The carriage that had come racing stopped over ten zhang away.
The fifteen martial artists who had been guarding the carriage also dismounted. Among them were Geom Mugik and Jin Hagyun.
But the Heuksa Guild Leader was staring only at the carriage. The thought of meeting the Young Leader of Sadomeng made him nervous; he had only ever heard rumors, and today was the first time meeting him in person.
‘Just what kind of person is he?’
The carriage door opened, and Bisain stepped down.
The Bisain of this moment was not the one who had been teased by Geom Mugik and joked about being a picky eater.
He was the Young Leader of Sadomeng, radiating an intense presence with a cold, frigid aura reeking of blood.
‘As expected! The successor is indeed a successor!’
The onlookers could not help but exclaim in admiration.
Bisain slowly walked out toward the Heuksa Guild Leader. The Sadomeng’s Thirteenth Wolf—no, the Fifteenth Wolf—followed behind him.
The Heuksa Guild Leader’s first impression upon seeing Bisain’s face up close was this:
‘He’s terrifying as hell!’
He had heard rumors that the Young Leader had a strong presence, but he had not known it was to this extent. Moreover, the martial artists guarding him also looked far stronger than expected.
Then the Heuksa Guild Leader’s gaze naturally turned toward one person. Despite the opponent not revealing any aura, his eyes were drawn to the youngest martial artist standing at the very end.
When their eyes met, the opponent grinned.
‘Is he insane?’
It was the first time in his life he had seen a guard smile in such a situation.
But now was not the time to concern himself with that.
“I greet the Young Leader.”
The Heuksa Guild Leader bowed respectfully at the waist, but Bisain only gave a slight nod.
“I have heard much of the Guild Leader’s renown.”
At the cold reaction, the Heuksa Guild Leader judged that his expectations had been correct.
‘As expected! Is he trying to establish his authority?’
In truth, Bisain’s indifference was not for that reason. They were already notorious for all manner of sordid affairs, and the fact that they even kidnapped and sold children left him with no goodwill.
“I have prepared fine liquor and dishes in the village below. Let us go together.”
“That won’t be necessary. Let us speak here.”
“Very well. Perhaps because it knows a precious guest has arrived, the weather is very fine today.”
The Heuksa Guild Leader gave Songchung a glance. At that, Songchung brought forth a box containing the Ilwol Sword.
“A small token of my sincerity.”
He extended the box holding the Ilwol Sword to Bisain.
‘Can he continue to act so stiff even after receiving this?’
It would be a gift that changed those stiff boar bristles into soft lambswool.
One of the Sadomeng wolves came out and received the box in his stead, in case a hidden weapon was concealed within.
Once it was confirmed to be safe, he took out the sword inside and handed it to Bisain.
Bisain drew the Ilwol Sword.
The Ilwol Sword, revealing its sharp blade, captured the gazes of all who wielded swords in an instant.
“A fine sword.”
It could not compare to the Black Demon Sword that Geom Mugik possessed, but even so, it was a famous blade that could be counted among the finest ordinary treasured swords. It was truly a gift the Heuksa Guild Leader had given with great resolve.
“It suits the Young Leader well.”
Right then, Geom Mugik sent a telepathic message to Bisain.
—Give me that sword.
He was not someone who would beg out of greed for a blade.
—What scheme are you plotting now?
—You should at least give a gift of that caliber to your Fifteenth Wolf, your youngest.
Bisain looked at Geom Mugik. He wondered what the man was scheming, but how could he fathom those abyssal inner thoughts just by looking?
“Fifteenth Wolf!”
“Yes.”
As Geom Mugik walked forward, Bisain bestowed the sword upon him.
“A welcoming gift for becoming the Fifteenth Wolf of Sadomeng.”
“I shall receive it with gratitude, Young Leader!”
Geom Mugik accepted the sword without a word of refusal.
Watching that, Jin Hagyun understood. There was no way the Young Leader would give him a sword received from the Heuksa Guild, so this had clearly been Geom Mugik’s doing.
Geom Mugik, having accepted the sword and turned around, playfully sent a telepathic message to Jin Hagyun.
—That is why I told you to become the Fifteenth Wolf, did I not? He gave it to me because I am the youngest and cute.
—If you act cute twice, he would probably give you the Sadomeng itself.
—Then Yuseong would say half an empty wish has been fulfilled.
Having given the Ilwol Sword to a subordinate, not only the Heuksa Guild Leader but all the Heuksa martial artists he had brought were shocked.
Especially the Heuksa Guild Leader fell into shock. He had given a sword he cherished dearly, only for it to be handed to a subordinate right before his eyes?
‘This is a slight against me.’
Unbearable anger welled up, but he suppressed it with effort.
The one who could not endure was Heukgyeon. He shouted in a fury.
“Young Leader!”
Having lived his whole life as an unbridled overlord, even the name of the Sadomeng Young Leader could not stop him.
Rather, he had been waiting for an opportunity. An opportunity to show loyalty to the Heuksa Guild Leader, and to show others how gutsy a man he was.
Especially, it was a chance to thoroughly suppress Songchung, who was sucking up at the Guild Leader’s side.
“That sword is a gift our Guild Leader presented to the Young Leader. Is it not an act contrary to etiquette to hand it to a subordinate?”
Bisain only looked at him with that fearsome face, as if finding him pathetic.
The Heuksa Guild Leader quickly intervened.
“Contrary to etiquette? What insolence is this toward the Young Leader? Apologize at once!”
Of course, the Heuksa Guild Leader’s inner thoughts were the same as Heukgyeon’s. Heukgyeon had spoken the words he himself had wanted to say. Indeed, that was precisely why he had brought him.
At the Heuksa Guild Leader’s roar, Heukgyeon lowered his head and spoke.
“I apologize. I considered that sword not one just anyone could wield, and thus committed a discourtesy.”
But what could be felt from him was not a sincere apology, but lingering resentment. Had the other not been the Young Leader, curses would have already flown from his mouth.
Not just Heukgyeon, but the other Heuksa martial artists standing behind had the same thoughts. Naturally, the atmosphere stiffened.
Bisain sent a telepathic message to Geom Mugik.
—Is this what you wanted?
The unexpected reply that returned:
—It is still lukewarm. We must make it boil over.
Geom Mugik spoke to Heukgyeon.
“Did you say just anyone cannot wield it? I am not just anyone.”
Geom Mugik’s overbearing manner caused Heukgyeon’s face to harden instantly. He was barely holding back because it was the Young Leader, yet the one who looked the youngest had stepped forward treating him with contempt.
“The Young Leader cherishes me more than this mere sword. Is that not so, Young Leader?”
When Geom Mugik asked directly, Bisain made an awkward expression. Jin Hagyun, watching, counted himself fortunate not to be caught in that situation.
In the end, Bisain nodded his head slightly.
“See? He cherishes me more, does he not?”
Watching Geom Mugik’s triumphant appearance, Bisain inwardly sighed. Already he could hear Geom Mugik’s voice by his ear: ‘You said you cherished me, so why do this? Did you not say you cherished me?’
‘With this, he will tease me for a while.’
Meanwhile, the Heuksa Guild Leader could not understand the situation. Giving the sword to a subordinate, and then that subordinate asking the Young Leader if he did not cherish him?
‘What scheme are they trying to pull?’
But the situation was only beginning. Geom Mugik took out something new to heat the atmosphere even further. What he took from his bosom was several sheets of paper.
“In truth, we investigated you beforehand. I received this before arriving here.”
The contents written on the papers were information about the Heuksa Guild sent by Eunwol. Who had committed what crimes, and how they had conducted their business until now—it was all written there.
The Heuksa Guild Leader looked at Bisain with an expression asking just what kind of situation this was.
But Bisain was staring at Geom Mugik with eyes identical to his own. He looked as though he had not read the contents held in that young man’s hand.
Judging by this reaction alone, it did not look like a staged act.
‘Just what are these people…?’
No, and if they had investigated, they should have shown it to the Young Leader—why had he kept it tucked in his bosom? The Heuksa Guild Leader found it strange no matter how he thought about it.
Geom Mugik pushed one man into the gradually blazing flames.
“Who here is Heukgyeon? Let me see your face.”
Startled at being called out of nowhere, Heukgyeon was taken aback.
Moreover, the one calling him was the youngest brat who had been an eyesore throughout this meeting.
“It’s me.”
The dissatisfaction he had been unable to express toward the Young Leader turned into rage directed at Geom Mugik.
“You have eyes, a nose, and a mouth all intact. No matter how I look at it, you are human too; how could you commit such acts?”
Heukgyeon flared up in anger. Had it not been the Young Leader, he would have already drawn his sword and charged.
Seeing Heukgyeon on the verge of exploding, the Heuksa Guild Leader stepped in. If he did not stop him now, blades would be drawn.
“He is an attendant of the precious guest. Do not act recklessly!”
He then asked Bisain.
“But for what matter did you call me here?”
Unexpected events had continued one after another, so only now did he ask the reason he had been called. As unexpected as the question was, Bisain’s answer was equally so.
“I called you because I have a command for you.”
A command? He used the word command, not a request.
The Heuksa Guild Leader was inwardly displeased, but smiled even more brightly and spoke.
“Please give your command.”
Unexpected words flowed from Bisain.
“You are kidnapping and selling children, are you not?”
So surprised, the Heuksa Guild Leader was momentarily at a loss for words.
‘What is this now?’
He seemed to already know, so lying was impossible. No, there was no need to lie. What was the problem with something of this level?
“That is correct.”
Then Bisain issued a resolute command.
“From now on, cease.”
Not only the Heuksa Guild Leader, but all the Heuksa martial artists were surprised.
“May I ask the reason?”
This very moment was when Bisain could feel that he had changed. Had he not met Geom Mugik, this would have been something that never happened in his life, words he would not have spoken.
And Bisain asked himself. Is this something you truly want to do? Or is it something you are doing inevitably because of Geom Mugik?
At least, he could find the answer to that question.
“Because I do not permit it.”
The cause might be Geom Mugik, but he himself could not tolerate this matter. Those of the Sadomeng who kidnapped and sold children were not his Sadomeng.
“From now on, if you kidnap even a single child, your Heuksa Guild will disappear from the murim.”
Since descending from the carriage, Bisain had not emitted even the slightest hint of aura. Though he spoke these words calmly, a fearful and heavy silence settled over the place.
The Heuksa Guild Leader had reached his limit. His pride was wounded to the utmost, and his anger had reached its peak.
“Do you understand?”
Since the Heuksa Guild had established itself, no one had been able to order him around. Those who opposed him had their eyes gouged out and their limbs cut off to be thrown to the pigs. Such had been his life.
The Heuksa Guild Leader eventually lowered his head and answered.
“I understand.”
Just as Bisain turned to walk back to the carriage.
Someone shouted from behind.
“Return the sword before you go!”
The one who shouted was Heukgyeon. The Heuksa Guild Leader could endure, but Heukgyeon could not. Enduring until now had only been possible by drawing upon all the patience he would use in a lifetime.
Geom Mugik turned to look at him and spoke.
“If you can take it, try.”
As if he truly intended to do so, Heukgyeon walked forward.
The ones whose expressions hardened now were not Geom Mugik, Bisain, or Jin Hagyun.
They were the martial artists of the Sadomeng’s Thirteenth Wolf. Though Geom Mugik was not truly the Thirteenth Wolf, he wore the same uniform as them.
Yet a Heuksa brat dared to challenge him. They were clearly being looked down upon.
The Heuksa Guild Leader quickly shouted.
“You will face retaliation. Stand down!”
Geom Mugik moved exactly as the Heuksa Guild Leader intended. He looked at Bisain and spoke.
“Let us promise that even if I die, you will absolutely not seek revenge.”
How could the Heuksa Guild Leader or Heukgyeon know that all of this was Geom Mugik’s intention?
Bisain nodded.
“I promise in the name of the Young Leader. This duel will end between the two individuals.”
Heukgyeon drew his sword and stepped forward. Though he could not compare to Heukya, he was still ranked third in strength within the Heuksa Guild.
Geom Mugik drew the Ilwol Sword.
“Shall we test how good this sword is?”
Knowing Heukgyeon would fight as things stood out of pride, the Heuksa Guild Leader intervened.
“That would be unfair. Let him use your sword.”
Geom Mugik looked down at his own Black Demon Sword.
“Then wouldn’t that be too unfair?”
The Heuksa Guild Leader had no way of knowing what he meant.
“Well, if that is what you wish. Let us do so.”
Geom Mugik walked forward.
Heukgyeon thought only of defeating his opponent somehow and earning merit. He would reclaim the Ilwol Sword and retake his place at the Heuksa Guild Leader’s side.
“Rising from the bottom, I will show you the strength I have forged through real combat!”
Heukgyeon charged forward, swinging his sword.
Shhk!
Before he knew it, Geom Mugeuk's Black Demon Sword was lodged in his left shoulder.
"Huh?"
It had been so fast that he didn't even realize how he'd been struck. He wondered if this was a dream.
Again, shhk!
This time, his right shoulder was pierced. Only then did a terrible pain flood in from his left shoulder that had been stabbed moments ago. The instant Heukgyeon let out a shriek, the Black Demon Sword successively stabbed his elbows once more.
Geom Mugeuk would normally finish things with a single stroke, but today was different.
He severed the joints at the most painful spots, one after another.
"Uwaaaaaack!"
A terrible scream erupted, but Geom Mugeuk's sword did not stop. With each repeated stab, the places where a human feels the greatest agony were cut away.
Bisain and Jin Hagun exchanged glances. It was the first time they had seen Geom Mugeuk kill someone in such a painful manner. He wasn't someone who acted without reason, so the two silently watched his actions.
The Heuksa Lord couldn't dare intervene. No, it was already too late to intervene. Heukgyeon was already battered after being stabbed dozens of times. What was more surprising was that he still hadn't drawn his last breath. It meant that the one doing the stabbing was an expert of such caliber.
With no place left to stab, a streak of sword light slashed across the last remaining place.
His severed head rolled away from his body to beside the Heuksa Lord. It was the moment his dream of standing by the Lord's side was fulfilled.
The Heuksa Lord looked down at Heukgyeon's head, its eyes wide open and staring up at him.
'The martial arts of a mere guard were at this level? And the youngest one, at that?'
Had he put on airs, boasting that he would show them how filthy their hands would have to get to wipe them out, when he kept men like this under him? His body trembled involuntarily.
Bisain's voice transmission reached Geom Mugeuk.
—This was your intention from the start.
He had never planned to simply warn the Heuksa Order and leave.
—That is correct. By my standards, these men too belong to the Absolute Evil.
After a brief pause, Bisain asked.
—If I too come to belong to that Absolute Evil later, what will you do?
Geom Mugeuk walked over to him and handed him the letter he had received earlier.
—Surely you aren't someone who could become such a person?
As Bisain read the contents, his expression gradually darkened. The acts committed by them, led by Heukgyeon, were not simple villainy. Their wickedness was cruel and inhumane to a degree that even demons would shake their heads. Violating a young daughter before her parents was nothing, and they had also locked an entire family ignorant of martial arts in one place and burned them alive.
Now he understood why Geom Mugeuk had asked for the Sun Moon Sword and guided the situation to this point. He could also see why he had killed Heukgyeon so painfully.
Originally, Geom Mugeuk would have simply swept them all away, but considering his position and authority, he was deliberately creating a situation to kill them, exercising the utmost restraint.
Bisain's face burned with heat. After all, these people too had belonged to the same unorthodox faction.
Bisain strode toward the Heuksa Lord. He held out the letter and asked calmly.
"Was all of this your doing?"
While the Heuksa Lord hesitated, wondering how he should answer, a ghastly, chilling killing intent flowed from Bisain's eyes.
"I'm asking if you ordered it."
Absolute Regression: Chapter 345