Absolute Regression

When I arrived at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s residence, his first question was this:

“If I join hands with you, what will change?”

His straightforward question felt more sincere than impatient. He was serious. It was clear that Gowol had almost convinced him. It would have been nice to speak with confidence, but I told the truth.

“Nothing will change.”

“Nothing will change?”

“Of course, what could possibly change? Without my father’s permission, could we open a branch of the Heavenly Wind Cult? Would we publicly announce that we’ve joined hands? It’s just a promise between us.”

“That’s all?”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked bewildered. He glanced at Gowol. What is this? Is this why you brought him here? His eyes seemed to ask, but Gowol quietly waited for my words.

“But there’s this. If I truly believe that you are my man, when you are in danger, I will drop everything and run to save you.”

“You’ve lived a smooth life.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader glanced at Gowol. Much of that smooth life was possible because of Gowol.

“On the other hand, if you join hands with me, you will face danger. ‘What? The Second Young Master and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader joined hands? Eliminate the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader first!’ There’s no guarantee such enemies won’t appear.”

“Then why would I be crazy enough to join hands with you?”

“Joining hands with you is not something I wanted. To be honest, you make me uncomfortable.”

“Don’t confuse me with difficult words. Speak plainly.”

“You know my father doesn’t look favorably upon you or the Heavenly Wind Cult, right?”

“Of course.”

“Even in such circumstances, I have interacted with you. Now, even Gowol has become my man. Do you think my father wouldn’t know that?”

“He knows. He totally knows.”

“It means I chose this relationship even while going against my father’s wishes. Of course, I was also greedy for divine treasures…”

I extended my left hand in front of him. The highest quality celestial silk was wrapped around my wrist.

“But no matter how precious this piece of fabric is, it’s not worth risking my father’s disapproval.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader couldn’t refute. He knew very well that when I become the Heavenly Demon, I could have everything I wanted.

“Then why all this commotion? Why are you shaking my heart by coming to me alternately?”

“I told you, it wasn’t my idea. It was Advisor Go’s thought.”

Gowol was lost in thought, his eyes half-closed.

“Bringing the Cult Leader to our side was entirely Advisor Go’s idea. So, I will ask Advisor Go.”

I asked Gowol seriously.

“Why should I accept the Cult Leader on my side, even at the risk of conflict with my father?”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked even more curious than I was as he awaited his answer.

Gowol eventually spoke calmly.

“Unfortunately, this decision was not made for your sake, Second Young Master. It was made for my former master.”

Gowol gazed at the Cult Leader.

“I want to give you a new life. I want to start a new life with you. Leave the position of Cult Leader to your successor and come with me.”

“Abandon the position of Cult Leader?”

“Yes. I do not want the Heavenly Wind Cult. I want you personally.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s eyes wavered.

In fact, he was not a person suited to lead an organization. His selfishness and greed were not the kind that deceived everyone maliciously. The ruler of the settled Outside World was now standing on a precarious line. Below him were countless spears and blades jutting out like stakes. ℟ＡNỗ₿Еʂ

But the person in question did not realize how dangerous his situation was.

Would he really abandon the position of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and come to me because of a relationship with one person? Could such a relationship truly exist in this world?

“If I’m gone, the cult…”

“It will run better. Don’t worry and come.”

“Let me think! Please!”

At that moment, I instructed the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s subordinate outside to go to the Underworld Pavilion and bring Seo Daeryong. Both the Cult Leader and Gowol showed puzzled expressions at my actions.

Soon after, my right-hand man arrived swiftly like the wind.

“Did you call for me?”

Tension was high as he stood there, summoned so abruptly to the Cult Leader’s residence. I skipped any playful greetings and seriously asked him.

“Where did you make a decision that changed your life recently?”

Given the atmosphere, Seo Daeryong also answered honestly and seriously.

“At a tavern.”

“How long did it take you to make that decision?”

“Not even a moment.”

“Do you regret that decision?”

“No.”

“What if you hadn’t made that decision there and then?”

“I would never have been able to make it.”

“Tell me in detail about that moment.”

Seo Daeryong was someone who inherently disliked being in the spotlight. However, once he stepped up, he was a smart person who knew better than anyone what to say.

“In my experience, life-changing decisions happen in an instant. Whether it was leaving home or entering the Underworld Pavilion, I didn’t ponder for long. When I buy a piece of clothing, I may mull over it for days, but I changed my life in a moment. If I delay? I can’t make a decision. The next day, I woke up as a different person.”

I looked at the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

“What do you think?”

The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult looked at me with a bewildered expression and said,

“You rehearsed, didn’t you? You’re saying all the right things, so you must have practiced all night, right?”

Then, Seo Daeryong cautiously added one last thing.

“If I may say something to the Cult Leader, ever since I met the Second Young Master, I’ve had similar experiences many times. Situations where it felt like everything was prearranged to mock me. What’s this? What’s that? By the time I figured it out, the situation was already over. Whether I went here or there, or followed orders frantically, the situation always ended. It’s the same now. Speaking in front of the Cult Leader like this? Why? Even now, it feels like everything is prearranged to mock me.”

Seo Daeryong looked at me and asked accusingly,

“Isn’t that right? You’re doing this to tease me, right? Even though I look like this, I was the top entrant of the Underworld Pavilion. I can tell at a glance!”

I looked at him and smiled brightly.

“As expected, you’re fit to be my right-hand man! I liked everything from start to finish. Not needing to be prearranged is what makes you my right hand. That’s why you’re my right hand.”

Seo Daeryong also smiled following me.

“With the number of people aiming for the right-hand position increasing lately, it’s a relief that I seem to have scored some points. Now that I’ve confirmed I’m still the right hand, I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait a moment. This might be a historic moment.”

“It’s not a bloody battle, right? I’m still not past the basics of martial arts training.”

“There might be a bloody battle in the Cult Leader’s mind.”

Everyone’s eyes focused on the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

“What? You really want me to decide now? Decide to give up the position of the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult in an instant? Not just any position, but the Cult Leader’s position?”

At that moment, Seo Daeryong gasped in shock. He had enthusiastically explained, but he had never imagined that what the Cult Leader had to decide was something like this.

“My goodness! If it were me, I would have deliberated for a hundred years. Don’t decide now!”

His candid words actually stimulated the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

“Do you really have no regrets?”

“You will regret it, Cult Leader. Go back and think about it for at least a year! At least a hundred days.”

“You insolent brat! Just answer the question.”

“Yes, I have no regrets. Meeting the Pavilion Lord might have shortened my lifespan, but I am very happy right now.”

The Cult Leader stood up. He slowly walked around, gazing at the divine artifacts displayed in the room.

Then, for some reason, he began to strike the Thunder Bell.

DONG!

The deep sound spread in all directions.

As the sound faded, he struck the bell again. And again. And again.

As he listened to the sound of the bell, he was deep in thought. Was the evil spirit engraved on the Thunder Bell giving him some advice?

How many times had the bell rung like that? Suddenly, the Cult Leader turned to me and asked,

“If I go, will you give me the position of your right hand?”

Seo Daeryong was so shocked that he covered his mouth with his hand. It wasn’t because he was aiming for my right-hand position, but because he was genuinely surprised that the Cult Leader was willing to give up his position.

I said to the person who was even willing to give up the position of the Cult Leader,

“No. My right-hand position is reserved for the Investigator standing here. You’ll have to line up behind Leader Jang and fight to earn it.”

Seo Daeryong widened his eyes even more and shook his head desperately.

* * *

After Geom Mugeuk and Seo Daeryong left, only the Cult Leader and Gowol remained.

The Cult Leader and Gowol sat side by side in front of the Thunder Bell.

“What does the evil spirit say?”

“It calls me a madman.”

“I think so too. Are you really coming?”

“Aren’t you the real madman? After persuading me so much, what are you talking about now?”

“I really didn’t think you would come. I never thought you would say such a resolute and cool thing like ‘let’s go together’ to the Second Young Master.”

“My mind might change tomorrow. It might change the day after tomorrow. It might even change next year. You know I’m a man without resolve, right? Since it has come to this, let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to go with me? Is it just out of affection?”

Gowol stared at the Thunder Bell for a long time and then suddenly said,

“I guess I’m afraid to go alone.”

The Cult Leader was genuinely surprised by the unexpected response.

Gowol still kept his eyes on the Thunder Bell.

“I’m afraid I might do something foolish if I go alone. I’m scared that the people there will look down on me if I go to the Second Young Master alone. But I think I would feel strong if you were with me. Haven’t I always been the smartest when I’m with you, Cult Leader?”

Gowol slowly looked at the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.

“I am a narrow-minded and selfish person. I’m the kind of person who makes you give up the position of Cult Leader for my sake.”

For the first time since they met, Gowol revealed his true feelings. Therefore, the Cult Leader didn’t get angry. Instead, a smile appeared on his face.

“I like that reason better than any other.”

“Why do you like it?”

“Because I’m going to protect you, right?”

This time, Gowol chuckled.

“You can think it over more. Geom Mugeuk is destined to bring storms, and we don’t know how our lives will be swept away. We might end up in a corner, shackled and reminiscing about the old days as the Cult Leader, selling medicine in the marketplace, having lost everything.”

“Surviving is good enough. And didn’t you say we’d sell medicine together? That’s enough.”

The Cult Leader also revealed his true feelings.

“Do you think I’m not selfish? Do you think I’d go just because someone told me to? I’ve thought it through and calculated everything. I’m going to establish a new Cult Branch and work to extend the main sect into the Central Plains. I’m not just stepping down; I’m leaving as if I’m making a sacrifice for the great cause of the main sect. If my mind changes, I can always come back. How long will it take to properly establish the Heavenly Wind Cult in the Central Plains anyway? It’ll take quite some time, right? While the next Cult Leader is struggling with sandstorms in the harsh Wilderness, I’ll be having all the fun in the comfy Central Plains. It’s exciting, thrilling, and gives me chills.”

“You thought of all that in such a short time? Cult Leader, you’re really smart.”

“To be honest, I can say this. You’re really selfish too.”

“Cult Leader.”

“What?”

“Let’s do our best.”

“I’m nervous.”

“What is the Supreme Leader of the Wilderness nervous about?”

Then, the Cult Leader made an unexpected joke.

“I’m worried I won’t be able to be the right hand.”

“What?”

“You know I’m persistent when I want something. I’ll get that position no matter what.”

Judging by his eyes, it didn’t seem like just a joke.

The two of them looked at each other and laughed heartily.

“You said that if I gave up the position of Cult Leader, I’d be a pretty cool person. Let’s see if you’re right. Ah, now I won’t have to look at this Thunder Bell anymore.”

The Cult Leader, who had been caressing the bell tenderly, suddenly shouted.

“Shut up, you evil spirit!”

Maybe the evil spirit said something like this: I’m really looking forward to the tense showdown between you and that mere Investigator over the right-hand position.

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