Absolute Regression Chapter 272

Episode 272: Why Us?

There was someone blocking Jin Ha-gun as he walked to the carriage. It was his younger sister, Jin Ha-ryeong.

“Are you attending the banquet?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What happened? I came out to see my brother off.”

“Why are you doing something you’ve never done before?”

Having lost their parents at an early age, the two grew up relying on each other. So they had a lot of affection for each other. However, this was the first time Jin Ha-ryeong came out to see them off like this.

“Is it because of that guy from Geommu Theater?”

“what do you mean?”

“Are you worried about him and came out?”

Jin Ha-gun knew that his younger brother had a connection with Geommu-geuk during the last Little Dragon War. He also knew that his younger brother was able to survive thanks to Geommu-geuk’s help.

Jin Ha-ryeong could neither say no nor say yes.

If I said I was worried about my older brother, my pride would be hurt, and if I said I was worried about the sword dance, it would lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

“He’s not an easy opponent. Never let your guard down. That’s what I came here to tell you.”

“I also know how extraordinary that guy is. Be careful.”

Jin Ha-ryeong grabbed her brother’s arm as he was about to get into the carriage.

“You have to put aside your preconceptions when dealing with him. Don’t think, ‘That’s just because he’s mine.’ He’s not the kind of person you think he is.”

Jin Ha-gun couldn’t figure out exactly what his younger brother was worried about, since he had never met Geommu-geuk before.

“That swordsman is too big. If we can’t stop his momentum now, we won’t be able to do anything later.”

Jin Ha-ryeong was also listening to the news of the Geommu Theater. The news he heard was surprising. He remembered the time when he first introduced himself under a pseudonym.

– It’s smoke. It’s not the character for fate (緣), but the character for smoke (煙). I will stay like this and then disappear like smoke.

Maybe to her, he was not a sword dance, but a sword smoke. When everything was over, he really disappeared like smoke. That must be why. The reason I think of him sometimes is that I want to congratulate him on becoming a cult leader.

Because he could not know her feelings, Jin Ha-gun regarded Geommu-geuk as an enemy.

“I believe that any malice can be overcome by negotiation. So don’t worry.”

Then Jin Ha-ryeong spoke cautiously.

“What if that person is a demon?”

A man who is both a man and a negotiator. I didn’t know this when I saw the sword dance, but whenever I think of him after we parted ways, the word “Ma-hyeop” comes to mind. A Ma-hyeop who is not bound by conventions or formalities but who upholds what must be upheld, and not a stuffy alliance that hesitates because of this or that, but one that destroys without hesitation.

“How could such a person exist? That is nothing more than a story made up by the rich. Keeping the agreement is not such an easy task. It is something that the people who are crazy about the strong can never accomplish.”

The carriage carrying Jin Ha-gun set off. The warriors accompanying him followed on horseback.

Jin Ha-ryeong sighed lightly as he watched the scene.

“I was telling you to get rid of those preconceptions.”

She trusted her brother, and she clearly had faith in the sword dance.

However, Jin Ha-gun’s actions today were a battle for the supremacy of the martial arts world. There was no telling what would happen when ambitions clashed and desires ran wild.

That was why her eyes were filled with worry as she watched the carriage speeding away in the distance. Seeing her worrying in a way she had never done before, she realized that she had become an adult and that the martial arts world was undergoing a great upheaval toward a new era.

* * *

“Why us?”

As soon as we met, Hyeolcheon Doma asked me questions.

But I could feel it. Doma was excited. This was the first time he had been called out when he needed the help of the Amazons.

“There is a need to create an atmosphere of fear. It’s as if Honam Jidan is on high alert even though you didn’t do anything.”

Then, Hyeoncheon Doma glanced at Kwonma and nodded with an expression that said, “Then you chose well.” Hyeoncheon Doma was one of the few people in the world who could react like that in front of Kwonma.

“Why should I do that?”

Naturally, the atmosphere of fear was the domain of Kwon Ma, and it was the Bloodthirsty Horse that was at fault.

“You’re in charge of horror, sir?”

“what?”

The surprised Hyeoncheon Doma looked back at Kwonma.

“Then why did you call this person?”

“Because we also need smart people.”

“This guy!”

Before Hyeolcheondoma could lose his temper, he ran to hug her.

“Elder! I missed you.”

In fact, the person in charge of the face was Kwon Ma, and the person in charge of the spicy ginger was Hyeolcheon Doma.

Bloodthirsty Demon used his magic to avoid what I was trying to do.

“I was completely humiliated when I came to Honam! I was so looking forward to you two coming!”

“You must have been treated well. Who were you bullying?”

“You misunderstand!”

After such a noisy reunion with Hyeolcheon Doma, this time I greeted Kwonma.

“Master, I wanted to see you.”

Kwon Ma said bluntly.

“What help do you need?”

Even if you said, “I really want to conquer the martial arts world!”, he would say, “Let’s go!” without saying anything else. He was that reliable. The joy felt in that bluntness made me feel even better.

It’s so good to see you again, Master.

When the Bloodthirsty Horse and the Horse of Power came, it felt like I had gained an army of thousands of horses.

“Now that you two are here, shall we have a showdown with the entire martial arts world?”

I explained to both of them what was happening.

“… … Since the Apostolic Alliance has come in, we have sufficient cause to move.”

“I guess the Apostolic Alliance has already decided which sect to absorb.”

As expected, the experienced Bloodthirsty Horseman understood the essence of this collaboration without even saying anything.

“As expected! It’s you, old man.”

There was a clear division between the sects supporting the Apostolic Alliance and the sects supporting the main church. There was no need to fight with Bisain over this.

“What about the Apostolic Alliance?”

“We are currently absorbing the sects.”

Then Kwon-ma suddenly got up from his seat and said.

“Let’s go too. There’s no need to waste time.”

If only Kwon Ma’s face had been shown, this matter would already be over.

* * *

A banquet was prepared at Cheonhwamun.

The banquet was held at night and was staffed by trusted attendants.

Seo Cheong was excited at the thought of meeting the person who would become the leader of the martial arts world.

‘Since the successor is young, I’ll have to try to persuade him well. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to advance to the Murim Alliance this time.’

Haven’t you ever had the experience of hanging out with young leaders from Honam and leading them? You were confident that you could handle the young guys well.

On the other hand, Seo Baek-joong was looking at the entrance anxiously.

The time had passed, but none of the leaders of the factions that followed Cheonhwamun had come. If this continued, it would have been a disaster if Jin Ha-gun had arrived before them.

Seo Baek-jung, who was becoming anxious, harassed his confidant, Yu Maeng.

“Why didn’t anyone come?”

How could a blind person know the reason?

When he hesitated and couldn’t answer, Seo Baek-joong asked him questions as if questioning him.

“Did I convey the message correctly?”

“you’re right.”

“Could it be that I gave you the wrong date?”

“No. What kind of work could this have been that I could have passed it on carelessly?”

“Why don’t you come? Go and check it out.”

“yes.”

Even after sending Yu-Myeong away, Seo Baek-Joong was restless. Something didn’t feel right. It would be normal for him to come earlier than the set time, at least for his own convenience.

Then his subordinate came running and reported.

“The Demon Destroyer has arrived.”

Seo Baek-joong was surprised at those words. Jin Ha-gun had arrived earlier than the appointed time.

The door opened and the Demon Slayers rushed in, taking control of the area.

Seo Cheong, who was watching, was shocked. When the first warrior of the Demon Slayer Corps entered, he thought that warrior was the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. The momentum of the Demon Slayer Corps soldiers was so extraordinary that he had that kind of illusion.

When his eyes met with the nearby Destruction Corps’s unmanned forces, Seo-cheong turned his head first. His momentum was incomparable to that of the later Ji-su who he used to hang out with.

Soon after, Jin Ha-gun entered the place. The prayers of the great master were different from those of the warriors of the Demon Sect. Jin Ha-gun had a certain majesty that was difficult to treat lightly.

Seocheong’s original plan was to approach him in a friendly manner and say, “You young warriors, let’s get along well from now on,” and then say, “I will take you to a great place.” However, Seocheong lowered his head without even making eye contact.

An old man followed Jin Ha-gun in.

He was wearing a pure white robe and holding a sword as if it were on his chest, and the atmosphere was truly like that of a fairy.

Seo Baek-joong recognized him at a glance, as he had an overwhelming presence.

‘It’s the Sword Immortal!’

I had seen him before, albeit from a distance. He was surrounded by many masters and was well-received. He was truly a peerless master with a spirit that you could never forget once you saw him.

Prosecutor Lee Hak-shin.

He was an absolute master of the Jeongpa and one of the best swordsmen in the martial arts world. He was also a friend of Jin Pae-cheon, the leader of the martial arts world. Jin Pae-cheon had asked him to assist his grandson in his trip to Honam.

Seo Baek-jung ran out and greeted Jin Ha-gun.

“Welcome, my lord.”

“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you for your help this time, my son is safe. I will never forget this favor.”

Jin Ha-gun just nodded and said nothing about it. Instead, he introduced Lee Hak-shin to him.

“This time, the elders of the swordsmanship department have come with us.”

Seo Baek-jung lowered himself to the point where his waist touched the floor.

“It is an honor for our family to meet you, Elder Swordsman.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The swordsman greeted him with that one word. He was not happy about absorbing the Cheonhwamun. It was because he was accepting those who had not walked the right path until now for political reasons. It was something that did not fit with his beliefs, but he came out to do his friend’s request.

“Now, please sit here.”

Jin Ha-gun sat at the head of the table, and Geom-seon stood a little further away. According to the distribution, he should have sat at the head of the table, but this time, he focused only on protecting Jin Ha-gun. Since he had already discussed that with Jin Ha-gun, Jin Ha-gun focused on the purpose of his visit today.

The demon troopers poked silver needles into the drinks and food served at the banquet hall to check if they were poisoned.

“No one has come yet.”

Seo Baek-joong felt a sting at Jin Ha-gun’s words. Normally, they would have all come and waited, but the impossible had happened.

Seo Baek-joong tried to be calm and poured the alcohol as he spoke.

“I called them a little late because I wanted to spend some time alone with the Lord.”

Then he changed the topic to show off his power.

“There are over thirty sects that follow the main text. If we absorb them all, the Murim Alliance may be able to seize control of Honam.”

It seemed like he should be the one who took the initiative to save his son, but that wasn’t the essence of the matter. He was still the one holding the knife.

The fact that he saved his son should be interpreted this way. How much did the Heavenly Flower Clan need to intervene, risking a conflict with the Demonic Cult? And is it only the Heavenly Flower Clan that is being absorbed? The thirty or so factions that follow the Heavenly Flower Clan are also given as a bonus.

‘You have to lead the negotiations in your favor.’

On the other hand, Jin Ha-gun was holding back his words. His opponent was a savage who had been through all kinds of hardships. When dealing with someone like that, you should hold back your words and only say what is absolutely necessary. If you talk too much, an experienced opponent will find a weakness in it.

“As you might have guessed, most of them are followers of the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Apostolic Alliance. In order to absorb them into the Murim Alliance, the Lord will have to demonstrate great power.”

Jin Ha-gun was determined to change their minds. If he could not win them over, his use of his own authority would be a half-assed achievement.

“Even if you want to show your strength, it doesn’t come.”

When Jin Ha-gun said this with a smile, Seo Baek-jung also took it as a joke.

“It seems that you are afraid to dare to meet the Demon Destroyer Lord.”

Even after that, Seo Baek-joong tried to buy time with this and that, but no matter how long he waited, they did not show up.

Seo Baek-joong was exhausted and his hands were shaking. He was risking his family and making the biggest gamble of his life, but the people who were supposed to show up were not there. Something had happened.

At first, Jin Ha-gun thought that Seo Baek-joong was arguing. However, he soon sensed that something was wrong. Then, the door to the banquet hall finally opened.

“Here we go!”

Seo Baek-joong looked toward the door with a cheerful expression and shouted. He was hoping that everyone would come in, but one person came in through the open door.

At that moment when everyone’s eyes were focused on them, the Demon Slayers flew forward to block Jin Ha-gun and protect him.

Chae-Ang.

They all drew their swords at the same time.

The person who entered without hiding the fraud was a non-signer.

The thirteen apostles also drew their swords and stepped forward.

The Myulma Squad and the Sado 13th Rangers faced each other, pointing their swords at each other.

Behind the visage, a monster and a light island came in. The expressions of the demon soldiers’ faces hardened. At first glance, they were masters who surpassed their own skills, and the spirit they were radiating was so strong that it was suffocating.

It was just then.

Wheeeeeeeeee!

A ray of cool air blew like the wind and pushed away the encroaching evil spirit. It was a prayer that the swordsman had breathed out. As the evil spirit was pushed back, the expressions of the demon troopers in the Extermination Corps relaxed.

Then, the evil spirit and the mad spirit raised their internal energy even higher and unleashed their spirit. The swordsman was not pushed back by the two attacks.

As an invisible battle of wits broke out between them, the tension quickly grew, and if someone accidentally dropped a dagger, a bloody fight could have broken out.

As the atmosphere gradually became tense, Visain turned around and spoke politely to the evil spirit and the demon.

“I need to talk to the other side for a moment, so how about we leave the seniors’ regrets for a little later?”

Then, the evil spirits and the madness that the demons were emitting subsided. Whether they wanted to or not, they followed the orders of the little lord unfailingly. The swordsman also took back the prayer he had sent out and glared at the two Sapa masters. They knew each other very well. Their eyes exchanged this conversation.

-Are you still alive?

―The world is so full of evil that there is no time to die.

But since they brought precious people with them, they didn’t fight emotionally anymore.

Visain stepped forward and said.

“I am the Apostolic Alliance’s Young Leader, Visain.”

When he revealed his identity, the atmosphere in the room froze.

Seo Baek-joong, in particular, trembled with fear. A person who should never have appeared had appeared.

And then I finally understood why the chiefs weren’t coming.

‘They’ve all turned around!’

Seocheong retreated far away at the appearance of the visa sign, ready to run away at any moment.

Jin Ha-gun stepped forward and greeted us.

“I am Jin Ha-gun, the Demon Extermination Leader of the Murim Alliance.”

It was the first meeting between the two. They looked at each other as if they were exploring each other. Later, when they became the leader of the martial arts world and the leader of the apostles, they would become lifelong rivals.

“How did you become an uninvited guest?”

Bisain accepted Jin Hagun’s reprimand gently.

“That’s why I came to ask. Why did the invitation that was supposed to come to us go to you? I think it was a mistake.”

“Unfortunately for you, it was not a mistake. Lord Seo Munju has already decided to join forces with the Murim Alliance.”

Then, Visain looked at Seo Baek-jung and asked.

“Is that true?”

How could Seo Baek-jung dare say something like that?

Jin Ha-gun stepped in to replace him in an awkward situation.

“Hey, what are you trying to do in someone else’s territory?”

There was a tense atmosphere between the two.

Jin Ha-gun had no intention of backing down even an inch. The same was true for Bisain.

Both the Destruction Corps and the Thirteen Sado Rangs were tense. If a melee broke out, there could be great casualties.

It was just then.

Creak.

The door opened slowly and a new person appeared.

Everyone’s eyes were turned there.

Seo Baek-joong was shocked. The appearance of Bisain was already a disaster, but now someone who absolutely should not have come has come.

The swordmaster entered, his magic aura wafting through his veins.

Twelve escorts followed him in.

The Mystery Corps and the Sado 13-Way Rang, who had been facing off, split in half and also faced off against the Cheonmajeon guards.

Behind the sword dance, the bloody swordsman and the swordsman followed in.

The appearance of the two demons startled Geomseon, Goaak, and Gwangseomdo. They knew each other.

In an instant, the place was covered in magic, and Geommu-geuk spoke coldly.

“Since we’re talking about districts, let’s be clear about what we’re saying. This is our district.”