Chapter 50
“Blood Bear Im Woong. He is a practitioner of offensive martial arts, charging headlong into battle without caring for defense. This often leads to heavy bleeding, which he seems to enjoy flaunting. His true martial art, honed through rigorous external training and practical combat, is considered remarkable.”
“What’s the name of his martial art?”
“It’s called Bear Claw Saber.”
“Bear Claw Saber… like a bear’s claw?”
“Yes.”
“It’s an erratic and instinctual saber art, but that’s all there is to it. It’s slower and clumsier than the swordsmanship you’ve learned, so it shouldn’t be a major challenge for you.”
“How did someone like that even become a contender for the Eight Extremities?”
“It’s because of the Iron Cloth Armor he trained in.”
“Iron Cloth Armor, the external art that makes the skin as tough as iron?”
“You’re familiar with Iron Cloth Armor?”
“Yes.”
“Then, do you also know about weak points?”
Of course I knew about weak points. Do you know how many martial arts novels I’ve read?
“External training hardens the body, but it also creates a counterbalance—one part of the body becomes especially weak as a side effect. This critical weak spot is the weak point, isn’t it?”
“Exactly. You’re spot on.”
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help but smile proudly at the praise, but then I noticed Cheon Gang glancing at Jeok I-geon.
Huh?
Following his gaze, I ended up locking eyes with Jeok I-geon’s cold, piercing stare.
Oh no, that startled me!
Why does he look so intimidating all of a sudden?
Instinctively, I lowered my gaze and took a step back from him.
“If you know about weak points, do you know how to locate them?”
“You just keep hitting until you find it, right?”
“That’s correct, but identifying weak points in actual combat is extremely difficult. Especially in your case, Shin Seol-ha, with your lack of experience, it’s nearly impossible.”
In the novels I read, they found weak points so easily. I guess that’s the protagonist’s plot armor at work.
“Then how should I deal with Im Woong?”
“Use Internal Impact Technique,” Jeok I-geon replied.
“External arts are weak on the inside. So instead of targeting the exterior, strike the interior.”
After this brief explanation, Jeok I-geon gestured to a waiting maid, who brought out a jar and placed it on the ground.
The jar was filled with water.
What’s with the jar?
Before I could ask, Jeok I-geon lightly tapped the front of the jar with the back of his hand.
There wasn’t much sound because of the water inside, but the next moment, the back of the jar shattered, and water spilled out everywhere.
Jeok I-geon had struck the front, but the back broke?
So this is Internal Impact Technique.
He gestured again, and another jar was placed in front of us.
“This time, observe from above.”
“Yes.”
Following his instructions, I leaned closer and looked down into the jar. My reflection stared back at me from the still surface of the water.
Thud!
As Jeok I-geon struck the jar’s front with his palm, the water inside rippled violently.
“What?”
While the jar’s exterior remained intact, the water inside began to churn and swirl like a storm.
Eventually, the back of the jar cracked, spilling water everywhere.
Watching it happen was mesmerizing.
“Can I really do this?”
Jeok I-geon made it look easy, but it clearly wasn’t.
Seeing my hesitation, Jeok I-geon suddenly clapped his hands.
Clap, clap!
Dozens of maids entered the training hall, each carrying a large jar.
No way.
Soon, rows upon rows of jars lined the ground.
“You must succeed by the end of today. Can you do it?”
What happens if I don’t?
I couldn’t bring myself to ask and just swallowed nervously.
I was confident in my internal energy, but only when it came to brute force.
This technique clearly relied on precise control.
“After your punch lands, inject your energy into the jar and burst it. That’s the key. Begin.”
That one sentence was the entirety of his instruction?
Unbelievable.
But I had no choice but to trust Jeok I-geon.
“By the way, why jars?”
“Isn’t it a bit wasteful to break a jar with every punch? These jars aren’t cheap.”
“And cleaning up afterward? What a hassle.”
I could almost hear the maids at Yeong-eun Pavilion grumbling in frustration.
“While it may not perfectly replicate a human body, it’s quite similar. A human body, like this jar, is filled with liquid.”
“Oh.”
Now that he mentioned it, the resemblance was striking.
“Any more questions?”
“No, none.”
Having my curiosity satisfied, I stood before the jar and let out a deep breath.
Let’s do this.
I can do it!
Even the Heavenly Demon himself said I had talent.
I hyped myself up, clenching my fist before delivering a powerful strike.
“…!”
But all I heard was the jar shattering with a loud crash.
Water splashed everywhere, drenching me.
“Next!”
What a cold-hearted guy.
Not even a “Are you okay?” after getting soaked.
Biting my lip in frustration, I moved to the next jar.
Here we go again!
But once more, the result was the same.
Failure.
There was no time to wallow in disappointment.
“Next! Next! Next!”
The training hall became an endless chorus of “Next!”
“Bring more!”
We ran out of jars, prompting another round of maids to haul in dozens more.
Watching them lug those heavy jars made me feel terrible.
Not long ago, I was in their shoes.
I wanted to succeed, not just for myself but for them, too.
But it wasn’t happening.
The floor became a swamp of water and broken pottery.
My body steamed from the exertion.
The same pattern repeated over and over.
“Huff, huff.”
I was out of breath, having used up too much of my internal energy.
My hands throbbed, red and raw from the relentless impacts.
Damn it.
Do I really have talent?
“Next!”
Jeok I-geon showed no mercy.
Even a short break was out of the question.
His brutal training method was infuriating, but it also stoked my competitive spirit.
Fine.
Let’s see who wins this game of endurance—me or you!
I straightened my posture, took a deep breath, and stood before another jar.
Smash! Crash!
Yet another jar shattered.
By now, I looked like a drowned rat.
I can feel it.
I’m so close!
Why won’t it work?!
I threw another punch.
Thunk!
Wait.
What’s this? Thunk?
Pausing mid-step, my eyes widened.
“…!”
The jar I had just struck didn’t break.
No water spilled.
Is this real?
I rushed over to inspect the back of the jar.
Yes!
Water was trickling out from a crack on the backside.
Unbelievable!
“I did it! I succeeded!”
Turning around, I saw Jeok I-geon nod in acknowledgment.
“Yesss!”
A scream of pure joy burst out of me.
I couldn’t believe I had done it.
Honestly, I thought it would take days.
‘I really do have talent!’
Sorry for doubting you, Heavenly Demon.
“…Ah! My apologies.”
Caught up in my excitement, I suddenly realized Jeok I-geon was still watching.
Quickly, I bowed in apology.
“No need. You’ve done well.”
The usually stoic Jeok I-geon’s voice softened, almost sweet.
“Excellent work.”
He smiled and patted my head.
It was only the second time Jeok I-geon had ever touched someone’s head without breaking it.
Was he feeling unwell?
Despite being an elite master, I couldn’t help but wonder.
My heart pounded uncomfortably.
‘Maybe I overused my internal energy.’
_
Thud, thud, thud!
Blood Bear Im Woong charged at me like an actual bear, wildly swinging his saber.
Being the Heavenly Demon’s disciple didn’t faze him.
His sole focus was on winning.
Swoosh!
Im Woong relentlessly pressed his attacks.
Just as Jeok I-geon described, he completely neglected defense, pouring everything into offense.
“The key to footwork is observation. Always watch the opponent’s attack until the end, then evade,” Jeok I-geon advised.
For now, he told me to focus on dodging Im Woong’s attacks rather than countering.
It wasn’t about running away but predicting the direction of the blade and moving accordingly.
Although slightly overwhelmed at first, I soon noticed the movements of Im Woong’s blade.
Thank you, Seo Ryeon.
Her sparring sessions had been more helpful than I realized.
Compared to her lightning-fast strikes, Im Woong’s saber was sluggish—laughably so.
This was easy.
With newfound confidence, I naturally transitioned into footwork.
Demonic Phoenix Flowing Steps.
Like a phoenix gracefully soaring through the air.
For the first time, I showcased the martial arts of the Demon Empress before a vast audience of martial artists.
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