Absolute Regression

“These days, I’m looking for a strategist.”

Today’s meeting with Sima Myung was to say these words.

“Am I not enough for you?”

I laughed and replied to Sima Myung’s joke.

“Both my father and I are quite greedy, aren’t we? My father would never share his trusted advisor with me. You know my father well, don’t you?”

Sima Myung brushed off my comment with a smile.

“That’s why I came to seek your advice, to ask what kind of strategist I should be looking for.”

For a moment, Sima Myung fiddled with his glass in silence. Although he appeared calm, his mind must have been racing.

From the purpose of my visit to how much he should disclose, he would be organizing his thoughts, considering the impact of his words on himself, our cult, and the succession battle.

A good strategist ultimately makes good choices.

As far as I knew, Sima Myung was the best strategist, so he would surely provide the right answer.

He took another sip of his drink, and as I refilled his glass, he finished his thoughts.

With a meaningful expression, Sima Myung asked me,

“Perhaps you have already made up your mind?”

There was significant meaning in this question. I could tell. Sima Myung already knew about the existence of that shackled man. He knew that I had him in mind.

He was effectively asking me now,

―Are you considering that person from the Heavenly Wind Cult as your strategist?

It was only natural. The Strategist Advisor, Sima Myung, would undoubtedly know about the shackled man who served as a strategist for the Heavenly Wind Cult.

Lately, I’d been frequenting the Heavenly Wind Cult leader’s residence under the pretext of a theft investigation. Suddenly meeting Sima Myung and stating I was looking for a strategist would naturally make him think of that man.

“I do have someone in mind, but I’m not entirely sure yet.”

If I asked directly, he would never answer, so I asked with my eyes.

―Is it alright to take him as my strategist?

Sima Myung hesitated, staring at me. The most important words of our meeting were about to be spoken.

“Acquiring people is something no one can be certain about. Only through a long process can the results be seen. So for now, trust your instincts, Young Master.”

Trust my instincts.

It was ordinary advice that anyone could give.

However, this advice had a different meaning. Knowing that I had the shackled man in mind and telling me to trust my instincts was essentially advising me to accept him.

If the shackled man was harmful to our cult, he would never have said this. It meant that the shackled man’s abilities were recognized by Sima Myung.

Sima Myung wasn’t my ally, but at least he was someone with full loyalty to our cult. Given that I had a chance to become the Heavenly Demon, he wouldn’t recommend just anyone.

“Yes, I’ll trust my instincts.”

When I raised my glass, Sima Myung nodded once before energetically toasting.

Today, he had only told me to trust my instincts.

Whether it was my father or the Demon Supreme, if anyone questioned why he recommended the shackled man to me, he was free from blame. Even to me, I couldn’t ask why he recommended him. Sima Myung had merely told me to trust my instincts, not directly recommended him.

We filled two hours with drinking.

We shared all kinds of conversations, but Sima Myung was impeccable, without a single slip of the tongue.

* * *

A few days passed.

Outwardly, the days were no different from any other, but within the ranks of the Demon Supremes, all kinds of schemes and politics were rampant.

And today, the day of destiny finally arrived.

“They must be voting right now.”

I nodded at Seo Daeryong’s words.

“Indeed.”

At this moment, the Demon Supremes were deciding on the next Demon Supreme through their assembly.

I didn’t know if the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the One-Slash Sword Supreme had persuaded the other Demon Supremes. I hadn’t gone to ask them, and they hadn’t come to tell me either.

“Is the Pavilion Lord involved in this matter as well?”

I nodded obediently.

“Does it bother you to be unaware of so many things as my right-hand man?”

“No, I would prefer to never know. I wouldn’t be upset to be excluded from such matters. So, please continue without involving me. Even if I learn about the unification of the martial world the next day through rumors, that’s fine!”

“Were you always this funny? You pretended to be so grim when we first met.”

“Even I am confused now about what kind of person I am.”

“It’s better to be cheerful. She would prefer it too.”

“She?”

“The junior you like.”

“The one even I had forgotten about?”

Seo Daeryong nodded as if he had given up denying it.

“Thanks to the Pavilion Lord, we’ll be able to get married.”

“But first, you need to eat. Try telling her you want to have a meal.”

“What’s the point of that with someone who’s busy?”

“What does eating have to do with being busy? If you carry that kind of burden from the beginning, nothing will work out. Just approach her as someone she can see often, comfortably.”

I sensed a slight sparkle in Seo Daeryong’s eyes.

“What’s going to change if we see each other often?”

“It will change if you see each other often. But don’t become someone too comfortable. This is the most important part. Don’t let her see you as an easy target!”

“How should I avoid looking easy? Should I give her a fierce look?”

“Oh my goodness!”

When I sighed, Seo Daeryong quickly spoke.

“I’m joking, I’m joking.”

“It’s sadder because I know you’re not joking.”

“I’m not that oblivious.”

I couldn’t confirm his true intentions. A subordinate rushed in to report the voting results.

“The results are out.”

“What are they?”

“It’s a tie.”

“A tie? How can it be a tie with seven Demon Supremes?”

“One of the Demon Supremes abstained.”

“Oh, there was an abstention.”

It wasn’t disclosed who voted for whom among the Demon Supremes. It seemed that either the Blood Heaven Blade Demon or the One-Slash Sword Supreme could only persuade half of the others.

“So?”

“They decided to settle it with a duel between the First Disciple and the Third Disciple. It will take place tomorrow.”

“So, it’s come to this.”

Though it wasn’t intentional, the decision ended up being made through a duel. From the perspective of Western Illusion Formation, it was a good decision. The more skilled individual taking the position of Demon Supreme would leave no room for dissent.

After the reporting subordinate left, Seo Daeryong asked.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Why do you ask?”

“To place a bet in the gambling dens in town. Sometimes a poorly paid life can be turned around with a win like this.”

“Bet everything you have on Cheong Seon!”

“Why the Third Disciple?”

“It’s not really about the Third Disciple. It’s a bet on the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. No, to be precise, it’s a bet on the desperation of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader. He won’t let his disciple lose. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to mortgage my house!”

Seo Daeryong stopped at the door.

“Aren’t you going to stop me?”

“You wouldn’t gamble anyway.”

“How do you know?”

“Gamblers aim for a quick fortune, not trying to change reality like you.”

Seo Daeryong smiled broadly as he closed the door.

“I’m really going. I’m going to give them a fierce look and ask them out to eat.”

I walked over to the window.

Martial artists were bustling about the training ground, dimly lit by the twilight. Each organization, having heard the voting results, was now focused on the outcome tomorrow.

While it was important for Cheong Seon to win, what mattered more to me were the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One-Slash Sword Supreme. Without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

“Thank you, elders.”

* * *

The next day, the duel took place.

Around the martial stage, the seven Demon Supremes and their subordinates, as well as the Western Illusion Formation’s ghost sorcerers, all gathered. This time, even those not directly under the Demon Supremes were allowed to watch, so I and the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader took our seats. My father, however, did not attend.

On the martial stage, the First Disciple, Yang Dao, and the Third Disciple, Cheong Seon, stepped up.

The ghosts sorcerers of Western Illusion Formation erupted in cheers at their appearance.

Compared to the late Soul Reaper Demon Supreme, they were still far lacking, but they were the future Demon Supremes who would lead Western Illusion Formation. The fate of Western Illusion Formation would be determined by who they became.

Would Yang Dao, the former strong contender, win, or would Cheong Seon, who had learned martial arts from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, prevail?

It was expected that Yang Dao would win with a ratio of about seven to three. Although Cheong Seon had become a disciple of the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, the time to learn martial arts had been too short.

Since neither Yang Dao nor Cheong Seon had learned the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique, we could watch their fight. Otherwise, it would have been a boring match where they both vanished from sight, only to reappear after the victor was decided.

There were no polite greetings between them.

“You cowardly wench. You sold out our master.”

“Talking about our master right now is the same as selling him out, you stupid senior brother.”

With cold and harsh insults, the duel began. Knowing their lives were on the line, neither held back.

Black smoke summoned by Yang Dao engulfed Cheong Seon, while her soul-reaping technique invaded his mind. Ghostly wails echoed, and haunted winds blew.

A black monster emerged from the ground, trying to drag the opponent down, while a red hand sprung from the void, aiming to rip off the other’s head.

Even though it was not a fight between the Demon Supremes but their disciples, it was unexpectedly fierce and powerful. Everyone was surprised because they hadn’t expected much.

BOOM!

With a deafening roar, the ground shook, and thunder was heard from a clear sky.

The martial artists who were watching despaired with thoughts like these:

How could anyone block those techniques?

Just by watching the disciples’ fight, one could understand why the orthodox factions considered the Soul Reaper Demon Supreme the most troublesome. Techniques they had no idea how to counter were being unleashed one after another.

Everyone held their breath.

Even when they threw hidden weapons or rolled on the ground, no one ignored them.

A black ghost emerged to take the hit from the flying hidden weapon, and even while rolling on the ground, eerie energy emanated from their hands. Blood that melted the ground splashed onto the opponent, and a heat haze tried to tear off the opponent’s arms.

They used every method they could, and the fight was desperate and brutal. It wouldn’t have been surprising if they had bitten each other’s necks. The martial artists watching were engulfed in intense emotions.

And at some moment!

The ghostly wails that had been heard throughout the fight ceased.

As the gray smoke that had been swirling around them like a mad tornado disappeared, they stood facing each other.

Everyone knew. The fight was finally over. But who had won was still unknown.

The first to speak was Yang Dao.

“Your last technique?”

“A lethal demonic technique learned from my new master.”

“I’ve known since we were young… that you were a wretched bitch.”

“Then you should understand well. I’ll become a more formidable Soul Reaper Demon Supreme than our late master.”

Cheong Seon, leaving him standing, walked towards where the ghosts sorcerers had gathered. In a loud, clear voice, she spoke to them.

“And that’s why our Western Illusion Formation will be the greatest among the Eight Ghosts!”

As soon as she finished speaking.

PAPAPAPAPAK!

Blood spurted like a fountain from Yang Dao’s mouth, nose, and ears. His entire blood network severed, he collapsed to the ground.

No one had expected that Cheong Seon would kill the First Disciple so ruthlessly, and for a moment, silence fell. But only for a moment, before the place erupted with cheers.

“Waaaah!”

Cheong Seon slowly walked toward the seated Seven Demon Supremes.

She respectfully cupped her hands in greeting.

“Greetings, I am Cheong Seon.”

Those who had voted for her were smiling, while those who hadn’t were stiff.

The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stood up and shouted as their representative.

“A new master of Western Illusion Formation has been born!”

At his cry, everyone cheered again.

It was the moment a new Soul Reaper Demon Supreme was born.

Cheong Seon looked at the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader and greeted him respectfully with cupped hands.

Then she looked at me and greeted me as well.

But she did not even glance toward where Sa Woojong was.

Sa Woojong seemed deeply disappointed, as if he had hoped for a fleeting glance. His life had not been going as he had intended for quite some time.

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