Absolute Regression Chapter 261

Episode 261: My martial arts world is not far away.

The carriage was different from the carriages I usually rode in.

This was the exclusive carriage used by the Cheonmajeon guards, and the material was light but strong. It did not break even under moderate external impacts, and was pulled by strong horses. In times of emergency, it was even equipped with horse armor to be worn by the horses.

While the chief of staff rode on horseback to escort the carriage, Jeokyeon rode along with them and explained the escort mission.

“The night shift is riding in the carriage that follows. They will take a rest on the way back and switch duties with us in the evening.”

Just like the daytime escort, I didn’t need a nighttime escort either. If someone approached me while I was sleeping, the Cheonmahoshinkong would wake me up.

Still, he left them to their own devices. What Hui wanted was for them to become excellent bodyguards, and for that to happen, experience was the most important thing.

Of course, there were things that had to be done to bring about that timing.

“Stop the carriage for a moment.”

Jeokyeon ordered Ma Bu-seok’s subordinate to stop the carriage.

I had the night shift carriage join them and then gathered them all in front of me.

And he walked to the carriage. Originally, the outside of the carriage had the Cheonma Hall symbol engraved on it, but now that part has been covered up.

Choaaaaaaah.

The covering was removed coolly. The form of a terrifying evil spirit was revealed.

“From now on, you will not move while hiding your identity. You must also all change into the formal attire of the Cheonmajeon Escort Corps.”

The escorts were wearing plain military uniforms.

Jeokyeon said in surprise.

“That’s not allowed by the regulations.”

“We make our own rules. Do as I command.”

I felt conflicted as I looked at the red eyes directed at me, but my worries didn’t last long. They were already breaking away from the existing framework while escorting me.

He ordered his men to change their clothes.

The red light and the guards all changed their clothes. The formal attire of the Cheonmajeon guards was simple yet powerful. On the left chest of their black uniforms was a shield engraved with an evil spirit symbolizing Cheonmajeon. Also, on the black masks they wore, the single character for “Ma” (魔) was embroidered in powerful handwriting. That was enough.

When they put on formal attire, their atmosphere changed completely.

He looked at them one by one and said.

“It’s cool. Of all the uniforms in our school, I think yours is the coolest.”

Then they looked at each other with faint smiles.

“I know that if you move like this, it will be much harder for you. It will be more dangerous, and there will be unexpected variables. If you were ordinary escorts, you wouldn’t have done this. But you are the ones who will be escorting Cheonma from now on.”

Their eyes lit up at the mention of Cheonma.

“When Father officially moves, have you ever moved while hiding your identity? That’s why. You are also experiencing and practicing from now on. You are openly protecting the leader of the Cheonma Sect.”

“Yes! I will protect you with my life!”

“Please protect me without sacrificing your life. Do you understand?”

My joke lightened the mood a little.

Perhaps because they thought now that all the enemies were gathered together was an opportunity, they each told each other the numbers they had been given.

“When we do escort operations, we call each other Number One through Number Twelve. Your Majesty, please call us that too.”

The youngest was number 1, and the number was assigned according to the number of years of service in the escort. The youngest was number 12. The youngest, who looked young at first glance, was said to be eighteen years old.

He stood in front of the Twelve. He was too young to die protecting others.

“Don’t your seniors bully you because you’re the youngest?”

“I’m suffering because you treat me so well even though I’m the youngest!”

After patting the shoulder of the youngest who answered correctly, he got into the carriage.

“Let’s go!”

The carriage started off again.

It would have been okay for Jeokyeon to ride with me, but he rode on horseback and rode with his escorts. The reason he rode in the carriage earlier was probably to explain the escort mission.

Although he was the leader, he worked as equals to his subordinates. Rather, he took the initiative and worked more. Perhaps, Hui came to see me in person because he highly regarded this kind of behavior. He saw the potential for me to become a good bodyguard.

Our first destination was the Honam branch of the Cheonmasingyo sect.

It took quite some time to get there by carriage, so I took it easy.

It was a good opportunity to practice Cheonmahosingong.

The carriage was so nice that there was almost no shaking. I should be able to concentrate on the Cheonmahoshinkong comfortably.

There are now two stages left in Cheonmahosingong. In this exodus, the goal is to advance one stage.

How long did you run like that?

Outside, the red smoke shouted.

“I’m going to take a break for a moment.”

The carriage stopped.

While the horse was resting, I also got off the carriage and sat down on a rock to rest.

The guards surrounded me on all sides. They were really concentrating their whole energies on their surroundings.

What are my honest feelings?

How can I protect you when you’re all lined up like that?

“Red smoke.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The red smoke that had been standing in front approached me.

“Show me the martial arts you have learned.”

Jeokyeon was surprised by my words. He realized that I was trying to show off his martial arts skills.

“This isn’t a chance that comes often, so hurry!”

“Yes! Your Majesty!”

It was a mission, but he wasn’t foolish enough to miss an opportunity like this.

“The martial art I learned is the Secret Shadow Sword Technique.”

After revealing the swordsmanship he had learned, he began to unfold his skills.

Since it was originally polite not to watch other people’s martial arts, the guards turned their backs.

Jeokyeon has fully unleashed the secret swordsmanship.

“It’s a good swordsmanship.”

I corrected his bad habits and postures, and told him how to practice in the future. I didn’t tell him many things. I just pointed out one important thing!

“thank you!”

Jeokyeon expressed her gratitude with a moved face, and the other escorts could not hide their envy.

“There’s no need to be so jealous. Lee Ho, from now on!”

When I tried to show everyone’s martial arts skills, Lee Ho was flustered and said.

“You are busy, but you can take care of us later.”

“You guys are the ones who are busy.”

“yes?”

“You can take your time, Jidanju. You’re just visiting to say hello, right? But you need to raise your martial arts skills as soon as possible. If a sword energy were to fly behind you right now, would you be able to block it? So now, martial arts!”

Without wasting any more time, Lee Ho displayed his martial arts skills and, just like he did with Jeokyeon, told him what he needed to fix and how he should train in the future.

The other escorts also took turns looking at it. It didn’t take much time. The answer came out as soon as I looked at it.

Their excitement was palpable. It was a high-level teaching that I had never heard before. They still had so much to learn, so if I exaggerate a little, they would become stronger with every word they said.

“Thank you. I will work harder and improve in the future.”

This time, I’m telling you not to die.

At night, the night shift drones also pointed out things that needed to be fixed.

* * *

The third day after leaving the church.

Kwarrrrung!

Thunder rumbled and rain began to pour down. It was so heavy that we couldn’t drive the carriage.

“I need to take a break.”

Jeokyeon parked his carriage under a large tree.

The escorts surrounded the carriage in the rain.

“Everyone, come inside the carriage instead of standing there getting drenched in the rain.”

“We are fine.”

“It is an order.”

Although I resisted and said I couldn’t do it, I eventually gave in and came inside.

Six people came in, but since it was a large carriage, they could all sit facing each other. I said as I handed them something to wipe.

“There’s no need to worry about it. Don’t worry about me and just watch the rain outside.”

I heated the water in the kettle with the Samadhi True Fire and made them some warm tea. Everyone’s eyes widened at the sight.

“I will drink well!”

They were still stiff and had difficulty dealing with me. Even just looking out the window, they were all looking at me and the window on the other side.

We looked at the rain falling silently.

Swaaaaaaaaaah!

There was a certain charm to sitting together like this, drinking tea and watching the rain. After dealing with old mazons, it felt refreshing to be with these young guys.

Jeokyeon said carefully.

“We are supposed to protect the sect leader, but somehow it feels like we are being protected.”

I smiled faintly and asked Jeokyeon.

“If you had the skills to join the Cheonmajeon Escort, you could have joined another organization as well. Why did you apply to the Escort Unmanned?”

He answered without hesitation.

“I wanted to be a bodyguard ever since I was little. I thought bodyguards were cool. I thought it was honorable to protect someone.”

“Do you still think the same way?”

Red Smoke’s answer didn’t come as quickly as when he first asked.

“I think the same.”

I thought that maybe he was regretting it because of the pain in his eyes. It was already hard work, and his eyes would hurt so much that he would die.

At that moment, I met Samho’s eyes. He had the gentlest impression among the weekly workers.

“You?”

“I thought I was more talented at protecting than killing.”

“What is your talent for protection?”

“I don’t get bored of protecting someone. I think it’s because I have an introverted personality.”

At that time, Guho answered without being asked.

“I decided that escort missions were relatively safe. I wanted to live a long life.”

His colleagues all smiled, as if they had already heard it. It seemed as if he enjoyed making his colleagues laugh and joke around.

In any case, it was something you could never hear from Hwi. He lived in an era of devotion and is still living in it today.

But these young warriors of today are definitely different from their seniors. Of course, that doesn’t mean I think they lack a sense of mission compared to Hwi. I don’t think Hwi is boring compared to their rational and individualistic attitude. I just feel that times are changing.

As I sat there thinking about this and that, the pouring rain began to subside.

Jeokyeon said as if he had been waiting for it.

“We’re leaving now.”

They asked before they got off.

“Are you from Honam Province?”

When I asked suddenly, they looked puzzled.

“Isn’t there any?”

Then, Samho, who had previously answered that the guard was the right fit, stepped forward.

“My hometown is Honam.”

“Do you have parents back home?”

“Yes, my mother is alone.”

“When was the last time you saw me?”

“I think it’s been about three years.”

“Let’s stop by.”

Then Samho was surprised.

“No, that’s fine. I’m on a mission and I can’t do that.”

“It’s okay if you’re a few days late. Why would the Honam branch miss me so much? But how much would your mother miss you? It’s not polite to come all this way and just leave. This isn’t a request, this is an order, so let’s go!”

So the carriage started to run towards Samho’s hometown.

I know very well that all kinds of people live in every corner of this central plain, and all kinds of things happen. I know all kinds of conspiracies and schemes, and how far people can fall and how cruel they can become. I also know how many unmanned people are lost and wandering in that Dosan Sword Forest.

My martial arts world is not far away. Cho Chun-bae of Pungryu Tavern is my martial arts world, and Samho’s hometown house that protects me is my martial arts world. This is how I do not get lost in the martial arts world.

The carriage continued to run through the clear sky as if it had never rained before.

* * *

Not far from my hometown, a carriage slowed down. I pulled back the curtain and looked outside, and saw the carriage lying on the side of the road, smashed to pieces. There were bloodstains here and there on the ground, and there were also traces of a fierce fight.

The voice of the enemy was heard.

“Let me find out what’s going on.”

Lee Ho went and asked the local residents what had happened there.

“It is said that a few days ago, the Honam First Pyo-guk (湖南第一鏢局)’s pyo-su was attacked and robbed. In the process, it is said that several pyo-du, pyo-sa, and jang-ja-su were killed.”

“Isn’t Honam Jeilpyoguk the largest pyoguk here?”

“you’re right.”

Usually, the largest flag of the region was not to be touched carelessly. A place as big as Honam’s largest flag had deep relationships with various factions of the martial arts world, so if touched carelessly, you would face retaliation.

Something unusual happened that doesn’t usually happen.

Of course, it wasn’t our place to intervene, so we told Jeokyeon straight away.

“Okay, let’s speed up a bit.”

“yes!”

The carriage began to run at even faster speeds.

* * *

The carriage arrived at Samho’s hometown.

“Over there.”

There was a small inn where Samho pointed.

It was a Do-Hyeon-Gak-Jan named after him. I heard on the way here that it was a guest house that Sam-Ho had set up with the money he had earned after he devoted himself to the school.

“It was my mother’s dream to run an inn.”

Where in the world would a person like Mine not be filial?

The carriage stopped in front of the inn.

When he entered, there was no one there, neither the owner nor the guests. Samho was surprised and called his mother loudly.

“mother!”

But there was no one. It was rare for the inn to close, so a look of worry crossed Samho’s face.

I went into the kitchen and checked the traces of a fire in the stove.

“This kitchen was doing business until yesterday. So don’t worry.”

At that moment, a smart-looking child came into the guest house.

“We’re not open for business today. The landlady and her husband are at Pungsu Mountain Villa.”

The child introduced himself as someone who comes and does odd jobs whenever he’s busy.

I asked the child in a friendly manner.

“Do you know why you went there?”

“In the morning, the unmanned personnel from Pungsu Mountain Lodge came and took me away, saying that they had to prepare food.”

If that was why it closed, it was actually fortunate. If the Murim School needed a sect leader, they would mobilize people from the guesthouses like this.

“Where is Pungsu Mountain Villa?”

“It’s at the end of the west road.”

“thanks.”

When I gave the child a coin, the child said “thank you” and went back.

This time I asked Samho.

“Do you know about Pungsu Mountain Villa?”

“I don’t know. I left my hometown when I was young to train in martial arts, and I only saw my mother once every two or three years.”

Although he bowed his head, no one would think he did anything wrong. Even in his busy schedule, he was the most filial son, who visited his mother without fail at least once every two or three years.

“Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will clean the guest room first.”

Samho acted calmly as if nothing had happened, but how could I not know what was on his mind? He would want to run to see his mother right away. He must have been worried because the martial arts school took him away.

I said, getting up from my seat.

“We can’t just sit around playing around while our mother is working. We have to go help her and bring her home early.”

Samho waved his hand in acknowledgment of the unexpected words, but I got on the carriage. All the guards got on their horses, and Samho got on his horse too. Even though he said no, a joy that he couldn’t hide flashed across his face.

“Let’s go to Pungsu Mountain Villa!”

The carriage started to run towards Pungsu Mountain Villa.