Chapter 204

확실히, when it comes to swordsmanship training, Namgoong Shin-jae is a big help. Hearing that it relies on strength, I tried showcasing my martial arts, and it turned out that most of what I learned was focused on heavy strikes.

The Moon Lady Sword feels like the total sum of all techniques, but the rest were like that too.

Most demonic arts have to be heavy hitting.

The Hundred-Eight Sura Sword, based on the wild ferocity of beasts, the Supreme Hand-to-Hand Combat that rips and strikes at foes, and the Master of Dark Demon Arts that breaks through defenses.

Buddha’s Physical Body? Oh yeah, that’s heavy hitting too.

The martial arts of the unorthodox have their foundations in a straight line and destruction. Not killing but smashing bones and muscles until they’re subdued is probably what it’s about.

Qing thinks that cleanly killing might be more merciful, though.

So, releasing strength from the body and the weapons, I couldn’t seem to grasp what a flowing softness that weaves in and out is.

Just as luck would have it, there was a suitable martial art. Qing opened the Martial Arts Inventory and poured plenty of training points into the Art of Stealth.

Then, like the usual learning of new martial arts, I rolled my eyes back and spaced out until I finally snapped out of it and rubbed my eyes.

Aside from that, the applications of the Art of Stealth that invaded my mind were quite interesting.

This is literally the technique of a thief…

The way to operate the martial art centered perfectly around stealthily doing things without the opponent noticing.

Attaching sharp artificial nails to the fingertips, sneaking in to cut off pouches, clothes, knots, and such.

Using the hole created to sneak out or stash away items—that’s the classic way of a thief.

And why on earth does the technique for unlocking things exist?

It seemed like the person who created this martial art had very impure intentions.

Of course, such applications just detailed how one might do something bad with the Art of Stealth, but the essence leaned heavily on grabbing, bending, and striking like the Supreme Hand-to-Hand Combat.

Thus, I showcased the Art of Stealth with my sword.

“Hmm? Swordmaster?”

“Haha! How about it!”

Two wooden swords clashed, creating a cute little sound.

Following up, Qing’s wooden sword slid down smoothly after Namgoong Shin-jae’s.

As Namgoong Shin-jae turned his sword to guide mine outward, I responded, and the two wooden swords stuck together, pushing and pulling without ever falling apart.

“Wow, Swordmaster! They say you improve at a surprising pace, but to think you’d learn this much in one day!”

“Aren’t I just a bit impressive? Want to praise me more?”

Namgoong Shin-jae spun his wrist, turning my wooden sword outward, then suddenly jabbed straight in.

I aligned my feet and sidestepped, deftly thrusting my wooden sword forward to parry the jab.

Then we attached, rode, pushed, and slid.

It was rare for our wooden swords to connect, and even when they did, only a cute little tapping sound echoed.

After about fifty exchanges, Namgoong Shin-jae held up his palm and slowly stepped back.

“Phew. The Styled Sword is indeed a bit exhausting. But why has the softness you took on made your offense so weak? You’re only good at defending, so nothing is coming of this.”

“Well, yesterday you said something about softness, so I tried to use the Golden Lotus to practice a bit with my sword. But, hmm. The Golden Lotus isn’t exactly a piercing or slashing technique.”

The Golden Lotus is originally about grabbing, binding, twisting, and throwing someone down.

It wasn’t originally a sword technique.

So, while I added another joint to the swordplay, I could only shift it to avoid damaging the wooden sword, but that was about it.

At best, I could just graze the fingers holding the sword as it slipped by, and since Namgoong Shin-jae was so skilled, he never let anything through.

“Hmm. Then you can apply those techniques you just learned to the swordplay you were originally using.”

“I gave it a shot. Hmm. Now I’m thinking of practicing that angle a bit.”

Just a moment ago, I was spreading out with the sword instead of the hand, so it was my own little trial-and-error.

Having confirmed that it worked sufficiently, it was now time to incorporate it into my swordsmanship.

But then—

“Ouch!”

“Oh no! Are you okay?”

“This is nothing. My body is so strong that this little hit doesn’t bother me at all.”

I said while rubbing my shoulder.

Yet, contrary to my words, I had permitted a proper strike for the first time in a long while.

It would’ve been a painful defeat if it were a real sword.

This was due to my suddenly awkward swordsmanship.

Not knowing anything is something you can try out.

But twisting what’s ingrained in your head and body isn’t easy at all.

Rather, my own will interrupted, and it turned into this awkward flailing, making my whole body an open target the moment I moved the sword.

“Hmm. Strange. Swordmaster. Are you suddenly unsure of yourself? You’re acting like someone who’s never been in a real fight.”

“Hmm, what do you mean by that?”

“Without dueling or martial exchanges, it’s as if the only thing you’ve mastered is the perfect form of the techniques from swinging alone.”

The techniques Qing used took the form of martial arts when they were completed in their most perfect state.

It wasn’t Qing’s notion; it was the culmination of the martial art’s essence stored in his mind.

Although he could break it down into tiny fragments, it was similar to the mastery of a great master evaluating an art.

But trying to adapt it instead of using it, the limitations of the pseudo martial arts he learned quickly showed themselves.

“Hmm. Swordmaster, the truth is, I excel at memorizing techniques, but applying them? Not a clue.”

“So you memorized the sword arts and used them? That’s utterly bizarre, but well, it kinda makes sense when said like that.”

Whenever Namgoong Shin-jae faced Qing, it felt like three different swordsmen were taking turns appearing.

When Qing unleashed the Moon Lady Sword, there was childlike innocence; when he wielded the Divine Maiden Sword Technique, there was a dignified spirit wishing to stand tall in the world.

And sometimes, an unnamed sword style would show up, carrying an insatiable bloodlust like someone wanting to bite into flesh without a second thought.

Not revealing what this was made anyone guess it was probably one of those deadly techniques scorned by the world.

Until now, it was thought the respected swordmaster was accurately interpreting the essence of each sword technique and manifesting the essence of the martial art.

But if that’s not the case and it was all just memorization, then it raises the question of whether that wisdom is incredible or if his high intellect is a hindrance to the growth of his art.

Listening to what was said, it ultimately meant—

“Swordmaster, it seems you haven’t improved at all since the year before last when you went to Hwasan, have you?”

“Hmm, are you disappointed?”

“To be honest, yes. All you’ve done is develop some strange habit relying solely on physical strength and inner power, declining rather than progressing as a swordsman. What on earth have you been practicing all this time to end up like this?”

Qing, sensing this, subtly glanced around.

“Hmm, now that I think about it, I want to properly give it a try. It might not help you at all, but can I keep asking you for duels…?”

“Is that what we’re saying? Now that you’re finally on the right path, I’d rather feel happy and want to celebrate!”

Namgoong Shin-jae brightened up.

Qing returned the same smile in reply.

—-

Namgoong Shin-jae ended up setting his luggage in a guest room at Muchen Pavilion while starting duels from the morning. After lunch, Pang Dae-san and Pang Choryeo, the siblings, dropped by for another round.

There was a minor incident where Namgoong Shin-jae was almost beat up under the guise of a duel by Pang Choryeo, but he laughed it off.

After dinner, Qing spent some time with Tang Nan-ah, who had been watching the whole day.

Tang Nan-ah wasn’t going to participate in the Hidden Dragon Martial Meet anyway.

You’re addicted to the Seven Treasures Poisonous Toad, so if you don’t shout surrender within six steps, even Hwa Ta won’t be able to save you.

Since she was already poisoned, she couldn’t possibly shout anything like that, and mentioning what kind of poison she’d use would defeat the purpose of a martial meet, wouldn’t it?

While Qing trained, Tang Nan-ah was busy trying to memorize things, occasionally boiling herbs or doing whatnot with the toxins, but it was clear she was feeling terribly bored.

By night, she had decided to go out for a bit, shower, and jump into bed.

“I can’t live like this! What is this?!”

“Hmm. The traces of effort?”

“You should have taken it easy! You could’ve mentioned earlier that you were getting beat up today! Why didn’t you say something before it got this bad?”

Tang Nan-ah yelled angrily at Qing, whose skin was marred with bruises.

“Well, if I take it easy, it won’t help at all. Besides, it’s not like I’m breaking bones or muscles.”

“I’m a physician, not you! Look at this.”

After taking his pulse, Tang Nan-ah muttered in disbelief.

“Hah. But you seem fine. What kind of body is this? Still, come on! Even if you’re fine, how can a woman get beaten up like this? What kind of foolish training is this?”

“The sweat I’ve shed now saves the blood I’ll spill in the future.”

“Your words flow so well. Anyway, you didn’t train like this at the Divine Maiden Sect, did you? Hmm. Did you train?”

Tang Nan-ah became briefly confused.

Thinking back, it seems she trained in that bizarre way at the Divine Maiden Sect.

It felt weird to comment on someone saying they were going to train hard.

“Never mind. Let’s sleep.”

“What? That’s strange…”

Tang Nan-ah tilted her head, sensing something was off.

—-

Qing’s training at the Divine Maiden Sect, especially the duels with Seomun Sulin, always kept the thought of real combat in mind.

Thanks to that, he expertly unleashed his techniques better than anyone else, focusing on properly revealing what he had.

This time, however, the duel’s emphasis was on completely blending what he possessed into his own style.

After several days of practicing with Namgoong Shin-jae, the Pang siblings, and even Gongson Yo-ye joining in for some hits, Qing found himself winning at least once every ten duels instead of losing all ten.

One person couldn’t help but click their tongue in admiration.

“The disciple of the Great Mother. Quite impressive. Very impressive.”

The infamous thief known as Shintu was amazed.

Follow Fragrance split into two: the weak side and the strong side.

Naturally, they sought the strong side, but that Brocaded Flute turned out to be a bust.

However, they did discover a peculiar group called the Sala Association, which had an unusually high number of masters and significant financial movement.

Feeling suspicious, when they poked a bit deeper, they uncovered a secret branch of the Demonic Cult, which was quite the achievement. But honestly, it wasn’t much of Shintu’s concern.

After all, it was common knowledge that the Demonic Cult set up shop in the Central Plain to siphon off money, so knowing one wasn’t of much use anyway.

Thus, returning to Gaebong, tracing almost the disappearing Follow Fragrance led to the Martial Alliance’s Muchen Pavilion guest hall.

And while lurking for a moment, Qing happened to witness them demonstrating the Art of Stealth with a sword.

“That girl… she read the secret manual properly! She was just pretending she didn’t know! Ha, the great Shintu has truly been fooled!”

Slightly different, but not really.

After all, being stolen from in martial arts was somewhat alike.

This now meant Shintu’s interest wasn’t merely an obsession with the Brocaded Flute.

He had finally found the successor he’d been looking for all along—the legacy of the thing that had caused all of Shintu’s struggles.

Having stolen Shintu’s belongings, she must rightfully inherit his name as well.

And upon realizing this, it hit him.

She already has a master, and it’s that Great Mother.

However, if he were to back down now, he would be unworthy of continuing Shintu’s legacy.

Shintu never gives up.

In that case, Shintu thought, how could a master thief who can steal anything in the world possibly not be able to steal a master’s disciple?

If she’s the best female martial artist, isn’t it the perfect opportunity to honor Shintu’s name?

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