Learning Martial Arts #3
"Hap!"
"Huaaaap!"
Ki-hap shouts echoed from the corner of the training ground. There, I got the basics from Senior Brother Hong Min-gi, a second-rate master.
"As I said, it's your first day, so I'll cover the fundamentals today. Starting tomorrow, you'll join the group classes."
"Yes, I understand."
"Alright then, let's start with the external art, Mabo Segeun-gyeong. Watch my movements closely, then follow along. I'll point out any mistakes as you go."
"Got it."
With that, Senior Brother spread his feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
Swoosh.
He dropped into a squat—wait, what?
"What?"
A squat? No way, this is literally a squat?
"Like this. Spread your legs, sit down and stand up to develop your lower body muscles. This is the foundation of Mabo Segeun-gyeong."
"Ah... yes."
Well, yeah, martial artists aren't aliens. Earth folks or people here, lower body training's the same everywhere. Squats are solid exercise, after all.
From my gym rat perspective, his form was flawless—textbook perfect. Kinda wild that modern fitness moves are actual martial arts here.
"Next movement."
Senior Brother, mid-squat, headed to the corner and fiddled with a pole and disc-shaped stone... no!
"You use this tool for it."
That's a goddamn barbell!
Before I could process, he nailed a perfect deadlift.
"This strengthens your whole body by lifting heavy weights. It's dangerous since it uses equipment, so be careful."
"Yes, understood."
Honestly, is external arts just straight-up weightlifting?
"Senior Brother, a question."
"What is it?"
"Are all external arts about building muscle?"
"Low-grade ones, yes. And Geun-hyeop, this isn't the time for off-topic questions."
"Sorry!"
He finished the deadlift and demonstrated push-ups and sit-ups right in front of me.
"These train the chest and abs. Bad form can hurt your back, so watch it."
"Yes!"
All familiar stuff. I'd hit the gym consistently for stamina back home. Mabo Segeun-gyeong should be a breeze.
"And this is the weight curl."
"Ooh!"
Weight curls! Killer for arm gains. Nothing beats 'em.
"Arm strength and grip are crucial for martial artists. It's tougher than it looks and builds both."
"Now, perform the movements I showed."
"Got it! Starting with the first one!"
"Go ahead."
I dropped into position and squatted.
"Hup!"
Man, been a while. Bodyweight's too easy, though. Kinda wanna load it up.
"What?"
Senior Brother tilted his head.
"No wasted motion. Didn't you say you'd never learned martial arts, Geun-hyeop?"
"Ah, I mentioned it was just physical training, not martial arts. Turns out that's what I was doing. Didn't know it was actual kung fu."
"I see. Mabo Segeun-gyeong is common even among civilians, so that tracks. Form's impeccable anyway."
He stroked his chin and nodded. On to the next.
"Deadlift!"
"Dead-what?"
"Just my ki-hap!"
Deadlift passed. Push-ups and sit-ups too. Clean form means I learned good back home.
"Grrraaah...!"
Curls after so long? Forearms are pumping like crazy. Insane burn.
"That's enough. Looks like you've already mastered Mabo Segeun-gyeong. Solid foundation too. You'll pick up arts fast."
"Hahaha, thanks, Senior Brother."
"Now, onto Yuan Qi Heart Method. Sit cross-legged here."
"Ooh...! Yes, sir."
Finally, inner energy time!
"Yuan Qi Heart Method is a modified version from old Yuan Dynasty soldiers."
"Yuan soldiers!"
Ah, right. This is Ming territory. Wuxia’s usually Ming-era. Yuan came before, so yeah, they had martial arts too. Evolved into dojo stuff.
"It's the most basic low-grade heart method, but anyone can learn it easily."
"What's the downside?"
"Everything else. Slow qi accumulation, long meditation times. But for commoners like you, it's the easiest. Train consistently, and you'll see results."
"Understood."
Gaming terms? Basic or common-tier skill. Apparently compatible with all others despite being trash-tier.
First heart method's dogshit? Shouldn't isekai starts give you some divine art or Asura whatever? Fine, compatible's good. I'll snag better later. Master this for now.
"Kinda wild it's from Yuan soldiers. Whole army trained martial arts? Must've been badass."
"Ancient history. They fell anyway."
"True."
Wonder how history diverges here? Earth-side, Hongjin Red Turbans and Zhu Yuanzhang toppled Yuan for Ming. What's the deal here?
"Fell, so not truly strong, right?"
"Can't say that. Yuan masters fell to the Emperor and generals, but they hit a weakened foe."
Emperor and generals? Zhu Yuanzhang and founding heroes?
"Yuan's top dog, the terror of the Central Plains called Heavenly Demon Koke Temur, famously held off the Ox Demon King's invasion."
Koke... what? Heavenly Demon? That one? And Ox Demon King?
"Sure, current Central Plains #1 and Eternal Hundred Thousand Heavenly General Sang U-chun beat him, but consensus is Koke Temur burned his core qi fighting the Ox Demon King first. Hell's gates—Gwi-mun—opened wide back then, unleashing the Ox Demon King and demonic hordes. Nation was crumbling already. Inevitable. Even that Mysterious Realm absolute like Sang U-chun's still battling the wounded Ox Demon King. That's why he's 'Central Plains #1,' not 'World #1.' True world #1 is Heavenly Demon Koke Temur."
A torrent of unfamiliar lore left me dazed. So... Yuan's Heavenly Demon Koke Temur outranks Ming's Mysterious Realm general Sang U-chun? And Ox Demon King exists? Low priority now, but gotta study local history someday. Seems like common knowledge if even instructors talk it.
"Got carried away. Personal admiration for warrior Koke Temur. Let's begin."
"Yes!"
Gwi-mun nagged me, but bad vibe to pry. Research later.
"Breathe in slowly. Exhale slowly, feel the natural qi."
Senior Brother's palm pressed my back. Spread the sensation, deep breaths, sensing qi. Felt like meditation.
"Gather natural qi in your lower dantian with breaths. Won't click first try, but focus there and it'll come."
Nothing yet. Knowing I can build qi makes me antsy. Got any spirit pills? Wanna pop one. Pricey as fuck, probably. But imagine—bam, dantian full. Tempting.
"Good. Meditate like that from now on. Once you feel qi, next steps."
"Got it."
Maybe placebo, but post-session felt refreshed. Vitality surging.
"You've got Mabo Segeun-gyeong and good bones, so qi'll come quick. Now, Liuhe Quan."
"Liuhe Fist!"
Senior Brother demoed the forms.
Pa-at!
Simple punches and kicks. Pure beginner fodder. But his skill made it legit—balanced, fluid.
Hmm.
Kinda like practical kickboxing? No grappling, though. Low-grade limit?
"Senior Brother, I've scrapped before. Commoner fights turn into grapples, wrestling, takedowns. Any Liuhe Quan forms for that?"
"Nah, none. Learn another fist art for it."
"Ah."
Just taekwondo, then. Grappling needs separate training.
"Liuhe Quan assumes no qi—basic brawling. Try the forms."
"Yes."
I flowed through 'em.
Pa-at!
No issues. Taekwondo 3rd dan here. Aunt shoved me to the dojo to get me outta the house. Forms were easy.
"Geun-hyeop, you've got talent. Clean execution."
"Heh heh heh! Thanks!"
3rd dan means I better nail punches and kicks.
"You'll keep up in group class. Finally, quick rundown on Samjae Geom-beop."
"Can't wait."
"Ever held a sword?"
Hmm. Just dojo bokken. Modern life's no sword fights. Bokken was for whacking kids' feet anyway.
"No."
"Grab two wooden swords over there."
"Yes."
I fetched 'em.
"Samjae Geom-beop. Ultra-basic swordsmanship. Every master starts here."
"Ooh."
"No fancy moves. Point is proper slashing and thrusting. Swing one."
"Yes!"
Gripped it, posed. How do you even sword? No kendo. Stick-swinging I know, though.
"Hap!"
Pa-at!
"Hm, definitely no experience. Messy. You swung like a club. No power behind the cut—won't hurt much."
"Really?"
Yeah, felt like clubbing.
"Watch."
Pa-at!
His air slash was crisp. Amateur me could tell—even paper would've split. Second-rate power? This world's insane?
Pa-at! Pa-at!
He chained the forms: slash, thrust, upward cut. Seamless, mesmerizing. Cool as hell.
"Amazing!"
Clap clap clap!
I applauded in awe. Samjae Geom-beop this badass? Grind it to Heavenly Demon status, easy.
"Your turn. Follow what I showed."
"Got it."
Here goes—my swordsmanship!
Pa-at!
"Gah!!! That's not it!!!"
"Ack!"
Senior Brother's roar hit me!