Absolute Regression

Two months had passed since my duel with Father.

During that time, I had reached the eleventh star in the Soaring Sword Art. Thanks to the insights gained from my duel with Father and the One-Slash Sword Supreme, I had ascended to the next level.

Only one step remained.

The final step would require a catalyst, just like the previous ones.

This catalyst could be another duel, a real battle, watching flowers with the One-Slash Sword Supreme, reading a poetry book beside the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, or taking a moonlit stroll with Lee Ahn. The realm of the twelve stars was unpredictable since it relied on enlightenment and not training.

I set aside the completion of the Soaring Sword Art for another day and focused on training in the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.

When practicing martial arts, there comes a moment when you feel the urge. Your whole body tingles, whispering, “Just a little more.” That’s the moment to advance to the next stage.

The Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique constantly stimulated that urge.

About ten days ago, I had reduced the time it took to unfold space to the count of one hundred seconds. After that, the constraints seemed to loosen, and the time decreased each time I used the technique.

If there was harmony between a martial artist and their martial arts, then this technique and I were perfectly in sync.

Perhaps it was because this technique depended more on the depth of understanding and the talent for martial arts rather than the duration of training. In those two aspects, I had reached almost the highest level.

As I continued training, the time kept decreasing.

From one hundred to ninety-nine, ninety-eight, ninety-seven…

I didn’t stop and pushed through to the end. Like riding a runaway carriage, I frantically created space. I vaguely worried that if I made a wrong turn, the carriage might plummet off a cliff, but I kept honing my skills without rest.

Training and more training.

Finally, the carriage reached its final destination. The horse did not collapse, and I did not fall off the carriage.

Snap!

With a snap of my fingers, my surroundings changed.

Simultaneously, a cheer burst from my mouth.

“I did it!”

I could now instantly perform the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique. It unfolded so naturally, as if it had always been my martial art.

I stood on a white sandy beach with an endless blue sea before me. The sky was blue, and the sun was hot. There were large-leaved trees on the beach, and beneath them were comfortable-looking chairs. Seagulls flew in the distance.

This was my dream space.

It was perfect.

As the time needed to create this space decreased, the internal energy required to maintain it also diminished.

I leaned back comfortably in the chair, then took off my clothes and jumped into the sea.

Swimming, I lay back and looked up at the sky. Watching the clouds drift by made me feel incredibly at peace.

It was a perfect, uninterrupted time for myself. I was happy.

Then, a thought struck me.

What if the time in this space flowed slower than the time outside? What if I could train my martial arts here? Even if I couldn’t completely stop time, what if I could make it go at least half as slow? R̃αΝȱВΕṠ

It seemed like a dream, but wasn’t creating such a space a dream in itself?

I thought about discussing this with the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult when he returned. Of course, he would likely dismiss it as nonsense.

I lay there on the beach, enjoying my freedom, when I sensed someone arriving outside the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.

When I entered the spaces created by the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme or the Cult Leader, I couldn’t sense the outside world at all. But since I made this space myself, I could perceive external events.

I immediately released the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique and revealed myself.

“Young Master, are you here?”

The person calling me at the door was Jangho.

“I’m here.”

When I suddenly appeared behind him, Jangho was startled and turned around.

“Young Master? Where were you?”

On a beach with the blue sea waves rolling.

I forced myself not to answer that way.

“I was practicing concealment techniques for a while. But what brings you here?”

“A message arrived from the Iron Workshop. They’ve completed the items we requested to be made from the Millennial Cold Iron.”

“Then please go and retrieve it, and gather all the people who met that day.”

“Yes, understood.”

* * *

Seven people stood in a circle, looking down at the item on the table.

Including myself, the others were Lee Ahn, Seo Daeryong, Jangho, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the One-Slash Sword Supreme, and Gowol.

I first picked up the fan from the table and handed it to Gowol.

“This is the fan you requested. I inspected it, and it’s well made.”

“Thank you very much.”

“The material is valuable, but it’s even more valuable that it was crafted by the best artisan of our cult.”

“I didn’t expect you to actually have it made.”

Moreover, since the daggers were made for the number of people who gathered that day, I gave him a dagger as well. Gowol looked apologetic receiving both the fan and the dagger.

“I’m getting two items.”

“Originally, the daggers wouldn’t have existed if it weren’t for you. In a way, you’re gifting them to everyone.”

“That can’t be true. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader gave these shackles because of you, Young Master. Thank you. I will never forget this generous gift.”

It was indeed a significant gift.

The Millennial Cold Iron daggers were incredibly sharp and unbreakable, making them priceless. If they could be sold for their worth, the money would be enough for several generations to live comfortably.

But this wasn’t the end of the gifts I had for him.

I untied the extreme-quality Celestial Silkworm Silk from the handle of the Black Demon Sword. Cutting off just enough to complete the fan, I handed it to Gowol.

“This is extreme-quality celestial silkworm silk. Attach this to the fan, and it will become an excellent weapon.”

Gowol’s eyes trembled with emotion. Receiving three such gifts was indeed rare in a lifetime.

“I will repay this grace even if it costs me my life.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’m giving these because I think you deserve them now, not as a guarantee for future loyalty or life.”

Though I directed my words to Gowol, they were meant for everyone.

I distributed the remaining daggers to everyone.

“Thank you for standing by my side.”

“Thank you.”

“I will use it well.”

“Thank you.”

Everyone received the daggers with joy.

Seo Daeryong looked at his dagger and spoke with concern.

“I’m worried I might lose it.”

“Train harder in your martial arts. The stronger you become, the less likely you’ll lose it. When training becomes tough, look at the dagger.”

“Yes.”

Seo Daeryong nodded vigorously at my words. The dagger would hold various meanings for each person.

At that moment, Gu Cheonpa picked a fight with Gowol for no reason.

“With that frail scholar around, what are you worried about?”

Just then, someone entered and spoke up.

“Isn’t your disciple even frailer?”

The person who entered was none other than the former Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

I asked him with a surprised face.

“Have you already returned?”

He had come back earlier than I expected. I thought it would take at least six more months.

“I’ve always been an impatient person.”

He glanced at Gowol as he spoke. With a strong supporter present, Gowol smiled.

“It seems I’m not one to starve anywhere I go. I return on the very day to receive a dagger. Hand me my dagger.”

“Before that, what should we call you ?”

“My name is Jeong Dae.”

“I didn’t expect the Supreme of the Wilderness to have such a bland and dull name….”

“Shut up.”

Jeong Dae examined the dagger.

“Truly well-made. This could even be considered a divine artifact. Thank you for securing one for me as well.”

“No, dear friend. It was only possible because you graciously released the shackles in the first place.”

I welcomed his return with kind words. He had indeed returned on a fateful day, but that fate was not merely about receiving the daggers.

Someone opened the door and entered.

The newcomer was tall and undeniably handsome, dressed in a white robe adorned with elegant and sophisticated patterns. It was my older brother, the Eldest Young Master, Geom Muyang.

Everyone’s eyes focused on him. Three people followed Geom Muyang into the room.

The first to enter was Ma Bul, followed by an old man and a young man.

Spotting me among the crowd, Geom Muyang spread his arms wide and strode over.

“Brother, how have you been?”

Yes, this was my brother. Confident and fully aware of his superiority over others.

Although his excessive self-regard often caused problems, he had a knack for transforming his arrogance into confidence for those on his side.

“I’ve been well. It’s been a while, brother.”

I hugged him tightly, genuinely. My reaction seemed to catch him off guard. He would never know what I was thinking at that moment.

‘Brother, please don’t make me regret embracing your corpse. Don’t follow Uncle’s path.’

I knew that while Gowol believed the outcome depended on my brother, it wasn’t true. This time, it depended on my efforts.

‘So, I will strive. Not for my brother’s sake, but for my own.’

My demeanor had changed noticeably since Geom Muyang left the cult, and I noticed a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

“I heard you made quite a name for yourself in my absence?”

“In the valley without a tiger, the fox rules as king.”

“How could the fox become king when the tiger is here? You don’t need to act humble in front of me.”

To anyone else, he would appear to be a doting older brother deeply fond of his sibling.

But in my past life, my brother had persistently tormented me. At the time, I didn’t realize it was torment.

Since I was very young, he had tried to instill negative impressions about the martial world and power.

Stories of warriors killing each other, tales of those driven mad by inner demons, accounts of the Demon Supremes betraying the Heavenly Demon.

Most of the stories told to me were cruel and negative. Whenever I attempted to open the Ren and Du meridians, the tales of my blood vessels bursting and dying would shake my heart.

I overcame it with my innate resilience, but it was true that it had a negative impact on me, knowingly or unknowingly.

I couldn’t say anything about the means and methods used in the struggle for succession, but it wasn’t something to do to a six or seven-year-old child, brother.

At that moment, the Demonic Buddha interrupted and said,

“Second Young Master. Now that the Eldest Young Master has returned, you should help your brother a lot. Who in this harsh martial world would look after each other? Humans betray as easily as eating, so there is no one to trust.”

With that, the Demonic Buddha looked at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. It was a remark aimed at him from the beginning. He was openly criticizing the Blade Demon for dropping off Geom Muyang and then turning to me.

Instead of feeling guilty toward the Eldest Young Master, Gu Cheonpa merely sneered.

Unlike the provocative Demonic Buddha, Geom Muyang was respectful to old man Blade.

“How have you been, sir?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve been well. Are you just returning?”

“Yes. I just arrived.”

“Have you seen the Cult Leader?”

“My father has already retired to his chambers, so I couldn’t see him. I’ll have to greet him tomorrow morning.”

“The Cult Leader will be pleased.”

After exchanging greetings, Geom Muyang spoke softly.

“I’ve heard that you’ve been helping my younger brother a lot recently.”

“Old people are known to be more fickle. I hope you understand.”

“No, helping my brother is the same as helping me and our cult. As his elder brother, I am grateful.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Geom Muyang then addressed the One-Slash Sword Supreme.

“You are still as beautiful as ever.”

“As expected from brothers, our First Young Master also has a bit of a flirtatious side.”

Geom Muyang took something out from the sleeve of his robe and handed it to One-Slash Sword Supreme.

“This is a cosmetic product I procured with difficulty from outside. It is said to be far superior to what women in the Central Plains use, so please give it a try.”

“Thank you, Eldest Young Master.”

How could he have only brought gifts for One-Slash Sword Supreme? He must have procured many items to please the other Demon Supremes as well.

From this short greeting alone, I could clearly understand why my brother had been ahead of me during this period. At that time, I had no idea my brother was so meticulously taking care of the Demon Supremes. I truly must have only been looking at myself. I must have been living only for my own desires.

“Lord Jang, congratulations on becoming a lord, though it’s a bit late.”

“Thank you, Eldest Young Master.”

That was as far as the greetings went. He didn’t exchange pleasantries with Lee Ahn or Seo Daeryong. My brother was a thorough authoritarian. His belief was that if you firmly made the higher-ups your people, the rest of the subordinates would naturally follow.

After Geom Muyang finished greeting the two Demon Supremes, Ma Bul stepped forward this time.

As soon as he saw the former Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult, he picked a fight.

“Did you smear honey on our cult’s pillars or something? Why do you keep loitering around?”

Of course, Jeong Dae was not one to back down easily.

“I left some shit behind without cleaning it up. A small, cute golden piece of shit.”

Immediately, the Demonic Buddha’s expression hardened. The two glared at each other as if they were about to kill one another. It showed how, while it takes a long time for people to grow close, it takes only an instant for them to drift apart. The two, who had once been the closest of ‘friends’, had become estranged in this way.

As the two created a tense atmosphere, Geom Muyang signaled with his eyes to the two people standing behind him.

Then the old man and the young man who had entered with the Demonic Buddha stepped forward to greet us.

A cold smile formed on my lips. This was the moment I had been waiting for the most since they entered. In fact, I had been waiting for this moment for decades.

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