Chapter 37

“Maintain the Fudo Shinpo and channel your energy through your eyes. It enhances your vision.”


Unlike the first step technique, which can be executed in a basic state, the second step technique can only be activated while maintaining Fudo Shinpo.


‘Using this step technique is ridiculously complicated.’


But as the saying goes, a thirsty man digs a well, so I silently channel energy into my eyes.


With my eyes closed, I slowly exhale and inhale. The energy of the Myo-o has already spread throughout my body.


Maintaining Myo-o mode is difficult, but channeling Myo-o’s energy to my eyes is simple.


I extend the Myo-o’s energy from my upper dantian and intertwine it with my eyes, enhancing my vision.


I slowly open my eyes. Calmly, I assess my surroundings with a composed mind. I see the world not through human eyes, but through the eyes of the Myo-o.


‘…This is the secret of the second Fudo Myo-o Step. It’s truly a broken step technique.’


If I weren’t in Myo-o mode right now, I would have screamed in shock. The world has stopped—or more accurately, slowed down.


It feels like watching the world through the slow-motion feature of a high-performance video camera.


The flowing river, the scales of a leaping fish, the number of scattered water droplets—all are input into my brain through my eyes.


I used to wonder how I could dodge attacks with just one step. Now I understand. There’s no complicated reason. I just saw and dodged.


By observing the opponent’s movements in the slowed-down world, I calmly assess which basic form they’ll use, where the attack will come from, and then simply take a step to evade.


A step technique that avoids the enemy’s strikes with minimal movement. Even a cripple like me can execute this without issue.


…Thinking coldly, can this even be called a step technique? But whatever works, right?


While I’m thinking this, I see Mukgang’s fist flying toward my forehead. Judging by his posture, he’s planning to flick my forehead.


Since this is training to master the Fudo Myo-o Step, I can’t help but sigh internally at the unexpected strike. And as the sigh ends, I inwardly sneer.


‘Slow.’


Mukgang’s punch, which would normally be unthinkably fast, is now slowly approaching me. It’s so slow I could yawn.


I could dodge it right now, but that would be no fun, so I wait until the last possible moment to dodge stylishly.


…And then I realize I’ve made a huge mistake. I should have dodged as soon as I saw the fist. There was no time to calculate angles.


‘My, my body won’t move?!’


To be precise, it does move, but much slower than I expected. At this rate, I’ll get hit right in the face.


‘Uoooh—don’t come any closer!!’


I scream internally, but the fist doesn’t stop. It slowly touches my forehead, pressing down with force before striking.


“Ugh?!”


As the flick hits, my concentration breaks, the slowed world disappears, and Myo-o mode deactivates. I return to being ordinary Mantian.


“If you see it, move immediately. Otherwise, you’ll get hit.”


Mukgang looks down at me with a slightly exasperated expression, as if he knows exactly what I was thinking.


“…You could’ve told me that before hitting me.”


Rubbing my sore forehead, I realize the weakness of the Fudo Myo-o Step.


Mukgang didn’t take a single step to dodge the attack for style. He only had time for one step.


As the world slows down, so does my movement. I have to move as fast as possible the moment I see it.


While it’s a cheat skill to see the world in slow motion, to move even slightly faster in this state, I need to improve my physical abilities. In the end, basic training is essential.


“My body moves slower than I thought. Is exercise the answer?”


Mukgang nods calmly in agreement.


“Muscles are speed. Just because your eyes are sharp doesn’t mean you can dodge every attack.”


…Well, even with high reaction speed, if your body can’t keep up, you’ll just get hit. I’ll need to increase my basic training time.


I haven’t even fully mastered the Double Hands Fighting yet. The more martial arts I learn, the more there is to do. It never ends.


“Though there are still areas to improve, you’ve learned faster than expected. As expected of a genius who can even deceive the heavens.”


‘…What? Is he mocking me now?’


I raise an eyebrow and scrutinize Mukgang’s face, but his usual calm expression gives nothing away.


Yeah, I couldn’t read his emotions from the start. I have no idea what he’s thinking.


I don’t know much about esoteric Buddhism, but the Fudo Myo-o Step isn’t a martial art you casually teach others. It feels on par with the Jiegal Family’s Heavenly Mystery Step.


Honestly, if someone as strong as Mukgang had just apologized and left, we wouldn’t have had anything to say. The gap in power is that vast.


We should just be relieved and happy to be alive. Yet, he took responsibility and taught me the esoteric martial art.


It’s a heavy responsibility. It’s a bit overwhelming.


“Is it okay to teach me the Fudo Myo-o Step? I might use it for bad things.”


I don’t know why I asked that. It just came out. Mukgang answered in his usual calm voice.


“It doesn’t matter. The power you gain through training is yours. How you use it is up to you.”


After speaking, Mukgang sighed uncharacteristically. A hint of anguish flickered in his ink-black eyes.


“Good and evil are extremes that individuals can’t easily discern. The positions of good and evil constantly shift. So don’t worry about it and live as your heart dictates.”


Though always serious, Mukgang’s face was even more solemn as he spoke to me. Despite the short time, he gave me advice as a master to a disciple.


“However, you must always take responsibility for your words and actions.”


“…Responsibility?”


“Whether you do good or evil, you must never run from the consequences of your choices.”


Fudo Myo-o—literally, the Immovable King of Light. Not immobile out of laziness, but because his power is too great to move recklessly.


“Without responsibility, your words and actions become frivolous. You won’t realize your mistakes, and you’ll harm others without hesitation.”


Mukgang reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder. I felt its weight.


“Mantian, I don’t know what kind of life you’ll lead, but remember this.”


‘…Is he going to say it?! That line?!’


Given the timing, I swallowed hard and met Mukgang’s serious gaze.


“With great power comes great responsibility.”


If I were the Spider-Dancer of the martial world, Mukgang would be Uncle Ben. After all, Uncle Ben is an essential figure for Spider-Man.


“Uncle, can I call you Uncle from now on?”


“…I have no intention of becoming sworn brothers with your father. Just call me Uncle normally.”


I felt a bit puzzled by Mukgang’s genuinely disgusted expression, but since it was just a joke, I didn’t dwell on it.


“Then, Uncle, I’ve learned the Fudo Shinpo and the second Fudo Myo-o Step, though imperfectly. What now?”


Originally, he only promised to teach the Fudo Myo-o Step, but since he said he’d teach until today, I wanted to squeeze out everything.


In response to my reasonable question, Mukgang pondered for a moment before suddenly muttering in surprise as he looked behind me.


“…You two siblings really get along.”


“Huh? What are you talking about?”


At Mukgang’s sudden comment, I turned around. There stood Yeonghwa, her pretty black hair adorned with leaves, smiling brightly at me.


“Brother, I brought lunch.”


Yeonghwa proudly lifted a three-tiered lunchbox wrapped in cloth.


“…Huh?”


A foolish sound escaped me at the completely unexpected lunch delivery.


***


“Sniff… It was delicious. The meal Yeonghwa made.”


“If you want, Brother, I’ll make it for you anytime.”


Yeonghwa smiled warmly at Mantian, who loved her cooking so much he almost cried, and handed him tea. It was a happy time.


Brother feels gratitude toward me. He needs me. That fact warms my heart.


Yeonghwa, eager to support her beloved brother, handed tea to Mukgang with a business-like smile.


“Here, Teacher, have some too.”


“…Why am I a teacher?”


“Well, you’re teaching Brother martial arts. Of course, you’re a teacher.”


For some reason, Mukgang felt burdened by the polite title of “Teacher.”


Since esoteric Buddhism follows the Buddha’s teachings, one must not refuse offerings. One must not waste precious food given by others.


Indeed, Mukgang ate every last grain of rice from the lunchbox Yeonghwa prepared. The food was truly excellent.


Her cooking skills are remarkable for her age. Each side dish was made with high-quality ingredients and care.


He sipped the tea. The tea leaves were also of high quality. It was truly splendid hospitality.


…And usually, such good treatment is followed by a request.


“I heard the esoteric sect has a powerful fist technique called the Myo-o Fist. Is that true?”


Looking at the fox-like innocence on Yeonghwa’s face, Mukgang subtly signaled Mantian to rein in his sister, but Mantian feigned ignorance.


“Sniff… Today’s meal was delicious. I want to eat it again tomorrow.”


Mukgang quietly sighed as he looked at the empty lunchbox.


‘Ah… I’ve fallen into the trap of this dirty sibling scam duo.’


Having received an offering, it’s only proper to recite a sutra. Yeonghwa’s red eyes gleamed seductively.


“I don’t know much about martial arts, but just as chopsticks need a pair, since you’ve taught the step technique, wouldn’t it be proper to teach the fist technique now?”


At this rate, I’ll lose all the esoteric sect’s secret techniques, Mukgang thought, deciding to offer a few kind words and leave.


But then, a nauseating demonic energy filled the air. The stench of chaos. The foul odor of fanatics who worship the Heavenly Demon.


Mukgang stood up, shielding Mantian and Yeonghwa. Protecting people from monsters.


That is the role and responsibility of Mukgang, the Fudo Myo-o, the Guardian Lion of the esoteric sect.