Absolute Regression

Episode 245: We will play with blood and wind.

The Poison King said nothing for a moment.

He blinked and asked.

“Are you asking me to play with you? And that includes Mabul?”

“That’s right.”

The Poison King placed his palm on Geommugeuk’s forehead to see if he had a fever.

“This is a side effect of Cheongidan.”

The Poison King grabbed her wrist and gave her a pulse.

“Is playing all day this difficult?”

Sword Dance stopped the Poison King from running away through the back door.

“There is no need to be too burdened. “I’m with you too.”

“I would rather go to the training ground and ask them to bark again. “Why are you doing this?”

“I want to take a day off. I also want to play with the Poison King. “Why don’t you just hang out with me for a day?”

Just as the Poison King was sighing, a merchant ship outside announced the arrival of Mabul.

The Poison King went out, cursing the sword dance with his expression.

“A precious person has arrived.”

“how are you?”

The two people greeted each other politely. Unlike Mabul, who tried to run away because he was uncomfortable, the Poison King treated Mazone well without losing his dignity as if he had never done so before.

“Is this your first time in Cheondoglim?”

“That’s right. “As I came, I saw beautiful views everywhere.”

“There are many better places.”

In fact, the Poison King also never visited the Golden Buddha Temple where Ma Buddha was located. Since he was a poison king who liked to stay isolated in the forest, he had no reason to go to the residences of other mazons.

After saying hello, Mabul looked at the sword dance.

“Gongja Lee was here.”

He said it as if he didn’t know Geommugeuk was here. The acting was pretty good. Even though he clearly knew that the sword dance performance came because of him, he welcomed the performance with the acting.

“also! I think Mabul and I have a connection. “If you see us meeting in places like this.”

“I guess so.”

“Seeing you so happy, I guess the time I spent with Mabul recently wasn’t in vain.”

Even with the Poison King next to him, Geommugeuk showed his emotions without hesitation.

“Then the Poison King won’t be offended?”

The Poison King intervened and asked.

“Why am I upset?”

“There is no one at our school who does not know the special friendship between the two of you, right?”

It meant barking together at the training ground.

The Poison King shook his head as he watched the sword dance.

“I’ve been going through all sorts of things since I met Lee Gongja.”

The sound of the King of Dogs immediately followed by Geommugeuk.

-Now is the biggest big deal!

Geommugeuk turned his head and pretended not to hear.

After saying hello, King Dok guided Mabul to the guest room of Cheondokmun Gate.

“Now come up here.”

It was like a cabin, and the atmosphere was very nice as it blended in with the surrounding natural scenery. It is a place that is rarely used because very few people visit, but the merchant ship always keeps it clean.

One person looks abnormally young and the other is abnormally small. There was also a sword dance performance, so this place seemed really special.

“Did you handle your expulsion from school well this time?”

“Thanks to your concern, we handled it well.”

The conversation ended and there was silence for a moment.

Although he was a man who met a lot of people, even he felt awkward in this situation. I had very little interaction with the Poison King, and I really couldn’t get used to his young appearance. Of course, the other person may also do the same when they see themselves.

The poison king’s sound flew into Geommugeuk.

-I’m already out of breath, so let’s play? It would be more fun to fight between life and death.

Fortunately, the atmosphere was refreshed when a merchant ship brought tea.

“The tea tastes great!”

Geommugeuk drank tea comfortably, but Mabul only played with the teacup and did not touch it to his mouth. If his subordinates had enjoyed tea here like a sword dance, they would have issued an unpleasant order. Do you drink the tea served by the poison king? You idiot! Rather die by my hands! In that way, the Poison King was feared by everyone.

“To be honest, the reason I came to see you today is because of Lee Gongja.”

Mabul glanced at the sword dance and continued speaking.

“I heard that Gongja Lee was here and came to see him. These days, I am completely absorbed in the fun of interacting with scientists and engineers.”

Geommugeuk clearly felt that Mabul was not the same Mabul as before. This time, he showed a new appearance, like someone who risked everything on his work. This kind of open-mindedness was not the character of Mabul.

“I’m curious. “What does the King of Poison usually talk about when he meets Prince Lee?”

Then the poison king spoke.

“I called you today and had you do some cleaning.”

Mabul was startled by those words. Mabul thought that the Poison King was displeased with his question.

“I guess I said something rude for no reason.”

At that time, Geommugeuk intervened.

“I really cleaned up.”

Geommugeuk spoke to the surprised Mabul as if complaining.

“So, did you think I became friends with the Mazons just because I spoke loudly? “I also try extremely hard.”

If you really cleaned up, you could see that the statement that sword dance was difficult was not just a lie.

“No matter what, do your work separately.”

He didn’t add that he has a body that could become a Heavenly Demon. Because his goal was to make it impossible for him to become the Heavenly Demon.

At those words, there was awkward silence again. In other words, the poison king did what he ordered regardless.

However, the King of Poison did not express any displeasure to Mabul. Because you can replace it with Geommugeuk.

-Did you hear? Those words that make people uncomfortable. But how do you play?

-There is no malice. You know, right?

-I can’t play alone, so how can we play together?

How could it possibly be like that? These were people who had never played sword dance or mabul in their entire lives. That’s why I wanted to spend quality time with them in Geommugeuk. Because it wasn’t an opportunity that came often.

―First, would you like me to take you on a tour of Cheondokgrim?

As soon as the sword dance performance ended, the Poison King spoke to Mabul.

“Since you’ve been here for a long time, I’ll show you around Cheondogrim.”

Mabul was about to say that he would come and see next time, but Geommugeuk got up one step ahead.

“Let’s go. “It will be fun.”

So the Poison King guided them to Cheondoglim.

Cheondogrim Forest was large and dense, and after walking to a corner, I came across a wonderful bamboo forest with a walking path.

“Oh, there was a place like this.”

It was a direction I had never been to before. After passing through the bamboo forest, there was a huge tree that must have lived for a thousand years, and behind it was a field with nameless flowers in full bloom.

The three walked slowly, intoxicated by the beautiful scenery.

Mabul, who was reluctant at first, gradually fell in love with the scenery of Cheondogrim. Exclamations like “it’s good” kept coming out of his mouth.

“Be careful.”

A colorful snake was flicking its tongue from a tree.

“This is Baekjeomsa (百點蛇). “He is so poisonous that even a coriander cannot last a day without a cure.”

Geommugeuk thought that the snake was also named by the Poison King.

Geommugeuk asked about the poisonous plants and poisonous snakes seen along the way, and the Poison King excitedly explained them.

Mabul thought that Geommugeuk’s actions were meant to please the Poison King.

‘I have to admit that I was diligent.’

But that said, Geommugeuk asked all kinds of questions. The Poison King also told him everything he knew and listened very seriously to the sword dance.

At that time, Mabul said something.

“Gongja Lee is very curious.”

“How many times in a person’s life will they have the opportunity to hear the Poison King explain something related to poison in person?”

In fact, Geommugeuk memorized everything the Poison King said as much as possible.

It doesn’t matter since you are poisonous and invincible, but you never know who might be poisoned, right?

Mabul was also nearby and listened to the explanation. He was always teaching, but I learned many things after a long time. It was fun to learn.

After walking for a while, we arrived at a valley with a waterfall.

Shoot aaaah.

They decided to rest here for a while.

“I’m going to go for a swim because it’s hot.”

Geommugeuk took off his top and jumped into the water.

“It’s good because I don’t get bored when I’m with a scientist.”

The Poison King nodded at Mabul’s words. It was fortunate that there was no sword dance at this moment and it was just boring, but it was a difficult time for the poison king.

Just as the Poison King was thinking about whether he should jump into the water too, Mabul brought up something related to his successor.

“I admit that the momentum is leaning toward Lee Gongja. So, the Archduke really needs the support of the Poison King.”

Mabul tried to use this opportunity to obtain official support for the archduke from the king of Poison.

“Whether the Archduke or the Ligong will be a better religious leader, you never know.”

Seeing the Poison King nod his head, Mabul continued speaking.

“There are times when I feel afraid when I see a scientist. “I wonder if Lee Gongja’s strange enthusiasm may be attracting even the martial arts people.”

Then the Poison King, who had been listening, suddenly spoke.

“Can’t we do that?”

“Nothing can’t be done, but…”

“I think you shouldn’t worry about this heat, but rather worry about not feeling it.”

Although the King of Dogs was awkward, he clearly said what he wanted to say.

On the other hand, Mabul had to feel the embarrassment of having been hit at the head. This is because there was always a feeling of regret that the Archduke had at least a little bit of the same excitement as the sword dance.

The Poison King looked at the sword dance. Geommugeuk, which was swimming, was screaming as it went under the waterfall. I couldn’t tell if it was good or painful.

“I think Yi Gongja is more suitable as a Heavenly Demon.”

Mabul was taken aback by the poison king’s words. The King of Poison chose sword dance.

“Just because you’re strong in martial arts doesn’t mean you’ll be a better Heavenly Demon because you’re better around horses, right?”

“That’s not why. “I see this in Lee Gongja.”

“What are you looking at?”

The Poison King said while looking at Geommugeuk sitting under the waterfall, making a fuss.

“We see our fate.”

The Poison King admitted that he likes his own world and is not good at understanding other people’s feelings.

But he felt it. The more they watch the sword dance, the more they realize that some great fate is coming towards them.

Rather, I thought it was something I felt because I spent a lot of time in my own world. Something that Mabul, who is entangled in countless relationships, can never see.

“You have fallen for Lee Gongja’s intentions. “You were the victim of a trick and trick.”

“If Gongja Lee was that kind of person, the favor he asked me today would have been to persuade Mabul.”

“Then what did you ask for?”

“He said the three of us would have fun today.”

“!”

For a moment, Mabul had that thought. Ah, it won’t be easy to defeat Lee Gongja. How do you beat this crazy guy? The confidence I had when I first started was completely shrunk.

“If a scholar becomes the Heavenly Demon, bloodshed may arise.”

“Gongja Lee will be playing with that bloody wind.”

Mabul said no more. He felt that the King of Poison’s decision was firm.

‘It won’t be easy.’

If the poison king cannot change his mind, the only demons who support the archduke are himself and Gwonma. Also, Gwonma is only half-supported.

At that time, Geomgeuk, who was imitating a trainee under the waterfall, swam this way.

“Have you seen my waterfall water lily? It’s as if I became a warrior dreaming of revenge through extreme training…”

Without listening to all the words, the Poison King stood up and spoke.

“There is still more to see. Let’s go.”

Mabul also jumped up and followed him.

Geommugeuk came out of the water and shouted.

“why? Did I do something wrong? let’s go together! “Let’s dry those clothes and let’s go!”

I told you to get some rest. It looks like they just had an important conversation. So, how can people who have never played in their lives play easily? It’s lucky if we don’t fight.

Hwaaaaa!

As Geommugeuk walked, he unleashed a yeolyangjigi. Steam began to rise and the clothes began to dry in an instant.

* * *

I was thankful for the poison king.

He was trying his best to fulfill my request. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made this suggestion.

“Let’s make a bet.”

Mabul showed interest in the word bet. I was curious about what kind of bet it was, and he had a strong competitive spirit and liked the bet itself.

“What bet?”

“In the forest here, there is a poisonous plant called Chilsaengcho (七生草), which has a seven-pronged mouth and purple fruits. “Let’s bet on who finds it first.”

“Isn’t that too much of a disadvantage to us? “The King of Poison must be familiar with the geography of this place.”

“I don’t even know where Chilsaengcho is. “I know it exists, but I can’t find it because it’s not related to me.”

Mabul didn’t think he would lie about something like this, so he asked again.

“If it’s a bet, there has to be a reward.”

I said this because the two of them were worried.

“Next time, when we have time, let’s have the losers drink at a pungryu bar to the person who finds them first.”

Poison King and Mabul nodded. The competitive spirit burned in Mabul’s eyes. At least for Mabul, it had more meaning than betting on alcohol.

“Okay. Let’s do it.”

So we wandered around looking for Chilsaengcho.

Even after searching for a while, it wasn’t easy to find. I even used my magic to search, but I couldn’t find it.

“I found it!”

The person who found Chilsaengcho was Mabul, who walked across the forest with his small body.

The Dog King and I rushed to him.

“Is this right?”

“oh! That’s right! “This is chilsaengcho.”

The Poison King looked truly moved.

“I can’t believe you found this precious thing. You are really good at gathering herbs. “Let’s go to the forest over there later.”

At the same time, the Poison King carefully plucked the Chilsaengcho. The sight was so full of sincerity that I asked with a feeling of uncertainty.

“You didn’t make the bet because you needed Chilsaengcho, right?”

At that moment, the back of the Poison King who was digging for Chilsaengcho flinched.

The Poison King said to Mabul as he carefully placed the Seven Saengchos in his bosom.

“Next time you come, let’s come out and play again. Mabul, come anytime!”

He greeted me as if he was saying goodbye and then the Poison King flew away.

He went that way.

Seeing the Poison King disappearing into the distance, Mabul looked at me and asked, ‘What on earth is going on?’

“We got hit! “They mobilized us as gatherers!”

Mabul thought my words, which could have been serious, were a joke.

“This place must have been very uncomfortable.”

From a distance, the Poison King glanced back at me.

The look in his eyes said: I’m having a good time.

And…

my efforts end here, now it’s your turn.