Chapter 82. Learning the Wijisegi Martial Arts (2)

Anyway, the lessons officially began. Unlike the basic lessons, this time it was more systematic and complex.

"You must always draw a circle."

"A circle?"

"Yes. It's about creating a clear space, a territory of your own. We call this a circle, and making this circle the origin is the core of the Yuan Yuan Jian Jue."

It was a somewhat mysterious explanation. Wijiyen demonstrated with her sword first.

"Look. Like this."

Wijiyen swung her arm, drawing a clean circle with the sword.

"This space is my range of attack. To attack, I need to bring the opponent into this space. Now, try it yourself."

"Uh, okay."

I lifted my sword and tried to draw it the same way. I put effort into drawing it properly, but it ended up crooked. When I felt embarrassed, Wijiyen said that it was normal at first.

"That's your range of attack."

I understood what the concept of an attack range meant. In short, it refers to the space where I can attack. Since I can attack in any form within the reach of my sword, it made sense.

'Even if the opponent penetrates deep into this space, I can still attack.'

If the opponent penetrates, I can use the hilt of the sword or my limbs to attack, as I learned from Bunggunglin. Understanding the concept of the attack range, I nodded.

"This is my space."

"Yes. We call this a circle. All martial artists have their own attack range, and they infiltrate and collapse the opponent's attack range. Like this."

As I held my sword, Wijiyen placed her sword on mine and pressed down. The force from her slender arm was so heavy that it almost made me lose my balance.

"Uh, uh... "

"Look. What happens to the attack range when this happens?"

"It's gone."

Since the sword is suppressed, it's gone. Just like that.

When I said that, Wijiyen nodded and explained.

"Exactly. The concept of the attack range is the essence of the Yuan Yuan Jian Jue."

Hmm... It started to make sense when she said that.

Wijiyen taught me the 12 forms of the Yuan Yuan Jian Jue from beginning to end, always reminding me not to forget the concept of the circle. Recalling the concept of the circle, I tried the few forms she taught me.

"Yes. It's like overlapping several circular slashes... Yes, like that."

—Swish!

The straw dummies set up for practice were all cut. They were all easy yet powerful forms.

'This is amazing.'

After trying a few of the forms Wijiyen showed me, I marveled and told her.

"Phew. It really has tremendous power. Did your grandfather develop this from the beginning? It's amazing. He must have been a great master."

"......That's."

When I praised her grandfather, Wijiyen's face suddenly turned red, and she started to fidget.

"That... actually."

"Yes?"

Wondering what was going on, I asked again, and Wijiyen, looking embarrassed, lowered her head slightly and said.

"......A little from the Tai Chi Yang Sword of the Wudang Sect."

......It was a copy.

When I realized the truth, I didn't know what expression to make, and Wijiyen, with a red face, said.

"Well, martial arts originally develop through exchanges, so... That... influence, yes. It was influenced!"

"......"

"Really, it's true!"

Wijiyen, with a red face, tried to defend her grandfather's honor. I had nothing to say, so I just nodded.

'You have a good granddaughter.'

It seems that way.

***

After that, for a few days, I went to the Fengyun Martial Hall after finishing my work and practiced the Yuan Yuan Jian Jue with Wijiyen. After about a week of consistent practice, I was able to remember all 12 forms.

'I couldn't do this with the Qinghong Sword Technique.'

The forms were generally easier compared to the Qinghong Sword Technique, and I also learned them a bit faster. Strangely, my memory has been good lately.

I haven't taken any special brain-boosting pills or anything, but it's a good thing, even if it's a bit strange.

'Maybe... has my genius finally awakened?'

My mom always said that I'm smart, even though I don't study.

Anyway, it's a good thing, but I had some questions, so I asked Wijiyen. She said she had an idea and, after feeling my wrist, sent some energy.

'Hmm......'

Wijiyen's soft and warm fingers held my wrist. Then, something slowly started to flow into my wrist. I blushed without realizing it.

'This is embarrassing.'

When I turned my head slightly and pretended to be distracted, Wijiyen, with her eyes closed, checked the reaction of the energy. After a moment, she opened her eyes and gave me the answer.

"Congratulations. Your Tianwang Housheng Gong has reached the 2nd level. That's why."

"2nd level?"

"Yes. It seems you've been practicing hard. You've already reached the 2nd level."

Wijiyen said this with a happy face, as if it were her own achievement.

A 'level' is a measure of achievement in all martial arts, ranging from 1st to 10th level. Generally, reaching the 10th level means you have mastered the martial art.

To put it simply, it's like levels in a game, where 10th level is the maximum.

'My Tianwang Housheng Gong has reached the 2nd level.'

It must be due to my consistent efforts. I've been practicing the Tianwang Housheng Gong very hard.

However, there was one thing I found strange.

'But what does my internal energy cultivation have to do with my memory?'

When I asked this, Wijiyen nodded, saying it was a good question, and explained.

"By consistently practicing internal energy cultivation, energy gradually flows into the middle and upper dantians."

The middle dantian refers to the heart, and the upper dantian to the brain. The lower dantian is the one we commonly know. When we say 'dantian,' we usually mean the lower dantian.

"Is that so?"

As I nodded and listened, Wijiyen continued.

"Yes. As a result, you naturally experience a stronger heart or better brain function. Of course, there are individual differences and differences between martial arts."

No wonder my heart didn't beat as much even after running for a long time while practicing lightness techniques. I thought it was just improved stamina, but it seems it was the effect of the Tianwang Housheng Gong.

'This is quite impressive.'

It was an unexpected effect.

Then, maybe... 'Is it possible to achieve something like that?'

I asked Wijiyen with a sense of expectation.

"Then, when the Tianwang Housheng Gong reaches the 10th level, will it give you perfect memory?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"I mean the ability to remember everything you see."

Like the characters in those manga who are geniuses.

Wijiyen, not fully understanding, kept tilting her head, so I explained in detail, and she shook her head with a smile, saying no.

"Not to that extent. It just improves your brain function. Hmm... To be precise, it makes your mind clearer. That's the extent. If it were that way, all martial artists would have passed the imperial exams."

"Um... I see."

I was disappointed, but it seems to have an effect similar to brain training games.

Well, thinking about it, even Seojunpyeong, whom I taught so diligently, couldn't even finish the Thousand Character Classic. And looking at Guoduoshan, there doesn't seem to be a significant difference between martial arts skills and intelligence.

Still, it's not bad. At least my brain is getting better.

'Thinking about it, I've never heard of a high-level martial artist with dementia.'

It might be due to this.

When I nodded with a slightly disappointed look, Wijiyen added.

"Still, the Tianwang Housheng Gong is a Buddhist internal energy cultivation method, so it has a greater impact on the upper dantian. Reaching the 10th level will be very helpful."

According to Wijiyen's additional explanation, Buddhist internal energy cultivation methods generally help maintain a clear mind and cultivate a calm and steady state of mind.

Since these methods were originally created to cultivate the Buddhist path, that's why.

"Anyway, it's a good thing. My brain is getting better, so I hope to reach the 10th level soon."

"Hehe, yes. Still, it's impressive that you've already reached the 2nd level after practicing the Tianwang Housheng Gong for not long."

"Well, I did practice quite hard."

I said this with a bit of pride. No, it's not about being arrogant, but I really did practice the Chulchae Hoshin Jue and the Tianwang Housheng Gong very hard. I practiced almost every night without fail.

'The Chulchae Hoshin Jue is also quite effective.'

Now, I'm definitely at the level of oxhide. When I asked Simayul to pinch me as a test, there was no mark left.

He teased me, calling me a thick-skinned person, but I plan to use the Hoshin Jue to kick the ball during the branch sports meet and pretend to kick it, then show him the bruise.

Anyway, through a week of lessons, I was able to learn all the internal energy techniques and forms of the Yuan Yuan Jian Jue. Compared to my previous lessons, it was a much faster pace.

'If the Qinghong Sword Technique had progressed this quickly, it would have been great.'

The Qinghong Sword Technique was originally difficult, and since Wijiyen and I both only had experience with single-handed swords, it was hard to learn just from the manual.

If someone who knew the Qinghong Sword Technique had taught me, it would have been easier to understand. It's a pity that the Qinghong Sword Sect has been extinct for a long time.

'Well, I might have another chance to learn it later.'

It was quite late, so we finished the lesson and slowly made our way back to the inn. As we walked along the moonlit path, we chatted.

"By the way, when will the new recruits join?"

Currently, Wijiyen, under Baolinghua's instructions, was in charge of organizing the list of new recruits. When I asked when the new recruits would join, Wijiyen looked troubled and said.

"Actually, despite a large-scale recruitment, only two people joined this time... "

"Two?!"

What, with so many open spots, only two?

When I was surprised and asked again, Wijiyen looked embarrassed and said.

"There was no response at all."

"That's a big problem."

We need to go on regular escort missions and protect the Zhengjia Trading Company, so we need new recruits to train and take with us.

'With only two new recruits, it won't work.'

There will probably be some kind of emergency meeting tomorrow.

***

The next day, various rumors were circulating at the branch. When the news spread that only two new recruits had been recruited over the past few days, everyone started to murmur.

"Guo, did you hear? Only two people joined this week?"

"Just two? We won't be able to maintain regular duties."

Guoduoshan clicked his tongue. Indeed, with the current number of people, it was difficult to maintain regular duties.

I sighed, thinking about the tough times ahead, and said.

"Yes. It seems the perception of being a bodyguard is that it's dangerous."

"Eh... These days, the young are weak. They're not useful."

Guoduoshan grumbled, sounding like an old man.

It's true that being a bodyguard is a dangerous job. Even without the threat of bandit attacks or incidents like the one we had before, traveling long distances in this era is inherently risky.

For example, there's the issue of water change. Drinking water from a different region often causes severe diarrhea. The locals can drink a whole drum without any issues, but outsiders can get diarrhea from just one cup.

In severe cases, this can lead to dehydration and death.

'That's why the tea culture developed.'

Boiling water usually solves the problem of water change.

Of course, that's not the only issue. There are also endemic diseases, such as malaria and typhoid, which many bodyguards suffer from and die.

Accidents are also quite common. People fall off mountains or are crushed while loading and unloading cargo. It's a high-risk profession, making it difficult to get insurance.

Guoduoshan, looking around the empty branch, suddenly said to me.

"But being a martial artist is dangerous in general, not just being a bodyguard."

"Well, that's true."

Guoduoshan's words hit the core.

People who decide to live in the martial world must understand that being a martial artist means living a dangerous life.

Living with a sword, the life of a martial artist is such that few die in their beds of old age.

Therefore, being a bodyguard isn't as dangerous as people think. Many bodyguards live to a ripe old age and retire.

As we were discussing the current situation, Simayul came over and patted my back.

"Hey, Gang Biandou wants us to gather for a meeting."

"Huh? What's it about?"

I frowned, and Simayul shrugged.

"Seems like the recruitment isn't going well."

"Hmm... Here we go. I see."

When we arrived at the meeting room, Gang Biandou and all the other mid-level bodyguards were gathered, looking a bit tense.

Of course, Guoduoshan had a "I don't know anything" look on his face.

'He probably doesn't know why he's here.'

I thought I should live up to my reputation and put in more effort to maintain the honor of my batch, when Baolinghua entered and the meeting began.

"The recruitment of new bodyguards has been a major failure. We need to come up with a plan."

The topic of the meeting was the same as what we had heard before. Everyone started to share their opinions.

"What about recruiting from other counties?"

"That's not practical."

The distance between counties usually takes about a week, so it's not feasible to recruit from there and bring them here.

Another mid-level bodyguard raised his hand and said.

"How about converting some of the capable martial artists from the guards into bodyguards?"

There are quite a few guards who have learned martial arts. I'm one of them, but being a guard is a dangerous job, so many learn martial arts for self-defense.

Baolinghua nodded and said.

"Hmm... Not a bad idea. Let's proceed with that."

As various suggestions were made, some were rejected, and some were approved, I felt I should say something.

Why? Because sitting in the meeting room in silence made me feel an invisible pressure.

'I'm a mid-level bodyguard now. Shouldn't I say something?'

Feeling I needed to contribute, I raised my hand after some thought. Baolinghua looked at me with an expectant expression.

"Cheng Biandou? What do you think?"

"Go on, speak up."

Gang Biandou also looked at me with bright eyes.

His gaze was really intense.

I tried to speak with as much confidence as possible.

"Yes. I think the lack of response to the bodyguard recruitment is due to the negative perception of our bodyguard agency following the recent Jie Jian Sect incident. People think the job is too dangerous."

When I said this, both Baolinghua and Gang Biandou nodded.

"Indeed, that's true."

"Hmm... That makes sense."

Seeing their reactions, I continued.

"Therefore, to make recruitment smoother not only now but in the future, we need to change the perception of the locals."

"Change perception?"

Baolinghua tilted her head, and I nodded in response.

"Yes. We need to promote the idea that our Baiyun Bodyguard Agency is a safe and vibrant workplace."

"Hmm... I'm not sure what you mean. So what?"

I took out a brush from my sleeve. It was a brush I bought to give to Wijiyen as a thank you for teaching me the Yuan Yuan Jian Jue.

'Quite expensive.'

It wasn't made from weasel fur like Wang