The Instructor (2)

The child who received Mujin's name.

Mu-Yeon assumed that other kids would laugh like him, indicating that he was secretly looking down on Mu-Jin. And as Mu-Jin had been quite ahead in their training so far, Mu-Yeon was confident in his own abilities. He was also a novice disciple from the Mu family, just like Mu-Gung, which added to his confidence.

So Mu-Yeon took a guarded stance against Mu-Jin, keeping a slight distance and observing him closely.

For a moment, Mu-Jin couldn't help but smile faintly at Mu-Yeon's posture. It was like watching a kid who had just learned martial arts imitate adults sparring.

"This is perfect for dealing with these kids," Mu-Jin thought.

With that in mind, during their confrontation, Mu-Jin suddenly launched a strong advance.

Mu-Yeon, who had been tense preparing to counter Mu-Jin's tackle, was caught off guard by the sudden advance. However, as Mu-Jin didn't attack as expected, Mu-Yeon relaxed slightly, unknowingly.

Snap!

Not missing the moment, Mu-Jin dove into Mu-Yeon's chest. Although Mu-Yeon tried to counter with a punch, Mu-Jin had anticipated this and used the fourth form of the continuous fist technique.

This technique involved deflecting the opponent's attack with the side of the left arm while simultaneously delivering a punch with the right fist.

Mu-Jin's left arm, infused with internal energy, precisely deflected Mu-Yeon's attack, and immediately afterward, Mu-Jin's fist struck Mu-Yeon's abdomen.

"Oof."

As Mu-Yeon groaned while clutching his stomach, Mu-Jin took a step back.

This wasn't a fight, and Mu-Jin couldn't just defeat his opponent like beating a drum in a sparring match.

Although he felt a bit sorry for the kid who laughed at his words, he couldn't just punish him severely for it.

Watching Mu-Jin easily defeat Mu-Yeon, some of the disciples, including Hyu Jong, couldn't help but be impressed.

"Heh. His mastery is already so refined."

"Not only the Sohong Fist but also the proficiency in the Continuous Fist technique is remarkable."

They were surprised not only by Mu-Jin's adept handling of the sparring but also by the influence of the last move, the Fourth Form of the Continuous Fist.

When Mu-Jin deflected Mu-Yeon's punch, he had used internal energy in his left arm. However, in the subsequent counterattack, there was no internal energy in his right fist.

They all noticed that Mu-Jin intentionally didn't use internal energy in his punch, fearing that Mu-Yeon might get hurt internally.

After easily defeating Mu-Yeon, Mu-Jin called out to the nine waiting disciples behind him.

"Next!"

* * *

The last opponent to step forward against Mu-Jin was a kid who boasted a large stature that wouldn't be easily overshadowed even compared to Mu-Gung. Having seen all the kids who sparred with Mu-Jin earlier being defeated, he rushed at Mu-Jin as soon as the sparring began.

Not only was he similar in size to Mu-Gung, but every time he swung his fist, a refreshing force burst out.

Having lost the initiative, Mu-Jin either blocked the opponent's attacks with his arm infused with internal energy or dodged them by twisting his body.

After receiving several attacks from the opponent, as the opponent's fist flew straight toward Mu-Jin's face, Mu-Jin leaned back as if performing a limbo. Then, from that position, he extended his right arm.

His fist accurately struck the opponent's chin, which had been deeply exposed in the awkward posture.

Thunk!

As the opponent allowed the punch to connect with his chin, his legs momentarily gave way, and he sat down hesitantly.

"Hoo."

Mu-Jin, who had just defeated his tenth opponent, took a small breath as if nothing had happened.

The technique he used last was the sixth form of the Sohong Fist, which, in theory, couldn't deliver power to the fist. However, like other forms of the Sohong Fist, it could draw power from the opponent's moves and enhance it according to one's intentions.

The problem was that if he struck an opponent's chin with a punch infused with internal energy while they were defenseless, it could shatter their chin.

In the end, Mu-Jin maintained his posture, focusing his attacks on the lower back area while withholding his energy, and had to swing his fists without using energy to knock down his opponents.

"Sohong Fist still feels a bit awkward," he thought.

Due to the techniques he had displayed in previous sparring matches, Mu-Jin's entire body was tense. However, this ten-round bout was to assert dominance. Mu-Jin didn't show any weakness in front of the other kids.

"If anyone still has complaints, come forward."

Although Mu-Jin shouted at the remaining kids watching the sparring with a commanding tone, no one stepped forward. Having easily defeated all ten opponents without breaking a sweat, no one dared to complain.

With all the kids in the training ground looking at him without saying a word, Mu-Jin spoke again in a low tone.

"Alright, from now on, I'll lead the training. From now on, at least during the morning training sessions, you will call me 'Instructor.' Understood!!"

As Mu-Jin suddenly asked in a loud voice at the end, the kids unknowingly shouted, "Yes, understood!"

Satisfied with the kids' response, Mu-Jin smiled, but it was a smile that didn't suit the temple of martial arts.

"Everyone, lie down!"

With Mu-Jin's terrifying shout, the kids all immediately lay flat on the training ground.

Satisfied with the sight, Mu-Jin turned to the disciples who were observing the situation from behind and said, "Place the sandbags on the kids' backs."

And with sandbags placed on their backs, the actual exercises began fiercely. No, it was the beginning of hellish training.

"One, hold it down! If your stomach touches the ground, the sandbags will double! One!"

"Two, extend your arms and get up! Two!"

Carrying sandbags on their backs and performing push-ups was just the beginning. Running around the training ground in turn with sandbags on their arms and legs, and if they were even slightly late in tying the sandbags to their arms and legs, they had to do push-ups again.

In addition, performing the legendary PT 8 exercise with sandbags tied to their bodies.

Hellish morning training continued, and before they knew it, the kids' clothes were soaked with sweat, despite all of them having trained in Sohong for at least five months.

Naturally, the training ground was filled only with the rough sounds of kids breathing heavily.

"Attention!"

"Attention!"

Within a short time, the kids became accustomed to Mu-Jin's commands, reflexively straightening their bodies at his faint murmurs.

"This should be enough."

Watching them, Mu-Jin smiled with satisfaction.

Although he had somewhat asserted dominance with the ten-round bout, starting with stretching or simple exercises right away could disrupt the atmosphere.

Especially since his opponents were boys who were just entering puberty. It was the age when they didn't listen well and needed to be put in their place. They needed to be reminded that they could be thrown away like dogs if they didn't focus on their training.

And now that enough warnings had been given.

"From now on, we will begin the real training!"

It was time to start the main event.

The kids, who had been acting crazy until now, heard Mu-Jin's words as if it were a death sentence coming from hell. Ignoring the kids' misconceptions, Mu-Jin shouted,

"Mu-Gung, Mu-Gyeong, Mu-Yul, come forward!"

As Mu-Jin shouted, the three of them stepped forward.

"These three were seniors who received training from me before any of you! So, from today, you will call them 'assistants' during the morning training sessions, and they will demonstrate for you!"

Introducing the three as assistants to the kids, Mu-Jin pointed his finger to various places in the training ground and positioned the three kids accordingly.

And then, they began the real exercises.

They started teaching each movement one by one, not just stretching, but the real exercises to build muscles.

Mu-Jin explained the points to pay attention to and the pressure points for each posture, and while demonstrating, Mu-Rul, Mu-Gung, and Mu-Gyeong also demonstrated together.

With seventy kids gathered, it was also to accommodate those kids who couldn't see Mu-Jin's movements well.

"I should teach my classmates too."

From the perspective of Baekang, who was closer to being a soldier than a monk by nature, it was a very innovative educational method.

And on the fifth day of the morning training.

"From today, we will divide into groups and proceed with the training."

Mu-Jin divided the kids into four groups.

This was based on the observation of the morning training and morning martial arts training over the past five days.

Similar kids who lacked in certain aspects of learning Sohong Fist were grouped together.

For example, Mu-Gyeong was in charge of kids who lacked flexibility or core strength.

And the four groups were led by Mu-Jin and the three assistants.

For example, if the kids lacked flexibility, Mu-Gyeong, who had the most experience in that area, would guide them on what exercises to do for the day.

Well, if there were kids who didn't follow properly or if the assistants didn't conduct the class properly, then Mu-Jin would have to step in.

Anyway, thanks to dividing the groups, the number of kids directly under Mu-Jin's supervision decreased to about twenty.

While teaching those twenty kids and intermittently checking the status of other groups, the time for the morning training quickly passed.

And as the kids finished their exercises and were about to move for breakfast, Hyu Jong approached Mu-Jin and delivered a message.

"Mu-Jin, the item you requested from Master last time is complete."

It was an additional request made by Mu-Jin when he accepted Hyun Song's suggestion.

It was about whether Master could make a certain item.

The news Hyu Jong brought was truly unexpected news for Mu-Jin.