As night fell over Silent Edge the Tang family gathered around a table. For the first time in fifteen years all but 1 were in the same room. Along the wall Ilho, Jinhu, and Hanjo stood as well. Yeol sat at the head of the table and spoke first. "We are not here to talk about Murim’s affairs or the Alliance.
Kwan clenched his fist. "So, you brought us together to what waste time? Be one big happy family?"
Seori stared at Kwan. Her voice startled everyone, firm and commanding. "Calm yourself. Now isn't the time to be petty. Let us hear them out."
Kwan didn't respond. He exhaled deeply and leaned back in his chair. So-Yeon drew a long breath, then nodded to Seori before turning her eyes to her other siblings.
"I'm sorry. I am so incredibly sorry. I have failed each of you. Not just as your sister, but as the Matriarch of the Tang clan." She removed her hands from the table and started fidgeting. "When uncle saved me, I didn't have the strength to look for you all. I assumed the worst honestly. When Yeol told me that each of you had found a place to belong I was relieved." She paused her eyes drifted around the room.
"I poured my anger, sadness, and regret into becoming strong, so I could one day protect each of you and bring you back home. Now I sit here... watching Jiung bring us all back together." Her voice cracked as a tear ran down her cheek. "I feel pitiful. I never even tried to do what he has done. I wish to change that. You don't have to come home now. You don't even have to forgive me." Her head dropped. "If there's a chance you may someday. I will do whatever it takes to make that a reality. To make us a family again."
The room went silent. Each sibling looking at each other. Everyone trying to find the right words to say. Seori spoke first.
"I was raised to believe emotions are wasted energy. Jaegal Li taught me that logic decides survival." She paused. "Logically, I don't know you as my sister. I have no memory worth holding onto that I haven't let go of along time ago." Seori stared at Blue. "That being said, if hyung joins Tang, and I feel you can be my sister before ever being a Matriarch. I will follow. Not before."
"We can't decide a damned thing until we get Haejin out of the grasps of the Heavenly Demon." Kwan sat forward.
"I agree." Ryul met So-Yeon's gaze.
So-Yeon’s eyes narrowed. “The Pale Flame… That’s what they call him now. They say there’s no light in his eyes. And when he’s angered, he burns like a flame that can’t be extinguished.”
Ryul’s jaw tightened. “He took Jiung’s death the hardest. He was old enough to remember, too young to stop it. That grief… it consumed him. Maybe if he knew Jiung was still here...”
Blue finally stood. "You're missing a detail here guys. I can't just march into the Demonic Cult, and demand to see Haejin."
"I can help with that brother." Seori folded her palms on the table and leaned forward. "I have a list. Every scheduled gate raid and every sect that is tagging along. The Alliance Leader already wishes to use you. So, let's use him."
"Requesting permission to tag along with the demon cult during a raid? That's genius." Yeol smiled.
"Correct, and they won't say no. The more you do for them, the more they think they have a noose around your neck." Seori grinned. "We will use that to get close to Haejin."
"We really need to dial back the logic and mix some emotion back into you." Blue chuckled. "But you're not wrong. Can we make it happen uncle?"
Yeol shrugged his shoulders. "I'm an elder of Tang, not Silent Edge."
Kwan stood. "I hope your plan works. But I have no intention staying at Silent Edge." Kwan placed a hand on Blue's shoulder. "I'm so happy your back, I really am. And I hope we see each other often." He sighed and looked at So-Yeon, Ryul and Seori. "I've made family at Namgung. I won't leave them without a leader. They are my family as much as those boys are Blue's." Kwan pointed to Ilho, Jinhu and Hanjo. "I hope one day we can fight under one banner. Today is not that day."
Blue nodded to Kwan. "As long as you stay alive to see that reality come true. I will do my best to get to Haejin."
Yeol stood. "Well that settles it. Seori you should go talk to Wu Jin, convince him that your plan won't get Blue or anyone else killed. Good luck. The rest of you, go rest. I heard the raid was fairly hectic."
--
A few days later at the Alliance. The heavy oak doors to Hyeon's office closed with a loud thud. Jaegal Li walked to the Alliance Leaders desk. His voice was low and trembled with emotion. "Take the Iron Order, kick down their gates... and bring her back!"
Hyeon's gaze didnt lift from the papers in front of him. "Seori chose to leave, she broke no rules. It was her decision."
Jaegal’s hand slammed onto the desk. “She was like a daughter to me! After everything I’ve done for her...after raising her, training her. One meeting with that boy and she walks away?” His voice cracked for the first time in years. “Do you understand what that feels like?”
Hyeon leaned back in his chair. "The Tang seem to be slipping from my grasp one by one. What is the common theme surrounding it all?"
"The foreigner." His lip curled. "He is gathering them. All of them. But why? Even your own brother took sides."
The Alliance Leader's fingers drummed on his armrest. "We can't openly start a fight with them. Your frustration, I understand it. Silent Edge is gathering every stray worth having. That boy is also no fool, he is using something. Sorcery, some strange power... I don't know. But we need to find out either way who he really is, or what power he truly possesses."
Li straightened. "I will have my shadows begin at once. I will find out every detail that boy tries to hide from us." He bowed his head. "I apologize for losing my composure. I raised her and she ran off with that boy." Li sighed. "I will keep my wits about me from here on."
"Don't be so hard on yourself old friend. Even the best of us lose it now and then."
Before Li could respond the oak doors opened without a knock. Instantly, the air grew heavier.
The Heavenly Demon stepped inside. His long black hair flowed over his robe. His eyes were cold. Every step he took was as if he owned the office. Even Hyeon, the master of Murim’s political web, felt the involuntary tremor as soon as he walked in.
Li, and Hyeon stared as Yong Ma approached them. The Heavenly Demon stood staring at them both until he finally spoke. "Your pet." He said with disdain. "She has requested to join us instead of using your system users when we raid the gate to the west."
"My pet?" Li tilted his head.
"Yes, your pet. The little Tang girl who never leaves your side. So, tell me strategist. Why is she making such requests."
Jaegal Li's face tightened in disbelief. "Silent Edge... she left us to join Silent Edge."
Yong Ma’s laugh rumbled through the office. "Can't keep your pets on a leash." He turned to Hyeon. "I watched the tournament. After seeing those boys, I wouldn't mind them joining us. I want to see just how strong they truly are."
Hyeon rose from his seat. "What could you possibly gain by bringing them along?"
"They say it's for training. To gain more knowledge about gates. Seems they have a boy who can clear them." Yong Ma put his hands on the desk and leaned forward. "I have already sent a letter accepting their request. I told them I'd be honored to have them join." Yong Ma smiled. "I'll personally be going this time."
He turned to leave as he walked away he raised a hand as he spoke. "I didn't come to ask permission. I simply came to inform you." The oak doors slammed shut behind him as he left. Jaegal Li and Hyeon stood staring at the door, speechless.