Absolute Regression

I entered the Northern Heavens Sword Family.

As always, Sa Woojong guided me to the One-Slash Sword Supreme.

“Welcome, Leader.”

“Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your concern, I’ve been well.”

He greeted me as usual. Despite failing to push me away by using Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, he did not reveal his spite.

Today, I intended to use Cheong Seon as bait, exploiting his hidden ambitions to trap him.

“Come in!”

The One-Slash Sword Supreme greeted me warmly. It had been a while since I last saw her, and she seemed noticeably more refreshed.

In response to my greeting, she led me to the garden.

“Come, take a look at this.”

There were sprouts where she pointed.

“It’s the seeds you gave me as a gift.”

“Oh! They’ve already grown.”

“Yes, life is truly mysterious.”

I could feel Sa Woojong’s energy dampen even more as he stood behind us. Since entering this place, I had been secretly monitoring him by emitting my energy.

Compared to when I first learned this technique from my father, my proficiency had increased significantly. Now, I could not only sense the presence and appearance of my opponent but also their emotions.

I discreetly sent a telepathic message to Sword Supreme.

—Could you have Sa Woojong bring some drinks and snacks? I need to pass some information to him. I’ll explain later.

—Understood.

The One-Slash Sword Supreme instructed Sa Woojong to bring drinks. As he courteously complied and turned to leave, his emotions grew fiercer.

She, who didn’t usually drink, was drinking, and speaking informally only to me.

Judging by his emotional shift, he probably thought I had taken the One-Slash Sword Supreme from him.

I suspected that his relationship with Cheong Seon wasn’t normal either. His eventual downfall spoke volumes.

When Sa Woojong returned with the drinks and snacks a while later, I dropped a piece of information. Though I addressed the Sword Supreme, it was actually meant for Sa Woojong to hear. ȒåꞐΟΒÊŚ

“Currently, the most likely candidates for the next Soul Reaper Demon Supreme are the first disciple, Yang Dao, and the third disciple, Cheong Seon.”

I sensed Sa Woojong flinch at the mention of Cheong Seon.

“I heard Yang Dao is more likely.”

“That’s correct. However, it’s not impossible for Cheong Seon.”

“What method could there be?”

The Sword Supreme continued the conversation with me. She must have been curious why I was having such a discussion in Sa Woojong’s presence, but she showed no sign of it and acted naturally.

“The Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult is currently at our sect, isn’t he? The martial arts that the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme have learned share the same roots. Therefore, if the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader can pass on his martial arts to Cheong Seon, she will have a chance.”

“Will the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader actually accept her?”

“The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader will accept her. As everyone knows, the Heavenly Wind Cult has always wanted to advance into the Central Plains. By taking Cheong Seon as his disciple in this situation, it would give him a pretext to stay here and the political influence to negociate. Instead, it’s Cheong Seon who might not want to accept it.”

“Why is that?”

“It seems that the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme has thoroughly educated his disciples. He probably didn’t speak well of his rival, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.”

“That makes sense.”

“If things remain as they are, Yang Dao will take the position of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme. Unfortunately, Cheong Seon will miss her chance to become a Demon Supreme.”

This was the extent of what I had talked about until Sa Woojong left, leaving the drink and snacks on the table. I spoke quickly, and he slowly placed the drink and snacks on the table. He left slowly, trying to overhear as much as he could.

This was enough. He had heard all the key points.

I believed that Sa Woojong would definitely persuade Cheong Seon to become the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s disciple. An ambitious man like him wouldn’t miss the opportunity for his lover to become the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme.

Once I confirmed he had completely left, the One-Slash Sword Supreme finally asked.

“Why did you make such a request?”

“Sa Woojong and Cheong Seon are in a relationship. Did you know?”

“Sa Woojong? I didn’t know that.”

“You may not know, but according to our investigation, Sa Woojong is a very ambitious person. He might try to manipulate you from behind the scenes.”

I warned her but did not mention that Sa Woojong personally liked her.

“I have a rough idea.”

“While keeping a watch on Sa Woojong, who might harm you, I discovered their relationship. That’s why I made such a request, to use this fact.”

“I see. Thank you for telling me.”

“It is I who should be grateful. While keeping him in mind, please handle matters involving Sa Woojong as usual for the time being.”

“I will.”

I planned to repay her help with what she desired most.

“Shall we have a duel soon?”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Honestly, I was the one looking forward to it. I wanted to see how useful the New Eye Technique would be in actual combat.

But first, I needed to handle the current situation.

As I left that place, I looked back. I saw her standing in the yard with her hands behind her back, looking up at the sky.

The thatched cottage no longer seemed hypocritical.

* * *

Tonight, Sa Woojong was putting his utmost effort into their intimate time.

Thanks to this, Cheong Seon felt a pleasure she hadn’t experienced before.

Covered in sweat, the two of them lay side by side on the bed.

“Is something going on today?”

“No. Why?”

“You’re not your usual self.”

“So what?”

“It was really good.”

Indeed, Sa Woojong was different today. He held her first and asked,

“Have you been busy lately?”

“There are people saying I should become the Demon Supreme.”

“What do you think?”

“Who wouldn’t want to be the Demon Supreme? But I don’t have the confidence that I can beat my senior brother.”

“You must become the Demon Supreme.”

“Why?”

“If your senior brother becomes the Demon Supreme, he won’t let you live.”

“..My senior brother isn’t that kind of person.”

“You hesitated just now, didn’t you? Do you know why you hesitated? Because deep down, you know your senior brother is that kind of person.”

“…”

“The moment you were mentioned as a candidate for the next Demon Supreme, you were already standing on the martial arts stage where a life-and-death battle is inevitable.”

Sa Woojong sincerely wished for Cheong Seon to rise to the position of the Demon Supreme.

If that happened, he could manipulate the immense power of the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme from behind the scenes. The mere thought of it made his heart race.

And at the end of this lust for power was still a twisted desire. Becoming stronger and stronger.

‘One day, I’ll make the Sword Supreme my woman.’

Cheong Seon quietly stared at Sa Woojong’s eyes as he blankly looked at the picture of the One-Slash Sword Supreme on the wall.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“How to get you to the Demon Supreme’s position.”

“There’s no way right now.”

“There is. One way.”

“What way?”

“The Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult is here now. If you receive his martial arts, you can defeat your senior brother.”

“That’s nonsense! You know martial arts don’t improve that quickly.”

“You have a natural talent, don’t you? And the opponent is none other than the Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult. Even if you learn just one secret technique from him, you can beat your senior brother.”

“If I become the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s disciple, the other Demon Supremes will hate me.”

“It’s a matter of life and death. Survive first, then think about it later.”

Sa Woojong pressed closer to her.

He didn’t stop until she said yes.

* * *

“Despicable bastards! I never imagined they could be so despicable.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader couldn’t contain his anger.

“Doesn’t this bother you at all?”

The shackled man just silently stared at the Thunder Bell.

“Say something.”

“Didn’t you expect this? That they would try to send us back somehow?”

“I did, I did. But I didn’t think they’d use such dirty tricks. Does this even make sense? Playing around with our food?”

According to the report that had just come in, the quality and quantity of food provided to the subordinates waiting in the outer courtyard had changed. The quantity had decreased, and the quality had also dropped. Good meat had been replaced with fatty chunks, and the alcohol had been downgraded to cheap stuff.

“Who would believe it? That the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect is so petty as to mess with our food. I’d rather they just poison it!”

The people eating that food weren’t just anyone but the main forces of the Heavenly Wind Cult—the Ten Great Storms and a hundred Blood Warriors. He couldn’t just stand by out of embarrassment in front of them.

“The meanest method is often the most effective. And to be precise, this isn’t the work of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect but of the Demonic Buddha. The Cult Leader here would drive us out by force, not resort to such tricks.”

“That little guy wouldn’t go this far.”

“The situation must have pushed him. His job is to convince the Cult Leader. He needs to send you back to maintain his face in front of the other Demon Supremes.”

“This isn’t a matter that can be overlooked.”

It was directly related to his dignity as well. He couldn’t let his subordinates see him being disrespected by the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.

“I have to go confront the Cult Leader.”

“And what will you say? Demand they return our food?”

“Of course, I have to. I’ll shout that your damn subordinates stole all our food. I’ll roll around on the floor of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, saying I’ve never seen such petty behavior.”

“Well, then, have a good trip.”

Of course, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader couldn’t do that. His arrow of anger turned elsewhere.

“What the hell is that Second Young Master braggart doing? Didn’t he say he’d find a way?”

“Just wait patiently.”

“I’m saying this because I can’t be patient.”

“Those who respect you will respect you, the Cult Leader, even if they go hungry, and those who dislike you will dislike you even if you feed them three full meals a day. So, there’s no need to worry.”

“The ways of the world don’t always go as you think. Those who respect me will feel hurt, thinking, ‘How can you starve someone you respect so much?’ And those who dislike me will sow discord among others, saying, ‘I knew this pathetic fool would end up like this.’”

“Only those who can withstand all these storms should remain.”

“Damn it! Hell!”

Just then, word came from outside that Cheong Seon had arrived.

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked at the shackled man with a surprised expression.

The shackled man gave a slight smile, looking as if he had expected this.

Cheong Seon soon entered and respectfully bowed.

“I greet the revered Absolute Supreme. I am Cheong Seon of the Western Illusion Formation.”

“I’ve heard of you. Aren’t you the foremost sorcerer of the Western Illusion Formation?”

“You flatter me. I apologize for not visiting sooner.”

“No need. I appreciate you coming now.”

“I heard from my late master that the roots of our martial arts lies in the Blood Sect.”

“That’s correct. In that sense, we can be considered fellow disciples. So, did you learn all your martial arts from the Demon Supreme?”

“Regrettably, I did not. That’s why I’m here. Please accept me as your disciple!”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader looked at the shackled man and sent a telepathic message.

—The Second Young Master is insane.

—That’s why we need to stay with him to the end.

—Damn! Just thinking about her coming for my approval makes me feel sick.

—Take this opportunity to broaden your narrow perspective.

—Shut up!

While this conversation happened internally, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader’s expression remained solemn.

“I truly wish for the martial arts of the wilderness to shine in the Central Plains. However, I’m not sure if your cult leader will permit such a precious bond.”

“I believe there are no restrictions in our sect regarding becoming a disciple. Moreover, strengthening the Western Illusion Formation should not be opposed by the cult leader.”

“Are you okay with this? Your senior brother might make an issue of it.”

“Teach me. Teach me how to defeat my senior brother.”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader spoke softly to her.

“Your senior brother might kill you.”

Cheong Seon then looked up and stared at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader.

The look in her eyes was not that of a passive woman swayed by a man. The innocent woman who had intertwined with Sa Woojong and the woman standing here now were undoubtedly different people.

Sa Woojong did not know.

He did not know that her docile demeanor in bed was only a fraction of her true self.

He did not realize that the feeling she loved him came not from true affection but from her intense self-love, which would never yield what was hers. He did not understand that she was a woman who would destroy what she could not possess. Sa Woojong knew nothing, for he was a doomed fool.

Cheong Seon smiled faintly.

“But I can’t afford to die, can I?”

The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, seeing the wild, raw madness in her eyes that only a true femme fatale could possess, smiled contentedly.

“The next Soul Reaper Demon Supreme is promising indeed.”

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