Absolute Regression

“That’s him! It’s that man right there!”

Chuseong shouted. As soon as he saw the white mask, he was already halfway out of his mind.

“Run away! No, we have to run away!”

Perhaps thinking that my stillness was due to fear, Chuseong screamed frantically.

“Even you can’t handle that person! Let’s get out of here quickly.” 1

When I remained still, Chuseong frowned and drew his sword.

“Damn it! Let’s attack together!”

“You truly belong in the orthodox faction.”

“Are you crazy? What nonsense are you talking about in this situation!”

I could now understand why his father left a will telling him not to trust people. Even in a situation like this, he was someone who didn’t flee and instead worried about my safety.

By then, the man wearing the white mask had already approached us.

The man with the white mask simply stared at us.

Chuseong trembled uncontrollably. Though he had vowed revenge, facing the man, his body refused to move according to his will.

It was I who broke the heavy silence that filled the place.

“Why didn’t you show me this dangerous world before?”

Amazingly, he was indeed the real Evil Smiling Demon.

At first glance, I naturally assumed he was the fake Evil Smiling Demon who had come to Moon Wind Sect.

But as I watched him walk toward us, I realized that he was the real Evil Smiling Demon. It was an aura that only Soma could exude.

“Why on earth are you here?”

“Why are you here instead, Young Master?”

At our conversation, Chuseong’s eyes widened in shock.

He must have been confused. Wondering if the real one had arrived or if I had been in league with the fake.

I asked Chuseong.

“Take a good look. Is he the same man who came that time?”

Chuseong, trembling, looked timidly at the Evil Smiling Demon. After a moment, he shouted.

“Ah! He’s different. Definitely different. He’s much better looking than that guy!”

“But he’s wearing a mask.”

“Yes, but he’s definitely better looking.”

I smiled and looked at the Evil Smiling Demon.

“It seems this man can see through your mask, Soma.”

“Or perhaps my mask looks better.”

I understood what Chuseong meant. Not just anyone could put on a mask and emit the same aura as the Evil Smiling Demon.

His aura, his presence, his atmosphere—there was something unique to Soma. Chuseong had simply described it as being more handsome.

“This man is truly the Evil Smiling Demon.”

“Didn’t I tell you? That guy was a fake. Now, pay your respects. This is the Demon Supreme, the Evil Smiling Demon of our Cult.”

Chuseong froze as if he had been struck by lightning. He didn’t know what to say. With shock and fear, he looked back and forth between me and the Evil Smiling Demon.

But what would truly shock Chuseong was yet to come.

“Before leaving the Cult, I visited you at the Valley of Wicked, but you had already gone.”

“I heard that there was a bastard going around imitating me.” 2

Given the Evil Smiling Demon’s personality, he would never leave such a person alone.

“But how did you know I would come here?”

“I didn’t know you were coming, Young Master.”

A surprising answer flowed from Soma’s lips.

“Today, I came here to retrieve the Silver Won Coin.”

I was taken aback. I was even more surprised than Chuseong.

“So, you’re saying that you’re the owner of the Silver Won Coin?”

When the Evil Smiling Demon opened his hand, a coin that had been cut in half lay on his palm.

At that sight, Chuseong quickly pulled out the necklace hanging around his neck.

“Huh? Wh-what?”

The coin at the end of the necklace, along with Chuseong, was suddenly drawn into the air. Soma had pulled him in using Void Telekinesis.

The coin that had been on the Evil Smiling Demon’s palm also floated up and joined with the coin on the necklace. The two halves fit together perfectly.

Chuseong, who had been dragged to the front of the Evil Smiling Demon, was overwhelmed with shock, staring back and forth between the now-completed Silver Won Coin and the Evil Smiling Demon. He could never have imagined that the person his father had saved was actually the Evil Smiling Demon. I was just as surprised.

With a careless motion, Soma snapped the chain of the necklace and retrieved the other half of the Silver Won Coin.

In place of the stunned Chuseong, I spoke to the Evil Smiling Demon.

“I never imagined that you were the owner of the Silver Won Coin.”

“It’s something from a very long time ago.”

The fact that the Evil Smiling Demon had such a clear sense of gratitude in the past felt like a new discovery. Moreover, the fact that he showed up today to keep a promise was even more surprising.

“Meeting you, Lord Soma, is a welcome and good thing, but today’s situation feels like a trap.”

Indeed, before the Evil Smiling Demon had even appeared, all the guests had already left, and even the innkeeper had disappeared. There wasn’t a single person passing by in front of the inn.

“It also seems that the man who disguised himself as you wasn’t just a coincidence.”

It wasn’t simply because he wore a mask that he impersonated the Evil Smiling Demon; it seemed like the whole plan had been aimed at the Evil Smiling Demon from the beginning. Could this mean that the Heavenly Society was targeting the Evil Smiling Demon?

“Do you have any idea who might be behind this?”

After pondering for a moment, the Evil Smiling Demon responded with a troubled expression.

“Do you think there’s only one person? I can think of about fifty people who could be behind this.”

When I laughed in disbelief, Soma also laughed along. Chuseong, still shocked and unable to adapt to the situation, remained silent, merely listening to our conversation.

“Is there anyone besides you, Soma, who uses the Blood Disaster Finger?”

“!”

I sensed the Evil Smiling Demon flinch for a moment.

“Why do you ask that?”

“The mark the imposter left on the wall of Moon Wind Sect was strikingly similar to your Blood Disaster Finger. It was so skillful that it could almost be mistaken for your own work.”

After a brief pause, the Evil Smiling Demon responded.

“There is another.” 3

I didn’t press further. I knew that answer was given to me because I was someone special.

“It seems that the enemy we’re facing may be no ordinary foe.”

The Evil Smiling Demon nodded at my words. He clearly had some idea of who might be behind all this.

As our conversation paused, Chuseong turned to me with a question.

“But he called you ‘Young Master.’ Surely that can’t be true?”

I responded with a knowing smile.

“Who else in the world do you think could have such a conversation with the Demon Supreme at such a young age?”

“Are you really the blood of the Heavenly Demon?”

“Yes.”

“Ah! To think that I’d live to see both the Heavenly Demon’s descendant and the Demon Supreme in the same place!”

For an ordinary martial artist, seeing either of these figures even once in a lifetime would be impossible, yet he was seeing both at the same time.

“From the beginning, I had a feeling that you weren’t just anyone. In fact, if you had told me ‘I am the Heavenly Demon’, I wouldn’t have found it strange at all. I might have believed you were the Heavenly Demon who had regained his youth. You are truly… No, I should start addressing you as Young Master now.”

The Evil Smiling Demon chuckled softly, as if fully understanding Chuseong’s awe.

“Don’t feel burdened. Treat me as you have up until now.”

“Is that really alright?”

“It’s fine. If I wanted special treatment, I would have revealed my identity from the start.”

“Understood. No, I understand.”

As our conversation concluded, Soma turned to Chuseong.

“Regardless of the situation, I must repay the debt from the past. So, what assistance do you require? Choose wisely. The Silver Won Coin can only be used once. This is a favor granted because of your father, so select carefully.”

Chuseong glanced at me briefly before making a decision.

“The Young Master will make the request.”

He entrusted me with the use of the Silver Won Coin.

“Why are you leaving it to me?”

“From what you both have said, this matter doesn’t seem to be just a problem for my family alone. Is this really a situation where it will all be resolved by simply asking for revenge? With my limited understanding, I don’t think so. I don’t know what kind of request I should make to Lord Soma, which is why I’m leaving it to the Young Master.”

I thought it was a wise decision.

Yes, Chuseong. Continue to use that sharp mind of yours to navigate through life.

I smiled as I spoke to the Evil Smiling Demon.

“What do you think? Would you accept my request on his behalf?”

“Normally, I only grant requests from direct family members, but since it’s you, Young Master, I’ll make an exception.”

“Thank you.”

After a moment of contemplation, I made my request.

“Make me the successor of the Cult then.”

Chuseong, startled, protested loudly.

“Why are you using my Silver Won Coin for your own request?”

“You entrusted it to me, didn’t you?”

“Well, yes, but I didn’t expect you to make a request like this! You should ask for revenge for my family!”

Just as Chuseong was arguing, the Evil Smiling Demon responded.

“Very well, I accept.”

He wasn’t accepting the Silver Won Coin request; he was playing along with my joke.

On the other hand, Chuseong was in a panic.

“No, this doesn’t count! It’s invalid! Invalid!”

The Evil Smiling Demon looked at him with cold eyes.

“And who are you?”

Chuseong flinched, startled by the Evil Smiling Demon’s demeanor, which indicated that he considered the matter closed.

“Who are you to be lingering in front of me like this?”

Looking between me and Soma, Chuseong sighed and blamed himself.

“My temper must be selectively hot-headed. The patience that overflows even with small annoyances doesn’t seem to hold up in front of this man. Even if you poured the ocean into it, it wouldn’t overflow.”

Smiling at his self-deprecating sigh, I said,

“You may have lost the Silver Won Coin, but you’ve gained the future Heavenly Demon instead, so you lucked out, haven’t you?”

Chuseong looked at me in surprise.

“I’m sorry for the joke. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Geom Mugeuk, Second Young Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. I swear on my name that I will avenge your family.”

Finally realizing that it had all been a joke, Chuseong was overcome with emotion. He had received a promise far more solid than the Silver Won Coin.

The Evil Smiling Demon then stepped in as well.

“This matter is related to me, so I intend to take care of it. Don’t worry, just go back.”

“Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

“I deeply regret that your family got involved because of me. If I had known it would turn out like this, I never would have given your father the Silver Won Coin.” 4

Although he didn’t say the words, I could tell that he felt sorry.

“No, how could this be your fault, Demon?”

“This is no place for you to be. You should head back now.”

“Yes.”

I asked with concern, “Are you sure it’s safe to send him off alone?”

I was worried that something might happen to him on his way back, especially since it was clear that enemies were close by.

“You don’t need to worry.”

His answer suggested that he had some understanding of the forces behind this incident.

Chuseong bowed to both the Evil Smiling Demon and me before turning to leave. Just as he was about to exit the inn, he paused at the door and turned back.

“It seems like I won’t get another chance to say this, so I’ll say it now. Once this is all over, my sect might end up joining the orthodox faction. So, if there ever is a war between the orthodox and unorthodox… please go easy on my family.”

I responded to his joke with one of my own.

“Then you’ll have to save me once. I’ll give you a split coin.”

Chuseong grinned widely.

“I’m sure of it now. My father sent me someone truly precious. Young Master, please be the kind of Heavenly Demon who won’t start a war between the orthodox and unorthodox factions. I look forward to seeing you again someday.” 5

Chuseong gave a final, respectful bow and left.

Once we were alone in the inn, the Evil Smiling Demon spoke.

“Young Master, you should give up on becoming the Heavenly Demon.”

“But I’ve already used the Silver Won Coin. What do you mean?”

“Travel through the Central Plains like this. Meet people like Chuseong, and live your life laughing like this. It suits you better.” 6

I could tell he was speaking from the heart.

“Did my brother bribe you? Did you join his side while I wasn’t looking?”

Soma laughed loudly.

As soon as Chuseong left, the enemies began to reveal themselves one by one. As expected, this meeting had been a trap set to lure out the Evil Smiling Demon.

The first to appear were three elderly men.

They were of a similar age and were dressed in matching red armor, which immediately identified who they were.

The Three Blood-Red Armies.

These were rogue warriors who once terrorized the martial world, accepting any job as long as they were paid. They were notorious for killing without distinction, whether their victims were children or the elderly, and it was said they would even kill their own parents for money.

Eventually, their atrocities became too much, and they were driven out of the martial world, labeled as public enemies. Yet here they were, appearing once more in this place.

In their prime, they had spread terror across the martial world, but now they were old men. However, the diminished muscles had been replaced by the wickedness born from countless battles and experiences. They seated themselves at a distance from us.

Next, a middle-aged woman appeared in the inn, delicately waving a pink fan. She was dressed in extravagant robes with heavy makeup, her voluptuous figure almost bursting from her clothes.

The Enchantress of Extreme Bliss.

She was a notorious villainess who had absorbed the vital energy of countless men to build her internal strength. Her youthful skin and body, which belied her age, were maintained by draining the life force of those men. She, too, had once topped the list of public enemies in the martial world. There had been rumors that she had been killed by an infamous hedonist who turned the tables on her and drained her energy, but here she was, alive and well. She crossed her legs, revealing her pale thighs, and perched herself on a table. 7

Next, a middle-aged man entered.

He wore a straight sword at his waist, emanating an aura like that of a beast prowling the wilderness.

The Blood Wolf Blade.

He was a martial artist who roamed the Central Plains in search of strong opponents, doing whatever it took to grow more powerful. He forced battles even with those who were unwilling, resulting in the unjust deaths of many skilled fighters. Eventually, he was declared a public enemy of the martial world. Numerous rumors surrounded his demise: some said he died fighting an elder of the Martial Alliance, others claimed he challenged a Demon Supreme and was killed, or that he was slain by an unknown reclusive master. He made all those rumors seem meaningless as he casually gulped down a jug of alcohol placed at the entrance.

The last person to appear was a man completely clad in black, from his shoes to the long robe that shrouded him.

The Lord of Hell.

He looked composed now, but he was once a madman who went on a rampage, slaughtering martial artists indiscriminately. Believing himself to be a messenger sent by the King of the Underworld, he thought he controlled life and death. Like the others, he had been labeled a public enemy and had vanished after causing a bloodbath in the martial world.

It was almost surreal to see these infamous figures who had once shaken the martial world gathered together like this. Moreover, the mastermind behind the fake had yet to make an appearance.

Though this was not the time to be leisurely, I couldn’t resist making a remark to the Evil Smiling Demon.

“What kind of mischief have you been up to?”

Soma looked at the villains who were now directing their murderous intent at him and replied awkwardly.

“They’re all people I know.” 8

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1 : Funny thing, he can ^^

2 : Ahah, I knew it !!! Bit of a shame for the plot twist, but I like Soma so it’s good ^^

3 : Martial brother ? Before he joined the cult ?

4 : *Pats him in the back*

5 : He already is that kind of leader, the position of Heavenly Demon won’t change him.

6 : It’s true that it suits him better, but why can’t he do both ? Especially since Muyang can’t be trusted to correctly handle the job.

7 : A succubus !!! Witch hunt, witch hunt !!! And just to make sure, weight her with a duck (Montypython’s Holy Grail reference)

8 : It’s not really a surprise, you know ?

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