The Empire's overwhelming military advance spread across the Murim, pressuring key regions and threatening every major faction. The Justice Alliance, Cheonuhoe, and Magyo alike were thrown into disarray. Once enemies locked in bitter rivalry, they now found themselves equally shaken before this new and unrelenting force.
The Imperial Army began seizing vital strongholds one after another, methodically dismantling the Murim's defensive network. Their strategy was calculated—exploiting rifts between factions, manipulating distrust, and breaking unity. Several sects within the Justice Alliance surrendered without resistance, while others were forcibly scattered or dissolved.
The Cheonuhoe, though exposed to the Empire's advance, held firm under Lee Do-hyeon's leadership, protecting the weak while reorganizing their defenses. At the same time, they worked to uncover the true objective behind the Empire's actions.
Within the Justice Alliance, the internal divide between the hardliners and moderates reached its peak. The hardliners insisted that the Cheonuhoe should still be eliminated, even in the face of imperial aggression. The moderates, however, stood firm in their belief that the Cheonuhoe must be an ally in confronting the greater enemy.
An elder of the Hwasan Sect shouted with fury,"The Empire's intervention is an insult to the entire Murim! There's nowhere left to retreat! Our quarrel with the Cheonuhoe can wait—we must first strike the Empire down!"
The acting leader of the Mudang Sect countered calmly,"What good will direct confrontation bring? Without unity within the Justice Alliance, we cannot stand against the Empire. We must join forces with the Cheonuhoe."
In the end, the moderate faction broke away from the Justice Alliance and chose to ally with the Cheonuhoe. The enraged hardliners resolved to mobilize all their remaining forces and fight the Empire on their own terms.
Meanwhile, the Magyo moved quietly in the shadows, watching for the right moment. The Grandmaster summoned his inner circle to receive a report on the state of the battlefield.
"The Justice Alliance is fractured, and the Cheonuhoe has become the Empire's primary target," a sub-commander reported.
After a long silence, the Grandmaster spoke in a heavy voice,"The Empire's strength exceeds our expectations. But now, while their focus lies elsewhere, we must make our move."
The Magyo began laying plans—to attack the Empire's rear lines or to expand their influence amidst the ongoing chaos.
At the Cheonuhoe's headquarters, a high-stakes meeting was underway. The arrival of the Justice Alliance's moderates had bolstered their numbers, but against the Empire's colossal military, their chances remained slim.
Chunhyang was the first to speak,"Captain, though the moderates have joined us, we still lack the manpower and resources to resist a direct assault. We need a strategic response."
Baek Wolhui added with a wry smile,"Do-hyeon-nim~, the Empire's intent to dominate the entire Murim is clear. If we focus only on defense, we'll be swallowed whole."
After a long pause, Lee Do-hyeon finally spoke,"You're right. The Empire is exploiting our division. If we remain fragmented, we'll all end up under their heel. We need to open channels with the hardliners as well."
Han Soyeon nodded in agreement,"Even if they don't trust us, we must emphasize the common enemy. If we can't unite now, we never will."
Lee Do-hyeon made his decision."Very well. We will speak with the hardliners, the Magyo—any faction willing to resist imperial control. If we are to survive, we must forge a new order from this chaos."
The Empire, continuing its expansion, sent a powerful warning to the Murim. The commanding general issued a statement as he prepared the next stage of their conquest.
"If you wish to preserve your independence, submit to imperial rule now. If not—your history ends here."
The Justice Alliance, Cheonuhoe, and Magyo now stood at a crossroads. Lee Do-hyeon set forth on one final effort to unite the Murim, even as imperial pressure bore down with greater force than ever before.
As all factions were pulled into the spiraling chaos, the decisive battle that would determine the future of the Murim drew near.
***
Chapter : The Logic of Shared Survival
At the Cheonuhoe stronghold, Lee Do-hyeon was preparing a diplomatic envoy to meet with the Magyo's leadership face-to-face. After witnessing the overwhelming power of the Empire firsthand, the Magyo had begun to pull back from direct conflict with the Murim factions, focusing instead on survival.
Within the Magyo, key leaders had gathered to assess the situation. The Grandmaster spoke in a low voice,
"The Empire's power surpasses anything we imagined. It's only a matter of time before the entire Murim is crushed under their heel. In such a time, we have no need to act rashly."
One of the deputy leaders nodded in agreement,"Indeed, Grandmaster. Let the Justice Alliance and Cheonuhoe exhaust themselves fighting the Empire. We can preserve our strength and exploit the chaos for our own gain."
But another leader disagreed,"And after the Empire subjugates them, how can we be certain we won't be next?"
The Grandmaster fell silent for a moment before answering,"What we need now is caution. We cannot risk drawing imperial attention before it is necessary."
Soon after, the Cheonuhoe envoy arrived at the Magyo's headquarters. Lee Do-hyeon, facing the Magyo's top leaders, spoke calmly,
"Grandmaster, our meeting today is no accident. The entire Murim now stands before a shared threat—the Empire."
The Grandmaster replied with a cold smirk,"Are you suggesting the Cheonuhoe and the Magyo should cooperate? Our histories and ideals are diametrically opposed. And now you've aligned yourselves with the Justice Alliance, no less."
Lee Do-hyeon responded without hesitation,"That is correct. The Cheonuhoe has allied with the moderate faction of the Justice Alliance. But the hardliners still view us as enemies. Even now, we are pressed from both sides—by them and by the Empire."
Fixing his gaze on the Grandmaster, he continued,"But the important point is this: the Magyo, the Cheonuhoe, and the Murim as a whole share one undeniable truth. The Empire threatens us all. Even if we cannot trust one another, surely you understand the meaning of the phrase 'If the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.'"
The Grandmaster's eyes narrowed."'If the lips are gone…' You speak of sunmangchihan. Perhaps. But the Magyo does not bow to imperial power."
Lee Do-hyeon nodded solemnly,"Nor should you. But if we all stand idle while the Empire crushes each of us in turn, our freedom will vanish. Even if you survive by hiding in the shadows, it won't last forever."
The Grandmaster sank into silent contemplation. Do-hyeon's logic was simple—but undeniably compelling. Looking around at his gathered council, he spoke,
"We exist to challenge the order of the Murim. But now the Empire comes not to reshape order—but to erase it. Perhaps, in this moment, joining hands with the Cheonuhoe presents a path we must consider."
A deputy cautiously added,"Even if we don't trust the Cheonuhoe, we must join forces—if only for now."
At last, the Grandmaster nodded slowly and gave his verdict,"Very well. We will cooperate with the Cheonuhoe—for the sole purpose of resisting the Empire. No further than that."
The Cheonuhoe and the Magyo began developing a limited alliance, strategizing for a coordinated resistance. The Cheonuhoe remained focused on protecting the weak and stabilizing the Murim's center, while the Magyo prepared for a sudden, decisive strike once they found a weakness in the imperial lines.
Lee Do-hyeon turned to his companions and said,
"Working with the Magyo won't be easy. But right now, survival demands unity. We'll discuss our differences after we overcome this threat."
Meanwhile, the Empire became aware of the unification underway among the Murim factions. The imperial commander immediately began restructuring the army and issued new orders.
"The Murim is showing signs of consolidation. We cannot allow them to unite. Increase the pressure—strike harder."
Now, the Cheonuhoe, the Magyo, and the moderate faction of the Justice Alliance stood together at last. Their convergence, driven by Lee Do-hyeon's leadership and persuasive resolve, signaled the dawn of a new chapter in the Murim's history.
Yet whether this fragile alliance could truly stand against the might of the Empire remained uncertain.