Cheongpunghoe was no longer staying silent.
Backed by both the orthodox and unorthodox factions, they began to stoke the conflict between Magyo and Cheonuhoe—quietly but deliberately steering the situation. While Magyo remained a threatening presence in the murim world, Cheonuhoe had been attempting to assert order in its own way. Yet now, Cheongpunghoe saw an opportunity. By manipulating the rising tensions, they could solidify their own standing amidst the chaos.
"If Cheonuhoe and Magyo are bound to clash," said Yurimha calmly during the council, "then the time has come for us to intervene. We need to sow division—and carve out our place in the vacuum."
Shin Ganghyeon nodded in agreement.
"Their conflict is no longer theirs alone. If we act now, we may surpass them both."
Cheongpunghoe's goal wasn't to openly destroy either faction. Rather, they intended to escalate the conflict from behind the scenes—push both sides into full-scale battle, then step in once the balance tilted out of control. In doing so, they hoped to emerge as the new power to restore 'order' to murim.
As tensions escalated, Cheongpunghoe turned their attention toward Cheonuhoe's vulnerabilities. While Lee Dohyun and his comrades were working to strengthen Cheonuhoe's influence, Cheongpunghoe began applying slow and deliberate pressure—intent on breaking their independence and pulling them into the fold.
"The only path forward lies here," said Mun Heesuk to the masters of the orthodox and unorthodox sects."We now have a chance to suppress Cheonuhoe directly, and use the chaos in Magyo against them. This could be the moment we rise."
But things didn't go as planned.
While Cheongpunghoe thought themselves clever, unexpected variables began to surface. Although both the orthodox and unorthodox sects supported them from the shadows, major sects like Hwasan and Gonryun viewed the situation with increasing concern.
These two sects had once considered aligning with Cheonuhoe—but now feared its rapid growth just as much as they despised Magyo.
"Magyo has done too much harm. It's time to end them," said the head of Hwasan, his voice sharp with resolve."I once hoped Cheonuhoe would join us as allies, but they've clearly chosen their own path. As long as they stay tied to Magyo's shadow, they cannot be trusted."
Gonryun's stance was even more extreme.
They viewed Magyo as a plague that must be eradicated—completely and utterly. And if Cheonuhoe stood in the way of that? Then it too must fall. To them, both Magyo and Cheonuhoe were threats to be eliminated.
"They must be crushed—both of them," declared Gonryun's sect leader coldly."Cheonuhoe is not yet beyond our reach. If they intend to interfere in our fight against Magyo, they'll be dealt with the same way."
While the two sects laid the groundwork for an assault, Cheongpunghoe's own moves became bolder.
No longer just a third party seeking advantage, they now actively sought to ignite the war between Cheonuhoe and Magyo—hoping to step in at the climax and seize control.
"Cheonuhoe may not yet surpass us," murmured Mun Heesuk, deep in thought, "but their tactics are becoming more dangerous. If they stop playing by our game… then we'll have to move ourselves."
And then the moment arrived.
As blood was spilled between Magyo and Cheonuhoe, Cheongpunghoe found the opening they had been waiting for. The fight reached its boiling point, and it was Cheongpunghoe that entered to 'settle' the chaos.
"With the support of the orthodox and unorthodox sects," Mun Heesuk said grimly, "we now have the leverage to contain both Magyo and Cheonuhoe."
The war wasn't over—but the players had shifted.And murim would never be the same again.
***
Chapter – Cheongpunghoe's Wrath and a New Scheme
Cheongpunghoe was no longer content to linger in the shadows.They had now asserted their presence in murim with undeniable force. After intervening in the conflict between Magyo and Cheonuhoe and driving their enmity to its peak, Cheongpunghoe was fully aware of the ripple effect they had caused across the entire realm. Yet instead of praise, they found themselves sidelined—ignored by the very powers they had helped stabilize.
"Does anyone realize who orchestrated this chaos between Magyo and Cheonuhoe?"Yurimha's voice was cold and sharp in the council."If not for us, Magyo would have remained dormant. We drove a wedge between them. We are the reason Magyo lost its footing."
But the credit had been claimed by others.
Under the overwhelming influence of major sects like Hwasan and Gonryun, Cheongpunghoe's efforts were swiftly buried. These two sects had stepped forward to take the glory, asserting that their direct engagement with Magyo was the decisive blow. Cheongpunghoe's contributions were either minimized or conveniently rebranded as auxiliary support.
Hwasan's sect leader, Jang Taejun, spoke calmly yet firmly.
"It was our intervention that broke Magyo. While I acknowledge that Cheongpunghoe stirred the pot, the victory belongs to us."
Gonryun's leader, Yoon Gwanghu, followed suit.
"Without Hwasan and Gonryun leading the charge, Magyo would not have fallen. Cheongpunghoe merely lent a hand. If anyone is to restore order to murim, it must be us."
Cheongpunghoe found their growing reputation eclipsed. Despite all they had maneuvered, their foothold was weakening. Their leaders seethed with resentment—but for now, they could do nothing. The war between Cheonuhoe and Magyo still raged, and their best chance to assert themselves was by deepening their involvement further.
"This isn't just about taking a seat at the table," Yurim said with a bitter chill."We must hold real power. But as long as Hwasan and Gonryun look down on us, we will never be treated as equals."
Shin Ganghyeon remained composed.
"We wait—until the right moment. We played a critical role in this conflict, and we'll make that clear when it counts. Even if we cooperate with the other factions, they must understand: we will not be used."
Though Cheongpunghoe still operated under the shadow of the major sects, they were far from passive. As hostilities between Cheonuhoe and Magyo intensified, Cheongpunghoe watched closely for fractures to exploit. Their ultimate goal was clear: to surpass Cheonuhoe's influence, including its rising dominance over the royal enforcement corps.
Yet they knew that Hwasan and Gonryun would not let that happen easily. The path to power would be lined with obstacles, and murim's new order was still forming.
Meanwhile, Heukwolcheon—Magyo's second-in-command—watched Cheonuhoe's rise with wary eyes. His strategy was twofold: maintain Magyo's prestige, while subtly disrupting Cheonuhoe's expansion. But what intrigued him most was Cheongpunghoe's position.
Seeing Cheongpunghoe stifled by the orthodox factions, Heukwolcheon saw opportunity.
"They'll soon realize it's time to choose their own path," he said to a subordinate."If we extend a hand now, they'll turn against those who betrayed them."
He was already orchestrating a secret alliance—using the growing discord between Cheongpunghoe and the orthodox sects to forge a possible coalition with Magyo. But should that plan fail, he was prepared to crush Cheonuhoe directly.
"Strengthen them. Let them grow—but under our banner. If they owe us, they won't dare defy us."Heukwolcheon smirked darkly."The time has come to throw Cheongpunghoe and Cheonuhoe into a war of their own."
He was intentionally manipulating the battlefield—undermining Cheonuhoe's position so that Magyo could reassert control over murim.
His ultimate objective: isolate Cheonuhoe, pit them against every side, and watch them collapse.Magyo would then rise again—not as a lurking threat, but as the undisputed power.
But no matter how carefully he played his game, Cheonuhoe was no longer the same.
Their strategies were no longer reactive. They were ready.
Ready for anyone who dared challenge them—from within or without.