World Information Chart: "Sword and Shadow: The Echo of Treachery"
The world of "Sword and Shadow" is a once-hallowed realm of martial prowess now fallen under the oppressive rule of Lord Varek, a tyrant who rose to power following the death of the Immortal Emperor. In this Murim universe, where ancient sects and legendary warriors once reigned supreme, the art of combat has been overshadowed by contemporary gangster influence and the brutal dominance of criminal bands, led by the four formidable Dons. However, our main characters have left some of the most prominent factions and dynamics unexplored. This chapter aims to present a clearer and more organized breakdown of these entities.
Jade Kingdom:
The Jade Kingdom stands as a pivotal factor in Murim’s history, and its story has been told to the MC’s by figures such as Jianfeng, Park Zhen, and Mo Yanhui. At its core is the monumental journey of the Immortal Emperor Han Zhenwu, whose singular vision was to unify all of Murim and put an end to the tumultuous "Era of Conflicts". This period was characterized by an all-out war among diverse factions, sects, schools, and alliances, each engaged in a relentless struggle for dominance that often came at the expense of countless innocent lives.
The three User invasions:
The world of "Sword and Shadow" has, to date, endured three separate user invasions, although only the second and third have been truly significant, each precipitating a profound transformation in the world's history.
First Invasion:
This event occurred during the "Era of Conflicts" when the world was classified at a difficulty rank of B. Not much detail is required for this part of the story, as the invading team was completely wiped out while attempting to form an alliance with one of the many warring factions within Murim. The only noteworthy consequence of this was that it led to the recognition of "Void Ki" as a legitimate power. Prior to this, it had been assumed that individuals possessing Void Ki were simply devoid of any Ki at all.
Second Invasion:
This event occurred during the zenith of the Immortal Emperor’s reign, following the unification of Murim, when the scenario was classified as rank A+. Unfortunately, this world became the focal point of a collab between the teams "The Holy Conclave" and "Destroyers of the Realm", both veteran groups with an average potential rating of A. Notably, The Holy Conclave (THC) was affiliated with the Eden Alliance and was the first to enter.
THC did not arrive with hostile intentions toward the inhabitants of Murim; however, due to a misunderstanding with the leader of a sect governing that region, a battle erupted. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred during this skirmish. In response to the plea for assistance, Jianfeng rushed to the scene and nearly managed to defeat a couple of THC members single-handedly (as will be explained later, during that period the key figures in that world were far more powerful than they were in the present). Regrettably, Jianfeng soon encountered the leader of THC, against whom he stood no chance.
Subsequently, the Immortal Emperor himself intervened, and a fierce battle ensued that lasted an entire day. In the end, all members of THC—except for their leader—were defeated. An observation noted only by the Emperor was that the team leader was the sole individual who repeatedly rose to his feet, despite never having a real opportunity to claim victory. This display of unwavering determination and indomitable will earned the Emperor considerable respect for that group of users, leading him to invite them to the palace.
After the arrival of Destroyers of the Realm (DotR), a revolution broke out, followed by a war of betrayal that culminated in the death of the Immortal Emperor and the ascension of Lord Varek to power. No user from either team survived this catastrophic chain of events and it was considered a double wipe.
Third Invasion:
This invasion is the one witnessed during the scenario—the arrival of Adam and his team in Murim, 500 years after the commencement of Lord Varek’s rule. Following the defeat of the Dons and the subsequent disappearance of Lord Varek, Park Zhen assumed the responsibility of reuniting the world, much like the Immortal Emperor had done in the past. Although this monumental task is expected to require an extensive amount of time, his immortal nature guarantees that the process will ultimately succeed.
The Resistance:
Although Lord Varek assumed indisputable power over the Murim world and seized control of what remained of the "Council of Six," the transfer of power was far from smooth. Numerous groups resisted while others capitulated immediately. Initially, the Resistance lacked a central leader or organized structure, resulting in the swift destruction and massacre of any faction, sect, school, or alliance that dared oppose the new regime.
It was only 150 years after the death of the Emperor that Jianfeng began to gather the scattered remnants of the Resistance and clandestinely organize them, gradually coordinating more sophisticated strikes over time. During a hiatus caused by the birth of his son, Jianfeng temporarily withdrew, and in his absence, the system of the Ten Vice-Captains was established to maintain order within the movement.
Despite achieving a degree of success for a period, the Resistance ultimately disintegrated following a fatal trap during the siege of the Jade Palace. Interestingly, the deal that Lord Varek had given to Shen was fulfilled—none of the captured members were executed except for the Vice-Captains who fell in battle. When Lord Varek was finally defeated and the reunification plan set in motion, all the captives were released by Park Zhen, Jianfeng, Shen and Drake.
Misc Characters:
Park Zhen:
He is recognized as the most powerful member of the "Council of Six" under the direct service of the Immortal Emperor, second only to Lord Varek in might. Before being recruited by the Emperor during the unification war, he led the "Divine Sun Ki Sect", a formidable faction that dominated much of eastern Murim. His first encounter with the Emperor ended in a brutal defeat; however, the overwhelming display of absolute power impressed him so profoundly that he chose to follow the Emperor. Once Murim was unified, he became one of the select few entrusted with the secrets of immortality.
Reserved by nature, Park Zhen is capable of engaging with others, yet he prefers solitude—especially after enduring hundreds of years under Lord Varek’s oppressive rule. He has never regarded the other members of the council (and later the Dons) as true friends, although he respects their strength. He harbors deep resentment toward the former council members for their betrayal of the Emperor, a sentiment that only subdued when he began to suspect that they were under external control.
An interesting personal detail, which he would never admit openly, is his unexpected fondness for modern attire. Park Zhen finds his contemporary suit—complete with shirt, shoes, and tie—exponentially more appealing than the traditional garments he once wore. This preference was inadvertently revealed when his student, Shu Rong, caught him admiring himself in a mirror while dressed in his new suit. The incident was so mortifying that he avoided making eye contact with anyone for an entire week thereafter.
After spending a year as Drake’s mentor, Park Zhen developed a certain fondness for the young man—Drake’s spirit reminded him, in many ways, of the Immortal Emperor. At the time of their parting, he presented the boy with a very special gift and expressed the hope that they would meet again someday. When asked what he plans to do once Murim is reunited, Park Zhen invariably replies that he does not know; he will consider his course of action when that moment arrives.
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Though seldom seen in active combat, Park Zhen is known to carry a revolver on his belt. It is widely believed that he keeps it purely for its aesthetic appeal rather than with any practical intent to use it.
Abbess Xinhui:
During the Unification War, Abbess Xinhui served as a modest, low-ranking teacher at the main Shaolin Temple, dedicated solely to the care and training of new recruits. However, the Immortal Emperor recognized an incredible potential within her and invited her to join his personal group, promising to help her potential flourish. In a remarkably short time, she achieved results that left the other members of the ‘Council of Six’ deeply impressed. As the youngest member of the group, she was also selected to learn the secrets of immortality directly from the Emperor.
Despite receiving numerous marriage proposals from leaders of various sects, schools, alliances, and other groups due to her exceptional beauty, Abbess Xinhui never considered any of them; she previously had a partner before joining the Shaolin Temple and consistently honored the vow of purity required of a monk. Notably, she developed a peculiar yet profound bond with Bai Huolong, the next youngest member of the group, and they eventually treated each other as though they were siblings. Unfortunately, this close friendship was lost when both succumbed to the mental control exerted by the DotR users.
Following her brainwashing caused by a parasite that Adam inadvertently implanted in her body, Abbess Xinhui chose to leave the Murim world and reside within the inner realm of the young man, awaiting the time when she might be summoned. Intriguingly, although most ghosts and summoned entities inside lack independent consciousness, Abbess Xinhui appears to have forged genuine friendships with a Demon-Type, the Sacred Guardian of Envy, and the Spectronomicon—beings she had once fought before her transformation.
Bai Huolong:
Bai Huolong, the second youngest member of the ‘Council of Six’, was once the heir to a formidable alliance during the Unification War. He joined the Immortal Emperor after suffering defeat in a duel against Mo Yanhui (Lord Varek). Throughout his life, Bai Huolong harbored a deep passion for music—a passion that persisted even when his judgment became clouded by mental control. In recognition of this fervor, Lord Varek bestowed upon him a musical technique, a gift that, under the right circumstances, could have single-handedly overcome Adam’s entire team had it not been interrupted.
Originally, during his battle against Drake, when the blond got his power up and severed Bai Huolong in half, the original draft said that his body would have been restored by Drake’s purifying Ki—restoring both his consciousness and body control. Yet, tormented by the gravity of his actions and the overwhelming presence of the Emperor’s energy within Drake, Bai Huolong instead chose to engage Drake in a duel, treating the conflict as a form of training unto death—a means to atone for his guilt. This original resolution was ultimately revised, as the subsequent presence of the S-rank monster had nothing to do with him.
At present, despite having transcended his mortal form into that of a spirit, Bai Huolong devotes himself to the quiet task of pacifying the tormented ghosts amassed by his karma—one by one. This ongoing endeavor reflects both his remorse and his enduring commitment to seek redemption for the choices of his past.
Sung Ja-In:
He was designed since the early drafts to serve as the opposition for Group 1. Very little is known about him, except that his spirit now resides alongside that of the Immortal Emperor, where he contributes in unspecified ways. Notably, he is recorded as having participated in the battle against ‘Heracles’... Wait, Heracles?
Heracles:
A rookie member of Team Eden, was dispatched as his first task to correct a system bug caused by Lord Varek within the "Sword and Shadow" scenario. Despite his formidable performance, in which he nearly swept aside the entire Murim military force deployed against him, Heracles ultimately engaged in a close-quarters battle with the four Dons and Lord Varek.
In that conflict, Lord Varek deliberately acted as bait, holding Heracles long enough to execute his plan. After a direct assault from the invader, Lord Varek managed to slow him sufficiently so that Heracles was trapped within Bai Huolong's [Karmic Suppression Barrier]. Once confined, Heracles lost all communication with the system, and his skills were abruptly sealed.
Seizing the opportunity, the four Dons—whose strength at that time depended more on their martial prowess and rigorous physical training than on skills— entered willingly inside the barrier and attacked him with their bare hands. Heracles, having reverted to a normal human state, was swiftly defeated and killed. Among the remnants left behind upon his death was the essence of a being named "Dark Galactron".
It is said that had Lord Varek been capable of copying some of Heracles' skills, the outcome of the scenario during the Third Invasion would have been entirely different.
Shen Jianfeng:
Another distinguished member of the Council of Six during the Unification Wars, and he is renowned for undergoing the most radical transformation since his first encounter with the Immortal Emperor. Prior to his defeat by the Emperor and his subsequent recruitment, Jianfeng led the ‘School of Demonic Fist’—a formidable institution that specialized in wielding Dark Ki as a weapon. Known for his tyrannical and cruel leadership style, Jianfeng’s outlook began to shift only after a near-fatal confrontation with the Emperor forced him to reconsider his methods.
Within the Council, Jianfeng is widely regarded as the closest companion among his peers—except for Abbess—by virtue of his reliability and unyielding determination. The only reason he, alongside Park Zhen, was spared from complete brainwashing was that DotR discovered his earlier defeat by the leader of The Holy Conclave and decided that allocating resources to recondition him was not worth it.
During his leadership of the Revolution, Jianfeng forged a personal bond with the leader of an allied sect, with whom he had a son. Tragically, his wife was killed in a surprise attack by the forces of Don Bai Huolong. This devastating loss deepened Jianfeng’s resolve, as he came to view his son as the sole beacon of hope keeping him tethered to his purpose. When his son later betrayed them, Jianfeng fell into a profound depression, the pain cutting deep into his already scarred soul.
After the downfall of Lord Varek, Jianfeng joined Park Zhen and the others in their ambitious quest to reunify Murim. Yet, despite his continued involvement in these monumental efforts, his true desire remains to retire from the endless strife. Jianfeng yearns for the day he can settle into a peaceful eternity alongside his son—a day when he can impart to him the secrets of immortality and watch him thrive free of the endless cycles of conflict.
Shen Yue:
Shen Yue is the son of Jianfeng and affectionately known as the "pretty boy" of the Resistance. He has never experienced a world untainted by Lord Varek's conquest and corruption, and as a result, he has always struggled to understand the urgency behind his father's and the Resistance members' quest to reclaim what was lost. Despite this, one certainty remains: Shen regards every member of the Resistance as family.
During a fateful ambush, Shen was captured and brought before Lord Varek himself. Seizing upon the deep familial loyalty within him, Lord Varek exploited this sentiment to broker a dark bargain. He promised that no Resistance member would be harmed directly, provided that Shen served as his spy, reporting every movement of his father and his comrades until the day came when the Resistance would be entirely eradicated.
Even after Lord Varek's defeat, Shen Yue has found it impossible to forgive himself for the choices made. Determined to atone for his perceived transgressions, he now dedicates himself to aiding anyone in need, striving to mend the fractures of his past decisions. As a symbol of his commitment to redemption and hope, Shen was responsible for the construction of a golden statue in the center of the new Imperial Palace, to stand alongside the greatest heroes of Murim. The statue depicts a slender, youthful figure with long flowing hair and a lively, hopeful smile with his tongue out, some people mistake the one depicted there for a woman.
Mo Yanhui (Lord Varek):
Wooooh… Spoiler! Just a little misc info about him, tho. The brainwashing technique that was used to control him was… [Silver Tongue Lv13]
Shu Rong, Luo Zhenhai, and Xian Yuelin:
Students of Park Zhen. They were tasked with containing the forces of Sung Ja-In and the remnants of the Shaolin Temple. Remarkably, they managed to hold back the onslaught without a single fatality, although they incurred several serious injuries that, in time, healed without lasting consequence.
After a year of rigorous training under the same master, they became close companions of Drake. Their bond grew so strong that their farewells took on uniquely personal tones. As they parted ways, Shu Rong stepped forward with a sincere smile and said, "Drake, congratulations. It has been an honor to be your fellow disciple." His words carried deep respect and genuine camaraderie.
In contrast, the usually imposing and stoic Luo Zhenhai could not contain his emotions. Overwhelmed by the thought of Drake’s departure, he wept openly, his tears streaming down his broad face—a sight that, given his colossal stature, was both poignant and oddly comical to onlookers.
Meanwhile, Xian Yuelin seized the moment to present Drake with a gift—a Jade Ring. In Murim tradition, the offering of a Jade Ring is a profound declaration of love, a sentiment that Drake accepted without fully grasping its significance.
*There will be an extra chapter with a day on Drake’s adventures in Murim during his training, so other things about the world will be explained there!