DEB 76

[Congratulations! You have recalled a forgotten memory. The ‘Disciple’ Education Book for Reincarnator’ has been updated!]

[‘Disciple’ Education Book for Reincarnator’]

Registered Disciples:

– Ash (Hong Juan): Respect 20%

– Moot (Nameless): Respect 12%

– Vina (Kwon Jiwook): Respect 5%

– Vita: Respect 35%

– Zenith: Respect 30%

Training:

– Command: Kneel (Vina)

– Discipline

– Praise

Relationships and Status:

– Ash (Hong Juan):

  – Affection 40%

  – Shocked by master’s response: OㅁO | Joy, Sadness, Worry

– Vina (Kwon Jiwook):

  – Affection 2%

  – Emotionally shaken by master’s response: ㅍ_ㅍ? | Confusion, Joy, Sadness

– Moot (Nameless):

  – Affection 8%

  – Reminiscing old memories due to master’s response: ㅇㅅㅇ | Loneliness, Emptiness, Doubt

– Vita:

  – Affection 50%

  – Overwhelmed seeing the resurrected master: ㅠㅁㅠ! | Nostalgia, Happiness, Guilt

– Zenith:

  – Affection 45%

  – Pained by understanding the master’s story:  🙁 | Nostalgia, Sadness, Sympathy

[Warning! There is one unregistered disciple. Recover your memory and complete the disciple registration.]

Acknowledging everything, the names of Vita and Zenith were now registered in the disciples’ book. 

Compared to the other disciples, their significantly higher levels of respect and Affection stood out, especially Vita’s.

The child who shared the pain of Yasha’s death once again unwaveringly bound his fate to the vow, without a moment’s hesitation or a hint of regret. 

Even after ten thousand years, the unwavering determination and loyalty conveyed strongly.

Just seeing his sad smile, Yasha could guess.

Even after ten thousand years, despite thinking they were abandoned, Vita still considered him a master and family.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

If only he resented him like the other disciples, Huiyun could have blamed and hated himself, but their unwavering love made even that difficult. 

How could he hate himself when his disciples loved him as family?

Huiyun covered his face with hands that seemed so small compared to Yasha’s.

It was heavy. 

The time they had endured, all the emotions they held, and their relentless determination to find him were so heavy that they drained the strength from his body. 

The weight that he could not bear broke him down.

“I have done nothing for you, so why…”

The words promising that their bonds would not be easily severed and that they should always come back to him if they wanted to be his disciples again were more for Yasha than for his disciples.

If those who stayed by his side all left and he was left alone, he would surely feel deeply lonely. 

This promise was a small comfort, hoping that one day his disciples would find him again.

But if that one sentence had driven his disciples to search for him for such a long time, Huiyun could not escape the responsibility. 

As the one who made the promise, he had to take responsibility for at least part, if not all, of their ten thousand years.

What had he done to the disciples who finally found him?

Memories of what he did since he first met them in this body flashed like afterimages. 

The guilt was indelible. 

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he had started everything wrong.

If only he had met them with all his memories intact, he wouldn’t have reopened their long-festering wounds. 

Why was the timing so cruel? 

How could he mend all his past mistakes?

How could he embrace those who had searched for him, clinging to a single promise?

…Sorry.

The apology lingered on his tongue, unable to be spoken.

“I haven’t done anything for you.”

As he shed tears, Ash approached him, breaking the silence. 

His hand hovered near Huiyun’s face, hesitant to touch. 

Bending down to meet Huiyun’s gaze, Ash spoke softly.

“We’ve received so much that it’s hard to count, and finding you again are proof of that. So don’t cry, Yasha, okay?”

Ash’s touch was as gentle as if handling a fragile sculpture. 

Watching Ash’s hesitant hand with blurred vision, Huiyun pulled himself together.

How long would he stay in this pitiful state?

He wiped his tears with the back of his hand. 

If they had found him to fulfill their duty as disciples, then he must fulfill his responsibility as their master. 

In the past, he bore the weight of his power; now, it was time to bear the weight of the bonds he had formed.

His eyes regained their focus.

He needed to correct all the wrongs, even if it was late.

“I…”

The disciples’ eyes were on him as he slowly began to speak.

“I made a mistake. I feared that the powers I left you might become a poison, but my death was the poison.”

“…Yasha.”

Ash’s eyebrows dropped as if to stop him from saying such things. 

Huiyun continued, resisting the urge to reach out and touch his red hair.

“I know it’s shameless, but I want to fulfill my duties as your master, even if it’s late.”

He placed his hand over where his heart would be. 

Now, he only had 1 heart. 

He could no longer take in new disciples, but he could still reconnect with his old ones. 

This was the best repayment and the greatest apology he could offer to those who had searched for him for ten thousand years.

“Please give me a chance.”

The disciples’ eyes widened at his plea, swallowing their emotions.

“I forgave you for your rudeness towards me when I had no memory. So if you forgive me, I want to rekindle our bond.”

The impact of his careful proposal was felt through the silence. 

The gazes on his face were turbulent.

…Could they reject him?

Holding his breath, Huiyun waited for their answer. 

Before regaining his memories, Vina, who had been particularly harsh, now looked intensely at Huiyun.

“Do you understand what you’re saying?”

Each syllable carried distrust. 

Huiyun recognized the fear behind the fierce emotion and softened his gaze.

“…Yes.”

Vina had always been fearful, among his five disciples, he was especially sensitive and delicate.

Having once been abandoned, he held trauma and scars. 

He hated being alone as a hatchling, needing to be comforted to sleep after nightmares.

He had promised never to abandon them, yet he broke that promise. 

How could Vina have had peaceful years, believing he had been abandoned? 

It was a miracle he hadn’t gone mad with resentment.

Some might say Vina was already mad. 

Even Huiyun, with his blurred memories, could see that. 

But considering the betrayal he felt, this was mild.

Huiyun recalled Vina’s interactions with him since becoming Huiyun. 

The resentful voice when they first met at the gate, the tearful grip on his bed. 

These were his true feelings, his unguarded inner self, which Huiyun had ignored.

I shouldn’t have said such things.

If asked if he regretted it, he would say he did. 

If he had all his memories when he met him, he would have at least caressed his cheek and comforted him instead of coldly dismissing him.

Vina probably searched for him with that hope, expecting a master who would embrace him as he cried and asked why he left.

Realizing this, his heart ached. 

Now he understood why Vina’s Affection and respect were so low. 

His actions were because he was Huiyun, not Yasha. 

He had hurt Vina inadvertently.

Oh… I deserve a slap.

Feeling guilty, Huiyun lightly touched his forehead. 

Even animals give signs before they die, yet he has ended his life without a word. 

The enormity of this mistake overwhelmed him, leaving him unsure of how to proceed.

“…I’m sorry.”

So, Huiyun apologized.

Even if his disciples didn’t accept it, Huiyun knew one thing. 

Yasha was a coward.

He was a coward, stubborn, and foolish. 

That’s why he made promises he couldn’t keep, using them as eternal vows, and chose death alone instead of fighting alongside his disciples.

Huiyun faced this truth and decided to confront his cowardice with courage.

This was the first step.

“As your master, my lack of memory doesn’t excuse your rudeness, nor does it erase the debt I owe. I’ve been avoiding you, clinging to my circumstances, but now I see it was a mistake. I was foolish.”

“…Master Yasha.”

“I was foolish.”

“……”

“Giving you affection wasn’t a mistake. I never regretted it. You made my life rich. How could I resent the bonds we formed? I just… I blamed myself for not being able to take responsibility for that affection.”

It was a belated explanation.

“Yasha.”

Juan’s voice trembled, understanding what he meant.

Huiyun looked directly at his disciples, taking in their faces, and smiled faintly.

“I’m sorry for leaving you.”

The apology that spanned ten thousand years softly echoed in the underground training room.