I Became the Protagonist Who Monopolizes Fortuitous Encounters in a Martial Arts Novel 4 - Great Power Iron Hardening Skill (2)
“Does it hurt?”
Gabul asked me with a dubious look on his face.
“It doesn’t hurt at all.”
Only then did Gabul break into a grin.
“Forgetting the pain of a normal strike without any internal energy. That’s the mark of achieving the first stage of the Great Power Iron Hardening Skill.”
Finally! I had finally awakened this world’s strongest defensive technique—a protective divine art and external martial skill, the Great Power Iron Hardening Skill.
You might question how I learned something so profound in just a week, but no way. I’d been through hell for that entire week!
Plus, there was definitely the protagonist buff at play. Without those perks, the remake process wouldn’t go so smoothly.
“Congratulations, Cheon Myeong.”
“No, it’s all thanks to your guidance, Gabul.”
The process had been grueling and agonizing, but it was all because of his teachings. I was genuinely grateful.
“Good. Now that you know the training method, you can practice it on your own from here. And once you learn an internal energy heart method later, the process will get even easier and faster—keep that in mind.”
He also shared various tips to help me refine it further. Even though it was just the first stage, since I’d endured and mastered it properly, it was as good as verified.
“Oh, and could you congratulate me too?”
Once the Great Power Iron Hardening Skill was properly mastered, Gabul looked thrilled. Turns out he’d just been holding back in front of a newbie like me.
He’d clearly poured his life’s blood into perfecting this art.
“Congratulations. This technique is sure to become the strongest external martial art and protective divine skill in the martial world.”
It wasn’t lip service. That’s exactly what it would become.
With his lifelong martial experiment finally succeeding, he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips.
I get it now. He downplayed it like it was no big deal just in case it failed.
Realizing everything, I dropped to one knee and clasped my hands in a formal bow, as if paying respects to an emperor.
“W-what the hell are you doing?”
Gabul was the flustered one now at my overly reverent posture.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m certain this Great Power Iron Hardening Skill will shake the entire martial world. Since I’ve learned it so easily, I swear to repay your grace.”
Gabul pressed his palms together in response.
“Amitabha. I’ve verified it through you and gained confidence too, so we’ve helped each other. No need to argue who gave more.”
His benevolent smile as he clasped his hands made him look just like Buddha himself. For the first time, I saw the true Buddhist side of the famously eccentric Gabul.
“The Buddha said we all carry the seed to become Buddhas within us. Keep refining yourself, and you’ll rise from a lowly servant to a martial master who commands the world. Next time we meet, I hope it’s as a warrior, not a servant.”
He patted my shoulder.
According to the story, Gabul, the temporary advisor, would return to Shaolin once the academy’s winter break began. I wouldn’t see him for a while.
“Then, I wish you good fortune.”
Cheonmu Academy was abuzz with the winter closure ceremony.
As the lowest servant, I was swamped with preparations and odd jobs.
There’s Gabul in the distance.
Having completed his duties as temporary advisor, Gabul was waving goodbye amid the students’ cheers and the instructors’ farewells.
Our eyes met from afar.
He grinned at me.
I knew that smile better than anyone. I grinned back in kind.
It was our private farewell gesture.
Our bond was brief, but sharing this martial art made it profound.
“Well, well? Grinning like an idiot?”
Of all people, Jang Sam caught me smiling.
“Yeah. Smile while you can.”
“Once the ceremony’s over, you’ll see hell.”
Normally, he’d have smacked the back of my head right then, but not today. Too many eyes watching, and he could beat me senseless after the closure anyway.
Burly servants started gathering behind Jang Sam, gearing up for their so-called welcome party.
Hell? I’ve already seen plenty of that.
Training the Great Power Iron Hardening Skill had brought pain like nothing else—hellish, infernal agony.
Maybe that’s why I no longer feared Jang Sam or his bulky goons.
I’d endured even Gabul’s strikes without internal energy and felt no pain.
If anything, they should fear me.
Just as they prepared, so did I—for battle, and to avoid the early plot twist where the protagonist’s leg gets crippled.
“The academy is now closed.”
With the headmaster’s declaration, Cheonmu Academy shut down for winter. Students from clans and sects across the Central Plains dispersed.
Some stayed, and instructors guarded the grounds, but they ignored servant drama.
“Time for Cheon Myeong’s welcome party, right?”
With crowds still around, Jang Sam flashed a friendly smile as he led me away. His lackeys blocked my rear to prevent screams or escape.
“Oh, thanks.”
I wasn’t running or yelling—I even seemed glad. What an honor to get this personal escort.
“Look at this cocky bastard.”
“Grinning with that pretty-boy face?”
Oh, right. That’s why they hated the protagonist. I—Cheon Myeong—was too handsome compared to them, drawing attention from the servant girls. Plus, original Cheon Myeong was polite and couldn’t talk back, making him perfect bullying material.
“Today’s the last day for that pretty face.”
“We’ll man you up good.”
More fox than tiger, Jang Sam’s crew growled behind him.
“Not just the face—let’s cripple a leg too.”
Jang Sam nodded eagerly, loving the idea.
I knew from the original story this wasn’t a joke—they meant it. Hearing it in person pissed me off more than reading it.
“Right here.”
They dragged me to a remote clearing used for student training. Now deserted with closure in effect.
“Shall we start?”
As boss, Jang Sam leaned against the wall, savoring the fun, and nodded to his goons.
“Give him a nice, gentle beating first?”
“Beat him!”
“Kill him!”
At his signal, five or six charged me.
“Hoo.”
I didn’t flinch even as fists and feet loomed. Not because I was superior, but because Gabul’s beatings had forged me.
He’d drilled me while toughening my body: “Fear no fist or weapon! True external masters take swords and blades barehanded—cast out fear!”
His Spartan brutality worked wonders. These untrained servants’ attacks were pathetic, even slow-motion.
Great Power Iron Hardening Skill!
Just before they hit, I unleashed it.
The Great Power Iron Hardening Skill has two effects: unbreakable defense that nullifies pain, and hardening the body like steel.
What happens when you punch steel barehanded?
“Urk!”
“Aaaagh!”
Sure enough, the servants clutched fists and legs, rolling on the ground.
It felt like punching a wall—some sprained wrists, tears welling up.
It’s only first stage, still weak.
Entry-level mastery, so expecting more would be greedy. But even this blocked their feeble attacks perfectly and reflected the impact.
If they’d infused any internal energy, I’d have crumbled.
“W-what the hell? You kidding?”
As his goons reeled back, Jang Sam panicked, jaw slack in disbelief.
“You said you’d crush my leg.”
I savored his stunned face and approached slowly.
“I don’t know what trick you pulled, but it won’t work on me!”
He rushed in swinging.
Thud, smack!
Not bad for a total amateur. He’d clearly beaten plenty of people to lead the servants.
But still just amateur.
“Aaaagh!”
Nothing special against someone like me. Jang Sam clutched his wrist on the spot.
“Jang Sam, you said you’d fix me up proper.”
Disappointed, I walked toward him calmly, urging more.
“D-don’t come closer!”
Sensing something ominous instinctively, he backed up, then...
“Damn it!”
He lashed out with a kick at my ankle. Sly choice—maybe thought ankles were vulnerable despite his size.
He figured it was a successful sneak attack. Wrong.
Crack!
Aimed for my ankle, but too slow. I lifted my leg slightly, and his kick smashed my iron-hard shin instead.
“Argh! Aaaaagh!”
Ironically, Jang Sam—the first attacker—howled clutching his ankle.
Karma, right?
His ankle snapped, not mine. Staring at it twisted like the letter “k,” he screamed in shock.
“What? Welcome party over already?”
Too anticlimactic. I approached, but he crawled away in terror.
His limp was clear—fate’s leg injury had switched to him.
Destiny rewritten. What sweeter revenge?
“You idiots. I haven’t even hit back yet.”
I’d hoped to test offensive applications of the Great Power Iron Hardening Skill, but they were too weak.
Now even lowly servants couldn’t meet my eyes.
“Get to a doctor quick, or you might limp forever.”
I had no more interest in their antics. Monopolizing fortunes and bonds ahead left no time for this.
From this point, the remake of Seven Falls, Eight Rises: The Invincible Fist King proceeded smoothly.