Tensions on the Horizon

Later in the afternoon, as the kids were resting and cooling off with fresh water and fresh fruit, a heavy silence had been spreading in the orchard. Because they saw General Kang's face that was full of worry and concern.

General Kang spoke to Heuk Cheon in a clipped tone. "We managed to intercept a coded message. Within it could be about a coalition of disgruntled remnants of the past sects that you had once opposed. They might be starting to take form. I fear they might launch a coordinated attack on Redwood Estate."

Heuk Cheon answered with a bit of a frown on his face. "Tsk. They are moving faster than I initially anticipated. Hmm... by the way did the message name the Black Lotus Sect?"

General Kang answered him. "Not in a direct way, yes. My guess is they are probably laying low and rallying smaller factions to their side. They could be enticing them with promises of revenge towards you. They could be aiming to eliminate your chance at redemption." 

 Overhearing bits of their conversations, the kids were looking at each other with worried glances drawn on their face. Ae-rin was gripping Su-yeon's hand. Chul-woo who were usually a ball of energy, gloomed down.

First Person POV: Chul-woo

Oh my... a real attack? Right here in our home? I keep trying to steady myself by remembering Master Heuk's orchard lessons but I was not fearless just yet, but at least I wasn't clueless. 

End of Chul-woo's POV

Han-ju broke through the thick silence and stepped forward with a steady voice. "General Kang, if an attack does come, we, the kids can help in non combat related roles right? Maybe, help evacuate the younger kids or at least secure our supplies?"

General Kang answered him with a faint smile. "I like that energy. Yes, that would be helpful. However, keep honing your training. There is a possibility that we may need every hand that's able."

Heuk Cheon placed a hand on Han-ju's shoulder. "Brat, you being ready makes me proud. Keep it up, and as always, maintain vigilance and keep on improving your orchard skills. The most significant defense is a mind that is not clouded by fear."

Later that night, the tension in the estate lightly eased somewhat, it was replaced by a renewed sense of camaraderie. The kids and the two escort guards Do-won and Jung-soo were circled around a small firepit that was near the orchard's edge, it was a desperate attempt at relieving everyone's pent up stress. The crickets living in the orchard were chirping, and the light of the firepit was casting bright shadows on the trunks of the fruit trees.

Su-yeon whilst hugging her doll, "Do you guys really think that we will have to fight soon?"

Woo-jin was poking the firepit with a stick, "Well... Master Heuk says that we should train for the worst, although, he had also mentioned that Redwood Estate will always try to aim for peace. Anyhow, I definitely think we should be ready either way."

Jin-mu suddenly joined their conversation, "I for one used to think that fighting was the only way to survive this world. However, after coming here and meeting you guys and everyone, I now know that there was one more option, to protect what we love."

Chul-woo gave him a wide grin and cut in, "Well yeah, I can fight anyone if it meant that it would keep you guys safe. I would have no second thoughts about it whatsoever. "

Ae-rin replied to his determination with a warm nod, her eyes was mirroring the flames of the firepit. "I agree, we will face whatever comes... together."

In that wholesome moment, the orchard felt less like a place for training and more like a symbolic anchor, it was becoming the very heart and soul of Redwood Estate's unitedness. Even the two escort guards that were listening from the sidelines, looked at each other with glances of admiration.

And while the night was growing quiet, Heuk Cheon were standing again at the entrance of the orchard, he was looking at the small gathering near the firepit. He didn't spend his time alone on the parapet anymore, he felt that it was unnecessary tonight. The orchard was becoming the Redwood Estate's spiritual center.

Seo Ryung was approaching behind him, his footsteps was gentle walking on the grass. "It seems that they are bonding over the day's new trials, Master. I think that this is good for them."

Heuk Cheon answered him with a gentle nod. "Let them be, delay their bed time for now. They will need that bond to grow stronger." he stopped while his eyes were observing the gathering of the orphans. "Just living and growing as one."

Seo Ryung hesitated a bit before starting to speak again. "When the stalkers come, or the rumored coalition attacks, Redwood Estate will be tested like no enemy had never before. Master, are we really ready? Is there a way we could just avoid all of this?"

Heuk Cheon replied to him with a rare gentle smile drawn on his face, "Ryung, we are ready as hearts can be. I know we don't look like a fortress but preparation doesn't always need to look like that, in fact, it sometimes looks like a shared laugh around a firepit." As we was looking at the kids.

As the moon was rising higher, those that were circled around the orchard's firepit started to leave. The children were heading back to their rooms, some of them were yawning in sleepiness and others were making quiet jokes. The guards continued to do their duties, they were observing the forest for any sign of movement. General Kang was finalizing final patrol commands, making sure that no inch of Redwood Estate was going to be unguarded or vulnerable.

Heuk Cheon chose to stay in the orchard for a second longer, alone. He took in the shadows of the wooden training dummies, the traps that they had set, and the flashing embers from the dying fire. Each element was conveying a story of hope, skill, and conviction.

NEXT DAY

At the crack of dawn, early morning fog was settling over the Redwood Estate It was like a thin veil that was softening the shadows of the new guard towers and orchard trees. However, even in the warm gentle light, a sliver of tension was still hanging in the air. Hints of the last few days' near confrontations. The children's high voices were rising from the manor's orchard, though it was muffled by the mist, as they were gathered again for another round of training.

Heuk Cheon stood at the edge of the orchard, he was watching as Han-ju were guiding Chul-woo and Ae-rin through warm up stretches The older kid's form was assertive though it was calm. Each of the instruction that he was giving had a bit of inspiration of his own recent lessons. "Do your best to keep your center firm," he had been giving them advices. "If your form wobbles, you will leave openings that bad guys can take advantage off." Ae-rin gave him a soft nod and tried her best to copy Han-ju's form. On the other hand, Chul-woo tried his best not to shake. 

Lee Jin-Ho came closer to everyone, his footsteps were quiet even on the wet grass. He whispered to Heuk Cheon what he had found out. "These kids sure adapt quickly, but some anxiousness still exists in them. Last night, I overheard little Chul-woo speak about those watchers while he was still sleeping." He looked over at the orchard's course, where Dae-hyun and Woo-jin was busy resetting the orchard's traps. "If the tension grows even further, I am afraid that it may hurt the kids' morale."

Heuk Cheon' eyes were observing everyone across the orchard, he topped on the newly put rope ladders and moving wooden training dummies. "We will handle it head on. Fears that are left unspoken become furious monsters inside the mind. It is better if they face those worries inside them with skill and knowledge."

A sudden should resonated from deeper in the orchard, it was where Su-yeon and Min-ah were struggling to balance themselves on a wooden beam. Su-yeon was wobbling with her arms flailing about, and Min-ah was reaching out just in time to support and stabilize her. Both the girls were laughing in relief, but there was still anxiety lingering within them as they were looking at each other with uncertain faces. Heuk Cheon waited until they were done with their course, and then he signaled them over to come.

He talked to them with a gentle but firm tone. "You two did good. Falling is only a problem if you choose not to get up anymore. Next time, try to think ahead and plan your grip before taking a step forward, and always watch each other's footing."

Su-yeon let out a shaky exhale. "I-I was trying my best to not think about the mean people... but sometimes I just imagine them creeping behind every tree I see."

Min-ah was nodding while twisting her fingers together. "Is it silly to be this afraid?"

The look on Heuk Cheon's face slowly softened. "Fear is not silly, in fact, it is a reminder that we must stay alert. We do our training so that fear doesn't control us. Every single day both of you will learn to move better, how to watch each other's back properly, and that is how we will keep Redwood Estate safe."