Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor/Quality Checker/Notes : Saphartlantis 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

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Chapter 392: With a More Exciting Song!

“At last, the time has come.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Bih Sa-in’s heart sank. How could he not know what those mischievous eyes were demanding? It truly felt like the inevitable had finally arrived.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He flatly denied it. With a face like that saying he didn’t know, who would dare press further? Unfortunately, the one speaking was that shameless Geom Mugeuk.

“It’s time to keep your promise.”

The others—Geom Muyang, Jin Hagun, and Jin Haryeong—grew very curious, wondering what kind of promise it could be.

At the same time, they all had the same thought.

That poor guy. What sort of weakness did he get caught with this time?

Still, curiosity outweighed any sympathy they held towards him… for now.

It was the same for Geom Woojin, Jin Paecheon, and Baek Jagang, who were standing a short distance away.

Bih Sa-in spoke with his eyes.

‘No way? Here? Please tell me that’s not it.’

If that had been the case, Geom Mugeuk wouldn't have brought it up in the first place.

“Is there any time or place better than now to fulfill that promise?”

By referring to it as that promise, Geom Mugeuk further fueled the growing curiosity around him.

Bih Sa-in’s heart pounded rapidly. Even when he had waited beneath the dueling stage for his first match, it hadn’t raced this much.

Geom Muyang quietly said,

“I don’t know what this is about, but don’t go putting the Young Leader in a tough spot.”

“He’s the one who made the promise.”

Bih Sa-in emptied his cup with an anxious look.

“You’re not giving up, are you?”

“If you were me, what would you do?”

What he disliked was still something he disliked. But he had to admit what needed admitting. If the roles were reversed, and he had a chance to tease Geom Mugeuk like this?

“I wouldn’t be able to give up.” 1

“If I miss this chance, I’ll probably regret today for the rest of my life.”

Bih Sa-in agreed. The people gathered here today were not the kind that could be brought together again easily.

But precisely because of that, he couldn’t bring himself to say yes. Instead, he gave another reason.

“The ones behind today’s gathering might be watching us.”

“They might.”

“And you still want to do it under these circumstances?”

He was basically saying—would it be okay to show himself dancing in a situation like this?

“Rather, I hope they see it.”

“What?”

“Even with you guys around, we’re living well. We’re getting on with our lives. I want to show them that.”

It was clear he wasn’t joking—he meant it.

“If we can’t live our lives properly, then even if we take them down later, it won’t be a real victory. Let’s not give them any meaning at all.”

As always, this was Geom Mugeuk’s habit. Ah, excuse me a moment. Where did I go? Oh, it’s nothing, please continue.

Bih Sa-in drank again. There was a flicker of hesitation—should he just do it? 2

Geom Mugeuk changed tactics.

“Young Leader.”

When Bih Sa-in lifted his head, Geom Mugeuk spoke with a gentle expression.

“It’s fine. I was just messing with you.”

“Really?”

“No matter the promise, isn’t it a bit much to keep it in a situation like this? It’s a shame, but I’ll have to let it go. Come on, let’s not worry about it and just drink.”

He should have been glad not to dance, but for some reason, he wasn’t.

Unable to hold it in any longer, Jin Haryeong asked,

“What in the world is going on?”

“You don’t need to know.”

That was when Bih Sa-in suddenly spoke up.

“I promised I’d dance in front of everyone.”

Jin Haryeong froze with a stunned expression. Even Jin Hagun and Geom Muyang were taken aback.

As everyone turned their gaze toward him, Geom Mugeuk frantically waved his hand.

“Why are you looking at me! The Young Leader made the promise on his own.”

He began to mimic Bih Sa-in’s movements. Though it was his first time dancing today and nothing about it was refined, Geom Mugeuk followed the steps with effort.

He deliberately exaggerated and made his movements more ridiculous, causing laughter to erupt all around.

“This is such a fun dance!”

Then, perhaps caught up in the moment, Geom Mugeuk shouted,

“A faster tune, please!”

The musicians played a quicker song.

Geom Mugeuk’s joints twisted and bent in bizarre directions. It made everyone wonder, Where in the world did he learn such a dance? It was strange and absurd beyond belief.

More laughter burst out again, and this time, Bih Sa-in followed the same dance.

Bih Sa-in’s already-flushed face turned even redder with excitement.

No one would ever know just how happy he had been when Geom Mugeuk jumped into that dance with him.

Surrounded on all sides by enemies, on the brink of death—had someone jumped in to save him then, even that might not have made him this happy.

“Brother, come dance with us!”

Geom Mugeuk rushed over to drag Geom Muyang into the dance by force.

Slrnng.

Geom Muyang’s sword came halfway out of its sheath.

Geom Mugeuk quickly changed course and tried to pull Jin Hagun instead.

Srrrrrng.

That sword came out even further. 11

Just then, someone jumped in of their own accord.

It was none other than Jin Haryeong.

“No! Haryeong, don’t!”

Before Jin Paecheon could stop her, Jin Haryeong was already moving with the rhythm.

It wasn’t because she was a good dancer. She, too, was someone who found it excruciatingly embarrassing to step into something like this.

But Geom Mugeuk had stepped up for a friend like that. She wanted to help too. She wanted to share that embarrassment. Once she had that thought, her body moved on its own.

With her joining in, the mood lit up. She swayed with a gentle grace, Geom Mugeuk danced with high energy, and Bih Sa-in, utterly dazed, danced every which way. The musicians, catching the energy, began playing even more enthusiastically.

It was the first time for a Three-Way Summit, but it was also likely the first time in the history of the martial world that warriors from the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic paths danced together. 12

The Demonic Buddha’s body began to glow more radiantly. Having once traveled across the entire martial world, he tapped his feet to the beat as if saying, I used to have my fun too. If no one had been watching, he might’ve jumped in himself.

Even the stoic masters of the orthodox and unorthodox factions, who had looked displeased at first, now began to soften their expressions. The youthful display was starting to feel like watching children’s play.

Baek Jagang was watching Bih Sa-in dance with fervor.

Jin Paecheon had seen that expression many times before. The look that said, No matter how great someone else’s child is, mine’s the best.

This time, Jin Paecheon turned to the other side to look at Geom Woojin.

He, too, was silently watching Geom Mugeuk dance.

‘I hope you’ll let your son win. If your first defeat is to your own child… that wouldn’t be so bad, would it?’

Jin Paecheon’s gaze returned to the kids dancing.

“Even when members of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions have gathered, it's this joyful.”

So this is what youth is… Why didn’t I ever enjoy myself like this when I was young? Just fighting, killing, again and again. Who did I kill this time, and who’s next? I spent my whole youth like that, endlessly repeating. Never once smiling like that, never once playing like this.

Then Baek Jagang spoke.

“Perhaps… it’s because they’re young that they can enjoy it even more.”

Jin Paecheon nodded.

Jin Haryeong, as if showing them how, made a cute motion with her hands and waist. Geom Mugeuk and Bih Sa-in followed her steps. The three of them moving in sync looked like a coordinated dance troupe.

Bih Sa-in wasn’t aware of it. He, who had always hidden his grotesque face and never smiled properly, was now smiling brighter than he ever had in his entire life.

Lost in the ecstasy of the dance, Geom Mugeuk shouted,

“With a more exciting tune!”

Was it the spring breeze, carrying warmth and cooling their sweat, that made them feel so light?

The three dancers showed no signs of tiring. 13

1 : No one could. Not if you could mess with Mugeuk XDXDXD

2 : You’re gonna need a lot more drinks XDXDXD

3 : You see that plump cat who's eaten the neighbor's fish and looks smugly at him, fully knowing he can do nothing to punish him ? Yeaaah, that’s the same expression XDXDXD

4 : Not gonna lie, a sword dance would have been cool too. I hope we’ll get to see one in this novel ^^

5 : *Pats in the back* Good times…..

6 : Hypocrites, all of them !!! XDXDXD

7 : You’re not even a single bit convincing you know ? XDXDXD

8 : *Jimmy Somerville - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) starts playing in the background*

9 : Bro saved the honor of the Unorthodox Alliance all by himself, respect.

10 : “If you’re gonna be embarrassed, let’s be embarrassed together !!! After all, I’m your friend !!! (and I also hold a tiny part of responsibility in this)” XDXDXD

11 : Lol, both of them showed absolutely no hesitation XDXDXD

12 : Rather than a boring meeting, it’s this dance that people will remember in the future when they talk about this event. It’s precisely because it’s ridiculous that it’ll become a precious memory.

13 : That’s the big difference Absolute Regression has with other novels in the genre. They try to have *fun*. The rest are focused on politics, cultivation and fight scenes. Not that they’re wrong for doing that, but they’re definitely missing something important.