After having breakfast together in the dining hall, I came to the training grounds inside the mansion with Tang Hochang.
“It’s been a while since I’ve come here.”
As I looked around the training area nostalgically, Tang Hochang, next to me, replied with a baffled expression.
“It’s only been half a year since leaving the castle; anyone would think you’d come back after years. Stop fussing and get ready.”
“Yes.”
Believing he still had a knack for ruining the mood, I quietly started to take off my top.
“Hmm, it seems you’ve been training steadily in the meantime.”
Tang Hochang carefully scanned my bare body after I took off my training jacket.
I felt slightly embarrassed, but since it was an opportunity to show the results of my hard work, I straightened my shoulders confidently.
“You mentioned before that I seemed lacking in waist strength, so I concentrated on that at the academy. It should feel different from before.”
As I expressed my confidence, Tang Hochang raised his voice with a “Huh?” and began to take off his own top as well.
“…Why are you suddenly undressing?”
“To gauge my disciple’s growth, isn’t it fastest to let the body do the talking?”
“Are you suggesting we spar?”
“Hahaha, of course not.”
Laughing heartily, Tang Hochang patted his well-defined abs.
“I’ll stand still, so give it your all and hit me.”
“Wait? Did I hear that right?”
“No, you heard correctly.”
As he got into a horse stance.
“Even so, as your disciple, how could I possibly hit my master?”
“Don’t utter nonsense. I know you’ll glare at me in your mind if I go easy on you while we train. It would be better to hit me legally when I give you the chance.”
With his continuous urgings, I reluctantly started to position myself.
“Then, feeling shameless… I’ll give it a try.”
After saying that, I gathered my energy into my right fist.
‘Should I adjust my power?’
Even though he said to hit, it felt strange to go all out against someone older than me.
However, knowing too well that he would fly into a rage if I didn’t follow his orders, I finally decided to go all out.
Step one, step two, step three.
With each step forward, the power in my fist increased exponentially.
“Ugh!”
Bang!!
With a loud crack, my fist struck Tang Hochang’s abdomen.
But surprisingly, he didn’t budge an inch.
“That’s quite a good punch.”
Immediately after, Tang Hochang chuckled, clearly amused.
“Is it?”
To be honest, I was a bit shocked.
I put in a considerable effort, yet it seemed like my punch didn’t faze him at all.
Of course, he must have told me to hit him knowing he wouldn’t get hurt, but honestly, having become a peak expert, I thought I could at least give him a little sting.
But I guess that was my overconfidence.
“You look a bit disappointed. You felt you had grown a bit, but you think your punch didn’t reach me, right?”
Hearing Tang Hochang’s words, I openly admitted it.
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Hahaha! Well, that’s a relief. It means you still have things to learn from me.”
Tang Hochang said that while patting his belly, then added with a chuckle:
“I didn’t explain it to you earlier, but I was actually using the fifth essence of Tang Mun’s martial arts.”
“Eh? The fifth essence?”
“Yes, more precisely, it’s the advanced form of the sixth stance known as the Shell’s Position, called the Dragon’s Position.”
“…Dragon’s Position?”
I muttered in bewilderment.
“I think I mentioned this before. If the lower body in martial arts serves as a sturdy foundation, the waist acts as the pillar supporting the whole body. The Dragon’s Position goes beyond just a simple defensive stance and allows one to absorb the opponent’s force and bounce that impact back. I also call it the Dragon for short.”
Is this some kind of counter technique?
As I listened intently with a serious expression, Tang Hochang started explaining the second essence of Tang Mun’s martial arts.
“In a one-on-one battle, the Dragon forces the opponent into a severe dilemma. Do they take the hit and fight, or do they avoid the confrontation by taking care? Just making them aware of this can provide great strategic advantages.”
“Isn’t that like an overpowered technique?”
Tang Hochang shook his head.
“To be precise, it’s not invulnerable. The prerequisite for absorbing shock is having your feet planted on the ground, and you can’t counter from a distance. However, it’s undoubtedly a useful technique to learn.”
With that, Tang Hochang assumed the horse stance once more.
“This position is the foundation of the Dragon. It may look like nothing is happening externally, but in reality, you’re applying strength throughout your body.”
“You’re applying strength all over your body?”
“To explain it simply, it’s akin to the sensation when someone touches you and you tense up like a hedgehog.”
“Oh.”
With that analogy, it became much clearer.
“If the Shell’s Position was designed to efficiently defend vital points of the body, the Dragon’s Position is developed to efficiently transfer the opponent’s techniques.”
If I were to grasp the Dragon as well, I’d gain a fortified defense against any attacks.
After concluding his explanation, Tang Hochang urged me to give it a try.
“Right now?”
“The Dragon itself isn’t that difficult of a technique. Since you’ve already learned the Shell’s Position, it’s just a matter of getting accustomed to applying strength to the necessary areas when needed.”
“…How do I get accustomed to that?”
“Usually, the best way to learn is while getting hit.”
Saying that, Tang Hochang clenched his fist tightly.
“…….”
A sense of foreboding washed over me as the situation began to unfold this way.
“I thought something was off ever since you asked me to hit you.”
That was not his usual demeanor.
“Hahaha, don’t think that hitting you now has any other intent; it’s a loving discipline from your master.”
You’re just lying!
But I could only respond with a meek, “Yes,” on the outside.
*
From that point on, it truly felt like being beaten like a dog on a hot summer day.
“Your responses are way too slow! React faster!”
*Cough!*
“Do you think I’m doing this for fun? This is all for your own good!”
*Cough! This hurts to the bone!*
“If you keep this up, when on earth will you learn the next essence?”
Facing Tang Hochang’s merciless 40-hit combo, I was completely at his mercy.
*Tsk, if you’re this weak as a man, it’s pathetic.*
In the end, staring down at me sprawled out on the training ground, bruised and beaten, Tang Hochang remarked.
“Let’s call it a day. We’ll do the same training tomorrow, so make sure to recover well.”
“Yes.”
Barely managing to respond in a voice that was hardly audible, I watched Tang Hochang leave the training ground before staring blankly at the sky.
Day one of training ended with absolutely no gain.
Just thinking about having to repeat the same thing tomorrow made my vision go dark.
‘…But there’s no choice if I want to get stronger.’
Even while I stood there blankly, Dokgorin was rapidly getting stronger.
Like Zeno’s paradox, no matter how hard I ran, Dokgorin was already far ahead and it felt as if I’d never catch up.
Master Tang Hochang told me not to rush.
But if human emotions could be so easily controlled, I wouldn’t be in this predicament at all.
With a heavy, defeated body, I finally managed to rise.
Tang Hochang had probably been somewhat considerate while hitting me, as there weren’t any visible bruises on my upper body.
While preparing to practice the Dragon Position one more time before washing up, I suddenly heard clapping from above me.
*Clap, clap, clap!*
“Well done.”
Wondering what was happening, I looked up to see Baek Yujin sitting on the nearby roof, looking down at me.
“Since when have you been there?”
“About an hour or so, I think.”
Saying that, Baek Yujin jumped down from the roof.
In the process, the hem of her skirt flipped in the wind, but just narrowly avoided revealing anything above her thighs.
‘Could it be a steel skirt?’
In that instant, such a thought crossed my mind as I watched her approach, her expression resembling that of a cat with a smile.
“I got bored staying in my room, so I stepped out for a walk. Thanks to that, I was able to see something interesting.”
She said that as she lightly touched my chest with her finger.
“What do you think was the reason for Tang Hochang hitting you?”
“To teach me a new technique, right?”
“Of course, that’s part of it, but to me, it seemed different.”
Suddenly, Baek Yujin pressed down on my chest.
“?!”
As I stepped back in shock, she let out a chuckle.
“He probably aimed to increase your resilience.”
“…My resilience?”
When I asked back with a confused expression, Baek Yujin nodded and continued.
“No matter how much you train your body, if you can’t overcome the fear of pain, you will never reach a higher level. Let alone someone who has leveled up through steady practice and understanding. If you’re afraid of pain, you’ll hesitate at critical moments.”
In that light, you’ve passed.
Even though it hurt, you didn’t give up and stood back up.
“That’s a feat that cannot be accomplished without considerable willpower. You can be proud of that. You’ve gained the recognition of this Bulsamahu.”
“Ah, yes.”
As I nodded in a dazed manner, Baek Yujin glanced around before speaking.
“Well then, since we’ve come this far, would you spare me a little of your time?”
“All of a sudden?”
With a smile in her eyes, Baek Yujin replied.
“We made a promise last time, didn’t we? You were going to show me the Cheonma Meteor Fist.”
And also, I’ll teach you a technique in return.
