Absolute Regression

After returning from the hunt, I went to the training ground to practice the secret techniques Father taught me.

I practiced channeling my energy into the wind and emitting multiple strands of energy simultaneously.

Eating a proper meal felt like a waste of time, so I made do with jerky. I substituted sleep with qi circulation and breathing exercises. The more I practiced, the more I realized how crucial these techniques were. Detecting an enemy attempting an ambush meant having an extra life.

I trained diligently the whole time. I had learned from countless experiences that if I didn’t walk today, I would have to run tomorrow.

I emerged from the training ground after several days of intense practice. Now, I could freely channel my energy into the wind, and I had increased the number to three or four strands.

Lee Ahn was waiting at the entrance of the training ground.

“Young Master, you need to rest and have a proper meal now.”

“Why are you here instead of attending to your tasks?”

“My duty is to protect you, Young Master.”

It seemed she had been guarding the entrance the entire time I was training. I realized a shock therapy was needed to change this stubborn girl’s mind.

“Is standing guard here really helping me?”

“What do you mean?”

“If someone ambushes me, what will you do?”

“I will throw myself in front of the attack to block it.”

“If you die taking a blade meant for me, how do you think I’ll feel? Will I feel happy to have survived? Should I dance in the middle of the training ground?”

“I suppose you wouldn’t, but… it’s better than you dying. Besides, you’re not a great dancer.”

“That’s a selfish sacrifice, only considering your own feelings.”

I didn’t want to label her noble spirit of sacrifice as selfish. However, this shock therapy was necessary for her. The problem was, it didn’t always work.

“Alright. From now on, call me a selfish girl who only cares about my own feelings.”

“Lee Ahn, do you really want to protect me?”

“Yes.”

“Then start training in martial arts. When the time comes that you truly need to protect me, don’t just passively block the attack. Kill the enemy!”

If she became stronger, that strength would pave the way for her happiness.

She nodded silently, without responding with a joke.

Just then, someone shouted from afar.

“Hey, fatso!”

Looking back, I saw three people walking towards us. They were disciples of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

“Is that noble young master still not out today?”

Judging by the looks of things, it seemed they had come by several times while I was training. But, what? Fatso? Are those bastards out of their minds?

It looked like they couldn’t see me because I was hidden behind Lee Ahn’s large frame.

“How many times have you dealt with this crap?”

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“If this is nothing, then what counts as something in this world? Do we need our family to be massacred by an enemy for it to be a big deal?”

“Young Master! I’m really fine.”

Lee Ahn was worried that I might cause an incident. She was concerned about the problems that could arise whether I got hurt or they did.

“Lee Ahn. Don’t worry too much. I’m not going to go crazy and ruin my life over this. Most people take care of themselves just fine.”

In the meantime, they approached us, and Lee Ahn quickly spoke.

“Young Master, it doesn’t seem like they are here with good intentions. It might be best to avoid them for now.”

“Of course, I should avoid them. Avoid hornets, avoid dog poop, avoid Father’s wrath. But not these guys.”

By then, the three of them were standing in front of me.

“Oh? The noble young master is here as well.”

The one who had taunted Lee Ahn was Yang Po, the second disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

I knew well what kind of person Yang Po was. Like attracts like, and he was trash in a different way from Gu Pyungho, who used Energy Dispersing Poison.

This guy was infamous for looking down on people and bullying them

psychologically… yeah, that kid.

I glanced at the handsome one among the disciples who had come with Yang Po.

He was probably the youngest, right? He was known to be the kindest and most compassionate among the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s disciples, but he

eventually committed suicide due to Yang Po’s relentless bullying. How terribly must he have been tormented for a martial artist of all people to take his own life?

Even now, the youngest’s expression wasn’t bright. He must have been dragged here against his will today as well.

The other one who came along was the fourth disciple. I couldn’t remember his name, but he didn’t leave a particularly good impression either.

My gaze returned to Yang Po.

“Ignoring my guard is the same as ignoring me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t see the young master. You need to be a bit bigger.”

“Whether I’m here or not doesn’t matter, does it?”

“I’m telling you, I didn’t see the young master with her in the way.”

This ignorant guy couldn’t even grasp the point of the conversation.

The fact that he could behave like this was entirely Father’s fault. Ever since he announced that anyone within the Cult could become the successor, the special status of being the Heavenly Demon’s son had greatly diminished.

Eventually, they were trying to use this opportunity to earn the title of ‘Not Inferior to the Son of the Heavenly Demon.’

“You said they visited me several times?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? Senior Brother Gu can no longer practice martial arts.”

“So what? Should I nurse him? Lee Ahn, go get a rag. Let’s go wipe his sweat.”

“You! Do I look like I’m joking right now?”

“We’re not in a relationship where we have serious conversations.”

Yang Po’s demeanor became fierce, possibly thinking he was being ignored. It was laughable to see someone who tormented others to the brink of death get upset over a few words of mockery.

“If you turned someone into a cripple, you should take responsibility!”

“Have you heard that your Senior Brother gave me Energy Dispersing Poison?”

“Hmph! That must be something your people orchestrated.”

“Oh, you insist on that?”

“No more excuses. Apologize officially.”

I could guess why he sought me out to demand an apology.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon hadn’t chosen a primary disciple. So his disciples were trying hard to earn his favor in any way possible. Yang Po aimed to earn credit by getting an official apology from me, thus saving the face of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

“Why do you look at me like this?”

“Do you really think your master will make you his primary disciple by doing this?”

“What nonsense! I came to you for my Senior Brother. To clear his injustice! Understand?”

“What injustice?”

“Although my Senior Brother’s attack was excessive, you intentionally crushed his arm.”

He probably thought it was a valid point to argue, but it was merely a futile effort within Buddha’s palm.

“So, my father and the Eight Demon Supremes are at fault?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Yang Po was startled when I suddenly mentioned my father and the Eight Demon Supremes.

“Isn’t it true? My father acknowledged my victory and asked what my wish was. Your master didn’t protest during the whole process. So, what does that mean? That the leader and your master couldn’t discern right from wrong like you?”

Yang Po stammered, flustered.

“Th-that’s nonsense! That’s not true!”

“Isn’t it? Your words imply that the leader overlooked the mistakes of his kin.”

Yang Po’s face turned pale.

“Stop spouting nonsense!”

How could he overpower me with words?

“Or do you think he’s senile? Is that it?”

“Shut up! How dare you speak so disrespectfully!”

Yang Po looked back at his senior brothers, but they were just as flustered.

If they made a wrong move, they could be accused of criticizing the Heavenly Demon. Yang Po reluctantly backed down.

“I’ll leave it at this for today, but this matter isn’t over.”

“Wait! You need to apologize before you go.”

“Apologize for what?”

“For speaking rudely to my subordinate.”

Only then did their gaze shift to Lee Ahn. From the start, my subordinates hadn’t been of any concern to them.

Of course, Lee Ahn wished the matter would end here.

“I’m fine, young master.”

“But I’m not. Now, for daring to run your mouth at my subordinate, kneel and apologize. Even if the apology isn’t sincere, at least show it with your actions. Let the rumor spread that you kneeled.”

Yang Po looked incredulous.

“Are you telling me to kneel to that pig woman?”

“Yes, and it would be even better if you bow your head to the ground.”

“Are you crazy? I’d rather die than kneel.”

I got the answer I wanted right away.

“You’d rather die? That’s manly. Alright, I’ll grant your wish.”

Clang.

As I drew my sword, Yang Po was taken aback.

“You really are crazy.”

“If you leave like this, word will get back to the Cult.”

Yang Po looked around to see if anyone was watching.

“Not over there, here.”

I pursed my lips mockingly.

“This mouth will spread the word. That the second disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon got scared and ran away from me. I doubt your master will be pleased. You’ll carry the label of coward for life.”

Yang Po’s expression hardened. He had come to earn favor with his master, only to end up being marked as a coward.

“Kneel and apologize, or fight me. Your choice.”

“Why are you going this far?”

“You can come find me. You can tell me to apologize to your fellow disciple. You can gather your group and threaten revenge. I understand all that. But why bully my subordinate? Why bring up the fat? Did you ever even bought her a meal? Huh?”

Rather than reflecting, Yang Po looked even more irritated.

“So you really mean to kill me for that fatty.”

“Correct.”

Yang Po’s eyes narrowed fiercely as he moved just as I expected.

“How dare you!”

“My subordinate is worth a hundred times more than you. No, a thousand times, no…”

Before I could say ten thousand times, Yang Po drew his blade.

Clang.

“Senior brother, you mustn’t!”

The fourth disciple, who was standing behind, hastily tried to stop him, but Yang Po was already too far gone.

“You may be riding high after defeating Senior Brother Gu, but you’ll soon regret it. I can’t kill the Cult Leader’s child, but I’ll cut off your arm to avenge my Senior Brother.”

Yang Po was confident he could defeat me.

I didn’t remember exactly, but my skills around this time were apparently similar to those of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s disciples. This was all because of my brother. Ever since childhood, he had tormented and restrained me, the possessor of the heavenly martial body, so much that I couldn’t properly develop my martial arts.

“What a shame you don’t have any Energy Dispersing Poison.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m different from Senior Brother Gu!”

Yang Po launched an initial attack, pushing me back.

In my past life, I learned many times that a martial artist’s character and skill level often didn’t match.

Yang Po was no exception. Despite his trashy character, he displayed an excellent saber technique. He was certainly skilled enough to be a fair match for the me of back then.

Of course, to the current me, he was just another one-second foe, like Gu Pyungho.

However, to avoid revealing my true power, I matched his level and fought him evenly.

Each time Yang Po pressed his attack, his fellow disciples cheered in amazement.

Conversely, Lee Ahn let out a sharp scream each time. If it hadn’t been a mutually agreed duel, she would have intervened several times.

After enduring through twenty or so exchanges, I decided to make my move.

Up until now, I had been matching his movements, but now it was time to showcase the essence of the Soaring Sword Art.

Like a willow leaf swaying in a gentle breeze, my sword moved lightly.

Whoosh!

Squelch!

Blood splattered like rain.

My sword had pierced through his mouth and emerged from the back of his head.

Drip, drip.

In the frozen silence, only the sound of blood dripping from the tip of my sword could be heard. I looked into the dying eyes of Yang Po and spoke.

“You’re dying because of that mouth of yours. That mouth insulted my subordinate and refused to apologize.”

That mouth killed your kind Senior Brother and would have killed many more in the future. This is your end.

When I withdrew my sword, Yang Po spat out blood and collapsed forward, his dao clattering uselessly on the ground.

“Senior brother!”

His fellow disciples rushed to check on him, but he was already a cold corpse. They were in shock. They hadn’t expected me to actually kill Yang Po. Of course, Lee Ahn looked even more shocked, staring at me.

The fourth one shouted as if interrogating.

“Why did you kill senior brother? How cruel, you’re really…”

“What did you expect then?”

“Can you handle the aftermath?”

I looked at him coldly and spoke.

“Your mouth resembles the senior brother’s too.”

As if he remembered that the senior brother died because of his mouth, he clamped his mouth shut like a clam.

“Convey it exactly as it is. If you add even a single word that wasn’t said, I’ll visit you at night.”

They carried Yang Po’s body and left the place. At that moment, I saw it. The youngest one’s expression of relief. How desperate must he have been that, despite someone ‘close’ to him dying, he couldn’t hide his joy?

Originally, he would have been tormented and killed by Yang Po, but now he lived. Lim Suksoo, who had mixed Energy Dispersing Poison in the rice, died as he was supposed to, but the youngest disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, who was originally supposed to die, now lived. Fate remains as it is and yet changes as well.

‘Dear youngest disciple, endure well and become the best disciple of the blade demon someday!’

That was my wish, but achieving that was up to his will and effort.

Meanwhile, Lee Ahn looked at me with an expression as if she had lost everything.

“Didn’t you say everyone would take care of themselves? Told me not to worry?”

“Relax your face, it’s not because of you!”

“…But it is because of me, isn’t it?”

“No, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Then why did you cause such a big incident?”

“What big incident? I just killed someone who deserved to die.”

“The elder of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon won’t just let this slide.”

“He will. It won’t benefit him to get involved.”

“Are you sure?”

“Think about it. The root of this fight is his disciple insulting the personnel guard of the Cult’s young master. He died because he refused to apologize for something that could’ve ended with a simple apology. What would the elder gain from getting involved? He’d only get blamed for not raising his disciple well.”

“But his pride might be hurt.”

“The elder of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon doesn’t have that kind of pride.”

“How do you know?”

“I know. Your handsome young master knows everything.”

Lee Ahn seemed to relax a bit at my leisure.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“On the contrary, killing Yang Po benefits me. Everyone will pay attention to me. If there’s a score needed to become the successor, I’ve added a point there.”

I had shattered Gu Pyungho in the match, and now I had killed Yang Po, so all eyes in the Cult would be on me.

“Did you really think that far ahead?”

“Of course. Killing the disciple of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon isn’t something done just because I was annoyed.”

I had left a strong impression on Father during the hunt. I needed to keep that momentum going.

“Lee Ahn, insulting you is insulting me. So, in situations like earlier, don’t say it’s okay.”

“It was short-sighted of me.”

“We have far more important issues to worry about in the future. Would the owner of the trash not get angry because I cleaned it up? Such trivial and useless worries end today.”

Passion flickered in Lee Ahn’s eyes as she looked at me.

“You’re serious. Young master… you’ve really changed.”

“It’s also a reason why you must change.”

The changes I had undergone in the past few days were enough to provoke changes in her as well.

Lee Ahn nodded.

“I’ll change too. I’ll become stronger!”

It won’t be as easy as it sounds. She’ll struggle, reflect, and be troubled countless times. Changing a person’s life is never easy. Even my seemingly easy transformation was only possible because of my entire past life.

“And young master, thank you for today. I was so happy when you took my side earlier. Truly.”

“You should be grateful. Never forget what happened today for the rest of your life!”

She smiled. Not just a smile, but a wide grin that completely buried her eyes in her cheeks. Yes, smile like that. Now that I’ve regressed, I’ll make sure you keep living while smiling like that.

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