Chapter 81:

Chapter 81:

Jade Vajra Technique (1)

About fifteen days had passed since Jegal Jin-hee started climbing up and down Mount Song.

During this time, Mu-jin had taught her various exercises and had managed to gather some information about the Jegal family.

Although he hadn’t heard any detailed internal secrets, he could roughly grasp the internal factions of the Jegal family through her.

The method was simple. He first listened to Jegal Jin-hee talk about the people she was close to within the family, and then he used this information to understand the relationships through private conversations. Who was close to whom, who was distant, or even hostile.

After organizing these relationships, the general factions became clear.

Comparing the faction information he heard from Jegal Jin-hee with what he remembered about the future of the Jegal family from the novel, Mu-jin came to a realization.

‘Maybe, it’s a situation similar to the Cheonryu Sangdan.’

Most of the people in the faction Jegal Jin-hee belonged to did not appear in the novel. Conversely, a few names from the opposing faction were familiar from the novel.

In other words, Jegal Jin-hee and most of the people close to her would eventually lose the faction fight and disappear.

The problem was how to use this information.

“I think it’s time for me to return home. Winter will be here soon.”

She suddenly bid farewell, handing Mu-jin a book.

“This is the martial art you mentioned last time. It’s not a high-security technique, so I had my family send a copy.”

“Thank you, Jegal Jin-hee Shiju.”

Jegal Jin-hee shook her head at Mu-jin’s gratitude.

“I should be the one thanking you. In the martial world, just watching someone train can cost your life, but I even learned training methods from you. I feel bad for just handing over this minor technique.”

“This alone will be a great help.”

There was no need to mention that he had taught her the training methods to gain information about the Jegal family.

“Then I will return to my family and polish the training methods I learned from you. I thought about coming back when I gained confidence in my skills, but I don’t think I can catch up that quickly. So, I’ll see you in two and a half years.”

“In two and a half years?”

“Yes, that’s when the martial arts tournament will be held.”

“Oh...”

Mu-jin responded with a slightly surprised expression.

“...Didn’t you know the martial arts tournament would be held then?”

“I expected it to be in a few years, but I didn’t know it was exactly two and a half years later.”

He had roughly guessed the timing through the ages of characters like Ryu Seol-hwa and Mu-gyeong from the novel.

After all, the martial arts tournament was a very important turning point.

The martial arts tournament.

A festival where renowned sects and minor clans of the orthodox faction gathered without discrimination.

Although it didn’t show the seasons, it was an event where invited masters demonstrated their martial arts, and late bloomers competed in matches.

And above all.

‘Finally, it’s starting.’

It was the point where the story of the second part of the novel, *Legend of the Evil Emperor*, began.

‘Two and a half years from now.’

From that time on, he would inevitably be busy. Conversely, it meant that he had to raise his level as much as possible during the remaining period.

“Then, I shall see you at the martial arts tournament, Jegal Jin-hee Shiju.”

When Mu-jin bowed and showed his respect, Jegal Jin-hee also took a dignified posture, as was her nature, and returned the bow.

As she was about to leave after their farewell, Mu-jin added a few words.

“If anything happens, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Regardless of the Jegal family, you are my friend, and I will definitely come to help.”

It was Mu-jin’s consideration for her, who might disappear in the faction fight.

“A friend... indeed.”

For some reason, Jegal Jin-hee’s expression seemed to carry a hint of regret.

—

Shortly after Jegal Jin-hee left.

Mu-jin looked at the book she had handed over at the last moment.

[*Jade Maiden Technique*]

It was the book about a minor technique for enhancing skin elasticity that Mu-jin had requested on the first day.

Mu-jin opened the book and began reading the training methods and key points of the *Jade Maiden Technique*.

Although he had obtained the martial art to gift it to someone, since the recipient was a novice, Mu-jin decided to read it first.

Mu-jin smiled warmly and replied to her question.

“This martial art called Ok-nyeo Gong is simple to learn and is more of a miscellaneous technique than a martial art. Its effect is said to enhance skin elasticity, which can be very beneficial for women. Hahaha.”

Ryu Seol-hwa had lost nearly fifty geun (30 kg) in just five months.

Anyone who had experienced such rapid weight loss would know that it came with certain unavoidable side effects.

Namely, stretch marks and sagging skin.

Even men were embarrassed by these side effects, so it would be difficult for a woman like Ryu Seol-hwa, in this conservative era, to speak of it to anyone. Hence, Mu-jin had expressed it indirectly.

‘Ah!’

Ryu Seol-hwa suddenly realized this and marveled internally.

‘C-could Mu-jin Dongja know about that?’

She feared he might know, but she concluded it couldn’t be since she had never shown her bare skin to him.

‘Yes, that must be it. He’s just concerned about my skin! But wait, why would Mu-jin Sunim care about my skin? Could it be... he wants me to become even more beautiful!?’

Lost in her own imagination for a moment, Ryu Seol-hwa asked in a slightly trembling voice.

“D-did you find this martial art for me?”

“Yes. Since I caused you some trouble last time, I wanted to repay you.”

When she had been seriously injured at the Cheonryu Sangdan, Ryu Seol-hwa had taken great care of him. Remembering this, Mu-jin had requested Ok-nyeo Gong from Jegal Jin-hee.

Had Jegal Jin-hee known about this, she would never have given it up.

At Mu-jin’s mention of repayment, Ryu Seol-hwa waved her hand.

“There’s no need for this. Mu-jin Sunim and Grandfather Hyun-gwang saved my family. How could this be considered repayment for such a small thing?”

“Actually, it was your grandfather who saved you, and I was merely injured elsewhere. Besides, Grandfather has already settled accounts with Sangdanju, so I must repay my own debt, don’t you think?”

“B-but.”

Seeing her still slightly uncomfortable, Mu-jin smiled and spoke.

“If receiving this solely for that event makes you uncomfortable, how about considering it a trade instead? I’ll sell you this manual, and in return, I’d like to receive some help from you in the future.”

“Help in the future?”

Mu-jin subtly raised his right index finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.

“Yes. I’ll need Lady Seol-hwa’s help. It must remain a secret from everyone else.”

Especially from the other Shaolin disciples.

As for Ryu Seol-hwa, who received this proposal:

‘What do I do, what do I do, what do I do!’

Her mind was in turmoil at Mu-jin’s suggestion of a secret meeting.

* * *

After a satisfying deal with Ryu Seol-hwa, Mu-jin returned to Shaolin Temple.

Before handing over Ok-nyeo Gong to Ryu Seol-hwa, he had copied it and brought along the Iron Skin manual borrowed from the Sutra Repository. He then went to see Hyun-gwang.

“Grandfather. I have something to ask you.”

“Hohoho. Speak freely.”

In response to Hyun-gwang’s question, Mu-jin presented the two manuals he had brought.

“Grandfather. Is it possible to combine these two martial arts?”

It was a thought that had occurred to him while reading Ok-nyeo Gong. What if he combined these two external techniques into one?

“Hm. Combining them is possible, but it would depend on what you hope to achieve by merging them.”

“As you may already know, my body has reached its limit in withstanding the force of martial arts. To create greater power, I’ll need to master more complex techniques to control recoil and incorporate them into my martial arts.”

To be precise, his body had reached its limit in maintaining its form while building muscle.

He could still grow stronger if he forced it, but overly developed muscles would hinder his movements.

Hyun-gwang was also aware of this, and he planned to teach Mu-jin some complex techniques to control recoil once he became accustomed to the flow of qi.

Then, by chance, while reading Ok-nyeo Gong, a thought had crossed Mu-jin’s mind.

“This technique, Ok-nyeo Gong, is an external martial art that enhances skin elasticity and has a training method somewhat similar to Iron Skin. By combining these two external martial arts, I hope to enhance both the strength and elasticity of the skin. This isn’t to protect against external attacks, but to prevent internal expansion.”

“To prevent internal expansion... Are you saying it’s to compress your muscles?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

The idea was that by combining the two, he could compress his muscles through his skin.

If he could compress his muscles, it would prevent them from becoming so bulky that they hinder his martial arts.

This way, Mu-jin could focus on muscle growth without any worries.