Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 217

Chaos

However, just because he had obtained a rough map did not mean he could immediately barge in there.

‘Sneaking out is fine, but there could be problems when I come back.’

Hye-geol, along with a few Shaolin disciples, was practically serving as a watchdog to prevent Mu-jin’s escape.

In other words, if he sneaked out and came back this time, the surveillance would intensify.

With only about a month left before he had to escape to meet the future Heavenly Demon, this was a bad move for Mu-jin in many ways.

Of course, that did not mean there were no methods available.

“Let’s head out for now.”

Mu-jin, carrying only the rough map from the Cheonryu Sangdan, began moving somewhere.

* * *

Mu-jin went to see Hye-geol with the rough map in hand.

The simplest way to succeed in something others tell you not to do is to make the person who should stop you an accomplice.

This method doesn’t work on people as stiff as a stone like Hye-dam, but most would reluctantly join when they are at risk of being labeled an accomplice.

“So, you’re saying the location on this map is one of the bases of the Hwasan sect and Daegum Sangdan?”

“Yes, Master Uncle.”

“Then why are you telling me this?”

“Obviously, we should attack this place.”

“…What wrong have they done to warrant an attack?”

“They are threatening the Zhongnan sect by leaking Zhongnan Swordplay through Hwasan and Daegum Sangdan.”

“There’s no proof they did it.”

As expected of a Shaolin disciple, Hye-geol seemed a bit stuck in his thinking.

“Hey. Do you need to eat poop to know it’s poop? You can tell just by looking.”

“Ahem. That’s an excessive analogy. How could you compare a respectable sect to poop?”

“Isn’t poop better? At least you can avoid it because it’s obviously poop. These guys pretend to be noble while acting like gold on the outside.”

“Hmph. I know that, but attacking without justification could cause trouble.”

“They also lacked justification. We just couldn’t catch the evidence. We can do the same.”

“So, you’re saying we attack without leaving evidence?”

“Yes, Master Uncle. That’s why I need your help.”

“???”

Seeing that Hye-geol still didn’t understand, Mu-jin elaborated further.

“Disguising our faces and attire with transformations and masks is enough. In Murim, the biggest evidence is the traces of martial arts used. Only those capable of hiding their Shaolin martial arts while attacking the enemy’s base can join this mission.”

Hye-geol, true to his nickname ‘Invincible Fist of Shaolin,’ was one of the top ten martial artists in Shaolin.

He was skilled enough to defeat most high-level opponents without using the Shaolin Five Fists, relying only on basic striking and grappling techniques.

“So, you’re suggesting just the two of us go?”

“I’m thinking of bringing one more person.”

There was one person who fought even better than Hye-geol under the condition of hiding Shaolin martial arts.

“Hmmm…”

As Hye-geol continued to ponder, Mu-jin made his final move.

“Master Uncle. Continuously reacting to their attacks won’t improve our situation. There’s a saying that the best defense is a good offense.”

“Hoo. Fine. It seems you’re right about this.”

Mu-jin finally succeeded in making him an accomplice.

* * *

Late evening.

Three shadows slipped out of Zhongnan Mountain and started moving northeast.

One was Mu-jin, another was Hye-geol, and the last one was Mu-gyeong.

Mu-gyeong, who had stolen and mastered dozens of martial arts apart from Shaolin martial arts, was specialized in such tasks.

Though Zhongnan and Hwasan were close in terms of the vast land of the Central Plains, they were still about 160 kilometers apart.

However, all three had reached quite a high level, and they succeeded in covering the long distance within one hour.

They arrived at Huaeum County, located right in front of the Hwasan sect.

Upon arriving in Huaeum County, Mu-jin checked the map and headed to the designated location.

– There it is.

Mu-jin sent a telepathic message while pointing to a grand mansion situated in a bustling area of Huaeum County.

Receiving the message, Hye-geol and Mu-gyeong looked at the mansion Mu-jin pointed to.

[Daegum Sangdan]

Indeed, their target was not a hidden hideout.

The branch of Daegum Sangdan in Huaeum County, known for its close ties with Hwasan, was Mu-jin’s destination.

There were two main reasons why Mu-jin needed the map.

One was to avoid getting lost in unfamiliar Huaeum County.

The other was to know the roles of each hall in the vast mansion.

– When I send the message, jump over the right wall and draw attention with Mu-gyeong.

Despite his curiosity, Hye-geol moved towards the right wall as instructed by Mu-jin.

– Now!

As soon as Mu-jin’s message came, Hye-geol and Mu-gyeong jumped over the right wall and infiltrated the mansion.

“Who are you?!”

“How dare you target our Daegum Sangdan!”

Clad in black with black masks covering their faces, Hye-geol and Mu-gyeong looked like either thieves or assassins.

Except for one problem: they were overwhelmingly strong.

“You dare!”

Clang!

Perhaps due to the commotion, men dressed in uniforms with plum blossom patterns began to appear.

Seeing them, Hye-geol’s eyes filled with astonishment beneath his mask.

‘They are stationed here despite just dealing with them. They even have Plum Blossom Swordsmen.’

Being the Head of External Affairs of Shaolin, Hye-geol instantly recognized the leader among them as a first-class disciple of the Hwasan sect, Cho-yoon, one of the twenty-four Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

The presence of Cho-yoon indicated how close Daegum Sangdan and Hwasan were.

But Hye-geol, being a seasoned martial artist, did not lose his focus in battle.

“Show them the might of Hwasan’s swords!”

“Attack!”

At Cho-yoon’s command, about twenty Hwasan disciples simultaneously rushed towards Hye-geol and Mu-gyeong.

Faced with the disciples of another prestigious sect and needing to hide their Shaolin martial arts, Hye-geol still easily evaded their attacks and counterattacked.

Surprisingly, Hye-geol had mastered another martial art besides the Shaolin Five Fists.

“It’s definitely demonic martial arts!”

“What a strange movement!”

As the Hwasan disciples fell to Hye-geol’s unpredictable movements, they cried out in bewilderment.

However, regardless of their cries, Hye-geol continued using his self-created martial arts to push back the Hwasan disciples.

“Oo-kee!”

Accompanied by strange monkey-like cries.

That’s right. Hye-geol was using Monkey Fist.

While teaching martial arts to Mu-yul and Ling-ling, Hye-geol discovered that Mu-yul mimicked Ling-ling’s movements. He then developed an internal energy technique suitable for Mu-yul’s mimicry of Ling-ling’s movements.

Through this process, Hye-geol naturally became proficient in Monkey Fist himself.

“Oo-kee!”

However, perhaps too immersed in his teaching, Hye-geol unintentionally let out monkey cries as his kiap while using Monkey Fist.

“A monkey?!”

“Senior brother! He must be a thief from the Southern Barbarians! They say the Namman Beast Palace’s martial arts mimic animal movements!”

Thanks to the Hwasan disciples’ misunderstanding, Hye-geol sighed in relief under his mask.

Not because he had hidden his identity as a Shaolin disciple.

“Oo-kee!”

But because they didn’t realize it was him pretending to be a monkey.

Thinking this, Hye-geol still made monkey cries while taking down another Hwasan disciple.

This was due to his exceptional Monkey Fist, but also due to other reasons.

Firstly, the Hwasan disciples’ skills were surprisingly subpar.

‘As expected, most of the masters have been sent elsewhere, just like at Zhongnan.’

Apart from the leader, Cho-yoon, they were all second-class disciples.

Secondly,

Smack!

“Ugh.”

Crash!

“Ahhh!!”

There was the presence of Mu-gyeong, who was creating a cacophony of hits and screams beside him.

‘Though I knew he was talented…’

I didn’t expect this level.

Mu-gyeong was fully unleashing his martial arts without using any Shaolin techniques.

As Mu-gyeong and Hye-geol quickly subdued about ten Hwasan disciples, Cho-yoon drew his sword.

“Do you intend to disgrace Hwasan?!”

With that shout, Cho-yoon, one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, charged towards Mu-gyeong, who was thrashing the disciples.

Matching his title, Cho-yoon’s sword bloomed with red plum blossoms.

However, Mu-gyeong, who had endured Hye-gwan’s rigorous training, blocked or evaded all of Cho-yoon’s attacks effortlessly.

Thanks to Mu-gyeong taking on multiple Hwasan disciples and even Cho-yoon, Hye-geol’s situation became much easier.

‘…When it comes to hiding Shaolin martial arts, he’s actually better than me.’

It was a complex feeling. A first-class disciple and a third-class disciple separated by two ranks.

Even considering the time spent learning martial arts,

there was a difference of at least thirty years.

‘Come to think of it, they say Hye-gwan’s place has been quiet recently.’

Initially, he thought it was because Hye-gwan was going easy on him, but now it seemed Mu-gyeong had equaled Hye-gwan in their spars.

When listing the strongest first-class disciples of Shaolin, two names came up first: Hye-dam and Hye-gwan.

Hye-dam, who had accumulated martial arts within Shaolin for decades, and Hye-gwan, who had gained extensive real combat experience.

Although Hye-dam’s level was higher, many considered Hye-gwan superior due to his practical experience.

Following closely was Hye-geol himself.

To think that a third-class disciple, not even a second-class, had surpassed him.

However, since both he and the disciple were from Shaolin,

‘Shaolin’s prosperity knows no bounds. Hahaha.’

Rather than feeling jealous, Hye-geol felt happy to celebrate the junior’s growth.

In that sense, Shaolin’s prosperity included one more person.

The one recognized by all as the greatest talent of Shaolin, and perhaps the greatest in the world.

‘Speaking of which, what is that boy doing after sending us here?’

Just as Hye-geol had that belated thought,

Boom!

A massive explosion came from the opposite side of the mansion.

* * *

While Hye-geol and Mu-gyeong drew attention by jumping over the right wall, Mu-jin used Ghost Steps and Shadow Technique to sneak into a secluded part of the mansion.

Avoiding the gazes of others, Mu-jin eventually reached the warehouse he had targeted from the start.

This warehouse stored the main supplies of the Daegum Sangdan’s Huaeum County branch.

‘The key to war is supply.’

One of Mu-jin’s main goals was to rob Daegum Sangdan of their money.

An alliance between a sect and a trading company inevitably involved financial ties.

For Hwasan to continue receiving sufficient funds, a significant amount of money must have accumulated in the Huaeum County branch.

Robbing this money could disrupt their alliance and was also perfect for concealing his identity.

‘Perfect for playing the role of a thief.’

They couldn’t possibly accuse Zhongnan or Shaolin of being robbed by thieves.

Mu-jin wondered how much gold and treasures were hidden in that warehouse.

With such expectations, Mu-jin opened the door of the warehouse.

“!!!”

Dozens of red plum blossoms formed by sword qi flew towards Mu-jin.

But the one who was truly surprised was not Mu-jin.

The middle-aged swordsman of Hwasan, who had used the sword technique, stared in shock as the man in black easily deflected his attack with a few casual gestures.

In contrast, Mu-jin, who had effortlessly blocked the sudden ambush, let out a light hum.

‘Hmm~? I didn’t expect to see him here today.’

The swordsman who ambushed Mu-jin was someone he had seen before.

Plum Blossom’s Sharpest Sword, Hwa Sun-gyeong.

One of the elders of the Hwasan sect, and the person who tried to form an alliance with Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei during the Martial Arts Tournament.