35.The Beggars’ Sect Is Taken Aback

The Beggars' Sect had been closely monitoring Heukwoon Hall's movements.

What alarmed them most was not just the influx of people training there but the rapid increase in its influence.

Initially, they assumed it would simply attract the impoverished and those desperate to secure a place in the martial world.

However, the situation had unfolded in an unexpected direction. And now, with Yoon Seol-Hwa's arrival, they found themselves caught off guard.

"Not Han So-Yeon… but Yoon Seol-Hwa?"

The Beggars' Sect leaders fell silent upon receiving intelligence that Yoon Seol-Hwa had entered Heukwoon Hall. As an esteemed martial artist, she was more influential than Han So-Yeon.

Her presence alone could elevate Heukwoon Hall's status and strength to an entirely new level. But what truly unsettled them was that Yoon Seol-Hwa had formally informed her sect of her visit.

"She came with her sect's approval… this is getting complicated."

Unlike Han So-Yeon, who had acted as an individual, Yoon Seol-Hwa was a direct representative of the Orthodox Sect. Her official

involvement signaled a major shift. If she provided substantial support to Heukwoon Hall, it could destabilize the balance of power in the martial world.

"We cannot let this stand. We must act before Heukwoon Hall gains more influence."

The leaders of the Beggars' Sect grimaced at the unfolding situation. Their initial plan had been to maintain indirect pressure, but with Yoon Seol-Hwa's arrival, they were forced to reconsider.

They quickly convened their top fighters and strategists to devise a new course of action.

"If Yoon Seol-Hwa is only there temporarily, we need to act before she leaves."

They speculated that her stay at Heukwoon Hall would be short-lived, meaning they had a limited window to reclaim their dominance. However, uncertainty loomed.

Would she truly leave after a short stay? Or was there a deeper reason behind her visit?

It did not take long for the Beggars' Sect to reach a conclusion. They could no longer afford to wait.

They began deploying spies around Heukwoon Hall, gathering intelligence on its training methods and leadership structure. Their next course of action was clear—apply direct pressure on Lee Do-Hyun.

Meanwhile, Lee Do-Hyun remained unaware of the brewing storm. He was focused solely on training and mentoring the trainees.

But that peace would not last long. Once the Beggars' Sect moved against him, Heukwoon Hall would no longer be just a training ground

—it would become a major force in the martial world.

The stage was set for a looming conflict, and the arrival of Yoon Seol-Hwa only added fuel to the fire. As tensions escalated, it was clear that the battle for Heukwoon Hall's survival was just beginning.

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Warnings from the Slums and Pungwolru

Not long after Heukwoon Hall was established, unexpected changes began to unfold around it.

As more people passed through its gates, unease grew among those who had long maintained their positions in the slums and Pungwolru.

It was true that Heukwoon Hall had become a beacon of hope for the impoverished. However, as their lives began to shift, some started to feel that their places were being threatened.

The sight of trainees growing stronger and honing their martial arts made it clear that the balance of power was shifting. While the trainees dedicated themselves to their training, those struggling to make a living were overwhelmed simply by the challenge of survival.

Many in the slums began to perceive Heukwoon Hall not just as a martial arts academy but as a potential center of power. The fear that it might evolve in an undesirable direction spread among them.

This anxiety soon turned to resentment, and some began leaking information to the Beggars' Sect. They hoped that by alerting the sect and Pungwolru, Lee Do-Hyun would not disrupt the existing order of the martial world.

Meanwhile, the courtesans of Pungwolru also reacted sensitively to these changes.

Pungwolru had long maintained a neutral stance, thriving through transactions with wealthy patrons. The courtesans prided themselves on their influence, but as Heukwoon Hall continued to expand, accepting more people and producing warriors who could surpass even the martial aristocrats, they felt the need to send a warning.

Heukwoon Hall's increasing presence now posed a potential threat to Pungwolru's prestige and standing.

The courtesans, who once dominated social circles with their influence, were now watching as Lee Do-Hyun gathered warriors trained in martial arts within the same territory.

Some courtesans, particularly Song-Hwa, openly voiced concerns about Heukwoon Hall's growing influence. If Lee Do-Hyun continued on this path, Pungwolru's status might eventually be overshadowed. This unease led to discussions of a possible alliance with the Beggars' Sect and those in the slums who shared their concerns.

The situation around Heukwoon Hall was becoming increasingly tense. The Beggars' Sect and the upper-class figures of the region were gradually tightening their grip on it. Meanwhile, Lee Do-Hyun and his trainees remained unaware of the storm brewing around them.

Each day, more and more people flocked to train, and Lee Do-Hyun watched their growth with confidence. However, as time passed, the number of attendees began to dwindle. Even during peak training hours, the training grounds were eerily empty, an absence that puzzled him.

"Something's off. Why are they skipping training?"

As he pondered this, rumors of external pressures against Heukwoon Hall began to surface. Some whispered that the Beggars' Sect was preparing to suppress Heukwoon Hall, framing it as an effort to preserve order in the martial world. The sect's leaders were devising ways to weaken Heukwoon Hall's influence, directly pressuring its members while justifying their actions as necessary for the balance of power.

At the same time, a strange silence fell over the surrounding martial halls. Previously vocal figures had suddenly chosen to distance themselves from Heukwoon Hall's affairs.

Their reluctance to engage indicated that the external pressure on Heukwoon Hall was mounting.

Lee Do-Hyun found the absence of trainees increasingly suspicious.

No matter how promising the hall's future seemed, it was unusual for so many to suddenly disappear. What he failed to realize was that Heukwoon Hall was becoming the target of external forces determined to suppress its rise.

Their silence was a warning—an omen of the greater storm yet to come.