Mountain Entrance Examination (1)
Mornings at Shaolin were typically tranquil yet busy. Monks from various halls and departments, such as The Hall of Arhats, the Outer Hall, the Subsidiary Hall, and the Court of Law, would be quietly and diligently attending to their duties or engaging in their training. However, today was different; the monks, who usually moved about separately according to their designated halls or departments, were all gathered in one place.
They had assembled at The Hall of Arhats because today was the entrance examination day for the novice disciples who had joined two years ago. Typically, such a large gathering did not occur during these examinations. Usually, only about twenty children would remain until the entrance examination. In rare cases, when over a hundred novices stayed until the examination, and more than thirty succeeded, it was an exception.
Thus, the number of senior disciples who would take on these twenty or so children was also around twenty. Naturally, The Hall of Arhats would provide hints and summon only those 'teacher candidates' whose physiques and characteristics matched the children.
But today was different. There were forty-nine children who had made it to the entrance examination. Excluding the seven who left early to continue their family lines, forty-two were to be examined today. Therefore, instead of giving hints, The Hall of Arhats had invited everyone interested.
As a result, including the novice disciples to be examined, about two hundred people had gathered at The Hall of Arhats. This meant that almost half of Shaolin's monks, excluding the third-generation disciples, were present. Although only the second-generation disciples would accept the novice disciples as direct disciples, it was insufficient for them to decide on their successors alone. Since the second-generation disciples were still learning martial arts from the first-generation disciples, it was common for the first-generation disciples to observe and recommend successors.
Anticipating this, Hyun Song deliberately invited as many people as possible to witness this entrance examination. He intended to gain recognition for Mu-Jin's training methods and subsequently request additional exercise equipment from Chu Bo Tang with confidence.
With over two hundred people gathered, even the reserved monks of Shaolin could not avoid generating noise. Though each spoke softly, the collective murmuring of two hundred voices inevitably created a commotion.
"I heard there are as many as forty-two children taking the entrance examination this time."
"Perhaps Master Hyun Song kept many children out of compassion."
"That's not likely. Master Hyun Song came to me yesterday and said the children's skills this time are exceptional."
While such conversations were exchanged among the gathered monks, Hyun Song appeared in the center of the training ground at The Hall of Arhats at the appointed time.
"Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be here. Since we are all pressed for time and there are many children to examine today, I will proceed with the examination without lengthy speeches. Amitabha."
After briefly announcing the start of the examination, Hyun Song stepped back, and a second-generation disciple stepped forward to the center of the training ground. Shaolin's entrance examination was relatively straightforward. A second-generation disciple would spar with a novice disciple to assess how well the novice had learned martial arts.
The second-generation disciple, who stepped forward, was one of those assigned to spar with the novices.
"Novice disciple Mu-Gyeol, step forward!"
At the call of Hyu Jong, the chief instructor overseeing the examination, a young novice stepped into the center of the training ground. Mu-Gyeol bowed to the second-generation disciple, who returned the gesture. With Hyu Jong's signal, the sparring began.
"Haat!"
Mu-Gyeol attacked the second-generation disciple using the basic Shaolin martial arts he had learned. Of course, the skill gap between a second-generation disciple and a novice was vast. Therefore, the role of the examining second-generation disciple was not to defeat the novice but to engage in a way that allowed the novice to showcase their skills.
The second-generation disciple skillfully dodged or blocked Mu-Gyeol's attacks, using their inner energy appropriately to match the novice's level. Occasionally, they would counterattack when they saw an opening in the novice's defense. Blocking or dodging all the time would not allow for a proper assessment. The evaluation included the completeness of the techniques, the use of inner energy, and the ability to eliminate gaps or respond to them appropriately.
In this regard, Mu-Gyeol's skills were impressive enough to pass. Despite being shown leniency, Mu-Gyeol managed to sustain a credible sparring match for over twenty exchanges with the second-generation disciple.
"Stop!"
Believing that everyone had sufficiently observed Mu-Gyeol's skills, Hyu Jong ended the sparring.
"Haha. Master Hyun Song can indeed be proud. The skills are exceptional."
"I wonder if starting with such an outstanding child was too much. Amitabha."
The other observers also showed satisfaction with Mu-Gyeol's performance.
### Observing the Sparring
While observing the sparring, some of them, having assessed Mu-Gyeol's physique and constitution, were gleaming with the intention of taking him as their disciple. Taking a quick glance at the scene, Hyu Jong proceeded with the next round of examination, as it seemed that they had all concluded their discussions.
Following that, an additional four rounds of sparring took place, and astonishingly, all five who had participated in the examination so far managed to pass.
"Haha. It seems that all the children this time are straightforward in character."
"That's true, Sahyung. Rather than using various martial arts indiscriminately, they seem to have mastered Chain-Linked Fist to the level of Ten Stars, starting from Heart-Mind Fist."
The Shaolin disciples, who had observed five sparring matches, were gradually discerning the characteristics of the children.
So far, all five who passed the examination had not mastered a wide range of basic martial arts. However, in addition to the basics like Shaohong Fist and Autumn Wind Step, they had only used one or two additional basic martial arts like Arhat Palm or Prajna Staff Technique.
Nevertheless, despite this, all five managed to pass because they had perfected the limited martial arts to a very high level. Considering the amount of inner energy these children possessed at their age, they boasted considerable speed and power.
In fact, this was due to Mu-Jin's training method. This training couldn't change their innate intellect or talent in using inner energy. Therefore, children with slightly different talents could barely grasp entry-level martial arts within a year, and except for the fundamental martial arts like Prajna Staff Technique, they succeeded in mastering only one or two more.
However, thanks to Mu-Jin's training, their physical abilities had improved significantly, allowing them to produce power and speed far beyond their peers when it came to the martial arts they had learned.
The Shaolin disciples, who were unaware of these internal circumstances, misunderstood that this generation's education focused deeply on one martial art rather than covering a variety of them. And even the abbot of Shaolin, Hyun Cheon, was not an exception to this misunderstanding.
After observing with curiosity the confident words and expressions of Hyun Song just a few days ago, Hyun Cheon, who attended today's examination, subtly communicated with Hyun Song, who was sitting next to him.
"Haha. Indeed, it seems that the children of this generation have quite a high level."
Typically, among the children remaining until the entrance examination, about half to two-thirds would fail the examination. However, with not a single one of the five children who had participated so far failing, one could tell that the level of this generation was quite high.
But why was that?
In response to Hyun Cheon's words, Hyun Song replied with a mysterious expression, indicating that everyone had not yet seen even half of it, and it was unnecessary to judge prematurely.
At Hyun Song's response, Hyun Cheon looked puzzled.
"Hmm. Did he deliberately place exceptional children at the front?"
But if that were the case, Hyun Song would not have expressed such confidence just a few days ago. Even now, he merely advised to continue observing, showing no signs of anxiety.
"Observation will reveal everything."
Hyun Cheon, who had spent fifty years polishing his mind, quickly calmed his mind and decided to observe the examination again with a relaxed mindset.
As for Hyun Song's somewhat evasive response, he thought to himself, "Haha. It's too early to be surprised, Master Sahyung."
While the children who had taken the entrance examination first were already at a level sufficient to pass, there were true talents among them.
As about ten rounds of sparring continued, a subtle smile appeared on Hyun Song's lips as he knew who would be called next.
"Novice disciple Mu-Yul, step forward!"
Mu-Yul, who was called forward this time, was a rather unique talent.
---
"Novice disciple Mu-Yul, step forward!"
Immediately after Hyu Jong's call, Mu-Jin, who was standing next to Mu-Yul, whispered to him.
"Do you remember what I told you before?"
"Yeah! You told me to have fun as much as I want."
"That's right. Just have fun. Don't think about anything else."
Thankfully, Mu-Yul remembered his words, and Mu-Jin gently patted his back. With a bright smile as always, Mu-Jin watched Mu-Yul walk away.
In fact, compared to other novice disciples solely from the perspective of martial arts, Mu-Yul was not particularly ahead. Because of his extraordinary level of purity in mind.
However, Mu-Jin, who had spent nearly two years with Mu-Yul, knew very well. He knew the fact that, despite Mu-Yul's lack of sophistication, he possessed a very special talent that surpassed others. Therefore, instead of forcing Mu-Yul to learn various martial arts just to fit in clothes that didn't suit him, Mu-Jin continued to practice only one basic martial art, the Qiankun Step, among the entry-level and basic martial arts.
To prevent Mu-Yul, whose mind was insufficient, from being distracted by the flow of the game, Mu-Jin ingrained the movements and flow of the game into his body so that his hands and feet wouldn't get tangled.
"Since everyone here is a master, at least someone will recognize Mu-Yul's special talent."
With such thoughts in mind, Mu-Jin watched the sparring that was just beginning for Mu-Yul.
"Haha. It seems Hyun Song Sasuk has a reason to be confident."
"This child seems to have quite the skill to easily pass the exam. Amitabul."
However, contrary to Mu-Jin's expectations, those watching Mu-Yul's sparring were only giving evaluations like 'nothing special.'
And among those observing Mu-Yul's sparring was the senior disciple who was sparring with him.
The reason for this was that Mu-Yul didn't use many martial arts.
"It seems like we've figured out the number of martial arts he has mastered."
Then what remained was to assess his adaptability and utilization of martial arts.
Having made their judgments, the senior disciple aimed his leg towards a gap as Mu-Yul threw a punch.
To see how Mu-Yul would respond.
And Mu-Yul swiftly twisted his body to avoid the kick aimed at the gap.
No, it didn't end there. As if the punch he had swung was a mere feint, he swiftly redirected the momentum he had built up into his opposite elbow, aiming for the face of the senior disciple.
Thunk!!
The senior disciple, who never expected to be able to retaliate from that position, hastily raised his palm infused with inner energy to barely block the attack.
And in his confusion, the senior disciple unknowingly retaliated with his opposite hand infused with inner energy.
"Hehe."
Once again, Mu-Yul effortlessly twisted his body like a loach to evade the attack. And as he twisted his body, another counterattack from Mu-Yul poured out.
"W-What!?"
Close-range combat with rapid exchanges of blows.
Even for this senior disciple, who was not even a third-generation disciple and had only sparred with novice disciples, he couldn't help feeling perplexed.
Logically speaking, Mu-Yul should have been clearly aiming for a gap.
But every time, Mu-Yul avoided the attacks with movements that seemed almost irrational, counterattacking while avoiding.
By that point, those who had been watching the sparring began to notice that something was off, and among them was a middle-aged monk who emitted a particularly intense gaze.
"Hmm. To be able to move like that."
Watching Mu-Yul's bizarre movements, the middle-aged monk nodded satisfactorily.
That child was a natural.
Rather than reading or anticipating the opponent's moves, he moved instinctively based on primal intuition, a fact that he, who had trained in martial arts mimicking animals for decades, could clearly feel.
"Moreover, with such exceptional flexibility and elasticity to execute those instinctive judgments."
Moving instinctively meant, conversely, not anticipating. In other words, it implied sudden movements without prior preparation.
To move in such a way, exceptional flexibility and elasticity were required. Like that of an animal.
The middle-aged man, who confirmed both talents of instinctive judgment and the outstanding flexibility and elasticity to execute them, spoke with confidence.
"Beop Hyeon, take a good look. That child will be your disciple and my successor."
"Yes, Master."
The middle-aged monk's Dharma name was Hye Gul.
"Do you see that animal-like movement? If it's that child, he can surely complete our Shaolin Five Fist Techniques."
Shaolin Five Fist Techniques. One of the representative martial arts of Shaolin, created by Dalma Daesa, based on the movements of the dragon, tiger, leopard, snake, and crane.
Hye Gul was the current master of Shaolin Five Fist Techniques and a man known as the Five Fist Invincible in the martial world.