At Pungwolru, Lee Dohyeon was gathering information, seeking a new sanctuary for healing. Pungwolru was more than just a place of entertainment; it served as a vital information hub for Cheonwoohui. With Chunhyang's help, he organized the intelligence flowing in from the martial world. Chunhyang calmly and systematically explained the reports gathered through Yeonhwaru's courtesans.
"There are rumors that a mysterious energy has been detected in the southern Cheonryong Valley. Martial artists say it's no ordinary place."
The name Cheonryong Valley piqued Lee Dohyeon's interest. It wasn't just a scenic valley, but a legendary site in the martial arts world's history. Yet, the challenge of reaching it would undoubtedly come with its risks.
"Good. Let's investigate it. But remember—hostile forces are watching us. We'll need to spread false information to divert their attention."
Lee Dohyeon decided to act. He asked Chunhyang to leak a false rumor. "Spread the word that there's a legendary martial arts manual hidden deep in the northern Snow Mountains. Let them focus their efforts there."
Chunhyang blinked playfully. "Spreading false rumors… you're sneakier than you look, Captain Lee."
Lee Dohyeon gave a wry smile. "It's no game. The point is to keep them off our trail."
Chunhyang's network quickly spread the fabricated story of the Snow Mountain's hidden martial arts manual. The rumor traveled fast, reaching even Cheongpung's agents and the Demonic Cult.
Meanwhile, Lee Dohyeon sought information from Hong Yusang, the leader of the Hongyu Escort Agency. Though Hong couldn't join the expedition himself, he introduced a trusted escort captain, Yoon Taejin.
"Yoon Taejin knows the routes of the Cheonryong Valley better than anyone. With him, you'll be able to navigate its terrain."
Yoon Taejin bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to assist you, Sir. I'll guide you through the valley."
Lee Dohyeon and Yoon Taejin set out for Cheonryong Valley, a mysterious, treacherous mountain range shrouded in dense forests and narrow gorges. Even at midday, sunlight barely touched the valley floor. Yoon Taejin, well-versed in the area's geography, led the way, carefully avoiding hazardous paths.
"This area isn't easily accessible," Yoon explained. "But many martial artists have come here chasing legends."
Following Yoon's lead, Lee Dohyeon gripped the Ego Sword tightly. Yet, the sword remained silent—an unusual change. Lee Dohyeon frowned, puzzled.
'Why isn't the Ego Sword reacting this time? It usually guides me when I'm searching for healing sanctuaries…'
Elsewhere, Cheongpung's agents, having followed the false Snow Mountain lead, were confused. Arriving at the mountain, they found no trace of the legendary martial arts manual.
"Something's off. We heard that Lee Dohyeon was coming here… so why does it feel like we've been misled?"
The hostile factions, gathering scattered intel, struggled to grasp Lee Dohyeon's true intentions, falling into confusion and missing vital clues.
Deep within Cheonryong Valley, Lee Dohyeon and Yoon Taejin finally found a new sanctuary—a tranquil spot surrounded by a serene pond and strange rock formations. Standing in the center of the pond, Lee Dohyeon felt his mana slowly replenishing.
"This is the place," Yoon Taejin murmured, looking around in awe.
Lee Dohyeon nodded. "Yes. This is a sanctuary."
As he felt his energy surge, Lee Dohyeon couldn't shake a nagging thought: 'Why didn't the Ego Sword guide me this time?'
He raised the Ego Sword and asked quietly, "Why didn't you help me this time?"
The sword remained silent.
Lee Dohyeon's trust in the sword began to waver. 'Could it be… that the Ego Sword is leading me into danger? Is it hiding its true purpose from me?'
After securing the sanctuary, Lee Dohyeon warned Yoon Taejin. "This location must remain secret. If it's exposed, the martial world will descend into chaos."
Yoon Taejin nodded solemnly. "Understood, Sir. I'll never speak a word of this."
To further protect the sanctuary's secret, Lee Dohyeon planned to spread another false lead. "Let's spread rumors of other sanctuaries—places where ancient martial manuals or legendary weapons are said to be hidden. It will draw their attention elsewhere."
The false rumors diverted the hostile factions, but their curiosity didn't fully fade. They continued tracking Lee Dohyeon, determined to uncover more about his movements.
What Lee Dohyeon didn't know was that the Ego Sword had its own hidden agenda. It was using him to locate healing sanctuaries, intending to draw power to one day return to its original fantasy realm. The Ego Sword had helped Lee Dohyeon find sanctuaries but sometimes deliberately misled him, nudging him toward danger to further its own goals.
Soon, Lee Dohyeon would come to learn the true nature of the Ego Sword—a revelation that would force him to reconsider his relationship with the weapon he had come to trust.
***
Chapter : Misleading Clues and the Seeds of Confusion
Lee Dohyun had already discovered three of the restoration sites, yet he continued gathering information in search of more. So far, the clues he had obtained through the support of Pungwolru and Hongyu Escort Agency hinted at his next destination, but the journey was anything but simple.
This time, he quietly held the Ego Sword in his hands, hoping for its guidance. The sword's faint glow shimmered in the darkness, and its sentient voice, familiar by now, spoke directly to him.
"Finding the third restoration site won't be easy. But this place will grant you the power you need. With it, you will stand at the center of the Murim world."
Yet, a different whisper, hidden within the blade, seemed to murmur something else. The lingering will of the sword's previous owner felt as though it was trying to manipulate Lee Dohyun, persistently provoking him.
"The restoration sites are the key to returning to your original world. You must grow stronger. To transcend the limits of this realm and open the door to another, you must find the restoration sites."
Lee Dohyun could sense the subtle difference between the sword's sentient voice and the whispering will, but he had no choice but to rely on the Ego Sword's guidance. After all, the sword had protected him thus far, helping him seize numerous victories. Still, the whispering will's words stirred unease in his heart—an unsettling sense that at the end of this path, an unexpected destiny might await him.
Lee Dohyun knew that hostile forces were watching his every move. Spies from the Cheongpung Society and schemers from the Demonic Cult had realized that he was searching for something, and Lee Dohyun intended to use this to his advantage.
He began deliberately planting false clues. For instance, he spread a rumor through Pungwolru that a legendary master's secret techniques were hidden somewhere. As Pungwolru's courtesans whispered this gossip to their guests, the tale quickly spread throughout the martial world.
"Did you hear? Lee Dohyun is searching for the secret techniques of a legendary master."
Cheongpung Society's spies exchanged whispers, intrigued.
"Apparently, something incredible is hidden in the Northern Snow Mountains. Seems like he's preparing to become a supreme master."
Since they couldn't pinpoint what Lee Dohyun was truly after, these spies clung to the false information, inadvertently helping Lee Dohyun obscure the truth about the restoration sites.
Lee Dohyun even collaborated with Yoon Taejin, the lead bodyguard of Hongyu Escort Agency, to fake an expedition. They explored the Snow Mountains as if genuinely searching for the legendary scrolls, successfully throwing off the spies' trail. The enemy forces, convinced that he was seeking something to make him stronger, began mobilizing to stop him.
However, Lee Dohyun's true objective remained concealed. Outwardly, it appeared as if he was following the Ego Sword's guidance, but in reality, he was seeking the third restoration site. Even as he followed the sword's advice, he became increasingly wary. The sentient voice sounded eerily persuasive, yet something about its underlying motives felt off.
As Lee Dohyun moved toward the restoration site, the sword's voice became more intimate, as if trying to grow closer to him. It offered whispered guidance, insisting on its loyalty.
"I'm the one who's been guiding you all along. Our goal is the same, Dohyun. You must grow stronger."
But the previous owner's will, lurking within, was different. As the restoration sites were uncovered, the will grew more insistent, urging Lee Dohyun with a sharper, more invasive voice.
"All of this is for you to return me to my original world. Your strength is my strength. I've been waiting for you to become one with me. Now grow stronger, and seize everything."
Lee Dohyun hesitated at those words. He had believed he was wielding the sword, but now, a growing fear gnawed at him—was it, perhaps, the sword that was using him? And yet, the Ego Sword had helped him so many times that he couldn't let it go so easily. As he wrestled with this inner conflict, the sword's will only seemed to tighten its grip, determined to control him.
Standing near the restoration site, Lee Dohyun quietly asked the sword, "You needed me for this place too, didn't you? Why do you keep leading me here?"
The Ego Sword remained silent for a moment, then replied in a calm, measured tone.
"Because I want you to become truly strong. In this place, you will gain a power no one else can possess. That is our shared goal, isn't it?"
Lee Dohyun sighed deeply, acknowledging that he still didn't fully understand the sword. The sword's sentience acted like a companion, but the lingering will within it gave off a dangerous, manipulative vibe.
After careful thought, Lee Dohyun resolved to continue his search for the restoration sites. For now, he had no choice but to follow the Ego Sword's guidance. Yet deep down, a shadow of doubt lingered—when would the sword betray him? He vowed to uncover its secrets, no matter the cost.
But the whispering will of the Ego Sword was growing stronger, persistently sowing seeds of doubt within him. Where this path would lead, Lee Dohyun could not yet foresee.