The Blazing Cave's Trial
Yeom Si-woo sat facing Woo-gang.
Woo-gang's declaration that he wanted to learn martial arts properly.
Si-woo needed to discern whether it stemmed from a fleeting emotion or a heartfelt resolve.
Woo-gang met Si-woo's unwavering gaze head-on.
There was life in Woo-gang's eyes.
Though traces of turbidity lingered, it was a tremendous change compared to when they had first met.
"Is your desire to learn martial arts properly sincere?"
"Yes."
Woo-gang answered in a clear voice.
To him, learning martial arts felt like the sole escape from the hell he had endured.
"Learning martial arts is incredibly arduous. Especially the art you'll learn—it's far more demanding than others in the world. You might even face days as hellish as those you so desperately wanted to flee."
Woo-gang shook his head at Si-woo's words.
He couldn't know for sure without trying, but he was certain it wouldn't be harder than the time when his body and mind had been dying.
Seeing Woo-gang's resolute expression, Si-woo pondered for a moment.
In truth, he hadn't expected much from Woo-gang or taught him with grand ambitions.
Proper instruction could come later; for now, he was content if it helped heal the boy's wounded heart.
But mere days after beginning, Woo-gang already wanted serious training. It left Si-woo unsure how to respond.
'Greed stirs within me, doesn't it.'
To Si-woo, Woo-gang's talent was enticing.
His mind was sharp, his bones and muscles exceptional, and his progress swift.
Such a gem was rare; letting it slip away would breed regret.
Woo-gang watched the deliberating Si-woo with unshaken eyes.
Young as he was, Woo-gang had lived a harsh life.
And the jianghu might prove even more treacherous and grueling.
Si-woo couldn't decide if introducing such a boy to that world through martial arts was right.
Then he noticed the smile creeping across Woo-gang's lips.
Why was that?
In Si-woo's eyes, Woo-gang's smile seemed to convey quiet assurance.
With such conviction, perhaps it was fine to trust the path this child had walked—and the one ahead.
"Hoo... Very well."
A broader smile spread across Woo-gang's face.
"But remember one thing."
"What is it?"
"Never give up halfway."
Woo-gang nodded at Si-woo's words.
He had that much confidence.
"Once you start, there's no turning back. Think of quitting as returning to your old life, and grit your teeth to endure to the end. If you lack that resolve, better to learn just enough to keep body and mind healthy."
"No. I won't give up. Ever."
Si-woo, gazing at Woo-gang, offered a faint smile.
"Steel yourself, then."
And Woo-gang smiled back.
Two days later, the pair departed the dwelling.
Si-woo revealed nothing of their destination or the journey's length.
Woo-gang, following behind, didn't bother asking.
Anywhere would do.
Clang!
Something fell with a clatter.
It was the staff.
Woo-gang quickly picked it up and hurried after Si-woo.
As he trailed Si-woo, Woo-gang twirled the staff this way and that.
This was Si-woo's first assigned task.
Ahead lay spear mastery for Woo-gang.
Thus, familiarizing him first with a staff of similar length.
Woo-gang's clumsy handling of the staff made his gait awkward too.
He took wide strides, bending his knee at right angles.
Si-woo had ordered it, though Woo-gang couldn't fathom its purpose.
But it was grueling.
Sweat soon poured soon enough, and focusing on the staff caused his posture to crumble.
His thighs and calves ached as if beaten; later, the pain spread through his body.
Each time, Si-woo's corrections flew in, as if eyes watched from behind.
Woo-gang clenched his teeth.
He had vowed never to quit just days ago; he couldn't whine already.
Besides, compared to childhood beatings from villagers, it was bearable.
Even rests during long marches offered no respite.
As if proving his warning of resolve, Si-woo assigned tasks even then.
Thighs, calves, and abs cramped fiercely, strength failing, yet he obeyed.
"Thrusting is the foundation of attack for all weapons, spear or otherwise. Solidify the basics, and future lessons will come easier."
During breaks, Si-woo taught thrusting motions.
Though Woo-gang's attempts looked similar, Si-woo meticulously corrected them.
Exhausted from the march's exertions, Woo-gang hid his fatigue.
Dedicated to mastering Si-woo's teachings perfectly, he trained in earnest.
Perfection didn't come at once.
Yet Woo-gang honed the motions with fierce focus.
On the move, he gripped the staff without pause, adapting; he persisted with the odd gait.
At rests, he repeated the thrusts Si-woo demonstrated.
Repetition bred boredom.
But Woo-gang had no room for it.
All his nerves fixed on the staff.
Days passed this way—one, two, three, then ten.
Changes emerged in Woo-gang.
The peculiar gait toughened his lower body; ceaseless practice familiarized him with thrusting.
Unaware of destination or future trials, Woo-gang devoted even travel to training, as Si-woo directed.
Thus, ten days elapsed.
Woo-gang stared blankly at the massive cave entrance ahead.
He had no inkling why they'd come here.
Even standing at the mouth, an extraordinary aura pressed upon him.
The billowing heat from within was the first clue.
Caves were usually cool; this one scorched.
"Let's go."
Si-woo entered first; Woo-gang followed.
"Hoo... haa...."
The stifling heat choked Woo-gang's breath into gasps.
Just standing there, sweat streamed; the heat was infernal.
Si-woo, unfazed, appeared as composed as outside.
'What is this place?'
Woo-gang scanned the cavern.
Spacious within, three large pools dominated.
One steamed gently with rising vapor; another boiled violently, splashing water.
The last seemed ordinary.
Si-woo unpacked their gear to one side.
Overheated, Woo-gang shed his upper garment, tossing it near the bundles.
"Come here."
Si-woo led Woo-gang to the steaming pool.
"Not too deep, but fiercely hot. From now on, cultivate Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong inside this."
Woo-gang eyed the scalding water.
No need to test; its ferocity was plain.
Si-woo turned away.
He offered no word on the other pools.
"What about these?"
Si-woo turned back at Woo-gang's question.
"No need to know yet. Curiosity could bring disaster—best curb it."
Si-woo replied indifferently.
But Woo-gang's curiosity lingered.
Si-woo approached the final pool.
He rolled up his sleeve and plunged his arm in.
His face twisted; sweat beaded on his brow.
Withdrawing, his arm blazed red as if burned, swollen on the verge of blisters.
"If this scorches me, it'd ravage your whole body. You'll learn in time—don't dwell now."
"Yes."
Woo-gang answered curtly, tense.
Si-woo lowered his sleeve and led Woo-gang from the pools.
He then toed a staff skyward, handing it to Woo-gang.
"See that hole here?"
"Yes."
A fist-sized hole marred the stone wall.
No others nearby; not natural.
"Your task: make another identical one beside it. Thrust one spot relentlessly with that staff."
"With this?"
Woo-gang glanced at the wooden staff.
Pierce stone with wood? Absurd.
It'd splinter in moments.
"I made that hole—with a staff just like yours."
As if reading his mind, Si-woo elaborated.
"Keep at it until you match its size. Don't neglect Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong. It'll take time."
"Yes."
Woo-gang nodded briefly.
Making the hole? He'd see.
But the training seemed straightforward.
Thrusting was familiar from the journey.
The water hot, yes—but Hyeoncheon Yeolhwa Singong was simplicity itself.
Confidence swelled.
Si-woo warned of duration; Woo-gang figured he'd finish swiftly.
Less than half a shichen later, he realized his error.
Thwack! Thwack!
Woo-gang stabbed the wall without respite.
Sweat rained; his body prickled with pain.
He'd trusted his thrusting from the march, but wall-strikes differed.
Impact jolted through the staff into his frame.
Palm stung worst from rebound.
Grip weak, it blazed and throbbed.
Training volume surged; no limb escaped ache.
Worse, his strikes wandered despite intent.
One spot for a hole? Precision eluded.
Failure from the start flustered him.
Si-woo offered no aid, as if to say "figure it out."
His sole words:
"Remember: the hole ends it."
Then silence, as if mute.
Woo-gang thrust alone, endlessly.
Flustered at first, he sharpened focus, repeating.
No hole, scarce even single-point strikes—but he persisted.
His panicked eyes ignited with defiance.
He'd conquer it.
Prove it spectacularly. Iron will hardened.
Si-woo noted the shift but feigned ignorance.