The Black Cloud Sword: The Rise of Do-Hyun

In front of the Murim Alliance encampment, the imperial banner fluttered sharply in the wind as Princess Mi-ryeong appeared, riding with a regal posture. She was surrounded by elite imperial guards, and tension gripped the air.

Lee Do-hyeon, the Murim Alliance Lord, stepped out to greet her, flanked by masters Jin Cheong-woo, Do Hyeon-jung, Han So-yeon, Baek Wol-hee, and Cheong Un-jin. Though Mi-ryeong's arrival seemed peaceful, the Murim masters kept their guard high, unsure whether this was genuine mediation or yet another scheme from the Imperial Court.

As she approached the front of the Murim formation, Mi-ryeong dismounted with elegant grace and spoke in a voice carrying imperial authority.

"I have come bearing the order of His Majesty. I stand here with the intent to mediate and bring an end to this current chaos and war."

Lee Do-hyeon took a step forward, his voice calm yet firm.

"Mediation… The Imperial Court has already attacked us twice. Under such circumstances, it's not easy to accept talk of peace."

Mi-ryeong took a step forward, smiling.

"That is precisely why I have come in person, Lord of the Murim Alliance. To ensure that Murim and the Empire do not destroy each other. I carry the trust of His Majesty. If we do not seek peace here and now, a greater tragedy will follow."

Her words sparked varying responses among the Murim masters.

Jin Cheong-woo was the first to speak.

"Your Highness, the Imperial Army has already inflicted deep wounds upon us. To speak of mediation now—does that not seem all too convenient?"

Do Hyeon-jung nodded in agreement.

"You say you act under His Majesty's orders. But if those orders were to annihilate the Murim, what are we to do then?"

Baek Wol-hee stepped beside Lee Do-hyeon and whispered,

"Do-hyeon-nim~, she seems sincere about mediating, but until we know the Imperial Court's true intentions, we can't afford to let our guard down."

Lee Do-hyeon looked steadily at Mi-ryeong and said,

"I do not doubt Your Highness's sincerity. But under the current circumstances, it will not be easy to gain the consent of all those in the Murim Alliance."

Mi-ryeong nodded quietly and replied,

"I understand your position. But if Murim and the Empire continue this path of conflict, neither side will escape ruin. I have already issued an order for the Imperial Army to withdraw for the time being, to demonstrate our willingness for peace."

Her words caused murmurs among the gathered masters. Baek Wol-hee gave a small smile and said to Lee Do-hyeon,

"If her actions are genuine, perhaps we should consider giving peace a chance?"

Mi-ryeong raised her voice with renewed resolve, facing the gathered warriors.

"I seek a path for both the Empire and the Murim. The Imperial Army cannot completely subdue the Murim, and the Murim cannot entirely defeat the Empire. Rather than mutual destruction, we must find a way to coexist. I ask that you send a representative of the Murim Alliance to engage in negotiations, so that I may report directly to His Majesty."

Lee Do-hyeon pondered for a moment before replying.

"Your words carry weight, Your Highness. But agreeing to this will mean making a decision not only on behalf of the Alliance but for all of Murim. It must be a choice made with care."

Mi-ryeong bowed her head slightly.

"I will respect your decision, Lord. Whatever path you choose, I shall report it to His Majesty. But I will continue seeking a path where Murim and the Empire can coexist."

After the meeting, Lee Do-hyeon gathered Han So-yeon, Baek Wol-hee, and Cheong Un-jin to discuss Mi-ryeong's proposal.

Han So-yeon was the first to speak.

"Negotiating with the Empire is a dangerous game. They will try to use us in the end."

Baek Wol-hee added cautiously,

"You're right, Do-hyeon-nim~, but the Princess did fight alongside us before. I do believe her sincerity—at least in part."

Cheong Un-jin spoke in a quiet tone.

"If we refuse the offer, the war will only continue. Everyone will suffer more. I believe we should carefully consider the Princess's proposal."

Lee Do-hyeon let out a long sigh and made his decision.

"Very well. Let's accept her proposal. But we must clearly state our conditions and remain vigilant. If this negotiation fails, we will have nowhere left to retreat."

His comrades nodded in agreement, standing behind his choice.

Lee Do-hyeon and the Murim Alliance prepared for negotiations with Mi-ryeong, facing a turning point in their conflict with the Empire. Yet, all of them knew—this negotiation was a perilous gamble.

***

Chapter : The Shadow of the Imperial Army

Princess Mi-ryeong's voice was calm, but the weight of her words pressed heavily on the minds of the Murim Alliance's masters.

"Everyone, I have come here under the command of His Majesty, not to threaten, but to mediate peace between the Murim and the Imperial Court. However, if you do not accept the proposal I bring… we can no longer hold back. You will witness not the current imperial force, but the true power of the Imperial Army."

Silence fell over the Murim Alliance. It was Jin Cheong-woo, sect leader of the Hwasan Sect, who spoke first.

"Your Highness, those words sound like an ultimatum. Are you truly here to negotiate—or to threaten us?"

Mi-ryeong shook her head and replied with sincerity in her gaze.

"This is not a threat. I desire peace. But the Empire's patience toward Murim has reached its limit. You are already aware—this current imperial force stationed here is not the full strength of the Empire. If the true Imperial Army is mobilized, the entire Murim will be laid to waste. I have come here to prevent that outcome."

Do Hyeon-jung of the Kunlun Sect asked with a sharp look.

"What do you mean by the 'true' Imperial Army?"

Mi-ryeong hesitated a moment before replying softly.

"There exists an elite force within the Empire—one that has never been deployed until now. They are not only cavalry and archers but warriors forged through countless battles with foreign tribes, trained in diverse tactics and armed with weapons gained from imperial conquest. If they move… the Murim will not survive."

Murmurs rippled through the alliance.

The leader of the Open Gate Sect stood up and shouted,

"Then let them come now, Your Highness! If such a force exists, we shall face them with our blades! We will never yield to the Empire!"

Han So-yeon placed a hand on his arm to calm him, speaking in a quiet tone.

"Reckless words won't help us. What matters now is survival."

Baek Wol-hee, speaking with her usual teasing lilt, though her eyes were serious, added,

"Your Highness~, then why didn't you bring this elite force from the start? Were you… afraid of us, perhaps?"

Mi-ryeong smiled faintly.

"His Majesty respects the strength of Murim. That is why he is giving you a chance to negotiate. But if that chance is lost, so too will be the Empire's patience."

The Murim Alliance was divided in their reactions.

Jin Cheong-woo said with indignation,

"Those are just veiled demands for surrender. It's no different from trampling the pride of Murim."

But Do Hyeon-jung responded coolly,

"Even so, we can't ignore reality. No matter how strong we are, we cannot continue to clash with the Empire's elite forces. We must find a way to end the bloodshed."

Han So-yeon spoke softly,

"She's right. This war has already scarred us deeply. We need to stop the sacrifices."

Baek Wol-hee approached Lee Do-hyeon and whispered,

"Do-hyeon-nim~, this is truly a difficult choice… but I believe the Princess is sincere. Maybe we can make sure she doesn't become our enemy."

All eyes turned to Lee Do-hyeon. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Your Highness, we are accepting your proposal for one reason only: because we no longer wish to spill blood. But do not mistake this for surrender. It does not mean we are abandoning the pride of Murim."

Mi-ryeong bowed her head.

"I thank you for your decision, Lord. I believe this negotiation will open a new path for both the Empire and Murim."

Though Mi-ryeong's proposal was accepted, suspicion and distrust still lingered within the Murim Alliance. Meanwhile, Mi-ryeong began preparing to return to the capital and report to the Emperor, hoping that the peace she sought might become a reality.

Yet no one could say for sure—whether this would truly lead to peace… or ignite a new fire of conflict.