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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Please accept this manual.”
“Ultimate Footwork Techniques?”
I stared blankly at the manual Jegal Hyeon-sang handed me. The scent of fresh ink emanated from the pristine pages. It looked brand new.
“Where did you get this?”
“I couldn’t find a suitable manual, so I compiled this book using the core principles of footwork techniques that would be suitable for you.”
“You extracted the core principles? Will I be able to use it?”
You couldn’t just learn martial arts by extracting the core principles.
If it were that easy, learning martial arts would be much simpler. And he would be at a higher realm than me.
Perhaps sensing my skepticism, Jegal Hyeon-sang puffed out his chest.
“I am a member of the Jegal Clan. I pride myself on my intelligence.
I researched suitable footwork and Qinggong techniques in the Martial Alliance library, but since you don’t use Central Plains internal energy cultivation methods, learning those techniques would be difficult.”
“Hmm…”
He wasn’t wrong.
As he said, I couldn’t directly use Central Plains footwork or Qinggong techniques. Since their martial arts were often intertwined with their internal energy cultivation methods, they weren’t compatible with my Western meditation technique.
“Therefore, I reached a conclusion. Martial arts are based on principles, and techniques are built upon those principles, so I compiled the core principles of footwork techniques most suitable for you.”
“Principles?”
“Are you familiar with the Arrow-Swift Steps?”
“Arrow-Swift Steps…I’m not.”
“Ah! Arrow-Swift Steps! I know that!”
Hye-ryeong, who had been sitting on a rock behind us, exclaimed. She seemed to be familiar with the concept. She proceeded to explain.
“Arrow-Swift Steps is a footwork technique that allows you to move like an arrow! Similar to what you usually do, Mister!”
“Hmm.”
“As Hye-ryeong said, the Arrow-Swift Steps utilizes the momentum of bending your body, like an arrow being released from a bow, to propel yourself forward. It’s used in many martial arts, but it’s primarily a concept used in fist techniques.”
“I still don’t quite understand.”
“Allow me to demonstrate…”
Jegal Hyeon-sang stepped back, positioned his legs one in front of the other, slightly bent his back leg, and then, with a burst of speed, covered ten paces in an instant.
“Like this. I haven’t mastered it, as I’ve only learned the basics of the Six Harmonies Fist, but…I believe you understand the concept.”
“Arrow (箭) Swift (疾) Steps (歩)…”
[T/N: the Chinese characters were included in the raws so I’m putting them here for y’all to look at and go ‘what the fuck am I looking at?’ so enjoy ]
Was this the Central Plains version of the technique I often used, where I propelled myself forward with bursts of aura from my feet?
Since this was a purely physical technique, it felt quite different.
“It’s not a difficult technique to learn, and it’s easy to apply, so it would be better for you to practice this. You’re not looking for elegant footwork, are you?”
“Not particularly.”
“Learning this will be helpful for developing your own footwork technique in the future.”
“Developing my own footwork technique?”
“You’ll need to create one that’s compatible with Western martial arts, won’t you?”
Jegal Hyeon-sang was right.
Since the way aura was used was different, I couldn’t use Central Plains footwork techniques directly.
They didn’t channel aura into their muscles like I did.
They refined their mana roads to the extreme and used them for all sorts of techniques.
While I couldn’t say which method was superior, the important thing was that I could learn this footwork technique without any issues.
It seemed closer to a martial art than a true martial arts technique, though.
“This should be sufficient for now. Qinggong can also be developed using the principles of the Arrow-Swift Steps, so your immediate goal should be to fully internalize this concept.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. This is an investment.”
“Will this investment pay off?”
“That depends on you. I have some business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. I hope you achieve mastery on this journey.”
Jegal Hyeon-sang, his task completed, turned and walked back into the Martial Alliance.
I placed the manual titled “Ultimate Footwork Techniques” in my pocket and looked at the seemingly endless road ahead.
“It’s a long road…”
“The Central Plains are vast. This is just a small part of it.”
What was that supposed to mean, Mokgyeong?
I looked at Mokgyeong, who had appeared beside me. Dressed in light armor and carrying a small pack, he spoke with his usual stoic, yet slightly warm expression.
“Benefactor, Hye-ryeong, I apologize for being late.”
“It’s not that late. We just arrived, so don’t worry about it.”
Then, let’s get going.
I pulled out the map and traced a line with my finger.
“Our goal is to reach Mount Wudang within a month by following this road. It should be mid-autumn by then. And we’ll return to the Martial Alliance before winter.”
“That sounds arduous!”
“It’s nothing.”
I had some luggage, but it only weighed about twenty geun.
A martial artist wouldn’t be tired by this much.
“Then, let’s depart.”
“Understood.”
“Okay!”
It was truly beginning.
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I stepped onto the wide road of the Central Plains.
“We’ll rest in this village.”
“A village in this remote mountain area…”
“That’s why there’s a village here.”
Living in a place like this meant they could avoid taxes.
Though, that didn’t mean it was a prosperous village. We entered the quiet village.
Gazes immediately turned towards us.
Was it because of my bamboo hat? Or despite it?
I fiddled with my hat and surveyed the village.
It hadn’t happened yet.
The original story didn’t specify the exact timing, so I might have to wait here for a while.
It should be soon, though, as it happened in the chapter immediately after the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
The problem was finding an excuse to stay…I would think about it tonight.
“We’ll stay here for the night.”
“Finally, a break!”
Hye-ryeong, exhausted from the constant walking, cheered with a relieved expression.
The monotonous journey had been mentally tiring. She had been half-asleep for the latter half of the trip.
It would have been better to buy horses or use Qinggong, but unfortunately, I hadn’t mastered it enough to travel long distances.
As Jegal Hyeon-sang had said, the concept wasn’t difficult, but I needed to get used to it.
“Then let’s go meet the village head!”
“Alright.”
We headed towards the most impressive-looking building in the small village. Gazes followed us as we approached, a mix of curiosity and wariness.
“Is anyone there?”
“Huh…it’s been a while since we’ve had visitors.”
“We came across this village while traveling and were hoping to stay for the night.”
“Come in. We can accommodate you for one night.”
With the elderly man’s permission, I carefully opened the door.
The scent of earth filled the air.
Were they making pottery?
I glanced at the dark-colored pottery in the corner, then looked at the bald elderly man staring at us.
He had age spots on his right cheek and looked at me with surprise.
“A-a Westerner?”
“Just think of me as a martial artist.”
“I never thought I’d be hosting a Westerner. Where did you learn the Central Plains language?”
“From a friend.”
“This old man’s house isn’t very spacious. There’s only one room. Is that alright?”
“It’s fine!”
“…It’s fine.”
“We’re grateful for your hospitality.”
I wanted to stay for a week, but I couldn’t ask for that without a good reason.
“This is the room.”
It was a bit small, but spacious enough for the three of us.
We would be touching shoulders if we rolled around…
“You must be hungry after your long journey. I’ll prepare a late-night snack.”
“Thank you for the offer, but we’ve already eaten.”
“Very well. Then, rest well.”
As the elderly man left, I put down my luggage, leaned against the wall, and sat down.
“I’ll sleep by the door. You two decide the rest.”
“I want the middle!”
“I’m fine anywhere.”
The sleeping arrangements were quickly decided.
Time to sleep.
I settled down by the door and lay down. The exhaustion from walking all day washed over me.
“Mister, good night.”
“Benefactor, sleep well.”
“Good night…”
I succumbed to sleep.
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