Absolute Regression

The next person I sought out was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

After seeing my father, my steps naturally led me to him.

I expected him to be reading a book by the window in his room, but instead, he was in the yard practicing dao techniques with the Heaven-Extinguishing Saber. When he noticed my arrival, he stopped his training.

“You’ve come?”

He greeted me casually as if we had met just yesterday. It was a reunion typical of Gu Cheonpa—lacking in intensity yet full of passion.

“Though you look cool reading a book, you look even cooler swinging that blade.”

“Why the flattery?”

“Because you saved my life, senior.”

I opened the front of my clothes to show the Ghost Protector Garment that he had given me.

There were several cuts where the sword had slashed through. These were the marks left by none other than Sword Emperor Baek Mang-gi.

“Thanks to you, I survived. Thank you, senior.”

Of course, the Supreme Heavenly Silk also played a part. The two combined items saved my life.

The Blade Demon came closer to inspect the marks left by the sword. The look in his eyes was clearly one of relief.

“Were you worried about me?”

“Worried? No, I was just checking if the precious garment was ruined. It seems fine, you can keep using it.”

I could tell without him saying. He would never have told Seo Daeryong about my encounter with Baek Mang-gi, despite his concern.

“So the rumors were true.”

“What rumors?”

“The rumor that Sword Emperor Baek Mang-gi is dead.”

His death was information not yet officially disclosed to the outside world.

“Did you know about his swordsmanship?”

Gu Cheonpa shook his head.

“Then how did you know these marks were from Baek Mang-gi?”

“If it wasn’t Baek Mang-gi, then there’s no way you and the Evil Smiling Demon could have left such sword marks in a combined attack.”

“How did you know I teamed up with Soma?”

“Follow me.”

Old Man Blade led me into the house.

He took something out from a cabinet and threw it to me.

To my surprise, it was a white mask used by the Faceless Swordsmen.

Not just any mask, but the exceptional one used by the Evil Smiling Demon. It was light, allowed air to flow through, and particularly, it covered the eyes from outside view.

“Did you fight the Evil Smiling Demon and kill him?”

“Even if I wanted to kill him, do you think he’d die so easily?”

“But why did this come out of your cabinet?”

“Did Soma say anything?”

“I haven’t met him since returning. I came straight to you after stopping by the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.”

“Did you say you haven’t been to the Valley of Wicked?”

“Of course, I had to come to you first, senior. Why did you think I would go to the Evil Smiling Demon first?”

Then an unexpected answer came out.

“Soma came by.”

“To see you, senior? What did he say?”

“He left this with me, saying to give it to you when you arrived.”

“He left this with you? Why?”

“That’s what I want to ask. Why did he leave this troublesome thing with me?”

Old man Blade looked at me with suspicious eyes.

Since what he gave me was taken by Lee Ahn, it seemed he made another one for me. After returning to the sect, he made it again, and since he was giving it, he made it an exceptional item.

“What kind of trick is this?”

“You should have asked the Evil Smiling Demon that question back then.”

“I did.”

“And?”

“He just told me to give it to you and then left. What is this nonsense?”

“Maybe he left it with you because he was worried it might get lost if he entrusted it to anyone else.”

“Who in our sect would lose something that man entrusted to them? I’m going to put this mask away and store it in place of our treasures.”

I laughed heartily, but the Blood Heaven Blade Demon did not. He had sensed that there was something between me and the Evil Smiling Demon.

“Well, since you went out together, something must have happened. What exactly happened?”

“He promised to give me the mask.”

“Why?”

“It’s a long story. I can tell you everything if you want.”

“No need. What’s the point of listening to such a story?”

“He left the mask with you to show off our friendship and drive a wedge between us.”

“And why would he do that?”

How could the astute Blade Demon not understand his intention? He wanted to know the reason for the Evil Smiling Demon’s scheming.

“I don’t know. How could I know what’s in his heart?”

After a moment’s pause, Gu Cheonpa spoke.

“If you trust the Evil Smiling Demon, you’ll regret it later.”

It wasn’t a statement born of jealousy. It was a warning that traveling with Soma on our path would be dangerous.

“I don’t trust him.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked intently at the mask in my hand with his small, narrow eyes.

“Indeed….”

He didn’t say more, but I could guess what he was thinking.

Would it really go as you wish? With the Evil Smiling Demon reacting so proactively?

He didn’t say such things, probably to avoid showing that he was concerned about him.

“Why do you dislike the Evil Smiling Demon, senior?”

“Go ask him. Ask if he likes me. It’s mutual. Why are there so many people I dislike in our sect?”

I laughed again. I wanted to say, ‘Isn’t it because of your personality, senior?’ but I swallowed my words with difficulty. He knew his own nature too well to not understand that.

“Now, let’s talk about someone I dislike. Has my brother visited you again?”

Gu Cheonpa shook his head.

“Since he came last time, I haven’t given him an answer. The Eldest Young Master must have taken that as a clear refusal.”

“As expected, that’s reassuring.”

“Don’t let your guard down. I could always go to Geom Muyang.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“If the wings attached to my body fall off, I’ll go with you.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at me with an incredulous expression.

“As long as you’re wearing that wretched mask, those wings will fall off soon.”

Despite his words, the Blade Demon was not someone who would leave easily. Even if the Evil Smiling Demon tried to drive a wedge between us, he accepted it with a broad mind. That’s why he was the first person I sought out.

“Even if you go to my brother, I’ll still seek you out. I’ll open the door to a meeting aimed at eliminating me and find you.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll want to see you. I’ll still want to see you then.”

“More and more flattery.”

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon snorted, but he couldn’t hide his pleasure. His heart was now open, and I could see him smiling within. Yes, it looks good. Please keep smiling like that.

“Then I’ll visit again. Let’s have a drink at the Flowing Wind Tavern soon.”

As I got up to leave, old man Blade asked.

“Are you going to see Soma?”

“Yes, I should at least thank him for the gift.”

“You would have gone even without the gift, right?”

“Probably.”

I never lied to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Always honest, no matter how uncomfortable or unpleasant the truth might be. I believed this was the best way to keep him by my side.

Because of this, Gu Cheonpa gave me sincere advice.

“I don’t know what happened out there, but the Evil Smiling Demon is still the Evil Smiling Demon. Never forget that.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

After leaving the nagging Blade Demon’s residence, I went straight to meet Soma.

Wearing the mask given to me by the Evil Smiling Demon, I entered the Valley of Wicked.

The Faceless Swordsmen’s gazes all focused on me. Although all the masks looked the same, the Evil Smiling Demon’s mask was distinguishable. Everyone was surprised to see me wearing the mask of their Demon Supreme.

Receiving their astonished looks, I was led to the Evil Smiling Demon’s room.

His room was the same as the last time I visited.

The room, painted entirely white from the walls to the floor, still had nothing in it. No table, no decorations. Only Soma stood alone in the empty space.

There was only one difference from before.

When I first came, he was looking at the wall, but today, he was looking out the window.

“I’m here, Soma.”

The Evil Smiling Demon turned around. Seeing me wearing the mask, his eyes, visible through the mask’s eye holes, showed delight.

“How’s the mask?”

“It’s excellent. It’s incomparable to the previous one.”

“Then that’s good.”

“Why did you leave this with Gu Cheonpa?”

“I heard you two were the closest.”

“So?”

“I don’t like seeing you close with anyone else but me. That petty old man must be feeling a bit bothered.”

I raised the mask over my head and asked,

“Do you need to be the closest for you to be satisfied?”

“Exactly. That’s my personality. From now on, you have to be the closest to me. If not, I’ll go to the Eldest Young Master.”

“I understand your selfishness, Soma.”

The Evil Smiling Demon laughed loudly. It was hard to tell where the joke ended and the truth began.

At least one thing was certain.

Making one Demon Supreme an ally and making two Demon Supremes allies is not just double the effort. It requires three or four times the effort. They are like water and oil, never mixing.

“How was the journey with the beautified heart?”

“It was truly wonderful.”

“Isn’t it nice to travel with a beautiful woman?”

“She enjoyed it so much. I felt sorry it was such a late trip.”

“Don’t fall for women. Eventually, they will betray you.” 1

“The Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion would be disappointed to hear that.”

“She knows. She knows I don’t trust her. You can’t betray someone who doesn’t trust you.”

“So, you don’t trust me either, Soma?”

“I don’t trust humans. Being close is one thing, trust is another.”

I appreciated his blunt honesty. The problem in relationships often arises from the disappointment when you realize the other person is wearing a different mask.

“Has my brother been here?”

The Evil Smiling Demon added more information to his answer.

“He came by twice. Not only did he visit me, but he’s also been diligently meeting with the Poison King and the Fist Demon.”

“We still have the advantage, right?”

“How do you figure that?”

“Even if the Poison King and the Fist Demon side with my brother, that makes three of them. On our side, we have you, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, the One-Slash Sword Supreme, and the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. Four against three, we have the upper hand.”

“It’s not four against three.”

“Why not?”

“For one thing, I’m not on either the Eldest Young Master’s side or your side.”

He had succeeded in making himself neutral to both my brother and me. Emotionally, I felt closer to him, though.

“Then we’re at a disadvantage. The Soul Reaper Demon Supreme is still too weak to count as a full ally.”

“It’s not just the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. Can you be sure Gu Cheonpa and So Yeonrang are fully on your side? Have you signed a blood pact? Don’t underestimate what Geom Muyang can offer. Money and power, very straightforward and clear. He even specifies the exact amounts and positions. He knows he’s at a disadvantage and is offering everything he can.”

This was also a loophole I allowed. Sure, brother. Do your best. There’s a mutual understanding among those who strive for their best.

“When faced with complex and troubling issues, humans ultimately choose the simplest solution. The Eldest Young Master seems simpler than you.”

Perhaps Soma wanted to show me something.

How easily humans can be swayed. How quickly relationships can crumble.

That’s probably why he left the mask with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. To show that even a simple reason can cause a rift in a relationship.

Of course, old man Blade’s open-mindedness prevented that from working.

He was advising me. If I approached things emotionally, I would fail.

“I’ll outbid him. Twice as much! How about that? Interested?”

“Do you have that much money?”

“I’ll start earning it now. If you have any money, lend me some.”

At that, the Evil Smiling Demon leapt to the back wall.

“That’s harsh.”

“Remember, it’s always the borrower who’s being harsh.”

We looked at each other and laughed simultaneously.

“But if my brother is approaching the Poison King and the Fist Demon, why hasn’t he approached the Great Drunken Demon?”

When I mentioned the Great Drunken Demon, the Evil Smiling Demon’s laughter faded, and he suddenly asked,

“Do you like alcohol?”

“I drink moderately.”

“The Great Drunken Demon is someone who has taken alcohol to its limits. It’s not easy for a sober person to deal with someone who’s always drunk.”

“Do you know anything about the Great Drunken Demon?”

I knew a lot about the Demonic Supremes, but my information was more focused on the future—their significant actions, what they were doing when I came to take the Secret Demonic Soul, and their ultimate fates.

However, I didn’t know much about the Great Drunken Demon at this point in time. The same likely applied to the Evil Smiling Demon, living in the same era.

“I don’t know much. But seeing him makes me uncomfortable.”

“If the Evil Smiling Demon dislikes someone, doesn’t that make them a good person?”

“Maybe. Or… they could be an even worse person.”

“That’s a bit scary. Worse than you, Soma?”

“The smell of his alcohol always made me feel bad.”

With that, the Evil Smiling Demon stopped talking about the Great Drunken Demon.

His eyes, looking at me, gleamed with a peculiar light. It was as if he found it intriguing to see how I would handle things.

He definitely knew more about the Great Drunken Demon. His nasty side was acting up again, withholding information to enjoy the situation.

Soma, what do you know about the Great Drunken Demon?

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1 : Brother !!! You’ve seen the truth too !!! Beware of thots !!!!

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