Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 59:

Not That Shaolin (1)

While Mu-jin and the Shaolin disciples were on their way to Nanchang.

In one of the halls of a manor located in Nanchang, two shadows were facing each other.

“Have you checked the letter sent by the branch leader?”

“Yes, Sir Bangju.”

“Hmm. The Shaolin disciples are coming here, you say…”

Originally, news from Shaolin should have been sent by those operating from the headquarters of the Cheonryu Sangdan in Deungbong-hyeon.

However, due to an incident there, the communication system was almost paralyzed.

“I can’t figure out what the Sangdanju’s intentions are. Was there perhaps an issue with the cleanup?”

“There wasn’t a trace left, so even the Sangdanju wouldn’t have sensed anything. In fact, even Cheonggeumdae is fumbling in the dark.”

“So, do you have any guesses about why the Sangdanju sent the Shaolin disciples?”

The man who had been standing at attention in front of the middle-aged man referred to as Bangju couldn’t give an answer.

Of course, he knew the superficial reason written in the letter, which was to open a branch of the clinic.

However, simply considering such a surface-level reason when handling matters would inevitably lead to problems.

The Bangju, looking at the man who had kept his mouth shut, spoke with a displeased expression.

“Even if the Sangdanju hasn’t sensed anything, Shaolin establishing themselves here could hinder our grand plan.”

“Do not worry. Shaolin is a conservative sect that fears being tainted by the secular world more than anything. Remember what happened two years ago?”

“You mean the incident where many secular sects left?”

“Yes. Shaolin are foolish people who couldn’t step forward, afraid of the world’s criticism, even when their secular disciples left after learning their martial arts.”

“So, you mean to leave them be?”

“They will leave on their own once a few rumors spread. However, since they could obstruct our grand plan, I will hasten that process a bit.”

“Alright. Let’s see how it unfolds.”

As soon as the superior finished speaking, the subordinate saluted with a fist and palm salute and left the manor.

To spread the rumor in Nanchang that Shaolin was about to step into the secular world.

* * *

“Should we stop by the Nanchang branch first, or head to the manor that will be used as a clinic?”

“It would be better to go to the manor first and unload these items.”

When Mu-jin responded to the coachman of Cheonryu Sangdan, who was acting as their guide, the coachman directed the carriage towards a large manor.

Upon arrival at the manor, a middle-aged man and several young men were waiting for them.

“Greetings. I am Mak Ji-hyuk, the head of Bulkwonmun. When I was learning martial arts in Shaolin, I used the Dharma name Hyeyoung.”

He was the head of a secular Shaolin sect based in Nanchang.

When he greeted them with the characteristic Shaolin half bow, Hye-gwan stepped forward and returned the half bow briefly.

“Nice to meet you, Munju Mak. I am Hye-gwan, first-class disciple of Shaolin.”

“Is the name of Great Master Hye-gwan, who does not retreat before demons, not well known? I have heard it many times! It is an honor to meet you like this.”

Although Mak Ji-hyuk acted as if he had met a revered figure, Hye-gwan, as always, responded appropriately and then stepped back.

“It is merely a reputation. I have come here solely to prepare for the battle against evil forces. All matters related to the clinic will be handled entirely by this child, so you should converse with him.”

And, as if he had nothing to do with it, he passed by Mak Ji-hyuk, entered the estate, and disappeared from view.

Mak Ji-hyuk, who looked slightly bewildered, quickly composed himself as the leader of a sect and looked at Mu-jin.

‘So this child is the one mentioned in the letter as Mu-jin.’

Thanks to the letter from Shaolin, Mak Ji-hyuk had a general understanding of the situation.

“Nice to meet you. Mu-jin Novice. Amitabha.”

“Nice to meet you too, Master Mak. Amitabha.”

After exchanging brief greetings with Mak Ji-hyuk, Mu-jin pointed to the carriage and spoke.

“First, may we move the items in the carriage to the estate?”

“Please do.”

The items loaded in the carriage were tools used for rehabilitation exercises (Pilates).

However, they had not brought all the equipment in large quantities for the free facility, only a few pieces of each tool.

The rest were to be manufactured at a workshop here in Nanchang, and the items brought now were for practice purposes. They were meant for the second-class disciples and secular martial arts sect disciples to practice with.

Mu-jin and the Shaolin disciples, along with Mak Ji-hyuk and the disciples of the Buddhist Fist Sect, spent a long time carrying the tools into the estate.

“Hmm?”

From the entrance of the estate, a noisy sound began to be heard.

“Make way!”

“We have come to speak with the people from Shaolin!”

As the word ‘Shaolin’ was heard amid the commotion at the entrance of the estate, the gazes of Mu-jin and the Shaolin disciples turned toward the entrance.

“It seems we have guests looking for us.”

“Shouldn’t we go out and see?”

“We should.”

As Mu-jin, who lightly conversed with Mak Ji-hyuk, headed to the main gate, the others also moved with him.

Meanwhile, those causing a ruckus at the entrance of the estate fell silent for a moment when they saw the monks dressed in crimson robes.

They were the main figures of small to medium sects and martial artists in Nanchang, who considered themselves to be part of the ‘righteous sects.’

Since Shaolin Temple was located in Songshan near Deungbong-hyeon, all the sects and martial artists in Deungbong-hyeon were Shaolin secular disciples.

Therefore, there had been no issues when they opened a clinic in Deungbong-hyeon.

But the situation here was entirely different from Deungbong-hyeon.

The small to medium sects here, which were not Shaolin secular disciples, did not welcome Shaolin’s expansion.

Of course, this place was constantly plagued by conflicts between small sects of the righteous and demonic factions, so Shaolin’s intervention might seem beneficial to them, but in reality, it was not seen that way.

Shaolin’s expansion was akin to a tiger joining a fight among wolves. Naturally, they were also wary of Shaolin taking their share.

Meanwhile, shortly after the Shaolin disciples and the Buddhist Fist Sect disciples stepped out to the main gate, Mak Ji-hyuk surveyed the surroundings and stepped forward reluctantly.

With Hye-gwan, who should have represented Shaolin, nowhere to be found, he had to step up as the representative.

“I am Mak Ji-hyuk, the head of the Buddhist Fist Sect. Why are you seeking the guests from Shaolin?”

When Mak Ji-hyuk asked along with the headman, a middle-aged man stepped forward from the gathered crowd and replied.

“It has been a long time, Master Mak. I am Kang Tae-goo.”

“What brings the head of Taegeom Sect here, and with so many people?”

As Mu-jin listened to their exchange of greetings, he nodded.

‘A sect I’ve never heard of, and a person I’ve never seen.’

He wasn’t even mentioned in the novel.

“I, Kang Tae-goo, have lived as part of the righteous sects for a long time and have admired the high spirit of Shaolin. However, I have come here because I heard some disturbing rumors.”

“What do you mean by disturbing rumors?”

“I have heard disturbing rumors that the venerable monks of Shaolin, who have severed their ties with the secular world to cultivate high virtues, are planning to start ‘business’ here.”

As Kang Tae-goo spoke, Mu-jin thought.

‘This old man sure has a silver tongue. Is this the way of the righteous sects?’

Though his words were roundabout, he was essentially saying that Shaolin should stay secluded in the mountains.

And Mak Ji-hyuk, perhaps thinking something similar to Mu-jin, furrowed his brows and replied.

“That is a misunderstanding. As you can see from the signboard, this is just a clinic. The Shaolin disciples have come here to treat laypeople suffering in the secular world. They will leave in a few months.”

Mak Ji-hyuk spoke the truth, but none of the people present believed him.

As the saying goes, people only see what they want to see. They thought Shaolin was trying to take their share.

“Hahaha. We understand Shaolin’s noble intentions, but the world will point fingers at Shaolin. We will take responsibility for protecting the people living here, so why don’t you return to the mountains?”

It was a thinly veiled threat that they would spread rumors about Shaolin being corrupted by the secular world if they did not leave.

Before Mak Ji-hyuk could open his mouth to rebut.

“I am Mu-jin, the third-generation disciple of Shaolin. I apologize for interrupting, but may I say a word?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Mu-jin interjected into the conversation.

“Hah! No matter how renowned Shaolin is, how can a third-generation disciple interrupt a conversation between sect leaders?”

As if he had found something to pick on, Kang Tae-goo shouted loudly, and the crowd behind him echoed, “That’s right!”

But regardless of their reactions, Mu-jin burst into a small laugh and asked.

“Headmaster Kang, why are you trying to prevent Shaolin from opening a clinic?”

“What do you mean by preventing! We are merely concerned that Shaolin might be criticized…”

Flustered by Mu-jin’s sudden attack, Kang Tae-goo tried to counter, but Mu-jin cut him off and asked again.

“If that is the case, then since we have assured you that we will take responsibility, you can leave now!”

With a radiant and innocent smile like a child’s. It was a smile modeled after Mu-yul’s.

“Khmm. For the sake of Shaolin’s prestige, that cannot be allowed.”

“As expected. So, you came here to ‘prevent’ us from opening a clinic.”

“!?”

“Dear Master Uncles. Seeing that you are trying to hinder the salvation of the masses, it seems that you have stepped into the realm of the demonic.”

At Mu-jin’s words, Kang Tae-goo and the others who had come with him shouted in outrage.

“No matter how high-ranking a disciple of Shaolin you may be, how dare a third-class disciple speak such nonsense to the head of the sect!”

“This is an excessive leap!”

But for some reason, Mu-jin, as if he had been waiting for that response, answered with shining eyes.

“Indeed! What you are doing right now is exactly that leap. We only said we would open a clinic to save the masses, yet why are you worried that we will be accused of being tainted by the secular world? And above all.”

After speaking to that point, Mu-jin paused and then added in a tone that didn’t match his age.

“Why do we need your permission for Shaolin to open a clinic?”

Mu-jin’s heavy voice, mismatched to his age, pressed down on the whole area.

The reason why the members of the various small sects, who couldn’t even dominate a single region and were competing with each other, dared to defy the disciples of Shaolin, known as the North Star of Mount Tai, was simple.

It was because they were convinced that Shaolin disciples, as members of the righteous faction, would never harm them.

Even now, as Shaolin showed signs of stepping into the secular world, they held onto that belief.

Due to the banner that Shaolin had upheld for hundreds of years, they all thought Shaolin was safe, or rather, easy to handle.

But at this moment, with Mu-jin’s words, that conviction began to crack.

At the mere words of Mu-jin, who was only a third-class disciple, cold sweat began to trickle down their backs.

At that moment, a cheerful laugh rang out from somewhere.

“Ha ha ha ha. You rascal, you say some interesting things.”

The owner of the voice was Hye-gwan, who had been watching the whole situation while drinking on the roof of the hall.

Attracting everyone’s attention with his somewhat crooked laughter, Hye-gwan leapt from the roof to the ground.

His body technique was so superior that despite jumping from the roof, there was no sound of his landing.

Descending like a ghost between the members of the small sects and the Shaolin disciples, Hye-gwan looked at Kang Tae-goo, the representative of the small sects, and opened his mouth.

“As that child said, if you obstruct Shaolin’s path to save the masses, you will be regarded as demonic.”

“Who, who are you to say such things!?”

“I am Hye-gwan, first-class disciple of Shaolin.”

“!!!”

“Ha, Hangma Bulteo!”

“Chwibul!”

When Hye-gwan stated his Dharma name, cries of astonishment erupted from the crowd that had gathered.

Especially, those who recklessly called out the alias “Chwibul” had to endure the sharp stares of those around them.

However, whether because they had already taken a step forward or because they couldn’t afford to lose their pride here, Kang Tae-goo shouted with a trembling voice.

“Ar, are you saying that Shaolin is trying to oppress us, who are also of the righteous faction, with force!?”

At that question, Hye-gwan laughed. It was a laugh that anyone could see as a sneer.

“Hahaha. Surely that can’t be the case? Hmm. What should we do? Killing everyone here would be a shame since you all claim to be from the righteous faction.”

At Hye-gwan’s playful words, cold sweat once again ran down the backs of the crowd that had gathered to protest against Shaolin.

Hye-gwan was the most ‘notorious’ monk among the Shaolin disciples. The number of demonic heads and evil figures that had died by his hand was countless.

Each of those demonic heads and evil figures surpassed the level of the sect leaders present here, so there was no one here who could dare to handle Hye-gwan.

And having completely subdued the atmosphere, Hye-gwan, as if a good idea had occurred to him, clapped his hands with a mischievous smile.

“Ah. How about this then? Since you all claim to be from the righteous faction, let’s resolve this in a manner befitting the righteous faction. Through a martial arts duel.”

At those words, Kang Tae-goo shouted with a look of injustice.

“Master Hye-gwan! How is that any different from using force to oppress us?”

“Hahaha. Don’t worry. This fellow here will be the one to step up in the duel.”

Hye-gwan, as if it was the most natural thing, raised his hand and pointed at Mu-jin.