Even under the midday sun, a heavy stillness lingered over Cheonwoohoe's headquarters. Lee Dohyun sat with Chunhyang and Jang Samgo, making final adjustments to their plan.
"We must ensure that Jungpa and Sapa remain wary of each other and fall into conflict. Let's use the strengths of Pungwolru and the Golden Society to spread misinformation, driving a wedge between them." Dohyun's voice was calm but resolute.
Chunhyang's Strategic TouchChunhyang offered a soft smile. "Both factions are prideful. We'll have to provoke that pride without showing outright hostility. I'll begin by releasing the rumors."
Dohyun nodded. "Tell Jungpa that Sapa is colluding with the Demonic Sect. Then, tell Sapa that Jungpa is using Cheonwoohoe to prepare an assault."
"Don't worry, Dohyun. Pungwolru's network is built for this sort of operation," Chunhyang replied with confidence.
Chunhyang mobilized Pungwolru's elite informants, releasing carefully crafted stories to both factions:
"Sapa has forged a secret alliance with the Demonic Sect.""Some Sapa masters are rumored to be receiving funds from demonic sources."
The lower families of Jungpa, upon hearing this, grew increasingly wary. The connection to the Demonic Sect stirred internal hostility toward Sapa.
"Jungpa has secretly allied with Cheonwoohoe.""They're using Cheonwoohoe to isolate and prepare an ambush on Sapa."
Sapa masters, enraged by rumors of Jungpa's manipulation, began discussing preemptive strikes.
Chunhyang whispered with a sly smile, "Even baseless rumors, if placed well, spread like poison."
Meanwhile, Jang Samgo of the Golden Society manipulated the situation his own way.
To Jungpa's lower families, he funneled funds, saying,
"Sapa is teaming up with the Demonic Sect. If you don't act first, you'll be vulnerable."
Receiving support, Jungpa grew more alert toward Sapa.
To Sapa's elite, he provided weapons and funds with another message:
"Jungpa is using Cheonwoohoe to suppress you. Prepare your countermeasures."
Sapa leaders, now suspicious of Cheonwoohoe, began strategizing against both Jungpa and Dohyun's group.
Jang Samgo chuckled, "Money itself is a weapon. As long as they don't trust each other, I've done enough."
Within days, both factions were embroiled in internal debates.
"If Sapa really is working with the Demonic Sect, we can't afford to wait any longer.""Is Cheonwoohoe truly neutral? What is their real relationship with Sapa?"
Some Jungpa leaders advocated for a preemptive strike, but internal disagreements stalled their actions.
"If Jungpa has aligned with Cheonwoohoe, they're clearly isolating us. We must act first.""Even Cheonwoohoe is suspect. We can't let them act as Jungpa's proxy."
Back at Cheonwoohoe, Chunhyang and Jang Samgo reported the developments to Lee Dohyun.
Chunhyang: "Both factions are on edge. No clash yet, but it's only a matter of time."Jang Samgo: "Those who took our money have already started moving. Now it's our turn to wait and prepare the next play."
Dohyun smiled."Good. It's time to push them toward open conflict. In the midst of chaos, we will grow stronger."
The coordinated efforts of Pungwolru and the Golden Society began to take effect. Jungpa and Sapa, suspicious and tense, grew increasingly hostile. Meanwhile, Cheonwoohoe quietly solidified its foundation.
Chunhyang whispered, "Dohyun, once they start fighting, Cheonwoohoe can maintain neutrality and still be in the strongest position."
Dohyun nodded. "We must act as though we're doing nothing, while in truth we're pulling all the strings. Chaos will be our greatest weapon."
***
Chapter : Prelude to Clash – The Assault on Cheonwoohoe and the Demonic Sect's Intervention
A sharp tension hung in the air at Cheonwoohoe's headquarters deep into the night. The information released by Pungwolru and the Golden Society had already fueled deep distrust between Jungpa and Sapa. Now, both factions saw Cheonwoohoe not as neutral ground but as a growing threat.
Pointing at the marked locations of Jungpa on the map, Han Soyeon spoke to Lee Dohyun."Jungpa still sees Cheonwoohoe as nothing more than a remnant of Heukwungwan. Their goal hasn't changed — they want us eliminated, just like before."
Baek Wolhui, arms folded, stared out the window."Sapa thinks we're just a tool for Jungpa to use against them. No matter what we do, both sides will try to sabotage us."
Lee Dohyun looked between them and said calmly,"They see us as a new variable. And variables create chaos. But chaos, if controlled, brings opportunity."
Chunhyang quietly stepped in."We can widen the rift with a few more rumors. Spread whispers to Sapa that Jungpa plans to betray them. To Jungpa, leak that Sapa is in league with the Demonic Sect. That way, they'll be too distracted to come after us."
Han Soyeon looked worried."But won't creating too many enemies be dangerous?"
Dohyun smiled."That's why we'll make our enemies fight each other. Cheonwoohoe has to survive from all directions."
Meanwhile, Sapa headquarters bristled with fury. Heukamdo no longer saw Cheonwoohoe as a neutral party — to him, they were a symbol of betrayal. Baek Wolhui, once Sapa's pride, now stood with Dohyun.
"She chose them, not us," Heukamdo declared to his subordinates."If Cheonwoohoe has tarnished Sapa's honor, I'll end this myself."
A hesitant subordinate asked,"Does that mean Lady Wolhui is also a target?"
Heukamdo closed his eyes briefly and replied coldly,"She left us. I'm not striking her — I'm correcting her mistake."
Jungpa elders also gathered, setting plans in motion.
"Cheonwoohoe is the shadow of Heukwungwan. If they side with Sapa, Jungpa's honor will be lost," one elder said.
Another added,"There are rumors from Pungwolru that Sapa is using Cheonwoohoe to target us. If they've allied with the Demonic Sect, we must act first."
Jungpa's elite moved out with one goal — crush Cheonwoohoe before the balance tipped.
At Cheonwoohoe's gates, Jungpa masters appeared. Among them was someone Han Soyeon recognized.
"Soyeon! Why are you with them? You were born in a Jungpa family!"
She hesitated before answering."I used to think Jungpa stood for justice. But now… I'll follow the path I believe in."
A master tried to persuade her."Cheonwoohoe is Heukwungwan reborn! You know they'll only bring harm."
Lee Dohyun stepped in protectively."That's enough. Han Soyeon no longer shares your beliefs. Justice isn't about slogans. It's proven through action."
He raised his sword, blocking the attack."Soyeon, now's the time to show them your conviction."
Elsewhere, Heukamdo launched a direct assault."Wolhui! You'll just watch as Cheonwoohoe is destroyed? If you won't return, you're my enemy!"
Baek Wolhui stood with sword in hand."What you don't understand isn't my choice — it's why I left. I've found my own path."
Cheong Unjin clashed with Heukamdo's men, shielding Wolhui."He still thinks you'll come back. Poor fool."
Wolhui smirked."No need for pity. That'll never happen."
Meanwhile, Pungwolru and the Golden Society's manipulations reached the Demonic Sect. Believing that Jungpa and Sapa planned to strike them next, the Demonic Sect moved to protect their interests — by aiding Cheonwoohoe.
Demonic Sect InvolvementThe Demon Sword King, head of the sect, spoke coldly after receiving a report."If Jungpa and Sapa intend to come for us, we'll make them tear each other apart first."
As the assault on Cheonwoohoe raged, the battlefield grew more chaotic. Cheonwoohoe's trainees fought valiantly, but pressure from both sides pushed them to the brink. Dohyun, Wolhui, Soyeon, and Cheong Unjin were scattered, their forces divided.
"We just need to hold out a bit longer…" Dohyun murmured.
That's when shadows began to stir.
A Jungpa master tensed."Something's out there…"
Sapa warriors sensed it too."A trap from Jungpa?"
Suddenly, seven figures emerged from the darkness — Chilheukhwe, the Demonic Sect's legendary elite.
Clad in black cloaks and emotionless expressions, each wielded a distinct weapon.
Their leader smirked."So these are the self-proclaimed rulers of the martial world? Disappointing. Tonight, the ground will be soaked in blood."
Chilheukhwe didn't merely attack — they dismantled command chains and created panic.
A Jungpa elder screamed,"That's Chilheukhwe! The assassins of legend!"
Sapa warriors tried to turn the situation to their advantage."Jungpa's allied with the Demonic Sect! Let's wipe them both out!"
But Chilheukhwe's devastating precision silenced all.
A member drove a blade through an enemy, whispering,"You are just pawns. Tonight belongs to the Demonic Sect."
Their unpredictable movement disoriented both factions, collapsing their leadership structures.
The leader ordered,"Take out Jungpa's commanders first. Sapa can wait."
One elder from Jungpa fell screaming, plunging their forces into disarray."The elder is down! This has to be the Demonic Sect's doing!"
The same happened to Sapa."They're targeting us too! Jungpa and the Demonic Sect… damn them!"
Even as chaos peaked, the two factions kept fighting each other, blinded by suspicion.
Cheonwoohoe's EscapeBaek Wolhui, observing the battlefield, said,"They've forgotten us. This is our chance."
Dohyun gave orders."Split up and regroup in a safer location. Use this chaos to our advantage."
Cheong Unjin signaled his unit."No point in joining this brawl. We're not ready for full-scale war yet."
Chilheukhwe's slaughter continued, their presence overpowering.
The leader raised his blade and declared,"This is no longer your battlefield. Tonight, victory belongs to the Demonic Sect."
As Jungpa and Sapa began to retreat, Chilheukhwe vanished back into the shadows.
Back at a new safe location, Cheonwoohoe gathered to assess their survival.
Baek Wolhui spoke calmly,"Chilheukhwe may have saved us this time… but we can't count on miracles again."
Lee Dohyun's eyes hardened."We must grow stronger. Next time, we survive not by luck — but by our own power."
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