Translator: Nox
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Red Ribbon
#1
That morning, the Peng Sect buzzed with nervous energy.
An unexpected guest had arrived.
He came bearing a long red ribbon — sealed with the insignia of **Sado-Ryeon**.
The Demonic Alliance.
Everyone knew what it meant.
A representative of the Alliance was here. Publicly.
And they weren’t offering violence.
They were offering... dialogue.
#2
The Clan Head met the envoy in the main hall.
Peng Hyeon-do stood beside him, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
The envoy was young. Polished. Wearing dark crimson robes embroidered with silver thread.
“I bring greetings from the Sado-Ryeon Council.”
“State your purpose,” the Clan Head said.
“A private invitation.”
He produced a scroll.
“To Young Master Peng Hyeon-do.”
The Clan Head frowned. “You wish to contact my son directly?”
“The Council has taken interest in his actions. His potential.”
“Say what you mean.”
The envoy smiled faintly.
“We wish to observe his path. And perhaps... support it.”
“Demonic support comes with cost.”
“As does isolation.”
The words hung heavily in the room.
Hyeon-do stepped forward and took the scroll.
“I’ll read it.”
“You will respond?”
“Maybe.”
The envoy bowed.
“And if not... we will still watch. As always.”
Then he left.
#3
Inside the scroll were four simple lines.
> You walk the path of upheaval.
> We walk beside such paths.
> Should you ever grow tired of your leash —
> Look for us in the West.
No threats. No pressure.
Just an open door.
He burned the scroll.
#4
That evening, a sparring match was held.
Disciples gathered.
Peng Jin-hyeok stood opposite his younger brother.
Both held wooden sabers.
“Don’t hold back,” Jin-hyeok said.
“I won’t.”
Their blades clashed.
Fast.
Hard.
But this time, Jin-hyeok wasn’t pushed back immediately.
He countered.
Dodged.
Pressed.
Hyeon-do smiled.
“You’ve gotten better.”
“I *am* better.”
And for the first time in years —
Jin-hyeok forced Hyeon-do to move back.
The match ended in a draw.
Both grinned.
【To be continued in Chapter 22】
