Author's Preface
The chamber doors swung open. All the boys looked back as Blue stepped out sweating profusely. A wave of steam mixed with qi rolled out behind him and hit the boys while they sat on the steps. Blue rubbed his eyes, then stretched his arms high. His system flared to life.
[System Notification]
[Status: 1-Star Grandmaster]
[Body Transformation: Radiant Core Achieved]
[Pendant Shield: Usable once per week.]
[Find the other pieces to unlock system advancement.]
"Growth never pauses. You either climb, or wither."
Jinhu perked up. "You know for a grandmaster, you still look like a twig and not that tough. Little more muscle, but nothing to gawk at."
Hanjo slammed a flat palm onto Jinhu's shoulder sending him tumbling down the steps. "Amitabha. Cultivate some humility, fool."
Ilho doubled over laughing. "Is there an elixir that cultivates brain cells?"
Ryul and Cheng just stared at Blue for a moment. Cheng finally spoke up. "Forget Grandmaster, it's an achievement, but that... that's the Radiant Core of the Heavenly Golden Body. How in the heavens did you manage that?"
Blue shrugged his shoulders. The doors to the chamber creaked open wider. Wu Jin, Sa Gwan and Mu Jang stepped out behind Blue. They looked like men who'd been dragged to hell and back.
Jinhu chuckled still flat on the ground from Hanjo's slap. "Guess my door will be safe for a few nights."
CRACK.
"I have plenty of strength left to beat you with the rod Jinhu." Wu Jin smirked as he watched Jinhu twitch.
Ilho leaned in and whispered to Cheng. "That was the secret to Blue getting whatever that Radiant Core is. It was the Rod."
"Yeah, that makes sense." Ryul nodded.
Blue laughed. “It was hell, that’s for sure. Worse than the first time. My body felt like it was being ripped apart and rebuilt.” His stomach growled loud enough for all to hear. “I’m starving. Who’s up for pork belly? The Rod’s buying.”
Laughter rippled between the boys. Cheng walked toward Wu Jin. “He may only be a one–star Grandmaster… but with that Radiant Core, his foundation is already beyond anything we’ve seen. That body alone could let him stand against even high–level grandmasters.”
Wu Jin rested the rod across his shoulder, his smile gone. “His growth is unlike anyone else’s. If he keeps climbing at this pace…”
Cheng interrupted. "He may just surpass all of us." He exhaled then looked at Blue. He took a step toward the boys. "Pork belly is on me tonight. You've all accomplished a great deal lately. From the tournament, to gates. First-rates to masters. I say we celebrate!" Cheng looked back at Wu Jin. Wu Jin nodded. "The rod isn't invited!" The boys cheered and jumped to their feet. They circled around Blue with Cheng in tow. They walked off toward the main gate laughing and talking about the body transformation Blue achieved.
"That boy... he may surpass my old master. Ye Wuxing." Sa Gwan spoke softly.
Mu Jang and Wu Jin stared at each other. "You've never mentioned him before," Mu Jang slapped him. "but you're right, he could surpass every legend Murim has ever known one day."
The next morning, Seori was in her makeshift office. She stared at a scroll sealed with the Alliance Leader's seal. She broke it open, her eyes scanned the scroll. Her lips pressed together thin, she shook her head. Without a word she stood and crossed the courtyard. Wu Jin was polishing the rod under a tree, Cheng sat in quiet meditation, and Yeol sipped wine with the gourd still in his hand. Seori summoned all three men into the meeting chamber.
Everyone took a seat. Seori spoke. "We received a letter from Jaegal Li." She read.
To Wu Jin, Sect Leader of Silent Edge.
The Martial Alliance extends its gratitude for Blue’s invaluable role in closing the gate that threatened the Wastelands. Your sect’s courage has not gone unnoticed, and Murim is safer because of your efforts.
Yet peace is fleeting. Reports have reached us of another gate stirring in the far reaches of Murim. Its nature remains uncertain, but signs suggest calamity if left unattended.
In this matter, we call upon you once more. Alongside the Crimson Veil Corps, we invite you and Blue to investigate and, if possible, close this gate before disaster spreads further. We offer 2 system users from the Alliance as well. Chengdu grows ever more crowded with refugees, and we must extend our reach to safeguard all who look to us for protection.
You are to depart in one month’s time.
With respect and expectation,
Jaegal Li, Chief Strategist of the Martial Alliance
Silence and rage filled the room. Wu Jin clenched his rod. "Crimson Veil and So-Yeon? So they mean to drag her into this too. That's not strategy, it's control.
Cheng’s lip curled. “They write as if we’re soldiers on their leash. Not allies... pawns.”
Yeol let out a long breath, eyes narrowing. “They’re pulling the same strings they’ve always pulled. Only this time, they’ve wrapped the noose around both Blue and So-Yeon.”
Seori placed the letter down deliberately, palm flat over Jaegal’s words. “If Jaegal thinks Murim’s future will bend beneath his heel, he’s wrong. We won’t answer this summons as his pawns.” She looked to each of them in turn. “We answer it as Murim’s true defenders. Quiet. Unseen. Until the time is right. Our alliance... silent.”
The weight of her words settled between the men. Wu Jin sighed. Yeol raised his bottle in agreement. Cheng’s eyes sparkled.
Seori pressed on. “We’ll need more than Silent Edge. So-Yeon of Tang. Baek the monk. Gyeom, the Sword Saint. Even Wudang’s new patriarch, if he has the spine Wu Jin claims. Smaller sects. Mountain clans who owe nothing to the Alliance. Anyone willing to fight for Murim, not for Hyeon’s pride.” She took a seat and stared at the ceiling. Two weeks from now, we gather them. Not a word leaves this room.”
Cheng leaned into Yeol. "I'm glad your niece is on our side. She's terrifying."
Yeol laughed. "Even your son listens to her like her words come straight from Buddha's mouth."
--
Later that night, Seori found Blue in his room. He laid flat on his bed spinning the pendant in the air as it hung from its chain. She walked in and closed the door behind her. Blue sat up. "Ummm. Ever hear of knocking."
Seori rolled her eyes. "A letter came today... from Jaegal."
Blue exhaled deeply. "Of course one did. What now?"
Seori told him everything... the thanks for the wasteland gate, the summons to another, the Crimson Veil’s involvement, the month’s deadline.
When she finished Blue leaned back against the wall. "So, another leash huh. This time they involving her as well. They are persistent if nothing else."
"The leash only works on those who are obedient." Seori sat on the edge of Blue's bed. "They are sorely mistaken. Wu Jin, Elder Cheng and uncle already agreed. We will answer his summons on our terms. Not as pawns. As Murim’s true defenders. An alliance of those who remain. We will sit in silence until the time is right."
Blue studied her for a long moment, then a grin adorned his face. "That sounds like you. Turning their schemes into our weapons."
"For now do not focus on the gate or the summons. Wu Jin tasked me with finding any lead on your pendant. The Sword Saint will be here in the morning with Kwan. Ryul and Kwan will join us, we are going scour Chengdu for any clues or leads for the next two weeks."
"Sounds like you have it all figured out." Blue sighed. "I'm sorry, you're being dragged into this because of me."
"I would've found another way to oppose them either way. If anything. I'm glad I get to do it by your side hyung." Seori smiled. "Now get some rest. Oh and congratulations on Grandmaster." Seori stood and walked out.
Blue smiled as he sat staring at his pendant. "Mother, father. You would be proud of all of them. They've each carved their own path here."
Blue placed the pendant back over his head and laid back down to close his eyes.