Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 90:

Mu-dang Journey (1)

After spending a day at Hyun-gwang’s residence, Yunheo Zhenren and the young Daoist left Shaolin early the next morning.

“Take care. Daoist Mal-ko.”

“Just you wait, you damned monk.”

Having shared drinks the previous night, it seemed the relationship between the two had somehow worsened.

After bidding farewell to Yunheo Zhenren, Hyun-gwang turned to Mu-jin and spoke.

“Then this old man will go and talk with senior brother Bang-geon. You continue your training.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

With a gentle smile to Mu-jin, Hyun-gwang turned and headed towards the head monk’s office.

With a slightly trembling voice, Abbot Hyun Cheon, who had prior dealings with the Great Restoration Pills, greeted Hyun-gwang.

“I heard the Taiji Sword Immortal has been here.”

“He left just a while ago. Haha. In fact, I’ve come because I made a promise to that Daoist Mal-ko.”

“Da-Daoist Mal-ko, you say?”

Who would dare call the Taiji Sword Immortal by that name?

But thinking about it, Hyun-gwang was indeed capable of such familiarity.

He was once evaluated to be superior to Yunheo Zhenren and had even attained enlightenment close to Buddhahood.

Although he seemed to have become somewhat eccentric after that enlightenment.

Regaining his composure, Abbot Hyun Cheon inquired about the nature of the promise.

“May I ask what the promise was?”

At the abbot’s question, Hyun-gwang explained the promise made the previous day.

Mu-jin needed to go to Wudang to treat their sword masters. The pretext for this was to propose a martial arts exchange.

“An exchange with Wudang, huh. It doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

Wudang was currently hailed as the Supreme Sect of the World, outshining many other martial sects. A martial arts exchange with Wudang wouldn’t be a loss for Shaolin either.

Moreover, the fact that Mu-jin would be in their debt was indeed pleasing news for Shaolin.

“Then, we need to decide who will participate in this exchange. Naturally, Mu-jin should be included.”

“Actually, I came here with some thoughts on that matter, senior brother.”

“Who do you have in mind, senior brother?”

“Since it’s a martial arts exchange, it would be beneficial for the younger disciples to gain insight into Wudang’s techniques, don’t you think? Along with Mu-jin, how about including Mu-yul, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong? Having the four second-class disciples participate would be ideal.”

“Hmm. All three are outstanding even among the Muja division, so it’s not a bad idea.”

“Haha. I’m relieved to hear that you agree, senior brother.”

Saying this, Hyun-gwang suddenly extended his palm forward.

Somehow familiar with this gesture, Abbot Hyun Cheon involuntarily flinched and looked at the outstretched palm.

“Why are you extending your palm?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m asking you to hand it over.”

“Hand it over? What do you mean?”

“Hahaha. Since Mu-yul, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong are going to visit Wudang, naturally, they should be given Lesser Restoration Pills before they go, right?”

“What does visiting Wudang have to do with Lesser Restoration Pills…?”

“What do you mean, senior brother Bang-geon? Even if it’s just an ‘exchange,’ our Shaolin disciples might lose their spirit in front of the Wudang disciples, right? Moreover, the Wudang’s Daoists fight with swords shamelessly, so at the very least, we should enhance their internal energy before sending them.”

Hearing this, even Abbot Hyun Cheon, who would usually oppose such ideas, nodded in agreement.

“That makes sense. Even if it’s an exchange, we can’t have Shaolin disciples losing their spirit.”

Abbot Hyun Cheon had always blamed himself for the reputation of Shaolin falling below that of Wudang.

Therefore, he strongly wished that the young disciples would not be defeated by Wudang.

“Hahaha. It seems we finally understand each other, senior brother Bang-geon. Thanks to Mu-jin, we have income from the clinic, so there’s no issue in making new Lesser Restoration Pills, right?”

“Indeed, Mu-jin is undoubtedly the greatest blessing in our martial arts world. Amitabha.”

“Amitabha.”

The two old monks, now in agreement, shared a hearty laugh.

* * *

Ten days later.

Shaolin disciples, fully prepared to depart for Wudang, gathered at the mountain gate.

Mu-jin greeted the Mujae trio who had arrived earlier and were waiting.

“Have you all absorbed the Lesser Restoration Pills?”

Mu-yul replied cheerfully and Mu-gung curtly, each in their usual manner.

“Master helped us!”

“Well, more or less?”

Mu-gyeong, looking as if he had reached enlightenment, replied nonchalantly.

“Master Hye-gwan helped me.”

“Master Hye-gwan? That’s unusual.”

“He said he would personally kill me if I went astray while absorbing the pill, so I managed to survive through sheer desperation.”

“…”

Feeling that it would be dangerous to dig deeper, Mu-jin averted his gaze.

His eyes landed on Abbot Hyun Cheon, the eldest of Shaolin.

“Hahaha. Wudang, along with our Shaolin, is called the pinnacle of the martial world. You will see and learn many things. Make sure to uphold our Shaolin’s name, follow the rules, and have a good time.”

Mu-jin chuckled at Abbot Hyun Cheon’s advice, which felt like a principal’s speech at a school. It seemed that things were the same everywhere in the world.

When Abbot Hyun Cheon’s long speech ended, the first-class disciple, who was to lead the exchange, stepped forward.

“Then, let’s depart now, Abbot Bang-geon.”

“Travel safely, Hye-geol Sajil.”

Hye-geol, Mu-yul’s master uncle, was appointed as the representative for this exchange as the vice head of the External Affairs Department.

With the farewell of Abbot Hyun Cheon, Mu-jin and the Shaolin disciples descended from Mount Song to Deungbong-hyeon, where several workers from Cheonryu Sangdan greeted them.

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

“Are you saying that Cheonryu Sangdan has been waiting for us?”

“Yes. Actually, there was a request from Monk Mu-jin, so we have prepared accordingly.”

“???”

At the worker’s words, Hye-geol and the disciples looked at Mu-jin with puzzled expressions.

Instead of answering immediately, Mu-jin approached the carriages positioned behind the workers.

When he lifted the curtains covering the entrance of one carriage, there were numerous iron weights inside.

“Since it’s a long journey for the exchange, I thought it would be good to prepare these, as we can’t neglect training even during a journey, can we?”

These were various exercise equipment prepared by Mu-jin, who was concerned about muscle loss.

Even though a change in plans might inconvenience the representative, Mu-jin didn’t worry.

Hye-geol, as Mu-jin experienced, was a man with a passionate heart.

Wasn’t he the one who even brought a crane and performed artistic acts, claiming he would teach Mu-yul Crane Fist?

“Absolutely! Worrying about training at all times is indeed what a true Shaolin disciple should do!”

As expected, the passionate man Hye-geol exclaimed with an inspired look as he saw the carriage Mu-jin had prepared.

“Since it’s come to this, it might be good to continue training even on the way to Wudang.”

“Do you mean to use the exercise equipment along the way?”

“That’s a given. Additionally, if we pull the carriages ourselves, it will also serve as exercise, won’t it?”

At Hye-geol’s words, the Shaolin disciples looked back and forth between Hye-geol and the carriages with bewildered expressions.

The exercise equipment Mu-jin used weighed hundreds of pounds each.

To withstand such weight, the carriages were made of steel plates. They were so heavy that at least four horses would be needed to pull one.

Besides these, there were two more carriages carrying lighter exercise equipment for other disciples, and two empty carriages that were meant for the Shaolin disciples to ride in.

“It seems the empty carriages won’t be necessary. If we pull the three carriages loaded with equipment ourselves, it will not only train our bodies but also greatly help our Qinggong practice. Hahaha!”

With Hye-geol’s continued words, the Shaolin disciples’ faces filled with distress.

“Wow! This sounds fun, Master!”

Except for the ever-cheerful Mu-yul, of course.

Naturally, the Shaolin disciples’ gazes turned towards Mu-jin, the root cause of this situation.

Understanding their feelings, Mu-jin stepped forward and said,

“Master Uncle Hye-geol! While pushing the carriages will indeed be great for full-body exercise, doing so repeatedly every day risks damaging our muscles.”

At Mu-jin’s words, the Shaolin disciples’ eyes filled with anticipation.

“Hmm. Then what should we do?”

“It would be best to pull and train for two days, then rest for a day to focus on recovery and Qi Conducting Technique.”

At Mu-jin’s subsequent suggestion, everyone let out a deep sigh. Whether it turned out good or bad, they were going to pull the carriages.

* * *

In the end, it was decided that they would pull the three carriages loaded with various iron weights.

Mu-yul, Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong took positions in front of the three carriages.

Mu-jin, Hye-geol, and the accompanying second-class disciples were ready to run alongside.

To ensure efficient training, they planned to take turns pulling the carriages.

“Let’s get going!”

As soon as Hye-geol’s shout rang out, Mu-yul, who was in charge of the left carriage, surged forward.

“Woaaaaah!”

He seemed to think pulling the carriage instead of a horse was some kind of game.

With a cheerful expression, Mu-yul pulled the carriage.

Drawing on the strength he had built up, the Celestial Weight technique he learned from Hyun-gwang, and the Qi he absorbed from the Lesser Restoration Pill a few days ago, Mu-yul ran like a madman.

Mu-jin, who was leisurely keeping pace with the other two carriages, asked Hye-geol beside him.

“Master Uncle, is that really the direction of Mount Wudang?”

“Probably not.”

“…Shouldn’t we stop him?”

Pointing to the now-dusty carriage Mu-yul was pulling, Mu-jin asked, and Hye-geol burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha. When training, one sometimes takes the wrong path! Going there and coming back is also training!”

“….”

Feeling a slight headache, Mu-jin sighed deeply.

“I’ll go after him then.”

“Do that.”

With Hye-geol’s permission, Mu-jin chased after Mu-yul, who was heading in the wrong direction.

‘Hoo.’

Mu-gung, pulling the carriage with a calm face as if possessed by an ox, was training diligently.

However, his expression was merely the result of the Immovable Mind technique he learned while enduring Master Hye-dam’s training.

His eyes, however, were burning with a competitive spirit.

‘I can’t lose in strength!’

Even though he was training in Immovable Mind under Hye-dam, Mu-gung was a boy who joined Shaolin with the desire to become the best.

Since his days as an initiate disciple, over the span of four years, Mu-gung had encountered many Shaolin disciples and understood how difficult it was.

Setting aside Mu-jin, who defied common sense, there were times when the timid Mu-gyeong displayed more mastery of martial arts than himself, causing Mu-gung to struggle with impatience.

Mu-yul’s talent was also exceptional, but his frequent bizarre actions didn’t particularly arouse envy.

One day, when his fists wavered from impatience, his master uncle Hye-dam, usually so reticent, opened his mouth to give him advice.

The doctrine of “Manlyugwijong” was that even if one became the best in just one field, one could become the best in the world.

From that moment, Mu-gung gave up on learning flashy martial arts. Instead, he delved deeply into the essence of Shaolin’s orthodox techniques.

Therefore, in the realm of strength, Mu-gung did not want to lose to anyone.

“Haaa!”

As he grew, Mu-gung reached over 6 cheok 3 chi in height, with a robust physique. His muscles bulged, and veins stood out as he exerted his strength.

Screeeeech.

The carriage, loaded with the heaviest weights from Mu-jin’s exercise equipment, began to pick up speed.

Meanwhile, Mu-gyeong, moving at the slowest pace, looked at Mu-gung’s carriage ahead with a puzzled expression.

‘We have to go a long way, why are they both moving so recklessly?’

From the start, pulling the carriages all the way to Wudang instead of riding them was a foolish endeavor.

But since pulling the carriages was already decided, the important thing for the long journey was efficient movement.

‘When I push, the wheels gain momentum but then slow down again due to friction.’

Carefully pulling his carriage, Mu-gyeong gradually adapted to the recoil created by pulling it.

By intricately using the various stepping techniques and the Celestial Weight technique he had mastered, he developed a unique Qinggong method suited for pulling the heavily loaded carriage.

As time passed and the Qinggong method for pulling the carriage became more refined, Mu-gyeong’s speed also gradually increased.