Absolute Regression

The buzzing sound of the venomous insect in the Insect Doctor’s hand heightened the sense of danger.

The insect seemed ready to fly over and bite at any moment, but I calmly watched her and said, “I have a subordinate who is as dear to me as my own heart. She was abandoned by her parents when she was young, but she grew up to be incredibly bright and resilient.”

Insect Doctor’s grip tightened, and the insect’s wings buzzed even faster.

“She must have had her own turning points. If she had chosen a different path back then, she might have lived a life filled with resentment and a desire for revenge against her parents.”

“Why are you telling me this story?”

“Because, ma’am, at that turning point, you are the one who set up the signpost.”

“What?!”

Insect Doctor was visibly startled.

“You knew?”

I understood why she was so obsessed with money.

She was supporting countless abandoned children, providing them with food, sending them to schools, and helping them train in martial arts, thus paving the way for them to make their way into the world. Even though she was called the derogatory term ‘money grubber,’ she had spent her entire life living as the matron of orphans. 1

This fact would only be revealed after her death. The five hundred thousand nyang I had offered her was entirely donated to those children, excluding the treatment costs.

She stared at me for a while, then crouched down, plucked the wings off the insect, and ate its legs one by one.

“I’ve developed a resistance to poison, so ordinary medicine can’t manage my condition. I’m barely holding on by countering poison with poison.” 2

The pain from this seemed intense, as she massaged her shoulders, arms, and legs.

“How did you find out about my work?”

I sat down next to her.

“I am the second son of the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”

Being the son of the Cult Leader has its perks. If you’re the successor of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, knowing even significant secrets is usually overlooked.

“Then why did you offer more money?”

Despite my revelation of my identity, she neither reacted with surprise nor tried to curry favor with me. It was precisely this nature of hers that allowed her to endure insults all her life while dedicating herself unwaveringly to the children.

“Yes, I wanted to contribute my heart to your good deeds as well. To me, you are not Insect Doctor but the Great Doctor.”

At the mention of “Great Doctor,” Insect Doctor’s eyes slightly trembled. “Great Doctor” was the highest praise that could be given to a physician.

“You hid it because you didn’t want to receive such gratitude.”

Insect Doctor chewed and swallowed the entire poison bug she was holding. It was so bitter that she grimaced but forced herself to swallow it.

She didn’t seek praise, but I believed her true feelings were different.

Wouldn’t anyone want, just once, for someone to recognize their good deeds? Wouldn’t anyone want, even once, to receive genuine respect and admiration like this? Just once.

There was something I learned in my life before regression: that sometimes, long-held deep wounds and emotions could be unraveled by a single word.

Someone just needs to say that one word, just once. But we rarely hear that word.

Thank you, you’ve worked hard, I’m sorry, it’s thanks to you… Just one word would suffice.

Not hearing that one word that seems like it’s about to be said but never comes can lead to a sickness of the heart. We carry wounds that could be healed by a single word for a lifetime.

I hope that what I just said to her served that purpose. I hope it became the single word that eased her burdensome life. You’ve done well, your life is admirable. 3

Insect Doctor glanced at me as she sat beside me.

I, too, stared at her intently before suddenly speaking.

“You’re holding my wrist right now.”

At some point, she had grabbed my wrist. I could have pulled away, but I didn’t.

“Oh, sorry. I’ve developed a habit of checking pulses whenever I see someone.”

She said that, but she was observing me. She wanted to know if I was being truthful. She wasn’t just relying on my words; she was trying to judge through my body’s responses. By feeling the pulse, she could determine whether the person was speaking truth or lies through subtle changes in their body.

A martial artist never lets anyone take their pulse lightly. Allowing her to check mine was tantamount to saying, “I trust you sincerely.”

Then, as she examined me, Insect Doctor was startled and asked in surprise.

“Could it be? Have you mastered the Heavenly Meridian Strengthening Technique?”

Indeed, she was truly extraordinary. In this brief moment of checking my pulse, she had realized that I had mastered the Heavenly Meridian Strengthening Technique. Thanks to the Blade Ghosts, subordinates of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, I had achieved mastery of the Heavenly Meridian Strengthening Technique.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

For the first time since we met, I saw her eyes truly tremble. I knew the source of her astonishment.

* * *

Seo Daeryong had a dream.

Not only did he fail to make it to the finals, but he was also stabbed to death during the Four Strong Martial Duel.

As he watched himself die from a fatal wound, Geom Mugeuk spoke.

“I spent five hundred thousand nyang, and you die so pathetically? Isn’t that too much?”

Seo Daeryong felt a pang of disappointment at his cold reaction.

“The one being unreasonable here is you, Young Master. I’m dying. I’m actually dying.”

“Everyone dies eventually. But dying right after receiving five hundred thousand nyang’s worth of treatment? That doesn’t happen.”

Seo Daeryong shouted, feeling wronged.

“That’s why I said I didn’t want to do it!”

Shouting, Seo Daeryong woke up. He flinched at the sight before him. Just like in the dream, Geom Mugeuk was looking down at him. 4

“I told you not to do it.”

Unlike in the dream, Geom Mugeuk’s gaze was gentle, and Seo Daeryong let out a sigh of relief.

“I dreamed I died in the Four Strong.”

“Dreams are the opposite of reality, so it’s okay.”

“You said it was a waste of five hundred thousand nyang as I was dying!”

“Well, that wouldn’t be the opposite, then? Maybe you’re going to lose in the Four Strong.”

“Please, don’t jinx it.”

Seo Daeryong tried to get up but found that his body wouldn’t move.

“Huh? I can’t move.”

Seo Daeryong raised his head to look at his own body. He was stunned. Needles were densely embedded all over him.

“It seems I’ve been paralyzed because the needles were placed incorrectly. I can’t move at all!”

“Those are important needles; Insect Doctor suppressed your demonic energy.”

Only then did Seo Daeryong feel reassured.

“I’m sorry for getting hurt for no reason and making you spend so much.”

“Hey, Inspector Seo. Here’s what you should say at times like this: ‘Young Master, you made me join the martial arts tournament for no reason, causing me to get hurt like this. How could you? Even if it costs five hundred thousand or five million nyang, please heal me!’”

“Oh, stop making me feel guilty. Just leave already.”

As Geom Mugeuk turned to leave, Seo Daeryong spoke from behind.

“To be honest, I wanted the treatment. I said it was too much money, so I couldn’t, but deep down, I hoped I could receive the treatment and compete in the martial duel. That’s why I reluctantly accepted the treatment. If it were my own money, would I have gone through with it?”

“You would have.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Someone who would spend other people’s money but not their own wouldn’t even be having this kind of dilemma in the first place.”

“It could be a ruse, right? Pretending to be good until the end.”

“What would you get from pretending to be good to me? Give me one reason.”

“……”

“See? There isn’t one.” 5

“Seems that way.”

Leaving him behind, I stepped outside.

Under the window of the room I had just exited, Insect Doctor was sitting, basking in the sunlight. I sat down beside her. She must have overheard the conversation we had in the room, as she asked me,

“So why are you pretending to be kind to me? Are you saying the successor of the Demon Cult is concerned about the orphans of the Central Plains?”

As she asked, Insect Doctor took my pulse again.

In that brief moment, which would mark yet another turning point in my life, I decided to be honest.

“As you said, being the successor of the Demon Cult, I walk a path where I don’t know when I might die. So isn’t it only natural to want to stay on the good side of someone who possesses the medical skills to revive even the dead?”

“Is that all?”

“What else could there be?”

She released my wrist.

After staring at me for a moment, she suddenly held something out to me. It was the poisonous insect she had eaten earlier.

“Do you want to try it too? It’s quite tasty.”

“If it won’t kill me, I’d be willing to try.”

“Should I make sure it won’t kill you?”

At that moment, I realized I was standing at another pivotal moment in my life.

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve as a physician. However, it’s something that can’t even be attempted without someone whose meridians are as strong as yours. It could be dangerous, but if it succeeds, it would be a great help to you.”

After pondering for a moment, I nodded.

“I’ll give it a try.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what the test is?”

I already knew what the test was, and I also knew the result.

When I brought Seo Daeryong along, I was curious if this opportunity would truly reach me. It was a chance that couldn’t be forced; I had decided to either seize it if it came or let it go if it didn’t. And now, that opportunity was within my grasp. In that sense, it was Seo Daeryong who led me to this opportunity. 6

“I believe that a test conducted by someone who has dedicated their life to orphans wouldn’t be something that would harm me.”

“Are you a fool? It could be a ploy to kill the successor of the Demon Cult.”

“It’s fine. There are others besides me waiting to take over. There’s a line behind me.”

Chewing on the poisonous insect she held, Insect Doctor patted her shoulder.

“My shoulder is killing me. Give it a massage, will you?”

I massaged Insect Doctor’s shoulder.

“You seem busy with a lot of work. Why don’t you take on a disciple? At least to help with your shoulders.”

“Who among the young ones today would like poisonous insects? They all run away after a month or two.”

It seemed that she had, indeed, had disciples who had run away.

“Shall I become your disciple?”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“Are you okay with this, Wise Doctor?”

“With what?”

“If the test succeeds, won’t the successor of the Demon Cult become even stronger?”

“I’ve lived a life where I’ve been cursed at all my life anyway, so what’s there to worry about? Press harder. A little to the side. Ah, that’s good.”

* * *

When Seo Daeryong woke up again, all the needles that had been stuck in his body were gone. He felt as refreshed as if he had just woken up from a good night’s sleep.

As he sat up and moved his arm, there was no pain at all. It felt as if he hadn’t been injured in the first place. In fact, his body felt better than it had before he was injured.

‘How is this even possible?’

When Seo Daeryong stepped outside, Insect Doctor was sitting in the yard, massaging her arms and legs.

He walked over hesitantly and sat down a little distance away from her.

“You should say ‘Thank you for the treatment, Miss Healer’.”

“You got five hundred thousand nyang for it, didn’t you?”

“You ungrateful brat. Does paying money mean you don’t need to say thanks?”

“I’ll say it in a bit.”

“Why is a kid who looks so nice so mean-spirited?”

“You said I looked like a crybaby, remember?”

“A crybaby, mean-spirited, and even narrow-minded, huh?”

She continued to massage her arms and legs.

“How did you get hurt?”

“Got injured while catching bugs.”

“Why didn’t you treat yourself?”

“Treating myself is what I’m doing now.”

“What kind of bug were you catching to get hurt like this?”

“Stop grumbling and come over here to massage my shoulder.”

“I paid you five hundred thousand nyang. Why should I massage your shoulder, too?”

Though grumbling, Seo Daeryong went over and began massaging her shoulder.

“Ah! That feels good. You’re better than your master.”

“I’ve been told since I was young that I have a strong grip. I used to massage my grandmother’s shoulders a lot.”

“Are your shoulders okay?”

“How on earth did my injury heal so perfectly? You’re amazing.”

“Your inner strength should have increased as well.”

“Pardon?”

Surprised, Seo Daeryong checked his inner strength. It had significantly increased. Previously, compared to others at the same stage, his inner strength was relatively lacking. But now, with inner strength on par with his peers, his greatest weakness had disappeared.

Overwhelmed, Seo Daeryong bowed deeply.

“You are my benefactor!”

“Not just some quack?”

“How could that be? You’re a divine healer!”

“Thank your master who paid the money.”

“Speaking of money, how about giving us a discount?”

“Are you worried your master will go broke?”

“Our master has plenty of money, so that’s not a concern.”

“Then what is?”

“It’s just that paying it all back myself is a bit much.”

“You’re planning to pay all this back?”

“I have to.”

Insect Doctor looked at Seo Daeryong with a faint smile on her lips.

“If you massage my shoulders well, I might knock off ten thousand nyang.”

“Yes, Wise Doctor! I’ll even massage your arms.”

Seo Daeryong earnestly massaged her shoulders and arms.

“By the way, where is the Pavilion Lord?”

“He’s over there, inside that vat.”

Seo Daeryong flinched. The vat she pointed to was filled with a strange liquid in the middle of the yard. From the moment he came outside, he’d barely managed to endure the foul smell emanating from that vat.

“You don’t seem worried?”

“Who’s worrying about whom? Even if the whole world worries, there’s no need to worry about our Pavilion Lord. If I worry unnecessarily, I’d just look like a fool. He went in because it was worth going in.”

“There was a reason your master was willing to spend five hundred thousand nyang on you.”

Since it was a compliment, Seo Daeryong felt good.

“Go over there and bring me that purple vat.”

“Yes.”

Seo Daeryong grimaced as he brought the vat over. It was also filled with a liquid emitting a terrible stench.

“You fool, do you know how precious that is, and yet you hold your nose?”

“What exactly is all this?”

“These things have left me in tatters just trying to catch them.”

Insect Doctor took the vat and poured it into the one where Geom Mugeuk was submerged. As the liquids mixed, they bubbled and foamed.

“How can he breathe in there?”

“If you’re that worried, why don’t you go in instead?”

“I’ll pass.”

Seo Daeryong took a few steps back.

“What kind of experiment is this?”

“After researching poisonous insects my whole life, there’s something I’ve always wanted to achieve. Your master willingly volunteered to be the subject of that research. He’ll either come out dead or transformed.”

For Seo Daeryong, the death of Geom Mugeuk was not something he could even consider.

“What will he transform into?”

Insect Doctor then said something so surprising that it left Seo Daeryong speechless.

“A body immune to all poisons.”

1 : Instead of Insect Doctor, she should be renamed Insect Saint. Wanting more money to help children is a good kind of greed. I hope we’ll be able to help her a lot.

2 : It’s a losing race against time if you can’t resolve the root cause.

3 : A life spent traveling, helping others healing the wounds of their hearts doesn’t seem like a bad one. If you see someone who’s struggling, reach out to them. Sometimes, people just need that to live.

4 : Lol, I know that feeling. Once I dreamed I was threatened with a knife and I punched the guy in the face. He didn’t even blink, I was so triggered it woke me up XDXDXD

5 : A good loyalty test.

6 : That, along with the five hundred thousand nyang and your honesty. I’d even say, your good heart. I’m sure Hwa Moogi wouldn’t have obtained it if he came here.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!