Absolute Regression - Chapter 379



Only Noblemtl

Absolute Return Episode 379

Episode 379: Are your eyes still the same?

Instead of answering, Geommugeuk asked Jin Ha-ryeong.

“Which do you think will be more difficult? Getting permission or inviting the Martial Arts Leader.”

I couldn’t answer that comparison, but one thing was certain.

“Both are impossible. There’s absolutely no way my grandfather would drink with the leader of the Demonic Cult or the leader of the Apostles.”

Geommugeuk lowered his head and slumped his shoulders.

“Yes, I must go see the leader to carry out an impossible mission. Alone, lonely, and isolated.”

As the two people walked to the entrance without stopping them, the sword dance returned to its original place.

“You guys are going too far. Is this what friends do?”

Then Jin Ha-gun asked.

“Why did you invite the Apostolic Leader? You wouldn’t have invited the Demonic Cult just to treat them to drinks. No, even if you had intended to do so, the Apostolic Leader wouldn’t have responded. How did you persuade him?”

Geommugeuk answered honestly.

“In the hope that there will be no war.”

Of course, the two people would not be able to understand the deep meaning contained in these words. After all, it was impossible to tell them that their father or the leader of the Sado clan dreamed of unifying the martial arts world.

“If the leader of the Apostles drinks alcohol in front of the Cheonma Shingyo, there will be no war?”

“I believe so.”

Jin Ha-ryeong also believed this ridiculous answer. It wasn’t because Geommu-geuk’s answer was firm.

The reason was simple. If he hadn’t saved her life, she would not have existed in this world.

“Is it true what you said earlier? That you’ll accept me if I get kicked out of the group?”

“We’ll even throw you a welcoming party.”

Jin Ha-ryeong recalled the scene for a moment. He saw himself being kicked out of the sect, standing in the rain at the main gate of the Demonic Cult with his escort, Chu-ho, carrying a bundle of luggage.

Then, the door will open and the sword dance will start to play.

-From now on, you are my maid.

He is a man who would do such a prank. Yes, his faith in the sword dance is not only due to a debt of life.

“Okay, I’ll help.”

Seeing how my mind was at ease made me feel that this decision was the right one.

“Don’t get involved, brother. If you do, you’ll really lose your position as successor.”

Jin-Ha looked at his younger brother.

‘How can it be so easy?’

There are such obvious limits in one’s own mind. There are boundaries drawn around oneself.

It’s a line I’ve never crossed. I’ve never thought about a life where I don’t become a successor. The same goes for a life where I rebel against my grandfather.

But my younger brother is very good at crossing that line. In that sense, Geommugeuk and Jin Ha-ryeong have something in common.

Jin Ha-gun looked into his heart. What did he truly want? Would crossing that line be a guest? Or a new challenge? Jin Ha-gun was conflicted because he could not know until he crossed it.

“I told you not to worry, brother. Do you understand my situation too?”

Instead of saying that he understood, Geommu-geuk looked at Jin Ha-gun. His eyes were hoping to overcome the limit.

‘Why do you look at me like that when you’re not going to take responsibility for my life?’

Jin Ha-gun’s gaze turned to Jin Ha-ryeong.

“You can’t do it alone.”

“what?”

“If you go alone, you’ll really get kicked out. If we go together, at least we won’t get kicked out.”

“Will you help me too, brother?”

Jin Ha-gun nodded.

She had no idea her brother would make such a decision.

“Have you really given up your lust for power?”

“On the contrary. It’s to protect my power.”

The reason Jin Ha-gun wanted to help was also simple.

“Because war is not something I want either.”

In the end, it meant that he also believed the words of Geommugeuk. He said that he was inviting them because there was a reason to invite them.

The Sword Master knows how big a decision Jin Ha-gun has made. He has put his successor on the line.

“If you get kicked out, I will protest in front of the Murim Alliance and ask for your reinstatement.”

Just a moment ago, Jin Ha-ryeong thought of the main gate of the Cheonmasingyo, while Jin Ha-gun thought of the main gate of the Murim Alliance.

It’s embarrassing to even imagine the sight of Geommugeuk standing in front of the main gate of the Murim Alliance with a banner that says, ‘Reinstate my friend Jin Ha-gun as your successor!’

‘If it’s this guy, I’ll do it and more.’

Geommugeuk said to Jin Hagun.

“Thank you. I will never forget what you bet on this decision.”

This is what Jin Ha-gun learned.

What words are needed between us? The sword dance tells us this. Thank you. I will not forget you.

When they decided to help with this matter, Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong’s gaze naturally turned to Geommu-geuk.

“So? What are your plans?”

* * *

The first person to come to Jinpaecheon was Jin Ha-ryeong.

“What’s going on?”

“I came to see you because I wanted to see my grandfather.”

Although he has a tyrannical personality, he is a true gentleman when it comes to his love for his granddaughter. Furthermore, while his granddaughter used to be so prickly, she has definitely matured recently.

“Did you have a review meeting today?”

“Yes, it went well.”

“Do you still have reviews saying you’re good these days?”

“Yes. Was it there today?”

“Is there anyone you like among them?”

“It’s hard to find a man as cool as your grandfather. Were you popular with the ladies when you were young?”

A bright smile appeared on Jinpaecheon’s lips. It was a smile that was only for his granddaughter, and it was hard for anyone else to see it.

“I see that you speak sweetly today. It seems like you have a favor to ask of me.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m being sincere.”

“I will accept you without being greedy, as long as you are good to me. Don’t you know? I am the kind of person who always accepts you as a son-in-law or grandson-in-law.”

Jinpaecheon looked at his granddaughter’s expression as he mentioned the sword dance. He was worried that she might not be able to control her mind because of the sword dance.

“I should have caught that guy back then.”

Jin Pae-cheon stared at his granddaughter with regret in his words.

“I’m joking, Grandpa.”

“Of course it had to be a joke.”

Wouldn’t it be a shame to call him Jinpaecheon? Even if he had only been an ordinary mine, I don’t know if I would have sent him off somehow, even if it meant forcing him to do so.

No, what are you talking about? How could he marry his own granddaughter to Mine? It’s just a foolish desire because the child named Geommugeuk is so special.

At that time, Jin Ha-gun entered the Maengjujeon.

After greeting Jin Pae-cheon politely, Jin Ha-ryeong asked.

“My brother, it’s hard to see your face these days.”

The two acted as if they had met each other by chance.

“These days, there are a lot of rumors about the cultivation of Samadhi.”

“What are you doing?”

“I came because I missed my grandfather. Where is your brother?”

Then Jin Ha-gun said to Jin Pae-cheon.

“The leader of the Demonic Cult is outside. He says he has come to ask you a favor.”

If all three of them came together, it would look like they were in conspiracy, so they gathered in this way.

Jin Ha-ryeong acted out his surprise realistically. He trembled for no reason at the thought of Geommu-geuk standing outside that door. There was no need for acting.

“Before those people, I have a favor to ask of you, Lord.”

“Tell me.”

“I don’t know what the leader of the Demonic Cult will ask for, but if it’s something you can grant, please give me strength.”

There was a reason for asking for something I normally wouldn’t do.

“You probably know that we handled the kidnapping of children during the last operation to destroy demons. When I asked the leader on my way back, he said that he had removed the brainwashing from the children and sent them back to their homes. Did you know about that?”

Jin Pae-cheon nodded. He had already been briefed on the matter. Jin Pae-cheon was very happy to hear that the children had been safely rescued. That was why he was secretly glad to hear that Geommu-geuk had arrived.

“That was a matter of the Demonic Cult, so I ended up having to repay the debt to the cult leader. I want to repay it this time.”

Jinpaecheon readily accepted his grandson’s request.

“Let’s do that.”

After a while, the sword dance came into the place.

He bowed politely and showed respect.

“Your Majesty, have you been well?”

“Come in.”

Jinpaecheon looked at Geommugeuk with calm eyes. His eyes were clearer and deeper than when he had seen them before.

‘The level of ignorance has improved since then.’

The more I looked at it, the more I wanted it, and that made me regret it even more.

Geommugeuk greeted Jin Ha-ryeong as if it was the first time they were meeting.

“Miss Jin, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“It’s inconvenient because there’s no attendant.”

The swordsman laughed at her joke and said,

“I can be your maid anytime, Lady Jin.”

Even though he knew it was a rude remark, it was exciting for her.

“I heard about your activities in the Apostolic Alliance. You saved all the children, right? You’re truly amazing.”

She praised the sword dance performance once more. Today, this was not a place to get permission from her grandfather, but a place to win his heart.

“Fortunately, I was just lucky. The Apostolic Alliance also actively helped me.”

After exchanging greetings, Geommugeuk calmly explained the reason he had come today.

“I owe you a debt of gratitude while handling the affairs of the Apostolic Alliance this time. That’s why I invited you to my regular bar in front of the church.”

Jinpaecheon said nothing. His prayers began to subside.

The surroundings became cold in an instant, as if a window had been opened in the middle of winter.

The sword master’s words continued as the gentle gaze of the leader turned sharp like an ice pick.

“The Apostle Leader said that he did not want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings. That is why I told him. I will go and tell him so that there will be no misunderstandings. That is why I came to see you. I told him that it was nothing serious, so please do not misunderstand.”

Jinpaecheon’s expression hardened and his eyes grew colder. Now, it sounded to him like the Demonic Cult was joining hands with the Apostle Alliance.

Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong considered this to be fortunate. If their opponent had not been Geommu-geuk, they would have been yelled at already.

Jin Ha-ryeong spoke coldly in place of his grandfather.

“So you’re saying you’re going to have a secret talk with the Apostle Alliance? Since you’re going to get caught anyway, are you going to confess first?”

“It’s bound to get discovered anyway. However, this isn’t a secret meeting, it’s a personal matter between the Apostle Leader and me. We’ll meet in a tavern where everyone can see us, so the entire martial arts world will know.”

He emphasized that the sword dance was not a secret meeting.

“If you really want to meet in secret, why don’t we meet at the tavern in Magachon?”

“Why did you choose that location?”

It was an unplanned question. It was a question filled with her personal curiosity. It was also a place she had previously said she wanted to invite herself to.

“The place I want to invite the Apostle Leader to is called Pungryu Tavern. The owner’s name is Jo Chun-bae. He’s a nice person, good at cooking, and has a great atmosphere. If I sit on this floor, have a drink, and look outside, I’ll know why I have to live.”

Jin Ha-ryeong was curious.

What will he see there?

“The table there is sturdy enough that it won’t break even if a martial artist comes. The guests who come there will be surprised, but won’t be afraid, even if the leader of the Apostles comes.”

“How can that be?”

A heartfelt answer came from Geommugeuk.

“Because my magic is there.”

There was silence for a moment.

Who knows the deep meaning contained in those words?

But because it was an unknown word, Jin Ha-ryeong wanted to go further.

She returned to her original plan and showed a coldness that was different from her true feelings.

“You are trying to dazzle us with plausible words, but this is something we cannot allow.”

There was a reason why Jin Ha-ryeong came forward and opposed it. If he showed any sign of agreeing with Geommu-geuk’s opinion, his grandfather would be even more worried and angry.

On the other hand, Jin Ha-gun stood silently. He only showed a slight look of embarrassment, as he had already told her that he had a debt to repay.

“Whether you join hands with the Apostles or not is up to you, but at least don’t deceive us!”

Her clear voice echoed throughout the battlefield.

“Deception?”

“Even though it is a private meeting between you and the leader of the new sect, there is no way the leader of the new sect would not come to meet the leader of the apostles, right?”

Jinpaecheon was also worried about that. In the end, it would be a meeting between Cheonma and the Apostolic Lord.

“If you meet, you’ll exchange messages, right? Since the martial arts skills of the two of you are so advanced, the only person who can notice it is your grandfather. In the end, you and the Sadomin might be planning something secretly.”

She subtly emphasized that she couldn’t plot anything recklessly because her grandfather was there.

“You misunderstand.”

Jin Ha-ryeong said to Jin Pae-cheon.

“Grandpa, please don’t allow it.”

When Jin Ha-ryeong got angry first, Jin Pae-cheon missed the opportunity to get angry. When she got angry, it worked properly, as she seemed to be on the side of Geommu-geuk.

“Young-ah, calm down for a moment.”

“This is a deception against Grandfather and Bonmyeong!”

“Stop it!”

“I’m sorry, Grandpa.”

Jin Pae-cheon asked Jin Ha-gun, who was silently watching the situation.

“What do you think?”

Jin Ha-gun presented a completely new perspective.

“What are your intentions? Are you planning to lure the Apostolic Leader and kill him?”

At that moment, Jin Pae-cheon felt a little startled. He was only focused on the idea that the Demonic Cult and the Apostolic Alliance were joining hands to do something, but he had not thought that the Demonic Cult would kill the Apostolic Alliance leader.

Since it was also a very possible question, Jin Pae-cheon paid attention to Geommu-geuk’s reaction and answer.

For a moment, Geommugeuk was so flustered that he couldn’t answer.

“Are you saying that you are planning to strike down the Apostles’ Alliance on this occasion?”

“Please don’t misunderstand.”

“If the leader of the Apostolic Alliance dies in an unfortunate accident during this meeting, the junior leader of the Apostolic Alliance will take the position of the leader. Isn’t that junior leader of the Apostolic Alliance close to you?”

Jin Ha-ryeong took over Jin Ha-gun’s words. It was the most important moment in today’s plan.

“Then you will have the Apostolic Alliance in your hands! Now I think I understand why you were so eager to become close to the Apostolic Alliance’s leader.”

Jinpaecheon thought it was a plausible guess. There was no guarantee that it wouldn’t really happen, right? In addition, Geommu-geuk, who was always confident, seemed somewhat intimidated, as if he had been hit on the nail on the head.

“Am I wrong?”

“I just came here to ask permission. If you don’t want to give permission, just say no. Don’t make assumptions like that.”

Geommugeuk looked at Jinpaecheon.

“If your Majesty’s will is the same as your granddaughter’s, then I will now step aside.”

Jin Pae-cheon felt suspicious at the sight of her stepping down without further ado. He was certain that there must be some hidden agenda behind this outrageous incident.

‘The balance of the four pillars is broken?’

Suddenly, Jinpaecheon recalled the appearance of Cheonma Geomwoojin.

When I think of him, the first thing that always comes to mind is his cold and arrogant gaze. That gaze full of ambition that he will never end up as just the leader of the Demonic Cult.

‘Are your eyes still the same?’

The swordsman turned around and bowed politely.

“I will now take my leave.”

At that moment, the sword dance was turning around in a hurry.

“for a moment.”

The shocking declaration of Jinpaecheon followed immediately.

“I will also attend this meeting.”

The surprised Geommugeuk spoke urgently.

“No, you don’t have to come. Just make sure you don’t misunderstand the meeting between the main church and the Apostolic Alliance. You don’t have to come!”

Jin Pae-cheon spoke firmly as if declaring something in response to Geommu-geuk’s dissuasion.

“I said I was going too!”