What is the basic?
If we follow the dictionary definition, the basic refers to the foundation of things like objects, phenomena, theories, or facilities.
“You’ve heard it said before, haven’t you? That the basics are important in everything.”
When someone teaches a skill or knowledge to others, there’s one thing they always say.
You must master the basics.
If you don’t get the first step right, you’ll get lost in more complex applications.
Here, people ask a question.
Then, what exactly are the basics?
Not the trivial dictionary definition, but the true meaning of the basics that you want to emphasize.
And here, Cheon Hwi answers that question.
“It sounds grand, but honestly, the concept of the basics isn’t that hard to understand.”
Don’t overthink it; take it as it is.
It’s really no different from the dictionary definition.
“When learning something, the first thing you’re taught is the basics.”
In mathematics, the basic is the concept of numbers and how to represent them with symbols.
Without the concept of numbers and symbols, you can’t do anything.
It’s the starting point from which everything branches out.
If that’s not the basic, then what is?
Cheon Hwi continues.
“Let me give you some examples.”
In architecture, the basic is the foundation work needed to build a structure.
In cooking, the basic is fresh ingredients.
In studying, the basic is sitting down and opening a book.
No one asks why about those things.
That’s just common sense.
Only by doing those things can you build a house, cook a delicious dish, or concentrate on your studies.
After explaining this, Cheon Hwi poses a question.
“So then, what is the basic of martial arts?”
With an air of a martial arts master and the delivery of a top-notch instructor, the viewers, who had been silent until now, start offering their opinions.
[Comments]
– Qi Circulation?
– Building the Danjeon?
– Ugh, these amateurs. You have to build your body first.
“That’s exactly it.”
Cheon Hwi, watching the chat scroll by at a rapid pace, snapped his fingers and raised the corners of his mouth in a smile.
After sifting through the flood of incorrect answers, he finally found the response he was looking for and began explaining again.
“What is martial arts? It’s the study of martial techniques, isn’t it? The study of martial arts is the academic discipline of honing combat skills, and martial arts are intense physical exercises performed by the human body.”
Martial arts are certainly extraordinary skills.
By accumulating internal energy and reaching higher levels, the body can be transformed to fit the martial arts techniques, and eventually, even an old person can become youthful again.
However, the root of martial arts is still, at its core, martial training.
In terms of efficiently moving the body to subdue an opponent, it’s not that different from the martial arts learned at your local gym or dojo.
Emphasizing this, Cheon Hwi shifted the question.
“So, when learning martial arts like boxing, taekwondo, or karate, what is the first thing that is taught in all sports?”
Martial arts, like other sports, share the same foundational basics.
The one consistent element emphasized in all sports is: how long you can move, or in simpler terms, endurance.
“First, it’s the body. You must build muscle and improve your stamina so that you can perform your basic forms and gather internal energy in a body that’s suited for it.”
[Comments]
– Isn’t this just a bodybuilder’s talk?
– But isn’t that true? (No idea though)
– It’s true, but if you want to learn martial arts in real life, you’d have to build your body and improve stamina first. That’s just discouraging.
Only then did Cheon Hwi realize his mistake as he read the chat.
The viewers had come for fun, not seeking teachings like some low-level martial artist in the world of martial arts.
They came to see how incredible martial arts are, just to enjoy some quick entertainment.
But Cheon Hwi doesn’t get flustered.
After living for over three hundred years, he’s learned to handle almost any situation with ease and wit.
So, he changes the topic.
“Then, let me show you the sweet fruits of your efforts ahead of time.”
Training to build muscle and improve stamina is boring.
But if you know what awaits you at the end and how sweet the reward is, the monotony of training becomes more bearable.
Great rewards bring great expectations.
So, the tedium of training can be covered by the excitement of the reward.
[Comments]
– Are you going to show us another martial art?
– Show us something we can learn.
– If we learn something, it’ll probably be a basic move.
– Hmm, maybe?
Cheon Hwi glanced at the chat with a faint smile, then extended his hand.
With his fingers curled as if gripping a sword, a dark, powerful aura began to gather, forming the shape of a sword.
A shapeless sword made from true energy.
Originally, a perfect and invisible martial technique, Cheon Hwi deliberately infused the sword with dark, powerful energy to make it visible for the viewers’ convenience.
If he were to swing an invisible sword, it would just look like he was flailing his limbs in the air on the broadcast screen.
“A slightly complicated topic, but martial arts is as diverse in its forms and branches as its basics are. Strictly speaking, stamina is more of a basic quality needed to be a martial artist rather than a martial artist’s core skill.”
Martial arts is not a simple form of fighting.
It embodies the philosophy of its creator, interpreted through each individual’s mind, a skill that bends the natural order.
Of course, to reach such a level of skill, one must at least reach the Huajing stage, but…
Anyway, every martial art has a specific goal it seeks, and therefore, each has its own unique qualities and characteristics.
“That’s why the plum blossom is famous in the Hwasan Sect, and the Taiji symbol is a prominent symbol of the Wudang Sect.”
The martial arts of the Hwasan Sect are usually associated with the imagery of plum blossoms.
This is because the martial arts philosophy created by the sect’s founder and passed down through the generations evokes this symbolism.
Similarly, when thinking of Wudang Sect martial arts, the Taiji symbol naturally comes to mind for the same reason.
“So, when teaching martial arts in those schools, what is the first thing they teach?”
The martial arts of the Hwasan Sect all carry the potential to blossom like a plum flower.
Similarly, the martial arts of the Wudang Sect carry a hint of the Taiji concept in them.
But that doesn’t mean all the martial arts of those two sects are decorated with symbols like the plum blossom or Taiji.
[Comments]
– Do you also practice the Mabah technique?
– This guy sounds like he’s read a lot of martial arts novels.
Seeing the comment, Cheon Hwi chuckled softly and continued.
“That’s just an extension of stamina training. The answer I’m looking for is the basic form.”
[Comments]
– Basic form?
– So when can we see the amazing martial arts demonstration?
– I’m just focusing on this first step in mastering martial arts.
Had his explanation been too long?
Cheon Hwi cleared his throat a few times to shift the mood and resumed his stance.
“First, I’ll introduce you to a basic form that anyone can practice at home.”
There are many different kinds of basic forms with varying levels of difficulty, but extremely advanced forms require specific instruction, so they’re not suitable for a broadcast.
The basic form taught on a broadcast should be simple enough for anyone to follow while still having the potential to branch out into more complex martial techniques.
Fortunately, there’s a perfect martial art for that.
Even those who don’t know much about martial arts have probably heard of this sword technique.
“Samjae Sword Technique—it’s a basic form centered around the Heaven, Earth, and Man principles, which is also crucial in the process of advancing one’s skills.”
[Comments]
– Huh?
– Huh?
– Samjae Sword Technique, huh? My sword spirit just died.
– I expected something lame, but this is really a crappy martial art.
Cheon Hwi confidently introduced the Samjae Sword Technique, but the viewers’ reactions were lukewarm.
In modern times, the Samjae Sword Technique has become associated with low-tier martial arts, something that even street thugs can easily get their hands on.
Given this reputation, after a long explanation and an impressive setup, the conclusion being the Samjae Sword Technique was a huge letdown.
Naturally, the viewers’ expectations, which had been high, quickly deflated.
“You all must have been dazzled by something flashy, huh? Your standards are all over the place when it comes to martial arts.”
But Cheon Hwi wasn’t bothered by the viewers’ disappointment.
To him, they were just like someone who wanted to be full after the first bite, completely uninterested in putting in the work.
“Alright. Then, let’s make a bet.”
[Comments]
– A bet?
– Haha, we’re in for a bet!
– I’m the martial arts expert here with 7 years of experience in reading martial arts novels!
Cheon Hwi’s confident bet declaration sparked a flurry of activity in the chat once more.
To the viewers who were daring him to bring it on, Cheon Hwi gave a slight smile and set up the terms of the bet.
“You know that the Samjae Sword Technique consists of three simple slashes, right?”
[Comments]
– Of course.
– Who doesn’t know that? Haha.
– Great Hero, your words are long. Are you a little nervous?
– No, this is the moment for the challenge, huh? Haha.
“Then, I assume you can easily handle those three simple slashes?”
[Comments]
– What?
– What is he talking about?
– Great Hero, wait a second, this is getting a bit… haha.
Something was wrong.
Realizing it, the viewers quickly started typing frantically to warn Cheon Hwi, but by then, he was already in position, ready to swing his sword.
“First strike: Taesan Apjeong.”
Like a mountain pressing down, strike strongly to split the enemy in two.
“Second strike: Hoengso Cheon-gun.”
Swing the sword as if sweeping away an army, cutting down the enemy.
“Third strike: Seon-inji-ro.”
Like an immortal pointing the way with a finger, Cheon Hwi extended the tip of his sword to stab the enemy.
“And that’s it for now.”
Having demonstrated all three movements, Cheon Hwi dispersed his invisible sword and looked back at the chat.
What he had just shown was simply a demonstration of three basic sword moves: a downward slash, a horizontal slash, and a thrust—nothing complicated.
But the viewers, watching in awe, were too busy flooding the chat with their comments.
The results of such simple moves were far beyond ordinary expectations.
[Comments]
– The sword didn’t even make a sound, but how did the rock, which was meters away, break apart? (I really don’t get it.)
– Is this really a basic move…?
– Master, this is moving too fast…
When swinging a sword, the cutting range is usually limited to the length of the sword’s blade.
It’s a basic principle, but a martial artist who has reached a high level can defy such basic laws and perform extraordinary feats.
The viewers, encountering such a skill, were left in awe, their comments filling the chat.
“If anyone can follow along, feel free to skip the boring basic form.”
Cheon Hwi had only showcased his abilities to add some excitement to the broadcast, but to the viewers, his words hit differently.
This is what the basics truly are.
If you can’t do this, you should probably reconsider your pursuit of martial arts.
[Comments]
– Ugh, I want to try that…
– I want to do Qi Circulation…
– I’m going to be a martial arts pro!
Countless aspiring martial artists face the harsh reality and lose their dreams when they hit the wall of their limitations.
Cheon Hwi, watching this unfold, realized he had made a mistake and let out a soft sigh.
“Should I teach you the Samjae Heart Technique to motivate you all?”
Having a strong body and solid stamina is a good foundation, but if the goal is to accumulate a small amount of internal energy, it’s not something to obsess over right away.
At this rate, Cheon Hwi realized that the viewers might soon get bored and leave the broadcast.
Just as he was lost in that thought, a loud sound effect rang out, and a large message appeared at the top center of the screen.
[Choa’s 100,000 Won Donation!]
[Comments]
– Are you giving martial arts advice now? I think my body’s pretty tough too!
Choa—a big-name streamer that anyone watching the platform would have heard of at least once—had just sent a donation message requesting martial arts consultation.