Possessing Nothing Novel (쥐뿔도 없는 회귀)

Chapter 77 - Shaolin

He had never heard of the name Jihak. But Bul-yeong, the GrandMaster of Shaolin, had mentioned Jihak as 'The future of Shaolin'.

Lee Sung-min did not have any complaints. Even if he was defeated, there would still be something he would gain.

This was the case with Namgong Hee-won. In his fight with Namgong Hee-won, Lee Sung-min learned about his shortcomings from his defeat.

Under the auspices of the Grand Master Bul-yeong, Lee Sung-min faced the intellectuals. Jihak was unarmed. On the other hand, Lee Sung-min lifted his spear.

Lee Sung-min looked at the Grand Master Bul-yeong body gently to ascertain whether it was okay to use the spear, but Grand Master Bul-yeong only laughed after receiving his attention.

"Can your spear pierce the Geumgangseok?"

That being said, Lee Sung-min contemplated for a while. If the words of Grand Master Bul-yeong were true, then Jihak had achieved the peak of Geumgangseok, the gold standard.

Lee Sung-min gulped and looked at Jihak. Looking at Jihak's physique, his body did not appear to be significantly different from that of Lee Sung-min's.

The fight soon started.

And it ended after a mere 100 seconds of exchanging blows. It was Lee Sung-min's defeat. Lee Sung-min, who sat down on the floor, looked up at Jihak with a dismayed look, fists clenched. Jihak didn't have even a single wound on him and Lee Sung-min's body's situation wasn't looking that good. Grand Master Bul-yeong laughed loudly as he watched Sung-min's body fall on the ground.

"Indeed. I know why that boy asked me to look at your martial skills."

Lee Sung-min gritted his teeth as he watched Grand Master Bul-yeong clap his hands in amusement, letting out chuckles. Did it make sense? Now, Lee Sung-min was close to knocking on the door of what was beyond the Peak. However, Jihak had played with Lee Sung-min as if he were a child. Although he had suffered defeat at the hands of Namgong Hee-won, he wasn't treated like a child in their fight.

"Jihak, how was it? "

Jihak, who bowed his head while he sat down, raised his head and looked at the GrandMaster.

"... How should I respond? "

"Best to answer honestly."

Lee Sung-min had never felt that the Grand Master Bul-yeong gave off an impression of a highly virtuous monk. Jihak's lips that were previously pursed tightly, opened up.

"It is not enough."

These words became a dagger and penetrated into Lee Sung-min's chest deeply.

"What he lacks most is experience. It must be that the art of wielding the spear should be exquisite but his flow of Qi isn't as smooth, going hay-wire in parts. He just uses the spear to cut and block, but doesn't combine them with Qi."

These words were also said by Namgong Hee-won.

"He is inexperienced in dealing with balancing inner Qi. He doesn't seem to have a lack of inner qi, but the overall flow is all jumbled up and a matter of concern."

"This is because there is no balance between the heart, the spirit and the body. It is bizarre that his body didn't explode, but gave way to greater strength. His Spirit and Qi are increasing, but his body lags behind. It's dangerous."

GrandMaster Bul-yeong added to Jihak's answer.

"Oh. You don't seem to understand what I mean. So... It's like this. If both legs are of the same length, there should be no problem walking or running. However, if one leg is excessively long or short, it will be extremely difficult to walk or run. If you forcibly try to walk or run, You will have no choice but to fall. The analogy is that even if one can do this in a normal manner, your condition is not that simple and easy. "