Author's Preface
"Master Tie?" Mu Jang stared up at the man in front of him.
"Yes, and who are you?" Tie asked.
"It's me, Mu Jang."
"Of course, Mu Jang!" Tie scratched his head. "Nope, no clue."
Mu Jang's head hung low. "How about, runt?"
As the word runt left his mouth, Jinhu started laughing. Ilho covered his mouth as he chuckled, even Sa Gwan who was on his knees looked up and gave him a side eye.
"Runt? Like before the monsters. The little runt i picked up in Sichuan and brought to the mountain peak. That runt?" Tie tilted his head.
"Yes yes, that runt. That's me!" Mu Jang smiled ear to ear.
"How are you alive? I thought... everyone died that day." Tie's voice dipped low.
"I came back from collecting tolls, and the fortress was in flames, and you were under a pile of monsters fighting, and screaming for everyone to run. Wu Cheng and Wu Jin," Mu Jang pointed at Wu Jin. "they found me roaming the streets one day and brought me into their sect. That was 13 years ago."
Shan Tie looked at Wu Jin then back to Mu Jang. He took one step and picked him up and embraced him. "I'm so happy you are alive, runt."
Mu Jang hung from the air, feet dangling as Shan Tie hugged him. He gestured for Jinhu to come. Jinhu sighed and walked up. Tie released Mu Jang. "This is my disciple, master."
Tie looked at Jinhu. "Runt junior. Nice to meet you." His hand covered Jinhu's entire head. "Come we have much to discuss."
Mu Jang looked at Wu Jin who simply nodded. Tie, Mu Jang and Jinhu disappeared into the tree line.
"Brutes." Sa Gwan said as he watched them walk away. He looked at Wuxing Ye. Just then fourteen men appeared in a circle around Sa Gwan and Wuxing Ye. Mok appeared in front of Wu Jin and bowed. "I'm sorry, Seori ordered us to tag along in silence, she was concerned for her siblings and for your safety as well."
Wu Jin sighed. "She does what she wants doesn't she?"
"She is indeed a headstrong woman sir. Now if I may?" Mok stayed bowed.
Wu Jin placed a hand on his shoulder. "You’re a good man Mok. Go." Wu Jin looked at Shenwu, Ilho, and So-Yeon. "We should give them some space. I'm going to go sit with Blue." They all nodded. Ilho walked towards the hut, as he walked by Sa Gwan grabbed his arm. "You're apart of this now too, whether you like it or not."
Wu Jin looked back at Ilho. "These kids continue to get pulled left and right by everyone."
Shenwu chuckled. "All as it should be. By the way, how did you come to be in charge of Wuxing Ye's son?"
Wu Jin's eyes opened wide. "Wuxing Ye's son? You mean?"
"Yes, exactly." Shenwu chuckled.
Wu Jin's palm hit his face. He looked at So-Yeon. "Your siblings really are either guided by Buddha himself, or you all are cursed." He sighed. "I'll explain what I know inside."
As they entered Blue's tent, the fourteen men and Mok all hit their knees and bowed. Mok knelt by Sa Gwan. He slowly stood and removed his mask. "Father, how are you?"
Wuxing Ye stood silently staring between Sa Gwan and Wuxing Mok.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be watching over Yoryeon's granddaughter? How did you come to find me?" Wuxing Ye looked back at the tent where Blue was. "Ahh, I see. He's the key." He muttered under his breath.
"Sect Leader, I thought you were dead." Sa Gwan stood. As the words left his mouth, he met a hand outstretched in front of his face. "I am no longer a Sect Leader, you have a new one now. The Wuxing Clan lives only in people's memories and in our names." Sa Gwan hung his head. Then Wuxing Ye placed a hand on top of his. "I am glad you didn't die though, and I see you are doing quite well yourself."
Sa Gwan lifted his head and smiled. "I am, I heard everything from Mok. About your orders and how you disappeared. Why are you out here?"
That moment Sa Gwan and Mok and the fourteen shadows all felt a wave of killing intent. As they all turned to draw their swords, they each were met with a shadow that passed by and disarmed them. A man stood with his back against Wuxing Ye. "Who are these men? Are they here for my grandson?"
Wuxing Ye turned and tapped Kang on the shoulder. "These are my disciples." He gestured toward Mok and Sa Gwan. "This is my son, and this one came with So-Yeon's backup, he is my adoptive son."
Kang raised his hand, qi flowed out, seventeen swords floated in the air and sheathed themselves around every man's waist. "Very well. My apologies, we don't get visitors out here. I saw a group of men encircling my friend. I assumed you all needed to die."
Sa Gwan stared at Mok as his butterfly swords returned to their sheath through Kang's control. "Who is he?"
"I have no idea." Mok said staring at Wuxing Ye, who turned and smiled.
"So which one of you knows how to drain and cut that boar? I'm starving." Kang looked at all the men. All fourteen shadows immediately, out of pure fear, rushed the boar and got to work. Wuxing Ye laughed. "I could've used you before the monsters came, they've never listened to me that well."
Kang dropped two baskets full of dumplings and assorted vegetables he got from Chengdu. "I'm going to check on my grandson. Let me know when the food is ready."
Ilho finally stood, he hadn't left the ground since everyone bowed to Wuxing Ye. "Ummm, master? Why am I here? I am not family, and honestly. All of you scare the shit out of me."
Wuxing Ye turned his head to Ilho, as their eyes met Ilho took two steps backward. Sa Gwan appeared behind him. "Ye, this is my disciple. When I came to be a part of Silent Edge I had to start over. I use their qi breathing techniques. I did my best to keep the Wuxing Clan techniques as best as I could." Sa Gwan looked down at Ilho. "Show them."
Ilho looked up. "Are you serious? You want me to show off their techniques that YOU changed?"
Wuxing Ye chuckled. "You are his disciple, yet you speak to him as if you are on the same level. Seems my adoptive son was too soft on you."
Ilho snapped his head back between Wuxing Ye and Sa Gwan and sighed. "Fine. But if they kill me because of it, I will haunt your ass for eternity... master." With that Ilho disappeared, shadow step in full effect. He drew his twin butterfly swords and from the shadows he cut a tree. The tree creaked and moaned and then toppled over into the forest. The tree didn't hit the ground. It stopped about six feet from the ground. As Ilho skidded to a stop beside Sa Gwan the men heard a scream. "SON OF A BITCH... WHO FUCKING HIT ME WITH A TREE? ILHOOOOO."
"Brutes." Sa Gwan chuckled. Ilho doubled over laughing. "At least there's not much in Jinhu's head to kill off. It doesn't surprise me that he softened the landing for the tree with his head."
Jinhu appeared from the tree line with a huge knot on the top of his head. Mu Jang and Shan Tie behind him, both men laughing uproariously.
Jinhu sprinted toward Ilho. "I know it was you, you dumb son of a bitch."
Ilho ran, as he did he turned his head. "It wasn't me man."
"Bullshit! I saw you laughing." Jinhu leapt over sa Gwan, he landed and continued chasing in one stride.
"They made me do it! Blame them!" Ilho shouted.
Inside the tent, Blue could hear Jinhu and Ilho shouting and men laughing. He smiled, his lips barely moved. "I don't ever want to lose this." He thought to himself. "If I'm some champion you chose, then help me gather the strength to protect everyone." Blue's system pinged.
[Gather the last pendant on earth]
[Time is of the essence]