Author's Preface
Both men stood across from each other, neither of them moved or said a word. "Enough!" Seori shouted. "Mok, explain what is going on right now."
As Mok opened his mouth Sa Gwan interrupted him. "You... you're supposed to be dead. All of you were dead. There was no one left alive that day. How are you here?"
Cheng stepped between them his arms stretched wide. He exhaled deeply. "Both of you sit, evidently you two know each other." He looked at both men. "SIT!" He expanded his qi choking both men. Mok looked back at Seori who nodded. Both men took a seat across from each other. "Now, we are going to leave the room. You two have much to discuss apparently. If I feel even a sliver of killing intent, I will beat you both properly." Cheng gestured for everyone to leave the room, leaving Sa Gwan and Wuxing Mok alone.
"How?" Sa Gwan asked. "It was piles of bodies that day. I searched and felt not a strand of qi, or even the sound of a heartbeat."
Mok sighed. "Wuxing Ye, he told us to hide our presence. He piled bodies of monsters on top of us and told us to hide and not move until he returned."
"How many?" Sa Gwan asked.
"Fifteen. Our entire squad is still alive." Mok snapped his fingers. The other fourteen men appeared. They all took off their masks. They stood smiling at Sa Gwan.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sa Gwan looked at each man. "Why did you let me believe you were all dead? Where is Wuxing Ye?"
One man put a hand on his shoulder. "Good to see you too Sa Gwan."
Sa Gwan removed the man's hand and stood. "Answer me, why did you leave me alone?"
"We had no choice." Mok stood. "After the monsters were dealt with the Sect Leader disappeared for weeks. When he finally came back he ordered us to follow a family of children and protect them. When the girl followed Jaegal Li to the Alliance, he told us to become her shadows. Use our skills as assassins to protect her. If any harm came to her, he would give us ten times the pain she received." Mok turned his back. "When she became old enough I approached her, I told her we wish to serve her. We've been by her side ever since, constantly protecting her while also helping her gather intel and any other task she ordered. She has never mistreated us, and has always been generous with ensuring we had whatever we wanted or needed."
Sa Gwan fell to the floor. "You still could have found me, I would have joined you."
"Wuxing Ye's last command was to not engage with you. He said where you were was where you were meant to be. You weren't born into this life. You gave me this scar, that is why he accepted you." Mok pointed at his missing lip. "He wanted for you, what none of us could ever have."
"Last order? You mean... he's dead?" Sa Gwan looked up.
Mok bent down and placed his hands on Sa Gwan's shoulders. "I don't know, it's been ten years since we heard from him. We have searched, but found nothing. But if he doesn't wish to be found, no one will ever find him."
"So, what now?" Sa Gwan asked.
"What do you mean? We are Silent Edge now too. Now the cat is out of the bag, join us. Miss Seori told us to protect Blue and her other siblings and to contribute to the advancement of this sect. We also are gathering intel on the Alliance. That is if you can still keep up."
Mok stood and offered his hand. Sa Gwan grabbed it and stood. "All my techniques are based off our sect's techniques, I had to start all over from scratch after that day. But, I will gladly join if you will have me." All fifteen men gathered around Sa Gwan and welcomed him. They all sat on the ground in Wu Jin's office for hours discussing old times, Wu Jin, Silent Edge.
Outside the door Seori stood next to Wu Jin who leaned against the door. "Why would the legendary assassin order those men to guard me? What the hell is going on?"
Wu Jin laughed. "You Tang kids never cease to amaze me. It is always something with all of you." He sighed. "I'm glad you are all on our side though."
Three days later, the first rays of dawn spilled over the compound of Silent Edge. At the gate were carriages filled with crates and bundles. Horses snorted, restless. Whispers between men filled the air, half worry, half curiosity.
The boys stood in the back. Jinhu poked at Ilho. "Who are Sa Gwan's new friends?"
"I don't know, and im afraid to ask." Ilho shrugged his shoulders. Almost on cue Sa Gwan gestured for Ilho to come. "Guess I am about to find out. Pray for me monk."
Hanjo pressed him arms together. "You know, he doesn't mean it literally. You say I'm slow, but damn. If anyone brings up praying, you start immediately." Jinhu slapped his hands and shook his head.
As Ilho approached Sa Gwan he bowed. "This is my disciple." Sa Gwan introduced him.
Wuxing Mok stepped forward. "That means we are your masters as well."
Ilho looked between both men multiple times. "Wuxing? Like the Wuxing clan? The fucking crazy assassins who take any contract for enough gold." Ilho looked back toward Hanjo and mouthed. "Please pray for me harder."
Mok placed a hand on Ilho's shoulders. "One in the same. Your master here was one of us. I found him on the street." He lowered his mask revealing his wound. "He was just a beggar, we squabbled and he did this to me." He reached and lowered Sa Gwan's mask. "But i did that to him. My master brought him in after that. He is the only member not born of the Wuxing clan."
Ilho stared at Sa Gwan. "What the fuck? You didn't think to tell me any of this? That I'm learning techniques of a clan that murders people who try to learn their techniques. I heard they burnt down an entire sect because they stole a scroll once."
Sa Gwan laughed along with the other fifteen men. "My techniques are my own, they are mixed with the Wuxing techniques. But do not worry, no harm will come to you because of it, my disciple."
Ilho bent over, breathing hard. His hands met his knees. Then a slap on the back sent him tumbling forward.
Mu Jang stood arms bent, palms flat on his waist. "They are Silent Edge now. Just don't piss off the Strategist and you'll keep your head." He laughed.
Ilho stood and dusted off his robes. "You mean, Blue's sister? She is in charge of these killers?"
Mok looked at Sa Gwan. "He has a lot of spunk. We could handle that the way Wuxing Ye handled us when we were children." A wicked grin came across Sa Gwan and Wuxing Mok's face. Ilho stared at them both and ran back to Jinhu and Hanjo. The shadows all started laughing loudly and pointing at Ilho.
At the front gate, Wu Jin stood beside So-Yeon. His gaze swept across his men who stood lined up by the carriages.
“It’ll take only a day to reach the Golden Gate,” he said. “From there, another five to reach the gate that Jaegal Li assigned you and Blue. Are you certain your corps has everything it needs?”
So-Yeon nodded. “We have what’s necessary. What about you, Wu Jin? It’s not as if you can come and go as you please. The Alliance leader will notice when this place runs dry of disciples and supplies. Aren’t you worried about the consequences?”
“I trust your sister,” Wu Jin replied calmly. “She assures me the Alliance can't move against us... for now.”
So-Yeon exhaled softly. “If you say so. I understand her reasoning, but she might be biting off more than she can chew.”
“I’ll handle what she can’t,” Wu Jin said simply. “You have my word.”
At the back of the convoy Blue and Ryul sprintet up to Jinhu, Hanjo and Ilho. "Thank Buddha we aren't late." Ryul said breathing hard.
Blue looked at Ilho who was staring at the sky. "Are you okay, dude?" No response. "Murim to Ilho!" Blue said louder. Ilho's eyes snapped toward Blue. "Huh? What's going on?"
"Ummm, are you okay? You look like you seen a ghost."
Ilho hung his head. "I don't wanna talk about it. Just know, I may not be here when you return from the gate raid."
Blue was taken aback, he looked at Jinhu and Hanjo. "He's being dramatic. I think Sa Gwan's new friends scared him." Jinhu chuckled.
"Amitabha. I'm still praying for him." Hanjo said.
Just then, Wu Jin's voice rang out throughout the compound.
“TODAY,” he bellowed, “WE TAKE OUR FIRST STEP TOWARD FREEING MURIM FROM THESE MONSTERS! THE ROAD AHEAD IS LONG AND TREACHEROUS. TRUST IN EACH OTHER AND IN OUR SECT!”
CRACK!
His rod struck the ground. "MOVE OUT!" The convoy of carriages lurched forward. The sound of hooves against the earth, wooden wheels creaking, and marching filled the morning air. Silent Edge's march towards its own destiny had begun.