Chapter 121

Chapter 121

Trap (2)

The final round of the Yongbongji Conference, considered by many orthodox martial artists to determine the world’s greatest talent.

The noisy clamor created by the countless martial artists surrounding the arena vanished like melting snow the moment the two final contenders faced each other.

Despite the presence of thousands of martial artists, an eerie silence pervaded the area, with Namgung Jin-cheon staring intently at Mu-jin.

‘The Chang-gung Muae Swordsmanship won’t work.’

Just a few days ago, Mu-jin had effortlessly caught his deadly sword strike.

Although it could have been a coincidence, Namgung Jin-cheon was not foolish enough to dismiss it and let his guard down.

Even if the Chang-gung Muae Swordsmanship did work, recalling what he had witnessed that day, it might take dozens or even hundreds of exchanges.

Such an act would not befit a king’s dignity.

Thus, Namgung Jin-cheon had already decided the outcome of this match before stepping into the arena.

“Phew.”

With a serious expression, contrasting his usual arrogant demeanor, Namgung Jin-cheon raised his sword.

A tremendous wave of qi emanated from his body, pressing down on the surrounding area.

The first form of the Emperor’s Sword Form.

Emperor Jin-cheon’s Force.

A technique named after him, or more precisely, a technique from which his grandfather, the Namgung Sword Emperor, derived his name.

Namgung Jin-cheon began to execute this ultimate technique right at the start of the match.

This was a display of confidence.

The Emperor’s Sword Form was a perfect technique that required no prior preparation or concern.

Supporting his confidence, the overwhelming qi pressed down on Mu-jin’s entire body.

With no way to escape, no means to hinder the king’s execution.

In that immense pressure of qi,

‘Is he smiling?’

Mu-jin faintly smiled.

* * *

‘Crazy. How many elixirs has he taken?’

This was why Mu-jin smiled under the pressure of the Emperor’s Sword Form. It was absurd.

Namgung Jin-cheon was now using even more internal energy than he did when he demonstrated the Emperor’s Sword Form against Mu-gyeong.

From this alone, it was clear that Namgung Jin-cheon’s total amount of internal energy was superior to his own.

Moreover, Namgung Jin-cheon had also circulated all his meridians using the Balmo Se-su, making the advantage of having used the Great Restoration Pill irrelevant.

However, Mu-jin’s laughter did not signify giving up on the match.

After all, Mu-jin knew how Dao Yuetian had shattered the Emperor’s Sword Form in their decisive battle five years later.

A golden aura emanated from Mu-jin’s hands and feet as he smiled.

The golden aura of the Golden Turtle Technique quickly expanded, enveloping his limbs in a golden hue.

Whiiing.

The aura of the Golden Turtle Technique, now fully expanded, completely enveloped Mu-jin’s body like a shell.

However, Mu-jin did not simply use the Golden Turtle Technique to endure the pressure by curling up like a turtle.

The golden aura surrounding Mu-jin’s entire body began to clash with the qi emanating from Namgung Jin-cheon, which was pressing down on him.

Pop!!

As the golden aura of the Golden Turtle Technique collided with Namgung Jin-cheon’s qi, creating a strange noise, Mu-jin’s body regained its freedom.

But the choice Mu-jin made upon regaining his freedom was not to flee.

Despite regaining his freedom, he adjusted his stance and waited for Namgung Jin-cheon’s sword to descend.

Mu-jin assumed the basic straight punch stance foundational to Shaolin martial arts.

Though his appearance seemed static on the outside, internally, it was quite the opposite.

With Wi Ji-hak’s congratulatory speech praising the young talents who participated in the Yongbongji Conference, the long yet short event came to an end.

Mu-jin, along with Wi Ji-hak, was walking inside the Martial Alliance to receive the prize for winning the Yongbongji Conference, which was to be given to the best young talent of the orthodox sects.

“Hahaha. I had heard about you through letters since the second match, but I never expected you to win so easily.”

In response to Wi Ji-hak’s compliment, Mu-jin modestly replied.

“It seems Namgung Sohyup was impatient. I did not expect him to aim for victory in the first move either.”

“Hmm. Ending in a single exchange might have been due to that, but winning in that one exchange still means your skills are exceptional.”

With Wi Ji-hak’s continued praise, Mu-jin simply chanted “Amita Buddha,” without further comment.

He truly looked like a well-cultivated Shaolin disciple.

Watching this, Wi Ji-hak nodded in satisfaction, then exclaimed as if he had remembered something.

“Ah, come to think of it, the martial arts you used looked unfamiliar. Did you learn it from Shaolin?”

“It’s a martial art created based on Shaolin’s techniques.”

“Ha! To create such a unique martial art at your age. Truly remarkable.”

“How could I compare to the leader, who is known as the Fist King. Amita Buddha.”

“Hahaha. I was just lucky.”

“Even if someone were to gain the same serendipity as the leader, how many could truly reach the same level as him?”

At Mu-jin’s response, Wi Ji-hak subtly smiled.

The fact that Wi Ji-hak obtained his divine techniques through serendipity was well known to anyone associated with the martial world.

Therefore, some warriors either belittled or envied Wi Ji-hak, thinking that if they had the same serendipity, they could also become the leader of the Murim Alliance and be called the Fist King.

In the past, Mu-jin might have thought the same. However, learning Shaolin’s martial arts, especially mastering the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, completely changed his perspective.

‘Even with Grandpa revealing all the mnemonic secrets, it was extremely difficult. To think someone could master it on their own?’

Moreover, Mu-jin had steadily increased his skill level step by step, starting with basic martial arts in Shaolin.

On the other hand, Wi Ji-hak was just the son of an ordinary herb gatherer until he gained his divine techniques through serendipity.

Mu-jin pondered what it would have been like if he had obtained the Hundred Steps Divine Fist manual without any foundation.

‘I probably wouldn’t have been able to master even one move or, worse, would have died from Qi Deviation due to incorrect practice.’

Gaining a manual for divine techniques through serendipity would be meaningless unless one were a genius with immense talent; self-study would be impossible.

It would be like putting a pearl necklace on a pig.

“Hahaha. Such sweet words from a Buddhist disciple.”

“I was merely stating the truth.”

“Hmm. Thank you. Anyway, now you should go inside and take it. It will be quite cold, so be cautious.”

Wi Ji-hak laughed awkwardly and passed through the iron door guarded by Murim Alliance warriors.

Mu-jin followed Wi Ji-hak through the iron door, and the corridor led downward.

As they descended, a chilling cold seeped through Mu-jin’s robes, touching his skin.

They passed several iron doors along the corridor and finally reached the door at the far end.

There was also a Murim Alliance warrior standing guard at that door, and Wi Ji-hak and Mu-jin passed him to enter.

“This place is actually used by our Murim Alliance as an ice storage and for training in Ice Techniques. The deeper you go, the stronger the cold becomes. The gift prepared for you is in this last room.”

Indeed, just as Wi Ji-hak explained, the room beyond the iron door was filled with a bone-chilling cold.

It was an unnatural level of cold.

And rightfully so. At the far end of the room, there was an ice crystal, a gift from the North Sea Ice Palace to the Murim Alliance in the past, emanating cold air.

However, the ice crystal was not the prize for the winner of the Yongbongji Conference.

The prize for this year’s winner was placed on top of the ice crystal.

A medicinal herb that at first glance looked like a ginseng.

A special herb that endured and absorbed the intense cold over countless years, growing while retaining the cold.

It was the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, an elixir coveted by all martial artists.