Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 182: I Have a Question! >

Like the Unbeatable Fist Demon King, I didn’t know either.

I never thought I’d say something like this to the Fist Demon King. But the moment I heard him talk about bringing down the cliff with a single strike, something ignited inside me.

It was a powerful desire to throw my own punch at his seemingly impossible challenge.

Dan Woo-gang’s gaze, which had been staring into my eyes, shifted to my hand.

“With those baby hands?”

Ah, the day has come when my hands would be called baby hands.

“Compared to you, Fist Demon King, they are indeed small and cute, but among people, they are still considered quite decent.”

“Stop spouting nonsense and get back.”

With a chilly demeanor, the Fist Demon King turned and left.

I looked back up at the cliff.

If a punch strong enough to bring this down in one blow were to be thrown, could my defensive energy withstand it?

I clenched my fist tightly, putting more strength into it.

* * *

That afternoon, I visited my father and played a game of Go for the first time in a while.

The crisp sound of each stone being placed on the board calmed my mind. Perhaps, playing Go with my father felt so comfortable because it resembled martial arts. When you step onto the sparring stage or start a game of Go, there’s no need for words with your opponent.

“I lost.”

In the last game, I had won by two points, but today, I finally lost by six points. Seeing the smile my father couldn’t hide made me think he was truly incorrigible. Whether it was Go or martial arts, my father couldn’t stand losing.

“When you have time, learn Go from Sima Myung.”

“I’ll make sure to do that.”

“What brings you here today?”

My father had already sensed it. He knew I came with a purpose.

“Can you just tell by looking at someone?”

“You’ve been unusually impatient with your moves today. It’s obvious with beginners.”

“Beginners? You only won for the first time today.”

I felt secretly pleased. It meant that while playing Go, my father had been considerate of my feelings.

“I have something I’d like your permission for.”

“What is it?”

“I’m thinking of learning martial arts from the Fist Demon King. Please allow it.”

As if he had expected it, my father didn’t show much of a reaction.

“If you want to learn, then go ahead. Why would you need my permission?”

“Of course I should tell you and get your permission.”

“What if I don’t allow it?”

“Then I’ll try harder to get your permission.”

I revealed my honest feelings to my father.

“In the beginning, I was mostly trying a strategy of ‘making noise in the east and striking in the west.’ I wanted to see how my brother would react if I targeted Dan Woo-gang—just testing the waters. But today, the Fist Demon King told me his goal is to bring down the cliff with a single strike.”

It seemed my father already knew about that goal. He wasn’t surprised by my words at all.

“When he said that, it wasn’t the cliff, but my wariness that crumbled. I thought it was impressive, and now I wanted to bring down a cliff myself.”

“That’s your chronic weakness. An innocent sentiment that’s perfect for getting you killed.”

The first time he said it, he had called it ‘a cheap sentiment perfect for getting you killed.’ Now, the term ‘cheap’ was gone, replaced by ‘innocent.’ That small difference showed how much closer I had grown to my father.

“That innocence can work as a strength too. Thanks to it, I’ve gained some Demon Supremes.”

“Gained? Do you really think the Demon Supremes are truly on your side?”

My father didn’t trust anyone, it seemed. Perhaps that worldview was essential for the Cult Leader who guided the cult.

“I believe there’s no absolute loyalty in the world except for the love of parents towards their children. I’m just trying to avoid creating situations that would make the Demon Supremes’ loyalty waver.” 1

People rarely change their hearts suddenly in life; most of the time, it’s the circumstances that change them.

“Do you know this? If you get entangled with the Fist Demon King through martial arts, there will inevitably come a moment when you’ll have to face him. He can’t stand losing. So the outcome might not align with your intentions.”

It was advice based on a deep understanding of Dan Woo-gang’s character. Trying to get closer might end up worsening the relationship.

“What if I win?”

“Then his goal will shift from the cliff to you.”

After a brief pause, I spoke to my father.

“Living as someone’s target, even once in a while, isn’t it a life worth considering?”

My father, who had been watching me for a moment, nodded.

“The Fist Demon King will need proper and decisive moves.”

It was his way of saying I should do my best with fair tactics, not relying on tricks or shortcuts. My father had given his permission.

“Thank you.”

I bowed respectfully to my father and turned to leave when he spoke from behind.

“From now on, I’ll be playing with the white stones.”

“Shouldn’t you win three games in a row first?”

“That rule changes today.”

What could I say if the Heavenly Demon himself decided to change the rules?

“Then I should teach my strategist Go as soon as possible.”

* * *

The next day, I went to see Dan Woo-gang again.

After being absent from training for a few days, today he was watching the Iron Fists practice.

His reaction to me was the same as on the first day. He glanced at me briefly before turning his gaze back to the Iron Fists. However, we were clearly in a different relationship compared to the first day.

“May I train alongside the Iron Fists?”

The Fist Demon King looked at me. His face was still as fierce as ever. To others, it might have seemed like he was glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me, but I could read the emotions in his eyes.

Are you really intending to learn martial arts from me?

I responded with a determined look in my eyes.

Yes.

Dan Woo-gang looked at me with a disdainful expression before nodding his head. He had the attitude of wanting to see what I would do next.

“Thank you.”

I set my sword aside and mimicked the stances of the Iron Fists.

It was the first time in my life that I was learning martial arts. Even before my regression, I had never studied martial arts. Fighting without a sword in hand? It wasn’t something I could easily imagine.

The Iron Fists glanced at me with eyes full of surprise.

Since the Heavenly Demon’s Second Young Master had decided to learn martial arts alongside them, they wouldn’t need any side dishes for their drinks tonight.

The Fist Demon King didn’t teach me anything.

I simply followed the movements of the Iron Fists. Given that dozens of people were practicing, this martial art couldn’t possibly be the Fist Demon King’s exclusive technique. It was likely the basic martial art practiced by the warriors of the Eastern Fist Faction.

That was even better. I knew more than anyone that even a technique capable of toppling a mountain begins with these basic movements.

I performed the movements with precision.

I had observed their training for several days, and more importantly, there were dozens of people in front of me all adopting the same stances.

Even if someone performed a wrong stance, there were far more who got it right. Thanks to that, I was able to assume the correct stance.

With that, the first day of training ended, and everyone quietly dispersed. I left as if I were one of them.

The next day, I joined the training again.

The Iron Fists of the Eastern Fist Faction were divided into four groups based on their skill level.

The White Fists wore white martial arts uniforms, the Blue Fists wore blue, the Red Fists wore red, and the Black Fists wore black.

The ones I was training with were the White Fists. Of course, they shouldn’t be underestimated just because they were White Fists. The fact that they had been able to join the Eastern Fist Faction meant that they were not beginners as martial artists.

Was training with the White Fists a waste of time? Not at all. On the contrary, it was even better because it allowed me to strengthen my foundation.

My martial arts skill was at a level where I could anticipate dozens of variations from even the smallest movement.

From the basic motion of throwing a punch, I envisioned dozens of scenarios and anticipated variations. The Wind God’s Four Steps and the current form I was practicing merged in my mind. Since the Wind God’s Four Steps combined beautifully with the Soaring Sword Art, it naturally formed a fantastic synergy with martial arts as well.

I was deeply focused on practicing martial arts, but Dan Woo-gang still seemed not to trust me. I could see it in his expression.

Let’s see, will you last a month? A year?

With those thoughts, he only cast me a scornful look.

But his opponent was me. The next day, I even asked a question.

“I have a question!”

Everyone was startled by my shout. Come to think of it, I had never seen anyone ask a question during training. They only assumed the stances as instructed.

So perhaps, I was the first to ask a question.

The Fist Demon King was just as surprised. He probably never expected that I would ask anything.

“In this ‘Crouching Tiger Emerges’ form, when rotating the right foot, to what extent is the freedom of the left foot allowed?”

Everyone had been keeping their left foot completely fixed, but I thought it would be more effective if it moved slightly.

I could sense the unrest around me. Is this okay? How dare he ask a question? How will the Fist Demon King respond? Will we all get caught in the backlash? A flood of such emotions was palpable.

However, unexpectedly, Dan Woo-gang answered my question without much resistance.

“As long as your body remains steady after the final rotation, there’s no need to restrict your left foot.”

With the Fist Demon King’s clear response, I executed the form as instructed.

My left foot moved just enough to lift slightly, which was intended to connect to the next form as quickly as possible. While we were practicing each motion separately now, continuous movements were crucial in actual combat.

For the first time, the Iron Fists’ gazes turned towards me. They hadn’t realized yet that what they were witnessing wasn’t just a change in the form; it was a shift in the long-standing training method of the Eastern Fist Faction.

I continued to visit the training ground the following day, and the day after that.

I didn’t ask questions just for the sake of it. I only asked when I was genuinely curious, and whenever I did, the Iron Fists would listen closely. It was as if I was voicing the questions they had been too afraid to ask themselves. Eventually, Iron Fists began greeting me after training. 2

By the fifth day, I was performing the form with the most precise stance among the Iron Fists learning martial arts there. Some even approached me to ask about the movements after we finished training.

It was the seventh day.

After the official training ended, I stayed behind to continue practicing alone. I was immersing myself in the new world that martial art opened up. Regardless of my current situation, simply learning martial arts was enjoyable.

I could sense the Fist Demon King watching me, but I didn’t let it bother me and focused on my forms. I concentrated solely on my outstretched punches.

What should be infused into this punch to bring down a cliff?

Eventually, Dan Woo-gang, who had been watching, spoke.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Didn’t I tell you I wanted to learn martial arts from you, Fist Demon King?”

“Are you really saying you want to become my disciple?”

“If you’d accept me.”

Dan Woo-gang flinched in surprise. No son of the Heavenly Demon had ever become a disciple of a Demon Supreme before.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious. I’ve already received my father’s permission.”

“The Cult Leader allowed it?”

“He did.”

It was the moment when the Fist Demon King realized that my determination wasn’t just a joke.

“Do you even know what kind of person I am?”

“I don’t know much. But the moment you said your goal was to bring down a cliff, I was captivated by you, Fist Demon King.”

It was half sincerity, half flattery.

“Do you think that cheap trick will work? Do you think I’ll support you as the successor?”

“You don’t have to. In fact, please don’t. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but my goal is to end this succession struggle without spilling blood between brothers. That’s why I actually feel reassured with you by my brother’s side, Fist Demon King. You’ll keep my brother from crossing the line.”

“Why do you think I would stop him?”

“Because you’re someone who wants to bring down a cliff with your bare fists. You know very well that the moment dirty plots or schemes are clenched in those fists, the cliff will never be brought down.”

“!”

“You’re the only one who can knock sense into my brother and me if we go too far in the succession fight. If I or my brother attempt to cross the line, please stop us. Hit us hard with those fists.”

I didn’t avoid the displeased and fierce gaze directed at me. You’re obsessed with martial arts? If it’s about obsessively pursuing a single path, I’m no less than you.

The next moment!

Dan Woo-gang’s large fist was right in front of my face.

He had punched so fast that there wasn’t even the slightest sound of wind. It was as if the fist had always been there, right in front of my face.

The sound exploded a moment later.

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

A tremendous gust roared from behind me.

Boom!

A massive hole had been punched through the wall far behind me.

Amazingly, his fist had stopped right in front of my face, leaving me untouched, but completely blowing away the area behind me. It was truly an extraordinary and masterful technique.

The Fist Demon King coldly stared at me, even as I didn’t flinch when his fist came flying, then silently turned and walked away.

I stood there, watching his back as he walked into the distance.

The more you act like this, the more fiercely the flames in my heart will burn.

At the end of the path, Dan Woo-gang stopped.

“From tomorrow, join the Blue Fist training ground.”

1 : Some parents abandon their child like Lee Ahn, or sell or abuse them. So personally, I have some doubts about this ‘Absolute Loyalty’.
2 : He’s such a social butterfly ^^