Chapter: The Shadows of the North
After the group training ended, at night, Jin gathered the members of the new squad.
Jin: "Who are you, man?"
"I am Yi-Lee, Captain."
Jin: "So, you're from the Black Veil Clan?" Jin sighed. "Man, you Murim people have such similar names. How am I supposed to remember all this? Anyway, I assume you have good infiltration techniques, Lee, right?"
Lee: "Yes. If you wish to test me now, I am ready."
Jin: "No need. Your confidence is enough. You'll be the leader of this team because the others lack experience."
One of the members asked: "Captain, what level do you want us to reach?"
Jin looked at them for a moment, then laughed mockingly. "You want to know?" He stepped toward the nearest shadow. In a flash, he appeared on the roof of a nearby building—it took no more than four seconds.
Jin: "Will you be able to reach this level?"
The members were stunned. "Sir, please teach us!" they replied in unison.
Jin laughed and reappeared before them. "Guys, what I just did wasn't martial arts. That was Shadow Magic. The difference between the two is vast. What you saw just now... even the highest-ranking members of the Sect can't do it. But there are many powerful techniques that can help you."
He pulled out four new copies of the Shadow Steps book. "I wanted to give you a new book, but I haven't found anything better than this for now."
The Senate Meeting
The next day, in front of the Senate meeting hall, Jin sighed in disgust. "Haaah... what boring topic will they drone on about today?" He paused and muttered quietly: "I think I... need to meet Rao Ming-Yu."
The meeting began.
Bai Ryon: "There were some clashes with the Wudang Sect last week. Any news?"
Xu Kang-Ro: "It was a clash with a second-grade disciple squad. Five casualties on their side, three from my clan."
Jin sat with his head resting on his fist, eyes wide with boredom. What triviality, he thought. What's the point of the fight anyway? I bet Chunma wants to prune the idiots of the Murim, starting with you.
After a few more tedious topics, the real issues began.
Yi Wi-Mo: "We have made progress regarding the Demon Summoning Cult."
The hall fell into a heavy silence. Jin sharpened his focus.
Wi-Mo: "Certain elements have begun fleeing from Astarion and hiding within our continent, mostly on the borders of the Evil Faction's territory. It's been about a month."
Bai Ryon (Sternly): "Why... did you allow it to reach this point?"
No one answered.
Ming-Yu (Mockingly): "It's best if this news never reaches the Sect Leader. Fortunately, he is in seclusion and likely hasn't heard yet."
Jin: "And why shouldn't the Sect Leader know?"
A long silence followed before Shin Yan-Gui spoke: "Do you want us to go tell him that this sick organization has infiltrated the Murim and we failed to notice? Do you have any idea what he would do to us?"
Jin thought: How much does Chunma hate true demons for them to be this terrified?
Jin: "I'll handle this personally. Just give me the signal once you pinpoint a location."
Meanwhile, Ming-Yu was staring intently at Priest Luo Chan. Jin noticed and sent a telepathic message.
Jin (Telepathy): Is this bald guy involved with them?
Ming (Telepathy): I picked up some hints of that during my previous retreat.
Jin turned to the Priest: "Priest, which noble rank from the Demon Realm does the organization intend to summon?"
Priest: "One of the 72 Kings, surely." He stopped abruptly, his eyes widening.
The elders murmured: "A logical conclusion." "Yes, that explains their desperate attempts."
Bai Ryon watched intently, while Rao Ming watched with mockery. Jin smiled inwardly. I truly love idiots of this kind!
Jin (Telepathy to Bai Ryon): Ignore it for now. If our suspicions are correct, he'll be cautious for a while.
Bai Ryon looked at him and smiled, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know if you're a genius or an idiot."
Bai Ryon: "We'll postpone this topic. Let's move to the Alliance issue. A few days ago, first-grade disciples from the Mount Hua Sect clashed with our spies and killed most of them. 12th Elder, you will handle this."
Jin: "So... our side started the trouble, and yet we're the ones attacking?"
Bai Ryon (Telepathy to Jin): Kid, for heaven's sake! I bet you know the Sect Leader's goal behind this nonsense. Let these fools figure it out themselves. If they don't, their lives aren't worth the breath anyway!
Then, the final topic.
Wi-Mo: "There is a possibility of a Spiritual Beast appearing in the North Sea."
Jin's heart skipped a beat. He listened with razor-sharp focus.
Mu Hyuk: "Is the beast sealed, or has it been killed and they have the core?"
Wi-Mo: "Not yet determined, but the Alliance is already aware. In three months at most... the battle at the North Sea Palace will be a slaughterhouse."
Jin's veins bulged at the neck. His mind was on fire. What nonsense are you spewing? A slaughterhouse? Do I have to kill him?
Chi Hwan: "What's wrong, 12th Elder? Why that look?"
Jin quickly composed himself. "Ah, don't mind me, Elder. I just got excited hearing about a Spiritual Beast's core."
The answer wasn't convincing, but the meeting passed.
Jin's face was calm, but his thoughts were murderous: If they do anything... I will kill you all myself. I will tear this Sect apart until the Great Guardian or Chunma himself intervenes and kills me.
End of Chapter.