Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Blood Successor

It had been five days since Mu-jin and his party were confined to the Cave of Repentance.

While Mu-jin spent his time exercising with his companions or sitting and pondering the homework given by Hyun-gwang, Mu-gyeong was practicing the Blood Rain Demon Technique.

‘Indeed. His speed is absurd.’

The Blood Demon observed the young monk who was absorbing his martial arts at an astonishing rate.

In just five days, that child had already completely understood the first half of the Blood Rain Demon Technique.

He had even become proficient enough to instantly create about twenty drops of blood rain.

Of course, during his prime, the Blood Demon could create hundreds of blood drops simultaneously, literally causing a downpour of blood rain.

Considering the fact that it had only been five days, his growth rate was truly extraordinary.

“It’s time for you to learn the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique along with the Blood Rain Demon Technique.”

“Must I really learn that technique?”

Mu-gyeong asked, not hiding his reluctance.

The method of absorbing an opponent’s blood to increase internal energy seemed to have many potential side effects.

But the Blood Demon replied firmly to Mu-gyeong’s question.

“From the start, the Blood Rain Demon Technique is completed through the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique. The Blood Rain Demon Technique, which creates countless drops of blood rain, requires enormous internal energy. The Celestial Blood Absorption Technique is essential for rapidly increasing internal energy.”

“However…”

“Additionally, the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique can be used during combat. You injure your opponent with the Blood Rain Demon Technique and recover internal energy through their blood. What could be a more perfect combination?”

Moreover, if one mastered both the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique and the Blood Rain Demon Technique, they could absorb an opponent’s blood even through the blood rain.

The blood rain would wound the opponent’s body, and the blood rain within them would absorb their blood and convert it into internal energy.

When that time came, it would mean having virtually unlimited internal energy.

When the Blood Demon emphasized the necessity of learning the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique, Mu-gyeong pondered for a moment before responding.

“It’s late today, so I will return and consider it. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.”

“Very well, do as you wish.”

The Blood Demon lightly clicked his tongue as he thought.

The child, who could easily grasp such a complicated technique like the Blood Rain Demon Technique, was still so indecisive.

* * *

Mu-jin and his party headed back to the entrance of the Cave of Repentance.

The place where the Blood Demon was confined was the deepest part of the cave, while the place originally assigned to Mu-jin’s party was near the entrance.

Every morning, a disciple from the Jurisdiction Department would visit to deliver food, so they would return to the entrance at night to sleep.

After collecting the food delivered by the Jurisdiction Department disciple, they would head back to the Blood Demon’s prison.

As soon as they reached the entrance of the Cave of Repentance.

Mu-jin, who continued to exercise even near the Blood Demon’s prison, didn’t stop exercising upon returning.

Mu-gyeong approached the exercise addict and started talking.

“Mu-jin.”

Only after completing his twelfth high-weight squat and putting down Mu-gung did Mu-jin catch his breath and respond.

“What?”

“You seem to be focusing only on external training today?”

While it was nothing new for Mu-jin to be doing strength training, there was a reason for Mu-gyeong pointing this out.

For the first few days after being confined to the Cave of Repentance, Mu-jin had alternated between exercising and meditating, as if he was contemplating something.

But today, for some reason, he had been repeating only exercises and rest all day without any meditation.

Mu-jin shrugged lightly and answered Mu-gyeong’s question.

“I realized I’m not like Grandpa Hyun-gwang or you.”

It was the conclusion he had reached after contemplating Hyun-gwang’s assignment for the past five days.

No matter how many times he reviewed the duel between Hyun-gwang and Namgung Muguk, he couldn’t suddenly achieve a miraculous realization and become a master.

That didn’t mean he had given up. It was just that.

“Unlike you, I find it easier to deal with things physically.”

He had found his own answer. Whether it was the answer Hyun-gwang wanted was unknown.

Mu-jin, who had answered Mu-gyeong’s question, then asked Mu-gyeong in return.

“You seem to be troubled by something?”

Mu-gyeong told Mu-jin about what had happened today.

“It seems like he won’t teach me the next techniques unless I learn the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique.”

“Hmm.”

Mu-jin pondered for a moment.

“Indeed. The Blood Rain Demon Technique aside, the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique does seem quite dangerous.”

The method of absorbing an opponent’s blood to increase internal energy felt like a technique with many risks.

It seemed like Mu-gyeong could truly become a “Blood Successor” like in the novels if he learned it incorrectly.

“Then why not just learn the mnemonics for now? As long as you don’t use it, it shouldn’t matter even if you know the mnemonics, right?”

“What if the Blood Demon insists on me trying it?”

“There’s no one here to use it on, right? The Blood Demon isn’t going to wound himself to feed you.”

“…What if he tells me to drink your blood?”

Mu-jin immediately extended his arm.

“Want to take a bite?”

Mu-gyeong briefly considered biting into Mu-jin’s menacingly bulging biceps, but he could already see his teeth breaking against it.

Not to mention the muscle, Mu-jin’s skin had reached a level of imperviousness.

“Tell him that you can’t drink our blood. And if he tells you to kill the prisoners here and drink their blood, tell him that would get you exposed in Shaolin. If he still insists on trying the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique, just stop there. Anyway, you’ve already learned up to the seventh form of the first half, right?”

After contemplating Mu-jin’s advice for a moment, Mu-gyeong eventually nodded.

* * *

The next day.

Mu-gyeong went to the Blood Demon and began learning the mnemonics of the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique.

The mnemonics were quite lengthy and complex, but it didn’t take Mu-gyeong long to memorize and understand them all.

After understanding all the mnemonics, Mu-gyeong was convinced.

‘This is a nefarious technique that can only lead to madness if used frequently.’

Having identified the trap within the secret manual of the Moonlight Dancing Technique and having consistently checked for issues while learning the Blood Rain Demon Technique, he quickly found the problem.

The theory in the mnemonics seemed fairly clean.

The common issue with most absorption techniques was the risk of internal injury and Qi deviation due to absorbing various different energies, which was mitigated by using “blood” as a medium.

However, this was only safe if absorbed ‘slowly and steadily.’

The Blood Demon had clearly mentioned that it could be used to absorb an opponent’s blood during combat to quickly recover internal energy.

Mu-gyeong believed that was where the trap lay.

While it was relatively safe to absorb slowly, getting accustomed to blood absorption itself was dangerous.

Habits are terrifying. If things turned unfavorable, one might unconsciously resort to such sinister methods.

While Mu-gyeong resolved never to use the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique, the Blood Demon spoke to him.

“Now that you’ve completely mastered the mnemonics, you should practice it.”

“…I will practice it after leaving the Cave of Repentance. We cannot practice here anyway, can we?”

The Blood Demon frowned at Mu-gyeong’s response.

“Why not practice it on those guys?”

The Blood Demon pointed at Mu-jin’s party, who were exercising nearby, but Mu-gyeong shook his head.

“I would lose.”

“You mean to say you can’t win?”

The Blood Demon found it hard to believe that a child with such incredible talent and aptitude couldn’t win.

“Mu-jin over there is the current number one prodigy known as the ‘Shaolin Dragon.’ He even won the Yongbongji Conference a few months ago.”

“Him?”

The fool who couldn’t even memorize the first mnemonic of the Blood Rain Demon Technique? Had the orthodox sects declined so much?

The Blood Demon’s question was filled with disbelief.

“While Mu-jin’s understanding of Qi is a bit lacking, he is mastering absurd external martial arts.”

“That bizarre training is related to that external martial art?”

Looking at Mu-jin, who was lifting and lowering Mu-yul and Mu-gung as part of his muscle training, the Blood Demon asked.

Embarrassed by his disciple’s (who didn’t even treat him as a senior) display, Mu-gyeong scratched his head and answered.

“…For now, yes.”

“Haha. It must be frustrating, losing to someone inferior to you. But don’t worry. Once you master the seventh star of the Blood Rain Demon Technique and the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique, that child will be no match for you.”

Mu-gyeong had never felt frustrated about being weaker than Mu-jin, so he simply shrugged.

Instead, he decided to ask the question he had always been curious about.

“Don’t you feel any reluctance in teaching me?”

Honestly, Mu-gyeong had been doubtful if the Blood Demon would really teach him properly.

So every time the Blood Demon taught him a new technique, he would crazily review and analyze

the mnemonics.

In case there were hidden traps.

But to his surprise, there were no traps in the Blood Rain Demon Technique. The only trap was in the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique.

‘Even that was due to the nature of the technique, not because he intended to deceive me.’

It felt like the technique was inherently flawed rather than something the Blood Demon had tampered with.

The Blood Demon smiled a sly smile at Mu-gyeong’s question.

“That child’s words should answer your question.”

The child the Blood Demon pointed at was Mu-jin.

“Isn’t it enough that I can pass on my perfected martial arts? Why are you thinking about such useless things?”

“Don’t you resent the main sect for imprisoning you here?”

“Hmph. The world is naturally a survival of the fittest, and in the martial world, strength is law. If I resent anything, it’s my youthful overconfidence that led me to directly challenge Shaolin. I should have been more cautious and killed those bald-headed monks after mastering my techniques. Tsk.”

Mu-gyeong felt chills at the sight of the Blood Demon openly saying he should have killed all the Shaolin monks.

But strangely, along with the chills, a certain curiosity arose.

“You’re fine with passing on your precious martial arts to a Shaolin disciple you wish to kill?”

“On the contrary, isn’t it enough that I am passing them on to a Shaolin disciple?”

“…Do you expect me to wreak havoc on Shaolin with the Blood Rain Demon Technique?”

“I already know you don’t intend to avenge your sect.”

It meant that Mu-jin’s lie hadn’t fooled the Blood Demon. So why was this old man teaching his martial arts to the disciple of his enemies?

Before Mu-gyeong could ask, the Blood Demon read the question on his face.

“You still don’t understand.”

“Yes.”

“Foolish child. A Shaolin disciple chose my martial arts over Shaolin’s. The more you make a name for yourself with my martial arts, the more it proves that my techniques are superior to Shaolin’s.”

From the look on the Blood Demon’s face, Mu-gyeong felt a sense of déjà vu.

‘…It’s similar to Namgung Sword Emperor’s expression.’

Even at eighty years old, dreaming of becoming the greatest in the world, the face he showed when he challenged Hyun-gwang.

The Blood Demon had a similar face.

But.

‘Is this the difference between the righteous and the demonic?’

Now, Mu-gyeong could easily see the significant difference between the two.

The Namgung Sword Emperor pursued legitimate duels and personal growth, while the demonic used any means necessary, even blood absorption, to become stronger.

There was an insurmountable gap between them.

‘I will never be tainted by darkness.’

Recalling the madness lurking deep within his mind, Mu-gyeong made that resolution.

* * *

Another seven days passed.

Having learned the first seven forms of the Blood Rain Demon Technique and the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique from the Blood Demon in six days, Mu-gyeong spent the next seven days learning the remaining five forms.

However, the later forms required immense internal energy and were directly or indirectly linked to the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique, making it difficult to perform despite understanding the mnemonics.

“So, after leaving this place, you should absorb internal energy using the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique and convert the Buddhist internal energy you possess into the energy of the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique.”

Thus, the Blood Demon advised Mu-gyeong.

In order to master the Blood Rain Demon Technique, he would eventually need to use the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique.

He advised that the latter forms of the Blood Rain Demon Technique should be memorized for now and practiced after leaving the cave and mastering the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique.

However, Mu-gyeong did not want to follow his advice.

Even if he had a natural inclination towards madness, or rather because he had that madness.

He didn’t want to be consumed by it.

So, Mu-gyeong delved deep into his mental world for the remaining two days.

In that mental world, Mu-gyeong practiced the latter forms of the Blood Rain Demon Technique.

However, he didn’t follow the mnemonics given by the Blood Demon exactly.

He removed the parts that could only be performed with the blood energy of the Celestial Blood Absorption Technique and replaced them with the mnemonics of countless martial arts he knew.

He searched for the most natural sequence of mnemonics, identified the awkward parts caused by the replaced mnemonics, and used his intelligence to smooth and modify them.

Each time, the drops of rain created by Mu-gyeong in his mental world would glow golden, then turn red, and sometimes exhibit a strange mix of both colors.

The process required extreme concentration, wearing down Mu-gyeong’s mental state.

Naturally, the word ‘give up’ would start to grow in his mental world.

‘You can do it.’

But the words Mu-jin had spoken a few days ago pushed away the growing ‘give up’ in his mental world.

Thus, Mu-gyeong spent two days without eating or drinking, fully immersed in martial arts.

Finally, after a long time of perseverance, when Mu-gyeong opened his eyes after exiting his mental world.

Pop!

Dozens of golden drops of water formed around Mu-gyeong, decorating the air.

Whoosh!!

They began to sweep through the area violently, like a golden storm.