Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Running Through the Sky (3)
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Come to think of it, Wo So-rung hadn't said he couldn't tell me—it was that it would be hard to teach.
"Hm. Keep going for now. It'll be better to hear you out fully before I share my side."
"...Y-You said you'd put me in your group for the final gate if I taught you the knack of lightness skill, right?"
"That's right."
"Yes. To do that convincingly, I need to be at a level where I can confidently say I've taught you our family's lightness technique."
"Hm."
"...No matter how I think about it, it won't be possible in just a day or two. Our family's lightness technique may not compare to the supreme arts of the jianghu, but I've trained in it my whole life since I can remember, and only recently reached the budding stage."
By now, I had a rough idea of what the kid wanted to say.
"So, what you're saying is you can teach me, but in just a day or two, it won't reach a level that satisfies me. Something like that?"
"Yes. Exactly."
"First off, let me make this clear: the lightness technique you have doesn't fall short compared to any supreme art in the jianghu."
Not just doesn't fall short.
Considering Wo So-rung's actions in the original story, which proved what it means to kill the body to achieve benevolence, and how he broke through the enemies' desperate heaven-wide net anyway, it wouldn't even be an exaggeration to call it the pinnacle of the martial world, with a bit of hype.
"So don't underrate yourself."
At my words, Wo So-rung reacted as if deeply moved.
"...Th-Thank you."
But right then.
A message came from my master at my waist.
- ...My disciple, but really.
'Really what? The mood was good—what are you trying to say?'
- The guy who tried to gobble up five pieces of Palace Treasure Mirror with that lightness technique talks so well about how it doesn't fall short of supreme arts and whatnot.
Gobble up?!
I need to take first place for So-rung to squeeze into the passing ranks too.
Good for So-rung, good for me, good for Master, good for the in-laws—it's all good.
Anyway.
I ignored my master and continued.
"I didn't say it expecting great success in a day or two to begin with."
"...Ah, is that so?"
"Yeah. But you're talking about sticking wooden poles in a lake and running, sprinting along walls, climbing cliffs, and what else?"
"...Sandy beaches and dense forests?"
"Right. Running on sand and all that—I said it taking those into account."
"...Y-Yes."
I knew it.
Normally, you'd have to go through all those steps.
You never know when or where you'd need to use lightness skill.
But the reason I needed the knack right now was to pass the entrance exam.
"We don't need to go that far to begin with. I looked into it, and this cohort's lightness gate is crossing the cloud bridge strung across the valley at Mount Wudang."
"Ah, there were rumors like that. I heard the same."
I stared at Wo So-rung, tapping my temple with my index finger to urge him to think, and continued.
"Yeah. More precisely, the thickness of the wooden planks on the bridge thins out based on the score. So we don't need to account for all sorts of variables like in your training. We can do that after passing."
Why sweep the whole range like an idiot when I know the exact scope?
"Ah! I see! As expected of Brother Eon—even hearing the same rumors, your approach is different. You know more details than I do?! It feels like my eyes have opened!"
"Right. And you said you have no real expertise in lightness skill, but you're not at some pathetic level where you can't even traverse branches in a straight line."
"P-Pathetic?! I never thought that!!"
"Just a figure of speech. Anyway, just teach me sincerely. Alright, shall we move to a better spot?"
"Yes, sir!!"
Having left the academy dining hall, I took Wo So-rung to the entrance of the rear mountain behind the dorms.
"If you run straight up this path, there's a clearing around the midpoint paved with stone slabs for use as a training ground."
"Ah, is there?"
"Yeah. Let's head there. On the way, I'll give lightness skill a try my way, and you can give pointers once we reach the midpoint after watching. That way, I can watch your lightness skill too and give the advice you want—it'll be study in itself."
"Yes, sir."
"Alright. One, two, three—run?"
"Yes, sir!"
"One!!!"
Hm.
As the student, I didn't need to pull tricks even here.
I started running after counting only one without thinking.
- ...My disciple, but your personality.
Ahem.
Ignore Master.
I was giving lightness skill my all, ascending the valley at a speed that would dropjaw ordinary folk, trees on either side of the valley stream whizzing past like arrows.
Sha- shashasha-
In an instant, Wo So-rung caught up right beside me and spoke.
"I didn't know this place existed. It's still within academy grounds, right?"
"Yeah. Foothills of Mount Wudang, part of the academy premises."
Wo So-rung's lightness technique was indeed impressive.
'Is that the Shadowless Wind?'
True to its name of wind without a shadow,
Though just an instant, I'd started first before he could prepare, propelling myself with the Heaven-Splitting heart method over a good distance, yet Wo So-rung overtook it in a flash, without a single disrupted breath.
"The more I know about you, Brother Eon, the more amazing you are. How did you know about this place?"
What's so amazing about finding one little valley.
Your Shadowless Wind is more impressive.
"I do morning runs, horse stance, and Five Animals Play for basic training here consistently, and wandered around after to find a spot for qi circulation and meals."
"...Ah. That's how you achieve top rankings overall. The other examinees were all too busy resting."
How to put it?
If I felt like I was stomping the ground hard, he felt like he was floating lightly?
Dust trailed behind me like a long tail, but none rose from Wo So-rung's feet.
Anyway.
Exchanging a few words while running, we soon reached the midpoint training ground.
I skidded to a halt with a screech,
caught my breath lightly, and immediately spoke.
"Nothing to see here. So-rung, you should apply for five points. Leaving aside the dismantling gate, you got one point on inaction, so your internal energy isn't profound, but still impressive?"
"...O-Overpraise. Thank you even if it's empty words."
His expression changed completely once we stopped.
Come to think of it, can the guy who's my lightness teacher be like this in everything?
I patted So-rung's shoulder to boost his confidence.
"Have some confidence. You have far greater talent than you think. And I don't say empty words. There's this Yin Ha-seong—ask him when we go down later. I tell him the exact opposite of what I tell you."
"...What do you say?"
"That he's far weaker than he thinks."
"...Ah."
Well, So-rung's confidence will improve over time.
What was urgent now was raising my lightness technique.
With that, I got to the point.
"Anyway, how was I?"
"You're the impressive one, Brother Eon."
But unexpected words came from Wo So-rung's mouth, making my face sour naturally.
"Tch. Time's short for learning—cut the nonsense. I'm running my way, and if that's impressive, then what's the point of Supreme Cloud Step, White Crane Stride, Cloud Dragon Eight Forms, and such?!"
Normally, with my momentum, he'd shrink back, but perhaps due to his expertise, Wo So-rung held firm and spoke.
"No, it's not nonsense. I can't run pouring out internal energy like you, Brother. I'd collapse halfway. In lightness technique, toward the end, internal energy and the heart method to wield it make up seventy or eighty percent. With just a few knacks, you could run faster than me for much longer."
From Wo So-rung's open mouth came
talk similar to what my master had said, followed by specific methods.
"Earlier at dinner, I said it couldn't be done in a day or two, but seeing you run... it seems possible now?"
And so began the full lesson from the future world's fastest lightness master.
Tuition: a mere five pieces of Palace Treasure Mirror.
Lightness technique lesson—cheaper than leather shoes!
"Our family's lightness technique is called Shadowless Wind. It's a method of moving your body lightly like fluttering in the wind, stepping so fast it feels like no shadow is visible. But I think we've taken this approach because our family heart method isn't that great?"
"But?"
"I said you pour out internal energy earlier... but watching you closely, your heart method output is extraordinary? You're conversing while running without disrupted breath, so your total internal energy must be quite substantial?"
"...Yeah, something like that?"
"Then, just a little tweak should do it."
"Hm. So you're saying I should just run my way?"
"Yes. With some corrections. First, look at my feet."
"Looking."
"You step down like this. A bit grinding? Depending on the view, stomping—but if you're aiming to crush enemies, that's different, but normally, just push off like this."
"Like this?"
With that, I trusted Wo So-rung and followed his lead.
"...Yeah, close, but tense your knee only in the push-off motion."
"Like this?"
"Oh! That felt good just now. Now, when running the valley, hold back a bit on releasing your internal energy."
"Hold back?"
Of course, as it was So-rung's first time teaching, he fumbled occasionally.
"...Ah, how do I explain this. It was like bang! pushing, make it like plop?! ...S-Sorry. Weird explanation, right? First time teaching anyone."
But as Master said, my faculties must be above average, because even his muddled words clicked perfectly for me.
"No, you're doing great. I get it. Like! This?!"
"Yes! Yes!! Now, didn't you say the exam task is crossing the wooden cloud bridge?"
"Yeah?"
"If that's all, just lighten your body on landing, right? Like! This?!"
"Hold on. Not like! That... like this?! Right?!"
"......!"
"...No?"
"Y-Yes! Perfect!"
"It's right, so why that face. You were shocked."
"You've mastered what I've trained twenty years for, with my botched explanation and one look.... But this isn't Shadowless Wind?"
Come to think of it, yeah.
This was a completely new lightness technique.
- What did I tell you?! With Heaven-Splitting heart method and your faculties, you'd just need the knack!
I'd come to learn part of Shadowless Wind from Wo So-rung, and ended up creating a brand-new lightness method just for me.
"...Brother Eon. But can I say I taught you this? It's a completely new lightness technique?!"
"No, the teacher was great for sure. Thanks to you. Since it's your merit, you name this lightness technique."
"R-Really, is that okay?"
"Hm. If it's lame, I'll rename it, so say whatever without pressure."
"...Hm. Kicking even the heavens, running like flight. Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step. How about Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step?"
Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Step.
Darn, I like the name.
Time until the next exam was short, but I'd master it somehow.
Behold the power of K-cramming!