Absolute Regression
Chapter 50: When the Rain Stops, the Birds Will Fly
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TL: FoodieMonster007
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon scanned the people at the table. His displeased look was easy to read.
You expect me to sit among this rabble?
Before he could speak, I greeted him warmly. "Welcome, Elder. Please, sit here."
Everyone stood and bowed respectfully. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon sat, unable to refuse.
"Why did you call for me?"
He seemed to think I would be alone, just like the Sword Supreme had.
In truth, the guest list didn't matter to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. He found gatherings like this unfamiliar and burdensome. He wasn't used to this kind of personal atmosphere, much like when I gave him a birthday present.
"Why else would I call you to a tavern? To drink with you, of course."
I poured him a drink. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked reluctant but accepted the cup.
"You have to mingle with young people to stay young."
"And what good will staying young do?"
"It's always good to be younger, even for a day. What's the point of being a master or having power? Everyone kneels before the flow of time."
"Why is someone as young as a spring chicken complaining about the years?"
Everyone listened, their faces surprised. They probably never imagined the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and I could talk so comfortably.
"I'm saying we should enjoy the moment. What do people regret when they die? Not learning more martial arts? Not gaining more inner arts? Not defeating some Sword Demon? I don't think it's any of those things."
"That's why everyone makes such a fuss before they die. So they don't die with such pathetic regrets."
"You'll be different, Elder."
"What about me?"
"You're young and open-minded for your age, aren't you?"
Praise given in front of others is the best kind of praise.
"Hmph!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon scoffed and drank, but he didn't look entirely displeased.
Seo Daeryong had worn a complicated expression since he arrived. His drunken eyes seemed to say:
I don't like this, no! This isn't right, is it? It's a joke, right?
I felt sorry for his shock and horror, but he was right. I planned to make the Blood Heaven Blade Demon into Seo Daeryong's Master.
Jang Ho offered a drink to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"Thank you so much for recommending me the other day. I'm only now able to give my greetings."
"It wasn't my will but the Second Young Lord's. Direct your thanks to him."
"I've received plenty of thanks, so please accept his too, Elder. Honestly, it would've been impossible without you."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked at Jang Ho. "I recommended you because I thought you could handle the position. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you."
Jang Ho's face brightened. It was the first compliment he had ever received from the Demon Supreme.
A person's nature doesn't change easily, but their attitude can. The Blood Heaven Blade Demon I first met was vastly different from the one here now. Different enough for me to make this proposal.
"I have a favor to ask you, Elder."
"What is it?"
I glanced at Seo Daeryong. He could no longer handle the alcohol. His eyes were closed and his head was bowed.
"Please teach this fellow some martial arts."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked startled by the unexpected request.
"Who is this little rat?"
Just as I was about to introduce him, Seo Daeryong jerked his head up. He shouted in a slurred voice.
"I am Seo Daeryong, the Director's right-hand man! A power-hungry and ruthless man who loves only one woman, a rebel who raises his hand when others are silent, and a pacifist! And I am not a little rat!"
After his outburst, he dropped his head again. We could all tell that Seo Daeryong was completely drunk.
"Hahaha."
I laughed out loud. Lee Ahn lowered her head to hide her laughter. Jang Ho chuckled quietly and sipped his drink.
He was a genius at memorization to remember my words so precisely while dead drunk.
"What is that strange lunatic?"
"He's very drunk, so please be understanding."
"Martial arts, my foot! You're lucky I haven't killed him for your sake."
"He's a person we absolutely need."
"No."
"Elder!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon glared at me.
"And why me?"
"Because you're the most skilled, Elder. I want this friend to learn from the very best."
"How can I pass on my martial arts to someone who isn't my disciple?"
"Then please take him as your disciple."
"What?"
"I don't think any of your current disciples can inherit your position. The youngest is kind, but his personality will make it hard for him to be your successor. What about this friend here?"
"No!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon refused flatly.
"Haven't you spent your whole life doing only what you wanted? For a change, try doing things you don't want to do."
"I said no."
"Why not? You must have a reason for refusing, right?"
"I just don't want to. Does there have to be a reason for not wanting something?"
Just then.
"I don't want to either!"
Everyone's gaze turned to the source of the voice. It was Seo Daeryong, the hero of this life-threatening drunken fit.
"You think I'd like it?"
A startled Lee Ahn tried to stop him, but he was already challenging the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with drowsy eyes.
"Elder Blade Demon!"
Thankfully, he didn't just call him 'the Blade Demon'.
"I clearly said I don't want to. So don't even dream of teaching me! Ab! So! Lute! Ly! Not!"
He enunciated each syllable of 'absolutely not'. Everyone tensed with every word, afraid the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would strike.
Seo Daeryong, who had been shouting, turned to look at me. His eyes were completely unfocused. He wouldn't have acted this way toward the Blood Heaven Blade Demon if he were sober. Ah, this was terminal lucidity.
"My respected Director! Let me ask you something!"
"Seeing as you're about to be murdered, I'll answer with all my heart."
"Why are you trying to throw me to that heartless and cruel person? Sniffle, sob, this makes me so sad."
A vein bulged on the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's forehead. I smiled at him, pleading for his understanding.
"Why do you think? To learn martial arts."
"But why?"
"To raise your self-esteem."
I didn't say it, but this was to make him the next Sanzu Hall Director. Learning martial arts from the Blood Heaven Blade Demon would give him the most powerful backing possible.
"Ah, my self-esteem is a bit low, isn't it?"
He dropped his head again. Lee Ahn supported his body.
"You're very drunk. I'll escort you out first."
When she tried to help him up, Seo Daeryong refused her hand.
"I'm not drunk, My Heart."
"My Heart?"
"Yes, I'm the arm. You, Lee Ahn, are the heart. My Heart, more precious than an arm. An arm can be cut off, but the heart must not be harmed."
Lee Ahn probably thought Seo Daeryong was just spouting drunken nonsense.
That jealous fellow. He was smart enough to remember everything he needed to, even in this state.
I politely repeated my request to the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.
"Please teach him for just one hour after work. A few days would be fine, or a few years. If you don't like him, you can teach him for just one day. Please, just give him a chance."
"You really trust that drunkard."
"I trust you, Elder."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon and Seo Daeryong were somewhat similar. Both stood apart from the mainstream, yet had more passion than anyone in it.
Just as the word 'no' was about to leave the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's lips.
"I said I don't want to!"
Seo Daeryong beat him to the punch.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon frowned. Then I saw the emotion in his eyes.
Want me to show you what it really means to not want something? How about I make you suffer like hell?
Oblivious, Seo Daeryong pouted at the Blood Heaven Blade Demon with his eyes nearly closed and shook his head. If he had stuck his tongue out, it surely would have been cut off.
Fortunately, before the Blood Heaven Blade Demon's blade could fly, Seo Daeryong slammed his head onto the table with a THUD and fell asleep. He was a glorious warrior. This would be the bravest drunken antic of his entire life, past and future.
It was also the drunken antic that changed his life.
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon asked me.
"If I teach that damn brat martial arts, what will you do for me?"
A prepared answer left my lips.
"I will resolve a long-held grudge for you."
"!"
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon knew what that meant.
A brief silence passed before we started drinking again. We no longer spoke of teaching martial arts. We just drank quietly and talked about this and that.
After two more empty bottles, Lee Ahn passed out. Jang Ho remained to the end, keeping me and the Blood Heaven Blade Demon company.
In the middle of drinking, I stepped outside the tavern.
As I stood getting some fresh air, the Blood Heaven Blade Demon came and stood beside me.
"You weren't joking earlier, were you?"
"No. I can't let him learn your martial arts for free, Elder."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon was silent for a long time.
Does he truly want to reconcile with the Flower Sword Supreme?
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon looked across the street, then suddenly asked.
"Is that Branch over there effective?"
"It's running well."
"No, I'm asking if it's effective. I mean, does it help raise your reputation?"
He probably thought I established it to boost my popularity.
"Yes. It's been a great help."
I didn't bother convincing him that I built it for the Demon Village residents. He wouldn't understand that helping them was as important as killing the Soul-Stealing Demon Supreme.
"Please take good care of Detective Seo."
"I'm really doing all sorts of things. Entrusting a brat to me… what are you planning?"
"I'm busy."
"What are you so busy with?"
"I have to scheme every day about killing those inhuman things. I have to run around to secure my right wing, and I have to suck up to my father."
He realized the right wing was the Flower Sword Supreme.
"Then by any chance… am I the left wing?"
"Yes. If you'd like to be the right, I can switch you."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon shook his head in disbelief.
"You're truly insane. To think of tying the Sword Supreme and me together as one pair of wings."
"You told me so yourself at the beginning. That my madness was worth betting fate on. That we should devour everything with madness. Have you already forgotten?"
"I didn't know you were this insane."
"Let's be insane together. How much longer do you have to live that you're still hesitating?"
"Is that any way to talk to an elder?"
"I'm an insane man, after all."
The Blood Heaven Blade Demon smiled faintly.
"I'll be leaving the sect soon for a couple of months. Please look after my people while I'm away."
"Got it."
That single phrase, 'got it', sounded incredibly reassuring without any questions.
Through today's gathering, I felt his door had opened a little more. However, I still wasn't sure what lay inside.
To open the door wide, I need the other wing. He will only understand why that other wing moves the way it does when the two wings face each other, flapping and squabbling.
"The rain will stop soon. The birds will be flying, too."
I walked back with Lee Ahn after the drinking party ended.
"I made another mistake today."
"What mistake? It's only natural to fall asleep after drinking that much."
"Falling asleep is a drunken habit too."
"You wouldn't drink like that unless I was there anyway, right?"
"That's true, but still."
"Then it's not a drunken habit. It's rest."
Lee Ahn smiled at my words.
"How many times can I ask the same question?"
"That depends on the question."
"For example… why are you so good to me?"
I'm willing to receive this question for the rest of my life.
"About five times?"
"Starting from now?"
"Yes, starting from now."
"Why are you so good to me?"
"So I can work you to the bone for the rest of your life. Why are you so curious about the same answer you always hear?"
Lee Ahn smiled bashfully. "I'm going to ask again."
"Four times left."
We walked together under the soft moonlight. A sudden thought seemed to occur to Lee Ahn, and she asked. "By the way, what about Detective Seo? He seemed really drunk earlier. Did he leave first?"
"His Master took him before you woke up."
"His Master?"
Lee Ahn's eyes widened in surprise. "No way! They left together?"
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