Even as the siege tightened, Cheonuhoe's core held fast without panic. Lee Do-hyeon and his comrades crafted a hybrid strategy, merging martial formations from Murim with disciplined military tactics—minimizing losses while luring the enemy toward missteps.
Jeongsayeon and the Magyo advanced from different directions, hoping to crush Cheonuhoe. But the leadership of Cheonuhoe saw through the cracks in their uneasy alliance—and laid plans to exploit it.
Han So-yeon placed her hand over the map, voice calm but firm.
"Captain, this area is narrow and rugged. If Jeongsayeon and the Magyo both push through here, their formations will interfere with one another. We can use that to steer their movement."
From beside her, Cheong Un-jin spoke, voice heavy with concern.
"Even so, we can't fight both at once. We must provoke a clash between them. Make them see each other—not us—as the real threat."
Baek Wol-hee stepped forward with a smile laced in mischief.
"Captain~, if we manipulate our formations just right, we can make it look like we're launching an offensive. If they start second-guessing each other's intentions, we'll earn ourselves some breathing room."
Cheonuhoe's scouts laid traps along the path of Jeongsayeon's approach and orchestrated minor disruptions near the Magyo's advance. Standing tall with Ego's Blade in hand, Lee Do-hyeon gave the order:
"Act as if we're siding with one of them. Plant signals. Just enough to cause confusion."
Jeongsayeon spotted the signs and mistook them as a Magyo ploy. The Magyo, in turn, misread Jeongsayeon's advance as an act of deliberate provocation. Paranoia took root. Tensions climbed. Both sides began tightening their internal formations.
Back at the command tent, Han So-yeon was already planning the next move.
"We'll lure both sides into the tightest point of convergence. If we narrow the gap, the odds of direct contact increase. Once they clash, we either retreat or strike from behind."
Jeong Ho-rim rallied his Open Region fighters for a feint assault.
"We'll launch a limited strike—just enough to trigger retaliation. With minimal risk, we maximize our impact."
The trap was set.
Soon, a detachment of Jeongsayeon's troops launched an attack on a Magyo flank, mistaking their movements as a provocation. The Magyo retaliated swiftly, unwilling to be outmaneuvered.
From the observation ridge, Chunhyang watched the tension erupt. A small grin formed.
"Captain, it's begun. They're tearing into each other. Now's our moment to pull back and observe."
But Lee Do-hyeon's response was cold and precise.
"Don't relax. Not yet. Unless their conflict reaches full-scale engagement, we're still exposed. Reposition our forces. Keep moving. Don't let them reset their sights on us."
Baek Wol-hee approached, voice lowered to a whisper.
"Do-hyeon-nim~, this maneuver worked. But Jeongsayeon and the Magyo—they won't forget this. We need to plan our next move."
By igniting a spark between the two enemy giants, Cheonuhoe had carved out a sliver of time. But no one in their ranks mistook this for safety. Lee Do-hyeon and his allies knew full well—this could flip again at any moment.
Now, the question was how to wield the chaos they'd sown.
And how long they could hold out… before the Empire stepped in, or the blade turned back toward them.
At the center of the storm, Cheonuhoe remained—fighting not just to survive, but to control the tide.
**
Chapter : Imperial Intervention and Miryeong's Sacrifice
Cheonuhoe stood at the edge of collapse. Under relentless assault from both Jeongsayeon and the Magyo, Lee Do-hyeon and his comrades fought tooth and nail to buy time—but the pressure was intensifying by the hour.
Han So-yeon, always composed, reported with quiet urgency.
"Captain, their formations are too coordinated now. Both Jeongsayeon and the Magyo intend to wipe us out entirely."
Chunhyang gripped her sword tighter, her voice laced with tension.
"They're bypassing each other to take us down first. If we keep defending like this, we won't last much longer."
Baek Wol-hee's smile was cold and sharp.
"Do-hyeon-nim~, this is a textbook pincer attack. They're waiting for us to exhaust ourselves. It's time for Miryeong to act."
Lee Do-hyeon's gaze swept across the battlefield, eyes heavy with calculation.
"If Miryeong fails to sway the Imperial Court, we won't be able to hold. We endure—for now. She must bring the weight of the Empire to our side."
Far away, in the Imperial Palace, Miryeong received word of Cheonuhoe's dire state. The weight of it settled on her shoulders like lead. She knew that defying protocol and mobilizing the Imperial army could cost her everything.
"If Cheonuhoe falls, Murim's balance will shatter. Their survival matters to the Empire. If I don't act now, everything will collapse."
She summoned the Imperial troops without delay. As soldiers gathered under her banner, tension rippled through the palace.
One high-ranking official stepped forward with a stern warning.
"Lady Miryeong, moving Imperial forces without sanction will have consequences. Involving the Crown in Murim's affairs violates our neutrality."
But Miryeong's voice was resolute.
"Neutrality matters, yes—but not at the cost of order. If Murim falls into chaos, the Empire suffers too. I'll take full responsibility. Deploy the troops."
As the Imperial army approached the battlefield, both Jeongsayeon and Magyo immediately reacted. From Jeongsayeon's side, a Kunlun elder cried out:
"The Imperial forces are here! Fall back—do not invite their wrath!"
The Magyo's commander, no fool, gave the retreat order just as swiftly.
"They're not to be trifled with. Withdraw and wait for a better opening."
The overwhelming presence of the Imperial army shattered the momentum of both factions. For now, Cheonuhoe was spared.
Miryeong entered Cheonuhoe's camp at the head of the Imperial soldiers. Lee Do-hyeon bowed his head deeply.
"Lady Miryeong… we owe you our lives. Without you, we wouldn't have survived."
She returned his gaze with a gentle smile.
"If Cheonuhoe had fallen, all of Murim would be at risk. I simply did what I had to."
Chunhyang stepped forward and clasped her hands.
"We'll never forget what you did for us. Thank you, truly."
But Miryeong's eyes wavered with a quiet sorrow.
"This… will be my last time. Once the Court hears what I've done, I won't be allowed near you again."
With a soft but firm voice, she bid them farewell.
"You'll face even greater trials ahead. But if you trust each other and endure together, you will survive."
Baek Wol-hee grinned, teasing as always.
"Miryeong-nim~, you'll come to our rescue again, right? We survived thanks to you—but I've got a feeling more trouble's brewing."
Miryeong shook her head with a faint smile.
"There won't be a next time. I have to return to the Palace… and I doubt I'll ever see you again."
Turning to Lee Do-hyeon one last time, she whispered:
"Cheonuhoe is vital. You must survive—not just for yourselves, but for the balance of Murim."
Back at the palace, Miryeong's actions drew immediate fire.
"You dared to mobilize the Imperial army?! You've shattered the neutrality of the Crown!"
She bowed her head in silence, bearing their anger.
"I know my choice was reckless. But I believed helping Cheonuhoe was necessary—for Murim and the Empire both."
Her status as a royal saved her from severe punishment. Still, she was stripped of her position and placed under house arrest.
"You are forbidden from further contact with Cheonuhoe. If you defy this, not even your bloodline will shield you."
Thanks to Miryeong's intervention, Cheonuhoe had survived the jaws of death. But Jeongsayeon and the Magyo still watched them like wolves.
Gathering his people, Lee Do-hyeon addressed them gravely.
"Miryeong bought us time with her sacrifice. But from here on, we must carve our own path through this chaos. Worse storms are coming. Prepare."
The web between Murim, the Empire, and Cheonuhoe had grown more tangled than ever. A new phase of conflict was just beginning.