"Do not waste a moment worrying over me, young Chiun," the aged man said, nodding wisely. "I have seen enough in my many days. Much more than most men. My remembered vision will be enough to sustain me for the time that remains."

Chiun wasn't surprised that the old man had guessed his thoughts. Half-blind or not, there was little that could be hidden from H'si T'ang, the man who had been his teacher.

"Forgive me, Venerable One," Chiun apologized. But his sadness for the man who had given him so much remained. "I have come to take my leave of you."

At this, H'si T'ang nodded once more. "I heard the motors from the government boats and the chanting from the village. When the sun rose full and I saw the shadow of that strange vessel in the bay, I knew." The old man tipped his bald head. "Where do you go?"

"To the West. America's king has summoned Sinanju to his court."

"Ah. And what is the service you are to perform?" At this Chiun hesitated.

He didn't dare lie. Not that he could have gotten away with it even if he tried. But he couldn't tell the truth. Couldn't admit that a legend, an ancient promise, a hope was drawing him to the most barbarian of Western nations.

H'si T'ang sensed his pupil's troubled spirit. Chiun was relieved when the older man interrupted. "Whatever the service, I am certain it will bring greater glory to the House of Sinanju, son of my son," the retired Master said. With a shuffling of feet, he turned his attention back to his plum tree.

Chiun watched his teacher for a long moment. "You do not have to live here, Little Father," he said all at once. "The Master's House in the village-"

"Was home to me in my time," H'si T'ang broke in. "You are Master now. Therefore the House of Many Woods is yours. Besides," he added, waving a hand of bone at the open mouth of the cave, "this place is familiar to me. Three times in my long life have I entered into the ritualistic seclusion, only to have to reenter the world again. It is easier to remain here than to pack and unpack every few decades."