Chapter 138: The Disciple’s Disciple-3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 138: The Disciple’s Disciple-3
Clop, clop.
We had acquired a horse as a reward for subjugating a band of bandits that had been a thorn in the village's side.
The Grandmaster had politely declined, but the village head insisted, practically forcing it on us by claiming it was an old horse anyway.
Thanks to that horse, my burden was lightened, and I could head toward Anhui with a much springier step.
Once my participation in the sparring tournament was decided, my Master began preparing for the event.
As for me...
"Ignite! Hup!"
My priority was mastering Ignition.
However, no matter how much I circulated my internal energy or concentrated power into my fingertips, I couldn't produce a single spark, let alone a flame.
What exactly was the principle behind this?
How was I supposed to convert internal energy into fire?
My head began to throb.
"Is it not going well?"
Master, who had been walking with her eyes closed, asked.
"Eh... well, it’s the same as always. Master, could you show me one more time?"
At my request, Master didn't even open her eyes as she conjured a flame on her fingertip.
Seeing her do it so effortlessly, as naturally as breathing, only made my headache worse.
How on earth did she do that?
"Shall I show you again?"
Master opened one eye and looked at me.
When I nodded, she conjured the flame once more.
"Good grief. What is the principle here?"
"It is because you are thinking about principles that it does not work. When you run, do you think about where to place your legs or how much strength to use?"
"Well, not exactly, but..."
"It is all about the feel."
Master clicked her tongue while wagging her finger.
"That might be fine for personal training, but it doesn't work as a teaching method," I muttered, concentrating power into my finger again.
Still, no flame appeared.
As I made several more attempts, I felt a strange gaze from beside me.
"......"
I turned to find Master staring at the tip of my finger.
"What is it?"
"No, it is just..."
Master trailed off.
"What did you say?"
I leaned toward her, asking in a voice as soft as grass swaying in the night breeze.
"I... I will try to prepare an actual theoretical explanation."
Master spoke hesitantly before snapping her head away.
The fact that her ears had turned slightly red suggested she was embarrassed.
"...Are you bothered by me saying you can't teach?"
Wondering why she was acting like that, I recalled how harshly I had criticized her teaching methods the other day.
"......"
It must have weighed on her mind.
Then again, she considered the task of raising me into a proper martial artist to be an assignment given to her by the Grandmaster, so it made sense.
At the same time, I felt a bit sorry. I had forgotten one thing.
Through my life in the Black Sky Cult, I had shared many emotional exchanges with her. That was why I could treat her so comfortably.
But to the current Master, I was a strange man—a man who had only recently become her disciple.
If she were Namgung So-yu, the Sect Leader of the Black Sky Cult, my words wouldn't have left a scratch...
But Namgung So-yu, the 37th disciple of the Flame Wheel Art, was bound to be hurt.
I should have spoken more kindly, but I think I was too informal because I was so glad to see her.
"I won't focus only on theory either. I'll try to get the 'feel' for it, just like you said, Master."
When I spoke to the dejected girl, her head whipped around like a startled meerkat.
"S-Suddenly?"
It was a bit overwhelming to have her stare at me with such wide, sparkling eyes.
"I felt like I was being too negative... I'll just try doing it your way for now."
Feeling a bit shy after saying that, I turned my head away.
I felt Master’s stinging gaze on me, but I kept my eyes fixed on my finger under the pretext of practicing Ignition.
Still, not a single spark appeared.
Sigh. Of course. It’s not like this is a movie where things just click into place.
Talent for a possessor? No such thing.
*
"It is not difficult to make the time, but... will you be alright?"
A hint of worry was audible in Master’s voice.
"I've already received permission from the Grandmaster."
"Mmm... if the Grandmaster said so, then I suppose it is fine."
Master nodded, though she still seemed to be debating it.
The day after our talk about teaching methods.
I had made a request to the Grandmaster, and she had readily agreed.
In fact, she even patted my shoulder, saying she was proud of me for coming up with such an idea.
"I'm just a novice who only recently started learning martial arts anyway, right?"
"That is true."
"It would be best to build from the basics, but the sparring tournament isn't far off."
"And?"
"It's painful that I can't perform Ignition, the very basis of the Flame Wheel Art. But I, Kang In-ho, believe I've at least learned the forms of the techniques."
"What use is learning the forms if you cannot perform Ignition?"
"Hey, just listen. Anyway, wouldn't it be a disgrace to the Master who taught me if the 38th disciple of the Great Flame Wheel Art got knocked out in the first round... I mean, failed the preliminaries immediately?"
"Yes, that has been my concern lately."
Well, she’s honest.
I moved my leg back and took a stance.
The combat stance—the very first thing I learned from Master.
"I'll make up for my lack of martial arts with combat experience. Please, spar with me."
When I looked Master straight in the eye with a determined gaze, she wore an expression that said, 'Is this really okay?'
"If you insist. But are we to spar just like this?"
"Of course not. You mustn't use internal energy, Master. The Grandmaster said so."
'Doing it that way will benefit both of you.'
That’s what the Grandmaster had said.
While the Grandmaster stepped away for a moment to water the horse, Master and I faced each other and took our stances.
My mouth went dry at the prospect of our first fight.
No matter how young she was, she was still the Heavenly Demon.
I had absolutely no expectation of winning.
If I had plenty of time, I wouldn't have done something like this, but unfortunately, I didn't have much time left before the tournament.
I figured that rather than trying to learn Ignition through theories I didn't clearly understand, it would be more effective to just get beaten by Master and learn through practical experience.
"Fine. Come at me first."
Master took a stance, intending to guide me.
I took a deep breath and stomped hard on the ground.
Approaching rapidly, I threw a straight pun—
"Are you awake?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, I was looking at the sky.
Then Master’s face popped into view, looking down at me.
"What happened? Why am I lying down all of a sudden?"
"I wonder. You charged in so defenselessly that I had no choice but to kick you in the head."
"...Was I out for long?"
"Fifteen minutes."
"......"
I pushed myself up. My head wasn't ringing or anything; she must have landed a clean hit.
It felt like the morning after drinking very strong liquor.
I stood up with my hands on my knees and brushed the dirt off my clothes.
"Will you go again?"
"Of course."
I took my stance and faced Master again.
Master smirked at my serious expression.
"At least your will is commendable. Come."
"Here I come."
This time, I rapidly circulated the internal energy flowing through my body.
The Spirit Demon had once mentioned that circulating internal energy quickly makes one's movements faster.
It was likely a form of physical reinforcement.
As I circulated the energy, my body felt a bit lighter.
Bounce, bounce.
I bounced up and down, timing my move like I was using a Taekwondo step.
Just now, I had failed to guard properly and was knocked flat.
So, this time, I would focus on my guard and charge in.
"Are you not coming?"
"Don't rush me!"
The moment I finished speaking, I lunged at Master.
Master’s stance had her right foot back; if she were to kick, it would be with the right.
I raised my left hand to prepare for a potential kick and lowered my center of gravity.
"Did you really think I would attack with my foot again?"
Just as my fist was within reach of Master, she gave a thin smile.
Her form blurred for a moment before she reappeared on my right.
"Go back to sleep."
Master’s right shoulder was pulled back.
A straight punch was likely coming.
I circulated my internal energy to come to a dead stop.
Whoosh.
The sound of slicing air followed as Master’s fist narrowly grazed the tip of my nose.
Enduring the heavy, stinging sensation, I stomped my right foot hard and threw my body to the right.
A body slam, so to speak.
Since I had changed direction abruptly, it wouldn't have much power, but I calculated that it could deal a meaningful blow considering the difference in our weight classes.
However, the future Heavenly Demon was not someone a novice like me could handle.
"The idea is interesting, but that is a method that only works against someone of equal skill."
Before I knew it, Master had placed her palm on my head and leaped up.
Using my head as a support, she performed a handstand in mid-air.
Finding something amusing, Master spoke with a giggle.
"I shall give you five points out of a hundred, disciple."
Master’s knee flying toward my face was my last memory.
"Are you awake?"
When I opened my eyes again, the same scenery greeted me.
I must have been hit pretty hard this time because my head was dizzy even after I sat up.
"Ugh, my head is throbbing."
"It was a good attempt. However, it is a method that will not work if there is a large gap in skill between you and your opponent."
Master said triumphantly, her arms crossed.
Aren't you enjoying beating a newbie a bit too much?
"Ugh..."
I stood up, clutching my trembling legs.
I put some distance between myself and Master and took my stance again.
I never expected to win anyway.
This was no different from striking a rock with an egg.
I might not be able to break the rock, but I intended to at least learn the knack of how to throw the egg.
"I can go slower if you wish."
"No, this is just right."
I shook my head, declining the sweet offer.
"Fine. Come again."
Gritting my teeth, I charged at Master.
And so, I had to repeat the cycle of falling and rising countless times.