Absolute Regression Chapter 783

Episode 783: The Demonic Cult is the Demonic Cult!

“You bastards of the political faction that should be killed! You guys are worse than trash!”

The man’s eyes were filled with resentment and murderous intent, and a strange aura emanated from his body. It was as if he had mastered magic and gone mad.

The man standing before him was Jin Ha-gun. Behind him, the warriors of the Demon Extermination Squad surrounded him.
Although he had officially become the leader of the minor faction, he still led the Demon Extermination Squad and continued his campaign. He had no intention of avoiding the task, thinking it was too dangerous for a minor faction. He intended to continue until the day before he ascended to the position of leader.

“Calm down. There’s nowhere to run anyway.”

Jin Ha-gun attempted to calm his opponent. The man before him had attacked the Jeongpa sect and committed a massacre. As far as we know, he had no animosity towards that sect.

“You will soon be destroyed.”

And then came the amazing cry.

“God’s religion is immortal, heavenly demons are invincible!”

At the same time, as a black aura filled the man’s eyes, Jin Ha-gun flew backwards and shouted.

“Everyone get out!”

Kwaaaaang!

A powerful explosion swept through the surrounding area. The man had used the self-destruct ball.

Thump thump.

Jin Ha-gun gathered his men amidst the debris and dust falling in all directions.

“Is anyone hurt?”
“No!”

Fortunately, thanks to Jin Ha-gun’s quick warning, no one was injured.
Over the past few days, the demons have been on a tear in the Hubei region, wreaking havoc on the Zhengpa sect. They have also attacked and killed ordinary merchants who were ignorant of martial arts.
The Zhengpa sect’s anger towards the demons reached a fever pitch, with women and children even being killed in the process.

Jin Ha-gun naturally assumed that this incident was the work of those behind the scenes.

‘They’re up to something again.’

Jin Ha-gun was furious. He was furious at those who would kill people without hesitation for their own ends.

If he kills himself after committing atrocities like that guy a little while ago, how can we possibly avenge the injustice suffered by the dead?

If I become the leader, I will dedicate my life to minimizing these unjust deaths. Those who commit evil deeds will live a lifetime of pain and regret, and then die a miserable death.

At that time, the warrior in charge of the extermination squad ran over and reported.

“The leader sent a message to return immediately.”

Jin Ha-gun spoke to the surrounding demon warriors.

“Let’s go back!”

As he flew, the demon slayers all flew after him.

* * *

When Jin Ha-gun returned, the Murim Alliance was on high alert.

White Tiger Decree.

The martial arts alliance’s emergency had four stages.

From the lowest level, the Black Turtle Command (玄武令), to the Red Sparrow Command (朱雀令), White Tiger Command (白虎令), and Blue Dragon Command (靑龍令),
the Baekho Command is the level immediately below the Blue Tiger Command, which is activated during wartime. In other words, it is an emergency issued on the eve of war.

This was the first time this had happened since Jin Ha-gun became the Demon Slayer.
Despite the recent string of incidents, I didn’t think it was time to issue the White Tiger Order.

‘Did something else happen?’

Jin Ha-gun entered the Mengjujeon with a nervous heart.
The Mengjujeon was also home to Jin Pae-cheon, the leader of the martial arts world, and General Jegal Hyeon.

“Demon Slayer Lord, I have returned after receiving your order to return.”

After Jin Ha-gun politely greeted Jin Pae-cheon, he also exchanged greetings with Jegal Hyeon.

“What happened to the thing you went out to?”

Jin Ha-gun answered Jin Pae-cheon’s question with an embarrassed face.

“We failed to capture him. And while he declared himself a member of the Shinto sect just before he died from suicide, we believe this was not ordered by the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

Jin Pae-cheon also thought so. The Geom Woo-jin he knew wouldn’t have committed such a crime.

“That doesn’t matter. The problem is that the political parties think that way.”

Jin Ha-gun feels a sense of immense helplessness at times like these. Just a few men stirred things up, and public opinion is in turmoil.

Jin Ha-gun asked cautiously.

“But why did you issue the White Tiger Command?”

Then Jegal Hyeon answered instead.

“The young cult leader led the four demons and the demon army out of the sect.”

Jin Ha-gun, who was out of town dealing with a recent incident, was unaware of the fact.

“After entering Honam, the sect continues to advance northward.”

The phrase “advance north” hinted at how Jegal Hyun viewed this situation.
Honam was the Cheonma Sect’s territory, but continuing north would lead to Hubei, where the main headquarters of the Murim Alliance was located.
Furthermore, there was a crucial reason he took this matter so seriously.

“When we asked the reason for the excommunication, the church did not respond at all.”

Only then did I understand why the emergency had been declared and why the atmosphere at the Battle of the Mengju had become so heavy.
The leader of the Cheonma Sect had brought the demon army to the Mazone Net, yet he hadn’t even revealed the reason?
It was enough to warrant a Baekho Order.

This time, Jinpaecheon asked his grandson.

“Did you receive any separate contact?”
“No, I didn’t.”

Jin Pae-cheon’s expression hardened slightly. He had thought Geommu-geuk would have sent a separate message to his grandson.
On the other hand, Jin Ha-gun paid no attention to the fact that Geommu-geuk hadn’t contacted him separately.

“I think I now understand why these recent events have occurred. They’re trying to prevent us from helping the cult leader. If public opinion of the Cheonma Sect worsens, the main sect won’t be able to help them.”

Jin Ha-gun was uneasy. The fact that they were trying to sever ties between him and Geommu-geuk meant that Geommu-geuk’s reputation could be compromised.

Of course, Jin Pae-cheon and Jegal Hyeon also considered that possibility.
However, they couldn’t blindly believe it. After all, their opponent was a demonic cult.

Was all the kindness you’ve shown me so far just for this one moment?

I always had to keep this in mind when something like this came up.
Especially when Jin-ha-gun was showing such unwavering faith in the sword dance.

“If you hadn’t sent me a message, I consider that a message in itself.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you didn’t completely trust me, you would have sent me a message. You would have explained everything in detail. The reason you haven’t contacted me is because you think I know what you’re talking about. The leader of the cult believes in me as a true friend.”

And now he had passed the stage of just blindly believing.

“The Young Leader won’t be upset that I didn’t send him a letter. In fact, this time, I’ll be the first to send him a letter.”
“What will you send?”

Jin Ha-gun spoke with an expression that showed no trace of doubt.

“I understand what you mean, my friend.”

Jin Ha-gun’s reaction left Jin Pae-cheon speechless. He’d been worried from the beginning. His grandson had placed too much faith in the sword dance. That worry persisted to this very moment.

“I know what you’re worried about, Grandfather. You can worry about me, and you can declare an emergency. But don’t limit your emergency to the Young Leader. Also, keep in mind the enemy the Young Leader must have led with such a large force, and who must have come out so quickly.”

Jinpaecheon was still worried, but at the same time he felt envious.

In all your long life, have you ever trusted someone so much?

“So? Are you planning to go help the young sect leader?”

I thought he’d ask for permission, but
Jin Ha-gun’s answer was unexpected.

“No, I won’t go.”
“Why?”

Jin Ha-gun recalled what Geommu-geuk had said the day they met to congratulate him on his inauguration as the new leader.

―If anything strange happens, be sure to contact me. You know that, right? You can never handle it alone!

Because that’s what he said.

“If you needed my help, you would have sent a message asking for it.”

If that were the case, I would have rushed to help him. I would have risked my position as the leader of the small group, even risked my life.

If he had said only this, Jin Pae-cheon would still have worried about his grandson.
But there was another reason Jin Ha-gun refused to go to help. Helping with the sword dance was as important to Jin Ha-gun’s life as helping with the sword dance.

“And right now, I have more important matters to attend to. Those behind the scenes might try to drive a wedge between us and the Protestant Church by staging another massacre.”

Innocent people could have fallen victim to their plot.

“It’s more important to stop it. Even if that’s their intention, saving people is the most important thing.”

Jinpaecheon nodded with satisfaction.

“Please raise the emergency level to Blue Dragon Order. This will more reliably prevent them from committing another massacre. And please tell the Cheonma Sect that we’ve issued the Blue Dragon Order for this reason. They haven’t contacted us, so we won’t either. I don’t think there’s any need for that kind of war of nerves.”

Jin Ha-gun added with a firm look in his eyes.

“We must act according to our own principles. I believe that’s the kind of political discipline my grandfather taught me.”

The worry vanished from Jin Pae-cheon’s face. I’d thought he was so absorbed in Geommu-geuk that he couldn’t discern right from wrong.
If his grandson felt this way, he knew there was nothing to worry about.
Jin Pae-cheon gave orders to Jegal Hyeon.

“Raise the emergency to the Blue Dragon Order and inform the Shingyo of the fact.”
“Yes, I understand.”

Then Jinpaecheon said to his grandson.

“Go and do your job.”
“Yes, my lord.”

After Jin Ha-gun politely bowed, he left.
His powerful strides were filled with faith in the sword dance.

‘I trust you and I do my job, my friend.’

* * *

The growing tension between the Cheonmasingyo and the Murim Alliance was also felt by the Sadomaeng.

“The True Leader has no choice but to worry. He’s not afraid of the minor cult leader, but of the demon cult leader.”

The leader of the Apostles, Baek Ja-gang, also asked for the opinion of Bisain.

“What do you think?”

Visain answered confidently.

“I think it’s definitely the work of those behind the scenes.”
“Why are you so certain?”

Then Visain brought up the past.

“Do you remember the day you received the report on the Jang Bo-do business?”

At Bisain’s words, Apostolic Leader Baek Ja-gang nodded and recalled that day.
His subordinate’s report was truly unbelievable.

“They even brought back dead souls. I saw it with my own eyes.”

Even as I listened to that unbelievable report, I didn’t get goosebumps. That’s when I realized how incredible they were, how crazy they were.

“This time, they’re the ones capable of such things. Those with ordinary fates are absolutely unstoppable. That’s why I believe this.”

Some rather odd words came out of his mouth.

“I believe that the survival instinct of the martial arts world gave birth to the Little Leader.”
“So, are you saying that the Little Leader is a being created by the martial arts world to survive its destruction?”
“Yes.”

Baek Ja-gang laughed, his expression absurd. He laughed because he didn’t feel goosebumps running down his ears. His disciple really thought that.

“That doesn’t mean I deify him. Rather, I feel pity for him.”
“Pity him?”
“He’s always been perfect, so if he makes even the slightest mistake, everyone will be disappointed and point fingers at him.”

It’s thanks to the sword dance that I can converse with my master so comfortably. It’s thanks to the effort I put into looking straight at him, observing him closely.
It used to be so difficult and burdensome, but now that I’ve finally mastered it, sometimes I even find myself feeling most at ease when talking to my master.

Baek Ja-gang asked his disciple with an interested expression.

“What will you do if the leader makes a mistake?”

A faint smile appeared on the visage’s scary face.

“I’ve been teased about something, so I’ll be the first to point the finger.”

Judging by the goosebumps that ran down his spine, it seemed his disciple would protect him no matter how big a mistake Geommu-geuk made.
And he didn’t hide his feelings.

“I want to go and help the young leader.”

Visain wanted to rush over and help the sword dance immediately. Putting aside all other considerations, he simply wanted to be a friend.

Baek Ja-gang explained the reason why he could not allow it.

“As you know, the Cheonma Sect of the present day possesses the greatest power of all time. Geomwoojin will never allow that power to rot. If this power diminishes as we face our enemies, we welcome it.”

Baek Ja-gang hoped that the power of the Demonic Cult would decline, and he did not hide this feeling from his disciples.

“Otherwise, we would face an enemy several times more formidable than the ones we are dealing with now.”

Baekjagang looked at the entrance to the Mengjujeon Hall and a scene came to mind.

“The cult leader I know will definitely open that door and come in here. Can you handle that moment?”

Visain couldn’t answer.
It was too much to handle.

“As time goes by, can you be sure that the cult leader you believe in will not open that door and come in?”

Visain didn’t respond.
I thought he’d tell me not to help, but Baek Ja-gang readily agreed.

“Well, later matters will matter later. Right now, I have to go help my friend. Have a good trip.”

I thought Visain would be happy with the unexpected permission.

“I won’t go.”

In the meantime, he had changed his mind. Baek Ja-gang stared at his disciple quietly and asked.

“Why?”
“He’ll survive even without my help.”
“Because he’s a product of the martial arts world’s survival instinct?”
“No. It’s because I brought along my escorts and the warriors of the Guiyeongdae this time.”

I don’t know everything about the Sword Dance Theater, but I know at least one thing for sure.

“If he wasn’t confident he could protect them, he wouldn’t have brought them out. That’s the kind of person he is.”
“Then why did you say you were going to help earlier?”

Visain, who had hesitated to answer for a moment, soon spoke honestly.

“It wasn’t so much for that friend as it was for me. I came to your rescue in this situation. I wanted to make a show of it. You’ve been so indebted to me, and I wanted to repay you, even if only a little.”

The visa-free man’s gaze turned towards the entrance of the Mengju Hall, which Baekjagang had previously looked at.

“After hearing your words, I realized that now is not the time to be making such a fuss, but rather to strengthen that gate.”

Visain exuded fighting spirit. He spared no time to further his training and invested in the Apostolic Alliance.

“I will never allow the Demon Cult Leader to sit in the Leader’s seat.”

In response to the will of the non-sign, Baek Ja-gang conveyed something he had always wanted to say.

“Don’t forget, Sain. Just as we cannot hide the blood of the Sapha flowing through our veins, so too will we…”

A sharp energy flowed from Baekjagang’s small eyes.

“The devil’s cult is the devil’s cult!”