Chapter 30. Learning Martial Arts (5)

The bitter meeting with Yang Jinpo left me with many thoughts.

One was that I could also end up in such a situation at any time, and the other was that the Juejian Sect could be a threat.

According to Yang Jinpo, there might no longer be any personal grudges against me in the Juejian Sect, but it was clear that they would not retreat gracefully after losing their business.

In the martial world, "not retreating gracefully" usually means conflict.

‘I can’t report it since it’s not certain yet.’

The conversation with Yang Jinpo was not something I could easily report to Jiang Paodu or Bai Linghua.

Suppose I reported, “A friend who was expelled from the Juejian Sect said they might not retreat gracefully.”

Then I would be given the nickname "Baga" from the next day, as if I had made a foolish statement.

Of course, Yang Jinpo, who was expelled from the Juejian Sect, would not say anything good about them. It was so obvious that I would only get scolded if I mentioned it.

However, I felt something from Yang Jinpo’s words, a kind of intuition or a gut feeling. So, I decided to prepare myself, at least as much as I could. The best way to prepare in the martial world is, of course, to practice martial arts.

So, I decided to intensify my martial arts training.

“You must maintain a uniform posture and speed.”

Today’s training involved drawing a circle of a certain size on the ground, taking a stance as if emitting an energy wave, and slowly circling around it.

At first glance, it looked like a Tai Chi stance, but Wei Zhiyan kept emphasizing this strange posture and speed.

“What’s the point of this?”

“It’s to align your center of gravity.”

“Center of gravity?”

“Yes. Cheng Paosha, your center of gravity is too unstable. It’s a fatal flaw for a martial artist. It seems you’ve lived for a long time in a bad posture, especially while sitting.”

Her observation was surprisingly accurate. I had suffered for a long time from the evil invention of the all-in-one chair.

“This training is to correct your center of gravity. If you practice it consistently, your center of gravity will be aligned, and the circulation of your internal energy will become smoother, making it easier to release your power.”

She pointed to my outstretched hand.

“Try to imagine the feeling of power being emitted from your fingertips while moving.”

“It’s not as easy as I thought.”

“It’s the process of aligning your center of gravity.”

It was better than the animal mimicry exercises I did yesterday, but as I continued, I gradually started to sweat.

It was harder than I thought to maintain a posture with my arm extended and move slowly.

Just as I was about to take a break after circling the open space, Wang Xi called out.

“Cheng Xiaogong, are you practicing today?”

“Wang Xi.”

We seem to meet often lately. Oh, right, we’re staying at the same inn.

“Meeting you again today.”

“Again?”

The way Wang Xi asked back didn’t sound very happy. I carefully asked, “Is something wrong?”

“You said you would help me draw yesterday.”

I remembered making that promise yesterday.

I had made it lightly without much thought.

Let me see. I was supposed to pose as a model, right?

I looked down at my abdomen, which was smooth and free of fat, or rather, my proud abs that were starting to show.

After lightly touching my abs, I said confidently, “Of course, I haven’t forgotten. Can I come over this evening?”

“This evening?”

“I need to practice during the day.”

“Hmm... Okay, then this evening.”

As she left, Wei Zhiyan, who had been watching, asked with a sly smile, “Is she Wang Xi?”

“Yes.”

“You seem quite close.”

“Not really.”

We hadn’t known each other for long, so we weren’t particularly close. Wei Zhiyan looked slightly shocked at my calm response.

“Why are you going to a woman’s room if you’re not close?”

“It’s for a job. You heard it yesterday. She needs help with drawing.”

What is this girl thinking?

“O-Oh, I see. I understand. Then... let’s move on to the next training quickly.”

“Yes. Please give me instructions before my body cools down.”

“The next training is the bear stance.”

“Ugh, not that again.”

Let’s do something else.

***

After another day of animal mimicry, I felt completely drained. No matter how much I am a descendant of Xiongnu, doing the bear stance all day leaves me breathless.

Feeling a bit frustrated, I mustered the courage to ask today.

“Can’t you just teach me the sword directly? I can handle it myself.”

That’s right. I still hadn’t even touched a sword. This was supposed to be a vacation to learn the Qinghong Sword Technique.

However, Wei Zhiyan did not allow it.

“You can’t become a true master without a solid foundation! Just learning flashy sword techniques won’t make you a true master!”

Wei Zhiyan, being from a prestigious martial arts family, insisted on traditional training methods. Her argument was that without a proper foundation, one could not become a true master, no matter how powerful the techniques.

In simpler terms, without a foundation, one might become a one-hit wonder, but with a solid foundation, one could become a well-rounded player, even if it takes longer.

‘Right, foundation training is more important.’

Thinking about it, when would I have the chance to experience such traditional training again, given that I don’t belong to any sect or family? In that sense, Wei Zhiyan’s training method was a stroke of luck.

‘I should go see Wang Xi now.’

It was time to pose as a model. I was thinking about how much to charge for modeling when I was about to head to Wang Xi’s door.

“Hey? Wei Zhiyan?”

“...”

Wei Zhiyan was following me.

“Isn’t today’s training over?”

“...Yes.”

“Then why are you following me...?”

“Well, I’m also very interested in drawing...”

Wei Zhiyan fidgeted and said in a way that didn’t seem very convincing. This was a bit awkward.

“Hmm...”

“Why are you asking?”

Well, the woman you saw actually specializes in erotic art.

I glanced at Wei Zhiyan, wondering if I should show her the kind of drawing she was doing.

...No, she’s from a prestigious family.

“It might not be to your taste.”

“Taste...?”

“Yes.”

“I have some knowledge of ink painting. My grandfather collected them, and I’ve seen many in the Pang family.”

It’s not ink painting, though.

I was at a loss for how to explain it when the door opened slightly.

“What are you all talking about in front of the door?”

“Ah, Wang Xi.”

“Come in. Both of you.”

Since the hostess invited us, I couldn’t turn back now. I had no choice but to enter the room with her.

The room was quite different from what I had imagined a woman’s room would be. It felt more like a studio.

Several ink paintings were hanging to dry, and I saw crumpled rice paper scattered around.

Fortunately, there were no erotic paintings. I whispered, “Hey, did you change your line of work?”

“Huh?”

“The paintings are not what I expected.”

“I don’t just draw those. I’ve been drawing landscapes lately.”

Wang Xi pouted, looking a bit aggrieved.

“Lately... I see. What can I help you with? Should I take off my clothes first?”

“What? No, why would you take off your clothes? Are you crazy?”

“I thought you were drawing a human figure...”

I felt very wronged by her scolding.

So, what exactly did she call me for?

“Grind the ink for me.”

“Ink?”

“Yes. Grind a lot, very thickly.”

Wang Xi pointed to a pile of ink sticks.

“It takes too long to grind the ink by myself. I need to finish all of them by next week, and I’m in a bind.”

“You seem to be doing well.”

“Not really, just a little.”

Besides her main job in erotic art, she was also doing well with landscape paintings, which made me quite envious. Anyway, grinding ink...

“Do you know how to grind ink?”

“A little, when I was young.”

In the past, I had taken calligraphy classes in elementary school. Most of the time, we just wrote the character “Yong” (永) all day, but some of the better students participated in calligraphy competitions.

Some even attended calligraphy schools to improve. I didn’t go to a calligraphy school, but I did learn a bit about grinding ink during class.

“Just drip a little water and grind in a circular motion, right?”

“Exactly. Apply pressure to the bottom of the ink stone and grind slowly in a circular motion.”

When grinding ink, impatient kids like me often rubbed it like grating garlic, and if caught, we would get hit with a ruler. The teacher would say that you should never grind ink that way.

Wang Xi handed me the ink, ink stone, and water container, urging me to start.

Sighing at the less-than-expected task, I picked up the ink stone.

Wei Zhiyan, who had been watching, asked in a low voice, “What should I do?”

Why did you come, really?

***

After a disappointing part-time job with Wang Xi, she seemed to like the ink I ground and gave me a generous payment.

“Why? Is it too little?”

“No, it’s more than I expected.”

“I’m a good earner.”

It was almost as if she was suggesting that this might be a better path than being a bodyguard. If it were regular, this would be a better option.

“Can I help you when I have free time?”

“Only if you pay this much.”

“...It’s hard to do every time.”

Wang Xi’s pouting response was quite cute.

Anyway, after that, I occasionally visited her room to grind ink. It was a good way to earn some pocket money and take a break.

As I continued my daily training and earned pocket money, the one-month vacation period quickly passed.

Today, I was in the middle of intense training.

“Move faster.”

“I feel like I’m going to fall.”

“This is training to prevent you from falling.”

I was trembling on a platform about one meter high. The training I was doing involved running around several wooden posts about one meter high, called the plum blossom post.

According to Wei Zhiyan, this training would help stabilize my center of gravity and enhance my senses.

However, I honestly felt like I was going to develop a fear of heights. I never imagined that one meter could feel so high. Wei Zhiyan said sternly to me, who was trembling,

“You must not lose your center of gravity.”

“Is this training really helpful?”

“Yes.”

...She’s really firm.

After about four weeks of training, I had become familiar with the animal mimicry exercises and had made some progress with the Iron Thread Guarding Body Technique and the Heavenly King Guarding Heart Technique. Wei Zhiyan finally started to teach me the Qinghong Sword Technique.

This plum blossom post training was also a prerequisite for learning the footwork of the Qinghong Sword Technique.

After several hours of running around the wooden posts, I finally came down and realized how precious the ground was.

“Let’s never part again.”

“Stop talking nonsense to the ground...”

Wei Zhiyan said, looking embarrassed. But it was my honest feeling.

“By the way, can I hold a sword this week?”

“If you continue like this, I can teach you the first 12 moves of the first half.”

“I see.”

We finished our conversation and ended today’s training.

‘...Who will teach me the second half?’

I sighed, washed off the sweat and dirt with well water, and returned to my room. It was time to practice the Iron Thread Guarding Body Technique.

As I was about to apply the sticky oil to my body as usual, there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

“?”

Who am I?

But the voice sounded familiar. Should I ask again? Just as I was thinking, the voice came again.

“It’s me, the youth leader.”

“Oh!”

It was the youth leader of the Joseon Friendship Association. He was the one who brought the silk when I joined the bodyguard agency.

I hurriedly opened the door, and the youth leader entered the room.

“Leader, what brings you here without any notice...”

“I have important news and came directly. I know it’s impolite, but please forgive me.”

“There’s no need to say that.”

I bowed, and the leader put his hand on my shoulder.

“I need your help.”

“What is it?”

His tone was different from usual, and I instinctively knew something big had happened.

Something... something was not right!

“I’ve been scammed!”

“Huh?”