Mountain Entrance Examination (3)

After a while.

Mu Gung barely managed to steady his breathing, his face flushed as he rose and stepped back from the center of the training ground.

"You don't really fit that flashy style, you know?"

Mu Jin continued to criticize Mu Gung. With his large build and limited flexibility, Mu Gung's movements naturally left many gaps. Therefore, Mu Jin had always advised Mu Gung to use simple attacks and feints to maximize his strength.

"Sorry about that. Ugh."

Mu Gung's face turned bright red as he muttered, humiliated in front of the elders of Shaolin. Mu Jin couldn't help but chuckle at Mu Gung's frustration.

'Yeah, he's still at that age where he's dealing with his middle school syndrome, it can't be helped.'

What could you expect from kids? As long as he passed, that was all that mattered. Since it seemed Mu Gung had passed the mountain entrance examination, Mu Jin's attention shifted elsewhere.

He looked towards one corner of the gathering of new disciples, focusing on someone who seemed to be digging themselves into the ground.

Mu Jin placed his arm on the shoulder of the visibly nervous Mu Gyeong and asked, "Are you ready?"

"N-no, no, no, I'm not."

Mu Gyeong stammered so much that it seemed like he had a motor in his mouth. His entire body, especially the shoulder under Mu Jin's arm, was trembling violently.

"C-can I do well?"

Mu Gyeong's voice shook as he asked. Mu Jin shook his head.

"You don't need to do well."

"Uh?"

"You don't need to try to do well."

As he said this, Mu Jin taught Mu Gyeong a few muscle stretching techniques to help ease his tension, just as he had done with Mu Gung.

Then he gave Mu Gyeong the most crucial piece of advice.

"Mu Gyeong, just remember this one thing."

The most important thing for Mu Gyeong to remember in this examination wasn't to avoid being nervous.

"Don't get excited. Got it?"

Over the past year and nine months, Mu Jin had observed that Mu Gyeong caused more trouble when he was excited than when he was nervous.

* * *

As the mountain entrance examination was nearing its end.

"Novice disciple Mu Gyeong, step forward!"

Finally, Mu Gyeong's name was called.

"Don't get excited!"

Leaving behind Mu Jin's words that could have been either encouragement or a warning, Mu Gyeong walked trembling towards the center of the training ground.

Mu Jin watched Mu Gyeong with a worried expression.

He wasn't concerned that Mu Gyeong might fail the examination.

'Mu Gyeong didn't become a martial arts expert for no reason in the future.'

Mu Gyeong was a genius.

He had only started learning martial arts after coming to the Shaolin Temple. Physically, he was even less talented than Mu Yul or Mu Gung.

But he had an extraordinary talent that surpassed all that.

He had the aptitude to understand martial arts principles at a glance and the talent to apply what he understood to internal energy usage effortlessly.

In the world of martial arts, where martial arts and internal energy are crucial, Mu Gyeong's talent was the epitome of a 'genius.'

Despite this, Mu Jin worried about Mu Gyeong because he was destined to become a martial arts expert in the future.

* * *

Meanwhile.

The second senior disciple in charge of Mu Gyeong's examination, Beob Hwan, looked at the novice disciple standing before him with a curious expression.

Most children would take the initiative in the examination, as attacking was generally more advantageous than defending to showcase one's skills.

However, the child standing in front of him hadn't taken any offensive action even though the sparring had started. He even seemed visibly nervous.

'Maybe, for the first time in this examination, there could be a failing student.'

Beob Hwan felt a bit disappointed at the prospect of causing someone to fail, but fairness was paramount in examinations.

Since the other party hadn't attacked, Beob Hwan had no choice but to launch the first strike.

Whoosh!

And the child, who had seemed so nervous, effortlessly dodged Beob Hwan's attack by following the basic martial arts footwork, Geon Gon Bo.

'Oh.'

---

Beob Hwan, recognizing Mu Gyeong's exceptional mastery of the Heaven and Earth Stance, aimed his right foot at the hidden gaps within the stance.

Boom!

However, as if he had anticipated this, Mu Gyeong deflected Beob Hwan's attack using the Three-Move Defense Technique from the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra.

'To use the Earth Store Bodhisattva Sutra so effortlessly while stepping through the Heaven and Earth Stance—he must have mastered both techniques to an exceptional degree.'

Realizing the child's skill level was higher than expected, Beob Hwan's eyes sparkled as he continued his offensive more aggressively.

As the sparring match continued past the tenth exchange, Beob Hwan's expression gradually turned to one of astonishment.

He aimed punches at the gaps, which Mu Gyeong deflected with the Six Yang Hand technique. When Beob Hwan followed up with the fifth stance of the Guanyin Eighteen Legs, Mu Gyeong switched from the Heaven and Earth Stance to the Immovable Step and avoided the attack.

Time after time, Beob Hwan's attacks were met with optimal defenses or evasions, each time using a different martial art.

And after dodging more than ten attacks, it seemed Mu Gyeong finally relaxed and began his own offensive.

He started with the Diamond Fist.

As Mu Gyeong executed the first and second strikes of the Diamond Fist, Beob Hwan aimed for the gap that would appear with the third strike. But to his surprise, the next move was not the third strike.

In fact, it wasn't even the Diamond Fist.

Mu Gyeong, who had been using the Immovable Step, suddenly launched a kick following the principles of the Guanyin Eighteen Legs.

Beob Hwan stepped back to avoid the kick, only for Mu Gyeong to step forward and swing his arm in the third stance of the Six Yang Hand.

Beob Hwan tried to deflect the arm, but—

"!!"

It was a feint. Mu Gyeong switched the form of his attacking hand to the Guanyin Hand technique, slapping away Beob Hwan's palm and thrusting his fingers forward.

With the Stone-Crushing Finger technique, he accurately targeted Beob Hwan's vital point.

Thunk!

Beob Hwan barely managed to deflect the fingers with a swipe of his arm, sweat now dripping from his forehead.

The onlookers were just as astonished.

"How many martial arts techniques has he mastered?"

"Hah, to see such an outstanding child emerge."

From what they had seen so far, Mu Gyeong had used at least ten different techniques for evasion, defense, and attack.

But mastering many techniques doesn't necessarily make one strong. If the techniques are disjointed, having many could be more of a hindrance.

However, this was not the case for Mu Gyeong.

Despite the different martial arts techniques and forms, everything Mu Gyeong used flowed seamlessly as if it were a single martial art.

"He is undoubtedly the most outstanding among the new disciples."

"Amitabha."

This was indeed remarkable.

Typically, martial arts require circulating internal energy through specific points corresponding to each form. Trying to use multiple forms consecutively or simultaneously could disrupt the flow of internal energy.

Except for techniques designed to be used together, that is.

Yet, the techniques Mu Gyeong used were mostly unrelated, but they still connected so smoothly. This indicated Mu Gyeong's exceptional understanding.

For a novice disciple to freely use more than ten martial arts techniques was beyond conventional wisdom.

This was partly due to Mu Gyeong's innate understanding of martial arts, but also significantly influenced by Mu Jin's training methods.

Originally, Mu Gyeong's physical abilities were somewhat lacking compared to his talent for martial arts. Normally, he would have had to compensate for his physical limitations with complex internal energy manipulations.

However, in the past year and a half, systematic physical training had allowed Mu Gyeong to connect the forms more effortlessly.

And the number of basic martial arts techniques Mu Gyeong had mastered was—

"It's not about how many he has learned, but that there are none he hasn't learned."

Indeed, he had mastered all the basic Shaolin martial arts allowed to novice disciples, typically two or three depending on their physique and constitution. Mu Gyeong had learned them all and could connect them as he saw fit.

Yet, despite Mu Gyeong's extraordinary display, Mu Jin's face was tinged with worry.

Initially, Mu Gyeong had only dodged and defended due to nervousness, but now he had fully entered the offensive phase.

Mu Gyeong's movements, like a well-composed painting, showed no discord despite blending different martial arts.

As the sparring continued, a crooked smile appeared on Mu Gyeong's face.

It was a twisted smile, as if he was delighted by the thrill of the sparring.

Facing Mu Gyeong, who grew increasingly complex in his moves, Beob Hwan couldn't help but worry.

'Is it true that I can't handle this child with just basic martial arts?'

Despite the limitation on internal energy, there was a gap of at least fifteen years of martial arts training between them. Yet, in understanding basic martial arts, he found himself outmatched.

In that moment of hesitation, a tiny gap appeared in Beob Hwan's movements, and Mu Gyeong seized it instantly.

Mu Gyeong's fist, imbued with killing intent, flew towards Beob Hwan's vital point.

'Killing intent (殺氣)!'

Instinctively reacting to the killing intent, Beob Hwan unconsciously channeled his internal energy.

Using a martial art he never thought he'd employ in the mountain entrance examination.

One of the seventy-two supreme techniques, the Damo Eighteen Hands.

No matter how talented Mu Gyeong was, it was impossible for a novice disciple to counter one of the seventy-two supreme techniques.

"No!!"

As the worst-case scenario unfolded, Mu-Jin attempted to rush towards Yeonmujang with a shout. However, before he could, a figure appeared at Yeonmujang.

Bam!

The man at Yeonmujang blocked Mu Gyeong's fist with his Chain-Linked Fist while simultaneously parrying Beob Hwan's palm with his Heart-Mind Fist. Even though Mu Gyeong's Damo Eighteen Hands were still incomplete, the man who blocked the attacks seemed relaxed, as if enjoying a leisurely stroll.

Crackle, crackle.

Furthermore, not only did he block attacks with his Chain-Linked Fist and Heart-Mind Fist, but he also casually held a liquor bottle in his right hand, giving off an oddly eerie vibe.

At that moment, Hyu Dam furrowed his brow and shouted sternly towards the man holding the liquor bottle.

"Hyu Gwan. How dare you drink alcohol within the precincts of the Shaolin Temple. You truly desire to enter the repentance hall, don't you?"

"Hahaha, Hyu Dam, you're being too serious. How could I ever dare to drink alcohol within the precincts of the Shaolin Temple?"

With a playful smile, the man tossed the wooden liquor bottle he was holding towards Hyu Dam.

And to Hyu Dam's surprise, there was not even a hint of alcohol scent from the bottle he caught.

In that short moment, using the unique Shaolin technique, he had expelled the alcohol with extreme precision, leaving the wooden bottle and water unaffected.

Hyu Dam knew very well that this was a simple demonstration of the tremendous power of Shaolin martial arts.

"Sigh... While I appreciate your efforts, you must not cross the line, Hyu Gwan."

However, despite this, Hyu Dam did not press further. In fact, no one here attempted to question Hyu Gwan anymore.

This was partly due to Hyu Gwan's personality, but also because everyone understood the weight of the burden he carried.

Shaolin forbade killing, and the teachings of Shaolin emphasized compassion, guidance, and the significance of overcoming evil.

However, occasionally, there were terrifyingly evil beings that could not be guided.

And in Shaolin, to eliminate such evils, certain individuals were occasionally sent out of Shaolin.

These were the only individuals who deviated from the teachings of Shaolin. They abandoned the path of enlightenment for the sake of mortals and willingly walked the path of the Asura.

The leader of these individuals, known as the Destroyer of Demons Division, was Hyu Gwan.

And because everyone understood the weight of the burden carried by the Destroyer of Demons, they all chose to overlook Hyu Gwan's actions.

As someone who had mastered the path of enlightenment and continued to carry out the actions of the Asura, Hyu Gwan saw both the reckless behavior and the act of drinking as efforts to overcome his immense guilt.

Hyu Gwan, also known as the Drunken Buddha or the Immovable Asura, received Hyu Dam's warning with a mischievous smile.

"Hehehe. I apologize for suddenly interrupting while observing the mountain entrance examination, various abbots, venerables, and masters. But I felt that I needed to intervene and take care of this child myself."

And suddenly, he declared that he would take Mu Gyeong as his disciple.

Just a moment ago, Mu Gyeong had displayed extraordinary talent during the sparring match. Naturally, everyone else felt the urge, but no one protested against Hyu Gwan's words.

Those of lower rank did not dare to challenge Hyu Gwan's authority, while those of higher rank understood why Hyu Gwan had intervened.

They too had sensed the madness and killing intent that Mu Gyeong had unleashed at the end of the sparring match.

"Amitabha."

Hyun Chun, the head abbot of Shaolin, watched the scene with a somewhat sad expression.

"Perhaps this might turn out for the better after all."

Buddha valued compassion and forgiveness greatly. Instead of banishing the child from Shaolin for his madness, perhaps it would be more helpful for him to build his practice under Hyu Gwan, who confronted demons.