Chapter 6 - White Flow Step (1)
"Yes. I learned it during my vacation after the last raid. I've only managed to form my Dantian so far, and I haven't learned any proper martial arts techniques yet."
Kim Sun-woo scratched his cheek with an embarrassed look.
He'd only formed his Dantian—no sword techniques or footwork techniques to speak of.
He wondered if it was really okay to call this "entering the world of martial arts," but hey, he'd at least set foot in the door.
"How long does it usually take to form a Dantian, anyway?"
"They say people who can sense mana like hunters can do it pretty quickly."
"I see. Still, your movements have improved a ton."
"Right? I was shocked too. Seems like martial arts and I get along great."
It wasn't just "getting along great."
To grow from an F-rank hunter taking down an orc warrior solo just days after starting martial arts?
Park Gwan-sik didn't know much about martial arts, but even he could tell this growth rate was anything but ordinary.
'He really does have talent. Must've cost a fortune, though. Starting martial arts at his age means shelling out a hefty sum upfront.'
Word was, every penny he earned went straight to paying off debt. Had he saved up somehow?
In reality, the entry process alone cost several grand.
Low-rank hunters like him couldn't get decent loans due to the high mortality risk, so he'd have had to borrow at sky-high interest rates.
Of course, this worry stemmed from not knowing he'd self-taught via some low-quality free videos buried in the internet's depths.
"I'll put in a good word about the orc warrior up the chain. You can look forward to a nice payout in this raid's settlement."
"Thank you, sir."
"What're you thanking me for? You pulled your weight and kept the damage low."
"Nah, everyone held the line great."
Kim Sun-woo bowed deeply.
Who'd turn down free money?
Watching him, Park Gwan-sik's eyes lit up as a thought struck him. He lowered his voice.
"Why not go all-in on training while you're at it? You know the guild's goal this year is expansion, right?"
"Yeah, I heard. That's why they're beefing up the defense teams."
"F-rank hunters are a dime a dozen, but team leader spots are different. You need at least D-rank, plus solid experience and leadership the guild trusts. Sun-woo, at your level..."
Ten years as a hunter, over seven in this guild.
No major screw-ups, solid track record—if he met the rank requirement, he'd be perfect for team leader.
'Seems promising.'
Experience and skill? Check.
If he hit D-rank through martial arts, Park could vouch for him.
'Team leader, huh.'
Kim Sun-woo mulled it over seriously on the rumbling bus ride back.
Rank-ups weren't easy, of course.
If they were, he'd have climbed higher long ago, earning more and paying off debt faster.
But ten years of grinding hadn't changed that.
It wasn't about skill or proficiency—their base specs and output were just worlds apart.
Like how an F-rank couldn't solo an orc warrior.
But martial arts had shattered that limit for Kim Sun-woo, giving him a ladder to climb.
Park Gwan-sik must've seen it too, hence the team leader talk.
...Don't get ahead of yourself. Focus on training first.
Once he dove into serious practice, progress might stall short of the explosive gains he'd imagined.
Martial arts were just to make hunter work safer and more efficient anyway.
No cost to learn, so he'd push as far as he could.
...Though deep down, he hoped for more.
Maybe he had real talent.
"Sun-woo! How about drinks tonight? You must be beat from the raid."
Back at the guild, a teammate suggested after-work drinks.
Normally, he'd join to wash away the raid's grime.
Free food was a bonus.
But with plans ahead, he shook his head regretfully.
"Nah, I'm wiped. About to collapse as is."
"Taking down an orc warrior solo? Even with luck, that's exhausting. Get checked by a healer anyway—don't skimp and end up sick."
"He'll take better care of himself than you. Guy's barely missed a raid in our team, unlike some drunk who passes out."
"Better than the idiot who bails last-minute with a stomachache."
"What'd you say, you punk?"
Kim Sun-woo chuckled dryly as the team devolved into bickering.
He slipped away quietly and boarded a bus home.
"......"
Changed into casual clothes and blending into the peaceful city, tension finally drained from him.
Only now did he notice the dull aches everywhere.
'Didn't get hurt or anything. Overworked the muscles?'
He usually moved conservatively, prioritizing efficiency.
Today, starting with the orc warrior, he'd gone all-out.
Squeezing every unused muscle meant backlash was inevitable.
"Thank you~"
Off the bus, he grabbed pain relief patches and dinner from a convenience store, then headed straight home.
Dinner could wait till the lecture.
Stripping down, he sat cross-legged in the bathroom center.
The dungeon fight had depleted most of his hard-earned internal energy.
He itched to circulate qi ASAP, sweating just holding back.
"Suuuup."
Hot shower water running, he began circulating.
One full heavenly circuit later, eyes opening, much of the pain had faded.
"...Internal energy barely built up?"
Kim Sun-woo tilted his head.
Last time, each session pulled in plenty of mana to settle in his Dantian.
Why so little change now?
Another circuit yielded similar results.
"......"
Under the pouring water, he pondered.
Just beginner's luck?
Scanning the tiny bathroom thoughtfully, he spotted the difference.
"Mana is sparse."
Mana was like air.
Circulating endlessly through space, flowing in and out.
A cramped bathroom had limits on how much it could hold.
Plus, last time, scattered mana in his body had gathered to form internal energy, making it seem abundant.
"Location matters? Guess I need to hit a mountain."
Too late tonight, but tomorrow morning, training hike sounded good.
Shower done, dressed, he microwaved his convenience store lunch.
Ding—the timer ended. Steam rose from the tray as he sat at the computer.
"...Alright."
Clicking the saved link brought up the previous lecture.
Good—no dream or hallucination.
Chopsticks in hand, he hit play on the second lecture.
[Ahem. In the previous lecture, we covered the Dantian and the White Flow Heart Method. If the successor's aptitude is exceptional, you'll form your Dantian within a fortnight and reach this lecture. For reference, this instructor—one of Cheonggeommun's top talents—took about five days. An unprecedented record in our sect's history...]
Pausing there, Kim Sun-woo stared.
"A fortnight? Five days?"
That much time to form a Dantian?
What about me?
Recalling the bathroom session, it hadn't felt time-consuming.
He didn't grasp the Twelve Principal Meridians or Eight Extraordinary Meridians yet, but following the old master's guidance, qi flowed naturally.
He'd assumed everyone did it that way. Apparently not.
Snap out of it, he resumed playback.
[This breathing method is called the White Flow Heart Method. As you may have noticed, all martial arts the successor will learn henceforth bear the name 'White Flow.' Once your White Flow Heart Method matures sufficiently, you must create your own martial arts to uphold Cheonggeommun's legacy. You'll understand when the time comes. For that day, build a solid foundation.]
"...Creating martial arts."
He refocused on the video's old master.
Regular sects passed down one art honed over generations.
Cheonggeommun taught the master's art, then had disciples innovate atop it?
Unique tradition.
Nothing like it in the wuxia novels he'd read.
[Now, back to the topic: today's lecture covers footwork and lightness skills.]
"Footwork, lightness skills."
Kim Sun-woo's eyes sparkled.
He'd prefer swordsmanship first, but time was on his side.
Footwork now, swords next.
[Martial arts body movements fall into three categories: commonly called Bobeop, Sinbeop, and Gyeonggong—or Step, Body, and Lightness. Many lump them together, but their uses differ vastly. Successor, know the distinctions to apply them aptly.]
"...Aren't they all kinda the same?"
Hardcore wuxia fan Kim Sun-woo scratched his head at the direct hit.
[Interpretations vary, but here we define thus: First, footwork—or Bobeop. Literally 'playing with steps.' Paired with swordsmanship, spear arts, or fists/kicks. Simply: movements that maximize and support arm techniques. Thus, range is narrow—mostly within seven steps of your center. My White Flow Step is the same.]
"White Flow Step."
Solid name.
Kim Sun-woo jotted the definition in his notebook, listening on.
[Body method—or Sinbeop—is moving the whole body. Often confused with lightness as 'light body method,' but wrong. Lightness covers long-distance sprints; body method is quick on-spot maneuvers or dodges. Examples: Yeondae Gu-pum, Unryongdae Pal-sik. White Flow has no separate body method—you'll see why mastering White Flow Step.]
[Finally, lightness skills. As said, for efficient long-distance running. Differs slightly from the others—hence 'gong' instead of 'beop.']
"...Hmm."
Footwork, body method, lightness skills.
Kim Sun-woo nodded, notes filled.
"So footwork's supportive—balance key. Body method for evasion? Reflexes and speed. Lightness is endurance, obviously."
Game skills analogy worked.
All for combat—practical mindset.
[Now, White Flow Step's forms and internal energy incantations. Hard to master at once. Steady repetition: all forms in half a year. I took three months—another record.]
Baek Ryuk Geom's proud expression shone through.
"...Three months."
Chewing his pen end, Kim Sun-woo gazed at the monitor thoughtfully.
White Flow Heart Method took no real time for Dantian or circulation.
How long for White Flow Step?