Title: 무공이 너무 쉽다
Synopsis
The protagonist, a hunter living in 21st-century Korea, is reincarnated as the child of a poor farming family. He becomes a third-rate martial artist of the Golden Power Sect and awakens on his 21st birthday. This awakening allows him to learn martial arts effortlessly, and the story follows his journey.
Review
Insight
The protagonist gains a system through his awakening, which grants him the ability to use Insight to learn martial arts with ease. Insight is a central element of the story, as crucial as internal energy levels are in traditional wuxia novels. Typically, wuxia divides martial prowess into stages defined by internal energy, which determines the level of power. However, this novel bypasses the protagonist’s lack of internal energy by allowing him to analyze and learn his opponent’s techniques through Insight, often enabling him to defeat stronger foes. Additionally, the protagonist learns martial arts by analyzing techniques his opponents use or reading martial arts manuals, acquiring skills effortlessly.
Internal Energy
In wuxia, the easiest way to gauge a character’s strength is by comparing internal energy levels. Yet, in this novel, a third-rate martial artist competes with second- and first-rate fighters, even temporarily matching pinnacle masters through clever techniques and Insight. In one instance, he defeats three pinnacle masters using Insight alone. Such scenes undermine the importance of internal energy, leaving readers questioning why characters even bother cultivating it. The protagonist also defeats an ultra-pinnacle master with the help of subordinates, though he fails to kill the opponent. The devaluation of internal energy creates a sense of inconsistency, especially when the novel states that 10 years of internal energy can suffice for second-rate, first-rate, or even pinnacle stages—an inherently contradictory setup.
Lack of Goals
The novel was serialized up to chapter 43 for free and up to chapter 47 in its paid version. However, the protagonist’s goal remains unclear. He claims his dream is to run an inn, but if that’s the case, why bother mastering countless martial arts? Simply opening an inn would suffice. Moreover, he spends money to hire and train subordinates to protect valuable items, yet his overarching purpose is missing. The protagonist’s actions, such as earning money as a vagabond, neglecting modern knowledge, and obsessing over martial arts, feel arbitrary and lack coherence, leaving readers confused about his motivations.
Evaluation
- Originality: ★☆☆☆☆
The idea of a protagonist using a system to easily learn martial arts is neither unique nor fresh. Similar concepts exist in many other works, diminishing the originality of this novel. - Immersion: ★☆☆☆☆
While the light tone of the story is a positive aspect, the lack of a clear goal, setting inconsistencies, and the devaluation of internal energy make it difficult for readers to become fully immersed. - Mass Appeal: ★★★☆☆
The novel has enjoyed significant popularity, ranking first on the free web novel charts for an extended period. However, the reasons for this popularity remain unclear. - Writing Quality: ★★☆☆☆
The writing style includes numerous personal jokes by the author, such as references to “Phantom Brigade,” “Cthulhu,” and “Lariat,” which may feel out of place. Additionally, frequent typos, incorrect use of Chinese characters, and poor spacing detract from the overall reading experience. - Consistency: ★★★★★
Since its debut on November 10, 2024, the author has adhered to a strict schedule, releasing a chapter daily and even publishing four chapters at once after monetization. With an average of 7.7 chapters per week, the novel has been consistently updated.
Overall Rating
The novel bears a resemblance to “Martial Arts? Nothing Special” from Novelpia, though it falls short in execution. It features a protagonist who gains a system that allows him to use Insight to master martial arts and defeat powerful opponents. While the light tone may appeal to some, the numerous flaws outweigh this advantage. Readers are better off exploring other novels with similar premises.
The novel’s greatest flaw isn’t the protagonist’s ability to win through Insight but the lack of a clear goal. By chapter 47—equivalent to nearly two volumes—the story should establish its core direction. Instead, the protagonist’s actions feel aimless, leaving readers questioning the plot’s trajectory.
In summary, this isn’t true wuxia. Plenty of other, more engaging novels exist within the same genre, making this one hard to recommend.
- Average Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.4/5)
