Chapter 8
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Mimicking the Wave Tiger Fist
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The key difference between a martial artist and an ordinary person is the presence and mastery of internal energy.
Without it, simple punches and kicks are just that—mere flailing. But the instant internal energy surges through them, they transform into devastating fist and leg techniques.
That was why Maeng Do was utterly shocked.
"N-no way... The Wave Tiger Fist is supposed to be our Red Tiger Gang's secret martial art...!"
"Secret martial art? This?"
"Wh-what...?"
Maeng Do's jaw dropped even further at Ho-chang's response.
Sima Hwa-yeong felt the same astonishment.
Even those hailed as masters of external arts couldn't perform techniques requiring internal energy without their own reserves.
Yet in the punch Ho-chang had just thrown, she had distinctly felt a trace of internal energy.
'Could he be someone with innate energy?'
She dismissed the thought immediately.
Even at the peak of Peak Realm, her aura sense had detected no energy from Ho-chang whatsoever.
Then did he draw on congenital true energy?
If so, the backlash would have left him unable to stand.
Besides, without ever cultivating internal energy, how could he even manipulate congenital true energy?
Just then, Maeng Do snapped out of his daze and bellowed furiously as he charged at Ho-chang.
"What kind of sorcery is this?!"
But Ho-chang reacted like lightning to Maeng Do's movement, twisting his body aside.
He then unleashed the mimicked Wave Tiger Fist once more, slamming it into the thug's side.
Thwack!
It landed perfectly.
Maeng Do's body curled around the struck ribcage, and he soon tumbled across the ground.
Ho-chang wrenched the man's wrist behind his back and said,
"Miss, could you handle this one too?"
"Ah. Of course!"
Sima Hwa-yeong swiftly struck his paralysis acupoint.
With that, both thugs were subdued.
Ho-chang wiped imaginary sweat from his brow in smug satisfaction, and Sima Hwa-yeong, watching him, asked,
"Um... young hero, have you trained in martial arts before?"
"No, I've been too busy scraping by to learn any. I don't know the first thing about it."
"But what you did just now..."
"That was just me imitating it."
"R-really?"
"Yes, really."
With his answer done, Ho-chang turned to Baek Hwi.
"Baek Hwi, let's look after the kids first."
At his words, Baek Hwi and Ho-chang hurried over to help the children to their feet.
"You okay?"
"Sniff... I really thought I was done for... Thanks, squad leader."
"Thank Baek Hwi, not me. Looks like he took the brunt of it for you guys."
"Yeah, Baek Hwi stepped in and took hits for us... Thanks, deputy squad leader."
Starting with Dae Hyang, one of the squad members, everyone bowed their heads to Baek Hwi in gratitude.
Baek Hwi gave an awkward smile and waved it off.
"Ahem, what do you mean, hardship? Without Squad Leader Ho-chang, we'd really be in trouble. Thank him, not me."
"We're grateful to you too, squad leader. Thanks for saving us."
Only then did Ho-chang smile and nod.
"Baek Hwi, why don't you take the kids back to the Dragon Pearl Gang?"
"You're not coming?"
"I've still got some unfinished business."
Ho-chang jerked his chin toward the two fallen thugs, and Baek Hwi nodded.
"Got it. We'll head out first, then."
"Yeah, see you later."
Once Baek Hwi and the others were gone, Ho-chang finally turned his gaze to the two sprawled men.
'Now, what to do with these guys.'
Sending them back as-is would surely bring the whole Red Tiger Gang down on them.
But killing them wasn't an option either.
If Ho-chang were a true martial world native raised here, he might have slain them without hesitation. Unfortunately, his real identity was that of a modern intellectual steeped in proper education.
Then he remembered Sima Hwa-yeong still at his side.
"Miss, don't I still have one more favor I can ask of you?"
"True enough. Though, strictly speaking, the first one hardly counted as a favor. You handled these two yourself."
"A favor's a favor. So, lend me some wisdom."
"What kind?"
"If we let them go, they'll come back to harass us somehow. I don't want that. That's my dilemma. How would the Sima Family handle something like this?"
"In cases like this, killing them outright leaves no loose ends. Dead men tell no tales, as they say—exterminate the evidence."
"Come on, how could I just casually kill people? Sure, no one would care about a couple of dead beggar kids, but that method doesn't sit right with me."
Sima Hwa-yeong inwardly admired his words.
Normally, especially at a young age, people in such situations let rage cloud their judgment and treat lives cheaply.
But not Ho-chang.
That was why she was impressed.
"If you won't kill them, then the only option is to instill bone-deep terror."
"How?"
"Usually by inflicting excruciating pain... but even that isn't foolproof. The human mind doesn't break easily. In that sense... how about I help?"
"Yes, I'd be grateful."
"Hee-hee, this one's on the house, separate from your wish. It was fun to watch, after all."
Fun to watch?
He had no idea what she found entertaining, but free was free. Ho-chang nodded eagerly.
"Then I leave it to you."
At that, Sima Hwa-yeong released the men's paralysis acupoints.
They convulsed back to life, frozen in confusion at the reversed situation, awkwardly dropping to their knees.
That was when Sima Hwa-yeong spoke.
"I am Sima Hwa-yeong of the great Sima Family."
Their eyes widened like saucers.
No one in the Central Plains, beggar or not, was ignorant of the Sima Family name.
She continued,
"If you dare set foot near here again or harass my friends one more time, I will wipe out your entire organization. Remember that. The only reason you're alive today is this young hero's mercy—never forget it."
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
"Of course not!"
Gyu Hak and Maeng Do bowed their heads frantically.
Ho-chang gave a chin flick to send them off, and they bolted like rabbits. Watching them go, he finally thanked Sima Hwa-yeong.
"Only someone like you could pull that off. Thank you for the help."
"Haha, no need. So, young hero, what now? Shall we head back to the White Go Hall together?"
"I'd like to, but the kids had a rough day. I want to treat them to some food first, then return. Please go ahead without me."
"Understood. I'll pass the word to the hall master. Go take care of them."
"Thank you. See you soon."
"...Is that true?"
"Yes, it is."
Back at the White Go Hall, Sima Hwa-yeong recounted everything to Jo Jung-seon.
He let out a laugh mixed with admiration.
"What a marvel. A kid without a scrap of internal energy perfectly replicates a technique after seeing it just once."
"That's what baffles me most. My aura sense picked up nothing from him. Is that even possible?"
"Not impossible, I'd say."
"Pardon?"
"The Infinite Body. Theoretically, if the boy has it, then yes."
Sima Hwa-yeong furrowed her brow.
"You're serious?"
"That's why I said theoretically. Think about it: all meridians open and free, drawing on heaven and earth's natural qi at will—no need to cultivate internal energy. The mind and body in perfect congenital harmony—no need for subtle techniques. What else but the Infinite Body satisfies those conditions?"
"But isn't the Infinite Body the stuff of legends?"
"True, it's passed down in myths. I've never seen one myself. That's why, if the chance arises, I'd love to test the boy."
"Test how?"
"From what you said, the Wave Tiger Fist seems like crude thug fare—easy to mimic. If he could replicate something more refined, we'd know for sure."
"Ah!"
Her eyes widened, and she pulled out brush and paper, scribbling furiously.
Jo Jung-seon watched and asked,
"What are you writing?"
"I'm sending a letter to my family."
"A letter?"
"The Infinite Body is the supreme martial prodigy of all ages. If we've found such a gem, we must bring him to the Sima Family."
"Heh, now you want him too?"
"It would be perfect. Recruiting two talents at once—my father would welcome them with open arms."
"Two? But you lost the betting game, and I put him up as my proxy..."
"Well..."
Sima Hwa-yeong was about to reply when—
"Hall Master. It's me."
Ho-chang arrived at the White Go Hall, having grabbed food and salves for the kids as planned.
But as he entered the annex, both rose abruptly to greet him—oddly overenthusiastic.
'What's with everyone?'
Ignoring it, Ho-chang clasped his hands in salute and said,
"Sorry for the delay in returning. I had to comfort the shaken kids."
Jo Jung-seon chuckled.
"Nonsense. Brothers come first. I heard—you gave those thugs a proper thrashing."
"No, I just borrowed Miss Sima's grace. What were you two up to?"
Sima Hwa-yeong spoke first.
"Young hero! Don't be shocked—the hall master says you might be a heavenly martial...!"
Jo Jung-seon hurriedly clamped her mouth shut. She stared at him wide-eyed, and he shook his head.
Releasing her, he said,
"Young hero."
"Yes, hall master."
"I heard something amusing from Miss Sima. You perfectly replicated a martial art on the spot after seeing it once."
"It was just a clumsy imitation."
"You always downplay it, yet you have a knack for startling people. Care to show me that talent?"
"For you, hall master?"
"I want to verify something."
"Sure... I suppose."
What could he want to see?
It didn't seem hard, so Ho-chang agreed.
With permission granted, Jo Jung-seon grinned and raised his voice.
"Mae Hyang, come out for a moment."
At that instant—
"Yes, hall master."
A presence stirred behind Jo Jung-seon, and a woman stepped into view.