Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 7

007. The Academy’s Martial Arts Trainee (2)

Suddenly, Yunhyun’s voice echoed in Ilchunghyun’s ear.

“Um, may I ask a question?”

The Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, nodded.

*Since he was letting him take notes anyway, what did it matter if he asked questions?*

“Of course. What is your question?”

“Ah, not now, but later.”

Watching Yunhyun smile, Ilchunghyun felt something was off.

*He felt like he would be the bad guy if he harshly reprimanded him.*

“Ahem, then I shall continue. The training of forms is not the entirety of martial arts, as other elements are absolutely necessary to become a master.”

Yunhyun’s eyes sparkled as he awaited Ilchunghyun’s next words.

The brush in his hand was also ready to dance at any moment.

“The masters of the *Jianghu* [the martial arts world] are masters of inner energy.”

The Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, continued speaking without hesitation.

“Martial arts are broadly divided into external and internal arts. Here, external arts refer to maximizing physical strength and muscle power, while internal arts refer to gathering energy in the *dantian* [energy center in the lower abdomen] through breathing to form true energy.”

As Ilchunghyun’s words quickened, Yunhyun’s hand movements also became faster.

“Although external arts are quick to achieve and can show immediate effects, they will soon reach their limits if not supported by internal energy. On the other hand, internal energy takes a long time to train and is not easy to master, but once you reach a certain level, you can achieve accomplishments that cannot be compared to external arts.”

With a firm gaze, Ilchunghyun continued.

“Moreover, external arts do not always guarantee quick achievements. Training in external arts may be impossible depending on physical conditions. Therefore, it is natural that all the masters of the *Jianghu* are masters of internal energy. Compared to the limitless possibilities of internal energy training, training focused on external arts does not have many advantages…”

“Wait a moment.”

Ilchunghyun’s words were interrupted by Yunhyun’s voice.

Even in the midst of this, Yunhyun was busily moving his brush to finish taking notes.

“Do you have a question?”

Yunhyun nodded at Ilchunghyun’s question.

In the meantime, he finished his writing.

Perhaps because he had written it down in a hurry, Yunhyun asked with a slightly flushed face.

“I roughly understand external arts, but internal energy is… did you say it involves breathing?”

Yunhyun glanced at what he had written down and continued.

He was checking if his words were correct.

By that time, the Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, had already guessed the content of Yunhyun’s question.

“But how can breathing make you a master of martial arts…”

“It is like this.”

*Shriek.*

A flash of sword light appeared from Ilchunghyun’s waist.

Yunhyun flinched in surprise as he suddenly drew his sword.

However, Ilchunghyun continued speaking without paying attention.

“Watch carefully.”

The Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, naturally lowered the arm holding the sword. And then, the next moment.

“*Tahat!*”

*Whoosh.*

With a short shout, Ilchunghyun’s figure suddenly disappeared.

Yunhyun was startled by the sudden disappearance of the person in front of him.

“I, Instructor Il…”

It was then.

A sharp energy covered Yunhyun from above.

Yunhyun reflexively raised his head.

“Gasp!”

Instructor Ilchunghyun was there.

High above Yunhyun’s head, Instructor Ilchunghyun was flying like a bird.

‘*H, how can a person do that…*’

Yunhyun couldn’t continue speaking.

However, what Instructor Ilchunghyun wanted to show was not just that.

*Whoosh.*

As Instructor Ilchunghyun turned his body, the sword in his hand flashed for a moment.

It was definitely not a reflection of sunlight.

*Flash.*

A sharp energy cut through the air and brushed past Yunhyun.

Although Yunhyun couldn’t tell what it was, he could clearly feel that something had passed by.

*Thud.*

Dust rose from the ground next to Yunhyun, and a long sword mark was drawn on the ground.

It was clear evidence that Yunhyun’s feeling a moment ago was not a delusion.

*Thud.*

Instructor Ilchunghyun lightly landed on the ground.

It was a mysterious sight that didn’t even feel heavy.

“Did you see it?”

Ilchunghyun said without his breathing being disturbed.

It was hard to believe that he was the same person who had jumped so high a moment ago.

Yunhyun barely managed to stammer.

“H, how…”

“If someone is naturally strong in their legs, they might be able to jump as high as I did. But no matter how strong someone’s arm is, they cannot leave such a mark with a sword swung in the air.”

Instructor Ilchunghyun looked down at the sword mark on the ground.

Yunhyun nodded.

Jumping might not be easy, but leaving a sword mark on the ground like that is even more impossible.

No matter how strong someone’s arm is.

“Of course, compared to the true masters of the *Jianghu*, this is just a pastime.”

Ilchunghyun’s voice was somehow bitter.

But Yunhyun didn’t notice.

“This is possible through breathing training?”

“Breathing is just the beginning of internal energy training.”

Instructor Ilchunghyun continued calmly.

“Breathing is about accepting the energy of nature into my body and returning it. It is a part of a great cycle and means that I and nature become one. *Qi* [life energy] is something that fills the universe and is the source of the universe and the power of existence itself.”

Yunhyun blankly blinked and looked at Ilchunghyun.

Unexpectedly profound words were pouring out of Ilchunghyun’s mouth.

Instructor Ilchunghyun, watching Yunhyun’s expression, spoke as if trying to change the atmosphere.

“Now, let’s start with the training of forms…”

“W, wait a moment!”

Yunhyun said in a hurried voice.

“P, please tell me again. I couldn’t write it down.”

He hurriedly opened his book and picked up his brush.

Ilchunghyun let out a small sigh.

“Breathing is the beginning of internal energy training…”

“I, if possible, please go a little slower…”

Yunhyun smiled awkwardly and asked Ilchunghyun.

Was it because of the dazzling sunlight? Ilchunghyun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

However, Yunhyun, whether he knew it or not, was just diligently moving his brush.

***

After finishing the writing, Ilchunghyun had him put away the writing tools and entered actual training.

“Among the eighteen martial arts, the first thing you must train is *Baekta* [Bare-Hand Fighting].”

Yunhyun stood in front of Instructor Ilchunghyun in a slightly awkward posture.

“*Baekta*?”

Yunhyun’s eyes twinkled.

Because a new word had come out.

“That’s right. It literally means fighting with bare hands without using weapons.”

“*Baekta, Baekta*…”

Yunhyun muttered softly as if not to forget.

Ilchunghyun pretended not to see it and continued to speak.

“*Baekta* basically has striking (打) using hands and kicking (腿) using feet. There are also various techniques such as strangling and throwing, but these two are the basics.”

“Striking, kicking, striking, kicking…”

Yunhyun perked up his ears and muttered diligently.

As if wanting to write down these words right now, Yunhyun was constantly fidgeting with his hands and glancing at the writing tools that had been put away.

“There are many weapons in the world, but they are ultimately extensions of the hand, that is, merely lengthening the human hand. Moreover, *Baekta* training is the best for training the body, so it is no exaggeration to say that the beginning of all martial arts training is *Baekta*.”

“Weapons are extensions of the hand, weapons are…”

Yunhyun started muttering again.

Ilchunghyun had been trying to ignore it as much as possible, but he couldn’t help but throw a word at him.

“Scholar Yun, can you please stop muttering?”

Yunhyun, who had been mumbling until then, flinched and looked at Ilchunghyun.

“I was afraid I would forget… Um, could you please tell me again later…”

“I will.”

Yunhyun breathed a sigh of relief as Ilchunghyun nodded.

Yunhyun perked up his ears and listened to Ilchunghyun’s voice again.

“We will be training the basic forms of the Imperial Palace’s Eighteen Martial Arts from now on. Even though they are basic forms, it will not be easy for Scholar Yun, so I hope you will be prepared and follow me. Then, let’s start with the standing posture first.”

The Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun’s eyes sparkled. A loud voice like thunder echoed from his mouth.

“First Form (第一式)! Standing like a mountain, *Jeongnipyeosan* (正立如山) [Immovable Mountain Stance]!”

***

The small pavilion located in a corner of the Forbidden City was very quiet.

Occasionally, the passing wind shook the wind chimes hanging from the eaves of the pavilion, and the quiet sound of the wind chimes, like incense, floated around.

However, for Yunhyun standing below, this quiet time was an ordeal in itself.

He had only slightly lowered his body from a normal standing position, but it started to become difficult sooner than he thought.

It was also awkward that Ilchunghyun, standing in front of him, had his eyes closed and his arms folded without saying anything.

“U, um…”

Breaking the silence, Yunhyun opened his mouth awkwardly in a strained voice.

Sweat was already beading on Yunhyun’s forehead.

“H, how long do I have to stay like this?”

The Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, slowly opened his eyes.

“Standing is the foundation of all martial arts training. If you cannot stand properly, you cannot move properly, so please endure a little longer.”

Ilchunghyun said in a heavy voice and closed his eyes again.

Ilchunghyun closing his eyes meant that there was no need to say more.

However, Yunhyun could not.

‘*I’ve been standing here since a while ago, but what kind of training is this?*’

“B, but at this rate, I think I’ll collapse before I can even move…”

At first, it was nothing, but as he endured for a long time, the burden was considerable.

His arms started to ache quickly, and now his legs are shaking.

But Ilchunghyun said without even opening his eyes.

“The old military books also say, ‘Stand like a mountain, move like lightning.’ If you cannot be firmly rooted in the earth like a mountain, you can never produce a movement like lightning.”

Ilchunghyun’s voice was quite stern.

“Moving with all your might is not much different from standing with all your might, so try to stand with all your might.”

*If Yunhyun had been a Gold Guard, a fist or foot would have flown first instead of an explanation.*

*Who would dare to question the instructor’s teachings?*

*Even asking for an explanation is unimaginable.*

“U, um…”

Ilchunghyun opened his eyes at the sound of Yunhyun’s voice ringing in his ears.

Yunhyun, who had encountered his fierce eyes, said in a shrinking voice.

“S, sorry, but can you please repeat what you just said later…”

The strength in the eyes of the Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, disappeared in an instant.

He sighed inwardly.

“I will.”

Yunhyun was relieved when Ilchunghyun said he would say it again.

And again, he tried to maintain his posture while sweating profusely.

Suddenly, Ilchunghyun saw the beads of sweat on Yunhyun’s forehead.

“How about taking off your clothes if you are uncomfortable? There are no eyes here, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Ah, no. It’s okay. It’s still bearable… Ha, haha.”

Yunhyun tried to smile, but Ilchunghyun didn’t look okay at all.

“Is that so? But are you breathing as I taught you, Scholar Yun?”

“Ah! S, sorry. Hoo-eup [deep breathing].”

At Ilchunghyun’s point, Yunhyun hurriedly calmed his breathing and took a deep breath.

It was the breathing to cultivate internal energy that he had been talking about earlier, but far from giving him amazing strength, it was only making him sweat more.

Watching Yunhyun awkwardly exhale, Ilchunghyun clicked his tongue inwardly.

Contrary to saying it was bearable, Yunhyun was already soaked in sweat.

‘*He’s having such a hard time, but he’s not taking off his clothes because of his pride as a scholar.*’

*Just as martial arts training begins with forms, learning begins with a strict mindset and the neat attire that comes from it.*

*It is said that scholars do not even step on their teacher’s shadow, so when you think about it, the strictest place for etiquette between teacher and student is not the Jianghu martial world but the academy.*

The Gold Guard Instructor, Ilchunghyun, did not say anything more to Yunhyun.

However, he closed his eyes and finished his words by sternly adding one more word.

“Your posture is out of alignment, Scholar Yun.”

The strength returned to Yunhyun’s body, which had been slightly relaxed.