The Broken Sword Sect was not what anyone expected.
Instead of towering gates and stone statues, they found a crumbling temple built into the mountainside—half-covered in ivy, its entrance shaped like a jagged crack across a fallen cliff.
Ji-Mun tilted his head. "Are we sure this is the right place?"
"It says 'Broken Sword' right there," Ma-Rok pointed out, jabbing at a rusted sign barely hanging from a nail.
Creak.
The gate swung open by itself.
Sun-Ho stepped forward, voice flat. "Let's not treat the spooky door like an invitation."
"Too late," said So-Ri. "Yeon's already walking in."
They followed the boy quickly, their formation tightening on instinct. Even Yeon, though quiet, seemed unusually relaxed—almost curious.
---
Inside the Forgotten Sect
Inside the temple, light filtered through cracks in the ceiling. A thin veil of incense smoke curled in the air. Dust and silence ruled here.
Then a voice:
"You've come farther than most who wear masks."
From the shadows emerged three figures.
One was an old man in ceremonial robes with a twisted wooden staff. Another was a woman with a hawk's stare and calloused hands. The last—barefoot, long-haired, and calm-eyed—smiled and gave a short bow.
"I am Hyeon-Rak, Sect Keeper of the Broken Sword."
Sun-Ho offered a bow in return. "Baek Sun-Ho. We received your message."
Hyeon-Rak chuckled. "So formal. But yes, I called you. Or rather… I called the one they whisper about."
So-Ri stepped forward, arms crossed. "And what if the rumors are exaggerated?"
"They always are," Hyeon-Rak said. "But the intent behind them? That's harder to fake."
---
Proposition of the Broken Blade
Over bitter tea and quiet glances, they spoke.
Hyeon-Rak explained that the Broken Sword Sect had once been part of the central Murim Alliance. But after refusing to submit to one of the Five Great Clans, they were blacklisted and all records of their name struck from alliance scrolls.
"We were forgotten," he said. "Just like your title suggests."
Sun-Ho didn't flinch. "What do you want from us?"
"Nothing yet. Just a warning. The Five Clans will not stop. The Alliance is rotten to the bone."
Master Jang nodded. "We know."
Hyeon-Rak's eyes flicked to the elder. "Ah. So it's true. Jang Cheol-Oh still lives… and guides another."
Sun-Ho changed the subject. "Would the Broken Sword lend aid to someone trying to rebuild the Alliance properly?"
The woman with hawk eyes finally spoke. "Depends. Will the new Alliance have swords?"
Sun-Ho looked her straight in the eye. "Yes. But ones that answer to conscience, not corruption."
There was silence.
Then: "We'll think about it."
---
Campfire, Curses, and Clarity
Back at their temporary camp, the party sat in a loose ring.
"So," Ji-Mun began, "we're recruiting exiled sects now?"
"Only the interesting ones," Yul-Rin replied.
"Or the desperate ones," Ma-Rok added.
"They're a faction," So-Ri concluded. "A quiet one. But better us make the offer first than someone else."
Yeon was sketching the temple in dirt with a stick. It wasn't clear if he understood the politics. Maybe he did. Maybe he just liked drawing.
Master Jang slowly stirred the pot of stew. "There are others like them. Not many, but scattered. Sectless warriors. Blacklisted houses. Hidden keepers of old truths."
Sun-Ho was silent for a while, staring into the flames. Then he muttered, "The Broken Sword has cracks in it. But cracks still hold light."
So-Ri raised a brow. "That poetic nonsense supposed to mean something?"
He smiled. "I'm saying they're like us. Not perfect. But stubborn enough to matter."
---
More Than Whispers
At midnight, while the others slept, Sun-Ho sat with Master Jang, watching the stars.
"They're calling the masked one the 'Elementless Sovereign,'" Sun-Ho said. "Sovereign of Balance, Sovereign of Ghosts… it's getting ridiculous."
"You wear a white mask and toss fire like a spirit in a revenge play," Master Jang replied. "People are bound to embellish."
Sun-Ho sighed. "I keep thinking of the future. And that one line—'you are not the only one who returned.' Someone else like me is out there."
Jang's voice turned hard. "Then we find him before he finds us."
Sun-Ho nodded slowly. "Do you think it's possible to lead and still be the shadow?"
The master gave a lopsided grin. "You said the humble should lead. Let the terrifying guide them. From behind."
A pause.
Then both of them laughed.
Crackling fire. Wheee.
A breeze swept through camp like the tail of a passing spirit.
---
A Message in the Wind
The final moment of the chapter saw a sealed scroll delivered by falcon.
Sun-Ho caught it mid-flight.
It bore the mark of the Jinrok Clan, one of the Five Great Clans.
The message?
> "We've noticed your flames. The next time you burn something, make sure it's not one of ours. Or we'll come find you."
So-Ri looked over his shoulder. "Friendly lot."
Yul-Rin muttered, "I'll start making poison in bulk."
And Yeon, half-asleep, added, "Flames don't fear warnings."
Sun-Ho smirked. "Then we'd better start lighting more fires."
---
End of Chapter 44