Absolute Regression Chapter 492

492
After finishing his words, Hui pulled out his sword in one breath.

The King of Sal fell backwards, spewing blood. Before he fell to the ground, he was already dead while standing.

It was the moment of death of King Sal, who was now only the head of the underworld, but would later become the king of murderers and one of the twelve kings of the earth.

Hui left no aftertaste in his death, nor in the fight in which he had risked his life.

Choaaaak.

After wiping the blood off the sword, Hui put it back in its scabbard.

As if he had spent the last fight with the spilled blood, Hwi did not pay any attention to the corpse of King Sal.

He has now finished his killing spree and is back to being a guard.

Geommu-geuk walked up to Hwi and bowed respectfully. He didn’t say anything else. This was probably all the guards needed to say at this moment.

“Thank you for watching over me.”

Hwi looked at the sword dance in silence for a moment. He was the one who should be thanking her.

If I hadn’t used the Guhwamagong when the King of Salvation and the assassins attacked, I would have died then.

It wasn’t just that the cult leader helped. I fought with the mindset that I had to protect him throughout the fight today. I was able to demonstrate my best skills when I felt like I had to protect someone.

Myeongsin was looking at the two people.

The talkative Geommugeuk and the taciturn Hui.

Although they were two very different people, Myeongsin suddenly felt that the two were similar.

Why do I feel that way?

At that moment, Myeongsin suddenly remembered the sight of Geommugeuk standing in front of him after killing the assassins.

I realized that the lonely-looking appearance resembled the aura of this man named Hwi.

Myeongsin conveyed that feeling.

“Somehow, I think you two look alike.”

Geommugeuk started to flirt at Myeongsin’s words.

“You and I have a lot in common. You’re handsome, cool, and reserved.”

Hwi smiled faintly, and Myeongsin looked dumbfounded at the mention of being taciturn.

In this good atmosphere, the three people exchanged glances.

Even Hwi’s gaze toward Myeongsin had softened compared to before the fight. He still hated killing, but at least today, he was a comrade who risked his life together.

Geommugeuk took care of Hwi’s physical condition.

“But are you okay with your injury?”

Although he avoided serious injuries, Hui’s body was covered in blood.

“It’s okay. Fortunately, it’s only a cut to the skin.”

Whiga opened the hem of his chest.

“Because of what the young cult leader gave me, I was able to fight more actively.”

Although it is said that he defeated King Salwang because of the Geukpumcheonjamsa, Hui gave credit to Geommugeuk.

This is a person named Whi.

A life where you pass the buck to others and quietly protect someone else.

That life killed the king today.

“You were great today, sir.”

Hwi smiled faintly. Geommugeuk wanted to praise him to his heart’s content today, but Hwi felt awkward in this atmosphere.

So, Hui quickly changed the subject.

“I’ll leave the cleanup here to this side.”

“Please do so.”

Now Myeongsin asked Geommugeuk.

“What can I do?”

“Why do you ask me that?”

Well, it was up to you. If you were told to become a subordinate, you had to become one, and if you were told to die, you had to die.

Of course, that was my thought because I didn’t know Geommugeuk very well yet.

“Now you have to figure out how to live your life.”

Myeongsin paused for a moment and asked cautiously.

“Is it really okay to leave like this?”

Geommugeuk nodded. Myeongsin could feel that Geommugeuk was truly trying to give him freedom.

Then, a word came out as if he was talking to himself without realizing it.

“What should I do for a living now?”

It wasn’t a sword dance, it was a question he was asking himself.

The Geommugeuk regarded that sense of emptiness as enjoyment.

“Isn’t this a good time? Right now, when nothing has been decided. It’s a good time to choose things, a good time to make plans. So enjoy this moment.”

You really are.

I don’t know how many times Myeongsin said this, thought this about Geommugeuk.

Myeongsin revealed his honest feelings to Geommugeuk.

“You said that somewhere in this world, there would be a great assassin who would kill evildoers in exchange for a coin offered by a child who had lost his parents unjustly. But you misjudged me. I am not the kind of person who would accept a contract for a coin. I set principles and set out to kill, but I was also greedy for money.”

Geommugeuk looked at him with clear and deep eyes.

But your future self has lived that kind of life. Well, that doesn’t mean you’ll live that kind of life again in this life.

That was his life before his regression, and in this life he is a different person. In this life, we were clearly living different lives.

“Take your time deciding how to live.”

“I’ve already decided.”

Geommugeuk asked in surprise.

“Can something this important be decided so easily?”

“That’s right. It’s such an important matter that even if I worry about it, I won’t be able to come up with a proper answer. I guess I’ll just shake hands at the end of the conversation. In times like these, the first thought that comes to mind is often the right answer.”

Myeongsin had such thoughts.

I’ve lived my whole life as a swindler, so what other life can I live? Opening a bar and living a carefree life? Dealing with the truth will only make me explode.

“I’m thinking of making a living by running a small iron shop.”

Because making various weapons and devices was something he enjoyed doing so much.

“It suits you well.”

The sword dance reminded him of working in a small iron cell. Fate would not leave him alone after going through such hardships. Perhaps, receiving a coin and clearing his name might happen in that iron cell.

“If by any chance one day you are striking iron and suddenly think, ‘This is not it,’ go see Master Kwak of the ironworks at our school. If you tell him that I introduced you, he will meet you. He will tell you the answer. Whether it is the boredom of work or the boredom of your life.”

Myungsin’s eyes shone brightly at the consideration given to Geommugeuk.

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

“It’s not just for you. I’m sure our Master Kwak will be inspired by your skills. Then, wouldn’t it be a good thing for you two as well as for our school?”

He said that, but Myeongsin could feel it. That it was his heart for him. He didn’t say that he would never forget the favor. That was always a matter that had to be answered with action.

“Sometimes when I make something good, I’ll send it to you.”

“I am the type of person who doesn’t hesitate to give gifts. I will gratefully accept them.”

The two people looked at each other and laughed.

Myungsin bowed politely and respectfully. His final greeting was very polite.

“I believe that the Young Master will become a Heavenly Demon that will never be seen again in this martial arts world. I hope that you will achieve great things.”

The sword dance team also paid a respectful bow to his sincere greeting. After all, he had been tied to the organization his entire life.

“Please live freely.”

After Myeongsin nodded, he also greeted Hwi politely.

“I learned that a life of protection is much more difficult and valuable than a life of killing after meeting you.”

Huido politely gave him a congratulatory speech and sent him off.

“Wherever you are, live well.”

So Myeongsin left that place.

Geommu-geuk watched him until his figure completely disappeared.

“Starting a new life, just watching it like this makes me feel good.”

Hwi could sense a certain longing in the eyes of the swordsman. Perhaps this cult leader also longed for such a free life more than anyone else.

Geommugeuk turned his head towards Hwi. The desire that had filled his eyes had disappeared.

“Sir, let’s go back now.”

Geommugeuk and Hwido left the place side by side.

* * *

My father was making something in the residence of the Cheonmasingyo Anga.

You were working so hard with your back turned that I couldn’t even say hello.

“Really? Are you making a weapon that can conquer the martial arts world?”

It was almost like that.

Then my father turned to me. When I saw what he was holding in his hand, I laughed out loud.

“No, you were trying to conquer the fish.”

What you were making was a fishing rod.

On the way here to Seomseong, I won two fishing competitions with my father.

I had suggested that we fight again when we returned, but my father was already preparing to return. He naturally believed that we would return safely.

“I’m back, father.”

“I have returned from my mission, Reverend.”

When we formally greeted each other, he was the father who took care of Hwi before his son.

“You’re hurt.”

Before entering here, Hui had changed into his bloody uniform, but his father recognized him at a glance.

“It’s just a scratch.”

I can’t just ignore the worried looks directed at Hwi.

I raised my hand toward my father.

“Here’s my son too! He may have suffered invisible injuries!”

My father pretended not to hear what I said, got up from his seat, and walked to one wall.

And then he found something in the Hyuknang that was set up there. My father usually took things out with empty water, so what was it that he was looking for himself?

What his father brought from Hyuknang and handed to Hui was a small, pure white bottle.

“Get this right.”

It was the golden elixir used by Cheonma. Naturally, it was a medicine with incomparable efficacy compared to ordinary golden elixirs.

“No. I dare not apply the medicine to the cult leader.”

“correctly.”

Hui couldn’t refuse any longer at the firm words of his father.

“thank you.”

The father’s eyes were deep as he looked at Hwi, who had lowered his head. The fact that Hwi was injured this much meant that the father knew how fierce the fight was.

“Father! I have a scar too!”

Then my father held out his hand with a mischievous laugh.

The hatch opened on its own, and this time another bottle came flying towards me.

“Of all the empty spaces I’ve ever seen, this is the most insincere.”

That wasn’t all. He checked the bottle and shouted.

“You’re going too far! This is the golden elixir that I also have!”

The one given to Hui was the best product exclusively for Cheonma, and this was a golden elixir of a lower grade.

Hwi, whose eyes met mine, lowered his head with a helpless expression.

“If you don’t like it, then don’t say anything.”

When my father held out his hand for it again, I quickly put it back in my bosom.

“But it’s the first golden elixir my father gave me, so I have to apply it. I’ll apply it for a long time.”

Father got up from his seat.

“You hurt that guy, so you’re going to be punished. Follow me.”

If you’re going to put Whi first, then you have to take responsibility for it. That would be breaking that promise.

“You misunderstood. I was worried that you would feel bad if I got hurt, so I tried my best not to get hurt! Of course, I feel like I tried too hard! Father!”

My father took me to an empty, deserted lot near Anga.

He said, drawing his sword there.

“I shouldn’t do anything that requires applying medicine in the future.”

I could tell. He was trying to teach me a lesson through the rain. It wasn’t a punishment, it was a reward. It was a reward for both of us returning safely, and it was a fatherly way of expressing joy.

‘Thank you, Father.’

I stood about ten paces away from my father.

And today’s rain was different.

My father didn’t show any signs of prayer, but there was still an aura that dominated the space.

That was the energy of the Heavenly Demon Sword.

It seemed like my father was telling me to just feel the energy of the sword.

‘then?’

I too withdrew all my prayers. Without even a single ounce of energy, I tried not to reveal even the slightest presence, and slowly drew out the black magic sword.

The aura of the Heavenly Demon Sword can be felt.

The aura of the black magic sword can be felt.

It had been a really long time since I had focused so much on feeling only the energy of the Black Sword.

‘Now that I think about it, I was so indifferent.’

They say that you learn the art of the nine-flower magic, use the art of the four heavenly secrets, and increase your internal energy.

I was neglecting the Black Sword because I was paying attention to other things.

Suddenly, I remembered the first time I met Ian after returning.

I had these kinds of reflections back then too.

I took her existence for granted, just like how we live our lives without realizing how precious air is.

It was the same. Up until now, I had been fighting my enemies with this black magic sword, but instead of being grateful, I had been taking it for granted.

“I am so foolish. Thank you so much for teaching me, Father.”

A faint smile appeared on my father’s lips. It was clearly a smile of satisfaction.

In this way, my father gives me constant teaching and stimulation.

And that wasn’t all there was to today’s teaching.

“Show me the magic of the nine-flower technique.”

I showed off my skills in front of my father. I did my best without hiding my achievements.

My father had to know exactly what I was capable of, so I hope that will be the driving force that stimulates him again.

‘Father, how different is my Guhwamagong from yours?’

After seeing my Nine Fire Demonic Ceremony, my father lectured on the Nine Fire Demonic Ceremony again.

It’s the same martial arts and I’ve heard the lecture many times, but today there were some things that felt different.

It must be because my realm has changed and my father’s realm has changed. Even though it was the same words, it felt different. It really seems like my training with my father improved with every conversation.

After asking and answering like that, thinking and unfolding it again, when the training was over, it was already deep into the night.

For a moment, I looked up at the moon floating in the sky with my father.

Then my father suddenly asked.

“What makes you anxious?”

It was the first question I received. It seemed that he had read the anxiety deep within him as he watched his son change after his return.

“You gave birth to me as a perfect son, but I have one insecurity.”

“What kind of anxiety?”

“It is an anxiety that a great evil that is jealous of my father and me is trying to eat us.”

My father looked like he couldn’t understand.

“Didn’t you say that we are the only ones who can eat that evil?”

Father, you remember exactly what I said.

“I guess I’m afraid of meeting something so big I can’t swallow it.”

What would my father think of this anxiety?

My father, who had been staring at me for a moment, stood up from his seat and drew his sword.

“Then you have to enlarge your mouth and stomach.”

This simple and clear answer was also a single word that defined the path I should take in the future. Yes, anxiety must be filled with skill.

I sat up with my mouth wide open.

“Yes! No matter how big it is, I will swallow it.”

So, the martial arts training with my father continued all night long.

The moon that had been watching over us set, and the morning stars took its place. Then, when even the stars retreated, the morning dawn took its place.

As the bright red energy awakened the earth, the shadow of a man stretched out.

Throughout our training, there was only one person who stood alone with his back turned to protect us.

Absolute Return Episode 493