Absolute Regression Chapter 485

485
It was only when I returned to my residence that Hui finally showed up.

A mysterious appearance, as if it had always been there.

The sword dance was performed with respect and courtesy.

“Thank you for your hard work in protecting me.”

Hwi responded to the greeting from Geommugeuk with a smile.

“It’s okay. It’s actually more comfortable when I’m hiding.”

How could that be? It must be physically tiring, and it must be mentally tiring to have to look after the other person and the surroundings. He says that because he is worried that I will feel uncomfortable.

“What did he look like?”

Geommugeuk asked Hui about Myeongsin.

“It was a top-notch kill.”

Indeed, Hui was able to gauge his opponent’s level without even competing against him. He was able to gauge his opponent’s skill level just by looking at his gait and hand movements.

Whiga asked cautiously.

“What are you going to do now?”

I wouldn’t have asked originally. But I asked because I saw how he had maintained such a good relationship with Myeongsin before and then broke up. Then Geommugeuk revealed his future plans.

“I plan to try to get him on my side.”

Although Hwi knew the power of the sword better than anyone else, the problem was that his opponent was a murderer.

“The people who kill are not to be trusted.”

It was the first time I saw Hwi looking so determined.

The sword dance understood Hui.

Hwi and Myeongsin are polar opposites.

Hui will not only not trust him, but will even hate and despise him.

He just doesn’t show that kind of expression in front of himself.

Even knowing that, he tried to get Myeongsin on his side because he knew about his life. But he couldn’t say that.

“Yes, I don’t believe it. But this effort will be meaningful. Even if it doesn’t work out for me, his one hesitation at a crucial moment could save our lives.”

Hwi felt that, as always, the leader was seeing something he could not see.

But the issue of water supply must be addressed with certainty.

“Salsu is a people you cannot trust. Please do not forget that.”

It was the first time in my life that I had ever heard Whiga repeat the same thing twice.

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Only after checking again did Hui’s expression soften.

“I also have a favor to ask of you, sir.”

“Please speak.”

Geommugeuk unwrapped the Extreme Heavenly Silk that was wrapped around the handle of the Black Magic Sword and handed it to him.

“Wrap it around your heart and danjeon.”

“I’m fine. Your Majesty, please take care of it.”

Then, Geommugeuk untied the hem of his clothes and showed the Geukpumcheonjamsa wrapped around his heart and stomach.

“I have already been around.”

“Wrap it twice.”

“I wrapped it in three layers. So, you wrap it in one layer.”

Whiga looked at the sword dance.

“This is a very old and precious silk. The demons have already been around. Oh, of course, I washed it thoroughly. And I’m not giving it to you. You have to return it later.”

Because in the final fight you’ll have to cover your entire body with it.

And you will be at the forefront of that fight.

Hwi could tell that no matter how much he refused, Geommugeuk would not back down.

“Understood. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Hwi wrapped the Geukpumcheonjamsa around himself in front of the Geommugeuk.

Only then did Geommugeuk smile in satisfaction.

“It suits you well. Now, look.”

Geommugeuk pulled out his sword and showed his reflection in the blade.

The image of himself reflected in the blade felt unfamiliar.

He had spent his entire life protecting others, but this was the first time he had felt protected like this.

“Thank you, Master.”

The swordsman asked him indirectly.

“I wish I could go to my father right now, right?”

Since you followed me out and came back without protecting your father, you must be wondering if your father is doing well.

“no.”

“Then can I go out and do something else right away?”

When I acted as if I was going to go out again at any moment, Hwi said with a look of defeat on his face.

“But since you came in, shouldn’t you at least say hello before leaving?”

The swordsman turned around with a smile.

“Where would I go?”

The swordsman shouted as he entered the building.

“Your son is here, father.”

Whiga followed me in with a cheerful expression on his face.

* * *

My father was in the room.

He was reading the telegram sent from Tongcheon-gak.

He is leaving the work entirely up to me while making sure I have a clear understanding of the situation.

Yes, the cliff will only have meaning if you have the patience to wait for your child to climb up alone from the cliff.

“I’m back, father.”

My father raised his head and looked this way.

The moment my father’s eyes met, I felt it.

You’ve gotten stronger!

It seems I’m not the only one practicing.

If I had previously been able to sense that my father had become stronger, now I could definitely feel that he had become stronger.

Maybe I’m feeling more certain as I get stronger, but either way it’s a good result.

Father, become stronger. Become so strong that the Hwamugi and the Murimiltongdo all become laughable. I will fill that emptiness.

Father’s gaze turned to Hwi.

Hui bowed his head respectfully to his father. A look of relief and gratitude appeared on his face.

“Is this your first time? Being away from your father like this.”

How could a person like Hwi-do stay by my side without resting for even a moment?

I ate, went to the bathroom, washed, and changed clothes.

But I can imagine how quickly that time must have passed. How hurried Whi must have been in that short time.

I hope no accidents happen while I’m away!

Hui said that the only blessing bestowed upon an escort is to die before the person he is supposed to protect.

But there will be a curse. If you never leave your seat, and you do leave for even a moment, the person you are supposed to protect will die.

And more than anyone else, his father knew Hwi’s heart better.

“I’ll be home soon.”

A father’s consideration to not worry even a little.

Even my father had already packed his bags.

When his father carried a large sack, Hui shouted in surprise.

“Please give me that, I will take it.”

Hui was embarrassed. He had never made his father carry a load before.

Then the father said to Hwi.

“Aren’t you following my orders?”

“Reverend!”

“I’m fine.”

Whiga looked at me. His eyes told me to hurry up and take the luggage and go forward.

“Father, I will take care of it.”

“Okay. Just don’t die.”

My father left the room carrying a briefcase.

“Father, you look great carrying the Hyuknang.”

I meant it sincerely. Above all, it was refreshing to see it for the first time.

He looked at Hwi, who was watching him restlessly, and spoke loudly so that his father could hear.

“Just look at me! Those shoulders, shoulders that wouldn’t budge even if I carried a mountain on my back, are wearing me out just from that old man’s gaze!”

* * *

It was three days later when Myeongsin came back. He wanted to come running right away, but he deliberately delayed. He couldn’t let it seem that he was impatient.

“Want to have a drink?”

“Okay.”

Before leaving, he handed over the coffin that Myeongsin had brought.

Inside were daggers.

“In fact, I can acknowledge swords and other weapons, but I cannot acknowledge a dagger. Do you think they will still try to kill me in the Demonic Cult’s Iron Cage?”

The last time we met, he seemed to have been hurt by the fact that the craftsman of the ironworks department of our school was not so jealous that he would try to kill him.

Geommugeuk looked at the dagger.

“Oh, I don’t know about anything else, but I can’t show the dagger to our Master Kwak. It would be difficult if he asked me to kill you.”

At the end of the sword dance, Myeongsin’s expression brightened.

“Well, since I received the dagger as a gift, I guess I’ll have to buy the drinks today. I chose the wrong bar last time, so you choose today.”

Myungshin nodded with an indifferent expression, but his heart began to pound.

‘Is it today?’

But if you have to leave the market, you might be suspicious. You have to make a careful decision.

So the two of them walked towards the market again.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Ask.”

“These Golden Dragons, aren’t you guys on a level that doesn’t match up with theirs?”

Myeongsin answered nonchalantly.

“You may not know because you live a life where you are only told what to do, but our lives require us to do as we are told. What other power do we have?”

“I don’t know about anyone else, but it sounds like an excuse to you.”

Myeongsin felt that there was some truth to Geommugeuk’s words.

“You investigated me too?”

It was known that the information power of the Cheonmasingyo was the best in the martial arts world. Since they were all mixed up like this, there was no way they wouldn’t know about me.

“exactly.”

Geommugeuk answered honestly.

“What kind of person am I in the report you investigated?”

The answer came immediately.

“Myeongsin, the second-highest ranking official in the underworld. His killings are governed by three principles: he does not kill children, he does not kill those who do not know martial arts, and he does not kill those who are not evil.”

I thought I understood this far. The opponent was the Cheonma Shingyo.

But the following information surprised Myeongsin.

“I’ve been in conflict with the head of the list recently because of that.”

For a moment, Myeongsin was startled.

‘That’s something that only the two of us do? How did you know?’

Myeongsin pretended not to know and asked Geommugeuk.

“Conflict? Why do you think so?”

The sword dance that had been walking until then stopped. Myeongsin also stood there and waited for an answer.

Geommugeuk said calmly.

“I’ve never seen a killer like you.”

The gaze of the swordsman directed at him was extremely serious.

“You can’t live by such principles in this day and age. It’s something that only comes up in stories. If your leader were that kind of person, there wouldn’t be a problem, but he’s not that kind of person.”

The two continued talking while standing on the side of the road.

“To be honest, I don’t like playing with people either. I’d rather play alone than make friends. But I’m curious because you’re a person who sticks to such principles.”

After a moment, Geommugeuk added:

“That’s why I sent you. I must have investigated why I’m interested in people like you. If someone other than you had come a few days ago, I would have killed them on the spot. When I have the chance, I want to eliminate at least one more enemy. That’s what I’m like. In that sense, the leader who sent you is quite a smart person.”

Myeongsin didn’t know that Geommugeuk knew so much about him.

“Why are you telling me everything? Is it because you still have the confidence to deal with me even if you tell me?”

Then Geommugeuk shook his head and said.

“What on earth have you heard so far? That you have become interested in a murderer like me. That you think it would be nice to be friends with a murderer like me? That’s what I thought.”

For a split second, Myeongsin felt the urge to pull out his dagger and stab Geommugeuk in the neck.

Instinctively, I felt that the other person was letting their guard down.

And feeling that desire also meant that the other person might be telling the truth.

“You’re not trying to use me to sweep away the list?”

Geommugeuk pretended to be surprised and smiled brightly.

“Have you noticed already?”

Myeongsin couldn’t understand the true intention of Geommugeuk.

Just then a flock of birds flew overhead.

The two people’s gazes naturally turned to the sky.

“The leader of the Demonic Cult and Salsu are friends? Is that even possible?”

“Even the leader of the Demonic Cult and the owner of a tavern can be friends.”

Myeongsin knew that was true.

“How can the situation of a bar owner and a thief be the same? A bar owner can close the door tomorrow, but we can’t.”

Then Geommugeuk said something unexpected.

“I think it’s harder for a bar owner to close down.”

The gaze of the famous spirit, who was looking up at the sky, turned towards Geommugeuk.

“You don’t know how hard those people work. They only close the door when their family is arrested. You say you’re more hardworking than them? Is that true?”

Myeongsin felt that he was being asked sincerely, so he held back his answer.

“If I take a day off, the customers will stop coming. If I take a day off, the people who have walked will have to go back. At least you don’t have to worry about that. There will be people waiting for me to die. You don’t have to worry about that, do you?”

One of Myeongsin’s eyes twitched slightly. He was trying to get along with Geommugeuk as much as possible. However, Geommugeuk kept poking at a part of his heart.

“Isn’t it just a nuisance that you can’t leave? Is it because you can’t bring yourself to change the life you’re used to?”

Myungshin’s expression hardened slightly.

“Don’t talk about other people’s business. What do you know about me? All you do is look at the information that the three men have gathered and evaluate it.”

“Isn’t that you?”

Myungshin flinched again.

“The me in your report, the you in my report. Isn’t that us? Is there a real me, other than the way others see me? Then we’re living in a state of misunderstanding. Isn’t that wrong?”

Myeongsin couldn’t say anything in rebuttal.

“What others see is us. In fact, that is more accurate. In reality, I hope we are more grandiose and valuable people, but aren’t you and me in that report, that’s us?”

I wanted to say that I am not a famous person. I am a better person than others think.

And as I watched myself thinking this, I realized:

‘Ah! I wanted to be a better person.’

I have never had this conversation with anyone before, so I have just discovered for the first time that this thought exists deep in my heart. Perhaps the principle of killing comes from this kind of mind.

“Why are you doing this to me? If you really want to be my friend, tell me honestly what you’re thinking.”

Because I had to take the sword dance to King Sal, I tried to swallow the words that were welling up in my throat.

‘You’re trying to blow up the list by using me now. How much do you think I’m funny that you’re trying to dig into it like this?’

The eyes of two people standing on the street were intertwined in the air. An important conversation that could determine their fate was taking place on the street.

“To be honest, it’s not for your sake, it’s to protect me.”

The two eyes of the sword dance were clearer and deeper than ever.

“I don’t want to sweep away people like you on my path. I think it would be nice if there was at least one cool assassin somewhere in this world who would kill evildoers in exchange for a coin offered by a child who had lost his parents unjustly.”

“!”

“I don’t want to go my own way by killing people like that. You’re right, this isn’t for your sake, it’s to protect me.”

Then Geommugeuk took a coin out of his bosom and handed it to him.

“So this money is a bribe to protect me.”

Absolute Return Episode 486