Chapter 12: The Wrap-Up. The Departure.

That evening.

In a quiet corner of the courtyard, beneath a small pavilion no one usually visited.

Seorin sat with her back against a pillar, while Chohee sat cross-legged, absentmindedly fiddling with a small stone.

Hwaran silently held a teacup, and Sowol had her arms wrapped around her knees, staring at the ground.

No one spoke, but the air felt strangely heavy.

Sowol sighed first and muttered.

“Even with a coordinated attack… it was useless.”

At those words, everyone’s gaze dropped to the floor.

No one could answer right away.

After a brief silence, Chohee carefully spoke up.

“…You all know, right?”

All eyes turned to her.

Chohee gave a faint smile and added.

“That we’ve all… come back.”

Seorin’s fingers paused ever so slightly, and Hwaran quietly set down her teacup.

It was a moment where no one could easily speak.

This time, Sowol murmured softly.

“Was Master… always that strong?”

Though her tone was one of complaint, there was a mix of surprise and a strange relief in her voice.

Another moment of silence passed, then Seorin slowly opened her mouth.

“I knew he was strong. Before… and even now.”

But I didn’t expect this level.

Even if I brought the strongest version of myself from my past life here…

Could I really win?

Seorin felt a flicker of doubt, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

Their master was strong.

Stronger than anyone she had ever known.

Hwaran quietly nodded.

“I’ve… never once thought I’d beaten Master. I’ve always just been trying to keep up.”

She didn’t raise the cup to her lips, just gently held it in her hands.

“I ran all this way hoping to grasp even just his shadow… But today, he didn’t feel like a shadow, he felt like a mountain. One that can never be climbed.”

Chohee smiled quietly.

“I never really went all out before. But… even with the four of us working together, I didn’t think the difference would be that big.”

Chohee let the stone in her hand drop with a small tock.

“But weirdly, I’m not upset about it. Seeing him exactly the way he used to be… It actually makes me feel relieved, somehow.”

Sowol gave a small nod.

“I think I took it all too lightly. I only ever saw it as fun—messing with Master… But today was the first time I truly went at him seriously.”

She hugged her knees even tighter.

Seorin spoke last.

“So the place we’ve returned to, in the end…”

She slowly raised her head, gazing beyond the lodgings into the deep darkness.

“…is still the place where the tallest mountain stands before us.”

No one objected to her words.

All four of them were thinking the same thing.

They would now begin preparing again, each in their own way—to climb that mountain, or to get just a little closer to it.

The morning sunli,ght gently lit the courtyard.

I stood before the pavilion, gazing at the center of the yard with familiar footsteps.

There, four disciples stood side by side.

Their uniforms were in tatters—ripped in places, stained with mud and dust.

But their eyes were clear and steady.

Sweat clung to their foreheads, some had bruises on their arms, and scratch marks lined their legs.

Yet not one of them complained.

They simply stood, looking forward, radiating silent determination.

It was a sight that filled me with pride.

I slowly nodded and spoke.

“You’ve all worked hard.”

Even before I finished speaking, their shoulders eased.

A breath of relief, as if tension had finally lifted.

I looked to Seorin first.

“Seorin. As always, you stayed calm and composed. Your ability to make quick decisions and hold your ground, it’s truly impressive.”

Seorin quietly bowed her head.

There was a slight tremble in her eyes, but her lips remained firmly closed.

Her hands were clasped tightly behind her back, the veins on the backs of her hands faintly raised.

I turned next to Chohee.

“Chohee. Your movements in the shadows were impressive. Your ability to hide your presence has become far more refined than before. And that unwavering focus until the very end—you deserve praise for it.”

Chohee smiled brightly, but tears shimmered faintly in her eyes.

I pretended not to notice.

She lowered her head and played with the hem of her robe using her fingertips.

That small trembling gesture conveyed even deeper emotions.

Next was Hwaran.

“Hwaran. Your steady and solid inner strength, and your ability to focus precisely at the right moment—those are your unique strengths. You don’t act recklessly, and your perseverance never wavers. Well done.”

Hwaran closed her eyes in silence.

The way she nodded without a word made her look especially mature.

Her breathing was calm and even, and there wasn’t a hint of disturbance on her face.

She was probably thinking more than anyone on the inside.

Last was Sowol.

“Sowol. You surprised me the most. Your quick and unpredictable movements, and your refusal to give up until the very end, all of that has helped you grow. Well done, Sowol.”

Sowol lowered her head, the tip of her nose turning red.

Then she quietly murmured,

“…I’ll knock you down one day, Master. One day for sure.”

I couldn’t help but smile and nodded.

Yes.

That’s how they should grow.

These kids…

They were growing into something truly incredible.

Their bodies were tired, their uniforms in tatters, but in this moment, they looked stronger than anyone.

Their eyes, their stances, their presence, it was all unshakable.

I slowly looked forward again and spoke.

“Today, we depart for the Martial Arts Alliance.”

My disciples’ expressions instantly hardened.

The touching atmosphere from just a moment ago vanished, and tension filled the air once more.

I continued.

“All training is suspended. No luggage is needed. We leave as we are. Leave behind weapons, money—everything. Starting today… we depart.”

At those words, Seorin furrowed her brow slightly, Sowol stared at me wide-eyed,
Chohee pressed her lips tightly together, and Hwaran set her teacup down with a quiet exhale.

I turned my head and looked at each of my four disciples, one by one.\

“From here on, each of you will go your own way. No luggage, no companions needed. I’ll leave first. Whether you come together or separately, come to Kaifeng, in your own way.”

And with that, I said no more and turned away.

In the next instant, I vanished down the mountain path at a speed none of them could follow.

The disciples stood frozen in place, blank expressions on their faces as they stared after me.

A strange silence settled between them, none sure who would move first.

At that moment, from far down the path where I was disappearing, I smiled faintly and murmured to myself,

“With this…I’ll forgive you for secretly leaving Mount Wudang to go get real combat experience.”

Of course, I made sure no one could hear me.

Silence.

The disciples, still gazing at the end of the mountain path where Jin Un had vanished, slowly turned to look at one another.

Their training uniforms were torn and filthy.

Calling them ‘training robes’ was generous, in their current state, they looked more like beggars.

Tattered sleeves flapped in the wind, their shoes were worn through in places,
and scratches covered their hands and knees.

“…He’s serious.”

Seorin was the first to speak.

Her tone was as calm as usual, but there was clear confusion beneath it.

She leaned against one of the pavilion’s pillars, a slight furrow between her brows.

“To just leave like that with no warning… Was he always like this?”

Chohee gave an awkward smile and plopped down on the ground.

She tapped at the dirt with her fingers and sighed softly.

“I mean, I guess that fits Master’s personality, but still, this feels a bit much, doesn’t it?”

Sowol looked down at her bare, battered feet before suddenly stomping on the ground.

“This is seriously ridiculous! We’re in rags, no weapons, no money, and now we’re supposed to walk all the way to Kaifeng like this? How is that even reasonable?”

She threw her hands up toward the sky, then let them fall with a grumble.

“Master, this is too much! Why drop this on us out of nowhere?! At least let us change clothes, eat something, prepare a little!”

That’s all.

Seorin quietly brought her hand to her forehead, as if cradling her head, and muttered, “…Just what changed his mind so suddenly?”

A brief silence followed her words.

During that moment, Hwaran silently brushed the dirt off the edge of her robe that had fallen to the ground, then stood.

“…Let’s go.”

She spoke shortly and gazed out toward the distant mountains below.

The wind passed by, and a strange stillness hung in the air.

“Yeah, we should go. We’re Master’s disciples. If he says go, then we go.”

Seorin straightened her back as she spoke.

Chohee finally stood as well, raising one eyebrow.

“Still, I’m not letting this slide. I’ll get payback. Definitely, someday.”

Sowol crossed her arms, grumbling.

“When we get to Kaifeng, I’m gonna put a bug by Master’s pillow on the first night.”

That’s what she said, but she, too, began walking forward.

The four of them stood silently, looking down the path.

Kaifeng.

Their master would be waiting for them there.