Chapter 73:

Chapter 73:

Late Evening.

Mu-jin and Hyun-gwang were spending time in the place provided by Ryu Ji-gwang.

Sitting cross-legged on the daecheongmaru with a calm expression, Hyun-gwang asked, “Mu-jin. During your stay in Nanchang, did you achieve any progress in your martial arts?”

“I believe I have gained some achievements through various experiences there, Grandfather,” Mu-jin replied confidently to Hyun-gwang’s question as he stepped out into the manor’s yard and assumed a stance.

Mu-jin had spent five months in Nanchang, gaining a considerable amount of practical experience. He had engaged in one-against-many battles with the Black Snake Sect, sparred with Jegal Jin-hee, facing a superior master, and even witnessed the life-and-death duel between the Paedobangju and Hye-gwan. Occasionally, he would coax Hye-gwan with drinks to receive guidance or request a sparring session.

These varied experiences had significantly enhanced Mu-jin’s martial arts, making them quite different from before.

Swish!

In front of Hyun-gwang, Mu-jin demonstrated the martial arts he had refined through his realizations.

The Striking Bone Technique, more powerful than five months ago, swiftly cut through the air.

‘Complicated and flashy techniques do not suit me.’

Having gone through numerous real combats, Mu-jin reached this conclusion. He found that fast and strong techniques were far more practical than complicated and flashy ones.

However, this did not mean he put everything into a single punch, palm, or kick.

Mu-jin’s Striking Bone Technique, though simple and clear, seamlessly connected each move.

The transitions between movements were smooth, and each move was fast and powerful.

“Hahaha.”

Watching Mu-jin’s demonstration, a pleased laugh escaped Hyun-gwang.

‘He has already reached the level of creating wind.’

The wind generated by Mu-jin’s Striking Bone Technique was different from merely causing a ‘vacuum effect.’

It signified that his martial arts had surpassed the level of merely strengthening and enhancing the body, beginning to project that power outward.

It was a precursor to reaching the stage of balgiji.

Hyun-gwang, wearing a benevolent smile, spoke to Mu-jin, who had made rapid progress at the young age of fifteen. “Mu-jin, after this 70th birthday celebration, let’s spend some time together at Shaolin.”

Although creating wind was a sign of reaching the balgiji stage, there were countless people in the martial arts world who failed to overcome that barrier and could not be called ‘masters.’

To overcome this significant barrier, one needed to focus solely on training.

Understanding Hyun-gwang’s intention, Mu-jin bowed his head and replied, “I will do so.”

Then, with a guilty expression, Mu-jin added, “I apologize for causing you unnecessary worry, Grandfather.”

“Hahaha. It’s nothing. This much isn’t even a hardship.”

Hyun-gwang appeared to be just sitting in the yard, but he was actually using natural energy to constantly sense the surrounding qi.

This was to prevent any potential attacks from enemies during the night.

However, no matter how skilled Hyun-gwang was, it was not easy to monitor the entire headquarters of the enormous Cheonryu Sangdan.

Thus, Mu-jin opted for selection and concentration.

“This old man is worried. Can we really only keep an eye on Lady Yeon and Sangdanju Ryu Ji-gwang?”

“If the enemies do act, their first target will undoubtedly be Sangdanju Ryu Ji-gwang. That’s where the most enemies will converge, so I’ve made it the top priority.”

No matter how exceptional Hyun-gwang was, he couldn’t protect multiple places at once. After all, he had only one body.

Therefore, rather than wasting his energy trying to monitor the entire headquarters, he decided to focus on watching over Ryu Ji-gwang. Mu-jin placed Hyun-gwang’s close companion, Yeon Ga-hee, as the second priority.DiiScôver new stories on no/v/e()/lbin(.)c/o/m

—

They spent two days in the quarters within Cheonryu Sangdan, but no incidents occurred before the 70th birthday celebration.

Thus, two days passed without any issues, and finally, the day of the 70th birthday celebration dawned.

Mu-jin and Hyun-gwang chatted as they headed to the banquet hall where the celebration was to be held.

Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Mu-jin realized the meaning of ‘modest’ as written in Ryu Ji-gwang’s letter.

‘Wow. The number of people is the only modest thing.’

Mu-jin had misunderstood the standards of the wealthy Cheonryu Sangdan.

The grand manor within the headquarters of Cheonryu Sangdan was surrounded by high walls, and at regular intervals along the walls, martial artists with a menacing presence stood guard.

Passing through them and entering the interior, he saw pavilions seemingly made of expensive wood and ponds with expensive-looking goldfish swimming in them.

Additionally, there were various and luxurious foods and drinks placed all around, making one wonder if it was possible to consume all of it.

In this vast and splendid manor, there were fewer than twenty people.

Judging by their attire, about five of them were servants and maidservants moving around to serve food and drinks.

With his thoughts sorted, Mu-jin stood up.

“Let’s go.”

He left the manor where the 70th birthday celebration was taking place and walked through Cheonryu Sangdan with the servant.

“They are waiting here.”

Mu-jin entered the building the servant pointed to and was met with an unexpected figure.

“I’m curious about what’s going on here, Gyeong Musan-nim.”

The man, a bodyguard of Ryu Seol-ho, who Mu-jin had encountered a few times at Nanchang branch, was waiting for him.

“There’s nothing much to it, Mu-jin Dongja. I’m just here to help you attain enlightenment.”

With that, the bodyguard drew his sword with a natural motion.

Watching the sword’s aura, Mu-jin had a thought.

It wouldn’t be easy.

* * *

‘Was I careless?’

At the 70th birthday celebration, the targets would naturally be Ryu Ji-gwang, Yeon Ga-hee, or Ryu Seol-ryong.

He hadn’t expected them to target him.

But now that the situation had already unfolded, there was no time to regret.

Mu-jin, who had been staring down the bodyguard, suddenly lifted the table that stood between them.

Swish!

However, the table was cut in two by the bodyguard’s swift strike before Mu-jin could make his next move.

‘Damn.’

The bodyguard’s sword was fast.

It couldn’t even compare to Jegal Jin-hee’s fan, and if it had to be compared, it was similar to the sword technique that Beob Gang had faced at Honginmun.

But the biggest problem was something else.

‘Damn! I can’t even counter it!’

It was the sword energy emanating from the opponent’s sword.

The bodyguard’s sword energy wasn’t confined to specific techniques. Just brushing against it could easily tear through Mu-jin’s Iron Skin.

Even though Mu-jin was just a step away from releasing his fist energy, shouting “Release the fist energy!” wouldn’t make it appear.

Swish!

Naturally, Mu-jin’s body accumulated wounds.

Avoiding the fast sword strikes perfectly was nearly impossible, and every time he barely dodged, the sword energy would graze him, drawing blood.

‘He doesn’t fall for feints easily. He’s experienced in real combat.’

Even as Mu-jin mixed in feints to close the distance with the bodyguard, the opponent skillfully maintained the gap with his precise footwork and sword path.

‘Should I aim for a prolonged fight since he keeps emitting that sword energy?’

The thought crossed Mu-jin’s mind, but he soon discarded the idea.

His opponent was not only experienced in real combat but also skilled in martial arts. A prolonged fight would be disadvantageous.

‘I have to end this in one move.’

Giving a master an opportunity was fatal.

Swish!

Even as his right forearm was slightly cut by the bodyguard’s sword aiming for his vital points, Mu-jin’s eyes remained calm.

‘What advantage do I have over him? How can I achieve a quick victory?’

In the midst of the relentless attacks targeting his vital points, Mu-jin’s mind worked more sharply than usual.

Before long, he realized he had one advantage over his opponent.

It was the physique he had systematically and steadily developed over the past three years, his external energy.

‘There’s only one chance!’

Mu-jin also thought of the only way to exploit this sole advantage.