" The Girl They Called Devil "

Episode 35: The Hidden Training Ground

Dea led Yujin through quiet streets until they reached a large, unmarked building tucked away from the main road. There were no bright signs, no advertisements—just a heavy metal gate that opened only after Dea spoke a few words to the guard standing there. As they stepped inside, Yujin’s eyes went wide.

The space was huge, with high ceilings, padded floors, and walls lined with training equipment—punching bags, wooden dummies, and racks of protective gear. All around, men and women were training; they moved with strength and discipline, their bodies clearly showing years of practice. These were not ordinary people—they were skilled fighters, serious and focused.

But what shocked Yujin even more was what happened the moment Dea walked in.

Almost instantly, every person in the room stopped what they were doing. They turned toward him, stood straight, and greeted him respectfully in unison. “Hello, Dea!”

Yujin stood frozen, her mouth slightly open. She looked around at the way everyone treated him—with respect, even a little awe. “Dea… what is this place? Why are they all acting like this?”

Dea smiled faintly, not seeming surprised at all. “This is a private training center. And well… I’ve been coming here for years. I’ve won many championships, so I’m known here as the second in command, after the main master.”

Yujin’s eyes grew even bigger. She had known Dea since childhood, but she never imagined he held such a position here.

Dea scanned the room and called out, “Jake!”

A young man with a lean, strong build walked over quickly, nodding respectfully. “Yes, Dea?”

“Where is Zhang Lingqi?” Dea asked. “I need to speak with him.”

“He’s in the back office,” Jake replied. “Shall I tell him you’re here?”

“It’s fine, I’ll go myself,” Dea said. He turned to Yujin. “Wait here for a moment, okay? I’ll be right back.”

Yujin nodded, still looking around in amazement. She watched as everyone went back to their training, but many still glanced her way curiously, wondering who she was to be allowed inside.

Dea walked down a short corridor and knocked on a wooden door before entering. Inside, a man around his age was sitting at a desk, looking over some papers. He had sharp features, dark hair, and an air of calm authority. As soon as he saw Dea, he stood up with a warm smile.

“Bro! Dea!” Zhang Lingqi greeted him, stepping forward to shake his hand firmly. “What brings you here today? It’s been a while.”

“I need a favor,” Dea said, getting straight to the point. “I’ve brought someone with me. She wants to learn self-defense and fighting techniques.”

Lingqi’s expression turned serious. “You know the rules here, Dea. This is a hidden center—we don’t allow just anyone in. We keep it secret to avoid trouble and ensure only serious, trustworthy people train here.”

“I know,” Dea said firmly. “But she is different. She is my oldest and closest best friend. I trust her completely, and she has a good reason to learn. That’s why I’m asking you to make an exception.”

Lingqi looked at Dea for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “If she is someone you trust that much, then it’s fine. She is welcome here whenever she wants.”

They walked back out together to where Yujin was waiting. She looked at Zhang Lingqi curiously, then turned to Dea.

“May I ask something?” she said politely. “Why is this place so hidden? Why can’t just anyone come in to train?”

Dea explained, “This isn’t like a regular gym. We don’t train for fun or for show. Many people here learn to protect themselves, and some have their own reasons to stay out of the public eye. That’s why we keep it private—only people we know and trust are allowed inside.”

Yujin nodded in understanding, then looked at Lingqi again. “And another thing… is Zhang Lingqi Chinese? I noticed his name sounds different.”

“Yes, he is,” Dea replied with a smile. “He came here from China years ago. We met when we were teenagers and became best friends. We trained together, competed together… he’s like family to me.”

Yujin tilted her head slightly, looking at him with genuine curiosity. “He’s your old friend too… but what about me? You said you’ve known me since we were little. Do I not know everything about you?”

Dea chuckled softly, shaking his head. “There is a lot you don’t know about my life, Yujin. It’s a long story—where I learned to fight, how I became part of this place, everything. It will take time to explain.”

“Then tell me now,” Yujin said eagerly, her eyes sparkling. “I have plenty of time right now.”

Dea laughed again, a warm sound this time, and patted her shoulder lightly. “Nice try, but no. You’re not free right now, kid. You came here to learn, remember? The stories can wait. Come on, let’s go to the private training room.”

Yujin pouted playfully but followed him. “I’m not a kid! But fine—let’s go.”

They entered a separate room with padded walls and a soft floor, away from the others. Yujin stood in the middle, looking a little nervous now.

“Wait a second,” she said, holding her hands up defensively. “Don’t hit me too hard, okay? I’m not used to this. If it hurts too much, I might actually cry.”

Dea laughed, but this time it was a deeper, more confident sound—almost intimidating. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hit you. That would be unfair. Instead, you are going to hit me. Try to strike me as hard as you can.”

Yujin blinked in surprise. “Really? You want me to hit you? Are you sure you can handle it?” She grinned a little. “Alright, but should I go easy… or really put some strength into it?”

Dea stood in a relaxed stance, his arms loose at his sides. “Go hard. Don’t hold back. Take out all your frustration, all your doubts—give it everything you have.”

Yujin took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and swung it forward with all her might, aiming for his arm. The blow landed with a solid thud, but Dea didn’t even flinch. He just raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“That’s all you have?” he teased, laughing again. “That felt like a gentle tap.”

Yujin frowned, ready to try again, but suddenly her eyes filled with tears. She pulled her hand back quickly, clutching it to her chest.

Dea’s smile faded immediately, and he stepped forward concerned. “Hey, what happened? Did you hurt yourself?”

“It hurts!” Yujin said, her voice trembling slightly as she rubbed her knuckles. “You’re like a stone wall! My hand is sore now.”

Dea couldn’t help but laugh again, this time more gently. “Oh, come on, don’t make me laugh—it’s not that bad. You just don’t know how to make a proper fist yet. That’s why it hurts.”

He walked over to a small table in the corner and picked up a bottle of water and some energy bars. “Come here. Before we do anything else, you need to eat something and drink water. You don’t have enough strength or stamina yet. Fighting isn’t just about hitting hard—it’s about having the energy to keep going, and knowing how to move without hurting yourself. We’ll start slow, step by step.”

Yujin took the water gratefully, still pouting a little but smiling too. “Alright, alright. But next time, I’m going to make you feel it—just you wait.”

Dea grinned, crossing his arms. “I’ll be waiting. But first—eat, rest, and learn. We have a long way to go.”