A foothold

As the figure came closer, it was revealed to be an unassuming man in his late 60s. The old man was dressed simply, in a tattered and worn tunic and trousers. He walked with a slow and steady pace, his head bowed and his hands occupied with carrying two baskets full of wood. Despite his age, he seemed strong and resilient, his body lean and muscular.

Tae, Taeyang, and Chun could see the lines etched on his face, a map of a life lived hard and full. And despite his rough and unassuming appearance, they could sense a sense of wisdom and kindness emanating from him.

As the old man approached, Tae, Taeyang, and Chun rose to their feet, unsure of what to do. They had encountered many dangers during their journey, and they were wary of revealing too much about themselves to a stranger.

"Hello," Tae said cautiously.

Taeyang and Chun looked at each other, worried. They were wary of exposing their circumstances to a stranger, in case the swordsmen were still looking for them.

The old man stopped and looked at them, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, well," he said in a deep and gravelly voice. "What have we here? Lost travelers, by the looks of it."

"Yes," Taeyang said, stepping forward. "We're looking for a place to rest and regroup. Do you know where we can find a village?"

The old man smiled and nodded. "Yes, I do," he said. "There is a village not far from here, a few hours' walk through the mountains. They are a kind and hospitable people, and I'm sure they will welcome you with open arms."

"Thank you," Chun said, relieved. "We've been lost for so long, and we're desperate to find some help and support."

The old man nodded sympathetically. "I understand," he said. "But the best I can do is offer you some food and water, and perhaps a place to rest for the night. My home is not far from here, and I would be happy to share what little I have."

Tae, Taeyang, and Chun looked at each other, considering their options. They were hungry and tired, and they knew they couldn't afford to be picky. But they also knew that it was best to be cautious, and they wanted to regroup with other survivors of the plane crash and find out more about this strange and unfamiliar world.

In the end, they decided to accept the old man's offer, hoping that his kindness and generosity would outweigh any potential risks. So they thanked him and followed him back to his home, grateful for the chance to rest and plan their next move.

As they walked along the road towards the old man's home, Tae, Taeyang, and Chun couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and unease. They had encountered strange and dangerous things during their time in this foreign world so far, and they didn't know what to expect from this old man.

"You're quite the travelers, aren't you?" the old man said, glancing at their strange and peculiar clothing. "I've never seen anyone like you before. You must be from a very distant foreign place."

"Yes, we are," Tae said, trying to be as vague as possible. "We're just looking for a way home."

"Well, you've come to the right place," the old man said, smiling. "I'm Jin, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Taeyang said, bowing slightly. "We were hoping you might be able to help us."

"I'll do my best," Jin said, his face turning serious. "But first, tell me more about yourselves. What brings you to these parts?"

Tae, Taeyang, and Chun hesitated for a moment, not sure how much to reveal. They didn't want to alarm Jin or make him suspicious, but they also knew they needed his help.

"We were traveling with a group of people," Tae said, carefully choosing his words. "But something went wrong, and we were forcibly split up and ended up here. We encountered some hostile swordsmen along the way, they were very aggressive."

"I see," Jin said, nodding thoughtfully. "And what about those swordsmen you mentioned? The ones who threatened you?"

"Yes," Taeyang said, his voice growing angry. "They came out of nowhere, and they were acting very menancing. We barely managed to escape."

Taeyang briefly described the looks of the swordsmen and how they all had very unique designs on their robes.

"Hmmm," Jin said, his brow furrowed. "It sounds like you've had a rough time. But I might have an idea of who those swordsmen were. They might be from the Blue Coral Sect."

"The Blue Coral Sect?" Chun asked, her eyes widening. "Who are they?"

"They are the leading orthodox martial arts group in these parts," Jin said, his voice laced with caution. "They control the villages and mountains around here. Their leader, Dok Noh, is especially famous, as he has reached a high level of fighting skill, while mastering the Blue Coral Sect's unique sword style."

"What is their sword style?" Teo asked, his curiosity piqued.

"It is a style that focuses on speed and agility," Jin said. "The swordsmen of the Blue Coral Sect are known for their quick and fluid movements, their ability to strike from unexpected angles, and their use of the sword to deflect and redirect attacks. It is a formidable style, one that is not to be underestimated."

"How were they able to move so fast?" Chun asked, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. "We saw them make huge strides, much faster than normal people would. It was like they were superhuman."

"It's because of their Ki," Jin said, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the swordsmen of the Blue Coral Sect.

"I've never heard of Ki before," Teo said, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Is it something that's unique to this region?"

"Not at all," Jin said, shaking his head."Ki is a form of life force, a spiritual energy that flows through all living things. By training and focusing their Ki, martial artists are able to push beyond the natural boundaries of human strength and speed."

"Ki is a concept that exists in many different cultures and traditions. It is simply a matter of training and understanding how to harness and control it. But it seems that your country does not place much emphasis on Ki training."

"Is there a way to measure Ki levels?" Taeyang asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, there is," Jin said, nodding. "In the martial arts world, Ki levels are often measured by grades. These grades range from beginner levels, such as the White or Yellow grade, to advanced levels, such as the Red or Black grade. Each grade represents a certain level of proficiency and control over one's Ki, and it is achieved through continuous training and practice."

Teo thought that this was similar to the belt system in Taekwondo, with each skill level being defined by colors of their belts.

Teo, Taeyang, and Chun listened intently as Jin spoke, their minds racing with questions and possibilities. They had never heard of Ki before, and they were fascinated by the idea of training and harnessing their own spiritual energy.

"Do you know how to use Ki too, Jin?" Tae asked, his eyes bright with curiosity. "Can you teach us?"

"I'm afraid not," Jin said, shaking his head. "I'm too old to learn now. My Ki currents have already closed shut."

"What are Ki currents?" Chun asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Ki currents are the foundations of Ki energy in the body," Jin explained. "They are channels of energy that flow through the body, and they are essential for building up powerful internal Ki. But unfortunately, as we grow older, these channels can become blocked or closed, making it difficult or impossible to learn and master the martial arts."

The three friends looked at each other worriedly, wondering if their own Ki currents had closed shut as well.

"Don't worry," Jin said, sensing their anxiety. "Even if your Ki currents are still open, it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to master the martial arts. And it's not just a matter of age. Many masters start training from a young age, when their bodies are more receptive and their Ki foundation is more powerful. It's a lifelong journey, and it requires discipline, focus, and determination."

Chun couldn't help but think about the potential of gaining supernatural powers. She had always been fascinated by stories of martial arts and magic, and now she had the opportunity to learn and train in these skills for herself.

But she knew that they had to be careful and prioritise their goals. They were in a strange and dangerous world, and they didn't know who they could trust. They had to gather all the information they could about this phenomenon and figure out how to get home.

At the same time, Chun couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of learning these unique skills. She had always been a quick learner, and she quickly set her mind to become the best martial artist she could be. She knew that it would be a long and difficult journey, but she was ready for the challenge.

As they approached Jin's home, Chun made up her mind. She would do whatever it took to learn these skills and protect her friends.

Taeyang was thinking along similar lines, as he listened intently to what Jin had to say about Ki. He had always been envious of his older brother, who was the golden child of their family's wealthy conglomerate. His brother was a genius and excelled at everything he did, while he felt like he was constantly overshadowed and neglected by his parents.

But now, he had the opportunity to prove himself and bring honor and glory to his family. He could master these magical arts and become world famous once he returned back home and showed his superhuman abilities, showing his family and the world that he was just as successful and talented as his brother. A gleeful smile creeped up on his face as he daydreamed about his future success.

Teo was a bit nonplussed, but definitely thought some Ki power would help him greatly at his next Taekwondo tournament.

They finally arrived at Jin's home, a simple farm hut. Jin's wife was taken aback initially by the sudden guests but quickly beckoned them in with a friendly smile and started to prepare a meal for them. Later that night, Chun gathered Teo and Taeyang to discuss their next plans.