Though Cheonwoohoe was steadily gaining ground in the murim and solidifying its place, the threats circling Mi-ryeong from outside were becoming more cunning—and more relentless.
Not only factions within the bureaucracy who opposed her, but also select elements of the righteous and demonic sects were covertly moving to eliminate her or uncover her secrets.
On her way to a meeting with Jang Sam-go of the Golden Society, Mi-ryeong sensed she had been exposed. The unfamiliar presence tailing her was undeniable.
When she arrived at the designated location, it wasn't Jang Sam-go waiting for her.
"Lady Mi-ryeong, what a pleasure. Don't be alarmed—this isn't about Golden Society business."
The man who greeted her was connected to the opposition within the government.
He delivered a veiled offer laced with threat.
"Lee Do-hyun and Cheonwoohoe may rely on you now, but they won't be able to protect you for long. If you join us, both you and Cheonwoohoe could remain safe."
Mi-ryeong returned his gaze coldly and replied with conviction.
"I choose who I align with. I won't be swayed by cowardly threats."
The man gave her a thin smile.
"Then let's see if you truly have the power to protect yourself."
As she made her way back, just as expected, an ambush awaited her.
Assassins lay hidden along her route—an elite mix of killers from the bureaucratic assassins and agents from the orthodox sects.
"Capture her alive! Injuries are acceptable!" one of the attackers shouted.
Though tense, Mi-ryeong was not flustered.
"So you want to test me to the end…"
She fought fiercely, holding her ground to buy time.
But the numbers were overwhelming. As she began to falter, a familiar voice rang out from afar.
"Mi-ryeong, hang on! I'm here!"
Lee Do-hyun arrived with Cheonwoohoe members at his side. Moving like lightning, he cut through the attackers and rushed to her side.
"Sorry I'm late," he said briefly, standing protectively beside her.
Catching her breath, Mi-ryeong answered, "You're not late. Just being here is enough."
Together, they fought back-to-back.
Do-hyun's sword gleamed as it pierced through the enemies' defenses. Mi-ryeong matched his movements, defending and countering in tandem.
At one point, an assassin lunged directly at her. Do-hyun instinctively shielded her and parried the strike.
"I won't allow you to be harmed, Mi-ryeong—not now, not ever!"
Breathing heavily, she looked at him and asked quietly, "Why… why would you go this far to protect me?"
He smiled gently. "Because you're not just important to Cheonwoohoe. You're important to me."
The words hit her like a thunderclap.
Momentarily speechless, she gathered herself and replied with equal resolve:
"Then I'll protect you too. I won't lose you—or Cheonwoohoe."
After the battle ended, the two sat together, catching their breath.
Mi-ryeong felt something shift inside her. She had hidden everything to survive in the murim—but for the first time, she wanted to open her heart.
"Do-hyun-nim…" she began cautiously.
"If you hadn't come today, I wouldn't have made it. A simple thank you doesn't seem enough… but it's my heartfelt truth."
He looked at her and said,
"I didn't protect you out of obligation. It's because you matter to all of us… and to me. So stop trying to carry it all alone."
Mi-ryeong paused, then smiled faintly.
"Hearing you say that… it lightens the burden a little. Thank you."
In that smile were deep relief and the beginning of something tender for Do-hyun.
****
Chapter : Mi-ryeong's Confession and the Crisis of Returning to the Palace
Even after the battle ended, Mi-ryeong remained deeply troubled. The threats targeting her were becoming more cunning by the day, and she feared the impact her presence could have on Cheonwoohoe.
If the secret that she was the emperor's daughter were to be revealed, not only the opposing factions within the court but also the orthodox and unorthodox sects might label Cheonwoohoe an enemy.
She thought to herself,"If I reveal this truth, Cheonwoohoe might face an even greater threat. No… perhaps it's I who must leave."
That night, she sat alone by the window, the whispers of the wind outside echoing the unrest in her heart."If I tell Do-hyun and the others that I am the emperor's daughter, will they still accept me? Or will I have to walk away from all this?"
The anxiety weighed heavily on her. She could sense movements within the court—the opposition was already working to report her identity to the emperor. It was becoming likely that she would soon be summoned back to the palace.
At that moment, Lee Do-hyun quietly approached her.
"Mi-ryeong, what's weighing on you so heavily? Anyone can see you're not your usual self."
Mi-ryeong stayed silent for a while, then slowly raised her head and asked,"Do-hyun-nim… if the time comes that I have to leave Cheonwoohoe, will it survive without me?"
Do-hyun looked at her and shook his head."Why would you ask something like that? There's no reason for you to leave. Cheonwoohoe will survive without you. But honestly, I don't want you to leave."
Mi-ryeong took a deep breath. Then finally, she spoke the truth she had been hiding.
"The truth is… I'm not just someone connected to the court. I am… the emperor's daughter."
Do-hyun stared at her in shock. His silence deepened her fear.
Avoiding his gaze, she continued,"My presence here could endanger Cheonwoohoe. Once this truth spreads, the opposing forces in the court and murim may target the group. Perhaps it would be better if I left."
Do-hyun slowly shook his head and replied firmly,"Mi-ryeong, yes—your identity could bring danger. But that's not a reason for you to leave."
He paused and added,"There's no guarantee Cheonwoohoe will be any safer if you go. And if you leave, we lose not just a leader—but a reason to fight. I want you to stay and face this together with us."
His words stirred something deep inside her.
"You don't know how long I wrestled with this decision. If I stay, Cheonwoohoe might face greater risks. And you still think I should remain?"
Looking straight into her eyes, Do-hyun answered,"Returning to the palace isn't what you want. And if you want to stay, I'll help you do that. If staying is the right thing to do, then we'll fight this crisis together."
Mi-ryeong, moved by his unwavering conviction, slowly nodded.
"All right. I won't leave. But I'll take full responsibility for any danger my secret brings."
Do-hyun smiled gently.
"You don't need to bear this alone. This is Cheonwoohoe's problem, not just yours. We'll carry it together."
That night, Mi-ryeong felt a great weight lift from her chest.
Do-hyun's words and actions didn't just inspire trust—they stirred deeper feelings in her heart.
He wasn't just a protector. He had become someone she could truly rely on.
She vowed silently,"I won't hide anymore. As much as I believe in Cheonwoohoe and in Do-hyun, I will now believe in myself too."
And Do-hyun, watching her, thought to himself,"Daughter of the emperor or not, you are someone Cheonwoohoe—and I—cannot lose."