Absolute Regression

< Chapter 29: What We Should Be Afraid Of >

I naturally thought the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the Blade Ghosts would come first.

However, the first backlash regarding the arrest of Yang Ho came from within.

About thirty Underworld Pavilion investigators gathered in the main hall and called for me.

The person leading this was the senior special investigator, Gok Myung.

“We should have come directly to your office, but there are too many of us, so we apologize for our rudeness.”

“It doesn’t seem like you’re here to talk but to fight.”

“Absolutely not, please don’t misunderstand.”

They did not come with a unified mind. Just by looking at their eyes, I could roughly tell who was here out of dissatisfaction and who was reluctantly following along.

“I heard you re-investigated a case that had already been concluded as not guilty by this pavilion.”

“That’s right.”

“That act undermines the morale and authority of the investigators of this pavilion.”

I asked the investigators standing behind Gok Myung.

“Do you all think the same?”

“Yes, we do.”

They answered loudly.

“My thoughts are a bit different. I believe this Yang Ho incident seriously undermined the authority of this pavilion. Very seriously.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do I need to explain such a common-sense matter? This is disappointing.”

Gok Myung’s expression hardened as he rebutted.

“The unreasonable act was already done by you, leader.”

“Did you hear that Yang Ho confessed in front of everyone when I arrested him this time?”

“Yes, we heard.”

“Then what is it? Why did you all gather here?”

“What we are addressing is the re-investigation of an already concluded case.”

“Is it a matter of principle?”

“Yes, it is also unprecedented.”

“Investigator Gok. An innocent child was beaten nearly to death, and the guilty one was caught and even confessed. Shouldn’t it naturally be re-investigated? How do you think you’ll look, standing on twisted principles in this situation?”

“Even if you call it outdated, principles are that important to an organization.”

Whether he was stubborn or trying to pressure me, he didn’t back down a single step.

“Fine, then let’s see what each person thinks. Those who believe the re-investigation is correct, come this way!”

They came for collective action, so I doubted anyone would move now.

A man walked toward us.

It was none other than Seo Daeryong, my absolute supporter. Everyone knew he was close to me, so there was no significant stir caused by his presence.

“My loyal servant, Investigator Seo.”

“If you put it that way, it would seem like I’m acting out of personal friendship.”

“Weren’t you?”

“No, sir. Apart from my loyalty to the Cult Leader, I believe this case needs to be re-investigated.”

“Why?”

“The investigation was insufficient.”

Although some investigators, including Gok Myung, openly frowned, Seo Daeryong calmly expressed his thoughts.

“We can’t rule out the possibility of external pressure.”

“Good. Who agrees with this opinion?”

I raised my hand high again and looked at the investigators.

In a situation where I doubted anyone would agree, one person stepped forward.

“I agree.”

He was the martial artist who had been injured by Godang during the Demonic Army investigation. I had not only avenged him but also asked the Demon Doctor to provide him with the best treatment.

“Ikho here. I didn’t get a chance to properly thank you then. I am truly grateful.”

“How’s your injury?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

No other investigator moved except Ikho. It seemed they were wary of Gok Myung. Understandable, since they had known me for only a few days but had been with Gok Myung for a few years to over a decade.

Then, another person stepped forward.

“Yang Gun here, Ikho’s comrade. Thank you so much for avenging Ikho.”

Thanks to Yang Gun stepping forward, a few others gathered the courage to move to my side. They weren’t doing this out of personal friendship. They genuinely felt the investigation was flawed.

However, the number of those standing with Gok Myung was still overwhelming.

I called out to one of them. He was the person at the center of today’s events.

“Investigator Jonghwa!”

“Yes.”

Jonghwa was the investigator in charge of this case, the one who acquitted Yang Tae’s son.

“What do you think?”

“…I conducted the investigation properly.”

I approached Jonghwa and stared at his face before asking.

“Did you receive a bribe from the Blade Ghosts?”

Jonghwa’s expression hardened instantly. Gok Myung was the one who got angry on his behalf.

“What nonsense is this?”

I revealed a cold demeanor and asked Gok Myung.

“Then did you take it?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Why did you step forward then? Even going as far as making rash statements to your superior?”

“Because it’s my subordinate’s matter.”

“He is my subordinate too. Isn’t he?”

In that moment, Gok Myung realized he had misspoken and bowed his head.

“Yes, he is. I apologize.”

“Don’t act without permission.”

“Yes.”

After silencing him, I spoke to Jonghwa again.

“Did you receive money from the Hundred Demonic Blade?”

“No.”

“Do you swear?”

“I swear on my life.”

He did not avoid my gaze, as if to assert his innocence.

“If you don’t trust me, investigate.”

“I already did. You indeed did not receive any money.”

Everyone was shocked at my words. The fact that I said I had already investigated meant that an internal investigation had been completed.

Even though I told him not to speak out, Gok Myung couldn’t hold back.

“Our investigators can’t conduct internal investigations unless it’s a special investigation.”

“It was carried out as a special investigation. I even received direct orders from the Cult Leader for an external investigation.”

I asked Gok Myung, who was visibly startled, in a cold tone.

“When the Cult Leader appointed me as the leader here, did you think he wouldn’t support me to this extent?”

“No.”

I calmly addressed everyone.

“I’m curious. If you didn’t take the money, why did you cover up the incident?”

“I didn’t cover up the incident. According to my investigation…”

I interrupted Jonghwa.

“Did he threaten to kill your younger sister?”

Jonghwa froze. His expression clearly asked, ‘How did you know?’

“According to the investigation, you are an exceptionally honest person. I didn’t believe it. I told them to dig deeper because no one in this world dislikes money. But surprisingly, you were genuinely honest. So, why would such an honest person gloss over the incident? There was one major weakness—your only family, your young sister.”

Jonghwa’s eyes wavered significantly.

A shocked Gok Myung asked him hurriedly.

“Did he really threaten you?”

Jonghwa couldn’t respond.

“You idiot, answer! Were you really threatened?”

Gok Myung pressed him, but Jonghwa kept his head down, silent. I knew why Gok Myung had taken the lead in this matter. Jonghwa was Gok Myung’s most cherished junior. He had stepped in to help prevent Jonghwa from facing any disadvantages due to this incident.

I spoke to Jonghwa.

“If you’re worried about your sister, don’t be. I’ve already sent Enforcement Martial Artists to guard your home. She will be safe until this incident is fully resolved.”

At those words, relief finally appeared on Jonghwa’s face. He soon knelt before me, acknowledging everything.

“I have committed a grave sin.”

Gok Myung, watching this, sighed.

“Ah.”

Having worked together for so long, he must have known better than anyone how much Jonghwa cherished his younger sister. However, it seemed even he was unaware of this situation.

I spoke to Jonghwa, who had his head deeply bowed.

“You know that even if you were threatened, this is not acceptable, right?”

“Yes, I will accept my punishment.”

The expressions of the watching investigators were varied, but they all shared a common anger. This incident was not someone else’s problem. It was something they could face at any time.

“Stand up.”

“Yes.”

Jonghwa rose from his position.

“If this had happened after I became the leader, I wouldn’t have forgiven you. But since it happened before I arrived, I will make an exception and forgive you.”

“Are you truly forgiving me?”

“It’s not me forgiving you, but your past honest life that is forgiving you. Now, the integrity of your past life is gone because of this incident. You’ll have to build it up again from scratch.”

Jonghwa, who did not expect forgiveness, was deeply moved.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

However, what truly moved him were my next words.

“Now that I am the leader here, your families are like my family. Anyone who messes with them, I will destroy. Why? Don’t believe me? I even killed the Demonic Army Commander. Do you really think I’ll be afraid of some mere, pesky Blade Ghosts?”

I could feel their gazes towards me becoming more fervent.

“From now on, this Pavilion will not tolerate any external pressure. From this moment, if you accept even a single penny, you will be severely punished. Be prepared to be imprisoned in the same cells as the criminals you have incarcerated. If you can’t uphold this, leave the Cult.”

Their reactions varied. On their faces, I saw joy, excitement, resentment, and disbelief…

“But just like this time, I won’t leave alone those who threaten you. If you’re threatened, tell me and I’ll ensure your family’s safety. Even if they are kidnapped, I’ll rescue them. Trust me. If you don’t trust me, trust the Cult Leader. I will plead with my father to rescue them no matter what. So, report any external pressure to me immediately.”

I was speaking from the heart. Once they were certain that their family and themselves were safe, the Underworld Pavilion would operate properly.

“I believe that anyone who commits evil deeds should be punished, no matter who they are. Even if someone makes a mistake in the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, I won’t overlook it. Hell, if the Cult Leader commits a crime, I’ll arrest him too!”

Everyone held their breath for a moment. Saying I would arrest the Heavenly Demon was as good as signing my death warrant right then and there.

“I’m not afraid of the Cult Leader or the Eight Demon Supremes. What I fear is us becoming fools. Fools who can’t even protect the ones they should and let the ones who should be punished slip away with a grin. When we caught that guy yesterday, the people at the inn were so happy that they all clapped. I like being in the spotlight, so I’ll keep earning applause in the future.”

As my sincerity came through, the investigators’ expressions changed. Especially Jonghwa, who had been threatened, and whose teary eyes were now red and filled with emotion.

At that moment, an investigator standing behind Gok Myung walked over to me. She was Jo Hyang, the one Seo Daeryong liked.

“I want to earn applause with you, Leader.”

That was the beginning. One by one, the investigators walked over to my side. Some were genuine, while others came reluctantly because of the atmosphere. It didn’t matter. What mattered now was that they were all moving in the same direction.

The last ones remaining were Gok Myung.

“Do you dislike the new principles I’ve set?”

“No.”

“Then why are you standing there?”

“…”

“Is it because of your pride?”

“No. I’m not sure if you’re sincere, Leader.”

Not at all. Right now, his pride is hurt. He came with good intentions to support his junior, but all the justification and momentum he had vanished, and he even ended up embarrassed. So, these few steps are very difficult for him.

I need to soothe that wounded pride. That’s the role of a leader. It’s a time when unity is needed more than division, and though he is stubborn, he’s not a bad person. In fact, when we searched Jonghwa, he was thoroughly checked as well.

“Everything I said earlier is sincere. To make my sincerity a reality, I need your experience and help.”

I reached out my hand to Gok Myung first.

“Please, help me.”

“Thank you, Leader.”

Gok Myung took my hand. His hand was trembling. This matter was more than just about soothing Gok Myung. It was about showing the other investigators watching us.

I immediately gave an order to Seo Daeryong.

“Investigator Seo.”

“Yes.”

“Go right now with the Enforcement Martial Artists and arrest Yang Tae, father of Yang Ho, also known as Hundred Demonic Blade. Charge him with special intimidation.”

At that moment, Gok Myung spoke cautiously.

“He won’t surrender easily.”

I spoke loudly so that everyone could hear.

“Let him resist. If he does, we’ll wipe out all the Blade Ghosts.”

They might wonder what I was relying on to make such a statement, but one thing was clear.

The investigators of the Underworld Pavilion Pavilion standing before me had never heard anyone say they would wipe out all the Blade Ghosts. They were excited. Their hearts must already be racing. I could feel their fervor.

This heat assured me. Today, the Underworld Pavilion Pavilion’s morale was higher than it had ever been since its establishment.

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