Absolute Regression

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
Murim Term Consultant: Kopke
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< Chapter 188: What’s the Point of Getting Stronger? >

We were truly shocked.

It was already surprising enough to hear the words “Midnight Training Group” come out of the Fist Demon King’s mouth, but his request to join the group was almost shocking.

Cheon So-hee, who had been looking down, raised her head, wondering if she had misheard, and then quickly lowered her head when she met Dan Woo-gang’s eyes.

The Fist Demon King looked at me, waiting for my response.

“I’m not the leader of this group.”

My gaze shifted to Lee Ahn.

The look in her eyes was clear: Really, Young Master? Are you pushing this onto me? Despite the urgency in her eyes, Lee Ahn calmly greeted Dan Woo-gang.

“Let me formally introduce myself. I am Lee Ahn.”

The Fist Demon King simply nodded once. Not even Lee Ahn’s beauty could soften the fierce expression on his face.

“This is a group I started, but I’m not someone who acts unilaterally.”

Lee Ahn looked at Cheon So-hee. Cheon So-hee’s expression clearly said: So, you’re dumping this on me? 1

Pretending not to notice, Lee Ahn asked her, “Miss Cheon, what do you think?”

Without hesitation, Cheon So-hee exclaimed, “I fully support it!”

The Fist Demon King nodded and then asked Lee Ahn, “What about you?”

Only someone like my father would be able to refuse him with that expression.

“I’m in favor as well.”

With Lee Ahn’s agreement, Dan Woo-gang’s gaze finally turned to me.

“And you?”

“Of course, I oppose.”

The Fist Demon King’s face twitched for a moment, but I didn’t flinch.

“Why?”

“It’s uncomfortable. I’m fine with it, but how uncomfortable do you think it would be for those two? Especially Miss Cheon, who would have to see you both during the day and at night—it would be unbearable.”

Cheon So-hee spoke faster than my Soaring Sword Art’s Azure Sky Form.

“I’m fine with it. In fact, I’m happy to see you again.”

Dan Woo-gang then looked at me and said, “She’s happy.”

“How could she be? Let me give you a simple example. Starting tomorrow, you’ll have to train martial arts with my father.” 2

The Fist Demon King’s expression immediately hardened. It was an unease he couldn’t hide, no matter how much he tried. As expected of my father.

“Imagine spending all day training together and then seeing him again at night. How would you feel?”

It was an irrefutable example. I’m sorry, Father.

“So, what should I do?”

That was something you’d never expect to hear from the fearsome Fist Demon King. When he says something like that, you know we have to open the door for him. Though, the entrance fee might be a bit steep.

“Please teach me the First Fist of the Thunderous Asura Fist.”

Dan Woo-gang’s unique fist technique was the Thunderous Asura Fist.

Known for its rough and powerful destructive nature, the Thunderous Asura Fist, when mastered, was said to produce the sound of thunder from the fist. It was the Unbeatable Fist Demon’s signature martial art.

The Thunderous Asura Fist consisted of six forms, and I had asked to learn the first form, the First Fist.

“The ones who should be uncomfortable are those kids, so why are you trying to learn martial arts?”

“They’ll understand. I’m giving them that much.”

Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee, who were watching, probably thought there was no way the Fist Demon King would agree. It wasn’t just them; anyone would think the same, but I decided to take a shot anyway. Progressing step by step toward my goal was important, no matter what.

Of course, there was a reason behind my boldness. The Fist Demon King had secretly visited this place twice already, and now he openly expressed his desire to join the group.

Whatever his reasons, he had a desire to be part of this group.

“Do you think I’m a fool?”

“Of course not. But I think you’ll pretend to be just that much of a fool.”

We exchanged a silent conversation with our eyes. ‘What a crazy bastard!’ Yes, that’s right. I hear that I’m a crazy bastard quite often. 3

The Fist Demon King glared at me for a moment before turning around and walking away.

In truth, he could have pushed his way in. If he had demanded to join forcefully, we would have had no choice but to let him in. If he had exploited the fact that Cheon So-hee called me her senior brother and pressured us, we would have had to give in to his demands.

But Dan Woo-gang simply backed down when I opposed him. He wasn’t a petty man. He was someone fitting of the name Fist Demon King.

Cheon So-hee, her tension finally relieved, collapsed onto her seat.

“Ah! I thought my heart was going to explode earlier.”

Lee Ahn shook her head as well.

“I knew he looked scary, but I didn’t realize it would be this intense up close.”

Once everyone calmed down, Lee Ahn turned to me and asked, “But why does the Fist Demon King want to join the group?”

She couldn’t understand it at all, so I voiced the thought that suddenly came to mind.

“Maybe he’s lonely?” 4

I wasn’t joking, but Lee Ahn took it as a joke.

“Don’t kid around.”

“How would I know what’s on his mind?”

But there was one thing I was certain of.

“His ultimate goal is probably to fight me.”

“With you, Young Master?”

“Yeah. He’s probably hoping that training together will give him a reason to spar with me.”

Lee Ahn was startled. She never would have guessed that the Fist Demon King had such thoughts.

“If he wants to fight, he can just fight during the day, right?”

“But his subordinates would be watching then.”

“He could just call you out for a private duel.”

“I’ve already said I’d never fight him.”

“So, he wants to join this group to find an opportunity to fight you?”

“That’s the only way I can see it right now.”

Lee Ahn raised her hand and exclaimed, “This dangerous group—I’m disbanding it immediately.”

Of course, she wasn’t serious. Dan Woo-gang had just asked to join and was turned down, but if we disbanded the group right now, who knows what might happen.

Meanwhile, Cheon So-hee, who was sitting next to us, was half in a daze. The fact that the Fist Demon King discovered she had taken Geom Mugeuk as her senior brother—how must she be feeling right now? She probably thought that her chances of ever becoming the next Fist Demon King had slipped away forever.

“Should I quit the group now?”

“Do you think he’d let you off just because you quit? I doubt it.”

“Then what should I do? Since things have come to this, should I just say, ‘Oh, whatever!’ and let it be?”

“You have to.”

“What?”

Cheon So-hee looked at me, her eyes wide.

“You need to train even harder and make up for your mistakes with your skills.”

Her expression showed it was easier said than done, and she let out a sigh.

After a brief pause, she asked, “He won’t come again, will he?”

“He probably won’t, right?”

I said it to comfort her, knowing she was still in shock, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Fist Demon King wouldn’t give up so easily.

“I’ll work twice as hard from now on.”

Cheon So-hee, seemingly trying to steel herself, then buried her head in her hands.

“I’m doomed!”

* * *

The next day, training with the Black Fists proceeded as usual.

I kept an eye on the Fist Demon King, but he acted as if nothing had happened. Cheon So-hee, feeling even more on edge because of his nonchalance, trained with a desperate intensity.

Meanwhile, my popularity among the Black Fists was steadily rising.

It made sense; I considered these Black Fists as my direct subordinates. They were the ones who would fight for me, alongside me, one day.

So, when they asked questions, I answered them sincerely, and I also talked with them about things unrelated to martial arts.

My extensive knowledge of the martial world and the Central Plains often left them amazed. They found themselves completely absorbed in my stories, losing track of time as they listened.

From a distance, Dan Woo-gang quietly watched me. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.

That night.

The late-night training session started with just the three of us: Lee Ahn, Cheon So-hee, and me.

Cheon So-hee let out a sigh.

“Today, the Fist Demon King didn’t even look at me once.”

“When did he ever give you a second glance?”

“……”

“You’re already on his bad side, so why not try being more casual around him?”

“Is that sincere advice, or are you trying to set me up for disaster?”

“Of course, it’s advice for my junior sister.”

Cheon So-hee looked startled.

“You still think of me as your junior sister?”

“Yes.”

Realizing I was serious, she shook her head.

“No, this isn’t right. What are you planning?”

“Think about it from his perspective. Imagine you’re the Fist Demon King. You’ve got this smart subordinate you want to eventually pass your position to. But then you catch them fooling around with the Young Master of some other group. Now, after getting caught, they’re constantly tiptoeing around you. How would you feel?”

“I’d probably dislike it.”

“Exactly, so just be confident around him.”

“But wouldn’t that make him dislike me even more?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her response. Lee Ahn laughed too, and soon Cheon So-hee joined in.

Cheon So-hee steeled herself.

“Alright! Just like Senior Brother said, I’ll do my best! What’s done is done, so whatever happens, happens. I’ll confidently tell him why I took the Young Master as my senior brother. If I speak honestly, it should resonate with him, right? The Fist Demon King may look scary, but he must have a soft side. Thank you, Senior Brother! I’ll do my best. Let’s continue being senior and junior secretly, without the Fist Demon King knowing. But, why do you look like that? Why are you looking so serious? Why are you… oh no, tell me it’s not true.” 5

With a face on the verge of tears, she turned toward the cold presence she felt behind her.

Dan Woo-gang had somehow arrived and was standing right behind her.

Cheon So-hee’s face turned pale, as if she were bearing all the burdens of the world.

Not knowing what to say, I watched as the Fist Demon King abruptly asked her.

“What were you thinking when you chose the Young Master as your senior brother?”

Dan Woo-gang had heard everything she said just moments ago.

Cheon So-hee spoke in a trembling voice, revealing her true feelings.

“I happened to see the Young Master sparring with another martial artist using the fist techniques we learned. In that moment, I thought, ‘I want to be that strong too.’”

She had just admitted to the Fist Demon King that she took the Young Master as her senior brother and sought to learn martial arts on her own. In a strict setting, this was enough to get her beaten to death without question.

But she was honest. Even though her mind might have been screaming, “This is wrong!” her heart had already taken over her words.

“And what do you plan to do once you become strong?”

“I’ll be honest. I wanted to follow in your footsteps and become the next Fist Demon King. But now… it seems like that’s all over.”

It was a response she gave, risking everything, but it wasn’t the answer the Fist Demon King was looking for.

“Right, that’s more like a job you want to have. I asked what you intend to do once you’re strong.”

“!”

Cheon So-hee was momentarily flustered.

She had probably never deeply considered the difference between what she wanted to be and what she intended to do. She had only lived with the goal of becoming the Fist Demon King, so she was even more confused.

Listening to their conversation, I found myself admiring Dan Woo-gang.

Yes, he was the type of person to ask such questions. This showed that he wasn’t just someone who recklessly used his fists but was a smart person as well.

I stepped in to rescue her.

“What brings you here today?”

Then, something astonishing came out of the Fist Demon King’s mouth.

“I’m here to pass on the First Fist of the Thunderous Asura Fist to you.”

I was taken aback. While I knew he wouldn’t give up easily, I didn’t expect that he would offer to teach the First Fist just to join the group.

What on earth was his motive? Did he really want to fight me that badly?

Not only was I surprised, but so were Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee. No one could believe it. The Fist Demon King offering to teach the First Fist of the Thunderous Asura Fist just to join this small Midnight Training Group—it was unbelievable.

Dan Woo-gang and I locked eyes in the air. Once again, we conversed silently through our gazes. ‘You’re truly impressive.’ ‘As if I’m the only one.’ ‘Are you sure you won’t regret this?’ ‘Shouldn’t I be asking if you’ll regret pulling me in like this?’ ‘I have no regrets.’

“But there is one condition.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“You must keep it a secret that I’ve passed on this martial art.”

“Of course.”

The Fist Demon King’s gaze shifted to the two women. As if there were any chance they would say otherwise.

“Yes! Don’t worry about us!”

“We weren’t even here!”

Of course, what they really wanted to say was probably more like:

And we hope we won’t be here in the future either!

The martial arts transmission happened immediately.

The Fist Demon King whispered the chant for the First Fist of the Thunderous Asura Fist to me through sound transmission.

The First Fist, Black Cloud Asura.

Though it was the first of the six forms, it possessed a power stronger than any other fist technique. One would only understand why this martial art belonged to the Fist Demon King after experiencing it firsthand.

The Fist Demon King even adjusted my posture as he taught me the Black Cloud Asura, making sure I learned it properly.

At least when it came to martial arts, he was sincere. I didn’t know for sure, but among the Demon Supremes, Dan Woo-gang was probably the best at teaching martial arts. It was almost comical how his gentle voice didn’t match his terrifying face.

Lee Ahn and Cheon So-hee turned away, not watching us. While it wouldn’t have mattered since we communicated through sound transmission, it was simply a matter of courtesy not to observe the process of martial arts instruction.

And so, I received the First Fist of the Thunderous Asura Fist.

*Pa-aang!*

One day, the sound of thunder would erupt from my fist when I unleashed this technique.

The Fist Demon King nodded approvingly as he watched me perform the First Fist.

“To unleash its full power, you’ll need to continue training diligently.”

“Thank you.”

Since there’s give and take, I formally welcomed the Fist Demon King.

“Welcome to the Midnight Training Group.”

It was the moment when an unlikely quartet—me, the Fist Demon King, Lee Ahn, and Cheon So-hee—became bound as one group.

And today, it seemed the Fist Demon King was set on surprising us.

“Alright, let’s train.”

He took off his top. Since going to the Eastern Fist Faction, I hadn’t once seen his bare body. But now, he was starting to undress as if he was truly ready to train seriously.

Under the bluish moonlight, the Fist Demon King’s upper body was revealed.

1 : Passing the hot potato to everyone XDXDXD
2 : Lol, he always use him as a bogeyman XDXDXD
3 : Almost every chapter in fact ^^
4 : Basically all positions of power make you lonely.
5 : We all know that he’s looming behind her XDXDXD