Absolute Regression

Episode 263: The food my mother cooks.

“Is the leader of the Demonic Cult behind the plunder?”

When a name that should not have been mentioned appeared, the prayer of the sword dance became cold.

“Yeo Danju decided to take charge of cleaning up this incident to prevent it from getting worse.”

As the head of the Honam branch of the Heavenly Demon Church, he was a person with great power in the region to be able to make such a promise.

“What evidence is there of his involvement?”

“There is no evidence… He’s not the kind of person who leaves evidence for things like this. “I am a witness.”

The moment he uttered Yeo So-gwang’s name, Lee Eom crossed the bridge of no return. I had to abandon Lu Xiaogwang and find my own way to survive.

“What if you are scheming Jidanju?”

“Then you can kill me.”

Judging by his attitude and the earnest look in his eyes, he was telling the truth. Actually, it’s not that shocking or surprising.

It’s easy to think about the demon lord when he first regressed. Because he made a fortune by using the demon army for personal purposes. Until now, we have been cracking down on the inside, but now it is time to crack down on the outside as well.

“How did you find out about the actions of the Honam First Representative Bureau?”

“I have one of your leaders.”

“Who are you?”

“This is Daenam Yang.”

Once Lee Eom’s mouth was opened, there was no hesitation.

“Let’s look at what was looted during this raid.”

“Now, follow me.”

Lee Eom stood up. My body was heavy. Before I knew it, I felt that my Danjeon’s internal energy had been suppressed.

‘I was subdued without even realizing it.’

Lee Eom realized that his opponent’s martial arts skills were far beyond the level of an ordinary expert. The reason he killed Hyeolsu-geom with a single strike of chopsticks was not because he was careless. Perhaps even a small wooden skewer that could be stabbed with a tooth could have been used to kill the blood beast.

‘He is a much stronger expert than Yeo Danju.’

Although he is talented, he doesn’t seem to be afraid of Yeo So-gwang at all. The leader of the Demonic Cult is a person with great power, but who is he?

When Lee Eom moved the device hidden in the bookshelf, the wall rotated and a secret space appeared.

There were three rather large boxes filled with gold items.

When Geommugeuk saw the wealth they had robbed, he became angry at Lee Eom and Yeo So-gwang. This incident is worse than those who did not have money and did it for a quick profit.

Both of them probably already had a lot of assets, and there were plenty of ways to make money even if they didn’t do things like this. Especially when you reach the age of Yeo So-gwang, you will receive quite a lot of money in bribes here and there.

And yet you do this?

Geomugeuk asked calmly without revealing his simmering anger.

“Did you accomplish this with a blood test alone?”

“The job was easy because Yang Pyo-du planned the travel route in advance. “We were able to set a trap in advance and launch a surprise attack.”

“You even used a cruel method.”

Lee Eom, who had been talking excitedly, closed his mouth and looked at Geommugeuk’s behavior.

“Why did you do this when you have so much money?”

“….”

“You’re not answering?”

“As for money… isn’t the more the better?”

“If it’s the money you earned, yes.”

Lee Eom could not say anything and lowered his head. I wanted to be honest. Isn’t the guy who gets taken away from Moorim, where he eats and gets eaten anyway, an asshole? You feel the same way, right? You hypocrite! I wanted to scream like that.

Geommugeuk came out of there and gave an order to Jeokyeon, who was waiting in the hallway.

“Tell the people in charge of this area’s Hwangcheon Pavilion to come in right now!”

“all right!”

Lee Eom was surprised to hear those words. While interacting with Lu Shaogwang, I heard that Hwangcheon Pavilion and Tong Cheon Pavilion were the core organizations of the Demonic Cult. How dare you call the people in charge of such a core organization like this?

At that time, Lee Eom’s eyes turned to Jeok Yeon’s chest. When I first saw it, I only saw evil spirits. But now a shield surrounding the demon was also visible.

‘no way?’

I also briefly heard this symbol once while drinking.

‘Cheonmajeon Guard?’

Lee Eom’s eyes turned to the sword dance.

‘Then what about the interest? Could it be… a small sect leader of a demonic cult? ‘Uh-huh-huh!’

Lee Eom’s heart sank. Even if it’s wrong, it’s really wrong.

His legs lost strength and he fell flat on the floor.

“Please save me! “I didn’t know this precious person.”

No matter how much he knelt down and prayed, Geommugeuk’s eyes towards him were only cold.

As if to prove that Lee Eom’s prediction was correct, the Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak demons in charge of this place really came running like the wind.

There was no hesitation in handling the work of the sword dance.

First, I explained this incident to those in charge. And since it was a matter involving Danju of the Honam region, he could not use the demons from that side, so Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak had to step in.

After finishing the explanation, Geomugeuk first gave orders to special investigator Hwang Cheon-gak.

“First, return the looted items and the body of the blood searcher to the Honam First Bureau and explain the situation. “I also told them to deal with the leader named Yang Daenam, who stole the information about this scandal.”

“All right.”

As Lee Eom watched the process with anxiety, Geommugeuk looked back at himself and said.

“And send the author to the main school and lock him in prison.”

Are you trapped in the prison of the Heavenly Demon Church? Lee Eom’s eyes became dark.

“It’s not possible! “Please save me!”

Geommugeuk asked back calmly.

“Did you really think I would do such a big thing and just get away with it?”

“So I didn’t confess everything?”

“So you didn’t kill him?”

Lee Eom was speechless. In times like this, what is needed is a bribe. Seeing as they were asking me to return the target, I didn’t think that would work either.

Sword dance gave me a choice.

“Okay then, choose! Do you want to go to prison? Or would you like to go to Honam First Place?”

Lee Eom knew that both choices meant death.

“Please save me! “I just made a plan!”

“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened to you, right?”

“This is my first time.”

Lee Eom’s voice trembled and he could not meet Geommugeuk’s gaze.

Could this be the first time? I just watched even as the Blood Beast Sword brutally killed the brought in. You could guess his life just by looking at that one thing.

“In my opinion, you are the most evil of the three.”

Geommugeuk threw out his fist without hesitation.

Whoa! Kkjjik!

Lee Eom’s heart was shattered and he died.

Rumbling!

Everyone there was startled by the sound of thunder coming from the fist. It was as if punishment had been sent down from heaven.

Geommugeuk continued to give orders.

“Dismantle the feng shui lodge and distribute all the money from it to the families of those who died this time!”

“All right.”

Although there was a feeling for the families of those who were sacrificed, there was also a reason why it had to be handled that way.

“Isn’t the Honam First Bureau a political faction?”

“Yes, it is.”

In each region, there are places where the Heavenly Demon Church is strong, and there are places where the Murim Alliance or the Apostolic Alliance are strong. Of course, the closer the region is to the headquarters, the stronger the power is, and the farther away it is, the weaker it is.

Hunan Province is a place where the Heavenly Demon Church is powerful.

However, that does not mean that all sects here follow and support the Demonic Cult.

Although their numbers were relatively small, there were many sects that followed political or ideological factions. Here in Hunan Province, there are certainly branches and branches of the Murim League, and the same goes for the Ado League.

“I am sending a message to the Murim Alliance so that there is no misunderstanding. “Tell Yeo So-gwang that we will handle it ourselves.”

Since it was Tongcheongak that interacted a lot with the Murim Alliance, it would be handled well.

“Take special care of this village for the time being. “Because this is where my guard’s mother lives.”

Jeokyeon was watching Geommugeuk’s unstoppable yet meticulous work from the side. This is what I thought when I saw this. Sogyoju is really something that not just anyone can do.

After finishing his work, Geomugeuk went to Hwasun, who was waiting while resting in the guest room.

“It’s all over. Let’s go back now. “I want to eat the food my mother cooks.”

Hwasun was relieved to hear those words. I felt from the bright expression on Geommugeuk’s face that the matter had been resolved well. My heart, which had been anxious until the end, has finally calmed down.

“I have to do it, of course I have to do it.”

“I ask you to speak comfortably.”

“You can’t do that. “This is convenient, Confucius.”

Even when coming out, the escort soldiers came out in a line to protect Hwasun.

When they arrived at the carriage, Geommugeuk spoke to Samho and Hwasun.

“Only two people in the carriage, please.”

Hwasun made a puzzled expression.

“I want you to have a private talk with your son after a long time. Come on, get in. “We’re leaving.”

Geommugeuk climbed onto the coach seat. Samho said he couldn’t do it, but it was resolved with one word, ‘It’s an order.’

The carriage carrying Hwasun and Samho began to run toward the village.

How long did it run?

Hwasun’s laughter was heard from the carriage’s cabin.

It was the most pleasant sound I heard after leaving school.

Geommugeuk has no memory of his mother at all. This is because he died when he was very young. So on days like this, I miss my mother.

‘Mother and sons are not fighting and are living well.’

The non-bloody succession battle between him and his older brother was also a tribute to his late mother.

The carriage arrived at the guest house in Hwasun.

When Hwasun got off the carriage and saw his guest, he realized that he had returned safely.

Geommugeuk treated her as friendly as if he were his son.

“Mom, we are hungry!”

Hwasun rolled up her sleeves and entered the kitchen.

For the first time in a long time, the sword dance and escort dancers were able to eat home-cooked meals made with their mother’s sincerity. Her cooking was really delicious.

Hwasun was very happy to see her son eating with his colleagues.

Overlapping that image was the image of me gathering with my neighborhood friends to eat at my house when I was young.

‘When did you grow up like this?’

The son, who was a little boy, has now grown into a man and is eating with his colleagues. Her heart was filled with pride and emotion.

Geommugeuk, who finished his bowl of rice cleanly, spoke to her.

“I want to take you to our school and eat the food they prepare every day.”

She was relieved. I felt like I didn’t have to worry about my son because I had such a good boss.

She brought me more rice and side dishes.

“Confucius, please have one more bowl! “We also added more meat.”

Geommugeuk smiled brightly at her words.

“I will cherish your son more than the others!”

She laughed at the sword dance joke, and the guards laughed along with her.

Hwasun was sincerely grateful to Geommugeuk. I didn’t know the details of how the matter at the mountain lodge was handled, but I could feel that it was resolved because of the sword dance.

‘Thank you, Confucius.’

* * *

The sword dance party stayed there for four more days.

Originally, I would have left the next day, but I wanted to give more time to Hwasun and Samho, who were reunited after three years.

Samho fulfilled his filial piety to the fullest.

On the third day, I took my mother to a nearby temple. On the way, I ate delicious food and saw the beautiful scenery. Samho carried his mother, who had a sore leg, as she walked.

She shook her head when her son asked her if she would like to go and live in Magachon. This was because he did not want to be a burden to his son and did not want to leave his hometown where he had lived his entire life.

Four days later, the Geommugeuk group said goodbye to Hwasun and rode the carriage toward the Honam region.

During a short break, Samho came to Geommugeuk.

“I heard that you ordered special management of your hometown village.”

It seems like Jeokyeon told him.

“Of course you should. From now on, I will visit my mother more often. “This is also an order.”

Samho realized it this time. I had been so indifferent to my mother because I was busy.

“Thank you so much. “I will not forget the grace you gave me this time.”

“Thanks to you, I was able to eat a lot of the delicious food my mother cooked. “I am more grateful.”

When the break was over, Jeok-yeon sat down in the driver’s seat to drive the carriage himself.

“I will run as fast as I can.”

“Let’s go slowly. “I’m not busy.”

Jeokyeon asked with a puzzled expression.

“Shouldn’t we go quickly?”

“why?”

“If he finds out that his corruption has been revealed, won’t he run away?”

There was no chance of that happening. Because Hwangcheongak and Tongcheongak were not that lax in handling their affairs. At least we will be treated as if we don’t know anything until we arrive.

“You’re resigning from Zidánjou because of this incident? It’s not possible, but if it were, that would be the punishment. Because I will live with regret and lamentation for the rest of my life. But that can’t be true.”

Lee Eom said that Yeo So-gwang left no evidence of his involvement in this matter. But there’s no way you can get scared and run away.

“We are all people full of greed, so we can’t get away from this mass called greed.”

So the carriage ran leisurely toward the Honam branch of the Heavenly Demon Church.

* * *

Yeo So-gwang was looking out the window.

He didn’t look like a demon at all because he had a comfortable and good-natured appearance.

“Have you heard from this owner yet?”

To Lu Shao-gwang’s question, his attendant Hwangpyo (黃票) answered.

“Not yet.”

There was supposed to be a message that the goods had been sent, but it was no news from Lee Eom.

“Could it be that he has something else in mind?”

Yeo Xiaogwang firmly shook his head.

“You can’t be a great person like that.”

Moreover, the knife used this time was a blood sword. The reason I used that greedy guy was because I was worried that something might happen. It’s not easy to deal with him, so you won’t dare to have any other thoughts.

“What about Xiao Jiao?”

“We are behind schedule.”

“I’m saying let’s have a fight. “You learned bad things from a young age.”

“Have you heard the rumor? It is widely rumored that Lee Gongja, who became the successor this time, is truly extraordinary.”

“Of course it will be extraordinary.”

Nevertheless, Yeo So-gwang was relaxed.

“Even so…”

He is still just a young man with a lot of energy. No matter how hard you try to hide it, there is an unavoidable resentment that comes with age. I plan to make him melt with sweet words.

It will clearly show how he rose from an ordinary martial artist to a landowner.

“So, please come here, Master So.”