The veil of night was slowly thinning, its weight retreating from the mountain ridges, and with it, the first strands of light unfurled across the serene courtyards of Yeonhwa Lotus Palace. Soft pink hues touched the rooftops like the breath of spring, and dew-laced petals shimmered faintly as if the palace itself had stirred from its slumber.
Jinmu stepped onto the stone path leading to the training ground, each step careful, deliberate. His black robes rustled lightly in the morning breeze, his wooden practice sword slung across his back. He had memorized the terrain on his way in, but still, every corner of the palace felt unfamiliar, pristine, untouched by male presence. The architecture of the Lotus Palace felt fluid and circular, almost like it resisted straight lines on purpose—much like the women who ruled it.
So this is Yeonhwa Lotus Palace...
