Flames That Melt the Frozen Heart
After pouring out his story and bursting into tears, Woo-gang underwent a noticeable change.
He began to open the door to his heart just a little, starting to live with a bit more engagement.
He didn't talk as much as he had that day, but he would respond in a small voice, offering words and answers here and there.
Of course, the dark aura hadn't completely washed away from Woo-gang's heart yet.
At such a tender age, when he was most impressionable, he'd endured such brutal hardships—how could those wounds heal easily?
Shadows still lingered on Woo-gang's face, and he often appeared melancholic.
Moreover, at night, he suffered terrible nightmares, sometimes screaming or groaning in agony.
Whenever that happened, Si-woo would warmly embrace him.
And just like that, Woo-gang would calm down and fall back asleep.
Pitying the boy like this, Si-woo finally decided to teach him martial arts.
A cultivation method not only helped transcend the limits of the body but also fortified the mind.
He figured the fiery energy of his unique art, the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong, would help melt the ice around Woo-gang's frozen heart.
Besides, rather than moving just to survive or flee harsh reality, training for the sake of learning might foster a healthier mindset more quickly.
There was also the hope that focusing solely on cultivation, without stray thoughts, might even let him forget those nightmarish pasts.
Before teaching martial arts, Si-woo first assessed Woo-gang's condition.
And he reached an unexpected conclusion.
'His aptitudes are better than I thought.'
Woo-gang's root bones were exceptional.
Though malnourished before meeting Si-woo, leaving him smaller than his peers, his innate potential was remarkable.
Even the frequent beatings from villagers and grueling chores had positively tempered his foundation.
It was a paradoxical truth.
Another surprise was Woo-gang's remarkable learning ability.
Having never lived a normal life, he had to learn everything from scratch.
Si-woo had even needed to teach him how to use chopsticks step by step.
Yet, whenever Si-woo taught him something small, Woo-gang would figure it out on his own, pondering and executing it perfectly.
It might be his youth making him a quick study, but many couldn't even follow basic instructions reliably.
'Our fates weren't connected by mere chance.'
Si-woo's unique martial art wasn't easy to master.
As an extreme yang technique, not just anyone could cultivate it, and even the talented struggled to unleash its full power.
Whether Woo-gang would achieve great success remained uncertain, but he more than met the first requirement for learning it.
With a joyful heart, Si-woo prepared to teach him.
Having never taught anyone before, he put in extra effort, feeling a mix of tension and excitement.
Time passed, and the day arrived when Si-woo first spoke to Woo-gang about martial arts.
Woo-gang spent most of his day on the spacious veranda.
He often stared blankly at the scenery, lost in thought.
Sometimes he'd frown or shake his head with eyes closed, as if haunted by memories of the past.
"Woo-gang."
At Si-woo's call, Woo-gang looked up at him.
"Those bad thoughts keep troubling you, don't they?"
Woo-gang nodded solemnly, his expression dark.
"If you focus on something else, those stray thoughts will fade. Want to learn something from Grandpa?"
Woo-gang stared intently at Si-woo.
Learning something new.
It was still unfamiliar, but since coming here, it had become one of his first joys.
In the village, they only ordered him around without proper instruction.
If he messed up, they'd just curse and beat him.
But Si-woo was different.
He taught patiently and kindly, never scolding or hitting for mistakes.
Through him, Woo-gang first discovered the pleasure of learning without fear.
So there was no reason to refuse.
"Yes."
Woo-gang answered briefly.
Si-woo smiled and beckoned him closer.
Woo-gang slowly approached and sat before him.
"I'm going to teach you martial arts."
"Martial... arts...."
"That's right. Martial arts. It might seem profound and endlessly difficult, but simply put, it steadies the mind and strengthens the body. If you focus solely on training, old thoughts won't haunt you."
Woo-gang nodded eagerly.
If it meant escaping those hellish memories, he'd do anything.
"Good. Let's start today."
Si-woo taught him everything step by step, from the cross-legged posture to the breathing method, and Woo-gang followed adeptly.
Beginners usually found the pose uncomfortable and breathing awkward, but he showed no sign of struggle.
His determination was that fierce.
As Woo-gang practiced the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong breathing technique, Si-woo recited the oral formulas beside him.
Woo-gang concentrated on his breath, committing the formulas firmly to memory one by one.
This was the moment he began his initiation into the art that had made Si-woo the supreme master of the Central Plains, the Flame King.
Woo-gang's progress was swift.
He quickly adapted to the breathing method and memorized all the formulas in no time.
Now, he could practice alone without Si-woo hovering nearby.
Woo-gang devoted much of his time to cultivating the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong.
As Si-woo had said, focusing on the breathing left no room for stray thoughts.
At first, half a shichen was his limit, but now he could maintain concentration well over a full shichen.
Si-woo watched with quiet satisfaction.
His lower dantian hadn't formed yet, but it wouldn't take much longer.
Once he entered the first stage, Seonul, Si-woo planned to teach him spear techniques right away.
Watching his growing disciple and grandson filled Si-woo's days with joy.
A few days later.
Si-woo roamed the forest, felling trees here and there.
Without an axe, he used a small knife to chop them down effortlessly.
He was making staffs.
Rather than handing Woo-gang a spear immediately, he'd start with similar staffs to teach basic movements.
Imagining what wonders Woo-gang might show once he began staff training, Si-woo felled trees in high spirits.
"Hm?"
Si-woo paused and stared in one direction.
Toward the house.
His expression hardened.
'How could such a dense mass of dark energy gather like this!'
Startled, Si-woo left the cut trees and hurried home.
Woo-gang sat cross-legged on the platform in the courtyard, cultivating the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong.
He drew in the natural energy with each breath and recited the formulas inwardly.
Suddenly, he sensed something different from usual.
The inhaled energy wasn't exhaling—it circulated through his body.
Like a butterfly fluttering in a spring breeze, the lingering energy softly roamed within him.
Unfamiliar, yet Woo-gang didn't stop his breathing.
A pleasant sensation washed over him.
'Feels good.'
Never in his life had he felt this wonderful.
Reality had always been hell, even his sleep tormented by it.
Life here had improved things greatly, but anxiety and fear still clung to his heart.
Yet this feeling eclipsed them all—it was that good.
As he continued breathing, the energy accumulating in his body grew.
The playful wisps suddenly gathered toward his lower abdomen.
A heavy, warm sensation filled his belly, and strength drained from his body.
As his rigid form relaxed naturally, the energy began stacking neatly in his lower abdomen.
It felt like a nest forming there.
At last, his lower dantian was complete.
Just as the dantian seemed fully formed, the remaining energy swirled inward.
The vortex in his dantian suddenly surged upward.
Whoosh!
A warm energy spread through his entire body.
The cozy warmth caressed his body and mind.
Then, something miraculous happened.
It began driving out the dark energy that had gnawed at Woo-gang's body and soul.
Pushing and pulling, sometimes clashing fiercely.
Fear, terror, sorrow, despair rooted in his heart—they shattered one by one.
'Ah...!'
Painful memories he'd desperately wanted to forget surfaced.
But there was no pain.
As if saying it was okay now, the warm energy shattered them gently, one by one.
Scenes of abuse from village adults, beatings, grueling chores—he saw himself in them all.
They fragmented into pieces.
Woo-gang felt consoled.
No more of this will happen.
You're free from the pain now.
Everything will be alright.
His heart grew lighter, more at peace.
Tears trickled from his closed eyes.
Shards of shattered emotions seemed to flow out with them.
Though tears streamed, a faint smile played on Woo-gang's lips.
"Ah...!"
Si-woo witnessed a wondrous sight.
Woo-gang sat cross-legged on the platform, thick black smoke swirling around him.
Like acrid fumes from a fire, blanketing everything.
Si-woo knew this black smoke was the dark energy that had tormented Woo-gang.
Dark emotions had accumulated as turbid qi within him.
The Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong energy was soothing his heart, expelling the built-up impurities.
This was the source of the dark aura Si-woo had sensed while chopping wood.
'Perhaps even I didn't fully grasp the true power of the Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong.'
Si-woo murmured inwardly.
More turbid qi continued pouring from Woo-gang's body.
With it, his expression and aura grew serene.
Si-woo watched silently.
Then, he slowly gathered his inner energy.
Roar!
Flames engulfed his hand in an instant.
Si-woo's fiery hand sweeps away the turbid qi, incinerating the dark energies tormenting Woo-gang.
"Begone now. Torment this child no more."
Si-woo swung his flaming hand at the turbid qi.
The black smoke ignited, soaring skyward and vanishing.
The area around Woo-gang cleared significantly.
Some faint haze lingered.
"It won't all dissipate at once. But with steady practice, he'll overcome it."
Si-woo murmured softly, gazing at Woo-gang.
Moments later, Woo-gang slowly opened his eyes.
The vibrant light in them—unlike anything Si-woo had seen—moved him deeply.
"Grandpa."
Si-woo's eyes trembled.
The first time "Grandpa" had ever left Woo-gang's lips.
"Yes. Speak, child."
"Is martial arts... like this?"
Si-woo nodded with a smile.
Woo-gang spoke again.
"I... I really want to learn it properly."
His earnest confession struck Si-woo's heart like an arrow.