67. Night at the Black Cloud Hall – The Quiet Time of Those Left Behind

Mi-ryeong had stayed at the Black Cloud Hall for a while, overseeing various matters. But now, she sensed there were important affairs she needed to tend to elsewhere.

"I'll be leaving this place for a while," she told Lee Do-hyun quietly. "It doesn't seem dangerous yet, but there are things I must take care of."

Lee Do-hyun considered her words for a moment, then nodded. "Got it. We'll keep things safe here. Take care of yourself."

Mi-ryeong smiled faintly and turned away. Before leaving the hall, she sought someone out.

"Ha Jin-woo."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Ha Jin-woo. Without a word, he moved to her side.

"Come with me."

At her command, Jin-woo simply nodded. He stood by her like a silent guardian—his loyalty to her unwavering.

Left behind at the Black Cloud Hall were only Lee Do-hyun and Han So-yeon. Cheong Un-jin remained stationed at Poongwollu, well within reach should anything happen, but his focus was currently on intelligence gathering. The responsibility of guarding the Hall had thus fallen squarely on Do-hyun and So-yeon.

The place was quiet. In the stillness, the two kept watch together.

Han So-yeon was practicing defensive stances in a corner of the training yard. Her movements were precise and methodical, her gaze unwavering. Meanwhile, Lee Do-hyun sat a distance away, watching her while lost in thought.

How long can this peaceful silence last? He couldn't stop himself from constantly assessing their surroundings, wary of the calm before the storm.

"Do-hyun," So-yeon called out as she approached. Her forehead was glistening with sweat, and her breath came heavily.

"How about we take a break and go on a patrol together?"

Her voice held a slight tension—but also, just barely, a touch of anticipation.

Do-hyun gave a small nod. "Sure, sounds good."

The two began walking around the perimeter of the Black Cloud Hall, checking corners they hadn't looked at in a while. They didn't speak much, but a subtle tension lingered between them.

That tension wasn't born from fear or suspicion alone.

So-yeon had started to become aware—too aware—of Lee Do-hyun's presence beside her. Even as she felt strangely safe with him in this stillness, the unfamiliar closeness made her a little awkward. Whenever their eyes met, they both looked away, and sometimes, they exchanged shy, hesitant smiles.

"This place… it's not that big, and yet it feels so quiet," So-yeon murmured.

Her voice was low and calm, but there was a slight tremor in it.

Do-hyun turned to her and answered with a quiet smile.

"Yeah. Sometimes, this kind of silence feels even more unsettling."

She stopped in her tracks and looked at him. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out.

Then, Do-hyun spoke first.

"But it's okay. We're together."

At those words, a faint blush spread across her cheeks. She turned her head, trying to hide it, and whispered, "You're right… it's okay if we're together."

Do-hyun chuckled softly. The silence between them no longer felt strange. Though he hadn't said it aloud, her presence was becoming a quiet comfort.

The night deepened over the Black Cloud Hall. Under the dark sky, the two walked side by side, in silent step, sharing an unspoken promise. Something uncertain was beginning to grow between them—an emotion quietly taking root in the stillness.

*****

Chunhyang's Summons – The Journey to Poongwollu

Lee Do-hyun stared at the message on his desk. It was a telegram sent by Chunhyang—someone who had helped him many times since his arrival in the martial world.

The message was brief: "There's something we must talk about. Come at once."

Her words were always deliberate. For her to send a message like this—it had to be serious.

"Chunhyang…" Do-hyun murmured, clutching the note tightly.

Beside him, Han So-yeon looked over with interest.

"Chunhyang—as in that Chunhyang?" she asked with a faint smile. She'd heard of Chunhyang, the woman who had helped Do-hyun during his earliest days in the martial world.

"Yeah. It's from her. She says there's something important we need to talk about."

He stared at the message again, instinctively sensing this was no ordinary matter.

"I need to go see her myself."

So-yeon nodded and stepped closer. "Alright. If it's Chunhyang, I'm sure she wouldn't call you unless it was something important. The Hall can manage without us for a little while."

Her firm voice made Do-hyun nod as well.

"Then let's get ready and head out. We shouldn't keep her waiting."

As they stepped outside the Hall, So-yeon paused and glanced back at it.

Poongwollu wasn't far, but it was a vital place—where information moved like wind and secrets changed hands.

She turned to Do-hyun. "I know the way to Poongwollu a little better than you do. Let me lead today."

Do-hyun smiled. "Alright then, I'll follow your lead, So-yeon."

The two locked up the Hall and set off together.

The road to Poongwollu was surprisingly calm. As they walked, So-yeon glanced at Do-hyun and spoke.

"Chunhyang… she really helped you a lot, didn't she? I've heard she was with you at every important moment when you first arrived in the martial world."

Do-hyun chuckled softly. "Without her, I don't think I would've survived. Chunhyang understood the rules of this world and guided me through it. Honestly, I wouldn't be here now if not for her."

Hearing this, So-yeon finally understood how deeply Chunhyang mattered to him.

What kind of person is she… this Chunhyang? she wondered silently, walking by his side.

Before long, they arrived at the gates of Poongwollu.

Even in daylight, the place was stunning. Its elegance wasn't just in its grandeur, but in the subtle sophistication behind every detail.

Do-hyun took a deep breath and opened the door.

Inside, Cheong Un-jin greeted them with a light smile. "Do-hyun, So-yeon. Glad you're here. Chunhyang's been waiting for you."

He led them inside.

The interior was even more beautiful than the outside. Soft lighting and gentle scents filled the air. Patrons moved quietly, each immersed in their own world.

Cheong Un-jin stopped at a room and turned to them. "I'll wait here. I don't know what you'll talk about, but let's catch up afterward."

He winked playfully before stepping aside.

Do-hyun opened the door.

Inside, Chunhyang sat waiting in a graceful gown, her serene smile unchanged.

"Do-hyun, So-yeon. Thank you for coming," she said, gesturing for them to sit.

"There's something important we need to talk about."

Once they were seated, she looked at them and spoke.

"The balance in the martial world is shifting. The conflict between the orthodox and unorthodox sects is escalating. And lately, your name, Do-hyun, has started surfacing more and more—especially within the orthodox sect."

Do-hyun frowned. "They're talking about me?"

Chunhyang nodded. "Yes. To them, you're a mystery—and a threat. Your martial arts don't conform to either side, and that alone makes them uneasy."

So-yeon's face hardened. "Are you saying Do-hyun might be in danger?"

Chunhyang sighed. "Yes. But it's not just that. Even Poongwollu is being watched now. Several factions know we've helped you before."

Do-hyun's expression darkened. "So Poongwollu's in danger because of me…"

But Chunhyang gently shook her head. "Don't blame yourself. Helping someone in the martial world always comes with risks. But now, we must be more cautious."

So-yeon asked seriously, "What should we do? Is there a way we can help protect Poongwollu?"

Chunhyang nodded. "Yes. We'll strengthen our defenses here. And you two—stay informed. Be ready. This won't end quietly."

Do-hyun gave her a firm nod. "Understood, Chunhyang. I'll do whatever it takes. Poongwollu is important to me. You've helped me so much—I won't let you face danger alone."

Chunhyang smiled warmly at his conviction. "Thank you, Do-hyun. Let's get through this together."

The night wore on as they discussed their plans. Do-hyun and So-yeon listened closely to Chunhyang's warnings and advice, preparing for the changes ahead. Each of them understood—things were only going to get harder from here.