Today, historians have chosen to call that chaotic era the Rupture Era (破裂期).

It was a time when a single order fractured, and power tore into multiple strands, each pointing a blade at the other's throat.

The beginning was rooted in the Imperial House.

For a long time, the Imperial House was the sole center of the world. It was the absolute monarch and the pinnacle of power; its authority was so absolute that everyone would kneel the moment a member of the imperial family appeared.

Then one day, the late Emperor suddenly passed away in his sickbed, and his only son inherited the throne. However, he was still young—a boy Emperor lacking the experience and knowledge to lead such a vast nation.

The court officials did not fully recognize him as Emperor. From that moment, the world no longer looked toward a single center.

The officials and influential families put forward the same pretext: "We shall assist the young Emperor and protect the Imperial House."

Thus, the administration of the court was effectively handled not by the Emperor, but by the officials and powerful families who divided the duties among themselves.

From then on, competition between the families began to smolder. The officials and clans expanded their power while keeping each other in check, and authority gradually drifted away from the throne, scattering into many hands.

And a few years later, an incident occurred in the Imperial Palace.

The young Emperor was found dead in the central pavilion of the palace.

The cause of death was never clearly determined. Records leave conflicting accounts regarding who held the blade or which faction was involved.

Later historians recorded the events of this night as the Incident of the Crimson Night (赤夜宮變).

Since that day, the throne has remained empty. The seat that was the center of the world remained, but no one appeared to sit upon it.

As the authority of the Imperial House crumbled, eight prominent factions began to rise across the realm.

The Black Iron Army (黑鐵軍), who seized control of the military. The Mangeum Pavilion (萬金樓), who grasped the world's wealth. The Night Shadow Bureau (夜影司), who handled information in the darkness. The Azure Sky Sword Pavilion (靑天劍閣), who gained fame through the blade. The White Robe Clinic (白衣醫館), who dominated medicine and herbs. The Hyeoncheon Sect (玄天門), who dealt in scholarship and strategy. The Wolha Pavilion (月下樓), who held sway over aristocratic social circles and political networks. The Ghostless Band (無歸團), a wandering faction belonging to no side.

These factions sometimes joined hands, but for the most part, they expanded their influence while keeping a wary eye on one another.

Meanwhile, another story began to circulate through the realm. It was a rumor that the bloodline of the old Imperial House had not been completely severed.

It was uncertain where he was or if he was even alive, but people called that existence by a single name.

The Imperial Pulse (皇脈).

However, most people regarded the story as a baseless rumor born of a chaotic era rather than the truth.

While the throne remained vacant, the power of the realm scattered in many directions, and those harboring different ambitions began to eye that seat.

Later historians viewed this as the exact point when the order of the world changed completely.

And so, they recorded this era as the Rupture Era (破裂期).