Author's Preface
The next morning Blue opened his eyes and jumped. Seori was sitting quietly on the edge of his bed staring at him. "Good morning." She said quietly.
"What the hell Seori. What are you doing in here." Blue sat up.
"We have things that need to be discussed." Seori said plainly.
"Can't I at least wake up? Maybe get some breakfast first?"
Seori produced a plate of rice and pork from the desk by his bed. She placed it on his lap. "I assumed you'd ask, so I brought it with me. Now eat while I talk."
Blue rolled his eyes. "Seriously, sometimes you take this being smarter than me thing too seriously."
"Now isn't the time, brother. There are things you must do when you get back to Earth." Seori pulled out a bag full of scrolls and placed it on the ground. "These are scrolls for Silent Edges breathing technique. You must train people from earth how to use qi and see if they can come through the gate. If they can we will train them further based on their abilities. This will benefit Murim and Earth, both will gain more warriors to fight against the gates." Seori grabbed a piece of pork.
"Hey!" Blue said as Seori stuck her hand in his face. "You will have to do it alone as well. My assistant tried to go through a few days ago and was injured in the process, it sent her flying back and she broke her leg." Seori sighed. "Kang also refuses to allow us to use his technique to teach others, he says Ryul is the only person who will carry on his masters will." Seori shook her head. "Why that still matters is have yet to figure out."
Blue shoved rice in his mouth, he chewed and swallowed hard. "So you want me to teach people on earth how to use qi and then send them through the golden gate back to murim. That's smart, but are you dumb?"
Blue stood and walked to his dresser. Seori stared at the massive scar left on his back and abdomen from Mal’kareth's blade. "I heard about the gate from uncle." She stood and rubbed her hand across his scar. "Are you truly okay?"
Blue grabbed his hanfu and put it on. Seori withdrew her hand as he did and she took a step back.
"I am okay, I promise. What I'm not okay with is the demands from every direction." Blue said.
Seori exhaled deeply and sat on Blue's bed. "I understand. I'm not asking you to do it instantly, when you can, if you can. It would be of great help for both worlds. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for. I'm sure you'll find a way."
As Seori finished talking, the sound of drums and the suona rang out through the Silent Edge compound. Footsteps from a thousand soldiers shook the ground. The earth trembled as oxen pulled carriages to the front gate of the compound. Seori stood instantly, her eyes were wide. Blue turned toward her. "What the hell is that?"
"The Imperial Family." Seori scratched her head. "No... no. No way, he wouldn't have." Seori ran out of the room. Blue shouted as she ran. "WHO WOULDN'T DO WHAT?" He paused. "My last day here can't even be peaceful." Blue grabbed his sword, he sheathed it and walked out toward the sound of the drums.
At the front gate Wu Jin, Cheng and Yeol stood. All of Silent Edge were formed up behind them. The drums and sounds of an army called to them all. Wu Jin gave the signal to open the gates. As the gates opened, soldiers stood lined up in yellow armor, yellow helmets that covered half their face with a half moon on top. They stared at Wu Jin, every soldier had their hand on the hilt of their swords. One clap and the soldiers made a path for a man in yellow robes to walk through. The man cleared is throat and with a monstrous voice he spoke. "ON BEHALF OF THE THIRD YOUNG MASTER OF THE IMPERIAL FAMILY, I ORDER YOU ALL TO KNEEL."
Wu Jin looked between Cheng and Yeol. As Cheng stepped forward to speak a voice rang out from behind them. "You speak so loud for a man with no balls." Seori pushed through, as she approached Wu Jin she looked at him and winked then whispered. "I've got this."
"It had been awhile Mr. Eunuch."
"Miss Seori. What a coincidence, we were just on our way to see Jaegal Li." The eunuch stepped aside as the third young master stepped forward. "You remember the third young master don't you?"
Seori bowed. "Nice to see you again Zhu Wielan."
The young master waved his hand and then whispered into the eunuch's ear. The eunuch stood nodded and turned to Seori. "The young master wishes for you to kneel and bring him provisions. We have journeyed far and through dangerous terrain filled with monsters on our way to Chengdu."
Seori looked back at Wu Jin who simply nodded to her. She turned back. "You are aware of the treaty between the imperial family and the jianghu. We do not kneel to you, you do not place yourselves above us... and we do not use our strength to wipe the imperial family off the map."
As soon as the words left her mouth a hundred soldiers drew their swords and pointed them at Seori. Blue sprinted through the ranks of Silent Edge as he noticed what was happening. Yeol's arm caught him. "This isn't the time for heroics, just watch."
Just then Kang and Shenwu appeared from nowhere. Kang drew his blade. "You have one option. Lower your swords, or die where you stand."
Zhu Weilan stepped forward. "Do you know who you are speaking to? I am the third son of the emper-"
"I don't give a shit if you are the son of Buddha. Order them to lower their swords, or I will personally see to it that the imperial families bloodline is extinguished. I am Kang, the wandering swordsman." Kang released his qi into the air. The soldiers of the imperial family and even the Silent Edge warriors all stood in shock. "Now, test me if you dare." Kang took a step forward.
The eunuch hurried and grabbed the young master and forced him behind the soldiers. "We are terribly sorry... where are our manners. We... we meant no disrespect."
Shenwu chuckled. "For a man of your stature and martial prowess, you sure do cower quickly. Though it is good you know your place."
Seori stepped in front of Kang and Shenwu. "Thank you grandfather." She said quietly as she brushed by him. Kang smiled wide and sheathed his sword.
"There is a lake between here and Chengdu. You can stop there for water. As for provisions, we barely have enough to feed ourselves. As for the purpose of your visit to Jaegal Li I already know the reason. Though, i would advise against it." Seori gestured to Zhu Weilan. "I also assume he's not entirely making this decision on his own now is he, Cao Shen."
"Tch." Cao Shen clicked his tongue. "We will be going then, it is always wonderful to see you Seori. I hope our paths cross again in the future." The eunuch raised his hand as all the soldiers turned and the convoy left for Chengdu.
As Seori turned Blue and Wu Jin ran up to her. "That was fucking awesome! You're a total badass sis!" Blue shook her and then stopped. Wu Jin grabbed Blue and pulled him back. He looked at Seori who was staring into space. "What's wrong."
"Everything. If Cao Shen is here with the third young master. It means the eunuchs have chosen the heir and Jaegal Li is in the middle of it. Looks like our two front war may turn into a three front war." She paused and looked at Blue. "You must train them Blue, we will need as much strength as possible."
Blue nodded. "I will."
Seori stormed off towards the small building beside the main hall. Out of nowhere, Wuxing Mok appeared and knelt in front of Wu Jin. "Should I follow the convoy?"
"No, but keep an eye on Seori." Wu Jin dismissed him and Mok vanished.
Wu Jin looked down at Blue. "Well, an exciting way to start your last day here."
"No shit." Blue shook his head.
"Well, I have things to attend to. We will meet you by the gate at noon."
Blue nodded as Wu Jin gave the command for everyone to disperse. Kang and Shenwu followed Wu Jin to the main hall. Blue stared at the convoy traveling in the distance as the gates closed. Ryul and Hanjo appeared beside him. "Amitabha. Your grandfather just threatened the imperial family."
Blue laughed. "Yup, and there isn't much they can do about it."
"Who doesn't know the wandering swordsman." Ryul said and looked at Kang's back as he walked into the hall. "Do you think I'll ever get to his level."
"Maybe, depends on what you're willing to give up." Blue sighed. "He gave up his family for his strength. What are you willing to sacrifice for it?" Blue tapped Ryul on the shoulder. "Come on, I've only got a few hours. Let's not waste them."
For the next few hours the boys talked like Blue wasn't leaving. Though the air around Silent Edge was still tense due to the imperial family. None of them mentioned earth, or the past. They sat around poking fun of Jinhu and Ilho and the hell they must be going through. All while ignoring the hell they too were about to step into. As the sun rose in the sky, the boys found themselves walking toward the golden gate. Outside all of Silent Edge stood formed up. Wu Jin, Shenwu, Seori and Kang stood in front of the gate. Blue turned and hugged Ryul and Hanjo. "I'm going to miss you guys, I'll be back as soon as i can."
Ryul sniffled. "You fucking better. Damn, this sucks."
Blue took a step back with a somber smile on his face. "It does, but look at everything you've gained lately. You'll be okay."
"Amitabha. I will pray for you Blue." Hanjo's palms smacked together as he bowed.
"Thanks, Hanjo. Look out for Ryul while I'm gone."
Hanjo nodded. Blue turned and walked toward the gate. Behind him Cheng and Yeol appeared. Cheng grabbed Blue. "No matter what your system calls you, your life is your own. Don't do anything stupid and forfeit your life for some title."
Blue nodded and turned to Yeol. "Uncle."
Yeol smiled and pulled a sword from behind his back. "If your sister finds out I'm dead, but no one is more deserving of this sword than you." Yeol unsheathed the sword and raised it. The blade danced in the sunlight. A dragon flew across the length of the blade. The Tang name and symbol were crafted into the hilt. "This was my father's. He would've wanted you to have it rather than it just sitting in the Tang Vault. Remember this, a Tang repays grace two fold, debts ten fold and grudges a hundred fold." He paused then pulled Blue in for a hug. "Be safe and come back in one piece." Yeol let go as a tear formed in one eye.
Blue smiled and turned toward both men and bowed. He looked up toward the gate and stepped forward. Kang and Shenwu approached him first. They spoke no words, they simply bowed and stepped past Blue and stood by Yeol and Cheng. Seori rushed in and hugged him. "I haven't said it, but I'm glad you got reincarnated. I'm glad our family is back together." She stepped back and wiped her nose. She bowed and walked past to stand next to Yeol.
Blue stepped in front of Wu Jin. "I guess this is goodbye for now."
"For now... you do not have my permission to die and leave me with your little gang of misfits alone. Do you understand?"
Blue smiled. "Yes, Sect Leader."
CRACK.
Wu Jin smacked the rod on the ground, Blue flinched. "Just a last onebfor good measure." Wu Jin winked and patted Blue on the head and stood in front of Yeol and the others. Blue turned and looked over every member of Silent Edge, he bowed and turned and opened the doors to the gate.
The golden light spilled out over the vicinity. Blue exhaled deeply one time. He took one step forward, the gate pulsed. In a flash of light and a thunderous boom, Blue was gone. His journey in Murim complete, for now. His new journey on Earth was about to begin.