The morning air at Heukwoon-gwan's training grounds was crisp with tension. The female trainees—many of whom were former courtesans—had spent the past few days training under Baek Wol-hee's guidance. Today, they would finally face the male trainees in a sparring match. It wasn't just a test of technique—it was a chance to prove how much they had changed.
Yoon-hwa stood at one side of the grounds, nervously clenching and unclenching her hands."Can I really do this? Can I win… with the techniques I've learned?"Fear gripped her, but she slowly curled her shaking hand into a fist, reminding herself of the path she had walked.
Next to her, Maehyang patted her shoulder. "We've come too far to back down now. Didn't Master Wol-hee say it herself? We're not weak anymore."Her voice feigned confidence, but her trembling fingertips revealed her anxiety.
Yoon-hwa gave a faint smile and grasped Maehyang's hand. "You're right. Let's show them what we're made of."
At the center of the grounds, the male trainees stood waiting, some with cocky expressions as they looked at the women.
"Courtesans, huh? Let's be real—it's all just play-acting," one muttered.Another nodded. "Still… if they trained under Master Baek, we'd better take it a little seriously."
Yet their attitude was clear—they saw these women as weak, unworthy opponents.
The signal to begin was given.Yoon-hwa faced her opponent, who advanced casually, swinging his fist at her with a sneer. "Let's teach you a lesson. Courtesans practicing martial arts… laughable."
His attacks were fast and aggressive, but Yoon-hwa stayed calm. She stepped back, not to retreat, but to observe—just as Baek Wol-hee had taught her.
"Feel the flow. Make their strength your own."Her master's words echoed in her mind.
When her opponent overextended, Yoon-hwa used a redirection technique and swept his leg, causing him to stumble and fall.A gasp swept through the training ground.
He looked up at her in disbelief. The male trainees, watching from the sidelines, fell into stunned silence. In that moment, their belief that "a courtesan is always weak" was shattered.
Yoon-hwa's breathing was heavy, but it came from exhilaration, not fear."I'm not weak anymore. I have the strength to protect myself."
Watching from the sidelines, Baek Wol-hee smiled proudly. She had hoped her new techniques would help women like Yoon-hwa not only defend themselves—but stand on their own.
Han So-yeon beamed. "She's doing better than I expected. Those defense and evasion techniques are really solid."
Cheong Un-jin nodded beside her. "True. They may not be masters yet, but this is enough to protect themselves. What matters is—they're no longer living in fear."
From the back, Lee Dohyun watched with pride."This is just the beginning. Heukwoon-gwan must become a place where anyone can become strong."
He approached Yoon-hwa and said warmly, "You did well. You're no longer what you once were. You are now a true martial artist."
Yoon-hwa bowed her head. "Thank you, Master. I'll work even harder."Her voice carried confidence—for the first time.
***
A Night at Heukwoon-gwan, the Festival Unfolds
The celebration at Heukwoon-gwan's training grounds had begun modestly—to commemorate the women's first victory—but it quickly blossomed into an unforgettable night.
Baek Wol-hee raised her glass and called out, "We can't let a night like this go to waste! Let's drink, eat, and forget our worries for one night!"
Cheong Un-jin joined in, lifting his bottle high. "This here? This is the drink of champions! One sip, and tomorrow's strength is guaranteed!"His antics brought laughter all around.
Baek Wol-hee and Cheong Un-jin orchestrated the festivities so that male trainees and women from Pungwol-ru could mingle naturally. They nudged people closer, teasing and matchmaking."Talk to each other! Tonight is special!" Baek Wol-hee said with a wink.
From the side, Lee Dohyun, Han So-yeon, and Miryung were preparing drinks and food, observing the joyful crowd.
"So-yeon, it's nice seeing everyone laugh like this," Dohyun said."Yes, Master," she replied, smiling. "At first, there was so much tension… But look at them now."
Miryung teased, "You should enjoy it too, Master. Everyone's having fun thanks to you."
Dohyun chuckled. "Someone has to work behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. But I'll join in—just enough not to ruin the mood."
Elsewhere, a male trainee shyly approached one of the women. "Your technique earlier… Where did you learn that?"
She smiled. "Master Baek taught me. I never imagined I could move like that, but here I am."
As the night deepened, laughter and stories flowed freely. Some danced, some sang—barriers crumbled, and bonds formed.
Lee Dohyun watched quietly, content. "Isn't this what we dreamed of? The strong supporting the weak, everyone becoming one."
Han So-yeon nodded. "Yes. Tonight, no one's an outsider. We're all comrades now."
Miryung added, "Maybe small gatherings like this are what really make Heukwoon-gwan strong."
Dohyun smiled. "Yes. Heukwoon-gwan must be more than just a martial school. It must be a place where every voice matters."
The celebration lasted late into the night. By the end, they weren't just trainees or courtesans anymore. They were companions—united by shared purpose and mutual respect.
Even after the festivities ended, Dohyun lingered behind, cleaning up in silence."It may have been a small step—but it's a step that will make Heukwoon-gwan stronger."
***
External Eyes and the Emergence of the Demonic Sect
The training grounds of Heukwoon-gwan remained vibrant. The trainees, now practicing alongside the female disciples, encouraged one another and continued to grow. The new partnership between Heukwoon-gwan and Pungwol-ru deepened day by day, and Lee Dohyun's vision of solidarity with the marginalized was no longer just a dream—it was turning into reality.
But these changes weren't going unnoticed outside the walls of Heukwoon-gwan. Word of this unusual school began to spread across the martial world.
Elsewhere, in the Demonic Sect
Even the Demonic Sect had caught wind of the stories surrounding Heukwoon-gwan. Deep within the mountains, in the heart of the sect's dark fortress, a cold tension filled the air as a critical meeting took place.
The Sect Leader of the Demonic Sect was a man who instinctively pursued strength. But he was more than just a powerful martial artist—he was a visionary with a clear philosophy regarding the strong and the weak.
"Strength solves everything. The weak hoping to overcome the strong is nothing but illusion."
He listened with interest as reports of Heukwoon-gwan were delivered. Beside him were his disciple Heukyeom and the elite warriors of the Seven Shadows—the Demonic Sect's highest-ranked enforcers.
Kneeling before him, Heukyeom gave his report."Master, this place called Heukwoon-gwan is gathering the weak and teaching them martial arts. I've heard even courtesans are being trained. It's a hodgepodge organization."His voice carried both ridicule and skepticism."At the center of it all is a man called Lee Dohyun, the Black Cloud Sword."
The Sect Leader closed his eyes and fell silent. The room waited, breathless, as the Seven Shadows awaited his verdict. At last, he spoke.
"A hodgepodge, you say… But sometimes, from chaos, new strength is born."
He turned to Dokyeon, the coldest and most analytical among the Seven Shadows.
"Dokyeon. What's your analysis?"
After a moment's contemplation, Dokyeon answered."Master, most alliances of the weak merely reinforce weakness. But if they're building a new structure… then we cannot rule out the possibility that a strong one may emerge from it."
The Sect Leader smiled.
"Indeed. If this Lee Dohyun truly creates innovation, he could introduce a new fracture into the martial world."
The Demonic Sect operated by fundamentally different principles than the orthodox and unorthodox sects. It prized power above all, determining status solely by skill—regardless of gender.
Meritocratic Equality: Men and women were treated equally, judged only by strength.
Survival Above All: The weak were discarded naturally, as unworthy of becoming strong.
This philosophy stood in direct contrast to Heukwoon-gwan's ideals. To the Demonic Sect, the idea of solidarity among the weak was absurd. Yet the Sect Leader found the concept intriguing enough to warrant further investigation.
He sat back and issued a command.
"Dokyeon. Heukyeom. Go to Heukwoon-gwan. Observe this Black Cloud Sword. Determine whether he is merely an idealist—or someone forging something truly new."
Heukyeom bowed. "As you command, Master."
Dokyeon smiled faintly. "And if he proves strong enough to understand our ways—what then?"
The Sect Leader's eyes glinted.
"Then we bring him into the fold. If his path is hollow, we'll shatter it. But if he's a true strong one—we'll make him one of us."
After the two left, the rest of the Seven Shadows began to speak.
Hanlim: "Master, do you truly believe this Heukwoon-gwan can produce strength? Gathering the weak doesn't guarantee power."
Sect Leader: "Strength isn't born only among the strong. Innovation can arise from the weak too. But if that innovation doesn't lead to true power—it is nothing but delusion."
Hanlim: "So this mission is meant to exploit them?"
Sect Leader: "Exactly. If Lee Dohyun can fracture the martial world, we must be the ones to control that fracture. If he fails, we will expose his naivety. If he succeeds—we will absorb his strength."
The Demonic Sect's intentions extended beyond mere observation. They planned to infiltrate Heukwoon-gwan, thoroughly investigate its alliance with Pungwol-ru, and analyze its strengths and vulnerabilities. Their goal was not destruction—but understanding, exploitation, and eventual dominance.
"Lee Dohyun, the Black Cloud Sword… Soon, we'll know what kind of man you truly are. We'll see whether your belief in solidarity can really birth strength—or if it's a fool's dream. Or perhaps… you might just become a true strong one."
With that final thought, the Sect Leader smiled to himself. His agents were already in motion.
And with that, the Demonic Sect's involvement would usher in a new era of tension and danger. The clash between the solidarity of the weak and the philosophy of the strong was about to reshape the martial world.