Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 34:

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Immediately after Hyun-gwang’s treatment was finished, around evening time.

Hyun-gwang, who was resting after the treatment, began speaking in a gentle tone.

“Mu-jin. Could you show me the martial arts you demonstrated at the Entrance Examination?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Hahaha. It’s alright to call me grandfather comfortably.”

“Understood, Grand… father.”

Mu-jin replied awkwardly.

As is often the case with human nature, they readily find solutions and offer advice for others’ issues but struggle to understand their own.

Similarly, Mu-jin was not fully aware of the sense of indebtedness he felt towards his grandparents that resided deep within his psyche.

Moreover, every time he used the term ‘grandfather’, it made him feel even more awkward as it overlaid with the image of his own grandfather when he looked at Hyun-gwang.

Understanding Mu-jin’s feelings, Hyun-gwang nodded his head with an affectionate smile.

“Since we need to move, let’s step outside.”

No sooner had Hyun-gwang spoken than Beob Geon, always quick to assist as his habit, moved to help, but Mu-jin was quicker.

“You have been busy taking care of the elder since morning, master, so please feel free to rest. I will carry the elder.”

Beob Geon, who was about to get up, looked at Hyun-gwang with an embarrassed expression and when Hyun-gwang nodded happily, Beob Geon conceded his turn to Mu-jin.

After carrying Hyun-gwang on his back and walking out the door with Beob Geon, Mu-jin placed Hyun-gwang on the large front porch and took his position in the courtyard.

“Hoo.”

After taking a light deep breath, he began to demonstrate the martial arts he had conceived one after another.

The punches, palms, hands, kicks, and finger techniques released by Mu-jin – every move burst with a powerful explosive sound.

“Hahaha. Truly excellent.”

“That is so, Master.”

[1:17 AM]

Hyun-gwang and Beob Geon looked on contentedly for a moment. After Mu-jin finished his demonstration, Hyun-gwang spoke in a low voice.

“Mu-jin.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“While your current martial arts are sufficiently excellent, if you continue to enhance its power, you will reach a point where you can no longer sustain it with external energy alone.”

“…”

“Therefore, how about you try learning the Vajra Fist from now?”

“The Vajra Fist?”

Mu-jin asked back, and Hyun-gwang nodded and continued to explain.

“Yes. As you can see from the name, Vajra Fist, like the Xiao Hong Quan you’ve learned, is based on the Diamond Sutra. There are many key points that connect to Xiao Hong Quan, which will make it much easier to reinforce the martial arts you’ve created.”

“Ah…”

“Additionally, among the key points of the Vajra Fist, there are those specifically for controlling the mighty power of the Vajra Fist. Therefore, while learning the forms and key points of Vajra Fist, it would be beneficial to focus particularly on understanding the key points of the initial three seconds, six seconds, and eight seconds. For the initial three seconds, as it is said, ‘All conditioned phenomena are like a dream, illusion, bubble, shadow, like dew or lightning, and should thus be viewed’”.

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Starting from the key points of the initial three seconds of the Vajra Fist, Hyun-gwang explained each key point and added how they could be integrated with Mu-jin’s martial arts.

“However, this is just an explanation of the key points. To truly incorporate these key points into your martial arts, constant effort will be necessary.”

“Thank you, Grandfather!”

Mu-jin bowed deeply, his face filled with emotion, paying his respects to Hyun-gwang.

For Mu-jin, who had fallen into the world of martial arts novels, this was the first time someone had so clearly pointed him in the right direction.

No, it was not just after he fell into the world of martial arts novels, but after he lost his grandparents and was forcibly discharged from the military, thrown into the world.

For over a decade, Mu-jin had to grow strong on his own.

Therefore, for a brief moment, the image of Hyun-gwang overlapped with that of his own grandfather in Mu-jin’s eyes.

He remembered the time when his grandfather taught him how to ride a bicycle, and when he held his small hand and walked with him to elementary school despite his sore knees—to show him the way.

The memories of his grandfather trying to fill the role of his parents.

With a whoosh.

Feeling like his vision was becoming blurry, Mu-jin shook his head vigorously. It felt like he was unnecessarily falling into sentimentality just because he was inside a novel.

[1:26 AM]

Rather than indulging in sentimentality, Mu-jin, who preferred to work towards seeing the end of the novel, tried out the key points Hyun-gwang had just explained, swinging his fists a few times.

“Grandfather! Am I doing this right?”

However, why was it that the word ‘Grandfather’ that came out of his mouth now felt a bit more natural?

“Hahaha. You’re doing well.”

Hyun-gwang and Beob Geon watched with contentment.

* * *

Mu-jin’s treatment continued. Hyun-gwang’s body was severely deteriorated, and the entire body needed treatment.

However, treating the entire deteriorated body at once could put too much strain on it.

So, Mu-jin, as if setting a routine for exercise, divided the body into four major sections and proceeded with the treatment in four-day cycles.

One day was dedicated to treating from the calves to the feet. Another day for the knees to the thighs. One day for the pelvis and back. The last day was for the shoulders and arms. It was only natural to perform electrotherapy and heat therapy with the help of Hyun Gong and Hye-dam.

However, Mu-jin’s original role was not that of a physician, but rather, he was the third greatest disciple of Shaolin.

“Master, Grandfather, I’ll be going out today as well.”

Apart from his treatment duties, he still had to make daily visits to the Arhat Faction.

“Hahaha. Go and return at your ease.”

“While I’m around, there’s no need to worry about the Grandmaster. Go and return comfortably.”

Leaving behind the farewells of Hyun-gwang and Beob Geon, Mu-jin headed towards the Arhat Faction with light steps.

As Mu-jin arrived at the entrance of the Arhat Faction, Beob Gang, who was standing there, welcomed him.

“Mu-jin. Master Uncle Hyun Seong is looking for you. Let’s go to the faction leader’s hall together.”

Thinking it might be related to Grandfather Hyun-gwang, Mu-jin followed Beob Gang to the faction leader’s hall.

However, the matter Hyun Seong mentioned had nothing to do with Hyun-gwang.

“Thanks to the help of senior brother Bang-geon, additional budget has been allocated to the Arhat Faction. In a few days, new training equipment will start arriving at the Arhat Faction.”

“Does that mean the equipment I use will also be updated!?”

Mu-jin asked with an expression full of anticipation.

It had been about a year and a half since the Arhat Faction had introduced steel bars, steel pillars, and weight plates.

Mu-jin had been wanting to use heavier weight plates or new training equipment for a while now.

Seeing Mu-jin, who unusually showed a child-like smile fitting his actual age, Hyun Seong added with a peculiar smile.

“Actually, the reason I called you to the faction leader’s hall was because of those new exercise machines. The budget was approved by Abbot Bang-geon in recognition of your training methods. In other words, all physical training conducted in the Arhat Faction will be replaced with your exercise methods going forward.”

[1:42 AM]

“Does that mean you want me to teach my exercise methods to all the third-class disciples and novice disciples in the Arhat Faction?”

Mu-jin’s question was met with a shake of Hyun Seong’s head.

“We can’t be taking up your time like that every time. Plus, that would be too inefficient. Once the new equipment arrives, you just need to teach the use of the new equipment, along with the steel bars, steel pillars, and weight plates that were previously introduced, to the second-class disciples of the Arhat Faction only.”

Mu-jin had been acting as an instructor during his novice disciple period, training his peers for almost a year and a half.

Naturally, the second-class disciples who had witnessed this scene had already mastered most of the bodyweight exercises and training movements using sandbags.

Therefore, if they also learned how to use the new equipment, it would be entirely possible to pass on the training without Mu-jin.

“I think I can definitely help with that.”

As Mu-jin energetically responded, Hyun Seong handed him a stack of blank papers.

“Then, please write down the necessary equipment for your exercise methods and the details here.”

Having gone through this process before when introducing steel bars and steel pillars, Mu-jin dipped the brush in ink and swiftly began sketching out the exercise equipment.

New training equipment was coming in. Even the ones he wanted.

Briefly maneuvering the brush with his bulging biceps.

‘Hmm?’

Something popped into Mu-jin’s head, causing him to pause and look at Hyun Seong.

“Arhat Faction Leader. If possible, may I also place an order for exercise equipment to be used somewhere other than the Arhat Faction?”

“Where do you mean by somewhere else?”

“I was thinking of ordering equipment for Grandfather to use.”

“…By Grandfather, are you referring to Abbot Hyun-gwang?”

Hyun Seong furrowed his brow slightly at Mu-jin’s words.

It wasn’t just due to the informal speech. Given that it was a matter concerning Abbot Hyun-gwang, it wasn’t something that could be easily dismissed. More importantly,

“Given that Abbot is still not fully recovered, wouldn’t strenuous exercise potentially worsen his condition?”

He was apprehensive that premature exercise might exacerbate Hyun-gwang’s condition before the treatment could take full effect.

“It’s not for immediate use. I’m thinking of equipment that can be used after at least a month has passed and he is able to move on his own. Also, the equipment for Grandfather is not for training but for therapeutic purposes. They’re structurally different.”

The equipment Mu-jin intended to custom order was apparatus commonly used in Pilates.

In modern times, Pilates was oddly often considered an exercise primarily for women’s fitness, with many Pilates centers even restricting men’s entry. However, Pilates was originally developed for rehabilitation of war prisoners and injured soldiers during World War I.

For Hyun-gwang, it was said to be an ideal form of exercise.

“Hmm. If it’s for the treatment of Abbot Hyun-gwang, I doubt the treasury will refuse it. Proceed as you wish.”

As Hyun Seong gave his consent, Mu-jin began to sketch out Pilates equipment on paper.

‘…But, can these be made in this era?’

The tools commonly used in Pilates, such as foam rollers, resistance bands, Pilates arcs, and reformers, were mostly made from materials like rubber, styrofoam, or plastic.

Realizing this, Mu-jin added amendments to his drawings.

[1:49 AM]

‘Well, springs should be feasible. They are made by twisting metal like dragon whiskers, after all. And instead of plastic or styrofoam, if we use metal for the framework and cover it with thick leather…’

The raw materials Mu-jin sketched for the Pilates equipment began to transform into materials available in this era. The only issue seemed to be that compared to health equipment, the cost might skyrocket.

‘Well, that’s not my concern.’

To Mu-jin, Hyun-gwang’s health was more important than the Shaolin’s financial burden.

* * *

After concluding his meeting with Hyun Seong, the first to greet Mu-jin upon his arrival at the Arhat Faction training grounds was the trio he had been with since his novice disciple days.

“Mu-jin~!!”

“You’re here?”

“Bro, brother, today you’re a bi-, bit late, aren’t you?”

Cheerfully greeted by Mu-yul with his ever bright demeanor, the somewhat sullen Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong, who still hadn’t completely overcome his stutter, Mu-jin simply waved his hand in response.

“How have things been lately?”

Although they still spent mornings together, in the evenings, they were each busy spending time with their respective masters, so they hadn’t been able to gather.

Naturally, Mu-jin’s question was about how well they were getting along with their masters.

“Heheh. It’s fun!”

“Sigh…”

“…”

The trio displayed a rather peculiar set of reactions.

Bright and cheerful Mu-yul was one thing, and Mu-gyeong, who always seemed gloomy except when lost in his own world, was another, but even Mu-gung was letting out a deep sigh from his danjeon.

With a puzzled look, Mu-jin asked Mu-gung.

“Why? Is there a problem?”

This was the same person who seemed like he was on cloud nine when he became a third-class disciple and was chosen as a successor by Hye-dam.

“Just… feeling a bit suffocated.”

Mu-gung’s reply, laden with complicated emotions, brought the image of Hye-dam to Mu-jin’s mind.

“Tsk. Hang in there.”

Recalling the dreadfully serious demeanor of Hye-dam, Mu-jin clicked his tongue lightly, offering sincere consolation.

Even though Mu-jin had met Hye-dam several times while treating Grandfather Hyun-gwang, he barely remembered Hye-dam speaking at length.

The thought of spending every day in the same quarters with such a person was suffocating just to imagine.

* * *

Meanwhile, somewhere within the vast Shaolin scripture halls, in a certain pavilion.

“Sigh…”

There sat a middle-aged monk, heaving a sigh similar to Mu-gung’s, but it was not Hye-dam, Mu-gung’s master.

It was Hye-geol, the current successor of the Shaolin Five Fists.

‘Heheheheheh.’

With deep furrows on his brow, he was thinking of Mu-yul, who had become his successor.

“Sigh… To think he could be that ignorant.”

Indeed.

Hye-geol was just now realizing that he had been completely taken in by Mu-yul.