The Novel's Extra (101-200)

Chapter 161 - The First City (3)

[Highest Difficulty Tutorial Town]

A new morning arrived.

As soon as I woke up, I left the inn and began to do my morning stretch. Then suddenly, a loud, ringing voice struck my ears.

"Oi, what are you doing?"

I turned around and saw Cheok Jungyeong who was topless. He seemed to have been working out as his body was red and his muscles were bulked up.

"Just some morning workout."

"Workout? Ha, you call that a workout?"

Cheok Jungyeong approached me as he sneered.

"Listen, Newbie, doing push-ups is for kids."

"...Pardon?"

"When it comes to training your body, breathing is the most important thing. Got it? To breathe properly..."

Cheok Jungyeong suddenly began to lecture about breathing.

I was half-ignoring him, but suddenly my mind became clearer. Cheok Jungyeong pushed his face closer.

"Listen, breathing isn't just done with your body, it's done with your mind."

The man who was standing in front of me was the famous 'Cheok Jungyeong' of the Goryeo era. As the most powerful general in the history of the Korean Peninsula, his understanding of martial arts was something no one could argue against.

"Look, this is what's known as inner core breathing."

Ssp, haa...

Cheok Jungyeong began to breathe. It might look like normal breathing, but it was different. I carefully observed his body. As he inhaled and exhaled, his muscles moved along with him.

"I'm moving the muscles in my body by breathing. Get it? We're on a completely different level of breathing!"

Cheok Jungyeong stood proudly after finishing his demonstration. I watched Cheok Jungyeong's muscles for a bit, then muttered with doubt.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to do this."

"It'll be hard for sure. There are lots of rookies swinging their swords around claiming they've achieved the 'one with the sword' realm, but they are unaware that becoming one with your mind and body is the hardest thing in the world. But I can do it. Do you know why?"

No...

I gave him an apathetic look, but Cheok Jungyeong continued on without minding my disinterest.

"The strongest man in all of Goryeo, the martial god who could uproot trees with his bare hands and change the fate of countries alone."

Cheok Jungyeong hit his chest proudly.

"It's because that's who I am."

He smiled and faced me. His expression contained an ineffable pride and self-conviction. I stared at him silently. Cheok Jungyeong's smile turned into a big grin.

"Are you starting to respect me now?"

"...No, I'm just cringing. Isn't that your past life anyway?"

"What? Say that again, I dare you."

In any case, I obtained a good hint.

Breathing through the entire body. Although it was impossible for my current self, I should be able to imitate it using Stigma's magic power.

"Hajin~"

At that moment, Jain peeked her head out of the third-floor window.

"Yes?"