Author's Preface
So-Yeon held Blue tightly in her arms. His breathing was shallow, barely there. The fear of losing him again clawed at her chest. Then the gate erupted. Demons poured through the crimson tear in the sky, shrieking as they spilled out. Under normal circumstances, fear would have swallowed her whole. But fear had no place here. Because someone else had already stepped forward. A lone man stood between her and the horde, straw hat low over his eyes, tattered robes swaying in the wind. And the demons… They were dying.
His blade moved once. A demon split cleanly in half. Another strike, two heads rolled across the ground. He moved with an ease that made the massacre feel almost casual, as if he were simply passing time. So-Yeon’s eyes widened. "Grandfather’s footwork…? No… There... Wudang’s flow. Then Mt. Hua’s plum blossoms. Even… Namgung swordsmanship. Impossible. How could one man use techniques from so many sects?"
The last demon collapsed at his feet. The man flicked blood from his blade and turned. His sword pointed directly at her. “So,” he said calmly, “why in Buddha’s name did you go into that gate, Miss Tang?"
So-Yeon could only stare. The corpses of demons lay scattered behind him like fallen leaves. She couldn't speak. The man sighed. “Well… perhaps a cup of tea will jog your memory.”
He walked forward. Then he bent down and effortlessly lifted Blue over his shoulder. “Come.”
He began walking away. After a few steps he glanced back at her. “Staying here isn’t an option,” he said casually. “You’ve poked the bee’s nest.” His gaze shifted toward the gate. “I suggest you get up and follow me.”
So-Yeon slowly rose to her feet. Before turning away, she looked back at the gate one last time. The faces of her fallen comrades flashed through her mind. Crimson Veil. Gone. Her head lowered as she followed behind the stranger. After a long moment, she finally spoke. “…How do you know me?”
The man glanced back at her and smiled beneath the shadow of his straw hat. “Let’s get back and eat first,” he said lightly. “I’m starving.”
The swordsman led So-Yeon through a narrow trail until the trees opened into a small clearing where a quiet camp sat.
Four small huts ringed a fire pit, the flames crackling softly beneath the evening sky. Seated beside the fire was a bald man dressed in a monk’s robes. Resting across his knees was a long golden staff. At its head curved a crescent blade, and from the metal rings spaced along its shaft came a soft chime each time the breeze stirred them.
The monk looked up as they approached and slowly stood. “Oh,” he said warmly, “you’ve brought company. Good.” He gestured toward the fire where a freshly roasted pig turned slowly on a spit. “I just finished preparing dinner.”
So-Yeon stopped in place. Her mind spun. She had never heard of these men. Why were they out here? Who were they? And how many more were there? The questions piled up faster than she could ask them.
Then... A puff of black smoke appeared right behind her. So-Yeon’s body tensed instantly. Fear...a fear she has never felt rushed over her. A voice spoke from the darkness. This one is acceptable,” the unseen figure said calmly. “But the one on your shoulder… he’s far too weak." The smoke dissipated. Before she could react, the same figure reappeared beside the campfire as if he had always been there. The swordsman stepped forward and gently lowered Blue beside the flames.
Monk,” he said, “this one needs your help.” He glanced down at Blue’s body. “His dantian is shattered. I’m not sure how he’s still alive.”
The monk immediately knelt. He placed both hands on Blue’s chest and began to chant softly. Golden qi flowed from his palms, surrounding Blue’s body in a warm glow. For several long moments the only sounds were the monk’s chanting and the crackle of the fire. Finally the monk opened his eyes and looked toward So-Yeon. “He will survive,” the monk said calmly. He paused. “But as for his dantian… and his martial arts…” The monk lowered his gaze. “I’m afraid he may never wield a sword again.”
So-Yeon slowly walked toward the fire. She dropped to her knees beside Blue. One hand rested in his hair while the other wiped tears from her face. For the first time since the battle, her composure broke. Then a shadow fell over her. Something massive blocked the firelight. So-Yeon looked up. A towering man stood over her, broad enough to blot out the stars. In his hand he held a rib from the roasted pig. In a deep, monstrous voice he spoke. “Eat.” He thrust the food toward her. “Food is the only comfort left in this world, child.”
So-Yeon took the rib slowly at first. Then another bite. And another. Before she realized it, her mouth was full. She hadn’t eaten since entering the gate. The warmth of the fire and the smell of roasted meat made her stomach ache with hunger. She swallowed and looked at the swordsman. “How do you know me?” she asked. “I never told you my name. How do you know my grandfather’s footwork? And those techniques… Wudang, Mt. Hua, Namgung…” Her eyes moved between the men around the fire. “Who are you people? Why do you know so many sect techniques?”
The monk burst into laughter. The mountain of a man beside him chuckled deeply. Then black smoke appeared in front of her again. The shadowy figure stepped out of it. “So many annoying questions,” he muttered. He shoved another rib into her hand. Then vanished again. Only to reappear a moment later beside the campfire as if nothing had happened.
The swordsman watched So-Yeon calmly. He sat down on a log and looked at the shadowy figure. "Go fetch another boar would ya? This is going to turn into a long night." The swordsman bent forward elbows on his knees, his chin resting on his open palms. He stared at So-Yeon for a moment. "We will answer your questions, but tell me... why were you in that gate? What happened to your men?"
So-Yeon's head dipped low as tears flowed down her cheek and onto the ground. She wiped her nose and looked up. "We were ordered by the Alliance Leader to come clear that gate." She paused. "As for my men, all but one are dead. I sent him back to Silent Edge for reinforcements. I was focused too much on keeping him alive." She pointed to Blue. "I ignored my men, and they paid the price. I failed them."
The monk stood and placed a hand on the swordsman's shoulder and whispered. "No more questions, Kang." Kang nodded. The monk took a seat next to So-Yeon. "Blaming yourself is normal. I too have lost many men, in the battle with the Heavenly Demon Cult ages ago." He sighed. "I still carry that burden today."
So-Yeon turned her head looked at him, tears still rolling down her face. "Who are you people?"
"Seriously so many questions." The shadowy figure appeared and tossed a dead boar near the fire. The monk smiled. "I suppose I'll start the introductions. I am Venerable Shenwu,” he said gently. “I led Shaolin one hundred and fifty years ago.” A faint smile crossed his face. “I failed to reach Nirvana… and somehow ended up here with these three.”
The shadow rose next. Black mist curled around his body before fading away. “I am Wuxing Ye.” he said flatly. “Once known as the Phantom of Murim.”
The massive man beside the fire stood slowly. He towered over everyone, well over seven feet tall. “I am Shan Tie, but you can just call me Tie,” he rumbled. “Some called me the Tyrant of the Peaks.”
Finally the swordsman stood. His straw hat tilted slightly as he looked toward So-Yeon. “I am Muyeon Kang.” he said calmly. “You may know me… as the Wandering Blade.”
So-Yeon’s jaw slowly dropped. “You…” she whispered. “You four are legendary figures in Murim.” Her eyes moved between them in disbelief. "How do you know me?"
"We all know you,” Shenwu said. “Matriarch. And we know your siblings as well.”
Kang spoke again. “Your grandfather.” The words hung in the air. “We know you because your grandfather asked us to watch over all of you before he passed.” The fire crackled softly. “We knew him well,” Kang continued. “In fact… we were all quite close.”
A faint chuckle escaped Shenwu. “We each fought him on multiple occasions,” the monk added. “And each of us lost.”
Kang nodded. “He was the one man none of us could surpass.” Tie grunted in agreement. Kang continued. “He entrusted the safety of you and your siblings to us. When the gates first appeared in Murim."
Shenwu intervened. “We rushed to your home and found your uncle carrying you away.”
“We fought the monsters to buy time for your siblings to escape.” Kang nodded toward Wuxing Ye. “Wuxing Ye followed in the shadows and watched over them as they fled.”
Tie spoke next. “And we fought that demon you saw in the gate.” He pointed in the direction of the gate. "We drove him back here, and have been keeping him contained ever since."
Kang lowered himself beside So-Yeon. His voice softened. “We have always had a vested interest in keeping Yoryeon’s grandchildren alive. We guided each of you from the shadows… toward the paths where we believed you would grow the strongest.” Kang's expression turned to guilt as he lowered his head. "I’m sorry we weren’t quick enough to save your older brother that day. I’ve wanted to apologize for that for a long time.”
So-Yeon stared at the four legends. Then she looked down at Blue lying beside the fire. Her voice was quiet. She pointed at him. “Then tell him yourself.”
Kang Muyeon looked at So-Yeon. “What do you mean… tell him yourself?”
So-Yeon let out a long, exhausted sigh. “I can’t deal with all of this anymore.” Her voice trembled as she pointed at Blue lying beside the fire. “That boy… he’s my brother... Jiung. He was reincarnated.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Don’t ask me how. Don’t ask me why. I don’t know.” Her voice cracked. “What I do know is I can’t let him die again.”
So-Yeon stood and walked toward the fire. She looked back at Kang. "I've lost my mother Mira, my father Jinho, my grandfather, Yoryeon. I lost 49 great men today. I can't lose him again. Please... please help us."
For a moment, none of the four men spoke. Then Shenwu slowly stood. He looked at the others. “My young child,” the monk said gently, “we've been helping.” He gestured toward Blue. “And we will make sure this boy lives.”
Kang Muyeon had already turned away. He began walking toward the trees at the edge of the camp. Then he stopped. Slowly, he turned back. His voice was quieter now. “…Did you say Mira?”