The Interrogation

In the noisy dining hall, the vibes was surprisingly normal despite the events that happened last night. The kids were chattering about, some of them was still sleepy, excited, and other still had a little bit of lingering anxiety. Ae-rin was sitting close to Su-yeon, they were both whispering quietly about what she had seen in her dreams, while Chul-woo was actively recalling and his version of last night's events with actions. 

Lee Jin-Ho was walking among the tables, refilling cups and fixing out the wrinkles on the cloth napkins. "Now, remember everyone," he said in a soft and guiding tone, "we must always treat each other with respect and keep our voices low in the main chamber. What we should aim for is to make Redwood Estate a place of calmness."

Han-ju, who was sitting at the front table, gave him a light nod. "We understand." he replied back, although his eyes were looking at the door, as if he was expecting trouble to happen ay any given moment.

Heuk Cheon entered the dining hall just as the kids have began to settle. He cleared his throat, and their chatter slowly silenced. "Today, we have an important lesson," he announces to the kids, his tone was serious but it was measured. "We must come to learn that true strength comes not only from our martial skill but also from being careful and united.

A few kids looked at each other. Chul-woo decided to speak up in his characteristic half whisper, "Is that like when you threw around that drunken crazy sword guy at the market?"

Heuk Cheon's gaze got firm, but he still managed to show a faint smile. "Yes, in a manner of speaking. Every act of defense for your family, no matter how big or small, fortifies the strength of our home."

The children were listening attentively, although some of the older ones, like Han-ju seemed to be calculating quietly what it might mean to fight enemies that were beyond the estate's walls.

After breakfast, Lee Jin-Ho gave an announcement, "We will do our chores first. Then after, we are going to train in the manor's courtyard. Master Heuk, may I suggest that we start with a roll call of the tasks from yesterday?"

Heuk Cheon lightly nodded. "That's fine. I want to see to it that everyone has an understanding of their responsibilities. We are a family here, and every one of us must contribute."

As the orphans left the room to complete their morning chores, the manor was buzzing with a renewed sense of duty. Han-ju was assigned to help in cleaning the main chamber's floors, while Chul-woo despite his playful protests, was put on window polishing duty. Ae-rin and Su-yeon was tasked to work together in the garden, cleaning up the flowerbeds and watering the sprouting vegetables. Even Jin-mu who was still aching from his arm, was given a lighter duty. It was to arrange the supplies in the storage room.

In a silent corner of the garden after they finished their earlier tasks, Han-ju and Chul-woo found a moment of respite as they were sweeping leaves. Han-ju broke the silence, "Chul-woo, did you see the look on Master Heuk's face last night when that old woman said that he couldn't protect us forever?"

Chul-woo stopped while his broom was in mid air. "I-I... I heard a little bit. It sounded scary, but Master Heuk didn't look as mean as he does usually. He is different now."

Han-ju gave a thoughtful frown. "Different... hmm? I just hope that he knows what he's doing. We all sort of depend on him."

Chul-woo grinned widely, "Well, he did throw around that one drunk guy like a pancake. If he can do that, I am sire he can handle anything."

Their light banter was interrupted by the far distant sound of laughter and the call of someone from inside the estate. It was as if, despite the serious nature of their responsibilities, the children still found moments of fun in their daily duties.

After they were done with their chores, the adults gathered in a silent alcove near the main chamber. Lee Jin-Ho, Do-won, Jung-soo, and Seo Ryung formed a small circle, the look on their faces mirroring the concern that Heuk Cheon was feeling inside.

"Master," Seo Ryung was the first to speak, "the old woman, Halmeoni, is still in the storage room, and we have yet to learn anything new from her."

Lee Jin-Ho frowned. "She barely spoke last night, except for those troubling words. I do wonder what her true mission is and who in the world employed her.

Do-won started shaking his head. "She did mention employers and that she was nothing but a hired blade. That suggests that someone is using her to keep tabs on us, or even worse, they could be preparing for an attack."

Jung-soo was leaning forward while lowering his voice. "B-But why target Redwood Estate? We are literally just an orphanage and nothing more.

Heuk Cheon who had just walked in the alcove, started to clear his throat. "Because we are more than just an orphanage now. We are a symbol, a sign that even a Demon Lord like me can change his path. And that makes enemies."

A dense suffocating silence manifested over the group as they started to consider his words. Seo Ryung finally spoke up, "What plan do you have in mind, Master?"

Heuk Cheon's gaze looked over his gathered allies. "Today, after training, I will personally come and question Halmeoni. I need to know who sent her and why."

Lee Jin-Ho frowned again. "But Master Heuk, won't that upset the kids if they hear about it? They are still a bit fragile."

Heuk Cheon's tone softened slightly. "They have to learn that the world is not without danger, but also that we can manage to fight it head on. I shall handle this carefully."

Seo Ryung gave him a gentle nod. "I will have the two escort guards stationed near the storage room, they both will be ready to assist you if need be.

"I am not sure if that is needed." Heuk Cheon said. "Keep your eyes and ears open."

Later that afternoon, after the children had been sent up to their personal rooms for a middle of the day rest and a quiet period of reading, Heuk Cheon made his way to the secured storage room. The corridor was silent, the only sound heard was the distant noise of rain against the stone. Seo Ryung had already posted a guard outside the storage room, making sure that no one else would disturb the interrogation.

Inside the small room, Halmeoni was laying on a thin mattress. Her eyes was flickered open as the door creaked, and she sat up carefully. The room was dim, it was only lit by a lone lantern on a frail table.

Heuk Cheon closed the door behind him, his footsteps was measured and deliberate. "Halmeoni," he started to speak, his voice was low and firm, "I have come to ask you again. Who are you working for? Who sent you to Redwood Estate?"

The old woman's eyes, that was once brimming with fake frailty, was now glowing with a stubborn spark. "I told you," she replies back, "I am just a hired blade. I am here following orders from those who hold grudges against you."

Heuk Cheon while folding his arms, leaned against the table. "Grudge... hmm? What kind of grudges? And why target us now?"

She let out a sigh, the sound was heavy with memories. "There are certain factions in the martial world that refuse to let go of the past. Some of them blame you for the downfall of the Blood Raven Sect, for the damage of the Great War. They see your attempt at redemption as a pitiful sign of weakness." Her voice dropped, it was almost a whisper. "They hired me to watch, to see if you had truly changed your ways."

The look on Heuk Cheon's eyes darkened. "Changed? I am doing what I needed to do. I accepted this role so I could redeem myself. I built this home for the children, so that they would not grow up in a world of endless bloodshed." he leaned forward with a tone that was both harsh and earnest. "If they think that my compassion is a sign of weakness, then they are seriously mistaken."

The old woman's eyes looked away for a second. "I... I do not know their names. They talk in the form of whispers and shadows." She moved, wincing a bit. "All that I know is that they have enough money and power. They fear what you represent. A chance or hope for a different future."

Heuk Cheon's jaw clenched. "And what about you? Were you ever a warrior? Or are you merely just a pawn?"

A bitter laugh was let out of her lips. "I once was a believer in the way of the sword. I was fighting battles for a cause, until I got betrayed. It ruined everything. Now, I only do what I must to survive." She stopped, her eyes narrowed. "I am not here because I want to, but it is because I have no choice."