Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Exchange (3)

Hengshan Mountain, located slightly south of the center of Hunan Province.

This famous mountain once held a position among the Nine Great Schools. Until about twenty years ago, it was known as the home of the Hengshan Sect, one of the strongest orthodox sects besides the Nine Great Schools.

Right beneath this famous mountain, in a wide open space, lay the Sa-doryeon.

The existence of Sa-doryeon right in front of the prestigious Hengshan might seem contradictory, but it was an inevitable reality.

Fifteen years ago, the Hengshan Sect experienced annihilation.

It was solely by the power of Hyeok Jin-gang, the leader of Sa-doryeon and the foremost figure of the demonic sects.

After that day, Hyeok Jin-gang, known as the Breaker of Swords in Fujian Province, became known as the Ten Great Experts and earned the title of the King of Destroying Swords.

Hyeok Jin-gang called the day he single-handedly destroyed the Hengshan Sect the beginning of Sa-doryeon and started to block the forces of the orthodox sects from Hengshan.

However, even after a day-long battle, the two could not reach a conclusion. From this life-and-death duel, Hyeok Jin-gang earned the moniker Sword Emperor of Destruction, and the current structure of the Three Swords of the World was established.

Around the time Mu-jin was repeatedly waking up and falling asleep.

In the grand hall situated in the center of Sa-doryeon, Hyeok Jin-gang was lost in thought with a stern expression after receiving a report from his subordinate.

But the subordinate bowing before him was not one of Sa-doryeon’s. Specifically, he was from Shinchun, working within Sa-doryeon.

“So, the ones who killed Chil Dae-ju are those orthodox sect brats, is that right?”

“Yes, Dae-ju-nim.”

“Foolish idiot. He seemed to have taken the world too lightly just because he became a Dae-ju.”

“According to the report analyzing the battlefield traces, it seems the Shaolin Dragon used the Dragon Scale Thread to bind the Wolf King’s attack with his body.”

“That’s just an excuse. He should have considered the worst-case scenario from the start. This is why selecting Dae-ju based solely on martial skills is not right.”

Unlike Chil Dae-ju, Hyeok Jin-gang had been active in the martial world before perfecting his martial arts.

During that time, he expanded his influence in Fujian Province and was called the Breaker of Swords. After perfecting his martial arts, he created Sa-doryeon and seized the top position among the demonic sects.

From Hyeok Jin-gang’s perspective, Chil Dae-ju, who was nurtured like a flower in a greenhouse, was an unreliable figure.

This incident proved his thoughts were not wrong.

However, criticizing Chil Dae-ju’s incompetence was not the priority now.

“So, should we send assassins to Nanchang to eliminate the Shaolin and Wudang juniors? It seems the Shaolin Dragon’s injuries are severe, so it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Chil Dae-ju, instead of dying, left numerous traces on the battlefield.

The traces of Shaolin and Wudang martial arts left all over the battlefield and on Chil Dae-ju’s body.

The shattered remains of the Dragon Scale Thread and the blood splattered everywhere.

Although Shinchun’s subordinates arrived at the battlefield only after the Wolf King had died, they could easily deduce the course of the battle based on these clues.

The tracks of the carriage heading north from the battlefield. The situation where someone severely injured in the abdomen sought a doctor.

Moreover, the ages and martial arts of the injured and those around them.

Compiling these various pieces of information led to an astonishing conclusion.

The ones who wiped out from the Divine Thief cave to Bukpoong Escort Agency and the Gyerim Black Market were the Shaolin Dragon and the disciples of Shaolin and Cheongsu Dojang from Wudang.

The news that the juniors caused significant damage meant they should be killed immediately, considering the damage inflicted.

Hyeok Jin-gang, however, was thinking it would be a pity.

‘Killing them won’t undo the damage. Moreover, they said the Shaolin Dragon also obtained the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng. Killing him as is would be a loss.’

In Hyeok Jin-gang’s mind, the identities of the culprits and the current situation and relations among the forces in the martial world began to intertwine intricately.

And after much contemplation, Hyeok Jin-gang reached a surprising conclusion.

“Leave them be.”

“!!!”

The subordinate, who dared not speak back to the Dae-ju, couldn’t manage his shocked expression.

“Instead, start leaking some information we found from Boncheon to Sa-doryeon bit by bit. Exclude the information about Chil Dae-ju and the juniors recovering in Nanchang.”

“Are you suggesting we make it seem like Shaolin and Wudang orchestrated this?”

“Yes.”

One of the main reasons Hyeok Jin-gang made this decision was to consolidate Sa-doryeon.

Although Sa-doryeon was an alliance, the Seven Evils of Sa-doryeon, excluding Hyeok Jin-gang, were busy checking each other.

But if it became known that the ones who wreaked havoc were the disciples of Shaolin and Wudang, part of the Nine Great Schools?

They could use the justification that the orthodox sects attacked their territory first to unite the Seven Evils of Sa-doryeon, who were moving for different purposes.

“Then, after spreading the information within Sa-doryeon, I will personally send a letter to the Murim Alliance. Demanding the heads of the Shaolin and Wudang juniors.”

“Will they comply with that demand?”

“It doesn’t matter. The letter is not meant to be accepted.”

“I apologize for my inexperience; I still don’t understand Dae-ju-nim’s intentions.”

“Tsk. Shaolin and Wudang, and recently even the Sichuan Tang Family, are known to be planning an alliance. If we bring up this incident, the orthodox sects will split into three factions.”

The alliance of Shaolin, Wudang, and the Sichuan Tang Family, trying to protect the Shaolin monks and Cheongsu Dojang.

The opposing faction, who either held grudges against those three sects or wished for their weakening. And finally, the neutral faction aiming for an advantage in the turmoil.

Just as the demonic sects have confidence in their forces, Shinchun’s influence subtly permeates the orthodox sects. If the orthodox sects split, it would make it much easier for them to operate.

An overt conflict between the orthodox and demonic sects, with the orthodox sects divided into factions.

This was indeed the most beneficial scenario for Shinchun’s grand plan.

The subordinate, who finally understood the grand scheme Hyeok Jin-gang painted, bowed and asked one remaining question.

“Then, should we leave the Shaolin Dragon alone? Considering his actions, he might have some leads on us.”

“Since he took the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, if he survives this time, he will become our pawn instead.”

Those hidden within the Murim Alliance and orthodox sects could utilize the Yin-Yang Gu implanted in the Shaolin Dragon’s upper dantian.

“So, if he somehow knows about us, we can uncover it through brainwashing then.”

Hyeok Jin-gang wasn’t worried about the Yin-Yang Gu being exposed. Even masters at the level of the Seven Kings outside the sect fell for it.

* * *

“Were you familiar with me as a child, Elder Healer?”

“How could I not be? I heard tales of a child not yet even in their teens succeeding in what my predecessor couldn’t.”

Mu-jin looked puzzled at his words.

“What do you mean?”

“Thirty-eight years ago. When I was still a novice healer, my father was invited to Songshan by Shaolin.”

The mention of thirty-eight years ago sparked a memory in Mu-jin.

“Was it for the treatment of Elder Hyeon-gwang?”

Mu-jin asked, and Yang Dong-myung nodded.

“Indeed. My father, renowned for his exceptional medical skills across the continent, was invited to treat Elder Hyeon-gwang, known as the Sage Monk. But, the damage to his dantian and meridians was too severe for a full recovery.”

“Even if Hua Tuo came back to life, he couldn’t have healed those injuries.”

Indeed, Hyeon-gwang still had a ruined dantian. He was just an ordinary old man without internal energy. That is, in terms of his ‘body.’

“My father managed to fix some twisted meridians with acupuncture, but there was no way to restore the damaged dantian. But Shaolin understood that. The problem was not the dantian or meridians but the state of his body. He couldn’t walk on his own and needed at least normal life functioning.”

“When I first met him, he was like that too. So, did you come to see me because you couldn’t fix his body then?”

Yang Dong-myung looked slightly offended at Mu-jin’s question.

“Don’t underestimate my father’s medical skills. He made the Sage Monk able to walk and move with acupuncture and decoction. It was just

a temporary fix. To ensure a normal life, my father would have had to stay with him in Shaolin forever, but as the head of the Danfeng Yang Clinic, with numerous patients, he had to leave Songshan.”

Mu-jin seemed to understand now.

Even in modern times, many people visit oriental clinics for back or joint pain.

Mu-jin himself had visited oriental clinics several times to fix his broken body after being forcibly discharged.

“But, acupuncture and decoctions alone have their limits.”

Even if acupuncture, cupping, and decoctions temporarily improved the body, the pain would return if the posture wasn’t corrected or the muscles supporting the joints and ligaments weren’t built.

“Even after that, my father often regretted not being able to fix it completely. Then, over thirty years passed, and he forgot about it until he heard the news. That a child called the Handless Boy healed the Sage Monk.”

After hearing Yang Dong-myung’s story, Mu-jin asked.

“So, you came to see me because of the rumor that I succeeded where your father failed?”

“Haha. Don’t worry. It’s not for revenge or jealousy. Just curiosity as a healer. That’s why I was visiting the bone and muscle treatment clinic to observe their treatments whenever I wasn’t treating you.”

Hearing this, Mu-jin, who was chewing on his food, looked at him in disbelief.

“So, you came to steal the techniques?”

He wondered how someone could say that so confidently.

But considering he owed his life to Yang Dong-myung, he couldn’t criticize him.

“Hmm. So, what’s your impression?”

Mu-jin asked with a probing tone.

He wanted to know how much this so-called divine healer had understood about physical therapy and rehabilitation principles.

“Haha. It was quite fascinating.”

“Really?”

“Most healers, including myself, focus on treating the patient’s pain and illness. But this place seemed to focus on prevention to avoid recurrence.”

“……”

“Perhaps this is the difference in medical perspectives between our Danfeng Yang Clinic and your family. This difference likely led to the success in treating the Sage Monk. Not just treating the illness but eliminating its cause.”

Yang Dong-myung stroked his beard with interest, but Mu-jin wasn’t too pleased.

This meant the techniques of the bone and muscle treatment clinic had been partially revealed.

‘…Instead of losing the techniques bit by bit, wouldn’t it be better to get something in return?’

Mu-jin, thinking this, opened his mouth.

“Hmm. Your praise is too much. Even if we prevent illness, our treatment skills, such as acupuncture, are not comparable to yours, Elder Healer.”

“Hahaha. Even if it’s just flattery, it’s good to hear.”

“I mean it sincerely. How about this? Let’s exchange medical knowledge.”

“Exchange medical knowledge?”

“Yes, Elder. We will share our rehabilitation exercise methods and treatment principles with you, and in return, Danfeng Yang Clinic shares your acupuncture and decoction knowledge with us.”

“Hoho. You mean to fill in each other’s gaps together.”

Yang Dong-myung showed interest, and Mu-jin, satisfied, nodded while glancing at Ryu Seol-hwa next to him.

Understanding Mu-jin’s intention, Ryu Seol-hwa, a true merchant, quickly calculated the potential benefits.

“Hmm. The rehabilitation exercises and treatment methods taught by Mu-jin are currently exclusively contracted to our Cheonryu Sangdan’s bone and muscle treatment clinic. But for the Danfeng Yang Clinic, it wouldn’t be bad to exchange the techniques we each have.”

Saying so, Ryu Seol-hwa glanced at Mu-jin. The meaning in her eyes was clear.

Which technique should we aim to obtain from Danfeng Yang Clinic?

– The decoction I’ve been drinking for a month. I want the recipe for that decoction.

Over a month of drinking that decoction, his internal energy had increased by half a gajang.

If he could learn the recipe, he could further enhance the internal energy of himself and the Shaolin disciples.

While listening to Mu-jin’s telepathic message, Ryu Seol-hwa continued conversing with Yang Dong-myung without showing any sign.

“Hmmm. What interests me most is the thermal and electrical treatments. It was intriguing that applying heat and electricity could heal muscles. And the various rehabilitation exercises were interesting too. I’m curious about their exact principles.”

“Is that so? But thermal and electrical treatments are very important techniques for our bone and muscle treatment clinic. They are said to have taken over thirty years to develop in Mu-jin’s family. Moreover…”

At some point, the conversation turned into Ryu Seol-hwa speaking while Yang Dong-myung responded with “Is that so?”

Until now, Ryu Seol-hwa had treated Yang Dong-myung as an esteemed guest and the guardian of a patient.

But at this moment, she started treating him as a merchant to merchant.

“There are many seniors who come to us just for thermal and electrical treatments. Considering the monthly fees they pay us, the value of these two techniques exceeds a hundred gold coins per month. Furthermore, if we monopolize these techniques, the annual profit could be…”

As her relentless attacks continued, Yang Dong-myung’s forehead was drenched in cold sweat.

‘Heh. Trying to steal others’ techniques for free?’

Mu-jin watched the scene contentedly while consuming the protein on the table.

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