Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 263:

The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

“Martial Alliance’s traitor? What do you mean by that?”

Jegal Jin-hee asked, and Jegal Muhwan responded.

“Do you think they’ll stay quiet after Shaolin Dragon ruined their plans?”

“But how can they suddenly label Master Mu-jin as a traitor?”

“If you consider today’s battle, they have more than enough justification.”

“...Are you referring to Master Mu-jin halting the pursuit?”

“Not only that. Shaolin Dragon also released the enemy’s leader after capturing him.”

Jegal Jin-hee and Mu-gung, who were deeply engrossed in the battle, didn’t understand, but Mu-jin did.

It seemed they were talking about releasing Cheong Nae-wang after holding him by the neck.

“So, you’re saying they will label me as a traitor to the Martial Alliance because I allied with the Demonic Sect?”

“Exactly.”

“That’s absurd! Master Mu-jin was the first to warn us about their ambush before the battle even began!”

Jegal Jin-hee defended Mu-jin.

Jegal Muhwan responded with a look that questioned why she was asking something so obvious.

“People believe what they want to believe. For those who dislike Shaolin Dragon and Shaolin, these two reasons alone are enough to brand Master Mu-jin as a traitor. Moreover, Dok-go Pae has already taken action.”

“???”

“Just as you all have gathered here, those who despise Shaolin are also holding a meeting right now. Dok-go Pae has gone to them. I could come here because his absence weakened their surveillance.”

“Ah! So, the time shortage you mentioned earlier was because of that?”

“Hahaha. Exactly, Jegal So-ga-ju.”

Dok-go Pae was slandering Mu-jin to the Anti-Shaolin Alliance. The outcome was clear without needing to see it.

At this point, as Jegal Muhwan said, it was only a matter of time before Mu-jin was branded a traitor to the Martial Alliance.

“So, let me ask you. Shaolin Dragon, what did you discuss with Cheong Nae-wang that made him retreat so easily?”

“Is that important now?”

Mu-jin couldn’t understand why he was suddenly asking about it, but Jegal Muhwan, who always wore a fabricated smile, answered with a serious expression.

“It’s the most important issue. Depending on what you discussed, we might have to change our plans.”

Mu-jin hesitated for a moment.

The conversation with Cheong Nae-wang was ultimately related to the leadership of the Demonic Sect and Ou-yang Pae.

Thinking about it, it was the perfect conversation to be labeled a traitor to the Martial Alliance.

Seeing Mu-jin’s hesitation, Jegal Muhwan pressed further.

“If it’s difficult to go into details, at least tell us this: Did Cheong Nae-wang and the Demonic Sect members return to the Demonic Sect, or did they go somewhere else?”

“...They went to the Southern Barbarians.”

Mu-jin answered, wondering how he knew this. Jegal Muhwan smiled.

“Hahaha. I suspected it, but it turns out to be true. Then we can avoid the worst.”

“????”

Everyone else looked confused, but Jegal Muhwan spoke as if it was nothing.

“Thanks to that, the aftermath will be a bit easier to handle. Now, let’s move quickly. The sooner we leave this place, the safer we can return to Shaolin.”

“Even if they brand me a traitor, do we really need to run away? We have justifications on our side too. If we flee, it will only validate their claims.”

Jegal Jin-hee asked, to which Jegal Muhwan responded with a chuckle.

“You’re mistaken. Justifications are just that—justifications. Their goal is to kill Shaolin Dragon.”

“!?”

“Think about it. If Shaolin Dragon dies amidst the conflict of justifications, what do you think will happen?”

“!!!”

Everyone could easily imagine the aftermath.

If that happened, an all-out war within the orthodox sects would begin. It wouldn’t just be a matter of conflict or skirmishes anymore; it would be literal war.

While the three of them realized how serious the situation had become and fell silent, Jegal Muhwan, with a playful smile, said,

“Well, regardless of whether Shaolin Dragon lives or dies, the internal strife within the orthodox sects is inevitable. The hatred and resentment among the sects have been festering for years. Using Shaolin Dragon’s supposed collusion with the Demonic Sect as a pretext, they’ll unleash their pent-up grudges. The difference is, if Shaolin Dragon returns to Shaolin alive, the conflict will start a bit later. If Shaolin Dragon dies, it will start immediately.”

“...”

After hearing Jegal Muhwan’s explanation, Mu-jin sighed and spoke.

“In that case, it would be better if it starts with me alive.”

Jegal Muhwan, who was next to him, smiled behind his fan at Mu-jin’s judgment.

‘As expected, this commander is quite adept at adapting to situations.’

He had felt this way since the confrontation with Dok-go Pae and Il-hwi Dojang.

Although he had advised them to escape, they had failed to leave unnoticed.

If the opponent had taken the initiative, the atmosphere would have shifted in their favor. However, Mu-jin quickly took the lead, steering the situation to his advantage.

Furthermore, it was safer to move with a minimal number of people now that they had been discovered.

And lastly,

– They are targeting me. So, Jegal Jin-hee Shiju-nim, please ensure the safety of those remaining here. Once you return to your respective sects, spread the word. Spread the rumor that the Martial Alliance is colluding with the Demonic Sect.

Although Jegal Muhwan did not hear the message Mu-jin sent to Jegal Jin-hee, he understood the intention and smiled.

He was quite pleased with this commander.

Well, except for the fact that Mu-jin was much younger and didn’t particularly like him.

Just as Mu-jin and the Shaolin disciples exchanged brief glances with the allied disciples and were about to leave,

A man stood in their way.

“Did you think I’d just let you leave!!”

It was Il-hwi Dojang of the Jeomchang Sect.

As if unleashing his pent-up anger, Il-hwi Dojang charged at Mu-jin without hesitation.

The Splendid Light Eighteen Hands technique, which had slaughtered over ten Demonic Sect members today, was unleashed from his hands.

But he did not know.

Mu-jin, too, had been suppressing his anger all this time.

Clang!!

Il-hwi Dojang’s sword, aimed at cutting Mu-jin, shattered like glass.

Boom!!

Mu-jin’s fist, brimming with remaining energy, struck Il-hwi Dojang’s abdomen.

Unable to withstand the force, Il-hwi Dojang’s body was flung in the opposite direction with the same speed he had charged at Mu-jin.

“Cough...”

“Il-hwi Saje!!”

“Il-hwi Sasook!”

As the Jeomchang Sect disciples rushed to the bleeding Il-hwi, Mu-jin spoke.

“I didn’t kill him, so if you start treating him now, he should survive.”

Mu-jin felt a bit relieved after dealing with Il-hwi Dojang, who had constantly been picking fights.

“Do you really think you’ll get away with this!!”

One of the Jeomchang Sect disciples shouted in frustration, and Mu-jin responded.

“If you want to settle this fairly, come to Shaolin. I won’t hide or run away.”

With that, Mu-jin confidently left the village with the Shaolin disciples.

* * *

A few days later.

In the depths of the Martial Alliance in Woe-hyeon, Shaanxi Province.

Several key figures of the Martial Alliance, including Martial Alliance Leader Wi Ji-hak, were gathered there.

“Hahaha. That brat really played us well.”

They had gathered after reading the letter sent by Dok-go Pae.

“To think he pretended to be affected by the Yin-Yang Gu after overcoming it.”

One of the men, watching Wi Ji-hak’s reaction, cautiously asked.

“So, what do you plan to do now, Daeju-nim?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Wi Ji-hak replied with a smile on his face.

But it was a completely different smile from the kind one Mu-jin had seen before.

“Declare Mu-jin a traitor to the Martial Alliance and deploy the Celestial Net to eliminate him.”

With a cold, ruthless smile, he added,

“Also, I will personally join this Celestial Net operation.”