A hundred meters beyond Wudang’s gates, Namgung Gyeom stood beneath a lonely tree, arms crossed. His elite ringed the clearing behind him, watchful.
The wind shifted.
“You’re far from your mountain, big brother,” a voice called.
The Alliance Leader stepped through the trees, flanked by Jaegal Li and two Iron Order soldiers.
Gyeom didn’t turn. “I heard you postponed a vault visit for this little spar. I figured anything worth delaying treasure for must be worth watching.”
Jaegal Li stepped forward, voice smooth. “Then why bring Namgung’s elites?”
Gyeom finally turned, smiling thinly. “They’re here to protect an old man. You know how eager young swords are to defend fragile masters.”
His hand rested on the hilt of his blade. “I see you’ve brought your dogs. Shall we test them?”
Jaegal stiffened. “Sir, this isn’t the time.”
The Alliance Leader stared at his brother, eyes cold. “Enjoy the show, Gyeom. But stay out of what doesn’t concern you.”
Gyeom watched him leave. That old bastard. He means to crush Cheng or leash him. This should be interesting.
Just outside the gates of Wudang, Wu Jin stood with Cheng, Yeol, Mu Jang, Sa Gwan, and Silent Edge’s squad leaders behind him.
He addressed the hundred men of Silent Edge in a calm, iron voice. “Today is a spar,” he said. “We are guests. This is our first step into Murim as a sect. Mind your manners — and your swords.”
A chorus: “Yes, sir!”
An elder of Wudang approached with a bow. “Ah, cousin Wu Jin — welcome back to Wudang. Please, follow me. The Patriarch awaits.”
They were led through rows of watchful disciples to a wide courtyard, where a stone platform rose like an altar, draped in the banners of both Wudang and the Alliance. The place overflowed with spectators.
Zhenghai waited there, alongside a tall fighter clad in the black armor of the Iron Order.
Cheng’s smile dropped. “Iron Order. Seems Sa Gwan was correct,” he muttered.
Yeol’s voice was low, dangerous. “That damn Hyeon is really testing my patience.”
“That’s what he wants,” Cheng replied. “Stay calm. We move if needed.”
He gestured to Ryul. “It is time for you to stand with Wudang, for now.”
Yeol leaned down to Ryul. “Remember, nephew — if they try to touch you, I will burn this entire sect to the ground. And don’t worry about your brother. He’ll be fine. We promise.”
Ryul nodded, swallowing hard, then crossed over to Wudang’s side.
Zhenghai stepped forward toward Ryul, escorting him to a chair next to his own, front row, to witness the duel. Then he turned back, a grin on his face as he caught eyes with Wu Cheng and Yeol and with a grand flourish:
“Welcome, honored guests!” he proclaimed. “Today, we celebrate Silent Edge, whose masterful showing at the Alliance tournament impressed us all. This spar is blessed by the Alliance Leader himself — as is everything in Murim. We stand united under the Alliance’s banner, for the sake of all our people!”
His gaze sharpened, locking onto Cheng and Yeol.
“And those who do not… those who choose not to stand with us… betray the spirit of Murim itself.”
He spread his arms theatrically.
“Representatives from every corner of the Alliance have come to witness this friendly duel: Mount Hua, Emei, even the Demon Cult. Let us show them Wudang’s skill and loyalty today!”
Then, quieter, as he passed his fighter, he put a hand on the man’s shoulder and leaned in close.
“Cripple him. But don’t kill him.”
The match began with the thunder of bare feet against stone.
Blue moved forward. His opponent advanced calmly, that black Iron Order armor almost a mockery of the so-called friendly spar.
They clashed once — the force rattled the courtyard. Blue was thrown back. His ribs screamed, his shoulder burned, but he righted himself and came on again.
He threw a combination — fast, crisp. The grandmaster parried with mechanical ease, countering with a single blow that nearly caved in Blue’s side.
---
Blue was already bleeding.
He couldn’t land a hit. Could barely even block. Each strike from the grandmaster was like thunder. His arms felt leaden, legs growing heavy. He was being dismantled.
Then —
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Qi Core Breakthrough Achieved
First-Rate Warrior → 5-Star Master
All senses refreshed. Internal flow optimized.
His eyes snapped open. Breath steady. He could feel everything.
Would So-Yeon hate me if I lost? What would they do to Ryul? No. I won’t let them take him.
He moved. Faster. Cleaner.
The grandmaster was forced to block. Twice. Then a third time.
Gasps rang out from the crowd.
But it wasn’t enough.
The grandmaster caught Blue’s wrist, twisted — and with a savage palm strike, shattered his arm. Then another strike to the ribs, breaking three of them. The grandmaster took a step back, lowering his stance, seemingly ready to deal the final blow — one that could be fatal.
Blue fell to the ground, screaming in pain. He looked towards Ryul, regret filled his eyes before he fell unconscious.
Wu Cheng leaped onto the platform, ignoring the stares. He positioned himself between Blue and the Iron Order fighter. He whispered to the grandmaster, “If you value your life, back off. Now.”
The courtyard fell silent.
Zhenghai stepped forward, triumph heavy in his voice. “Wudang wins,” he proclaimed. “Ryul returns to us. As decreed.”
Ryul scrambled to Blue’s side, voice breaking. “Brother — please, wake up…”
He turned to Zhenghai, tears on his cheeks. “No. I choose Silent Edge. You can’t force me. I will not join the Iron Order.”
Zhenghai’s expression soured, something venomous simmering behind his calm. “You think you have a choice? You belong to Wudang. You carry our name. You will obey. Your sister is someone who fights for herself, not Murim — I will not see you follow her into shame.”
He stepped closer, seizing Ryul by the collar. “Kneel. Accept your place. Or I will break you until you do.”
Ryul’s voice trembled but did not falter. “Never.”
Wu Cheng’s qi rolled out like a summer storm. “Enough, Zhenghai. This was meant to be a spar, not an execution. You shame your ancestors with this farce.”
Zhenghai sneered. “Ancestors? You left them behind when you abandoned your seat. You have no say in Wudang.”
Yeol’s voice cut the air like a blade. “Let him go.”
Zhenghai turned, eyes gleaming with hatred. “Tang Yeol. Poison running in your blood. As I expected, you would come to the rescue of your nephew. Predictable.”
Yeol’s qi ignited, cold and merciless. “You have one chance. Release him. I won't tell you again, do not prey on my nephew.”
Zhenghai spat, his grip tightening around Ryul’s neck. “The Tang deserve extinction.”
Wu Cheng tried to step in. “Yeol—”
But then Ryul cried out, Zhenghai’s hold biting deep.
Yeol vanished.
In an instant, he was behind Zhenghai, a blur of poisonous light.
Gasps rippled through the courtyard.
Yeol’s hand was buried through Zhenghai’s back, fingers curled around his heart.
Zhenghai’s mouth opened, air shuddering.
Yeol’s voice dropped to a whisper only he could hear. “I warned you, didn't I?”
With a sharp twist, he tore free. Zhenghai fell, lifeless.
For a moment, no one moved. Wudang soldiers drew steel, swords flashing in the sunlight. Emei, Mount Hua, and even the Demon Cult guests stepped back, unwilling to stand between these giants.
Wu Jin lifted his rod high, his voice cutting through the panic. “We protect Blue and the elders!” he shouted. “Spare no one who points a blade at Silent Edge!”
Silent Edge surged forward, forming a protective wall around Blue, Yeol and Cheng.
“ENOUGH!”
The voice boomed across the courtyard, ironclad and final.
The Alliance Leader stepped through the carnage, cloak swirling. He dropped beside Zhenghai’s corpse, eyes cold.
Hyeon lowered his voice. “Rest easy, old friend. You did well. I’ll handle the rest.”
He stood. “Look what you’ve done. Children bleeding, elders fighting like wild dogs — all for a name.”
He turned on Cheng and Yeol. “Kneel. Join the Alliance. Become my loyal dogs, and all will be forgiven. Refuse, and you will be branded traitors. When the world comes for you, I will not save you.”
Another presence arrived.
Namgung Gyeom appeared in front of his brother, blade sheathed, eyes level. Namgung elites followed behind, forming an impenetrable wall between Wudang and Silent Edge.
“Always this talk of kneeling, brother?” he said calmly. “You disgrace our family’s name with these power plays. Since when do we break children for politics?”
Hyeon’s gaze turned to ice. “Gyeom. I told you not to involve yourself in that which doesn’t concern you.”
“Doesn’t concern me? I’m as interested in that boy Blue as you are. We just have a different way of showing it, I suppose. You saw what happened — though I imagine it has played out exactly as you wished.” Gyeom continued. “That was no honorable match. You tried to break a child to satisfy your own grudges.”
Hyeon’s lip curled, venomous. “And you still shield that Tang scum, even now.” He pointed at Kwan, one of Blue’s other brothers. “You disgrace your own blood with their filth. The Tang should have died with their worthless patriarch.”
Yeol’s qi flared at those words, but Cheng held him back with a hand.
Gyeom’s voice cut through the courtyard like a drawn blade. “You will not poison Murim with your petty hate. Leave, brother. Take your Iron Order and go. I do not wish to fight you here, but if that is your wish, then we can settle our own score right here and now.”
The Sword Saint gripped his hilt and began to draw.
Hyeon’s voice dropped to a growl. “One day, Gyeom, even you will kneel. Iron Order, we are leaving — NOW!”
He looked at Yeol. “This isn’t over. You will pay for what you’ve done here today.”
Yeol smiled at him. “Time and place, you bastard.”
The Alliance Leader scoffed, turned away, cloak snapping behind him, and vanished into the mist.
Gyeom watched him go, shaking his head. “Death comes for us all,” he said softly, “but never on our knees.”
Silent Edge gathered Blue and Ryul, forming up to leave. The other sects parted for them like the tide.
Jinhu clapped Ryul on the shoulder. “Looks like you’re one of us now,” he laughed. Ilho laughed and informed Ryul. “You’ll have to try out for Rogue Edge first.”
Ryul managed a weak smile, tears streaking down his face.
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
The Silent Edge column turned as one, walking back through Wudang’s gates — leaving blood, silence, and broken loyalties in their wake.