13. A Fate Pushed Further, and the Rise of a New Force

Chapter 45: A Fate Pushed Further, and the Rise of a New Force

– The strong are strong, yes—but this time, something feels different.

Jin Ha-yeong Pushed Toward Power

The atmosphere inside the Murim Alliance was shifting fast.Even though Jin Ha-yeong had refused the role of Alliance Leader, people wouldn't back down.

He was a man of hyeop—a warrior who walked the righteous path and sought to protect Gangho with his sword.But the high officials of the Alliance wouldn't leave him alone.

"Master Jin, the Murim Alliance needs a strong leader now.""The Magyo are growing in strength. Someone powerful must stand at the front!"

He gave no answer.But slowly, he was being pushed forward once again.

Testing Seung-chan

One person still weighed on his mind: Seung-chan.He kept a low profile in the lower ranks, but his movements had been... suspiciously precise.

His squad suffered the fewest casualties—not by chance, but by intention.And Jin Ha-yeong wanted to know for sure.

"Is he truly strong?"

So he summoned Seung-chan.

"There's a dangerous mission. Think you can handle it?"

Seung-chan looked him in the eye.He could already see through Jin's intent.

"So this is a test."He smirked internally.

But he didn't refuse.

"If it's an order, I'll follow."

Their conversation was brief.As Seung-chan departed, Jin murmured to himself:

"If he's truly strong... he'll return."

The Magyo's New Force—and a Fierce Clash

The mission was tougher than expected.Waiting there was one of the Magyo's most dangerous figures: Black Moon (흑월, Heukwol).

A phantom in the night, his martial arts were strange and overwhelming.He was less a man and more a force shaped by something unnatural.

The moment they met, blades were drawn.

Clang!

A violent clash echoed as their swords collided, relentless and fierce.

But this time—it was different.

Seung-chan felt it.This wasn't just about raw power.Black Moon didn't feel naturally strong—his power seemed constructed.

Seung-chan couldn't land a finishing blow.But neither could Black Moon.

In the end, Seung-chan forced his retreat.No clear victor—but a shocking result.

Turbulence in the Alliance

"Unbelievable!""A low-ranking warrior held back the Magyo's new enforcer?!"

The Alliance buzzed.No one had seen it coming.

But Jin Ha-yeong felt a headache brewing.

It was strange.As Seung-chan gained recognition, the pressure on him also grew.

"Master Jin must lead the Murim Alliance!""Now is the time for a true leader!"

The tide was growing stronger.Fate was pushing Jin toward the leader's seat.

Chapter 46: The Rise of Seung-chan, the Shaken Murim Alliance 

– When silence hides skill, the world grows restless.

Seung-chan's Name Echoes Through the Murim Alliance

Within the Murim Alliance, the name Seung-chan began to surface more frequently.He was no longer seen as just a lower-ranked warrior.Thanks to the prowess he showed on the battlefield and his confrontation with a formidable Magyo fighter, Seung-chan was promoted to a respectable position within the organization.

By merit alone, he could have risen even higher.But when summoned by the upper council of the Alliance to formally recognize his achievements, Seung-chan declared:

"I will not speak of what happened."

He refused to give a full account—of his movements, his techniques, or the details of his fight with Heukwol.

That silence cost him.

The Alliance's upper echelon grew uneasy.A man who refused to report fully could not be completely trusted.Thus, Seung-chan's rise stalled.But he found relief in that.

He had no desire to get entangled in the political power struggles of the Alliance.All he wished for was to live with a sword in hand.

But the world around him wasn't going to let him be.

Jin Ha-yeong Feels Uneasy

Jin Ha-yeong began to feel a quiet unease watching Seung-chan's rise.Though Jin was still recognized as a central figure of the Alliance, Seung-chan's presence was becoming more than just noteworthy.

The mood around him had shifted.

Instinct told him—

"That man... is dangerous."

The reason Seung-chan hadn't climbed higher was because he withheld information.But Jin knew—this wasn't ambition.It was intention.

Seung-chan was moving on his own terms.And still, he was being drawn deeper into the center of the Murim world.

Almost as if… it were fate.

The Murim Leader Debate—and Collapse

As Seung-chan rose and Jin struggled with unease, the internal discourse over the leadership of the Murim Alliance reached a breaking point.

The current leader had failed to distinguish himself in battle.He was a product of political compromise.Even his original backers were turning away.

At last, the Nine Major Clans issued a formal declaration:

"The current leader no longer represents us."

The moment those words were spoken, the Murim Alliance froze.

The authority of the sitting leader collapsed in an instant.

Furious, the current leader confronted the heads of the Nine Clans, raising his voice in anger.But the outcome was already written.

He was forced to step down.

The Alliance trembled.A vacuum of power had opened.

And everyone knew—

A new leader was needed.

And that choice was practically made already.

Jin Ha-yeong was rising.

Chapter 47: A Decision Forced, and the Approaching Storm

– The sword chooses silence, but the world demands a voice.

Jin Ha-yeong Stands at the Center of the Murim Alliance

With a vacuum left in leadership, the Nine Major Clans moved swiftly.There was no longer any reason to delay.

They summoned Jin Ha-yeong.

The heads of the nine clans gathered in one place.Their eyes turned to a single man.

"Jin Ha-yeong Jangmunin."

Their voices carried not suggestion, but conclusion.They were ready to officially name him as the new leader of the Murim Alliance.

"The Alliance cannot afford further instability.""A strong hand must lead the way.""You are the only one who can restore this chaotic era."

Jin Ha-yeong remained silent.

He already knew—This was a current he could not resist.

Still, he declined.

"I am a swordsman. Nothing more.""There are others better suited to the seat of power."

But they knew.Everyone knew.This was no longer humility.He had refused enough.

The elders exchanged glances.And then, one by one, they nodded.

"The Murim Alliance needs you.""The clans of the Gangho call for you.""If you do not rise, the Alliance will fall back into chaos."

Again, Jin Ha-yeong fell silent.

But this time—There was no longer a place to retreat.

He slowly set his sword down.

"Very well."

He accepted the burden.He would become the leader of the Murim Alliance.

His refusal had lasted long enough.To resist now would be meaningless.

And at that moment—A new era for the Murim Alliance began.

Meanwhile, the Magyo Expands

While the Alliance dealt with its internal affairs,the Magyo stayed away from direct confrontation.

Instead, they struck the outer edges.

Small sects across the Gangho fell one by one.There were no grand battles—Just a silent, methodical invasion.

Before the Alliance could respond,roots of darkness had already spread deep.

"While they reorganize, we expand."

The Magyo moved quietly.Deliberately.

And soon—

Their shadow would reach the very heart of the Murim Alliance.