If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Webtoon or tapas, you’ve probably seen the cover art for Memoir of the King of War. It looks like your standard martial arts fare. A brooding guy with long hair, a massive blade, and that "I’m about to ruin this man’s whole career" look in his eyes. But honestly? It’s more than just another power fantasy. It’s a slow-burn character study wrapped in some of the most brutal choreography in the genre.
Dan Sa-yu isn't your typical "I was weak and now I'm strong" protagonist. He starts off with a singular, terrifying focus. He’s searching for his childhood friends who were kidnapped, and he’s willing to dismantle the entire world of Murim—the martial arts underworld—to find them. It’s visceral. It’s gritty. And it’s surprisingly emotional for a story that features people getting their bones turned into dust.
The Raw Appeal of Memoir of the King of War
Most Murim stories follow a specific template. You know the one. The main character finds a secret manual, eats a glowing fruit, or gets reincarnated after being betrayed by his sect. Memoir of the King of War avoids those tropes by making the "power-up" phase almost secondary to the psychological toll of the journey.
Dan Sa-yu practices an ancient, forgotten art called the Ten Thousand Ghost Splitting Hands. It sounds cool, right? But the execution is horrifying. Unlike other heroes who use flashy energy blasts or swords, Sa-yu uses his hands to manipulate the joints and meridians of his enemies. He basically deconstructs people. It’s a specialized, terrifyingly efficient way of fighting that makes the stakes feel much more personal. You aren't just watching two sprites hit each other; you’re watching a master of anatomy dismantle an army.
Why the pacing actually works
People complain about the pacing in long-running manhwa. I get it. We want the big payoff. However, the creator, Woo-Gak—who is a legend in the Korean webnovel scene—knows exactly how to tension-build. The story doesn't rush to the "King" part of the title. It spends a massive amount of time in the trenches.
We see Sa-yu’s isolation. We feel the weight of his 10-year training period in the mountains. By the time he actually enters the Central Plains, he’s not just a strong fighter; he’s a ghost. He doesn't understand the politics of the Great Sects or the petty squabbles of the Murim Alliance. He only understands his mission. That disconnect creates a really unique dynamic where the "world" thinks it's in a political drama, but Sa-yu is playing a survival horror game where he’s the monster.
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A Protagonist Who Isn't a "Hero"
Let’s be real for a second. Dan Sa-yu is kind of a psychopath. Or at least, he’s been forced into a state where empathy is a luxury he can't afford. This is where Memoir of the King of War stands out from peers like The Legend of the Northern Blade or Nano Machine.
In many stories, the hero wants to restore his clan’s honor. Sa-yu doesn't care about honor. He’s a guy from the periphery—Goryeo (ancient Korea)—thrust into the massive, arrogant world of the Chinese martial arts circles. He’s an outsider. The way he treats the "righteous" sects is hilarious because he has zero respect for their traditions. If a master from a prestigious school stands in his way, Sa-yu doesn't bow. He just asks if they’ve seen his friends, and if the answer is "no" but they won't let him pass, things get messy fast.
- The Combat System: It’s all about meridians and pressure points. No flashy dragons, just terrifying precision.
- The Emotional Core: The bond between the three friends is the only thing keeping Sa-yu human.
- The Art Evolution: The art starts off solid but becomes genuinely breathtaking during the major arc finales.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Plot
I’ve seen a lot of threads where readers get frustrated that the "King of War" title feels unearned in the early chapters. "When does he become the King?" is a common question.
Here’s the thing: the title is a retrospective. The story is a memoir. It’s a chronicle of how he became a legend, not a status he starts with. You have to appreciate the transformation from a desperate boy in the woods to the man who makes the heavens tremble. If you go in expecting a tournament arc every ten chapters, you’re going to be disappointed. This is a story of geographical and spiritual conquest.
The villains aren't just "evil guys." Well, some are. But many are just victims of their own arrogance. They represent a stagnant system that Dan Sa-yu is systematically destroying. It’s incredibly cathartic to watch someone ignore the "rules" of the world and just win through sheer, terrifying competence.
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Reading Order and How to Consume It
If you’re looking to dive in, you have two main options. There’s the original webnovel by Woo-Gak and the manhwa adaptation.
The manhwa is usually the best entry point for most people. The visual representation of the Ten Thousand Ghost Splitting Hands is something that prose just can't fully capture. Seeing the way Sa-yu’s hands move—almost like they’re made of liquid—adds a layer of "creepy cool" that defines the series.
Where to start?
Start with the prologue and give it at least 20 chapters. The first 10 can feel a bit like a standard "training in the woods" setup. Once he leaves the mountain and starts interacting with the broader world, the scale of the story explodes. You’ll start seeing the threads of the larger conspiracy involving the Yuan Dynasty remnants and the various secret societies.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you're ready to start your journey with the King of War, here’s how to get the most out of it:
1. Track the "Factions" Early
The world-building gets dense. Keep a mental note of the difference between the Orthodox sects and the Unorthodox ones. Sa-yu sits right in the middle, and his alliances shift based on who has information.
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2. Watch the Hands
Seriously. Pay attention to how the artist draws Sa-yu’s hands during fight scenes. It’s a visual cue for his power level and his emotional state. When his fingers start blurring, someone is about to have a very bad day.
3. Don't Skip the Dialogue
Unlike some action series where you can just skim to the punches, the dialogue in Memoir of the King of War often contains the clues to the whereabouts of Sa-yu's friends. The mystery is just as important as the fighting.
4. Check Out Other Woo-Gak Works
If you finish this and need more, look into Reaper of the Drifting Moon. It’s set in a different world but carries that same "relentless protagonist" energy that Woo-Gak is famous for.
The story is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about the cost of vengeance and the lengths a person will go to for the people they love. It’s brutal, it’s beautiful, and it’s easily one of the best examples of modern Murim storytelling. Just don't expect a happy-go-lucky hero. Dan Sa-yu is a storm, and you’re just along for the ride while he levels everything in his path.