Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 185: You Still Don’t Know the Fear of the Sword >

The next day, I went to the Black Fists training grounds.

Naturally, I thought that the Black Fists, having the highest level of skill, would have the smallest number.

However, when I arrived, I saw that the Black Fists had the largest number. This result was thanks to the efforts of the Fist Demon King. From the basics, they steadily identified and trained individuals capable of becoming part of the Black Fists.

These were true iron fists. Many of them had the ability to serve as leaders or chiefs of the Cult’s elite organizations.

The gazes directed at me varied. Some looked at me with curiosity, while others showed hostility. The reason for the hostility was simple. They had trained for as short as seven or eight years and as long as more than a dozen years to reach the Black Fists.

But I had surpassed three ranks and reached the Black Fists in just a little over ten days, so how could they feel good about that? Among them, some might even wonder, “Could this Second Young Master be trying to become the next Fist Demon King?”

One person stood out among them.

A woman with her hair tied back, her hands and wrists wrapped in bandages. She had a strong, attractive gaze.

I knew who she was.

Cheon So-hee.

She was the next in line to become the Fist Demon King.

With her slender build and small fists, she would surpass all the Black Fists here and inherit the position of the Fist Demon King.

After the main sect was sealed off by Hwa Moogi, Dan Woo-gang would pass the position of Demon Supreme to her and retire.

The Fist Demon King never managed to break through the cliff. He dedicated his entire life to martial arts training, but he never reached the state of breaking a cliff with a single fist.

If he had reached the state capable of breaking through the cliff, he might have sought out Hwa Moogi for revenge. I didn’t realize it then, but looking back now, it seems that way.

Since my regression, the fates and relationships of everyone have been changing.

Because of that, I shouldn’t judge these people by the standards of the past. I need to see them with new perspectives and criteria.

Just look at Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Evil Smiling Demon right now. If I were to die at the hands of Hwa Moogi, would they just stand by? I have a feeling that wouldn’t be the case.

“I heard that Young Master easily passed through the Red Fists.”

The man who approached me and spoke was Do Gang. Just as I knew Cheon So-hee, I also knew this man.

Do Gang was the one who competed with Cheon So-hee for the successor position until the very end. When he lost his place as the successor, he left the Cult.

“May I ask a question on behalf of the Black Fists?”

“As many as you’d like.”

“Why did you come to the Eastern Fist Faction? Why do you want to learn martial arts?”

“If you’re worried that I might take the position that you’ve dedicated your life to achieving, you need not worry. I am not here to become the Fist Demon King.”

I spoke to them calmly.

“I am the one who will become your Heavenly Demon.”

Because of all the things I had done since my regression, no one dared to show disrespect. The mere thought of what might happen if I became the Heavenly Demon was enough to keep their mouths shut.

However, none of them made an effort to win my favor either. For now, the Eastern Fist Faction still leaned closer to Geom Muyang’s side.

“When I become the Heavenly Demon, one of you will likely be the Fist Demon King. I ask for your cooperation in advance.”

Do Gang then asked again.

“Why has someone destined to be the Heavenly Demon come here?”

“I came because I want to become stronger. I want to learn martial arts to grow stronger.”

This answer likely served to boost the pride of the Black Fists, as I was saying that I wanted to become stronger by learning the martial arts they practiced.

Among the gazes fixed on me was Cheon So-hee’s. While her presence was remarkable, it was her gaze that stood out the most. Her eyes, filled with determination that seemed unyielding once she set a goal, reminded me of Dan Woo-gang.

‘Looking forward to working with you, future Fist Demon King!’

Just then, Dan Woo-gang appeared. As with the previous training sessions, he didn’t give me any special attention.

“Let’s begin.”

With the Fist Demon King’s single command, the training commenced.

The Black Fists focused their training primarily on basic techniques. The Fist Demon King valued precision in executing basic forms, placing the utmost importance on them.

I observed the movements of the Black Fists in detail.

On the first day, I only watched. I could have demonstrated the techniques if I wanted to, but I believed that it wouldn’t be a good choice for either the Black Fists or myself.

Thus, the first day, where I only observed, passed.

The next day, I continued to watch.

The Black Fists exuded pride, thinking, “Yes, this is different from the Red Fists, isn’t it?”

The Fist Demon King sent a message to me.

— You’ve already mastered it, so why aren’t you following along?

— It’s one thing with the Red Fists, but we must preserve the pride and morale of the Black Fists.

— Since when did you care about such things?

— They’ll be my subordinates in the future, so I need to take care of them.

From afar, I saw Dan Woo-gang scoff.

* * *

On the third day, after training had ended and everyone had dispersed, Cheon So-hee approached Geom Mugeuk.

When Geom Mugeuk had declared on the first day that he would become their Heavenly Demon, something stirred in her chest.

She had devoted her life to martial arts, completely forsaking romantic pursuits. Thus, it wasn’t a matter of feelings between a man and a woman. There was another kind of fateful pull. She wanted to confirm what that was, which is why she sought out Geom Mugeuk.

“I am Cheon So-hee.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“I heard you mastered the basic forms of the Red Fists just by observing their training.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“You can’t learn the Black Fists forms just by watching.”

“It’s certainly much harder by comparison.”

“Then why don’t you ask someone to teach you?”

Geom Mugeuk then gave an unexpected answer.

“I’ve already learned them.”

Though others might not believe him, he spoke truthfully to Cheon So-hee. He wanted to share a different kind of connection with her.

Cheon So-hee flinched in surprise, and then a faint smirk crossed her lips. She was convinced that mastering it merely by observation was impossible.

She almost blurted out that unnecessary pride only makes a person look pathetic.

“I’m curious. Are you really that perceptive, or are you just boasting?”

She phrased it gently. After all, if he was just boasting, such advice wouldn’t matter, and if by any chance she was wrong, she would have made a mistake.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

She walked a few steps away when Geom Mugeuk called out from behind.

“If what I say is true, will you do me a favor?”

She turned around and asked, “And if it’s boasting?”

“Then I’ll do you a favor.”

“Alright.”

The way she agreed without hesitation showed that she was confident it was all just boasting.

Cheon So-hee left, pondering what favor she would ask. At the same time, she felt a bit disappointed, thinking it wasn’t some kind of destined pull after all.

* * *

Her disappointment lasted only a day.

The next day, I demonstrated the Black Fists forms exactly as they had been learned, in front of everyone. When I executed the forms accurately, everyone was shocked. Cheon So-hee, in particular, was the most surprised.

— Did you really learn just by watching?

Her disbelieving message came through.

— I told you I did, didn’t I?

Her eyes quivered. How could she know? That I was the person who passed through the Heavenly Cave in a single day, something that took others an average of three years, and which even my father took two months to complete. It wasn’t even a unique martial art of the Fist Demon King; the martial arts of the Black Fists were simple enough to be mastered just by observing.

— Don’t forget to fulfill my request.

— Of course. I always keep my promises.

Dan Woo-gang called me forward.

“Come out to the front.”

For the first time, the Fist Demon King made me stand before the Iron Fists.

“Do you know why I allowed you to train here?”

“For what reason?”

Dan Woo-gang’s gaze shifted to the Black Fists members.

“These kids have never fought against a true master. Can you show them what the martial world is really like?”

Surprisingly, he was asking me to let them experience real combat.

Of course, the Black Fists members would have had various experiences by now. The Fist Demon King, like other Demon Supremes, would have duties for the sect, which the Black Fists members would primarily handle in the Central Plains. They would have faced real combat multiple times in that process.

However, they probably had never encountered a true master.

Dan Woo-gang and I locked eyes. He genuinely cared for his subordinates. His words were true. The Fist Demon King was smarter than he seemed; he was purely obsessed with martial arts.

“They still don’t know the fear of the sword.”

It was a statement that didn’t easily come from the Undefeated Fist Demon King, but it was intended for his subordinates, who were brimming with overconfidence. If he showed this much consideration—

“Then I should show them.”

When I readily agreed, the Fist Demon King’s expression brightened.

“Will you handle about twenty of them? Or ten?”

Even Dan Woo-gang felt it was too much to make them all experience it, as it was a tough request that was also mentally taxing for those who had to accept it.

“No, if I’m doing this, I’ll face all of them.”

A fleeting expression of joy and gratitude crossed the fierce face of the Fist Demon King. It was an awkward and rare emotion, and one that didn’t really suit him. But witnessing this rare expression was payment enough for this lesson.

When I glanced at the Black Fists members, my demeanor had already turned cold.

“There are different types of masters. Moderate masters, strong masters, and true masters. Let’s start by facing a moderate master. Come forward one at a time.”

The Black Fists members stepped forward one by one. Their faces were full of confidence. Though they didn’t expect to defeat me, they were determined not to lose easily.

I sent a message to the Fist Demon King.

— These are your students. Are you sure about this?

— Make them into a ragtag bunch. That’s why I arranged this gathering today.

I faced them one by one.

“The current opponent has the skill to defeat you in about thirty moves.”

The Black Fist opponent showed determination, thinking, “Do you think it will go your way?” He probably wanted to prove himself against me. He wanted to show this unexpected intruder what a real punch felt like, especially with Dan Woo-gang watching.

Understanding his mindset, I chose to face him in a way that wouldn’t crush his pride. Even if I won, I aimed not to trample on his dignity.

The first Black Fist rushed at me, throwing a punch. His basics were solid, and he had confidence. His footwork, in particular, was impressive. Martial artists trained in unarmed combat tend to excel in movement techniques. 1

Within thirty moves, the first Black Fists had a shallow cut on his side. It wasn’t deep, just enough to draw a little blood.

“Well fought.”

He bowed respectfully and stepped back. Though he had bled, he seemed satisfied with the fight, relishing the experience of real combat after a long time. With an opponent like me, how could the sparring not feel substantial?

The second Black Fist was also cut on the side exactly in thirty moves, and the same happened with the third.

The waiting Black Fists members began murmuring, feeling uneasy.

They had tried to endure however they could, but they couldn’t last beyond thirty moves, nor could they evade the blade that flew towards their sides.

Having seen their predecessors face the same fate, they should have been prepared. Yet, they failed to do so.

I wasn’t suddenly upping my skills at the thirtieth move to strike them somehow. I was facing them with the same speed and strength as from the start, but invariably, by the thirtieth move, they would expose their sides. This is what surprised them all. 2

A single emotion dominated them:

How is this even possible?

There was only one person, Cheon So-hee, who barely managed to evade and, on the thirty-first move, got a cut on her thigh instead of her side. Indeed, she had the most outstanding skill among them.

Her gaze toward me had already changed. It was no longer, “Let’s see what you’ve got,” but rather, “What will you show us next?”

“Up until now, you’ve faced masters who can beat you in thirty moves. Now, you’ll face a master who can kill you in just ten moves.”

The Black Fists members, now even more determined, came forward one by one. This time, I faced them much faster than before.

“A master who can kill you in ten moves feels like this.”

I pressured them swiftly and fiercely. It might not seem like a significant difference between thirty moves and ten, but the experience on the receiving end was on another level.

They were all shocked and bewildered.

With their skills, they had been confident they could thrash anyone.

But before they knew it, ten moves passed, and suddenly, a sword was pointed at their throats. In an instant, the blade was poking at their hearts. The sharp sword tapped their arms lightly. Had I not held back, their necks would have been severed, their hearts pierced, and their arms cut off.

The initial confidence and arrogance had completely vanished from the Black Fists members. This was precisely the feeling the Fist Demon King wanted his subordinates to experience. It was a warning not to act cocky just because they were Black Fists. There are masters who can tear through that black martial robe you’ve worked so hard to earn in an instant.

Thus, I presented everyone with the awe of a master who could kill in ten moves.

But it wasn’t just my swordsmanship that amazed them. Despite facing so many opponents in succession, my breathing hadn’t even become labored.

It was time to conclude this session.

“Now, I will demonstrate a master who can kill in a single move. Such opponents are rare, but they do exist in this martial world.”

At the mention of a master who could kill in one move, everyone tensed up.

As they prepared to step forward one by one again, I changed my approach this time.

I fully unleashed my energy. My presence dominated the space, pulling the Black Fists members into a deep abyss. One of the Black Fists who had stepped forward suddenly felt his breath catch, and instinctively took a few steps back.

Srrrkt.

The Black Demon Sword unsheathed itself.

Chaaaarrrrk.

In front of my chest, the blade began to split apart.

In an instant, the sword energy fragmented into twenty pieces, causing the Black Fists members to gasp in shock. It was the first time they had seen a sword split into sword-shaped energies.

Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish!

The sword energies shot out in all directions like beams of light.

Screams erupted from all around.

The sword-shaped energies halted right in front of the faces of the Black Fists members standing at the front. They had flown too fast for anyone to dodge. None of them could block my Rain of a Thousand Swords, a technique achieved with the prowess of Twelve Star Greatness.

Everyone stared at the floating sword-shaped energies before their eyes in utter disbelief.

They didn’t know. To simultaneously impale them all with sword energies was far less challenging than completely halting them all in front of their faces like this. At this moment, the only person who would recognize the difficulty of this high-level technique was the Fist Demon King. 3

Ssssss.

As the brilliant light dispersed, the sword energies vanished from sight.

The real Black Demon Sword, which had been floating in the air, was in front of Cheon So-hee. Among the Black Fists, I had aimed the real sword at the strongest, Cheon So-hee. It was an act of respect and acknowledgment. I infused the sword with my intent.

What you see now is reality. From now on, the sword that flies toward you will never disappear before your eyes. Do not forget this moment.

The Black Demon Sword, which had been hovering in front of her, cut through the air and returned to me. It slid back into its sheath of its own accord.

As the clear metallic sound of the blade echoed, I calmly spoke to the Black Fists members.

“You were all just killed.”

1 : Yeah since they don’t have the reach and the protection of a weapon, they need to dodge and reach the opponent only by their footworks.
2 : Great masters often use their attacks like moves in chess, slowly cornering their opponent into predictable paths until they have nowhere to run.
3 : It’s easier to continue an ongoing momentum than killing all kinetic energy in an instant, especially with these many swords. You need an immense level of control.