Absolute Regression - Chapter 8
The rumor of a disciple of the Heavenly Blade Demon meeting their end at my hands began to spread rapidly throughout the sect, and Ian’s concern grew in proportion to its ripple effect.
“It’s chaotic. Everyone I meet talks only about you and Yangpo,” she sighed, adding, “…and about me too.”
As the instigator of the fight, it was natural that there would be various rumors surrounding her.
“It’s good to become famous. Isn’t striving for fame the essence of Murim?” I remarked.
“I don’t like it,” she replied.
“You’ll become even more famous in the future. What will you do then?” I asked.
Ian let out a light sigh, but her expression didn’t darken. There must have been a positive element of change at the center of this chaos.
“I’m worried because the Heavenly Blade Demon values honor. Please, just let it go,” she pleaded.
“Who said that? Does Heavenly Blade Demon value honor?” I asked.
“Don’t they? Isn’t that the case?” she responded.
“Would someone who values honor overlook and condone their disciples’ misconduct?” I countered.
“Maybe you don’t know?” she suggested.
“That’s underestimating the subtlety of our Heavenly Blade Demon,” I replied.
“I’ve heard this before. You always speak as if you know Lord Heavenly Blade Demon well,” she remarked.
“I know not only about Heavenly Blade Demon but also about other sect leaders. As the son of the Heavenly Demon, it’s necessary to be informed,” I explained.
Ian widened her eyes, looking at me. She might wonder when I had conducted such investigations without her knowing.
“Why then does Heavenly Blade Demon allow the misdeeds of the disciples?” she asked.
“That’s…,” I hesitated, unable to disclose the true reason to Ian
.
So, I offered another explanation that she could accept.
“Because it’s convenient,” I said.
“What?” she questioned.
“It’s easier to handle greedy and selfish individuals than well-behaved disciples. The Heavenly Blade Demon has not chosen disciples for a long time, allowing them to compete against each other. Why? Because it’s easier to use them as disposable pawns. Just watch, Yangpo’s vacant position will be filled within a few days,” I explained.
“You’re quite terrifying, Heavenly Blade Demon,” she remarked.
“I’m more afraid for the disciples. Those who rush in knowing full well what kind of person their master is,” I said.
“I’m glad to have you as my master,” she said.
“Of course. Where else would you compare?” I replied. “Ian, how about a drink after so long?”
She looked at me with surprise.
Ian looked at me intently and asked, “Can you tell me the secret?”
“What secret? Cooking?” I replied.
“No, how people can change like this,” she clarified.
I chuckled lightly as I looked at her. “Why? Do you want to change too?”
“It’s not that, but…” she trailed off.
She emptied her glass. Who wouldn’t want to change? Deep within her heart, the image of her younger self would forever reside. In times of hardship, she would recall those days, making her struggles even more difficult.
“When you regain your original self, you won’t need such secrets. Everyone will admire you,” I remarked.
Accepting the drink I offered politely, Ian then asked, “Master, what are your plans for the succession race?”
Her question, which she had never asked before, indicated that she saw the possibility in me.
Raising my glass, I replied, “Only fate will decide!”
Ian smiled and lightly tapped her glass against mine. “May you win the Master’s heart!”
We drank together. Despite claiming she couldn’t handle alcohol well, Ian drank rather easily. Of course, there was a price to pay for making her tipsy. I had to carry her back when she became too drunk.
As we made our way back, she shouted from my back, “Don’t worry! I’ll protect you, Master. Just trust me!”
“I wasn’t worried at all, but hearing you say that makes me worry,” I joked.
“You should be worried! You have to worry. But don’t worry, I’ll protect you!” she insisted.
“Sure, no worries,” I replied, chuckling.
At that moment, someone shouted from a nearby building, “Who’s making all that noise?”
Looking at the man leaning out of the window, I said, “Look at me and see.”
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m Gongza of the Celestial Horse Sect,” I declared.
After a moment of staring blankly at me, a swift apology flew out like a flash of light. “Oh, I’m sorry. Master Gongza!”
The window closed faster than it had opened. Ian was asleep on my back.
I’m sorry for lifting you up so late.
Leaving her lying on the bed, I went outside and sat in the courtyard, gazing up at the moon. Now I realize that after the defeat in the Demonic Abyss, I was plunged into deep despair during my life in hiding. Regretting that I didn’t pursue the Great Regression Law, I was overwhelmed by the deep melancholy to the point where I couldn’t sustain life without striving for regression.
What if I hadn’t met Seo Jin? If I hadn’t known about the Great Regression Law? Eventually… would I have chosen death? Or perhaps, I would have gone in search of the Infernal Weapon, only to tragically perish at the hands of the followers who had been following me without even meeting me. Yes, that would have been the case.
During that time, lost in various thoughts, something flashed in the moonlight right next to me. When I slowly turned my head, a large blade was by my face, reflecting my tense expression. The rough, bony hand holding the blade showed signs of experience, indicating years of rough living. Beyond those wrinkles, sharp eyes glared at me. It was none other than the Heavenly Blade Demon. I was surprised because I didn’t expect him to come so suddenly.
He was pointing the sword at my neck as if to cut it off. The sword poised to strike was his unique weapon, the Annihilating Heaven Great Blade. Renowned as one of the top ten weapons in the martial world, the Annihilating Heaven Great Blade earned the nickname “Weapon Destroyer” because it shattered any weapon it clashed against.
The cold aura emanating from the Annihilating Heaven Great Blade enveloped the surroundings. The chilling cold made my whole body stand on end as if my breath would stop.
If that blade strikes my neck, can I avoid it?
I couldn’t easily come up with an answer. No matter how deep my insight gained from my previous life was, my current martial arts skills were overwhelmingly inferior. Just as tension was reaching its peak, the icy aura surrounding me disappeared in an instant.
The Heavenly Blade Demon smirked and poked my side with the end of the Annihilating Heaven Great Blade’s handle.
“What was that for?”
The meaning behind his question was why did I kill his disciple. Just moments ago, it felt like he was here to kill me, but now he was poking my side like a friendly neighbor.
“Because he acted like a scoundrel.”
At my indifferent reply, the Heavenly Blade Demon stared at me intently. Similar to my father but with a different gaze. While my father’s gaze was inscrutable, the Heavenly Blade Demon’s gaze was clear. It was hostility.
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