Absolute Return Episode 380
Episode 380: I blocked everything even when I was alone.
Jinpaecheon expressed his firm will to attend.
Geommugeuk spoke weakly with a puzzled expression.
“I will also invite the leader to this meeting.”
The sword dance drama was faithful to its performance until the very end.
Jin Ha-ryeong was beyond surprised by this result. Although he had played a big role in this outcome, he had not expected it to turn out like this.
‘So it turned out just as that guy planned.’
What if this person is the enemy? Can Nana or Orabeoni handle it?
Today, I felt the vague fear that I had felt before, keenly once again.
In any case, the plan we made together was a success, and now the visit of the Murim Alliance Leader to the Cheonmasingyo has become a reality.
Jin Ha-ryeong has now returned as the granddaughter of the martial arts leader and the leader of the three operatives.
“How will we ensure the safety of our lord?”
It was a procession of the leader of the martial arts world, so how could one or two peerless masters follow him? However, since he had been invited, it was the Cheonmasingyo who would take responsibility for his safety.
“We will take responsibility for this. We invited such a distinguished guest, so how could we be negligent?”
“Who will protect you?”
Geommugeuk laughed, thinking it was a joke. But Jin Ha-ryeong was serious.
“I promise you that I will protect you, that I will make sure that nothing happens to you.”
Her eyes spoke.
‘You know, I did all this because I trusted you.’
She believed in the Sword Dance more than the Heavenly Demon Sect. She really did. She was prepared to be kicked out and stand in front of the Demon Sect’s main gate in the rain.
The swordsman looked into her eyes and answered.
“I promise.”
Only after feeling the sincerity in those clear, deep eyes did Jin Ha-ryeong feel relieved.
‘Grandpa, I’m sorry I lied to you, but I believe this is right.’
I believed in the words of the sword dance that the war could be stopped. I also believed that this choice would ultimately be the path for my grandfather.
Geommugeuk spoke respectfully to Jinpaecheon.
“I will talk to the military of our school and adjust the schedule. Thank you for making such a big decision.”
When he thought of the three of them meeting, the image of Baekjagang also came to Jinpaecheon’s mind.
‘Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.’
Although he was considered one level lower than Geum Woo-jin, he knew very well that Baek Ja-gang was no ordinary person. One worry that naturally arose.
“But if the Apostolic Lord hears that I am going, won’t he change his mind?”
“I should go and tell her.”
“You’re going yourself?”
“Because such important changes cannot be conveyed in writing.”
It was a matter of having the Martial Arts Leader and the Apostolic Leader sit down in front of the Demonic Cult headquarters. If necessary, it would have to be done ten or a hundred times.
The swordsman bowed politely and greeted them.
“Then I will take my leave now. I will meet you at the tavern in front of the school.”
“Okay. Let’s go and see what your magic is like.”
Jin Pae-cheon sent Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong out together to see off the sword dance.
Jinpaecheon, who was left alone, spoke to the empty space.
“I’m going to get in trouble with the military.”
Then a thick man’s voice was heard from the air.
“Do you really think that the Demon Lord would kill the Apostle Lord?”
“I don’t know. How could I know what’s on his mind? The Geum Woo-jin I saw a dozen years ago wasn’t the kind of person who would use such shallow tricks. But how could I know what kind of person he has become now that the mountains and rivers have changed?”
Jinpaecheon walked slowly and looked out the window.
In front of the Maengjujeon, Geommu-geuk, Jin Ha-gun, and Jin Ha-ryeong were seen standing side by side.
There were several reasons why I decided to go to this meeting.
There was also a part where I was worried that the Demonic Cult and the Sado Alliance would join hands and do tricks, and there was also a part where I was curious about the young man named Geommugeuk. How on earth did they drag that tough Baek Ja-gang to the Demonic Cult?
Besides, it was already known that Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong had a great affection for Geommu-geuk, so he felt that he had to look into Geommu-geuk in more detail himself.
But if this was the only reason, he would not have made the decision without consulting the military. This was the biggest reason why Jin Pae-cheon decided to go.
Because I felt that it was time to meet Cheonma Geomwoojin again.
When they met before, Jin Pae-cheon had read into Geom Woo-jin the ambition to unify the martial arts world and suspected that he might start a war someday.
That is why I have been putting all my effort into protecting the Jeongpa martial arts world.
I figured I should check it out before I get any older.
‘If you still have those eyes.’
He can’t let those eyes look at Jin Ha-gun. Those are eyes that his grandson can’t handle.
* * *
As soon as he left the battlefield, Jin Ha-gun let out a sigh.
“Why are you sighing? Even if you cheer, it’s not enough.”
Jin Ha-gun pretended not to hear Geommu-geuk’s words and ignored them as he spoke to his younger brother.
“Perhaps we may have put our lord in danger with our own hands.”
It felt like I had been playing around all night, engulfed in heat, and it was morning. I always get this feeling when I hang out with the Geommu Theater.
“Aren’t you worried?”
On the other hand, Jin Ha-ryeong was at peace.
“What are you worried about?”
“I’m worried that I might have been fooled by that person.”
Then the sword dance came in.
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“Please, have that conversation over the phone!”
But Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong continued their conversation, ignoring even those words.
“They might have fooled us.”
“yes?”
“It might be a conspiracy to harm my grandfather and the Apostolic Lord at the same time.”
“But you don’t seem worried at all?”
“Because my brother is worried about my share too. If not, I wouldn’t have been able to sleep properly starting today, given my personality. In that sense, I’m grateful that you were born first.”
Jin Ha-gun, who had been shaking his head as if he couldn’t stop himself, glanced at Geommu-geuk.
The sword dance was looking up at the sky.
“What does the sky look like when you look up at it from the front of the Murim Alliance?”
“It’s the same. Whether you look from here or there, the sky is the sky. That’s why I have no greed here.”
These were the words that contained the true meaning of the sword dance. He kept telling me whenever he had the chance. He said that he was not greedy. So don’t doubt him.
And again, and again. Even though it’s annoying, I’ll keep talking. Because doubt is inevitable, and annoyance is a choice.
“Still, it’s better when I see you guys together.”
Jin Ha-gun recalled the way Geommu-geuk had looked at him before. The provocative gaze that had told him to cross the line drawn in his heart.
‘It went as you intended. It happened as you intended.’
That’s why I keep making jokes like this.
“Have you completed your plan to kill us all?”
A faint smile appeared on the lips of Geommugeuk, who was still looking up at the sky.
“I told the Apostolic Lord the same thing in similar situations. That’s not my way. My way is to send someone to the duel arena. Let’s have a showdown, and let the loser walk away cleanly. I’m not the kind of person who would plot to take something for myself… … .”
The sword dance did not continue.
If you look back at yourself before your regression, this saying would fit.
I have no affection for people or the world.
Maybe that’s why I am who I am now. Because of the regret and sorrow I feel for that empty life that I lived only for revenge, giving no meaning to people, the world, or even to myself.
Having seen the end of loneliness, I now intend to go all the way in the opposite direction. Even if greater regrets await, I will gladly walk.
“I like playing better. I like this floor of the Pungryu tavern better than sitting on that high throne.”
Now, both Jin Ha-gun and Jin Ha-ryeong believe this. That’s why they worked together today.
Before leaving, Geommugeuk said to the two people.
“Do you know what made me confident in doing this?”
“What is it for?”
“Because I trust my father. I trust that no matter what situation I create, he will not make it the worst. So if you don’t trust me, trust your leader.”
“!”
The sword dance gave a lively performance to the two people.
“I won’t forget the help you gave me this time. And please come to our school together.”
Even though Jin Ha-ryeong was ordered not to come, he planned to follow them even if it meant hiding in the carriage. He really wanted to go to the Pungryu tavern.
That’s why I felt so sad about our separation at this moment.
“Are you going back to the new religion?”
“No. I told you to go to the Apostolic Mission.”
“Oh, I see. You live a very busy life too.”
At that moment, when Geommu-geuk smiled faintly, he suddenly disappeared from my sight. Just like when he came, he disappeared like smoke.
“So you’re saying you’re just going to leave like this?”
Jin Ha-ryeong stood there for a while, looking at the place where the sword dance had disappeared.
‘I miss you already.’
* * *
As Jin Ha-ryeong said, life is busy.
I ran without resting, even saving time for sleep, and arrived at the headquarters of the Apostolic Alliance. I was really doing a good job of training in speed walking.
The sword dance stopped by a guest house that Bisain often visited. He was eating there again today.
-If you eat noodles often, you’ll gain weight.
The sound of the telegram made Bisain pause for a moment. He smiled reflexively at the only voice in the world that was nagging the leader of the Apostolic Alliance for being a picky eater. As always, the figure of the Geommu Theater could be seen in the alley across the street.
-What’s going on? I thought I’d see you at your tavern.
-I have something urgent to report to you, Lord.
-Then why don’t you go and report in person?
-No way! You should be with me.
-Isn’t it because it would take too much time to go to the leader without me?
You had to wait, wait, get permission, and go through all kinds of security nets before you could finally reach the Maengjujeon. It was the same in the Murim Alliance. In that sense, Jin Ha-gun and Bi Sa-in were shortcuts to the Maengjujeon.
-Did you notice?
The laughter of the sword dance reverberated throughout the room.
Of course, I know that’s not why. I know that you always came to me first to put me at the center of things.
-What’s going on?
-Listen with your lord.
-How much more are you going to surprise people?
-That’s not the case.
-Okay, I understand.
Geommugeuk stopped Visain from getting up from his seat.
-Eat your meal slowly and then get up.
-Will you be able to eat while waiting there?
―The more it is like that, the more you have to eat well. Since ancient times, hasn’t a person’s heart been on food? You wait a hundred days, and I will wake up without eating. No matter how big an accident you have, I will wake up without eating.
Visain jumped up and shouted.
“Did you have an accident?”
* * *
The sword dance was at the battle of Mengzhou with the Bisain.
“So, the leader of the martial arts world has decided to come to this meeting?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Things have gotten bigger.”
“You can think of it as having one more drinking buddy.”
“That drinking buddy is Jinpaecheon.”
The leader of the Apostles, Baek Ja-gang, hated Geom Woo-jin, but he hated Jin Pae-cheon even more.
“Three people who hate each other terribly get together?”
The two people’s private drinking party turned into a three-way meeting.
Since he became the leader of the Apostles, the three of them had never met in one place.
“Was this your original plan?”
“No. At first, I was planning to only have you meet with your father and the lord. But I changed my mind in the middle.”
“Because it’s easier to invite the leader of the martial arts world than to ask for his understanding?”
“There was that reason, but there was a more important reason.”
“What is the reason?”
After a moment, Geommugeuk said.
“I thought that if not for this opportunity, there might not be another chance for the three of us to meet again in our time.”
“!”
When I saw that my ears didn’t get goosebumps, the sword dance was telling the truth.
“What if we can’t meet?”
“When I looked back later, I would have regretted it. They were all so popular in their time, but the three of them never got together.”
Then Baek Ja-gang realized that he had never thought deeply about the tripartite talks. He thought that when he met them again, someone would die.
Visain, who had been listening silently from the side, suddenly had this thought.
‘So, whenever you get a chance to see me, you come running to me like this?’
In that sense, there was no need to worry about the three of them not being able to see each other in their time period, because that sword dance drama would call them out and try to meet them at any time.
“Is this what you came here to tell me?”
“This meeting started thanks to you, my lord, so it is only natural that I should come and speak to you in person.”
“What if I say no? What if that old man from the Murim Alliance says no because he’s annoyed?”
“But I still have to try to serve you. Whatever you want, just tell me. I will take responsibility and make it happen.”
What do you want?
What he wants is to raise Bisain to be cooler than the sword dance in front of him. That’s why he fills Geom Woojin’s arrogant eyes with envy.
“Don’t come. I’ll see you at the tavern.”
The sword dance was performed with a big smile on its face.
“Thank you so much for understanding. As expected, the leader is a fiery person.”
As Geommugeuk politely greeted and was about to turn around to leave, Baekjagang asked one last question.
“What is your ultimate goal for this meeting?”
The swordsman looked back at him and said.
“Here’s the sign, and the great leader of the Murim Alliance. It’s really fun when the three of us get together.”
The lips of the person listening, Visain, trembled.
Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves whether it’s fun or not?
I wanted to act cute like that, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it in front of the Apostolic Lord.
“Wouldn’t it be fun if the three of you got together? My goal is for this meeting to be a fun one.”
“A pleasant meeting? That would be good if the atmosphere wasn’t so tense.”
“That would be fun in its own right.”
Baekjagang warned of one danger.
“You said that those guys who targeted us this time had a mastermind behind them, right?”
“Yes.”
“What if they seize this opportunity?”
Geommugeuk answered calmly.
“It’ll be okay.”
“Why are you so sure?”
“You were able to stop it all when you were alone, but this time, there are three of you together?”
A strange smile appeared on Baekjagang’s lips.
‘I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with raising children for now.’
Those words also showed Baek Ja-gang’s determination to at least give victory to the successor of the Murim Alliance.
It was a secret that he could not understand the meaning contained in his master’s burning eyes.
“Then I’ll see you that day.”
The visa holder followed the sword dance to see them off.
“You really don’t care.”
“Why should I worry? Since you three have given your permission, it is out of my hands now.”
Even when people looked at him and said, “Isn’t that too shameless?” Geommugeuk didn’t give in.
“Let us live in our own world.”
When I first heard it, it felt like a passing fancy, but now it feels a little more real. That young people have their own martial arts world.
“There’s also the escort issue, and it’ll take some time to coordinate the schedule. What are you going to do until then?”
“I’ll play with the demons during the day and practice at night. That’s how I’ll spend my time. Don’t stop me from playing!”
“That would be great. There’s also someone to play with.”
“Don’t you have five more people to play with than me?”
“!”
For a moment, Bisain was surprised. If there were five more than Palmazone, it would mean thirteen, which would mean the Sado 13rang. Bisain had never once thought of playing with the Sado 13rang.
“Then see you later.”
In a flash, the sword dance disappeared into the distant sky, becoming a dot.
Under the sky where he had disappeared, the thirteen apostles were standing far away.
Suddenly, I had that thought. The Sword Dance Theater must have started with the Demon Lords in this state. No, the Sado 13rangs have loyalty. The Sword Dance Theater must have become close with the Demon Lords in a much more difficult and awkward situation than this.
Yeah, if you’re going to imitate, you might as well do it right.
“Let’s put aside our escort duties today and go out to a place with a nice view, buy some drinks, and catch up on our stories. By the way, is there anyone among you who can dance?”
As surprised eyes focused on him, Visain looked up at the sky.
“The weather is too nice to play alone.”
