The group gathered alone in a small rented martial arts hall. This was their temporary training ground.“So there was an Imoogi living under Heavenly Mirror Lake! There have been many stories about seeing suspicious shadows around the lake, and it seems that Imoogi was the protagonist of those stories!”
“It’s fine that there’s an Imoogi. But why… do we have to spar in this state?”
Tap tap tap.
Namgung Seungah complained while looking at the stick attached to her waist. It was a makeshift tail made by tying a long stick near her tailbone with cloth.
Every time she swayed her hips left and right, the stick tail also swung back and forth, scraping the floor as it passed. It was a ridiculous sight, but Cheonghwi spoke seriously.
“I learned in the Tower of Trials that thorough preparation is truly powerful. I realized that if you make a plan and find weak points, you can win even against a superior opponent.”
“…And so?”
“But no one here has fought an Imoogi before. So, we need to predict how an Imoogi will fight and come up with countermeasures.”
The shape of the Imoogi living in Heavenly Mirror Lake was close to that of a salamander. It had front and hind legs, and a tail about half the length of its body stretched out.
Cheonghwi lay flat on the ground, imitating that form.Then, tap tap tap tap . He crawled on the ground, alternating hands and feet like a salamander.
“Eek?!”
Namgung Seungah was startled and stepped back. Namgung Myeong clapped his hands in admiration at the highly accurate imitation.
“Wow! You really look like a salamander, Daoist Cheonghwi!”
“Look. In this posture, the types of attacks are limited. If we were to explore all human movements, there would be no end, but if it is a salamander, we can make a plan before we go in.”
“…So, are you saying we should create a way to break down the basic movements of a salamander? Like creating a martial arts breakdown?”
“Exactly.”
It sounds like nonsense… but it’s not unconvincing!
Namgung Seungah covered her mouth with her hand, taking time to understand Cheonghwi’s proposal in her own way.
“There are martial arts that imitate animal movements… called the Imitative-Style Fist. If we think of it as practicing Salamander Fist rather than imitating a salamander, it might not be such an ugly thing…”
“Let us have a light sparring match. This time, I shall take the role of the salamander, so explore efficient movements.”
“…Right now?”
Thud. Thud.
Swish swish swish swish swish!
Cheonghwi the salamander came rushing in like an arrow. Namgung Myeong and Namgung Seungah hurriedly took out wooden sticks. And focused.
According to Cheonghwi, the Imoogi down there was as tall as a person. Since there was no Gigantification Martial Art or anything like that, they couldn’t recreate that size, so they would have to use the power of imagination for this part.
The first impression of seeing the charging salamander was…
“…It’s low. And heavy.”
“Indeed, its center of gravity is low, Noonim!”
Against humans, disrupting the opponent’s center of gravity works effectively. Since they stand on the ground relying on two legs, just tripping or pushing can disperse most of their power.
However, since the salamander keeps its belly close to the ground, such techniques wouldn’t work well.
Tap!
Cheonghwi the Salamander sprang up from the ground, spreading his arms wide and then closing them. This was mimicking a biting action.
In their imagination, a giant Imoogi opened its mouth wide, trying to swallow them whole with its sharp teeth. How should they respond?
Block it? That wouldn’t work. For a creature the size of a giant Imoogi, it would be difficult to overcome its bite force with human strength, and it wouldn’t be light enough to knock away.
They had to dodge. Namgung Seungah stepped back using footwork. However.
“…!!”
The giant Imoogi followed all the way with its mouth open. Since its front and hind legs were free during the biting attack, it could accelerate sufficiently even while attacking.
Namgung Seungah’s back, who was retreating, touched the wall of the training hall. Retreating backward was a bad move!
“Oh shit…!!”
Chomp.
Namgung Seungah was bitten by the giant Imoogi. She should have dodged to the side, not backward. She closed her eyes tightly, slowly accepting death in regret…
“……”
No, it was just imagination.
Namgung Seungah opened her eyes. If it had been real, she would have been bitten to death right there. Although the method was ridiculous, it wasn’t a bad way to reduce mistakes.
As she came to terms with it and decided to take this animal-imitating martial arts training seriously, she was startled by the hot breath blown into her chest and began to grasp the reality of the situation.
She was being tightly embraced by Daoist Cheonghwi, and Cheonghwi had his face buried in her cleavage.
Namgung Seungah’s face turned bright red.
“…Are you not going to let go?!”
“Uht, it was not intentional. I became too immersed…”
“I said let go!”
Namgung Seungah repeatedly struck Cheonghwi’s crown with her palm. Cheonghwi covered his head with both arms and ran away hurriedly. There was a brief chase.
The martial art for breaking down the Imoogi’s movements improved in completeness as time passed.
“This tail, it’s more useful than I thought. So if I swing it like this…”
“……”
“Why are you avoiding eye contact… Look at the tail, the tail!”
The method of striking with the tail.
And in response, the method of grabbing onto the tail.
“If you strike here, wouldn’t this area become a blind spot?”
“So you mean move to the side and strike like this?”
“No, that’s not it. This part will be empty, so like this… No! I’m feeling a bit frustrated, Daoist Cheonghwi!”
The method of charging and ramming.
And in response, the method of dodging and diving in.
“There is a species called Lizardmen. They are bipedal lizards that use their tails very skillfully… Perhaps we could use it like this.”
“Are you saying there exist lizard people as big as humans, walking like humans?!”
“Then does that mysterious animal also lay large eggs?”
“Can we please talk about that later? For now, I would like to demonstrate the tail upward strike method I thought of.”
They also anticipated various irregular techniques and steadily wove them into martial arts.
The depth of martial knowledge deepened with each drop of sweat. Three novice martial artists gathered, put their heads together, and pondered, but the result was quite plausible.
It was a result that mixed a genius’s intelligence, otherworld experience, and coincidence that was close to inevitability.
Thus, two martial arts were created. One was the Child Dragon Fist (兒龍拳), modeled after the Imoogi’s movements, and the other was the Child Dragon Killing Technique (兒龍殺法), designed to kill the Imoogi.
Although there were some clumsy points here and there, it was a martial art that would clearly be effective against salamanders.
Although they couldn’t neatly organize and compile the key points, they were so excited about creating martial arts together that they went to a bookstore and bought two blank books.
And they wrote the names of the martial arts stylishly on the book covers. Satisfied smiles spread across the faces of the three.
However, Cheonghwi made an expression as if something was bothering him.
“Hmm…”
“What’s wrong, Daoist Cheonghwi?”
“I feel like something is missing. That is…”
If, by chance, this crude martial art was passed down to future generations.
Cheonghwi hoped that future practitioners would enjoy learning this martial art. Although the purpose was to obtain the Elixir, the process of imitating and piecing together salamander movements was close to a game.
Even in what could be seen as a heavy and serious situation of having to obtain an Elixir to fix a dantian, they burst into laughter when shaking their hips to imitate tail movements.
So, you, who have made a fateful connection with me and found this. There is joy to be found anywhere. Do not forget the joy of learning martial arts!
Cheonghwi added the two characters for the “Dao of Joy” (喜道) before the names of the martial arts.
The Dao of Joy Child Dragon Fist (喜道兒龍拳) and the Dao of Joy Child Dragon Killing Technique (喜道兒龍殺法).
This was the intent (意) of these martial arts.
Cheonghwi and the Namgung siblings had now completed their preparations. After purifying themselves and setting their minds straight, they set off for the depths of Heavenly Mirror Lake.
To catch the Imoogi and obtain the Elixir.
===============================================================
KUAAAAAAA──!!
“There was no mention of Qi Blasts being shot from a salamander’s mouth──?!”
“How was I supposed to know it could shoot Breaths?!”
“Wh-What is a Breath, Daoist Cheonghwi! If you know about that monstrous attack, please explain quickly so we can deal with it!!”
“Just run for now-!!”
KUGUUGUUGUU!!
The three were running for their lives. A death ray that could melt even rocks was hot on their heels.
“And I thought things were going well…!”
Cheonghwi lamented.
In fact, until just now, everything had been going very well. The Dao of Joy Child Dragon Killing Technique (喜道兒龍殺法) was doing its job perfectly, and they were beating the Imoogi quite easily.
They avoided its clever tail attacks, dodged to the side using footwork when it tried to swallow them whole, and all the formulas were working perfectly.
They were even able to find the Imoogi’s weak point and land critical hits.
But who knew there would be a Phase 2!
Cheonghwi, carrying Namgung Myeong, who was starting to fall behind due to exhaustion, under his arm and running for his life, shouted to Namgung Seungah.
“It can’t shoot forever! That Breath will stop eventually, so let us wait for that moment!”
“That’s if we don’t all burn to death before then!!”
“…Or how about we split up completely? Left and right!”
“You mean use one of us as bait?!”
Namgung Seungah hesitated for a moment but then nodded. Cheonghwi and Seungah exchanged a brief glance, then split left and right simultaneously.
OOOOOOO──!!
The Imoogi rolled its eyes for a moment, then chose to chase after Seungah. Cheonghwi put Namgung Myeong down in the shadow of the cave, then ran towards the Imoogi’s massive body to strike its weak point.
The weak point was on the nape of its neck.
“Dao of Joy Child Dragon Fist (喜道兒龍拳), Lizard Dragon Scurry (蜥龍疾走)…!”
Cheonghwi ran on all fours, staying flat on the ground. It was naturally slower than running on two feet, but there was no better technique for approaching unnoticed.
He approaches stealthily, hiding in the shadows of rocks.
He controlled his breathing. He stepped carefully to ensure no sound comes from any movement. Even his mana was suppressed. This was the essence of the assassination techniques learned from the Redburn Household.
Wizards were a picky and sensitive bunch. This was a technique for killing them, so deceiving one large salamander wasn’t a difficult task.
He climbed up, grasping the bumpy scales.
“I’m starting to get tired──!!”
It seemed Namgung Seungah, who had been buying time by flinging herself around, was also reaching her limit. Envers reached the Imoogi’s nape and gripped an awl, gathering his strength.
He had to kill it in one move to avoid complications. If the battle dragged on any longer, the humans would tire before the Imoogi.
He needed to inflict maximum damage.
He recalled numerous movements he could make while sitting astride. Among these, there must surely be the right answer. He raised his arm high and pulled. He recalled everything he had learned and seen so far.
The curves Luna had gracefully drawn..
The straight lines Bennett had rigidly extended.
The tyrannical Sword of Namgung shown by Namgung Seungah.
And, the Heavenly Demon’s gestures.
That subtle trajectory that exerted surprising force even with the lightest touch.
“Ignition (爆灑結)──!!”
He wove them all together and struck.
In that moment, he felt as if the sky was pressing down on him.
Thud.
It went in with a slick sound.
Despite piercing through thick scales, there was no resistance, as if parting water.
It felt as if Cheonghwi had become a nail, and the sky a hammer.
KUOOOOOOO──.
The Imoogi let out one last sorrowful cry, then breathed its last. Namgung Seungah collapsed from exhaustion, and Namgung Myeong ran to check on his sister.
Cheonghwi was clenching and unclenching his fist with a strange expression. What… did he just do?
He felt like he couldn’t do it again if asked. It was as if he had received some divine inspiration. He had briefly glimpsed a realm one level higher and come back down.
While Cheonghwi was dazed…
“We survived…!”
“Daoist Cheonghwi, Noonim is safe! Are you alright?!”
Hearing the voices of the Namgung siblings, Cheonghwi came to his senses.
“Ah, yes. I am fine too. Let us hurry and get the Elixir first!”
He quickly descended to under the Imoogi’s corpse.
===============================================================
A blue Sacred Herb.
Cheonghwi carefully dug out the soil and lifted it. Its root shape closely resembled a human, and just the faint fragrance spreading from it made him feel invigorated.
“……”
Gulp.
Namgung Myeong swallowed dryly. Then he spoke with a solemn expression.
“…I’ve heard there are cases where people go wrong from not being able to digest the Elixir. So, I’ll say this in advance. If I don’t wake up, please don’t resent–”
“Why are you saying such ominous things? Just open your mouth.”
“One should not say such inauspicious things at crucial moments.”
Namgung Seungah and Cheonghwi cut off Namgung Myeong’s death flag and popped the Human-Shaped Ginseng into the boy’s mouth.
“Ugh.”
It must have tasted bitter.
Namgung Myeong frowned and chewed the Human-Shaped Ginseng for a while, then swallowed it and tried to sit cross-legged to circulate his qi, but after a moment, he closed his eyes and collapsed.
“…?!”
“D-Did something go wrong?!”
“Wait. And do not touch him carelessly!”
Namgung Seungah, greatly startled, checked Namgung Myeong’s pulse, but his heart was beating properly and his breathing was normal. She said there was an enormous amount of Inner Arts circulating inside his body. She concluded:
“It seems the energy of the Elixir is healing Myeong’s body. He naturally fell asleep for his body to heal. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong.”
“…That’s a relief.”
The two let out sighs of relief simultaneously. Then, in a more relaxed atmosphere, they sat down to rest.
“…If you had taken all this Inner Qi for yourself, you could have even used the True Fire of Samadhi. Don’t you regret it? Daoist Cheonghwi.”
“I thought I might regret it a little, but I only feel refreshed. I feel extremely good.”
He had succeeded. He had set his mind to it and achieved it.
Now, if he could just return to the Namgung Clan and see Namgung Myeong moving around energetically, that would be enough. After that…
“Since I saved his son, do you suppose they might teach me some martial arts? What do you think?”
“I think so too. The Clan Lord is a generous person, so he might even reveal some of the clan’s esoteric doctrines. Then, we’d be training together at that time too.”
“That would be enjoyable…”
Although he would have done it even without a reward, he had no intention of declining if they offered. Cheonghwi was imagining what kind of gift he might receive when he casually joked.
“Now if only the return journey is safe, it would be perfect! Incidents like Green Forest bandits or Demonic Cult forces chasing after Myeong, for example.”
“…!!”
It was the moment when future hardships were all but determined.