Absolute Regression

Jangho was being led by Seo Daeryong to the Flowing Wind Tavern.

“Didn’t we agree to have our drinking gathering once Lee Ahn returned?”

“We did.”

“Then why are we drinking now?”

Even though the workday hadn’t ended yet, Seo Daeryong insisted they go, practically dragging him along. This was so unusual that Jangho decided to follow Seo Daeryong’s lead without resistance.

The drinking gatherings had stopped because of Lee Ahn’s absence, but up until then, the two of them had shared many conversations. What started as an awkward and uncomfortable meeting between the two had, by the last day, turned into a fairly friendly relationship.

“Today, there’s someone I want to introduce to you, Lord Jang.”

“Who?”

“You’ll find out when we get there. It’s someone important to me, and I really want you to meet them.” 1

Jangho noticed a childish mischief in Seo Daeryong’s expression.

However, since Seo Daeryong had never played a prank on him before, he couldn’t imagine what kind of meeting this would be.

With that, the two entered the Flowing Wind Tavern.

The owner, Jo Chunbae, greeted them warmly.

“Ah, it’s been a while. If I had known you two were coming, I would have kept your usual spot free.”

In their usual spot on the second floor, a woman with her back turned, wearing a veil, was sitting.

“It’s fine.”

Seo Daeryong led Jangho up to the second-floor seat where the woman was sitting. She had already ordered drinks and some simple side dishes, but with the veil, it was hard to see her face clearly.

When Seo Daeryong sat down in front of her, Jangho realized that this woman was the one he was supposed to be introduced to.

‘Is this the woman Young Master mentioned?’

He recalled him teasingly talking about a junior Seo Daeryong liked. But if she was an Underworld Pavilion investigator, she wouldn’t meet him with a veil on, especially not in an introductory setting like this. ꞦаNՕBΕṢ

Just as Jangho was wondering, the veiled woman greeted him first.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Lord Jang.”

Of course, it was Lee Ahn. This time too, she altered her voice as she spoke.

Then, it happened.

Jangho recognized Lee Ahn immediately. 2

“Lee Ahn?”

At that moment, not only Lee Ahn but Seo Daeryong as well was taken aback.

“How did you know it was me?”

At Lee Ahn’s question, Jangho hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“I am very sensitive to sounds. I can remember and recognize the characteristics of people’s voices and intonations very well. So, no matter how much a voice is altered, I can always figure out the original voice.”

“Ah!”

Lee Ahn and Seo Daeryong exclaimed at the same time.

“The reason I could become the Army Commander is because this sensitivity to sound was very helpful in martial arts training and real combat. This is the first time I’m revealing this.”

It was also like the first time he disclosed to Seo Daeryong that his childhood dream was to become a painter.

When Jangho first attended this gathering, he never imagined he would reveal so much about his personal life here. He initially thought it wouldn’t hurt to get closer to these people, as they were close to Geom Mugeuk. Now, he found himself sharing all sorts of stories in front of these two.

Lee Ahn removed her mask.

“It’s been a while, Lord Jang.”

“Welcome back, Lee Ahn.”

Jangho warmly greeted Lee Ahn. Seo Daeryong, watching the scene, was inwardly impressed. Despite Lee Ahn’s beauty, Jangho did not waver at all. In contrast, Seo Daeryong himself had been overly excited.

‘How can he be like that?’

He even worried whether Lee Ahn might feel awkward.

Of course, Lee Ahn was not bothered at all. In fact, she seemed more comfortable because Jangho treated her as he always had.

“Alright, today I’m treating. Order whatever you like!”

The three of them engaged in many conversations.

Undoubtedly, the main character of the day was Lee Ahn. She talked about how difficult it had been to receive the Divine Poison Purification Technique, what had happened during her travels, and how amusing the first wedding she witnessed was. She shared all kinds of stories.

Seo Daeryong and Jangho listened to her and responded positively.

Then, when she momentarily stepped away, Seo Daeryong asked Jangho,

“Lord Jang. Isn’t Lee Ahn’s transformation surprising?”

“It’s amazing. She’s become so beautiful.”

“Is that all?”

“What? Is there something more?”

“Not really, but you don’t seem too surprised. I was beginning to suspect you two had already met and were just teasing me.”

“Of course not. That’s not the case.”

Seo Daeryong lowered his voice subtly.

“Then there’s no need to hold back. It’s just us.”

She’s beautiful, isn’t she? Please, just say she’s beautiful! These feelings were written all over Seo Daeryong’s face, and Jangho couldn’t help but laugh. The phrase ‘just us’ came naturally in their relationship.

“It might not be polite to say this to Lee Ahn, but I don’t put any significance on a person’s appearance. Maybe it’s because I have scars on my face. I think to myself, ‘Who am I to judge anyone with this face?’”

Jangho’s sincere words prompted Seo Daeryong to share his long-held thoughts.

“Lord Jang, that scar of yours is impressive.”

“Impressive? It’s ugly.”

“No, it’s impressive. Truly. Sell it to me!”

At this, Jangho unhesitatingly reached for his dagger.

“I can give you one just like it.”

Seo Daeryong was startled and quickly stopped him.

“What are you doing!”

“So, be honest. It’s ugly.”

“It’s impressive because it has a story. I’m saying I’d buy that story as well.”

“There’s no great story. I got it while fighting enemies.”

“For a warrior, that’s a great story. I don’t want a scar from drinking and getting cut by a friend’s dagger.”

Seo Daeryong didn’t realize he had used the word ‘friend.’

“Let’s have a drink.”

Jangho raised his glass.

Regardless of what Seo Daeryong thought, Jangho felt at ease in this setting. While he maintained a flawless demeanor in front of the Demonic Army, here he finally felt he could relax and unwind.

At that moment, Lee Ahn returned.

“Where was I?”

Jangho said to her,

“Lee Ahn, the night is long. You can just start again from the beginning.”

* * *

At that moment, I was meeting So Yeonrang.

And I heard something unexpected from her.

“I know the Great Drunken Demon well.”

Surprisingly, the One-Slash Sword Supreme had a connection with him.

“Sometimes we even drink together. We had a drink just a few days ago.”

“You drank with him just a few days ago?”

“He occasionally visits me for a drink.”

While it was an unexpected image, upon reflection, it made sense that among the Demon Supremes holding power, such exchanges would occur.

“What kind of person is the Great Drunken Demon?”

“He’s pleasant to drink with.”

The One-Slash Sword Supreme gave a favorable impression, the opposite of the Evil Smiling Demon’s view.

“When did you become close?”

“I’m not sure. When was it? It’s been quite a while. We just got close while drinking.”

“What’s the Great Drunken Demon’s personality like?”

“He’s easygoing.”

If he really were easygoing, Soma wouldn’t have described him that way. In other words, the Great Drunken Demon showed different sides to different people.

“How could a Demon Supreme be easygoing? He must be hiding his claws.”

“That could be true. But why are you asking about the Great Drunken Demon?”

“Someone from his faction caused trouble this time. Although we’ve detained them at the Underworld Pavilion, I thought the Great Drunken Demon might make a move.”

“Isn’t this just an excuse for you to make a move yourself, Second Young Master?”

“As sharp as ever. The Great Drunken Demon is the only one who hasn’t taken a side between my brother and me.”

So Yeonrang looked at me intently and then smiled.

“I haven’t taken a side either. I haven’t decided to support you yet.”

How could I not know that’s what she felt? So I exaggeratedly said to her,

“Oh! I was convinced you were on my side.”

“Of course, I like our Young Master. Honestly, it’s ridiculous to even compare you with the Eldest. But liking someone is a personal matter, and the heir issue is a public one, isn’t it?”

“I understand.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’ve decided to support Geom Muyang, so don’t be disappointed.”

“I could never be disappointed with you, Sword Supreme. In fact, I can’t.”

“Why is that?”

“Do you remember what I told you when we first met? I insisted that you prove to me that you were more helpful to me than the Blade Demon.”

The One-Slash Sword Supreme smiled faintly. She clearly remembered.

“Now it’s your turn, Senior. It’s time for you to tell me, ‘Prove that you are more helpful to me than the Eldest Young Master!’”

The fact that she didn’t react that way was proof that she favored me.

“I once told you that I despise those who try to win over their subordinates’ and juniors’ hearts with dreams, ideals, and loyalty for free. I have no intention of trying to win your heart with such things either. I must show you that I have the qualities of a Heavenly Demon while giving you what you want.”

A look of admiration crossed So Yeonrang’s face at my words.

“As expected! I’ve chosen my sparring partner well.”

The fact that she brought up sparring again meant that what she wanted included sparring. She still had a strong desire to improve.

“I look forward to the day we spar again.”

* * *

After meeting with the One-Slash Sword Supreme, I returned to my quarters.

Gowol, who usually stayed with me, was not home. He had left the Cult to carry out my order to create an intelligence organization similar to the Heavenly Communication Pavilion.

Several letters from him had arrived. They reported that he was traveling across the Central Plains, using the money I had given him to establish the network.

I wasn’t worried about him. To prove that he was not someone who caused me concern, he had gone out with Jeong Dae. The thought of the two of them bickering endlessly while working together on this mission made me smile.

That night, Lee Ahn stopped by.

I expected her to be quite drunk, but she wasn’t as intoxicated as I thought she would be.

“I talked so much that I sobered up.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“They say a journey is not about leaving but about returning. Talking endlessly with those two made me feel like the journey was complete.”

Whether it was because she had opened her Ren-Du Meridians or because she had realized something on this trip, she definitely felt different from before she left the sect. 3

“During this trip, I made a resolution. It might sound a bit arrogant, but since I’ve brought it up, I’ll tell you. While I felt good about the excessive attention I received, it was also a heavy burden. And I concluded that the only way to escape this burden was to truly become strong.”

Lee Ahn was determined to train hard again. With this kind of effort, I believed she would eventually achieve something significant.

“But I won’t just lock myself in the training hall. Like Gu Cheonpa, I’ll read a lot of books and meet people. I will not only strengthen my martial arts but also grow as a person. Only then can I consider making Cheong Myeon and Seo Jin my lieutenants, right? They won’t come to me just because I’m good at martial arts.” 4

I believed she would become a true master. Her efforts were directed toward becoming a genuine expert.

Martial arts require talent and effort. The type of martial arts, the master, and real combat experience are important.

However, when martial arts, which have been pushed to the extreme, reach a certain level, she will realize, just like I did, that the end of martial arts is ultimately a battle of what kind of person I am.

I consider meeting and persuading the Demon Supremes as part of my process of becoming stronger. Even the effort to stop Seo Gong’s marriage was part of the process of becoming stronger, along with clearing my debt to my lifelong friend.

Understanding someone completely is nearly impossible. However, the more one understands people and the world, the closer one gets to the essence of martial arts. I finally realized this.

“Well, I’ll be going now. I’ve sobered up, but my head is still throbbing.”

As she turned to leave, I called out to her.

“Lee Ahn.”

“Yes.”

“If you ever get to drink with the Great Drunken Demon.”

“Suddenly with the Great Drunken Demon?”

“You’re quite a drinker in the world of drunks, aren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“You can ask only one question to understand what kind of person the Great Drunken Demon is. What would you ask?”

Lee Ahn pondered deeply for a moment and then came up with something.

“He must have drunk a lot in his life. So, I’d ask this.”

As if the Great Drunken Demon were in front of her, Lee Ahn asked,

“When and with whom did you have the most enjoyable drink?”

1 : This prank will never get old…. At least until everyone who knew the old her learn the truth.

2 : Lol, Uno Reverse XDXDXD

3 : Don’t forget that purifying her body also gave her a major confidence boost

4 : Scholar Reincarnation style (I need to finish it… Siiigghh, so little time and so much to do….)

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