Half a day had passed since Lee Dohyun left Heukwoon-gwan. Walking along a mountain path, he made his way to Poongwolru. Every time Chunhyang's face crossed his mind, his heart grew heavier. As he thought of the past she must have endured and the convictions that had been forged through those experiences, he felt as though their stories were quietly intertwining.
He remembered the first time she had called him "like a long-lost brother." Having been taken from Goryeo, Chunhyang had likely fought to retain her identity in this foreign land. In doing so, she had chosen to protect the vulnerable. Dohyun had done the same, struggling to preserve his former self after being thrown into this world. In a way, they were alike.
I'm not from this world, he thought as he gazed up at Poongwolru. He had made up his mind. He would tell her the truth about himself. To truly understand her pain—and to come closer to her heart—he had to.
Poongwolru glowed quietly beneath the orange hues of sunset. Lanterns adorned its roof and eaves, shining gently like the stage of Chunhyang's life. Dohyun took a deep breath before stepping through the gates. Inside, the hall was elegant and serene, filled with the scent of perfume and the delicate murmur of music—a strangely alluring atmosphere.
She sat by the window on the second floor. Wearing a graceful hanbok, Chunhyang looked out over the horizon, her hair gently tousled by the breeze. When Dohyun approached, she turned and greeted him with a soft smile.
"What brings the head of Heukwoon-gwan all the way here?" she asked, her voice gentle but tinged with cautious curiosity.
"I came to see you," Dohyun replied as he took a seat in front of her. "I wanted to talk with you."
Chunhyang hesitated for a moment, studying his face. She sensed that what he was about to say carried weight. Pouring tea for him, she said, "What kind of talk? You look more serious than usual, which is saying something."
Dohyun took a sip of the tea and let out a deep breath. "Chunhyang, I don't fully know your past or how you came to be here. But seeing how you protect the weak, how you carry yourself at Poongwolru… I've come to understand, at least in part, the kind of pain you must have endured."
Chunhyang lowered her gaze. The smile faded from her lips.
"So that's why you came," she murmured. "You probably guessed it already. Many women were taken from Goryeo… and I was one of them. Honestly, my memories of home are so faint now—this land is far too distant."
Dohyun saw the pain in her eyes and paused, then quietly said,"I'm not from this world either, Chunhyang. Not from Goryeo, but from a faraway land. From the East—a place called Korea. A place where there's no martial world like this, no clans or sects. When you told me I reminded you of your brother… I think that's when I realized we had something in common. And that's why I wanted to hear your story."
Chunhyang's eyes widened."You're… not from here?" Her expression turned complex with disbelief and realization. "Then where are you from exactly?"
"A country called Korea. Maybe it's somehow connected to the Goryeo you knew. When you first saw me and said I felt familiar, I think it wasn't a coincidence. That's why I wanted to understand you better."
She didn't respond right away. Her eyes trembled with emotion, but behind them was growing clarity and understanding.
"So… you lost your home too?" she asked in a shaky voice. "But how are you so strong? I… I'm still caught up in the memories. I want to help others, yes, but maybe… maybe I'm just trying to forget my own pain through them."
Dohyun shook his head."I'm not strong. I still feel lost, still scared. But when I saw what you were doing—helping others despite your own wounds—I realized something. That even broken people can find hope in lifting others up."
Chunhyang nodded slowly, tears shimmering in her eyes. A gentle smile returned to her lips."Maybe… even though we come from different worlds, we share the same heart."
Dohyun reached for her hand."We're different, yes. But we can still walk together. The strength in your heart—it's real. Everything you've done to protect others, to build a space like Poongwolru… it all matters."
Chunhyang closed her eyes for a moment before looking at him again, this time with resolution."If you're willing to open up like this, then so will I. I'll share my story—my pain, and my goals. If it's with you, I feel like I can face it."
That night, they spoke long into the evening. They shared their wounds, their dreams, and their reasons for fighting on. Through their conversation, Chunhyang found renewed purpose, and Dohyun came to understand his own role in this world more clearly.
As he walked back to Heukwoon-gwan, Dohyun's heart was filled with one determination: to create a world where people like Chunhyang would no longer need to carry such pain alone. He realized that beyond just teaching martial arts to his students, he needed to build a haven—for the vulnerable, the voiceless, and especially for the women who had suffered in silence. And so, a new seed was planted in his mind: a new path for Heukwoon-gwan, and for himself.
***
Developing Martial Arts for the Vulnerable
Upon returning to Heukwoon-gwan, Lee Dohyun immediately summoned Baek Wolhui, Han Soyeon, Cheong Unjin, and Miryeong. They sat in a quiet circle at the edge of the training hall, attentively listening to what Dohyun had to say.
"I visited Chunhyang at Poongwolru today," Dohyun began calmly. His face was etched with a deep seriousness. "Through our conversation, I realized something. What we do here at Heukwoon-gwan isn't just about teaching martial arts. It can mean so much more."
He paused for a moment to gauge their reactions. Han Soyeon widened her eyes, while Miryeong tilted her head slightly, curious.
"I believe we need to help those who are vulnerable—people like Chunhyang—gain the power to protect themselves. What we currently teach is useful, of course, but I've started to feel the need for martial arts that are more suited and practical for women."
Baek Wolhui was the first to respond. She looked at Dohyun thoughtfully before speaking."I understand what you're saying, Headmaster. Thinking about what Chunhyang has been through... yes, we need techniques tailored for people like her. But... martial arts aren't so easily modified. Each form and technique has its own purpose and structure. Creating something truly suitable for women would take more than just tweaking what we already have."
Han Soyeon nodded in agreement."She's right. Even with our current trainees, it takes time to build a solid foundation. Teaching the vulnerable means we carry an even greater responsibility. If they get hurt while trying to protect themselves... that's something I'd really hate to see."
Dohyun let out a long breath as he listened. He knew what they were saying was true—developing a new martial discipline was no easy task. But he also knew he couldn't give up.
That's when Cheong Unjin smiled and chimed in."Little brother, it might not be easy, but it's worth trying. If even the vulnerable can defend themselves, their lives could change for the better. We don't have to build a perfectly structured system from the start. We can begin with the basics—simple self-defense, evasive techniques. Something manageable."
Dohyun nodded."Exactly. We don't have to make it grand all at once. Starting small is fine. Teaching them how to dodge, deflect, or create an opening to escape—that alone can make a huge difference."
Miryeong's eyes sparkled."That sounds wonderful. If women like Chunhyang could learn even basic defense techniques, they could face danger with more confidence. I think it would be especially helpful for those living in places like Poongwolru."
Hearing their support, Dohyun smiled warmly."Thank you. With all of you beside me, I know we can make this happen. I want to build a world where people like Chunhyang no longer have to suffer. I want Heukwoon-gwan to become a true haven for them."
Baek Wolhui added playfully,"It's a bit odd seeing you so serious, Headmaster. But if it's for a cause like this, I'm in. Helping the weak protect themselves—that's a mission worth fighting for."
Han Soyeon smiled as well."I'd like to help too, Headmaster. If I can give strength to people like Chunhyang unni, that would mean the world to me."
Dohyun felt a warm gratitude bloom in his chest."Thank you, all of you. Then let's begin, step by step. Let's find ways to help the vulnerable protect themselves—and figure out how we can stand with them."
That night, Heukwoon-gwan took its first step toward a new purpose. Not just the pursuit of strength, but a commitment to building a better world. With his companions at his side, Lee Dohyun pledged to develop martial arts for the sake of those who had been left behind. And together, they began to work—so that Heukwoon-gwan could become the safest, warmest place in the world.