– Those who seek to uphold the laws of Gangho have begun to take notice of Seung-chan.
The Ones Who Returned
Seung-chan walked in silence.Back when he had pursued the murderer,there were others who had struck the final blow.
They were not part of the Murim.Yet, they had dealt with the killer in the way of the Murim.And—they had recognized Seung-chan.
Since that day,Seung-chan had never forgotten them.But—they had not forgotten him either.
And now,they appeared once more.
When Swords Cross
A desolate road in the dead of night.No presence in the air—Only shadows standing before Seung-chan.
"So you are the one."
They were the ones who had killed the murderer.And now, they stood against Seung-chan.
"We've been watching you,"one of them said.Calm voice.Emotionless eyes.As if every movement of his had been predetermined.
The First Strike — A Warning Slash
The attacker moved swiftly—But it was not a killing blow.It was a warning.
Seung-chan didn't move.His sword responded on instinct—the Samjae Sword Form ignited.
Ssshhk—
A descending slash from above — Heaven (Cheon)A low sweeping strike — Earth (Ji)A straight thrust from the front — Man (In)
A flawless execution of the Samjae Sword Form.But the opponent didn't dodge.
They knew the form.They moved within its principles.
The Meaning Behind the Warning
The first strike was blocked.The man had not stepped back.He looked at Seung-chan and said,
"You're going too deep."
His gaze wavered.As if saying, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand."
"This is not something you were meant to uncover.""You are trying to go beyond the 'law.'"
They knew the laws of Gangho.And they were the ones preserving them.
Seung-chan did not lower his blade.But the other did not raise his again.
"If you dig deeper,we will return."
"And next time—it won't be a warning."
They vanished.But what did they leave behind?
No battle took place.But a warning was given.They were watching Seung-chan.
He lowered his sword tip to the ground and took a breath.
It was now certain—There existed those who sought to preserve the balance of Gangho.They would suppress anyone who tried to transcend the system.
Then—Was the law of Gangho not natural, but constructed?
His hands trembled.This was no mere coincidence.Someone had configured this world.
But he would not stop.He would go deeper.He would break the law.And—he would uncover the truth they feared most.
Chapter 31: Training – Will He Surpass the Samjae Sword Form?
– Is the Samjae Sword Form enough for Seung-chan?
The Watchers' Warning
Seung-chan gripped his sword.Their words echoed in his mind:
"You're going too deep.""This is not something you were meant to uncover.""If you dig deeper, we will return."
They were watching him.But what did that truly mean?
Was it merely a warning?Or…Was there something even they feared?
If so—Seung-chan had no choice but to go deeper.To uncover what they feared.
Testing the Perfection of the Samjae Sword Form
He headed into the remote wilderness of the Murim.Deep in an isolated valley where no one ventured.
Here, the experiment would begin again.
The Samjae Sword Form was already flawless.But could that perfection surpass the laws of Gangho?
"The Samjae Sword Form is powerful. But can it go beyond its limits?"
He swung his sword.
Heaven (Cheon) — A strike that split the sky.Earth (Ji) — A strike that cleaved the land.Man (In) — A thrust that pierced through the human core.
Again.And again.Thousands of times.Tens of thousands.
Each strike became not just a martial move,but part of nature itself.With every swing, it felt as though space itself trembled.
But—It wasn't just a feeling.He began to sense subtle distortions in space.
Will He Transcend the Samjae?
Seung-chan paused.
"Can I shake the laws of this world with just this technique?""Or do I need something beyond it?"
He hesitated.
If Lee Hyeon-do, the past master of Murim, were in his place?
He never relied solely on the Samjae Sword Form.He had gone further,mastering something even greater—because he believed that was the true pinnacle of martial arts.
Then what about Seung-chan now?
Is the Samjae Sword Form enough?Or must he go beyond it?
Will He Wield the Ultimate Martial Art Once More?
Seung-chan stood still, sword in hand.Until now, he had tested only the Samjae Sword Form.
But he had now directly experienced the operation of Gangho's invisible "law."
To break it—he might need something stronger.
Then...
Should he reclaim the ultimate sword technique he once cast aside?
The one built upon the Samjae.The absolute art that once ruled the Murim.
Should he take it up again?Or…Will he bet everything on the Samjae alone?
The Watchers Stir Once More
As Seung-chan continued his training,the spatial distortions intensified.
It was as if something was reacting to his sword—and then—
He sensed a presence.
From afar,the watchers had returned.
But this time,they said nothing.
They were watching his decision.
Would he walk the path with only the Samjae Sword Form?Or reach once more for the supreme art of Murim?
If he took one step further—they would act.
Chapter 32: He Decides to Relearn the Supreme Martial Art Once Mastered as Lee Hyeon-do
– Beyond the Samjae Sword Form, a true preparation to face them.
Is the Samjae Sword Form Enough?
Seung-chan might have been able to conquer the Murim with the Samjae Sword Form alone.But the questions remained.
Who were they?What were they hiding?
Could he truly face them with only the Samjae Sword Form?No.
To face them—he might have to stake everything he had ever been.
Relearning the Supreme Martial Art
He made his decision.
He would reclaim the supreme martial art that once elevated him—when he had been Lee Hyeon-do, the unrivaled master of Murim.
But the moment he began to retrain in that art,the laws of Gangho would inevitably react.
Murim demanded that the strong become strong in the way prescribed.So what if someone broke that mold?
Murim would move.It always did.
Then—
He had to train without being noticed.He had to refine it in a completely new way.He had to alter its essence—mutate it, evolve it.
Swinging the Sword, Transforming the Art
He swung the sword again.Not in the traditional way—but in a wholly new rhythm.
It was the same art, yet it wasn't.
A new flow.A new trajectory.But the core remained unchanged.
To the watchers, it would appear unfamiliar.It might resemble a different sword form altogether—and thus, the law would not react.
Stepping Back Into Gangho
No one would know that he had relearned this martial art.And now,he would return to Gangho.
But—things were already moving.
The Magyo Rises Again
A massive tremor was being felt across the Murim.
Whispers echoing from all directions:
"The Magyo has returned."
Seung-chan gripped his sword.
He had once destroyed them.Or so he had believed.
But the Magyo still endured.
Then what had he really destroyed?If Gangho was repeating itself,was the Magyo also caught in the loop?
What had brought them back?
What force had resurrected them?
Seung-chan held his sword again.
Now—his blade would move once more, toward Gangho.