Chapter 118

Chapter 118

Namgung Jin-cheon (2)

Mu-jin listened to Jegal Jin-hee’s explanation with a calm expression and nodded slightly.

Of course, Mu-jin already knew all this. It was just that since he had been confined to Shaolin, it would have been strange for him to know such information. Hence, he pretended to listen to Jegal Jin-hee’s story as if it were new to him.

Knowing the kind of person he was, he referred to him as the ‘eternal golden spoon.’

But what could he do?

It’s not like he could forfeit if he met that guy in the finals.

According to the original history, Namgung Jin-cheon wins the Yongbongji Conference and obtains the winning prize.

The reason Mu-jin remained in this year’s Yongbongji Conference and aimed for victory was to prevent him from getting that item.

Enhancing Shaolin’s reputation was just something that came along the way to the finals.

‘And if it’s Mu-gung, he might even beat that monster.’

Mu-jin thought that he might meet Mu-gung in the finals.

At that moment, Jegal Jin-hee, who had finished warning him about Namgung Jin-cheon, bid farewell to Mu-jin.

“Then, I’ll be heading back to my family’s pavilion. I can’t stay long.”

Mu-jin quickly grabbed Jegal Jin-hee, who was about to turn away.

“Jegal Jin-hee Shiju-nim. If there’s ever an urgent need to contact me, please send a message through the musculoskeletal treatment clinic in front of Wudang.”

“The musculoskeletal treatment clinic? Why not directly to Shaolin?”

“Because the musculoskeletal treatment clinic is managed by Seol-hwa Shiju-nim here, and it can be directly connected to me. Any message sent from the Jegal family to Shaolin is likely to catch other people’s attention, wouldn’t it?”

Mu-jin did not mention his plan to soon escape from Shaolin. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Jegal Jin-hee, but the fewer people who knew about it, the better.

Of course, Ryu Seol-hwa made a sullen face as Jegal Jin-hee joined their private communication line.

– I’m sorry, Seol-hwa Shiju-nim. It was such an urgent matter that I couldn’t seek your permission.

Mu-jin hurriedly explained the situation to Ryu Seol-hwa via telepathy.

* * *

“In the Jegal family, a similar situation to the one that occurred in the Cheonryu Sangdan a few years ago is about to unfold. To prevent this, I needed a way to communicate with Jegal Jin-hee Shiju-nim.”

Ryu Seol-hwa was surprised by Mu-jin’s telepathic message but did not show it outwardly. If she showed any strange signs, Jegal Jin-hee would also notice.

After Jegal Jin-hee and Mu-jin finished their farewells, Ryu Seol-hwa calmly responded to Mu-jin.

“If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped. I’ll contact the musculoskeletal treatment clinic in Gunyun.”

Though she was reluctant to be the contact point between Jegal Jin-hee and Mu-jin, the circumstances were what they were.

What had happened in the Cheonryu Sangdan referred to the rebellion caused by her brother, Ryu Seol-ho.

Knowing how terrible that incident was, she did not want to hinder Mu-jin out of mere jealousy.

“Letting such a significant event unfold due to jealousy would be foolish. It would be better to have Mu-jin and Jegal Jin-hee owe me a favor.”

Moreover, it was also an opportunity to gain an advantage over Jegal Jin-hee, so there was no reason to refuse.

* * *

A few days later.

Amid the interest of countless martial artists who had gathered at Woe-hyeon, the semifinals of the Yongbongji Conference began.

Mu-jin, who was to fight in the first match of the semifinals, walked calmly toward the arena.

On the opposite side, with the support of the Wudang Sect Taoists, Cheongsu Dojang ascended the arena.

He smirked.

Mu-jin couldn’t help but laugh as he watched the scene.

An elder from the Wudang Sect, with white hair and a long white beard, seemed to be giving some advice to Cheongsu Dojang, but Cheongsu Dojang wasn’t listening at all.

Cheongsu Dojang’s eyes were entirely fixed on him, and a happy smile was spread across his face.

And his hand was already gripping the sword at his side, twitching as if he wanted to draw it immediately.

“Who would think that guy is a Taoist from the Wudang Sect?”

If he weren’t wearing the Wudang Sect’s uniform, he would undoubtedly look like a sword demon or a pleasure killer.

But Mu-jin, with his ample combat experience, knew the biggest difference between a pleasure killer and Cheongsu Dojang.

“At least, unlike Mu-gung, he doesn’t have a murderous aura.”

Cheongsu Dojang was simply obsessed with the sword. He found pleasure in elevating his own state rather than in cutting down others.

The reason Cheongsu Dojang was so focused on him was not because he found pleasure in cutting him.

It was probably because he had experienced elevating his state through a duel with him.

Well, if he had taken the wrong path, he might have become a crazy person who found pleasure in raising his state by cutting people.

* * *

“Boundless Life Buddha. I’ve really been waiting for this moment for a long time, Mu-jin Dowoo-nim.”

“Amitabha. It certainly looks that way, Cheongsu Dojang.”

“Hahahahaha. It’s hard to contain myself even now. Ah, but I don’t need to hold back anymore!”

With that, Cheongsu Dojang drew his sword.

If one misread the feints even slightly and tried to counter, the Taegeuk Haegum could shatter instantly.

It was an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation where one had to continuously solve incredibly complex puzzles in split seconds.

However, this tense and unfavorable situation was bestowing a great gift upon Cheongsu Dojang.

A gift called Muah Ji-kyung.

Mu-jin thought as he watched Cheongsu Dojang wield his sword with a half-dazed, ecstatic expression.

“Geniuses, I tell you.”

They achieve enlightenment by entering the Muah Ji-kyung at the slightest provocation. To be honest, Mu-jin could count on one hand the number of times he had entered such a state while learning martial arts.

If he had reached enlightenment in every duel like that, he would already be a master at the level of the Seven Kings.

But envying geniuses wouldn’t change anything. Not being a genius himself, he just had to move forward in his own way.

“Haat!”

As Mu-jin launched another fist, Cheongsu Dojang, still with an ecstatic expression, met it with his sword.

The moment Mu-jin’s fist and Cheongsu Dojang’s Taegeuk Haegum clashed.

“!?”

Before he knew it, Mu-jin had transformed his fist into a claw technique and had grasped Cheongsu Dojang’s Songmun Sword.

Cheongsu Dojang judged this to be a mistake.

Grabbing a sword to hinder its movement was a sure way to have one’s hand completely severed, no matter how urgent the situation.

‘Did he think I wouldn’t do such a thing because I’m a Taoist?’

Thinking this, Cheongsu Dojang swung his sword without hesitation. Or rather, he tried to.

He certainly tried to operate his internal energy and apply strength to move the sword, but the sword caught in Mu-jin’s grip showed no signs of movement.

Moreover, there was no blood spurting from Mu-jin’s hand, which held the sword barehanded.

Screeech.

Only a strange friction sound echoed, as if the sword was caught in an iron wire.

Though Mu-jin’s Jade Vajra Technique was known for compressing muscles, it also contained the efficacy of the Iron Skin Technique.

With long-term training in both the Iron Skin Technique and the Jade Vajra Technique, Mu-jin’s skin had already reached a level where it was impervious to blades.

Of course, his skin could still be cut by sword energy or blade energy, but...

Screeeeeech.

Every time Cheongsu Dojang generated sword energy, the air barrier from the Golden Turtle Technique pushed away Cheongsu Dojang’s sword energy.

Eventually, after the energy dissipated, only flesh and metal remained between them.

Mu-jin’s iron-like flesh completely enveloped the blade of Cheongsu Dojang’s sword.

With his left hand holding Cheongsu Dojang’s Songmun Antique Sword in place, Mu-jin launched a right punch.

However, Cheongsu Dojang, a martial artist who could perfectly execute the Taiji Fist, the foundation of the Taiji Sword Technique, attempted to deflect Mu-jin’s right punch with his left arm.

Snap.

As if the punch was a feint, Mu-jin’s outstretched left hand caught Cheongsu Dojang’s extended left hand.

Caught as if interlocking fingers, Cheongsu Dojang could not use any wrist or finger techniques.

With both of Cheongsu Dojang’s hands sealed, Mu-jin chose a very simple method.

“Ugh...”

Mu-jin focused his internal energy and strength into his right hand, which held Cheongsu Dojang’s left hand.

Even without internal energy, Mu-jin could exert nearly 120 kilograms of pure grip strength.

As he exerted this monstrous strength while holding Cheongsu Dojang’s hand, a scream involuntarily burst from Cheongsu Dojang’s mouth.

The forcibly compressed muscles and bones rubbed against each other, creating excruciating pain.

The pain felt as if the bones in his left hand might shatter into pieces at any moment. Despite this, Cheongsu Dojang swung his sword, trying to drive Mu-jin away.

Kkiriririk.

His sword remained firmly held in Mu-jin’s grip, producing an unpleasant metallic sound.

“Why don’t you surrender now? If you delay any longer, your left hand will truly break,” Mu-jin threatened, though it wasn’t quite a threat.

Even in pain, Cheongsu Dojang smiled and replied, “Hmph. To give up such a precious martial arts duel over a little hand pain... Hmph. How could I?”

As they conversed, he tried to pull his hand away or swing his sword, but both his hand and sword remained immovable.

The essence of the technique was to redirect the opponent’s force, not to move something that was stationary.

Realizing that if this continued, he might really have to turn Cheongsu Dojang’s arm into a rag, Mu-jin sighed.

“There will be other opportunities for duels. If your bones shatter into pieces, wouldn’t it be inconvenient for the next duel?”

Even in a world where Qi and miraculous medicines existed, fixing shattered bones required an extremely difficult surgical procedure. In this world, complete recovery was almost impossible.

Hearing Mu-jin’s words, Cheongsu Dojang’s eyes sparkled as he asked, “Will you duel with me next time as well?”

“There’s no reason not to, is there?”

“I surrender!” Cheongsu Dojang shouted, smiling brightly at Mu-jin’s response.