14.The Azure Cloud Society, A New Order in the Martial World

Lee So-eun stood quietly, gazing at the unfamiliar women before her.

Their eyes were resolute.

Even after finding her, they did not act recklessly.

For some reason, they did not seem to consider her as a direct enemy.

Taking a slow breath, she finally spoke.

"…Azure Cloud Society?"

At her words, the woman standing in front of her nodded.

"That's right. We are called the Azure Cloud Society (靑雲會)."

Lee So-eun had never heard of this name before.

Yet, it did not feel entirely unfamiliar.

The woman continued speaking at a steady pace.

"We are a gathering of women who belonged nowhere—neither to the Orthodox Sect, the Unorthodox Sect, nor the Demonic Cult."

She raised her hand and gestured around her.

"Most of the people here were abandoned by the martial world,

or used as mere tools by those in power."

Her eyes sharpened.

"Women treated as disposable tools by the Orthodox Sects.

Women exploited as mere playthings by the Unorthodox Sects.

Women discarded by the Demonic Cult once they were no longer useful."

Her voice was firm and unwavering.

"And so, one by one, we gathered and came to a realization."

"That merely gathering together was not enough."

Lee So-eun listened in silence.

Then she quietly asked,

"So… you decided to form an organization?"

The woman nodded decisively.

"Yes."

A thought crossed Lee So-eun's mind.

"What is the structure of this organization?"

Hearing this, the leader of the Azure Cloud Society smiled.

"Our rules are simple."

"The strong rise to the top."

For a moment, Lee So-eun's eyes sharpened.

It was a system similar to that of the Demonic Cult—

where status was determined not by age or background, but by strength.

However, the leader continued.

"We do not despise the weak."

"Rather, the strong must take the lead and guide our society."

Lee So-eun murmured quietly.

"…Why?"

The leader of the Azure Cloud Society answered without hesitation.

"Because we have always been disregarded, simply for being women in the martial world."

"No one recognized us as martial artists."

Her hands clenched into fists.

"That is why the weak must be protected, and the strong must lead them."

"This is our way."

A strange feeling stirred within Lee So-eun.

The Azure Cloud Society was not just a gathering of the weak.

They were a force that sought strength in unity.

And they were walking a path entirely opposite to the established martial order.

The leader took a step closer.

"Lee So-eun."

She met her gaze directly.

"You have already been rejected by the martial world."

"The Orthodox Sects have refused you, and the Demonic Cult seeks to reclaim you."

She whispered softly.

"Do you still have a choice left?"

Lee So-eun remained silent.

Seeing this, the leader smiled and spoke again.

"Join the Azure Cloud Society."

Lee So-eun's eyes wavered.

"You must survive in this world."

"To do that, you will need us."

Her words were not a demand,

yet they carried a strange persuasion.

Lee So-eun slowly clenched her fists.

'These people… may be like me.'

The abandoned ones of the martial world.

Those who carved their own path.

But—

Did that mean she had to stay here?

She had to make a decision.

Would she accept the Azure Cloud Society's offer?

Or would she leave once more, alone?

The Azure Cloud Society's Trial, and the Two Men Seeking Her

Lee So-eun stood at the center of a vast training ground.

The leader of the Azure Cloud Society spoke to her.

"To join us, you must pass our trial."

Lee So-eun narrowed her eyes.

"A trial?"

The leader nodded.

"We are a society led by the strong. It is not just about ideology—we prove it through skill."

At her signal, four female martial artists stepped forward.

"You will face these four in battle."

"These women are not mere wanderers of the martial world.

Each of them was once part of a sect before being abandoned or choosing to escape."

Lee So-eun carefully examined them.

She could tell at a glance that each of them used different sword techniques and martial arts.

She quietly drew her sword.

"…I'm ready."

The leader smiled in satisfaction.

"Good. Then let's begin."

The four opponents moved simultaneously.

The first opponent was an expert in agility.

She wielded dual daggers and aimed for Lee So-eun's openings with lightning-fast movements.

Swish!

A swift attack shot forward—

But Lee So-eun twisted her body, narrowly dodging the strike before countering.

Slash!

Her sword moved like a bolt of lightning, grazing her opponent's wrist.

"Guh…!"

The first opponent lost grip of her weapon.

Immediately, the second opponent charged.

She wielded a massive iron club.

Boom!

A powerful impact shook the ground.

Yet, Lee So-eun leaped gracefully, avoiding the attack with ease.

'A straightforward power type, then?'

But there was no time to lower her guard.

The third opponent approached, wielding a sword.

Her technique was precise and disciplined.

"This… is the Huashan Sword Style?"

At that moment, a sharp sword strike flew toward her.

Lee So-eun took a step back, parrying the attack with her own blade.

Screech—!

The sound of clashing swords rang through the air.

She swiftly maneuvered, deflecting her opponent's moves.

'She's skilled, but—'

Swish!

Lee So-eun's counterattack landed at the nape of her opponent's neck.

"…It's over."

The third opponent lowered her sword.

Only one opponent remained.

The final woman smirked as she raised her blade.

"So, it's just us now."

Lee So-eun calmly held up her sword.

"Are you the strongest among them?"

The woman grinned.

"You'll have to find out for yourself."

She took a firm stance.

And then—

Whoosh!

A powerful strike came flying toward Lee So-eun.

This opponent was different.

Every attack was sharp, and her sword movements were highly refined.

"This… is the Kunlun Sword Style?"

Lee So-eun swiftly moved to block.

In an instant, the opponent's sword came slicing toward her neck.

Swish!

But—

Lee So-eun ducked just in time and countered with her own blade.

"… …"

The opponent's sword cut through empty air—

And Lee So-eun's sword stopped just before her throat.

"…It's over."

The woman let out a short breath.

Then, she lowered her sword.

"…I lost."

The leader of the Azure Cloud Society watched with a satisfied expression.

"Excellent. You pass."

Meanwhile—

Far away, two men were searching for her.

"…The Azure Cloud Society?"

Jin furrowed his brows.

Wi-yeon also wore a grim expression.

"Even the Orthodox Sects don't have detailed information on them."

They had been gathering intelligence in various villages.

That was when a martial artist quietly spoke.

"I heard a woman recently joined the Azure Cloud Society."

Jin and Wi-yeon tensed.

"Was it Lee Seon?"

The martial artist nodded.

"It's likely. A warrior with exceptional skill who belongs to neither the Orthodox nor the Unorthodox sects… The Azure Cloud Society would certainly seek her."

Jin clenched his jaw.

"…Then we need to go find her."

Wi-yeon sighed.

"If we rush in recklessly, it could be dangerous."

Jin smirked.

"Then we'll approach them head-on."

He firmly gripped his sword.

"If she left to avoid us, we'll stand before her and ask her directly."

Wi-yeon exhaled deeply.

"There's no turning back now."

Together, they set off toward the Azure Cloud Society.

They were ready to see her again.

But—

What that meeting would bring, no one could yet predict.