Absolute Regression Chapter 716

Episode 716: Can You Handle Me?

The leader of the Apostolic Alliance, Baek Ja-gang, stood on the roof of a building with a clear view of the Shinwhabang.
Behind him, Bisain reported the results of his investigation.

“The investigation revealed that not only Fire Chief An Hu-pyeong, but also the other Shinwhabang members were unaware of this incident.”

Perhaps it was only natural. This grand plan to assassinate the Apostolic Lord would not have been carelessly leaked. It was a secret known only to Yeom Sa-geom and Cheol Han-do, who had died alongside Shinwha Ark’s An Cheong-gwang.

“How should we handle Anhu-pyeong?”

As a direct descendant of the Shinwha Ark who orchestrated this incident, he could have been held accountable. Even if he wasn’t guilty, he could have been involved.
However, Baek Ja-gang insisted on not doing so.

“Just leave it alone. If you didn’t know, there’s no need to punish you.”

Bisain considered it a wise decision.
An Hu-pyeong was neither venomous nor ruthless enough to seek revenge for this incident.
Rather than displaying the ruthless, even blood-related, punishment for a grave sin, demonstrating the magnanimity of the Apostolic Alliance would have been a better option in many ways.

In truth, An Hu-pyeong’s problem was just from now on.
What if he inherited Shinhwabang?
Could this reckless, reckless man, who had lived like a scapegoat, truly protect Shinhwabang in this harsh world of martial arts? It probably wouldn’t be easy.

At that moment, the voice of the escort leader, In-gung, was heard from the air.

“The Sword Master has come.”
“Come.”

Visain greeted Baek Ja-gang.

“Then I will step aside.”

Visain left the room, thinking that his master would have something to say to Geommu-geuk alone about this matter.

After a while, Geommugeuk appeared where Baekjagang was waiting alone.

“I meet you, my lord.”

After Geommugeuk greeted him politely, he expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for entrusting me with this task.”

Since Baek Ja-gang was planning to kill himself, he could have personally participated from beginning to end. Furthermore, this was the territory of the Sadomaeng.

“Do you know why I entrusted this matter to you?”
“Why?”

It wasn’t because he was annoyed, nor because Geommugeuk had told him about the assassination plan.
Baek Ja-gang, who had been looking down at the Shinwhabang, turned to Geommugeuk and spoke.

“I respect you.”

Geommugeuk also bowed his head sincerely because he felt that he was speaking sincerely.

“Thank you so much for valuing me, despite my shortcomings. I, too, always respect you, Lord.”

There were no goosebumps in my ears.
My gaze towards the natural sword dance was gentle.

“You’ve worked hard.”
“Soma-sama, you’ve done all the work. I slept soundly.”

Baek Ja-gang quietly stared at the sword dance.

“I guess you slept well.”

Surprisingly, Baek Ja-gang had read the changes in Geommu-geuk. Geommu-geuk was becoming stronger with each encounter.

This cult leader before me makes those who feel they should step down feel the need to start over. I was certain the leader of the martial arts world felt the same way. Perhaps the Demonic Cult Leader felt the same way.

“Did you find out why they tried to kill me?”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t.”

Baek Ja-gang thought it might be natural. The moment he heard those prophetic words, this no longer seemed like a simple assassination plot.

“What do you think of that nonsense?”

If the leader of the Apostles does not die, the martial arts world will be destroyed.

By using the expression “nonsense,” Baek Ja-gang revealed that he had no intention of destroying the martial arts world.

This is nonsense.

I could have said this to make Baekjagang feel better.

“It can’t be nonsense.”

Baekjagang’s small eyes shone sharply.

“I think those words definitely have some meaning.”

Cheonhwaruju said it was like a prophecy. This meant that the Apostle Leader was deeply involved in future events in some way.

“So, does that mean you believe that?”
“The leader will destroy the martial arts world? No, that’s impossible. Are you really saying that the martial arts world will be destroyed?”

I knew it was just a pleasant thing to hear, but I couldn’t help but feel happy at the cult leader’s words.

“I don’t believe that at all.”
“But why did you say it made sense?”
“They are people with flawed beliefs. They are descendants of the Heavenly Palace, who believe they are carrying out the will of Heaven. They are descendants of the Dark Palace, known as the most evil of the three palaces of the Heavenly Palace. Didn’t you know that three hundred years ago, they actually started a war to conquer the martial arts world?”

The Sword Dance Theater interpreted this prophecy from their perspective.

“If the leader were alive, they might not be able to achieve what they dream of. Perhaps they might interpret the leader’s efforts to save the martial arts world as its destruction.”

Baek Ja-gang smiled faintly. Ultimately, it wasn’t just nonsense, but nonsense he was seriously talking about.

“I won’t destroy the martial arts world, but I won’t save it either.”
“You never know.”
Even these words didn’t send a chill down my spine. Geommu-geuk truly believed he could save the martial arts world.

“Don’t be offended by that prophecy. It means you’re at the center of this situation. But I do know one thing for sure: they want something from assassinating the leader. Since there’s a clear successor, it’s not the power of the Apostolic Alliance, but something else.”

Geommugeuk looked at Baekjagang and asked.

“What do they want, my lord?”

Baek Ja-gang didn’t answer.

“The answer is clearly with the leader.”

* * *

Visain was looking at the final stage of this competition
when Geommu-geuk flew into the sky and landed on the empty stage.

“It’s a shame. I wanted to see Ian become the most beautiful woman in the world on this stage.”

Visain knew he would come to see her. If he came to see his master, he would come to see him. Indeed, he found him without even making an appointment.

“If you regret it, you can host it again.”

At the words of the non-sign, the sword dance theater sat down at the end of the stage.

“It’s the World’s Best Beauty Contest hosted by the Cheonmasingyo. Everyone’s scared, so why bother participating? Since there are no other contestants, you can still make it to the finals even if you put on makeup.”

Visain burst out laughing. Most people laughed at this kind of absurdity, but he always smiled in front of the sword dance drama.

“Are you going back to school now?”
“I have to go. Is it because I saw the leader? I miss my father so much.”

I suggested to Chai Ran that he rescue Akgunhak and let him leave, but I couldn’t just do that.
I didn’t know where he was, and even if I did, this wasn’t something I could handle so easily.
If I trusted Akgunhak, I would have to wait. If my connection with him continued, fate would surely call.

“By the way, do you know where the best atmosphere and scenery is around here?”
“Why do you ask?”

Even though this was the territory of the Apostle Alliance, Geommu-geuk, who had traveled to every corner of the Central Plains, would know better. He wondered why she was asking him, but there was an ulterior motive behind it: to tease him.

“I’m trying to do something you’re good at.”
“What I’m good at? What is it?”

Visa’s anxiety was growing. I wished for an answer like, “I’d rather kill people!”

“You know, the thing you’re good at without your friends knowing.”

At that moment, when the sense of crisis in Visain was growing, Geommugeuk whispered.

“That secret, secret love of yours. Secret love!”

For a moment, Bisain was taken aback. He knew she was referring to Hanseol, the princess of the Ice Palace, but Bisain held her ground.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

They said they were going to tease me for a long time, and now it’s just begun.

“I’m busy, so I’ll just go today.”

The sword dance jumped up and down, teasing him as it went.

“Ah! If you go, I will teach you the secret.”

* * *

Seventeen Bridges was crossing a narrow wooden bridge.
The bridge cut across the water and led to a pavilion in the middle of the lake.
The surrounding scenery was breathtaking. But she couldn’t enjoy the wildflowers swaying along the shore or the turquoise water sparkling like a jewel.

It was Chayran who gave the order to go to this pavilion. She pointed me out and sent me here without any explanation. Oh, she did say one thing. She told me to dress well and go. For some reason, I felt like I was going on a murderous mission.

And so, the Seventeenth-Gyo arrived at the pavilion.
Upon entering, the Seventeenth-Gyo saw the person waiting there and froze in place. It was none other than the Crescent Moon’s Faceless Guest.

He, too, seemed surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to come.
An awkward silence and atmosphere flowed for a moment.

Seventeen Kyo could tell.
Chai Lan had realized he was giving his heart to this faceless stranger. Had Oh Kyo told him? Or had someone who had seen them greeting each other while clearing the bodies reported it?
Either way, this was Chai Lan’s warning. He told her not to give her heart to the man.

Seventeen took a deep breath and broke the silence. He honestly expressed his feelings, knowing he would never see this person again.

“Thank you for saving me twice. I was so happy to see you alive earlier.”

She had been so delighted when Chai-ran decided to rest in the shadow of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Now, even if they were in the same place, she would never be able to pretend to know him.

She took a knife out of her bosom and gave it to him.

“This knife holds meaning for me. I want to give it to you as a token of my gratitude.”

She spoke confidently, but her voice was trembling. To feel this way about someone I’d never even met.

“And please understand if I pretend not to know in the future.”

The crescent moon guest listened to her words without saying a word.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

Just as she bowed her head in greeting,
someone swept across the lake like the wind and came flying into the pavilion.
Holding a bottle of wine in his hand, he was none other than Geommu-geuk.

“I bought some drinks for you two. Since you can’t drink, I bought some good-tasting ones. It’s awkward when we first meet, so having this in the middle will liven things up. You won’t even realize how far I ran to get this. But what’s going on? Did you fight already?”

Both the Seventeen Schools and the Crescent Moon Masked Guest were startled by the appearance of the Sword Dance Theater.
Seventeen School asked with a surprised expression.

“Why did the Young Master come here?”
“Why? Because I summoned you. I asked Young Master Cha to bring you here.”

The sword dance said to her who had a bewildered expression.

“Have you already forgotten? Didn’t I say I’d make it a point to express my gratitude? To meet you in person and give you the dagger.”
“!”

How could the Seventeen Sects forget? But they never imagined that a true cult leader would create such a place, so they never thought it was created by the Sword Dance Theater in the first place.

‘You really prepared this place for me?’

Seventeen’s face flushed. Unknowingly, she had revealed her true feelings to him too honestly.
She couldn’t bear to look at him.

“I misunderstood. I’m sorry.”

I was so embarrassed I wanted to jump into the lake.
Then, the crescent moon guest spoke for the first time.

“The head priest even bought me some alcohol.”

Seventeenth Religion raised his head and looked at him.

“You should have a drink before you go.”

A small spark of passion spread through her eyes.
The masked man politely offered a handshake to the swordsman and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for giving me a seat, Master.”

The masked man at this moment was so normal that Seventeen-Kyo was very curious about what kind of face he had under that mask.

“Then let’s talk.”

The sword dance quietly disappeared, leaving the two behind.

The sword dance quickly crossed the lake and landed on the shore. Chai Lan was waiting there. He had been a very polite young leader before the two men.

“Miss Cha, do you happen to have a secret technique that allows you to breathe underwater and eavesdrop on people’s conversations? Ah! I’m dying to know what those two are talking about! Let’s go and eavesdrop!”

When he asked to summon the Seventeen Sects, Chai Ran was surprised. He was surprised that they had actually met, but even more surprised was that he hadn’t forgotten. The leader of the Demonic Cult hadn’t forgotten the actions of a mere subordinate?

Chai Ran turned her gaze towards the sperm.

“What if those two run away in the middle of the night?”
“That would be great, but the reality is they’ll keep it in their hearts and miss it for the rest of their lives.”
“Wouldn’t that be even more unfortunate?”

Then, Geommugeuk looked at her and suddenly asked.

“Are you more unhappy because you have that person in your heart?”
“!”

That wasn’t the case. Her feelings for him occupied a significant space in the small realm of happiness she found in her life, even if it was a feeling she held alone.

“If you commit yourself to our school, those two will be able to live happily without having to run away in the middle of the night.”
“Are you telling me to become a mine because of them?”

Then, unexpected words came out of Geommugeuk’s mouth.

“No, you want me to become a mine.”

For a moment, Chai Ran was startled. She never expected him to say something like that.

“You’ll become a direct assassination squad under the leadership of the cult leader. Rumors will spread throughout the martial arts world. They say the cult leader of the Cheonma Shingyo leads the best assassination squad in the martial arts world! And they say it’s a squad made up of truly beautiful women!”

Chai Ran looked at the sword dance.

“Can you handle me?”

A moment of silence passed. I thought she’d wave it off as a joke, but Geommugeuk stared at her with a serious expression.

Chai-ran briefly wondered what it would be like to live that way.
This cult leader was the one who made this absurd suggestion come to mind.

“You said you’d let me leave if I got rid of those guys.”
“Wouldn’t it be a shame to just let a talented person like you go?”

I should have just brushed it off as nonsense. Chai Ran asked again.

“He fought to leave. So what are you fighting for?”

After a moment, Geommugeuk answered.

“At least one thing is certain. Not for the unification of the martial arts world or its destruction.”

The sword dance drama revealed its honest feelings to her.

“I want to go fishing with my dad, hang out with the Amazons, drink, read books, and travel. That’s how I want to live.”

The sword dance looked at the pavilion beyond the water sparkling in the sunlight.

“And you let those two run away in the middle of the night. And….”

Finally, he added while looking at Chai Ran.

“I’ll find your love too.”

Chai Ran couldn’t tell how much was sincere and how much was a joke, but one thing was certain: being with this person would bring about a profound change in her life.

Geommugeuk pretended to sigh.

“For me, living this kind of life feels more difficult than living in the martial arts world.”

The gaze of the swordsman directed at her deepened.

“Can you handle me like this?”