Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 178: Who is the Third? >

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was in training. He had been immersed in training long before I took my test, so he had been in a trance of relentless practice for quite some time.

“Are you really preparing for war or something?”

He answered without even turning his head.

“When you get old, every day is a battle.”

“I’m back.”

This time, I ran over and threw myself at Gu Cheonpa’s back.

“What are you doing, acting all creepy?”

Old man Blade flinched and forcibly pushed me away. Honestly, I want to hug my father like this, too. But I’m too scared to try, worried that I might get hit by his Nine Calamities Demon Art. 1

“I missed you, elder.”

“You’re acting like you haven’t seen me in ten years.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon thrust the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber into the ground.

Then, he leaned against the blade. At times like this, the saber looked like his friend, and it was a sight I found quite pleasing.

“How about the Heavenly Society Leader?”

“He’s dead.”

“There must have been a lot of people around.”

“I got a lot of blood on my hands this time.”

Perhaps sensing the bitterness in my answer, the Blade Demon went inside and brought out some liquor, pouring it for me. 2

“What can you do? It’s your fate. Drink up and let it go.”

I downed the drink he gave me in one go. It felt as if the Blade Demon was washing the blood off my hands. After all, this was a drink from someone who understood better than anyone what it meant to take a life, and it was comforting.

I didn’t say thanks. As always, I couldn’t repay him with words.

“The Eldest Young Master will never give up, so things won’t be easy from here on out. Even if his skills and talents don’t match yours, his determination to become the Heavenly Demon is stronger than yours.”

It’s only natural that it’s tough to spare such a brother.

“By the way, did you meet your disciple?”

“He came and went earlier.”

“Appointing him as your successor was the right decision.”

“We’ll see.”

“He’ll do better than anyone else. By the way, you must have heard that he won the Soaring Dragon Tournament.”

“He won?”

“You wrote down that losing means death; how could he not win? Even if it wasn’t the Soaring Dragon Tournament but the Greatest Martial Arts Tournament in the world, he should still win. After all, whose martial arts could beat his?”

Gu Cheonpa’s face briefly lit up with joy, as if he hadn’t really expected him to win. Moments like this show his affection for Seo Daeryong.

“Oh, boy. If that chatterbox didn’t brag about it, it means he holds you in very high regard, elder. Please treat him a bit more comfortably.”

“If things get too comfortable between master and disciple, it’ll lead to trouble eventually. Anyway, I guess he’s gotten quite arrogant. A hellish training is in order.”

“Oh, Investigator Seo. This is something I hadn’t anticipated. My apologies.”

“Go on now. You should see the other Demon Supremes, shouldn’t you?”

“No. I’ll visit the other Demon Supremes later. Today, I’m only here to see you, elder.”

If you like someone, you should like them with certainty like this. It’s like the saying, “A person who likes everyone doesn’t truly like anyone.” Regardless of their true intentions, people tend to see it that way. They say, “He likes everyone anyway, right?” At least, that’s a misunderstanding I don’t want the Blood Heaven Blade Demon to have.

“You’re still just as flattering.”

However, a smile crept onto the Blade Demon’s lips, one he couldn’t quite hide. Despite his words, he seemed to secretly enjoy this sort of thing.

“Go and greet the Demon Supremes. They all stepped in to help you, so it’s only polite to pay your respects.”

“Yes, I’ll do that then.”

“You wanted to go all along.”

“As long as you know that you are always my top priority, elder.”

I left his quarters, leaving Gu Cheonpa to continue swinging his saber while chuckling.

Before heading to the Valley of Wicked, I stopped by my place to grab the white mask. After all, it’s a matter of courtesy to wear a mask when going to the Valley of Wicked.

The Faceless Swordsmen, wearing their white masks, no longer watched me with special attention as they did before. The hostility in their eyes towards me had vanished.

I could tell from their reactions that my relationship with Soma was growing closer. If they greeted me with a friendly gaze, it would mean we’d grown even closer than now.

With the guidance of a Faceless Swordsman, I entered the residence of the Valley Lord.

At first, meeting these Demon Supremes felt as important as martial arts training, and it was quite a task to face them. But now, it’s no longer a task; it’s a relationship. Surprisingly, I now genuinely seek them out because I miss them.

The Evil Smiling Demon was staring at the white wall again today. I always wondered what thoughts he might be having as he stared at that wall.

“I’m here.”

I lifted my mask above my head and greeted him energetically. Soma turned his body toward me.

Our eyes met through his mask. I never thought I’d feel so glad to make eye contact with the Evil Smiling Demon.

Soma and I had fought for our lives together twice. The first battle was against Sword Emperor Baek Mang-gi, and the second was against the Evil Smiling Demon’s senior brother, Yang Cheogi.

Both were battles where our lives were on the line, and perhaps because of that, there was a special bond between us as comrades who protected each other’s lives on the battlefield.

“I heard the matter with the Heavenly Society went well.”

“It was someone’s revenge; how could I neglect it?”

In truth, this test was also related to the Evil Smiling Demon because they had recruited Yang Cheogi.

Soma spoke with a smile.

“As you know, I repay my debts clearly.”

He was referring to the time he gave a Silver-Won Coin to Chuseong of the Moon Wind Sect. It was a combination that truly didn’t suit the Evil Smiling Demon at all.

Soma handed me a small box.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

When I opened the box, a white pill was inside.

“This is the White Spirit Pill, a secret elixir passed down from my sect.”

A sharp yet intense aroma quickly filled the room. I could immediately sense that its effects were extraordinary.

“They sent it to me. Seems like peace has returned now that senior brother Yang Cheogi is gone.”

It seemed that the White Mask Sect was very grateful for sending back their martial artists, who had come to kill Soma under Yang Cheogi’s coercion, without harm.

“I’ll give this to you, Young Master.”

“Why are you giving me such a precious item?”

“It’s because I received it thanks to you.”

It was a genuine gift meant for me. I was caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.

“No, you should take it, Soma.”

Then the Evil Smiling Demon said something unexpected.

“I’m giving it to score some points with you, Young Master, so please just accept it without refusing.”

“I’d like to score some points, too. How about this? Let’s split it in half.”

The Evil Smiling Demon was in turn startled by my suggestion.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. I’m not someone who typically shares an elixir, but I’d like to make an exception this time. To commemorate surviving together through battles, let’s each take half.”

Soma’s eyes shone brightly. It was the clearest look I’d ever seen in his eyes since meeting him. I could feel it—we were passing another turning point in our relationship.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

I drew the Black Demon Sword and precisely divided the White Spirit Pill in half.

Like drinking liquor, we consumed it simultaneously.

I swallowed the White Spirit Pill down my throat. A refreshing sensation filled my mouth, quickly dissolving and passing down my throat.

Though it was a highly potent elixir, my profound inner power easily absorbed all its effects without issue. Even though it was only half, the amount of inner energy added to my dantian was significant.

My eyes shone with a clear and deep gaze before returning to their original state.

The Evil Smiling Demon also finished circulating his energy and stood up.

“It tastes good, doesn’t it?”

“It’s better than any elixir I’ve ever tasted.”

No more words were needed. We simply laughed together.

“By the way, what if it had been poison? What if that was a fake White Spirit Pill?”

“That’s why I suggested we split it, right? To die together.” 3

Soma laughed loudly. To everyone else, his laughter might just be habitual, but to me, it carried genuine emotion. I could feel his feelings in his laughter.

“By the way, is it really fine for you to keep staring at that wall like that?”

“Why not? It makes me look like a madman. You know, nobody messes with a madman. Why, are you worried? That I might go crazy?” 4

“A little.”

To my honest reply, Soma revealed something unexpected.

“Want me to share a secret? The core technique of my sect is more effective when you train while looking at a white wall.”

“Ah, so that’s why.”

I hadn’t realized the Evil Smiling Demon was practicing his technique by staring at the wall. Once again, it hit me—even though he seemed unstable to me, everyone’s living their lives just fine in their own way.

“Did you come here after seeing the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?”

“Yes.”

“It must be exhausting trying to manage everyone.”

“There are only four for now, right?”

“You’re planning to look after all eight of us, huh?”

Surprisingly, his guess was spot on.

“Yes. Whether they’re allies or enemies, I plan to properly manage all eight of you.”

“Do you think you can handle it?”

Of course, it’s not easy. Even though things are good now, relationships can go awry at any moment. If I take the Demon Supremes lightly, I’ll eventually face disaster.

“I told the Pretty Heart that martial arts and life are interconnected. And that advice doesn’t apply to her alone, does it? If I become someone capable of embracing all the Eight Demon Supremes, then I can probably overcome any martial barrier in my path.”

Soma, who had been staring at me, shared his thoughts.

“What are you looking at, Young Master? Sometimes when I look at you, it seems like you’re not merely looking at the successor position, or aiming to be the Heavenly Demon, but at something beyond all that.”

Maybe it’s because we only look into each other’s eyes. He sees the beyond that I’m staring at. He senses what even closer people can’t.

Someday, the day will come when I tell him. About my great enemy. And perhaps, we’ll once again find ourselves back-to-back, facing the edge of life and death together.

“If it’s with you, not anyone else, Soma, I don’t think that moment would be so bad.”

Without addressing the details, the Evil Smiling Demon didn’t ask what I meant.

“I’ll be waiting for that moment.”

“Then, see you next time.”

After bidding him farewell, I left the Valley of Wicked. Just like his white mask, our parting was as clean as our reunion.

* * *

I found the One-Slash Sword Supreme and the Drunken Demon drinking together. These two friends often drank together, and today was no exception.

“Welcome, Young Master!”

Both So Yeonrang and Song Sa-hyuk were already drunk. It was the first time I’d seen the dignified One-Slash Sword Supreme this inebriated.

“You’ve fallen into the temptation of vice.”

“Well, you’ve come. Pull me out of it.”

Despite her words, she poured me a drink.

“Thank you for what you did back at the Valley of Wicked.”

“What did we even do? We just rushed in with the crowd.”

At that moment, Song Sa-hyuk, looking displeased, asked me.

“You’ve already met Gu Cheonpa and Soma, right?”

“Yes.”

“Why are we the last? Why are we the third and fourth? You could’ve come to see us first.”

The One-Slash Sword Supreme joined in on the complaint. With her face flushed from the alcohol, she glared at me, and I replied with a smile.

“Who’s third?”

This potent provocation was readily accepted by the two.

“It’s me.”

With the One-Slash Sword Supreme’s confident declaration, the Drunken Demon shook his head, looking sorry.

“Friend, I’m sorry, but it’s me. I have a brotherly bond with the Young Master.”

“Listen, friend. If that were truly a brotherly bond, we wouldn’t be arguing about who’s third and who’s fourth.”

“We’re the ones who drink and swim together.”

“I wasn’t going to mention it, but we even sparred under the moonlight.”

As their argument continued, they turned to me, expecting me to choose who was third and who was fourth. The Drunken Demon asked me with a desperate look.

“Brother, I’m not last, am I?”

“You’re not last.”

“Right?”

As he beamed, I added, “You’re in the middle. Fourth among the Eight Demon Supremes.” 5

The One-Slash Sword Supreme drank the victor’s cup.

“Friend, just because you’re brothers doesn’t mean you’re close.”

Song Sa-hyuk pouted as he took another drink.

I was deeply grateful to the two of them. Who would ever treat them this way? Were they ever meant to be in positions like third or fourth? They were enduring this for my sake, willingly engaging in a playful competition for third and fourth place.

“I’ll tell you both right now. You know the two people in front, don’t you? They’re picky, stubborn, and eccentric. In contrast, how are you two? Aren’t you the most broad-minded among the Demon Supremes?”

“Is it because we’re broad-minded? Not because we’re easy, right?”

When the Drunken Demon asked, I pretended to flinch, making the two of them laugh as if they found it amusing.

The three of us toasted and emptied our glasses.

As he put down his glass, the Drunken Demon shared some rather surprising news.

“Not long ago, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, me, and the One-Slash Sword Supreme here, the three of us had a drink together.”

It was hard to imagine the three of them drinking together.

“How was it? Did you enjoy it?”

“Did it look enjoyable?”

Song Sa-hyuk sighed.

“There was no sword fighting, right?”

“It almost happened.”

“Then it’s fine.”

Then, So Yeonrang spoke.

“What do you mean, fine? Don’t ever call me to such a gathering again!”

Well, if people who have fallen out could reconcile so easily, why would there be fights in the world?

Anyway, it was meaningful. The Drunken Demon was making an effort to reconcile the two.

I raised my glass and conveyed with my eyes.

You’ve worked hard, brother.

The Drunken Demon smiled and raised his glass. Sometimes, acknowledging someone’s hard work is better than a hundred good words.

“Since I’ve greeted you, I’ll be on my way now.”

I bid farewell and stood up. Even as Song Sa-hyuk clung to my pant leg, begging me to drink more, I forced myself up.

I could always hang out with the Demon Supremes another time, but hunting with my father wasn’t an opportunity that came often.

The next morning at dawn, I carried a larger bag than before and headed to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion for my second hunt with my father.

1 : Yeah, don’t try it yet. Become the successor first.
2 : Remember, it was their choice. You were just here to apply the sentence.
3 : Friendship +5 ^^
4 : Eeeeh, not sure, Mugeuk is a madman too and people still try to mess with him.
5 : He should become a politician, or a bard ^^