Two days after the spar. The Alliance Leader’s private office looked as if a hurricane had torn through it — shelves toppled, scrolls scattered, ink soaking priceless maps. Jaegal Li stepped carefully across the wreckage, pausing at the sight of Hyeon perched atop a flipped-over desk, staring into the floorboards as if they might answer for the chaos.

  “Leader,” Li said calmly, “are you well? It looks like the demon himself tore through here.”

  Hyeon didn’t look up. His voice was ice.

  “Nothing of the sort. I released my frustrations.”

  He slowly raised his head, eyes rimmed with exhaustion and fury.

  “Those two bastards killed Zhenghai. My own brother showed up. They ruined everything — Ryul was meant to be mine, brought back into the fold, and now I look like the villain. Cheng and Yeol played us better than we played them. I expected a move from Cheng, but my brother? That snake’s been neutral for years.”

  Li stepped forward, placing a careful hand on Hyeon’s shoulder.

  “We still have a play, sir. One that could tilt everything back in our favor.”

  Hyeon’s jaw tightened. “Speak.”

  Li’s eyes gleamed with calculation.

  “The red crystals. In two days time let the boy from silent edge enter the vault as promised for winning the tournament. Show the sects that you are merciful and fair, that you wish peace. And then, place the red crystals in a golden box, right at the vault’s front. No martial artist alive would turn down something that radiates that kind of qi. Once he takes them back to Silent Edge, they will use them to cultivate. Ryul, Cheng, Yeol, Wu Jin — all of them. And when they do, the corruption will take hold, just as the demon promised. Then we deliver them to the demon, and rid ourselves of those two old men and Silent Edge.”

  A slow, evil grin spread across Hyeon’s face.

  “This is why you are my strategist, Jaegal Li.”

  He fell quiet, then spoke again, voice lower, venomous.

  “I already have Seori under my watch. Kwan is sheltered by my dear brother. Ryul, they just stole back into Silent Edge’s arms. The youngest is tangled up in the Demon Cult, and that witch So-Yeon commands a corps. They’re all scattered like rats.”

  His eyes burned with vicious determination.

  “But before this ends, I will see their cursed bloodline wiped from Murim. And I will end Yeol with my own hands.”

  Hyeon said, straightening his posture as if new energy flowed into him. "Send a bird to Silent Edge at dawn.”

  Li bowed smoothly. “I will have the invitation prepared, Leader.”

  The room was quiet except for the faint rustle of fabric and the occasional wind brushing past the open paper screen. Blue lay still, bandaged from shoulder to wrist, his face pale against the worn bedding. His chest rose and fell slowly—alive, but barely. Ryul sat beside him, elbows on his knees, hands clasped tight. He hadn’t moved in hours. His eyes were red, not from crying, but from the refusal to blink in case his brother stirred.

  The door slid open. Soft footsteps. Then silence. Tang So-Yeon entered, with Tang Yeol just behind her. Her robes were pristine, her posture composed—but the weight behind her eyes betrayed something deeper.

  She looked at Blue for a long time, expression unreadable. Then turned to Ryul.

  "I heard what happened," she said, voice calm. "I also heard you’re part of Silent Edge now. That’s a smart move."

  Ryul’s gaze snapped toward her. There was no formality in his voice.

  "Are you dense?"

  "Hyung is lying there half-dead, and all you think about is strategy? What the fuck is wrong with you? Has martial arts really killed everything in you except anger?"

  The words landed like blades—but she didn’t flinch.

  She stood in silence for a moment. Then, softly:

  "You're right."

  Her fingers clenched at her sides.

  "Emotions haven’t been my strength for a long time. Not since I watched Jiung die... not since we all scattered like broken pieces of a family that never got to be whole."

  She looked at Blue again, her voice quieter.

  "I’m sorry, Ryul. I still can’t fully believe that he’s Jiung. Not yet."

  "But I will heed Uncle’s words. I’ll give that boy time to prove it to me. I owe him that—for risking his life for my little brother."

  She turned, pausing at the door. Her voice was softer now. Almost gentle.

  "I’m glad you’re safe, Ryul."

  And then she left.

  The door closed behind So-Yeon with a soft thud. Her presence lingered for a moment—like the scent of steel after a storm.

  Ryul stared at the doorway, jaw tight.

  Tang Yeol shifted beside him, letting out a quiet sigh as he leaned against the wall.

  "Give her time," he said. "She carries a heavy burden. And we just stirred up emotions she’s spent twenty years trying to bury."

  "She’ll come around eventually."

  He glanced at Ryul with a dry smirk.

  "Also... maybe don’t scold her like that again. I’m in no mood to bury anyone over your sister’s fury."

  Ryul managed a small nod, lips twitching in reluctant agreement.

  Then—a groan.

  Blue stirred beneath the blankets, his brow furrowed.

  "...What the hell…?"

  He opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the warm light.

  "Why does my whole body ache?"

  He turned toward Ryul, squinting.

  "Ryul? What are you doing here? I lost... I thought that meant you had to stay with Wudang."

  Yeol pulled over a stool and sat at the edge of the bed.

  "You did lose," he said, tone somewhere between stern and fond. "But the fight didn’t end there. I killed Zhenghai. Gyeom stepped in. The Alliance Leader retreated. You're still here. Ryul’s still here. That’s what matters."

  Blue’s eyes widened slightly. He tried to sit up, then sank back with a grimace.

  "I’m sorry it came to that. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to prevent all this."

  Before Yeol could respond, Ryul grabbed Blue’s arm firmly.

  "Don’t blame yourself."

  "You fought for me. That’s more than anyone’s ever done. I’m here now. For good. Just get better."

  Blue leaned his head back against the pillow, exhaling slowly. Then:

  "I’ll try… but man, I just had the craziest dream."

  "So-Yeon came in here and murdered me for losing the duel and letting you get dragged into the Iron Order."

  There was a beat of silence—then Yeol and Ryul burst into laughter.

  "You don’t know the half of it, kid," Yeol chuckled, clapping his knee.

  He stood, stretching with a groan.

  "Rest. I’ll let the others know you’re awake. You’ve got people waiting."

  In the inner chambers of Silent Edge, the flickering lanterns cast long shadows across the stone walls. The air was heavy with incense and tension.

  Seated around the low table were the elders: Wu Cheng, Tang Yeol, and Sa Gwan. So-Yeon stood near the map wall, arms crossed. Wu Jin leaned against a pillar, expression dark. Mu Jang crouched near the open window, sipping tea. Monk Baek sat calmly, hands folded, while Namgung Gyeom stood with his arms behind his back, silent but imposing.

  Wu Jin finally broke the quiet.

  "If any of you ever use one of my corps members like that again—like some fucking pawn in your backroom games—I swear on this Rod..."

  He raised the infamous stick he always carried.

  "...I will shove it so far up your collective asses, the Sword Saint himself won’t be able to pull it out."

  There was a brief pause.

  Gyeom gave a low chuckle. "That rod’s been scaring me since we were teenagers."

  Wu Cheng barked out a laugh. "You’re right, son. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again."

  The door opened.

  Tang Yeol stepped in, brushing dust from his sleeves.

  "Blue’s awake. He’ll be alright."

  "Amitabha!" Monk Baek exclaimed, smiling. "You people really take no joy in rest, do you? I fear young Hanjo may not fully grasp the gravity of what he’s gotten himself into."

  He laughed, deep and booming.

  Sa Gwan cleared his throat, cutting the levity short.

  "There’s been no movement from the Alliance since their retreat two days ago. Mt. Hua and the Heavenly Demon Cult are also quiet. I believe the Leader may have heeded his brother’s warning. For now."

  "For now," Wu Jin repeated flatly, not convinced.

  So-Yeon finally stepped forward.

  "Then that means I can ask for your help."

  Everyone turned.

  "You all know of my mission in the Black Pines. I sent two squads there. They’ve gone silent. I don’t have the manpower to investigate alone."

  She looked around the room.

  "In three days’ time, I’d like your aid in searching the Black Pines."

  Wu Jin scratched his chin. "We’ll send the new squad. Sa Gwan and Mu Jang can tag along."

  "Although… Blue won’t go."

  So-Yeon turned her gaze on him, cool and sharp.

  "If he recuperates properly, what should stop him? Since when has Murim ever cared about a broken arm or broken ribs?"

  She looked to Yeol, expression unreadable.

  Yeol nodded once. "I’ll make sure it happens."

  As he turned to leave, So-Yeon tossed a small leather pouch at him. Yeol caught it, one brow rising.

  "Before you go sneaking into the Tang vault again," she said, voice dry, "I brought something from it myself."

  "It’ll help stabilize Blue’s qi after his breakthrough. Speed his recovery too."

  She looked around one final time.

  "I’ll return in three days. Then we set off."

  And with that, she turned and walked out—leaving the room heavy with the promise of what came next.