Gatewalker: Remnant of the Tang Clan Chapter 25: Chapter 24 - A Sister's Fury

Read chapter 25 of Gatewalker: Remnant of the Tang Clan by TheeRaven on NovelPedia.

The Silent Edge compound buzzed with cheers, laughter and warmth from fires. Banners of Silent Edge lined the courtyard as they flapped in the wind. Around one low table at the edge of the celebration, six young men sat close. Mugs on the table. Voices rising and falling. Jinhu and Hanjo were locked in their fifth arm wrestling match of the evening. Forearms trembling, jaws clenched. Jinhu's face was struggling. Hanjo was maddeningly calm. "Amitabha." Hanjo said calmly. "Buddha says to meet force with peace." "He's about to meet me forcing your fist to the table." Jinhu's voice full of desperation. Ilho tossed a plum into his mouth. "One nyang says Jinhu loses again." "Who would take that bet?" Ryul grinned. "This damn monk hasn't blinked in ten minutes." Blue chuckled as he watched all of them. Even Ryul, usually reserved and distant. Was smiling and laughing along. It was loud, messy. The boy's guards were down. No walls. No training. Just boys being boy's. Jinhu slammed his fist down in frustration as Hanjo won again. "That's it. I'm switching arms." Hanjo smiled. "I already did." Ilho looked at Blue and whispered. "There's something wrong with that monk. He's like a smarter dumb version of Jinhu." Blue laughed. "He's balanced. You could use some of that." Ilho turned his head. "Hrmph. Says the guy who cheats with a system." "Ooohhh. It's like that huh." Blue smiled. "It is. Want to fight about it?" Ilho stood and took off as Blue chased him. "Come here damn it! Let me show you what this cheat can do, you slippery bastard!" The boys laughed and continued drinking. Ryul looked up and got everyone's attention. "I got an offer." Ryul's words stopped Ilho in his tracks. He stopped on top of the table, knelt down in front of Ryul." Ilho got closer. "What kind of offer?" Ryul hesitated. "From the Alliance Leader. He... wants me to join the Iron Order." Blue stopped behind Ryul. His eyes met Ilho's. He flicked Ilho on the forehead. "Get off the table dumbass." He looked down at Ryul. "Are you seriously considering it?" Ryu looked up from across the table. "It's a huge deal. You'd be under the Alliance Leader's direct command." "Wait, so you'd have to leave Wudang?" Jinhu asked. Hanjo chuckled. "Amitabha... keep up Jinhu." Blue sat next to Ryul. "Do you want to go?" Ryul didn’t answer, instead his eyes shifted to a figure approaching the pavilion behind them. "Sister." He muttered. Ryul stood quickly. He looked at the boys. "I'll be back." He rushed towards So-Yeon. Jinhu watched Ryul go. "Even though we just met, it feels like we are going to lose a brother." Ilho leaned back. "Don't say that. We're just getting started." So-Yeon walked up the steps, past the celebration toward the pavilion door. Her purple garments fluttered in the wind. She paused to watch the celebration for a moment. She scoffed, then saw a figure running towards her in the dark. "So-Yeon. Wait!" Ryul ran to her side. As Ryul caught his breath they locked eyes. "Why did you help me? He asked. "In my match against Ryu. You interfered." A smile crossed her face. "Because you are a Tang. And as your big sister, I owe you that much. No matter where you are, who you follow. It's my duty to protect you, and the others." She hesitated. "It's what father and mother..." She hung her head. "...and Jiung would've expected me to do." That name hung in the air. Ryul looked back at blue for a moment. Ryul's mouth opened, but the words wouldn't come out. So-Yeon placed a hand on his shoulder. Nodded and walked into the pavilion. — Inside the pavilion, gathered around a large wooden table. Silent Edge elders sat around. Wu Jin sat at the head of the table. Flanked by the Shaolin master, Baek Mu-Seon. The Sword Saint, Namgung Gyeom. Beside them sat Yeol, Cheng, Sa Gwan, and Mu Jang. So-Yeon took a seat by Mu Jang. As So-Yeon sat, the monk spoke. "Let me be the first to congratulate you Wu Jin. You trained those boys well." Wu Jin hung his head. "That's high praise, coming from