With the covert support of Hongyu Pyo-guk, Lee Do-hyun and his party moved under the guise of escort agents, buying precious time while keeping the attention of the gangho away from Heukwoon-gwan. They were transporting goods along the main routes of the pyo-guk, safely and discreetly. Yet, their journey was never destined to be one of mere escape.
Fate brought them face-to-face with none other than the famed Kang Moo-jin.
Renowned throughout the gangho for his mastery of the White Dragon Sword, Kang Moo-jin's swordsmanship was as elegant as it was deadly. Though he once had a brief encounter with Lee Do-hyun, he was surprised to see how much stronger the young man had become.
Beside Kang Moo-jin stood a younger martial artist with sharp eyes and an intense presence—Gong Jun-hwi, heir to the Gae-bang.
Gong Jun-hwi radiated tension. The air around him shimmered with the killing aura of one who had tasted many duels. Rumors of Heukwoon-gwan encroaching on Gae-bang's territory had long left him with a deep grudge.
"That man—is he the so-called Black Cloud Sword, Lee Do-hyun?" he asked coldly.
Kang Moo-jin nodded. "Yes. He's grown considerably since we last met."
Gong Jun-hwi stepped forward, his gaze slicing like a blade. "Then allow me to test his growth myself. As the heir of the Gae-bang, I wish to see how far he's come."
Lee Do-hyun calmly replied, "If you wish to see my blade, I shall show it to you."
Without hesitation, Gong Jun-hwi readied his stance. With a fluid breath, he unleashed the first form of the Kangryong Eighteen Palms—Strong Wind Palm (강풍장). It tore through the air with hurricane force, a violent tempest of palm energy bearing down on Lee Do-hyun.
Lee Do-hyun drew his Heukwoon-geom slowly, the black blade resonating with a steady hum. "Then allow me to meet your technique with my own."
As the Strong Wind Palm approached, Lee countered with the flowing form of the Black Cloud Sword Technique. His blade spun gracefully, redirecting the energy, bending it, absorbing its weight before creating a seam in the attack to counter.
Gong Jun-hwi spun to deliver a second barrage, doubling down on his palm force—but Lee's sword was no ordinary weapon. It did not merely parry. It answered. The sword's arc carried the essence of thunder and flame.
"You Gae-bang warriors pride yourselves on raw strength," Lee said quietly, "but what I've learned goes beyond brute force."
And with that, he invoked Flame-Lightning Sword Dance (염뢰검무). His blade erupted with mana, fire and lightning intertwining along its edge as it danced through the air like a comet across the night sky.
In response, Gong Jun-hwi raised the second form of Kangryong Eighteen Palms—Soaring Dragon Ascends (비룡재천). His internal energy surged, yin and yang converging into the form of a mighty dragon, which charged toward Lee in a blinding rush.
Lee's sword met the dragon head-on, releasing a shockwave that split the air. Sparks and ash filled the space between them as they exchanged techniques in a moment of raw intensity.
Breathing heavily, Lee took a step forward. "I will not fall so easily."
Gong Jun-hwi's palm techniques carried profound internal energy. Yet, for all their power, he had not yet fully mastered them. Lee saw through the imperfections and responded with the Seal of Flame, a finishing arc that pressed Gong Jun-hwi back.
Just then, Han So-yeon approached. She remembered the courtesy of Kang Moo-jin from a prior meeting. But now, she stood in the murky crossroads between sects, no longer simply of the jeongpa (orthodox sects). Her experiences, betrayals, and conflicts had reshaped her.
"Kang Dae-hyeop," she said, her tone colder than before. "It has been a while."
Kang Moo-jin studied her carefully. "So, you've changed this much, Han So-yeon…"
He glanced at Lee Do-hyun. "If you still follow Heukwoon-gwan, then continue walking that path."
So-yeon nodded. "I will. But I will never again place my trust in those who turned their blades upon me."
Kang Moo-jin fell silent, then nodded slowly. "Then your choice is clear. I'll be watching your path."
Even as that conversation ended, Lee's focus remained on Gong Jun-hwi. This duel was more than a matter of pride. It was a testament to the journey he had walked, the battles he had endured, and the man he was becoming.
"Kang sunbae," Lee said, turning back toward the fight, "this battle is far from over. I still have much to learn."
*****
The End of the Duel, A New Resolve
The clash between Lee Do-hyun and Gong Jun-hwi had reached its zenith. Every collision between their mugong stirred the very air, blasting waves of internal energy and mana that split the sky itself. When the Flame-Lightning Sword Dance and Soaring Dragon Ascends collided, the heavens seemed to shudder. Explosive waves of mana attempted to cancel out each other's force, but neither man retreated.
Lee Do-hyun's Black Cloud Sword Technique was sharper and more refined than ever. Each swing traced arcs of dark mana, slicing through the wind with lethal grace. Gong Jun-hwi answered with the first stance of the Kangryong Eighteen Palms—Strong Wind Palm. The fierce gales surrounded the two fighters, their power shaking the gangho with their sheer intensity.
But Gong Jun-hwi began to waver. Though his stance remained firm, fatigue crept into his breath, and he still could not overpower Lee Do-hyun.
Then—one man stepped forward and silenced everything.
Kang Moo-jin.
With a single step and a flick of his hand, a wave of mana rippled outward, instantly dispelling both fighters' attacks. Lee Do-hyun and Gong Jun-hwi froze under the weight of his authority.
"That's enough," Kang Moo-jin declared, his voice calm yet resolute. "If this battle continues, it will consume both of you. Even the strongest mugong will only bring ruin if pushed too far."
Lee Do-hyun and Gong Jun-hwi paused, then turned their eyes to Kang Moo-jin.
"You've grown strong, Lee Do-hyun," Kang Moo-jin said. "But you still have a long road ahead. Gong Jun-hwi, you too must step back."
Gong Jun-hwi lowered his head in reluctant acknowledgment. His eyes lingered on Lee Do-hyun, but the intent to fight had faded from his gaze. He sheathed his blade.
"Let's go, Jun-hwi. This fight won't serve you anymore." Kang Moo-jin's voice was soft but firm.
Gong Jun-hwi gave a low nod and muttered, "This time, I've lost. But next time…"
Kang Moo-jin turned to Lee Do-hyun again. "You've grown stronger, no doubt. But strength alone won't carry you. What you truly need is not just powerful techniques—but the wisdom to wield them."
Lee Do-hyun nodded solemnly. "Thank you, sunbae-nim. I understand. I still have much to learn."
Kang Moo-jin turned briefly toward Gong Jun-hwi. "Jun-hwi, this duel should have shown you something important. It wasn't simply a matter of who was stronger. What matters is whether you've mastered your internal flow—your harmony between mana and spirit. Today, you learned you're not yet complete."
Gong Jun-hwi clenched his fists but nodded. "Yes… I still have much to improve."
Kang Moo-jin looked back to Lee Do-hyun. "Someday, you'll stand against the Gae-bang and the powers of the gangho itself. Until that day, be ready. Not just your sword—but your will must be unshakable."
Lee Do-hyun lowered his head, the fire in his eyes undimmed. "I will. Not for glory, but to cultivate a strength worthy of that burden."
Kang Moo-jin gave a final nod. "Then your path is clear. Fight not only for the gangho—but for yourself."
As Kang Moo-jin turned away, Lee Do-hyun stood in silence, reflecting on those words.
Han So-yeon stepped to his side. "It's time to leave, Do-hyun. There's nothing more for us here."
Lee Do-hyun turned to her and nodded. "Yes. We have a path to follow."
The time had come to move on. Disguised once more as pyo-sa under the protection of the pyo-guk, they would vanish from this place, leaving behind the ashes of one chapter—and preparing for another.
"We walk a new road now," Lee Do-hyun said softly as he stepped forward. "If our work here is done, then somewhere else, fate awaits us."
As they departed, the gangho would remain turbulent, the conflict between sects unresolved. But they knew now: the greatest battles to come were not just against enemies—but within themselves.