Five Fists of Calculated Humility
Mu Yun's gaze lingered steadily on the training ground. Dozens of martial artists in all manner of colorful attire.
'They're heading to the Murim Alliance.'
Young orthodox faction warriors from every region, the elite selected among them, embarking on the path with dreams of soaring to the heavens. This moment, brimming with infinite possibilities, must have swelled their pride and excitement more than ever. On the road ahead, any chance to champion justice or righteousness would see them rushing forward in droves. That was why most of the looks directed his way carried a tinge of regret. The bitterness of having prime prey for making a name snatched away.
Mu Yun swallowed the wry smile rising unbidden in his chest. This body was not the Mu Lun of a thousand years ago, who had gazed upon the world with serene detachment. Now, he was merely their plaything, a trifling amusement.
'Forgetting reality means death.'
There was no servility in the desperate struggles of the weak to survive. It was a word for those who could stand tall but chose not to. A thousand years ago, he had done this hundreds of times in this very place. That grit and endurance had unified the unorthodox factions fifteen years later. Now, he had to conceal his cold heart. He walked slowly toward one spot, letting fear show plainly in his steps and the corners of his eyes.
Someone couldn't hold back a snicker. "What's this? Too scared to come alone, so he brought his buddies."
Mu Yun had come with Ak Mu-gil and the others. It was necessary for the next plan.
"Give him that much leeway. Who knows if he'll piss himself otherwise."
"Even all together, he's quaking. Let it slide."
"Heh, fair enough."
As their playful gazes converged on one spot, Ha Hu Cheon-gi, the young lord of the Ha Hu family, turned to Dan Mok Cheol-jin. "Hey, Cheol-jin. Do you really have to step in? It'd be better if we handled it."
He knew full well Dan Mok Cheol-jin wouldn't back down. He was just trying to shift the debt with a few words.
"Think of it as my personal matter."
"Sigh. Fine. Just keep it quiet."
"Of course."
Mu Yun bowed politely to Dan Mok Cheol-jin. Now was the time to utter words that sounded utterly implausible.
"Thank you for going easy on me."
"Good that you know."
"How could I not? I am simply overcome with gratitude."
Dan Mok Cheol-jin had two goals. First, washing away yesterday's dishonor was simple. A few well-spun words could justify his overzealous actions. But.
'That won't be the end of it.'
Intent or not, the bastard had humiliated him in front of the woman he'd set his sights on. Jin Seo-yeon's expression when she thought he was dead and looked at him—that face. How could he forget it? She hadn't said a word, but her eyes had asked plainly.
—What the hell did you do?
The gaze he'd seen from her for the first time. That resentment had to be vented. He planned to subtly shatter the dantian without making it obvious. To do that, not with a sword, but a fist to crush the insides just right.
Now was the time to exude the air of a great man.
"This is a lesson to finish what we started yesterday. If you jump in without gauging your opponent, you won't last long."
"I will engrave your words on my bones."
"I've called you here to impart even a sliver of that insight."
"I am grateful, but I worry it might tarnish your reputation over someone like me."
"Just five forms with bare hands. That should teach you something."
"Understood."
As the exchange flowed as predictably as running water, someone voiced what everyone was thinking. Most knew Dan Mok Cheol-jin's temperament.
"The dantian, right?"
"Why else call him out? The trick is breaking it without anyone noticing."
"Heh, should be fun to watch. Cracking it just right without shattering isn't easy."
"Let's see."
Dan Mok Cheol-jin saw this as today's true contest. He'd even crafted his own justification.
'Better to die harshly than let trash like you live long.'
Still, there was one piece of luck for Mu Yun.
'That woman isn't here.'
Strictly speaking, she who had crossed swords with him held the authority over this spar, yet she was absent. As a Buddhist sect, such events must be uncomfortable for them. Now he just had to deal with the man before him.
'Five moves!'
First-class and peak were a single step apart. Yet among a hundred first-class, only one or two reached peak and manifested sword aura. The gap was heaven and earth. He had to be especially wary of one thing.
'The last move.'
Having declared five moves, ending it early would be shameful. But the prior four were likely setups to corner him— no room for carelessness.
Dan Mok Cheol-jin's mouth opened calmly as he faced his opponent. "Begin."
"Yes."
Dan Mok's fist flew in with light footwork.
Whoosh!
Mu Yun flinched visibly and hastily assumed a defensive stance. What he wanted most was the opponent's complacency.
A straightforward punch targeted his shoulder and torso.
Mu Yun's body slid back like silk. The most appropriate maneuver, both in appearance and reality.
The fist, now faster, twisted toward his side's vital acupoint.
Whoosh!
Mu Yun twisted his body briefly. Dodging completely would stoke fury. Using the rotation to blunt the shoulder strike was best.
Swoosh! Thud!
"Urk!"
The impact at his shoulder was no small thing; a groan escaped naturally. Internally, he counted.
'One!'
A storm-like momentum brought a kick flying in.
Whish!
This time, he closed the distance. Had to, to lessen the impact.
Thump!
"Guhk!"
Even so, the searing pain through his blocking arm forced him back.
Crack!
'Two!'
As the air-splitting sound rang in his ears again, his superhuman senses pinpointed the direction.
'Head!'
No time for thought—he ducked and twisted.
Swoosh!
As the lethal wind grazed his clothes, his senses rang another alarm in his mind. The waist this time.
Then.
'Chain attack!'
He vaguely glimpsed it heading for his side. The fist closed in abruptly.
Swoosh!
'Can't dodge.'
Defense alone wouldn't avoid serious injury. He had to twist and shove the foe with his shoulder.
To do that.
'No choice. Use the middle dantian energy.'
Sprinkling Sin-gi Sim-ui Gong energy throughout his body amplified his twist tenfold with superhuman speed.
Whish!
In that instant, Dan Mok Cheol-jin's eyes widened. On the fourth move, he should strike the side to lift the body and target the dantian. But this unforeseen speed. Even if he hit, it wouldn't be the dantian. And above all, what shook him with inexpressible rage.
'He deceived me!'
He'd seemed novice first-class, yet this was mid-level injury evasion. Even for five moves, daring to hide from the start was unforgivable.
Dan Mok Cheol-jin hastily surged his inner energy. He changed targets. Letting him go like this was greater shame. Fist aura first—he'd cripple the bastard.
Wooong!
Killing intent laced the fist aura enveloping his hand. It thrust like lightning at the chest. Now, irreversible internal injuries were the goal.
In that moment, Mu Yun's eyes flashed.
To think he'd unleashed fist aura as suspected—no way to emerge unscathed otherwise.
'Have to go all out.'
Deflect most with instantaneous speed. Mu Yun kicked off the ground, lunging forward. Close range minimized variables.
Splat!
A sinister smile curled Dan Mok Cheol-jin's lips.
'Madman! When he should be dodging.'
He poured out frost-like fist auras to sweep Mu Yun away.
Whoosh!
As the bluish aura blanketed him, a massive leap sent dirt flying upward.
Thud! Whish!
His straight charge suddenly bent like a willow branch.
Whish!
Speed followed by an utterly unexpected angle. Dan Mok Cheol-jin's eyes bulged.
'How!'
The onlookers' eyes widened in shock. Most at peak or above, they caught Mu Yun's movements. Just once, but end-of-first-class caliber.
"Oh! Moving like that."
"What? He was hiding something?"
"Heh, even a worm knows how to crawl."
Dan Mok Cheol-jin had no time for thought. He had to catch him. All his energy surged into a punch at the shoulder. At least shatter one arm.
Whoosh!
Mu Yun's form twisted direction violently again.
Flutter!
Dan Mok Cheol-jin's face twisted in astonishment.
'Damn it!'
He hadn't imagined such abrupt change. He hastily redirected, but instinct told him: flesh wound at best.
Swoosh!
A gust swept Mu Yun. The fist grazed his chest, aiming for the twisted shoulder.
Thump!
"Guhk!"
Mu Yun amplified the heavy impact with a loud cry. He couldn't forget rolling on the ground a few times before sprawling out. Nor biting his lip to draw blood.
Thud thud! Splats!
Silence fell briefly over the training ground. Five moves ended.
A sigh of relief escaped Mu Yun's lips.
'That was close.'
His first real fight in decades left him dazed still.
The watchers' gazes turned puzzled. Too different from yesterday.
"That's at least upper first-class."
"Yeah, surprised me too."
"Parakho had some hidden depths."
"Heh, that must sting for Cheol-jin."
"The Dan Mok young lord's face—priceless. Hahaha!"
"Indeed. Can't even handle one Parakho properly. Heh!"
Dan Mok Cheol-jin couldn't contain his boiling fury.
'Daring to mock me?'
Nothing else fit. Yesterday, mid-first-class at best; today, that agility. His eyebrows twitched like knife blades.
'Won't let it slide.'
At the same time, in the Ha Hu family annex.
Un-seon, leader of Bo-ta Mun, emerged from a meeting, her eyes widening slightly at the waiting figure.
"Seo-yeon, were you waiting for me?"
"Yes, I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
Jin Seo-yeon recounted yesterday's events in detail to her leader. Mu Yun had no choice but to intervene, and when she thought him dead, guilt had crashed over her. Because of her. She'd beheaded countless bandits near Bo-ta Hermitage without count, but they deserved death. This was new for her.
Relief at his survival, but Dan Mok Cheol-jin calling him back—he wasn't one for mere scolding. Unable to sit idle from worry.
"I don't think the Dan Mok young master will let it go."
Un-seon nodded. "Likely so. But we might be late. Seems it's already over."
The two hastened their steps.
Ha Hu family training ground.
A sly smile played on Ha Hu Cheon-gi's lips.
'Serves you right.'
Dan Mok Cheol-jin's disgrace pleased him for personal reasons. His half-brother Ha Hu-tae's maternal family was the Five Great Families' Seolmun, and whispers persisted three years after becoming young lord. His faction lagged too. Yet Dan Mok Cheol-jin, parading as Seven Great Families while siding with Ha Hu-tae and mocking him slyly—now this.
Before he stirred more trouble, time to wrap it up.
"You're a Cheong-ho Bang deputy leader, right?"
"Yes."
"Ho! That's no deputy level talent."
"Thank you for the kind words."
Ha Hu Cheon-gi's voice rose. "No, no. Facing the Seven Great Families' young lord's fist aura and holding that well—impressive."
Mu Yun's eyes deepened. Whatever came next was poison.
'Best to leave quickly.'
Then Un-seon and Jin Seo-yeon entered; Ha Hu Cheon-gi hurried over.
Thud thud!
"What brings the leader here?"
"Nothing much. Heard a commotion and stopped by."
"Ah! Is that so? Just a minor lesson—ended moments ago."
"I see."
Un-seon's steps turned toward Mu Yun. No major injuries visible, but to prevent future issues.
"So, did you learn much?"
Mu Yun stepped forward politely, clasped hands, and recited a familiar Buddhist invocation.
"Namu Amida Butsu, Aranabodhi Svaha!"
Un-seon's eyes widened. "Ho! Didn't know anyone still used that invocation these days."
A gentle smile touched her lips. That long unheard phrase made the man before her—Parakho or whatever—simply a Buddhist practitioner.
Discomfort flickered in Mu Yun's eyes.
'What do I say now?'
His memory held scant Buddhist knowledge now. A moment realizing a thousand years' passage.