Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor : TheBattleSage
Editor Notes/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 8: When the Blade Shimmers in the Moonlight >

The rumor that the disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon had died by my hand began to spread rapidly within the Cult.

As the rumor spread, Lee Ahn’s concern grew as well.

“It’s chaotic. Everyone I meet talks about you and Yang Po.”

She sighed and added another comment.

“…And they talk about me too.”

Since she was the cause of the fight, it was natural that there would be all sorts of talk.

“Isn’t it good to be famous? We martial artists do all kinds of crazy things just to become famous, right?”

“I don’t like it.”

“You’ll become even more famous in the future, what will you do then?”

Lee Ahn let out a light sigh, but her expression wasn’t dark. It was because there was a positive change at the center of this chaos.

“I’m worried because the Blood Heaven Blade Demon values honor. I hope he just lets this go.”

“Who said that? That the Blood Heaven Blade Demon values honor?”

“Huh? Isn’t it true?”

“Would someone who values honor leave their disciples’ misdeeds unchecked and tolerated?”

“Maybe he doesn’t know?”

“That would be underestimating our Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s meticulousness.”

“You always speak as if you know the Blood Heaven Blade Demon well.”

“I know about not only the Blood Heaven Blade Demon but also the other Demon Lords to some extent. After all, being the Heavenly Demon’s son, I should investigate that much.”

Lee Ahn stared at me with wide eyes. She probably wondered when I had done such research without her knowing, thinking she knew everything about me.

“Then why does the Blood Heaven Blade Demon leave his disciples’
misbehavior unchecked?”

“That’s…”

Although I knew the exact reason, it was something I couldn’t explain to Lee Ahn yet. So I gave her another reason that she could accept.

“Because it’s convenient.”

“What?”

“It’s easier to handle greedy and selfish disciples than well-behaved ones. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon hasn’t appointed a chief disciple for a long time and keeps his disciples locked into a fierce competition. Why? Because it’s easier to use them as expendables that way. Just wait, Yang Po’s vacancy will be filled within a few days.”

“He’s a scary person, that Demon.”

“I’m more scared of the disciples. They rush forward knowing exactly what kind of person their master is.”

“I’m glad I serve you, young master.”

“Of course. How can they compare? Lee Ahn, would you like to have a drink after a long time?”

She looked at me with a surprised face.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Because it’s not just a long time, but the first time.”

“The first time?”

“Yes.”

Until now, you haven’t had a drink with me? What on earth drove you to throw yourself unto the attack for my sake?

“Let’s go. Let’s drink until we drop today!”

I went to Maga Village with Lee Ahn.

Maga Village was a village formed in all directions centered around the main Cult. It started as a small village where the families of the martial artists lived, but it has now become a large city.

I took her to the most expensive and best tavern in Maga Village.

“It’s a historic day, so let’s drink in a good place.”

“I’m fine with a small, shabby place.”

She felt burdened by places with many people. No matter where we went, eyes would be drawn to her, so it was understandable that she disliked it.
Considering her feelings, I took her to a private room in the tavern.

“How much can you drink?”

“Not much.”

“Let’s find out how much you can drink today. Don’t worry, if you get drunk, I’ll carry you.”

“Um… I’m heavy.”

“It’s fine. Look at this arm.”

“It’s half the size of mine.”

“It’s because I’m not flexing yet!”

Since it was our first time drinking together, I ordered a lot of good drinks and dishes.

“This is the first time I’m having these dishes. This one, and that one.”

“Try them all, and we can order more of what you like.”

“My stomach will be surprised.”

“You’re busy guarding me and just grab quick bites, right? From now on, pay attention to what you eat.”

“Look, with this body, even quick bites are fine.”

She laughed, showing off her thick arm.

“Quick bites make you gain more weight. The more you care about what you eat, the less weight you gain. To lose weight, you have to become a gourmet.”

“Oh! I didn’t know that! I’ll do that from now on.”

But I knew. No matter what she ate, or even if she starved every day, she wouldn’t lose weight. That weight wasn’t gained from food.

Of course, she knew this too. She spoke like that thinking I didn’t know the side effects. She could have mentioned the side effects and made a slightly resentful joke… but although she became an adult too early, she still kept her innate kindness.

“From now on, learn while eating delicious things with me.”

Lee Ahn looked at me intently and asked.

“Teach me your secret.”

“What secret? Cooking?”

“No. How a person can change like this.”

I looked at her and smiled faintly.

“Why? Do you want to change too?”

“Not really, but…”

She emptied her glass. Who wouldn’t want to change in her situation? Inside her, the image of her childhood self would always remain. When things got tough, she would think of that day, and it would get even harder.

“If you return to your original self, you won’t need such a secret. The world will revere you.”

Lee Ahn accepted the drink I poured with a polite gesture and asked,

“Young Master, what are you planning to do about the successor?”

She probably asked this question now because she saw the potential in me. As I raised my glass, I spoke softly.

“Flattery is the only way to survive!”

Lee Ahn laughed and clinked her glass against mine lightly.

“Be sure to melt the Cult Leader’s heart!”

We drank together.

Although she claimed she couldn’t handle alcohol well, Lee Ahn drank quite a lot.

Of course, I had to pay the price for getting her drunk. I had to carry her back when she was completely intoxicated.

The entire way back, she shouted while being piggybacked.

“Don’t worry! I’ll definitely protect you, Young Master. Just trust me!”

“I wasn’t worried at all, but hearing you say that makes me worry.”

“I told you not to worry! I’ll protect you!”

“Sure, I won’t worry.”

“You must worry. You should worry. But don’t worry! I’ll protect you!”

“Hahaha.”

At that moment, a window opened from a nearby building, and someone shouted. “What kind of foolish girl keeps babbling nonsense?”

Looking at the man who poked his head out of the window, I spoke.

“Let it slide for my sake.”

“Who are you?”

“I am the Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”

He stared at me blankly for a moment before a swift apology flew in.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, Young Master!”

The window closed even faster than it had opened.

Lee Ahn fell soundly asleep on my back.

‘I’m sorry for carrying you back so late.’

Upon returning to my quarters, I laid her down on the bed and stepped outside. I sat down with my legs stretched out in the yard and looked up at the moon.

Thinking back now, after the annihilation of my Cult, I had fallen into a deep sense of defeat while living in hiding. It was a deep depression, so much so that I couldn’t sustain my life without running toward the goal of regression.

What if I hadn’t met Seo Jin at that time? And if I hadn’t learned about the Grand Regression Technique? In the end… wouldn’t I have committed suicide? Or perhaps, I would have sought out Hwa Mugi, only to be miserably killed by his followers before I could even meet him. Yes, that’s probably what would have happened.

Lost in various thoughts, something suddenly reflected the moonlight right beside me. When I slowly turned my head, there was a large blade next to my face.

My tense face was reflected in the massive blade of an absurdly large dao. As the blade slowly tilted, its owner revealed himself.

The rough and emaciated hand gripping the blade showed wrinkles that testified to the harshness of the passing years. Beyond those valleys, sharp eyes glared at me.

He was none other than the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

I was internally surprised because I hadn’t expected him to come looking for me so suddenly.

The sword aiming to sever my neck was his unique weapon, the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber. The Heaven-Extinguishing Saber, listed among the ten great weapons of the martial world, earned the nickname “Weapon Destroyer” because it shattered most weapons upon contact.

The cold demonic energy emanating from the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber enveloped the surroundings. The chilling cold that seemed to stop my breath made all the hairs on my body stand on end.

‘If that sword flies to strike my neck, could I avoid it?’

I couldn’t easily answer.

No matter how profound the insights I gained from my previous life were, my internal energy was still overwhelmingly lacking.

Just as the tension peaked, the cold energy surrounding me vanished in an instant.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled slyly and poked my side with the hilt of the Heaven Extinguishing Saber.

“Why did you do it?”

He was asking why I killed his disciple.

A moment ago, his aura had been like that of an assassin coming to kill me, but now he poked my side like a friendly old neighbor.

“Because he acted like a fool.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared at me with a piercing gaze. It was similar to my father’s but different.

If my father’s eyes were unreadable, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s gaze was clear.

Hostility.

I saw the burning flames of animosity in his eyes.

“What kind of fool comes to pick a fight with the Cult Leader’s youngest son, who is precious enough to keep in one’s eye without pain?”

Whip!

The sword that had been resting on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s knee sprang up and aimed at my neck again.

“Should I cut off this head and see if it fits in the Cult Leader’s eye? To check if it hurts?”

The fierce killing intent flowing over the blade conveyed his owner’s will: ‘It might sound like a joke, but it’s not.’

“I don’t think my head would fit into my father’s sharply narrowed eyes.”

As I took a step back, the energy flowing over the blade quickly disappeared into the hilt. Amazing. To control such a powerful force so freely with that emaciated body.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon then drew a long line on the ground in front of us with the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber. He drew a vertical line about a span long on the left end.

“From here to here is our Young Master. From here to the end is me.”

The line was divided in a nine-to-one ratio.

“What is this?”

“This is how much the Cult Leader cherishes you.”

The nine represented the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, and the one represented me. I drew a new line with my finger at about one-third.

“No matter how much, I am still his son. This side is me, and that side is you, elder.”

Now it was seven for me and three for the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon grinned mischievously.

“Shall we test it then? If I take this young master’s head, do you think the cult leader will kill me or spare me?”

“Aren’t you underestimating the Heavenly Demon’s paternal love too much?”
“That’s why we should test it.”

The Heaven-Extinguishing Saber slowly moved toward me again.

I pressed the side of the dao with my palm, stopping it from approaching my neck. The blade’s edge was cold. No matter how brightly the Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled, this coldness was his essence. Forgetting that meant death.

“No need to test it. There are two sons, and only one elder.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smirked.

“This young master isn’t as foolish as my disciple.”

“If your disciple had resembled you, he would still be alive.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon patted my shoulder twice.

“This young master, this old man has lived with misfortune all his life. So it’s best not to see each other often.”

After finishing his words, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon disappeared. His figure, which had shot up from beside me, vanished into the distant darkness.
Once the Blood Heaven Blade Demon disappeared, I checked my side. There was a bluish bruise where he had poked with the handle of his sword earlier. It looked playful, but the impact felt like a series of heavy blows. The shoulder pat at the end was the same.

“Damn, that old bastard.”

I had maintained a constant state of tension while dealing with him. Regardless of my regression, the risks created by variables always required caution.

Repeating twice that he would take my head to my father implied that the thought might genuinely linger in his mind.

At first glance, he seemed capricious, but he wasn’t. He was always meticulously calculating. If he appeared capricious, that too was calculated. That made him quite a difficult opponent.

Although I knew a lot about him, knowing well didn’t mean handling him well. Information was just information; variables could always arise to overturn any advantage.

‘Why did he come looking for me?’

Was it a warning for killing his disciple?

No. As I told Lee Ahn, he wasn’t someone who cared about reputation.
He came to see me. My performance in the martial arts stage must have left an impression, and my wish for a hunt must have seemed unique. Plus, I had killed his disciple, so he probably felt the need to test me. To see if I had potential, to taste whether I was sweet or bitter.

‘What did you think of my flavor?’

To me, he was spicy. A mere lick had set me ablaze. But it was a deliciously spicy flavor.

‘Was my first opponent really the Blood Heaven Blade Demon?’

Maybe so. Especially since the day I fought his disciple in a duel.

‘Perhaps your dao stood out particularly well in the eyes of the heavens.’