Cheongpunghoe, along with the masters of Hwasan and Gonryun, had marched into what they believed to be a decisive campaign to conquer one of Magyo's strongholds. However, the location had been a carefully constructed trap, meticulously laid out by Magyo. Caught in the snare, they found themselves face-to-face with the elite force of Magyo—the Chilheukhwoe.
The Chilheukhwoe were Magyo's most formidable unit, each one a master on par with the greatest in the Murim. Acting under the direct command of Cheongeom Mawang, they moved in perfect synchronicity, pressing the orthodox alliance into a corner. Their attacks were swift and brutal, with seamless coordination that overwhelmed the battlefield with terrifying combination techniques.
Jang Tae-jun, the head of Hwasan, was no pushover. His sword, honed over decades, burned like fire as it slashed through the chaos. Engaged in fierce combat with Heukwolya, he held his ground with unwavering resolve. Though Heukwolya's assault was intense, Jang Tae-jun stood firm like a mountain, responding with strikes of scorching precision.
"I won't let the name of Hwasan be stained!" he shouted with desperate determination. His blade lashed out again and again, while Heukwolya weaved through the strikes and retaliated with relentless speed. Their duel was like a raging storm—neither side yielding. But the terrain, riddled with hidden traps and arcane formations, began to weigh against Jang Tae-jun. His footing faltered under the oppressive disadvantage.
Meanwhile, Yoon Gwang-hu of Gonryun fought his own battle against another master of the Chilheukhwoe. His Mu-sang Sword Technique flowed like drifting clouds, elegant yet sharp. He aimed for weak points with every move, landing precise hits, but even he couldn't escape the tactical disadvantages of the battlefield. The maze-like geography and coordinated ambushes drained his stamina fast.
"Magyo's traps are this intricate...?" Yoon muttered through gritted teeth. He pushed his martial skill to its limits, but the Chilheukhwoe's strategic deployment and coordinated strikes kept dragging him down. Though he held his ground, the tide was turning.
Eventually, Jang Tae-jun and Yoon Gwang-hu had to face the harsh truth. Despite their prowess, the battlefield itself had been shaped to favor Magyo. Even the strongest among Cheongpunghoe were being overwhelmed by the combined pressure of the Chilheukhwoe.
It was then that they made the difficult decision: retreat.
Jang Tae-jun slashed open a path for his allies, while Yoon Gwang-hu protected the rear, repelling pursuers. With their combined efforts, Cheongpunghoe and the orthodox masters barely managed to escape the infernal battlefield.
After their escape, the survivors were left shaken. The overwhelming force of Magyo and the deadly precision of the Chilheukhwoe had left a deep impression. Far from weakened, Magyo had grown stronger—this battle made that fact unmistakably clear.
"Magyo is still powerful... We underestimated them," Jang Tae-jun said grimly, breath ragged. His eyes burned with renewed resolve. "We need to reorganize. We will never underestimate them again."
Yoon Gwang-hu nodded. "We must face Magyo's strength head-on. And we will rise again. This time, stronger—better prepared."
The orthodox sects vowed to learn from this defeat. Many powerful clans still remained, and even the forces of the Sapa might be drawn into the final battle against Magyo. What they had lost today, they would use as fuel to rise again. And when they did, it would be to restore balance to the Murim once more.
***
Chapter : Reorganization of the Orthodox Sects and Alliance with the Sapa
The recent defeat had sent shockwaves through the orthodox sects. They had been complacent under the illusion that Magyo was weakened, but the sheer power of the Chilheukhwoe had shattered those assumptions. In response, led by Hwasan and Gonryun, the orthodox forces began reorganizing their ranks—and for the first time, they considered cooperation with the Sapa.
The Sapa, who had previously maintained a loose relationship of convenience with Magyo, now found themselves threatened by the resurgence of Cheongeom Mawang. Magyo's growing influence had begun to infringe upon their own interests. Sensing the shift, the orthodox sects proposed a bold alliance—uniting against a common enemy. Some of the Sapa's prominent masters agreed, seeing the danger in Magyo's unchecked rise, and pledged to join the front.
"Our objective is singular: to break Magyo's momentum," Jang Tae-jun declared firmly during the war council. "The time has come for the orthodox and the unorthodox to stand side by side. We will form a new front, and we will defeat them."
Baek Wol-hui, a renowned master of the Sapa, stepped forward in agreement. "It's true—Magyo has grown too strong. Clinging to past hostilities serves no purpose now." Her voice was calm, laced with unshakable resolve. The alliance marked a pivotal moment—one that transcended generations of ideological conflict between the two factions.
Meanwhile, Cheonuhoe saw the ongoing clash between the orthodox and Magyo as a rare window of opportunity. Lee Dohyeon chose not to involve them recklessly in the fray. Instead, he led the Cheonuhoe in search of a sanctuary where they could rebuild, recover, and quietly regain their strength.
"This is the moment to catch our breath," Lee Dohyeon addressed his companions. "We won't rush into the battlefield. We'll use this time to restore our strength. And most importantly… we need to find a site where we can recover our mana."
Setting out with Mireong, Lee Dohyeon began scouring the Gangho for remnants of mystical energy—places akin to the recovery site they had previously discovered. These hidden locations, where mana still pulsed beneath the surface, could become the cornerstone of Cheonuhoe's long-term survival and future resistance.
"Could this be it...?" he murmured, standing before the crumbling ruins of an ancient temple deep within a silent forest. A faint but undeniable current of mana drifted through the air. Reaching out with his palm, Lee Dohyeon felt the flow against his skin. Yes. This could be what they had been searching for. "This place… it might be the one."
Soyeon cautiously surveyed the surroundings. "There's something different about this place. It feels like we're being enveloped by a quiet force. It's unlike anywhere else we've been, Dohyeon-nim."
Lee Dohyeon gave a slow nod and made his decision. "Then it's settled. This will be our new recovery base. Until the battle between the orthodox, the Sapa, and Magyo reaches its climax—we will remain here. And we will grow stronger."