The morning of the spar, Ryul was sitting in Blue's room. "Are you sure about this? There has to be another way." Ryul said.
"If there was, the elders would've gone that route. Regardless of what happens today. I trust Elder Cheng and uncle have a plan. They won't simply let you be carried away by the Alliance Leader." Blue stood. "We should get ready." He patted Ryul's head. "Don't worry, I got you."
As afternoon hit, Emei and Mt. Hua sects arrived at Wudang with anticipation to see the tournament winner fight a 4 star master. Silent Edge was in formation right outside the gates of Wudang. On the opposite side just outside of the compound Gyeom stood leaned against a tree. His elite guards numbered fifty, stood just behind him in the clearing.
A voice came from a distance. "You're far from your mountain, brother." The Alliance leader stepped through the clearing, flanked by the Iron Order and Jaegal Li.
Gyeom stayed leaned against the tree, chewing on a blade of grass. "I heard you postponed a vault visit for this little spar. Figured anything worth delaying a treasure for must be worth watching."
Jaegal Li stepped forward. "If that's the case, why bring your elites?"
Gyeom kicked off the tree. "Oh them. You know how youngsters are. Eager to protect their fragile master." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. "I see you brought your dogs as well. Shall we test them?"
Jaegal turned to the Alliance Leader. "We don't have time to to entertain your brother's foolishness."
Hyeon nodded and turned to Gyeom. "Enjoy the show brother. But stay out of what doesn't concern you."
Gyeom watched him leave. "He really does mean to crush them or put a leash on them. This should be interesting."
Just outside the main gates, Wu Jin stood facing the Silent Edge members. One hundred men, stood in formation. "Today is a spar. We are guests. This is our first step into Murim as a sect. Mind your manners, and your swords."
All the men rang out in unison. "YES, SECT LEADER."
An elder of Wudang approached with a bow. "Welcome back to Wudang Wu Jin. You've grown into a fine warrior." The man gestured to the gates. "Follow me, the Patriarch awaits."
Silent Edge was led through rows of watchful Wudang disciples, to a wide courtyard. Banners of Wudang and the Alliance hung on both ends. Spectators flooded the area. Zhenghai stood on the platform next to a tall warrior dressed in Wudang's garb.
"See his boots?" Cheng whispered to Yeol.
"I do. Iron Order. Hyeon is really testing my patience."
"That's what he wants." Cheng replied. "Stay calm, we only move if we need to." Cheng looked back at Ryul. "It's time for you to stand with Wudang... for now."
Yeol caught his ear as he walked by. "Don't worry about your brother, he will be fine. I promise."
Ryul nodded, swallowed hard and walked toward Zhenghai.
The Wudang Patriarch guided Ryul, escorting him to the chair next to his own, front row, to witness the duel. Then he turned back, stepped onto the platform, a grin came across his face as he locked eyes with Yeol and Cheng.
"Welcome, honored guests." Zhenghai proclaimed. "Today we celebrate Silent Edge, whose masterful showing at the tournament impressed us all. This duel, is blessed by the Alliance Leader himself."
Yeol shot a look at Cheng. "He's calling it a duel now?"
Zhenghai continued. "We stand united as one Murim under the Alliance’s banner, for the sake of our lands, and our people!"
He looked down at Yeol. "And those who do not, those who choose to stand on their own... betray the spirit of Murim itself."
Zhenghai spread his arms theatrically. "Representatives from different corners of the Alliance have to witness this friendly duel. Emei, Mt. Hua. Even the Demonic Cult has graced us with their presence. Today, Silent Edge will show us their skill, and their loyalty today!"
Zhenghai turned and put a hand on the Iron Order warrior's shoulder. He leaned in close. "Cripple him. But don't kill him."
From his chair, Zhenghai ordered the fight to start. Both men bowed to each other. Blue was the first to move. His opponent effortlessly parried his first strike, then another, teasing Blue.
The Iron Order warrior's spun and kicked Blue in the ribs. Blue was thrown back, his ribs screamed at him. He stood, shook the pain off and attacked again. This time from angles Ilho had shown him. The other warrior, simply took Blue's blows, no concern on his face. The warrior smiled at Blue and threw down his sword. Zhenghai grinned, as spectators started whispering.
Every strike Blue couldn't land, the other man came with a clean counter. Leaving Blue stumbling each time.
Blue was already bleeding, unable to land a single hit. "The gap is too big. He fucking threw his sword down too." Blue gazed at Ryul who's eyes were wide. Panic settling in them. Blue took a deep breath. Then... his system pinged.
[System Notification]
[Qi breakthrough achieved]
[First-Rate ---> 1 Star Master]
[Internal Flow unstable]
Blue looked at the master standing across from him. Blue smiled and dashed forward. As he moved between the man's guard, he found an opening. He swung, as the master went to block, Blue flung his wrist down. His blade cleared the warriors arm barely, then left a clean cut on the man's abdomen. The master jumped back, put a hand to the cut and flung the blood onto the platform.
The crowd gasped. Silent Edge began to cheer. Ryul sat up a little straighter in his chair.
Blue gave the master no room to breath. He attacked again, and again. A few strikes connected, leaving very little damage on the master from the Iron Order.
Blue stepped back, lowered his form. He pushed off the platform, his sword thrusting toward the man. The master smiled, released his qi. Blue's sword fell to the ground. The master gripped Blue's wrist and twisted, he landed a palm strike onto Blue's chest. Blood spit out of Blue's mouth. Then he landed another strike to Blue's ribs, breaking three of them. The warrior looked back at Zhenghai. Zhenghai nodded. With one strike to Blue's elbow, his arm snapped. Blue fell to the ground screaming in pain. As he looked towards Ryul his eyes grew heavy, and he fell unconscious.
Wu Cheng and Tang Yeol leaped onto the platform. Yeol knelt down by Blue. Cheng positioned himself between Blue and the Iron Order fighter. He whispered to the master. "If you value your life, walk away. Now!"
The courtyard fell silent. Zhenghai pushed off his seat and stepped forward. "Marvelous showing. Appears Wudang emerges victorious." He looked at Cheng. "Ryul returns to us, as we agreed upon."
Ryul rushed the stage. He knelt down by Yeol. "Blue, please wake up." Tears filled his eyes.
Zhenghai looked at Ryul who was now crying. "Why do you weep for some trash that Cheng picked up. Stand up and act like a Wudang guard, a soon to be Iron Order warrior.
Ryul stood, he wiped his nose on his sleeve and approached Zhenghai. "I will not, I choose to go to Silent Edge. You can't force me to join the Iron Order."
Zhenghai's expression turned sour. "You think you have a choice? You belong to Wudang. You will obey. These men..." He gestured toward Wu Jin and his troops. "... Fight for themselves. Not the Alliance. I will not see you follow them into shame."
He stepped closer to Ryul, seizing him by the collar. "Now accept your place, or I will break you like the boy you cry for."
Ryul's voice trembled. "I won't."
Cheng turned to his brother. "Enough, Zhenghai. This was meant to be a spar, not an execution. You shame our ancestors with this farce."
"Ancestors... you say? You left them behind when you abandoned Wudang. You have no say here." Zhenghai lifted Ryul into the air. "Now, accept your role. Leave these petty thoughts of Silent Edge behind you. Become a sword for the Alliance."
Yeol stood. His fists clenched. "Let him down. Now."
Zhenghai turned his head. "Tang Yeol. Poison running in your blood. As I expected, you would come to your nephew's rescue. You would ignore the deal we made in this very courtyard?"
Yeol started to let his qi leak outward. "You have one chance. Release him. I won't tell you again. Do not prey on the Tang."
Zhenghai spat, his grip tightened around Ryul's neck. "The Tang... deserve extinction."
Wu Cheng lunged and yelled. "YEOL-"
As Ryul choked from Zhenghai's hold gripping tighter, Yeol disappeared.
In an instant, he appeared behind Zhenghai. No one in attendance was prepared for what came next. No one dared to move or utter a single word.
Yeol's hand was buried through Zhenghai's back and out his chest. Ryul looked at his uncle's hand as he slipped from Zhenghai's grasp and fell to the ground. Cheng caught him. He looked up at Yeol. Yeol mouthed. "I'm sorry."
Cheng retreated with Ryul back toward Wu Jin, who could do nothing but watch.
Yeol's voice dropped to a whisper only he and Zhenghai could hear. "I warned you, didn't I?"
With a twist, his hand tore free. Leaving a hole in Zhenghai's chest. The Wudang Patriarch fell to his knees, his body crumbled as he fell face down onto the platform. Lifeless.