Author's Preface
The meeting chamber of Silent Edge was prepared with cups lining the table. Several tea pots placed in the center. At the head of the table sat Wu Jin. Seori sat to his right. On one side So-Yeon sat next to Blue, with Mu Jang and Sa Gwan next to him. Across from them sat Baek the Master of Shaolin. Namgung Gyeom the sword saint. Wu Fang, the new Wudang Patriarch. Yeol and Cheng sat opposite Wu Jin and Seori.
Sa Gwan rose first.
“It seems the smaller sects are too afraid to oppose the Alliance. The mountain bandits want no part of this either. They’d rather keep to their peaks and their spoils.”
Wu Cheng nodded. “Then let’s begin. You all know this young woman...once an assistant strategist. But in truth she is Blue’s sister. And she has come to help us. Seori.”
All eyes shifted toward her. Seori stood, smooth and deliberate. She walked to Wu Fang.
I hear you’ve not bound yourself to the Alliance, not even after your father’s death,” she said evenly. “And yet, when my cousin Wu Jin approached you, you dismissed him.”
She snapped her fingers. Fifteen men cloaked in black, faces covered, silently dropped from the rafters encircling the table. Baek and Gyeom looked back at the men who didn’t move. Both men looked at Wu Jin who shrugged his shoulders.
Seori's eyes never left Wu Fang. "So let me put this clearly. I need your answer now. Swear allegiance here, or this will be your life. Nothing about this meeting can leave this room. Nothing I say can slip beyond these walls. So, Patriarch of Wudang, where do you stand?”
Wu Fang swallowed hard. “I… I stand with my uncle and my cousin. I don’t wish to be a puppet like my Father."
“Good to know.” Seori snapped again. The shadows melted away as if they had never been there. The table sat stunned. Even Baek’s beads paused in his hand. Seori returned to her seat, her voice cut through the silence.
“First matter of business, the Alliance sees everything. They know our movements. They hear our words. Based on what Yong Ma told us, and what I’ve gathered, the Alliance, top to bottom, serves whoever commands these monsters.” Her gaze met each man's eyes. "That’s why you’re here. We need a new alliance. One that serves Murim, not pride, not power. And we have a way forward. My brother can close gates. That is our weapon. But this alliance must remain silent until the time comes. Hidden, until we are strong enough to strike.”
The Sword Saint’s palm slammed the table. “One boy who can close gates is not enough to take Chengdu, or to stand against my brother. You gambling now."
“You’re right,” Seori said without flinching. “That’s why we must secure the Golden Gate, the one my brother came through. Silent Edge will hold it. We’ll move our operations there, away from Chengdu’s eyes. And there are more who can close gates. To gathet them and train them… my brother must return to Earth first. This is not a dream of one boy. It is a strategy of survival.”
Baek stood slowly, prayer beads clicking. “Amitabha. Buddha loves peace. If this will bring it, the monks will fight.”
So-Yeon rose next, voice steady. “Tang stands with this alliance. As will the Crimson Veil.”
The Sword Saint exhaled, shoulders easing. “Then we will also stand. But don’t fail us, little girl.” His eyes flicked to Kwan and Blue. “You two have come far. Keep training. You’ll need it every bit of strength you can muster for the fight to come."
Wu Fang stood, gathering what dignity he could. “Then Wudang stands with this alliance.”
Wu Jin planted his rod into the stone. “Silent Edge stands with this alliance."
Seori rose once more from her seat. Then hear me. Three priorities. First, we identify and address dissenters of the alliance, particularly system users. Second, we secure the lands around the Golden Gate. Mu Jang, Uncle Cheng, that will fall to you. Third, This alliance stays silent until the day we can crush the Alliance outright.” She looked around the table. “From this moment on, we are Murim’s true defenders. The Silent Alliance.”
Everyone nodded. As the old men gathered around to discuss moves. Blue tugged on So-Yeon's arm. "Can we talk for a minute."
She grabbed his arm out of instinct. As she checked his qi she spat her tea all over the table. "GRANDMASTER? WHAT THE FUCK?"
Yeol spilled his wine laughing, Cheng doubled over.
Blue's face turned red. "Just... just come outside, damnit."
Still feeling from the discovery, she followed him outside. "I can't stay here in Murim f-"
“Wait.” She cut him off, eyes sharp. “You’re a Grandmaster? And…” Her voice dropped. “The Heavenly Golden Body. You reached the Radiant Core?” She shook her head. “What the hell are you?”
Blue exhaled hard. “I can explain all that later. But listen. The moment I find the other piece of Grandfather’s pendant, I have to go back to Earth. That’s where the last piece is. I’m telling you this so you don’t waste your strength looking for me and because…” He looked straight at her. “I need you to protect our siblings. They’re all here now, under Silent Edge. Promise me you’ll look after them.”
Her head dipped, shoulders trembling. “I promise, Hyung.” She paused. “But this gate Jaegal wants us to enter...it stinks. They’ve never sent anyone that far from Chengdu before. No villages. No refugees. Nothing for hundreds of miles. So how do they even know a gate’s there?” She looked up at him. “Something’s wrong about this. I don't like it. We need to stay on our toes during this gate.”
Blue lips curled. “Then we’ll show him. No matter what scheme he pulls, no matter what gate he sends us to...we’re not going anywhere.”
Mal’kareth, the Demon Lord, sat slouched on his obsidian throne. The glow of Hatreds crystal glowed behind him. A small demon crept forward, bowing low, head touching the floor. His arms outstretched with a scroll in his hands. "A letter from the tiny king, my lord."
Mal’kareth plucked it from his claws. He broke the seal and skimmed the letter. A moment later his monstrous laughter filled the chamber. "Good! Let them come. At last, they have sent us more than scraps to our table." He slammed his hand down on his throne. "Prepare the gate! We have guests coming."
His minions fell to the ground. Their voices raised in unison as a chant broke out. "HAIL HATRED! HAIL HATRED! HAIL HATRED!"
A large smile exposed the Malkareth’s fangs. "Yes, hear them master. Soon. All of Murim will join your ranks."