A Duel Beyond Pride

As their martial arts training session were taking place, something happened that disrupted their lessons. Do-won, one of the escort guards, ran towards them from the iron gates. His breathing was coming in ragged bursts. "Master Heuk! General Kang! We have guests, and from my intuition they are not Murim Alliance troops."

Heuk Cheon's eyes turned dark. "Hey brats, stand behind Seo Ryung, do not stray." he spoke with a commanding aura, then he turned around to face Do-won. "Walk with me."

In front of the iron gates, a squadron of shady robed figures were standing with an air of calm arrogance. Their clothes had a symbol on them, it was an insignia of a shadow faction that was rumored to have bad blood against Redwood Estate's hopeful transformation. There was one who stepped up in the front of the group, a woman with a high collar and a sharply curved sword stationed at her hip.

Then suddenly as she was stepping up, the mysterious woman spoke up. "Fret not, we have only came here with one goal in mind, to see if the stories and rumors are true. It was said that a Demon Lord was now playing a role as babysitter to a group of brats. Oh, how far you have fallen, Heuk Cheon."

Her sneer was enough to cut through the air, however, Heuk Cheon simply stood there, unimpressed. He allowed the insult hanging without any visible reaction. He instead, moved forward towards the front, he placed himself in the middle of the visitors and the guards of the Redwood Estate.

He broke the awkward silence, and in an authoritative tone. "Do not speak of anything else, state your purpose."

The mysterious woman simply answered him with a smirk. "It is quite simple really, we just want to see if you still possess that everyone in the past used to fear. Your so called 'demonic might', or if you have pitifully gone soft while protecting a bunch of worthless orphans. Just one duel, prove to us that you are not just a relic of the past."

From those words, even the veteran guards were getting tense. It was a challenge that came out of nowhere, it was so blatant that it was a threat to disturb the fragile peace of the Redwood Estate. General Kang took a step forward as if he was going to intervene, however, Heuk Cheon signaled him with his hand. The kids were sneaking a peek from behind Seo Ryung, they were holding their breaths the entire time.

Despite the heavy tension that was hanging in the air, Heuk Cheon showed only calm steel in his outer demeanor. "I only fight for the safety of the Redwood Estate, I have stopped doing it for glory."

The mysterious woman, replies back. "Could it be? Is the Demon Lord afraid to lose face in front of his worthless orphans?

Heuk Cheon answered back, "Nothing in this world fears me. But this is no place to draw blood."

Before she could even mutter her next words, Seo Ryung decided to cut in, his voice had a hint of silent anger. "You dare come here, to our home and challenge our master in front of the kids? And call it worthless? If you did truly want a duel with master, then do it far, far away from the walls of this estate."

A heavy silence followed their interactions, each side of the group were weighing the cost if a fight were to occur. Eventually, the mysterious woman gave them a derisive snort as she was flipping her hair back. "Alright, fine. Consider our appearance as another warning. Once rumors spread of your hesitance to partake in a duel, those past grudges that you have will only continue to hone their blades sharper. Try to enjoy your pitiful daycare while it still stands."

She and her faction members retreated with a dramatic effect of slowness, each of them left with a mocking laugher that resonated throughout the Redwood Estate's walls. The second they were nowhere to be seen beyond the horizon, Heuk Cheon let out an exhale, his tense form started to ease up.

First Person POV: Han-ju 

Woah, I have never seen Master Heuk so steady, but still so formidable. Every kid around me was shaking, although, it wasn't from just fear alone, it was probably just from the realization that our enemies can just simply walk up and destroy everything we hold dear. There was no needed speeches for us to know the truth, our home, the Redwood Estate was on a collision course with past enemies that refused to stay in the past.

End of Han-ju's POV

In the wake of the visitor's leaving, a sort of somber mood was settling over the estate. The children's martial arts training lesson resumed, but with a little less enthusiasm. They were dismayed. The kids were whispering among themselves about the mysterious woman's attempts at provoking their Master, and of course Heuk Cheon's cool refusal to her challenge of a duel. 

Later, once they were behind closed doors, Heuk Cheon, Seo Ryung, Lee Jin-Ho, and General Kang were starting to strategize their next moves. The first moments of their day begun with the promise of a good training session, but it ended with a daunting reminder that while Redwood Estate was a place that instills hope, it was also a battleground for lingering grudges of the past.

Lee Jin-Ho was the first to speak up, "We must not let them cause a drop in our morale. The kids look up to us for our stability."

Seo Ryung replies to him in agreement, "I agree, their sorry excuse for taunts just aim to provoke our Master into making a rash move. We have talked about this for the millionth time but we must fortify our patrols further, and maybe this time we should actually start to forge new alliances with nearby sects. Those that are willing to support our cause."

General Kang cuts in, "I shall send a messenger the the Murim Alliance's council. I intend to inform them about the Redwood Estate's direct harassments. They should be able to give us more tangible support."

Heuk Cheon leans forward, his voice was a bit quieter than his usual tone but it was brimming with conviction. "They desperately want us to rattle. We will not succumb to their pitiful attempts at provoking me. Tomorrow, we will simply continue with our advanced drills. The brats must see that we are not in any panic or stress. We must show them that Redwood Estate stands firm against any form of threat."

No grand announcement or command followed his words, no repetition of promise to getting stronger. It was just a complete plan, a flash of defiance in anxious eyes, and a shared goal of defending the hope and future that the Redwood Estate was representing.

As the sun rises once again, a silver tinted mist was cloaking the Redwood Estate at daybreak. Early wakers found themselves covered in the damp silence of world still yet to wake up. Within the estate's manor, however, morning duties were being done with determined efficiency. The kids were wiping dew off of the wooden training dummies while the guards were polishing their sharp weapons, each task was a small testament of their united commitment.

Heuk Cheon, while stepping out from his sleeping quarters wearing a simple robe of dark gray, greeted the morning with a serious tone. There was no longer any trace or hint of the Demon Lord's past swagger, in its replacement was a guardian's steeled composure. The events of yesterday left the kids feeling anxious and uneasy, and he wanted to talk to them about that directly.

And so, Heuk Cheon commanded Seo Ryung. "I want the brats to gather near the manor's orchard. Today's training session requires both the open space and a reminder of growth."

Seo Ryung answered him with a nod, there was a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. "As you command, Master."

Near the northern edge of the Redwood Estate lays a small orchard, it had fruit trees that was not yet ready for harvest but it was lush with promise. The dancing grass was shimmering with the early morning moisture, it formed a soft and gentle carpet that could silence a person's footsteps.

The kids finished arriving in a loose group, their forms was still a bit stiff from residual tension from yesterday. Han-ju was guiding them the way, he had an expression that was resolute, while Chul-woo was trying his best to hide his nervousness with an overly bright smile. Ae-rin and Su-yeon started hovering closer, they searched for comfort in each other's presence. Jin-mu, Dae-hyun, Woo-jin and Min-ah was standing in an organized line, each of them was displaying a varied shade of apprehension and blooming courage.

Heuk Cheon regarded them quietly. Close to him was Lee Jin-Ho and General Kang. They were watching his method of teaching with a mix of both curiosity and concern.