49.The Duel Between Han So-Yeon and Baek Wol-Hee, and an Uncomfortable Truth

The air in the training ground had shifted—it was no longer peaceful. The once calm atmosphere was tense, electric.

Han So-Yeon and Baek Wol-Hee stood a short distance apart, neither backing down.

"Enough of this," So-Yeon spoke first, her voice unwavering. "I won't tolerate this game any longer."

Baek-Hee tilted her head, amusement playing at her lips. "A game? But I'm not the one reacting so emotionally here. It seems to me that you're the one letting yourself get drawn in."

So-Yeon narrowed her eyes, her patience wearing thin. "Stop pretending. You can drop the act now."

Baek-Hee chuckled softly. "The act?"

So-Yeon took a step closer, her energy surging. "I know what you are. You've been hiding behind a façade, using your looks and charm to manipulate people. But I can see through it. You're not just a delicate woman. You're a fighter."

Baek-Hee's lips parted slightly in surprise before she let out a soft laugh. "Oh? And if I am? What will you do about it?"

So-Yeon's fists tightened. "I'll prove that I can see past your deception."

For the first time, Baek-Hee's expression shifted into something more serious. "You think I've been deceiving people?"

So-Yeon didn't hesitate. "You act weak. You act charming. You act like a woman who needs protection—when in reality, you're perfectly capable of holding your own. Why do you do it? Why not stand on your own strength?"

Baek-Hee was silent for a moment before she smiled—a different kind of smile this time. A knowing, unreadable one.

"You really don't understand, do you?"

So-Yeon frowned. "What?"

Baek-Hee exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting momentarily before returning to So-Yeon's. "I never pretended to be weak. I never pretended to be anything. I simply exist as I am. It's the world that assumes what it wants about me."

So-Yeon felt her breath catch.

Baek-Hee took a slow step forward. "Do you know what it's like to have your strength ignored? To have men refuse to acknowledge you as a warrior, but only as a woman?" Her voice was calm, yet heavy with something deeper.

So-Yeon didn't answer.

Baek-Hee let out a soft laugh. "That's why I stopped trying to prove myself long ago. Because no matter how strong I was, the world only saw me one way. So I let them see what they wanted. And I used it to my advantage."

So-Yeon's hands clenched at her sides.

"You think I'm weak? Fine. But let's see if you can still say that after this."

At that moment, they both moved.

So-Yeon launched forward, her stance solid and controlled, her attack aimed to break through any deception. But Baek-Hee's response was seamless, her counter graceful yet precise.

A clash of power. A clash of ideology.

Neither woman intended to lose.

The training ground trembled with the intensity of their duel. Their movements were sharp, precise, and calculated—both warriors proving their strength through sheer skill.

Neither would back down.

And just as their battle reached its peak—footsteps approached.

The presence of Lee Do-Hyun loomed, his aura unmistakable.

Mi-Ryeong followed closely behind.

As they arrived, the fight momentarily stalled, but the tension remained.

The look in So-Yeon's eyes told Baek-Hee:

"This isn't over."

And Baek-Hee's smirk in return said:

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

******

Han So-Yeon's Fierce Attack, Baek Wol-Hee's Graceful Counterattack

The atmosphere in the training ground was tense with anticipation. As the duel between Han So-Yeon and Baek Wol-Hee commenced, the surrounding disciples were instantly drawn in, mesmerized by the battle unfolding before them.

Han So-Yeon, wielding the traditional martial arts of her clan, executed her attacks with precision, striking at her opponent's weak points with relentless aggression. Her style was direct, powerful, and unyielding—a combat approach honed through years of discipline.

"Now is my chance!"

Her sword sliced through the air as she closed in on Baek-Hee, her movements fierce and decisive. So-Yeon's martial prowess lay in her ability to analyze an opponent's rhythm and exploit their vulnerabilities. She was confident that if she continued this barrage, she could end the fight swiftly.

But Baek-Hee remained unfazed.

The woman moved effortlessly, as if she were floating in the air, her body bending and weaving through the strikes like a dancer caught in the rhythm of an unseen melody. Her movements weren't merely evasions—they were precise calculations, reading So-Yeon's attacks before they even landed.

"If you rush in too aggressively, you'll only expose your own weaknesses," Baek-Hee mused, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

"Swordsmanship isn't just about brute force."

So-Yeon's eyes widened slightly.

Her attacks weren't connecting.

Baek-Hee wasn't simply dodging based on reaction—she was predicting So-Yeon's intentions before she even moved. It was as if she had already read the battle like an open book.

A flicker of realization crossed So-Yeon's face.

"This won't be an easy fight."

But retreat was not an option.

Gritting her teeth, she pressed forward, adjusting her approach, reinforcing her strikes with a more refined technique. She had spent her entire life training in her clan's martial arts, and she was determined to overcome this obstacle.

"I can't afford to back down now."

So-Yeon tightened her grip, channeling even more energy into her next flurry of strikes. This time, she aimed to pressure Baek-Hee with sheer force, pushing her into a corner where she would have no choice but to counter directly.

Yet, Baek-Hee continued to evade with almost insulting ease.

"Even if you think you can overpower me, you should understand..." Baek-Hee's voice remained calm, yet her movements suddenly became sharper, more deliberate. "...My place in this world isn't simply because of my charm."

In an instant, Baek-Hee countered.

Her blade moved with blinding speed, far faster than So-Yeon had anticipated. So-Yeon barely managed to deflect it, but the impact sent a shiver through her arms.

It wasn't just an ordinary counterattack—it was precise, controlled, and executed with perfect timing.

"Don't let your emotions rule you, Han So-Yeon," Baek-Hee advised coolly.

"Your sword may be strong, but if you fight with unchecked emotions, it will only leave you vulnerable."

So-Yeon's breath caught in her throat.

This woman... she wasn't just using her allure to deceive people—she was a genuine master of combat.

For the first time, So-Yeon truly understood the depth of Baek-Hee's skills.

"I underestimated her."

She had thought Baek-Hee was simply using charm as a weapon, relying on manipulation rather than true strength. But now, she realized that Baek-Hee's beauty was merely one tool in her vast arsenal—her real weapon was her mastery over martial arts.

Baek-Hee smirked as she lightly lowered her sword, a hint of amusement flashing across her face.

"Attraction can be a powerful tool, but without true skill, it means nothing."

She had always used her beauty strategically, drawing people into a false sense of control before striking with unmatchable skill.

"I am not just a woman who relies on appearances."

So-Yeon clenched her fists, her mind racing.

"She's the real deal."

For the first time in a long while, she felt the excitement of a true challenge.

"I finally found a worthy opponent."

It was clear now—this wouldn't be an easy fight.

Taking a deep breath, So-Yeon reset her stance, her sword steady and unwavering. She had been too focused on proving herself, but now she understood—this was no ordinary battle.

"I won't go down easily."

Her burning determination shone through as she prepared for another round.

Meanwhile, the surrounding disciples watched in awe.

The contrast between the two women was mesmerizing—Han So-Yeon's relentless force against Baek Wol-Hee's graceful precision.

Some murmured among themselves.

"She's not just beautiful—her swordsmanship is terrifyingly refined."

"It's like she's toying with So-Yeon… but in reality, she's just that skilled."

"Charm may be a weapon, but true strength is undeniable."

The realization sank in.

Baek Wol-Hee wasn't just a woman who manipulated through seduction—she was a warrior who had perfected the art of controlling both perception and combat.

And So-Yeon?

She wasn't just fighting to win—she was fighting to prove her worth, to acknowledge the opponent in front of her, and to surpass her own limits.

"This isn't over yet."

With renewed focus, Han So-Yeon prepared to strike once more.