NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
“I will act as your guard during meditation!”
Three days had passed, and upon seeing that my body had visibly recovered, Hye-ryeong offered her assistance.
I immediately nodded in approval at her offer.
Although the meditation technique wasn’t so sensitive that it required a guard, having one couldn’t hurt.
I averted my gaze from her standing position in front of me and sat cross-legged.
Surprisingly, even the knights in this world often assume the cross-legged position when meditating.
Not everyone does it, but it seems that finding the optimal posture naturally leads to this position.
This is what they would call “returning to the root” in martial fiction.
…Enough of that.
Let’s stop these random thoughts and focus on the meditation.
I slowly began my breathing.
This was the process called the “art of inhaling and exhaling,” known as “tonap” in Eastern terminology. My mana core was drained, so I wasn’t even close to completing the circulation of energy—I could only slowly gather energy and call that meditation.
Inhale, and exhale.
The simple act began drawing ambient mana through my nostrils. It felt slightly alien.
Is this the difference between Western and Eastern mana?
Fortunately, it wasn’t so drastically different that I couldn’t breathe the mana here at all.
At least that’s a relief.
If the martial arts I’d learned were inapplicable here, that would have been quite troublesome. I’m at a level that could be considered a master among the martial community, so starting from scratch would be like entering hell.
And I sure as hell won’t learn practical swordsmanship as if it’s some video game, just because I joined the Hainam Sword Sect.
…For now, let’s leave it at this much.
After finishing, I checked my body’s state.
Thanks to the mana replenishment, I could feel some vitality returning to my body. I slowly tried standing up for the first time. It ached all over, but I was able to rise without trouble.
Next, I took a step forward.
Walking seemed fine too.
I could probably even jog, albeit a bit awkwardly.
Mana users really need to maintain that energy.
“Ah, are you okay? Shouldn’t you be resting more?”
“I’m fine, so stop overreacting.”
“Wow, you’re incredibly tall!”
I roughly estimated the height difference with Hye-ryeong, who only reaches my chest, and figured it’s about a foot. Considering I’m on the taller side even among westerners, it’s an ordinary difference.
When I first arrived here, I used to hear remarks about my towering height, so this isn’t anything new.
“Can you walk around outside now?”
“I suppose that’s not my decision to make. Perhaps the Sect Leader will make that call.”
Normally in the Martial Realm, it’s considered impolite to casually wander around another sect’s premises, isn’t it? Even with Hye-ryeong’s favor, I don’t need to attract unnecessary stares.
After all, I am still an outsider.
Until I fully recover, I should remain humble.
“I’ll go ask the master for permission!”
And with that, Hye-ryeong dashed out of the room. She dropped a line that I didn’t need to follow up on, but she insisted on doing so anyway. Exhausted from standing, I sat back down on the cushion.
“Reminds me of the old days… Two years ago, this was how it was.”
It feels like I’ve returned to my farming days.
I repeated opening and closing my fists, feeling an odd sense of nostalgia.
———————
Surprisingly, the permission came quickly.
Some places were off-limits, but that was expected.
Why would I need to visit where the Elders of the Hainam Sword Sect reside or the repository housing their secret manuals?
I had no intention of venturing there separately anyway.
There’s no use trying to steal manuals you can’t master without getting caught, as that would surely land me in trouble.
If I were accused of stealing from one of the nine orthodox sects, it would be a clear enough reason to be labeled a public enemy.
“This way, the dining hall is over here!”
I surveyed the interior of the dining hall, passing numerous nameless structures. Since it was after meal hours, the hall was sparsely populated, but others remained present.
I ignored the sidelong glances and entered, guided by Hye-ryeong. As the youngest disciple of the Sect Leader, she seemed to have an air of authority.
Her oblivious disregard for the others amused me.
“Suh-soo Mister, two people!”
“Alright! Wait a moment! I’ll prepare a meal that would astonish even a thousand scholars!”
His boisterous laugh echoed across the dining hall.
“Suh-soo Mister really excels at cooking! He gives generous portions…”
I listened only half-heartedly to Hye-ryeong’s chatter while surveying the dining hall. I wasn’t sure if she noticed, but everyone was pretending not to look at me.
The atmosphere grew overtly awkward.
Most were curious, but some seemed worried. Considering I’m an outsider, especially a Colored-Eyed Person, their stares were understandable.
I turned my focus back to Hye-ryeong, brushing off the gazes.
“Yesterday, Senior Brother and Mingyun Brother…”
“Who’s Mingyun Brother?”
Names kept coming up that I didn’t recognize. I’m unfamiliar with the disciples of the Hainam Sword Sect.
“Master Chen’s disciple! He’s friends with Senior Brother…”
“Maknae! Are you bothering the guest again?”
Interrupting Hye-ryeong’s endless chatter was the cook’s voice, which made her puff out her cheeks in protest.
“I’m not bothering! As a guest, he deserves hospitality…”
“Does the guest appear comfortable? Sometimes knowing when to be quiet is part of hospitality!”
“Um, really? Mister, you’re not annoyed, are you?”
Hye-ryeong looked to me for confirmation.
“As long as I find it interesting, don’t worry about it.”
As requested by the Sect Leader, I should at least pretend to engage in conversation, even if it’s not something I’d normally do.
Besides, Hye-ryeong’s chatter provides helpful information about the sect.
While I don’t necessarily need to know all the interpersonal relationships within the Hainam Sword Sect…
Well, you never know when these sorts of tidbits might come in handy, so it’s not a bad idea to retain them.
“Plenty is ready! You need to eat a lot to keep up that height of yours!”
“Thank you.”
Can I finish all this?
An impressive spread was brought to the table with hearty laughter. It was more food than two people could realistically eat.
Not recognizing any of the dishes, I decided to start with what looked most approachable—the pile of dumplings. After a few unsuccessful attempts with the chopsticks, I finally managed to bite into the dumpling, which was greasy and flavorful.
It’s delicious.
The salty taste seems standard fare for warriors who exercise daily, likely requiring a higher salt intake.
I started my exploration of the foreign dishes with the dumpling.
While the meals might be too heavy for a patient recovering, my Western stomach held up well despite its unusual diet.
If such a meal had upset my stomach, I would’ve surely been dead long ago.
I eagerly devoured the feast spread across the table.
Before long, most of the food disappeared.
“Well done.”
“You’re good with chopsticks for a Colored-Eyed Person. I was told your kind struggles with them.”
“I learned from a Central Plains friend.”
“You sure have a hearty appetite!”
“It’s been two years since I’ve had a proper meal.”
In medieval Western Europe, having a proper meal was harder than witnessing Islamic converts begging for their lives.
Rock-hard bread, oatmeal gruel, barely any vegetables, and soup with a few floating scraps of meat—if you were lucky—was the norm.
Proper meat consumption was something you might experience once a month, if that.
Even after becoming a slave, my meals were almost exclusively oatmeal gruel.
This has to be one of the best, most human meals I’ve eaten since being reincarnated here.
Martial world, top notch!
There’s now another reason for me to dedicate my life here.
“Thanks for enduring! If you’re ever hungry, just come back! I’ll prepare fine dining for you!”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s go for a walk!”
As if urging a puppy, Hye-ryeong sprang out of her seat with excitement.
Why not?
It’d help with digestion, and I’d get an opportunity to survey the geography of the Hainam Sword Sect.
With any luck, I’d convince Hye-ryeong to get me a wooden sword to practice with.
There’s no way I’ll get a longsword or bastard sword here, so I need to acquaint myself with the local blades as soon as possible.
Even if it means pushing my limits, I need to get my senses back sharp.
“Could I use the training grounds?”
“The training grounds?”
“I’ve been idle for too long and need to loosen up.”
“This time of day, the outer training ground should be available! Let me take you there!”
“Thank you.”
With that, we decided on our next destination.