Author's Preface
Silent Edge's gates stood tall as the group of men crested the ridge. Mu Jang and Sa Gwan stood at the gates awaiting their arrival. As the group approached Wu Jin looked at them both. "What the hell are you two doing out here?"
"Well, we wanted to tell you we had a gue-" Mu Jang's voice was cut off by So-Yeon leaping over the gate and landing in between him and Wu Jin. She stared at Wu Jin for a moment. She opened her mouth to speak, but then she saw Haejin as she looked beyond Wu Jin. She took off and knocked Wu Jin over as she sprinted toward Haejin.
"That, we were here to tell you that she was here." Mu Jang reached his hand down to help Wu Jin up.
So-Yeon grabbed Haejin’s shoulders. "Seori sent me a bird, you were with hyung in a gate. I'm sorry Haejin, I failed you as your sister. Please forgive me."
"Uh, So-Yeon." Haejin stepped back from her. "It is good to see you too. I'm not sure what Seori told you, or what you think you know. But, I am not staying with hyung and Silent Edge."
Behind So-Yeon a hand reached her shoulder. "It makes sense." Seori stepped beside her sister and nodded toward Haejin. "Good to see you brother."
So-Yeon stared at Haejin her eyes grew red and filled with tears. "You can't, hyung is back now. We can all be together again."
Blue saw the trio as he crested the ridge. He looked back at Ilho and sighed deeply. "This is going be a problem, I'll meet you guys inside." Blue ran toward his siblings. He stepped beside Haejin and smiled then looked at So-Yeon. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you know?" So-Yeon asked. "Do you know he intends to stay with the demon cult. I thought we all agreed."
Blue raised a hand. "Yes I know. Yong Ma will take care of him. We can go see Haejin whenever we want. The Heavenly Demon wants an alliance with us, and with you."
A laugh rolled through the air as Yong Ma walked up flanked by Cheng and Yeol. "The boy speaks the truth, young Matriarch. I am not trying to steal your brother, it was his choice. I will respect it as I hope you'll do the same. As my successor I will protect him."
Ilho, Jinhu, Ryul and Hanjo stopped just behind Blue. Jinhu couldn't help himself. "That evil bastard even helped us hit Master inside the gate." Jinhu gestured to the boys. "So relax, sister."
Ilho flashed a thumbs up with a smile. He met Seori’s gaze and immediately put his hands behind his back and hung his head. "She's scary as fuck." He whispered.
"I don't like it either." Ryul said. "But you didn’t force Kwan to stay, so don't force Haejin. As far as I can see Yong Ma has helped Haejin become powerful, but he still remains our brother." Ryul stepped up next to Haejin opposite of Blue.
Yeol and Cheng looked at each other. Yeol pinched the bridge of his nose. "We dont even get a day off do we?" He muttered.
Cheng looked at Yeol. "I nominate you to stop the raging Tang Matriarch. You are an elder of Tang and her uncle." Cheng chuckled as he walked forward. He looked at the boys. Go wash up and get some food." Everyone bowed and walked into the gates of Silent Edge, leaving Haejin, So-Yeon, Yong Ma and Yeol to figure this out. Seori also smiled at Haejin, waved and took her leave.
Yong Ma turned to So-Yeon. “He is not leaving your family... he is widening it.” He paused. “And if anyone in mine tries to turn you away, they answer to me.”
So-Yeon swallowed hard. She looked at her uncle as he smiled and nodded at her. Her shoulders relaxed, her face eased. "I'll hold you to that."
"You should." Yong Ma said. He looked down at Haejin. "You understand the choice you're making?"
"I do. I'm not backing down." Haejin straightened.
"Good." Yong Ma patted his head.
Yeol put his arm around Haejin. "Nephew, go and eat with your brothers and the rest." Haejin took a step back and bowed and ran to catch up with Blue. "Now, since you're here So-Yeon. There is much to discuss. You are joining us too Yong Ma. Come." Yeol gestured and walked into the compound with the two following behind.
Wu Jin, Sa Gwan and Mu Jang stood by the gates as they passed by. "They are friendly now right?" Sa Gwan whispered.
"I hope so." Wu Jin grinned. "Let's go inside."
Later that night in the bathhouse, steam rose from hot stones. Blue sat with his back to the wall and the pendant in his hand. "Champion." The word replayed over and over. "Golden gods? Who the hell are they. That dragon said something else too. He was definitely aiming to kill me."
Blue replayed it all over and over. The three elders fighting to keep everyone alive. Haejin choosing to stay with Yong Ma. The pendant forming a barrier and Wu Jin's words sbout the alliance. "The Alliance may have taken the hands of their counterparts." Blue clenched the pendant harder. "What did I get myself wrapped up in. This is fucking crazy." He let out a slow breath and took the chain holding the pendant and put it back around his neck.
Suddenly, the door to the bathhouse opened. Wu Jin walked in towel around his waist. He saw Blue and entered the water and took a seat across from him. "Everything okay, champion?"
Blue splashed water at Wu Jin. "Are you seriously going to join in with the teasing." He exhaled. "I don't know what it means. Or even what I'm supposed to do with that title."
Wu Jin splashed him back. "How about you stop worrying about it and focus on what can be controlled."
"Like what?" Blue asked. "It seems every corner i turn someone or something is trying to use me, or kill me."
"Welcome to Murim." Wu Jin laughed. "Seriously though, focus on your cultivation. That elixir can help you. Focus on what's in front of you and that's it."
"Front-sight focus." Blue muttered under his breath.
"What?" Wu Jin tilted his head.
"Something my dad, David, on earth used to say. He was in the military. Whenever I would get distracted or focused on too many things. He would always tell me to stay front-sight focused." Blue smiled and stood up, wrapping his towel around his waist. "Thank you Sect Leader. I will focus on tomorrow and reaching grandmaster."
"Good." Wu Jin smiled. "Oh Blue, tell someone to bring more hot stones. This water is too cold."
Blue nodded. He walked out and relayed the message to the guards. He headed toward his room, keeping his sights on his next step. Grandmaster.