“Is your name Ichilbok?”
“Ah, yes.”
I was slightly taken aback, as I never expected to be singled out in front of others.
But regardless of my reaction, the leader of the Hwasan faction spoke calmly.
“I’ve already heard from Gyeong-ho. I understand you know a unique Western exercise method? I wanted to see it for myself, so here I am.”
As he said this, he gestured for me to begin demonstrating.
“……”
You want me to do it here?
Everyone else was exhausted from their own sparring, and naturally, all eyes were now on me.
To be asked to perform solo like this felt akin to a humiliation play.
“Um, that is…”
As I hesitated to explain that this was a bit difficult at the moment, the leader added,
“If I think the exercise is useful, I’ll immediately grant you the medicinal elixir in the storeroom.”
“Just tell me what to do!”
Any sense of shame vanished in the face of free elixir.
*
Thus began the demonstration of the exercise method.
“This is an exercise called the burpee.”
“Burpee? What does that mean?”
“It doesn’t really have a significant meaning; I believe it’s named after the person who created it.”
After saying so, I slowly demonstrated the basic burpee movement.
It was the 4-count burpee, the most basic form of the exercise.
Starting from a standing position, you place your hands on the ground to drop into a plank position, then bring your legs back in to return to standing.
“…You really think doing just this would strengthen the body?”
“While doing one isn’t too hard, what happens if you repeat it dozens or hundreds of times?”
After saying this, I quickly demonstrated the movement I had just shown at high speed.
“If you do this exercise daily, you can significantly improve not just your cardiovascular endurance but also your strength and stamina.”
As I knew, the U.S. military had been using burpees in recruit training since the 1930s, so its effectiveness had been well-proven.
“If you find this exercise too easy, you can easily increase the intensity by adding additional movements, so no need to worry.”
“…I see. Then let’s take a look at other exercises.”
According to the leader of the Hwasan faction, I proceeded to demonstrate all the bodyweight exercises I knew one by one.
From the lunge and squat I’d shown to Baek Gyeong-ho in the morning, to sit-ups, push-ups, dragon flags, mountain climbers, dips, and much more, I unveiled them all as if I were laying bare my soul.
“There are also exercises that require equipment, but I apologize that we don’t have any available here for demonstration.”
Once I finished demonstrating all the exercises, the leader of the Hwasan faction clapped his hands, his face filled with emotion.
“Impressive! Truly diverse!”
It seemed he was quite impressed with all the exercise methods I had shown.
“With this level of knowledge, it’s definitely worth giving you the medicinal elixir. Gyeong-ho has a good eye for talent.”
Muttering this, the leader of the Hwasan faction approached me, saying,
“I, Daesang Hyuk, will personally buy the knowledge you possess.”
The leader was someone whose name sounded like it should be followed by a formal bow.
*
Thus, the deal was struck.
During my stay with the Hwasan faction, I decided to organize the body-training methods I knew in detail and deliver them, and in return, Daesang Hyuk agreed to grant me the elixir known as Jahwa-dan.
According to his explanation, Jahwa-dan was a concoction made by mixing a century-old herb extracted from the volcano with various other medicinal ingredients reputed to be beneficial for the body, said to replenish yang energy and help eliminate impurities, allowing the flow of qi to circulate smoothly within the body.
Since elixirs often cost more than gold by weight, I felt grateful for even just that added benefit.
After concluding all the day’s events, I was called privately and received the Jahwa-dan from the treasure storehouse of the Hwasan faction.
“Are you planning to take the elixir?”
“Yes. Recently, since I’ve made significant progress in my martial arts, I thought consuming this might help me break through new barriers.”
“…Just because you take the elixir doesn’t mean you’ll become immediately stronger; it only enhances your inner power a bit.”
“I’m aware of that.”
If such were the case, it would be better off being called some strange candy rather than an elixir.
“Anyway, I’ve certainly ensured the Jahwa-dan has been delivered. I’ll be looking forward to you organizing the exercise methods.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll neatly compile them and bring them to you.”
Saying this to reassure Baek Gyeong-ho, I bowed my head in thanks while clutching the box containing the Jahwa-dan.
*
Returning after receiving the Jahwa-dan from the Hwasan faction’s treasure storehouse, the first person I sought was Dokgorin, who was resting in the room.
“Rin!”
“What’s up?”
“Ah, it’s just that I have something I need your help with.”
I said this while trying to gauge the gazes of the other girls in the room, but unexpectedly, almost all of them were familiar faces.
“Hello.”
“What’s going on at this hour?”
Tang Sosu waved indifferently, while Samajak showed interest.
“Hello…”
The only one I didn’t know well was Moyong Bi, the book committee member from our class.
“I’m sorry for coming over so suddenly at this late hour, but I really need Rin’s help.”
Apologizing to Moyong Bi, I led Dokgorin outside to the courtyard.
“What’s the matter?”
In response to Dokgorin’s question, I retrieved the box I had tucked under my arm and showed it to her.
“Do you remember the leader of the Hwasan faction visited me earlier at lunch and asked to see the exercise methods?”
“Yeah, what about it?”
“Actually, I received the medicinal elixir in exchange for teaching him the exercise methods.”
As I said this, I opened the box to reveal the Jahwa-dan inside.
At this, Dokgorin’s expression turned to one of surprise.
“He gave you the Jahwa-dan?”
“Do you know what this is?”
Dokgorin nodded and began explaining.
“Originally, Jahwa-dan is an elixir given only to promising disciples in the Hwasan faction. It’s known for not only its basic restorative properties but also for purifying the blood, which makes it exceptionally effective.”
“This is that significant?”
I couldn’t help but admire the vast generosity of the leader of the Hwasan faction, Daesang Hyuk, for so freely giving such an elixir.
“Then the reason you called me out here so suddenly must be obvious. You want me to help you direct your qi while you’re performing the breathing exercises, right?”
“Exactly. I thought it would be better to have your assistance rather than just doing it alone.”
“Then sit here.”
Following Dokgorin’s direction, I settled down in a corner of the courtyard and crossed my legs.
Dokgorin then knelt beside me and placed her hand on my back.
“I’ll help guide your qi so it can settle into your dantian after taking the elixir.”
“I understand.”
Nodding in agreement, I took the Jahwa-dan I was holding and placed it in my mouth with a serious expression.
“……!”
It looked quite similar to the wall fruit pills, but as soon as the Jahwa-dan melted in my mouth, it quickly lost its form.
As I swallowed the liquid that had originally been Jahwa-dan, I felt a sudden surge of heat in my chest.
“Ugh-”
As I unknowingly gasped, Dokgorin, with her hand resting on my back, whispered,
“Start the breathing exercise.”
Nodding, I began circulating my qi as she instructed.
Woooooo─
In Eastern medicine, the human body is often likened to the universe.
This concept also applies to martial arts; for instance, if a person’s heart is the sun, then their liver, stomach, and gallbladder are compared to various planets.
Thus, doing a breathing exercise is akin to the planets revolving around the sun.
I exerted myself to control my suddenly surging inner power through the elixir.
This process would have been quite challenging alone, but Dokgorin was there with me.
Since she had already stepped into the realm of Hwa-gyeong, my current state was likely reminiscent of a path she had previously traveled.
Following her guidance, I poured in my efforts to absorb the incoming qi.
I could feel a tremendous amount of qi flowing through my veins.
Normally, it would be difficult to control, but due to the recently learned techniques, it didn’t feel as difficult now.
With each circuit of the breathing exercise, the yang energy flowed faster through my veins, akin to a bird hatching from an egg.
With slight pain, new realization surged as though a third eye was sprouting on my forehead.
Crack!
I could feel the last barrier to the next level gradually crumbling.
This was indeed the stage of Sanhua Queding.
A state where the essence, qi, and spirit become one.
The gathered yang energy swirled violently within my dantian.
Eventually,
Bam!
The solidified qi burst forth from the crown of my head, blossoming like a flower bud above me.
This marked the first time I had stepped into the realm of a peak master, breaking through the final barrier.
