Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 57:

The Next Day.

At the crack of dawn, Mu-jin woke up.

The operating hours of the Musculoskeletal Treatment Clinic were from 9 AM to 11 AM and from 5 PM to 7 PM.

However, having grown accustomed to waking up before sunrise in Shaolin, or rather, having always been an early riser since his days as Choi Kang-hyuk, Mu-jin habitually woke up at the beginning of the early hours (5 AM to 7 AM).

Upon waking up, Mu-jin lightly loosened his body with the Close-Range Spear Technique, then gradually warmed his muscles by lifting light weights using a sandbag.

Once his body was sufficiently warmed up, he began his full-fledged external energy training.

He would flip over tires or perform the three main exercises using the steel bar and weight plates hung on a lathe.

Utilizing the external energy training tools provided by Cheonryu Sangdan, Mu-jin diligently trained his body every early morning.

The human body naturally tends to revert to its original state. A body built through exercise requires continued exercise to maintain. To further develop his physique, even more intense training was necessary.

And on days without special events, he would train his martial arts in the evening.

“Phew.”

After working his body for an hour, he was drenched in sweat.

Mu-jin washed himself with the pre-prepared water and then had breakfast with the second-class disciples.

Around that time, Yeon Ga-hee and Ryu Seol-hwa came to the clinic together.

As he did the day before, Mu-jin treated Yeon Ga-hee’s body while educating Ryu Seol-hwa.

But today, it did not end there.

“To quickly master the treatment methods, review is essential, Seol-hwa Shiju-nim.”

Saying this, Mu-jin urged Ryu Seol-hwa to do personal exercises aside from the treatments.

Of course, the main purpose was to help her lose weight quickly. The exercises involved in treating Yeon Ga-hee alone wouldn’t be enough for Ryu Seol-hwa to lose weight effectively.

He was concerned that saying outright “to lose weight” might hurt Ryu Seol-hwa’s self-esteem, so he expressed it indirectly.

“I-I’ll give it a try!”

Strangely enough, Ryu Seol-hwa was much more enthusiastic than the day before.

‘They said that a lot of exercise helps lose weight!’

In fact, Mu-jin didn’t need to coax or soothe her.

The previous evening, on her way back to the sangdan, she had heard from the bodyguard that the more she moved, the more weight she would lose.

To cater to her enthusiasm, Mu-jin selected a workout routine focused on cardio and core strength enhancement, suitable for weight loss.

“While stepping onto the box, lift your right knee as if you’re hitting the person in front of you with your knee. This will be more effective. And when you come down, stretch your left leg back as far as possible. Also, move your arms vigorously! Yes! You’ve done twenty reps, so now let’s proceed with the left leg.”

For example, place the Reformer box on the floor and step on and off it as if climbing stairs.

“Your arms are just for support! Hold on with your core and abdomen, and stretch your legs.”

Grab the footbar of the reformer with both hands, place one foot on the wooden board beneath the footbar, and the other foot on the carriage of the reformer to perform spring-resistance exercises.

As they went through various exercises over time.

“Let’s take a short break and then start again, Seol-hwa Shiju-nim.”

“I-I can do more!”

Despite her limbs trembling from excessive exercise, she insisted on continuing.

‘If I lose weight, Mu-jin won’t be distracted by other women, right?’

It was the most primal motivation that many young men and women had when they resolved to lose weight.

However, as often happens with beginners, her enthusiasm outpaced her stamina and muscle strength, which had already reached their limits.

“If you overexert yourself like this, you’ll end up in pain and needing a few days’ rest. It’s important to exercise moderately and consistently, Seol-hwa Shiju-nim.”

As an adept trainer, Mu-jin started to dissuade Ryu Seol-hwa.

Hearing Mu-jin’s words, she reluctantly stopped exercising and tried to get up from the reformer, but her overworked legs gave out.

Mu-jin quickly moved to support her as she was about to fall.

As Mu-jin’s hand touched her arm, Ryu Seol-hwa’s face turned bright red.

‘…Could it be hypertension?’

Seeing her face flush so often, Mu-jin thought it was possibly at a dangerous level.

For her health, Mu-jin realized she definitely needed to lose weight.

* * *

Ten days had passed since they had captured the spy named Hong So-hee.

Now that Cheonryu Sangdan had stabilized to some extent, Mu-jin decided to head to the sangdan after finishing his tasks for the day.

Recognizing Mu-jin, the gatekeepers stepped aside to let him through, and with Chief Officer Yang’s guidance, he went straight to the Sangdanju’s Hall.

Sangdanju Ryu Ji-gwang warmly welcomed Mu-jin, who hadn’t visited in a long time.

“I’ve heard the news, Mu-jin. It seems Seol-hwa has become very proactive lately. Haha.”

Ryu Ji-gwang burst into a satisfied laugh at the change in his previously downcast daughter.

“It seems I’m always indebted to you, Mu-jin.”

“It’s all thanks to Seol-hwa Shiju-nim’s efforts. I haven’t done much. Amitabha.”

Mu-jin’s words were half modesty and half truth. Seol-hwa was working so hard that Mu-jin had to intervene for her health.

After exchanging a few trivial conversations, Ryu Ji-gwang decided it was time to get to the point.

“So, what brings you to the sangdan today, Mu-jin?”

“Actually, I was wondering if it might be time to consider opening a regional branch. Sangdanju Shiju-nim.”

“A regional branch?”

“Yes. You didn’t start this business just to open a clinic in Deungbong-hyeon, did you?”

Ryu Ji-gwang chuckled lightly at Mu-jin’s words, for they were true.

No matter how many high-ranking officials and wealthy individuals Ryu Ji-gwang knew, he couldn’t expect them to come to Deungbong-hyeon every time.

For the sake of profit, it was essential to open clinic branches in various counties and provinces.

Of course, Mu-jin didn’t bring up the topic of regional branches just to make money for Cheonryu Sangdan.

The primary reason he thought of regional branches was due to his previous conversation with Ryu Ji-gwang.

Ryu Ji-gwang had mentioned that the movements of Cheonryu Sangdan’s regional subunits were suspicious.

To Mu-jin, this implied that there were hidden forces infiltrating the regional subunits.

Therefore, Mu-jin planned to use the guise of opening clinic branches to approach these suspicious subunits.

However, he had no intention of seeking out all the countless regional subunits of Cheonryu Sangdan. He had already thought of a specific location, and fortunately, Ryu Ji-gwang asked about it first.

“So, where do you plan to open this regional branch, Mu-jin?”

With a light smile, Mu-jin replied to Ryu Ji-gwang’s question.

“I think Nanchang in Jiangxi Province would be the best choice, Sangdanju Shiju-nim.”

Nanchang in Jiangxi Province.

Unlike other subunits, this one was almost certainly connected to the hidden forces.

The subunit leader there was destined to be the future sangdanju that Mu-jin had read about in the novel.

Still, Ryu Ji-gwang looked puzzled and asked,

“Why choose Nanchang in Jiangxi Province over closer places like Luoyang or Zhengzhou?”

The reason was simple.

Having cut off the tail named Hong So-hee, Mu-jin now intended to catch the body, who was likely to be the future sangdanju.

But he couldn’t exactly say, “Your son is destined to become a very evil man in the future.”

So Mu-jin offered another reason.

“Given that the area around Deungbong-hyeon is practically the front yard of both Cheonryu Sangdan and our Shaolin, we can expand there anytime. However, once we step outside Henan Province, or even its outskirts, other martial sects and families will inevitably start to voice their objections.”

“So you’re suggesting that while we can easily expand into places like Luoyang or Zhengzhou, it’s better to avoid the interference and head directly to Jiangxi Province?”

“Precisely, Sangdanju-nim.”

Ryu Ji-gwang nodded in agreement with Mu-jin’s explanation.

The region around Dongting Lake was divided into Hubei to the north and Hunan to the south. Many of the major orthodox martial factions and influential families, including the Nine Great Sects and the Five Major Clans, were located north of Dongting Lake.

From Shaolin’s base in Henan, to the west lay Shaanxi with Huashan and Zhongnan, to the east was Shandong with the Huangbo family and Anhui with the Namgung family, and to the north was Hebei with the Peng family. In the south, there were the Zhegal family of Hubei and Wudang.

Thus, while the orthodox factions dominated north of Dongting Lake, they were so busy keeping each other in check that expanding their territories was difficult. Since all these factions claimed to be orthodox, their conflicts were prolonged and based on maintaining pretexts rather than engaging in direct battles.

In this context, if Shaolin, which had always remained aloof, started extending its reach into other regions, it was certain that they wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

On the other hand, Jiangxi Province, located east of Hunan, did not have any major orthodox factions based there.

While Anhui Province was directly to the north, preventing the rise of unorthodox factions, Jiangxi remained a so-called neutral zone or a disputed area.

“Hmm… Although it might avoid interference from other major sects, it doesn’t seem like it will be an easy place either.”

“At least it will be easier than opening a clinic in a territory dominated by a single powerful faction. It’s also the closest among the neutral regions.”

Another reason Mu-jin targeted that area was because it was still a disputed zone.

In the future, this region would be controlled by Paedobang, a black path faction.

Paedobang would become responsible for handling dirty work for the corrupt Cheonryu Sangdan, such as kidnapping and imprisoning people for human trafficking or producing drugs.

However, Mu-jin’s intervention wasn’t solely to stop human trafficking and drug smuggling.

Paedobang often separated and hid children with unique constitutions like the Yin-Yang Constitution or the Extreme Yang Constitution during their trafficking operations.

In fact, human trafficking and drug smuggling were merely fronts. The hidden force’s true purpose in collaborating with Cheonryu Sangdan was to acquire these children with special constitutions.

Thus, Mu-jin planned to use this opportunity to not only deal with the future sangdanju but also to preemptively handle Paedobang, which had yet to fully grow.

A few days later.

Mu-jin and Ryu Ji-gwang climbed Songshan for the first time in a long while.

Although Ryu Ji-gwang had expressed his approval regarding the creation of regional branches, fundamentally, Mu-jin couldn’t leave for Jiangxi Province without Shaolin’s permission. He was still bound to Shaolin.

Thanks to Ryu Ji-gwang sending a letter in advance about their visit, the two were able to head straight to the abbot’s office upon arriving at Shaolin.

Waiting for them in the abbot’s office were Abbot Hyun-cheon and Chubodangju Hyun-myeong.

“It’s been a while, Sangdanju Shiju.”

“It’s good to see you again, Abbot.”

After exchanging greetings, Abbot Hyun-cheon immediately got to the point.

“So, what brings a busy man like Sangdanju Shiju and Mu-jin here?”

In response, Ryu Ji-gwang explained that they wanted to open a new clinic branch in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province.

However, Abbot Hyun-cheon and Hyun-myeong’s reactions were not entirely positive.

“Sangdanju Shiju, I’m sorry, but our Shaolin disciples are not numerous. If we continue to increase the number of clinics, eventually there will be more disciples scattered across the provinces than those remaining in Shaolin.”

“Another issue is Mu-jin himself. If Mu-jin goes to Jiangxi Province to open the branch, who will manage the advanced facilities at the clinic here in Deungbong-hyeon?”

Their objections were quite different from the past. It wasn’t simply fear of public criticism.

To address their concerns, Mu-jin spoke up.

“First of all, given some time, our Shaolin disciples will no longer need to manage the provincial clinics.”

Having considered this matter since before capturing Hong So-hee, Mu-jin explained his plan fluently.

“We can have the secular sects manage the branches.”

“Secular sects managing them?”

“Yes. It’s not like we’re teaching them the Seventy-two Consummate Arts or martial arts. What harm is there in teaching them medical treatments?”

Abbot Hyun-cheon and Hyun-myeong listened carefully as Mu-jin elaborated on his plan.

“We can train secular practitioners in our medical techniques. This way, our disciples won’t be scattered, and the clinics can still operate efficiently. By decentralizing the management to trusted secular sects, we can ensure that the medical knowledge is properly disseminated without compromising our martial arts heritage.”

Hyun-cheon, after considering Mu-jin’s proposal, turned to Ryu Ji-gwang.

“Ryu Sangdanju, what do you think?”

Ryu Ji-gwang nodded thoughtfully. “I believe Mu-jin’s plan is sound. By involving the secular sects, we not only ensure the spread of our medical practices but also maintain the integrity of Shaolin’s martial arts training.”

Hyun-myeong, who had been silent, finally spoke up. “If it means preserving our disciples here while still expanding our influence, it might be worth a try.”

With their concerns addressed, Abbot Hyun-cheon gave his approval. “Very well. You may proceed with the plan. Mu-jin, make sure to carefully select the secular sects that will be involved.”

“Thank you, Abbot,” Mu-jin replied, bowing deeply.

As they left the abbot’s office, Ryu Ji-gwang looked at Mu-jin with a smile. “You always find a way, don’t you?”

Mu-jin smiled back. “It’s all for the greater good, Sangdanju Shiju-nim.”

And so, with Shaolin’s blessing, Mu-jin and Ryu Ji-gwang prepared to open the new clinic branch in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, with the aim of not only spreading medical knowledge but also preemptively dealing with the rising threat of Paedobang.

“Heo.”

As Hyun-cheon and Hyun-myeong seemed to fall into contemplation at Mu-jin’s words, Mu-jin added further explanation.

“There are two significant advantages to this. First, we will be able to assist the secular sects. Especially considering the recent events, this is all the more necessary. For those who maintained their loyalty to Shaolin until the end, shouldn’t we at least offer them some form of recompense?”

At Mu-jin’s words, Hyun-cheon and Hyun-myeong cleared their throats softly.

After all, Mu-jin was referring to the nearly half of the secular sects that had severed ties with Shaolin over the past two years.

The absurd incident where half of the secular sects had left because Shaolin had done the right thing.

“And the second advantage is that we can control any potential misconduct by the secular sects.”

“Control misconduct?”

“Yes. The basic management of the clinics will be done by the secular sects, but periodically, we can dispatch true disciples from Shaolin’s external affairs or Chubodang. Officially, it would be to ensure that treatments are being properly conducted and to retrain in the healing techniques. Doesn’t that sound like a valid reason?”

“Hmm. And in the process, we can treat the local populace and check if any secular sects are harassing the common people or extorting them?”

“Precisely.”

Hyun-cheon and Hyun-myeong were both intrigued by Mu-jin’s words.

The reason nearly half of the secular sects had left was because Shaolin had punished those sects that had gone astray.

However, as Mu-jin pointed out, this plan would allow them to support the secular sects that remained loyal, while also providing a way to monitor and control any potential misconduct using Shaolin’s martial arts or healing techniques.

It seemed like the perfect solution, but there was still one practical issue left to address.

“However, isn’t it too early for this? If you leave for Jiangxi Province, who will take responsibility for the clinic in Deungbong-hyeon?” Hyun-cheon asked.

Mu-jin smiled as he responded. “It will take at least a month for the Cheonryu Sangdan to prepare for the new clinic. During that time, there is someone who can sufficiently develop the skills needed to take over the advanced facilities.”

Hyun-cheon, Hyun-myeong, and even Ryu Ji-gwang all fell into thought.

Who could possibly develop the skills to replace Mu-jin in just a month?

Before long, they all arrived at the same answer.