Hyeon paced back and forth in his office, awaiting answers demanded by the demon. Jaegal Li opened the door. "Sir. We've received a response to our inquiry from So-Yeon. And you've received a letter from... your brother."
"Gyeom? Why would he sent a letter? Bring them here!" He reached out as Li placed both scrolls in his hand. He broke the Tang seal. "I hate this fucking seal." He rolled the scroll out and read.
We encountered a gate in the Black Pines...an armored, great dark forest full of orcs, goblins, and hellhounds. We cleared it, yet the gate remains open, though it's color is no longer red, rather blue now. No monsters appear inside any longer. We hope to help the Alliance rid Murim of these threats in the future. Long live Murim and the Alliance.
- Signed, Matriarch of Tang, So-Yeon.
"She claims they cleared it, but it is still open. Do you have confirmation that only she, the boy from the vault and those two old bastards exited the gate with the scouts?"
"Yes leader." Li confirmed. "Wu Jin, Cheng, and Yeol were with the boy and So-Yeon. Besides her missing scouts no other soul entered or exited."
"Then the boy has a system." Hyeon muttered. "There is no other explanation."
"Indeed." Li nodded. "We should summon him sir. If he has a system, and the crystals. He could potentially discover their purpose."
"That would give them justification to move against us." Hyeon plopped into his chair. "This is becoming more complicated Li."
"Sir, it may be worth trying to fold the boy into Alliance leadership. If we offer him power, status, it may deter them from moving."
Hyeon tapped his desk thoughtfully. "You’re right. Yeol and Cheng may not need the crystals. They are already the strongest in Murim next to my brother and that damned Shaolin Monk, but if the boy follows us, they might hold back. Especially if they believe he’s under our wing. Or at least until the demon is fully prepared to move."
Hyeon reached for the second scroll. He cracked open his brother's seal. Hyeon read it, then threw it on the floor. Jaegal Li bent down and picked it up. He read it out loud.
Dear Brother,
I would like to enter the vault.
I’m cashing in the favor you owe me.
I’ll be at the Alliance vault tomorrow at noon.
Open it or I’ll break it down and take everything myself.
Love you,
- Gyeom.
"Sir?" Li asked.
After a long silence, Hyeon clenched his fist. "That fucking brother of mine really knows how to get under my skin." He ran a hand down his face. "I can't deny him. The debt is real. I can't believe he's using the favor now though." Hyeon kicked his feet up on his desk. "Inform the guards, and tell Seori to meet him there and escort him personally. Have her watch what he takes and report back."
"At once, sir." Li bowed and took his leave.
As the sun rreached mid sky over Chengdu. Gyeom approached the heart of the Alliance stronghold and the gate to the vault. Seori stood just outside the gate leaned against the stone wall. In front her, footsteps could be heard echoing throughout the corridor.
"Little Tang!" A voice rang out, half amused, half annoyed. "My, you've grown since we last spoke." He grin widened. "My offer still stands, you know. Leave my brother, Namgung could use a strategist of your caliber."
Seori didn't smile. She looked at the man flatly. "Good to see you as well, Sword Saint." She bowed. "Shall we get going?"
"Where's my brother?" Gyeom asked.
"He's busy, so I'll be escorting you today." She replied.
"Busy with the wrong things i presume." He chuckled.
Seori replied with a serious demeanor. "It is not my place to ascertain that. Only to give my opinions when asked and to listen to orders passed down." Seori flung her head toward the vault.
"Tch. So rigid. You're just like your sister you know. Speaking of." He reached into the folds of his robes and pulled out a scroll. "She asked me to find you and give this to you."
Seori snatched the scroll without a word.
"Now then." Gyeom stretched his arms wide. "Shall I go claim my treasure?"
The metallic gate clicked behind them as Seori and Gyeom stepped inside the vault. Gyeom wandered slowly through the rows of weapons, armor and elixirs, whistling along the way.
Seori followed a few paces behind. "Is there something specific I can help you locate. I know every piece of equipment in this vault."
Gyeom shrugged his shoulders. "Not really, sweetheart. Just looking for something that will fit Kwan." He picked up a blade, turned it once in his hand and placed it back on the rack.
"Kwan leads the extermination squad now. Your parents sure passed on some wild genes. All of you Tang kids are outstanding in your own ways." His eyes slid sideways gauging her reaction.
"This sword is decent." He sliced the air. "The balance is a little off though." He tossed it aside.
"Oh, what's back here?" Gyeom asked.
"Just discarded gear sir." Seori seemed generally uninterested. "Just old and damaged things the Alliance never got around to sorting or tossing out."
"One man's trash, is another man's treasure my dear." Gyeom walked over to the pile and bent down. "Might be exactly what I'm looking for over here."
Gyeom began rummaging through old gear. He tossed armor to the side. Struck the wall with rusted blades then he saw it. The box Wu Jin described. He took the crystals out and placed them in a leather pouch and stuffed it into his robes.
"Perfect!" Gyeom stood and turned with a pair of golden gauntlets in his hand. He dangled them in front of Seori. "Just what Kwan needed. And these looked like they've survived to hell and back."
Seori nodded. "As you wish. I'll inform the leader of your selection."
She turned and led him toward the gate. Before she knocked for the guards to open it. She turned to Gyeom. "Sir, may I ask a question?"
"Of course, child. Ask away."
Seori didn’t move. "What was in the bag you slipped into your robe?" She asked, voice calm and filled with accusation. "Before you picked up the gauntlets of course."
For a moment Gyeom froze. His face hardened, then softened into a practiced smile. "Whatever do you mean?"
"I'm not asking so I can report it." She said plainly. "I'm sure you have your reasons. I'm no warrior, just a strategist with a curiosity."
Without missing a beat. Gyeom tugged his robes, letting the pouch slide down and settle around his waist. He bent over loosening the folds of his top. "See? Nothing there." He straightened. "Just these fine gauntlets."
Seori stared at him for a moment. Then she nodded.
"Ah, I see. My apologies, then. Forgive my accusation and rudeness." She turned and knocked on the gate. As the gate opened she turned her head back at Gyeom. "But sir Sword Saint, do keep in mind. I do not ask questions i don't already know the answers to."
The gate swung open. Seori put her arms behind her back. She turned and bowed to Gyeom. "I must get going. I have to report your selection of the... gauntlets to Jaegal Li. And I must read the letter you gave me. Be well, Sword Saint."
As he exited the vault he watched seori disappear around the corner. "Fuck..." He muttered under his breath. "Seriously. These Tang kids are on another level." He chuckled to himself. "Didn't fool her for one damned second. But she's not telling Hyeon." He exhaled. "Thankfully she doesn't appear to be on his side."
Seori walked around the corner out of sight of Gyeom. She sat on a bench and opened the scroll. Her eyes flicked across the parchment. Her expression didnt change. But her fingers curled tightly around the paper. "That makes this very interesting."