The stone doors groaned closed behind him.
Baek Sun-Ho stood in the quiet space just beyond the ruined gate, eyes still glowing faintly with fading qi. The fire and lightning within him had not stilled—they swirled in a strange accord, as though humming in two voices now, neither dominating the other.
So-Ri was the first to step forward.
"You're—"
"Me," he said gently, finishing the thought. "Still me."
She didn't speak, only exhaled and brushed a few errant strands of hair from her face. Ma-Rok grunted approval and stepped forward to thump him on the back, but caught himself when he saw the scorched threads along Sun-Ho's robe.
"That gate do the burning," he muttered, "or did you start frying yourself again?"
Ji-Mun held up his hands in mock surrender. "For the record, I absolutely voted against him going in alone. As per Clause Twenty-Eight of the Ji-Mun Safety Treaty."
"Which no one signed," Yul-Rin replied dryly.
Master Jang took a long sip from his gourd. "He's fine. The glow in his eyes is no worse than the glow in your soup last week."
Ji-Mun blinked. "You said that was lotus essence!"
"I lied."
The laughter came lightly, a natural wave that broke the tension. Even Yeon let a rare smile curve his lips.
---
A Little Later – On the Trail Back
The group began the descent from the mountain fortress, the mist curling behind them like an old dream. Yul-Rin moved at point, scanning for qi traces, while Ji-Mun and Ma-Rok argued over who was more likely to survive if a giant snake appeared from the trees.
So-Ri walked beside Sun-Ho in silence until they reached a clearing where red leaves scattered like petals across the path.
"Was it a trial?" she asked quietly.
He nodded. "But not of strength. Of self."
"And?"
"I saw her again."
So-Ri paused. "The girl from your past life?"
"She was… more than that. A turning point. A mistake I made with power I didn't fully understand. I chose fear over trust. And someone paid the price."
So-Ri looked at him sideways. "Are you afraid of making that mistake again?"
"I'm afraid of not realizing I've already made it."
She didn't speak for a long moment. Then: "Good. That means you'll try harder not to."
He gave her a small smile. "You always say the right things."
"I'm saving the wrong ones for when you need to be yelled at."
---
Nightfall – Assembly Grounds
The fires at the Assembly Grounds had been stoked high that night. Disciples from various sects moved about restlessly, half drawn by rumors of Sun-Ho's lightning display in the mountains and half avoiding the elders now watching everything with narrowed eyes.
Inside the quiet of their assigned courtyard, the group settled in. Master Jang lit a small brazier near the veranda. Ma-Rok sat cross-legged sharpening the edge of his gauntlet plates, muttering about "just-in-case" situations.
Sun-Ho sat alone at the veranda, staring into the coals. The qi inside him had calmed now, fire and lightning merging like ink into water. But something had changed.
Not just power.
Awareness.
The sealed ruin had whispered to him. Not just truths of the past—but hints of what was to come.
> "If this was only one of many…"
He clenched his fist. The brazier sparked gently in response.
---
Nearby – Yeon's Sketches
Yeon sat cross-legged by the paper lanterns, brush in hand. He sketched slowly, deliberately—first a ruined gate, then Sun-Ho's silhouette stepping through lightning, then a swirling emblem of fire and storm entwined.
He paused, frowned, and added one more thing: an eye, half-hidden behind a curtain.
Someone had been watching the ruin.
He turned the page, wrote a note, and folded it quietly.
---
Courtyard Humor – Lightening the Mood
Ji-Mun passed around a pot of broth that smelled faintly of mushrooms, tofu, and something vaguely illegal.
"I call this one: Revival Soup with Questionable Morals."
Yul-Rin sniffed it. "What exactly is in this?"
"Ingredients are a coward's safety net."
"I'll pass," she said, immediately.
Ma-Rok, mouth full, raised a thumb. "If I die, avenge me."
"Can't. I didn't sign the treaty," Ji-Mun said, slurping loudly.
So-Ri, seated beside Sun-Ho again, accepted a bowl without comment, then passed it to Yeon, who dipped a dumpling and scribbled a single word on his next card: Regret.
Ji-Mun peeked over. "Hey! You like it?"
Yeon flipped the card.
Too salty. Like your personality.
Master Jang choked slightly on his tea. "Finally, someone speaks truth."
---
Final Scene – Knock at Dusk
Just as the soup cooled and the group relaxed, a light knock came at the side gate.
All movement stilled.
Yul-Rin moved first, blade ready but low. She cracked open the gate.
A pale-faced disciple stood beyond it, bowing low. His eyes flitted toward Sun-Ho.
"Baek Sun-Ho… you are summoned."
Sun-Ho stood, brushing his robe straight. "By whom?"
"She didn't give her name. But she wore plum blossoms of silver."
So-Ri's face shifted. "Jin Ye-Hwa."
"The Velvet Thorn," Yul-Rin muttered, glancing at Ji-Mun. "Time for more politics."
Ji-Mun groaned. "Can I poison myself and claim diplomatic immunity?"
Yeon handed him a card:
Only if it's effective.
Ma-Rok stood up with a grin. "Well, Leader. Want us to tail you?"
Sun-Ho shook his head. "I'll go alone."
So-Ri stepped up beside him. "Then I'm waiting nearby."
He gave her a look, then nodded.
As he stepped through the gate, the petals of a nearby blossom tree shivered—despite there being no wind.
---
End of Chapter 105 – Echo Beneath the Flame