Absolute Regression Chapter 255

Episode 255 You decide.

“Okay!”

I cheered. I was so happy. I was so happy that I jumped up and down on the spot.

Finally, the first step in the Sicheon Secret Art has been taken.

It wasn’t a significant time difference yet, but it was meaningful what was accomplished.

What if I could continue to practice the Shi-Cheon-Bi-Sul and double the time difference? I would have twice as much time to practice as other people. Three times, four times… What would happen if the Shi-Cheon-Bi-Sul reached its peak?

The important thing was the internal energy. The greater the time difference, the more internal energy would be required.

Gather more internal energy and raise the level of the Shicheon Secret Art.

It depends only on my efforts.

* * *

The next day, I found all the money left on the battlefield.

I sold all the remaining night liquor.

The place he headed with the money was Cheon Dok Rim.

“I meet the young sect leader.”

Today, Sangseon came out in person and guided us. He probably came out to greet me, who had become the new leader.

“Just treat me as you normally would.”

“That can’t be.”

And that’s not all. Even Germans I met in passing bowed their heads politely, unlike before.

“It was a really good thing that you didn’t engage in a feud with the Archduke.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

So they arrived at the King’s residence and the merchant ships withdrew.

The Poison King was not at home. I looked around and found him practicing his poison technique in the nearby forest.

The moment I saw that sight, a smile appeared on my face.

There were two poisonous snakes coiled up next to the Poison King as he practiced his poison technique, watching him. They were the poisonous snakes that the Poison King had previously named.

Black smoke rose from the Poison King’s fingertips and formed a shape. Surprisingly, the shape formed by the smoke was a rabbit.

As the rabbit-shaped smoke flew forward, the vipers chased after it, like a puppy running excitedly toward a ball thrown by its owner.

As the viper pounced on the rabbit, the black smoke disappeared with a puff.

A new smoke rose from the Poison King’s fingertips. This time, a butterfly fluttered and flew away. Once again, the poisonous snakes chased the butterfly and crawled excitedly. They were much faster and more agile than ordinary snakes. The smoke disappeared again.

The vipers raised their heads and flicked their tongues as if they were waiting for what would be sent this time.

At that moment, a large, giant cloud of smoke flew out from the Poison King’s hand. The tiger-shaped smoke rushed towards the poisonous snakes, startling them and causing them to disappear into the forest.

I thought he knew I was coming and chased away the snake.

No. The Poison King was wandering around here and there, thinking about something. Even when he was training, he was doing it in his own world.

Then he looked at me and was startled.

“When did you come?”

“From the moment the rabbit jumped. Is that really poison?”

“If you do that, all the kids will die.”

It means that even the poisonous snakes of the spirits cannot withstand the poison that is inflicted on them.

“It’s something harmless that you use when practicing. If you use real poison every time you practice, what will happen to the forest?”

He was not one to spare poison, but one to spare the forest of poison.

“But, Your Majesty, you are also training?”

“You say the martial artists fear me the most?”

Bloody Heavenly Demon, and the evil Soma who practices while looking at the wall. The Ma-Zones were each practicing in their own way. The swan’s feet under the water were this busy.

The Poison King sat on a rock, wiped his sweat, and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“I came because I wanted to see the Poison King.”

“If you wanted to see me, you would have come sooner.”

“I was busy.”

“Do you have time to drink and have fun?”

“Has that already been rumored? How tight-lipped they are.”

I also sat down next to him.

“How do you feel about becoming a cult leader?”

“It’s exciting. New martial arts, new house. People are polite, and I don’t have to fight with my brother anymore. Isn’t that obvious?”

“That’s unexpected. I had a feeling you wouldn’t be excited.”

“I like being the center of attention. How else would I have much to say?”

As we talked, the Poison King once again became lost in his own thoughts. I couldn’t tell whether he was thinking about me, or the poisonous attack he had previously performed, or the poisonous snakes that had disappeared. Now, these moments no longer bother me at all. It seems that I am beginning to understand his world.

After a while, the Poison King looked at the small pouch I was holding.

“What is that?”

I handed the Poison King a pouch full of vouchers.

The Poison King was shocked when he checked the amount.

“It’s quite a large amount, isn’t it?”

“Please buy me a highly toxic elixir with this money.”

The elixirs available on the market were too expensive. They were too expensive and had little effect compared to the price.

Instead, elixirs made from the spirits of poisonous plants or poisonous substances were relatively cheap. This was because they were mostly used in special cases or for treatment.

Thanks to this, it was a chance for me, who was incurable, to buy elixir at a cheap price. Since my internal energy was sufficient, I had no intention of spending money to buy elixir, but I changed my mind because of the secret technique of the Heavenly Heaven.

“Why the elixir? You still have a lot of internal energy, don’t you?”

“I have a lot of desire for internal energy.”

After a moment, the Poison King asked.

“Should I conquer the martial arts world?”

“Yes, I will.”

He probably knows very well that I am not that kind of person.

“Give me this money. I’ll kill them all.”

A smile naturally appeared on my lips.

“I feel reassured just by hearing your words.”

“Then I’ll take the money.”

“The elixir is more sturdy.”

A dragon was created from the fingertips of the Poison King.

It made a loud noise in the air and then flew towards me.

puck!

The Poison King spoke from behind the smoke that disappeared as it collided with my face.

“Come back in twenty days.”

The King will spend his money much more economically and effectively than I can.

Of course, I didn’t forget to check.

“Don’t forget to buy the elixir while you’re lost in thought. Look at me, look me straight in the eye. If you forget, I won’t test your poison.”

The Poison King did not answer and resumed his training.

Looking back from afar, I saw crows flying in all directions. Looking at the black smoke bursting out from all directions, I wondered what would happen if that was really poison. Everyone would be most afraid of the Poison King.

* * *

The training time was divided again.

I learned five times the Shicheon Secret Technique, four times the Guhwamagong, and the remaining one time the Cheonmahoshingong and Kwonma’s martial arts in turns.

The main martial arts are important, but the martial arts that support them are also very important. The Wind God Sabo will be combined with the Nine Fire Demons, and in the critical moment when the sword is out of my hand, the Wall Power Shura Kwon will protect me, and in the final moment, the Heavenly Horse Guardian Spirit will protect me. The important thing is the balance of these martial arts.

It’s already been ten days since I started full-scale training in the Nine-Handed Demonic Cultivation Techniques.

The mind method has now become quite familiar to the body. The amount of innate energy accumulated through the mind method training of the Nine Flower Demonic Cultivation is incomparable to that of the previous mind method, and the speed at which the internal energy used is recovered is also much faster.

After finishing my training, I was sitting by the window drinking a cup of tea when I received a message from Cheonmajeon asking for me.

* * *

When I arrived at Cheonmajeon, my father and Sima Myeong were waiting for me.

Whenever Sima Ming was with us, a mission was always given.

I walked slowly into the place where tension flowed.

After greeting his father and Sima Ming, he spoke cheerfully.

“Is it finally time to show this handsome face that resembles my father to the world?”

The corners of my father’s mouth went up slightly.

“Your teasing never gets tired.”

“If you’re going to do it, you should try to make people laugh. No matter how serious the world is, you should live with a smile. Where is it? I’ll take care of everything.”

Then Sima Ming smiled and said:

“I think I should show you the handsome face of the young sect leader another time. I invited you today for another reason.”

The reason you called me was for something unexpected.

“Now that you have become the new leader, I think you should step down from your position as the Lord of the Underworld and elect a new Lord of the Underworld.”

Lately, I’ve been leaving most of the footnote work to Seo Dae-ryong. I’ve been very busy, and I had other intentions.

“Who do you plan on appointing as the new Lord of the Underworld?”

At my question, Sima Ming looked at his father.

An unexpected word came out from my father.

“You decide.”

I was surprised. I really didn’t know that they would ask me to decide the next Hwangcheonjoo.

“Now that I’ve become a cult leader, I should have the authority to do so.”

It was truly a touching speech. My father was not looking at me as a father now. Cheonma was looking at his successor. The leader was looking at the sub-leader.

And in the Underworld, my thoughts were firm.

“I don’t know about other positions, but Hwangcheon-gak is the most important organization for the discipline of our school. Therefore, the right people should sit in it.”

That’s why the person I recommend is!

“I would like to appoint Seo Dae-ryong, the special investigator of the Hwangcheon Pavilion, as the next Hwangcheon Pavilion Lord.”

Neither Father nor Sima Ming were particularly surprised, as they had expected it to some extent.

“He’s good at his job. He’s responsible. He even has a good background. He’s a disciple of Hyeolcheon Doma. Oh, that’s right. He entered Hwangcheon Pavilion as the top student.”

Sima Ming cautiously intervened.

“As you said, Inspector Seo is a good person. However, I feel that he lacks the experience to be assigned to a footnote.”

“As for your lack of experience, it won’t be a problem inside Hwangcheon-gak. You’ve already demonstrated your abilities by taking on my work.”

That was also the reason I entrusted my work to Seo Dae-ryong. To show him that he could sufficiently play the role of a footnote.

“The head of an organization is more important for his character than his career. Look at the old and new Ma-gun. When Jang-ho became the head, didn’t it become a completely different organization?”

That part was something that neither my father nor Sima Ming could deny, so I spoke to my father and Sima Ming with all my heart.

“I recommend Seodaeryong! I guarantee it.”

My father, who had been quietly looking down at me, said:

“Don’t give guarantees carelessly.”

Even a thousand horses, a father is still a father.

* * *

That afternoon, while I was practicing, Seo Dae-ryong came to see me.

Seo Dae-ryong was very excited.

“This is the road from Cheonmajeon.”

Perhaps Father and Sima Ming thought it was necessary to directly interview Seo Dae-ryong.

“I thought I was going to faint. I still can’t breathe.”

Seo Dae-ryong walked unsteadily and leaned against a wooden doll placed in the corner.

“I heard from the General. The Young Leader recommended me for the position of the next Hwangcheon Jakju.”

Seo Dae-ryong wrapped his head.

“I’m a footnote? And a footnote in the underworld! Oh, thinking about it again makes me feel suffocated.”

To anyone who saw him, Seo Dae-ryong was panting for breath, as if he had just broken through a net.

“If it’s that hard, you don’t have to do it. You can do it next time.”

“Right? Right. No. No. When in the world will I ever get another chance like this! Ah! I’m a footnote.”

Seo Dae-ryong wandered around the training grounds like a madman.

Then, he tripped on a piece of equipment that had been set up, fell down, and sat down on the floor with his head down.

“So that’s why you came to tell me you can’t do it?”

Then Seo Dae-ryong took something out of his bosom. I couldn’t see it clearly because his back was turned.

“What is that?”

“This is the new second-in-command.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The second-in-command of the Hwangcheon-gak office has been the flowerpot that Ilhwageomjon brought as a gift. Now, this is the new second-in-command.”

He got up from his seat, walked towards me, and held out something in his hand. It was an identification badge. It had the symbol of the Cheonmajeon carved into it, and four characters were written in a strong handwriting.

Lord of the Yellow Springs.

“The formal appointment ceremony will be held later.”

The position of Hwangcheonju was given to Seo Dae-ryong. My father and Sima Ming acknowledged my first decision as a junior sect leader.

Seodaeryong’s eyes trembled as he looked at me.

“How can I refuse? You even offered me a guarantee, so how can I refuse something like that? I shouted loudly that I would work hard and risk my life. I don’t remember what happened after that. I don’t even know how I got out of Cheonmajeon. Oh! Did I properly greet the cult leader? When I came out and came to my senses, I saw this identification card in my hand.”

I said, giving Seodaeryong a firm hug.

“Congratulations, Right Arm. Congratulations, Lord of the Underworld.”

The face of Seodaeryong facing me was filled with passion. A mere investigator became the disciple of the Blood Heavenly Demon, and now the Lord of the Yellow Heaven. It would be difficult to guess what was going on in his mind.

“You might end up resenting me in front of your trembling enemies later. Just let me live as an ordinary investigator!”

“Will you grant my request?”

“As much as you want.”

“Then let’s give it a try.”

“It’ll be harder to learn martial arts while going all the way to Hwangcheon-gakju. But just keep going until you die. When you get older, even if you want to die, your body won’t be able to keep up, so it’ll be hard.”

“You speak as if you have actually experienced it.”

“Aren’t I a cult leader who knows everything?”

We looked at each other and laughed happily.

“I have so much more to tell my grandson.”

“I recommended you not for your own sake nor for my own.”

“sure?”

“It’s because of the people that the Hwangcheon Pavilion you lead will protect in the future. For the people who have to live on despite being treated unfairly because they have no power.”

Seo Dae-ryong’s eyes sparkled. The dark and gloomy him of the past is no longer there. There is only the present him who seems to be able to do well no matter what he is entrusted with.

Seo Dae-ryong, who was staring at me with hot eyes, smiled and said.

“Did you know? The second, no, third plant I grew has borne fruit in the pot.”

Yes, Daeryong-ah. Grow the Hwangcheon-gak well, just like that flower pot.

* * *

On the day of my promise with the Poison King, I headed to Cheondokrim with a heart full of anticipation.

During that time, I was obsessed with martial arts training. All I did was eat and train. I slept and trained, ate and trained. I slept well in my new bed, woke up, and cooked and ate one meal a day. Sometimes I brought my guards over and ate with them.

And I practiced all day long. I practiced hard, thinking that this was my last practice. At least my failures shouldn’t be because I didn’t try hard enough.

“How have you been, Your Majesty?”

The merchant answered my question.

“You’ve been busy. This is the first time you’ve been out for this long.”

I felt sorry and sad for no reason. I knew how much you hated going outside.

So we arrived at the residence of the Poison King.

As I opened the door and stepped inside, a different scent than usual hit my nose.