Absolute Regression Chapter 633

Episode 633: Where should you sit next?

The golden mist broke through and Mabul appeared.
How could such a powerful presence be displayed despite his small stature?
He looked up from under the pavilion and respectfully clasped his hands together.

“How have you been, my lord?”

Jinpaecheon also greeted Mabul with courtesy.

“Long time no see.”

The appearance of Mabul was unexpected. It was not an unfamiliar sight for Mabul to be present where the Grand Prince was. Jinpaecheon also knew well about the relationship between the two.

Mabul, who had exchanged greetings with Jinpaecheon, looked at Geommuyang next to him.
Their gazes met in the air.

“Are you here?”
“Yes, I am here.”

Their simple greetings were filled with deep feelings for each other.
In fact, Geommuyang had no idea what to do when the leader told him to leave Muhan. Anyone else would have ignored those words, but he couldn’t just reject the leader of the martial arts world.

When I saw Ma-Bul in a situation where I couldn’t do anything, I felt like his light was brightening up this difficult situation.

Mabul walked slowly up to the pavilion. Before going up, he also exchanged greetings with Jin Ha-gun.

“Meet the Amazon.”
“I have heard of the great master’s deeds from afar. You are very good at your young age.”

Jin Ha-gun was also secretly happy about his appearance. The conflict that had been on the brink of collapse just a moment ago was resolved by his appearance.

“Here is the liquor that the lord likes.”

He asked Jin Pae-cheon, who was on top of the pavilion, while leaving the alcohol that Ma-bul had brought with Jin Ha-gun.

“Your tastes haven’t changed in the meantime, have they?”

He was the only Demon Lord who never came empty-handed whenever he met her. He was also the only Demon Lord who had sent gifts without fail whenever there was an event for the Murim Alliance.

Of course, it was a rule to discard gifts sent from the Demonic Cult, and Mabul would not have been unaware of this, but he always sent gifts without fail.

However, after the Archduke was pushed out of the succession, I thought I would never receive his gifts again, but today, I received a gift again.

Mabul, who had climbed up to the top of the tower, looked around in admiration.

“The view from above is different from the view from below.”

The rain that had been falling had already stopped and the fog had begun to clear. Behind them, tall bamboo trees appeared.
I tried to create a good atmosphere by continuously exclaiming in admiration, but Jinpaecheon’s reaction was cold.

“I didn’t know you would come all the way to Infinity.”

Since it was a demon, he reacted relatively gently. The fact that the Grand Duke had come was a problem, but the demon had come to Muhan without prior notice? This was something that could be officially protested to the Heavenly Demon Sect.

“I had an urgent matter to attend to.”
“Your Majesty, what was the matter?”

Then, surprising words came out of Mabul’s mouth.

“We have received information that there is someone who is aiming for the grand prince of our school.”

Although Geommuyang was not one to show his emotions easily, he looked surprised at these words. This was something he didn’t know about.

“Who was that?”

I naturally expected Jinpaecheon to be a character from the Sapa faction or someone who has a grudge against the Cheonmasingyo.

“It’s a Byeoksan sword.”

The moment he heard that name, Jin Pae-cheon felt a shock in his heart.
Byeoksan Sword was one of the masters representing the Jeongpa martial arts world. The fact that he tried to kill the Grand Prince of the Heavenly Demon Sect was a huge incident that could not be compared to the Grand Prince coming to Infinite.

Ma-Bul raised his voice and emitted a golden glow.

“Who dares this crazy person!”

Mabul was truly angry. He was directly conveying his anger to the leader on behalf of the Cheonma Sect.

“Any attempt to harm the Archduke is a challenge and attack on our school!”

At this moment, Geommuyang could understand why Mabul had appeared in front of him so quickly.

‘Mabul has already come to Infinity to save me.’

Geommuyang’s heart was filled with emotion because it was Mabul, not someone else. Even though he had behaved so badly in the past, Mabul had always protected him.

“Fortunately, I got there before the incident happened.”

Since he couldn’t be truly angry at the leader of the martial arts world, Mabul’s light quickly faded.

Mabul’s confident attitude seemed to be asking this question.

Will you still ask me why I came to Muhan?

The initiative in the conversation that had previously forced Muhan to leave has now passed to Mabul.

“Your Majesty, don’t worry too much. We haven’t informed anyone outside.”

If it were just a simple matter, I wouldn’t have asked like this.

“Was that really him?”

I couldn’t believe that someone like Byeoksangeom would do something like that without thinking about the consequences. I would have believed it if it had been Hanwolgaek.

“This was my third meeting with that person.”

It was said that he could not have mistaken someone else.
Mabul had revealed the result of the matter before Jinpaecheon asked. Mabul was a person who knew how to lead a conversation smoothly.

“We decided to have a drink on our fourth meeting.”

He said it nicely, but Jinpaecheon could tell. He meant that he had suppressed him with his skills. It’s unlikely that the two of them would end up just arguing.

A feeling of relief crossed Jin Pae-cheon’s face at hearing that the Byeoksan Sword was alive. At the same time, he also felt uneasy.

‘Are you saying that Byeoksan Sword lost to this person?’

Jinpaecheon quietly observed Mabul. He felt different from the last time he saw him. He felt a sense of leisure. His skills must have improved just as much as that leisure.

Suddenly, I thought of Geum Woo-jin, who was practicing closed-door training.

‘The Demonic Cult is growing stronger.’

It was a moment when I realized the inconvenient truth once again.

Anyway, if you check with the Byeoksan Sword, Mabul wouldn’t have lied.

‘Why did Byeoksan Sword try to kill the Grand Prince of the Shingyo? Could it be? Was it because someone asked him to?’

Someone can ask the Byuksan Sword for a favor. But if the request is to kill the Grand Prince of the Heavenly Demon Sect, it cannot be done.
If it is not his own request.

“Did you hear why he did that?”
“He didn’t say anything, but it seemed like he was asked to do so by someone.”

Jinpaecheon asked Mabul as if he was floating.

“Does anyone have a guess?”

Ma-bul shook his head as if he didn’t know. He already knew through Tongcheon-gak that Cheon-ae-geosa was behind it, but he didn’t even mention Cheon-ae-geosa’s son.

I just touched on the underlying properties.

“How could those who have been causing discord between our school and the Murim Alliance be something that started yesterday or today?”

Whoever it was, he emphasized that he was trying to divide the Cheonmasingyo and the Murim Alliance.

Mabul didn’t mention Hanwolgaek. In order to explain why he sent him back, he had to also tell them that the Poison King was in Muhan.

“That’s why I couldn’t contact you in advance. I hope you’ll understand.”
“I can fully understand.”
“Thank you.”

Ma-Bul looked up at the sky. The sun, which had been hiding behind dark clouds, was showing itself.

“The rain has stopped, so we should go back now.”

Geommuyang also said goodbye to Mabul’s greeting.

“Then I’ll see you again, my lord.”
“Take a look.”

Leave Infinity, or see you again, they did not exchange any words. What happens next should be handled with careful judgment.

As they went down the stairs, Geommuyang met Jinhagun’s eyes.
Geommuyang nodded slightly toward him, and Jinhagun nodded slightly in response. They shared the intention to somehow cooperate and get the job done.

After leaving the pavilion, Geommuyang and Mabul walked side by side through the bamboo forest and talked.
I thought we would never meet again like this outside. I never thought the day would come when we would walk side by side in front of the headquarters of the Murim Alliance.

The first one to break the silence was Geommuyang.

“It is certain that the mastermind behind this is Cheon-ae Geosa.”

Ma-bul nodded at Geommu-yang’s words.

“I know.”

That’s why it could be said that he was the most difficult enemy I’ve ever faced.

“As long as the leader trusts him, he cannot be touched carelessly.”

Friendship with the leader is one thing, but respect from the people in the political faction is also a problem. If they mess with Cheon-ae Geosa, they will escalate the conflict into a conflict between the Cheonma Sect and the Murim Alliance.

As Geommuyang stopped walking, Mabul also stopped.
The words Geommuyang wanted to say rose to the tip of her tongue and then went back down. It was the first time she had said these words to someone.
She had never said them to her father, and she had never said them to Geommugeuk.
She said these words to Mabul.

“Please help me.”

How could Ma-Bul not know how difficult those words were, and how precious they were?
Ma-Bul’s eyes trembled, and the light flowing from his body became more intense. His sincerity was even greater.

“I will dedicate my whole body to serve you with loyalty.”

Wrapped in that bright light, Geommuyang regretted it.
If he had been like this when they were fighting for the successor? If he had treated Mabul with such sincerity? Would the outcome of that fight have been different?

Jinpaecheon and Jinhagun stood side by side in the pavilion and watched the backs of Geommuyang and Mabul moving away.

“What do you think?”

Jin Ha-gun had a feeling that the way this matter ended would have a great impact on the selection of his successor.
This entire process could be a test for his grandfather, so he had to carefully consider and answer every word.

“It could be one of three things. Either the Shingyo is lying, Cheon-ae Geosa is the real mastermind, or someone is trying to make people believe that.”

It wasn’t the answer Jinpaecheon was hoping for.

“I asked for your opinion.”
“I believe at least one thing is certain.”

I knew that my grandfather was worried that he would be disappointed if he trusted the sword dance too much.

“At least I don’t think the new religion is lying.”

Indeed, a look of worry crossed Jinpaecheon’s face. In the past, he might have given the answer that his grandfather wanted to hear.

But now it’s different. I knew that the answer to avoid the moment was to build a bridge made of sand toward the other person.
Even if it works now, it will collapse someday. It will collapse when it is completed more and gets closer to the other person, so the other person’s disappointment will be even greater and I will be buried in a deeper sand pit.

“Do you trust the Archduke that much?”

Clearly, I had faith in Geommuyang. I could tell instinctively that he was telling the truth. But there was a more certain reason.

“No.”
“But why?”

But it was an answer that would have worried my grandfather more.

“I believe in the small cult leader.”

Jin Ha-gun told his grandfather his honest feelings.

“The new leader is currently the leader of the new cult, so the new leader is the current leader of the new cult.”

Jinpaecheon nodded. All decision-making authority will be his.

“He may have hidden ambitions.”

I thought he would deny it, but he readily admitted it.

“He’s such a smart guy, that might be the case.”
“But why do you trust him?”

I don’t know the person Geommugeuk completely, but at least there was one thing that was certain.

“Even if he schemes, he is not the kind of person to put his brother in danger while doing things.”

The Grand Duke was now isolated in the infinite, and in a dangerous situation. It was unlikely that Geommu-geuk would have put his brother in such a situation.

“If he had been that kind of person, the Grand Duke would have already died in the fight for succession.”

Jinpaecheon couldn’t refute that statement. The sword dance he had seen was no different from what Sun Tzu had said.

“I think we need to fight with all possibilities open.”

I was prepared for my grandfather’s scolding. Opening up all possibilities also meant doubting the great master.

But Jinpaecheon did not get angry. Instead, he looked at his grandson with gentle eyes.

“Hagun-ah.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Are you worried about this old man?”
“No.”

He said that, but he was clearly worried. That his judgment would be clouded by his long-standing friendship. That he would be hurt if the friendship he trusted was broken.

At that moment, unexpected words came out of Jinpaecheon’s mouth.

“In my heart, I have already killed him.”
“Yes?”

I opened my eyes wide, not knowing what it meant.

“I put a sword into that man’s heart. I’m already standing in front of his grave.”

Jin Ha-gun could tell. That person meant Hwa-Yul-Cheong. From his grandfather’s deep and bitter gaze.

‘Ah! Grandpa has already opened up all possibilities!’

I had forgotten. My grandfather lived his entire life keeping to the difficult agreements he had made even once, and he had watched over all kinds of people from his position as the leader of the martial arts world for a long time.

“I sincerely hope not, but… I have already accepted the possibility that a friend I have known for decades could betray me.”

Because he has staked his entire life on this position.

“Because I am the leader of the martial arts world.”

He was saying things to his grandson that he had never said before.

“This is the seat you will sit in from now on.”

Jin Ha-gun lowered his head with an embarrassed expression.

“I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

I had to look at him properly, I had to look straight, but I still couldn’t look at my grandfather straight. It’s so hard to look at people straight.

Rather, Jinpaecheon spoke in an even softer tone.

“What I have felt after being here for a long time is that our sect cannot keep up with the demonic cult or the evil sect at the same pace. Even when we rush out first and try to lead them, we are always a few steps behind. We are busy cleaning up and chasing after them. But why do you think we haven’t fallen to their cruel and persistent desires?”
“Why is that?”

Jinpaecheon looked up at the blue sky from which the dark clouds had receded. He filled his eyes with the blue sky and spoke powerfully.

“Because we are right.”

Jin Ha-gun’s heart pounded. His grandfather lived his entire life with this one belief. And he told him in one word the path he had to take.

You too, go the right way.

Jinpaecheon’s gaze, which had filled the sky, turned towards his grandson.

“So, believe in the little cult leader after this belief.”