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Imdiately after Hyun-gwang’s treatnt was finished, around evening ti.
Hyun-gwang, who was resting after the treatnt, began speaking in a gentle tone.
“Mu-jin. Could you show the martial arts you demonstrated at the Entrance Examination?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Hahaha. It’s alright to call 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 ti 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 mont. 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 na, 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 phenona are like a dream, illusion, bubble, shadow, like dew or lightning, and should thus be viewed’”.
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 ti soone 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 mont, the image of Hyun-gwang overlapped with that of his own grandfather in Mu-jin’s eyes.
He rembered the ti when his grandfather taught him how to ride a bicycle, and when he held his small hand and walked with him to elentary school despite his sore knees—to show him the way.
The mories 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 sentintality just because he was inside a novel.
[1:26 AM]
Rather than indulging in sentintality, 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 tis.
“Grandfather! Am I doing this right?”
However, why was it that the word ‘Grandfather’ that ca out of his mouth now felt a bit more natural?
“Hahaha. You’re doing well.”
Hyun-gwang and Beob Geon watched with contentnt.
* * *
Mu-jin’s treatnt continued. Hyun-gwang’s body was severely deteriorated, and the entire body needed treatnt.
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 treatnt 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 treatnt 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, welcod 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 ntioned 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 equipnt will start arriving at the Arhat Faction.”
“Does that an the equipnt 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 equipnt 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 thods. In other words, all physical training conducted in the Arhat Faction will be replaced with your exercise thods going forward.”
[1:42 AM]
“Does that an you want to teach my exercise thods to all the third-class disciples and novice disciples in the Arhat Faction?”
Mu-jin’s question was t with a shake of Hyun Seong’s head.
“We can’t be taking up your ti like that every ti. Plus, that would be too inefficient. Once the new equipnt arrives, you just need to teach the use of the new equipnt, 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 movents using sandbags.
Therefore, if they also learned how to use the new equipnt, 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 equipnt for your exercise thods 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 equipnt.
New training equipnt was coming in. Even the ones he wanted.
Briefly maneuvering the brush with his bulging biceps.
‘Hmm?’
Sothing 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 equipnt to be used sowhere other than the Arhat Faction?”
“Where do you an by sowhere else?”
“I was thinking of ordering equipnt 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 sothing 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 treatnt could take full effect.
“It’s not for imdiate use. I’m thinking of equipnt that can be used after at least a month has passed and he is able to move on his own. Also, the equipnt for Grandfather is not for training but for therapeutic purposes. They’re structurally different.”
The equipnt Mu-jin intended to custom order was apparatus commonly used in Pilates.
In modern tis, Pilates was oddly often considered an exercise primarily for won’s fitness, with many Pilates centers even restricting n’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 treatnt 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 equipnt 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 reforrs, were mostly made from materials like rubber, styrofoam, or plastic.
Realizing this, Mu-jin added andnts to his drawings.
[1:49 AM]
‘Well, springs should be feasible. They are made by twisting tal like dragon whiskers, after all. And instead of plastic or styrofoam, if we use tal for the frawork and cover it with thick leather…’
The raw materials Mu-jin sketched for the Pilates equipnt began to transform into materials available in this era. The only issue seed to be that compared to health equipnt, 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 eting 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 deanor, the sowhat sullen Mu-gung, and Mu-gyeong, who still hadn’t completely overco 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 ti 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 seed 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 sa person who seed like he was on cloud nine when he beca 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 deanor of Hye-dam, Mu-jin clicked his tongue lightly, offering sincere consolation.
Even though Mu-jin had t Hye-dam several tis while treating Grandfather Hyun-gwang, he barely rembered Hye-dam speaking at length.
The thought of spending every day in the sa quarters with such a person was suffocating just to imagine.
* * *
anwhile, sowhere 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 beco 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.
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