It Wasn’t a Martial Arts World, but the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 37: Sparring, and Growth (2)

There’s a question I’ve always had since I was reincarnated into this world.

Why am I the only one who can use this martial art?

I didn’t receive any special privileges like in typical fantasy stories, nor did I have any unique abilities.

And then, I quickly came to a conclusion.

It’s because qi truly exists in this world.

I first sensed the existence of qi after training for three years.

Just like in martial arts novels, I sat in a meditation pose and followed the theory of the circulation of qi.

At some point, it just clicked.

So, when I still didn’t fully understand the nature of this world, I tried teaching my martial arts to my younger brothers.

However, for some reason, they just couldn’t grasp it.

But what if it were someone with extraordinary talent?

Would the result be different?

“What exactly is this supposed to be?”

Zhao Yun sat in a meditation pose, tilting her head with a completely confused expression.

“Circulation of qi.”

“Circulation of qi…?”

“Yes, it’s a breathing technique in qi cultivation. You circulate qi through your body via breathing, creating energy points and storing qi in your *dantian*. Once that happens, you’ll awaken to inner strength. Now, close your eyes and take deep breaths.”

“…”

Zhao Yun obediently closed her eyes as instructed.

“All things contain qi. The earth, the forest, the sky—every aspect of nature has qi flowing through it. You just haven’t realized it yet. Now, focus.”

“What exactly is this qi?”

“Hey, I told you to focus.”

I clicked my tongue and gave Zhao Yun a light chop on the head.

“Ow, that hurts!”

“Listen, achieving inner peace is crucial during Circulation of qi. If the flow of qi reverses, you could easily fall into *qi deviation* (走火入魔).”

“I still don’t understand any of this…”

“To put it simply, it’ll cripple you.”

“…What?!”

Zhao Yun tried to stand up suddenly, but I firmly pressed down on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry. If you follow my instructions, you’ll be fine.”

“I feel uneasy… I absolutely can’t trust this!”

“Hey, just breathe. Inhale deeply and calmly.”

Saying this, I sat down next to her in a meditation pose.

“Do you feel anything?”

“…I do smell something burning.”

I opened my eyes slightly and saw Haryeong burning a bunch of precious herbs.

Haryeong, you’re no good at cooking.

Stop touching stuff…

“…Just focus.”

Time passed.

Zhao Yun remained seated in her meditation pose without moving, but then her body suddenly trembled.

“…Can you feel it?!”

I couldn’t contain my excitement.

As I suspected, I’m not the only one in this world who can manipulate qi.

The people here just don’t know how to access it.

Finally, Zhao Yun slowly stood up.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Are those tears of joy?

Well, I shed similar hot tears when I first accumulated *inner qi*.

Then her face turned red.

Is she excited?

Well, I blushed too when I first felt qi—

“I-I need to step away for a moment…!”

“Huh?”

“I’ll only be a minute!”

Zhao Yun said this and disappeared in a flash.

As it turned out, she just urgently needed to use the restroom.

***

“Boss, did you teach that *qi* thing again?”

“There’s no reason it shouldn’t work…”

I ignored Unsam’s comment and rested my chin on my hand.

“Can you really not sense any qi?”

“…Not at all.”

Zhao Yun hugged her knees, her head hung low in embarrassment.

From the look on her face, it seemed like she was mortified.

I let out a deep sigh.

“Come on, it’s not like peeing is something to be ashamed of—”

“Enough! Stop it, please!”

“Yeah, big brother! Watch your mouth!”

Have they already become best buddies after just a few days?

“Anyway, are you sure you didn’t feel anything?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

In the end, it seemed Zhao Yun also couldn’t sense the qi that flows through the atmosphere.

Why, though?

It just came naturally to me.

“Just take deeper breaths, okay? You only need a bit of focus to feel that ‘pop!’ sensation!”

“I have no idea what you mean by ‘pop!’ sensation, but it seems I’m not able to comprehend this *inner strength* concept at all.”

Zhao Yun now looked like she didn’t believe a word I was saying.

“Is that so.”

Well, this wasn’t the first time I had encountered this. It’s not something to get too worked up about.

I sighed deeply and stood up.

“Well, I can’t explain it any further than this.”

I turned my gaze toward Unsam.

“Tsk, gather the boys.”

“What are you planning to do?”

Zhao Yun asked.

“They need to train, don’t they?”

“That sounds interesting.”

Zhao Yun’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Then sit back and watch if you want.”

“Is that alright?”

“Why not? It’s not like watching will do any harm.”

“Then I’ll gratefully accept your offer.”

With that, Unsam gathered the boys, and Baekrang organized them into formation.

Thus, the training began.

Starting with light jogging, then sparring for warm-up, followed by swordsmanship training led by Baekrang.

“Aren’t you going to give any commands, Unryong?”

“I’ll oversee the bigger picture.”

I used to train the boys myself, but they just couldn’t keep up with my teaching.

Zhao Yun quietly observed them and spoke up.

“For a group of non-regular soldiers, they’re surprisingly organized. That unusual movement also seems like it could be effective.”

Ah, that’s just something I picked up from guerrilla training and taught them roughly.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

But Zhao Yun continued.

“However, there are still some shortcomings. For example, that soldier using the spear.”

I turned my gaze to where she was pointing.

There was a soldier swinging a spear. I had taught him based on movements I’d seen in martial arts novels.

“Considering his build, that movement isn’t very efficient. Also, he’s not adhering to the basics at all. It feels like he’s relying too much on intuition.”

Well, I can’t help that.

I rely on instinct myself when swinging my sword.

“Then what should we do?”

“It would be better to teach the basics step by step first. Also, in addition to martial arts training, they should learn formations, movement speeds, and so on. This is just my personal opinion, of course.”

Since this was coming from Zhao Yun, her advice probably held more weight than mine.

“Then why don’t you give it a try?”

When I said this without hesitation, Zhao Yun looked at me like I was crazy.

“You want me to command them?”

“Yeah.”

“What…? There’s no way they’ll follow me. Besides, changing the training structure all of a sudden could cause confusion. I’m not the training officer here, and I won’t be around for long anyway.”

“Don’t you want to become stronger?”

At my sudden question, Zhao Yun nodded.

“All martial artists probably think that way.”

“Then, I’ll teach you martial arts no matter what.”

“…You’re not just messing with me?”

Zhao Yun narrowed her eyes and glared at me suspiciously.

“No, qi definitely exists.”

I shrugged my shoulders and answered.

Qi exists.

If it didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to perform martial arts or wield sword qi.

Since reaching the entry stage of first-rate, this theory had become almost certain in my mind.

After all, how could there be martial arts in the world without qi?

“So, I’ll help you accumulate inner strength, no matter what. In exchange, feel free to command these guys however you like. If you don’t want to, you can stop whenever. Besides, they won’t ignore your orders as much as you think.”

If anyone disobeys, I’ll just beat them up.

Hmm, Zhao Yun rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

“I understand what you’re saying. However, it’s not just that I want to become stronger.”

Then, she asked.

“Unryong, do you intend to stay in this forest for the rest of your life?”

It was an unexpected question, but her tone was serious.

“Of course not.”

There’s no way I’ll stay in this forest forever.

“When the time comes, I’ll descend the mountain.”

“When the time comes…”

Zhao Yun pondered again.

“Alright. I have one last question.”

Finally, she stood up.

“That world you spoke of, will it ever come to be?”

“The world I spoke of?”

“At least a world where children don’t starve. Will such a time ever come?”

Her blue eyes gleamed with hope.

I grinned.

“I told you. It will. That’s the future that should naturally come to pass.”

“Is that so.”

Zhao Yun slowly nodded and then clasped her hands together respectfully.

“I, Zhao Zilong of Changshan, will, from this moment forward, consider Unryong my master until I learn martial arts from you.”

“What?”

Wait, what the hell? Master?

That’s way too embarrassing.

I wasn’t even thinking of taking on a disciple yet!

“I may be an inexperienced disciple, but I look forward to your guidance, Master.”

Despite my displeased expression, Zhao Yun smiled faintly.

This happened in June of 190 AD.