The hardliners of the Justice Alliance mobilized their full military strength to obliterate the Cheonuhoe. Numbering in the thousands, their army was led by sects such as the Hwasan Sect and Gaebang, thoroughly organized and prepared for war.
The elder of the Hwasan Sect raised his voice before the troops."If we do not annihilate the Cheonuhoe, the order of the Murim will collapse forever! Eradicate them, and restore the authority of the Justice Alliance!"
The leader of the Gaebang echoed him."Exactly. Eliminating the Cheonuhoe isn't just removing an enemy—it is proof of our hardline will!"
Their army began its march toward the Cheonuhoe stronghold. News of the hardliners' advance spread rapidly throughout the Murim. Their objective was unmistakable: total annihilation of the Cheonuhoe.
Inside the Cheonuhoe, their movements had already been detected. Though the addition of the moderate faction had strengthened their numbers, the overwhelming size and discipline of the hardliners still posed a significant threat.
Lee Do-hyeon gathered with his companions in the war room to discuss their strategy. Chunhyang spoke cautiously.
"Captain, the hardliners are closing in fast. We're outnumbered, but the geography of this region favors defense. If we use it well, we can gain the upper hand."
Jeong Ho-rim added calmly,"With the moderates now standing with us, morale is key. Even within the Justice Alliance, our cause is beginning to gain legitimacy. We cannot miss this opportunity."
Baek Wolhui smiled and said playfully,"Do-hyeon-nim~, they may be more organized than expected, but we're no less prepared. Don't worry too much."
After hearing them all, Lee Do-hyeon gave his decision."Good. We'll build our defenses here and respond in ways they don't expect. And we'll make full use of their greatest weakness—their internal division."
While the hardliners focused their entire force on the Cheonuhoe, the Magyo seized their chance. The Sword Demon Queen summoned the elite warriors of the Chilheukhoe and issued her command.
"The hardliners have turned their backs to us. Strike their rear and throw them into disarray. While they attack the Cheonuhoe, we will exploit their vulnerability."
The Chilheukhoe's elites launched a surprise assault on the rear of the hardliners."Justice Alliance hardliners! You will pay for underestimating us!"
The Magyo's ambush caused sudden chaos. Parts of the hardliner army, which had been pressing forward, were forced to halt and rush back to protect their rear lines.
Though they still sought to push the battle against the Cheonuhoe, the hardliners now found themselves unraveling. The Cheonuhoe, seeing the opportunity, reinforced their defenses and began preparing for a counterattack.
In the midst of the unfolding battle, Lee Do-hyeon called out,"Now is our chance. The hardliners are disoriented by the Magyo's ambush. Target their weakness—move into position!"
Chunhyang took command of the field, rapidly redeploying troops to optimal positions. Meanwhile, Baek Wolhui quietly spread disinformation, stoking tension between the hardliners and the Magyo to deepen their mutual distrust.
At last, the imperial court could no longer remain a silent observer. The Emperor convened a secret meeting to discuss control over the Murim.
One of his closest advisors spoke gravely."Your Majesty, the fighting between the Justice Alliance, the Cheonuhoe, and the Magyo is escalating. If we do not act soon, the Murim may lose all respect for the Empire."
The Emperor replied with measured calm."The Murim is part of our dominion. If they cannot govern themselves, we gain the right to intervene. Prepare our forces. If necessary, we will act. This may be our chance to end the Murim's chaos once and for all."
Imperial forces began to quietly assemble. Yet it remained unclear what effect their intervention might bring upon the already fragile Murim.
***
Chapter : The Pinnacle of Chaos
The hardliners of the Justice Alliance advanced upon the Cheonuhoe stronghold with overwhelming force. Their elite troops, composed of some of the most formidable warriors in the Murim, pressed hard against the Cheonuhoe's defensive lines. From the center of their formation, the elder of the Hwasan Sect roared,
"If we do not destroy the Cheonuhoe, there is no future for the Murim! Advance—leave nothing behind!"
The leader of the Gaebang echoed the cry,"Here and now, we end the Cheonuhoe. Let our hardliner strength be known to all!"
With disciplined coordination and superior numbers, the hardliners sought to completely crush the Cheonuhoe resistance.
Yet the Cheonuhoe held their ground, defending not only their position but also the weak and the civilians. Lee Do-hyeon and his companions led the defenses across various sectors, countering the onslaught with grit and resolve.
Chunhyang cried out desperately,"Captain! The hardliners are pressing closer. I'm not sure the defense line can hold much longer!"
Lee Do-hyeon replied calmly,"We can't rely on defense alone. We must create an opening to strike back. If we fall here, everyone who believed in us—including the moderates—will be in danger."
Jeong Ho-rim, repositioning troops, added,"If we work together, there is still hope. The hardliners will reach a breaking point—we just need to hold until then."
Baek Wolhui smiled and offered,"Do-hyeon-nim~, leave that chaos to me. I'll see to it they stay shaken and confused."
The Cheonuhoe began restructuring their defenses with the aid of the moderate faction and prepared for a counterattack, carefully analyzing the vulnerabilities in the enemy lines.
As the hardliner army tightened its grip on the Cheonuhoe, a sudden explosion echoed from the rear. The elite warriors of the Magyo, led by the Chilheukhoe, had launched a surprise assault, plunging the rear of the hardliners into chaos.
One member of the Chilheukhoe shouted as they tore through the back lines,"Justice Alliance hardliners! Your rear is wide open! This is the price of underestimating us!"
The Magyo's ambush struck a critical blow. Several units disengaged from the front lines and turned back, trying to recover control of their rear.
The elder of the Hwasan Sect, enraged, yelled,"Traitorous scum! Hold the rear! We must stop the Magyo!"
But their forces were already fracturing. The Cheonuhoe seized the moment without hesitation.
Lee Do-hyeon, seeing the disruption ripple through the enemy lines, gave the order,"This is our moment! Reinforce the front—push them back!"
The warriors of the Cheonuhoe launched a fierce counteroffensive, striking hard as the hardliners reeled. Chunhyang darted across the battlefield, breaking enemy lines with swift, calculated strikes. Baek Wolhui quietly spread false information between enemy ranks, sowing distrust and accelerating the collapse.
Strategically deploying units, Jeong Ho-rim called out,"If we keep pushing here, they won't recover. Don't stop—press the advantage!"
The Cheonuhoe's counterattack steadily drove back the hardliner forces, tipping the tide of battle.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Court determined it could no longer stand idle. The Emperor summoned his advisors for an emergency meeting to discuss intervention in the Murim.
A close aide addressed him gravely,"Your Majesty, the conflict between the hardliners, the Cheonuhoe, and the Magyo continues to escalate. If left unchecked, the entire Murim may descend into anarchy."
The Emperor nodded and spoke with cold resolve,"If chaos festers in the Murim, it will undermine imperial authority. Prepare the army. We will intervene—and remind them of the Empire's strength."
Imperial forces began assembling and moving toward the fringes of the battlefield. The Emperor issued his final, secret order:
"Use this opportunity to create a justification for dominion over the Murim. Ensure they never again forget the power of the throne."