Chapter 7

Mr. Cheon's Massage - Chapter 7 (7/309)

<Mr. Cheon's Massage Chapter 7>

'The first thing needed is...'

Kang Tae-han placed his hands on his father's shoulders.

This was different from the guests he had seen in Seoul.

While there were differences in degree, all three people he had met before had an excessive accumulation of vital energy (生氣) that did not circulate properly, causing harm.

In simpler terms, their bodies were greasy and full of impurities.

In such cases, it was efficient to apply strong pressure to break down the stagnant turbid energy (濁氣) in the blood vessels and directly stimulate the stiff muscles to awaken them.

However, Kang Ho-yeon's case was different.

The vital energy (生氣) in his body was at a minimal level.

His muscles were awake, but due to the lack of vital energy, his overall elasticity and vitality were low.

If compared, it was like a dry branch.

Applying strong force here would not loosen it but rather cause harm, and in severe cases, it could tear or break.

'Besides, he is quite old.'

In such cases, the priority is to relax the stiff body.

Kang Tae-han removed the force from his hands and began to slowly massage the outer shoulders.

Although he removed the force, this was far from a casual massage.

In fact, this was a more difficult and meticulous task.

The less force used, the more it relied on pure technique.

First, he focused on Jianjing (肩井) and Jianyu (肩髃) on the outer shoulder.

Then, Dazhu (大杼), Quhuan (曲垣), and other major acupoints on the inner side.

Using his ten fingers, he simultaneously pressed, pushed, and massaged each acupoint with the appropriate force.

"Uh?"

"Does it hurt?"

"It's not that... hmm."

Kang Ho-yeon tilted his head.

"Is it because you learned at university? Your touch is different... wow."

Kang Ho-yeon suddenly trailed off.

It wasn't because he was trying to avoid the question, but because the sensation transmitted through his loosened shoulders made him exclaim in surprise.

'What is this?'

A sudden feeling of blood flowing into his shoulders.

It sounds ridiculous.

It sounds like his shoulders had no blood circulation before.

But what could he do?

There was no other way to describe this feeling.

The sensation spreading from his shoulders to his arms, wrists, and hands.

Just the feeling of blood flowing, but it was a pleasurable sensation that stimulated his nerves.

However, it wasn't just his shoulders.

His neck, back, and waist.

Every time Kang Tae-han's hands passed along his spine, Kang Ho-yeon felt his entire body relax.

"Does it feel good?"

"Yes... it feels good..."

Kang Ho-yeon said in a pleasantly drowsy voice.

He was already lying face down on the table.

'Good.'

After finishing with the waist, he checked the overall state of the body again.

The effect was evident; the body was now full of elasticity and vitality, making it hard to believe it was the same body from a moment ago.

'But this is only temporary.'

The muscles were relaxed, and the blood vessels were open.

But this was only a temporary measure.

If the body continued to lack vital energy (生氣), it would quickly return to its original state.

However, it was difficult to replenish vital energy in a short period.

It required consuming the necessary nutrients and getting enough rest to gradually build it up. In a state where it was almost depleted, this would take a long time.

But there was another method now.

Kang Tae-han had the extra internal energy (氣) he had absorbed from the guests earlier.

'Good thing I went to work. It's a small amount of internal energy, but...'

Still, it was enough to infuse vitality into one person's body.

Of course, Kang Tae-han's internal energy was not abundant, and even this small amount was important, but...

There was no hesitation in his actions.

'As close to natural energy (氣) as possible... in a pure form.'

He pulled the necessary amount of internal energy from his lower dantian to his middle dantian and transformed it into a pure form.

Given their blood relation, the risk of rejection due to differences in energy quality was minimal, but it was always better to be cautious.

'Good.'

After completing the process, Kang Tae-han carefully placed his hand on the Xinshu (身株) acupoint on Kang Ho-yeon's back.

Located at the same height as the chest on the back, Xinshu is closely related to the lungs.

Kang Tae-han slowly infused the energy he had gathered in his hand into this point.

The basic method of accepting external energy into the body is?

Breathing.

Therefore, the method with the least resistance for transmitting energy to another person is also through the lungs.

Kang Tae-han carefully and slowly infused the energy into Kang Ho-yeon's blood vessels to avoid causing any strain.

"Uh, uh..."

The energy (氣) that flowed into the Xinshu acupoint gathered briefly in the dantian, then transformed into vital energy and spread throughout the body.

The life force flowing through the blood vessels to various parts of the body.

The feeling of a dried body being moistened was a sensation that could be described as pleasurable.

"Ahhaaa..."

A long, deep breath.

The feeling of all the tension in his body being released, as if the sighs stored in his chest were melting and seeping out.

However, the feeling of relaxation was just that.

The skin, which had lost its luster, was gradually regaining elasticity, and the muscles, which had been weak and dry, were regaining vitality.

Although the scale was small, it was a scene that could be called a revival, if exaggerated a bit.

'And now, the last part.'

The right shoulder.

The area that had stiffened due to the aftereffects of surgery.

But now, the muscles were relaxed, and the vital energy was flowing smoothly through the blood vessels.

The preparation was complete.

Kang Tae-han placed his thumbs on both sides of the surgical scar and applied strong pressure to both sides.

"Ugh?"

Kang Ho-yeon flinched and lifted his head.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, I was just... a bit surprised."

Kang Ho-yeon couldn't bring himself to say it hurt.

Kang Tae-han scratched his head awkwardly.

"I must have pressed a strange spot. I need to be more careful."

Of course, it was a lie.

Kang Ho-yeon's right shoulder, which had naturally risen when he flinched, indicated that things had gone well as Kang Tae-han had hoped.

'It won't show immediate effects today...'

But by tomorrow, after a good night's sleep, the effects would be clear.

Kang Tae-han smiled.

* * *

The next day.

Father and son left the house together for the first time in a while.

Kang Ho-yeon was heading to the store to go to work.

Kang Tae-han was heading to the terminal to catch the bus.

Their destinations were different, but the route was the same for a while.

"That's amazing."

While walking, Kang Ho-yeon moved his body around.

Until yesterday, his body had been stiff and tired, but this morning, he felt as light as if he could fly.

That's not all.

His right arm, which usually didn't move naturally, now easily reached up to his shoulder.

A chronic condition he had been dealing with since his shoulder surgery.

Originally, he had to clench his teeth and move it slowly to get it up, but now it moved effortlessly.

"My body feels incredibly light, as if I've become young again."

"That's great."

"Is massage really this effective...? Or is it because you learned at university?"

"Father must have a good constitution for massage."

Kang Tae-han said with a smile.

His father's brightened complexion alone made him happy.

"By the way, have you thought about making hand-pulled noodles again?"

"Hand-pulled noodles?"

"Yesterday, I saw that the place where you used to make them was still empty."

The large kneading board in the kitchen, visible through a large window to the store entrance.

Kang Ho-yeon used to make hand-pulled noodles there, which was quite a spectacle and attracted more customers.

Of course, that was in the past, and the sign for hand-pulled noodles had been removed...

But the kneading board was still there, and the window was still clean, as if he still had a lingering attachment.

After all, hand-pulled noodles were the biggest pride of Tae-han Banjeom, or rather, of the Chinese chef Kang Ho-yeon.

"I really want to make them again, but..."

"Try making them today."

"Isn't that just causing a fuss?"

"What's wrong with causing a fuss? I saw that there weren't many customers in the store yesterday."

"You brat... but you're right."

Kang Ho-yeon pretended to be angry but soon burst into laughter.

As Kang Tae-han said, the number of customers had been decreasing for a long time, and it was time to do something.

Besides, he himself wanted to try making them again.

Hand-pulled noodles, once his most confident skill.

"Then I'll be going, Father."

"Sure. Come again next time."

At the intersection they had reached, Kang Tae-han greeted first, and Kang Ho-yeon patted his shoulder and replied.

In just one day, the relationship between father and son had become closer.

"I'll come back to massage your shoulders again."

"Be careful on your way."

Kang Tae-han started walking, and Kang Ho-yeon stood there, watching his son's back.

After a while,

"Father!"

Kang Tae-han, who had moved a bit away, turned around and shouted.

"You need to stay healthy for a long time!"

"Ha ha. Go on, you brat."

Kang Ho-yeon waved his hand as if urging him to go, but the corners of his mouth were raised high and wouldn't come down.

Perhaps because of his brightened expression,

This was the happiest he had looked among all the times Kang Tae-han had seen him.

'Just this moment is enough.'

This alone made his trip to the martial arts world worthwhile.