Absolute Regression

Since that day, I focused solely on teaching Lee Ahn, my duties at the Underworld Pavilion, and my own training.

Lee Ahn absorbed the Soaring Sword Art as quickly as a sponge soaking up water. She had a greater talent for martial arts than I had imagined. Coupled with her relentless effort, her progress was astonishingly rapid.

While teaching Lee Ahn, I realized something anew.

Teaching is also a learning process.

Explaining what I already knew allowed me to see myself objectively.

‘Ah, so this is how I’ve been thinking about this technique.’

I had the opportunity to reconsider aspects I had never seriously thought about before.

Teaching is not merely about ladling out stagnant water. If you teach half-heartedly without genuine effort, the water will dry up and be depleted. But if you teach sincerely with deep thought, it will expand the depth of the well.

Thus, while teaching Lee Ahn, I was also learning. Having never taught anyone in my past life, this process was an invaluable experience for me.

“Young Master, are you really going to create the Haunted Shade Corps?”

“Yes.”

“Then, can I design the uniforms? Instead of the dull black ones, I want to make sophisticated ones. I’d like to create different outfits for within the sect and for missions.”

I almost burst out laughing for a moment. Since deciding to form the Haunted Shade Corps, I had never once thought about the color or design of the uniforms. Come to think of it, every uniform I had ever worn was the same.

“I also want to differentiate the masks according to the difficulty of the mission. I want to design the ghost insignia to be sophisticated yet fearsome, so just looking at it would make one’s legs tremble… Why are you laughing?”

“I was wondering what a sophisticated yet fearsome ghost would look like.”

“I can draw a bit. I’ll show you later.”

“The ones who join the Haunted Shade Corps will be wearing stylish clothes, then.”

“Don’t tease me.”

Lee Ahn was indeed a meticulous person. If her heart, which was now focused on me, turned towards others, she would become a wonderful leader who could touch everyone’s hearts.

“The most important thing is your skill. The Haunted Shade Corps will undertake the most dangerous missions in the martial world. Successfully completing missions and minimizing the damage to your subordinates all depend on your abilities.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And one more thing. There’s something even more important than skill.”

“What’s that?”

“The resolve to lose subordinates. A steadfast heart that won’t be wounded even if you lose them.”

Lee Ahn stared at me intently.

“You see me as a child, don’t you? Always being by your side like this.”

“Isn’t that so?”

“No, it’s not. I’m not a child, nor am I as innocent and kind as you think. I wouldn’t be heartbroken to the point of death if I lost subordinates. Actually, I’m more worried that you’ll be disappointed in me later. You might think, ‘Is she really this cold-hearted?’”

“I won’t be disappointed by something like that. That’s enough.”

Since we were already on the topic, Lee Ahn began to open up.

“When you said you would teach me the Soaring Sword Art, it was the first time I felt grounded.”

“What do you mean?”

“To be honest, until then, I felt like I was floating in the air. The Haunted Shade Corps? Would such an organization even be formed? Me, as the leader? Really? I thought you were just caught up in some fervor. But as I memorized the formulas of the Soaring Sword Art, I realized this was real. Can I handle all this? Ah, I’m sorry. I told myself I wouldn’t ask such confidence-lacking questions anymore.”

“You can ask. No, you should ask. How could you walk the path that will change the fate of so many people without asking such questions? Ask today, ask tomorrow. Ask even ten years from now. It’s a path where you must keep questioning. I will keep nagging. We must keep questioning each other.”

People who don’t ask these questions are like the Eight Supreme Demons.

They believe they are superior to others and that their decisions are always right. They lack concern or empathy for others. They don’t ask.

“Yes, Young Master. I’ll ask whenever I’m confused. I’ll ask you and also ask myself.”

I gently patted Lee Ahn on the head.

“Well done.”

Lee Ahn blushed slightly and smiled bashfully.

“Now, let’s start training again!”

“Yes!”

Towards the end of our training, I brought her books on organizational management, tactics, and the conduct of a leader.

“Read these whenever you have time to rest.”

“Yes.”

Lately, she had been so focused on training that she had neglected learning about the duties at the Underworld Pavilion. Even if it was through books, she needed to learn how to run an organization.

* * *

A few days later, I went to the Southern Heavens Blade Family to meet the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

When I entered the Southern Heavens Blade Family, the Blade Ghosts came out in droves to see me.

This was a place where people lived, so there were some who were garbage and others who were decent. Various kinds of people lived together here.

I generally had no ill feelings toward them. Thanks to them, I was able to successfully complete the Heavenly Meridian Strengthening Technique.

The Blade Ghosts, in turn, had a favorable opinion of me because I maintained a good relationship with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Additionally, many of them were impressed by my courage and spirit when I performed the Heavenly Meridian Strengthening Technique, and some even looked at me with eyes of respect.

A few Blade Ghosts approached me and greeted me politely, while some clapped and cheered from afar. Maybe they took after their master? The Blade Ghosts seemed adorably crazy.

I waved back at them.

Following a Blade Ghosts’s guidance, I arrived at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s office.

The person surprised by my visit was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

“Did something so serious happen that you came to arrest me?”

“Have you committed any crimes recently?”

“I’ve lived a life full of sins.”

“Fortunately, not today.”

“Then what brings you here?”

“I came to give you this.”

I handed over what I had brought to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.

“What’s this? A box that releases deadly poison when opened?”

“Where can I buy such a box? I’d like to get a few.”

“What is it then?”

“Open it and see.”

When he opened the box, he found a Blood Poison Pearl inside. Ironically, it was the exact opposite of his joke.

“It’s top-grade detoxifying pearl.”

“I can see that. But why?”

“It’s a gift.”

“A gift? Why such an expensive one all of a sudden?”

“It’s for your birthday.”

For a moment, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon was so shocked he froze.

“What?”

“Happy birthday. It’s your birthday today, right?”

“Is today my birthday?”

His voice trembled as if he genuinely hadn’t thought about it.

“Didn’t you know?”

“I’ve long forgotten about birthdays. But how did you know?”

“Who am I? There’s no information the Underworld Pavilion doesn’t have. I even know how many pairs of underwear you have.”

“How many pairs?”

“That was an exaggeration. Anyway, congratulations.”

This was clearly an intentional gesture of goodwill and an effort to truly make him my ally.

I bowed to him and turned to leave.

“Did you really come just to give me a gift?”

“Yes. It’s purely a birthday gift, so don’t feel any burden.”

“You’re just leaving like that?”

“I’m a busy man. Let’s have a drink at Flowing Wind Tavern later tonight. I’ll be waiting. And don’t think about wrecking the place today.”

Leaving him still in a daze, I exited his office.

Before closing the door, I glanced back inside. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was looking down at the Blood Poison Pearl with an expression I had never seen before. It was the first time I saw a look of gratitude on his face.

* * *

“Is it really true?”

Seo Daeryong, who was walking alongside me in the hallway, asked with a surprised face.

“What is?”

“That you gave the Blade Demon a birthday present.”

“How did you know?”

“My goodness. So it’s true.”

“I asked how you knew.”

“How else would I know? Word gets around. I naturally thought it was just a rumor.”

I burst out laughing. If it had spread from a private moment between the two of us, then the Blade Demon must have boasted about the gift to the Blade Ghosts. He really doesn’t seem like it, but he talks quite a bit.

“Why did you give it to him?”

“Because it was his birthday.”

“I really don’t understand the relationship between you two.”

It was understandable. We’d had enough incidents to become sworn enemies, yet the Blade Demon and I were becoming increasingly closer.

“Friendship doesn’t grow just by exchanging pleasantries.”

Together with Seo Daeryong, I entered the main hall at the end of the corridor.

All the investigators and enforcement martial artists of the Underworld Pavilion were gathered there.

“It’s been a while since we all gathered in one place, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

A resounding answer came back. After the training, the morale of the enforcement martial artists was through the roof. The investigators, having handled the Hundred Demonic Blade incident well, were also brimming with confidence.

“I’ve come to add some fuel to your burning spirits today.”

Everyone looked curious.

I handed the prepared envelopes to Seo Daeryong. Each envelope matched the number of Underworld Pavilion martial artists.

When Seo Daeryong checked the contents of the envelopes, he was astonished.

“What kind of money is this?”

Inside each envelope was a thousand nyang promissory note.

“Distribute one to everyone.”

“Yes.”

Seo Daeryong distributed the contents to everyone.

“This money is a special gift from me to all of you.”

At the word ‘gift,’ everyone cheered.

“Thank you, Leader!”

I spoke loudly to everyone.

“This money is given to ensure our Underworld Pavilion remains an organization that allows no external pressure. In other words, don’t take bribes. If you suddenly need money, come to me. I’ll advance your monthly stipend. If that’s not enough, I’ll lend you money from my own pocket.”

“Yes!”

With unexpected money in hand, everyone’s expressions brightened.

Nagging when people are in a good mood only spoils the hard-earned points.

“Dismissed.”

As I left the main hall, Seo Daeryong followed.

“Leader, how did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That Ikho needed money. He’s been looking for money lately because his brother is getting married. After spending all his money caring for his sick parents when they were alive, he now has no money to support his siblings.”

“How would I know? I didn’t.”

“Don’t lie.”

I actually did know. I found out by chance and was going to give only Ikho money, but then decided to give it to everyone instead to avoid playing favorites.

“Don’t be so moved. It’s all an investment for myself.”

“An investment for you?”

“If word gets around that I spend money generously, people will start to expect more. They’ll think I’ll spend even more when I become the Heavenly Demon. So, they’ll all want me to become the Heavenly Demon. I’m that shallow.”

“Did you really think that far?”

“No. It just occurred to me when you asked. I suppose others might think that way.”

“So, you did know about Ikho.”

“It was a side benefit. Everyone’s worked hard. Is it really that important?”

“Yes, it is. Loyalty doesn’t just appear out of nowhere.”

“Don’t be fooled by things like this!”

Seo Daeryong stared at me intently and said,

“It’s a world where people are used without even such tricks.”

Then he bowed and went his own way.

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