[Nightengale]

Originally Posted by Renegade334

However, I think the deciding factor was Goomoonryong's decision of what to do with his disciple.

Loyalty to his master notwithstanding, the kid didn't deserve a life in exile, all of it spent running away from a society he was trying to fit in peacefully.

For Goomoonryong, it also gave him the invaluable opportunity to disrupt the endless cycle of a disciple having to shoulder the sins and burden of his disgraced/fallen master.

So in some way or another, it remained a win-win situation, though it'd be tinged with bitterness.

I agree with that, which is why I said it depends on Goomoonryong's perspective. What did he value more? Was it believing that Shiion is better off 'entirely removed' from Murim, by a mercy destruction of his ki center and future as a martial artist, or did he still value the fact that he was his disciple and a highly talented individual, and simply did a preemptive measure to protect him from Murim. ( but not entirely his well-being as martial artist ) Both has a positive outlook, just one is less extreme than the other.

Originally Posted by Renegade334

Spoiler for New Waves ch.1:

He's the head of the clan, yes...but only in title. Since he vowed to abide by his master's wish to leave the Murim world, he also declined the opportunity to join the Sunwoo Clan (and I'm not sure he even realizes he's the de facto head of the Sunwoo - he's just got a medallion around his neck and for him it might just be a memento/gift/keepsake and nothing more) and thus doesn't enjoy the privileges that come along.

He's still lacking the proper motivation to break that self-imposed state of stagnation. Though I'm quite certain it's about to change...soon.

Just because it's only in title doesn't mean there aren't those who are trying to live up to some degree of loyalty behind it and help him. At the very least, it seems that KaShung and his rival had given up on trying to heal him out of futility. At least I believe the slint-eyes isn't trying to manipulate him, even if the old dogs of Sunwo are.

Originally Posted by Renegade334

That's assuming they meet again sometime very soon to execute an "exchange of knowledge". Right now I'm under the impression that she's taking a hike around the world, possibly with Goomoonryong.

Well, there's someone who looks quite... similar to an older Sosul in the sketches for New Waves... so maybe not too long.