Chapter 330 |
Chapter 330
Who is the Fool?
“If we are to compete using external martial arts, do you mean to see who can lift the heaviest weight?”
At Mu-jin’s question, Hwang-bo Ak laughed heartily.
“Hahaha. That is one way to do it. However, we are not street performers but martial artists, are we not?”
“So you suggest we compete in a duel using only external martial arts?”
“Indeed. Without using internal energy, only external martial arts.”
Hwang-bo Ak looked at Mu-jin with confidence.
This was a strategy Hwang-bo Ak devised based on the information about Mu-jin he had received from Jegal Mu-hwan and Hwang-bo Tae the previous night.
Thus, Hwang-bo Ak decided to settle the match not by a test of strength but through a duel.
No matter how strong Mu-jin might be to earn the nickname Kwon Je, a duel without internal energy would be a different matter.
When discussing the strength of a martial artist, it generally involves the physical strength known as external martial arts, the magnitude and manipulation of internal energy, the understanding of martial arts like swordsmanship, lightness techniques, and striking techniques, and real combat experience.
However, without internal energy, not only is the ‘size of internal energy’ removed, but also the use of martial arts that require complex internal energy manipulation.
This means that besides physical abilities, only basic understanding of striking techniques, stepping techniques, and real combat experience would matter.
‘Heh heh heh. No matter how skilled he is in the Shaolin’s sacred techniques and earns the name Kwon Je, a youngster barely reaching the age of late teens cannot be my match.’
Hwang-bo Ak had lived as a martial artist for more than twice as long as Mu-jin. He was confident he would overwhelm Mu-jin in real combat experience and understanding of striking techniques.
Mu-jin, watching Hwang-bo Ak’s confident demeanor, burst into a smile and willingly accepted the proposal.
“Very well. Let’s duel using external martial arts.”
Mu-jin’s answer made Hwang-bo Ak think, ‘Just as I thought.’
‘It seems the General’s assessment of him being arrogant was accurate!’
Determined to teach this young brat the harsh realities of the world, Hwang-bo Ak recalled Jegal Mu-hwan’s advice and set his plan into motion.
“Wow!”
Regardless of what thoughts they had, the martial artists of the New Star Unit, eager for a good spectacle, cheered and made a wide-open space.
Mu-jin and Hwang-bo Ak moved to the center of the clearing created by the martial artists and faced each other again.
“Come at me.”
Hwang-bo Ak taunted Mu-jin with a beckoning gesture. Instead of charging recklessly, Mu-jin approached calmly, testing the waters with a light jab of his right fist.
Even with a light swing, Mu-jin’s iron-like fist cut through the air with a menacing noise.
Wham~
But it ended with just a sound cutting through the air.
Hwang-bo Ak easily dodged Mu-jin’s first punch and started his counterattack.
“Hahaha!”
With a hearty laugh, he thrust his left fist.
As Mu-jin dodged the left punch, Hwang-bo Ak smoothly transitioned into an elbow strike aimed at Mu-jin’s temple.
In addition, with a combination of his stepping technique and upper body movements, Hwang-bo Ak mixed in feints and launched surprise kicks and a series of left and right punches in a relentless assault.
‘Indeed…’
Blocking or dodging the continuous strikes from Hwang-bo Ak, Mu-jin silently acknowledged Hwang-bo Ak’s prowess.
Hwang-bo Ak’s confidence was not unfounded. The combat skills of a man who had trained in fist techniques for decades and experienced countless real battles were indeed exceptional.
‘Experience cannot be underestimated.’
Expecting Hwang-bo Ak to rely solely on brute strength, Mu-jin was surprised to see that Hwang-bo Ak’s attacks were powerful yet fast and concise.
‘Mu-gung could learn a lot from watching him.’
Hwang-bo Ak’s attacks lacked excessive flamboyance and unnecessary gaps. Every movement had a purpose, and there were no awkward or interrupted transitions.
‘I must admit what’s to be admitted.’
In terms of basic understanding of striking techniques, Hwang-bo Ak seemed superior to Mu-jin.
For Mu-jin, this duel felt somewhat unfamiliar. For quite some time, whenever he dueled or fought, he used internal energy.
Without the ability to use internal energy, he couldn’t execute the Fast Ascent Step, which meant he couldn’t launch explosive movements to close in on Hwang-bo Ak or use the Golden Turtle Technique or the Invincible Divine Fist to finish him quickly.
Thus, to adapt, Mu-jin withstood Hwang-bo Ak’s onslaught to buy time.
And that time was brief.
‘Without internal energy, this is no different from modern combat sports, isn’t it?’
And when it came to combat sports, Mu-jin was confident he wouldn’t lose to anyone in the martial arts world.
It wasn’t arrogance.
In combat sports, there was the concept of ‘weight classes.’
While there are videos of a smaller person knocking out a much larger bodybuilder or powerlifter with one punch or kick, those are cases where the larger person has no combat training.
In a match between two trained fighters, weight classes create a significant barrier, as it is right now.
Bang!
Shifting from a defensive stance, barely blocking or evading Hwang-bo Ak’s attacks, Mu-jin attempted to grab Hwang-bo Ak’s right fist with his right hand.
But this was precisely what Hwang-bo Ak had been aiming for.
As he attacked, Hwang-bo Ak also realized that Mu-jin had reached the state of invulnerability to blades and spears.
Even with tough skin, joints, and muscles, it didn’t mean they were invincible. In fact, the tougher they were, the more painful it would be when twisted.
The moment Mu-jin tried to grab his fist, Hwang-bo Ak opened his hand and applied the Golden Locking Hand technique to grab Mu-jin’s wrist.
Simultaneously, he moved in and grabbed Mu-jin’s forearm with his other hand, applying a joint lock technique, but—
“!?”
Incredibly, Mu-jin’s left arm did not twist at all.
The reason was simple. Mu-jin was simply overpowering Hwang-bo Ak’s technique with sheer strength.
Startled, Hwang-bo Ak quickly pulled back, but—
Rip!
Mu-jin’s right hand, narrowly missing Hwang-bo Ak’s torso, tore through his clothes.
Mu-jin hadn’t used internal energy. The combination of Hwang-bo Ak’s hasty retreat and Mu-jin’s grip strength had shredded the fabric.
But Hwang-bo Ak had no time to worry about his torn clothes.
He realized he had underestimated his opponent.
Striking techniques were useless against a body invulnerable to blades and spears; it was akin to self-harm. While Hwang-bo Ak had trained his body, it wasn’t as resilient as Mu-jin’s.
And joint locks failed due to Mu-jin’s immense strength.
It was an unreal feeling.
Joint locks were supposed to subdue even a slightly weaker opponent. Only a vast difference in strength would nullify them.
‘Does this mean that brat is overwhelmingly stronger than me?’
Finally realizing this, Hwang-bo Ak urgently tried to speak.
“Wait, a moment…”
Seizing the moment when Hwang-bo Ak’s breath faltered, Mu-jin charged at him.
“I’ve confirmed your exceptional skills, junior!”
Despite moving his limbs frantically to fend off Mu-jin while continuing to speak, Hwang-bo Ak failed.
Grabbing Hwang-bo Ak’s left arm and right leg, Mu-jin lifted him off the ground.
A man over six feet tall and weighing at least 200 pounds was lifted into the air, creating an almost surreal scene.
For a brief moment, the martial artists watching the duel stood in awe.
Bang!!!
The massive figure, suspended in the air, crashed to the ground with even greater force.
* * *
Foaming at the mouth, Hwang-bo Ak was carried to a healer by the younger martial artists of the Hwang-bo family.
Mu-jin, as if nothing had happened, began instructing external martial arts training.
‘Why do they all look like they’ve become disciples of the Zhongnan Sect?’
The members of the New Star Unit, once again in awe of Mu-jin’s incredible strength, gazed at him with eyes full of respect.
‘At least I’ve succeeded in uniting them as Jegal Mu-hwan instructed.’
With that positive thought, Mu-jin finished training and headed to the military tent for a report after cleansing himself.
It wasn’t to report the unification of the New Star Unit.
Jegal Mu-hwan had sent a Jeongmumaeng warrior to find him.
“What brings you here again? I saw you this morning.”
Mu-jin asked, noticing Jegal Mu-hwan looked slightly more at ease than in the morning.
“Beoyeongak has sent information. It seems that among the Hwang-bo family members who visited Jeongmumaeng, there is a man named Son-mu.”
“Is he the one who influenced Hwang-bo Ak?”
“Circumstantially, it appears so. Not only are they close like brothers, but the plan seems to be to make him the chief military strategist if he becomes the leader of Jeongmumaeng.”
“Then, should we capture and interrog
ate him?”
“That could be risky.”
“Why?”
Mu-jin asked, and Jegal Mu-hwan took a sip of honey water to cure his hangover.
“While it’s true Son-mu is manipulating Hwang-bo Ak, he’s likely not the mastermind. Acting rashly might cause them to cut ties and escape.”
“What do you plan to do then?”
Mu-jin asked as Jegal Mu-hwan was about to reply, feeling a presence at the entrance.
“General! An urgent report has arrived!”
“Enter!”
As soon as Jegal Mu-hwan responded, a man covered in dust hurried inside.
He carefully took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Jegal Mu-hwan before quickly leaving the room.
Jegal Mu-hwan opened the sealed letter and began to read.
Mu-jin glanced at the ink bleeding through the back of the letter but couldn’t discern its contents.
It was a coded message requiring a specific key to decipher.
While Mu-jin waited, Jegal Mu-hwan read the lengthy letter and then burned it in the candle flame.
“The situation has changed drastically.”
“Was it related to the Hwang-bo family?”
“Yes. The letter was from military officer Baek Ga-ryeong. First, our suspicions were correct.”
“About Son-mu?”
“Indeed. Son-mu was the head of a small trading company called Geumyeong Sangdan in Jinan, Shandong. A few years ago, he succeeded in several ventures with the Hwang-bo family, bringing them great wealth. After the establishment of Jeongmumaeng, he visited the Hwang-bo family more frequently. Baek Ga-ryeong had similar suspicions as us.”
It was clear without asking that the suspicion was that Son-mu was not the mastermind but merely a pawn.
“Baek Ga-ryeong investigated all individuals and groups connected to Geumyeong Sangdan and disseminated false information to observe their reactions. Consequently, they identified the mastermind, but…”
Jegal Mu-hwan clicked his tongue in frustration.
“It was too risky a method. While they did locate the mastermind, disseminating false information might expose Baek Ga-ryeong’s identity.”
Having explained the situation, Jegal Mu-hwan looked at Mu-jin with an unusually serious expression.
“We must act immediately. Before they realize their cover is blown and escape, and before they attempt to assassinate Baek Ga-ryeong.”