Chapter 58

Chirp~! Chirp chirp~! Chaechaechirp~!!

The sound of sparrows announcing the morning slowly opens my eyes. Waking up from a nightmare.

Last night, I just went to the bathroom because I needed to pee.

But then I met a reverse-aged, beautiful martial arts master and became her disciple. She took away my precious partner, Tagujang, saying I needed to fix my bad habits… What a ridiculous dream.

Laughing at the absurdity of the dream, I force my stiff body up from the floor.

On the bed, my little golden-haired master is sleeping soundly, breathing softly. In her small white hand, she’s gently holding Tagujang.

…Come to think of it, even though she looks like a child, she’s my senior in the martial arts school and my master, so I couldn’t let her sleep on the floor. I gave her the bed.

The golden hair shimmering in the sunlight and the clear sound of her breathing on the bed bring back memories.

I remember everything now. It wasn’t just a midsummer night’s dream.

Last night, Wang Miaoyang thoroughly scolded me, saying I couldn’t grow if I stayed complacent, and confiscated Tagujang.

***

Mantian looked down at his empty right hand and let out a deep sigh.

When I was younger, without a cane, I’d lose my balance and have trouble moving.

But after learning martial arts, thanks to the internal energy I’ve built up, I can move around without a cane, though it’s not easy.

Especially after learning the Immovable Heart Technique and the external training methods of esoteric Buddhism, my legs have improved. It’s still uncomfortable, but I can move quickly even without a cane.

…But that’s just physically. Mentally, it’s a different story.

It’s like training wheels on a bike.

Even though I know I can move forward without them, taking them off is a whole different matter.

I’ve been using a cane since I started walking.

…No, actually, I’ve been lame from the start. I started walking with a cane.

To me, the cane isn’t just a stick.

It’s my leg, my hand, my partner who supports me.

When I climbed over high walls to meet my respected master on a winter night, when I risked my life to stop my cute disciple from going berserk, when I resolved to protect my precious little sister, when I fought fifty enemies for the sake of a noble swordswoman—it was always with me.

It’s been with me through every important moment in my life, helping me overcome adversity.

‘Hey, Tagujang, as of today, you’re kicked out of the martial arts party.’

The words I carelessly spat out last night pierce my heart, echoing in the emptiness.

…Just having you by my side was enough. Why did I compare you to other martial arts techniques?

“Jungsoi… bring me a bottle of strong liquor.”

Jungsoi was momentarily stunned by the sight of a lazy man ordering alcohol before breakfast, but since the customer wanted it, she nodded without objection.

“Yes~ What kind of side dish should I bring?”

I quietly shook my head at Jungsoi’s question.

“It’s fine… I already have a side dish…”

I didn’t need any fancy snacks. The sadness of parting and precious memories were the only side dishes that could soothe my soul.

Jungsoi, with a look of pity, silently poured the liquor into a cup.

I downed the clear liquid in one go.

I chew on memories. I exhale sorrow. I drown in sentiment.

I look down at my trembling, empty right hand. I drank to forget, but I can’t forget.

A sigh escapes from deep within. A melancholic ballad flows out.

I drink again to fill the void. I shake my head. My singing explodes.

Mantian sings, longing for his partner.

‘Baka mitai (Like a fool)’

‘Damedane-! Dameyo-! Dame nanoyo-!!’


(No good, no, no way!)

‘Anta ga sukide! Su-ki! Sukide-!!’


(I like you, I really like you!)

Memories of happiness float up like balloons.

‘Hehe~ Tagujang~ You’re mine!’, ‘Ta-gu! Tagu! Tatagu!!’ – Memories of the day I poached Tagujang with a Monster Ball come to mind.

‘Doredake tsuyoi osa-kete-mo.’


(No matter how much strong liquor I drink)

‘Yugamanai omoide ga.’


(The vivid memories)

‘Baka mitai….’


(Like a fool)

“…Sama Gongja, is something wrong?”

At the calm and gentle voice from behind, Mantian stops his solo performance and turns around.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but drinking alcohol so early in the morning isn’t good for your health.”

There stood Sososo, slightly sweaty, having just finished her morning training, with a concerned look on her face.

I was just killing time early in the morning. It seems I’ve caused unnecessary worry.

“…It’s nothing. Thank you for your concern.”

Thinking coldly, it was just a slightly expensive stick being confiscated for a while. It really was nothing.

But seeing the usually bright and bold Mantian looking so fragile and lonely, Sososo couldn’t let it go.

Something—something—felt like it was tightening her chest.

“Whatever it is, you need energy to overcome it.”

So, without realizing it, Sososo placed her hand on Mantian’s head and gently stroked it.

“I’ll prepare some porridge for you to eat comfortably. Let’s have a meal first.”

The unexpected warm touch made Mantian’s eyes widen. His empty, hungry heart warmed, and his mind grew hazy.

So, perhaps due to the slight intoxication and the cozy atmosphere, I clung to my older sister figure and acted like a child.

“Waaah! I’m baby Mantian! Nangung noona, feed me!!”

“Eh… Eh?! S-Sama Gongja, please let go! I’m… sweaty from training…!!”

Sososo, not wanting to smell of sweat in front of someone she liked, blushed and panicked, but Mantian buried his face deeper into her chest.

Contrary to Sososo’s worries, she only smelled sweet and pleasant. I wanted to stay like this forever.

…But it was only for a moment. Overwhelmed by the excessive affection, Mantian suddenly regressed to a childlike state and blurted out something he shouldn’t have.

“Heeeng… Noona’s small… Where’s Yeonghwa? Oppa’s hungry-.”

The affectionate gray eyes of Sososo instantly darkened. The rest of the sentence didn’t come.

“Urk?!”

In an instant, a punch that no one expected, not even Sososo herself, cleanly knocked Mantian out.

It wasn’t because she was angry about being called small.

She didn’t even realize why she threw the punch.

But… but… one thing was clear.

As she looked down at Mantian, unconscious and limp in her arms, a dark shadow crossed Sososo’s face.

‘Where’s Yeonghwa?’

The name of another woman that slipped from Mantian’s lips felt unbearably unpleasant, and it was disturbingly clear in her memory.

***

In the private hot spring available at the inn, I was receiving martial arts guidance from Sososo.

“Sama Gongja’s bad habit. It’s that you’re clumsy at applying your energy.”

After being knocked out for my slip of the tongue, Sososo kindly moved me to my room, where she met Wang Miaoyang, who had been sleeping in my bed, and after hearing the whole story, decided to help me with my martial arts training.

“Teacher, I’ve never had trouble applying energy while using basic forms. I don’t understand why you say I’m clumsy.”

In any case, learning from someone better than myself was a good experience, so I raised my hand like a model student and asked.

“That’s because the staff technique you’ve been using is an extremely advanced martial art.”

An entirely unexpected answer came back. Sososo’s explanation went something like this.

Circulating energy within the body and releasing it outside are similar but different methods.

I was excellent at circulating energy within my body but somehow clumsy at releasing it outside.

And ironically, the reason was the efficiency of the Dog Chasing Stick Technique, which I mainly used.

The Dog Chasing Stick Technique is a martial art that excels at overwhelming opponents with rapid changes in basic forms, making it extremely efficient in terms of energy consumption relative to power.

As a result, I could spam basic forms without feeling strained, so I never felt the need to apply energy differently.

I look down at my empty, trembling right hand.

‘You really were my training wheels.’

…But now, I can’t rely on that anymore. To grow, I can’t just lean on it.

I clench my fist and look at Sososo. I bow and ask for her guidance.

“Nangung Hyung, please. Teach me how to apply energy.”

Now isn’t the time to worry about techniques like the Boundless Sky Sword Technique or the Emperor’s Sword Form. It’s time to reflect on myself, fix my habits, and grow.

I force my trembling right leg to stand firm. I’m eighteen now, the age to start riding a two-wheeled bike.