Chapter 221

Chapter 221

Though other sects’ martial arts aren’t lacking in depth either, the depth of Shaolin martial arts, called Cheonnyeonsorim, is on a different dimension from other martial arts.

Starting from Baltaseonsa, the Patriarch, the Shaolin martial arts that bloomed in the generation of Dalmadaesa, the Second Grand Abbot, are vast in variety and unfathomably deep. How deep must those martial arts be for people to openly say, “The best under heaven can emerge from anywhere, but the best sect under heaven cannot exist outside of Shaolin”?

Musangdaeneungryeok. Baekbosingwon. Tanjisintong. Daeryeokgeumgangjang.

Truly countless divine arts exist at Shaolin Temple. Weapon techniques, mind methods, fist and foot techniques—Shaolin’s martial arts lack nothing. 

If you ask what martial art can best represent Shaolin Temple among them, most would answer like this.

It’s Yeokgeungyeong and Sesugyeong.

Those are truly the Gaese martial arts that can turn heaven upside down.

“Hmm……!”

At the scene before his eyes that maintained quiet stillness even against the giant’s strike that could shatter even Mount Taesan, Songbyeokjinin let out a groan. Unlike just moments ago when he had to support and block with both hands, Bulgwae was blocking the giant’s hammer with just one finger raised.

“What on earth has happened?”

“It’s Yeokgeungyeong.”

“Yeokgeun……gyeong?”

Baek Risan, who had been thinking for a moment, frowned. Because Songbyeokjinin’s words didn’t make sense to him.

“Wait, isn’t Yeokgeungyeong… a martial art for training the body?”

Yeokgeungyeong.

This martial art, whose name means changing muscles, is known as a type of health method created by Dalma.

Of course, since it’s a Gaese-level martial art, it wouldn’t be just a simple health method. It must be a Gaese-level martial art that literally transforms the body into one optimized for martial arts.

“How does that have anything to do with Yeokgeungyeong…….”

However, that’s ultimately a type of martial art for training the body. Isn’t it not the kind of martial art that can be ‘used’ like this?

At Baek Risan’s valid question, Songbyeokjinin let out a hollow laugh. And the following answer.

“That’s where many people are mistaken. Yeokgeungyeong is by no means a martial art that changes constitution.”

“……What? Then.”

“It changes muscles and transforms the body. Literally Yeokgeun. Can you see Bulgwae’s body?”

A body that, while having quite a bit of muscle attached, is skinny and gaunt.

“Do you think that’s truly an ideal body optimized for learning martial arts?”

“That’s…….”

No matter how favorably you look at it, that’s not it.

“That’s how it is.”

Songbyeokjinin, who nodded at Baek Risan’s honest assessment, stared directly at Bulgwae fighting the giant.

“The early part of Yeokgeungyeong is about changing the body to be suitable for Naegagong. Then what does the latter part of Yeokgeungyeong aim for?”

“When I was young, I couldn’t overcome my curiosity and in youthful rashness asked the Shaolin Abbot about it. And the Abbot answered like this.”

“What did he answer?”

“He said Yeokgeungyeong is a martial art that goes beyond ‘self’ to make ‘the world’ one’s body.”

Inner power dissipates quickly when released outside the body.

Therefore, people transform its form to maintain inner power outside the body. They refine it sharply in the form of Geomgi, or make it solid with Ganggi to maintain cohesion.

“But that’s ultimately not a free form. It’s like a hidden weapon with strings attached, made to somehow control what has left one’s body. Even for absolute masters, controlling inner power already released from one’s hands is no easy task.”

“Yes.”

“However, those who have learned Yeokgeungyeong are different. They… create ‘paths’ in the world.”

They contemplate inside their bodies and meticulously grasp the structure of their Hyeoldo. And they manifest those Hyeoldo externally as well.

Then the limits of inner power disappear. No matter how much inner power is poured in, it becomes an inexhaustible spring, and one becomes a body that can easily accomplish any delicate work.

“Singeomhabil is a realm of using a sword like another body. We call it that realm where one can deliver and receive inner power even to objects without life, like one’s own body.”

“If even just a part can achieve union with the world as an individual human, what should that realm be called?”

Truly a Gaese-level martial art.

Baek Risan, who realized the seriousness of the situation, gripped his sword tightly and stared directly at Bulgwae. Since beginning to use Yeokgeungyeong, Bulgwae’s appearance seemed to strangely exude an atmosphere transcending the mundane world.

“Shouldn’t we attack now?”

“Hmm.”

“If Yeokgeungyeong is such a tremendous martial art, it’s a martial art that can gain the upper hand even against that giant. Before the giant falls, we should intervene and somehow seize victory…….”

“Of course, I too desperately want to do that.”

Songbyeokjinin, who let out a groan while watching Bulgwae unilaterally pressing the giant, broke into a cold sweat and put strength into the hand gripping his sword before answering.

“Even though his back is turned, I see no opening…… If we attack wrongly, we’ll be the ones who become mortally wounded instead.”

“You’re saying he’s keeping strength in reserve?”

“That must be it. Though I don’t know how long he can maintain that state.”

Bulgwae in that state is literally Ilgidangcheon. You could call it Maninjicheok. Isn’t it Bulgwae’s martial arts that always rank high even among Sipcheon, said to be the strongest in all Murim?

“If there’s no way to counter Yeokgeungyeong, attacking would be no different from suicide.”

At Songbyeokjinin’s assertion, Baek Risan bit his lips and stared directly at the scene unfolding before him. Bulgwae pressing the giant with light footsteps as if taking a stroll.

Tang—!!!

With one gentle hand gesture, the iron hammer shoots up, and with one step like a gentle breeze, the giant’s body is pushed far back.

If the giant seems like an embodiment of the world’s violence, then Bulgwae’s appearance is like irresistible nature. Any movement becomes meaningless before him, and any attack just returns to nothing as if nothing happened.

Literally, unless it’s an attack strong enough to tear through typhoons and shatter mountain ranges, it wouldn’t have any effect whatsoever on that stance.

‘What method…….’

There’s no invincible martial art. If Yeokgeungyeong were truly an invincible martial art, the best under heaven of each generation would always have come from Shaolin. But that’s not the case.

A counter method definitely exists. But that counter method isn’t immediately visible. How should that martial art be countered?

‘I have no choice but to… try something.’

Baek Risan, who had been deeply pondering, gripped his sword handle strongly and stepped forward. And the following declaration.

“Jinin. I’ll create an opening.”

“……Are you in your right mind? You could die in one strike if you go there!”

“No. Bulgwae doesn’t kill those who aren’t evil. He’s done so until now, and will continue to do so.”

Bulgwae is a madman but someone with conviction.

If one isn’t evil, even if he breaks limbs, he doesn’t kill. In the first place, not one person who attacked Bulgwae here has died. That means Bulgwae still maintains his convictions.

“It sounds like gilding my own face to say this, but I’ve never committed any bad deeds, you know?”

“So Bulgwae will also show mercy. Anyway, I’m a warrior of the orthodox path, not strong enough for Bulgwae to worry about, and I’ve never committed evil deeds.”

Baek Risan’s strength isn’t anything else. It’s instant explosive power.

That instant explosive power is something even Baek Riyun can’t disregard about Baek Risan. Of course, if the opponent is a warrior of high realm, they would cut off Baek Risan’s flow before that explosive power manifests, but the opponent is currently preoccupied with the giant.

“I can at least create an opening. Jinin-nim, please aim for that moment…….”

Aim for that moment and eliminate Bulgwae.

“No.”

Baek Risan, who was about to say that, turned his gaze at the suddenly heard voice.

“You can’t. If you do that, you’ll die by Bulgwae’s hand.”

“……This voice.”

A voice that seemed unfamiliar yet somehow strangely familiar.

Baek Risan, who had been thinking for a moment about where he’d heard this voice, realized something and hastily turned his head. And at that moment, a white-robed man appearing as if melting out of thin air.

“You…… you……!”

“Saying ‘you’ to your older brother, while being gentle with Un-i but cold to this older brother. How sad. San-a.”

Baek Riseon, who dabbed at tears that weren’t even flowing with his sleeve in a deliberately exaggerated expression, smiled brightly.

“I’m pleased to meet you. It’s an honor to meet the renowned Songbyeokjinin.”

“Who are you?”

“In my heart, I’d like to say I’m just a wandering scholar who goes with the flow…….”

Baek Riseon, who looked around and wore a bitter smile, spread his Seobseon.

“Introducing myself like that in this situation would mean nothing but asking to fight. I am Baek Riseon, the eldest son of Baek Ri Sega.”

“The eldest son of Baek Ri Sega…… Hmm.”

Songbyeokjinin, who had been furrowing his brow as if recalling old memories after hearing Baek Riseon’s words, remembered something and clapped his hands. The following words.

“Are you… not Sindong Baek Riseon?”

“I was called that once. Though later I was more often called Akdong.”

“Rumors were rife that you had the qualities to achieve greatness if you learned martial arts, but when I heard you abandoned learning martial arts, I thought it strange. It seems you learned Sulbeop instead of martial arts.”

“I didn’t completely learn Sulbeop but… it’s a similar path. This side appealed to me more than martial arts.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Baek Riseon, who briefly exchanged pleasantries with Songbyeokjinin, covered his mouth with his fan. And Baek Risan, who had been watching that appearance and now gripped his sword with a blank expression.

“……So, why can’t I do it?”

“Didn’t I tell you? If you attack Bulgwae, Bulgwae will surely kill you.”

“Why would Bulgwae kill me? I haven’t done anything bad…….”

“You think Bulgwae only kills evil people.”

“That’s what he’s done until now.”

“There’s no guarantee he’ll continue to do so. Bulgwae’s conviction isn’t to destroy evil, but to save the mundane world.”

Saving the world by destroying evil.

That’s Bulgwae’s conviction. That if he can save the world even by breaking Bulsalgye, he should gladly do so.

“Destroying evil is a means for Bulgwae, not the goal. In the end, Bulgwae can do anything to save the world.”

“……What does that have to do with me?”

What nonsense is this?

When Baek Risan, who wore a deep frown at Baek Riseon continuously speaking cryptically, asked, Baek Riseon gave a bitter smile. The following answer.

“Bulgwae probably thinks right now that killing you would help the world.”

“What? Why would that be?”

“If I explain in detail it becomes complicated but… just know he roughly thinks that way. Even if it’s not the truth, Bulgwae himself believes it. Right now he hasn’t identified you, but if you charge at Bulgwae with full strength, he’ll surely notice.”

“What do you…….”

“Therefore, you can’t draw out an opening from Bulgwae. There’s no need to either.”

“Hmm.”

Songbyeokjinin, who had been listening to and mulling over Baek Riseon’s words, had doubts about a strange story. Though he understood it shouldn’t be done, strange talk was mixed in.

“There’s no need to?”

“Yes. There’s no need.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying he’ll show an opening even without deliberately creating one?”

“Similar, but different. Anyway, the reason it’s hard to face Bulgwae now is because of that Yeokgeungyeong, isn’t it?”

“Of course.”

Before bringing out Yeokgeungyeong, Bulgwae was strong, of course, but not at an unapproachable level. 

Now with Yeokgeungyeong activated, Bulgwae is stronger than anyone else here. To the extent he can pay attention to this side while dealing with the giant.

“Then it’s simple. Just make it so he can’t use Yeokgeungyeong.”

“……How?”

“It’s complicated to explain, but Yeokgeungyeong is ultimately a martial art of spreading oneself in the world to cover the world. A martial art of imitating the world to spread oneself.”

If Yeokgeungyeong is like that, the answer is simple.

Saying that, Baek Riseon, who briefly closed his mouth, closed his eyes then smiled brightly. The following words.

“I forbid it.”

“……?”

“It’s done.”

At Baek Riseon’s simple words, Songbyeokjinin, who involuntarily looked at Bulgwae, opened his eyes wide in shock.

What should have been there had vanished without a trace. None other than.

The golden Seogi that had been softly illuminating Bulgwae’s surroundings until just now.