noveltune Chapter 200:
Chapter 200:
The Grand Instrument
When Mu-yul set out on the tiger hunt with Hye-geol.
“Did you return?”
Mu-gung was also greeting his master, Hye-dam.
“Yes, Master.”
His master was always stern and taciturn.
Having committed the crime of running away in the middle of the night, Mu-gung couldn’t imagine what kind of punishment awaited him.
However, Hye-dam did not scold Mu-gung. Nor did he have any affectionate words for him.
“Come inside.”
He simply let Mu-gung into the room as if nothing had happened.
Mu-gung swallowed nervously and asked,
“...Are you not going to hold me accountable for my crime?”
“Didn’t you already receive punishment from the Jurisdiction Department?”
Hye-dam’s response implied there was no need for him to intervene further since the proper institution had already dealt with it.
Mu-gung’s lips curled slightly at the thought that his master’s response was very characteristic of him.
As Hye-dam entered the room with Mu-gung, he looked at him and asked,
“Did you gain anything from your martial journey?”
“I found joy in helping others.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Hye-dam merely spoke those words and looked at Mu-gung in silence. After a moment of contemplation, Mu-gung spoke first.
“In fact, this has given me something to ponder.”
“Speak.”
With Hye-dam’s permission, Mu-gung slowly recounted his experiences and concerns from his martial journey.
“While others like Mu-gyeong and those at Cheongsu Dojang develop their martial arts based on their experiences, I feel like I am merely repeating the same things.”
Hye-dam nodded heavily and replied,
“Do not worry. Repeating what you have done is enough.”
“...?”
Seeing Mu-gung’s puzzled expression, Hye-dam uncharacteristically elaborated,
“The Tathagata Palm you are learning is immensely powerful. The more you practice, the stronger it becomes. There is no need to look for other paths; just delve deeper into this one.”
Hye-dam’s words carried a sense of pride in the martial arts he had mastered.
“So, do not be hasty. Slow and steady, continue to build it up.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Master.”
It was a truly heartwarming exchange, embodying the quintessential Shaolin relationship between master and disciple.
* * *
While the Muja Group children were reuniting with their masters.
Mu-jin, after finishing his conversation with Hyun-gwang, headed towards the iron weights to pursue his commitment.
“Transformation...”
Standing before the iron weights, Mu-jin pondered the term.
Transformation.
In literature and everyday usage, it positively describes someone who has undergone a significant change.
However, in martial arts novels, it often carries a different meaning.
It refers to a state where one’s bones and muscles are transformed into an ideal body for martial arts, often achieved after a protagonist survives a perilous battle, finds a miraculous elixir, and uses the enlightenment from the battle and the elixir’s energy to transform.
“The protagonist of the first part returned to his sect and became the Heavenly Demon after achieving transformation.”
Mu-jin realized that despite being written by the same author, the protagonists of the first and second parts, Dao Yuetian, followed very different paths.
The first protagonist, with his exceptional talent, mastered various martial arts and reached transformation to use them perfectly.
Dao Yuetian, with less talent, twisted his body to perfect a single martial art.
So, what about himself?
Mu-jin was attempting to reach the level of transformation by twisting his body without enlightenment, just like Dao Yuetian.
“What path would the original Mu-jin have taken?”
This question briefly crossed Mu-jin’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
It was a moot point now, as knowing the original Mu-jin’s path would not change anything for him.
Achieving transformation through enlightenment was impossible for him anyway.
“Huuh.”
Mu-jin focused his breathing, concentrating solely on the iron weights before him and his own muscles.
Jegal Jin-hee had arrived at Shaolin about a day earlier.
She had been discussing the formation and the iron weights with Abbot Hyun Cheon, causing a slight delay.
Upon her explanation, Mu-jin finally remembered the promise and bowed respectfully.
“Thank you for considering us. Amitabha.”
“It’s only natural. Oh, and since we will be staying here while setting up the formation, I have one request.”
“Anything you need, just ask!”
Having received the new training tools, Mu-jin was willing to do anything within his power.
At his words, Jegal Jin-hee briefly thought of a ‘personal’ request.
‘Now is not the time for that!’
Recalling her role as the young leader, she composed herself and spoke.
“Could you teach us some external training methods while we stay here?”
“External training methods?”
“Yes, about the ‘weight training’ you always talk about. Specifically, how to use those iron weights and the benefits of each exercise.”
This was her ‘official’ purpose for visiting.
Most of the people who had accompanied her to deliver the iron weights were talented members of the Jegal family, chosen to create new martial arts techniques with her.
They had come to learn weight training from Mu-jin, bringing the iron weights along.
After a brief contemplation, Mu-jin replied.
“I cannot teach you every day, but I can show you during my breaks.”
He
couldn’t train all day long; rest was necessary for muscle recovery.
Thanks to Jegal Jin-hee’s gift, more efficient weight training was possible with the heavier tools, so Mu-jin felt he could spare some time.
“Thank you, Mu-jin Sunim.”
“Ha ha ha. The pleasure is mine.”
As Mu-jin and Jegal Jin-hee exchanged respectful bows, a second-class disciple of Shaolin arrived at Hyun-gwang’s place.
“Greetings, Master Hyun-gwang.”
“Ha ha ha. What brings you here?”
“The abbot has summoned Mu-jin.”
“Me?”
Mu-jin looked puzzled at the second-class disciple’s words, then bid farewell to Hyun-gwang and Jegal Jin-hee before leaving.
As he headed to the abbot’s room, Mu-jin asked the second-class disciple, but he did not know the reason either.
“Is there a problem?”
“I haven’t been informed of the reason.”
Eventually, Mu-jin arrived at the abbot’s room with growing curiosity.
Upon entering, he found Abbot Hyun Cheon waiting alone.
“Third-class disciple Mu-jin. I greet the abbot.”
“Ha ha ha. Sit comfortably.”
Once Mu-jin was seated, Hyun Cheon began to speak.
“Did you have a good conversation with the young leader of the Jegal family?”
“Yes. I heard she promised to set up a formation.”
“Ha ha ha. Indeed. Thanks to you, our alliance with the Jegal family is also smoothly maintained.”
After a brief summary of recent events, Hyun Cheon continued.
“I realized once again through these events how significant your contributions have been.”
Suddenly, Hyun Cheon praised Mu-jin, who naturally suspected his motives.
‘Just a month ago, he confined me to the Cave of Repentance, and now he’s praising me?’
Despite Mu-jin’s suspicious gaze, Hyun Cheon continued as if unaware or deliberately ignoring it.
“So, I am considering appointing you as the chief disciple of the Muja Group.”
“The chief disciple of the Muja Group?”
“Yes. And in the future, when the Muja Group becomes the core of Shaolin, the chief disciple will take the position of abbot.”
“So, you want me to become the chief disciple of the Muja Group and eventually the abbot of Shaolin?”
Hyun Cheon gently nodded with a kind smile at Mu-jin’s question.
Looking at Hyun Cheon’s benevolent face, Mu-jin thought.
‘Why me?’
Why should I take on such a bothersome role?