The next morning Cheng and Yeol approached Wu Jin's office. "You really think he's going to allow this?" Yeol asked.
"He won't be able to say no." Cheng smiled as they opened the door and took a seat. Wu Jin looked up from the stack of papers that filled his desk. "I'm assuming this visit isn't just a good morning son, how are you visit?"
Wu Jin dropped the feather in his hand back into the ink bowl. "So, how did things go with uncle?"
Yeol looked at Cheng and gestured with both hands towards Wu Jin. "All you."
Cheng leaned forward. "It went as planned. We have one week to bring a fighter, master or below to Wudang. A spar to determine Ryul's fate."
Just then the door to Wu Jin's office flung open.
"Blue, my boy. Glad you could join us. Come, sit." Cheng said.
Yeol shook his head.
"What is this father? You're not seriously-"
"I am." Cheng interrupted his son. He patted Blue on the shoulder. "How is the wound healing?"
"It's basically gone. Nasty scar." Blue rotated his shoulder. "But I can move with minimal pain."
"This isn't happening." Wu Jin slammed his hands on the desk.
Blue flinched. "I'm sorry, what's going on? What isn't happening?"
"He is not going to fight a master of Wudang on Ryul's behalf. We have others here who are masters that can fight instead."
Blue looked at Cheng who just smiled back at him. Cheng turned to Wu Jin. "Trust me, son" Cheng said quietly.
Wu Jin stood. "Right now. I am not your son. I am the Sect Leader of Silent Edge. I will not permit you to use Blue as a pawn, in your game of chess."
"No offense, Sect Leader. But if this is a fight for Ryul, then I'm all in." Blue leaned forward.
Wu Jin sighed. His hand pinched the bridge of his nose. "Blue, wait outside."
Blue stared at Wu Jin and didn't move.
CRACK
The rod appeared from nowhere and slammed on the desk. "I said, WAIT OUTSIDE!"
Yeol nodded toward Blue. He stood and walked out the door. As he did Sa Gwan walked in and closed the door behind him.
"Now you're using my men at your whim father?"
Cheng laughed. "Relax, Sect Leader. You'll want to hear this."
Sa Gwan bowed. "Zhenghai appeared at the Alliance alone. Though, he left with a member of the Iron Order in tow."
Cheng elbowed Yeol. "Told you."
Wu Jin sat down. "Explain, Wu Cheng."
"Zhenghai went to Hyeon. This spar was meant to be Wudang against Silent Edge. It's now Silent Edge against the Alliance. We will use this to bring Ryul over to us regardless of the outcome. And corner my brother and the Alliance."
Wu Jin leaned forward. "You underestimate Jaegal Li. As cunning as you are father. That man is ruthless. He had contingencies for his contingencies."
"So do I son. Let Blue fight, it's the only way this works. And I don't think he will take no for an answer now."
Wu Jin called Blue back into the office. Blue approached and bowed. "Sorry for the disrespect earlier, but you're talking about my brother as if i have no say in my own act-"
Wu Jin raised a hand and cut him off. "I'm aware, seems my father was a few steps ahead of me. I'll allow you to fight on his behalf." Wu Jin walked around his desk and stopped in front of Blue. "You're aware there's almost no chance for you to win right?"
"I still have to try." Blue smiled. "It's my brother we are talking about. You would do the same if you had a brother wouldn't you?"
Wu Jin turned to Cheng. Both men stared at each other for a moment. Jin turned back to Blue. "I'd move heaven and earth for mine. Go, you're missing training. We'll fill you in with details when necessary."
Blue bowed once more. "Thank you Sect Leader." He turned to Cheng and mouthed. "Thank you." Blue walked out and met the boys training in the courtyard.
Cheng stood, he looked at Yeol and Wu Jin. "I need to prepare my contingencies now." With that Cheng walked out. Leaving Wu Jin frustrated. "Can't you keep him under control Yeol?"
"About as much as he can keep me under control." Yeol shrugged his shoulders and walked out.
"Next time, my father requests something from you. Tell me first Sa Gwan. Now go, Rogue Edge needs to prepare."
"Master." Sa Gwan bowed and left.
As the evening sun set across Chengdu, Cheng was met with swords at the gate of the Namgung fortress. Kwan approached Cheng. "Sorry, unless you have an invitation i can't let you in."
"Ryul's older brother yes? You've grown into a strong young man." Cheng patted his head.
The Sword Saint appeared on top of the gate. "I thought I smelled shit coming from here." He looked at Kwan. "Open the gate." Kwan stared at Cheng as he walked through. The other guard leaned in. "That's the old Wudang Patriarch. He's on the cusp of three star ascendant. He's a true Murim monster."
Kwan's eyes got wider. "No way. That little old man? How does he know my brother? Or me?"
Inside the compound Gyeom jumped down. "So, what brings you here so late?"
"Your brother." Cheng said. "Can we sit?"
"It's going to be one of those conversations huh? Fine. Come." Gyeom led Cheng under a small pavilion. They sat. "So, what did my brother do now?"
"I'm sure you're aware of the spar with Wudang. Your brother has given Zhenghai a member of the Iron Order. I suspect to use him in the spar."
"I heard. All because of So-Yeon's request i presume."
Cheng shook his head. "I also don't want to see a talent swallowed and wasted in the Iron Order."
"You know my brother holds a deep resentment towards anything that is related to the Tang." Gyeom looked at the sky. "He won't let what happened to our dear sister go. He blames Tang. That is why we don't see eye to eye." Gyeom snapped his finger and an attendant approached with tea and two cups. She poured. "I continued my friendship with Yeol, and you even. He always resented me for that. He said I dishonor our sister by associating with Yeol."
"Which is why I need you to show up to the spar. If there's one thing I can't account for. It's Yeol and his anger." Cheng sipped his tea. "I need you there in case everything turns into a mess."
"Yeol is a Tang through and through. If my brother or Zhenghai does anything stupid. Even though, i hate to admit it. I don't think, even I can stop Yeol."
"Neither can I, but together, we can stop it from escalating to a civil war. There is already a war at our doorstep, and we are losing, Gyeom." Cheng sat his tea down. "We can't afford for Wudang to turn into a battlefield."
Gyeom nodded. "You're right. My brother is more concerned with Tang than he ever had been about the monsters." Gyeom stood. "I'll be there. Just try and keep Yeol on a leash. Better yet, tie him up in a hole somewhere." Gyeom snd Cheng both laughed.
"We've tried that before remember?" Cheng pulled his sleeve up. Revealing a scar.
"I do, and I got the worst of it." Gyeom spun around showing Cheng the slash on his back.
Cheng stood and walked away. "Wait." Gyeom yelled. "Who's fighting for Silent Edge?"
Cheng turned. "Blue."
"You're fucking crazy old man. You're playing with fire here."
"That's why you're coming along. To make sure I don't get burned, old friend." Cheng waved and disappeared into the night.