DEB 45

“System, system, system!”

As Huiyun sprinted, he relentlessly called out for the presence he sought. Siho, the silver fox perched on his shoulder, clung desperately to Huiyun as he ran, letting out a distressed cry. 

Ignoring the fox’s unhappy sounds, Huiyun ran until he could no longer sense Juan’s presence. 

Only then did he stop and call out loudly for the system.

His mind was in turmoil.

To calm this chaos and steady himself every time Yasha’s emotions surged, he needed more definitive information.

“Come on, show yourself. Please…”

The system, which had always been so intrusive and annoying, now remained silent when he needed it most. Cursing its selfish and capricious nature, Huiyun noticed that Siho, who had been clinging desperately, had fallen off his shoulder.

“Siho!”

Huiyun hurriedly picked up the trembling silver fox. Siho looked at Huiyun with its characteristic brilliant blue eyes, then curled up in his arms and closed its eyes. The surroundings grew silent.

Surely he’s not dead.

Listening closely, Huiyun was relieved to hear faint breathing.

“…Get a grip.”

Feeling foolish for panicking over an unexpected memory and a disciple’s unusual behavior, Huiyun laughed at himself. What was he even doing? He was still berating himself when the golden system window finally appeared with an alert that communication mode had been activated. Exhausted, Huiyun slumped against a tree and wiped his face.

“System…”

The golden window flickered as if prompting him to speak. Huiyun voiced the hypothesis he had kept to himself, seeking confirmation from the system.

“If I acknowledge that I’m Yasha… will I awaken?”

[…]

The system remained silent. Soon, an additional message indicated that it was a question they couldn’t answer. Even without a clear response, Huiyun knew his hypothesis was likely correct and let out a bitter laugh.

“No wonder I didn’t want to admit it, even if it killed me.”

He had been putting up a mental wall, and now he understood why.

“If I awaken, the demons will also know that Yasha has returned, right?”

[This question cannot be answered.]

“Thanks.”

The system could have ignored him entirely, but even this was a form of answer.

Despite three years of cursing them, the system provided subtle help when needed, making Huiyun feel a grudging affection for them. Realizing that all his suspicions were true, Huiyun let his body rest against the tree.

Acknowledging that he was Yasha would automatically lead to awakening, and once that happened, the demons would realize Yasha’s reincarnation. This meant another period of imbalance was imminent.

Huiyun recalled the moment he decided to die as Yasha. The same feeling now enveloped him.

“They reincarnated me after ten thousand years and returned my memories. That must mean a second war will occur within this generation, right?”

[This question cannot be answered.]

“They’re trying to awaken me to increase our chances in an unavoidable war. Unlike before, Yasha won’t fight alone this time, so they think we can win together.”

[…It’s the decision of those above.]

The system window flashed briefly with a message and then disappeared. Another blue window appeared, indicating that communication mode was deactivated due to the absence of an administrator. Huiyun sighed deeply and pressed his fingers against his eyes.

A decision from those above… meaning the gods.

“Really, they ask too much.”

Huiyun laughed bitterly.

He was no longer the devoted and loyal Yasha who bore the weight of divine responsibilities. He was no longer the original being who had to shoulder the responsibilities that came with divine powers. Yet, they had come to him in his new life, asking for more.

Able to curse the gods freely, unlike before, Huiyun muttered bitterly. 

Sensing Juan’s approach, he stood up and dusted off his knees.

In summary, he was back to square one.

But at least he now had a clearer understanding of what not to do.

While he could soothe his disciples, he could never directly admit to being Yasha in front of others. If a war was inevitable, it was best to delay it as much as possible and avoid it if he could.

“…So, in the end, what I said was the best choice.”

He had thought he misspoke, but looking back with clarity, he realized he had chosen his words wisely.

He couldn’t directly admit to being Yasha, but he had indirectly revealed enough. He suggested letting go of their past connections to prevent danger from their continued insistence. 

Yet, as Juan said, and as Huiyun had once believed, connections were not easily made or broken. They had a month to sort things out while living together.

Huiyun steeled himself, knowing it would be a challenging month.

Huiyun needed time to recall all of Yasha’s memories and let go of Yasha’s disciples, while the disciples needed time to say goodbye to their master.

“I wish they’d help….”

Huiyun thought wistfully, hoping his disciples would understand and follow his wishes. 

Siho, nestled in his arms, let out a small whimper.

[By raising all disciples’ respect to 100% through the ‘Disciple Education Book For Reincarnator’, you can issue one identical command to all disciples. This command cannot be refused.]

It felt like the system had read his mind, offering him a reward that seemed too good to be true. Huiyun couldn’t help but chuckle at the timing, stroking the slowly recovering silver fox as he watched Juan approach.

He set his goals again.

First, bury the name Yasha. 

Second, progress through the Disciple Education Book to make that happen.

Peace and Huigang’s happiness would follow once these goals were achieved.

With a clearer idea of how to handle his disciples and what to do next, Huiyun steadied his breathing and waited for Juan.

Juan, running faster than ever, didn’t slow down as he reached Huiyun, tackling him into an embrace that sent them both tumbling to the ground.

On the dirt-covered ground, Juan cradled Huiyun’s head and apologized.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Yasha.” 

“…Juan.”

“It’s all my fault. I’m sorry for shouting. I’m sorry for pushing you. I’m sorry for making things difficult. So, please, don’t go. Stay with me. Why are you leaving like you won’t come back….”

“…”

“I was wrong, okay?”

“Juan.”

Huiyun felt Juan’s voice trembling, and as he lifted his head, he saw his tear-streaked face. He looked like a lost child who had found a familiar hand to hold.

Ash rarely cried. Seeing the normally tearless man sobbing uncontrollably was disconcerting. Hesitant, Huiyun sighed deeply and pulled him into an embrace. Looking at his face would only make him more upset, and he feared saying something he’d regret.

Juan nestled into Huiyun’s embrace, his body shaking. The sight of the burly man trying to fit himself into Huiyun’s arms was both endearing and absurd. Huiyun couldn’t help but smile as he felt the weight of Juan pressing into his chest, gently patting his back.

Alright. He would have to deny his identity to the world repeatedly, but he could accept it for this one person.

The existence of Yasha.

That he was Yasha’s reincarnation.

Facing a future where he would have to strongly deny his true identity, Huiyun knew he needed to be firm. Accepting his own tumultuous emotions helped him find peace. He chose his words carefully to share this tranquility with his young disciple.

“…Just like you, I have things I can’t talk about.”

“Yeah…”

“So, even if not now, when the time comes, you need to let go. If you do, the others will follow.”

“…”

“For now, both you and I… need time.”

“…Yeah.”

“…”

“Sorry for acting on my own.”

Huiyun chuckled at the apology that came after a brief pause and tousled Juan’s hair, which was pressed against his neck.

“Alright.”

“…Can I not call you Yasha?”

 “I want that name to be forgotten.”

“…”

Juan shifted uneasily. Waiting for his response, Huiyun let him take his time. After a few pained groans, Ash sighed heavily and slumped.

“I’m really… too weak for you.” 

Huiyun thought to himself.

‘If only he knew.’

Though it wasn’t a clear answer, Huiyun was satisfied with Juan’s somewhat positive response. He continued to comfort him, stroking his hair until the sobbing stopped.

He hoped this would be the last moment he had to face Juan as Yasha.

The commotion on the mountain path leading to the Gate finally ended after ten more minutes. They received a message from the guild members saying they were heading to the Gate, having been unable to locate Huiyun and Juan.

After reading the message, Huiyun and Juan exchanged looks and silently moved. Walking with Juan was surprisingly quiet.