“I heard that you have experienced the martial arts of the Murong Family. How was it?”
The next day, Murong Sang-a requested a meeting, so I went to the room where she was.
“It was truly a marvelous martial art. However, my understanding is limited, and it’s difficult to gauge its depth.”
I was elegantly hinting that I could tell something was shining, but I couldn’t really see it.
“Hehe, martial arts that an untrained person like you can fully appreciate is quite rare.”
Murong Sang-a understood the hidden meaning behind my words and smiled lightly. At that moment, she was like a flower in full bloom with just a smile.
“Huh? Wait, what did you just call me?”
“Since we will soon be wed, I thought it better to call you ‘beloved’ rather than ‘Master.’ Is that strange?”
Murong Sang-a said this while slightly blushing.
“No, no. It’s not strange at all.”
‘Beloved,’ huh? That term is usually used for fiancés or loved ones in martial arts novels. Who would’ve thought I’d get to hear it myself?
“Then I will call you ‘beloved’ until our marriage.”
With a breathtakingly beautiful lady calling me that, it was a bit hard to keep my composure, but I had to avoid misunderstandings.
‘Beloved’ can refer to someone you love, but it can also mean fiancé.
“Understood. By the way, as someone who will accept you as my wife, I feel a bit embarrassed that I can’t fully appreciate the martial arts.”
I scratched my head, feigning embarrassment.
“How can it be embarrassing not to have mastered martial arts? Martial arts are just one of the paths to becoming a better person. You, beloved, are already wonderful without any martial arts. In fact, I’m the one who becomes arrogant thinking I’m something special just because I know a bit of martial arts.”
Whoa, why are you suddenly throwing compliments like that? Making it all awkward!
“Haha, hearing that gives me a bit of energy. But if a blade suddenly came at me, I would be terrified not to see it coming.”
Come on, we’re on the same ship here! If we miss a groove, I might just end up getting stabbed. You know what I’m saying, right? Just lay it out!
“Are you perhaps wanting to learn martial arts?”
Yes, exactly that.
“Unfortunately, due to my position, it is difficult for me to practice martial arts. However, I would like to experience it at least once.”
Just a taste. I’ll run away if things get rough.
“…Alright. Since we need to have a backup plan, I’ll teach you a technique called Tonae Technique.”
Murong Sang-a pondered for a moment before nodding. Finally, I might get to learn the internal cultivation method!
“Then I’ll learn it here?”
“Let’s head to my personal training ground. I’ll teach you there.”
“Let’s get going.”
I turned to go out the door.
“Wait just a moment, please.”
Suddenly, Murong Sang-a stopped me. What does she need?
When I looked back, she was staring at my arm. I looked at her quizzically, and she blushed slightly. Murong Sang-a cast her eyes down, taking a small breath. What’s up with her?
Suddenly, she seemed to have made a resolution, nodding slightly before speaking.
“I-I’ll guide you.”
Then she suddenly linked her arm with mine.
What’s with this? Getting too friendly all of a sudden.
“I heard that in Joseon, the wife walks with her husband like this.”
Which Joseon does that?
“This is the Central Plains, and it could be problematic if the family members see us.”
“My personal training ground is just ahead, so only a few of my subordinates will be around.”
“Still….”
You’re getting way too close. Our bodies are practically touching.
My arm became surrounded by Murong Sang-a’s arm and chest, like a sausage in a hot dog bun.
Martial arts world underwear isn’t like modern bras; with her arm around me, the touch of her body was too clear through the thick cloth.
This is too stimulating.
“Let’s go.”
Ignoring my words, Murong Sang-a led me to the training ground.
——————————-
“I will teach you the simple Tonae Technique that the direct descendants of the Murong Family learn before they seriously study internal martial arts.”
After the awkward walk together, we calmed down our flushed faces, and the martial arts training began.
“Isn’t it supposed to be read in secret scriptures before learning it?”
“In the Murong Family, this Tonae Technique is taught when the direct descendants are very young. Instead of understanding it through reading, it’s easier to learn through the body, and it’s proven to be safe.”
“I see. So, if I master this, I’ll accumulate internal energy?”
Just this and I’ll be a martial arts master. Completion in just 180 days!
“You don’t accumulate it.”
“My understanding of martial arts is limited, but isn’t Tonae Technique a method to accumulate internal energy?”
“Most martial arts are like that, but this Tonae Technique is a method of laying the foundation for your body before you start serious internal training.”
“Ah.”
I want to learn most internal martial arts, though.
“If you learn typical internal martial arts, you won’t have enough internal energy to become a reverse officer. However, once you learn this Tonae Technique, you’ll become healthier, and your physical abilities will improve, allowing you to at least see a blind sword coming at you.”
“Alright. Teach me.”
Even if I never become a reverse officer, I didn’t want to arouse Murong Sang-a’s suspicion, so I decided to agree and learn.
“Then please assume the lotus position.”
Here it comes. The lotus position—the best pose for internal martial arts training.
I had to cross both legs and sit in a classic lotus position, resting my feet on my thighs.
Why is this so uncomfortable?
After taking the stance, my pelvis and thighs screamed in agony. You mean I have to do this every day to learn? Are martial artists actually yoga fans?
“Beloved.”
As I was struggling, Murong Sang-a carefully called me.
“What’s wrong? Is the position incorrect?”
“To teach you the internal martial arts, I need to remove my upper clothes.”
Why didn’t you say that sooner? The Vital Energy Insertion Technique is a method to help someone cultivate their energy by inserting your own energy into their body.
Simply put, it’s like road practice during a driving school. An experienced internal energy instructor helps guide you within your body, making this cheat technique easier to learn.
Of course, inserting energy into someone else’s body is very dangerous, so only highly skilled instructors can do it. Amazing, right? Definitely a genius, Murong Sang-a! Thank you!
I quickly took off my top, ready for the Vital Energy Insertion.
“… You haven’t practiced martial arts, but your body is in good shape.”
I had to be fit since I was always running around outside. If I just sat at home writing, I’d end up with a rounded neck and belly.
Murong Sang-a placed her hand on my back. Just imagining a beautiful woman’s hand on bare skin made me a bit shivery.
Is the energy coming in now?
I closed my eyes and focused.
Murong Sang-a’s hand roamed my back. Her fingers gently traced my shoulder blades and rubbed my spinal muscles. It tickled.
“You’re quite firm…”
Before I knew it, Murong Sang-a wasn’t just using one hand but both to massage my back.
Is this the internal energy coming in?
Why can’t I feel it?
Have I just got zero talent for martial arts?
“Beloved, I can’t feel the internal energy.”
Sorry, I guess I’m just lacking in talent.
“Ah! Now, I will perform the Internal Vital Energy Insertion.”
So what were you doing before? Suddenly, I felt a warm energy coming from my back.
Is this internal energy?
“The internal martial arts generally focus on breathing to gather energy in the dantian and use it to flow into the body, but this Tonae Technique is different. It doesn’t accumulate energy in the dantian; instead, it temporarily gathers energy and sends it to your body’s meridians.”
I felt warmth in my lower abdomen. So, this is the dantian.
The energy starting from the dantian spreads through a major pathway throughout my body was so amazing that I felt like singing.
There is an unseen power within our bodies. A sun-like energy is hidden inside. No, energy comes from outside, so maybe it isn’t hidden.
“Slowly feel the flow of the internal energy and move according to that direction. I will guide you, so try to move independently.”
I concentrated and searched for the energy that had entered my body through my breath. Is it really there? Tentatively, I started to observe my body.
Found it.
If the energy Murong Sang-a poured into me was a 5-ton truck, the energy I gathered was a tricycle.
Hey, move! Don’t run away from me!
The little tricycle seemed uncooperative with my wishes, as if it had its pride. From now on, I’ll call you the “Blue Spearhead.”
“Go, Blue Spearhead! Show the strength of the greatest delinquent of Joseon riding a tricycle!!”
The energy wasn’t easily moving according to my wishes, but perhaps because the path created by the 5-ton truck was so wide, it started to move in that direction.
While I couldn’t spread it throughout my body like the 5-ton truck’s energy, it was at least heading down a somewhat clear path.
I might not be able to drive it on the highway, but I had successfully brought a tricycle out into the yard.
“I did it.”
“Congratulations. If you keep this up regularly, your body will become healthier.”
It’s a pity that I couldn’t accumulate internal energy, but at least I learned the Tonae Technique. This technique would be useful for my future life in the Central Plains.
“By the way, what is the name of this Tonae Technique?”
There probably has to be an cool name like ‘Reverse Meridian Technique’ or something.
“It’s better if you don’t know the name.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it is originally a technique that only the direct descendants of the Head of the Family learn. Although I told you it is the optimal Tonae Technique for you to learn, it’s technically one that you shouldn’t learn. If you find out the name, it could lead to troublesome situations later on. If that ever comes up, you can just say you don’t know the name of the technique I taught you.”
What, does the original name go like “Murong Family Head’s Direct Line Internal Cultivation 180 Days Completion”?
“Is it really okay to teach me such a valuable technique?”
“… Isn’t it because you are my beloved?”
Why the sudden awkward compliment? Is this valuable thing being given to me just because I might say I want a divorce later?
“I see… Thank you. Now I need to go prepare for tomorrow’s wedding.”
If I were to make a clean getaway in 100% condition, I need to start getting ready from now.
“Beloved.”
Her voice had a touch of longing.
“Uh?”
“No, I’m nothing. I will make sure to dress beautifully for the wedding ceremony tomorrow, appearing worthy of you.”
Murong Sang-a seemed slightly embarrassed by what she had just said, averting her gaze.
“Haha. I look forward to it. Well then.”
I will prepare my escape diligently.
Finally, tomorrow
Is the day of the final battle.
