36.Aid from the Golden Society

As the situation surrounding Heukwoon Hall grew more precarious, Lee Do-Hyun found himself swept into a whirlwind far greater than he had imagined.

Between the Beggars' Sect's mounting pressure, the growing wariness of nearby martial halls, and the unease spreading among the slums and Pungwolru, external tensions were reaching a boiling point.

Yet, despite these challenges, Lee Do-Hyun remained steadfast in his training. His thirst for martial arts only grew stronger, but the crisis looming over him drew closer with each passing day.

Just as he faced this dire predicament, the Golden Society re-emerged in his life. Jang Sam-Go had been closely observing Heukwoon Hall.

When he first took an interest in Lee Do-Hyun, it was not just because of his potential. Jang Sam-Go was also wary of Mi-Ryeong, an enigmatic figure whose background and motives were shrouded in mystery.

Her presence alone made her a wild card in the unfolding power struggle.

Jang Sam-Go was well aware of the Golden Society's ties to various factions in the martial world, and his intelligence network was unparalleled.

He understood that Lee Do-Hyun and his followers were more than just a training group.

With Mi-Ryeong backing him, and Lee Do-Hyun's inevitable rise toward the martial world's center, Jang Sam-Go could not afford to remain a mere observer.

With the Beggars' Sect tightening its grip and martial halls growing increasingly hostile, Jang Sam-Go finally decided to intervene. The Golden Society would extend a subtle but significant hand of support to Heukwoon Hall.

While Lee Do-Hyun trained relentlessly, unaware of the mounting external pressure, Jang Sam-Go was already setting things in motion. He ordered his people to provide discreet support—ensuring that Heukwoon Hall had the resources it needed to sustain itself.

More than that, he leveraged his intelligence network to monitor the movements of the Beggars' Sect and influential figures in the martial world.

Whenever external factions sought to increase their pressure on Heukwoon Hall, the Golden Society quietly countered them, preventing an outright collapse.

Yet, despite these efforts, Jang Sam-Go remained cautious of Mi-Ryeong. Her true objectives were still unclear.

She was no ordinary figure, and her reasons for staying at Heukwoon Hall remained an enigma. Rather than confronting her directly, Jang Sam-Go decided to observe her actions closely for now.

The Golden Society's decision to aid Lee Do-Hyun was not solely due to his talent. It was also because he represented a force that could challenge the current order of the martial world.

If Lee Do-Hyun could withstand the pressure from the Beggars' Sect and other powers, he would inevitably rise as a central figure.

Unbeknownst to him, Lee Do-Hyun was already receiving silent support from the Golden Society. As he remained focused on his training, Jang Sam-Go ensured that Heukwoon Hall continued to operate smoothly.

The hall's resources were secretly replenished, and valuable intelligence was funneled to its leadership. Whenever the Beggars' Sect or rival martial halls attempted to tighten their grip, the Golden Society subtly intervened.

Mi-Ryeong, however, had begun to sense that Jang Sam-Go was pulling the strings from the shadows. Though she did not yet fully understand his intentions, she knew he was not a man who acted without a purpose.

If the Golden Society was aiding Heukwoon Hall, there was a greater game being played—one that she needed to uncover.

For now, Lee Do-Hyun remained oblivious to the silent war unfolding around him. He was focused solely on mastering his martial skills and guiding his followers. However, as his training advanced, the effects of the Golden Society's aid became increasingly apparent.

The rapid improvement of Heukwoon Hall's trainees did not go unnoticed. As their abilities grew, so did the reputation of Heukwoon Hall. Even as external forces sought to suppress it, Lee Do-Hyun's relentless efforts only made the hall stronger.

The more pressure the outside world applied, the more Heukwoon Hall flourished. And with each passing day, Lee Do-Hyun inched closer to becoming a true force within the martial world.

Regardless of the decisions he made in the future, the Golden Society stood ready to back him—watching, waiting, and ensuring that he had what he needed to ascend to his rightful place.

***********

The Prelude to Battle Between the Beggars' Sect and the Black Cloud Pavilion

Rumors had already spread that a fierce confrontation between the local branch of the Beggars' Sect and the Black Cloud Pavilion was imminent.

The leader of the local branch, though not as proficient in the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms as the main sect master, had developed his own techniques based on parts of the legendary martial art. Having prepared himself to face Lee Do-Hyun, he had already declared Do-Hyun's defeat as inevitable.

During this time, Do-Hyun had been honing his martial arts within the Black Cloud Pavilion, attracting more disciples and strengthening his faction.

However, this was the first time he had to face the local branch leader of the Beggars' Sect. Word from the sect suggested that Do-Hyun's martial arts were still incomplete and that his skills paled in comparison to the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, which were renowned across the land. The sect leader was brimming with confidence.

And the tension reached its peak with the arrival of Yoon Seol-Hwa. Having come at Han So-Yeon's request, she intended to support the Black Cloud Pavilion. The mere mention of her name further fueled the confrontation.

Seol-Hwa, having witnessed Do-Hyun's potential firsthand, wanted to see how much he had grown in preparation for this fight. However, more than anything, she wished to prevent a direct conflict between Do-Hyun and the Beggars' Sect.

The disciples of the Black Cloud Pavilion and the members of the Beggars' Sect were gradually entering a standoff.

The Beggars' Sect had announced their intention to send skilled members proficient in a portion of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, some of whom had already begun infiltrating the Black Cloud Pavilion under disguise. Their goal was to observe the movements of the disciples and analyze Do-Hyun's martial arts. The Beggars' Sect was steadily increasing the pressure on the pavilion.

Meanwhile, tension surged within the Black Cloud Pavilion with Seol-Hwa's arrival. Her presence escalated the threat posed by the Beggars' Sect, prompting the disciples to hasten their preparations, relying on their mutual trust. Do-Hyun, analyzing the situation meticulously, began preparing for an all-out confrontation. The Black Cloud Pavilion had traditionally relied on secrecy and strategic defense, but this time, they were facing a formidable opponent.

The leader of the Beggars' Sect devised a surprise assault based on his knowledge of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.

His faction specialized in overwhelming strikes and speed, intending to dominate by countering the attacks of the Black Cloud Pavilion. Upon confirming Seol-Hwa's arrival, he made the first move, knocking on the gates of the Black Cloud Pavilion.

The forces under his command harbored a strong sense of challenge toward the pavilion, questioning whether Do-Hyun could withstand their might. However, Seol-Hwa's presence posed a significant threat to them. With her reputation in Murim, should she lend her support to the Black Cloud Pavilion, the Beggars' Sect would face serious setbacks.

Within the Black Cloud Pavilion, Do-Hyun was meticulously preparing for battle, refining his swordsmanship and mana condensation techniques to counter the martial arts of the Beggars' Sect. He was developing a new strategy, while Seol-Hwa stood ready to assist in his growth. Drawing from his experiences, Do-Hyun was contemplating how to surpass his own limits.

To face the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, he trained in harmonizing swordsmanship and mental techniques, focusing on speed and precision.

The Beggars' Sect's techniques emphasized power and speed, necessitating a strategy centered on defense and counterattacks.

Do-Hyun's resolve and Seol-Hwa's support would play a crucial role in this prelude to battle.

However, the Black Cloud Pavilion couldn't focus solely on countering the martial arts of the Beggars' Sect. Their leader was persistently pressuring the pavilion, attempting to infiltrate its security systems or harass its disciples.

In response, Do-Hyun began reinforcing the pavilion's defensive stance, ensuring that all disciples were ready for immediate retaliation. This conflict had evolved beyond a simple skirmish—it had become a battle of strategy and determination.