novelraw Chapter 5 : This Is a Little Fun, Isn't It?
Chapter 5 : This Is a Little Fun, Isn't It?
To conclude, the efficacy of Heaven-Shaking Soul Art improved overwhelmingly.
While playing the instrument, Cheon Mubaeck slowly circulated Heaven-Shaking Soul Art.
He did so by momentarily modifying the key points of Heaven-Shaking Soul Art to match the beautiful melody and tune.
Of course, it was absurd to adjust the key points of an internal energy cultivation method in the middle, but that was a general story.
'I've been learning martial arts for hundreds of years.'
Moreover, Heaven-Shaking Soul Art? How many lives had he spent revising it?
Wasn't it Cheon Mubaeck who perfectly understood all the essentials and key points of Heaven-Shaking Soul Art?
Also, his genius martial talent, enough to reach the realm of the Sword God.
His extensive knowledge of martial arts spanning hundreds of years.
It was as if all the secret archives of the prestigious orthodox sects were in Cheon Mubaeck's head.
Because he was such a Cheon Mubaeck, he could flexibly operate Heaven-Shaking Soul Art in time with the instrument performance, and the result was very surprising.
'Is it almost two or three times as much?'
First of all, the speed and amount of energy accumulation became incredibly fast.
The biggest drawback of Heaven-Shaking Soul Art was the absurd amount and speed of energy accumulation, but that had been perfectly improved.
Of course, it didn't accumulate at an incredible speed like demonic arts.
But the purity of the internal energy was unmatched by any cultivation method in the martial world. Now, even the speed was better than most orthodox sects' internal energy cultivation methods.
'Now the muscle meridians that seemed about to snap are also protected to some extent.'
Pure internal energy that protected the muscle meridians connected by thin threads.
Now, even with intense training, they would not collapse.
'Shall I start using my body now?'
Accumulating internal energy was something he just had to do consistently now.
Now was the time to lay the foundation for the completion of his body.
"Today is the day."
"Young Master, here is the martial arts uniform I prepared."
"Thank you."
"But, why Chief Instructor Jang of all people?"
"Huh?"
"There are other escort warriors, aren't there? The good-natured Escort Warrior Heo would have watched over you with a smile. If not him, then Escort Warrior Jong, who is a bit scary, also has a surprisingly meticulous side..."
"That's because Chief Instructor Jang is the best here, isn't he?"
"The best? Eek?"
When he flicked his thumb, Jeombak made a face as if he had seen something he shouldn't have.
"Where on earth did you learn such a thing?"
"What?"
As he continued to flick his thumb, Jeombak felt dumbfounded.
Well, there was no special reason for choosing Chief Instructor Jang.
In Cheon Mubaeck's original memories, there were not many memories of other escort warriors, and among them, the memory of Chief Instructor Jang was clear.
He was a guy who was really not interested in the escort agency's work.
Although it was a small escort agency, to not know the names of the escort warriors.
The reason Chief Instructor Jang was in his memory was that Cheon Mubaeck remembered calling him Grandpa Jang and following him well.
Moreover, the title 'Chief Instructor' was also quite powerful.
And if possible, saying that he was learning from a strong person would create a plausible reason later on.
In fact, Cheon Mubaeck was confident that he could build his body by training alone right now.
'Still, I've lived for several years and even raised a disciple.'
Even if he didn't have a natural constitution, he could still make his body suitable for learning martial arts to some extent.
However, wasn't Cheon Mubaeck's body officially recognized by the escort agency as having the 'worst constitution that cannot learn martial arts'?
If such a person's skills suddenly improved dramatically, how would the people around him react?
'If I say that he grew because the most skilled Chief Instructor Jang taught him, it would be a plausible reason.'
It was a trick of sorts. After living through several past lives, he had learned how to not make the people around him feel a sense of incongruity.
"Sigh. Chief Instructor Jang will be here soon, so please get ready."
"He's already here."
"Pardon?"
Jeombak was puzzled, but then his eyes widened when he heard an old man's voice from outside saying, 'Young Master. It is Old Man Jang.'
"How did you know?"
"How else."
Cheon Mubaeck opened the door with a triumphant face.
An old man's face with sparse white hair and full of wrinkles.
But his body was sturdy and hale.
Chief Instructor, Old Man Jang.
His aura was not sharp or intense.
Still, he had already felt him walking this way.
'I feel demonic qi. Is it a demonic art?'
This is a little fun, isn't it?
* * *
Old Man Jang could not hide his troubled expression.
"Hoho..."
When Cheon Mungyeong first called him and asked him to be a teacher to the youngest young master, Cheon Mubaeck, he didn't think much of it.
"Help the youngest brat take care of his health, Chief Instructor."
"I understand, Chief."
News spreads quickly in a small escort agency.
It was said that as soon as the youngest young master woke up, he told his sister that he would learn martial arts to become strong in order to protect the escort agency.
When he recalled the immature, thoughtless Cheon Mubaeck who only played instruments and laughed foolishly, it was a hard to believe story.
"To be honest, I don't want that brat Mubaeck to become a martial arts master. But I do want him to be healthy. But... I heard that you are very strict when you train the escort warriors, Chief Instructor."
Old Man Jang nodded.
The current number of escort warriors in the escort agency was 80.
It was definitely a small number compared to large escort agencies.
But it was quite well-known in Henan Province, and that was thanks to the skills of the escort warriors.
Their average skill was high, and even about twenty of them were skilled enough to hold at least the position of Vice Chief Instructor in other escort agencies.
And Old Man Jang dared to be proud that it was because he had taught the escort warriors so strictly and well.
He usually looked like a kind-hearted grandfather, but when he started training, he pushed the escort warriors so hard, like a demon from Buddhism, that the complaints were rampant.
When Old Man Jang did not deny it, Cheon Mungyeong said with a somewhat apologetic look.
"But I would be grateful if you would consider that Mubaeck is still a young child. I don't want that child to become as tough as an escort warrior. Just, make him healthy. Just healthy... please. Don't push him too hard."
A fool for his youngest, indeed.
Old Man Jang recalled the nickname that the people of the escort agency impudently called Chief Cheon Mungyeong.
Well, he could understand it to some extent.
Old Man Jang had also been relying on the Azure Star Escort Agency for over 20 years.
So he also felt that Cheon Mubaeck was like his grandson.
'He's a pretty child.'
His handsome, no, beautiful appearance that resembled his mother was one thing.
Old Man Jang, who had lived a long life of experience, knew.
A natural charm that draws people in.
The type of person who can make people their own with just a smile, without saying a word.
It was rare to see in the world, but the protagonist of a natural charm that everyone wanted to get close to and befriend was Cheon Mubaeck.
So how could he not become a fool for his youngest?
Old Man Jang readily nodded.
He wasn't going to raise him as an escort warrior anyway, so there was no reason to push him strictly.
"I understand, Chief."
"Thank you, Chief Instructor!"
But as soon as he came out of the Chief's office, Vice Chief Cheon Yuhwa called him.
"Grandpa Jang."
"Yes, Vice Chief."
"Grandpa, you are publicly the Chief Instructor of the escort agency, but privately, you are like a real grandfather to me and Mubaeck. Right?"
"I am just grateful that you think so."
"It's natural to dote on a grandson, but sometimes it's also important to scold a grandson harshly."
"...?"
"Raise him strong."
"Pardon?"
"I don't mind if you use a switch. If he is lazy in his learning, scold him harshly. Even if he struggles, please guide him firmly."
"But..."
"Grandpa. Father must have told you to go easy on him so that he doesn't have a hard time, right?"
Old Man Jang shut his mouth.
Cheon Yuhwa nodded as if she understood.
"I don't know what got into Mubaeck to suddenly say he wants to learn martial arts, but if we go too easy on him here, he might just go back to being cooped up in his room."
"That is a high possibility."
"Right? So, Grandpa, please be strict and firm with him. I don't expect him to master martial arts. But please make him a dignified man."
The conflicting requests of the Chief and Vice Chief.
Their opinions were so parallel that even Old Man Jang was at a loss.
But there was a common point.
'In any case, isn't it for the young master's health?'
Old Man Jang nodded.
'First, let's go a little strong, as the Vice Chief suggested.'
If he followed well and endured, it would confirm Cheon Mubaeck's will, and he could be raised to be not just healthy, but able to take care of his own body.
If he found it difficult to follow, he could lower the level a little and maintain a level where he could just take care of his health.
That's how Old Man Jang, with a relaxed mind, went to see Cheon Mubaeck.
* * *
Old Man Jang's mouth fell open.
He usually had a kind eye-smile, to the point that his eyes were said to be invisible, curved like half-moons, but now his eyes were wider than ever before.
There were two reasons for his surprise.
One was that Cheon Mubaeck's will was strong.
"Chief Instructor Jang. I am not just training to take care of my health. You are famous for raising strong escort warriors. Please teach me at the same level."
Looking at Cheon Mubaeck speaking with a firm face, Old Man Jang was slightly moved.
This child is finally growing up and becoming an adult!
So he started the training stronger than he had originally planned.
After that, the second reason for his surprise appeared.
"Heo-eok, oh my, you damn bastard!"
"..."
It wasn't just creaking from the start, it was a level where he couldn't even start.
Cheon Mubaeck's athletic ability and physical condition were more disastrous than expected.
'I knew his constitution was terrible, but...'
When was it?
Was Cheon Mubaeck about five years old?
At that time, Cheon Mungyeong had once asked him if he seemed to have a talent for martial arts, so he had examined him.
Old Man Jang had shaken his head firmly.
'He absolutely does not have the constitution to learn martial arts.'
'You mean he has blocked meridians?'
'No, his constitution just... does not reach the level of an ordinary person.'
'Huh!'
'Ah, of course, it's just that his body is not suitable for learning martial arts, there's nothing wrong with his health.'
He knew that his constitution was not suitable for martial arts.
But...
'He hasn't exercised at all for 16 years!'
A body that hadn't exercised at all for 16 years, on top of an already terrible constitution.
Old Man Jang felt miserable.
No matter how busy he had been, and even if Cheon Mubaeck was so engrossed in arts and music in his room that he didn't come out, he should have paid more attention.
He regretted it.
But in fact, this was not the real reason for his surprise.
The situation that followed immediately.
"Ugh! It's like a dog! It's so dog-like!"
While spouting all sorts of unbelievable vulgar curses.
'He's doing it?'
Old Man Jang had lived for almost 60 years.
His experience in the martial world was outstanding, and he had experienced all sorts of things. But now, for the first time in a long while, his heart was fluttering.
The training content was tailored to the level of the escort warriors.
It was very common training like running and horse stance, but the level was considerable.
Of course, it was impossible for Cheon Mubaeck's current physical condition.
But Cheon Mubaeck did it steadfastly. Even if he cursed all sorts of things with his mouth, even if it took a very long time, even if his two legs were trembling so much that his eyes welled up with tears.
Even as he staggered as if he would fall at any moment, he was surprisingly doing it.
'How?'
Is it possible with just willpower?
Not at all.
Unless he had internal energy in his body.
A weak body without a single point of internal energy.
Even if he had the will, his body had no capacity to endure.
Old Man Jang soon discovered a subtle point in Cheon Mubaeck's actions.
'Wait.'
He wasn't just doing it recklessly.
Old Man Jang discovered a certain movement in Cheon Mubaeck's actions.
After a slight movement, he would catch his breath and then act again.
It was a frustratingly slow movement to anyone watching.
The interval for catching his breath and resting was very short.
As if struck by lightning, Old Man Jang's body staggered.
He raised his hands and rubbed his eyelids.
'It's natural that a certain amount of rest is needed when muscles move. But he's instinctively grasping that and repeating rest and training in the most efficient way?'
It wasn't just a coincidence.
As time passed, Old Man Jang became convinced.
Right now, Cheon Mubaeck was calculating all his movements in an extremely efficient way!
This was not something that was possible just with theory.
It was something that was possible only by perfectly observing one's own body.
Old Man Jang, while grumbling all sorts of vulgar curses with his mouth, stopped breathing for a moment as he watched Cheon Mubaeck training endlessly according to his will.
'A constitution not suitable for learning martial arts. But... his will and talent?'
There is such a saying sometimes.
The sound of Cheon Mubaeck's daegeum flowing from the room, the beautiful melody of the zither.
Hadn't the people of the escort agency admired and whispered?
That he was a genius in arts and music.
Even though no one had taught him, he handled the instruments as if they were his own limbs.
It wasn't just talent.
Even while he was sickly, he did not let go of the instruments. He did not let go of the brush for painting.
That strong will!
But what if that talent and will extended to martial arts?
If his strong will and interest in arts and music were directed towards martial arts, and even if his constitution was terrible, what if he had the talent to understand the essentials of martial arts?
For a moment, a shiver ran through Old Man Jang.
He had once aimed for the highest place, but after realizing the limits of his talent, he had fallen into the wrong path.
But the Cheon Mubaeck in front of him...
Old Man Jang watched Cheon Mubaeck's training with wide eyes.
(End of Chapter)