The arena roared with conversations and bets as all the platforms were removed and replaced with one larger platform.
High above in a private terrace Wu Jin, Tang Yeol, and Wu Cheng sat, sipping their tea. So-Yeon, Baek Mu-Seon, Shaolins head monk, and Namgung Gyeom, The Sword Saint entered and sat with them.
Gyeom spoke first. "So, looks like you have a real shot at winning." He nudged Wu Cheng.
Cheng smiled. "Buddha has blessed Silent Edge, without a doubt."
"Amitabha." Mu-Seon nodded. "All the sects here took a major hit in their pride. Yet our alliance leader didn't bat an eye."
Yeol grunted. "He doesn't budge even if he wins... that's what makes him dangerous."
"There is a coldness to him, strategy... without soul." Cheng sighed. "I wonder if monsters knocked on Chengdu's gate... would he rally Murim, or open the gates for them."
Wu Jin sat his cup down. "We should he mindful of speaking so openly about him here." Wu Jin looked at everyone. "We will have a feast at Silent Edge after the tournament, regardless of the outcome. We can speak more there."
"Tactful...if not clever." Gyeom replied.
Mu-Seon looked crossed at So-Yeon. "Miss patriarch, why didn't the Tang clan partake in the festivites?"
So-Yeon looked up tracing the top of her cup with her finger. "Because while Murim is busy measuring themselves, my people are fighting back the monsters." She paused and looked out the window. "The Black Pines are growing dangerous again, monsters roam freely. I've dispatched three scout teams already to search for a possible gate."
She looked back and slammed her fist on the table. "Let the Alliance play games and posture. I will not. Monsters dont ask who won the last tournament, and death does not avoid first place either." She stood. "Ill be at your banquet, if you wish to discuss this further, as warriors... not politicians." So-Yeon stormed off.
Cheng looked around at everyone who remained. "As fun as this was, seems they are ready down there. Shall we?"
The men nodded and headed back down to the arena.
Across the arena, Namgung Hyeon stood on his platform once again. His qi reached his throat as he projected his voice. "Let the quarter finals begin."
He sat down and turned to Jaegal Li. "Ryul of Wudang is competent, but he stands no chance against my nephew... seems Namgung will win again this year."
Jaegal Li who's eyes were fixed on Silent Edge. "It's a high possibility sir, but i wouldn't count them out just yet." He pointed. "There's more to them than we think."
Hyeon chuckled. "Well then, let's see how this Blue boy fares against the second young master of the demon cult, shall we?"
Blue and Yong Gyeol stared at each other with anticipation. Blue’s smile turned to an evil smirk, as he thought of retribution, redemption, and revenge for the humiliation he was dealt at the Alliance tryouts by the same person he faces now. Neither bowed, neither acknowledged the official, both had drowned out the crowd and the yells from their masters.
The referee’s hand dropped. “Begin!”
Gyeol surged forward, his twin daggers flickered with crimson qi. Blue didn’t retreat... he slid sideways, Edge of Dusk already prepared. He stepped in, blade arcing toward Gyeol’s ribs. The dagger scraped it aside, barely. Blue twisted his torso mid-step, spinning on his heel... a follow-up slash carved across Gyeol’s forearm.
Blood sprayed. The crowd gasped.
Gyeol hissed. “Lucky cut.”
“No such thing,” Blue said as he smiled.
They clashed again. Gyeol ducked low, daggers in a whirlwind of rapid, brutal strikes. Blue pivoted, sidestepped, parried high, deflected low. A dagger grazed his ribs. Blue winced and then struck back, his sword tore across Gyeol’s jawline, cutting deep enough to leave a scar.
This wasn’t the same Blue that Gyeol humiliated at tryouts.
They broke apart, both bleeding. Both breathing hard.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Gyeol spat.
Blue shrugged his shoulders. “I was supposed to be dead, too. Guess we’re both disappointed.”
The next clash was louder. Harder. Gyeol threw a flurry of feints. Blue countered with Whispering Gale. His sword dipped low, then struck upward from an impossible angle. Gyeol blocked with both daggers just in time. The force still knocked him back. The crowd had fallen silent. No one expected this.
Gyeol’s pride cracked. He rushed again, faster, messier. Blue met him with quiet precision. Strike. Parry. Twist. Cut.
Another shallow wound bloomed along Gyeol’s thigh. He screamed. “ENOUGH!”
He slammed both daggers into the arena floor. Demonic qi erupted... crimson tendrils spiraling outward, warping the platform. Referees took cautious steps back. The Heavenly Demon himself sat forward in his seat, an evil grin adorned his face. He looked at the two masters next to him. “This is the end for that Silent Edge brat.”
Blue held his ground, but the weight of the pressure forced him to one knee. Then his system appeared.
[System Notification]
[Passive Gained: Calm Mind]
[Effect: User maintains clarity and combat focus under spiritual pressure and emotional duress.]
[+40% resistance to mental interference.]
[When chaos rises, you remain the eye of the storm.]
Blue’s breathing evened. His mind... clear. His fear... gone. “Thanks again, System.” He chuckled.
Gyeol lunged again, daggers blazing. Blue met him. He countered a wild thrust, then another. His blade carved a crescent slash, caught Mu Gyeol off-balance, then drove a kick into the man’s sternum. Gyeol reeled and fell to a knee. Bleeding. Panting. Blue raised his sword, tip aimed at his throat.
“Yield.” Blue whispered.
"Demons do-."
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it before. Demons don't yield." Blue mocked Gyeol. Gyeol dropped his daggers, raised his arms and stood. Blue turned to walk away as Gyeol spoke.
"I yi-." Gyeol smiled, pulled out another dagger from his chest. Infused it with qi and threw it at Blue.
"BLUE!" Ilho and Jinhu screamed as they stood up hands on the rails. Wu Jin appeared behind them. "Sit, trust him." Both boys sat and gripped the armrests of their chairs.
On the platform Blue turned, as he did the dagger pierced his side. He looked down, blood fell to the ground from his abdomen. As he looked back up, Gyeol was there swinging. Blue grabbed his wrist and squeezed until Gyeol’s wrist snapped and dropped the dagger. Blue grabbed him by the collar, and started smacking him. His hands infused with qi. Blood squirted out of Gyeol’s mouth everywhere, including Blue’s face. "I y-." Everytime Gyeol tried to speak Blue struck him harder.
The referee grabbed Blue’s arm. Blue looked at him. "He hasn't yielded. Didn't the Alliance leader himself say, if you fear death, turn around now." The elder looked at Gyeol’s face. Swollen, bloodied. Unrecognizable. Then the arena felt it.
Yong Ma stood, his black demonic flames covered him as he leaped onto the ground under the platform. The moment he did, Yeol let his qi go as well. He met Yong Ma on the ground. Yeol turned to Blue on the platform and nodded. Blue smacked his tongue. "Tch." He tossed Gyeol off the platform.
On the ground Yeol stood in front of Yong Ma. "Don't... too many people will die. Including you. Retract your qi." As Yeol spoke Blue's hand reached his uncle's shoulder.
Yong Ma retracted his qi and looked at Blue. "We will meet again."
Blue removed the dagger from his side and threw it at Yong Ma’s feet.
"I look forward to it." As Yeol carried helped Blue out of the arena, Blue whispered. "He's not really going to kill me is he?"
Yeol laughed. "No, but I'd avoid being cocky around him."
Above Zhengai looked across the arena to Wu Cheng. "Where did you find that boy?" He said to himself.
Below, Ryul and Namgung Ryu took their place on the platform. Ryul stared at Ryu. Ryu across from him looked….bored. He yawned, covered his mouth and said “Lets get this over with quick please, my tea is getting cold.”
The gong struck. Ryu moved quick. His blade already advanced toward Ryul. He parried, barely. The next strike came faster. Then another. Their swords clashed in rapid succession. Ryul tried to step back, but Ryu gave him no space. The sword saint’s son fought with the weight of his legacy, trying to bury Ryul under it.
Ryul blocked a vertical slash, he dropped to one knee. He moved to parry another. It wasn't enough. A cut appeared on his ribs as his clothes became drenched in blood. The crowd gasped. The Wudang box was silent. So-Yeon stood to her feet once again.
"You don't belong here." Ryu laughed. "Go read some scripture like a proper taoist."
Ryu stood, their blades met again. Sparks flew. Ryu spun, kicked Ryul in the stomach and sent him flying backwards.
"Im not enough." Ryul thought to himself. He looked up as ryu was in the sky. He came crashing down as Ryu blocked him with his sword. Ryu gritted his teeth. "Damn it... I'm...I'm slipping."
A voice entered his mind. "You may be with Wudang." A voice transmission came from his sister. "But you're still a Tang." Ryu turned his head and found So-Yeon standing and smiling at him. "Show him...and do not lose brother."
Her words tore through him. He gathered all his strength and shoved Ryu away. Ryul stood and took a deep breath. He surged forward, his movements were precise. A fire had lit in his soul.
The crowd gasped as the tides had turned. Ryul kept pushing forward, Ryu was now on the retreat, barely blocking and parrying Ryul’s attacks. Ryul's blade moved with conviction. The memory of Jiung's death. Years wallowing in Wudang. So-Yeon bearing her own troubles alone. Ryul shoved Ryu back. "You're nothing but a wannabe swordsman."
Ryul smiled. "Let's see if this wannabe can kick your ass."
Ryu dashed forward again. As Ryul swung, Ryu ducked underneath. He slid on his knees, slicing Ryu's legs. Ryu dropped to one knee. Ryul stood and spun, his sword followed and stopped at Ryu's neck. "How's that for a wannabe?"
Ryu dropped his sword, and the crowd went ballistic.
Above on the central platform Hyeon slammed his fist down. "How could my nephew lose to a Tang of all people!"
Jaegel Li smiled. "It's not all bad sir, we have good prospects for him this year."
Hyeon’s once angry face turned to a smile.
On the platform below. An Alliance elder took his place and announced a one hour break before the last two quarterfinal matches took place.
Next up. Jinhu vs. Hanjo.