That night as Blue walked down the street, Chengdu was alive. Colors of every sect flooded the street. Even the unorthodox sects that didnt participate lined the bars and food stalls. Wandering martial artists, storytellers and civilians alike crowded the streets. The city glowed under lanterns and laughter. Blue paid no mind, until he watched a little boy playing with his dad. The boy ran through the crowd, his dad not far behind. When he caught up he hoisted the boy on his shoulders. Blue slowed and his mind wandered to to him playing with Jinho after he'd come back from guarding merchants through the mountains.
"Teach me martial arts dad."
"No." Jinho replied firmly.
"Why not." Young Jiung pouted.
"Because, this world isn't kind to martial artists. And i need you around to help mom when I'm gone."
"Fine." Jiung hung his head.
Jinho laughed and ruffled his hair.
His mind flashed again. Earth. A different world. A different father. David gave blue comic books, encouraging him to follow his heart and do what makes him happy. One night David brought Blue to the basement. Blue stopped, training dummies, mats, dumbells lined the floor.
"Train down here son, it's cheaper than gyms, and better than the backyard." David patted Blue on the back. "Just be happy son, carve your own path and your mother and I will always support you."
The sound of the boy's laughter brought Blue back. He smiled despite himself. Two homes. Two fathers. Yet, both now out of reach. Tonight though, wasn't about the past.
He continued toward the brothel to meet Cheng and Yeol and their mysterious friend who wanted to meet him.
The brothel's lanterns swayed in the wind as Blue approached. He stared at the rear entrance door. The scent of incense and cheap perfume hit him as soon as he walked in. He exhaled. "Dirty old men. Why a brothel?"
The moment he stepped in a woman in a silk dressed glided toward him. "You must be the young one they spoke of." She looped her arm through Blue's and smiled. "Come now, they are waiting upstairs."
Blue stiffened as her body pressed against his as she led him up the stairs. Finally, they reached the third floor. The woman stopped just short of a velvet curtain trimmed in gold. Blue could see the shadows behind it... five figures.
"Don't be shy. They are all quite fond of you already." With a smile, a wink, and a kiss on the cheek she drew the curtain back for Blue then walked away.
Inside a table sat in the middle of the room. The Sword Saint leaned against cushions with two women leaned against him on either side. His arms draped around both women, with a gourd of wine in one hand, smiling ear to ear. Across sat Wu Cheng and Tang Yeol. Both were nursing cups of tea, pure amusement written across their faces.
Blue stared at the Sword Saint.
Wu Cheng looked up. "Took you long enough."
"Sorry, I... uh... got distracted outside." Blue sat down.
The Sword Saint gave Blue a grin. "So this is the brat huh?"
Blue looked between the three elders, frustration written across his face. "Why am I here?"
"You have a trio don't you" Yeol chuckled. "Jinhu, Ilho, and yourself."
Cheng smiled. "We thought we'd introduce you to our third."
Cheng gestured toward the Sword Saint.
"This is-"
"The Sword Saint." Blue interrupted Cheng. "Namgung Gyeom... I'm well aware."
Yeol slid Blue a cup of tea. "He noticed."
"Noticed what?" Blue took a sip.
"Your grandfathers footwork." Cheng responded.
Blue spit his tea out. "You told him?"
"He asked questions..." Yeol said. "... He's not the type to sit idle when curiosity strikes."
"It haunted me that I could never master it." Gyeom took a sip of wine and dismissed the courtesans. He sat forward. "Yet, somehow... you... a nobody did." Gyeom sat the gourd down. "So of course I was curious."
Cheng laughed. "It's better we told him. Rather than him burning down Murim searching for answers."
"He's trustworthy." Yeol said as he moved out of the way so the courtesans could leave. "A little crazy... but trustworthy."
Blue exhaled and stared at Gyeom. "So. You know who I am?"
"Yes. Tang Jiung, son of Tang Jinho."
Blue's fist clenched. "You and your brother. The Alliance leader. You're part of the reason my father was exiled. Why he had to work as a guard, why he is fucking dead. So... what do you want with me?"
Gyeom paused. Surprised that wound was still open. "Boy, we live in a different Murim now. I'm not here to reflect on the past. But, if you wish to drag out grievances of the past from before you were even born..."
He moved. The Sword Saints Sword was now at Blue's throat. "...I can make sure you aren't reincarnated a second time."
Blue didn't move. Yeol leaned forward and put his hand on Gyeom's sword to lower it. Cheng pushed him back into his cushion. Gyeom sheathed his blade and chuckled. "You're just like your father. And Yoryeon. Stubborn as hell."
Blue found no comfort in his words. Even Cheng and Yeol looked at each other with a concerned look.
"To answer your question as to what I want." Gyeom exhaled. "I want the same thing these two fools want." He leaned back. "There's things that don't add up with the Alliance. Behind closed doors my brother is a different man. And honestly, you're growth... it's not normal. Not even the slightest. Murim as lost a lot." He grabbed his gourd and took a gulp. "We need your generation to step up. We need your strength."
He sat forward. "You've mastered something that we could not. So here's my offer." Gyeom placed his sword on the table. "Teach my son, Ryu. Let him do as we did... incorporate Flowing Steel into his own footwork. And in return... I'll keep your little secret. And since the Alliance leader is my little brother. I'll do my best to keep him from sniffing around too. I don't trust him, but he trusts me."
Gyeom stared at Blue. "So, what do you say?"
Blue looked at Cheng and Yeol. He turned back to Gyeom and leaned forward. "I say that I'm being pulled into something I didn’t ask for." Blue shrugged his shoulders and leaned back. "I suppose it was inevitable. But I didn't think it'd happen so soon." Blue grabbed Gyeoms gourd and took a swig. "I suppose i can teach your son, as long as Wu Jin allows it."
Cheng leaned in. "It's a win win for us all. He can help to buy you time to gather strength."
Yeol interrupted. "More importantly, you'll gain allies. Friends. You'll need those Blue. And having Namgung in your corner is never a bad deal."
Yeol leaned back. "By the way, Ryul asked about you after the fight. Said you called him... little brother."
Blue sighed. The Sword Saint leaned backed and laughed. "Is that why your fight was so boring. You were testing him?"
Blue nodded.
"Do you think he can carry the weight of your secret nephew?" Yeol asked.
"I do. He's strong enough."
Cheng grabbed his tea. "Very well, we will bring him to your room the night before the finals. Give you a few days to find the words to say to him."
Blue smiled. "Do you think I'm wrong?"
Gyeom laughed. "Why does that matter. You're too damn stubborn to care what three old men think."
Yeol chuckled. "Could we stop you either way?"
Blue chuckled and stood. As he turned to leave, he paused. "One more thing. Could you two ask me before you spill my secret to all of fucking Murim."
Namgung raised his gourd and laughed. "No promises." Yeol and Cheng laughed along with him.
Blue groaned and turned. "Unbelievable."
The next morning Blue stood outside the infirmary. The scent of herbs and spices filled the air. Blue stepped into the room with a small basket in his hand.
Jinhu, arm in a sling, grinned like an idiot and waved to Blue. "Ow." His face clenched.
Ilho sat bandaged as well and threw a piece of jerky at Jinhu. "STOP MOVING, DUMBASS."
Blue approached the boys. "Oi. Figured you two were sick of broth and jerky by now."
"You brought food?" Ilho shot straight up. "What did you bring?"
Blue rummaged through the basket. "Let's see. Theres roasted duck... rice... some preserved plums." He looked up the boys and smiled. "I stole the good stuff from the Wudang supply crates. Don't tell anyone."
"You're a good man Blue." Jinhu perked up. "Terryifing man, but a good one."
Blue pulled up a stool between the two. They sat for hours eating, laughing. Just three brothers keeping each other company.
Blue leaned on Ilho's bed. "You better be fully ready in two days. No excuses."
Ilho nodded. "I've got two days to rest. Ill recover every ounce of strength. I want to go all out."
Blue gave Ilho an evil grin and a pat on the leg. "Good." Blue walked out of the room.
"He just got really scary didn't he?" Jinhu chuckled.
Ilho grinned and watched Blue walk away. "He did... this is going to be fun."
As Blue walked into the hallway Yeol, Cheng and Wu Jin were waiting. Wu Jin had a basket in his hand.
"Wudang supply crate too huh?" Blue pointed at the basket.
Wu Jins face went pale as the elders laughed. Wu Jin rushed into the room without a word.
"More roasted duck, thank you sect leader!" Jinhu's voice carried into the hall. Yeol stepped toward the door and put his hand on Blue's shoulder. "He will be at your door tomorrow night."
"Thank you uncle." Cheng and Yeol walked into the room.
The night before the finals, Blue paced in his room. "How do I say it? Will he even believe me? Fuck, this is nerve wrecking."
A knock on the door shattered his thoughts. Blue opened the door, Cheng and Yeol strode right by him. Leaving Blue and Ryul staring at each other for a second. Ryul nodded and walked past him. Blue closed the door and turned. Three bags hit him in his chest.
"Dumplings." Yeol said. "This is going to be a long, unpleasant conversation. Figured food would help digest it all." Yeol and Cheng walked out of the room leaving the two boys alone.
They all sat. Ryul wasted no time.
"Who the hell are you?" His voice demanded an answer. "What makes you so damn special to those two huh?"
Blue hung his head, he stayed silent for a moment. He lifted his head and muttered two words. "Tang Jiung."
Ryul's face filled with shock. He reached down and grabbed a dumpling and hurled it at Blue's face. "You think this is a fucking joke?" Ryul grabbed another dumpling. "How do you even know that name? What kind of sick joke is this?"
Blue sighed. He kept his voice low. "I'm not playing games. I... I am Jiung. Your brother."
Silence filled the space between the boys.
"BULLSHIT!" Ryul exploded. He jumped to his feet. "I watched him die!"
Blue stood to his feet. His system pinged.
[System Notification]
[Tang qi suppression momentarily lifted.]
Blue smiled. He reached deep into his dantian. The Ten Thousand Poison qi came to life around Blue. The Tang birthright.
Ryul's jaw dropped. He stepped back. Stunned.
"...How...how do you have that qi?"
Blue walked forward. "You remember under the willow tree, grandfather used to teach me. Every single night before he passed."
"But... I... I saw you." Ryul hung his head. "Under the floorboards. I watched you die."
Blue put his hand on Ryul's shoulder. "I know. I remember seeing all of you. I remember screaming for you all to run."
"We did after uncle Yeol snatched So-Yeon. And those other men fought off the monsters." His fists trembled. "You left us, just like father... mother... even grandfather."
Blue lowered his head as a tear ran down his cheek. "I know. I left you. But I never stopped thinking about all of you."
Blue sat and invited Ryul to sit back down with him. "I woke up in another world. A new name. New parents. Grandfather's techniques. Your faces, they stayed with me. Everytime I trained, I remembered all of you. Everytime I closed my eyes. I saw Murim burning. Then the same gates opened there.
Blue took a deep breath. "Then a golden gate opened, something called me. So I came. I found myself outside of Chengdu, with a system. And no clue if all of you were alive or not. Until uncle approached me, and told me all of you were safe. I had no choice but to wait to find you all."
Ryul stared at Blue.
"I still don't. This is all by happen chance. I need to hide who I am... for now. For our siblings sake, especially So-Yeon.
Blue grabbed a dumpling and rolled it in his hands. "I'm sorry Ryul. I can't imagine what you've been through. Or what it took to survive. But I promise you this... my goal is to bring us all back together.
Blue took a bite of the dumpling.
"Even if you hate me. Even if you don't believe the words I say now. I had to tell you the truth.
Ryul grabbed the dumpling out of Blue's hand and shoved it in his mouth. "This does help digest it."
Blue giggled. Ryul swallowed the dumpling. "How could I hate you? Just don't leave me again."
Blue nodded.
The room sat silent for a minute. The truth of Jiungs reincarnation filled the air.
Blue broke the silence. "For now you have to keep this to yourself. No one else can know. Not yet."
BOOM!
The door to Blue's room fell inward. Ilho and Jinhu tumbled through, landing on top of each other on the door.
Behind them stood Wu Jin, Sa Gwan, and Mu Jang.
Blue snapped his head toward the debacle. "Seriously?! My fucking door? Does this sect even pretend to care about privacy?"
Ilho looked up from under Jinhu. "In our defense... the eavesdropping was an accident." Ilho elbowed Jinhu. "Get off me you oaf."
Ryul blinked, eyes still watery from his tears. He wiped his nose and stared at the three masters in Blue's doorway. He turned back to Blue. "Looks like you have more explaining to do Hyung."
Jinhu stood and walked past Blue and sat down. "Oohhh, dumplings!"
Ilho sat and shook his head. "Sorry we invaded. We just came to hang out before I kick your ass tomorrow. Then... we heard voices and couldn't stop listening."
He tossed a dumpling to Blue. "We don't care if you're reincarnated or about your past. You're our brother."
Jinhu leaned in while he grabbed another dumpling to shove in his face. "Mmmhmmm that's right." He turned to ryul and placed a dumpling in his hand. "You're our brother now too."
Sa Gwan stood leaned against the door. "Brutes."
Mu Jang laughed. "Yes, but loving brutes."
Wu Jin stepped forward. "I told you Blue, you don't have to shoulder everything alone. You have a family here in Silent Edge. We protect our own." Wu Jin tapped Sa Gwan and Mu Jang on the shoulders. "Let's leave them be." He turned to Blue and Ilho. "Don't stay up too late. We all look forward to the show tomorrow."
The boys sat in the room eating the dumplings. Blue told them about earth. The system. His new parents. Ryul told them about how he and his siblings escaped. Blue told them about Eve to lighten the mood. He came to regret that decision. The boys teased him about his girlfriend into the night. Eventually all of them had passed out. Ryul drifted off with his head resting on Blue's shoulder.
Blue looked over at his brother and smiled. "Thanks, Ryul... i needed this."