The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family Chapter 10

The Genius Grandson of the Namgung Family

Chapter 10

“Oh, how exhausting.”

As soon as Ha Hyeon finished today’s training, he collapsed onto his bed. Although the servants had prepared hot water on schedule, he lacked even the strength to bathe right now.

“So this is what systematic training is like.”

Ha Hyeon reflected on what he had done today. Unlike his seemingly gentle appearance, Namgung Gyu-hyeon seemed like a completely different person once training began.

‘Your fundamentals are far too lacking compared to your achievements! Ha Hyeon, from now on you’ll only practice basics until I say it’s okay!’

From that moment began Ha Hyeon’s fundamental skills training. Without using internal energy, he held horse stance using purely physical strength, and continued practicing proper stance straight punches for two time periods.

“Ugh.”

Ha Hyeon shuddered as he seemed to hear Gyu-hyeon’s voice saying ‘Don’t let your knees touch the ground!’ in his ears.

However, despite this, he felt extremely good. He was confident that if he continued like this, he could become stronger.

‘Grandfather and Uncle must have all gone through this process too, right?’

They were both masters that the current Ha Hyeon couldn’t even come close to. Having clear results right before his eyes seemed to give Ha Hyeon even more strength.

“There’s no time to lie down.”

Ha Hyeon suddenly got up from his bed and sat cross-legged. The circulation exercise after training felt like welcome rain during a drought. The magnificent true energy of the Changgung Daeyeon Heart Technique caressed Ha Hyeon’s entire body. As torn muscles recovered and grew, his true energy also gradually increased in size as it circulated throughout his body.

Swoosh

As Ha Hyeon fell into a trance, turbid energy slowly leaked out from his body without him knowing.

“Phew-“

How much time had passed? After finishing the circulation exercise, Ha Hyeon felt refreshed as if he had just woken up from sleep.

However.

‘Sniff sniff’

“Oh my, the smell. The smell was this bad and I didn’t even notice? From now on, I shouldn’t get straight into bed after training.”

Ha Hyeon quickly threw off his clothes and entered the bath to wash away the terrible odor emanating from his whole body.

Four days had already passed since Ha Hyeon began training at the Namgung Family. Chwiwol Geolgae seemed upset with Ha Hyeon and after resting for just two nights, left the Namgung Family saying he had things to look into, and Sword Master Namgung Mu-ryong also left saying he had business at the Murim Alliance.

And Namgung Gyu-hyeon was trying to hide his inner surprise at seeing Ha Hyeon’s development which changed day by day.

‘Pak- Pak- Pak’

Simple straight punches continued for four days. Some might find it absurd to have someone who wants to learn the sword practice punching instead. However, looking at the reality, that’s not the case.

‘In the end, the sword is an extension of the fist. Only when you can move your body exactly as you intend, can you move the sword as if it were part of your body.’

Therefore, what Gyu-hyeon demanded from Ha Hyeon was just one thing. To be able to hit the same spot a hundred times even if throwing a hundred punches. Usually, this training would take a month for a talented person, and some slower learners might repeat just this movement for several months.

‘Yet to accomplish this in just four days…!’

Watching Ha Hyeon’s terrifying focus on his striking point, Gyu-hyeon felt both a strange excitement and simultaneously, even a sense of deflation.

Ha Hyeon’s peers who entered training together had long noticed that his achievements were extraordinary.

‘He’s only ten years old? He looks more like thirteen or fourteen based on his size.’

‘How can he learn so quickly? Is he really a genius?’

Some were in awe of Ha Hyeon.

‘If a mere ten-year-old can do it, I can too. I need to focus more!’

‘I was also recognized as having good qualities in my family to come this far. I won’t fall behind!’

Others focused even more on their training to avoid falling behind Ha Hyeon.

‘I can’t let my younger brother catch up. I will definitely become the head of the Namgung Family!’

Among those focused on training was Namgung So-hwa. Actually, as almost the only girl in the Namgung Family, Namgung So-hwa had lived receiving tremendous love and hadn’t put in effort compared to her talent, but after Ha Hyeon joined, she always seemed sincere.

‘A great blessing has rolled into our Namgung Family.’

Namgung Gyu-hyeon felt his heart swelling. However, he wasn’t the type to just dwell on personal sentiments. He didn’t neglect his role as a basic instructor either. He slowly looked around at the trainees.

‘Good. This level seems sufficient to move beyond the basics.’

Perhaps because they were carefully selected from hundreds of applicants, everyone showed some level of polish. Of course, none showed the perfect form like Ha Hyeon.

“Everyone, that’s enough for now. Come over here.”

“Yes, Master!”

At Gyu-hyeon’s words, the trainees all stopped their movements at once and approached him. In the Namgung Family, they strictly distinguished between “Master” and “Teacher.” Though they could be considered the same word, “Master” could be used for anyone teaching in group education and such, while “Teacher” was a title that could only be used when directly taking someone as a disciple.

“We can stop the straight punches now.”

Everyone’s expressions brightened slightly. Though no one had shown it, this training must have been very boring and difficult. According to rumors, some people did this training for months, but now they could stop after just four days.

“But this doesn’t mean you can completely stop. You must continuously train your waist and lower body. From now on, before starting morning training, you’ll do horse stance and fist training for one time period, and then proceed with other training.”

Though disappointment briefly flickered across the disciples’ faces, they soon brightened up. After all, reducing it from all day to one time period was a significant decrease. Namgung Gyu-hyeon noticed their expressions. However, as someone who valued fundamentals the most, he had no intention of stopping this training.

Instead, he decided to say something the disciples would like to hear.

“And now, I think it’s time to properly hold the sword.”

The disciples’ expressions noticeably brightened at Namgung Gyu-hyeon’s words. The Namgung family had long been renowned for their swordsmanship. It wasn’t uncommon to find students from other prestigious martial arts families who came here specifically to learn swordsmanship.

“Everyone here should have learned the Three Elements Sword Technique as a basic.”

“Yes!” everyone answered loudly.

But one person…

Ha Hyeon alone looked around with a puzzled expression.

“Ha Hyeon. Is there a problem?”

“Ah, well… I’ve never held a sword before.”

“What?”

“I’ve only heard of the Three Elements Sword Technique, but I’ve never learned it or even seen it.”

Namgung Gyu-hyeon was surprised by Ha Hyeon’s unexpected answer.

“The Three Elements Sword Technique and Three Elements Mind Technique are the first things learned when starting martial arts training. You’re saying you haven’t learned the sword technique? Even though you’ve learned movement techniques?”

“I didn’t learn martial arts in a systematic way…”

Gyu-hyeon laughed helplessly.

“Ha ha. I see. Well, this works out. Everyone here will start from the basics. Haven’t I said countless times? Fundamentals and basics are the foundation. Everyone, grab a wooden sword from the wall and gather here again.”

Fortunately, Gyu-hyeon was an excellent teacher, and the disciples were highly motivated. When everyone gathered again, Gyu-hyeon explained everything in detail, from the very basic grip to the precautions needed when using a sword. During this, some were about to develop bad habits in holding the sword, while others were using completely different grips.

‘Thanks to Ha Hyeon, I learned something good. From the next batch, I should teach sword grip from the beginning. I’ve been saying fundamentals and basics are most important, yet I was trying to take shortcuts.’

Though he wasn’t aware of it himself, Namgung Gyu-hyeon was also evolving as an educator while teaching Ha Hyeon.

After explaining the sword basics thoroughly to a satisfactory level, the sun was already setting.

“Well. Time has passed quickly. Everyone must never forget what you learned today.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good. Then today, we’ll end after I demonstrate the Three Elements Sword Technique. Don’t watch carelessly just because you’ve already learned it. I’ll show you the Three Elements Sword Technique focusing on basics, minimizing fancy techniques.”

“Yes!”

Namgung Gyu-hyeon held the wooden sword properly under everyone’s gaze. Then he began to demonstrate the forms.

Heaven (天), Earth (地), Human (人).

A third-rate martial art among third-rate martial arts, consisting only of vertical cuts, horizontal cuts, and thrusts. Namgung Gyu-hyeon demonstrated the Three Elements Sword Technique very slowly, with the most orthodox movements he could manage.

‘Wow…’

Gyu-hyeon’s demonstration was enough to inspire awe in the disciples. To those who had already learned the Three Elements Sword Technique, it reminded them that this simple sword technique actually forms the basis of all sword techniques. To those like Ha Hyeon who didn’t know it yet, it showed how the path of the sword begins.

Namgung Gyu-hyeon didn’t stop after doing these simple movements just once. He repeated the same movements five times so that everyone present would remember them.

“Phew… That’s all for today.”

Light sweat appeared on Namgung Gyu-hyeon’s forehead after the demonstration. It seemed to show how much effort he had put into the demonstration.

“Everyone, review these movements in your mind. Keep thinking about them even after you return to your quarters. Tomorrow, after fist training, we’ll practice wielding the sword. That’s all for today.”

“Yes!”

As soon as Namgung Gyu-hyeon finished speaking, the disciples efficiently cleaned up the training ground and dispersed in small groups.

“Ha Hyeon. Let’s go together.”

“Okay, sister.”

So-hwa took care of Ha Hyeon like a real sister. Living in the same pavilion, she always accompanied Ha Hyeon to and from morning training.

“By the way, today’s training was really tough, right? Brother Hwan said it would be this hard for a few months…”

“…”

Though So-hwa spoke, there was no response from Ha Hyeon. Ha Hyeon seemed deeply lost in thought about something. It was clear that something learned today had given Ha Hyeon something to think about again.

Namgung So-hwa smiled at this sight.

‘Such frightening concentration. I can’t lose either.’

So-hwa also had no intention of stopping training even after returning to her quarters.

That night.

After finishing dinner and qi circulation, Ha Hyeon was in the open space in front of the pavilion. Something about the Three Elements Sword Technique that Namgung Gyu-hyeon had shown during the day had raised questions.

‘Those movements… They looked very similar to the movements that beggar showed during the duel. That beggar… Was his name Ma Yun-cheol?’

The Three Elements Sword Technique consists of simple movements: vertical cuts, horizontal cuts, and thrusts. Therefore, it’s natural that no matter what weapon one handles in the world, those three movements cannot be avoided.

However, Ha Hyeon felt there was some connection between the two martial arts, not just similar movements.

Under a large tree, Ha Hyeon picked up a straight branch of suitable length and thickness and trimmed off its twigs. Then he gripped the stick according to the holding method learned during the day.

‘The Three Elements Sword Technique definitely felt like this.’

Ha Hyeon’s hands holding the branch began to move. He performed the thrusting form from the Three Elements Sword Technique. Ha Hyeon tried his best to recall what Namgung Gyu-hyeon had shown.

Though it was his first time actually performing the Three Elements Sword Technique, an almost perfect form emerged from Ha Hyeon’s hands.

‘And the Eighteen Strikes started like this.’

This time, his hands demonstrated the beginning of the Eighteen Strikes that Gyu-hyeon had briefly taught him.

Though they appeared completely different at first glance, Ha Hyeon seemed to grasp something just by performing each once.

‘Let’s try once more.’

Ha Hyeon repeated the two basic martial arts several times.

And suddenly, Ha Hyeon could understand.

“Haha… I get it. I understand. These two martial arts ultimately follow the same principle as the horse stance and straight punch.”

The answer to why every family and sect teaches the Three Elements Sword Technique as the most basic, and why the Association starts with the Eighteen Strikes, was actually quite simple when you think about it.

“They’re martial arts created to repeatedly master the most fundamental basics.”

The Eighteen Strikes, though slightly different from the Three Elements Sword Technique, is ultimately composed of very basic movements like thrusting and swinging. It’s a martial art designed to make one use the strike staff like their own body before learning more advanced techniques. And the Three Elements Sword Technique is the same.

“Obviously, when the Three Elements Sword Technique is perfected, it will be tremendously helpful when learning other sword techniques. After all, no sword technique in the world can escape these three movements.”

What Ha Hyeon realized might seem extremely obvious. It’s really quite simple. But conversely, because it’s so obvious, most people don’t understand why they need to learn these techniques. They just do it because their master tells them to. They just do it because everyone else does.

Ha Hyeon began performing the Three Elements Sword Technique again with a different mindset than before. This time, he wasn’t just swinging the sword, but began infusing it with internal energy. It wasn’t too difficult since he had already learned how to infuse weapons with internal energy while practicing the Eighteen Strikes.

Swoosh-

Whoosh-

Swish!

The branch infused with true energy made sharp sounds as it cut through the air. After finishing the form, Ha Hyeon tilted his head, feeling something was off.

“Hmm… Something seems lacking.”

If someone had seen Ha Hyeon’s Three Elements Sword Technique, they might have applauded as it was nearly perfect. But Ha Hyeon wasn’t satisfied. Though the outward appearance was perfect… it was hard to identify the source of this unsatisfying feeling.

“What’s missing exactly?”

Ha Hyeon was deep in thought. Just then, someone’s voice broke through his contemplation.

“The Three Elements Sword Technique itself is perfect, but you’re not paying any attention to your lower body.”

“Who are you?”

The man who spoke to Ha Hyeon approached him with a friendly smile. With his sculpted handsome face and the dignity filling his entire body. One could glimpse his intelligence and wisdom just from his walk.

“So you’re Ha Hyeon? Looking at your appearance, the Namgung blood seems to flow strongly in you. I am Namgung Min.”

“Ah! You’re the eldest brother? Great Uncle mentioned you.”

“Haha. Uncle has already told you about me. I look forward to our future together.”

Namgung Min patted Ha Hyeon’s shoulder with a kindly smile. This was the first meeting between Ha Hyeon and Namgung Min, who was considered to have the most outstanding talent since the establishment of the Namgung family.