am-books Chapter 98:
Chapter 98:
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?”T/his chapter is updat/ed by
“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.
“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.