Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 170: The Body Knows First >

“How did you come here, miss?”

Seo Daeryong’s voice trembled as he questioned her. He had never imagined that he would see her in this place.

“I was invited too.”

“How is that possible?”

Today’s banquet was only for those related to the Soaring Dragon Tournament.

Then, an astonishing fact slipped from the woman’s mouth.

“I advanced to the top eight in the Soaring Dragon Tournament that was held three years ago.”

Not only Seo Daeryong but also the other Post-Heaven Masters around were stunned.

The Soaring Dragon Tournament was held every three years, so the woman was one of the top eight from the last tournament. Traditionally, invitations to the Soaring Dragon Tournament celebration were extended to former participants who were affiliated with the Murim Alliance.

“Let me formally introduce myself. I am So-ok, the third squad leader of the White Dragon Squad.”

“Ah, so you’re a martial artist affiliated with the Murim Alliance.”

Moreover, she was a squad leader of the White Dragon Squad. Even when she shyly approached to cheer him on, he hadn’t thought she was a Murim Alliance martial artist since she wasn’t in the Murim Alliance attire.

“I didn’t know.”

“Of course, you wouldn’t. I didn’t tell you.”

“Why did you cheer for me?”

Their gazes intertwined in mid-air. Even those nearby could feel Seo Daeryong’s excited emotions. It was like the fluttering feeling of meeting one’s first love again.

In contrast, So-ok remained calm.

“When I saw you, you reminded me of myself when I participated in the Soaring Dragon Tournament back then. I also came from a village, not knowing anything. I had no acquaintances, and no one knew me either. At one point, I even ran out of money to stay at an inn and ended up camping in the mountains before coming down to participate in the tournament.” 1

So-ok spoke of these experiences without any embarrassment, which made Seo Daeryong find her even more admirable. A pleasant scent emanated from her.

“I watched all of your matches, Seo So-hyeop. Your bladesmanship was truly remarkable. Especially during the final match, you were amazing. My heart pounded so hard that I wanted to jump onto the stage.”

To others, her words seemed like she was saying she wanted to compete in the tournament again after being moved by his outstanding performance. However, Seo Daeryong might have misinterpreted it as her wanting to come up because she liked him.

“Defeating Miss Jin—It was truly the greatest match in the entire history of the Soaring Dragon Tournament.”

Seo Daeryong felt like he was floating on air. Though he had received numerous praises and compliments after winning, this moment with her was the best. A smile naturally formed on his lips.

“You’ll be joining the Demon-Slaying Squad now, won’t you?” 2

The Demon-Slaying Squad was the Murim Alliance’s elite group composed of young masters. Traditionally, the Soaring Dragon Tournament winners would join the Demon-Slaying Squad.

“Or I could apply to the White Dragon Unit where the Lady resides.”

At that, So-ok’s face flushed slightly.

“I appreciate the suggestion, but please don’t. Starting from the Demon-Slaying Squad is the royal road to success in the Martial Alliance.”

“Thanks to your support, I won the tournament. So, I’d like to treat you to a meal if you don’t mind.”

It was a suggestion made with great courage.

Seo Daeryong, who had faced more rejections than acceptances from women in his life, felt nervous. Thankfully, his anxiety was unfounded as So-ok accepted the offer with ease.

“It would be my honor. After all, the champion of the Soaring Dragon Tournament is treating me!”

Seo Daeryong felt like he was on cloud nine.

Geom Mugeuk and Jin Haryeong were watching the scene from outside the window.

Geom Mugeuk knew.

She had been recruited by the Heavenly Society during the Soaring Dragon Tournament three years ago. In other words, the Heavenly Society had already been active in the martial world three years ago.

‘These people have deeper roots in the Martial Alliance than I thought.’

As the woman’s identity was revealed, an unexpected fact also came to light.

He turned to Jin Haryeong beside him and asked,

“Do you know that woman?”

“Team Leader So? We exchange greetings now and then.”

“What kind of person is she?”

“She’s easygoing, has a good personality, and is quite popular with people. But it’s surprising. I didn’t think she’d be cheering for your young master like that. Why? Are you worried about your young master? Scared he’ll get charmed by a vixen and hand over his prize money?”

“Of course, I should be worried. I am his attendant.”

At that moment, Jin Haryeong’s true feelings slipped out.

“Can’t you just quit being an attendant?”

She immediately regretted her words. The old saying goes, if you’re unsure whether to say something, it’s better not to say it, and here she was, letting slip words she had told herself not to say. Deciding to go all in since it had already let her mouth blab unnecessarily, she said what she had been wanting to say.

“Can’t you just live as a regular martial artist? You know martial arts, so you could try taking the entry test for the Alliance. If needed, I can help.”

When Geom Yeom remained silent, Jin Haryeong hurriedly added,

“Don’t misunderstand! It’s not that I’m embarrassed because you’re an attendant. I just meant that there are other paths in life.”

Her face flushed slightly as she spoke. She worried she might have hurt Geom Yeom’s pride.

Finally, he spoke up.

“That’s something I often told someone. To try living a new life.”

“To whom?”

“To someone stubborn who hates change.”

“Someone like you?”

Geom Mugeuk laughed and looked back towards Seo Daeryong. Surrounded by people, still basking in the glory of his popularity, Seo Daeryong’s gaze kept drifting towards one place.

* * *

The next day, Seo Daeryong went out to meet So-ok.

He had woken up at the crack of dawn, bathed, combed his hair, and made a mess while changing from one outfit to another, yet he still said,

“It’s not that I like her. It’s just a meeting with someone who cheered for me. Pure intentions.”

“If you keep being this pure, you’re going to tear your mouth from smiling so much. Could you at least stop smiling like that?”

I was worried because Seo Daeryong seemed to like her too much. He would be deeply hurt once he learned the truth.

He had gone out with the vigor of someone headed to battle, but when he returned, there was something off about him, as if his spirit had been deflated.

“What happened? Did it not go well?”

“No. I had a good time. She prefers tea over alcohol and likes going on walks. So, we ate, had tea, and went for a walk.”

“Then why do you look like that?”

After a brief pause, Seo Daeryong sighed and said,

“We were sitting there with a good atmosphere, and suddenly, a thought crossed my mind. This isn’t right, is it? My life never goes this smoothly. It was like someone was whispering in my ear, ‘When good things happen, you should brace yourself for the bad ones.’” 3

It seemed his long-dormant instincts had awakened. Once fate begins to move, it has a way of shaking people awake like this.

“Did you tell her?”

“No, I didn’t. I made sure to hide it and just smiled as we parted.”

“Investigator Seo, I told you, didn’t I? The path you chose is like stepping onto the arena with a wounded arm.”

“Even if blood is pouring from your body, limping along, and one eye is blind, you’ll keep walking, you said.”

“That’s right. It’s also a path where you have to doubt people you meet. It’s not easy to make friends or to truly love someone.”

Seo Daeryong, who had been lost in thought for a moment, finally said something he really didn’t want to say.

“In that sense, let me tell you. I think there’s something off about this woman. It feels like she approached me intentionally. Could she be someone sent by the Heavenly Society?”

I didn’t say anything. He stared at me intently and then flinched in surprise.

“Am I right?”

“……”

“Am I really right?”

Seo Daeryong’s voice trembled. He had sensed something was wrong, but a part of him still hoped it wasn’t true.

“Yes. She’s from the Heavenly Society.”

“!”

Seo Daeryong’s eyes widened. I expected him to react as if the sky was falling, but surprisingly, he remained calm.

“It seems my hunch was right. Of course. Someone like me, what was I thinking? It was strange from the start. There are plenty of handsome young talents around, yet she chose to cheer for me. She must have found me so pathetic on the inside.” 4

“Instead of beating yourself up, why don’t we celebrate the fact that you figured out her identity?”

“How did you know, Leader?”

“During the finals.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was worried you’d give it away with awkward acting.”

“So why are you telling me now? You could have just pretended not to know.”

“Because there’s a more important issue than acting well or poorly.”

“What is it?”

“It seems your survival instincts have fully awakened.”

My words startled Seo Daeryong.

“Everyone has survival instincts. But a martial artist’s instincts are different. And the more skilled you become, the more distinct they are. Your body knows first. No matter how much the opponent smiles or says good things, your body rejects it. The fine hairs on your skin stand up, your heart races. Or, like today, your mood could just sink.”

“So, it was my survival instinct at play.”

“That’s right. Remember well how this survival instinct manifested and how it felt.”

Seo Daeryong was moved. More than catching the leader of the Heavenly Society, I valued awakening his survival instinct.

“Thank you, Leader.”

“From now on, you need to act well.”

“You don’t have to worry. I’m better at acting than you think. They say I’m quite the sly one.”

“We’ll see.”

“What do you plan to do next?”

“You have to handle it. You need to guide her to bring you into the Heavenly Society. And do it as quickly as possible.”

There wasn’t much time. If she decided to take it slow and get to know him better, it could take months or even over a year. But we needed to resolve this quickly and move on.

After a moment of thought, Seo Daeryong came up with an idea.

“Do you remember what she said at the banquet? She said that three years ago, when she came to participate in the Soaring Dragon Tournament, she was in the same situation as I am now. I don’t think that part was a lie. I’ll dig into that.”

“You’re going to use shared experiences? Since it’s a feeling she’s been through as well?”

“Yes.”

“One more thing. When she introduces you to her superiors, make sure I’m there with you.”

Seo Daeryong nodded.

“Leave it to me.”

* * *

Two days later, Seo Daeryong and So-ok stood on a hill that offered a panoramic view of the Martial Alliance.

“This place has a beautiful view.”

“It’s where I come when I feel suffocated.”

“It’s a wonderful spot.”

Seo Daeryong was quietly amazed at the vastness of the Martial Alliance sprawling endlessly before him. He had thought there was no organization larger than the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, but the Martial Alliance was just as impressive.

“To be honest, I was moved by what you said that day, Team Leader So. About how, when you participated in the tournament, you didn’t know anything and had no money, so you slept on the mountain. I’m in a similar situation. I will succeed here in the Martial Alliance, no matter what.”

“It won’t be easy.”

“Pardon?”

“I hesitate to say this to someone who hasn’t officially joined the Alliance yet, but because I care about you, I’ll say it. In the Martial Alliance, you can’t succeed without a powerful backer. You might become a team leader, but you’ll never be a leader of a division. Even if you somehow work like crazy and make it to the division leader, you’ll never become the head of a faction. The limits are clear.” 5

Her acting was as good as Seo Daeryong’s. If he hadn’t known the truth, her words would have sounded genuinely concerned.

“You’ll probably be even more disheartened, given your status as a tournament winner. You might start as a team leader and end up as one forever. Overcome it with skill? How? In peaceful times like these, that’s impossible. The success story of rising from nothing is something that only happens in storybooks.”

Seo Daeryong asked with a serious expression,

“Then what should I do?”

Right now, Seo Daeryong was expressing his emotions without any hint of discomfort, playing his role perfectly.

“Find a connection. Drop your pride and be loyal to someone willing to support you. That’s what I did.”

“Help me grab the same connection you held onto, Leader So. I don’t care about martial pride or any of that. Please, help me.”

She was silent for a moment. Seo Daeryong pleaded with her as she hesitated.

“Please, I’m begging you.”

“Alright, meeting you like this must be fate. I’ll try to speak on your behalf.”

“Thank you.”

“But don’t get your hopes up. The elder might say no.”

“Oh, and I have one more favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Please introduce my attendant as well.”

“Your attendant?”

“If the Martial Alliance is really like that, then I need to build my own strength too, don’t I? I plan to get my attendant into the Alliance and train him to be my right hand. In a place like the Martial Alliance, I need at least one person I can trust. I can count on his loyalty, if nothing else.”

Seo Daeryong pressed on with determination, like a stubborn country bumpkin standing his ground.

“I’m not sure if that’s possible.”

Seo Daeryong bowed his head earnestly.

“Please, I’m asking you.”

* * *

Three days later, So-ok contacted us again.

She took Seo Daeryong and me to a manor located far from the Martial Alliance.

Though their numbers were few, the masked guards surrounding the area were not ordinary. This indicated that the person she was about to introduce wasn’t just anyone.

“Elder, it’s Ok.”

“Come in.”

We followed So-ok into the room.

A curtain hung in the middle of the large room, obscuring the other person’s face.

I used the New Eye Technique, focusing my eyes to see who was behind the curtain. The moment I recognized him, I was startled. He was someone I knew.

Master of the True Dragon Manor, Jo Ryongjang.

He was Jo Sohyeop’s father.

It was possible that Jo Ryongjang was the one who recruited Jo Sohyeop, or that the Heavenly Society had separately recruited both father and son. If that were the case, they might not even know that the other had been recruited. 6

Either scenario was astonishing.

From behind the curtain, Jo Ryongjang spoke in a low voice.

“You want to succeed in the Martial Alliance?”

His tone was completely different from when I’d seen him beside the Leader of the Martial Alliance. Back then, he was the father desperate to form a marital alliance with the Leader’s family, but the oppressive aura now felt from behind the curtain showed his true nature.

Seo Daeryong bowed his head respectfully and said,

“Yes! I want to succeed, no matter what.”

I could understand now.

After Hwa Moogi swept through, the Divine Dragon Family immediately became a pillar of the righteous martial world. It was because they had been scheming like this from the start.

So, is Jo Ryongjang the leader of the Heavenly Society? Or is there someone else above him?

One thing was certain: the Heavenly Society, which was gradually revealing its true form, was a far larger monster than I had anticipated. 7

“If I help you, you will surely succeed. But then, what can you do for me…?”

Jo Ryongjang added in a quiet voice,

“What can you do for me in return?”

1 : I wonder if it’s true, or a carefully crafted lie to draw him in further. It seems to echo his own experience after all.
2 : Hahaha, a Demonic Cultist joining the Demon-Slaying Squad XDXDXD It is as funny as a Kaiju joining the Japanese Anti-Kaiju Defense Force…. *Distraction Dance ensue*
3 : He realized that being a normie is impossible for him. This world is too cruel for that.
4 : Such Thots always find everyone pathetic. It’s not your fault, it’s her *pats in the back*
5 : The limits of reputation in an already anchored rank progression. The Murim Alliance is often known for its corruption. The Demonic Cult allows more freedom in challenging for ranking, but it also creates more chaos.
6 : Probably the latter but damn, the roots are deep. That’s what you get when you don’t clean up your organization enough.
7 : An endless abyss of greed and gluttony, reaching its nebulous tentacles everywhere to spread its corrupting influence from the shadows.