Absolute Regression

Jin Haryeong was being chased by someone.

Unable to shake off her pursuer, she finally leaped into the trees with her light footwork technique. Hiding between the branches, she held her breath, not making a sound.

The pursuer ran past the tree but suddenly stopped.

Like a predator catching a scent, the pursuer slowly turned around and lifted his head to look up into the tree. The man’s face was as empty as a monster’s, completely void.

“Ah!” she screamed, but no sound came out of her mouth. She leapt away again, fleeing.

As the distance between them closed, someone appeared from ahead, rushing in and dropkicking the face of the man who had been chasing her.

With a thud, the faceless pursuer rolled away and disappeared.

The person who had helped her had long, flowing hair and a face covered with a thick beard. Where had she seen this man before?

The next moment, she shouted.

As she realized it was the man she had met at the inn, Jin Haryeong snapped her eyes open and woke up from the dream. The last words she had spoken lingered in the air as she awoke. 1

She wasn’t someone who dreamed often, and she had never had such a strange dream before.

Drenched in sweat, it felt like she had been running away all night.

The chasing dream was one thing, but why had that man appeared and saved her? Was it because she had mistaken him for his master that day?

She recalled the bearded attendant’s face. She had only seen it once, but she remembered it vividly. It was the same face she had seen in the dream. Normally, she wasn’t good at remembering faces, so recalling his face so clearly was a new experience for her.

“Are you all right?”

The voice of Chu Ho, her escort warrior, came from outside.

“I’m fine. I just had a nightmare.”

“It must be because you’re on edge about the Soaring Dragon Tournament.”

“Probably.”

“Don’t worry too much. No one can defeat you, Miss.”

“I’m going to rest more, so don’t disturb me today.”

“Understood.”

However, shortly after, she slipped out of her quarters without Chu Ho noticing and headed to the inn where she had once eaten noodles.

When she entered the inn, it was packed with guests. Everywhere she went, it was bustling with people because of the ongoing tournament.

Her eyes fell on a man drinking in the corner. It was the attendant from her dream. She had come thinking he might be here, and indeed, he was.

She hadn’t come for the noodles today. She wanted to meet that attendant. She was curious to confirm whether he was really someone worthy of appearing in her dreams.

But soon, she shook her head and let out a small laugh.

How ridiculous was it to come all the way to meet an attendant of a rural sect just because he appeared in her dream? As she turned to leave, someone called out to her from behind.

“Did you come for the noodles?”

She turned around to see the attendant standing up and looking at her.

Because of that, the attention of those around them shifted to her. A few who recognized her were visibly surprised. Realizing that abruptly turning and leaving would seem odd, she calmly walked over to the attendant’s table and sat down across from him.

After sitting down, she ordered noodles and a drink.

“I didn’t think you would join me.”

“Why not?”

“Because last time, you found out I’m just an attendant.”

“You mean someone of high status wouldn’t share a table with an attendant? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Isn’t it?”

His straightforward question made Jin Haryeong’s lips curl slightly.

“You’re right.”

Finding his response irritating, she added, “But not because you’re an attendant. It’s because you seemed uncomfortable. You couldn’t eat well when I was around.”

“Ah, then that’s a relief. I won’t feel uncomfortable at all.”

An attendant who could be so bold in front of the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader?

‘By now, he should know who I am.’

She had never encountered this kind of attitude before. He really didn’t react differently to her status, not even a little. Even the successors of prestigious sects acted with utmost caution in front of her. They wouldn’t even think of asking such delicate questions.

“You’re always by yourself.”

In fact, she didn’t mingle well with others regardless of whether the person was an attendant or not.

She liked being alone and didn’t even enjoy engaging in conversations like this. So, coming all the way here was out of character for her.

Perhaps her subconscious had sensed something special about this man, which was why she had that dream, she thought.

She glanced at him. His hair was unkempt, and his beard grew scruffily—there was really nothing worth seeing.

‘Just a silly dream, just a silly dream.’

Whether he knew what she was thinking or not, the man treated her casually.

“Oh, by the way, my young master also made it to the finals.”

She had heard about him as well. The news of his unexpected advancement to the finals had reached her through Chu Ho, her escort. A rural sect likely ignorant of the world, focused solely on martial arts training. That’s probably why they could make it to the finals. Just looking at this naive man who seemed oblivious to the ways of the world, one could guess the atmosphere of his sect.

“He might end up facing you, Miss. Oh, did you know? There have been people who died in the finals. Please take good care of my young master!”

“A martial artist dying in the arena would be considered an honorable death, wouldn’t it?”

“Not an honorable death, but an unjust one, don’t you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t the arena the safest place for a martial artist? There are set rules, referees, and people watching, so ambushes aren’t possible, right? But dying on the arena stage? Isn’t that a terribly unjust death?”

She felt it was a bit of sophistry, but no counterargument came to mind. She had never thought of it that way before. 2

“You speak just like a martial artist.”

“I’ve learned swordsmanship too, you know.”

“You must have a good master to have taught swordsmanship even to an attendant.”

“Yes, I learned from someone truly frightening. Probably the scariest person in the world.” 3

Jin Haryeong inwardly scoffed. How many people had he even met to say something like that? Had he ever really encountered someone truly terrifying? Well, in the rural place he came from, his master might very well have been the scariest.

Her gaze shifted to the sword at the attendant’s waist.

“Why is the scabbard wrapped in cloth?”

It was wrapped in plain cotton cloth, something easily obtainable. There were usually two reasons for this: wanderers wrapped their scabbards to prevent scratches, or it was used to conceal a valuable sword. 4

“I did it to look cool.”

“Then shouldn’t it be wrapped in fine silk to really look cool?”

“It’s cool precisely because it’s not silk. The key is to look unadorned but still stylish.”

Seeing her look at him incredulously, the man pushed further.

“I’ve heard the Dongho Lake here in Wuhuan is beautiful. Would you show me around sometime?”

No one in their right mind would dare say something like that to her. This was the moment she should be shouting, ‘Who do you think you are, a mere attendant, saying such things to me?’

Why was she just sitting here?

Because he appeared in her dream? No. It was more because she didn’t want to be known as the kind of person who mistreats those of lower status. Her grandfather detested hearing any such rumors about his children or grandchildren. Yes, that must be it.

“In that case, I’ll make sure to show you some other scenic spots I know.”

Did he really believe such a moment would come between them? Just because they’d shared a table twice, was he really thinking they’d go on a tour together?

She sighed deeply. Coming here had been her mistake.

“What’s your name?”

She asked out of anger. It carried the feeling of, ‘You punk, what’s your name?’

“Just call me ‘attendant.’”

This guy, really pushing it to the end!

“That would make me look too rude, wouldn’t it?”

“It’s Geom Yeon. Not ‘Yeon’ as in connection, but ‘Yeon’ as in smoke. I’m here now, but I’ll disappear like smoke.”

The man grinned as he said this. Jin Haryeong thought he was really pushing the limits for an attendant.

Just then, someone called her name and approached.

“Haryeong.”

It was Song Taegun, the son of the Blue Dragon Squad Leader and the only friend she had grown up with since childhood. Seeing him, Jin Haryeong felt a twinge of panic.

“You came for the noodles, huh?”

Song Taegun knew well how much she liked the noodles here.

“How did you know I was here?”

“I was passing by, and some people leaving here mentioned you. So, you snuck out to avoid Chu Ho again.”

Song Taegun looked at the man sitting with her and asked.

“And who might this be?”

Jin Haryeong was flustered, not knowing how to introduce him.

At that moment, the man clasped his hands and greeted Song Taegun.

“I am Geom Yeon of the Seodo Sect in Gansu. My senior brother has made it to the finals this time.”

“Ah! The Seodo Sect, isn’t your senior’s name Seoryong?”

“That’s correct.”

“I’ve heard he’s been making waves in the tournament. It’s an honor to meet a disciple from such a distinguished sect.”

“My senior brother is the one who is impressive. I’m just here cheering from outside the arena.”

“You seem far more impressive than your senior.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re sitting here calmly with this friend of mine, aren’t you? Do you know how difficult that is? Even for me, an old friend, it’s no easy task.”

At this, Jin Haryeong told him, “Stop with the nonsense and go. I’ll see you later.”

Although he seemed reluctant to leave, Jin Haryeong’s cold demeanor made Song Taegun bid farewell with a smile.

“Let’s have a drink next time.”

“Of course.”

After Song Taegun left, Jin Haryeong coldly interrogated Geom Yeon.

“Why did you lie about being a disciple? Why? Did you think I’d be embarrassed if he found out I was sitting with an attendant?”

To be honest, she did feel that way. When Song Taegun asked who he was, she hesitated, feeling a moment of embarrassment about introducing him as an attendant. His remark hit the mark, and she felt a sense of shame.

“If we’re being precise, it wasn’t a lie. I’m an attendant, but I’ve also learned martial arts at the same sect, so I’m technically a disciple too, right?”

“Once is enough for sophistry.”

Jin Haryeong abruptly stood up and left the place.

That night, she had another nightmare.

This time, she was hanging from a cliff, and once again, that attendant appeared, reaching out to save her.

Waking up at dawn, Jin Haryeong looked down at her hand. She could still vividly feel the touch of holding Geom Yeon’s hand. It felt so real, like a prophetic dream.

“You crazy woman, what’s wrong with you?”

She knew the answer. Why was this happening? It was because she was doing things she had never done before in her life.

She pulled the blanket over her head and lay down again, but sleep did not come easily.

* * *

Seo Daeryong’s first opponent in the finals was the heir of the renowned Zhangping Sword Family from Fujian Province.

“Want to spar with me a bit?”

“With you, Leader?”

Seo Daeryong was surprised when I suggested sparring for the first time.

“It would be an honor for me.”

“Follow me.”

I led Seo Daeryong to the mountains where I trained.

“Even the places you choose to practice are quite different from mine. How did you find such a place?”

It was a wide-open space surrounded on all sides, with only one entrance. It was an ideal spot for martial arts training since one only needed to watch the single access point.

“Train here from now on.”

“No, Leader. You should be the one training here. The quality of our training is worlds apart.”

“Is that really the case?”

“Pardon?”

“I think your training, where you stake your life and future on the martial arts tournament, is far more valuable. If you are the sky and I am the earth, then I’ll acknowledge that.”

“I appreciate you saying that, but that doesn’t change the heavens and the earth. Even if they were flipped, it wouldn’t be a particularly pleasant feeling.”

Yes, this is the kind of person you need for your right-hand man. It’s not just about being stronger or weaker in martial arts. It’s about having someone who feels good to talk to, someone who speaks their mind honestly. At least for your right-hand man.

“Have you seen the heir of the Zhangping Sword Family fight?”

“Yes, they’re really good.”

“Objectively speaking, you’re at a disadvantage.”

“If you’re saying that, Leader, then I must be certain to lose.”

I nodded honestly. The difference in the duration of proper martial arts training couldn’t be overcome. Moreover, he hadn’t fully inherited the martial arts of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, nor could he freely reveal his demonic energy. It was a tough fight in many ways.

“Alright, I’ll mimic the martial arts of the Zhangping Sword Family, so think of me as your opponent in the arena!”

“Yes!”

I imitated the swordsmanship of the Zhangping Sword Family heir and faced Seo Daeryong as if I were his real opponent.

Seo Daeryong lost again and again. I didn’t hold back, and with each bout, more bruises appeared on Seo Daeryong’s body. There were moments when his life was at risk, but he didn’t give up.

“Just one more time, please.”

Seo Daeryong tried every method he could think of. He tried this way and that, testing all sorts of strategies.

I silently continued sparring with him, waiting for him to find the answer on his own. I didn’t give him the solution to victory.

Even if he had to lose in the match, he needed to find it himself. The mission was important, but this moment, which could become a turning point in the life of ‘Seo Daeryong the martial artist,’ was even more important.

We practiced sparring through the night. Seo Daeryong was utterly exhausted, but his eyes were sharper than ever, showing a determination I hadn’t seen before.

Then, four hours before the finals.

I forced Seo Daeryong to get some sleep, even though he insisted on training until the end.

Seo Daeryong, who claimed he wouldn’t be able to sleep with his nerves on edge, began snoring as soon as he lay down.

I woke him half an hour before the match.

“Feel refreshed?”

“Yes. I feel alive. But what should I do?”

“Why?”

“I had a dream where I lost in the match.” 5

Seeing Seo Daeryong’s crestfallen face, I smiled and said:

“Well then, shall we go see if that dream was just nonsense or a prophetic one?”

1 : A seer talent ? Or is it just her instincts warning her against her fate ? Yes, trust the dropkicking man with a shaggy beard….

2 : If it wasn’t a Murim world, Mugeuk would be a talented lawyer/prosecutor.

3 : Lol, we all know who he is talking about XDXDXD

4 : You can also have a valuable sword and not want it to be scratched. But if I didn’t have a valuable sword, I would prefer not to wrap my weapon in cloth, as it might delay drawing the weapon out in an emergency.

5 : Dreams sure are popular these days ^^

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