The pavilion was filled with tension. Everyone had their swords drawn, ready to pounce, should So-Yeon push this any further.
So-Yeon stood in the center of all of them now. "ENOUGH!" Her qi flared like a wildfire.
Ryul coughed, and looked at her again. "Sister, it's... true. He's Jiung."
The more that name was said, the more pissed So-Yeon became.
"You have corrupted even my little brother with your lies." She hissed. "You ignorant, foolish old men."
Without warning her blade slid right past Ryul's face and into Blue's shoulder. Blue saw it coming, and let it happen. His body jolted. His sister's blade tore through his skin. Blood stained his robes.
The elders erupted. Qi exploded from each of them as blades surrounded So-Yeon's face. Wu Jin spoke. "Tang So-Yeon. Drop it. Now. Or I will end you myself."
Yeol stepped forward, his face fill of sorrow and regret. "My beautiful niece, you are surely strong. But if you don't release that sword right now. I can not save you from what comes next."
Ryul was already at Blue's side. Cheng looked over to the boys standing in the entrance. "You four! Get Blue out of here. Shut the doors behind you. NOW!"
All four boys surged forward, grabbing Blue and Ryul. All of them shot So-Yeon a look of pure disgust and anger. The pavilion doors slammed shut behind them. Silence fell over the room.
So-Yeon stood still, her blade barely holding in her grip. She stared at the blood and the empty space where Blue had stood. She collapsed to her knees. Her sword hit the ground first. Her hands met her face before she could stop the tears.
The looks of the boys who rushed Blue out, the name Ryul said...Jiung. The blades of everyone pointed at her. "I've taken plenty of lives. My sword is stained by blood more often than not. So, why does this blood weigh so heavily on me?" She thought to herself. Everything loomed over her. All the elders looked at each other in silence. Then Yeol stepped forward, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "This isn't easy for any of us, but trust in your brother's words."
She slapped his hand away, her eyes red locked onto him.
"How can I? After all the lies you all fed me? Now you say he is my brother who i watched die. I told you to be prepared with answers. And this... this is what you offer me?"
She stood, trembling. She searched every face. Everyone lowered their swords and their heads. No one knew how to answer her. So-Yeon stared at them a minute longer.
"Fine, if this is how it will be. Then I will find the answers myself." She bent down, picked up her sword and sheathed it. As she went to walk away she stopped. She threw a pouch at Wu Jin.
"I'm sorry for injuring your disciple. These elixirs should compensate you. I'll be taking my leave now." She wiped her nose and walked out.
Outside So-Yeon stood on the limb of a tree overlooking the medical pavilion. She stared at Blue through the window, bandaged and surrounded by his friends. She doubted the words that were spoken to her. "The way that boy said little sister." She shook her head. "I'll have to follow him for now. Find out if Ryul's words are true. Or if we are all being played for a fool by him." So-Yeon stood. "If he isn't what they claim, I will finish what I started here today." In a flash she was gone. Leaving behind only traces of her qi.
In the infirmary Blue laid. He felt her qi again. As Blue turned toward the window, he looked past the party still going on. He noticed the massive tree just outside the compound walls. A branch bobbing up and down. He whispered to himself. "I forgive you little sister."
Inside the pavilion everyone took a sigh of relief and sat down.
Master Baek cleared his throat. "Amitabha. There's more to that boy than I was led to believe."
Wu Cheng hung his head. "We didn't hide it, we just didn't divulge that information. It would have changed nothing. If you wish Hanjo to return to Shaolin. We understand."
Baek smiled. "I have stated before, I will not get in the Hanjo's way. It is his decision. Besides you may need the bodies here if So-Yeon returns." Baek laughed.
Gyeom leaned forward on the table. "I hate to change subjects. You heard my brother at the tournament right? His words weren’t simply praise. They were meant to isolate Silent Edge."
Wu Jin agreed. "He took our victory as a threat to him. I fear the vault may just become a way for them to put a leash on Blue and Silent Edge.
"We have to deal with my brother as well." Wu Cheng sighed. "He is as loyal as they come to the Alliance. He will not easily hand over Ryul to us."
Gyeom slammed his fists down. "After the way So-Yeon acted, you still wish to step in and help her?"
Yeol stood. "Watch your words Gyeom. We are not helping her, we are helping Ryul. If you have other thoughts. We can settle things like we used to." Yeol drew his jian.
Gyeom scoffed and turned his head. "She drew steel and injured one nephew already. Tch. You hot headed bastard, always looking for a reason to fight. It's why you dont have kids or wife."
Yeol sheathed his sword. "Tomorrow, Cheng and I will go speak with Zhenghai. See what cards we still hold." Yeol threw a tea cup at Gyeom. "And I have my reasons for not getting married. You know that."
Gyeom waved his hand up and down. "Yeah, yeah."
Baek leaned forward. "And what do we do about the Alliance and Hyeon."
"Entire squads from small sects vanishing. No bodies. No survivors. Gates never being closed, though he locks the system users up. The signs are all there." Wu Jin stated.
"Even the demon cult works under him. My brother has his hand in too many jars, yet his hands remain clean." Gyeom kicked his feet on the table.
"So if he's being used... the question is by who. Or what?" Yeol grabbed Gyeom's feet and slung them off the table.
Baek stood. "Then we must prepare. Whatever darkness is moving through Murim... Buddha’s light will squash it. I will head back to Shaolin. I suggest everyone continue to build their strength and forces. There will come a day when we need it all."
Everyone nodded. Not a word was said after that. They knew the monk's words were true.
The following morning the boys gathered in the courtyard. Blue still bandaged from his encounter with So-Yeon's sword, Jinhu, Ilho, Ryu, and Hanjo all stood shoulder to shoulder. Ryul was left to sleep in his room.
In front of them stood Sa Gwan and Mu Jang. Wu Jin stepped out of pavilion, tapping the rod in his hand as he approached the boys.
"Aw shit, what did we do now?" Jinhu whispered.
"Man, shut up before we get beat more than we may already be getting." Ilho scorned Jinhu.
"First, let me say this." Wu Jin slammed the rod into his palm. "Blue, congratulations on winning the tournament. And Jinhu, Ilho, you did great too. You made us all proud, and you three have cemented Silent Edge as a force that is noy to be taken lightly in Murim.
"It's all because of the rod." Ilho whispered to Ryu.
"Wh-" Ryu looked at Ilho.
"Now that you've proven yourself. The real journey begins. Missions. Training. Victory. Defeat. You five will operate as a unit. Sa Gwan and Mu Jang will lead you. Missions will be assigned to you like any other squad in this sect. I will not tolerate refusal, laziness, or hesitation."
Wu Jin stepped closer. "Until you all reach the level of Grandmaster, and prove you can stand alone. These two will be with you." Mu Jang and Sa Gwan both flashed an evil grin. "In between missions you will train. Cultivate. You may even have moments of freedom to do what you wish."
Wu Jin pointed his rod at Blue's shoulder. "Know, that this is what happens when you get complacent. This is still Murim, monsters aren't the only thing that threatens your lives. Never forget that."
The boys bowed in unison.
"Now, you must come up with a name for your squad. You have five minutes."
Ilho leaned forward and looked at Blue. "We have to right?"
"Only logical." Blue nodded.
Jinhu raised his hand, deciding the name of their group on his own. "THE ROD!"
Ilho and Blue burst out laughing. Hanjo and Ryu both stared at each other.
CRACK.
Wu Jin didn't speak. Jinhu hung his head low. "Awww." He looked at Ilho and Blue. "I tried guys, I even raised my hand."
Ryu shook his head. "How about Rogue Edge?"
The others turned and stared at him. "Go on." Ilho said.
"Well, we all come from different places. You guys, definitely do your own things. I have a feeling, this team will go rogue the minute that rod is out of sight."
Ilho turned back to Blue. "He's not wrong."
Hanjo nodded. "Amitabha. I went rogue already, leaving Shaolin for this place."
"Rogue Edge, Sect Leader. That's our name." Blue stepped forward.
Wu Jin nodded. "So be it."
Wu Jin raised his rod, pointed it to the courtyard. "Your first mission is an important one."
The boys faces lit up.
"Clean my courtyard up from last night's party. Its filthy."
All five boys groaned in unison. Mu Jang stomped his foot. "You heard him, get your asses moving."
The path ahead was carved, starting with brooms and trash, but Rogue Edge was born.