“Whoosh!”
I started my training with the First Move of the Azure Cloud Sword, specifically the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword technique.
“The movement itself is excellent. Now let’s reflect on the principles. Shall we begin with the strong sword?”
The First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword is merely a collection of very basic sword movements: a diagonal downward slash, a horizontal slash, and an upward slash.
However, at the same time, it is also a practical technique.
That’s because the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword is based on not one, but four principles. The First Swing containing the principle of strength and the First Swing containing the principle of speed are the same movement yet different techniques.
“Direct the Qi from the lower dantian through the three pathways: Um-gyo, Gwan-won, and Hwang-yu. The Qi from Gwan-won leads to the blood vessels of the pivoting legs, the Foot Three and the Greater Chong to direct the Qi. The Qi guided through Um-gyo causes charging Qi to arise from the Gyeogyeol point through the Gimong point. The Qi that moves through the Um-gyo, once it reaches the ribs, must charge until the end…”
With a racing heart, I listened intently to Hyeok Gi-rin’s explanation.
Though the explanation was long and difficult, to summarize it in one sentence: guide the Qi to where the body needs it and cause charging phenomena to occur in order.
It’s not really something that can be simplified like this, after all.
The human body is a microcosm. There are countless paths through blood vessels in this microcosm, and martial artists operate their inner power based on these Qi meridians.
Even something simple like causing a charging phenomenon in the arm can yield different results depending on the path it has taken through the Qi meridians. If that path can efficiently generate strong power, then it’s the principle of strength; if it can achieve rapid speed, then it’s the principle of speed.
The techniques that can continuously unfold these principles are called formations.
“Can you demonstrate it?”
“Yes.”
As soon as Hyeok Gi-rin finished his explanation, I nodded. I, Ho Cheon-an. I didn’t possess extraordinary understanding to grasp a technique from just one explanation.
I had merely looked at martial arts books during my journey to the Jeomchang Faction and practiced my inner power management while swinging my sword whenever I could.
Knowing my prior self-study, Hyeok Gi-rin only explained once before requesting a demonstration. I began to unfold the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword, emphasizing the principle of strength.
Swoosh!
“Again.”
Swish! Swoosh!
“Again.”
Whoosh! Slash! Slash!
From just the sounds of the strikes, it was evident that my distribution of inner power was a total mess. I should be operating my inner power as if painting on canvas, smoothly and without interruption, but instead, I was jabbing ink onto the canvas before drawing lines in the air then jab! again.
At least if I jabbed evenly!
The impurities in the Qi meridians seriously messed with my output and reaction.
…And that was my excuse.
“Um… I hate to say this, but your control over your inner power is really poor.”
“Senior, I know about my physique, but even considering that, it’s way too serious.”
“Damn…”
Even I had to admit that it was pretty severe, so I muttered a complaint and gritted my teeth.
“For now, let’s aim to master the operation of the four principles. Achieving stable charging is not something that can be improved overnight.”
“Understood.”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s expression seemed quite complex. The look in his eyes as he regarded me seemed to say, “How do I make this guy somewhat human…?” causing my face to heat up slightly.
The training that had started from dawn continued until the sun was high in the sky. Under Hyeok Gi-rin’s guidance, I was able to comprehend all four principles of the First Swing of the Azure Cloud Sword, but… the techniques that unfolded failed to show even a hint of stability.
“Diligence and training are the only answers. Senior Ho, please do not be too impatient. Hard work never betrays.”
How can I expect to be full after just one day of training? Even in the martial world of games, reaching the peak from being at the top required a long time. With the handicap of contaminated blood, I shouldn’t expect that level of growth.
“We will do sword training only in the morning. In the afternoon, I will focus on physical training and other training.”
“What kind of training?”
“We will check the methods of movement and defense, but what is urgent for you, Senior Outcast, is training ability and flexibility.”
Training ability and flexibility…? That caught me completely off guard. It’s not that I didn’t know the meaning of the words. It’s just that I was unfamiliar with terms that didn’t exist in the world of the game’s martial arts.
“Your training methods are extremely skewed. Though your muscles are well-developed, they are not harmonious at all, and while your body can generate speed, it’s not at all sensitive. You must have practiced one training method your entire life, haven’t you?”
“…That’s correct.”
Hyeok Gi-rin’s words were spot on. I had only continued to hone the one training method that was the most efficient out of all I had learned.
“You’ve probably only used what you thought was the most efficient training method you could learn.”
Did he read my mind?
“However, how can there be a perfect training method in this world? While it’s true that there are heavier and lighter aspects in muscle, focusing solely on the heavy ones and discarding the light ones is a wrong approach. The lighter ones exist for a reason, so as martial artists, we must strive for balanced development.”
“Um. Understood.”
Honestly, I didn’t fully understand, but I decided to just follow Hyeok Gi-rin’s lead for now. His teaching skills were the best among everyone I had experienced. I could feel my abilities growing visibly. I’d just have to trust and follow what the star teacher said.
Hyeok Gi-rin smiled as if he understood my thoughts completely.
“Hehe, just follow for now. Now, it’s lunchtime. Let’s head to the cafeteria.”
Myself and the Black Cat followed Hyeok Gi-rin’s lead to the dining hall. It looked like an ordinary cafeteria where everyone helped themselves to rice, sides, and soup. The only unfortunate part was the lack of meat. At least there were eggs, which was a relief.
“Indeed, this is a diet befitting the Daoist Sect.”
“Jeomchang doesn’t particularly impose a diet. Eating lighter does indeed help to avoid excessive internal heat and achieve higher martial arts, but ultimately, that’s for individuals to decide.”
That’s commendable. Even though they’re a Daoist sect, it seems they can’t manage to include meat, but for a Daoist, this is pretty generous.
Do you know?
In the Mu-dang Sect, there’s no cooking room. There are dining halls where people gather to eat, but no kitchens. What does that imply? It means that cooking using fire does not take place in the Mu-dang.
There are no exceptions for guests either.
Only raw food!
Isn’t that the source of the unique liberated atmosphere among the disciples of the Mu-dang Sect? Having lived a lifetime of dietary restrictions, how trivial must worldly matters be?
“Big Brother!”
“Big Brother!”
“Hehe, long time no see, kiddos.”
A group of children, looking around ten years old, rushed to surround Hyeok Gi-rin. By numbers, it seemed to be around ten to twenty kids. After patting a few of the clinging children, Hyeok Gi-rin said,
“Don’t make any more noise in the cafeteria. Please sit down.”
“Yes!”
With what seemed to be the impression of having grown up hearing only good things in Jeomchang, their eyes were innocent and pure. The kids who swiftly handled their meals sat around me, the Black Cat, and Hyeok Gi-rin.
“A really pretty sister…”
“Mister! Are you an expert? Peak? Ultimate Peak?”
“I’m a top-tier.”
“Disappointed…”
“Regrettable…”
Sorry for being top-tier.
“Big Brother! Please tell us about your trip to Sacheon City!”
“I heard you defeated all the bandits in Sacheon City!”
As the kids started chattering all at once, I could hardly tell if food was going into my mouth or my nose. Why are these kids, who won’t even eat meat, so energetic?
Clap, clap.
“Hey, kids. Once you finish your meals, this big brother will give you a present. But only to those who stay quiet and show proper manners.”
“Wow! A present!”
“Let’s eat quickly!”
The kids stopped their barrage of questions and began to gobble down their food. The Black Cat and I also finished our meals before leading the kids to a guests’ area.
“Hehe. The kids are all so bright and cute. I can now see why Great Hero Hyeok Gi-rin worked so hard to prepare gifts for them!”
Hyeok Gi-rin turned red in silence as if he was suddenly embarrassed by seeing the cart half-filled with gifts.
The Black Cat and I laughed as we distributed the presents for the kids.
The gifts for the children were sweets. Not just any sloppy street sweets, but high-quality confections, made by confectioners found only in big cities, each meticulously wrapped and sealed with wax.
“Hmm…”
I thought about using magic tricks to entertain these cute kids.
“How many sweets will you give to the kids?”
“Well, one wouldn’t be enough, so two each would be necessary. It’s not just today, after all.”
“Then let’s give one each.”
Seeing me cram the sweets into my bosom, Hyeok Gi-rin looked puzzled for a moment before understanding my action, bursting into laughter.
“It’ll surely be a delightful treat for them.”
Hyeok Gi-rin distributed one sweet each to the kids.
“Sweet!”
“Tasty!”
“Wow! Big Brother! I love this the most in the world!”
“I love this pretty sister too!”
The Black Cat chuckled with glee. Seeing her petting the kids’ heads, it seemed like she really liked them. The kids quickly devoured the sweets. High-quality confections simply melt in your mouth, even if you want to save some for later.
As the kids smacked their lips in regret, it was time for me, Ho Cheon-an, to make my move.
“Are you sad?”
“Yes…”
“I want more sweets…”
“Haha. To be honest, I possess a connection with the Holy One.”
The kids’ eyes widened at my sudden claim.
“That uncle seems to be sick somewhere!”
“Should we take him to the doctor?”
“Eeeek!”
The Black Cat rolled on the floor laughing. I shot her a glare and pressed my fingers against my temples, trying to create an atmosphere.
“Hmmm… I can hear… To the kind child who prays… I will give sweets!”
Among the bustling kids, one girl raised her hand high.
“Me, me!”
“Good. Come forward.”
The girl clasped her tiny hands together and prayed to the Holy One.
“Thank you for the delicious sweets~”
“Hehe. Good, the Holy One is very pleased to bestow sweets!”
“Wow?”
The girl looked at me with a doubtful expression, and I made exaggerated hand gestures, then clasped my hands together.
“Ta-da!”
And when I opened my hands, of course…
“Ah! Sweets!”
“Here are the sweets bestowed by the Holy One!”
“Wow! Holy One! Thank you!”
The girl twirled around joyfully holding the sweets, while the other kids envied her.
“Is there anyone else who wants to pray?”
“Me! Me!”
The kids lined up in front of me eagerly. I watched them pray and produced sweets from my palms. Of course, I didn’t actually create them; it just looked like that.
“Wow!”
After distributing sweets to a few kids, I noticed their eyes starting to sparkle with admiration toward me. Seizing the moment, I shrugged my shoulders and decided to increase the difficulty of my trick.
“Now, now! Three of you, pray all at once!”
After we prayed together, I held three sweets in my palms, and the kids were bouncing with joy.
“Wow! Three sweets at once!”
“It’s the blessing of the Holy One!”
“So amazing!”
The kids surrounded me, staring intently at my hand—as if they could fathom my tricks. Finally, I generated five sweets all at once, and the cries of delight erupted from the children.
I confirmed that every one of the fifteen kids received their sweets, then touched my forehead.
“Hmmm… the connection with the Holy One has broken!”
“Ah…”
“Can’t you make more sweets?”
“Kids, don’t make it hard for Senior Ho. Didn’t you just receive one more sweet each?”
Hyeok Gi-rin smiled, ruffling the kids’ heads.
“Don’t be too disappointed. Just work hard on your martial arts training… and, um… work hard on your martial arts training…?”
Honestly, having no idea what the kids did at Jeomchang, I sent a glance for help to Hyeok Gi-rin.
“Right. If you wake up on time, don’t doze off during scripture classes, and don’t run around or make noise during bedtime, the Holy One may visit again.”
“I’ll be the first to sleep during bedtime!”
“I’ll be the first to wake up tomorrow morning!”
“I’ll train hard in swordsmanship!”
“Hahaha! Keep working hard!”
Even as the kids waved goodbye with their tiny hands clutching onto the sweets, I had no idea that I had just committed an enormous act.
