9. Tracing the Traces of the Magyo

Chapter 33: Tracing the Traces of the Magyo

– The Magyo rises once more, and Murim falls into turmoil.

Rumors Shaking the Murim

At the main stronghold of the Murim Alliance,the massive blue-stone gate swung open with force.

A messenger rushed in, shouting urgently:

"Lord Leader! The Magyo has reappeared in the northwest!"

The Murim Alliance responded immediately.Summons were dispatched to all sects.To stop the Magyo's revival, Gangho began to tremble once more.

And the rumors spread like wildfire.

"The Magyo is gathering forces in the wastelands!""Magyo remnants have attacked the Murim Alliance!""A new leader of the Magyo has emerged!"

The Magyo Seung-chan had once known—was supposed to be annihilated.But now, they were rising again.

Which meant—he had to witness the truth for himself.

Toward the Northwestern Wastelands

The place where the Magyo was said to have returned—the northwestern wastelands.

Once the base of the Magyo,now long abandoned.

But now, again, it reeked of their presence.

When Seung-chan arrived,dozens of martial artists were already there,tracking the traces of the Magyo.

Warriors dispatched by each sect kept watch over the land.

"Has the Magyo truly revived?""If so, the Murim Alliance won't sit still."

Yet no sign of the Magyo appeared.They remained hidden in the shadows.

Then—a blade sliced through the wind.

"Who goes there?"

Figures cloaked in black emerged.From within the darkness of night,agents of the Magyo began to move.

Encounter with the Magyo

The Magyo warriors approached,swords drawn, without hesitation.

"The dogs of the Murim Alliance crawl here again.""This is no place for the likes of you."

Murderous intent filled the air.Shadows of swords danced in the dark.The Magyo's sword formation—Mukhyeoljin (墨血陣)—unfolded.

Swoosh!

The first sword strike came flying.

It was fast.But to Seung-chan, every motion was clear as day.

He drew his blade.

Samjae Sword Form – Cheon (Heaven).A downward strike cleaved the night apart.

Crash!The first enemy was knocked away.

Ji (Earth), In (Man)—the sequence followed like a storm.

But—

The Magyo warriors did not fall.Even when knocked down, they stood again.Their eyes—something was off.

As if they felt neither pain nor fear.Like puppets with hollow minds.

Appearance of the Magyo Swordsman

"That's enough."

A cold voice.

Appearing through the haze was Jin Ha-un, known as the Sword Demon,one of the Magyo's elites in the past.

"Why have you come to seek us?""The Magyo was never gone. We return whenever we please."

Seung-chan did not lower his blade.

"I only wish to know why you've returned."

Jin Ha-un gave a crooked smile.

"Why? We need no reason."

"Because Gangho needs us."

"Do you think Gangho can endure without us?"

"You intend to spread chaos again?""Not chaos. Restoration."

"The Murim Alliance drove us out and played the rulers.""But without us, Gangho ends."

"We do not disappear.We return."

What Is the Magyo's True Purpose?

Seung-chan tightened his grip.Within their words—he felt a subtle, ominous undertone.

Is the Magyo merely evil?Or are they a force meant to unsettle Gangho itself?

Should he stop them again?Or should he uncover what truly drives them?

Now was not the time to dive deeper.For now, he had to observe—the coming clash between the Murim Alliance and the Magyo.

And within it,he would find the truth—of the real Magyo.

Chapter 34: Fate Cannot Be Escaped

– The Magyo's attack, the Murim Alliance's retaliation, and Seung-chan caught in fate's spiral.

The Magyo's Assault, the Murim Alliance's Casualties

At the heart of the Murim Alliance—the once-quiet Gangho was swallowed by a sudden storm.

The assault had begun.

The northern frontier outpost of the Alliance was ambushed.Many martial artists lost their lives.

The elders of the Alliance sat with grim expressions.A blood-stained report lay atop the table.

"The Magyo are moving again.""This attack broke through our defense line.""We must retaliate."

One elder clenched his teeth.

"We can no longer simply watch!"

"Summon every master of the Alliance!""Send word across the nation—gather all warriors of Gangho!"

Now—all of Gangho had to prepare for an all-out war against the Magyo.

The Masters of Gangho Gather at the Murim Alliance

The Alliance moved swiftly.

Summons were issued to every sect.Public announcements were posted across Gangho:

"To block the rise of the Magyo, the Murim Alliance seeks warriors of Gangho."

Warriors began to gather one by one.

Disciples from renowned sects.Wandering swordsmen from the wilds.Unrecognized masters from the shadows.Some concealed their identities and masked their true power.

And among them—Seung-chan found himself swept up in the current.

The Man Who Cannot Escape Fate

At first, Seung-chan merely observed.

The clash between the Magyo and the Murim Alliance had always been a destined path.He had no intention of joining either side.He simply moved as he watched the flow of Gangho.

But—

Fate wouldn't leave him alone.

Before he knew it, he was caught up in the recruitment wave.

"Hey, if you're a martial artist, you should be tested.""If you wish to wield your sword for the Alliance, prove your skill!"

Seung-chan nodded.He had been in situations like this before.If he couldn't avoid it, he had to earn recognition.

And so—he stood at the trial grounds of the Murim Alliance.

Prove It Through Skill

Dozens of warriors stood with swords drawn.Only those who passed the assessment could officially join the campaign.Among them were famed swordsmen and sect elites.

Seung-chan's turn arrived.

He quietly gripped his sword.

"State your name.""My name is of no importance.""I will speak through my martial arts."

The examiner looked at him coldly.

"Then prove yourself."

Seung-chan, Recognized

His first opponent stepped forward—a swift and sharp swordsman with some renown in Gangho.

Swoosh!Seung-chan's sword moved.

Samjae Sword Form – Cheon (Heaven).A single strike deflected the opponent's blade.

"Wha…!"The opponent stepped back—but was given no chance to counter.

Ji (Earth).A low strike pierced the gap.The opponent's sword hit the ground.

"I concede…"A clean, overwhelming victory.

The second challenger entered.This time, a martial artist from the Alliance—well-trained and disciplined.

But the result was the same.The flawless flow of the Samjae Sword Form could not be broken.

Third, fourth—Seung-chan never faltered.His sword never wavered.

At that moment,everyone turned their eyes toward him.

"…Who is that man?""Which sect does he belong to?""With swordsmanship like that, he can't be just a wandering swordsman…"

He was no ordinary warrior.But he only wished to be seen as one.

His martial arts, however, would not allow that.

The Moment Fate Refuses to Be Denied

The elders of the Alliance had been watching.

One of them rose.

"What is your name?""There's no need to say it."

"Which sect are you from?""I belong to none."

"Are you just going to leave like this?""I'm merely passing through."

The elder sighed deeply.

"But fate will not leave you alone."

"The Murim Alliance cannot let someone of your caliber simply walk away.""Prepare for battle. You're already part of this fight."

Seung-chan closed his eyes.

He had not wished for this.But when he moved, Gangho reacted.

And now—he was being drawn back to the center of Gangho once again.