161. Imperial Pressure and the Resistance of the Murim

The imperial army crossed the mountain passes and surged into the battlefield prepared by the Murim Alliance. The thunder of galloping hooves echoed through the ravines, and countless banners filled the sky like a storm.

With an air of absolute authority, the commander barked out his orders."Stay alert! The enemy is trying to sow confusion. Maintain formation and prepare your arrows!"

The imperial forces began pressing down with their superior military might.The archers unleashed volleys of arrows in every direction, targeting the masters of light-step techniques among the Murim ranks.The arrows rained down like a monsoon, forcing Murim soldiers to dodge mid-air or take cover behind shields.

Still, the warriors of the Murim Alliance stood their ground.Han So-yeon, blocking arrows with her flowing swordplay, shouted above the chaos,"Do not waver! Their archers are exposing a weakness! Follow me—break through!"

She dashed forward with uncanny agility, leading a charge toward the enemy's defenses.

But the imperial cavalry, covering their infantry, quickened their pace.Their momentum was like a mountain bearing down, and the Murim lines began to buckle under the pressure.

"There are too many of them!"Cheong Un-jin, alarmed by the overwhelming strength of the imperial troops, called for reinforcements."We must buy time! Hold the line!"

Despite the pressure, the Murim Alliance did not retreat.Lee Do-hyeon issued orders with a calm but firm voice, using the terrain as a tactical advantage."Lure them into the mountain paths—into the Jando. In narrow terrain, their numbers become a disadvantage."

The Murim masters fought fiercely in the Jando, where the enemy was funneled into a choke point.Rangers familiar with the terrain emerged from the cliffsides in ambush, launching sudden attacks."Break their shields! Don't let them move freely!"

They cut off supply lines and spread confusion among the imperial ranks.

Masters of light-step techniques from the Hyeongsan Sect launched assaults from the treetops.Like birds in flight, they struck down from above."This land will not welcome your footsteps!"

Their movements sowed further disarray among the imperial troops.

Baek Wol-hui targeted a gap in the formation, a glint of cold amusement in her eyes."Your strategy will fall apart."

She closed in on the enemy commander, but was blocked just short by defending soldiers.

Still, the imperial army refused to back down.They regrouped swiftly, intensifying their offensive with archers and cavalry."Surround them! Leave no place to hide—not even in the trees!"

The cavalry advanced even through the narrow terrain, gradually breaking down the Murim defense.

The pressure mounted. The Murim warriors were being pushed back.Lee Do-hyeon swung his sword to rally the troops."We cannot retreat! Gather your strength—stand together!"

But the crushing weight of imperial discipline and numbers took its toll.Han So-yeon, her breath heavy, murmured,"Commander, without aid from the Magyo, our chances of victory are slim."

Just then, a plume of dark smoke rose from the rear of the battlefield."The rear is under attack! Who—?"

The imperial soldiers turned in confusion.From the darkness emerged the elite of the Magyo.At their head was the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen.

"I will teach the Empire the price of arrogance."

Her blade, gleaming with cold light, cut down an imperial officer in one swift stroke.

Masters of the Chilheukhoe surged in, striking the imperial flank."Crush their command! Wreak havoc!"

Their swift, coordinated assault began to unravel the imperial formation.

From afar, the Demon Queen cast her gaze toward Lee Do-hyeon."I've come to fulfill my promise. Let's see how your story ends."

Her intervention gave the Murim Alliance the breathing room they desperately needed.

The sudden ambush plunged the imperial army into chaos.The commander tried to rally his men."Defend the rear! Hold them off!"

But it was too late.The combined onslaught of the Magyo and Murim Alliance shattered their lines.

Lee Do-hyeon seized the moment."Now! Push them back—strike with all your strength!"

He led his forces forward, overwhelming the already broken imperial ranks.

Eventually, the imperial army suffered heavy losses and had no choice but to retreat."All units, fall back! This battle ends here!"

Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the scent of blood and the groans of the wounded.

Lee Do-hyeon turned to the Demon Queen and bowed his head."Thank you for keeping your word. Without your help, we would not have survived."

The Demon Queen smiled."I kept my promise. But as for what lies between you and me—nothing is certain. You're an interesting man, Lee Do-hyeon."

With that, she disappeared into the shadows.The Murim Alliance, though battered, began preparing for the next confrontation.

The battle had ended, but the conflict between the Murim and the Empire was far from over.

***

Chapter : The Wrath and Resolve of the Imperial Court

The main camp of the imperial army bustled with movement as troops regrouped and reorganized.Though they had suffered heavy losses from the ambush by the Murim Alliance and the Magyo, retreat alone was not an option.To lose on the battlefield was one thing, but for such news to reach the ears of the Emperor—that would not be merely a military failure; it would strike a blow to the very dignity and authority of the Empire.

The Imperial Commander slammed his hand down on the war table, his fury echoing through the command tent."The proud army of the Great Yuan Empire has been pushed back—by mere Murim rabble!They have fewer men, weaker equipment, and disorganized ranks. How could we be defeated? How is this acceptable?!"

After a long silence, one of the strategists cautiously spoke up."Commander, we underestimated the Murim's familiarity with the terrain and their unique techniques.They waited for us in terrain that favored them, and our soldiers were not prepared for such warfare."

But the commander's voice rose again, sharper than before."Don't give me excuses! We represent the Empire's might. How can we stand before His Majesty after such disgrace?"

Tension thickened among the officers.One of the deputy generals stepped forward with calm authority."Commander, the fault lies not with the soldiers. We entered battle without fully understanding their tactics.What we need now is a strategy to turn their strengths into weaknesses."

The commander fell silent, then slowly nodded."Very well. There will be no mistakes this time. I will extinguish the Murim once and for all.They dared to mock the Empire's prestige—they shall pay the price."

The war council resumed.The commander gave detailed orders for troop deployment and revised tactics."Split the forces to intercept any ambush. Archers will take the high ground to neutralize their light-step techniques.Flood the terrain with scouts—leave them no place to hide.And remind every soldier: they fight for the honor of the Empire.Tell them that those who triumph will be rewarded personally by His Majesty."

The officers nodded, their determination rekindled.The soldiers, too, began preparing for battle once more—tension high, but morale unbroken.

Meanwhile, the Murim Alliance sensed the movement of the imperial forces and called an emergency meeting.Lee Do-hyeon spread the map across the table and began discussing the countermeasures with the key figures of the Alliance.

"The Empire won't retreat so easily. They'll be back—stronger, more prepared.But we have ways to neutralize their strengths."

He pointed calmly at specific points on the map."Their cavalry and archers are deadly in open fields.But in forests and mountain paths, their power is diminished.We'll use the Jando to trap their horses and employ light-step techniques to strike their rear."

Baek Wol-hui crossed her arms, smiling wryly."Do-hyeon-nim, that's a very 'commander-like' idea—brilliant as always. But it all depends on our execution."

Lee Do-hyeon nodded gravely."You're right. This battle won't just decide our survival—it will determine the fate of the entire Murim."

The imperial army, now fully reorganized, began a full-scale advance—targeting both the Murim Alliance and the Magyo simultaneously.No longer disoriented, the troops moved with clockwork precision, their hierarchy sharpened, their resolve hardened.They intended to make the world remember what it meant to challenge the Empire.

The commander stood before his ranks, voice ringing with cold authority."To lose on the battlefield is to see the dignity of the Empire shattered.Under the name of the Great Yuan, we will exact vengeance upon the remnants of the Murim.Whatever pride they may cling to, it will crumble before our might."

The troops roared with renewed morale, pledging to redeem the shame of defeat and fight in the name of imperial glory.The commander outlined the plan of attack:

"First—keep constant pressure so that the Murim Alliance and the Magyo cannot support one another.Second—maximize the power of cavalry and archery to create a battlefield they cannot endure.Third—strike their command first, break their structure."

As the imperial forces began their sweeping assault, the Murim Alliance found themselves under severe pressure.Lee Do-hyeon gathered the core warriors and examined the map.

"The Empire outnumbers us and holds superior discipline.Even with terrain on our side, this won't be easy."

Baek Wol-hui spoke calmly."Our strength lies in individual masters.We can't win by sheer numbers—but elite units can disrupt their formations."

Cheong Un-jin added with a heavy voice,"But our soldiers are growing weary under this pressure. If this continues, we won't last much longer."

The Magyo faced the same challenge.The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen addressed her subordinates coldly."The Empire has found our weaknesses.We wanted to wage a guerrilla war, but they've begun overwhelming us with sheer force.If we do not strike back now, our entire force will collapse."

Imperial archers took the high ground to suppress Murim masters' mobility,while the cavalry continuously charged down the mountain paths, breaking attempts to hold defensive lines.

The imperial field commander barked new orders:"The Murim lacks organization. Break them down one unit at a time—target their leaders.Once they fracture, victory is ours!"

The Empire's refined tactics and overwhelming numbers posed an existential threat.The Murim lines began to collapse, and the Magyo were pushed into retreat.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Lee Do-hyeon made a decision."We cannot win with defense alone.We must find and strike their weaknesses. Disrupt the cavalry. Confuse the archers."

Baek Wol-hui tilted her head with a grin."Then why not form small assault teams to harass their rear?We know this terrain better—they won't defeat us so easily."

Lee Do-hyeon nodded."Good. We'll strike at their archers and commanders with small teams.Meanwhile, our main force holds the mountains to buy time."

The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen resolved to focus the Magyo's full might.

"While they press the Murim, we'll strike their rear.Hit their leadership—throw them into chaos."

Elite warriors of the Magyo slipped deep into the Empire's rear lines,launching surprise attacks in the cover of darkness.The Demon Queen herself entered the fray, her inner energy slicing through enemy ranks like a storm.

The imperial army, battered from both sides, suffered tremendous losses—but refused to yield.Their commander shouted above the din of battle,"Do not retreat! We fight under the banner of the Empire—we shall not fall!"

Meanwhile, Lee Do-hyeon prepared the final strike with his most trusted warriors.He emphasized the necessity of cooperation with the Magyo.

"We may not trust them—but right now, we need them.If we do not bring down the Empire's army, Murim will fall."

The battlefield ran red with blood.The struggle between the Empire, the Murim Alliance, and the Magyo spiraled into a storm with no clear end in sight.