Absolute Regression Chapter 682

682

In youth, one would not believe in destiny.

Heavenly Demon Annihilation.

The supreme technique of the Martial Arts that annihilates everything visible to the eyes.

However, it was a martial art that was not easy to train. One had to find a place where no one was around, and at the last moment, someone could step into the area affected by Heavenly Demon Annihilation.

Fortunately, it was not a constraint for Gwonmuguk.

Upon returning to his dwelling, Gwonmuguk immediately performed the Time and Space Transformation Technique.

Snap!

The moment Gwonmuguk snapped his fingers, he was standing in an open plain.

Whoosh.

The wind that blew fluttered Gwonmuguk’s clothing and hair.

‘Here, I can freely unleash Heavenly Demon Annihilation.’

He planned to accurately assess the range of this martial art by placing rocks at certain distances throughout the field.

He created those rocks at distances that seemed they could possibly be influenced.

They were truly so far away that they were nearly invisible. And it wasn’t just in one direction, he created them all around him.

After completing all preparations, Gwonmuguk slowly drew the Black Demon Sword.

After taking a deep breath, he unleashed the Heavenly Demon Annihilation he learned from his father.

Flash!

Swoosh!

A dazzling light spread out in all directions.

Grass, trees, rocks. Everything created in this place began to vanish.

At the moment the light that illuminated all sides began to fade.

In that last moment, Gwonmuguk performed the Divine Perception Technique and looked towards the last rock he had placed far away.

That rock also had disappeared. Even the rock placed at a distance that could only be confirmed by using the Divine Perception Technique had vanished.

Gwonmuguk realized. His internal energy was so colossal and pure that it exerted such tremendous power.

Swish.

The next moment, the Time and Space Transformation Technique, having exhausted all internal energy, broke.

Gwonmuguk replenished his internal energy through breathing techniques and once again performed the Time and Space Transformation Technique.

Even in the state of using the Time and Space Transformation Technique, it could still be unleashed, so it wasn’t limited to only when his energy was completely full in the dantian.

So, how much internal energy must be filled in the dantian to unleash it?

Through repeated trials and tests.

Nine halves.

It could only be unleashed when the internal energy reached nine halves.

And when the martial art was unleashed, all of that nine halves of internal energy would be consumed. Thinking of the tremendous power of the technique, it would be more unusual for any internal energy to remain.

‘Nine halves, can I reduce this?’

What if it could be used with eight halves of internal energy? If it could be reduced to seven halves, six halves, five halves, so that the requirements to unleash the martial art could be lessened?

Then, in a fight like usual, he could use Heavenly Demon Annihilation at the last moment.

‘First, I must achieve the Great Success of the Multitude Technique to see if I can reduce this requirement.’

Ultimately, Heavenly Demon Annihilation was a martial art that could be freely used when achieving the Twelve Successes.

There should be no need to kill everything visible to resolve the situation. He had to achieve the Twelve Successes like his father.

Gwonmuguk practiced Heavenly Demon Annihilation repeatedly for several days.

The goal was to naturally unleash Heavenly Demon Annihilation as if he were practicing other martial arts.

This training had another meaning. In the process of pouring out all his internal energy and then replenishing it, it naturally also served as cultivation for his mental techniques.

How many days had he been immersed in training?

Now he could unleash Heavenly Demon Annihilation naturally, as he would with other techniques.

He had precisely figured out how far the power of Heavenly Demon Annihilation could reach, and how the power diminished as the distance increased.

When had he ever practiced martial arts like studying so thoroughly?

Finally, when he was able to freely unleash Heavenly Demon Annihilation, Gwonmuguk stepped out of his dwelling.

In front of the enormous wall of Great Success, while focusing only on martial arts training, he found himself wanting to see someone.

* * *

Gwonma’s fist pierced the air.

Whoosh!

The rapidly flying fist struck a woman’s abdomen directly.

Thud!

The person who was pushed back with a thud was none other than Gwonma’s disciple and successor, Cheon Sohee.

If one were to see just this scene, all the chivalrous warriors of the world would rush in to save Cheon Sohee. Because a terrifyingly large man was attempting to beat a woman to death.

Thud!

This time, she was mercilessly struck in the side, biting her lip in pain.

Bam! Thud!

Again, the fist landed successively on her arm and shoulder. Cheon Sohee swayed but did not fall.

Under normal circumstances, she would have suffered severe internal injuries, but unexpectedly, she was holding up well.

However, it hurt. She felt the pain of being hit by a carriage, pinned under a gigantic pillar, and struck by flying metal.

Yet, she did not fall, enduring and enduring again.

At last, the fists that had been flying incessantly came to a stop.

“Hah, hah, hah.”

Now, only her rough breathing echoed there. If more fists had come flying, she would not have been able to endure and would have collapsed from internal injuries. Gwonma had pushed her to her limits precisely.

“Well done.”

When she lifted her head, Gwonma wore a smile as if he hadn’t hit her at all.

“Thank you, Master.”

Even while getting beaten, the protective technique that kept her body safe was none other than the Cheon Gang Shin. Today’s training was the Cheon Gang Shin training.

Cheon Gang Shin.

The protective technique Gwonmuguk had brought up from the underground he descended with the Sword King. At that time, Gwonmuguk had only taken this single martial art, the Cheon Gang Shin.

The reason Gwonmuguk took the Cheon Gang Shin was that it could be used in overlap with other protective techniques.

Because it was a technique that could be simultaneously used with Heavenly Demon Martial Arts and Thunder Hell’s Vajra Subduing Art. In conclusion, it meant that three protective techniques could be executed at the same time.

Gwonmuguk had initially modified the immense internal energy-consuming Cheon Gang Shin, and then had further enhanced its completeness through conversations with Gwonma and Ilhwa Sword Sovereign.

At that time, Gwonmuguk had passed on the martial arts to Gwonma and Ilhwa Sword Sovereign, Ahn and Seo Jin, and now Gwonma had passed the Cheon Gang Shin down to his successor, Cheon Sohee.

In fact, the ones who needed the Cheon Gang Shin the most were Gwonma and Cheon Sohee, who fought barehanded.

“This is truly an excellent protective technique.”

In response to Cheon Sohee’s admiration, Gwonma credited the martial art to Gwonmuguk.

“Since it’s your senior brother who passed on the martial art, you should thank your senior brother.”

At that moment, someone walked in from behind Gwonma and spoke.

“You’re too much, Master! Where would our frail sister possibly take blows from?”

The person who appeared was none other than Gwonmuguk.

A slight smile appeared on Gwonma’s face as he turned, and Cheon Sohee’s face blossomed with joy.

“Senior Brother! I appreciate the words, but I’m not frail, you know.”

Her body had become more muscular than before. Just looking at her body showed how hard she had practiced her martial arts.

“Looks good.”

In response to Gwonmuguk’s praise, Cheon Sohee humbly replied.

“I’m still far from it.”

Gwonmuguk then started teasing Gwonma’s great back, which he hadn’t seen in a while.

“Are you aiming for Master’s body? Absolutely not, Sister. Aim for this well-built senior brother’s body!”

Only then did Gwonma turn to Gwonmuguk.

“With those baby hands, you can do nothing.”

Hearing the term “baby hands” after a long time brought a smile to Gwonmuguk’s face as he greeted.

“Master, I have returned after being expelled from the sect.”

Gwonma seemed pleased that it was a timely visit, and instead of greeting him, he looked to Cheon Sohee.

“Seeing it in person is the quickest way to learn.”

Gwonmuguk soon realized what Gwonma was implying. He meant to demonstrate the Cheon Gang Shin directly.

“I apologize. To be Gwonma, I should naturally be made like Master! It should be double the size of your back right now!”

As Gwonma, who had already given up, clenched his fists and walked forward, Gwonmuguk lowered his voice.

“I’ve come to meet you in the capacity of the young master.”

Of course, it didn’t get through to Gwonma.

Gwonma swiftly leaped and threw a punch like lightning.

Whoosh!

Gwonmuguk did not dodge the incoming punch. It was a demonstration of the Cheon Gang Shin, after all.

The immensely powerful fist struck Gwonmuguk’s chest.

Thud!

He used the Cheon Gang Shin to block the impact. But while he did not suffer internal injuries, the pain was clearly transmitted through his body.

Whoosh! Wham! Whoosh!

Again, Gwonma’s fists relentlessly hammered Gwonmuguk’s torso. They were incomparably faster and stronger than those that had previously attacked Cheon Sohee.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

Despite the barrage of immensely powerful punches, Gwonmuguk did not fall. He survived being hit, as if part of the skill was to endure the punishment.

In truth, he pretended to be reluctant, but this was truly valuable training for Gwonmuguk. When else would he have the opportunity to test the Cheon Gang Shin against Gwonma’s punches? Each punch was invaluable and could not be measured by price.

Once they had exchanged a flurry of punches, Gwonma then asked Cheon Sohee.

“What’s the difference between you two?”

Cheon Sohee, who had been standing there in shock, quickly regained her senses.

“At first glance, it seemed like I was just enduring with the Cheon Gang Shin, but it felt like you were redirecting the incoming punches. Slightly adjusting your body, perhaps.”

Gwonma wore a satisfied expression. Cheon Sohee had observed well.

“Very well. Furthermore, you controlled the strength of the protective technique differently across each body part. Instead of reinforcing the areas that were hit, you regulated them to spill the shock.”

Upon hearing that, Gwonmuguk asked in surprise.

“Did I really do that?”

At Gwonmuguk’s surprise, Gwonma nodded.

“You instinctively executed it that way. It’s not something that can be intentionally done.”

Gwonma turned towards Cheon Sohee. Without saying a word, Gwonma’s gaze seemed to convey this message.

Now do you understand the path you should take?

Cheon Sohee respectfully performed a salute.

“Master, thank you so much for your great teachings.”

Cheon Sohee also expressed her gratitude to Gwonmuguk.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.”

“I’m glad to hear it helped. Ugh, I feel like my whole body is falling apart.”

As Gwonmuguk bemoaned, Cheon Sohee also whispered a complaint before leaving.

“Will it hurt as much as that? I’m truly in pain!”

Cheon Sohee let out a groan as she left.

Watching her departing figure, the playfulness faded from Gwonmuguk’s face.

“I look forward to that day. The day that punch strikes the martial world.”

She was to be a Martial Master alongside the Heretical Demon King and carry on to the next generation. He would surely be able to witness her achievements.

“Let’s walk a bit.”

“Yes, Master.”

Gwonmuguk and Gwonma walked together inside Dongkwonmun.

The passing Iron Fists politely greeted Gwonmuguk. Since he shared a deep connection with them, the expression in Gwonmuguk’s eyes softened as he looked at the Iron Fists.

Naturally, the two of them headed toward the cliff that Gwonma wanted to break.

As they walked to that place, Gwonmuguk recounted everything that happened while he was out.

After hearing all the details, Gwonma recalled an event from long ago.

“During the time we roamed the Central Plains with the previous Cult Leader, there were several encounters with unknown individuals. Back then, I simply considered them as mysterious organizations seeking wealth and power. But perhaps among them, there were even descendants of the Dark Palace.”

“Indeed, that must have been the case. No, without a doubt, they were present.”

They must have secretly built their organization while earning money and growing their power across the Central Plains.

Gwonma asked with curiosity.

“Then why now?”

Certainly, there must have been many opportunities over three hundred years.

“It seems they believed in the prophecy of the Diviner.”

“The prophecy will come to fruition in the present?”

“Yes, indeed.”

Gwonma’s gaze turned towards Gwonmuguk.

How unfortunate that such a young master exists in this era? After waiting three hundred years, they should have waited another hundred.

Since it was such a thought that he could confidently assert this.

“It must be a false prophecy.”

Though he said this with Gwonmuguk in mind, Gwonmuguk diverted the reason back to Gwonma.

“With you as my Master, there is no way.”

Of course, Gwonma knew well that he was not the person who could change the prophecy.

The one standing before the greatest fate that could change everyone’s destiny was Gwonmuguk.

“Do you believe in destiny?”

How could someone who returned believe in destiny?

However, he did not outright say that he believed in it.

“I would rather not believe so in my youth.”

Gwonma looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“If I believe that a predetermined fate exists, I feel like excuses will just pile up.”

As he looked ahead while walking, Gwonmuguk’s gaze turned to Gwonma.

“While we may not be able to define our destinies, we can certainly define our mindset and attitude towards fate. In our youth, we will live as though everything in the world is uncertain. With great effort, moving our bodies and honing our minds, later, we will say to fate: What will you do now that I have tried so hard?”

This was the consistent mindset of Gwonmuguk after returning.

What will you do now? he said, but in truth, he was also speaking to himself.

If even after such effort, one could not change destiny, then it couldn’t be helped.

“Perhaps when you reach Master’s age, I will look back on my life and then believe in it.”

Gwonma was curious. What would Gwonmuguk feel when he looked back at his life at Gwonmuguk’s age? What would he say then?

While they were conversing, the two arrived in front of the cliff.

After gazing up at the cliff for a moment, Gwonmuguk suddenly said.

“Now, you will not demolish this cliff, will you?”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because I believe you now certainly have the confidence to break this cliff.”

Gwonmuguk felt that Gwonma had grown stronger.

In fact, even in their last fight, Gwonma had not let pride take over, and he had fought flexibly.

That Gwonma, who had once never broken, had become fluid, meant he had grown that much stronger.

“I still lack confidence.”

Gwonmuguk knew that only someone who had grown stronger could say such a thing, and he smiled brightly as he looked at the cliff.

“Congratulations, it seems you have survived.”

A faint smile also appeared on Gwonma’s lips.

At that time, an Iron Fist rushed towards the spot where the two were standing to deliver a message.

“A notice has arrived for the young master.”

It was a brief message sent by the Dark Demon King.

–Please come to Cheonhwa Tower. Somak.