178. The People's Fury and the Invitation to the Sanctuary of Recovery

Imperial Palace of the Daewon Empire. The leaders of the empire were thrown into chaos. The surprise attack by the Magyo in the outer regions had severely undermined the authority of the empire, and the people—long burdened by exploitation and corruption—were on the verge of explosion. Peasant uprisings and violent attacks against local officials were becoming increasingly frequent across the land.

"Your Majesty, the local officials continue to ignore the people's demands. The taxes and corruption have reached unbearable levels," reported a royal advisor.

The emperor clenched his fist.

"If the people rise now, the empire's control will collapse completely! Do whatever it takes to suppress them!"

However, the imperial army had already been stretched thin—divided by the surprise attack from the Magyo and the growing internal unrest. The power structure of the empire had begun to tremble.

"What of our alliance with the Murim Alliance? What is Lee Do-hyeon doing?" The emperor's voice quivered with both rage and fear.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Cheonuhoe, Lee Do-hyeon was deeply troubled by the deteriorating situation between the Magyo and the Daewon Empire. He was at a loss—unsure of how to safeguard both the Murim Alliance and the Cheonuhoe amidst the chaos, or how to preserve stability across the Central Plains.

Then, a discreet message arrived.

It was an invitation from the Heavenly Sword Demon Queen. She had summoned him to the Sanctuary of Recovery, leaving behind only a single line:

"If you wish to find your answer, then it is time we meet again. – Heavenly Sword Demon Queen"

Baek Wol-hui eyed the invitation and asked, "Captain, she's calling for you again. You don't think it's a trap, do you?"

Han So-yeon frowned in concern. "Meeting the leader of the Magyo could be more dangerous than ever… but I don't think she intends to harm you. She's definitely hiding something."

Lee Do-hyeon stared at the invitation for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

"She's not the type to set traps. She knows exactly what she wants. This meeting might hold the key to everything."

Lee Do-hyeon made his way to the appointed location. The Sanctuary of Recovery, deep within a forest, remained as mysterious and serene as before. The space seemed to twist unnaturally, as though this world overlapped with another.

The Heavenly Sword Demon Queen was already waiting. She greeted him with a faint smile.

"You've come. I told you I had something to say."

Lee Do-hyeon approached and asked, "Is this another trial? Or the beginning of a new war?"

She shook her head.

"Neither. This time, I've come with a proposal. I've learned more about the path you seek—the way back to your homeland."

His eyes lit up.

"Are you saying there really is a way back?"

She nodded calmly.

"The power hidden here, in this sanctuary, is more than a place of healing. It connects space and dimensions. But to fully unlock it, greater conflict and confrontation are needed. That energy—that chaos—is the key."

She gestured around the sanctuary.

"This place is a secret unknown to the imperial court, the Murim Alliance, and even the Magyo. But to access its full power, we need energy—from you, from me, and from the storm that surrounds us. That means more fighting… and more sacrifice."

Lee Do-hyeon fell silent. He understood now that his goal and her ambition were entangled.

"You mean this gate can only be opened through further sacrifice."

She let out a cold laugh.

"There's no change without sacrifice. You must decide—if you wish to return home, you must be ready to accept that cost."

He looked her square in the eyes.

"How much time do I have to choose?"

"Not much," she replied. "The people are ready to rise. The Daewon Empire is crumbling from within. And the Magyo and Murim could clash at any moment. Whatever path you choose, you must find it within this chaos."

Lee Do-hyeon reflected on her words.

The road home… It may not just be about me. It could reshape the fate of this entire world.

He exhaled deeply and spoke.

"Understood. But before I decide—I'll confirm everything in my own way."

She smiled, satisfied.

"Good. Do it your way. But remember—time will not wait for you."

Their exchange signaled the beginning of a new phase. With rebellion rising, the empire on the brink, and tensions coiling around the Sanctuary of Recovery, a larger clash loomed just beyond the horizon.

***

Chapter : Uninvited Guests

The Place of Restoration—once a tranquil sanctuary deep within the forest—turned frigid, its serenity pierced by a creeping malice. From beyond the trees, a heavy killing intent seeped in. Both Chungeom Mawang and Lee Do-hyeon turned their eyes toward its source.

"Well, well... seems we've got some interesting guests," Chungeom Mawang murmured with a faint, amused smile. Her voice carried the delight of someone finally meeting a long-awaited encounter.

From the darkness between the trees, shadows emerged—figures bearing a variety of weapons. These were masters of the martial world, drawn from both the righteous and demonic sects, united by a single purpose: to eliminate Chungeom Mawang, whom they saw as a threat to the future of Murim itself. Though determination burned in their eyes, a subtle tension hung in the air, suppressed beneath the weight of her presence.

One man, a middle-aged warrior with sharp features, stepped forward and declared coldly,"Chungeom Mawang, your ambition threatens not only Murim but all of Jungwon. Today, it ends here."

She tilted her head slightly, touching her chin with a finger."Oh? Do you know how many have said that to me before? And do you know where they all ended up?"Her voice dripped with quiet scorn.

As she raised her hand, the very air thickened with her energy. The earth itself felt heavier, warping beneath her aura. Several of the martial artists involuntarily stepped back, their composure faltering.

"Come then. If you wish to see how strong I truly am, I'll give you a chance. But know this—before your sword reaches me, your pride will shatter."

The first attacker lunged, unleashing a powerful slash. Chungeom Mawang calmly deflected it with a single hand and countered in the same motion.

"If any of you can defeat me, come and try. But first, witness what true swordsmanship is."

With quiet purpose, she drew her sword and closed her eyes. The energy around her calmed—like the eerie silence before a storm. Some of her challengers, misreading her stillness, began to lower their guard. That was their mistake.

She flicked her fingers and cast the sword into the air.

"Chilgeommuu."

Her serene voice rang through the forest.

The blade split in midair—seven swords scattering in different directions. Each one moved independently, like living things, targeting the attackers with deadly precision.

"This... is the force you dared to confront."

Her voice echoed as the seven blades struck like thunder. One martial artist tried to block, only for a second blade to shatter his guard. Another attempted to deflect with palm techniques but was brought to his knees by a blade that struck his flank.

The once-quiet forest was engulfed in chaos. Branches snapped. Stones flew. The world itself seemed to fracture under the force.

"If the Seven Swords unite… none of you will survive."

With a snap of her fingers, the blades spun through the air, weaving together in a storm of steel. A surge of sword energy exploded outward, throwing the masters back in a wave of force.

"What... what kind of technique is this?!"

One of them gasped, terror etched across his face. These blades weren't simply copies—they acted with lethal autonomy, each one a predator in its own right.

Calling the swords back to her, Chungeom Mawang spoke quietly,"If you intend to defeat me, you'll need to endure at least this much."

She raised her hand again, scattering the swords anew. This time, they moved even faster, cutting through the defenders' formations. Though they tried to protect each other, the blades found every opening, weaving through gaps and breaking their defenses.

The forest became a battlefield of pure devastation. Chungeom Mawang's Chilgeommuu threatened to consume everything in its path.

Watching from the forest's edge, Lee Do-hyeon gripped his sword, hesitating. He wrestled with the timing of his intervention—but as he witnessed her technique, he realized: he hadn't yet reached this realm.

Even in the midst of battle, Chungeom Mawang sensed his gaze. She chuckled softly.

"Lee Do-hyeon… you're not watching this out of idle curiosity, are you? If you want to grow stronger—step into this storm."

As her words faded, the Seven Swords surged again, pressing the masters into a corner. The clash between Chungeom Mawang and these uninvited guests was approaching its climax.

The Place of Restoration, now filled with the power of the Seven Swords, no longer felt like part of this world—it had become something else entirely.