Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Murim Alliance

The unexpected news shocked the old monks, who began speaking all at once.

“Are you saying those demons are targeting the Central Plains again?”

“Amitabha. First Shinchun, now even the Demonic Cult. What is happening?”

“It doesn’t say the Demonic Cult is moving for sure. The Murim Alliance wants to investigate this matter and resolve the conflicts that have recently intensified among various sects by sending the younger generation of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Noble Families along with the alliance’s warriors.”

It was indeed strange. The Murim Alliance, which had been watching the conflicts among the sects, was now stepping in to mediate.

However, considering that the Murim Alliance was created to counter the Demonic Cult, it made sense in a way.

While the gathered old monks wore confused expressions, Mu-jin remained calm.

In explaining the events in the southern region, he omitted details related to Ou-yang Pae.

The old monks of Shaolin had experienced the Demonic Cult’s attack firsthand forty years ago.

Their hatred for the Demonic Cult was something difficult to overcome, even after decades of Buddhist practice.

‘If only we could find evidence that the attack forty years ago was orchestrated by Shinchun and not the Demonic Cult, an alliance could be possible.’

Mu-jin hoped that Ou-yang Pae would return to the Demonic Cult quickly to obtain this evidence.

Alternatively, capturing a senior member of Shinchun to get the evidence seemed necessary.

At least, there was no need to hide the fact that the Left Envoy was the leader of Shinchun and that the Right Envoy was affected by the Yin-Yang Gu.

“Abbot, during the interrogation of a man named Hwang Gon, we obtained some information about the Demonic Cult.”

As Mu-jin began to explain the current situation of the Demonic Cult, the old monks’ faces grew more complex.

“So you’re saying that the Demonic Cult is essentially a puppet of Shinchun now?”

“Yes. Additionally, during the interrogation concerning the Yin-Yang Gu, we heard about the Murim Alliance.”

“Why would the Murim Alliance come up all of a sudden?”

“When I received the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng for winning at the Yongbongji Conference, it also contained a hidden Yin-Yang Gu.”

“!!!”

The sudden influx of shocking information continued.

Master Hyun-hyeon looked at Mu-jin with a mixture of surprise and concern.

“So, are you saying that the Yin-Yang Gu is currently in your body?”

If that were the case, Master Hyun-hyeon thought it necessary to confine Mu-jin within Shaolin.

However, contrary to Hyun-hyeon’s concern, Mu-jin shook his head calmly.

“While consuming the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, I sensed something wrong and spat it out. It had a tiny worm hidden inside.”

“You spat it out after nearly consuming it?”

“Yes. Because of that, I couldn’t absorb most of the energy from the ginseng, but it seems it was the right decision.”

“Huh. Hahaha. Hahahaha.”

The old monks collectively laughed at Mu-jin’s calm demeanor.

“Amitabha. It must have been Buddha’s protection.”

“What do you mean? Mu-jin was able to avoid greed by following Buddha’s will. Hahaha.”

At Hyun-hyeon’s words, the old monks looked at Mu-jin with peculiar expressions.

‘Does he really have no greed?’

Though unspoken, this sentiment was evident in their eyes.

Then, Hyun Gong, the head of the Jurisdiction Department, asked with a puzzled tone.

“But why did you keep it a secret until now?”

“…I thought it might cause problems in various ways to mention that I didn’t consume the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng because of a worm.”

Since he couldn’t say he knew about the Yin-Yang Gu from the start, Mu-jin made up an excuse.

Fortunately, due to the continuous flow of surprising information, the old monks didn’t think to question further.

“It’s truly fortunate. And since the prize at the Yongbongji Conference contained poison, it seems Shinchun’s spies have infiltrated the upper echelons of the Murim Alliance.”

“Yes. I wanted to find out more through Hwang Gon, but there wasn’t enough time.”

“No. You have already done a great deal by discovering this much.”

Although Mu-jin looked regretful, Hyun-hyeon comforted him, even as his own mind was on the verge of exploding.

“Perhaps, all these events—the movements of the Demonic Cult and the Murim Alliance requesting help from each sect—are part of Shinchun’s scheme.”

The problem was that they had no idea what Shinchun’s scheme was.

Naturally, the old monks expressed their concerns.

“We don’t know what they’re planning, so it might be best to refuse the request. Abbot.”

“It seems too dangerous.”

At that moment, Mu-jin, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“May I speak?”

“Feel free to speak.”

“I believe we should accept the Murim Alliance’s request for reinforcements, Abbot.”

“…Can you explain why you think so?”

“I understand the concerns, but I think we should consider it from the opposite perspective.”

“From the opposite perspective?”

“Yes. Because we don’t know Shinchun’s intentions, it would be better to respond on the ground. If we just cower, we’ll always be a step behind.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“What if this is all a trap?”

“They also have to hide their identities, so they won’t be able to openly deploy their full strength. And since we have our allies, if it is a trap, we should be able to handle it.”

Mu-jin also instinctively felt that this was a scheme by Shinchun.

Despite this, he wanted to take advantage of the situation.

Though they had obtained considerable information from the recent events in the southern region, they still lacked details about Shinchun’s upper echelons.

With themselves openly moving and Shinchun working in the shadows, avoiding the traps out of fear would only lead to slowly losing strength.

From this perspective, this event could be seen as an opportunity.

“Since both the Murim Alliance and the Demonic Cult are moving, there is a high chance that the traces of Shinchun will be revealed. So please, send me there, Abbot.”

He aimed to catch a key figure of Shinchun from the trap they set and properly uncover Shinchun’s core.

‘And if we can catch the spy within the Murim Alliance, it will be easier to clean up the righteous factions.’

While Mu-jin was thinking about this, Hyun-hyeon, who had been contemplating, opened his eyes, having made his decision.

“Yes, Mu-jin, it seems just waiting around won’t work. However, the enemy’s preparations will be thorough, so we must also be fully prepared. I will send you and the most skilled children from our sect as reinforcements. Also, convey the discussions from this meeting to our allied sects and families.”

Thus, Mu-jin’s journey to the Martial Alliance was decided.

* * *

After relaying the information to allied sects and families, Shaolin selected those who would go as reinforcements over the next few days.

Fifteen Shaolin disciples, fully prepared, were now leaving the Shaolin temple.

The Martial Alliance had requested reinforcements primarily from the younger generation to investigate the Demonic Sect and foster camaraderie among the sects.

Naturally, a representative leader from each sect had to accompany them. Leading the Shaolin disciples on this expedition was the Shaolin Elder Monk, Master Hyun-hyeon.

Along with one first-generation disciple, several second-generation disciples, and lastly, the third-generation disciples which included Mu-jin’s group.

Mu-gung, worried about being severely punished for their second nocturnal escape, felt a wave of nostalgia as they set off from Shaolin again after just a few days.

“It feels just like the Yongbongji Conference.”

“Indeed. It would have been nice if Mu-gyeong was with us. Right, Ling-ling?”

“Ukki!”

As Mu-yul mentioned, Mu-gyeong was not part of this expedition.

“There’s nothing we can do. Hye-gwan Sasook dragged him away.”

Mu-jin, who also missed Mu-gyeong’s presence, shared the sentiment.

But it wasn’t that Hye-gwan took Mu-gyeong to torment him. After years of activity in the Demon Suppression Team, Hye-gwan had recently found a useful clue.

So, to show Mu-gyeong how the Demon Suppression Team worked while acting as reinforcements, Hye-gwan took him away.

“Poor Mu-gyeong. Having to travel with Hye-gwan Sasook… Ugh.”

Mu-gung shuddered at the thought, while Mu-jin shrugged.

“Why? It could be fun.”

“Getting beaten every day?”

“Hmm. Mu-gyeong probably won’t go down easily anymore. I’d find traveling with Hye-dam Sasook more dreadful.”

“What’s wrong with our Sajo-nim?”

“Traveling with him would mean not a single word throughout the trip. How suffocating would that be?”

A journey with Hye-gwan promised some drinks and entertainment. But with Hye-dam?

Everyone has their travel preferences, but Mu-jin preferred traveling with someone crazy over someone silent.

Still, since it was about his Sajo, Mu-gung defended him.

“Ahem. Sajo-nim may not talk much, but once you get used to it, you can understand what he’s thinking just by his expression.”

“Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”

“Both of you, stop! Fighting is bad! Right, Ling-ling?”

“Ukki!”

Seeing Mu-yul glaring at them with clear eyes, Mu-gung and Mu-jin burst into laughter.

* * *

After several days of travel, they arrived in Woe-hyeon, located in Shaanxi Province, where the Martial Alliance was based.

Returning to this place after about three years, it had a completely different atmosphere than before.

Without the Martial Arts Tournament or the Yongbongji Conference, Woe-hyeon seemed surprisingly quiet.

Unlike before, they traveled through the sparsely populated main street and arrived at the entrance of the Martial Alliance.

After following the guide waiting at the entrance, they reached the training grounds.

A familiar group in uniforms greeted them.

“May Buddha bless you. Shaolin has just arrived.”

“Amitabha. It’s good to see the Wudang again.”

While the Wudang Sect elders exchanged greetings with the Shaolin monks, Cheongsu Dojang slipped away to greet Mu-jin.

“Mu-jin Sunim! It’s been a long time!”

“Indeed, Cheongsu Dojang. Have you made progress?”

“Haha. Would you like to find out today? You’re always welcome, Mu-jin Sunim.”

Seeing him draw his sword with an innocent smile, Mu-jin thought he was as consistent as ever.

Meanwhile, the commotion caused by Shaolin and Wudang attracted some of those in the training grounds.

“Mu-jin Sunim. Have you been well?”

The first to approach was Jegal Jin-hee, leading the Jegal Family members.

As the current young master of the Jegal Family, she not only represented the younger generation but also played a role in leading the family.

“It’s been a while, Jegal Jin-hee Shijunim.”

Mu-jin greeted her with a gentle smile, just as he did with Cheongsu.

‘Both of them have clearly improved.’

The environment seemed to make people stronger.

Though Cheongsu Dojang and Jegal Jin-hee were not major figures in the novel, their skills had already surpassed the level of the younger generation.

Following Jegal Jin-hee, Tang So-mi also appeared with the Tang family members and greeted Mu-jin.

“Hehe. I saw you recently, didn’t I?”

“Ahem. Have you been well?”

“Wait a minute. Have you two met recently?”

Jegal Jin-hee’s sharp eyes glared at Tang So-mi as she greeted Mu-jin.

Despite Jegal Jin-hee’s icy glare, Tang So-mi simply smiled mischievously.

“Oh my, didn’t you hear, Jegal unni? I went to Southern Barbarian to help Mu-jin Sunim. Hehe.”

Jegal Jin-hee, uncharacteristically agitated, tried to continue the playful banter, but their conversation was interrupted.

Just as Mu-jin had made allies with the Tang family, Wudang, and the Jegal family over the years…

“You despicable bastards!!!!”

There were also plenty of enemies who had become mortal foes.

Taoists in the Jeomchang Sect uniforms approached them, radiating murderous intent.