Lingering Spirits

Inside, the Redwood Estate was already coming alive. The orphans, each with names that sounded like a vow of future murim heroes. they were stirring in their respective sleeping quarters. Han-ju, the eldest and the unspoken leader among them, woke up first, he stretched with a deliberate calm that hid his inner determination. He swapped a nod with Jin-mu, whose bandaged arm was still throbbing from yesterday's training, and with Dae-hyun, who was showing a mischievous smile even as he was complaining about having to wake up early.

Chul-woo was heading down the stairs, his missing front teeth and messy hair was a huge contrast to the orderly lines of the older kids. Su-yeon was clinging onto her beloved doll close to her chest, her eyes was widening with both wonder and apprehension. Ae-rin was moving quietly, with her soft demeanor hinting at the burdens of her tormented past, while Woo-jin and Min-ah, were chatting about nervously about the strange events that have been happening in the estate lately.

In the main dining hall, Lee Jin-Ho was already arranging the tables with meticulous carefulness, he was making sure that every child had a seat. "Good morning, everyone." he called out warmly to the coming children, his voice was warm and reassuring. "Today, we have a hectic schedule. As usual, we will do chores to keep our home neat and clean, then we will proceed with a martial arts training session in the manor's courtyard. Always remember that discipline and vigilance are the cores needed to ensure our safety."

Han-ju answered him firmly, "Yes, Master Jin-Ho."

Chul-woo also spoke up, "And uhm... maybe a little fun too, right?"

Dae-hyun was grinning, "I'm just hoping that our breakfast doesn't explode again, like our history with porridge."

His table burst out in soft laughter, a sound that, even in the shadow of impending danger, enveloped Redwood Estate with a spark of life.

As Heuk Cheon was entering the dining hall, his presence immediately commanded silence. As he was observing the room, his gaze was locked upon each young kids' face. Han-ju's steeled eyes, Ae-rin's silent conviction, Su-yeon's warm curiosity, Jin-mu's careful determination, Dae-hyun's playful mischievousness, Chul-woo's unstoppable energy, and the wondering eyes of Woo-jin and Min-ah. "Today," he starts to announce with his voice resonant and controlled, "We train not only our bodies but also our minds." 

His words, was delivered with the conviction of a battle hardened leader, it was rippling through the room. Even the noisy chatter went quiet, it was replaced by focused attention.

After breakfast, the kids were gathering in the manor's courtyard, a space that had been carefully renovated but it still contained the marks of past events. Under Heuk Cheon's hawk eyes, they began their training session. Today's martial arts lesson was dedicated to refining their stances, balance, and mental strength. But Heuk Cheon had another lesson in mind, a showing of what true martial power looked and felt like.

"Start to form your positions," he commanded with authority. "Han-ju, Jin-mu, Chul-woo, Woo-jin, and Min-ah, take a step forward. Today, I will display to each of you how to defend not only yourselves, but the ones you hold dear."

The chosen kids looked at each other with determined faces. Han-ju took a step into the center, his form was already a model of preparedness. Chul-woo was bouncing about excitedly, while Jin-mu's eyes was focused and serious. Woo-jin and Min-ah, although they were younger, was on par with the resolve of their elders.

Heuk Cheon started with a series of rapid but fluid movements, it was a demonstration that was as mesmerizing as it was brutal. His every motion gave off power and precision, the kind that was once used to topple armies and now it was used to inspire his young orphans. With a single, thunderous strike, he demolished a close by wooden training dummy, it sent splinters flying like shrapnel. The kids were gasping in awe.

"Watch my movements carefully," he guided them with a firm voice. "This is not just a showcase about strength, it is also about proper control. A true martial artist channels his inner fury and uses it to protect something, not to destroy recklessly... I had made that mistake once, not again."

He once again stepped into a series of stances, each movement was executed with the grace of a thousand year master and the furiousity of a lion defending its pride. As he was demonstrating a particularly difficult move, his eyes were flickering with that undeniable, fearsome spark. The kids were leaning in, every muscle in their young bodies was tensing as if they were getting ready for a challenge.

When he finished, silence was reigning for a few precious second before Han-ju decided to speak up, his voice was shaking with admiration. "Master, you are... wow, incredible. I really hope I can be as strong as you one day."

The look on Heuk Cheon's eyes softened a little bit, it was just enough to acknowledge the sentiment. "Again, strength is not measured by how hard you can hit something, but it is by how well you are able to protect. Always keep that in mind, and you will be truly strong."

Their training continued, and soon every brat was paired off in basic drills. Even those that wasn't chosen for the showcase were practicing really hard, their eyes were glowing with the desire to learn and grow. Amidst the noise of wooden practice swords and shouted corrections, the sense of unitedness and purpose seeped every corner of the Redwood Estate.

As the training session was drawing to a close, the vibes in the atmosphere changed. A sudden noise in the nearby thicket, barely heard at first, sent a wave of unease through the assembled group. Seo Ryung, ever the alert one, was the first one to notice. "Master, it seems that there are movement near the eastern fence." he reported with a low and cautious voice.

Heuk Cheon's eyes shifted to the disturbance. "Guide me there." he ordered with a mean look.

Within seconds, Seo Ryung and a pair of escort guards, Do-won and Jung-soo, was advancing towards the fence. The children, many of them was still staying in the manor's courtyard after their training session, they were watching wide eyes. Han-ju quickly guided the younger ones behind him, while Chul-woo's usual exuberance gave way to a serious, almost fearless expression.

Then, a shadowy figure suddenly burst from the cover of the trees, it was a lean, masked figure wearing dark clothing and carrying a set of throwing knives that was shining in the morning light. In one swift, predatory motion, the assailant lunges at one of the escort guards, he was aiming to disable him with precise strikes.

"Hey! Watch out!" Seo Ryung shouted at the escort guard.

Without a moment of hesitation, Heuk Cheon surges forward from the center of the manor's courtyard. The air was seemingly starting to crackle around him as he intercepted the attacker. His movements were a flash, a mix of raw power and calculated technique, it was apparent that it was sharpened through years of combat. With a quick and decisive maneuver, he side stepped the thrown knives and countered the attacker with a series of consecutive strikes that left the masked figure trembling.

"Who sent you?" Heuk Cheon roared at him, his voice was resonating off the estate's walls like a battle cry from a past era. The intruder was caught off guard by the Demon Lord unleashing his fury, he started to falter. Before he could even mutter a word, Heuk Cheon gave him a devastating blow in the stomach that sent him crashing down to the ground.

The escort guards, were emboldened by their master's help, moved to surge forward. Seo Ryung unsheathed his own sword, while Do-won and Jung-soo was restraining the would be saboteur with a practiced ease.

For a quick moment, silence was cramming the air as everyone was taking in the scene. Heuk Cheon was standing amidst the scattered leaves and shattered branches, his eyes was burning with determination, his mere presence was a declaration that Redwood Estate would not yield.

"Is there anyone else?" Heuk Cheon demanded while he was analyzing the perimeter. His voice was a low growl that did not leave any room for argument. The forest that was beyond the estate's fence was silent, aside from the rustle of wind in the grass. 

As Seo Ryung was stepping up beside him, he nodded. "Master, it looks like that was their only attempt... at least for today."

The look on Heuk Cheon's face hardened. "Then let it serve as a warning to someone else, if any more of our so called enemies even dare to approach our estate, they will be faced with everything I have." The tone of his voice was resolute, his posture was that of a martial artist returning to his long forgotten glory. "I will not let any of them disturb our home."