A faint vibration rumbled across the area, growing steadily stronger.

Amid the rising commotion within Wudang, Yu Baek sat across from the Sword Queen.

The weather was clear, with warm sunlight shining down on a table set with tea. Yet, the atmosphere between them was colder than the harshest winter.

"What an unfortunate turn of events."

After a brief silence, Yu Baek finally spoke, and the Sword Queen raised her gaze. Her eyes, typically warm and kind, were now sharp and glinting with frost.

"Did you just call this unfortunate?"

Her voice carried barely suppressed anger.

"This mess was caused …