“Three!”
After counting to three, Geom Mugeuk did not hesitate and brought his sword down.
Usochu shouted urgently.
“It’s not a mole!”
Swish.
The sword that had been descending stopped in mid-air.
Swish.
His wrist was cut, and blood trickled down. Fortunately, it had only sliced through the skin, not severing the bone.
‘This crazy bastard! He really was going to cut it off!’
A chill ran down Usochu’s spine. It was the first time in his life he had ever been so frightened; one could say he had lived a truly easy life.
“It’s not a mole?”
“That thing on the forehead, it is not a mole but a tattoo.”
“A tattoo? What kind of tattoo?”
Usochu hesitated.
“One, two.”
This time, the answer came as he counted to two.
“A snake’s head.”
“A snake?”
“A snake’s head is engraved on the forehead. It seems you mistook it for a mole because it is black.”
There was only one place in the martial world where lunatics who carved snake heads into their foreheads gathered.
“Don’t tell me it’s the Black Snake Society?”
At the mention of the Black Snake Society, not only the escorts but also the villagers turned pale. In particular, Jonghak broke out in goosebumps all over his body at the realization that what he had seen was the symbol of the Black Snake Society.
The Black Snake Society was a group belonging to the demonic path, people who committed all manner of evil deeds. Even among the villains of the demonic path, they were truly infamous.
“Did you take the Black Snake Society’s escort goods?!”
Usochu lowered his head deeply, unable to answer.
The escorts’ expressions completely stiffened. One middle-aged man among them could not contain himself and shouted.
“Chief, is what he said true?”
Usochu raised his head and glared at him. His true feelings could be read in that gaze.
‘No matter what wrong I have committed, how dare a mere wretch like you question the Chief?’
He was truly a hopeless man.
Besides the one who had asked earlier, the other escorts also glared at Usochu with cold eyes. That he had accepted escort goods from none other than the Black Snake Society?
In the end, unable to contain himself, Usochu burst out shouting.
“It was all for the sake of the escort bureau! What do you bastards know to be shooting your mouths off?”
Geom Mugeuk tapped his wrist with the tip of his sword.
Usochu, who had been shouting loudly at the escorts, jumped in fright.
“Don’t cut it! Please!”
At his frightened appearance, the escorts let out sighs. It was shameful that they had served such a man as their chief.
“What were the goods?”
“I do not know.”
“How could that be? No matter how blinded by money you were, there is no way someone like you would join hands with the Black Snake Society without knowing what the goods were.”
Geom Mugeuk raised his hand high.
“One, two……”
“I do not know, I truly do not know.”
“Three.”
Swish.
Shhk!
The sword passed through his wrist.
Thud.
The moment he saw his hand falling to the ground, Usochu’s eyes went wide. He had thought surely not.
Spurt!
As blood spurted from his wrist, Usochu let out a scream.
“Uwaaaaaa!”
The onlookers turned their heads and closed their eyes.
Jo Chunbae and Jonghak watched the scene with eyes wide open. If Geom Mugeuk had not come, that hand lying on the ground would have been Jonghak’s.
The spurting blood stopped. Geom Mugeuk had sent a gust of wind to press his acupoint.
Just as Usochu was about to spew curses of resentment at Geom Mugeuk.
Slide.
His right hand rose into the air on its own.
Usochu panicked.
“No! Stop! You crazy bastard, stop!”
Geom Mugeuk counted again.
“One, two!”
Usochu shouted.
“It is children!”
Silence fell in an instant. It was an answer no one had expected.
“The children are the goods?”
“That is correct. I put the children into a deep sleep using the Turtle Breath Great Technique and packed them in boxes, then delivered them to wherever they wanted.”
Because the Turtle Breath Great Technique made them fall into a sleep like that of the dead, they could be moved like cargo for several days. They likely filled the boxes containing the children with other soft items as camouflage. This way, they could move many children quickly without drawing attention.
“Please, take me to a physician.”
He picked up his fallen hand and spoke earnestly. Only a master physician would be able to reattach it.
Geom Mugeuk’s reaction was cold.
“Why would they entrust that task to you? They could have used an escort bureau on the demonic path. Or the Black Snake Society could have moved them themselves. You need to answer quickly if you want to go quickly.”
“I asked the same thing. They said the Martial Alliance had caught wind of this matter and was watching them.”
Geom Mugeuk remembered. He had heard a story about the Black Snake Society kidnapping children with excellent bone frames, selling them for enormous sums, and amassing wealth. He remembered it as an incident that had occurred much later than the present.
“They said the Demon Extermination Commander of the Martial Alliance had personally launched an investigation. So they said they were lying low.”
The Demon Extermination Commander was Jinhagun, the grandson of the Martial Alliance Lord. His encounter with him had changed Jinhagun’s course of action. As his fate changed, the fate of the martial world would change as a result.
“Please! Please take me!”
“I still have questions.”
“I will answer them at the physician’s.”
“No! Answer here.”
Usochu’s eyes were filled with uncontainable hatred and resentment.
“How much extra money did you receive?”
“I received ten times the usual amount.”
After answering, Usochu felt the gazes directed at him.
He turned his head, and everyone was looking at him. Both the villagers and the escorts were people with families.
They were fathers raising children, and they were someone’s children. Thus, their gazes could not be gentle.
“You think you’re any diff—”
Before Usochu could even finish his words.
Swish.
Shhk!
This time, without even counting to three, Geom Mugeuk cut off his right hand as well.
Watching the blood spurt, he screamed. Having lost both hands, he was in a state of madness.
“This is what you tried to do to that man. You have committed a sin, at the very least.”
As he screamed and tried to stop the bleeding by somehow pressing his arm’s acupoint with his chin.
Just as he was thrashing about like a madman!
Rumble! Boom!
The sound of thunder heralding heavenly punishment rang out.
Crack!
Geom Mugeuk’s fist embedded itself in his face. Usochu’s face caved in, and he fell backward, his breath severed on the spot. Geom Mugeuk had not permitted him so much as a final word.
Jo Chunbae and his family were startled and bewildered, yet also relieved.
Geom Mugeuk sent the villagers away first.
“I believe it is time for you to return home. Moreover, since this matter is related to the Black Snake Society, it would be best to keep silent about today’s events for the time being.”
Since it was related to the Black Snake Society, even if they were encouraged to gossip, there would be no one who would spread word of this.
Once they had all left, Geom Mugeuk asked the escorts.
“If I am to discuss matters regarding the escort bureau, with whom should I speak now?”
At that, the escorts’ gazes turned to one man. The one they all acknowledged was the very person who had earlier asked Usochu if it was true.
“I am Chief Escort Huang Yuan.”
“For the time being, you will serve as the temporary Bureau Chief.”
“I shall.”
Originally, he would not have intervened at all in the affairs of the Yellow Dragon Escort Bureau from now on, but since Jonghak was there as a porter, he decided to take an interest in their future course as well.
“Lend me about ten sets of Yellow Dragon Escort Bureau escort uniforms.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“You all heard as well that they arranged to receive the escort goods at Green Water Forest in three days. I intend to take martial artists from our cult’s branch and rescue those children first, at the very least.”
“Will word of what happened here not reach their ears?”
“If so, and they do not show up, then it cannot be helped. However, if we are fortunate enough to reach Green Water Forest before word of this does, we should at least be able to rescue the children loaded in this shipment.”
Huang Yuan stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and asked.
“Why do you intend to rescue them? You are……”
The Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult. Weren’t his people even more cruel than those demonic path bastards?
He had asked with such thoughts in mind, but an astonishing answer came.
“Because they are children. I may not know about others, but surely children must be rescued?”
If they had not seen the spectacle Geom Mugeuk had shown today, they would never have accepted these words at face value.
But the escorts had seen everything from beginning to end.
“May we discuss amongst ourselves for a moment?”
“Do so.”
Huang Yuan spoke with the escorts and reached an unexpected conclusion.
“We will go to Green Water Forest together. If people with unfamiliar faces go, the enemy will be suspicious. Though they may not show themselves in the first place.”
Several escorts stepped forward. It seemed only a few had volunteered, not all.
“It may be dangerous.”
“We are aware.”
“Then why do you wish to go?”
“We are orthodox martial artists. Though we may be people who merely carry others’ goods, we are still of the orthodox path. This is a golden opportunity to save kidnapped children; we cannot pretend not to know.”
And though they did not say it, they felt a sense of belief that if this Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult went with them, this matter could be handled well.
“Please restore the honor of our bureau that the Bureau Chief has dragged through the mud.”
“The Black Snake Society may seek revenge later.”
It seemed they had thought about that as well.
“The moment we rescue the children at Green Water Forest, we will inform the Martial Alliance and request their aid.”
“Very well. Let us do so.”
Geom Mugeuk accepted their request. With them along, handling matters would certainly be advantageous in many ways.
He obtained a set of escort clothes from Huang Yuan, changed into them, and promised to meet at Green Water Forest in three days.
Geom Mugeuk rented a carriage from the escort bureau.
“Now, please get in. We have somewhere to go.”
He had Mrs. Yun, Yangin, Yangseon, Jo Chunbae, and Jonghak all board the carriage.
“I will drive the carriage.”
Jonghak, the porter, stepped forward, but Geom Mugeuk declined.
“Take care of your wounds. If you do not tend to them properly now, you will suffer for life.”
He forcefully seated him in the carriage.
Jo Chunbae and his family sat facing one another in the carriage. Sitting together in one space like this, they finally felt the relief of having safely escaped the crisis.
The voice of the person who had made this miraculous event possible came from the coachman’s seat.
“Then we shall depart.”
* * *
The carriage ran without rest for half a day.
Entering the forest path, the carriage forged through places where there were no roads and then stopped somewhere.
“You must get down and walk for a while.”
Geom Mugeuk led them into the forest. After walking for some time, they reached a place thick with fog.
“From now on, will you step exactly where I step and follow me?”
The women did not know the reason, but Jo Chunbae and Jonghak, who had seen and heard much, understood. That they were trying to pass through a formation.
Geom Mugeuk moved extremely slowly, considerate of the elderly Mrs. Yun. Passing through the formation under his guidance, they arrived at an estate where the spectacular sight of a winter waterfall unfolded.
A middle-aged man greeted them with respectful manners.
“Welcome.”
Jo Chunbae could sense that he was an expert of the Demonic Cult.
The scenery of the snow-covered estate was breathtakingly beautiful.
“I have never seen such a wonderful estate.”
“Me neither, unni.”
Yangin and Yangseon exclaimed in admiration.
Jo Chunbae asked Geom Mugeuk.
“Where is this?”
“This is our cult’s safe haven. Not an ordinary safe haven, but a special one that only those of Demon Lord rank or higher may use. It is a place where you cannot die even if you wish to.”
Everyone was startled at the words “safe haven of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.” They had never imagined Geom Mugeuk would bring them to a safe haven. Moreover, a special safe haven?
“Since the Black Snake Society is involved, I thought it best to be cautious. Please rest comfortably here until this matter is concluded.”
Geom Mugeuk absolutely ensured the safety of Jo Chunbae’s family. He eliminated every possible risk, down to the very last one.
“How could we possibly impose by staying in such a precious place?”
“Because you are a friend of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Young Cult Leader.”
“Just how greatly are you trying to move me?”
“I shall look forward to free side dishes at the Winds and Streams Tavern.”
Jo Chunbae was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he was at a complete loss. Even if he made free side dishes for a lifetime, he could not repay this grace.
The reason Geom Mugeuk had brought them here was not solely for their safety.
“When was the last time you traveled?”
Jo Chunbae was bewildered by the unexpected question. When was it? There was no need to even think about it.
Jo Chunbae cast a shameful expression toward his wife.
“Then, as the proprietor, have you ever closed the tavern to rest?”
“Never.”
There had been times he rested because of matters at home, but never once had he rested for his own sake. Not a day went by that he did not open the doors. He opened them when he was sick, and opened them when things were hard. There were days when he truly wished to rest. Even on those days, he opened them.
“The Young Leader? Surely not?”
“Yes. Please think of this as having come here for a journey, and as a long-overdue vacation—rest well.”
Jo Chunbae did not know what to say. A person could become dazed when overwhelmed by emotion.
“For me, it is easy work requiring only that I move my lips. It is no great matter, so please do not feel burdened. I shall come to escort you as soon as my work is finished.”
Before departing, Geommugeuk transmitted several matters to the middle-aged steward through voice transmission. And finally, he commanded:
“Serve these people as you would serve me.”
The middle-aged steward bowed his head respectfully.
In a flash, Geommugeuk disappeared into the distance, becoming a mere dot.
Jo Chunbae and his family stood still, watching that sight.
The middle-aged steward who oversaw the estate guided them with a kind smile.
“Now, please come inside.”
“Oh my, yes.”
Jo Chunbae and his family entered the manor. The carpets covering the floors, the furniture set in the corridors, each painting hanging on the walls—all were uniformly precious and luxurious.
“I have never been to a place like this in my entire life.”
As if it were only Yang In? It was the first time in such a place for them all.
As they passed by, they saw a chef preparing food in the open kitchen—dishes one could only eat at high-end restaurants.
The middle-aged steward prepared three separate rooms: one for Lady Yun, one for Jo Chunbae and his wife, and one for Jonghak and his wife. The rooms were decorated even more luxuriously.
“Is it alright for us to be treated like this?”
At Yang In's question, Jo Chunbae shook his head.
“I do not know either.”
Yang Seon laid Jonghak on a bed covered with a white, fluffy quilt.
“Now don't worry about anything and just rest.”
Perhaps because Geommugeuk had asked before he left, a physician from the An family came, took Jonghak's pulse, gave him medicine, and left.
Moved by the sight, Yang Seon broke into a bright smile and said,
“My brother-in-law was right. This is a moment that will never come again.”
Jo Chunbae and Yang In entered their room.
Lady Yun had directed that the largest room be given to her eldest son-in-law.
The two sat on the bed, staring blankly out the window. A day like a storm had truly passed. Jo Chunbae wondered if he was dreaming.
Yang In felt exactly the same.
“Live long enough, and even a day like this arrives.”
“So it seems.”
In the distance beyond the window, the sunset was beautifully setting. They could not even remember when they had last sat side by side watching the sunset like this.
“You have suffered much all this time, my dear.”
Today, those words sank especially deep into his heart. Yes, this one line was enough. Because failing to say this easy single phrase was what made this precious hardship into a living hell.
“You have suffered too.”
Jo Chunbae knew. He knew how tenaciously his wife had lived, raising their children and doing all manner of difficult work.
Just then, a maid came from outside and said,
“Dinner is ready.”
The two sat blankly for a moment at this reality that felt entirely unreal.
Then Jo Chunbae stood up first, extending his hand to his wife.
“My lady, let us go eat.”
Yang In smiled, took her husband's hand, and stood up. It was the first vacation she had ever had in her life.
“Then shall we go eat a meal prepared by others? I—I am going to eat a great deal.”
Absolute Regression, Episode 339