The night at Pungwolru shimmered with its usual splendor, yet the room where Chun-Hyang and Lee do-hyunstayed was steeped in silence. A solitary lantern cast a soft glow across the space, its light flickering gently as a cool night breeze stirred the curtains.

Do-Hyun sat beside the bed, carefully packing his small bag. Every movement was deliberate and gentle, yet the tension in his eyes betrayed the storm raging within him.

The door creaked open quietly, and Chun-Hyang stepped inside. She stood in silence, watching him for a while before slowly approaching. Her gaze moved from the modest travel bag to his troubled face.

"Do-Hyun… do you truly have to leave?"

Her voice wavered ever so slightly, though she tried to maintain her composure.

Do-Hyun took a deep breath and lifted his head.

"I must. If I stay, I'll bring greater danger upon you and this place. I need to grow stronger in the Martial World—to protect you and Pungwolru."

For a moment, Chun-Hyang quietly absorbed his words. Then, without hesitation, she reached out and gently clasped his hand. Her touch was warm, steady—an anchor in the sea of his uncertainty.

With a soft smile, she whispered,

"Then before you leave… I want to give you something precious."

She pulled him closer, her serene gaze meeting his own.

"The Martial World will be merciless. But remember this—you're never alone. Here, and in my heart, you will always have a place."

She embraced him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders with both tenderness and resolve. It wasn't just comfort—it was a silent vow of trust, love, and unwavering belief in him. Her hand reached up, gently brushing against his cheek as she murmured,

"I've learned many things at Pungwolru. One of them is that love means sharing all that you are with someone you cherish. Tonight, let me share everything I have with you."

Do-Hyun held her gaze, his voice soft but resolute.

"Chun-Hyang… the love you've already shown me is more than enough. But if this is truly what you wish, I'll accept it with all my heart."

They leaned closer, sharing a tender kiss—gentle, yet profound, as if their souls were silently promising to meet again.

Slowly, they settled onto the bed. Chun-Hyang let her robe slide gracefully from her shoulders, her voice soft but unwavering.

"I may not be a warrior like those in Murim… but right now, I want to be with you completely."

Moved by her sincerity, Do-Hyun wrapped her in a gentle embrace. The warm glow of the lantern traced her silhouette, each movement filled with unspoken trust and deep affection. His voice trembled with emotion as he whispered,

"You give me the courage to survive in Murim. Your love will be my greatest strength."

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As their connection deepened, Do-Hyun felt an unfamiliar energy awaken within him—an intense force, unlike anything he had ever known. Chun-Hyang's warmth, her breath, and the sincerity of her love seemed to ignite something beyond mere emotion.

'What… is this?' he wondered as a surge of power, reminiscent of the energy that flowed from Igo's Sword, filled his body.

Chun-Hyang smiled, her fingers brushing against his chest.

"Even if you leave, you're never truly alone. My heart—and everyone here at Pungwolru—will always be with you."

Do-Hyun held her close, his voice low but filled with resolve.

"What you've given me is more than love. It's the very force that will drive me forward. When I return, I'll be stronger than ever, and I'll come back for you."

As dawn crept over the horizon, Do-Hyun finished packing the last of his belongings. He turned to Chun-Hyang one final time, taking her hand gently.

"Leaving doesn't mean forgetting. This place will always be my home… and you, the light in my heart."

Chun-Hyang refused to let go, her voice soft but firm.

"Come back. And never forget—you have a place here. Always."

With one final squeeze of her hand, Do-Hyun stepped out of Pungwolru. But deep within him, the strength born from her love burned brightly. It wasn't just energy—it was a guiding force that would carry him through the trials of Murim.

As she watched his figure disappear into the distance, Chun-Hyang's lips curled into a soft, bittersweet smile.

"Go, Do-Hyun. Grow stronger. And when we meet again, we'll both be greater than we are now."

This farewell wasn't filled with sorrow, but with hope—an unspoken promise of new beginnings. In her heart, she knew this wasn't the end but the start of a new chapter in their shared destiny.

***************

Pungwolru's Efforts and Disguise as an Escort Guard

On the day Lee Do-Hyun left Pungwolru, Chun-Hyang and her allies devised a strategy to ensure his safety. Rather than letting him travel alone, they arranged for him to disguise himself as a Pyo-Sa (鏢師)—an escort guard of a Pyo-Guk (鏢局), a renowned security escort agency. Traveling under their banner was one of the safest ways to navigate Murim, as even the most powerful factions rarely dared to interfere with a Pyo-Guk's affairs.

Before his departure, Chun-Hyang offered him one final piece of advice.

"The guards of a Pyo-Guk always move in groups. If they discover you're traveling alone, it could raise suspicion. Blend in naturally—act as if you belong."

Do-Hyun nodded, though the weight of uncertainty lingered in his expression.

"Thank you, Chun-Hyang. But I won't forget why I'm leaving. I'll return stronger. I promise."

With those words, he bid his final farewell and joined the Pyo-Guk escort group, donning the appearance of a simple guard.

As the convoy set off, Do-Hyun positioned himself at the rear of the formation. The other guards laughed, exchanged jokes, and scanned the road with seasoned vigilance, but Do-Hyun remained silent, his gaze locked on the sword at his side.

"Can I truly control this sword?"

The question echoed relentlessly in his mind. Memories of his battle with Han Soyeon, where the blade had moved without his command, and his crushing defeat against Jang Yeongpil, where the sword had acted solely on defense, gnawed at his confidence.

"If I can't master this sword, I'll never survive in Murim. But… why did it choose me in the first place?"

As the convoy wound its way through a treacherous mountain pass, Do-Hyun deliberately kept to the outskirts of the formation.

"This world doesn't forgive mistakes. Even the smallest slip could mean death."

Unlike his former life, where battles were fought with numbers in boardrooms, Murim was an unforgiving land—every step filled with hidden dangers and shifting loyalties.

That night, as the guards gathered around the fire, sharing tales and laughter, Do-Hyun sat apart, his eyes fixed on his sword. Slowly, he unsheathed the blade, watching its cold gleam shimmer beneath the pale moonlight. But rather than comfort, all he felt was distance—an unbridgeable gap between himself and the weapon.

"Why did you choose me? What do you want from me?"

A faint, dispassionate voice echoed from deep within the sword.

"You are still lacking. Yet, I chose you. It is your duty to wield me properly."

Do-Hyun's voice trembled with frustration.

"Duty? I didn't choose you! If I can't control you, I'll die out here. Is that what you want?"

The sword's reply was cold and unwavering.

"If being chosen isn't enough, then prove yourself worthy. If you cannot wield me, you will simply cease to exist."

His fists clenched tightly around the hilt.

"I won't lose to you. I will master you—no matter what it takes."

Sleep eluded him that night. Instead, he sat beneath the stars, his resolve hardening with every passing moment.

"I will not let this sword dictate my fate. I will bend it to my will. I will grow stronger—no matter the cost."

With silent determination burning in his chest, Lee Do-Hyun took another step forward. He was still a stranger in Murim, but he would carve his place within it. No matter what the cost.