It was a lesson passed down by Hwi.
‘The moment you let your guard down, you die!’
A simple truth passed down by the greatest bodyguard of the era.
Geom Mugik knew. He knew how difficult it was to uphold that single line. He knew that truths which are always difficult to keep are simple.
“Ah! This is a disaster.”
Geom Mugik made a half-joking fuss.
“There are far too many moments in my life when I let my guard down. Playing around and drinking! My life is one of even dancing!”
He spoke as if that were the case, but there were only exactly two instances when he let his guard down.
“When I’m with my father, I’m the very definition of letting my guard down. Whether assassins come or not, Father will block them for me!”
The truth was, even when he was with his father, he was tense. Not tense about someone’s ambush, but tense because of his father.
The better their relationship became, the tenser he was. Because it meant he was due for a mistake.
The only moment he completely relieved all tension was when he was inside the Spacetime Migration Technique.
Ah, that place was wonderful just to think about.
The comfort of lying on that hot sandy beach. The cries of seagulls and the sound of waves, a single crab crawling across the sand.
Of course, now there was one more place. Soaking in a hot spring surrounded by snow on all sides, he could forget every worry in the world.
With assassins on his mind, thinking of that place made him feel anew how precious it was.
“Ah, even now, listening to you, I’m letting my guard down.”
Hwi laughed. He had smiled faintly many times before, but this was the first time he had smiled so cheerfully.
“You’re letting your guard down right now too, aren’t you?”
At that, Hwi nodded readily.
“That’s right. If I were ambushed at this moment, I would die.”
“We would have died together, then.”
At that, Hwi spoke carefully.
“I would have died first.”
There was one thing a true martial artist bodyguard never wished to see.
Even after witnessing all the horrific and fearsome things in the world, even if he were to see a sword piercing his own heart, there was one thing he absolutely never wished to see.
Namely, the sight of the person he was meant to protect dying.
Just as I-an had thrown himself for him, Hwi was also a man prepared to die first.
“Perhaps that is the only blessing given to a bodyguard.”
What more words were needed? He had already proven himself through death.
He liked this man who had protected his father all his life and was with him until death.
That is why he could promise.
In this life, such a thing would never happen.
Because the reason he had regressed through all that hardship was for this.
That is why he would never let his guard down.
“Sir.”
“Yes, Young Leader.”
“I will definitely keep today’s words in mind and deliver this message for certain. I survived thanks to what you told me, Hwi!”
After killing the Murder King and returning, he would surely pass on these words.
Whether his sincerity was conveyed, Hwi smiled.
“You must be tired. Please go in and rest.”
“Yes, you rest too.”
As he entered the building and walked down the corridor, he saw Hwi still standing in the courtyard through the window.
With a face lost in thought, Hwi looked up at the night sky.
Come to think of it, this was the first time he had seen Hwi standing in the moonlight.
* * *
Geum Cheonbang arrived at Geom Mugik’s residence.
Recently, he had been unable to sleep properly due to worries about his son. The fact that his son had commissioned assassins was a great shock to him.
He could never forgive whatever had influenced his son to commission assassins.
Of course, he did not know.
That the outcome had already been decided regardless of his son. That from the very beginning, they were nothing more than grass-eating beings caught in a fight between fierce beasts.
He had even thought of going to confront him.
But he had left matters with him to his son until now, and meeting him at this point felt burdensome.
So he decided that even if he were to meet him, he would meet Geom Mugik first and then decide.
‘I have to settle this somehow.’
Even if his son had commissioned them because of that man’s influence, his son could not avoid responsibility for this commission. This was the core of today’s visit.
‘Does he really know who commissioned them?’
When Geom Mugik had come to him, he had seemed to know something.
He had come to confirm that for certain. If he did know? The reason he had come alone like this, without even bringing subordinates, was because he had come prepared for that very possibility.
‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to settle it with money.’
He was in a situation where he had not even exchanged greetings with the father and uncle of the one called Geom Yeon. He was curious what kind of people they were.
When he knocked on the door, Hwi welcomed him.
“How did you come to be here?”
“Are you by chance Geom Yeon’s father?”
“No. I am Yeon’s uncle.”
“Ah, I see. It is an honor to meet you. I am the head of the Geumryong Merchant Guild.”
They were subordinates his daughter had brought. Strictly speaking, there was no need to be this polite, but...
The moment he saw Hwi, he involuntarily felt intimidated.
“I wish to see Geom Yeon’s father.”
“Please wait a moment. I will go ask inside.”
“Do so.”
If the head of a merchant guild had come, shouldn’t they be brought inside unconditionally? Did they mean to turn him away if he was sleeping?
As he was thinking this and that, Hwi came back out.
“Please come in.”
Hwi guided him to Geom Woojin.
“The head of the Geumryong Merchant Guild has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
Geum Cheonbang entered the room. Hwi followed him in as well. Right now, he was not here as a bodyguard but as an uncle.
Geom Woojin, who had been standing by the window looking outside, turned around and looked at Geum Cheonbang.
The moment their eyes met, all the hair on Geum Cheonbang’s body stood on end. He felt a presence incomparable to the oppressive aura he had felt when meeting Hwi earlier.
“I am called Geum Cheonbang, who leads the merchant guild.”
Geum Cheonbang greeted him with a cupped-fist salute, more politely than his usual greetings.
Though he had a false identity as the leader of the Seodoh Sect, Geom Woojin introduced himself like this:
“I am Yeon’s father.”
Geum Cheonbang had met countless people while leading the merchant company, but he had never met someone who gave off such an intense feeling.
“Unfortunately, something that should not have happened occurred at the main house recently. I apologize for that.”
After apologizing first, he asked after his well-being.
“Are you well?”
“I am well.”
“Is there anyone you suspect might be behind this?”
“There is not.”
He could learn nothing from the curt answers, so he tried to discern the truth from the other’s expression.
But far from discerning the truth, the moment their eyes met, he involuntarily lowered his head and averted his gaze.
‘He is no easy opponent.’
His son Geom Yeon was the same. They were no ordinary father and son.
Could these people really have come as his daughter’s subordinates?
An awkward silence flowed. He was adept at leading conversations, having met many people, but strangely, he could not get his mouth to open.
He had not uncovered anything. At this rate, he would be shown the door at any moment.
Then, Geom Mugik’s words to him suddenly came to mind.
“Your son recommended that I visit my father and seek advice.”
“Me?”
He seemed to be hearing this for the first time.
“He told me to learn from you how to become a parent who overcomes their child. He said you are the best in that field.”
Only then did a strange smile form on Geom Woojin’s face.
“How can one overcome their child?”
After a brief pause, Geom Woojin answered.
“I am losing too.”
Hwi slightly lowered his head. He could not dare show a laughing expression at the Cult Leader’s words. A declaration of defeat from the Cult Leader?
It was an answer mixed with jest, but Hwi knew it was not entirely a joke. Lately, the Cult Leader had been losing often, and he had even lost at fishing.
Seeing Hwi smiling with his head lowered, Geom Woojin asked him.
“What do you think?”
“How would I know, having no children?”
“That is why I ask.”
It sounded like having children would rather make one unable to find the answer.
Though flustered by the unexpected question, how could he be negligent in answering when the Cult Leader had asked?
“I do not know about the matter of winning or losing against one’s child. However, I have heard this saying before.”
The Cult Leader had asked the question, but the answer was directed at Geum Cheonbang. Because it was what he needed to hear.
“Children grow by watching not words, but actions.”
Geum Cheonbang’s heart grew heavy. How could he not know the meaning contained in those words?
If you cannot overcome your child, that means you cannot overcome yourself.
In that regard, Geum Cheonbang was deeply ashamed.
Because his son was answering the question of what he had shown him with the conviction that there was nothing money couldn’t solve.
Geom Woojin spoke to Geum Cheonbang.
“So it is.”
“I have gratefully received your good words.”
He had not been able to confirm whether they knew about his son’s commission.
But that did not mean today’s visit had been solely filled with regret over raising his child poorly.
As he was about to bid farewell and turn around, Geom Woojin said something unexpected.
“It seems my son has seen you all favorably.”
“!”
To Geum Cheonbang, those words sounded like this:
His son was being given a chance to be forgiven.
The moment he heard those words, he felt as if a small breathing hole had opened in his suffocated, stuffy heart.
If only that were the meaning.
Geum Cheonbang slightly lowered his head, greeted him once more, and left.
To Hwi, who had seen him off and returned, Geom Woojin said,
“Do you have some hidden child somewhere?”
It was praise for having answered the earlier question well.
Hwi smiled without a word.
After looking out the window with Geom Woojin for a moment, Hwi spoke carefully.
“The assassin behind this does not seem to be an ordinary person.”
Geom Woojin silently nodded.
Hwi knew. Though the Cult Leader seemed to be perfectly at ease, he knew many things. Because he received reports from the Chief Strategist every time.
He was fully aware of which assassins were moving and how. Even that the best of the best were moving.
But despite knowing that, the Cult Leader was merely watching.
What did the Cult Leader see when he looked at the Young Leader?
Perhaps he saw even deeper things that Hwi himself could not see?
Because Hwi could not see that far, and because of that...
“I have a request, Cult Leader.”
Geom Woojin looked at Hwi with an expression of surprise for a moment.
“Have you ever asked anything of me?”
To Geom Woojin’s question, Hwi answered respectfully.
“It is the first time.”
“What is the request?”
“It is something I should not dare to say. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Geom Woojin quietly waited for Hwi’s words.
“For the time being, I wish to take charge of the Young Leader’s protection.”
He was none other than the Heavenly Demon’s guard. A person who must never avert his eyes from the Heavenly Demon for a single moment. Even if the Heavenly Demon was eating rice here, and the Young Leader met death over there, he was someone who should not go there.
He had truly lived with that mindset, yet now he was making such a request.
Geom Woojin said firmly to Hwi.
“I shall refuse.”
Hwi politely lowered his head.
“Yes, Cult Leader. I am sorry for speaking out of turn. I will gladly accept punishment for this great rudeness.”
Then, unexpected words came out.
“Hwi, I command you.”
“Yes, Cult Leader.”
Hwi cupped his fists with a crisp sound and tensed. It had truly been a long time since he received a formal command.
“Until this matter is concluded, protect the Young Leader.”
The surprised Hwi looked at Geom Woojin.
Geom Woojin looked into his eyes and said,
“I cannot let you waste your first-ever request on something as trivial as protecting my son.”
“!”
“Save it and make a request for yourself instead.”
Hwi looked at Geom Woojin with heated eyes and answered more powerfully than ever.
“I accept the Cult Leader’s command!”
* * *
“From now on, you’re going to be my bodyguard?”
I was startled by Hwi’s words.
“It is the Cult Leader’s command.”
“Father suddenly gave such an order? That can’t be. You know it too, don’t you? He is not the type to cast his son off a cliff while laying a net below.”
I stared quietly at Hwi.
“You asked to protect me, didn’t you?”
“No. It was the Cult Leader’s command.”
Since he was not someone skilled in lying, I could tell from his voice and eyes. That this was something Hwi had volunteered for.
So that’s what he was worrying about under the moonlight that day—he was worried about me.
“If it were not a command, I would never have left the Cult Leader’s side.”
Hwi denied it to the end. He was trying to make it seem like Father had done this for me out of consideration.
“You need not be conscious of me. From now on, I am someone who is with the Young Leader yet not with him.”
Of course, that would be the case. The number of people who could find Hwi when he concealed himself could be counted on one hand.
Would the Murder King even notice?
Then, Father’s words suddenly came to mind.
—If you’re going to put Hwi forward, you take responsibility and protect him.
Father sent Hwi to me not only to protect me, but because he believed I would protect Hwi.
Hwi, you’re probably only thinking of protecting me, but we have to protect each other.
“Sir, I look forward to working with you.”
“I as well.”
Of course, a joke couldn’t be missing at a time like this.
I raised both hands and rejoiced.
“Then from now on, I’ll let my guard down with peace of mind!”
It was the very moment Hwi smiled.
Our gazes turned toward the door simultaneously.
Hwi silently disappeared, showing what the greatest concealment art of the era was.
Soon after, a knock on the main gate was heard.
When I opened the door, surprisingly, Myeongsin was standing there.
With eyes transparent yet betraying nothing of his inner thoughts, he said,
“I don’t have ten million nyang, but I have enough money to buy a drink. How about it? Will you have a drink with me?”
You were right, sir. The moment you let your guard down, an assassin comes.
Absolute Regression, Chapter 484