DEB 81

At Huigang’s ominous words, every nerve in Huiyun’s body stood on end. 

It’s you? What does that mean…?

Having experienced all sorts of bizarre events since realizing he was Yasha reincarnated, 

Huiyun’s imagination began to run wild. 

For instance, he imagined Huigang saying, “So, you’re Yasha’s reincarnation,” and then trying to kill him.

Come to think of it, there was an old saying about past life’s grudges being resolved by being born as family. 

Could it be that Huigang and I…?

“Huiyun?”

“Oh, oh?”

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Almost. 

Mentally, that is.

Regaining his composure, Huiyun quickly dispelled the absurd assumptions from his mind.

No way would Huigang try to kill me. 

If anyone else, maybe, but Huigang would rather stab himself in the heart than kill me.

So, what Huigang meant by “it’s you” was probably just one thing.

“I’m not hurt. I was just a bit surprised. I didn’t expect you to understand this.”

As Huiyun drew out his words, Huigang’s expression became subtly complicated.

“So it really is you. The original owner of the power you mentioned before.”

Huigang had pieced together the situation based on the rough explanation Huiyun had given earlier to explain his relationship with the S-classes. 

Huiyun took a deep breath as he faced Huigang, who seemed more resigned than shocked.

Alright.

If Huigang was trying so hard to understand and accept this, then Huiyun owed it to him to respond in kind.

“Yes. To be precise… I’ve reincarnated. Of course, everyone reincarnates, so to put it more accurately, I remember my past life.”

“A past life?”

“…Yes. In that past life, I was the master of the people who came to find me. They all recalled their past lives and came to find me. The power I possess is proof that I was their master, which is why they pursued me so persistently.”

This was the truth that explained all the situations Huigang couldn’t understand: why Jiwook, Nameless, and Juan had suddenly stormed the hospital room and taken over, why they kept questioning and wouldn’t let go, why Vita had appeared and stabbed his heart without hesitation to pledge his loyalty, and why Zenith, an S-class, had been so exceptionally courteous to both Huiyun and Huigang.

Realizing this, Huigang sighed softly and ran a hand through his hair.

“Hmm. When you said you were going to another dimension to rescue Zenith, I had a lot of thoughts. I even considered some far-fetched ideas, but the reality is beyond anything I imagined.”

Feeling embarrassed, Huigang scratched his cheek and let out a deep breath.

“Telling me this… does it mean you’re not planning to cut ties with those connections from your past life?”

It was a question Huiyun had anticipated. 

Yet hearing it from Huigang made his heart sink. 

Meeting Huigang’s somewhat sorrowful eyes, Huiyun opened his mouth but then closed it, finally shutting his eyes.

“Yes.”

“I see.”

A moment of silence passed.

Continuing his relationship with the S-classes would have wide-reaching implications. 

He wouldn’t be able to avoid media attention, and public scrutiny would focus on Huiyun. 

In that process, personal information, including family matters, might be exposed, making ordinary daily life difficult.

The most significant concern was the danger of being associated with the S-classes. 

People targeting the S-classes’ weaknesses might approach, and Huiyun could get entangled in major incidents related to the S-classes.

This was the exact opposite of the quiet, safe, and stable life Huiyun and Huigang had hoped for.

A noisy, dangerous, unstable, and perilous life.

But Huiyun had resolved to endure all that to accept his disciples. 

Compared to the ten thousand years they had endured, it was nothing.

However, Huigang was different.

He had no responsibility for Huiyun’s disciples. 

Yet, being family meant he would be exposed to all the future dangers simply because of that connection. 

It was too reckless.

Moreover, Huigang was not even an S-class but a B-class. 

His moderate strength would be a hindrance. 

Huiyun didn’t want Huigang to feel despair over his own helplessness.

For many reasons, it was better for Huigang to live on his own, so Huiyun bowed his head as he spoke, but no response came. 

It seemed Huigang was thinking it over.

Even though he had prepared for this, hearing Huigang agree would be heartbreaking.

Selfishly, Huiyun thought it was a moment of realization about how worthless a brother he was.

“Alright.”

“Oh….”

It was an answer he both wanted and didn’t want to hear. 

As the words dropped from Huigang’s lips, Huiyun couldn’t even lift his head and forced himself to speak. 

His face must have looked terrible, and he couldn’t bear to show it.

“Okay. Then… um….” 

I’m in big trouble.

Despite having anticipated this scenario and planned what to say, nothing came to mind. 

All he could think of were the memories of always being with Huigang since being born as Huiyun.

“I’m sorry for making you miss school….”

“There’s no need for apologies among family, Huiyun. You being born as my brother was probably to help share these burdens, so I’m fine with it. Just focus on getting better.”

“…Don’t you hate me?”

“Well, hating you would make things easier. Then I wouldn’t be bothered by seeing you suffer like this. But every time you collapse, I get scared and sad. How could I ever hate you?”

Huigang had always been fine. 

Even when he had to nurse Huiyun for days, even when their parents’ attention was solely on Huiyun, Huigang had always been okay and showered him with love instead.

Never once had Huigang shown any negative feelings towards him.

He had always been the bright, dependable, and caring older brother by Huiyun’s side. Even after their parents passed away, he sacrificed everything for Huiyun, yet always said it was fine.

“I’ll find a way, no matter what, to heal you. So just bear with it this time.”

He had whispered those words countless times while holding Huiyun’s hand during seizures. 

Without Huigang, Huiyun might have given up on life long ago.

 Enduring that endless pain was not something easy to do.

But because Huigang never gave up on him, willingly sacrificing his own life to care for him, Huiyun could not give up on himself either.

That’s how he managed to survive, which allowed him to recall his past life. 

Huigang was an unforgettable benefactor to him, making him bite his lip.

Other than when he was sick, Huiyun had never cried out of emotion. 

But recently, he has found himself on the verge of tears more often. 

The thought of Huigang leaving created a huge void in his heart.

Suddenly, his head, which had been bowed, was lifted by force. 

Warm hands cupped his cheeks and brought him face to face with Huigang.

“Why do you have that expression when you were the one who brought this up, Mok Huiyun?”

The voice, calling him by his full name, was stern and angry. 

Huiyun finally met Huigang’s gaze. 

For once, his face showed frustration and helplessness.

“…Brother.”

“How could you suggest cutting ties? Do you think family connections can be easily made and broken? Do you think I’ve protected you all this time because it was easy for me? Was it easy for you to endure?”

“…”

“I raised you, Huiyun. I took care of you instead of our busy parents. Did I teach you to think this way?”

His voice grew louder, and with each word, Huigang’s emotions hit Huiyun harder, making him clench his fists.

“Look at you now. Why say such things if you’re going to look like this afterward? Don’t speak if you can’t take responsibility for your words.”

It hurt. 

Those words felt like they were directed at Yasha as well.

Becoming even more tearful, Huigang, seeing this, sighed and patted Huiyun’s head. 

His familiar touch ruffled Huiyun’s hair, and warmth brushed his cheek.

“What did I tell you?”

“…Brother.”

“I said I’d take responsibility and protect you, didn’t I? I spent ten years saying that. Do you think I said it lightly?”

Scolding him, Huigang lightly flicked Huiyun’s forehead and led him to the bed.

“I’ll take responsibility, so don’t think of foolish things and just lie down. Coming here looking half-dead and then saying nonsense.”

“But–”

Despite being deeply moved, Huigang’s burden was too heavy just because they were family. 

Huiyun felt he needed to explain further, but Huigang’s eyes narrowed as he spoke.

“But nothing, lie down, Huiyun.”

The command, given with a gentle smile, made Huiyun lie down without even realizing it. 

The reaction was ingrained in him from the 17 years he spent growing up under Huigang’s care before he remembered Yasha’s past.

“…Wow. What are we going to do now? Yasha is completely under control.”

Having snuck over to the opposite ward to watch the brothers’ conversation through the window, Ash muttered to himself. 

The faces of Yasha’s disciples grew even more troubled.

“…Good grief, he only has one heart but is loyal to both sides.”

Vita’s confused voice reflected the disciples’ sentiments.