Absolute Regression Chapter 462

462
The entire time he came here, Yongjamyeong had been wondering why the Demon Lord had called him.

For better or for worse.

But I really didn’t know that the reason would be to introduce me to my son.

Naturally, Yongjamyeong’s gaze turned towards Geommugeuk.

The next generation of Heavenly Horses and the most talked about person in the martial arts world recently. Rumors and information about him have always been contradictory.

Insignificant yet great.

The trivial things were too trivial to be believed, and the great results he achieved were too great to be believed.

And as if to show that such rumors were not just rumors, he was holding a ladle when we first met. The first words I heard from him were, ‘Who would like some more soup?’

Geommugeuk bowed his head to his father.

“Thank you, Father.”

I don’t know what my father’s true intentions were behind this, but I believed that it was for my own good. I could tell just by looking at his eyes.

Since he didn’t know much about Geom Woo-jin and Geom Mu-geuk, Yong Ja-myeong’s suspicions were natural.

‘The leader of the Demonic Cult arranged this kind of event for his child’s connections? That can’t be possible.’

One conclusion that comes naturally.

‘Is it all about money?’

Conclusions drawn from long experience.

No matter how you package it, in the end what the unmanned merchant wanted was money.

Since Cheonma can’t come forward himself, why is he trying to ask for money by sending his son forward under some pretext?

Of course, the amount would be a huge sum, befitting the names of the Cheonmasingyo and the Galaxy Shangdan.

‘What if that’s the reason?’

A person who is not a businessman will be angry and try to retaliate against the unreasonableness of the other party, but a merchant should not do that. At this time, a merchant should ask himself.

‘What will you get in return?’

Hiding his true feelings, Yongjamyeong spoke politely to Geomwoojin.

“Becoming friends with the sect leader is something this person desperately desires.”

I was serious. There was nothing wrong with being friendly with the leader of the Demonic Cult.

-If it comes out like this, I guess I’ll have to call someone I know.

-Who dares to call against us?

-The leader of the Demonic Cult.

It means that you can have such an exciting conversation, as long as the other person doesn’t have any hidden, impure intentions.

Geum Woo-jin got up from his seat.

“See you later.”

It meant to take some time for the sword dance. And the word “see you later” meant not to leave right away, but to stay for today.

Yongjamyeong was secretly shocked because he didn’t know that Geumwoojin would leave him and the small cult leader behind.

‘What is this situation?’

It wasn’t something he, the leader of the galaxy, could easily experience.

Anyway, I said I’d see you later.

“See you later.”

Yongjamyeong smiled and answered politely.

The courtesy that was not broken at all was not just because the other person was a demon. Originally, the merchant Yongjamyeong was not a person whose emotions became his attitude.

Geum Woo-jin walked slowly.

Baek Gun, who was behind Yongjamyeong, was more nervous.

I didn’t notice it when I was sitting down to eat, but when I walked like this, the feeling was different. Even though he was walking slowly, he didn’t feel slow, and it felt like the air around him was moving around him.

Before leaving, Geum Woo-jin left a word for Yong Ja-myeong.

“It might not be so bad for you either.”

What does it mean? Is it faith in children? Or is it a hint?

I couldn’t find the name of the brave man. I’ve met countless people and had all sorts of experiences, but today, those experiences weren’t of much help.

Meanwhile, as the Demon Lord left the place, Baek-chong became even more nervous.

-Don’t let your guard down, there might be some trickery.

He sent a message to the people who were with him. He also did not understand Geom Woo-jin’s actions. He did not pay attention to the fact that he left behind a brave name.

‘You’re leaving the leader behind?’

Because the leader of the Demonic Cult was away, he could do things on his own.

Yongjamyeong looked around and asked Geommugeuk.

“Now that I think about it, I don’t see a single escort. Where are they?”

“I left my escort at the main school.”

Geommugeuk said as he looked at the three warriors standing behind Yongjamyeong.

“I told you to train until you have developed skills like those people over there.”

No one here could believe it, but it was true. In reality, they must be in the midst of their training right now. Even if they can’t protect you, at least they shouldn’t be a burden.

Since neither of them were people who could tolerate awkward silence, the conversation continued naturally.

“Now that you’ve eaten, would you like to go out for a walk?”

“Okay.”

The two people left the garden. Yongjamyeong asked the question he had been curious about.

“Why did you ask me to meet you in this manor?”

“It’s because of the blessed woman you saw earlier.”

“What is your relationship with that woman?”

“She is the one who came to kill us.”

From what the swordsman said earlier, that she didn’t even know the woman’s name, it was inferred that she didn’t know their identities. If she had known, she wouldn’t have dared not reveal her name. If she didn’t know, she could have planned such a thing.

The problem is this.

‘You just sent away the woman who tried to kill the leader and the sub-leader of the Demonic Cult?’

Because it was something that could never happen.

The reason for his visit was revealed.

“You called me because of that woman.”

“I believed that too.”

Geommugeuk looked at Yongjamyeong and said.

“Father, your thoughts are different. Are you surprised? I was surprised too.”

So you’re saying that the two of you weren’t discussed in advance? Is that really true?

I didn’t trust the name Yongjamyeong. I thought he definitely had something he wanted.

As if he had read my mind.

“I have a favor to ask.”

Well then, there is no such thing as a good person in the world. Even those who call themselves the righteous do all sorts of tricks, so let alone the good people.

Hiding his feelings, Yongjamyeong spoke softly.

“Tell me anything.”

What do you want at the top of the galaxy? How much do you want?

But that wasn’t the kind of request that came from Geommugeuk.

“Please tell me the story of the short story.”

Yongjamyeong stopped walking. Geommugeuk also stopped.

“My story?”

“Yes, any story is fine.”

“Can I ask why?”

“I thought long and hard about why my father wanted to introduce me to you.”

Geommu-geuk was really worried. This was a problem between his father and himself before it was a problem between Yongja-myeong and himself.

“Since we’ve already seen each other, why don’t we become friends? I don’t think that’s what he meant. My father is definitely not that kind of person.”

“So? Did you find the answer?”

Geommugeuk nodded. This was the answer he came up with.

“I guess you want to learn from the master.”

“What do you mean?”

After a moment, Geommugeuk said.

“The life of a person who has reached the top in one field.”

“!”

Yongjamyeong didn’t say anything for a moment. He felt like he had been caught off guard. He didn’t think that Cheonma had introduced him to his son with that intention.

But soon, Yongjamyeong began to doubt his opponent’s intentions.

‘No, that can’t be true.’

Starting with this, I will ask for something. The eyes looking at me are so clear and deep, so I was just confused for a moment.

“The leader thinks too highly of a mere merchant. All I know is money.”

The sword dance was rather exciting.

“Isn’t that the most interesting story?”

Geommugeuk said as he walked ahead with brisk strides.

“Let’s go. How can we talk about money without alcohol?”

* * *

The two sat facing each other in a tavern on the street.

This was the very inn where all the meetings took place.

Geommu-geuk and Yongja-myeong sat facing each other in the corner. Baek-chong and the other warriors were ordered to stay as far away as possible.

I thought it was inappropriate for the leader of the Demonic Cult to be asking about his own life while having an escort behind him.

After the two poured each other drinks, they emptied their first glasses.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a drink in a place like this. I used to come here every now and then.”

“A person who can buy an entire inn like this with the price of one meal is truly humble.”

Yongjamyeong responded to Geommugeuk’s sweet words with a smile.

“I guess you enjoy being evaluated like this.”

The swordsman filled his glass and said:

“It’s healthy play.”

“Healthy? Not just empty boasting and pride?”

“As long as the game doesn’t target people, it’s fine.”

For a moment, Yongjamyeong flinched.

“What does it mean?”

“I’m a person with this much money. I’m a person who earns this much money. If this sense of superiority is directed at others, then problems arise. At first, you may enjoy envying them, but gradually you will begin to ignore them, and eventually you will end up hurting them deeply. It’s like when you point a knife at someone, problems arise.”

Yongjamyeong just listened to Geommugeuk’s words without saying anything.

“On the other hand, the feeling of superiority enjoyed alone in a shabby inn like this is a healthy pastime. So please come often and enjoy yourself.”

Yongjamyeong was silent for a moment, lost in thought. He had never thought of it this way before.

“Is that you too?”

As the owner of the upper level of the galaxy, Yongjamyeong naturally knew about the three-party meeting between Jeongsa Ma and Jeongsa Ma. He also heard that the meeting was held in a small tavern and that it was a regular tavern for the leader of the Demonic Cult.

Ultimately, his question was this:

So, are you also enjoying a healthy pastime at that tavern?

Geommugeuk immediately understood what he meant by that question, so he was confident in his answer.

“No, I am different.”

“how?”

“I just really like the owner of that tavern. The drinks are good, the food is tasty, and most of all, he makes his customers feel comfortable. I will definitely invite him next time I come to our school.”

Yongjamyeong also smiled and spoke to the smiling Geommugeuk.

“You’re really good at talking. That’s a talent that a merchant definitely needs. What do you think? Have you ever thought about going into the business world?”

“Did my father see that I was a seedling that could become a money tree and introduce me to you?”

The atmosphere was good with jokes being exchanged.

Yongjamyeong unexpectedly liked this place. Even though he was someone who didn’t know how much of the truth was true and when he would reveal his true colors, the conversation with him was smooth. For some reason, it was enjoyable.

But when swords and money meet, the good atmosphere cannot last.

Rather, it would be better to ask when the mood is good.

“What do you want from me? Money?”

Geommugeuk asked back, staring into the eyes of Yongjamyeong who was not afraid of death.

“Would you give me money?”

There was a tense atmosphere between the two.

“How much do you want?”

A smile appeared on Geommugeuk’s lips.

“How much do you want? To hear that from the richest man in the world? That’s everyone’s dream.”

Yongjamyeong responded seriously to the jokes of the sword dance drama.

“It’s not the amount that matters. It’s what you can give me back that matters.”

Now the playfulness has disappeared from Geommugeuk’s face.

“I think this is a situation that could easily be misunderstood, but did you see my father? Did he look like the kind of person who would call you here because he needed money?”

A significant addition follows.

“My father is the kind of person you go to when you need money, not the kind of person you call out to.”

I could tell that the name of the brave man had a double meaning. At first glance, it might sound like he was going to pay a courtesy visit, but that wasn’t it. It meant to invade and take everything.

If you put it that way, it doesn’t seem like he called me because of money.

“I misunderstood. I apologize.”

“It would be strange if there were no misunderstandings.”

No, if that’s the case, then this situation is even stranger.

What on earth do the demon cult leader and this minor cult leader want from me?

“Do you know what the most common question people ask me is?”

The sword dance was spot on.

“How can I make a lot of money?”

Yongjamyeong nodded and asked.

“Why don’t you ask that?”

Then comes the meaningful answer.

“The answer will be in your life anyway. That’s why I wanted to hear what you have to say.”

Yongjamyeong himself does not believe what others say. People are beings who can lie at any time. What he believes is the other person’s life. When he looks at a person, he looks at the path he has walked.

“Are you really curious about my story? If I talk about my past, it will be embellished and I will end up showing off. Isn’t it boring to listen to other people showing off?”

“When pretending to be great gets boring, it’s when someone who isn’t great pretends to be great. When someone who is truly great pretends to be great, it’s a great adventure story.”

Yongjamyeong’s admiration naturally made him think about his lineage.

‘The son of the Heavenly Horse is a son.’

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to explain the intensity that comes with being this young.

“I always try to live by two things.”

“What is it?”

“The first is trying not to be afraid of death, and the second is trying not to value the fun of making money as the highest value.”

“Both of these do not fit the principles of the richest man in the Central Plains. Can you elaborate?”

His life story flowed naturally.

“The reason I don’t value the fun of making money as my highest priority is because I’ve realized that I’m a person who finds more fun in making money than in spending it.”

Most successful merchants have this tendency.

“I’ve seen too many people get caught up in the fun of making money and end up being eaten up by money.”

This thought must have been the reason why the name Yongjamyeong had more power than money.

“It seems similar to martial arts. If you get too caught up in winning, you get consumed by martial arts.”

“That’s an apt metaphor.”

The two drank together, their glasses clinking more vigorously than before.

“Then why do you try so hard not to be afraid of death?”

Yongjamyeong’s eyes deepened as he recalled that unforgettable day.

“I almost died when I was young. I almost lived to the brink of death. Since that day, I have always had the courage to live every day as if I had lived a life of luxury.”

“Because it’s unmanned, I’m interested in how he overcame that life-or-death crisis.”

This is your chance to fulfill a long-cherished wish that you have been wishing for until the day you die. So, think back carefully to that day.

“What happened that day?”