Chapter 3

He pays respect to a master whose identity is unknown. Unlike modern people who think, “If there’s something good, I’ll pay and learn,” martial artists who consider the master-disciple relationship as equal to a father-son relationship would click their tongues at this sight. But what can you do? Whether it’s an old man, a child, a woman, a man, or someone of unknown identity, it doesn’t matter. In the boring martial world, this is a rare stimulation. If I want to learn, I’ll learn.

Whether this nameless master knows my inner thoughts or not, he accepted my bow and gifts, formally accepting me as his disciple. Now, we have an official master-disciple relationship.

“Good. Before I formally teach you the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, I’ll first teach you the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique.”

I’ve heard about the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique from Jang Sam-i. I understand it as a breathing technique that creates a mana storage within the body.

“The Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique I will teach you is the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique. It’s a traditional Taoist inner energy technique, mainly practiced by the Jeonjin Sect, so it’s also called the Jeonjin Technique.”

The Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique… It sounds impressive. Usually, techniques with long names are either incredibly powerful or incredibly weak. I hope it’s the former.

“The Jeonjin Technique accumulates internal energy slower compared to the advanced inner energy techniques practiced by famous evil or righteous factions.”

I don’t plan to become the best in the world, but the fact that it accumulates energy slowly bothers me.

“Uh… If I’m going to learn, I’d prefer something faster. Is there anything else?”

“Haha~ Do you think I would teach my disciple a technique with only drawbacks? Listen to the end.”

The master laughed at my complaint and continued explaining.

“The advantage of the Jeonjin Technique is its consistency. For the first ten years, the growth of internal energy is slow, but after ten years, it increases exponentially.”

Hmm~ A coin martial art. It’s a long-term investment. In a world without games or the internet, time is all I have. I can spend ten years mastering it.

“Also, since it’s a Taoist inner energy technique, practicing it will purify your body’s energy. You won’t catch minor illnesses, and aging will slow down. Most importantly, it’s a safe technique, so there’s no risk of Qi Deviation.”

The master stretched out his long arm and pressed on the acupoints of my right leg, making me feel ticklish.

“That’s why I want to teach you the Jeonjin Technique. If you master it, the condition of your leg will improve significantly, making it more comfortable.”

My eyes widened in surprise at the thought that my right leg’s disability, which always held me back, could improve.

“Can martial arts improve disabilities?! Damn it! I should have learned earlier! I wasted ten years of my life!!”

“Haha~ Be thankful you didn’t learn recklessly. People have different constitutions. Learning a martial art that clashes with your body could lead to Qi Deviation and death.”

Anyway, if it’s good for my body, there’s no reason to refuse. Koreans can’t resist things that are good for the body.

I kept my mouth shut and focused, engraving each phrase of the Jeonjin Technique into my mind.

[If the mind is settled, forget emotions]


[If the body is weak, gather energy]


[If the mind dies, the spirit lives]


[If Yang flourishes, Yin perishes]

I sat cross-legged, repeating these four sentences while exhaling. I kept my mind clear, free from distractions, and repeated this process until I achieved enlightenment.

***

After learning the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique, my life changed.

I used to ignore places where dogs barked and even stole candy from kids.

But after learning the Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique, I try to maintain dignity.

Just now, I only stole half the candy bag out of pity, whereas before I would have taken it all.

My walking speed, which used to be slower than a duckling’s waddle, has improved, and now I’m faster than a duck.

Even when something pisses me off, I look at my reflection in the bathhouse and ask, “Who am I?”

“The Mystical Taoist Inner Energy Technique user, Sima Mantian.”

Then I laugh, and my mood improves.

This is why they say martial arts shape a person.

“I can see your internal energy is gradually building up. From now on, I’ll teach you the Dog Chasing Stick Technique and the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation.”

While practicing the Jeonjin Technique in front of my master, he seemed satisfied with my progress and introduced new martial arts.

Right. I originally became a disciple to learn the Dog Chasing Stick Technique. I had forgotten about it because learning the Jeonjin Technique was so fun. But… what’s the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation? Just by the name, it sounds like a ultimate move.

“Master, what is the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation?”

As I raised my hand to ask, the master drew the Big Dipper on the ground with a branch and explained.

“The Heavenly Polar Bear Formation is a formation developed by Wang Zhongyang, the founder of the Jeonjin Sect, based on the principles of the Big Dipper.”

Tianqiu – Tianxian – Tianqi – Tianquan – Yuxing – Kaiyang – Yaoguang

“It’s a formation with profound mysteries, but simply put, it’s a group tactic where seven martial artists, each representing a star of the Big Dipper, unite their strength.”

The master pointed to the Tianquan star, the handle of the Big Dipper, with a branch.

“The one representing Tianquan becomes the commander of the Big Dipper, directing the other stars to corner the enemy and enhance the power of the technique with the formation’s strength.”

Tianquan is like the team leader, and the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation is like a group buff where seven people combine their strength.

“If masters of the Jeonjin Technique deploy the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation, even against the world’s top expert, the battle will be evenly matched.”

“Uh… If it’s a 7 vs. 1 and it’s still a draw, something seems off. Is it really that good?”

“Haha… The opponent is the world’s top expert. And if you grasp the mysteries of the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation and internalize it, you’ll master the principles of the formation, making you formidable even in one vs. many battles.”

So to fight against a formation, you need to master the formation? It makes sense, but also doesn’t? Well, learning it won’t hurt. I have plenty of time.

“Since I’m not originally a martial artist, I won’t have to fight or coordinate with martial artists, but if you’re teaching me, I won’t refuse. I’ll gratefully learn.”

“Good. But both the Dog Chasing Stick Technique and the Heavenly Polar Bear Formation are very difficult to master. If you slack off in training, you won’t master either. Are you prepared?”

I answered with my still chubby, round face, determined as if it were calloused.

“Master, I am the genius Sima Mantian, who can even deceive the heavens. Don’t worry, teach me.”

…Two hours later.

Teeeng~ The Dog Chasing Stick Technique is too hard! This is a lie, lehuh~!!

Dog Chasing Stick Technique – Evil Dog Blocks the Road = When a fierce dog blocks the road, somehow deal with it.

Ughhhh! Keeeek! Ughhhh!

How am I supposed to deal with it?! If I could, why would I learn the Dog Chasing Stick Technique?! Tell me! How do I efficiently beat up a damn dog?!

I’ve only learned one basic move, and my head feels like it’s going to explode. It doesn’t make sense. When the master demonstrated, it looked convincing, but when I do it, it’s just a stick going bzzzt bzzzt.

At this point, it’s not the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, it’s the Shit Stick Technique.

Shit Stick Technique! Defpput~ The damn dog is already dead~ Immediately show submission by flipping your belly, datchaa!!

I can’t help but sigh.

…Sigh, damn it. I shouldn’t have boasted about being a genius who can deceive the heavens. I’m so embarrassed I want to hide in a mouse hole.

But since I’ve started, my pride won’t let me give up. I racked my brain and twisted my body, trying my best to execute Evil Dog Blocks the Road.

I imagined a fierce dog in front of me and swung the stick. I swung it wildly, stabbed like fencing, pounded like a laundry bat, swept the floor like a broom, and even chewed on the stick while rolling on the ground.

The master, who had been watching me from the beginning to the end, stroked his long beard with a satisfied expression and said.

“You’re doing well.”

“…Huh?”

If it had been sarcastic, I wouldn’t have been so shocked. But it wasn’t sarcastic at all. He was genuinely praising me.

At my bewildered response, the master smiled kindly as always and taught me.

“Don’t think too hard. The Dog Chasing Stick Technique was created by a beggar. You’re doing very well.”