Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Mount Mosan Sect Jeong Bo-ra - [2]
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Up until now, he had taught Yi Baram some martial arts, but it had been little more than playful hand games meant for amusement.
But what they were about to do now was the real deal—proper martial arts training. Heo Pung-gae stepped forward to explain.
"In wuxia stories, you see Taoist priests who never use any proper Taoist spells. Instead, they just punch or swing swords around."
Yi Baram nodded.
"Yeah, that's always struck me as odd."
"They're actually closer to real Taoists than those guys hurling talismans as 'spells.' Taoism might have a static image in the public eye, but in practice, dynamic training was always emphasized too. Ever heard of daoyin?"
"No."
"It's training that involves physical movements to circulate qi and nurture life force. It's an ancient Taoist concept..."
"Isn't that just gymnastics?"
"It is gymnastics. Body-flexing exercises that double as Taoist cultivation. And martial arts are an extension of that."
Heo Pung-gae assumed a stance. He struck the poised body position that utilized his entire frame, straightening his back and spreading both arms wide.
"You move your body to stay healthy while smoothing the flow of qi."
Maintaining the posture, he thrust out his palms. The basic palm form of Taijiquan.
"Advance further, and you infuse religious philosophy into each movement."
His motions were soft and languid, but the aftermath was anything but.
The sound of his sleeves slicing through the air rang out like drumbeats, echoing through the entire room. A gust of wind followed, brushing against Yi Baram's skin as it passed.
"Reach a certain realm, and you can manifest religious harmony. Staying young or perpetually youthful is one aspect of that harmony."
Yi Baram let out an impressed "Oh!" and brimmed with enthusiasm.
"Then me too!"
Without being told, she immediately dropped into a Taijiquan stance. Heo Pung-gae fought back a laugh.
He kept a calm expression as he demonstrated various forms for her or had her repeat them. He began teaching her the proper martial arts he knew.
It wasn't particularly difficult. After all, a hundred years ago—and decades ago—he had already taught Wolnyeo and Yi Pung. And lately, he'd even instructed Yi Do-hyeok.
Teaching multiple disciples like this naturally led to comparisons. Watching Yi Baram struggle to mimic his movements, Heo Pung-gae reflected.
At first glance, when she opened her upper dantian in one go, she reminded him of Wolnyeo. But now that he was teaching her real martial arts, she fell short of being Wolnyeo reborn in many ways.
'Harin never forgot a single move I showed her. Plus, with her natural athleticism, she'd master it perfectly after just a little guidance.'
Moreover, Yi Baram had already received dedicated training from Yi Pung since childhood. The fact that she was over twenty and only now learning proper martial arts—worse than Wolnyeo at a similar stage—clearly showed a stark difference in talent.
Yi Baram might have surpassed adults in qi circulation techniques thanks to spirit pills and guidance from a peerless master. But martial arts weren't just about qi.
At its core, martial arts were physical combat skills, reliant on the body. You couldn't achieve mastery without sweating through the physical work.
And even among physical pursuits, talent varied. No matter how hard one tried, they might hit a wall and never reach the desired realm. Just like her father. She might never be called a master.
Of course, that didn't matter much to Heo Pung-gae right now. Even if she couldn't attain a high realm through martial arts, she'd at least get healthy. For teaching his granddaughter, that was satisfaction enough.
"Extend your arms a bit more fluidly."
"Yes, Master!"
As he continued instructing her, old memories began to surface unbidden.
Memories of teaching his two previous disciples... and of learning martial arts from his wife as her student...
A smile finally crept onto Heo Pung-gae's lips. Seeing it, Yi Baram grinned back without knowing why.
Once the lesson ended, Yi Baram—uncharacteristically—bowed deeply in respect.
"Thank you for teaching me, Master!"
Heo Pung-gae chuckled.
"Calling me a real teacher now, are you? No need for that."
"But it is!"
"Alright then."
"I watched that video last time, and it seemed like you shouldn't just speak casually! I figured I should show proper respect."
Heo Pung-gae's laughter faded as he furrowed his brow.
"You saw that video?"
Yi Baram nodded vigorously.
"Yeah, the one where you fought that woman. Dad showed me? It was awesome! Speaking of which, that new thing you learned..."
"Sword Control?"
"Yeah, that! Show me what Moon Lady uses, please? Like in the dramas!"
Heo Pung-gae glanced at his Taiji Sword. That single look was enough.
Without so much as a gesture, the sword responded to its master's will. It floated into the air and began orbiting behind Heo Pung-gae.
"Whoa... Master. Newton's rolling in his grave cursing you right now..."
Yi Baram was staring at the hovering sword with sparkling eyes when...
Park Seong-cheol entered the room. He gaped at the sword floating midair before speaking.
"Uh, we have guests."
"Who?"
"Well, they're wearing Taoist robes. Doesn't seem like they're here preaching Taoism or anything, but they look kinda suspicious..."
"Taoist robes?"
There was no need to go out and check. Yi Pung brought the guests right to the room.
Yi Pung led in a man and a woman, then grinned at the sight in the room.
"Perfect timing..."
The newcomers' eyes widened as they spotted the sword circling Heo Pung-gae.
"Whoa, this is..."
"Sword control technique?"
They stared, mesmerized, at the flying sword. They even clasped their hands in respect and bowed to it.
Even after Heo Pung-gae lowered the sword to the floor, they couldn't tear their eyes away.
Heo Pung-gae asked.
"Who might you be?"
The woman in Taoist robes finally turned to him, blinking as if snapping out of a trance, then introduced herself politely.
"You're the Invincible Unaffiliated, great hero? It's an honor to meet you! I'm Park Ae-jin."
"Park Ae-jin?"
"Yes. From Mount Mosan Sect."
Heo Pung-gae usually kept a poker face, a mix of bravado and mental discipline. But even he couldn't maintain it now. His eyes wavered.
"From Mount Mosan Sect? The one in Mount Mosan, Ming?"
"Yes, there's no other Mount Mosan Sect."
Yi Pung beamed proudly. He was thrilled that a prestigious orthodox sect knew of his brother's fame and had come seeking him.
"What esteemed guests! As I said, welcome! You should've at least called ahead instead of coming like this..."
Park Ae-jin scratched her cheek.
"Well, I couldn't get your phone number."
A flicker of doubt crossed Yi Pung's face before vanishing. Mount Mosan Sect couldn't even obtain this office's number? Weren't they a famous name from wuxia novels? And yet, they lacked that much connections?
But Yi Pung was a master of expressions. He quickly flashed a warm smile and continued the conversation.
"Your Korean is excellent, by the way. Are you overseas Korean?"
"Yes. This gentleman is from Ming, but both my parents are Korean descent..."
It wasn't uncommon. Since the 19th century, martial arts had symbolized anti-imperial struggle.
So independence fighters saw learning martial arts as basic training, and many Koreans went to Ming to study it in preparation for fighting the Japanese.
Just like Heo Pung-gae's wife.
Heo Pung-gae hesitated a moment before asking.
"Do you happen to know Lady Jeong Bo-ra?"
Park Ae-jin smiled and replied.
"She's my grandaunt."
In this day and age, it wasn't surprising that they knew even distant relatives' names.
Jeong Bo-ra was Heo Pung-gae's doctor's master and wife.
Considering Heo Pung-gae's fame not just in Korea but in Ming—and his role in popularizing Mount Mosan Sect's arts—it made sense for them to remember her.
And sending one of her relatives as an envoy to Heo Pung-gae's granddisciple was only natural.
In Ming, the martial world held immense status, forming one pillar of society.
Historically, with such vast lands, the central government's reach was limited, leaving local powers strong—and those were the various martial sects.
During the Opium War, even the emperor couldn't lead the anti-foreign resistance; the martial sects did. This made it hard to dismiss their heroes as mere thugs.
Not even the central government could touch them easily.
Sects that earned massive merits received official respect while gobbling up privileges and expanding.
Now, in the 21st century, they engaged in capitalist international ventures.
The old prestigious sects had become mega-corporations dominating regions, diving into real estate, entertainment, and more—while raking in royalties from the global martial arts market coveted by conglomerates worldwide.
Daoist sects thrived most in this trend. Their longevity arts drew love calls from tycoons everywhere.
Amid this, what of the storied Daoist powerhouse Mount Mosan Sect? For one of the Nine Great Sects, it was underwhelming.
Its fame was lacking for its pedigree, and repeated business failures had shrunk its power base.
Compared to Wudang or Huashan, it barely qualified as Nine Greats material, coming and going in wuxia novels that relied on sect patronage.
To regain glory? Business flops were unavoidable, but they needed results in the martial market.
And success there meant producing a master worth showcasing—ideally a peerless one.
With fewer than thirty peerless masters worldwide, one was the ultimate billboard. Prove your arts' superiority, teach tycoons, and secure massive sponsorships.
Mount Mosan Sect's headquarters hadn't produced one in ages.
But in Korea outside Ming? There was already a famous peerless master using their arts.
Wolnyeo. But as an imperial expert, she couldn't be recruited.
The new Invincible Unaffiliated, however, was different.
"So, you came here wanting to invite our peerless master to Mount Mosan?"
Park Ae-jin nodded.
"Yes. Like becoming a franchise star. You could just sit and cultivate, and still receive top treatment..."
Yi Pung expressed reluctance, trying to downplay the appeal.
"That's tricky right now. His value's skyrocketing in Korea. Last fight alone netted 20 billion won. More big matches ahead, so who knows how much he'll make—leaving now would be..."
But Heo Pung-gae could read his brother's true excitement at the offer.
And it was tempting.
In the martial world, Ming was the major leagues—the origin of martial arts, the biggest money market and honor battlefield.
But thick cliques among Ming martial artists made it hard for foreigners to break in. Heo Pung-gae had never considered operating there.
Apparently, peerless masters got different treatment. He hadn't expected such an offer in his old age.