Crimson Flame Heavenly Intent Spear
After the commotion had died down, Yeom Si-woo and Woo-gang sat facing each other.
Woo-gang's expression was more serious than ever, which in turn made Yeom Si-woo equally solemn.
"I knew you'd speak up so boldly."
"I'm sorry. I was just so upset…."
Yeom Si-woo smiled at Woo-gang's words.
"No need to apologize. I'm actually glad to see that side of you."
Woo-gang looked at him upon hearing that.
"A person must be confident. Since you started cultivating martial arts, the dark shadows in your heart have faded a lot, but you still seem to lack self-assurance. It's only natural after living so long cowed and timid. But you have every reason to hold your head high now."
"Yes."
Woo-gang replied curtly.
Yeom Si-woo wanted Woo-gang to find that confident, assured demeanor.
He had lived without wrongdoing and trained diligently in his martial arts, so he hoped the boy would trust in himself and stride forward boldly.
That was the only way to survive the treacherous Murim.
I hope his training here becomes the turning point.
Yeom Si-woo murmured to himself inwardly.
"But, Grandfather."
"Yes, speak."
"What exactly do I need to do here?"
"You'll learn spear forms and how to incorporate footwork to match them."
"Besides that. It feels like there's more."
Woo-gang stared straight at Yeom Si-woo as he asked.
His eyes demanded that everything be laid out plainly.
"The training you did in the cave was to build the foundation for spear forms."
In response to the question about what lay ahead, Yeom Si-woo reflected on the past.
"And the training in the sealed chamber was, as I mentioned before, to awaken senses beyond sight and master footwork."
"Yes."
The past trainings flashed through Woo-gang's mind like a lantern show.
"The training here will focus on… Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong and spear forms. And there's one more thing you've been curious about."
"What's that?"
Woo-gang pressed eagerly.
"It's honing your sense for real combat."
"Real combat…."
"Yes. Learning martial arts inevitably means you'll fight someone someday. The world is full of enemies for everyone, and enemies breed conflict. When conflict deepens, it turns to battle."
Woo-gang frowned slightly at Yeom Si-woo's words.
"Murim is especially like that. It's a place ruled by the logic of power, where those who cultivate martial arts always want to prove themselves by defeating someone. You can't avoid it just by living righteously."
Woo-gang had experienced a world others could scarcely imagine, but the one awaiting him was entirely different.
And he was still too young to grasp the ways of Murim.
Having lived trapped in a narrow, negative world, Woo-gang needed to learn and awaken to the truths of the wider one ahead.
"So, do I have to fight the people here?"
"Yes. Once you've mastered the spear forms, the sparring will begin. It's a contest of martial arts. Not quite real combat, but the closest thing to it."
Woo-gang nodded at Yeom Si-woo's explanation.
Now, Han Si-rang's earlier words made a bit more sense.
Of course, that didn't mean he thought it justified confronting Yeom Si-woo.
"Then I'll have to win."
Woo-gang replied shortly.
Others might burn with competitive spirit to claim victory, but not Woo-gang.
He needed to win to earn Han Si-rang's apology.
Yeom Si-woo immediately grasped the intent behind Woo-gang's words.
He felt grateful and proud.
This temperament might just be the boy's greatest strength.
A heart that gave its all not for itself, but for others.
Thinking of others before himself could be a flaw, but it wasn't inherently bad in Woo-gang.
"Right. You must win. Not just me—none of my lineage has ever yielded to the Bing Palace. You need to carry on that tradition."
Woo-gang nodded with a faint smile at Yeom Si-woo's words.
"So steel yourself. Starting tomorrow…."
"No. Let's start now. I want to."
Woo-gang cut him off, burning with determination.
Yeom Si-woo watched him for a moment, then nodded.
Whether tomorrow or today made little difference.
And the day was still bright.
Yeom Si-woo led Woo-gang to the shrine housing the ancestral tablets of his spear lineage.
In one corner of the shrine stood a long wooden chest. Yeom Si-woo slowly opened it.
Kiiiek!
The hinges screamed, unopened for so long.
Inside lay several spears of varying lengths.
Yeom Si-woo selected one suited to Woo-gang's build and handed it over.
This is a spear.
Woo-gang felt its texture as he gripped it.
It carried the chill of the North Sea but felt not cold at all.
The sensation differed from a staff, sparking a flicker of excitement in Woo-gang's eyes.
"Let's go."
Yeom Si-woo took a spear himself and left the shrine with Woo-gang.
They arrived at the open ground in front of the lodgings.
"From today, I'll teach you Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang. The forms aren't complex, but upon close inspection, it's a profound martial art that's far from easy to master."
"Yes."
"A spear and a staff differ from the start in weight. The texture, purpose—all different. It may be hard to adapt at first, so be careful not to hurt yourself."
"I will."
Woo-gang nodded.
"I'll demonstrate all the forms of Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang now. Watch closely."
Woo-gang stepped back and opened his eyes wide at Yeom Si-woo's words.
He couldn't memorize it in one go, but his resolute gaze showed he wouldn't miss a thing.
Spear thrusts forward in rapid succession, body spinning to sweep with unleashed power. Short grip for overhead smashes, twirling to blast air in all directions. Heavy one moment, feather-light the next—each motion radiating force.
Whooo….
Yeom Si-woo steadied his breath and halted.
Even that looked cool to Woo-gang.
"Did you see it well?"
"Yes!"
Woo-gang's voice rose with excitement.
The thrill and joy of learning something so extraordinary shone through.
"What did you feel from the Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang I just demonstrated?"
Woo-gang was stumped by the question.
He'd felt much, but words failed him.
"Don't overthink it."
Yeom Si-woo added, and Woo-gang finally spoke haltingly.
"It felt fast and powerful. And like you said, it seems simple, but I think it'll be hard to learn."
Yeom Si-woo nodded, but something seemed lacking.
Woo-gang grew serious, pondering deeply.
What was it?
He replayed Yeom Si-woo's movements in his mind.
But pinpointing the missing piece wasn't easy.
Yeom Si-woo smiled watching Woo-gang concentrate.
He hadn't expected him to notice in one viewing.
"The answer lies in the feet."
"Feet…. Ah…."
Only then did Woo-gang recall how Yeom Si-woo's feet had moved busily throughout the forms.
He had woven footwork into the Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang demonstration.
"Sword arts, saber arts, fist arts—all require it, but spear forms especially must unite with footwork. You need to control both long and close range at your own spacing. That's why I included footwork in the demonstration."
"But it felt different from the Chu Pung Gu Hwan Bo I know."
"Correct. Footwork has its pedigree, spear forms their stances. But in real combat, you don't follow them rigidly. Situations vary, so you adapt and vary them accordingly. You'll feel it once you try yourself."
Woo-gang's head ached at the explanation.
Mastering the forms was tough enough; adding footwork made this training no easy feat.
In the end, I have to embody it with my body.
All of Yeom Si-woo's trainings had been like that.
Less talk, more direct immersion.
Today had the most explanation yet.
Reading Woo-gang's mind, Yeom Si-woo chuckled softly.
"Take it step by step. Zeal is good, but excess breeds haste. Just keep at it steadily, like always."
"Yes. I will."
Satisfied with the reply, Yeom Si-woo smiled.
"Alright, then. Let's learn one by one. Grip the spear."
Woo-gang adjusted his hold at Yeom Si-woo's words.
Thus began the transmission of Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang to Woo-gang.
Woo-gang's resolve, perseverance, and effort shone through in his Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang training as well.
He threw himself into spear practice without missing a day.
Yet spear and staff were undeniably different.
Beyond the weight, the sharp blade at the tip altered the feel when swung.
Learning forms mattered, but adapting to that difference was paramount.
Thus, Woo-gang kept the spear in hand except when cultivating Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong, eating, sleeping, or using the privy.
He swung it lightly, like a staff, striving to familiarize himself.
Despite his efforts, it took a full month for Woo-gang to grow accustomed to the spear.
Only then could he handle it freely without full focus.
With that milestone, he dove fully into Hong Yeom Cheon Ui Chang.
Form acquisition sped up, and he quickly grasped how to infuse power.
But one crucial hurdle remained.
Executing forms with footwork was still difficult.
Sometimes it flowed smoothly; other times, it fell apart.
"Your feet must move naturally with the spear. Don't think with your head—follow where your body leads."
Even with Yeom Si-woo's advice, Woo-gang struggled to find his rhythm.
Focus on forms, and feet tangled; focus on feet, and forms crumbled.
But Yeom Si-woo didn't scold him for it.
He knew better than anyone that endless repetition would make the body adapt.
Woo-gang, however, felt differently.
Repeated failures bubbled frustration to the surface.
Considering he'd never felt this stymied even in thrusting or swinging drills, his current frustration must have been immense.
Thus, time slipped by relentlessly.