Absolute Regression

The place where our carriage arrived was the most famous brothel in Guizhou, the Sky Flower Pavilion.

It was not famous for having a thousand courtesans, but for its exorbitant prices. 2

Indeed, dozens of luxurious carriages were parked in the vast courtyard of Sky Flower Pavilion.

The joke that you could meet all the wealthy people of Guizhou at Sky Flower Pavilion was not just a joke.

We continued to ride the carriage inside. As befitted a large brothel, highly skilled martial artists were stationed everywhere, and those guarding the innermost area were of the highest caliber.

“Are we here to have fun? Or are we here to work?”

To my question, the Evil Smiling Demon responded as if it were obvious.

“Isn’t the point of a brothel to have fun?”

“Can we really play at such an important stronghold of the Valley of Wicked?”

“What do you mean?”

“The martial artists lying in ambush here are not ordinary.”

A strange light flashed in the Evil Smiling Demon’s eyes through the eyeholes. He, who thought there was nothing left to surprise him, found his astonishment continuing to pile up.

Eventually, the Evil Smiling Demon acknowledged the truth.

“People’s tongues loosen over drinks.”

Through the Sky Flower Pavilion, Soma was acquiring various information from the Central Plains. This place was practically an external branch of the Valley of Wicked.

“The quality of information varies with the amount of money, doesn’t it?”

Soma merely smiled habitually at my words, offering no further details.

Since wealthy people and key figures in the martial world frequently visited, it was natural that a lot of important information would be gathered. This place was that crucial to Soma. Instead, he offered this tidbit:

“Would you like to know a surprising fact? The income from this place surpasses the profits from the Great Lake Trading Company we saw the other day.”

“I never imagined it would be that much.”

As we conversed, the carriage stopped in front of the innermost building.

Seeing that there was not a single carriage there, it seemed this was not a place for regular guests.

The Evil Smiling Demon got off, and I followed, wearing my mask.

After waiting for a moment in a lavishly decorated room, a woman with a slender figure entered. Her heavy makeup made it hard to guess her exact age, but she had a unique aura about her. ȐáΝꝊBÊs̩

“Welcome, brother.”

The moment I heard those words, I burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because it’s historical to hear the great and terrible Evil Smiling Demon being called brother.”

The woman cautiously looked at me and asked, “I haven’t seen you before.”

She was perceptive enough to sense that my status was not ordinary based on my casual demeanor with Soma. Perhaps it was her first time seeing someone mention the Evil Smiling Demon so comfortably in front of her.

She introduced herself with a polite bow. “I am Yeo Jeong, in charge of the Sky Flower Pavilion.”

Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress, Yeo Jeong.

I knew her well. She secretly operated dozens of brothels across the Central Plains, not just the Sky Flower Pavilion. Her dream was to become the Empress of the Night, ruling over all the men of the Central Plains.

Just dealing with a dangerously ambitious man like the Evil Smiling Demon showed the extent of her ambitions.

I lifted my mask over my head and greeted her. “I am Geom Mugeuk.”

The Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress was shocked. She recognized who I was just by hearing my name. The presence of the Evil Smiling Demon accompanying me only solidified her certainty.

“An honored guest has arrived indeed.”

She bowed deeply on the spot. Recognizing me was one thing, but bowing the moment she recognized me was an exceptionally shrewd move.

“I might be someone you’ll never see again,” I joked, implying that if I lost the succession battle, I would disappear.

She smiled and replied, “Or you might rule the martial world for a hundred years.”

Soma spoke pleasantly, “Now, set up the table with good drinks. And today, I especially want to show our Second Young Master what beauty is, so bring the finest.” 3

“Yes, please continue your conversation,” she replied before leaving.

The Evil Smiling Demon laughed as he asked, “Doesn’t seeing Mistress Yeo make you look forward to how many beauties are here?”

“Indeed, I am looking forward to it.”

“Really? I thought the Second Young Master wasn’t interested in women.”

“Not at all. I like women too. What man doesn’t?”

“Let’s see then.”

The Evil Smiling Demon glanced at Lee Ahn, who stood by the door with Cheong Myeon. His intention was clear: he wanted to hear me say that Lee Ahn was not beautiful.

‘That won’t be easy.’

The food was served first. As it was the highest-class brothel entertaining the highest guest, the table was filled with expensive and rare dishes.

I spoke to the Evil Smiling Demon.

“May I offer our heart some food? Since you both won’t be eating anyway.”

“Please do.”

Lee Ahn, who was standing at the door, gave a look that said it wasn’t necessary, but I was already gesturing for her to come over.

As Lee Ahn sat beside me, she sent me a telepathic message.

—Young Master! How can you eat at the same table as the Evil Smiling Demon?

—There are too many things you like to give up on this.

—That’s true, but still.

—Even if you die, you should eat and become a satisfied ghost.

I picked up my chopsticks and spoke to Soma.

“Well then, we’ll start eating first.”

Lee Ahn, accepting the situation, started eating with an “Oh well” attitude.

Lee Ahn did not regret her decision.

“This is delicious. How can everything taste so good?”

“Let’s kidnap the cook here. Lim Suksoo’s seasoning hasn’t been quite right lately.” 4

“He’ll be upset if he hears that.”

“My tongue is already upset.”

“Endure it! Besides, don’t you eat at the Flowing Wind Tavern all the time? When will you stop going there?”

“When the food starts getting too salty?”

“Young Master!”

The Evil Smiling Demon and Cheong Myeon silently watched our casual conversation.

Despite being the same master and subordinate, we were very different from them. But that didn’t mean our relationship was better. Some people might prefer a wordless relationship built on complete trust.

I paused my eating and looked at Soma.

Before I could say anything, the Evil Smiling Demon spoke first.

“I’m fine, so go ahead and eat.”

“It’s a shame. Sharing delicious food could bring us closer.”

“Sharing something delicious would only make me angry. We’d probably grow further apart.”

I laughed, but the Evil Smiling Demon did not smile, indicating he wasn’t joking.

At that moment, the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress entered. Four courtesans followed her in.

The women were truly beautiful. Perhaps these four were the Four Great Beauties of the Sky Flower Pavilion?

“Take your time and choose the one you like.”

At the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress’s words, I replied immediately.

“They’re all beautiful. Have them all sit down. There’s no need to choose.”

The Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress looked at the Evil Smiling Demon. When he nodded, she had the women sit down.

“Good choice.”

“A way for everyone to win.”

The Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress smiled at my response.

The woman next to me poured a drink.

“With such beautiful ladies pouring my drink, it looks like I’ll have to drink a lot tonight.”

I accepted a drink from each of the women and drank it all.

“Lee Ahn, have a drink too.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive a drink from the beauties of the Sky Flower Pavilion.”

“Alright, I’ll have just one drink.”

A courtesan near her poured the drink. Lee Ahn took a small sip and put the glass down again.

As Lee Ahn and I treated the women with respect, their gazes towards us naturally softened.

The Evil Smiling Demon was leaning against the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress, watching me.

He was displeased with the situation, hoping I would engage more frivolously with the courtesans.

“Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying yourself?”

“I’m enjoying myself. This lady here is named Juhwa, and she sings well. I’m thinking of asking her to sing a song later.”

“Is it right to act like a gentleman at a drinking party? Should I make you drink more?”

Seeing me act all prim and proper, Soma dragged Lee Ahn into the conversation for no reason. He spoke to the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress.

“The Young Master here says that his bodyguard is the most beautiful woman. What does our host think?”

Her response was immediate, as if she didn’t even need to think.

“I agree.”

“Agree?”

The Evil Smiling Demon straightened up suddenly.

“Yes. I thought so from the first time I saw her.”

Yo Jeong stared at Lee Ahn intently.

“She is indeed a very beautiful woman. If only she lost some weight.”

Clearly, having seen countless women in her lifetime, she recognized Lee Ahn’s hidden beauty behind her weight and bulk.

The Evil Smiling Demon was taken aback.

While I could see it, he couldn’t, and he was trying to prove that Lee Ahn wasn’t beautiful.

So when the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress took my side, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Yo Jeong looked at Lee Ahn with genuine regret and asked,

“Why did someone as beautiful as you gain so much weight?”

Lee Ahn replied to her,

“I have a big appetite and I’m naturally lazy, so I couldn’t help it.”

But the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress sensed there was more to it.

“Everyone has a story they can’t tell, don’t they?” 5

With that, the Sky Flower Pavilion’s Mistress smiled. Lee Ahn gave a faint smile in return. Somehow, those words seemed to console Lee Ahn, as if Yo Jeong understood her pain.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

“You’re welcome.”

The Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion was definitely no ordinary woman.

Well, that must be why she was on such familiar terms with the Evil Smiling Demon, calling him brother, and nurturing her ambition to become the Empress of the Night.

“Come, let’s have a drink together!”

I raised my glass high, and Lee Ahn along with the courtesans joined in the cheerful toast.

After a while of drinking and having some fun, I stepped out into the courtyard of the inner garden for some fresh air.

I guess I’m not cut out to be a hero. Just the smell of manure was enough to give me a headache.

At that moment, someone called out to me from behind.

“Young Master.”

I turned around to see Yo Jeong.

“If you’re not pleased with the courtesans, please let me know. There are many more in this establishment.”

“It’s fine.”

“Young Master, you are quite gentlemanly.”

“Well, in the presence of the Evil Smiling Demon, I must be. If I were out alone, I’d be a complete mess. An eyesore no one could bear to see.”

She smiled meaningfully.

“Not because of your bodyguard?”

“Do you think it’s because of my heart?”

“You seem to cherish her a lot.”

“Is it that obvious?” 6

“Yes, very much so.”

“When you go back inside, please make sure to tell her that.”

We looked at each other and laughed.

“To be honest, I was very surprised. You recognized immediately that my bodyguard used to be beautiful.”

“I’ve been good at judging people since I was young. I have a knack, especially with women. I could tell if a woman would be beautiful with a certain makeup or outfit, or if she had a difficult personality, or if she liked men. I was oddly accurate. People even said I was possessed.”

“What about Lee Ahn?”

“Not only was she beautiful, but I thought she seemed destined for greatness. Like she was meant to achieve something important.”

She truly had an eye for people.

“What about me?”

“I only know how to judge women.”

She gave a slight smile. Maybe her intuition extended to men as well.

However, knowing that using her intuition recklessly could endanger her life, perhaps she had confined her talents to women to carve out a new destiny.

“Shall we go back inside then?”

“Let’s go.”

Just as she was leading the way back inside,

Swish.

A masked man, revealing himself from hiding, lunged at the Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion with a dagger.

She didn’t even have time to scream.

In that urgent moment…

The fastest move I could make unfolded.

As I executed the Underworld King Step, my hand drew the Black Demon Sword.

I unleashed the Fifth Form of the Soaring Sword Art, Rapid Sword Form, and Azure Sky.

Ssshhhh.

Blood splattered across her face.

When the Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion opened her eyes, the masked man who had tried to kill her lay on the ground with his face pierced through.

She, covered in the masked man’s blood, turned in shock to see my sword suspended in the air. Her eyes widened.

Before her, my sword was splitting apart.

Ssshhhhh!

Four swords.

Not actual swords, but sword qi that I had created. Since they were in the shape of the Black Demon Sword, it appeared as if there were four swords.

The Seventh Form of the Soaring Sword Art, Phantom Sky Form.

The Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion gaped at the spectacular sight.

In that moment, I sensed all the hidden enemies as my energy spread out in all directions like a spider web!

Swoosh!

The four sword qis shot out like beams of light in different directions.

Yo Jeong gasped in amazement at the dazzling display. Her gasp was followed by the sounds of flesh being torn and the dying screams of the enemies.

Silence followed.

Then, blood gushed out from the empty spaces that the swords had pierced.

Splash!

The four masked men who had been hiding revealed themselves. Blood spurted from the holes made by the sword qis, and they collapsed simultaneously.

Boom!

In the next moment, someone landed with a thud.

It was the Evil Smiling Demon.

“What happened here?”

“It was an ambush targeting the Mistress.”

At my words, the Evil Smiling Demon looked at the Mistress of Sky Flower Pavilion, who was standing there covered in blood.

Upon realizing that she, not he nor me, was the target, the Evil Smiling Demon let out a cold laugh.

A low laugh, like a growling beast.

His anger was palpable. Just moments ago, he had been laughing at the drinking party, making his anger seem even more intense.

It’s always the same. The most cowardly and vile methods are often the most effective.

The Evil Smiling Demon spoke to me in a calm, composed tone.

“Second Young Master, as it has not been proven that your heart is ugly, would you now like to see my true world?”

Indeed, this is why bloodshed occurs.

1 : Most of us have boring stories, mostly because we live in a boring, realistic world, but yeah, everyone has his own story, his unique perspective, his secret hopes and dreams.

2 : Sadly, isn’t that the case with everything ? I’d even say that it’s proof of low quality !!! How many times paying more offered you advantages worth the spending ?

3 : Rude, poor Lee Ahn XDXDXD

4 : The head cook was hit by a stray shot !!! Medic !!! He’s hit in the feels !!!

5 : Not digging up more ? Very respectful, I like it.Sometimes, not asking is not disinterest, just consideration.

6 : You call her your heart every chance you get, so yes, very obvious ^^

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