Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 281

Hardship

Namgung Jin-cheon, who had been staring blankly at the broken plaque, raised his head at his father’s voice.

“Tell everyone in the Namgung Family to gather at the training ground.”

“Yes, Father. I will inform them to prepare for Grandfather’s funeral.”

“Your grandfather’s funeral is a given, but there’s something we must tell everyone in the family first.”

Namgung Chang-hwi, gripping the sword that had cut the plaque to pieces, turned his gaze somewhere.

“From today, our Namgung Family declares war against Sa-doryeon. We must end the persistent life of Hyuk Jin-gang that our father couldn’t completely cut off.”

Namgung Jin-cheon was also eager for his grandfather’s revenge, so he was pleased with this decision.

“Then, shall I send word to the Shaolin side, who were also preparing for war with Sa-doryeon?”

Namgung Chang-hwi frowned at the question from his son, Namgung Jin-cheon.

“We are the renowned Namgung Family. Why would we need anyone’s help to defeat Sa-doryeon?”

“!!!”

Enlightened by his father’s teachings, Namgung Jin-cheon widened his eyes and quickly bowed.

“Please punish me for my foolishness!”

* * *

Shocking rumors spread throughout the martial world.

The news was that Namgung Muguk, known as the Sword Emperor of Namgung, had single-handedly attacked Sa-doryeon, massacring its warriors and severely injuring Sa-doryeon’s leader, Hyuk Jin-gang, leaving him unable to move for a while.

All the martial artists in the orthodox sects praised Namgung Muguk, and poets and musicians began creating poems and songs in his honor.

Naturally, these rumors reached Songshan in Henan, where Shaolin was located.

‘...Is this how it turned out?’

Mu-jin had hoped that someone would shake up Sa-doryeon but never imagined that Namgung Muguk would move.

Why did that battle-obsessed old man suddenly go to Sa-doryeon?

‘Could it be... he went to claim the title of the strongest in the world again?’

It sounded ridiculous, but having met Namgung Muguk, Mu-jin quickly realized that it was the most likely reason.

‘Truly, a remarkable person in many ways.’

Whether he meant it sarcastically or sincerely, it was a way of thinking that ordinary people couldn’t easily fathom.

However, regardless of whether his actions were foolish or if he lived as a true martial artist, risking his life, Namgung Muguk’s bizarre behavior was an excellent opportunity for Mu-jin and Shaolin. Ṝα₦òβΕS

“I heard that after the funeral of the Sword Emperor of Namgung, the Namgung Family plans to attack Sa-doryeon immediately.”

At Jegal Muhwan’s words, those gathered in the room nodded.

Given the significant changes in the situation, they were gathered in the room to discuss it.

“Then how about proposing an alliance with the Namgung Family? Since we also have a grudge against Sa-doryeon, fighting together would benefit both sides, wouldn’t it?”

Though everyone nodded in agreement with Mu-jin’s suggestion, Jegal Muhwan shook his head.

“Impossible.”

“Why?”

Mu-jin expected a complex, high-level reason beyond his imagination, but Jegal Muhwan’s answer was absurd.

“Because those people would never form an alliance.”

“Pardon?”

Mu-jin and everyone in the room looked at Jegal Muhwan in disbelief.

“The Namgung Family lives on their own pride. To be on the same side, you’d have to submit to them, not form an alliance.”

“Ah...”

Everyone sighed in agreement at his next words, not because of what he said but because of his expression.

Jegal Muhwan, who usually wore a mask of a fabricated expression, showed a clear look of disgust when talking about the Namgung Family.

It seemed that he had suffered quite a bit at the hands of the Namgung Family during his time as the chief strategist of the Martial Alliance.

“So, what should we do now?”

Jegal Muhwan felt strange. His rational mind told him the other was spouting nonsense, yet the atmosphere made him feel like the fool.

“We are about to engage in a war, so why would we do weight training during the journey?”

“Precisely because we are going to war, we must bring it. If we don’t exercise for three whole days and our martial skills weaken due to muscle loss, we might lose to enemies we could have defeated.”

Mu-jin believed that muscle loss equaled a loss in combat power.

“Also, the war won’t end in a single day, will it? Even during the war, if we don’t continue weight training on non-combat days, we risk getting exhausted and losing if the war drags on.”

Once again, everyone nodded at Mu-jin’s words.

Since their visits to Wudang, participation in the Yongbongji Conference, and teaching external skills to the Zhongnan Sect, it had become a given for the Shaolin to bring iron weights on expeditions.

Of course, this was only from Shaolin’s perspective.

For the first time, Jegal Muhwan was at a loss for words, looking at Mu-jin and the high monks of Shaolin as if they were insane.

* * *

The Shaolin monks, with their carts loaded with iron weights, set out for Shaanxi Province.

The sight of hundreds of monks dressed in identical orange robes marching together was a spectacle.

It seemed as if they were on a pilgrimage to a sacred Buddhist site, which was quite paradoxical since they were actually heading to a battlefield. It was almost as if they were heading towards the path of a demon rather than a Buddhist.

However, aside from this contradiction, there was a peculiar aura about their march.

The clanging of the iron weights loaded on the carts was the cause of this strange atmosphere.

After moving for a while, pulling the carts, Abbot Hyuncheon gave an order.

“Let’s take a short break.”

As soon as his order was given, the monks started to stop one by one from the front.

After taking out food from the supplies provided by the Cheonryu Sangdan and eating, they took turns engaging in meditation to recover the internal energy they had expended while using their lightness skills.

Just as the disciples were finishing their meditation, Mu-jin shouted.

“Let’s start weight training now!”

Mu-jin was the first to approach the carts and took out the iron weights he had reserved.

“!!!”

As Mu-jin took the lead, the other monks hurriedly approached the carts with surprised expressions.

It had been nearly eight years since Mu-jin introduced the concept of weight training to Shaolin, and most of the Shaolin monks had become genuine exercise addicts.

They quickly took out the iron weights from the carts and began their intense training.

Initially, the reason for weight training was simple.

Weight training could build muscle, and stronger external skills meant more powerful martial arts.

However, what began as a means to become stronger had deeply integrated into their lives.

The sensation of lifting and lowering the heavy iron weights was initially unpleasant and painful, but over time it became enjoyable.

They realized through years of experience that the greater the pain, the bigger and stronger their muscles would become.

Nevertheless, there was still a problem.

No matter how many carts of iron weights they had brought, the over three hundred monks made the weights insufficient.

Thus, the Shaolin monks adopted the proper attitude of dedicated fitness enthusiasts.

“One, two, three.”

“Brother! Just three more reps! You can do it!”

“You heard Mu-jin, didn’t you? If you don’t use the full range of motion when you’re tired, it reduces the effectiveness. I’ll help you, so let’s do one more set.”

They paired up to assist each other with weight training.

They exchanged their equipment to work different muscle groups.

Some even took off their robes to check their range of motion, revealing their bodies drenched in sweat.

Jegal Muhwan, who watched this sweaty scene in silence, thought to himself.

‘...Choosing Shaolin might have been the worst mistake of my life.’

Jegal Muhwan was seriously considering deserting even now.