Author's Preface
The Alliance Leader's chambers were clean. New desks, new chairs, new maps. Jaegal Li stood over a table analyzing a map of Murim, trying to decipher how they can gain control of territories owned by the Imperial family who still stood strong. As he looked up at Hyeon the door to the office opened. Yong Ma walked in with a grin on his face.
"Ahhh Heavenly Demon." Hyeon gestured. "Come, tell me about the gate raid." Yong Ma stared at the chair and then looked at Hyeon. "You summoned me, yet I know you are aware we cleared the gate. So what do you want?"
"How was the boy?" Hyeon asked. "Can he truly close gates?"
"He can. Seems the Alliance will have another force to help control the mess that has swallowed our world."
Hyeon twitched. "I suppose we will, although I'd rather he worked for us."
Jaegal Li stepped in and cleared his throat. "What the Leader means... is that it would be more conducive to our survival if Silent Edge worked with the Alliance, instead of against it."
"To me," Yong Ma stared at Li. "it looked like they were working for Murim, not a man." Silence fell between the men. "You labeled them," Yong Ma leaned onto the desk. "the same way you labeled me and my Cult. Do not forget our existence is the thing on the line, not your pride. We have no need for petty squabbles."
Hyeon flicked his hand at the Heavenly Demon and turned his back.
"So be it. I'll be absent for quite some time. I'm going into closed door training with my successor. If you need the cult, reach out to my strategist. Oh, and Hyeon. Yong Ma stopped and stared at the Alliance leader for a moment. "If you mess with my cult while I'm away, remember this. I will come and burn down everything you've built."
Hyeon awkwardly smiled. "Successor? You've chosen?"
"I have." Yong Ma replied.
"Who?" Li interjected.
"None of your concern. I'll be going now." Yong Ma turned to leave. As he grabbed the door he stopped and said without turning. "Don't forget my promise. Don't fuck with my cult or you will regret the day you crossed the Heavenly Demon." Yong Ma laughed and walked out of the office.
"So, he chose someone who can control the flames, how did this happen under our nose?" Hyeon looked at Li confused.
Jaegal Li folded his hands into his sleeves. "I'm not sure, but I will find out."
"It must be Gyeol right?" Hyeon asked.
"Highly likely Leader."
Hyeon exhaled deeply. "He has been without a Young Leader since his eldest son died. That's why it was easy to bring him under our heel." He swallowed hard. "Now, if he has chosen another Young Leader it will reinvigorate the Cult. They won't rely on the Alliance for strength. They will end up with a renewed outlook and even may fall back into their old ways. FUCK!" Hyeon's fists slammed on his desk.
"May I suggest something Hyeon?" Li sat down in a chair, legs crossed.
"Of course, you don't need to ask." Hyeon took a deep breath and sat down across from Li.
"It seems everytime that boy Blue is involved, he interferes with our timelines and goals. Even interfering with things that Mal’kareth demands. So, instead of courting him. Let us remove him for good." A grin spread across his face.
"Remove? How? With those old bastards, So-Yeon and even Wu Jin. He is basically untouchable without repercussions falling on us."
"Yes, while he stands behind their walls he is." Li stood and walked to a map on the wall. He pointed to a spot far beyond the wastelands, to a black pin that stood alone. "They want to clear gates right? Then let's send them to his gate."
"Ohhh, you sly bastard." Hyeon chuckled as he stroked his chin.
"If he dies there, it is a valiant death. One meant for warriors of Murim. Tragic? Yes, but admirable, and quite ordinary in the world of raiding gates. We can use that demon to get rid of our problem and his problem in one swoop."
Hyeon smiled wider. "We should send the Crimson Veil as well, and So-Yeon.
"Two birds, one stone. Brilliant." Li chuckled. "I shall draft the letters and send them off tonight."
"Make sure the language is clear. This is an order, we are not asking for a favor. Rather demanding for them to give back to Murim and the Alliance. Send a few of our own system users as well, so it isn’t so obvious. We have plenty to spare anyways." Hyeon tapped his desk as he stared at the black pin on the map and smiled.
Across Chengdu, inside the Silent Edge compound Yong Ma walked into the compound. Blue stood at the threshold of the cultivation chamber, Yeol, Cheng, and Wu Jin at his side. Haejin, Mu Jang and Sa Gwan guarded the entrance.
“The Alliance Leader won’t let this go,” Yong Ma said as he approached everyone. “Your refusal cut deeper than you realize." He stared at Blue. "He knows nothing of the pendant, nothing of the word champion your system named you, but he’ll be watching. For now, I’ve shifted his gaze. I told him I’ll be entering closed-door training with my successor.”
His hand fell heavy on Haejin’s shoulder. Haejin’s voice cracked. “Closed-door training? That takes years… I heard you trained your own son for three before he could inherit everything.”
A low laugh rumbled from Yong Ma. “That’s true. But you… you’re far ahead of where he began. Still, this is no small thing. Say your farewells. What lies ahead will demand your life.”
Haejin swallowed, his eyes finding Blue’s. “Hyung… I wish I could stay. I wish things were different. But I’ve chosen this path. I’ll honor Father, Mother, Grandfather, and the Heavenly Demon. Please, don’t die again while I’m gone.”
Blue pulled him into a fierce embrace. “If you survive this training, wait for me. If I’m not there when you return, I’ll come find you. One way or another, we’ll stand together again and we’ll cleanse our homeland. Together.”
He released him, then fixed his gaze on Yong Ma. His demeanor changed. “Keep your promise. If any harm comes to him, the burden will be yours, and I will come to collect.”
For a long moment, Yong Ma held his stare. Then the corners of his mouth slanted upward. “Spoken just like your grandfather. I’ll see to it he’s ready.”
Before anyone could breathe another word, the Heavenly Demon and his new successor vanished, leaving the men looking between each other.
A full day inside the cultivation chamber had passed. Ryul arrived, dropped himself onto the steps just outside. Jinhu, Hanjo and Ilho were already there, lounging about as if they had become one with the steps.
"You're late." Ilho smirked.
"Yeah, you could've at least brought dumplings." Jinhu groaned and clutched his stomach. "We've been starving over here."
Without a word, Ryul reached under his top and pulled out a bag of dumplings and dangled them in the air. "Why do you think I was late?"
"You never cease to amaze me." Jinhu's eyes lit up as he sat forward.
Hanjo was already reaching. "Amitabha. My stomach waits for no one. Not even Buddha himself." He exclaimed as he shoved dumplings in his mouth.
"How long has he been in there? This is insane." Ryul leaned forward looking at Ilho for answers.
"Almost a full cycle." Cheng appeared reaching over Ryul's shoulder for a dumpling.
"Well, can he hurry up? The mess hall stops serving dessert at dusk!" Jinhu jumped up.
"Be patient, or I'll tell Mu Jang that you're sneaking food into your room." Ilho kicked a rock at Jinhu.
"That's one way to lose your door." Ryul laughed.
"Amitabha. And one way to suffer the rod if the Sect Leader finds out."
"Ugh, fine!" Jinhu flopped back onto the steps, sulking. "But when he gets out, we're going to the food stalls in the city for pork belly. And he's buying."
The group erupted in laughter. Just then the chamber doors groaned open.