“Begin by circulating your qi.”
Bisa-in was worried about Goeak. His complexion was so pale that he looked as if he might collapse at any moment.
“Don’t worry. I’ve come through worse situations than this without incident.”
Before sitting down, Goeak looked at Sinwoldo’s corpse.
Overlapping his corpse, Goeak saw the corpse of Gwangseom. He also saw the figure of the Heavenly Water Sword, one of the Flame-Scorching Twin Swords. Who would have thought the day would come when he would kill the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path with his own hands?
When one’s life changes drastically, it is like an assassin’s dagger. It never gives warning.
Even while carrying out various tasks for the Unorthodox Alliance, Goeak had always kept one step back. He had been ready to pull out at the first sign of trouble. Yet that had been him.
‘I’ve come too far in.’
But as he had told Bisa-in earlier, he did not dislike the feeling. It was certainly awkward to be doing something for another person, though.
Goeak sent a voice transmission to one person.
—Is this what it normally feels like?
The person he addressed was Geom Mugeuk. He had asked the question abruptly, without any context, but Geom Mugeuk answered without hesitation.
—It starts from here.
Had he answered that way because he knew what Goeak was asking?
—Then what happens later?
—You’ll regret it. Why did I get so deeply involved and put myself through all this trouble? Perhaps you might even die because of those feelings that don’t suit you.
Geom Mugeuk knew exactly what question he had been asked and answered accordingly.
—But it will be different when you die.
—How?
—At the very least, you won’t leave behind words like “This feels disgusting,” as Sinwoldo did. You’ll leave behind different words. I’ll listen carefully until the very end.
—I’ll live longer than you. I’ll show you the tenacity of a man from the Unorthodox Path.
Goeak closed his eyes and began circulating his qi and regulating his breathing.
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned toward Baek Jagang.
Feeling the gaze directed at him, Baek Jagang looked over.
After drawing his attention that way, Geom Mugeuk immediately looked toward the Battle King. It was as though he were saying:
I’ll take care of the Battle King now, so please watch over your disciple for a moment.
The Battle King was someone whom they could not afford to take their eyes off for even a moment.
At the same time, Geom Mugeuk sent a voice transmission.
—What you see may not be everything. This is a conspiracy plotted against none other than the Alliance Lord himself.
Geom Mugeuk then gave an extreme example.
—Our father might even walk out of those bushes behind us.
How could he speak so cheerfully even while reminding him of the danger?
Baek Jagang felt an intense jealousy toward Geom Ujin once again.
‘You’ve struck it rich in the child-rearing business. I’ll give you that.’
Not merely a good harvest—he acknowledged it as an abundant harvest.
‘But isn’t farming something you do every year?’
There was hope. Goeak had stepped forward for Bisa-in’s sake. The fact that he had gained such a difficult man also meant that he had finally become worthy of obtaining a true ally.
Geom Mugeuk sent another voice transmission.
—You must not be injured by even a single hair. I’ll help as well.
Since he was repeating what he had said earlier, Geom Mugeuk truly seemed intent on bringing this situation to an end in that manner.
‘Very well. I’ll enjoy your abundant harvest this year.’
Yes, if he wanted to compete properly with Geom Ujin in the child-rearing business—
—Very well. I won’t be injured by even a single hair.
The atmosphere on the Unorthodox Alliance’s side was good, but things were different on the Battle King’s side.
With the Poison Tyrant dead and Sinwoldo dead as well, the morale of the Battle Wolves plummeted to the floor.
No matter how much they enjoyed fighting, they did not enjoy fighting battles they were bound to lose.
They were men who could make their opponents bow their heads with nothing but a look, but that gaze no longer worked. Their opponents were the warriors of the Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path and the Extreme Blade Corps—men who might or might not win even with morale soaring to the heavens.
Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned toward the Battle King.
He did not waver in the slightest. Nor did he try to encourage the Battle Wolves or forcibly raise their morale. Instead, that very composure eased their anxiety.
The Battle King spoke respectfully to the Azure Killing Ghost.
“Senior, please step forward and take care of this.”
The Battle King trusted his abilities. He was worried about the man’s hot temper and foul disposition, but the Azure Killing Ghost had weathered many storms, so he was not overly concerned.
The Azure Killing Ghost stepped forward and spoke to the warriors of the Unorthodox Alliance.
“You picked one of ours, so surely we can pick one of yours now, can’t we? Surely you’re not going to let this old man frighten you into swarming me like a pack of dogs? You bastards, your Alliance Lord is watching!”
He grinned, baring the few teeth he had left.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of the Battle King’s lips. Yes, just like that.
Baek Jagang’s expression hardened instead. He knew there was no one here who could face the Azure Killing Ghost one-on-one. Moreover, the old man would not pick Geom Mugeuk.
The Azure Killing Ghost spoke to Goeak.
“How about you step forward first? You, the one running around after killing all seven of the Seven Great Masters of the Unorthodox Path, trying to become the greatest master of the Unorthodox Path.”
Perhaps he had shared a personal relationship with Sinwoldo, for he was picking a fight with Goeak.
But Goeak was not someone who could be trifled with. His eyes, which had been closed, opened.
“And what are you standing there to gain?”
The Azure Killing Ghost’s expression twitched.
“Did someone who has been named a public enemy of our Alliance really expect to be treated like a senior? How filthy must one’s life have been to become a public enemy of both the orthodox and unorthodox paths?”
The Azure Killing Ghost advanced one step, murderous intent spilling from him.
Bisa-in stepped in front of Goeak as though to shield him.
“Stand back.”
The Azure Killing Ghost gave him a contemptuous look.
“Little Alliance Lord, unless that hideous face of yours has somehow transformed into martial prowess, don’t you dare stand in my way.”
The Azure Killing Ghost deliberately provoked Bisa-in. His target had never been Goeak in the first place—it had been Bisa-in. Knowing that the two shared a close relationship, he had picked a fight with Goeak in order to draw Bisa-in out.
If the enraged Bisa-in charged at him, he intended to take him hostage. Even if Bisa-in rushed forward only ten steps, the Azure Killing Ghost planned to snatch him up like a hawk.
With the Poison Tyrant and Sinwoldo dead, it was the best way to turn the tide. If they held Bisa-in hostage, the Unorthodox Alliance would be unable to fight a melee. He had devised a plan to eliminate them one by one, then finally kill the Alliance Lord together with the Battle King.
“No one has probably ever been honest with you, Little Alliance Lord, so I’ll tell you. Your face is disgusting to look at.”
When had Bisa-in ever heard someone say his face was disgusting? He felt terrible. In the past, he might have fallen for such provocation. He truly was angry.
But Bisa-in was different now. How would Geom Mugeuk react? It was natural to feel angry, but surely he would not let that emotion influence his actions.
“Someone once told me that this face of mine was handsome.”
“Who in the world said that?”
Bisa-in looked at Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk spoke with an awkward expression.
“…I was joking.”
Bisa-in laughed. He was pleased with himself for having become someone capable of laughing at a moment like this. He was certain this change would make him stronger in the future.
He was also grateful to Geom Mugeuk, who had formed a relationship with him in which he did not feel offended even upon hearing that it had been a joke. That considerate man always examined his feelings with care. After joking around, he never failed to add words like these:
“You do look somewhat handsome when you smile like that.”
Because all the warriors of the Unorthodox Alliance were watching, Geom Mugeuk praised Bisa-in once more.
“Someone who doesn’t know how to look at a person’s face will see only your scars, but someone who does know how to look will recognize how handsome the face beneath those scars is.”
He was not talking about seeing Bisa-in’s inner self. Geom Mugeuk hoped these words would work like magic. He hoped someone would say, “Now that I look again, it’s not so bad.” He hoped the number of such people would gradually increase.
“And your smile resembles Lord Fist Demon, the Demon Venerable of our sect, quite a lot. After my father’s, it’s my favorite smile.”
How could Bisa-in not be grateful when Geom Mugeuk said such things in front of everyone? After meeting him and hearing words like these again and again, his long-standing inferiority complex had begun to fade. At this moment, he felt so grateful and happy that he thought he might even be able to cast it all off after today.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to create more reasons to smile.”
“Isn’t that up to you?”
The Azure Killing Ghost, who had been listening to their conversation, felt as though he had somehow been drawn into it. Rather than provoking his opponent, he seemed to have helped improve the relationship between the two men, which left a foul taste in his mouth. In any case, he had failed to take Bisa-in hostage.
The Azure Killing Ghost’s gaze turned toward his original target.
“You come out.”
The opponent he selected was Beoncheon, commander of the Extreme Blade Corps.
“I’ll face him.”
Beoncheon was not frightened by the Azure Killing Ghost in the slightest. That was the spirit of the man named Beoncheon. It was why he led the Extreme Blade Corps, the elite force directly under the Alliance Lord.
The Unorthodox Alliance had countless divisions and corps. But whenever a situation like today’s arose—when it was impossible to know whom to trust—the first organization mobilized was the Extreme Blade Corps.
And Beoncheon was the head of that organization. Thus, even if the Battle King had stepped forward alongside the Azure Killing Ghost instead, he would not have been frightened in the least.
For that reason, Baek Jagang had to stop this fight. No matter how formidable Beoncheon was, he could not withstand the internal power of the Azure Killing Ghost, a master of the previous generation.
But if Baek Jagang stepped forward to stop them, the Azure Killing Ghost would mock Beoncheon’s honor and pride with every kind of insulting remark. Since his subordinates were watching, he had to respond carefully.
Without realizing it, Baek Jagang looked toward Geom Mugeuk. He hated to admit it, but at this moment, he felt that he was relying on him.
And Geom Mugeuk once again began to live up to the Alliance Lord’s expectations.
Geom Mugeuk spoke respectfully to the Azure Killing Ghost.
“Before the two of you fight, may I say one thing to our old master?”
“What is it?”
“To be honest, if we’re comparing who is uglier, Senior, you are uglier than the Little Alliance Lord.”
“What?”
The Azure Killing Ghost had not expected anything like that. His bewildered expression crumpled into a frown.
“I’m saying this because if you die in the fight, you might return without ever learning the truth.”
The idea of dying to Beoncheon? That too was sure to irritate him. But the words that bothered him even more were these:
“Are you saying I’m uglier than the Little Alliance Lord?”
“That’s right.”
Geom Mugeuk knew that although the Azure Killing Ghost was now unattractive, with missing teeth and countless wrinkles, he had been called a beautiful young man in his youth.
He was immensely proud of his looks. That was why he had mocked Bisa-in’s appearance as well.
“Even if I imagine you with a young face and compare the two of you, you’re definitely uglier. I’m sorry.”
When Geom Mugeuk even bowed his head and apologized, the Azure Killing Ghost grew angrier still. If he had simply cursed him and shouted that he was uglier, it would have been nothing more than meaningless abuse. But the polite apology made him feel truly wretched.
‘This brat is quite something!’
He knew Geom Mugeuk was deliberately getting under his skin, but he could not avoid it. He simply could not accept being uglier than that Bisa-in—especially after calling that very face disgusting.
“You don’t seem to believe me. Shall we check?”
Geom Mugeuk raised his voice so everyone present could hear.
“Come, then. Let’s see who’s uglier. Those who think the Little Alliance Lord is ugly, raise your hands!”
No one had expected him to ask such a question, and everyone was bewildered.
Baek Jagang was surprised, and even the Battle King was surprised. Not a single person there remained unfazed. An appearance contest, in the middle of this situation?
Naturally, no one on the Unorthodox Alliance’s side raised a hand. Even if they thought so, who would dare raise one? Conversely, some of the Battle Wolves were too caught off guard by the sudden question to raise their hands.
“Then those who think our old master is ugly, raise your hands!”
As soon as Geom Mugeuk finished speaking, he shot his own hand into the air. The Thirteen Wolves of the Unorthodox Path followed suit, and then all the warriors of the Extreme Blade Corps raised their hands as well.
At that moment, Bisa-in’s eyes widened.
Baek Jagang had raised his hand. He had never dreamed that his master would raise his hand for him in such an absurd situation.
‘Master!’
It was only the act of raising a hand, but Bisa-in was deeply moved.
He did not know that Baek Jagang’s action also contained an apology for having doubted him this time.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to the Azure Killing Ghost.
“Look. There are far more people who think our senior is ugly, aren’t there?”
“You bastard, isn’t that only because there are more of you?”
“Isn’t it the same for you?”
“What is?”
“Doesn’t our senior also act however he pleases just because he’s old? He mocks a junior by calling him ugly—isn’t that only because he has more internal power?”
“!”
It was an entirely unexpected remark, and Cheongsal-gwi was unable to respond for a moment. This had been Geom Mugeuk’s true intention all along.
“Earlier, Senior Goe chose someone of a similar age and comparable skill to fight. But you, Old Senior, are different, aren’t you? If you want things to be fair, then we should step forward in numbers equal to your age.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I mean that we’ll field as many people as the sum of your age, so let’s have a match. Or you could boldly admit that you’re uglier than Senior Goe.”
“What kind of madman says such things?”
He had brought up the insult about his appearance to provoke Bisa-in, but instead, he had fallen right into Geom Mugeuk’s provocation.
“Do you think you can defeat me by joining forces? Is that why you’re pulling this ridiculous stunt?”
“Just admit that you’re ugly and fight Danju Beoncheon!”
“What kind of unreasonable nonsense is this?”
“No, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Just continue your duel.”
“You little—!”
“What’s so shameful about a man admitting that he’s ugly?”
In the end, Cheongsal-gwi could no longer endure it and shouted,
“Fine! I’ll kill you all at once.”
The moment his words fell, Bisa-in stepped forward first.
“Let’s see who’s uglier.”
As if he had been waiting for it, Geom Mugeuk followed him out.
“If my friend is going, then I’m going too! We’re still short on age on our side, so I’ll join forces with one more person.”
Geom Mugeuk looked back and forth between Ilang and Beoncheon before speaking to Ilang.
“Danju Beoncheon has already been singled out, and he was even falsely accused this time. Won’t you yield?”
Ilang readily nodded. With Geom Mugeuk and Beoncheon stepping forward, he would not need to. In any case, if Bisa-in found himself in danger, Ilang intended to intervene regardless of any promise. If that was the case, it was better for him to stay out of it from the beginning.
Cheongsal-gwi came to his senses belatedly.
‘Ah, this wasn’t how I planned things.’
He had lost his temper and shouted, and now three people stood in a line before him.
Because of that hot temper of his, he had become a public enemy of the three factions—the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths. No matter how old he grew, it never changed.
It was Tuwang who brought the situation under control.
“The ages don’t match.”
Tuwang spoke to Geom Mugeuk in a calm tone.
“You should step out, and Ilang should take your place.”
Geom Mugeuk had expected Tuwang to intervene, so he readily accepted. Tuwang would never permit him to fight alongside them.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Lord Ilang.”
Ilang took his place instead.
An image arose in Tuwang’s mind: Geom Mugeuk, who had thrown out countless words, jokes, and absurd arguments, returning once more to the battlefield where blood flowed. Standing there alone, staring back at them with eyes of unfathomable depth. Since Cheongsal-gwi could not see that sight, he was being overwhelmed helplessly.
In the place where only Beoncheon was originally meant to stand, Bisa-in and Ilang now stood together.
Geom Mugeuk, who had stepped back, looked toward Baek Jagang.
‘This is as far as I can go to help.’
Absolute Regression, Chapter 371