“Which color do you think suits me better?”
Geom Mugeuk held one armor in each hand.
In his left was the Cheolbi Armor (Iron Mystery Armor), and in his right was the Hwayang Armor (Glorious Sun Armor). Both were the kind of armors that martial artists of the jianghu would brave blades and bloodshed to claim.
“Shouldn’t function be more important than color?”
At Hwi’s cautious reply, Geom Mugeuk firmly shook his head.
“You don’t understand! Above all, there must be flair. Just imagine. In the middle of a life-or-death battle, your clothes flare open and the armor beneath is revealed in all its glory!”
Geom Mugeuk picked up an armor he had tossed aside.
“And what if I were wearing something this drab underneath! Ah, I’d rather just be stabbed and get it over with.”
Geom Ujin looked at his son with an exasperated expression.
“It’s all your fault that I can’t choose.”
Geom Ujin asked with a bewildered look.
“Why is it my fault?”
“The Gyeonghon Armor you chose first was the coolest. I simply cannot find anything cooler than that. In that sense, don’t you think about yielding it to your son?”
Of course, Geom Ujin’s expression said not a chance.
“I’ll find one. An armor even cooler and more incredible.”
Geom Mugeuk began selecting armors again. Having picked one up, he turned and asked,
“Which of these is better?”
But Geom Ujin was picking out an armor for Hwi. Because he knew well that if left alone, that man would never choose one for himself.
“Try this on.”
“I’m fine, my Lord.”
“Try it on.”
“Yes.”
While Hwi put on the armor, Geom Mugeuk shook the clothes he was holding.
“There’s a person here! Did I perhaps put on an armor that turns invisible automatically?”
Geom Ujin pretended not to hear, focusing only on Hwi.
The armor Geom Ujin had chosen for Hwi was the Muyeong Armor (Shadowless Armor). It was the lightest among the armors present. It was the most suitable armor for Hwi, who valued stealth and speed.
“It suits you well.”
Hwi’s eyes trembled as he looked in the mirror. It was not because of his own appearance in the Muyeong Armor. It was because the reflection of the Lord, looking at his own reflection with satisfaction, could be seen in the mirror.
“I do not know if it is right for me to receive something so precious.”
“Accept it.”
“Yes.”
Of course, it was not only protective armor that had been chosen for Hwi.
If told to choose for himself, Hwi would obviously pick the worst among them, so Geom Ujin personally selected a weapon for him as well.
“Try holding this.”
What Geom Ujin handed over was a single dagger. A cold, eerie energy emanated from the blade, as if it could cut through flesh and bone, and even a man’s heart, along with mysterious inscriptions carved into the hilt.
“This is no ordinary dagger.”
“It is Jinhon (Spirit Suppressing).”
At the name Jinhon, Hwi was startled. He had heard of this dagger. It was the supreme dagger known to all who wielded such blades.
It was known to be superior even to the Cheonae Dansim that Geom Ujin had first chosen.
“Why do you not choose Jinhon for yourself? Please use it, my Lord.”
“As you know, have you ever seen me use a dagger? Instead, do you not wield them?”
Hwi understood. That though Geom Ujin had seen Jinhon first, he had chosen the second-best Cheonae Dansim in order to give this one to him.
‘My Lord!’
Geom Ujin held out Jinhon, and Hwi respectfully received it with trembling hands.
“Now, infuse it with your internal energy. As you know, the first time is important.”
Hwi carefully channeled his internal energy into Jinhon.
Humm.
Jinhon reacted to Hwi’s internal energy and vibrated. It was the moment it met its new master.
“Ah!”
Hwi was not one to show his emotions, but in this moment, he could not conceal his awe.
With just a single infusion of internal energy, he could feel how fine a dagger this Jinhon was. He had never held such an excellent dagger before. It filled him with confidence that he would not lose to anyone if he fought with this blade.
‘Let’s do well from now on.’
Hwi wrapped the leather belt he had originally been wearing over the Muyeong Armor. In the belt were sheathed a few daggers and several items of unknown purpose.
Hwi drew one dagger and replaced its spot with Jinhon.
Then he turned toward Geom Ujin, clasped his hands in a respectful pugilistic salute, and bowed his head.
“Thank you, my Lord.”
He said no other words. Because no words could express his emotions at this moment.
“It suits you well. Look around, and if there is anything you need, take it.”
“This alone is sufficient.”
Hwi spoke firmly. He looked ready to return everything that had been given if more was pressed upon him, so Geom Ujin did not insist further.
Only after taking care of Hwi first did Geom Ujin look at his son.
He had expected him to be sulking over not being outfitted as well.
“Well, what do you think?”
Geom Mugeuk was already fully dressed.
“I decided on the Heukryong Secret Armor to match the color of your armor, Father.”
The Heukryong Secret Armor was an excellent choice. And that was not all. From wrist guards to a waistband with pouches, knee guards, elbow guards, and even gauntlets for those who practiced fist techniques—he was wearing everything that could be strapped to the body.
“Because Father told me to dress properly.”
At that, Geom Ujin stared intently at Geom Mugeuk and said,
“I didn’t tell you to wear four layers, did I?”
For a moment, Geom Mugeuk flinched.
“Surely not? Have you mastered some demonic art that lets you converse with armors?”
“Need I learn such an art? Can’t one tell just by looking in the mirror?”
Geom Mugeuk stood before the mirror. His body was thicker than usual. Anyone could see he was layered up.
“It’s a bit obvious.”
Indeed, Geom Mugeuk was wearing four layers of armor atop one another.
“Who are you planning to give them to?”
“These precious items, how could I have no one to give them to? Ah, and as Father ordered, I intended to wear this Heukryong Secret Armor myself. I shall also wear these Ssangrang (Twin Wolves).”
The black Heukryong Secret Armor bore the image of a black dragon upon closer inspection, and the Ssangrang wrist guards bore splendid images of wolves.
“And I gave up on looking stylish to wear these.”
As Geom Mugeuk made a pitiful face and tried to remove the armors, Geom Ujin spoke.
“Enough. Since you’ve already put them on, take them.”
At that, Geom Mugeuk’s expression brightened.
“As expected! My father is the greatest!”
Geom Mugeuk removed the layers of armors and protective gear. Looking at the armors that came out from underneath, he had chosen only the best even then.
Heukryong Secret Armor and the Ssangrang he wore himself; the rest he folded neatly and kept.
Geom Ujin watched his son’s antics in silence. He also pretended not to see him discreetly tucking the Hyeolpung Gwanghwi Sword among the armors.
Having packed away the armors, Geom Mugeuk now brought out martial robes he had set aside separately.
“Here, put these martial robes on over your armor.”
Wherever he had found them, they were martial robes made of Cheonjamsa. They were not as great a treasure as supreme-grade Cheonjamsa, but they were of incomparably finer quality than ordinary martial robes.
They were lighter than ordinary martial robes, yet incomparably tougher, and allowed air to pass through well.
He had given the best to his father, and the next best to Hwi.
“I don’t like that color.”
Hwi thought inwardly,
‘You need not do this. I have already lost to the Young Lord.’
Thus, the three of them dressed properly and stood side by side before the mirror. Though the colors differed, because they wore martial robes of the same design, they looked like fellow disciples from the same sect.
Of course, Geom Mugeuk had not made his father his master.
“From now on, I shall call you senior brothers. Since Father looks younger, you shall be Second Senior Brother, and Uncle Hwi shall be Eldest Senior Brother. Senior brothers! Let us sally forth to the most bustling main street of Junggyeong. The young ladies will line up for us.”
Then Geom Mugeuk saw. The two of them looking at him in the mirror with different smiles.
‘Yes, smile like that. Live while smiling like that. I will keep making you laugh. Even if the jokes are lame, even if my antics overstep, I will keep trying. Because time flows on even as we laugh. There is no time to frown.’
His father strode toward the cave entrance and gave Hwi an order.
“Come back later and move everything remaining here to the Cheonma Treasury.”
* * *
The smell of blood wafted from the entrance.
Jin Hagun, the Myeolmadaeju, who had entered the manor, furrowed his brow. That the smell of blood was discernible even from outside meant that many people had died.
The warriors of the Martial Alliance guarding the entrance respectfully bowed their heads to Jin Hagun.
Jin Hagun entered the manor grounds with his Demon Extermination warriors in tow.
The middle-aged warrior waiting in the courtyard was Ju Gwol, the Junggyeong Branch Leader of the Martial Alliance.
“Welcome, Commander Jin.”
“Branch Leader Ju, it has been a long time.”
Ju Gwol’s attitude toward Jin Hagun was extremely reverent. Though not yet formally appointed as successor, it was considered a foregone conclusion that Jin Hagun would become the next Alliance Leader. As the Myeolmadaeju, he had steadily built his reputation through successive exploits.
“What on earth happened?”
“An incident occurred here at Yumyeong Manor, so I urgently requested your assistance.”
Normally, no matter what incident occurred, it was standard for the Junggyeong Branch to handle it first. The fact that he had been called from the start meant it was a matter of such importance and severity.
“Come, let us enter.”
Ju Gwol led Jin Hagun toward the building. The closer they drew, the thicker the stench of blood became.
“Yumyeong Manor is a renowned sect here in Junggyeong. Its master was a man who valued righteousness, receiving the respect of all martial artists in Junggyeong.”
Upon entering the building, the interior was nothing short of a bloodbath. Blood was splattered everywhere.
“It appears they were ambushed.”
A trail of blood stretched along the corridor.
It was clear that Ju Gwol’s handling of affairs differed from usual.
The fact that he said it was an ambush meant that the culprit was still unknown.
Normally, the Demon Extermination Corps was requested when the culprit was identified but was too powerful for branch forces to handle. Yet now, he had been called even though the culprit was unknown. Why?
And the reason became clear the moment they opened the doors and entered the main hall.
That place, too, was covered in blood.
Jin Hagun’s gaze fixed on the rear wall. Words written in blood were there.
As he beheld them, Jin Hagun’s eyes went wide.
“The Demonic Way Under Heaven.”
If one were to ask what four characters written in blood on a wall could most startle the Myeolmadaeju, these four would be the answer.
Jin Hagun stared at the blood-written characters and asked,
“Where are the bodies of those slain at Yumyeong Manor?”
He needed to check immediately whether they had been struck by demonic arts.
“There are no bodies.”
Jin Hagun, who had been looking at the characters, quickly turned to Ju Gwol.
“No bodies?”
“Yes, not a single body was found. However, judging by the amount of blood left, it seems impossible that they could be alive.”
Jin Hagun’s gaze turned back to the wall.
“Who would commit such a bizarre act of taking away the bodies they killed? It is undoubtedly the work of the demonic cult bastards.”
At Ju Gwol’s definitive statement, Jin Hagun replied in a calm tone,
“If your name were written there, would it mean you did it, Branch Leader?”
Ju Gwol was inwardly flustered. He had assumed the Myeolmadaeju would also take it as the work of the demonic cult.
“But who would dare impersonate the demonic cult?”
“There have been past incidents of demonic cult impersonation. Do not jump to conclusions.”
Ju Gwol pressed his opinion no further.
“I was rash.”
Whether it was the work of a true demonic practitioner or someone framing the demonic cult, this incident was not something to be overlooked.
Jin Hagun spoke to Ju Gwol.
“Declare a state of emergency immediately and deploy all branch warriors to this case. Request cooperation from all neighboring branches and sub-branches, and thoroughly investigate anyone leaving Junggyeong.”
“I shall execute it at once.”
Having received the order, Ju Gwal ran outside.
Jin Hagun let out a light sigh and looked again at the characters written on the wall.
“The Demonic Way Under Heaven.”
At that, a certain person naturally came to mind. Because when one heard the words “demonic way,” there was a man who naturally came to mind.
‘Your demonic way is being stained with blood.’
‘Where are you now?’
* * *
The carriage continued southward.
“Ah, this means farewell to Junggyeong as well.”
A little further, and the carriage would leave Junggyeong.
“Are you really not going? Let’s stay and play for just four days. The women of Junggyeong are said to be very beautiful.”
Then Geom Ujin spoke quietly.
“Marshal Sima is waiting.”
His father, who had ignored all the silly jokes, had actually replied for once. Geom Mugeuk wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass.
“That only shows you don’t know the Marshal’s heart. Marshal Sima must be relishing this rare freedom. ‘Under one, above ten thousand’ may be nice, but wouldn’t he sometimes want to take out the ‘under one’ and just enjoy being ‘above ten thousand’? Every morning, stretching in the front courtyard of the Cheonma Hall, saying, ‘The Lord isn’t here, wonderful! Lord, please stay and play three more days in Junggyeong!’ That’s what he must be thinking!”
As if imagining such a Sima Myeong, a faint smile formed at the corner of Geom Ujin’s lips.
Just then, the carriage slowly came to a halt.
“Oh! So only Uncle Hwi understands my heart! Are we turning the carriage around?”
Of course, was that why Hwi had stopped the carriage?
“Up ahead, martial warriors are controlling the road.”
At Hwi’s words, Geom Mugeuk leaned his head out to look, and saw carriages and people lined up on the road.
In the distance, Martial Alliance warriors were inspecting travelers.
They numbered not four or five but several dozen, indicating this was no ordinary inspection.
At that moment, a warrior from the Tongcheonggak, disguised as a traveler, secretly passed a folded slip of paper to Hwi and disappeared into the crowd.
Hwi delivered the message to Geom Mugeuk.
Geom Mugeuk unfolded the paper and checked its contents. The playfulness vanished from his face in an instant.
“An incident has occurred. All members of Yumyeong Manor, a righteous sect of Junggyeong, have vanished, and the words ‘The Demonic Way Under Heaven’ were left on the wall in blood.”
Then Geom Mugeuk saw. A cold glint in his father’s eyes.
Whoever it was, they had left behind words that should never have been left.
Soon, Geom Ujin quietly closed his eyes and spoke softly.
“Turn the carriage around.”
Absolute Regression: Chapter 496