“This is a workout called Ranzi (卵持: to hold an egg).”
“Ranzi?”
“It got its name because you walk in a crouched position like a hen laying an egg.”
“What is the benefit of this Ranzi exercise?”
“It’s an exercise that strengthens the lower body, just like the previous demonstration of Suwadu (修科逗: training through a process). Among traditional training methods, it has effects similar to Mabo.”
“Ohhh….”
Every time the master named Baek Gyeong-ho explained a type of exercise I knew, he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
It seemed that modern workout techniques were quite unfamiliar by the standards of this era, as everything I knew appeared fascinating in his eyes.
Eventually, he cautiously spoke up.
“Excuse me, but if it’s not too much trouble, could you write down the Western exercise techniques you know in detail for me?”
“Excuse me? This?”
“Yes. I think they’re quite effective, and I’d like to spread them to the disciples of our Hwasan sect.”
I sensed that this conversation was about to become bothersome and instinctively started to backtrack.
“I’m sorry, but I’m still in the position of a student myself. I don’t really gain anything from wasting precious time on such matters.”
In response, Baek Gyeong-ho said, “Of course, I’m not asking you to do it for free. There’s some decency in a person.”
Huh?
“If you accept my suggestion, I will recommend to the director that we provide our sect’s elixir, the Jihwa Dan (紫花團).”
“Elixir!”
I felt my eyes light up at this unexpected reward.
Usually, known elixirs are like the Great Hwan Dan of the Shaolin Temple or the Tea Pill of the Open Group, but since this one is made by the Hwasan sect, its efficacy must be far superior to what is known to the world.
However, showing too much eagerness here would be foolish.
I feigned disinterest to gauge his intentions.
“It sounds a bit awkward coming from me, but may I ask why you have such a high opinion of Western exercise techniques, Master?”
Baek Gyeong-ho replied with a serious expression.
“Because I find it to be an extremely efficient training method.”
“But how can you be so sure after seeing it for the first time?”
“I can tell just by looking at your physical condition.”
With that, he suddenly began to touch my limbs.
I was flustered by his bold touch that reminded me of my first encounter with Tang Hochang, but soon realized what he was trying to say.
“It seems you like the physique trained my way.”
“That’s correct. To be honest, your body is very close to the ideal form I envision for trained individuals.”
As he spoke, Baek Gyeong-ho explained the swordsmanship of the Hwasan sect.
“For example, one of the representative sword techniques of our sect, the Twenty-Four Flowery Sword Techniques, involves twenty-four distinct stances, making it very complex. Only those who have been thoroughly selected within our sect can learn it since its acquisition difficulty is extremely high. I expect that by introducing your Western training methods, we may be able to teach the Flowery Sword to even more disciples.”
Suddenly, it seemed he was making rather grand suggestions just for learning exercise techniques, but I hadn’t anticipated he had such motives.
“So what will you do then, junior?”
In response to Baek Gyeong-ho’s question, I gave a business-like smile and said, “If it’s for that, naturally, I should pass on what I know.”
Honestly, I couldn’t resist the tempting offer of a free elixir.
*
Thus began the deal between Baek Gyeong-ho and me.
However, as I had come to the Hwasan sect for comprehensive training, it would be tough to write down the exercise methods immediately, and Baek Gyeong-ho mentioned needing permission from the director to retrieve the elixir from the storeroom, so we decided to wait a day.
Anyway, that marked the first day of comprehensive training at the Hwasan sect.
We began to make acquaintances with the young disciples of Hwasan.
“All the kids here are outstanding students. I take pride in saying that compared to the disciples trained in Hwasan, they are not inferior in any respect.”
As Soyucheon introduced us, a stern-looking middle-aged man who was leading the young disciples smiled and said, “I have indeed heard of the excellence of the students from Cheonmu Academy. But I hope you understand that the disciples of our Great Hwasan sect are also not to be underestimated.”
“Then shall we have a friendly sparring match?”
“That sounds good.”
The stern-looking man nodded and called the boy who was standing at the front of the Hwasan disciples.
“Songyeon! Step forward!”
“Yes! Master!”
With a confident expression, a teenage disciple stepped forward in response to the middle-aged man’s command.
Opposing him was none other than the ace among our group, Master Hyecheong.
“Namu Amitabul, pleased to meet you.”
“Muryangsu Bul, likewise.”
Suddenly, a duel of pride between Buddhism and Taoism began.
Although both the Shaolin Temple and Hwasan sect are somewhat distant from pure religious organizations, does that even matter now?
One of the most entertaining spectacles in the world—a fight!
With a relaxed demeanor, Master Hyecheong arranged his hands in a gesture of prayer and looked indifferently at the boy disciple named Songyeon.
Maintaining tranquility during a fight is fundamental for a warrior.
Especially considering Master Hyecheong’s peaceful state cultivated through various practices could be described as a clear mirror.
After a brief stand-off, it was Songyeon who made the first move.
“Whoosh!”
Like a swan taking flight, a fierce thrust came at him.
However, Hyecheong had already read the movement, dodging lightly and stepping strongly into Songyeon’s space as he extended his sword.
Simultaneously, a barrage of strikes erupted.
“What’s that!”
Soyucheon gasped in awe as he watched.
Even the middle-aged man, one of the Hwasan disciples of the Flowery Sword, murmured in amazement.
“Shin-ui Pa (心意把)!”
I’d heard of it before.
Like the style practiced by Dokgorin known as Nine Palace Infinite Sword Techniques, it’s an intangible martial art that finds the most suitable path based on the opponent’s breathing.
‘Not only did he learn the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, but also Shin-ui Pa, indeed, he is far more talented than expected by the Shaolin’s standards.’
Suddenly, I found myself impressed by Hyecheong, who had learned both techniques, but Songyeon, the opposing boy disciple, was also formidable.
As Hyecheong used Shin-ui Pa, Songyeon responded by wielding his sword at blinding speed, almost imperceptible.
Someone watching murmured, “Twenty-Four Flowery Sword Techniques…!”
One of the representative techniques of the Hwasan sect.
According to what Baek Gyeong-ho mentioned earlier, it was a technique that only a very select few could learn.
Though maybe he still hadn’t fully mastered the technique, the characteristic fragrance of plum blossoms wasn’t yet apparent, yet the moves were as splendid as blooming flowers.
In a flash, dozens of exchanges occurred back and forth.
However, no one gained the upper hand until Hyecheong decided to go all out.
Choosing a strategy where he would give a bone and take flesh, he charged into the ‘Death Gate’ posture without hesitation.
‘That move!’
A familiar preparatory action.
And perhaps for Hyecheong, it was akin to a trump card as the martial art surged forth from him.
That is, the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.
A miraculous skill from the Shaolin Temple that can strike the opponent from a hundred steps away.
“What?!”
Songyeon wore a look of shock, having thought he was safe beyond range, but the contest had already been decided.
“Good job, junior.”
It was evident to anyone that Hyecheong emerged victorious.
*
“That was excellent.”
After the friendly duel concluded, Songyeon extended his hand for a handshake with Hyecheong and praised him, fully accepting the outcome.
Since both fought without knowing the other’s martial arts, one could not blame Hyecheong for not using the Hundred Steps Divine Fist from the very start.
After all, psychological tactics are a crucial element in battles.
With the friendly duels starting from the two participants, our group members continued sparring with the disciples of Hwasan.
Although we initially emerged victorious, the Hwasan side was not without skilled fighters, as some faced defeat during the sparring.
In particular, the one who seemed the most delighted about this exchange was Namgoong Ruby, who had been clamoring to fight the Plum Blossom Swordsmen since before coming to Hwasan.
In the end, she achieved her wish, and I could only acknowledge her determination.
As the chaotic time continued and the friendly duels began to settle down, a new figure appeared in the training hall.
“Director!”
The young disciples of Hwasan, who had been relaxed, suddenly adjusted their postures in shock.
Seeing this, even those of us who were unrelated instinctively straightened up.
Then, the man with purple hair, just entering the training area, smiled wryly and said, “Everyone relax. I didn’t come here to put on a show.”
As he gazed around at the students of our group, he spotted me and asked, “Are you by chance Ichilbok?”
