Absolute Regression

Episode 254: Yesterday feels like today.

I decided to actively accept Extreme Soma’s advice.

Take a step back from Sicheon Secret Art.

Of course, it was not as easy as he said. Because we are unmanned people who always run forward.

First of all, what I chose was to reduce the training time of Sicheon Secret Art and use that time to practice Nine Fire Magic Gong.

Yes, now is not the time for me to worry about other martial arts skills.

With this in mind, I focused on Guhwamagong.

To be honest, if it weren’t for the secret magic of Sicheon, I just wanted to learn nine fire magic techniques all day long.

Guhwamagong was indeed an esoteric yet high-level martial art, and as difficult as it was, it had the magic power to attract people.

Right now, I couldn’t compare it to any other martial arts technique. The inner power gained through meditation training was much more than that of the existing meditation method.

If my father were in front of me, he would definitely have laughed at this joke.

―You are saying that you were learning this good martial art to yourself!

I fell in love with the practice of Guhwamagong.

I was still trying to get my body completely used to the nine fire magic breathing method rather than herbivorous training, and that alone was fun.

Of course, this did not mean that he completely lost interest in Sicheon Secret Art. The more I learned the nine fire magic techniques, the more I realized that I needed the Sicheon Secret Art.

And then I realized it again.

Reducing training time is not the answer to taking a step back.

This method is wrong.

* * *

When I arrived at the residence of Namdo sect Hyeolcheondoma, he was reading a book.

I stood at a distance and watched him.

Strangely, watching Hyeolcheon Doma sitting by the window and reading a book makes me feel calm. I want to read a book, but I can’t read much, so maybe I’m just getting vicarious satisfaction?

At that time, the electric sound of the Hyeolcheon Doma flew through.

-Stop stealing and come back.

-He sends a message far and wide. Aren’t you also practicing Cheonrijeonmyul?

―Who can say that!

I walked to Hyeolcheon Doma.

“Aren’t you busy? “This is my first time seeing Sogyoju so leisurely.”

“I’m busy.”

“however?”

“No matter how busy I am, isn’t this the place for me? “Right next to our senior!”

I leaned against the window frame with my arms.

“Honestly, I’m free these days.”

“If you give me permission to teach, I have to find a job.”

“I don’t like it. Then all of a sudden, things will come rushing in at once. “I just rest when I can.”

“Then take a break. Why did you come here?”

“I feel most comfortable being with the elderly. “I came here to rest.”

Hyeolcheondoma shook his head, but he clearly looked pleased.

As I entered the room, I made a joke for no reason.

“Oh good! “How can you still smell this good no matter how old you get?”

“You don’t have to feed the fish you caught.”

“It’s not flattery, it’s the truth.”

I looked at the books on the bookshelf. Among them, I memorized the books that seemed interesting. I plan to buy it later and put it on my bookshelf. If I buy it, I’ll read it someday.

“Have you read all of this book?”

“I don’t buy it and use it as decoration like everyone else does.”

“Someone did it. “Reading begins with buying a book.”

“Do you prefer looking at books on shelves rather than reading them?”

“I will read it all someday! “You will read more than your elders.”

“Do you think that’s all I read?”

I was surprised and looked at the Hyeolcheon Doma.

“No, your name is Mazon. What do you do if you open a secret storage room and find books piled up where weapons or elixirs should be?”

“If the sword flies, I’ll block it with a book.”

At first, it didn’t really suit me, but now the image of me holding a book suits me better than the Great Blade of Death.

“There is some freshly brewed tea over there. “If you want to drink, drink.”

“But even so, I desperately wanted a cup of tea.”

I sat at the table and drank tea.

“Even though it’s the same tea, why does the tea made by the elderly taste better?”

“That’s because I want to pamper the old man.”

I pretended not to hear and touched Datak.

“I should put this same table in my room.”

At that time, Hyeolcheondoma suddenly asked.

“Are you worried?”

After all, he knew me better than anyone else. I asked him while fiddling with the teacup.

“Have you ever taken a step back?”

At my question, Hyeolcheondoma’s eyes turned from the book to me.

“From what?”

“From what the elderly want most.”

After thinking for a moment about the intention of the question, Hyeolcheondoma answered firmly.

“does not exist.”

It was as if my life was only going straight ahead.

Of course, to someone who doesn’t know him, Hyeolcheondoma looks like that kind of person. Because that bratty old man doesn’t look like someone who will retreat anywhere.

But he had already taken a few steps back.

By accepting me.

Rather, it was I who went straight ahead. In order to open the door to his heart, I went straight to Hyeolcheon Doma and he accepted me and stepped back.

If he had just gone straight for me, our relationship would have been different.

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“I was wondering how I could take just one step back.”

Hyeolcheondoma, who has been through all the prenatal and other hardships, will be able to guess what I mean by this.

“Have you ever read a book about how to take just one step back?”

“Could something like that exist?”

Hyeolcheondoma’s eyes turned to the book he was reading, but then turned to me again. I’m also curious.

“Seeing a smart kid like you worry, it seems like the target is not normal.”

“It’s martial arts.”

Hyeolcheon Doma will think that the martial arts is the Nine Fire Demonic Arts. Because it was a worry I had after becoming the head of a small religious sect.

“But why are you leaving?”

“It’s so complicated and difficult that I’m stuck, so I’m going to watch martial arts from a little distance away. “I think it’s because I want it so desperately that it doesn’t work out.”

“Aren’t you less desperate?”

“Probably not. “I am confident in my efforts.”

After a moment, Hyeolcheondoma asked.

“But isn’t trying to step away from martial arts in order to find a way like this… actually getting closer to that martial arts?”

“!”

At that moment, a realization crossed my mind.

I couldn’t stand it anymore and got up from my seat.

“you’re right! “I wasn’t backing down, but rather holding on more fiercely.”

I ran to Hyeolcheon Doma.

“If you want to hug someone, you have to hug the elderly! “Elder!”

“Don’t come, it’s gross!”

Hyeolcheon Doma pushed me back with empty space and sat me down on the data table again.

And then he spoke in a fake voice.

“Master Sogyo, please protect your body.”

I answered, slurping down the remaining tea.

“No, I’m going to throw away more. “I found the answer.”

* * *

“The Prodigal Son is back! “We’re back together!”

The three people in the late-night training group stared at me.

I was so busy that I couldn’t participate, but today I suddenly attended.

Ian told me.

“Even though you have become the head of a small church, are you still holding late-night meetings?”

“huh. “Would you still do it if you became the leader?”

“We don’t like that.”

I realized something thanks to the Hyeolcheon chopping board.

In order to take a step back from Sicheon Secret Art, I shortened my martial arts training time and tried to find other methods.

And now the conclusion I have reached is to just do it the same way as before.

Just like before I learned the nine fire magic or Sicheon secret techniques.

Even back then, I trained hard in martial arts. The difference from now is that there was no burden in training. I clashed hard with the mazons and trained sparingly with my spare time. It was a natural thing to do, and there was no pressure of how long I had to achieve it.

In the process, I continued to get stronger and improve.

I must step down. You should not step away from martial arts, but you should step away from pressure and impatience. Just keep going like before and it will happen at some point.

“Please teach me after a long time.”

As if to do it right, Gwonma took off his top. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a scary face with perfect muscles.

I also took off my top. Compared to him, I have baby hands and a baby body.

I felt sorry for Gwon-ma for having been negligent in my martial arts training. That’s why he begged me to become his disciple.

I unfolded the Byeokryeok Sura Fist with the horse. Originally, I wouldn’t have even thought about practicing the martial arts of the martial arts while worrying about the secret art of Sicheon.

Ian and Cheon So-hee also devoted themselves to training next to them. In the meantime, Ian’s skills improved again. I could tell just by looking at this brief moment how much effort he was putting into his training.

When we made eye contact for a moment as I was unfolding the snack, I smiled at Ian. She also smiled slightly.

Cheon So-hee said, ‘Did you just see a virgin getting salted? ‘Mr. Gwon!’ I was shocked when I saw the horse with this expression. He was surprised that he had expressed his intention like that to that difficult horse without realizing it.

The horse pretended not to notice and continued training.

Back when I was training like that.

Qarring!

A thunderous sound came from my fist.

Not only I, but also Ian and Cheon Sohee, who were practicing next to me, were surprised.

“Was it my voice by any chance?”

“Yes, the sound came from your fist.”

Everyone was surprised, but I was the most surprised.

“What happened? To be honest, I’ve been neglecting martial arts lately. It’s been a while since I opened the book again today. “Why on earth did there sound thunder?”

The horse gave me an expression that asked, “How could I know?” and then continued training in silence.

Have I become stronger in the meantime? Or is it because I took a step back from martial arts without realizing it?

One thing was certain.

After learning the nine-fire magic technique, my martial arts skills began to fluctuate.

Gurgling!

This time, a thunderous sound came from the horse’s fist. The thunder was louder than the sound of my fist.

“Why are you making a sound after not making a sound until now? “You didn’t pay it when you were training, right?”

The horse pretended not to hear my protest and continued training.

“Why did you make it happen on the day when I first heard thunder? Are you jealous….”

Gurgling!

My words were drowned out by the thunder of the horse.

“It’s too much to do…”

Gurgling!

* * *

As I was heading home with a tired body, I suddenly remembered a person and turned around.

A person who seemed to be awake at this late hour, indeed he was.

“What do the stars say about you?”

Then Chwima, who was floating his boat on the lake and looking up at the night sky, answered.

“This is what the stars are like. “Your arms are the best in the martial arts world!”

Chuma looked back at me and smiled warmly.

“Are you here?”

Standing on the shore of the lake, I quickly crossed the water and got on the boat.

“Now you can show off your skills to the fullest.”

On the day he was selected as the successor, he prayed in front of all the demons. Now that he has become the head of a small school, there is no reason to hide his skills.

“I’m not the kind of person who hides things. “He’s someone who likes to come forward and get attention.”

“Actually, so do I.”

“Would we have used the same name system differently? Next time, let’s go get some attention in the midfield!”

“I know a lot of good places. let’s go!”

Who knows as much as I do? We should have a drink together in a place with good taste and beautiful scenery.

We filled each other’s glasses.

“Congratulations on becoming the head of a small church.”

“Your help was great. thank you.”

“I guess it’s about the fifth time?”

“You’re drunk, my brother. “I see you beating yourself up again.”

After toasting together, we emptied our glasses.

“Wow, it’s good!”

“also! “You have to drink with your brother.”

It was so nice to have a drink with him after a long time.

We talked about various things and drank alcohol.

I also made it easy for him to tell me that it was difficult because the ball was blocked.

The solution was a bit odd.

“Drink! Alcohol is the answer. “Once you get drunk, everything will go away.”

“My brother is truly the best person in the world.”

“drink. There is life in alcohol, there is power, there is everything.”

We drank again. It’s been a while since I’ve been drunk, and the alcohol went in like water.

Chuma told all kinds of stories. We also talk about Mazon people behind their backs. I also talk about a woman I met when I was young. We also talk about martial arts.

It may seem like he’s drunk and talking nonsense, but he doesn’t cross the line. So I always feel this way. The moment a drunk makes a mistake is when he is sober.

with a plop!

Eventually, Chwima jumped into the water and I jumped in with him.

We swam around the lake and floated looking at the night sky.

“It’s still nice here.”

“When I play Sinseon Play here, it feels like time has stopped. One o’clock before is now and now is one o’clock after. “Yesterday is like today and today is like tomorrow.”

brother. I have to stop that time.

Perhaps because we were talking about time, I thought of Sicheon’s Secret Art.

The blood vessels in my body appeared overlapping in the night sky. I have tried many methods so far. True energy is sent from this vein to that place, and then again from here to that. There are still so many cases left to try.

‘Why are you thinking that at such a good moment?’

I’m playing with Chuma like this to take a step back from Sicheon Secret Art.

with a plop!

I dived into the water again.

But the next moment, I stuck my head out of the water again.

I imagined blood vessels on top of the stars again and overlaid them.

Not here, not there. Where were you earlier?

Then, there was a spot where the blood vessels and stars that came to mind matched perfectly.

‘found!’

I got shivers all over my body.

Is it just a coincidence? or not?

What if you operate Jinki in the order of those constellations? It seemed like something could happen.

Could it be that the secret art of Sicheon was created by looking at the constellations in the sky?

“brother!”

“what’s the matter?”

“I think I solved the problem I mentioned earlier.”

Chuma was surprised. Soon he was laughing and happy.

“Did I tell you? “They say drinking will solve everything!”

“I go first! Thank you bro. “Let’s talk again later.”

It soared straight out of the water into the air.

I changed direction again in the air and flew towards the lakeside.

Chuma’s voice was heard from behind.

“This brother is always here.”

Starlight was pouring down on the horse floating on the water.

* * *

After returning to the training hall, I prepared two incense sticks.

After lighting two incense sticks at the same time, he placed one in the incense burner and performed the space-time transformation technique.

The space created was empty to increase concentration and minimize the amount of energy used.

And there, I memorized the nine lines of Sicheon Secret Art. I moved my true energy in the order I realized after seeing the constellations, which was different from before.

Did it work?

I didn’t know if it was done yet or not.

In my current state, I was able to find out when I left here and compared the times. Even a small difference can be made. Once the Sicheon Secret Art begins!

please!

It was my earnest wish to somehow achieve the Twelve Great Masters of Nine Fire Magic Gong.

When the scent had burned to some extent, I solved the space-time anomaly technique.

Suddenly,

the world of time-space illusions disappeared and I emerged from it and slowly walked towards the incense that I had lit.

I squatted in front of the incense burner and placed the incense sticks at the same depth.

My heart trembled as much as the eyes staring at it.

The two incense sticks were burning at different lengths.