Why are you out here? (2)

Confirming once again that Mu Yul wasn't one for using his head, Mu-Jin ignored him and began to speak.

"Since Mu Gung decided to join us, let's continue the conversation from earlier."

"The conversation from earlier?"

"You were curious about why you always lose to me, remember?"

"Oh! Right, you have to keep your promise!"

Though he had been reluctant about fighting together, Mu Gung was very enthusiastic about this topic. Despite his untrustworthy attitude, Mu-Jin continued teaching because it would also help Mu Yul and Mu Gyeong.

"Mu Gung, your Chain-Linked Fist is indeed fast and powerful. But that's all it is."

"If it's strong and fast, isn't that enough? What more is there?"

Sighing at Mu Gung's straightforward answer, Mu-Jin took a stance for the Chain-Linked Fist.

"You'll understand if you experience it. I'm going to attack with the first move of the Chain-Linked Fist. Try to dodge it."

As Mu-Jin threw a punch, Mu Gung easily dodged it.

"Good. Now I'll attack with the second move. Dodge this one too."

Pretending to take a stance for the second move, Mu-Jin suddenly swung his leg and landed a low kick on Mu Gung's thigh.

Mu Gung, who had only moved his upper body to dodge the punch, took the low kick directly and started limping.

"What the heck! Why did you lie!"

Mu-Jin clicked his tongue at Mu Gung, who protested indignantly.

"Who would just stand there and take a hit when they know what's coming? You have to deceive your opponent to land a strike."

"!!!"

"Got it? Your punches are fast and strong, but your intentions are obvious from your stance before you even throw a punch."

"Just attack so fast and strong that they can't block it even if they know it's coming!"

Clearly upset about getting kicked, Mu Gung made a feeble rebuttal.

"Sure. You're not completely wrong. Maybe someday when you're the best in the world, your statement might hold true."

Like the protagonist of the second novel by the author of [Shaolin Divine Monk], [Demon Emperor's Legend].

The top martial artist. The protagonist's swordsmanship was described as 'an incomprehensible sword technique that couldn't be blocked even if known' in the novel.

In other words, unless you're the best in the world, such nonsensical statements don't apply.

"So, until you become the best in the world, you need to know how to do this. Understand?"

After a moment of contemplation, Mu Gung nodded, realizing that Mu-Jin's words made sense.

He then added a curious statement.

"Since I've learned something good, I'll give you a piece of advice too."

"Advice?"

"When you fight those guys, it'll be dangerous if you underestimate them."

Mu-Jin tilted his head in confusion at Mu Gung's words.

'What nonsense is he spouting now?'

Was he about to make some strange excuse that he'd been holding back all this time?

"You said you're stronger than them, right?"

"If it were a real fight, I'd be stronger. Because I'd use our family's martial arts."

"Are you saying you're stronger when you use your family's martial arts?"

"Yes. When I use my family's martial arts, I can use my internal energy."

"Oh...."

Understanding what Mu Gung meant, Mu-Jin found one thing puzzling.

"Then why didn't you use your internal energy when sparring with me?"

"I've only learned the form of the Chain-Linked Fist and Buddha's Heart Technique, but I haven't learned how to channel internal energy into the Chain-Linked Fist yet."

"Why not use your family's martial arts then?"

"What kind of crazy person uses their family's martial arts during sparring at Shaolin?"

"...It sounds like you're calling me crazy."

"Ahem."

When Mu-Jin glared at him with half-closed eyes, Mu Gung averted his gaze.

After staring at Mu Gung for a moment, Mu-Jin asked a question.

"Then, are those guys also capable of breaking rocks like Hyu Jong Sasukjo showed?"

"Only Hyu Jong Sasukjo can do that. Given the family's level and their age, they might not be as good as me, but the difference wouldn't be huge."

Mu-Jin pondered after hearing Mu Gung's answer.

He had thought they were just good fighters at an elementary or middle school level, but their skills might be higher than expected. While he and Mu Gung could handle it, there was a risk that Mu Yul or Mu Gyeong could get hurt.

'Informing Hyu Jong Sasukjo and ending it might be a solution...'

Mu-Jin turned his head slightly to look at Mu Gyeong, who was squatting with a disheveled appearance. This was a child whose self-esteem had already been shattered due to prolonged bullying. The reason Mu-Jin was determined to fight the group was not just to correct the arrogant brats relying on their parents' authority, but more importantly, to help Mu Gyeong overcome his trauma. 

Mu-Jin wanted to give him the experience of standing up to his tormentors and winning with his own two fists. With that in mind, he asked Mu Gung, hoping for a positive response.

"Can you show me the level of their skills by demonstrating the martial arts from your family? Just once?"

"What?"

"If I see it and think we can handle it, we'll fight. If not, we'll just report to Hyu Jong Sasukjo."

Mu Gung looked around cautiously and then said carefully, "Let's go to a secluded spot. We don't want the elders of Shaolin to catch us using other sects' martial arts."

With a flimsy excuse, Mu Gung led them to a secluded spot.

"Mu Yul, can you help Mu Gyeong up for a moment?"

"Sure!"

Mu-Jin, carrying the supported Mu Gyeong on his back, followed in the direction Mu Gung had disappeared. Mu Yul, with a bright smile, followed them.

Once they caught up, Mu Gung took a stance to demonstrate his family's martial arts.

'They'll be surprised.'

The main reason Mu Gung decided to show his martial arts was to regain his shattered pride. He wanted to show Mu-Jin, who had beaten him twice, what his true skills were.

"Phew."

Focusing his mind, Mu Gung began to channel one of the two small energies in his dantian. This was the internal energy he gained from his family's internal energy cultivation method, which he had sealed away to learn Shaolin martial arts. Although the Buddha's Heart Technique was intended to eventually absorb this energy as it advanced, for now, Mu Gung had more internal energy from his family's method than from the Buddha's Heart Technique.

Having prepared himself, Mu Gung began to move his limbs, channeling his internal energy.

Boom!

Thump!

With each punch and kick, a small burst of air sounded.

"Ho."

Watching this display, Mu-Jin let out a small exclamation of admiration. It was clear that the power and speed had increased compared to when Mu Gung was only using the Chain-Linked Fist. While not extraordinarily powerful, it was akin to a high school boxing athlete or a fighter preparing for a professional match.

'Considering his age, that's still incredible.'

The fact that a thirteen-year-old could exert more strength and speed than most adults was astounding. However, it also meant that this was a level worth fighting against.

Considering Mu Gung's words and level, neither Mu Gung nor those guys had reached a level where they could freely manipulate internal energy. Simply put, they could only use internal energy when throwing punches in specific forms and sequences.

'And if they're using the Chain-Linked Fist, their moves will be predictable.'

While their speed and power would be greater than Mu Gung's, as long as their techniques were the same, they could be handled.

'The problem is Mu Yul and Mu Gyeong.'

If Mu Gyeong got beaten while he was taking down one of them, the whole plan would be for nothing. Even if they couldn't win, they needed to give Mu Gyeong the experience of standing up for himself.

"Alright. Now that we know their level, let's start preparing."

Therefore, Mu-Jin intended to train Mu Yul and Mu Gyeong to be able to face the Lay Disciples who could use internal energy.

"Yul, take the stance for the first form of the Chain-Linked Fist."

"Okay!"

Without questioning, Mu Yul smiled and took the stance.

"Now, swing your fist according to the form."

"Hah!"

"Watch closely. For the first form of the Chain-Linked Fist, you must spread your legs shoulder-width apart, start from your toes, twist your waist, and then swing your fist. This means that if someone takes this stance with their legs shoulder-width apart, they're about to use the first form."

Mu-Jin began to point out the characteristics of each stance of the Chain-Linked Fist.

"At this point, the fist's trajectory will go straight towards the opponent's solar plexus. So, here's a question: which side will be open during this move?"

Mu-Jin even explained the gaps that would appear in each stance.

"This fourth form involves deflecting the opponent's defense and countering, but if you can induce this move, the gaps will actually become larger. You can lure them with a feint and then move inside."

It was quite a sight: teaching the way to counter Shaolin martial arts to Shaolin disciples.

* * *

Three days later, during the evening free time in a secluded area between the dormitory buildings of The Hall of Arhats.

Three young disciples were chatting while kicking the ground.

"Mu Tae, he's coming today, right?"

"Of course. I whispered to him earlier today. Told him if he doesn't come, I'll send a message to his family. Heh heh."

In response to a friend's question, Mu Tae, who was from the same Shaolin Lay Disciple sect, answered with a sinister grin.

"It's been a while since we've stretched our hands."

"What do you mean a while? It's only been two days."

"Taking a break for two days feels like a while since we did it every day."

"Does it?"

Mu Tae and the other two friends burst into laughter at the joke.

Three days ago, they had beaten him so badly that they had to take a break for the past two days.

They still had nearly a year and a half left to endure the tedious time required to officially qualify as Shaolin Lay Disciples. To continue using Mu Gyeong as a punching bag without getting caught, they decided to give him a break for two days.

"Hey, lately, it looks like he's been hanging out with some weird guys."

"You mean that crazy guy Mu-Jin and that idiot Mu Yul?"

"Yeah, and Mu Gung too."

"Why is that show-off hanging out with those weirdos?"

"Who knows? Hey, do you think Mu Gyeong might bring those three today?"

"Heh, what if he does? More people to hit, right?"

Mu Tae's confident answer made the other two laugh quietly.

At just thirteen years old, the three of them were brimming with confidence in their ability to manipulate internal energy. They were unaware that the elders from their families, who doted on them, had always let them win.

"Hahaha. I've been wanting to deal with that crazy Mu-Jin guy, so it'd be great if he comes."

"Yeah, he's really annoying. Has no sense of his place."

"And that show-off Mu Gung. I can't stand him either."

"Remember when Mu Gung cried the other day?"

"Hahaha. That was hilarious."

"If he comes today, I'll make sure he cries again."

As the three disciples exchanged sinister smiles and chuckled quietly, they heard the sound of small footsteps approaching from behind a building.

Moments later, Mu Gyeong rounded the corner, and a cruel smile spread across the faces of the three disciples.

"Hey, he actually brought them."

"Following behind them, Mujin, Muyul, and Mugung appeared, and broad smiles spread across their faces."