Chapter 4 ….
Section 3: Proof (1)
It was a day when Mujin was rapidly mastering the martial arts of the Jeomchang Sect.
From the main temple of the Jeomchang Sect, Elder Youngsoo came to the residence where Youngho and Mujin were staying.
Youngsoo was one of the key figures of the Jeomchang Sect and, in terms of seniority, Youngho’s master.
At present, many members of the Jeomchang Sect were disregarding Youngho, who had lost his martial arts, treating him like an old man living in the back room.
But Youngsoo was one of the few who still showed proper respect to Youngho.
“Long time no see, senior brother.”
“What brings you to this humble place?”
“I came to deliver a matter from the main temple. Also, I wanted to see your face after a long time.”
“Hmph.”
Youngsoo was one of the few who treated Youngho as a senior. Yet, Youngho, who harbored resentment toward the major figures of the Jeomchang Sect, couldn’t look at him with anything but a cold gaze.
“So, what is it from the main temple?”
Whenever someone came from the main temple to deliver a message, it usually wasn’t good news.
With a sour expression, Youngho asked gruffly.
“Fifteen days from now, the sect will hold an internal martial arts competition exclusively for disciples of the ‘Jin’ lineage, the second-generation heirs of our sect.”
“I see… but why?”
Although Youngho could roughly guess what Youngsoo was about to say, he pretended ignorance and asked.
“The Head Elder has ordered that Mujin participate in this competition as well.”
“The Head Elder’s order? Hahaha!”
Youngho laughed incredulously.
“You should speak clearly. Isn’t it really someone else giving the order, not the Head Elder?”
“Hmm…”
“Be honest. Which one of them wants our Mujin to compete against the ‘Jin’ lineage disciples?”
Seeing Youngho’s fierce, demanding gaze, Youngsoo stroked his beard awkwardly.
“Very well. I will speak honestly. It was Mujun who suggested it first, and the elders discussed it and judged it reasonable.”
Youngsoo smacked his lips and continued.
“Afterward, the result was reported to the Head Elder, and naturally, he approved it as well.”
“Hmph, so it really was that Mujun kid… The Head Elder is not someone who just goes along with whatever the elders say, right?”
“Senior brother! Please watch your words.”
Youngsoo flared up as Youngho criticized the current Head Elder of the Jeomchang Sect, Youngjin.
Youngjin, the current Head Elder, was competent in administration but not particularly strong in martial arts, and he had a somewhat weak disposition.
So, as Youngho had said, he often seemed to be at the mercy of the elders.
“Regardless of what you think, since the Head Elder has given the order, you will have Mujin participate in this competition.”
“Hmph, a complete notification, then.”
After finishing his words, Youngsoo turned his attention to Mujin, who was standing beside Youngho.
“Although you belong to the ‘Mu’ lineage, the first-generation disciple of our sect, in terms of age and experience, there is no difference between you and the ‘Jin’ lineage disciples.”
Youngsoo appraised Mujin’s body from head to toe in a somewhat unpleasant manner.
“No, you might even surpass them. So there’s no need to feel humiliated or wronged.”
He spoke in a tone full of solemn authority.
“If you ever feel that way, you can prove yourself in this competition. Not just by seniority in the lineage, but through true skill.”
“Yes, thank you for your words.”
Mujin nodded resolutely, acknowledging Youngsoo’s advice.
‘What’s this? His aura feels different…’
This wasn’t the Mujin Youngho knew.
Originally, Mujin had a weak and delicate presence, completely unbefitting a martial artist.
Now, however, his demeanor was sharp, and especially his eyes, honed like a polished blade, were striking.
Even his previously thin frame had become solid and muscular.
‘He was beaten so badly by Jinyeong that he even got amnesia… Could it be that the shock pushed him to train so hard?’
Youngsoo studied Mujin with sharp eyes.
‘Even so, it’s incredible… He feels like a completely different person in just half a year.’
Half a year isn’t particularly long for someone to dramatically change or make significant progress in martial arts.
Youngsoo couldn’t hide his astonishment at Mujin’s transformed state.
“Now that we’ve said everything, you may leave.”
“Yes, understood. At that time, senior brother, please also participate alongside Mujin.”
“Very well.”
“Then we shall take our leave.”
Youngsoo bowed formally to Youngho, and Mujin did the same to Youngsoo.
“Will you be alright?”
Once Youngsoo had disappeared from view, Youngho asked Mujin with a somewhat concerned expression.
“Of course. It’s actually a good thing.”
“You look confident; that’s good.”
“This is my chance to crush them. Hehehe…”
“Still, don’t be overconfident. Jinyeong, who beat you before, and a few other ‘Jin’ lineage disciples are said to be quite skilled.”
“Krkrkr… We’ll see about that.”
Mujin gave a boyish yet sinister grin.
Youngho also knew very well how much Mujin’s martial arts had improved over the past six months.
Still, the thought of him entering the competition brought unease.
“Even so, don’t let your guard down.”
“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll do well.”
‘Damn, really…’
Although it was sudden, recalling the humiliation inflicted upon him by those people was impossible to forget.
Even the injuries from Jinyeong had not fully healed.
Now was the time to return the favor.
“By the way, Master.”
“What is it?”
“I understand why the ‘Jin’ lineage disciples dislike me. But why do the elders, even Mujun senior brother, side with them in their childish fight? It’s absurd.”
“Hmm…”
Youngho looked thoughtful for a moment, his expression stern.
“It’s probably because of me.”
“Because of you, Master? Why?”
“They don’t like that I, having lost my martial arts, still scold them whenever I have the chance.”
“Honestly, Master, you’re not even at the main temple. How much trouble could your scolding really cause?”
Mujin’s voice was full of frustration.
“And to think they would ostracize me, your disciple, despite all you’ve done for the Jeomchang Sect. How can they do that?”
Even if unintentionally, Mujin’s words carried a tone of reproach.
“I am sorry about that.”
“Ah, I wasn’t blaming you, Master.”
Seeing Youngho’s bitter expression, Mujin felt deeply awkward.
‘Because I fell out of favor, Mujin is suffering too…’
In truth, Youngho’s fall from the main temple’s grace was not merely due to his scolding.
Because of it, not only the powerful ‘Young’ lineage but also the ‘Mu’ and ‘Jin’ lineages… all cast unfavorable glances at Mujin, making Youngho worry greatly about his future.
‘There must be some other reason.’
Mujin, who bore the soul of Seowang Cheon Mundeok, wouldn’t blindly trust Youngho’s words.
While Youngho was curious about why he had fallen out of favor, that could wait.
For now, the priority was to defeat the lower-ranked ‘Jin’ lineage disciples and solidify his standing within the Jeomchang Sect.
Surviving the present situation meant revenge and a life far better than in his previous one.
Determination shone brightly in Mujin’s eyes.
Fifteen Days Later
All of the ‘Jin’ lineage disciples, the second-generation heirs representing the future of the Jeomchang Sect, gathered at the training arena.
Today was the day of the internal martial arts competition for the ‘Jin’ lineage disciples.
Being a major event, the key figures of the Jeomchang Sect were also present.
For the first time in a long while, the normally quiet sect was alive with activity.
“The ‘Jin’ lineage disciples are quite skilled, aren’t they?”
At the very center of the stage stood a middle-aged man with a somewhat lean build and kind eyes. He asked the man standing before him in a gentle tone.
“Yes, Head Elder. Their skills are indeed impressive. The future of the Jeomchang Sect looks very bright.”
“I see. I’ve heard much about it myself. All thanks to Musuk Sajil’s hard work.”
“You flatter me, sir.”
The middle-aged man was none other than Youngjin, Head Elder of the Jeomchang Sect.
The man standing before him was Musuk, responsible for training the ‘Mu’ lineage disciples.
Although each ‘Jin’ lineage disciple had their own ‘Mu’ lineage master, the sect also had the Wuwondang (Martial Arts Hall), responsible for unified martial arts training. Musuk was the deputy head there.
While learning from their personal masters was important, being part of the same organization also required consistent, centralized training.
The current internal martial arts competition was organized by the Wuwondang.
“Head Elder, long time no see.”
At that moment, a middle-aged man approached from behind Youngjin and spoke brusquely.
“Ah, Senior Brother Youngho? Long time no see.”
“I feel like I saw you half a year ago too.”
“Ah, is that so? I often wish to see my senior brother, so perhaps time has flown faster for me. Heh heh.”
This middle-aged man was none other than Mujin’s master, Youngho.
Despite Youngho’s cold response, Youngjin responded warmly, hiding none of his delight.
“Head Elder, are you sure it’s right to let Mujin participate in the competition for the ‘Jin’ lineage disciples?”
“Hmm…”
“Even if they dislike you, why treat Mujin so openly like this?”
“Senior Brother Youngho, I think there’s some misunderstanding. I did not intend to humiliate Mujin by having him participate in this competition.”
“Hahaha! Are you trying to publicly shame me and Mujin by making a high-lineage disciple compete against the ‘Jin’ lineage only? Am I wrong?”
“Watch your words!”
As Youngho harshly confronted Youngjin, another middle-aged man seated behind Youngjin jumped up and shouted fiercely.
This man had a chiseled jaw and hawk-like, piercing eyes, giving him an intimidating presence better suited to a rogue sect than a righteous one.
He was none other than Youngcheol, head of the Wuwondang.
“Do you not realize that depriving Mujin of the competition and training he deserves simply because of his lineage harms him more than it helps?”
“Hmph, you certainly speak well.”
“What?”
The two men were almost face to face, engaging in an intense stare-down.
“Why are you two doing this on a fine day? Stop it! Senior Brother Youngcheol, please step back first!”
“Hmph.”
Reluctantly, Youngcheol withdrew his gaze and returned to his seat.
“It’s already decided. Don’t be too upset and just watch. It seems the event is about to start.”
Even Youngho could not continue causing a disturbance with Head Elder Youngjin taking such a stance.
He returned to his seat and focused on the training arena.
‘He really looks full of confidence.’
Contrary to Youngho’s concerns, Mujin appeared relaxed, almost as if he were on a leisurely outing.
“I will announce the opponents.”
Musuk, deputy head of the Wuwondang and MC of the competition, called out loudly, projecting his inner strength.
In this single-elimination competition, knowing one’s opponent was of utmost importance.
When Youngho saw Mujin’s opponent, he couldn’t help but flare up again.
