Absolute Regression - Chapter 12
Chapter 12: A Swords Dance
I practiced the Heavenly Flying Sword Technique, honing and refining it even further. Though I had trained in this martial art for a long time, performing it with a rejuvenated body felt different. Perhaps this is why they say one can practice martial arts for a lifetime and never see the end.
While training in the Heavenly Flying Sword Technique, I also practiced the energy emission technique my father taught me. Additionally, I worked to balance my newly increased internal and external power, thanks to the Magic Pill.
After relentless training and more training, on the ninety-seventh day since I entered this place, I managed to perfectly control my increased power. I also became more proficient in energy emission, capable of releasing more energies simultaneously. Though not quite like a spider web, I could already release more than ten strands at once.
“It’s done. Up to here.”
For the remaining three days, I calmed my mind and organized the tasks ahead.
On the one-hundredth day since I entered this place, I pushed the stone slab aside.
Then, a door leading outside opened.
“Ah, this fresh air! Goodbye, *Bigu pills!”
Stretching my body widely, I walked out of there.
At the exit of Little Heaven Cave, a warrior from the Heavenly Demon Hall was waiting.
“Oh! Young Master!”
He looked at me in surprise.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“I was instructed to bring you directly to the Heavenly Demon Hall as soon as you emerged, so I was waiting here. But I didn’t expect you to come out this early. I was told to wait at least a hundred days from today.”
“How long have you been waiting?”
“I came out today.”
My father had predicted that I would come out between the hundredth and two hundredth day. This is how my father viewed my talent. He held me in quite high regard, it seemed. And, it was clear he didn’t think I would die.
Perhaps my being sent to Sochun Cave was not a punishment but a reward. With this thought, I followed the warrior.
When I arrived at the Heavenly Demon Hall, my father was alone.
I walked slowly on the red carpet towards the throne where my father sat. This carpet was called the ‘Path of Blood.’ How much blood must have been shed to reach that place? How much blood did my father witness to be able to sit there? And how much more blood will have to be shed to keep that position?
“It took exactly a hundred days.”
I bit my tongue at my father’s words. I wanted to say that I had broken through the barrier in just one day. That this was now his son. Should I go find a bamboo forest on the mountain behind?
“I struggled, but I couldn’t break your record, Father.”
“Did you cut the sphere properly?”
“I cut it without losing my temper. You left such a clear hint; of course, I had to cut it well, and I didn’t rest during the final illusion array.”
At that moment, I saw it. A smile appeared on my father’s lips. It wasn’t the usual smirk I’d seen before. It was a genuine smile of joy. But unfortunately, that smile vanished as soon as it appeared. Smiles on my father’s face were like mirages.
“You’re not entirely useless, I see.”
“Of course, whose son do you think I am?”
Before my regression, I thought of my father as someone who enjoyed the life-and-death struggles of his children for succession. But now, I understand. He is someone who endures even the death of his children for the future of the cult, not someone who enjoys the conflict.
“Why did you call for me?”
Before speaking of his business with me, my father summoned someone to the hall. It was none other than Sama Myung, the Grand Marshal of the cult, a man who held power second only to my father.
“It’s been a while, Grand Marshal Sama.”
“To have passed through Sochun Cave in just a hundred days. Impressive, young master.”
He was the head of Tongcheon Pavilion, responsible for all the information in the martial world, and a trusted figure of my father.
“It was a hundred days of punishment.”
“Punishment? Or a reward?”
Sama Myung gave a meaningful smile.
“Perhaps he tried to punish me and failed?”
“Hahaha.”
Sama Myung laughed, and I laughed along with him. Once the greetings were over, Sama Myung got to the point.
“The reason I requested to see you today is to discuss an internal matter of the cult.”
He called me, not my older brother, to handle internal affairs? And right after I came out of Sochun Cave? This was definitely different from the past. Usually, internal matters were left to my brother. Even if he was away, they would send a letter to him.
My gaze shifted from Sama Myung to my father, sitting on the throne. This decision was to be influenced by my father’s will.
“Please, go ahead.”
“A letter was recently received, detailing corruption within the demon army.”
The demon army was one of the martial forces within our sect, known for the rough temperament of its members. I sighed inwardly because the leader of the demon army was none other than the younger brother of Blood Sky Demon. It was another instance where Blood Sky Demon was involved.
“Last year, a letter of accusation also came in, and the Yellow Springs Pavilion conducted an investigation.”
The Yellow Springs Pavilion was an institution that investigated treason, corruption, and misconduct. Due to its nature, everyone disliked it, but it wielded considerable power over everyone.
“But the investigation failed at that time. No one testified, and the special investigator dispatched was killed. The demon army member who killed him then committed suicide.”
It was such a significant incident that I remembered it well. It was evident that someone within the demon army obstructed the investigation, but no evidence was found. Eventually, the case was swept under the rug.
Now, a new letter of accusation had arrived.
“We would like you to become the special investigator for this matter, young master.”
Why me? I didn’t need to say it aloud. This was my father’s test, and it reeked of danger even before it began.
If an elite organization like the demon army was involved in corruption, there would be severe punishment. Those who committed the corruption would do anything to hide their crimes, and they wouldn’t go easy on the investigator, even if he was the son of the Heavenly Demon.
Moreover, considering Blood Sky Demon’s warning and that his brother led the organization, this was a delicate situation.
“You are pushing me into a perilous position.”
Sama Myung nodded, acknowledging it.
“Yes. This mission will require you to risk your life.”
I looked at my father. With a stern face, he said something unexpected.
“Didn’t you say you’d take control of them and tighten their leashes?”
I had said that to my father during a hunting trip.
“That was something I intended to do when I became the Heavenly Demon.”
“So, are you too afraid to do it now?”
“Well, if you put it that way, I can’t refuse….”
My father had placed me in Sochun Cave to save Blood Sky Demon’s face, and now, with this test, he intended to check Blood Sky Demon. What were my father’s true intentions?
Suddenly, I recalled something my father said on that night of the hunt.
—”Would you be able to kill me for your own sake, Father?”
—”If that’s something you have to ponder, you shouldn’t casually speak of ruthlessness.”
My gaze met my father’s in mid-air. His stern eyes were the same as when we went hunting, the same as when he put me in the Little Heaven Cave.
On second thought, this was not just my father’s decision.
I faced my father with a changed attitude, and as a result, this was his choice. Ultimately, it was also the path I chose.
“I made a promise while watching those magnificent stars. I have to take responsibility. I’ll take on the task.”
At my willing acceptance, my father smiled a mysterious smile.
I don’t know what your plan is, father, but I’ll give you a splendid swords dance.
On the other hand, Sama Myung seemed surprised by my acceptance.
“Are you sure? As I mentioned, it is a very dangerous task.”
“We can’t just leave those who are plundering the sect’s coffers, can we? However, I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Grant me not only the authority to investigate but also the authority for summary execution.”
Summary execution authority.
This privilege meant I could kill a target during the investigation without bearing the responsibility for it.
Since it was unprecedented, Sama Myung looked at my father. My father gave a slight nod, granting permission.
“Very well. But please exercise the execution authority only when there is clear evidence.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for allowing such a difficult task.”
“If I die, please engrave on my tombstone that Moo Geuk was brave.”
Sama Myung chuckled.
“Tomorrow, I will send an investigator from the Huangquan Pavilion to assist you.”
“If possible, please send a beautiful woman.”
“Hahaha. I’ve heard that you’ve been showing a new side lately. You’ve indeed changed a lot.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now, I’ll take my leave. It might be my last, so I should have a drink.”
After a polite bow, I was about to leave when I glanced back at my father and spoke.
“Father, how about a drink with your son who might be facing his end…”
Before I could finish, my father stood up abruptly and left.
I smiled at Sama Myung and said.
“He may seem harsh on the outside, but he’s actually quite caring.”
“He doesn’t seem like it at all.”
Leaving with a smile and a word, Sama Myung also de his exit.
I called out to him loudly.
“Marshal, you’re becoming more like my father!”
Sama Myng didn’t look back.
In front of the two of them, I tried to joke and play around. To them, I was a fresh, young man. I always remind myself: don’t bring the darkness of the past into this life. I have been reborn.
I stretched my arms wide in front of the Heavenly Demon Hall.
I need to pass this test well and take a step closer to the position of successor.
* * *
The next morning, Ian informed me that a Huangquan Pavilion investigator had arrived.
“Young master, I’ll follow and help you.”
She knew well how dangerous it was to investigate the Demon Corps.
Instead of granting permission, I asked.
“Is she pretty?”
“What?”
“Is the investigator waiting outside pretty?”
“What?”
“Don’t interrupt our cozy time! No jealousy!”
At that, Ian gave me a look as if asking what on earth I was talking about.
“The investigator is a man.”
“What?”
A moment later, guided by Ian, the person who entered had a noticeably small stature and a melancholic expression. And he was indeed a man.
“Nice to meet you. I am Seo Daeryong, a special investigator from Huangquan Pavilion.”
His name meant ‘Great Dragon,’ but his physique was quite the opposite. Even his voice was small.
“Why are you here? I asked the Grand Marshal to send the most beautiful woman in Huangquan Pavilion.”
Seo Daeryong shrugged slightly, looking a bit perplexed, and replied.
“Perhaps in his eyes, I’m the most beautiful.”
At his joke, Ian burst out laughing.
“You’re laughing? In this tragic situation?”
Ian quickly straightened her expression.
“No, I’m not.”
“Ah, I wanted to spend some quality time with a beauty for once.”
I sighed theatrically.
“Alright, let’s get to work. Tell me what you know about the Demon Corps. But if you stammer, I’ll show you the tragic fate of a beauty’s substitute.”
At my joking words, Seo Daeryong began to explain as if he had been waiting.
“The Demon Corps is composed of six divisions under the command of the Demon Lord. It’s an organization that carries out direct orders from the cult leader, with each division consisting of thirty members. Including the Demon Lord, there are a total of 181 members. There is no deputy leader; the first division leader serves as the right hand of the Demon Lord.”
“You memorized that well.”
“Here are the Demon Corps’ files.”
He handed me a thick file. It contained descriptions and histories of the members of the Demon Corps.
I pulled out a random page.
“Tell me about Jongpyo.”
Thinking he wouldn’t know, he responded immediately as if he had been waiting.
“He is in the first division of the Demon Corps, and it’s his seventh year. His unique martial art is the Palm of Soul Pursuit, and he has a very cruel nature. He loves alcohol and gambling, causing several incidents which were covered up by the Demon Corps.”
I was astonished and asked.
“How do you know all this? Are you friends? Enemies?”
“No.”
I pulled out another page and asked. Again, he knew exactly about the person.
“Have you memorized all 180 members?”
“Yes. Actually, it’s 181.”
“You’re a genius, aren’t you?”
“It has been a long-standing investigation.”
“No, no. If you memorized all this, then you’re a genius.”
“I’d appreciate it if you acknowledged it as effort.”
“Oh, humble too. You’re looking different to me now.”
Despite his small stature and somewhat melancholic appearance, that melancholy now seemed like the aloofness of a genius.
“There must be more reasons than just beauty for sending you, right?”
“Just being humble isn’t fun, so a bit of showing off too. You joined Huangquan Pavilion as the top of your class, right?”
“How did you know?”
“That’s it! Ian, did you hear that? When asked if he was the top of his class, he answered, ‘How did you know?’ This is the kind of response we need. Impressive, impressive. But unfortunately, you don’t have a girlfriend, do you?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Do you not have a mirror at home?”
“Regrettably, I don’t.”
“What? A mirror or a girlfriend?”
“No, the courage to resist a rude superior.”
“Hahaha.”
I laughed heartily. Somehow, I liked this guy.
Well, let’s see how well he does his job.
“Then, what kind of person is the Demon Lord?”
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