The abandoned park, with its rusty swings and graffiti-covered slide, became Yi Shi-Woon's makeshift training ground. The morning after their conversation in the schoolyard, Shi-Woon found himself there, nervously waiting for Master Goo. The cool morning breeze prickled his skin beneath his school uniform, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead made his stomach churn.
Master Goo arrived punctually, his black-clad figure standing out against the gray morning sky. There were no formal greetings or detailed explanations. Without a word, he began to demonstrate a series of slow, fluid movements, a kind of martial dance that seemed to defy gravity.
"This is the basics," Master Goo said, his calm voice echoing in the silence of the park. "The warm-up. Learn to control your body before you try to control it for the fight."
Shi-woon watched intently, trying to mimic the movements. He found himself clumsy and uncoordinated, his limbs seemingly unresponsive to his commands. Master Goo patiently corrected him, adjusting his posture, the position of his arms, the way he breathed. Every small adjustment seemed to make a difference, even though the physical effort was exhausting.
The first sessions focused on strengthening and flexibility exercises. Push-ups, squats, and stretches Shi-Woon never thought possible. His muscles protested with each repetition, and sweat trickled down his forehead and back. Master Goo showed no signs of fatigue; his movements were always precise and controlled.
"The body is your first weapon," Master Goo explained during a brief break. "You must strengthen it, make it resilient. But brute force isn't enough. You must learn to channel your energy, your ki."
The word "Ki" sounded mysterious and distant to Shi-Woon. Master Goo tried to explain the concept, speaking of a vital energy that resided within each person, a force that could be awakened and harnessed with training and concentration. Shi-Woon listened attentively, although the idea seemed abstract and difficult to grasp.
As the days turned into weeks, the training intensified. Master Goo began teaching him some basic striking and defense techniques. Shi-Woon learned slowly, his movements still clumsy and unsteady, but with a gradual improvement that even he could notice. His body was beginning to feel stronger, more agile.
One day, while practicing a punching sequence, Master Goo stopped Shi-Woon. "Now, try to feel your ki," he told him. "Focus on your inner self, on the energy flowing through your body. Try to direct it toward your fist."
Shi-woon closed his eyes, following his master's instructions. He tried to concentrate, to visualize that energy flowing through him. At first, he only felt the rapid beat of his heart and the persistent pain in his muscles. But then, for a fleeting moment, he felt a slight throbbing, a sensation of subtle energy that ran down his arm to his fist.
He opened his eyes, surprised. Master Goo nodded slightly. "You felt it. It was small, but it was there. With practice, you'll learn to control it, to make it stronger."
In addition to physical training, Master Goo also began to teach Shi-woon about the world of the Murim. He told him stories of secret clans, of powerful martial artists capable of incredible feats, of ancient rules and traditions that governed their hidden society. It was a fascinating and dangerous world, one that existed just beneath the surface of normal society, invisible to most people.
Shi-woon listened in awe, his worldview expanding beyond the walls of his school and the streets of his neighborhood. He was beginning to understand that Master Goo's intervention in his life wasn't a simple act of kindness, but the beginning of a much deeper and more meaningful journey. His training wasn't just to defend himself from bullies, but to prepare him for a world he 'd never known existed. The sweat of his training now held new meaning, a taste of secrecy, and the promise of a power he was only just beginning to glimpse.
To be continued...
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