37.The Arrival of the Beggars’ Sect Members

The doors of the Black Cloud Pavilion creaked open, revealing a group of ragged-looking individuals. Slung across their shoulders were blunt weapons, their grips firm and menacing. They were members of the Beggars' Sect, practitioners of a modified version of Staff Striking Techniques (Tagubongbeop). While only high-ranking sect members could officially learn the technique, these individuals had picked up fragments through observation, scavenging, or even illicit means. Despite their unofficial training, their techniques were not to be underestimated.

Though their attire was shabby, their aura was strong and unshaken. A single glance was enough to tell that the depth of their martial arts far surpassed that of the average disciples training within the Black Cloud Pavilion.

Without hesitation, they pushed the doors open and made their presence known.

"Who said you could practice martial arts here? You do realize this is Beggars' Sect territory, don't you?"

Their voices were firm and aggressive. The group, numbering over thirty, was clearly prepared for conflict.

One of them pointed at a disciple and sneered.

"You there. Chun-Sam, you bastard…"

Chun-Sam was a disciple who had been training diligently at the Black Cloud Pavilion for the past few months, showing great determination and progress. However, the members of the Beggars' Sect had far more experience than he did. Chun-Sam attempted to stand his ground, but he was quickly overwhelmed by their raw strength.

As he stepped forward, they wasted no time unleashing their relentless strikes. Chun-Sam held out as long as he could, but a moment of hesitation led to a powerful punch landing on his body, sending him sprawling to the ground. His face was already bruised and swollen.

With Chun-Sam down, the Beggars' Sect members grew even more brazen, taunting the disciples of the Black Cloud Pavilion as they claimed dominance over the area.

"Is this what you call martial artists? A bunch of weaklings gathering to learn fancy techniques?"

Their mocking voices echoed through the pavilion. "You lot are nowhere near ready to study martial arts here."

Several disciples tried to fight back, but they were no match for the experience and superior techniques of the Beggars' Sect members. One by one, they were knocked aside as the invaders forcefully took over the space.

Watching the scene unfold, Lee Do-Hyun's mind was racing. His disciples were unable to withstand the assault, and he had to decide—what should he do next?

"We cannot let the name of the Black Cloud Pavilion be trampled like this."

A firm resolution formed within Do-Hyun. While the Beggars' Sect members had numbers and experience on their side, his swordsmanship and mental techniques were just as formidable. Yet, he knew this was not just about martial prowess—this was about making a statement.

At that moment, Yoon Seol-Hwa entered the Black Cloud Pavilion. She scanned the area, taking in the sight of battered disciples and the arrogant invaders. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes as she coldly asked:

"What is the meaning of this?"

The Beggars' Sect members momentarily hesitated at her presence. Her dignified demeanor and aura of strength forced them to pause, but their arrogance soon returned.

Despite the absence of their leader, they were completely confident in their superiority, looking down on the Black Cloud Pavilion.

But Do-Hyun had made up his mind.

"If I do not stand now, the honor of the Black Cloud Pavilion will be tarnished forever."

Gripping his sword tightly, he took a step forward. His blade gleamed sharply, his eyes burned with unwavering determination.

It was time to show them the true strength of the Black Cloud Pavilion.

**********

The Prelude to Battle Against the Beggars' Sect

"Do you even understand where you are?" Lee Do-Hyun spoke once again, his voice firm.

"There is no place for senseless brawls here. However, if it's a fight you truly seek, I will personally make that decision."

With his sword lightly touching the ground, he took a deep breath, gathering his energy. The legacy of the Black Cloud Sword burned within him, fueling his determination.

The first attack came fast and fierce. One of the Beggars' Sect members lunged forward, executing a Triple Staff Strike (Sam-Yeon-Bong). His staff sliced through the air with terrifying speed, aiming straight for Do-Hyun. The first strike narrowly brushed past his shoulder, but he twisted his body effortlessly to evade it. The second strike followed swiftly, yet Do-Hyun had already anticipated it. With a simple flick of his left hand, he deflected the staff with his sword.

The third strike came low, targeting his legs. In response, Do-Hyun brought his sword down swiftly, blocking the attack and using the momentum to spin his body out of reach.

"You have nothing left to teach me."

Lowering his stance, Do-Hyun activated Infernal Blade (Hwayeom Geom).

Flames erupted from the tip of his sword, roaring like a wild beast as they surged toward the incoming staff. The moment the fire clashed with the weapon, the sect member recoiled, retreating as the heat singed his hands.

But they did not falter. The other sect members pressed forward with even greater intensity. Each of them wielded a unique variation of the Staff Striking Techniques (Tagubongbeop) to push Do-Hyun into a corner. The first launched another Triple Staff Strike, while the second attempted a Close-Range Fist-Staff Combination (Kwon-Bong), striking at deadly proximity.

Do-Hyun, however, was unfazed by their rapid assault. His footwork was as fluid as water, his movements unpredictable. As the second staff came for him, he gracefully sidestepped, his body seeming to blur as he weaved through their attacks.

"It's time to end this."

With those words, Do-Hyun unleashed Infernal Blade once more. The flames danced wildly, crackling with raw energy as he executed a Whirling Strike (Hoebong Gibeop). The fire surged outward, forming a spiraling inferno that intercepted three incoming strikes at once.

But just as he countered, a fourth attacker moved in from behind. A staff came swinging down at his head in a calculated ambush. Do-Hyun barely managed to turn his blade in time to parry the strike, but before he could stabilize, a sharp kick struck his side.

"Kh…!" He gritted his teeth as the impact rattled his ribs, but he quickly regained his stance, using a recovery technique to rebalance himself.

Now, Do-Hyun was no longer simply defending against their attacks. His footwork sharpened, his reactions refined, and he waited for the perfect moment to counter.

As two of the sect members lunged at him simultaneously, he twisted his body, dodging their weapons. Then, in an instant, his sword struck forward, flames surging from the blade as he landed precise, decisive blows.

"You exceed my expectations."

One of the sect members murmured, stepping back. But their moment of hesitation was brief.

The last remaining fighter, his face twisted with frustration, roared.

"You dare to look down on me?!"

He lunged with a lightning-fast thrust, his staff striking like a viper. But Do-Hyun saw it coming.

With a final, swift downward slash, Do-Hyun shattered the staff in an instant. Before his opponent could react, his sword struck the man's shoulder, sending him to his knees.

One by one, the Beggars' Sect members collapsed, defeated. Do-Hyun took a step back, his breath steady as he surveyed the aftermath.

"You all fought well," he said, turning to his disciples with a faint smile.

As the battle came to a close, Do-Hyun paused, regulating his breathing. Though he had won, this fight revealed a great deal to him. He now understood the power of the Staff Striking Techniques, the tactics of the Beggars' Sect, and—most importantly—the looming threats that lay beyond this battle.

Moreover, his fusion of Infernal Blade and footwork was still incomplete. There were gaps in his technique, and he knew that even stronger opponents were already closing in.

"If this level of enemy is only the beginning… then I need to be more cautious."

The battle was over, but Do-Hyun could feel it—a greater storm was coming.