Absolute Regression
Chapter 41: Sophisticated Yet Terrifying
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TL: FoodieMonster007
For a while after that day, I focused only on teaching Lee Ahn, my work at the Sanzu River Hall, and my own training.
Lee Ahn absorbed the Soaring Sky Sword Art instantly, like a sponge soaking up water. Her talent for martial arts was greater than I had ever imagined. She combined that talent with grueling effort, and her progress was astonishingly fast.
Teaching Lee Ahn taught me something new. The act of teaching is also an act of learning. Explaining what I already knew allowed me to see myself objectively.
Ah, so this is how I was thinking about this technique.
This gave me a chance to reconsider things I had never seriously thought about.
Teaching isn't just ladling out stagnant water. If you teach without sincerity, the water dries up, but if you teach with deep thought and dedication, you expand the well itself.
That was how I learned while teaching Lee Ahn. I had never taught anyone in my past life, so this process was a tremendous experience.
During a short break from training, she asked me seriously.
"Young Master. Are you really going to create the Ghost Shadow Squad?"
"……"
"Then can I design the martial arts uniform? I want to make a stylish one, not something drab and black. I'll even make separate versions for the academy and for missions, with different colors and designs."
I almost burst out laughing. I had never once considered the uniform's color or design since deciding to create the Ghost Shadow Squad. The same was true for every uniform I had ever worn.
"I also want to make different masks for missions, based on their difficulty. The ghost design should be stylish yet terrifying, so the sight of it makes people's knees buckle… Why are you laughing?"
"I'm just wondering what a stylish yet terrifying ghost looks like."
"I'm actually pretty good at drawing. I'll show you later."
"I guess future members of the Ghost Shadow Squad will be wearing some fancy clothes."
"Don't tease me."
Lee Ahn was a truly meticulous person. If she turned that focus from me to others, she would become an excellent Captain who could soothe everyone's hearts.
"The most important thing is your skill. The Ghost Shadow Squad will take on the most dangerous missions in the murim. Your ability will determine if you succeed and minimize casualties."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
"And one more thing. Something is more important than skill."
"What is it?"
"The resolve to lose subordinates. A steadfast heart that won't be wounded even if you lose them."
Lee Ahn stared intently at me.
"You see me as a child, don't you, Young Master? Since I'm always by your side like this."
"Aren't you?"
"I'm not. I'm not a child, and I'm not as innocent and kind as you think. I won't be heartbroken if I lose a subordinate. I'm actually more worried you'll be disappointed in me later, thinking, 'Was she always this cold-hearted?'"
"I won't be disappointed by that. Then we're good."
Lee Ahn must have thought it was a good time to speak, because she confessed her inner thoughts.
"When you said you'd pass down the Soaring Sky Sword Art to me, Young Master, I finally felt like my feet were on solid ground."
"What do you mean?"
"Honestly, until then, I felt like I was floating. The Ghost Shadow Squad? Will an organization like that really be created? Me, a Captain? I thought you were just caught up in some fervor, but as I memorized the verses of the Soaring Sky Sword Art, I felt it was real. Can I handle all of this? Ah, I'm sorry. I was trying not to ask such unconfident questions."
"It's okay to ask. No, you must. How can you walk a path that will change so many destinies without asking? Ask today, and ask tomorrow. You must still ask ten years from now. This is a path you must walk while constantly questioning. I'll keep nagging you, too. We must keep asking each other."
The ones who don't ask these questions are people like the Eight Demon Supremes.
They believe their decisions are right simply because they think they are superior to others. They have no concern or empathy for others. They do not ask.
"Yes, Young Master. I'll ask whenever I'm confused. I'll ask you, and I'll ask myself."
I gave Lee Ahn's head a quick pat.
"Well done."
Lee Ahn's face flushed slightly as she smiled bashfully.
"Alright, back to training!"
"……"
When her training neared its end, I brought her books on organizational management, mercenary tactics, and leadership.
"Read these in your spare time."
"……"
Her continuous training had caused her to neglect her studies of the Sanzu River Hall's affairs. She needed to learn how to run an organization, even if only through books.
A few days later, I went to the Southern Blade Sect to meet the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
When I entered the Southern Blade Sect, the blade demons flocked over to watch me. This was a place where people lived. Some were trash and some were decent. All sorts of people gathered here.
Fundamentally, I held no ill will toward them. Thanks to them, I had perfectly completed the Meridians Strengthening Art.
The blade demons also favored me, since I was on good terms with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Many had been impressed by my courage during the Meridians Strengthening Art, and some even looked at me with respect.
A few blade demons greeted me politely, while some clapped and cheered from a distance. Perhaps they resembled their master. The blade demons were like adorably crazy bastards.
I waved to them.
A blade demon guided me to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's office.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked surprised by my visit.
"Did something happen? Are you here to arrest me?"
"Have you committed a crime since we last met?"
"My life is full of sin."
"Fortunately, not today."
"Then why are you here?"
"I came to give you this."
I held out the item I had brought to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"What's this? A box that spews deadly poison when I open it?"
"Where could I even buy a box like that? I'd like to get a few."
"I asked what it is."
"Please, open it."
He opened the box and found the Antitoxin Bead inside. It was the exact opposite of his joke.
"It's a top-quality Antitoxin Bead."
"I can see that, but why this?"
"It's a gift."
"A gift? Why something so expensive all of a sudden?"
"It's a birthday gift."
For a moment, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon froze in shock.
"What?"
"Happy birthday. It's your birthday today, isn't it?"
"Is today my birthday?" the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's voice trembled, as if he truly had no idea.
"You didn't know?"
"It's been a long time since I bothered with birthdays. How did you know?"
"Who do you think I am? The Sanzu River Hall knows everything. I even know how many pairs of underwear the Elder owns."
"How many pairs?"
"That was an exaggeration. Anyway, congratulations."
It was an intentional gesture of goodwill, an effort to make him truly one of my people.
I gave him a deep bow 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 burdened."
"You're just leaving like this?"
"I'm a busy man. Let's have a drink tonight at the Alluring Inn. I'll be waiting, and don't even think about wrecking the place today."
I left the still-dazed man and exited the office.
Before closing the door, I glanced inside. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon stared down at the Antitoxin Bead with an expression I had never seen. It was the first time I realized he could feel moved.
"By the way, is it true?" Seo Daeryong asked with a surprised look as he walked down the hall with me.
"What is?"
"That you gave the Blade Demon a birthday present."
"How did you know?"
"Good heavens. So it was true."
"I asked how you knew."
"How else? The rumor's already spreading. I just assumed it was false."
I burst out laughing. If the news had already spread, it meant the Blade Demon had bragged to the other blade demons about his gift. He didn't seem the type, but he was surprisingly talkative.
"Why did you give it to him?"
"Because it's his birthday."
"I really don't understand the relationship between you two."
He probably wouldn't understand. Enough had happened for us to become enemies, yet the Blade Demon and I were only growing closer.
"You don't get close just by exchanging pleasantries."
I entered the main hall at the end of the corridor with Seo Daeryong.
All the investigators and enforcement martial artists of the Sanzu River Hall were gathered there.
"It's been a while since we've all gathered like this, hasn't it?"
"……"
A thunderous reply echoed. The enforcement martial artists' morale was sky-high after their training. The investigators were also brimming with courage after the Hundred Blade Ghosts case.
"I came today to pour some oil on your burning morale."
Everyone looked curious.
I handed the envelopes I had prepared to Seo Daeryong. There was one for every martial artist in the Sanzu River Hall.
Seo Daeryong was shocked when he checked inside an envelope.
"What is this money?"
Inside was a note worth one thousand taels.
"Hand one out to everyone."
"……"
Seo Daeryong distributed the envelopes to everyone.
"This money is a special gift from me to you."
Everyone cheered at the word 'gift'.
"Thank you, Director!"
I announced loudly to everyone.
"This money is to ensure our Sanzu River Hall doesn't yield to external pressure. In other words, don't accept bribes. If you suddenly need money, come find me. I'll give you an advance on your salary. If that's not enough, I'll even lend you money from my own pocket."
"……"
Everyone's faces brightened at the unexpected money.
Nagging them when they were in a good mood would only ruin the points I had worked so hard to earn.
"Dismissed."
Seo Daeryong followed me as I left the main hall.
"Director. How did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That the Flying Tiger needed money. His younger sibling is getting married, so he's been looking for money. He spent everything caring for his parents when they were alive, and now he's always broke taking care of his younger siblings."
"How would I know? I didn't."
"Don't lie."
Actually, I did know. I had found out by chance and was only going to give money to the Flying Tiger, but since it came to this, I decided to give it to everyone.
"Don't be so moved. It's all an investment in myself."
"An investment in the Young Lord?"
"If a rumor spreads that I spend money freely, people will start to have expectations, won't they? They'll think, 'He'll probably spend even more when he becomes the Heavenly Demon.' Then everyone will hope I become the Heavenly Demon. That's how shallow I am."
"Did you really think that far ahead?"
"No. The thought just occurred to me now that you ask. I guess other people might think that way."
"So you did know about the Flying Tiger."
"I gave it for that reason and others. Everyone has worked hard. Is it that important?"
"It is important. Do you think loyalty just appears from nowhere?"
"Don't be fooled by things like this!"
Seo Daeryong stared at me and said, "Because it's a world where people are exploited without even the courtesy of such deceptions."
He then bowed his head deeply and went on his way.
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