Absolute Regression - Chapter 388



Only Noblemtl

Didn’t we unfold our united front in the 388th meeting?

It was an unexpected joint operation between the political party and the demonic cult.

Baekjagang looked at Jinpaecheon who was looking pleased, then looked at Geomwoojin again.

The first person to draw his sword was Geom Woo-jin. He was the one who summoned Geom Mu-yang. Is Cheon-ma bragging about his children?

‘It seems that it’s not just appearance that has changed.’

I wondered if perhaps this change was what had made the Geommu Theater grow.

In fact, at this moment, the person who was more flustered than Baek Ja-gang was Bi Sa-in.

There were two of them, but I was alone, so I felt like I was in the wrong. I felt sorry to my master.

I wanted to shout on behalf of my master.

‘You two! You’re really childish!’

Do you think so too? He looked at Geommugeuk with such eyes.

Then, as if it had been waiting, the sound of sword dance came flying in.

―Later, you have many children! Have seven or so and line them up! Then take revenge.

-Call that a word!

I felt like I was just looking at him for no reason. He must have been just looking for an opportunity to make fun of me.

In fact, at this place, only Geommugeuk guessed the true intention of his father who called his brother.

The father wanted to show off his two sons who had ended the fight for succession without shedding blood. That’s why he wanted to show off his sons standing proudly on his left and right. This was both a boast and a compliment.

‘Right? Isn’t the joy of living greater than the joy of killing? Even if others don’t know, Father knows that this is a much more difficult task. He can kill anyone if he puts his mind to it.’

Anyway, I could feel the sword dance. This moment where I was standing next to my brother was the first and last time my father was proud of his children in his entire life.

Father, I will not let this be your last boast. I will let you continue to boast.

Meanwhile, Baekjagang’s counterattack began.

“A tree with many branches cannot be blown well by the wind.”

How could there have been loneliness in the years I lived alone? I truly lived a life free of desires. But how can I boast about this difficult path in front of this good life?

A slight darkness passed over Jin Pae-cheon’s face, which had been filled with joy. Jin Pae-cheon, who had sent his child away first, was the one who had been hit hard by the wind. Because the branch had broken.

That’s why he tried to raise Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong with great care. The two of them were the only personal desires he was allowed to have, as he lived his life devoted solely to the Murim Alliance and Murim.

At that moment, when the atmosphere could have become heavy, Geum Woo-jin spoke.

“Flowers bloom on that branch, and birds chirp.”

Geommugeuk didn’t miss the opportunity and stepped forward.

“My brother is the flower and I am the chirping bird.”

Then, Geom Woo-jin looked at Geom Mu-yang.

“Flowers are blooming too.”

And after seeing the sword dance.

“The wind is blowing and all.”

That’s how I corrected it.

The sword dance made a face that said, “You’re going too far.”

Jin Ha-ryeong smiled at that sight.

In another sense, I think of Geommu-geuk as someone like the wind. He is someone who suddenly blows in and causes a gust of wind, and then disappears like the wind. That is why he came here in person to find that wind.

As expected, the wind was blowing without fail at today’s meeting as well.

‘Things that I never could have imagined happen.’

He never dreamed that he would be called up to a place where three people were gathered. He even less knew that the conversation would start with bragging about his children.

It was the first time she had seen a Cheonma up close. And surprisingly, before she thought, “That person is Cheonma-da,” this thought came to her mind first.

‘That’s that person’s father.’

They look similar, but they don’t.

Geom Woo-jin gave off an intimidating vibe that was hard to put into words. It would have been the same even if he didn’t know he was Cheonma. It wasn’t the majesty of his position. It wasn’t the fear that came from looking scary like a Kwon-ma or Bi-sa-in, but the intense presence that Geom Woo-jin himself gave off.

Originally, I should have felt fear and rejection.

I didn’t hate it that much. Rather, I wanted to talk to it.

I’ve always wanted to meet you.

Is it because he is the father of Geommu-geuk? Even though it was my first time seeing him, I felt like I had seen him many times, and I felt a strange sense of intimacy.

Her gaze turned to Geommuyang this time. This time it was the same. Not the Grand Duke of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

‘That guy is my older brother.’

It felt completely different from Geommugeuk. It felt calm and organized, and it seemed like it wouldn’t reveal its own emotions very well. If anything, if it was similar, it was more like Onrabeoni than Geommugeuk.

She met Geommuyang’s eyes and bowed slightly in greeting. Geommuyang also bowed slightly.

‘That person and I have something in common.’

The fact that they are blood relatives but were pushed out of the successor position. Of course, she had no desire to become the successor in the first place.

‘No matter who you marry, the world’s scariest father-in-law will be waiting for you.’

A question asked by someone who would become a craftsman.

‘What does your father do?’

‘It’s a thousand horses.’

It was funny to think about that situation. Anyway, anything related to the sword dance always made her nervous, excited, and laugh.

Her gaze turned to Visain this time.

It was originally a face that was not easy to look at, but strangely, it didn’t feel that hideous.

Is it because you hang out with your older brother or the sword dance?

Jin Ha-ryeong looked closely at Baekja River this time.

It felt completely different from Cheonma. It was also different from my grandfather.

Rather, of the three, he was the most difficult to tell what kind of person he was just by looking at his appearance.

However, the black uniform was telling a few stories.

Why did you come out to a place like this wearing that kind of outfit? This is what it would have felt like originally.

I’m not a person who cares about external things.

But I didn’t feel that intention at all.

Instead, I felt like this. If something were to happen here, I would fight in the most comfortable attire.

It felt like all of his intentions had been swallowed up by his will, and it was so natural. He was someone who focused solely on himself, rather than on reputation or honor. That’s why he also seemed really strong.

She looked around at the people on this floor and let out a light sigh without realizing it. It was surprising that she was in this place.

Did Jin Pae-cheon, who was nearby, hear her sigh?

“Do you know that my granddaughter is a Hubei resident?”

Or was it because he was reminded of his dead son and daughter-in-law?

Jinpaecheon never bragged about his grandchildren to the martial artists of the Murim Alliance or the Jeongpa people.

The leader bragged about his grandchildren as if he was a rich man.

This was something that Jin Pae-cheon, who was proud and valued honor, could never allow.

That’s why today’s boast was a boast that I had held back for a long time. It was a boast to the two people in front of me, and also a boast to the masters of the sect on the first floor who pretended not to know.

Jinpaecheon looked back at Jinharyeong.

“This old man thinks you are the most beautiful person in the world.”

When he said this in front of everyone, Jin Ha-ryeong’s face turned bright red.

‘No! Grandpa! Please!’

She tried to answer calmly.

“There are so many beautiful people in the world. Other people make fun of them.”

“Who dares to tease my granddaughter?”

Then, as if they had been waiting, Bisain and Jin Hagun turned their gazes toward a certain person. Even Geommuyang, who was meeting Jin Paecheon for the first time today, looked at Geommugeuk standing next to him with an expression that said, ‘Who else would be there to tease other than this guy?’

Jinpaecheon asked the main character of his gaze.

“What do you think?”

Jin Ha-ryeong was nervous inside, wondering what would come out of Geommu-geuk’s mouth. It was obvious that he would tease her.

“I think the same. If a beauty contest were held, Jin So-je would definitely win. She would win even if the leader didn’t judge her!”

Jinpaecheon smiled with satisfaction.

The successors smiled faintly at the answer of the sword dance. He could have simply answered, “She is the most beautiful,” but he even mentioned judging the World’s Most Beautiful Beauty Contest.

The only person in this world who would answer the question of the Murim Leader like that is Geommugeuk.

Jin Ha-ryeong found Geommu-geuk’s answer funny, but at the same time, he felt good. He was grateful that he had said this to his grandfather, even though there was a more beautiful Ian.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Of course, this was my true intention.

-I think the most beautiful person in the world is Ian.

When I sent a message to Geommugeuk, a reply came back.

-If your grandfather judged you, Ian would be first, right?

Grandpa, this guy is making fun of me! I have to tell you.

Jinpaecheon was busy today. He had made up his mind. This time, he started bragging about Jinhagun.

“They say there’s no use raising a son, but a son is still a son, right?”

Then he looked at Jin Ha-gun standing behind him.

“Chivalrous and responsible. Where else can you find such a great son? I am proud of you.”

Of course, he was his grandson, but he was referred to as his son in order to compare him with other successors.

Jin Ha-gun was embarrassed. Jin Pae-cheon was not the type of person who usually took care of him like this. He treated him even more strictly and terribly, as if he was trying to use the fact that he was his grandson to do something useless. It had been a long time since he had heard the words, “I am proud of you,” and he was so touched.

Today, the comparison target is the Black Sword and the Non-Sign, so how can he say that he is better than those two? However, at this moment, he omitted humility.

“It’s all thanks to my grandfather who taught me great things and guided me well.”

After saying that, I thought about it and wondered when I had ever said something like that to my grandfather. Had there ever been one? Surprisingly, I couldn’t even remember.

It had been a long time since I had heard someone say that they were proud of me, but I had never properly expressed my gratitude to them.

Jin Ha-gun sent a message to Geommu-geuk.

―You know what? I can’t even remember when I last thanked my grandfather.

Geommugeuk had become someone who could comfortably express his honest feelings at such moments.

– Aren’t they the sons we mentioned earlier? The sons who are useless to raise.

Perhaps that’s why. He was someone who read my mind and comforted me. He was someone who even showed me the way forward.

– But if we grow up again, won’t we be able to do it properly?

Jin Ha-gun felt that this meeting was meaningful simply because he was able to feel a new connection with his grandfather.

Baek Ja-gang thought that Bi-sa-in was still lacking in Geommu-geuk, but he never once thought that he was lacking in Jin Ha-gun. Even if he could allow the second rank, he would never allow the third rank.

‘No matter how much you brag, it won’t work on our sign.’

I decided that I would make that point clear before I left this place today.

Anyway, after the three successors came up, the atmosphere on this floor changed. At least, active conversations began to take place.

The Amazons had similar thoughts about the Sword Dance.

As expected! It seems that the solution will be solved if the leader goes.

The sword dance didn’t miss this good flow. He shouted downstairs.

“Master, please give me some drinks and food.”

“All right.”

Jo Chun-bae went upstairs with alcohol and snacks.

I’ve been up and down this floor countless times, but I’ve never been more nervous than I was at this moment.

‘If I spill it, I’m spilling my life!’

My hands were shaking so much, but I mustered up all the courage I had.

He set down drinks and snacks at each seat. It was the most tense and suffocating moment of his life.

“Enjoy your meal.”

As he was about to turn around, Jin Pae-cheon asked Jo Chun-bae.

“Do you know? Why the Young Leader held this meeting at your tavern?”

Jo Chun-bae didn’t know he would be asked this question by the leader of the martial arts world.

“I don’t know either.”

Jinpaecheon thought there was another reason for hosting the meeting at this tavern. Even if the alcohol tasted good, how good would it be? Even if the owner had a good personality, what would be so good about it? Even if it was the best, why here?

Then an unexpected person answered instead.

“Here is my son’s magic sword.”

The person most surprised by those words was Geommu-geuk. He never dreamed that his father would say those words.

A word from my father’s mouth.

My son’s magic sword.

The sword dance was so moving. It was so joyful that it made people feel dazed.

Jinpaecheon looked at Geomwoojin silently for a moment. He also didn’t expect Geomwoojin to answer on his behalf. My son’s magic sword is here?

If it had been something else, I wouldn’t have continued the conversation, but since it was a matter of children, I asked out of courtesy.

“Your Majesty, do you know what kind of magic your subordinate possesses?”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Geum Woo-jin. Those on the first floor were also listening to their conversation. The Amazons were especially curious about what kind of answer they would give.

After a moment, Geum Woo-jin said.

“I’m trying to understand.”

The word effort sounded different to each person who heard it. Most people understood it as a roundabout way of saying they would not acknowledge it, but Geommugeuk and those who knew him thought differently.

‘You are trying to understand me.’

From the very beginning, I could sense my father’s heart when he answered on my behalf. It was not an answer to the leader of the martial arts world. It was an answer to myself.

The gaze of the swordsman turned towards his father’s back.

‘Thank you, Father.’

Was it a courtesy to ask the question earlier? Geum Woo-jin asked Jin Pae-cheon.

“How much does Your Majesty understand your grandchildren?”

Jinpaecheon was at a loss for what to say, since he had not expected to be asked such a question. He answered honestly. He took the story about blood relations seriously, even if it was about other things.

“I’m trying too.”

Since I sat down here, I felt like this was the first time we had a sense of common ground.

Baekjagang suddenly asked Jinpaecheon.

“Does Your Majesty know what your grandson dreams of?”

Jinpaecheon was momentarily embarrassed. He had never had a conversation about this before.

“You said you were trying hard, but I wonder if you were just talking about it.”

It was Baekjagang’s polite counterattack. He wasn’t the type of person to just let himself be taken in by someone who had made him so absurd and embarrassed. Bragging about his children? This hasn’t even started yet.

Jinpaecheon glanced at Geomwoojin as he tried to make an excuse. He was the one who brought up the subject of his son’s magic, so he hoped he would say something.

Rather than making excuses myself, it would be better if Geum Woo-jin just said one word.

‘Your Majesty, you may not know because you haven’t experienced it yourself, but having a proper conversation with a grown child is harder than you think.’

This is all I can say. I don’t expect you to add that it’s hard when you’re young and it’s hard when you grow up.

Didn’t we form a united front together? Didn’t we form a common ground regarding bloodlines?

Looking at Jinpaecheon’s expectant eyes, Geomwoojin spoke calmly.

“I’ve been talking a lot these days.”