Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 186: Not So Easy, Right? >

A heavy silence hung in the air.

No one here had died, but something certainly had. The arrogance, bluffing, and overconfidence the Black Fists had always carried were all decisively crushed just moments ago.

Naturally, the way they looked at me had completely changed. Awe, fear, and anger—each gaze carried different emotions, reflecting their individual personalities.

The silence was finally broken by the Fist Demon King.

“Do you now understand the fear of the sword?”

“Yes!”

The Black Fists responded loudly.

“When I first taught you martial arts, I told you not to fear the sword. But now, you must know the fear of the sword.”

Sometimes, one must not be afraid; other times, one must be. Holding both these mindsets was the lesson Dan Woo-gang wanted to impart to his subordinates today.

“That’s enough for today.”

With those words, the Fist Demon King left first. Though he didn’t show it in front of his subordinates, I could sense that he, too, was deeply stirred by the display of my power.

The remaining Black Fists couldn’t scatter as they usually would, and instead, they stared at me. Eyes filled with reverence were visible everywhere. As natural-born martial artists, they held the strong in high regard and harbored an unusually intense desire to become strong themselves.

Representing the group, Cheon So-hee spoke up.

“You’re this strong, so why do you want to learn martial arts? Is it just a game for someone powerful like you?”

It was a provocative question.

She was still in shock from the move she had just witnessed. At the same time, she was furious at herself for being so easily overpowered. Since she despised losing to anyone, it was likely that she would rise to the position of the next Fist Demon King.

I calmly asked her in return.

“How could learning martial arts be just a game?”

“Then why do you want to learn?”

Why, you ask? Because a desire had arisen within me to shatter that cliff with my bare fists.

“A moment ago, when my sword flew at you, my hands were empty. What if I were attacked at that moment? What if the opponent was skilled enough not to give me the chance to retrieve my sword? It’s for times like that I want to learn. These fists that can strike at a moment of my opponent’s carelessness will be what saves me.”

Cheon So-hee stared at me intently. She might wonder if I was sincere, but she was too young to read my true intentions.

After saying that, I, too, left the training grounds.

Just as the destinies of those connected to me were changing, so too would their fates be altered in some way. I only hoped it would be for the better.

* * *

I was practicing martial arts that night.

From the White Fist to the Black Fist, I diligently practiced each technique without missing a single move. To properly learn the Fist Demon King’s unique martial arts, it was essential to first master these basic forms.

Bam bam bam bam!

The sound of my fists striking the empty air was so satisfying. The desire to quickly master the Fist Demon King’s martial arts and achieve greatness surged within me.

“You’re working hard, even late at night.”

The one who came to see me was the Fist Demon King. His calm voice never ceased to surprise me, especially when contrasted with his terrifying face. I often wondered which resembled his true nature more—his face or his voice?

In truth, I had anticipated that Dan Woo-gang would come. I figured he would surely react to the skills I had demonstrated earlier.

“Since I started late, I have to work twice as hard.”

“Even if you worked ten times as hard, I wouldn’t accept you as my disciple.”

“May I ask why?”

The Fist Demon King didn’t answer, but the intensity in his eyes spoke for him. He wanted to fight me. After all, one cannot fight their own disciple.

“You want to fight me.”

Just as he had ignited a fire within me, I, too, had sparked something within him.

“I won’t fight you.”

The moment I engage him in combat, I’ll lose the chance to learn his martial arts. There’s only one way for me to learn from the Fist Demon King. Successor battles and political issues mean nothing. We must be connected through martial arts. He wants to fight me so badly that, eventually, he’ll have no choice but to teach me. That is my plan.

“What’s your reason for refusing to fight?”

Like him, I gave no response. Dan Woo-gang, staring at me, grasped the intention behind my refusal.

“You’re worried about defeating me, aren’t you?”

A flash of emotion crossed his face. It was likely a new experience for him to worry about being defeated, especially since earning the title of ‘Unbeatable.’ Until now, all he had seen were those desperately struggling not to die at his hands.

“Young Master, there’s no need for such concerns. The martial arts you’ve mastered were learned from the Cult Leader, so even if I were to lose, it wouldn’t be a disgrace.”

I, too, looked beyond his words.

“Do you want to fight, or do you want to win?”

For a moment, the Fist Demon King flinched.

“Is there a difference?”

It wasn’t said out of arrogance; it was something closer to this.

“You’ve grown so accustomed to winning that you can’t even feel the difference.”

He stepped forward, shoving his face close to mine once again. Having to see that terrifying face up close was honestly more intimidating than a punch flying towards me.

“What is it you want to say?”

I remembered the words Soma had shared with me—that you can only truly understand what kind of person the Fist Demon King is when he loses.

“Unless it was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Evil Smiling Demon, as the Unbeatable Fist Demon, accepting defeat won’t come easily to you.”

“Are you saying I would break my promise because of the shock of defeat? How dare you!”

Dan Woo-gang’s expression twisted menacingly. He looked so terrifying that it seemed as if the ground next to him would crack open and demons would come crawling out from hell.

“Teach me martial arts first. Then, I will settle the score with you.”

The Fist Demon King scoffed, his expression clearly showing that he found my words absurd.

“You must fight me first.”

With that, he turned around and walked away.

Sorry, but that’s not your winning move. As long as you’re obsessed with martial arts, and as long as you’ve built your legend of invincibility, that move is mine.

I could afford to wait, but you couldn’t.

* * *

Cheon So-hee silently observed Geom Mugeuk.

Despite the uproar from yesterday, Geom Mugeuk participated in the Black Fists’ training as usual. He was deeply immersed in practice as if nothing had happened the previous day.

But the Black Fists were different. Those who showed up with ointment for their wounds displayed a different kind of fervor than the day before.

“I was reborn yesterday.”

Some of the Black Fists openly said things like that.

Whether or not Geom Mugeuk was aware of these changes and disturbances, he remained entirely focused on his training.

His movements were more precise than anyone else’s, and he understood the techniques better than anyone present. Any suspicion that he might have been secretly taught by someone because he was the Cult Leader’s son had vanished after witnessing his skills the previous day.

“I have something I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind?”

Just as the warriors of the Red Fists had done, some of the Black Fists began approaching Geom Mugeuk with questions about the techniques.

“Of course.”

Geom Mugeuk explained whatever they asked with sincere effort.

In just one day, the atmosphere among the Black Fists had changed dramatically.

After the training ended, Cheon So-hee approached Geom Mugeuk.

“I lost the bet, so I’ll keep my promise. Tell me what it is you want.”

Geom Mugeuk then said something completely unexpected.

“Make me the Fist Demon King’s disciple.”

Cheon So-hee looked at Geom Mugeuk with a momentary expression of disbelief.

“Then make me the Cult Leader’s successor.”

She said it, thinking it was a joke.

But she soon realized from Geom Mugeuk’s expression that he was completely serious.

“You’re not joking.”

“Of course I’m not joking.”

“I haven’t even become a disciple myself, so how am I supposed to make you one?”

At this point in time, Dan Woo-gang had not formally taken on a disciple. As a perfectionist when it came to martial arts, he didn’t make such decisions lightly.

“That’s something for you to figure out, since you lost the bet.”

“I didn’t expect you to make such an outrageous request.”

“Then why didn’t you say anything back then? That there should be some limits on the requests.”

“Well… I just assumed any reasonable person would make a sensible request.”

“Is that really the reason? Or did you just not mention it because you thought you’d win?”

She couldn’t refute him. Geom Mugeuk’s words were true. When they made the bet to grant each other’s request, she had thought about saying that they should avoid unreasonable demands. But her instincts stopped her.

Since she was sure she would win the bet, she felt there was no need to bring it up.

“Fine, I admit it.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled. If she hadn’t been this honest, he would have teased her a little more.

“What is there to admit? If someone makes such a ridiculous request, you should just firmly refuse and forget about it.”

She stared at Geom Mugeuk, feeling momentarily flustered.

She thought he was truly unpredictable.

She turned to leave. After taking a few steps, she stopped. Even though she had lost the bet, leaving it like this hurt her pride. She turned back around.

“Alright, let’s say I had the ability to do that. Even so, if you become a disciple, my chances of becoming one decrease. Why would I help you?”

“That’s not true. If I become a disciple, your chances of becoming one will increase.”

“And why is that?”

“Taking the first disciple is the hardest part. After that, it’s like opening the floodgates; he’ll take a second, then a third disciple. And I will strongly recommend you as my junior sister.”

“Recommend me? Why?”

Geom Mugeuk looked at her calmly.

“Because I think you would excel more than anyone. You seem like the person most suited to be the next Fist Demon King.”

She wondered if he was joking again, but Geom Mugeuk’s expression was serious.

A surge of emotion rose in her chest. Ever since joining the Eastern Fist Faction, she had never heard such words.

Neither she, her peers, nor her seniors had ever heard words like that. They all raced forward, always looking upward. From the White Fists to the Black Fists, they ran with the mindset that failing meant death.

Even though she and her peers had endured hardships together, she had never sincerely said anything kind to anyone. Nor had she ever received such words herself. 1

In her heart, she secretly hoped. Hoped that her rivals would struggle more than she did. Hoped that they would drop out of the competition. So that she could become the Fist Demon King.

Yet here was Geom Mugeuk, someone she had only known for a few days, saying such things without hesitation. In all those years, she and her peers had never once exchanged words like that.

It wasn’t bitterness from not hearing those words that troubled her. It was the realization of her own narrow-mindedness, having never offered such words to anyone herself, that left her feeling unsettled.

“You don’t even know me!”

She yelled angrily and stormed off.

* * *

That night, Cheon So-hee couldn’t easily fall asleep.

Geom Mugeuk’s words kept echoing in her mind. Was she really someone suited to be the Fist Demon King?

Unable to sleep, she tossed and turned before finally deciding to head to Geom Mugeuk’s quarters.

Given the late hour, she didn’t actually expect to meet him. She had come out simply because of the frustration weighing on her heart, but to her surprise, Geom Mugeuk was practicing martial arts.

His training was so focused and earnest that she couldn’t even bring herself to announce her presence. Afraid she might disturb him, she stood still.

Eventually, after completing a round of form practice, Geom Mugeuk sat down on a flat rock in the yard and asked,

“Would you like some tea?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Cheon So-hee sat down next to him. The scent of sweat coming from Geom Mugeuk wasn’t unpleasant.

“It’s late, but I came because I had to confirm something. If you really become a disciple, will you truly recommend me as your junior sister?”

“I will.”

How much could she trust? Whenever the Black Fists gathered to drink, there was always one thing they agreed on: trust no one. That’s the first rule to surviving long in the martial world.

“My goal is to learn the Fist Demon King’s martial arts. The position of Fist Demon King would go to my junior sister.”

Faced with such a strong temptation, she found herself unable to make a clear judgment.

“My junior sister, who would have the Heavenly Demon as her senior brother.”

Yes, this must be how people fall for it. Even knowing it might be sweet talk, her heart raced, and she felt herself being swayed.

What if he was just trying to use her? What if she got used up and then discarded? In her mind, Geom Mugeuk’s sword appeared. The sword piercing through her face, saying, “Foolish woman”. 2

Just then, Geom Mugeuk spoke to her in a calm tone.

“Life isn’t easy, is it?”

Those softly spoken words went straight to her heart.

For a moment, she wanted to shout. What do you know about me to keep acting like you understand? It is easy, my life is going well. What’s so difficult? Just keep running and running again. Just keep looking up and moving forward.

However, the words that came out of her mouth reflected her heart more than her head.

“…It’s not easy.”

She answered without even realizing it. She had never shown weakness to anyone before. She had never once admitted to anyone that she was struggling. She had held it together all this time.

The moment she acknowledged it, tears streamed down from Cheon So-hee’s eyes. She was even more startled by the sudden tears. They fell so abruptly that she didn’t even have the chance to hold them back.

Could tears flow so suddenly like this? Her emotions weren’t sad at all, so why was she crying? She hadn’t shed a tear since she was a child, so she was completely bewildered. 3

“N-no, it’s not that.”

Just as she hastily wiped away her tears with her sleeve, someone stepped outside and spoke.

“Ah, as expected! Investigator Seo was right about this notorious flirt. First a fateful love, and now you’ve made a woman cry!”

Seeing the newcomer, Geom Mugeuk broke into a wide smile, and Cheon So-hee was taken aback. She had never seen such a beautiful woman in her life.

1 : The power of friendship…. I’d even say, the power of communication !!!
2 : If Mugeuk really decided to use and discard you, you would have been killed before you realized the truth. He leaves no chances for luck.
3 : Stress tears ? Or a sudden feeling of loss ? Who knows.