Black-Haired Foreigner In The Martial Arts World – Chapter 16

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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“Senior Brother! I bought a real sword! Starting today, can I train with my own sword instead of a wooden one?”

“You bought a sword? Alright. But come to the front row during sword practice. Those using real swords must train at the front.”

What was the reason?

For the visual effect?

Certainly, having those with real swords lined up at the front would look impressive. Even the martial arts school cared about appearances.

Having the handsome Kim Geun-hyeop in the center would definitely enhance the school’s image.

As expected of actor Kim Geun-hyeop.

“Make sure not to look behind you during training. If a novice like you loses grip of their real sword during practice, someone could get hurt.”

“Ah, yes sir.”

It was for safety.

And so, I diligently trained at the school again that day. External training, internal energy cultivation, Six Harmony Fist, and Three Talents Sword Technique.

Honestly, I could say I had already mastered the first three. Weight training went without saying. Internal energy cultivation could be explosively improved, so I just had to keep at it. And Taekwondo covered the Six Harmony Fist.

Naturally, all my focus was directed towards practicing the Three Talents Sword Technique.

“Follow me!”

“Haaap!”

“Hiyaah!”

“Kyaap!”

I mimicked the movements of Master Hong, the first-rate master demonstrating the forms at the front. But the feeling was definitely different from before.

The difference between a real sword and a wooden one was significant.

The center of gravity, the texture, the sensation of cutting through the air—everything was different, requiring time to adjust.

“As expected, your form has become more awkward.”

Senior Brother, who was walking among the students, pointed this out.

“Ah, well…”

“It’s alright. It’s natural for your form to change when transitioning from wooden sword to real sword practice. Take your time getting used to it.”

“Yes, Senior Brother!”

Then I would work even harder.

I had been practicing these forms for two weeks. I had grasped the basics of wielding a sword correctly.

Now, imagine.

What I held wasn’t a stick but a real sword.
Maintain your center, keeping the blade steady.

Whoosh!

The blade sliced through the air with a whistling sound.

Thud!

My planted foot held firm, like roots taking hold. With the wooden sword replaced by a real one, even my mind felt sharper.

Sharpness, the resonance of love.

Someone wielding a real sword could injure themselves.

That thought crossed my mind, but I hadn’t trained for nothing.

Having established the foundation with a wooden sword, such basic mistakes wouldn’t happen to me.

Swish!

I was starting to get the hang of it.

The results of training didn’t disappear. Even with a different weapon, I quickly regained my original skill.

“Like this.”

I felt the change.

At first, I had swung the sword like a baseball bat. That way, I couldn’t properly channel power into the blade, and it left many openings.

I hadn’t sparred yet, so I couldn’t be sure, but wide, bat-like swings definitely had many vulnerabilities.

What if I faced such a “bat-man”? If I executed the techniques as I had learned, I could easily exploit their openings.

This confidence surged within me, and perhaps because of it, my internal energy seemed to flow through my meridians, empowering the sword.

“Ah.”

A thrill.

Was this ‘strength’?

I marveled at my own skill.

If the Three Talents Sword Technique was this powerful, how amazing would the Ascending Sword Technique be? How strong and profound? I yearned to witness it.

A thirst for martial power bloomed within me.

I found this moment of sword training incredibly enjoyable.

Sword practice was the real deal. I could focus so intensely.

If I had studied this hard, I could have gotten into Seoul National University. How happy my aunt would have been.

Whoosh!

I swung.

Parried.

Advanced and thrust.

Shhhwing!

A perfect execution of the forms.

“You’re doing well!”

A voice reached me from somewhere. My focus was so intense that other sounds felt distant.

I wanted to go monster hunting soon.

I was eager to test my new sword and my martial arts.

“Good work today! Everyone, pack up and go home! Make sure to eat well, cultivate your internal energy, and get plenty of rest after your training!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Yes, sir!”

With that, the day’s lesson ended, and I returned.

Clench!

Though physically and mentally exhausted from training, I felt healthier and more energetic than ever.

My days were so fulfilling lately!

“I’m actually starting to like this martial world…!”

Just keep going like this!

Just like this!

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“Waiter! A room here!”

A man entered the inn, shouting loudly.

Aside from the waiter, few paid him any attention, but two martial artists sitting in a corner took considerable interest in him.

“…”

“…”

The two martial artists were named Chang-sam and Oh Su-man.

They pretended to converse while observing the man heading upstairs.

“That guy… has he become a martial artist?”

Chang-sam said darkly.

“Seems like it.”

Oh Su-man replied slyly.

“A fresh face in Jianghu, one might say.”

“Hehehe… Yes, a fresh face.”

To these two, who had honed their observation skills in the underbelly of Jianghu, this man was clearly a recent arrival from outside.

A vagrant-like fellow with no foundation or connections.

He used to work odd jobs at the Dahwebang, but judging by the sword at his hip, he had finally saved enough money to become a martial artist.

“Then, Chang-sam, shouldn’t we seniors teach him what Jianghu is all about?”

“Oh Su-man, you’re quite thoughtful. You’re right.”

Educating a newcomer to the martial world was a senior’s duty.

And it was only natural for the instructed junior to show great respect to their seniors.

Chang-sam and Oh Su-man were third-rate martial artists and thugs, but they were confident in their ability to handle an insignificant novice like him.

He was just a commoner doing manual labor until recently.

If they pressured him now, they could not only seize his possessions but also secure a regular side income.

Chang-sam and Oh Su-man plotted to ambush Kim Geun-hyeop.

A bottom-rung martial artist from a laborer background, with no backing and lacking skill—he was a tempting target.

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“Phew. I’m stiff.”

Manual labor in the morning, martial arts training in the evening. Doing both was tough. I needed to get back, consume some high-calorie food, cultivate my internal energy, and sleep, or I might die.

Even modern people died from overwork; the martial world was even worse.

Lost in these thoughts as I walked through the darkening streets,

Swish.

Two figures emerged from an alley up ahead.

“…”

…What?

Who were these guys, appearing so conspicuously?

I heightened my guard, trying to pass by as if I hadn’t noticed them, but

“Hey, you there.”

“Yeah, you.”

They called out to me.

I knew it.

I was screwed.

“What?”

I responded casually while observing the two men.

It was dark, so I couldn’t see them clearly.

They both had swords at their hips—these bastards were martial artists. As I realized this, their eyes met mine.

Eyes gleaming with greed and a sense of superiority!

That alone told me everything. They wanted something from me. And it was almost certainly money and valuables! These thugs were here to rob me!

“Short on words, aren’t you? Quite the arrogant one.”

“You. You recently became a martial artist, didn’t you?”

The two thugs said, grinning.

I deciphered the meaning behind their smiles.

No doubt about it.

These were killer smiles.
Smiles laced with a murderous intent that only those who had taken lives could possess.

These crazy murderers!

Standing before me were murderers active in the martial world!

They intended to kill me and steal my money.

The moment I realized this, the already sinking feeling in my gut intensified, my heart pounding in my chest.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

“So, what do you want from me?”

I spoke calmly, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Want? This arrogant little worm!”

“Ah, calm down. We just called him over for a chat. Shouting will scare the kid.”

“Tch! You’re right.”

They completely disregarded whatever I said.

I didn’t know for sure, but this was typical murderer behavior.
My senses screamed at me.

Should I run?

“Now then. Stop standing there and come with us to a quiet place. We’re your seniors in Jianghu, and there are some things we’d like to share with you.”

“Kekeke, yes. We’ll teach you anything, as long as you pay the tuition.”

Bullshit, you bastards!

“Tuition?”

The mention of money jolted me!

These guys seemed like murderers, but not necessarily part of a demonic sect. Martial artists usually revealed their affiliations in situations like this.

Thump-thump!

My brain’s processing speed accelerated in proportion to my racing heart.

Let’s deduce.

They were waiting for me here. This wasn’t an impromptu robbery. They had planned this ambush, gathered information, and waited.

But it was strange.

Going to such lengths for a nobody like me? If they were strong, they could just openly rob or kill me.

Besides, if they had investigated, they would know I had no backing, so they could just assert dominance by revealing their affiliation.

They hadn’t done that.

Therefore, they definitely weren’t from a demonic sect. And considering the trouble they took to target someone like me…

These guys were probably small-fry too.

“…”

Were there others?

I had been wary, but I hadn’t sensed anyone else.

These guys were just a two-bit duo.

Thugs with swords.

If I were to run, now was the time.

“Alright! Tuition! As your seniors in Jianghu, we’ll tell you what to do, as long as you pay the tuition!”

“So come quietly. This is for your own good. Having seniors like us to help you will make things safer for you in Jianghu.”

“Don’t you dare refuse and insult our honor! If you do, you’re a dead man!”

Escape.

That was the logical choice.

But.

“…”

This wasn’t Earth; this was the martial world.

Even if I ran, I would eventually encounter these bastards again. They would see me as a pathetic coward, and from then on, they would definitely try to exploit me.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Besides, there was no guarantee I could escape. If they were faster runners, I would be caught.

My brain issued an explosive command!

Grip.

I grabbed the hilt of my sword.

Shing.

And drew it.

The steel in my hand felt heavy. My heart raced, and my head spun. Fear crept from my toes and fingertips, chilling my extremities.

The contrasting sensations of a heated core and icy limbs made me feel like I might collapse, but

I stood firm.

“Hmm…?”

“Huh?”

Voices of surprise.

Yes… what mattered here wasn’t running away.

The most important thing was fighting spirit.

Fighting spirit!

“You motherfuckers…!”

The will to fight back!

“Haa…! Haa!”

That’s what I needed!

I hadn’t thought about it deeply before, but the martial world must be teeming with thugs like these. See? This happened just days after I bought a sword.

They must have targeted me after seeing I had become a martial artist.

Did that mean I had to hand over everything I had every time these kinds of bastards showed up?

Hell no!

I wasn’t going to give away my hard-earned money to anyone!

“You fucking bastards! Who do you think you’re threatening?! Do you want to die?!”

Me!

Who were they to try and steal the money I earned busting my ass all day and slaughtering monsters all night?!

I never tolerated this kind of shit, even back on Earth!

If they wanted to take what was mine, they would pay the price!

Groooar!

A surge of rage boiled within me, and my lower abdomen felt intensely hot.

In an instant, that energy seemed to spread throughout my entire body.

I could almost feel every blood vessel pulsing as blood coursed through them…!

“Y-You crazy little brat! Are you trying to pick a fight with us?!”

“Ke… Keha, Kehahaha! Interesting! A mere worm who just became a martial artist dares to draw his sword!”

“You’ll learn what it means to draw your sword in front of us!”

“You drew your sword, so we won’t hold back! We’ll kill you!”

Kill—

“Kill who, you motherfuckers!!!”

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