Cheongpunghoe, frustrated by Chunwoohoe's lack of retaliation despite their encroachment into their territory, began to feel an increasing sense of urgency. Chunwoohoe's silence seemed like a refusal to engage, and as a result, Cheongpunghoe feared they were losing their chance to solidify their authority within the Murim. Determined to provoke Chunwoohoe into action and secure their position as a dominant force, Yucheonrin and Seol Yeonhwa devised a bold strategy.
Gathering the core members in the main hall, Yucheonrin spoke with a firm voice, "If Chunwoohoe won't react, then we'll give them a reason to." His tone carried the weight of a final decision. The plan was clear: stage an incident where Cheongpunghoe would appear as the victim, blame Chunwoohoe, and rally the rest of the Murim under the banner of justice.
Seol Yeonhwa agreed, adding with a calculating smile, "And let's use those who left Chunwoohoe. They know their weaknesses, and their testimonies can expose the cracks in Chunwoohoe's facade. We'll use that to show the world that Chunwoohoe's ideals are a lie."
The core members nodded, a mix of anticipation and grim determination in their eyes.
Days later, the plan was set in motion. Cheongpunghoe orchestrated a staged attack near the border of Chunwoohoe's territory, stealing their flags and leaving behind fabricated evidence that implicated Chunwoohoe. They spread word across the Murim, claiming they had been unjustly attacked by Chunwoohoe.
"Chunwoohoe is no longer the righteous guardian of the weak! They're jealous of our growth and have stooped to violence," Yucheonrin declared in front of representatives from the other factions. His speech, delivered with righteous fervor, stirred the hearts of those who still harbored doubts about Chunwoohoe.
Simultaneously, Cheongpunghoe mobilized those who had defected from Chunwoohoe, including Kanghyuk, gathering their testimonies to fuel the propaganda machine. They painted Chunwoohoe as an organization clinging to ideals, unable to protect the people or adapt to the harsh realities of the Murim.
Yucheonrin's words thundered in front of the gathered crowd: "We are different from Chunwoohoe. We have the strength to protect the weak and reshape the Murim's chaotic landscape. We will stand as the true vanguard of justice!"
The message resonated with Cheongpunghoe's followers, bolstering their unity and amplifying their disdain for Chunwoohoe.
Their campaign of provocation escalated, culminating in a brazen move: Cheongpunghoe's core members, led by Yucheonrin and Seol Yeonhwa, marched to the gates of Chunwoohoe's headquarters. They raised their banners high and shouted accusations.
"Chunwoohoe has failed its promise! They are weak, incapable of upholding justice!" The shouts of Cheongpunghoe's warriors echoed through the grounds as they tried to bait Chunwoohoe into a confrontation.
Kanghyuk stood among them, a storm of emotions swirling in his heart. He had joined Cheongpunghoe seeking a stronger, more realistic path for the Murim, but what he saw now was far from what he had envisioned. Their provocation was not about justice—it was about consolidating power. Was this the path he truly wanted?
As tensions mounted, all eyes turned to Chunwoohoe. Would they continue their silence, or would they finally stand against Cheongpunghoe's fabricated slander and schemes?
The Murim held its breath, waiting for Chunwoohoe's response. The balance of power hung in the air, a single spark away from igniting into all-out conflict.
****
Chapter : Two Diverging Paths, the Choice Toward Truth
Late at night, Kang-hyuk sat alone in his room, drowning in guilt over betraying Cheonwoohoe. The weight of his decisions pressed on his chest, and the memories of what he had witnessed in Cheongpunghoe grew clearer by the day. The so-called "realistic martial order" they claimed to uphold was nothing but a charade—masked dominance wielded through fear and brute force, not solidarity for the weak.
The next morning, Yu Cheon-rin summoned Kang-hyuk to a private meeting.
"Kang-hyuk," Yu Cheon-rin began, sliding a sealed document across the table. His voice held a cold edge, and there was an unmistakable calculation in his gaze. "I need you to deliver this letter back to Cheonwoohoe's headquarters. It's our statement of intent—a warning."
Kang-hyuk held the letter in his hands, a chill running through him. The message was no simple correspondence; it was a blatant provocation, a declaration of hostility. He found himself questioning everything: Was this the right path? Had he truly turned away from Cheonwoohoe because their ideals were flawed—or had he simply been too blind to see the darkness festering within Cheongpunghoe?
That night, unable to shake the burden in his heart, Kang-hyuk made his decision. He slipped away from Cheongpunghoe's compound, disappearing into the vast darkness of the murim.
His destination was clear: Cheonwoohoe.
As he approached their headquarters, memories of his departure—the anger, the bitterness—flooded his mind. But this time, he carried a new understanding. Cheonwoohoe had been imperfect, yes. But their mission, their ideals, had been pure: to protect the weak and uphold justice, not to manipulate power for its own sake.
Standing at the gates, Kang-hyuk hesitated for only a moment before knocking. A familiar voice answered.
"Who is it?" Han So-yeon's calm voice carried through the door. When she opened it and saw Kang-hyuk, her expression shifted from surprise to quiet composure.
"Kang-hyuk? Why are you here?" she asked, her tone guarded but not hostile.
Kang-hyuk met her gaze directly, his voice steady. "Give me a chance. Cheongpunghoe is planning to strike. I've seen what they're preparing. I can't let it happen. I have to stop them, for Cheonwoohoe's sake."
Han So-yeon studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. She led him inside to meet with Lee Do-hyun.
Kneeling before the Cheonwoohoe leader, Kang-hyuk bowed his head low. His voice trembled with sincerity. "Master Lee… I was wrong. I left, thinking Cheonwoohoe's ideals were naive. But Cheongpunghoe is far worse. They hide behind the pretense of protecting the weak, but in truth, they exploit them. They seek to control murim, not liberate it. Please, let me help. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right."
Lee Do-hyun gazed at Kang-hyuk, a complex mix of disappointment and compassion flickering in his eyes. After a tense pause, he spoke.
"Kang-hyuk, you've made choices we can't ignore. But you've also returned. That counts for something. If you truly wish to stand with Cheonwoohoe, then prove it. Stand with us when the time comes."
Kang-hyuk bowed his head even deeper, his voice barely a whisper. "I will. I'll prove it."
Cheonwoohoe began preparing for the coming storm. Armed with Kang-hyuk's information, they developed a strategy to counter Cheongpunghoe's assault. Unbeknownst to Cheongpunghoe, Cheonwoohoe had already positioned their forces, ready to repel any attack.
The battle began soon after.
Cheongpunghoe launched a sudden offensive, hoping to catch Cheonwoohoe off guard. But Cheonwoohoe was waiting. Their defense was swift, precise, and unyielding—fueled by the truth Kang-hyuk had revealed.
Kang-hyuk fought at the front lines, clashing against his former comrades in Cheongpunghoe. His blade moved with fierce determination, striking down those who once called him brother. He could feel their shock, the betrayal in their eyes. But his resolve never wavered.
Yu Cheon-rin, standing amidst the chaos, glared at Kang-hyuk with cold fury. "So you've chosen Cheonwoohoe, after all?"
Kang-hyuk, bloodied and battered, smiled through the pain. "Yes. I choose Cheonwoohoe. Your so-called justice is a lie. I believe in Cheonwoohoe's ideals."
With his last ounce of strength, Kang-hyuk faced off against Yu Cheon-rin, fighting with everything he had left. The battle was brutal, but in the end, Kang-hyuk collapsed from his injuries—his sacrifice creating the opening Cheonwoohoe needed to push Cheongpunghoe back.
As the dust settled, Lee Do-hyun, Han So-yeon, and the other Cheonwoohoe members gathered around Kang-hyuk. His breaths were shallow, his body broken.
"Master Lee…" Kang-hyuk whispered, a faint smile on his lips. "I know I wasn't perfect. But I wanted to help Cheonwoohoe, even just a little. Thank you… for giving me that chance."
Lee Do-hyun gripped Kang-hyuk's hand tightly, unable to hide the tears in his eyes. "Your sacrifice will not be in vain, Kang-hyuk. Your belief… your choice… will become part of our legacy."
Kang-hyuk's eyes slowly closed, the last of his strength fading. His final breath left his lips, and a profound silence filled the air.
Cheonwoohoe mourned the loss, but they also felt a renewed resolve. Kang-hyuk's sacrifice had shown them the cost of their ideals, and they vowed to fight with everything they had to protect the weak, just as he had.
His name, and his choice, would live on in their hearts, forever.