Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 98:

Hundred Steps Divine Fist

As the name suggested, it was a punch that covered a distance of a hundred steps.

In truth, a hundred steps roughly translated to about 40 to 50 meters, meaning it was an attack launched over that distance.

Even if one reached the level where they could emit their qi externally, it was only natural that controlling it would become increasingly difficult the further it moved away from the body.

To handle qi precisely over such a distance required intricate and profound study.

Thus, it was naturally one of Shaolin’s Seventy-two Consummate Arts.

‘Can I learn this?’

For a brief moment, Mu-jin entertained such thoughts.

From the moment he woke up in Mu-jin’s body, he had always been worried about that point.

He was concerned about whether he could decipher and understand the essence of complex martial arts known as absolute arts or divine techniques.

He was not the real protagonist Mu-jin of the novel but Choi Kang-hyuk who had lived in the modern world.

He couldn’t imagine himself achieving enlightenment through the abstruse terminologies of the mnemonics filled with nonsense.

However,

‘Hoo. I can’t avoid it forever. And if Grandfather helps, it might be possible.’

He thought that if Hyun-gwang interpreted the mnemonics for him, even someone with his lacking talents might be able to learn it.

“Please teach me, Grandfather.”

“Hahaha. I shall do so.”

When Mu-jin bowed and spoke, Hyun-gwang laughed heartily.

* * *

The initial training for the Hundred Steps Divine Fist involved memorizing the forms and mnemonics.

The Hundred Steps Divine Fist broke down the simple action of a straight punch into a dozen or so stages, each with a complex process of internal qi manipulation.

Moreover, these detailed stages had to flow smoothly into one continuous motion rather than being disjointed.

The fortunate thing was,

‘It’s a relief that Grandfather Hyun-gwang interpreted the mnemonics for me.’

The terribly complicated mnemonics were, of course, written in Buddhist scripture verses. However, Hyun-gwang didn’t leave it to Mu-jin to interpret them himself; instead, he explained each mnemonic phrase by phrase.

The Hundred Steps Divine Fist, with its forms and mnemonics alone, could fill an entire book. Including the interpretation of the mnemonics, it would amount to four or five volumes.

Mu-jin transcribed all the interpretations that Hyun-gwang had provided, creating a comprehensive guide to the Hundred Steps Divine Fist and memorized it thoroughly.

If one couldn’t solve a math problem with genius-level intellect, they could at least memorize the solution process to solve it.

Having memorized the forms, mnemonics, and their interpretations over several days, Mu-jin began punching the air continuously, setting aside time for muscle training.

Initially, his speed was exceedingly slow.

He had to execute the inner energy flow equivalent to the contents of four or five books with just a single punch.

Even though he had performed it incredibly slowly, he made far more mistakes when he properly utilized his inner energy.

How much time had passed as he relentlessly swung his fist into the air until he became accustomed to utilizing his inner energy?

A month had passed, and when Mu-jin turned seventeen.

Mu-jin had become familiar with the key points of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, enough to avoid mistakes, even though he still performed it slowly and hesitantly.

‘Hoo. Now I need to connect the movements without breaking.’

After another three months had passed, when the cold winter arrived at Songshan.

Mu-jin was able to perform the Hundred Steps Divine Fist at a speed that seemed like an ordinary punch. The movements were no longer disconnected.

Each time Mu-jin threw a punch, a golden energy burst forth from his fist.

However, it wasn’t powerful enough to befit the name of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.

The energy he emitted only traveled a distance of about three feet. If anything, it felt like a Two Steps Divine Fist.

Hyun-gwang, who had been observing the training that continued into the fourth month, spoke up.

“Hehehe. You seem to have become familiar with the first half of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist. Now you must learn the second half.”

“Is there a second half?”

“Don’t worry. The second half only involves key points. It’s not bound by any particular form.”

Hyun-gwang omitted the fact that the key points were longer and more complex.

If the first half involved utilizing the internal energy within the body according to complex key points to emit it powerfully,

The second half involved key points to make the emitted energy travel further, faster, and stronger.

Mu-jin wrote down the key points and explanations of the second half of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist that Hyun-gwang taught him on paper and memorized them thoroughly.

Then, as he performed the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, he tried to control the energy according to those key points.

As he repeated the training, spring arrived.

He practiced external energy training early in the morning and in the evening. During the remaining time, he continuously threw punches into the air.

Whenever he used too much energy and his danjeon became empty, he sat in a cross-legged position and meditated while performing the Qi Conducting Technique.

Even during meditation, his mind was filled with thoughts of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist. He imagined himself from a third-person perspective performing the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.

In the imaginary world, he observed himself and revisited the sensation of the energy emitted from his punches.

As more time passed and the warm sunlight poured over Songshan.

“Hup!”

A rock placed twenty steps away shattered into pieces from the energy emitted from Mu-jin’s punch.

Hyun-gwang, who was observing, clapped with a pleased expression.

“Hehehe. That will do for the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.”

If the goal had been to master the Hundred Steps Divine Fist completely, there was still a long way to go. The further the distance that could be struck, the more arduous and lengthy the training to advance to the next stage would be.

However, the purpose of teaching Mu-jin the Hundred Steps Divine Fist was not to strike an enemy from a hundred steps away.

“Now, let’s incorporate the key points and sensations you’ve learned from the Hundred Steps Divine Fist into your martial arts.”

Mu-jin’s objective was to create a defensive qi technique that expanded the range of energy concentrated in his hands and feet to protect his entire body.

He intended to combine this defensive qi technique with the power of the Jade Vajra Technique and the reckless speed of the Fast Ascent Step, to launch a full-bodied charge and overpower his opponent with sheer strength. That was the path Mu-jin envisioned for himself.

And once again, Mu-jin received significant help from Hyun-gwang.

Hyun-gwang explained how to seamlessly integrate the key points of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist into various movements at the right moments.

With Hyun-gwang’s assistance, Mu-jin worked hard to become familiar with his martial arts, which now incorporated several key points of the Hundred Steps Divine Fist.

Time passed, and the following spring arrived.

Finally, the time for the martial arts tournament had come.

* * *

Thirty-eight years ago, when the Demon Cult invaded the Central Plains,

The orthodox factions formed an alliance called the Martial Alliance to resist the Demon Cult. After nearly a year of war, the alliance succeeded in driving out the Demon Cult.

But perhaps because they had expelled the common enemy, the Demon Cult, the name of the Martial Alliance became increasingly meaningless over time.

Historically, there had been several instances where the orthodox factions united under the name of the Martial Alliance to repel invasions from the unorthodox factions, the Black Path, the Demon Cult, and other foreign forces.

Each time, the orthodox factions claimed themselves to be the rightful masters of the martial world and united under the name of the Martial Alliance. After the wars ended, the organization naturally disbanded.

However, this time was different.

Perhaps due to the repeated cycles of similar history, a proposal emerged to maintain the alliance instead of forming it only after invasions occurred.

To sustain the gradually declining alliance, they started holding a grand unification tournament every ten years from thirty years ago.

Since the tournament was organized by the Martial Alliance, it was called the Martial Arts Tournament.

The Martial Arts Tournament featured various events, but the most significant one was the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, where future leaders of the orthodox factions could be identified.

As a competition to identify future leaders of the orthodox factions, the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly became a small-scale contest among prestigious sects and large clans.

Naturally, each sect sent their most talented young disciples to the tournament.

Shaolin was no exception.

After a serious meeting among the current Shaolin master, Bang-geon of the Hyunja faction, and the elders, four disciples were selected to leave Shaolin in preparation.

* * *

In a pavilion of Shaolin Temple,

Hye-geol looked at his disciple with a pleased expression.

“Hehehet.”

Mu-yul, who was smiling brightly, now had a leopard design on his spiky hair instead of a snake design.

Hye-geol had personally trimmed his hair and inscribed the new design not long ago.

The design symbolized that Mu-yul had mastered the Leopard Fist after a year and a half of training.

The number of people who mastered the Leopard Fist at the young age of eighteen could be counted on one hand in Shaolin’s thousand-year history.

‘Hahaha. Teaching him the key points was like hell, but once he mastered them, he could execute them more freely than anyone else.’

His outstanding senses and animal-like physical abilities contrasted sharply with his lacking intelligence. To make up for this, he had to repeat the same key points dozens, hundreds, even thousands of times, which was truly grueling.

But once he ingrained the key points into his body, he could execute martial arts at a level that could only be described as genius.

Thus, Hye-geol confidently told his disciple.

“Mu-yul, you will surely make the name of our Shaolin and the Shaolin Five Fists renowned at this martial arts tournament!”

“Hehe, really?”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

“Does that mean I will win?”

Hye-geol, who had been answering energetically to Mu-yul’s innocent question, flinched.

“Well, if the matchups are favorable, you could make it to the finals.”

As he answered, a certain disciple’s face surfaced in Hye-geol’s mind.

In Shaolin, there was a monster who, despite being only an eighteen-year-old third-class disciple, had already surpassed the level of second-class disciples.

* * *

“Do not get overly excited just because you are participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”

“Yes, Master.”

Mu-gung responded in a flat tone to Hye-dam’s blunt advice.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Hye-dam felt satisfied, albeit internally.

Of course, his expression remained as stoic as ever.

“The martial arts tournament will be a significant experience for you.”

Over the past three and a half years, Hye-dam observed that what his disciple needed most was self-esteem and confidence.

Although he might act arrogantly or make reckless mistakes due to such emotions, the steady practice of the Immovable Heart Technique over the past three and a half years made the chances of such errors very low.

On the contrary, Mu-gung was a child who strengthened his Immovable Heart through self-esteem.

Therefore, meeting and fighting other young talents from different sects at this martial arts tournament would greatly benefit Mu-gung.

From this perspective,

‘I must hope for favorable matchups.’

Hye-dam had to entertain an uncharacteristic thought.

There was one person in Shaolin whom he hoped Mu-gung wouldn’t encounter.

* * *

“Go and beat up those you don’t like. Hehehe.”

With his usual nonchalant attitude, Hye-gwan took a sip of alcohol.

“But, don’t kill anyone.”

“…Do you think I’m you, Master?”

Mu-gyeong grumbled in response to Hye-gwan’s jest.

The once timid boy had undergone a peculiar change in character.

Well, after being beaten under the guise of training for three and a half years, it would be strange if he hadn’t become a bit twisted.

However, Hye-gwan did not regret his training methods.

Although Mu-gyeong’s demeanor had become somewhat rebellious and grumbling, at least he no longer succumbed to madness.

Instead of switching between personalities like a split personality, the two personalities seemed to have blended, which Hye-gwan considered better than before.

‘Hehehe. That’s good enough.’

As for martial arts, Mu-gyeong was such a genius that there was no need for concern.

His already impressive intelligence had been enhanced by the power of the Lesser Restoration Pill, increasing his inner energy. Coupled with steady physical training following Mu-jin’s training methods, he had truly sprouted wings.

“Just aim for second place.”

“Shouldn’t you be telling me to win?”

To Mu-gyeong’s response, Hye-gwan lazily pointed somewhere with a nod.

It was in the direction of Hyun-gwang’s residence.

“You might surpass him in the future, but not now. Amitabha.”

“At least give me some encouragement with words.”

“Fine. I’ll pray to Buddha that you don’t meet Mu-jin in the finals. Hehehe.”

Smirking, Hye-gwan thought.

His disciple was indeed a genius. So, how should he describe Mu-jin?

‘A mutant? A monster?’

As he thought this, Hye-gwan chuckled and glanced at his own arm unconsciously.

It was the part that had clashed with Mu-jin during a recent spar.

‘To think that the grand-disciple of Master Hyun-gwang would use such a brute-force martial art.’

Although he eventually won, Hye-gwan had only managed to subdue Mu-jin by going all out.

Being known as the Anti-Demon Monk, even the villains of the Central Plains trembled at his full power, yet an eighteen-year-old boy had managed to draw out that power.

It was even more challenging because he had to subdue rather than kill him.