Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 162:

Sword Demon

Though the question was abrupt, Mu-jin seemed to understand who it referred to.

And if it were any other monk, they might have said that even such scum should be spared and guided.

“They were not worth sparing.”

Mu-jin did not particularly hold high regard for the vow of non-killing.

“…Therefore, I intend to wield another sword in place of the Taegeuk Haegum.”

“I see.”

Cheongsu Dojang spoke with a grave expression, but Mu-jin responded with a ‘so what?’ expression.

“If you think that is the right path, then do as you wish, Cheongsu Dojang. I don’t think killing such trash is a sin. But why are you hesitating and worrying so much?”

If it were the modern world, the law might prevent him from doing so.

No matter how trashy a criminal was, private punishment instead of legal action would be judged by the law.

Of course, there were laws in this world too, but they hardly applied to the martial artists. In the martial world, justification or power was everything.

Then what else could it be?

“…Is it because of the elders and senior brothers of Wudang?”

Mu-jin asked with a tentative heart, but Cheongsu Dojang’s reaction confirmed his suspicion.

“Yes, it is.”

Perhaps because his inner thoughts were revealed, Cheongsu Dojang opened up as if confessing.

“I fear that abandoning the Taegeuk Haegum and committing acts of killing would hurt the elders of the sect.”

“Hm… If that’s the reason, is there a need to abandon the Taegeuk Haegum?”

“…Didn’t I already explain?”

“Claiming that you would abandon the Taegeuk Haegum because it is a sword for life is just an excuse. Taegeuk Haegum is a renowned technique, and even Yunheo Zhenren, who is called one of the Three Swords of the World, has mastered it, hasn’t he?”

“That is…”

“Ah! Is it because the progress with the Taegeuk Haegum is slower compared to a killing sword? It’s well-known in the martial world that the Taegeuk Haegum is difficult. But it would probably be much easier for you to become a master through the Taegeuk Haegum than to create your own killing sword and become as skilled as Yunheo Zhenren.”

Mu-jin was making a realistic deduction, but Cheongsu Dojang’s response was entirely different.

“How can I wield the sect’s sword while committing acts of killing?”

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

Mu-jin barely suppressed a laugh.

‘Does he really think that none of the Wudang sect’s practitioners have ever killed anyone?’

Mu-jin couldn’t help but think that the Wudang sect had raised Cheongsu too naively and gently.

In reality, the elders of the Wudang sect had refrained from telling harmful stories to prevent Cheongsu from becoming a Sword Demon, but Mu-jin did not know that.

“Non, nonsense? What do you mean?”

“Of course, it’s nonsense. With so many villains in the world, how could a righteous martial artist never kill anyone? Our Shaolin also values the vow of non-killing, but there are those who specifically deal with incorrigible villains. Master Uncle Hye-gwan is a prime example.”

Thinking about it, Mu-jin thought that perhaps it was because of Hye-gwan that the Muja Trio was less naive than Cheongsu.

Of course, that was a story limited to Mu-gyeong, who was Hye-gwan’s disciple. Mu-jin never thought that others had corrupted because of him.

“There will be no punishment from the Wudang sect for using the Taegeuk Haegum in acts of killing. And even if there is, so what? Maybe they’ll make you meditate in the Cave of Repentance for a few days, like in our Shaolin.”

“…What if they say they can’t forgive me and expel me from Wudang?”

Mu-jin answered simply to Cheongsu Dojang’s worried question.

“If they don’t accept you, then just leave Wudang. Or, you could change Wudang yourself.”

This was something Mu-jin could say because of his own experiences.

When Mu-jin first came to this world, how rigid was the Shaolin sect?

“Change… the sect?”

“Yes. Protecting the weak and drawing the sword to correct wrongs is the true way of a hero, isn’t it?”

Just like the protagonists in the martial arts novels he enjoyed during his school days.

“And a place where such heroes gather is the true righteous sect.”

Unlike the so-called righteous sects that only engaged in tedious fights over principles.

And this was also a vow to himself.

“So instead of worrying about getting scolded by the elders of Wudang, wouldn’t it be better to think about how to improve your skills to protect those kids?”

When he first came to this world.

To Mu-jin, the shadowy forces known as Shinchun were just enemies he had to deal with according to the plot to return to the modern world—a ‘brain-understood enemy.’

But after experiencing the events in Guangxi Province, his thoughts changed.

And to face the strong enemies he would encounter in the future, more than anything else.

“So, to improve your skills, what you need now is not to ponder over right and wrong.”

“Then, what should I do first?”

“Of course, exercise, isn’t it?”

“…Pardon?”

“I haven’t finished my quota for today, so join me, Cheongsu Dojang.”

Mu-jin thought that building physical strength was necessary.

‘If you push yourself hard, such worries won’t even come to mind.’

It was a solution based on his own experience.

* * *

After finishing the exercise together, Mu-jin returned to the carriage first.

Cheongsu Dojang, who had been sitting blankly and cooling off his sweat, stood up and started walking slowly toward the carriage.

There was a slight misunderstanding between Mu-jin and Cheongsu Dojang during their conversation.

The ones Cheongsu Dojang had asked Mu-jin about, questioning if they were worth sparing, were not the villains from Guangxi Province.

Specifically, it was a question posed while recalling the bandits from his childhood, who turned his village into a sea of blood.

Memories he had completely forgotten—or rather, sealed away—came flooding back, reminding him that he had killed at the tender age of ten.

It was neither an accident nor a mistake. He harbored a murderous intent toward his opponent, and the first sword he held moved freely like a lifelong friend, piercing the bandit’s belly.

Even in the Gyerim Black Market, where he regained his memory, he committed a massacre blinded by rage.

So, he wondered if he was a born villain.

Pretending to know nothing, he stayed in the Wudang sect and learned their sword techniques. Wouldn’t the elders of the sect abandon him if his true nature was revealed?

If so, wouldn’t it be better to abandon Wudang’s sword before being abandoned?

No.

How could killing villains like those bandits be a sin?

He only killed those who deserved to die. So, maybe the sect would forgive him?

Such self-criticism and self-justification constantly battled in Cheongsu Dojang’s mind.

But thanks to the conversation with Mu-jin, a slight change occurred.

The worries didn’t disappear.

From the beginning, Mu-jin’s advice was almost like, ‘Do whatever you want.’

Instead, Cheongsu Dojang’s mind was preoccupied with a question more significant than his current concerns.

‘Hero…’

Someone who willingly draws their sword for what is right, to prevent the suffering of the weak.

But what is ‘right’?

This question, which seemed so easy when he was at Wudang, now felt infinitely difficult.

However.

“Hyung…”

In front of the wagon where he was walking back slowly.

When he committed the massacre at So-cheongmun. The child who looked at him with a terrified expression. Mun-hyuk, in a timid voice, approached him.

“…Do you have something to say?”

The timid look on his face made Cheongsu Dojang’s tone unintentionally cold, as if accusing him of being a villain.

“I’m sorry…”

For some reason, the child named Mun-hyuk immediately bowed his head and apologized to Cheongsu Dojang.

“What are you apologizing to me for?”

“Hyung, you were trying to save us. But I got scared without knowing. So I’m sorry… And thank you.”

As Cheongsu Dojang watched the timid-faced child speak, he couldn’t do anything. Mun-hyuk added more words.

“So, please play with me again, hyung. Don’t avoid me… Don’t abandon me…”

The sight of the child speaking with tears made Cheongsu Dojang freeze.

‘Ah…’

The child had become an orphan. His appearance during the Qi Deviation overlapped with the child’s memories of losing his family.

“I would never abandon you. Don’t worry. Hahaha.”

Therefore, Cheongsu Dojang laughed heartily.

Yes. He didn’t have time to waste on trivial worries about whether he was a villain or a hero.

Although he still didn’t know the answer to what was ‘right’.

“Come here.”

Like this child named Mun-hyuk, like the children he saw in the Gyerim Black Market and So-cheongmun. And his younger self. Like Choi Kang-hyuk.

At the very least, he must draw his sword willingly to protect the weak.

But, since there were too many strong people in the Evil Sect, it was much more important to focus on training a thousand times more than worrying about trivial concerns, just as Mu-jin said.

With that resolution in mind, Cheongsu Dojang gently hugged Mun-hyuk.

Feeling the touch of Cheongsu Dojang, Mun-hyuk asked.

“…Hyung? Why is your arm trembling?”

Today was Mu-jin’s arm exercise day.

* * *

The journey of Mu-jin and his party from Guangxi Province to Guangdong Province was quite smooth.

Although they were taking a slightly roundabout route, using paths frequented by slave traders, they were already nearing the point of crossing from Guangdong Province into Jiangxi Province in just six days.

This was because they limited their daily travel distance to consider the stamina of the children and Baek Ga-ryeong.

Initially, the northern inland part of Guangdong Province was very short, while the southern coastal part was very long, so crossing the northern inland part wasn’t a long journey.

As they passed through Xinfen County in the south of Jiangxi Province and headed north along a mountain path, they encountered unexpected people.

“Stop there!!”

At the sound of a very brazen voice, Mu-jin’s party looked around with puzzled expressions.

If the voice had come from government soldiers, they would have been more tense.

“…Why are these bandits so brazen?”

The ones who stopped them had the appearance of bandits no matter who looked at them.

However, while laughing inwardly, Mu-jin spoke with a merchant-like expression.

“Oh dear, our mountain brothers must be busy, so we’ll quickly finish the transaction and leave.”

Mu-jin rubbed his hands together and took out a pouch from his bosom.

Since they had to hide their identity and return to Nanchang, he intended to give some money to the bandits and leave.

In fact, they had encountered similar situations a few times while coming here.

The only difference was that most of the bribes had been given to government soldiers rather than bandits.

However, even though Mu-jin took out a pouch, the leader of the bandits shook his head with a grim expression.

“Thank you for your sincerity, but we can’t accept it yet!”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s an order from Chongpyo Paja! Recently, there are groups causing trouble in our Green Forest territory, imitating our methods. We need to check if you’re them before letting you go!”

At the words of the bandit leader, Mu-jin thought to himself while outwardly pretending to be nonchalant.

‘As expected, they have been tracking us.’

It wasn’t surprising, as he had expected them to be tracked at some point.

“Please, take your time to check.”

A few bandits passed by Mu-jin and approached the wagon, pulling back the curtains to look inside.

Inside the wagon, women and children were bound with handcuffs, shackles, and ropes, trembling with anxious faces.

It was a very natural scene.

It would be more strange if women and children captured as slaves were smiling or looking comfortable.

“Hmm. They seem to be traders working with the Amcheonhoe.”

Seeing the wagon, which looked unmistakably like that of slave traders, the bandit leader nodded.

“Ook?”

The sound came from the red monkey in Mu-yul’s arms.

While it was just a monkey making noise, the bandit leader tilted his head at the sound.

“A monkey?”

The sneaky-looking bandit next to him urgently shouted.

“Boss! They said the group causing trouble was seen with a red monkey that looked like a spiritual beast!”

For a very brief moment, a strange tension filled the air between the bandits and Mu-jin’s party.

“Attack!”

“Attack them!!”

Simultaneously, both Mu-jin and the bandit leader shouted and charged at each other.

Clang!

Thud!!

However, this bandit leader didn’t seem to be very high-ranked in the Green Forest, as he couldn’t withstand Mu-jin’s attacks for long and fell.

As Mu-jin glanced over the battlefield, he saw that the Muja Trio, Ling-ling, and Cheongsu Dojang were already beating up the bandits.

Among them, the one who stood out most to Mu-jin was Cheongsu Dojang.

‘Hmm. He seems to have improved lately and managed to shake off some of it.’

He wasn’t stubbornly sticking to an overly murderous straight sword technique, nor was he obsessively using the Taiji Sword Technique.

When protecting the children and women, he moved defensively with the Taiji Sword Technique, and when slashing the bandits, he wielded the swift killing sword.

Although he seemed to be suffering from Qi Deviation, he looked like he would make rapid progress soon after escaping it.

But the reason Cheongsu Dojang stood out the most was not simply because he overcame Qi Deviation.

‘Wow…’

Cheongsu Dojang, who had lost his smile for a while due to Qi Deviation, was now grinning as he alternated between using the killing sword and the Taiji Sword Technique.

‘It’s almost…’

It was almost like his old self, when he only knew the sword during their previous bouts.

Slash!

“Aagh!!”

With a smiling face, he was cutting off the limbs and necks of the bandits.

‘This is bad…’

It was the unmistakable appearance of a Sword Demon.