Two days after the spar. The Alliance Leader's private office looked as if a gate had opened and monsters wreaked havoc. Shelves were toppled, scrolls tattered, ink soaking maps. Jaegal Li stepping into the office carefully avoiding the wreckage. He paused at the sight of Hyeon standing on a flipped over desk, staring at the floorboards as if they may bring him answers.
"Leader." Li said calmly as he approached. "Uh, is everything okay. It appears the demon himself tore through here."
Hyeon didnt look up. "Of course nothing is okay." He kicked the leg cleanly off the desk and sent it flying, knocking books off a shelf. He raised his head, his eyes were filled with frustration and anger. "Those bastards killed Zhenghai. Emei and Mt. Hua both ran like cowards. My fucking brother showed up. Hyeon stepped off the table. "They ruined it all. Ryul was meant to come under the Iron Order. Brought into the fold. That cunning Cheng, i didn't think he still had it in him. Hyeon bent down and picked a scroll off the ground. An old map of what Murim looked like before the gates. He opened it. "Tch. So much has changed so fast." He threw the map into the trash bin. "Even my own brother is no longer neutral."
Li stepped forward, carefully placing his hand on Hyeon's shoulder.
"We still have a few moves to consider sir. One that could even tilt everything back into our favor."
Hyeon's eyes grew bigger. "Speak."
Li took a step back and picked up the leather pouch off the ground and smiled.
"The red crystals. We let Blue still enter the vault. Show the sects that you are merciful and fair, that you wish for peace. Before he enters, we place these crystals in a golden box."
Li reached for a normal box off a shelf, placed some crystals in it. He handed it to Hyeon. "Wrap the inside of the box in velvet, place them just like that, right in the open at the front of the vault.
Li turned and placed his arms behind his back and paced the room. Looking at the carnage as he did. "No young martial artosts would ignore something like that. It feels as if it radiates qi, even more so than a thousand year old ginseng."
He turned back to Hyeon. "He will take them, and give them to Silent Edge. Let them cultivate. Ryul, Cheng, all of them. And when they do, as the demon himself said. The corruption will take hold. Then we can hand deliver top martial artists to the demon. It will satisfy his needs and yours... sir."
A gring spread across Hyeon's face. "There's a reason I trust you Li." Hyeon walked to him, placed the box in his hands. Then placed both hands on Li's shoulders. "There's a reason you are my strategist."
Hyeon turned to walk to his window overlooking Chengdu. "We already have Seori. Kwan is sheltered by my brother. Ryul, was taken to Silent Edge. The youngest is tangled up with that damn battle hungry fool, Yong Ma. And that damned woman. She commands a corp and the entire Tang clan. They are all scattered like bugs."
He turned to Jaegal. "Before this ends, i will see to it their cursed bloodline is wiped from Murim and her history." He clenched his fist. "And I will end Yeol personally. Send a bird to Silent Edge."
Jaegal Li bowed. "I will have the invitation prepared and sent."
In the infirmary of Silent Edge, Blue was asleep in his bed. Body bandaged. His arm hung in the air from the ceiling by cables. Ryul sat on the floor, elbows on his knees, head rested in his hands and asleep.
The door to the room slid open. Ryul's eyes opened. Tang So-Yeon entered, with Yeol just behind her. She stared at Blue for a long time. Her expression a mix of gratitude and irritation. She turned to Ryul who was now glaring at her. "I heard what happened. I also heard you're part of Silent Edge now. A wise decision."
"That's all you have to say. When you are part of the reason our brother is laying there broken. Are you dense? You only think about the next move. Has martial arts really killed everything in you except anger?
She stood there in silence for a moment. She looked back to Blue then to the floor. "You're right." She walked to the window and opened it. "Emotions haven't been my strength for a long time. Not since I watched Jiung die... not since everyone was scattered across Murim. So-Yeon turned. "I'm sorry Ryul. I'm sorry I couldn't be the one to get out from under the Alliances grasp. I still can't fully believe this boy is who you say he is. Not yet."
She made her way to the door. "I will heed uncle's words. He will have his shot to prove it to me. I owe him that. He did risk his life for my little brother."
As she walked away she spoke without turning. "I am glad you're safe, Ryul." So-Yeon walked out.
The door closed behind her. Ryul stared at the door, jaw tightened. Yeol sat next to him, he leaned back against the wall.
"Give her time. She carries a heavy burden. Amd we just stirred up emotions she's spent fifteen years trying to bury."
He smiled at Ryul. "She will come around eventually. Also maybe don't scold her like that again. I'm in no mood to bury anyone over her fury."
"Seems that issue runs in the family huh?" Ryul chuckled.
Blue stirred beneath his blankets. His eyes opened. He tried to move and he let a loud groan. Yeol and Ryul both stood.
"What the hell...?" Blue blinked. "Can you shut the window, I can't move and the damn sun is on my eyes."
Yeol laughed and walked over to close the window.
Blue looked over and noticed Ryul. "What...what are you doing here? I lost. I thought that meant you had to stay at Wudang.
Yeol sat on the edge of Blue's bed. "You did lose." He said. "But the fight didn't end there. Dont worry about that right now. Focus on recovering and the fact Ryul is here now."
Yeol pulled out a glowing green pill. "So-Yeon smuggled this from the Alliance. "It's a pill from Thalorin. She said it will heal your broken ribs and arm. Will take a few days, so rest." Yeol handed Blue the pill.
Blue look at Yeol. "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to prevent whatever happened from happening.
Ryul grabbed Blue's arm. "Don't blame yourself. You fought for me. That's all anyone could have asked for. I'm here now, for good. So take the pill and just focus on recovery."
Blue leaned his head back. "I'll try, but i just had the craziest dream too. So-Yeon came in here and murdered me for losing the duel and letting you get dragged into the Iron Order."
Yeol and Ryul burst into laughter. "You don't know the half of it kid. Now take the damn pill. Ill inform the others that you're awake."
Shortly after across the compound in a meeting room, Wu Cheng, So-Yeon, Sa Gwan, Mu Jang sat around a table. Wu Jin leaned against a pillar. Baek Mu-Seon crouched near an open window sipping tea, while Namgung Gyeom stood with his arms behind his back, silent.
Wu Jin finally broke the silence.
"If anyone of you ever use one of my sect's members like that again... like some fucking pawn in your backroom games. I swear on this rod." He pointed the rod at everyone. "I will shove this so far up your collective asses, not even the divine doctor himself will be able to pull it out."
Gyeom chuckled. "That rod has scared me since we were teenagers."
Wu Cheng chuckled and then looked at Wu Jin. The smile left his face. "You're right, son. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
The door to the meeting hall opened. Yeol walked in. "Blue's awake, he's going to be alright."
Monk Baek smiled. "Amitabha." He stood and placed his cup on the table. "You people really take no joy in rest do you? I fear young Hanjo may not grasp the gravity of what he's gotten himself into."
Sa Gwan cleared his throat. "There's been no movement from the Alliance since the incident. Emei and Mt. Hua have also been quiet. I believe the Alliance Leader may have heeded his brother's warning. For now."
So-Yeon stood. "That means I can ask for your help once again."
Everyone turned to her.
"Thank you for what you did for Ryul. But now I have an even more serious problem. My scouts I sent to the Black Pines... they are missing. I don't have the manpower to go looking alone."
She looked around the room and bowed. "Please, help me find my men. I will be in your debt."
Wu Jin scratched his chin. "We can send the new squad with Sa Gwan and Mu Jang. Although, Blue will have to stay behind."
So-Yeon straightened, and turned toward him. "He will be fine, I gave uncle a pill I took from the Alliance. It's a strange medicine from another world, but it works wonders. His bones will mend by tomorrow. But he will still feel it."
Wu Jin tilted his head. So-Yeon continued. "Besides, when has the Jianghu ever cared about a broken arm or broken ribs?"
Wu Jin looked at Yeol. Yeol simply nodded. "If he recovers and is willing, then I'll allow it." Wu Jin said. "Is three days time good enough for you?"
So-Yeon smiled and bowed again. "It is, I will return in three days time."
As she turned to leave she dropped a leather pouch into Yeol's hand. "Before you go raiding my vault again take these. It will help Blue stabilize his qi after his breakthrough. Theres enough for the other boys as well." She smiled and walked out. The others in the room let out a collective sigh.