Dokyeon once again began to move, aiming to subtly shake Han Soyeon. This time, he shifted his focus to Baek Wolhui, using the pretense of offering advice on how to win love.
"Lady Baek, Han Soyeon has really changed lately. She's showing interest in clothing and accessories. She used to never care about those things, but now she's asking me for advice." Dokyeon spoke casually with a smile. "You, Lady Baek, are second to none in terms of appearance. But... somehow, I think that innocent, youthful side of Soyeon might suit Master Heukwoon better."
Baek Wolhui furrowed her brow slightly as she looked at Dokyeon. There was something hidden beneath the flow of his words. Though they were wrapped in politeness, there was a sharpness meant to shake her.
Baek Wolhui quickly saw through Dokyeon's intent. Knowing that he was from the Demonic Cult, she suspected that every word he spoke was part of a strategy to unsettle Heukwoongwan. Still, she kept her composure and replied with a calm smile. "It is interesting that Soyeon is starting to care about accessories. Did you recommend something nice for her?"
Dokyeon nodded. "Of course. I just wanted to help her shine a little more. Everyone wants to look their best in front of the one they admire."
As she listened, Baek Wolhui thought to herself, 'He's trying to stir things between Lee Dohyeon and Han Soyeon. But I won't fall for it so easily.'
Yet a few days later, Baek Wolhui saw Han Soyeon wearing an accessory that Dokyeon had recommended. Though it was just a simple piece, its implications were clear to her, and for a brief moment, a crack formed in her heart.
'Could Soyeon truly have feelings for Lee Dohyeon?' Anxiety bubbled up inside her, but she quickly steeled her resolve. 'I won't let my emotions show. I will win this.'
Meanwhile, Dokyeon briefly considered whether he could cause confusion in Miryung as well. However, she was sharp—perhaps the most perceptive of all—and her watchful eyes often suggested she already suspected him. He decided she wasn't worth the risk. 'This is enough.' He refrained from approaching her and withdrew from Heukwoongwan.
After Dokyeon left, an unexplainable tension lingered among the women of Heukwoongwan. Their emotions tangled, and the ongoing psychological warfare made it difficult for anyone to express their true thoughts.
****
Subtle Distances
Was it because of Dokyeon's strategy? A subtle sense of distance began to spread throughout Heukwoongwan. The laughter and vibrancy in the training grounds waned, and a sense of suspicion and caution slowly crept in between the disciples. Though they still tried to help each other, it no longer felt as natural. Matters they once overlooked now became sources of overthinking.
Dokyeon was confident that his plan was working. To confirm whether the internal shift was temporary or leading to lasting division, he summoned his subordinates to make a bolder move.
One night, his agents launched a surprise attack on Heukwoongwan's training grounds. The disciples were caught off guard, but the masters of Heukwoongwan quickly mobilized to deal with the situation. Though they repelled the enemies with great skill, there was a clear lack of cooperation.
Each master fought individually. In the past, they would have covered each other's weaknesses and fought in perfect sync. This time, however, they each fought in their own way, separate from one another.
When Baek Wolhui found herself in danger, Han Soyeon hesitated for a moment instead of rushing to her aid. 'Should I help? Does she even need my help?' The thought flickered through her mind.
Likewise, Baek Wolhui, seeing Han Soyeon approach to help, merely gave a curt nod rather than her usual warm response. Something had undeniably changed between them.
From a distance, Miryung watched. She sensed something was wrong. She realized it was all part of Dokyeon's scheme. But alone, she couldn't fix it. She watched closely, determined to restore the camaraderie they once had.
After the battle ended, Dokyeon observed the aftermath from afar, smiling to himself. The masters had triumphed, but the trust between them had visibly frayed. He confirmed what he suspected.
"This is only the beginning," Dokyeon whispered to himself. "It won't be long before Heukwoongwan collapses from within."
He signaled his agents, and they silently retreated.
Though the training grounds returned to silence, the emotions left behind were anything but calm. The trust built through years of companionship was shaking. That night, they began to truly understand how easily unity could fracture.
***
Mireyong's Silent Investigation
As the subtle sense of distance within Heukwoon-gwan grew larger day by day, Mireyong found herself deeply troubled. She could no longer be content merely observing quietly. Unlike others, Mireyong was well-versed in resolving conflicts not through martial arts, but through the strategic use of information. And now, she believed, was the time to put that knowledge into practice.
Returning to Pungwol-ru, Mireyong decided to discreetly leverage her network with the Guan. Using her connections, she began investigating when Dokyeon had entered Heukwoon-gwan and whom he had contacted. Her goal wasn't simply to prove her suspicions about Dokyeon—it was to identify the root of the discord and resolve it.
She first reached out to Hwanggeumhoe and Hongyupyo-guk. Hwanggeumhoe, known for supporting Pungwol-ru, specialized in gathering information through financial and commercial networks. Hongyupyo-guk, with its extensive transport network, was able to collect intel from across the region. At Mireyong's request, they began tracking Dokyeon's movements.
After several days, the information Mireyong received confirmed her suspicions. Even before joining Heukwoon-gwan, Dokyeon had approached with the intent to sow internal conflict. Spies sent from Pungwol-ru uncovered detailed records of his plans to infiltrate the organization and manipulate key individuals. Several strange incidents that had occurred since Dokyeon's arrival were now linked to him.
Understanding that Dokyeon's actions had been deliberate attempts to erode trust and unity, Mireyong took decisive action. She gathered Heukwoon-gwan's core warriors in private and laid out her findings, urging them to rebuild their trust and unite against the threat.
"If we start to doubt each other and drift apart, we'll be walking exactly the path our enemies want. What we need now is to reclaim our trust in one another."
Her heartfelt plea moved Hansoyeon and Baek Wolhui, who nodded solemnly, recognizing the importance of their unity.
Lee Dohyeon, too, was deeply impressed by Mireyong's intelligence network and the way she had handled the situation. He thanked her, acknowledging how vital wisdom and strategy could be, beyond mere strength.
Though Mireyong did not wield martial arts, her political insight and alliances with Guan and Pungwol-ru had proven decisive. Thanks to her, the people of Heukwoon-gwan began to rebuild the bonds of trust that had been fraying. The power of solidarity, once weakened, was slowly beginning to return.
***
Baek Wolhui vs. Dokyeon
Convinced his plan was working, Dokyeon returned to Heukwoon-gwan, aiming to further inflame conflict by subtly inciting tensions between the courtesans and trainees. Whispering sweetly into ears, he planted seeds of doubt and unease, slowly widening the cracks between them. Misunderstandings mounted as expectations clashed.
Just then, Baek Wolhui entered the training ground.
Gracefully walking through the crowd, she wore a gentle smile, but her presence alone shifted the atmosphere. The courtesans momentarily forgot themselves, and the male trainees couldn't help but fix their gaze upon her.
With a calm voice, she addressed Dokyeon. "You know," she began smoothly, "they say a cat pretends to be asleep before it steals the fish. But sooner or later, that cat gets caught and taught a lesson."
Her elegant gestures soothed the agitated crowd. Dokyeon, wary, carefully watched her every move.
With a dazzling combination of words and body language, Baek Wolhui mesmerized everyone, restoring order like a spell being cast. Then, feigning a mistake, she allowed the sash at her waist to slip. In a split second, she funneled her energy into a subtle attack aimed at Dokyeon.
Dokyeon reacted instantly, swatting the sash aside with lightning speed. A silent exchange of energy rippled through the air—imperceptible to novices, but unmistakable to true experts.
The trainees and courtesans were unaware of what had just occurred. But Baek Wolhui, with a satisfied smirk, whispered, "So, the real you finally emerges... Dokyeon of the Demonic Sect." Her eyes gleamed sharply.
Dokyeon froze for a heartbeat, then glared at her. The smile on his face had vanished. He now knew she had seen through him all along.
Though the onlookers remained clueless, the air between Baek Wolhui and Dokyeon grew thick with tension. Their psychological duel had begun. Baek Wolhui was no longer merely confronting a deceiver—she was pulling back the veil on his true identity.