Absolute Regression Chapter 780

How to endure the 780th Golden Carriage?

“I will rest here today.”

Jeokyeon, having received the order to command the sword dance, announced to everyone.
At his shout, the large transport carriages running ahead slowed and stopped.

Geommu-geuk, who knew the way well and had extensive camping experience, knew exactly where this large group should rest.
The carriages left the road and stopped in a wide field. The crowd was so large that stopping in a village was out of the question.

The demons’ large chariots formed a wall-like formation outside, and among them, the chariots of the Sword Dance Theater and the Demon Lords formed a circle.
Although the demons were the most numerous, they were silent and swift. They were men who had truly experienced all manner of field battles.

Ian, who had been watching them settle down without saying anything, gave orders to his subordinates.

“We will settle down here.”

Jangho pretended not to see them and watched them. Unfamiliar with the movement and management of such a large force, he expected her to be somewhat confused.
So he tried to alert her via telegram, but surprisingly, she did a fantastic job of positioning her men.

What was even better was this.

“Chief of Staff.”

She found Jihan.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Honestly, I’ve learned more from books than from experience. Since the leader of the Sa family has been active as a marriage counselor, I believe he’s more adept at this than I am. Is this arrangement right?”

She didn’t pretend to know what she didn’t. She showed a learning attitude and didn’t let this hurt her pride.

“Yes, you’re better than me. However, I think we could use a little more space between us. Because in case of a surprise attack from outside…”

Ian listened intently to her explanation.
Jang-ho, watching her, thought she was doing well.

‘You are doing well, my lord.’

In this way, the demon army and the ghost army were positioned outside, and the sword dance theater and the demon lords were positioned in the middle.

Bonfires were lit everywhere, and the Geommu-geuk and the Mazons sat around the central bonfire.
Behind the Geommu-geuk, the escort warriors took up positions. Applying their training to the real battle, they guarded the Geommu-geuk flawlessly.

The sword dance called the escort leader, Jeokyeon.

“Red smoke.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Honestly, who would you like to see invade?”

Jeokyeon was taken aback by the sudden question.

“No.”
“That’s right. You’ve trained so hard for today. Who would dare come and show off your skills?”
“Of course, as long as we’re here, you won’t be able to touch a single hair on the head of the Young Master.”

The sword dance looked at the demon army and the ghost squad outside.

“You’re the one who broke through those people? You’re stronger? I guess I’ll have to give the demons a boost.”
“That’s not it…”

The one who saved the flustered Jeokyeon was Chwima. He took a bottle of alcohol from the carriage and came to the place.

“Little Leader, why are you tormenting innocent people?”

Chwima didn’t show off in front of everyone. He treated him with respect as a junior leader.

“You speak so politely that it seems like I’m really harassing you.”

Chuma said as he looked at the other three Amazons sitting in front of the campfire.

“Let’s just have one drink before going to bed.”

Chwima poured drinks for Geommu-geuk first, then Mabul, Geukak Soma, and Seophon Majon. Today was the first time the four of them had a drinking party in the fields.

Since leaving the school, Chwima had been intoxicated. Everyone could sense it. Chwima was practicing martial arts. The fact that he continued to practice even while moving like this meant that his important training was continuing.

“This drink is also very delicious, Master.”

In admiration for the sword dance, Chwima proudly lifted his bottle of wine and spoke.

“This is the wine I’ve been saving for times like this.”
“It’s not a departure from the school that carries such grand meaning.”

The horse looked around. It was as if his actions were saying, “Why not bring a force that could wage war?”

Mabul said while looking at the warriors of the Guiyingdae.

“When did you build such a wonderful organization?”
“It wasn’t me, it was Ian.”

The swordsman’s gaze turned to Ian. She looked quite like a lord, with her subordinates. He joked that she wasn’t suited for the role, but she was doing well.

“When we retire, these are the guys who will lead our school in the future.”

At those words, Mabul made a bewildered expression.

“Are you thinking about retirement before you even start?”
“I can’t live like my father.”
“And if I can’t live?”

Although Mabul questioned him with sharp eyes, Geommugeuk did not elaborate.

“I’m going to live happily. Now, would you like another drink?”

This time, Geommu-geuk filled everyone’s glasses. Finally, he poured the drink for the Sub-Hon-Ma-Jon. Ma-Bul, who had received the drink first, suddenly asked.

“Don’t you have any desire to unify the martial arts world?”

At Mabul’s question, everyone’s eyes turned to Geommu-geuk.
Earlier, when he had visited Chwima, he had asked the same question. With the Cheonma Sect’s power overflowing, the unification of the martial arts world had been a frequent topic of conversation.

Chwima, who thought it was an opportunity, joined in and tried the sword dance.

“I am curious about the martial arts world led by our young sect leader.”

The swordsman paused for a moment before speaking.

“What can you expect from a martial arts world founded by killing your friends?”

Since the relationship between Visain and Jin Hagun was well known to everyone, Mabul accepted those words.

“Just as you accomplished it in the fight for succession with your brother, wouldn’t it be possible to unify the martial arts world without shedding blood?”

If the person hearing this wasn’t Geommugeuk, it would have been considered nonsense. But what if it was Geommugeuk? Everyone waited for Geommugeuk’s response.

“You’re overestimating me. Even if I were to concede a hundred times and the impossible were achieved, would that peace last?”

Just as the Dark Palace spent three hundred years growing its power in the shadows, seeking to take over the martial arts world, the Righteous and Evil factions will do the same. No, they will be even more vicious.

“There will be countless attempts to reclaim the fallen sect and the lost apostles, and in the end, as much blood will be shed as if there had been a war.”

Geommugeuk added calmly.

“This martial arts world has been divided into magic circles for too long. To become one is simply an ideal.”

Mabul said, staring at the sword dance.

“Depending on whose ideal it is, it could become reality.”

Geommugeuk could tell that Mabul had his father in mind when he said those words.

“There will come a time in the future when I will have to convince you of this issue.”

Geommugeuk said, raising his glass.

“Please take care of me then.”

A moment of silence passed.
The first to raise a glass was the evil Soma. This toast was his will to follow the sword dance, even if it meant defying his father’s orders.

Until now, the only rebel had been the extremely evil Soma.
The Demon Lord of the Underworld raised his glass.
Although he had failed to defy Geom Woojin’s will last time and crossed over to the other side, he now intended to follow the orders of the Young Leader. The Young Leader was worthy of such a command.

Mabul did not raise his glass until the end, and Chwima did not toast but drank alone.

“Someday, I will be able to toast with you both!”

Mabul emptied his glass with an expression that said it was fun to just think about what would happen next.

“That would be your ideal.”

* * *

Last night, Ma Chong, the chief of Dahuchai, had a dream. He
dreamed of a giant golden whale swimming toward him. It was so vivid that he remembered the scene vividly even after waking.

And now I was looking at that golden whale. No, to be precise.

“It really is a golden carriage.”

Makchung stood atop the valley, mesmerized by the sight of a golden chariot barreling toward him from afar.
When he received the report from his reconnaissance subordinates, he’d assumed it was a yellow-painted chariot. What kind of lunatic would paint a chariot gold?

But judging by the sunlight reflecting off it, it was undoubtedly a genuine gold-plated carriage.
As the dream came to Makchung, he felt a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a golden opportunity, had arrived in his life.

“How much money do you have to have to ride in a golden carriage?”

It was a life-or-death situation. But one thing was on my mind.

“You’re not from the Demonic Cult, are you?”

The subordinate who led the reconnaissance was Gong Bae, the right-hand man.

“Your Majesty, I’ve never heard of minions riding in a golden carriage before.”
“Is it possible they’re
from a famous martial arts family?” “Look at the carriages leading the way. Those are large transport carriages not used by martial arts families. They’re probably used to transport valuable items from the merchant class, or for wealthy individuals moving.”
“How many guards are there?”
“There are a great many.”

Makchung felt relieved at those words. A truly elite martial arts organization wouldn’t have swarmed like that.
It was clear that the tycoons or the upper echelons had hired a large number of ronin to display their power.

“Besides, the formation is in poor order. Look at that. There are no guards surrounding the large carriage, and the horsemen are following behind. They’re just filling in the numbers out of fear.”
“Still, there must be one or two truly skilled men.”

When Makchung was worried, Gongbae said with a look on his face that told him not to worry.

“If we ambush them in the valley, they won’t be able to do anything.”

The worries didn’t last long. They had lived their entire lives in the green forest.

“How can you endure the golden carriage, no matter how dangerous it is?”

* * *

The carriages, which had been lined up in a narrow valley, slowed and stopped.
Jangho got out and walked towards the carriage of the swordsman behind him.

“It’s a green forest.”

Then, the cheers of the sword dance, which had been riding separately from the demons and the carriage, were heard a hundred times saying that it was not fun.

“at las!”

As if he had been waiting, Geommu-geuk abruptly disembarked from the carriage. Ahead, he saw the green forest blocking the road. And on either side of the valley, dozens of green forest warriors were aiming arrows.

The arrows weren’t the problem. A dozen or so massive boulders were ready as levers, ready to be rolled at any moment. If they fell, people would escape, but the carriages were the problem.

“Finally, we met! I’ve been going back and forth to the school so many times, but I haven’t met them even once. I was bored, so I begged them to meet me just once, but they never did. Now that I’ve brought them all out, they’re showing up? Are they blind green forests?”

When Geommugeuk looked dumbfounded, Jangho smiled and said.

“I think they saw a large transport wagon and thought it was carrying cargo.”

Moreover, since there were so many people following him, he must have been looked down upon.

“This is all because of Mabulnim. How could the Green Forest resist such a gleaming golden chariot? Not even the country could tolerate it.”

It was a sword dance that could not miss this good opportunity to tease Mabul.

“No, what does someone in the Buddhist temple say about a golden carriage!”

Mabul’s awkward cough was heard inside the carriage.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to bring all those people to enlightenment? Take responsibility.”

Then, a word was heard from inside Mabul’s carriage.

“There’s nothing I can’t do.”

As if he was going to kill everyone, Mabul opened the carriage door and tried to get out.
Geommugeuk closed the door with a shovel.

“Our Blood Fire Lord, please wait a moment. Jang, if those guys see you, they’ll run away without even taking a breath. Hurry and hide. Guards, you too, fall back! Don’t run away! Absolutely!”

Jangho climbed into the large carriage with a smile, and the guards retreated to the back with expressions like, “Are you really hiding?”

Meanwhile, the green forests approached. Makchung was in the lead, followed closely by Gongbae. The most skilled members of Daehochae followed behind.

Makchung first looked into what kind of people his opponents were and how skilled they were.

‘The groomsmen are nothing special.’

The unmanned personnel from the convoy appeared to be coachmen. Indeed, they were capable of manning these large carriages, maneuvering them through tight spaces.

‘This is a real procession of rejection.’

Was it because of that hope? Or was it because of the dream of a golden whale? Such hasty conclusions were made.

After passing a dozen large carriages, the Geommu Theater awaited them.
So, they couldn’t reach the Geommu Theater’s carriage and see the paintings on it.

“Hello, Green Forest! This is my first time meeting you!”

Such a cheerful greeting? Even Makchung had never seen such a fool.

“I am Makchung, the owner of Daehochae.”
“Oh! So you are the hero Mak!”

Why do you like it so much? This is Nokrim, you punk!

Makchung lowered his voice politely.

“This canyon is so dangerous and treacherous that it’s vulnerable to attack. We’ll protect you until you can escape.”
“I know, I know. So we’ll pay you for protection, right? I understand.”

Ah, what a fool! Makchung really felt like he could win the biggest prize of his life. No matter how I looked at him, his martial arts skills seemed pathetic.

“Our leader knows it well.”

Normally, the Green Forests would steal goods and not kill their opponents. To do so would expose them to attacks from the Merchant Alliance or the Pyoguk Alliance.
Therefore, it was common practice in the martial world to tacitly collect a toll and allow each other to pass through.

Of course, today was a flashy procession that made me want to steal everything.
Even now, Makchung’s gaze was fixed on the glittering golden carriage behind him.

I was so absorbed in it that I even overlooked the “Magic Army” written on the side of the large carriage. Of course, even if I saw it, I wouldn’t have dreamed it was that same demon.

“How much should I pay for the toll?”
“Usually, I take a percentage of the price of the item.”

Of course, I didn’t originally receive that much. Even if they gave me a discount, I just threw it away.

“Oh, I’ll do it! It doesn’t feel expensive, but since it’s my first time giving it to you, I have to give it to you!”

If I had known this would happen, I would have called around 30%.
Geommugeuk sighed at Makchung’s regretful words.

“But what can I do? I didn’t bring that much money.”

Then Makchung said as if he was doing a good deed.

“I normally only accept cash, but today I’ll make a special exception. There are over a dozen wagons loaded with goods. Could you please hand over one of them?”
“Oh, is that okay?”

When Geommugeuk readily offered to give it to him, Makchung secretly cheered. Then, greed grew on him.

“Come to think of it, I’ll have to choose two. I counted the carriages, and there are well over ten. Besides, I’m accepting the goods as a special concession, so please give me the concession.”

This time too, the sword dance was readily permitted.

“Good. Pick two. There are large carriages up ahead, and several others behind here. Take your time looking around and choose just two.”

“What’s so good about it?” said Geommugeuk with a bright smile.

“Instead, you must take the carriages you have chosen!”