174. Realization and Recovery After the Duel

Even after her duel with Lee Do-hyeon had ended, the Heavenly Sword Demon did not leave her place so easily. She sat in silence for a long time, her sword resting beside her, replaying the battle over and over in her mind. Do-hyeon's techniques, his unwavering will, and above all—the new energy he wielded, something beyond internal energy—continued to echo in her thoughts.

"It is not inner energy… but its essence may not be so different."

She continued her analysis in her own way. As one who stood at the pinnacle of Murim, she had a profound understanding of martial techniques and their boundaries. And yet, the power Do-hyeon used was something even she could not define with certainty.

Her thoughts returned to Do-hyeon's sword—the Sword of Ego—and the peculiar aura that emanated from it.

"That blade is no ordinary sword. It possesses a will of its own… no, it's a remnant of another world."

She was convinced that the energy and will contained within that sword did not belong to this world of Murim. A faint hope flickered within her—perhaps she could find a clue to a world beyond Murim through that sword.

She let out a long sigh and murmured to herself.

"Even if I stand atop Murim, the power I felt from him comes from somewhere beyond my knowledge. The world… it's far larger and deeper than I ever imagined."

Though she was revered as the apex of Murim, she realized that she still thirsted for something new.

"Those near the realm of the Martial God no longer seek mere strength. I am already strong. What I desire is to understand all the forces that shape this world."

With every step closer to that divine realm, she came to understand something profound—that all forces in the world were, in some way, connected. Inner energy, mana, and even other forces yet unknown to her.

Quietly, she grasped her sword once more and made a decision.

"I must use Lee Do-hyeon… or rather, I must open the gate to the world I do not yet know, through him."

She called none of her followers. Alone, she cleaned her blade, firming her resolve.

"There is no reason for me to stop at the peak of Murim. If I wish to go beyond, I must seek the answer in him—and in that sword."

Without revealing her true interest or intentions, she began formulating a plan to support his growth. There was a part of her that wished to use him, yes, but there was also a genuine curiosity in the possibilities he represented.

"The more he grows, the more I will learn. At the end of it all, perhaps I will find the true path beyond Murim."

With a faint smile, she sheathed her sword.

"Lee Do-hyeon… I will watch how far you go. And at the end of your path—I will find the answer I seek."

Her thirst and curiosity had already begun to forge her into something stronger.To her now, Do-hyeon, his sword, and the power he carried had become more than just a passing interest—they had become a new goal, a calling of fate.

**

Chapter : The Path of New Learning

At the heart of the Murim Alliance, Lee Do-hyeon stood silently after finishing his training, gazing out the window where the pale moonlight filtered in. The duel with the Heavenly Sword Demon had left him with much to reflect on—but more than anything, it revealed the unmistakable limits of his current self.

Sparring with martial masters, especially one who stood at the pinnacle of Murim, led to only one conclusion:

"I must grow stronger. Solo training alone is no longer enough…"

Resolute, Do-hyeon rose to his feet.

Without hesitation, he sent formal messages to the heads of several major sects within Murim. It was a humble request—asking for a chance to learn, even if it meant swallowing his pride as the current leader of the Murim Alliance.

A few days later, replies began to arrive.

The Konlun Sect and Mount Hua Sect responded most warmly, inviting him without reservation. Konlun's head, Do Hyeon-jung, even promised personal instruction.

"Lee Do-hyeon is more than just powerful—he is someone destined to preserve balance in Murim. It is time I pass down all I know."

Emei Sect and Wudang Sect also agreed, though conditionally.

The matriarch of the Emei Sect smiled as she offered guidance:

"I want to see how ready he is to truly learn. I want to see his sincerity for myself."

The Wudang master spoke with calm resolve:

"If he is truly prepared, our gates will open for him."

Not all sects were so receptive.

"Is it proper for the Alliance Leader to humble himself and ask to be taught like a mere disciple?"

But Do-hyeon paid them no mind. He had already chosen his path.

He first visited Konlun.

Do Hyeon-jung greeted him with a warm smile.

"Welcome, Leader. Konlun's gates have always been open to you."

Do-hyeon bowed deeply.

"Though I ask shamelessly, please… instruct me."

Hyeon-jung led him to the training grounds.

"I may not be able to teach you everything. But one thing is clear: you must learn to control your inner energy properly. The power you hold—use it with precision, not brute force."

That day, he taught Do-hyeon the unique Konlun methods of internal energy control and light-step techniques (Gyeonggong).

"Power doesn't come from accumulation alone. Let it flow. Let it move like water—unforced, unbroken."

Do-hyeon absorbed the teachings quickly. Hyeon-jung was impressed.

"I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to grasp this so quickly. Your potential truly is exceptional."

Next, he visited Mount Hua.

Jin Cheong-woo, the sect leader, greeted him with a laugh and drew his sword.

"Words mean little. Show me what you've got."

Do-hyeon unsheathed the Sword of Ego and engaged him. They exchanged dozens of strikes—fluid, intense. Cheong-woo paused and nodded in approval.

"You're strong. But you still can't match the depth of the Hwasan Sword Style. Let me show you what true swordsmanship means."

He demonstrated a few of Mount Hua's signature techniques and passed them on to Do-hyeon.

"Swordsmanship isn't forged by power alone. Empty your mind. Let your body follow the flow."

Do-hyeon focused intently, trying not just to mimic—but to feel the deeper rhythm within each movement, reaching beyond form into meaning.

He then went on to train at Emei and Wudang, each with its own distinct lessons.

The Emei matriarch emphasized internal balance and energy restoration.

"Your inner power is strong, but it loses balance under strain. You must learn to restore yourself—through meditation and natural circulation of qi."

The Wudang master tested his focus and control.

"Every motion must be intentional. Even slow movements, if precise and powerful, will defeat chaos."

After completing his rounds, each sect master watched Do-hyeon's growth with admiration.

"Lee Do-hyeon is no mere leader. His rate of growth, his potential… it surpasses anything we anticipated.""If he had been our disciple from the beginning—what a different Murim we might have seen."

Do-hyeon received their praise with humility and whispered to himself,

"I still have far to go. But your teachings will not be wasted. I will grow stronger—and I will protect them all."

His training was far from over.But so too was his resolve—sharper, deeper, and clearer than ever before.