evil spirits looked different from those in existing temples. They looked so scary that they were the devils themselves.

In the middle of the temple stood a golden Buddha. It was a Buddha statue as large as the large stone statues erected throughout Cheonmasingyo. It was said that when the golden Buddha that Mabul had mastered reached its peak and he displayed his martial arts, he would be able to see the golden Buddha appear and disappear.

Originally, monks belonging to the Demonic Cult were called “Ma Seung (魔僧)”, but the monks of the Golden Buddha Temple were called “Gwang Seung (狂)” using the character for madness.

As soon as I announced my arrival, a huge, gigantic beast came out to greet me.

“I will guide you.”

I know who this madman is. He was Daegwang, the right-hand man of Mabul. He was big, and crazy.

He was the kind of person who would suddenly jump on me and strangle me with that prayer bead, so it wouldn’t be surprising at all.

When he, a big man, stands next to Ma-bul, Ma-bul looks even smaller. Nevertheless, Ma-bul chose this big man as his right arm.

I had a feeling that he might have chosen Daegwang to show that he had no inferiority complex about his short stature.

The passing monks greeted me with their hands clasped together. I heard that after barking at the training ground last time, my popularity has increased considerably in this place full of crazy monks. Of course, since Mabul is a fervent supporter of Hyung, they also officially supported Hyung.

Mabul was chanting in the main temple.

After always seeing him walking around with his brother, this sight of him wearing monk’s robes and kasaya and reciting Buddhist scriptures felt very unfamiliar.

The only reason he seemed like a demon was because of the golden Buddha statue that looked much scarier than a regular Buddha statue.

After paying my respects to the Buddha statue, I sat quietly behind the Buddha.

Since I had no intention of finishing the chanting, I quietly closed my eyes and practiced the Cheonmahosingong. These days, I focus on two things in my martial arts training. If I need to be aware of my surroundings, I use the Cheonmahosingong, and if there is no one around, I use the Shicheonbisul.

All the martial arts I’ve learned are important, but these two were especially important.

Cheonmahosingong was another martial art that was like life itself, and Shicheonbisul was the martial art that was needed to achieve the great success of Guhwamagong in time, and from now on, it was perhaps the most important martial art after Guhwamagong.

But unfortunately, Shicheonbisul is still studying the knot. Because the knot is so difficult, it is not easy to perform the martial arts.

How much time has passed?

The sound of the Buddhist chant that Ma-bul was reciting began to grow louder, and then magic began to surround me. Naturally, the Cheon-ma-ho-shin-gong was activated, protecting my body.

I thought I heard a chanting sound in my head, and then I saw a vision.

In pitch-black darkness.

A golden light appeared from afar and started walking towards me.

It was Ma-bul. The Ma-bul seen in this vision was tall.

He walked up to me and stopped. I could see his puzzled face.

Mabul held out his hand. The hand bounced back without being able to come over. There was some kind of invisible, transparent barrier between him and me, so I couldn’t come over. And it seemed like Mabul couldn’t see me beyond the barrier.

I could tell. Mabul had tried to invade to read my mind with the Golden Great Magical Art, but was blocked. The Heavenly Demon Guardian Art had been activated to block the invasion. Along with the Nine-Haired Magical Art, the Heavenly Demon Guardian Art that I had learned was an absolute magic art that took precedence over any other magic art.

Mabul made an embarrassed expression and then walked back into the darkness. The golden light disappeared into the darkness.

Why did you appear in front of me so tall?

It occurred to me that perhaps, in this brief moment, it was I who had looked into his heart.

The sound of the Buddhist chant that had been echoing in my head gradually grew quieter and soon disappeared.

When I opened my eyes, Mabul was sitting facing me.

He looked puzzled that his magic wasn’t working.

But soon, as if nothing had happened, Ma-Bul clasped his hands together and spoke.

“Lee Gongja. I’m glad you came back safely this time.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

I also bowed and bowed in respect.

“But wouldn’t it have been better if I hadn’t returned safely?”

Mabul said, slowly rolling the prayer beads.

“Buddha said that all life is precious.”

To think that I would ever hear the preciousness of life from someone who makes me worry that my prayer beads might fly away like a magic wand.

My gaze naturally turned to the golden Buddha statue behind him. I spoke while looking at the Buddhist painting painted behind the statue.

“Over there, the demons are indiscriminately tearing people to pieces?”

The corners of Ma-Bul’s mouth slightly rose at my unexpected words. He forced himself to hold back an incredulous laugh.

“Why have you come to me? If you wish to become a Buddhist monk, I will personally shave your head. That would be good. And there will be no bloodshed between brothers, as you wish.”

“I like to play, so I would quickly become a traitor. My brother is more serious and reserved, so he would suit me better. He also has a prettier head.”

Although it was a joke, we were engaged in a tense battle of wits.

“The reason I came to see you today is… … .”

After a moment, I spoke to him.

“It’s because of the Golden Operation.”

I started this operation by telling him the operation name.

Mabul asked with a suspicious look.

“Operation Golden? What is that?”

“This is a plan to make Mabulnim my man. Today is the first day.”

In the end, Mabul couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“I really can’t deny that you are a unique person. I admit it, I admit it.”

“You used to call me crazy, but I’ve improved.”

Mabul suddenly stopped laughing and said.

“Do not disrespect the Grand Duke. The successor will become the Grand Duke.”

“When I visited the demons, I should have visited the elders first. Then, the demon lord must be somewhere right now, saying, ‘Don’t ignore the Duke of Yi. The successor will be the Duke of Yi.’”

Mabul snorted.

“Do you think it would have gone over to you?”

“What do you think it was like?”

“That’s nonsense.”

When you see this unwavering loyalty to his brother, it is unfortunate that he was initially seen as a greedy political monk who was only interested in seizing power.

“Why do you like my brother so much?”

“Your brother… … .”

There seemed to be a reason, but he didn’t tell me. I thought that I would only be able to hear that reason if Mabul became my man.

“I think the Grand Duke is a more suitable person for the Heavenly Horse.”

I nodded silently.

“Does that mean you think the same thing?”

“I admit that there are definitely areas where my brother is better at being more thorough.”

“Then I will yield.”

Instead of answering, I asked him.

“Isn’t it hard dealing with your brother?”

“Are you trying to sow discord between me and the Archduke? That won’t work.”

“As I said before, Mabul-nim is a small giant. Finding Mabul-nim is the greatest fortune of my brother. Thank you.”

“Why are you grateful?”

Mabul looked at me with a suspicious look. Knowing that I wouldn’t open my heart easily, I calmly conveyed my feelings.

“I told you before that I was going to stop the fight for succession from killing each other in this generation. My older brother has strong pride and it’s hard for him to control it, so I asked you to help him. Do you remember?”

“I remember.”

“I think it’s all thanks to you that my brother hasn’t gone wild so far.”

“I said that if the Archduke goes wild, I will pour oil on it. I will incite him to blow everything up. So why do you think I will stop the Archduke?”

I stared at him and spoke calmly.

“I know you better than anyone else. If Mabulnim hadn’t been by my side, I wouldn’t have been able to endure this.”

It was my sincerity. Regardless of whether I could draw him in as my man or not, I was truly grateful to him. For standing by my brother’s side until I came here like this.

“I will take my leave for today.”

I bowed my head politely and said goodbye.

Ma-Bul turned around in silence and began to chant again.

Talking to him, I realized something for sure.

He is the smallest in size, but the most difficult to get.

It starts now.

* * *

The next day, I approached Ma-bul, who was coming out of the Golden Buddha Temple, and greeted him.

“Have you eaten?”

“I didn’t do it.”

“Would you like to join us?”

I thought he would naturally refuse, but he accepted readily.

“Okay.”

When I made a surprised expression, Mabul asked.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“I didn’t know you would give permission so easily.”

“You have one misconception. I am a very moderate and compassionate person.”

Moderation and mercy? He says such shameless things so calmly.

“That’s good. I was planning on following you around every day.”

Mabul took the first step, and I followed him.

“What do you like? Just tell me!”

The passing minions looked at us. Is Mabul now hanging out with the Duke of Igong? Their eyes were filled with such thoughts.

But Mabul didn’t care at all. In the past, he would have been uncomfortable with his brother telling him all sorts of things and causing misunderstandings.

Mabul, who was walking forward with a determined expression… … had clearly changed.

* * *

That evening I went back to see Hyeolcheon Doma again.

Seo Dae-ryong, who had just finished work, was learning martial arts.

In Hwangcheon-gak affairs and martial arts training, the person who is always the busiest is Seo Dae-ryong.

“I will wait in the room.”

“Why are you here again?”

“Didn’t you say we’d stay together until we found the answer?”

Then the Bloodthirsty Demon shouted.

“Don’t go to bed without washing!”

“This isn’t even a bed for a woman, aren’t you acting too neat?”

Then Seo Dae-ryong stood up for his master and raised his voice.

“Who said that? The woman isn’t coming.”

Blood Heavenly Sword and I looked at Seo Dae-ryong. Blood Heavenly Sword was the one who was more shocked by those words.

“Don’t ignore our master!”

A heavy, flowing silence.

I said with my eyes, Daeryong, this doesn’t seem right!

Seo Dae-ryong said with his eyes. Your Majesty, what should I do?

“You’re the kind of person that women would line up for when you were little. You’re still as smart as ever.”

I sighed with my eyes, and eventually Seo Dae-ryong’s voice died down.

“… … So, don’t ignore me.”

Finally, Seo Dae-ryong bowed his head and said.

“I will prepare for hellish training starting tomorrow.”

Bloodthirsty Demon spoke softly.

“Tomorrow? Starting now!”

* * *

Seodaeryong’s training ended late at night.

After sending the disciple away, Blood Heavenly Sword entered the room. Until then, I was reading a book. I don’t know how long it’s been since I read a book that wasn’t a martial arts book.

“Are you teaching this late?”

Bloodthirsty Demon nodded and answered.

“He’s so smart that it’s fun to teach him.”

“Isn’t that the guy who got into Hwangcheonggak as the top student?”

Hyeolcheondoma asked, sitting on the chair by the window.

“But why did someone who should be carrying out a major operation come here?”

“I told you, when I feel like I’m in a crisis in my life, I only think of you.”

“It’s not easy, is it?”

“It’s impregnable. They are completely united in their loyalty to their brother. It’s like the relationship between you and me.”

“Then wouldn’t one root of Eternal Snow Ginseng solve the problem?”

I sighed, pretending not to hear.

“It’s not easy.”

Then, Hyeolcheon Doma smiled and told the story of the past.

“I once had a drink with Mabul at a bar called Pungryu. I asked Mabul the same question back then. It wasn’t easy, was it?”

“And then?”

“Mabuldo also answered that it wasn’t easy like you. It’s funny that you two are saying it wasn’t easy in front of me.”

I pictured two people drinking.

It must have been a very frustrating time for Ma-Bul. Just looking at the fact that he drank alcohol with Hyeolcheon Do-Ma.

Behind the determined look I see, there is hidden the agony of Ma-bul confessing to Hyeolcheon Do-ma that it is not easy.

I repeated it one more time, leaning against the window and looking at the moon.

“It’s not easy, really.”

I feel once again that there is nothing more difficult than winning someone’s heart. It should be easy now because of my experience with many demons, but human relationships are always difficult as if it were the first time.

The blood clots looked up at the moon together and said.

“Becoming the successor to Cheonma is something, but how could that be easy?”

The words of Hyeolcheon Doma were comforting.

At that moment, Hyeolcheondoma suddenly spoke.

“Woogeuk-ah.”

For a moment I was startled. It was the first time he had called my name.

I looked at him with a trembling heart. Hyeolcheondoma still looked up at the moon and spoke calmly.

“I know you’ve tried hard to win over the hearts of our elders. It’s okay to take a break when things get tough.”

I looked at the blood chopping board with emotion. The person who had been poking my side with a displeased look was now my resting place.

What should I do without you, Elder? I was about to whine, but Hyeolcheon Doma struck first.

“You can’t live without me.”

Bloodthirsty Demon looked at me with a smile. I smiled brightly too.

“Thank you for your words. I’ll also take a break… … .”

It was at that moment that a thought crossed my mind. What if it’s not easy for me, and it’s not easy for Ma-Bul either?

“Ah! I’m sure Ma-Bul is having a hard time just as much as I am. He may not show it on the outside, but I’m sure Ma-Bul is just as anxious as I am.”

The best thing Mabul can do in this situation is to persuade me. That’s probably why he came to eat with me today.

“I was in a hurry. Now is not the time to push hard, but to pull slowly toward me.”

It was the moment when the first detailed plan for the Golden Operation was finally established.