Author's Preface
As everyone sat around the fire waiting for the sun to set, Kang spoke up. "We can not leave that gate unguarded. The moment we do, that demon and his minions will pour out."
Shan Tie stood. "Then allow Wuxing Ye and I to remain here with our new disciples. We will train them here and guard the gate."
"We can come relieve you as well, two weeks at a time?" Shenwu look at Wu Jin. "Is that acceptable to you?"
"What do you mean by guarding the gate?" Wu Jin asked.
"When the monsters came, the demon in that gate is the one who originally killed Blue and other masters of great families and clans." Kang paused. "I fought him for 3 days before these three joined in on the fight. We fought him back to this gate."
Shenwu interjected. "We've been here everyday for 16 years now, fighting him amd his demons back everytime they step out. Everytime we think we've killed him, he regenerates." He paused. "If we let him roam freely, who knows the damage he could cause."
Wu Jin looked at So-Yeon. "Was he that strong?"
She nodded. "I think only these four could stand toe to toe with him. I was completely overpowered."
Wu Jin sighed. "Very well, Kang do you plan on instructing Blue?"
"No." Kang said flatly.
Blue's head turned sharply toward Kang.
"Why not? Is he not suited to your technique?" Wu jin asked.
"Check his dantian, and find out for yourself." Kang said.
Wu Jin looked over at Blue. "Come, let me see what's so wrong about you now." Wu Jin stood as Blue followed him into a hut.
Jinhu starred at Ilho. "Did we just get volunteered to stay out here and train?"
Ilho threw a stick into the fire. "Yes, we did. And I don't think we have much say in the matter." Ilho pointed at Sa Gwan and Mu Jang who were already by their master's side discussing the training. "They are discussing how to kill us as we speak."
"Why did the Sect Leader agree so easily?" Jinhu spoke softly.
"Would you argue with those men? Wu Jin isn’t stupid either." He paused. "We have to embrace the new way of things now."
"We? You are the one who threw a fit like a baby earlier." Jinhu flexed his arms. "I just want to get stronger so you and Blue don't leave me behind. And I'm going to beat that damned monk in arm wrestling finally." Jinhu stood quickly. "Ummm... Mr. crazy old monk." Jinhu said loudly enough to get everyone's attention. Shenwu stood, the look on his face was calm, but his qi was not.
"Amitabha, one hundred and fifty years has made me patient, but call me crazy old monk again child." Shenwu approached Jinhu and grabbed both of his arms. "Now, what can I do for you, Mr. crazy stupid boy."
Ilho spit out his water all over the fire and laughed. "Spot on." Shenwu turned his head to Ilho and met his eyes. Ilho quickly turned his body away from him and stared at the dirt.
"Well, see... there is a monk in Silent Edge. I was just going to ask if you could refrain from teaching him so I can surpass him." Jinhu said trembling.
Shenwu took a step back and laughed. "You have a monk in your sect? How wonderful, I guess i will have someone to take under my wing as well." He paused and looked at Jinhu. "You will have to work hard then, if you wish to surpass him." Shenwu walked away laughing. Jinhu sat on the log pouting. Ilho turned back toward him and muttered a single word. "Dumbass."
Inside the hut Blue sat in the lotus position. Wu Jin sat behind him with his palms flat against his back. "You're okay if I check?"
"Yes, I want to know why he said no too. Some grandfather he is." Blue took a deep breath. Wu Jin's qi flowed through Blue's meridians. Wu Jin's eyes widened as his qi flowed through, a moment later golden light poured from Blue and Wu Jin was knocked onto his back. Blue spun around to see an almost terrified look on Wu Jin's face. "Well?"
"Your... your meridians are wider, and your dantian... i-it is like an ocean, empty but vast."
Blue stared at Wu Jin. "Seriously? Thats awesome. So then why can't he teach me?" Blue asked.
"There's something else... something foreign, fighting against your own qi inside your dantian. It is raging like it is trying to escape. It forced me out."
Blue tilted his head, his eyes brows furrowed. "Foreign?" Blue paused. Then he remembered.
[Divine energy accumulated]
"Seriously, what the hell is going on." Blue stretched his hand out. He focused and tried to bring the divine power forth. Inside his dantian the divine energy clashed with his qi, like a bull raging inside a cage too small for him. Blue doubled over and screamed and clutched his abdomen.
Wu Jin got up quickly. "Blue are you okay? What's wrong."
Blue straightened. "Y-yeah...I ugh... I'm fine." He grunted as he sat up. "I tried to use that energy in my dantian. I guess I can't yet." Blue focused on his dantian until he saw it. Like two oceans colliding, one of water and one of oil, unable to mix.
"What is that energy? It isn't qi." Wu Jin handed Blue his gourd of water.
Blue took a sip and wiped his mouth. "It is divine energy. Though I'm not sure what exactly that means, or how i can even use it."
"Divine energy? Like power from those gods that call you champion?" Wu Jin snatched the gourd from Blue and took a gulp.
"I assume so, though I'm not entirely sure." Blue responded.
Wu Jin exhaled. "This information doesn't leave this hut. No one can know Blue."
Blue nodded, before he could speak So-Yeon rushed in. "I heard him scream... are you okay brother?"
Blue waved his hand dismissively. "I'm fine, just some backlash of trying to use my qi to quickly."
"Okay, if you say so... you know you should go talk to grandfather though." So-Yeon said.
"You're quick to accept him. I'm not sure i can be that acceptable of him."
"Give him a chance Blue. He had his own circumstances, don't brush him off so easily." So-Yeon turned to walk out. "Give him a chance before you go back to Earth, if not for yourself. Then do it for me." She walked out of the hut.
Blue turned and looked at Wu Jin. "You agree with her don't you Sect Leader?"
Wu Jin shrugged his shoulders. "She's not wrong."
"Are you really going to let those men keep Jinhu and Ilho here to train?" Blue asked.
"I am, they will be great assets to Murim’s future. If Ilho and Jinhu can learn from them properly, they will eventually surpass even my father." He paused. "Every clans techniques, every Sect has their limits. Limits that only few have surpassed. Yoryeon included. Those four men... they have surpassed the limits of their techniques, or their techniques do not have the limits of most. Either way, Murim needs that strength and more warriors like them."
Wu Jin stood and patted Blue on the head. "It's best if you go say your goodbyes now." Wu Jin left the hut, leaving Blue sitting and staring at the door.