The Martial God with Psychic Powers

“You heard the man. Pay for the damn gate and get lost.”

At Chun Ho Seong’s command, none of them dared move a muscle.
Then Gui Mu’s squad leader barked out:
“What are you waiting for? Empty your damn pockets!”

One by one, the Gui Mu warriors reached deep—even into their hidden pouches—digging out every last coin of emergency savings.
Then they approached Chun Ho Seong and offered it up with both hands, heads bowed.
“H-Here it is.”

Chun Ho Seong eyed them coldly.
“You lot just burned through every scrap of luck you’ll have in this life. I don’t normally let people live after laying a hand on what’s mine.”
“T-Thank you…”

“Not me. Thank my disciple. I let you live because he asked me to.”
As Chun Ho Seong spoke, the entire Gui Mu unit turned to Jo Deok and bowed deeply.
“Thank you!”

And without another word, they scrambled out of the compound like their lives depended on it.
But just as they made it to the gate—
“AND YOU—WHAT TOOK YOU SO DAMN LONG?! YOU LET THEM WALK OUT ALIVE!”

“F-Forgive me, sir!”
“If those bastards show up again, kill every last one of them.”
“Yes, sir!”

Chill.
A collective shiver ran through the Gui Mu warriors as they stumbled away.
But one thing was clear.
They would never come back here again.

Their footsteps quickened by the second.
 
****

“Master Chun Ho Seong? Disciple?”
“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”
Back at Manchwi Gate, the Gui Mu squad leader delivered his report. Jo Sang’s face was blank with disbelief.

“What… What are you saying right now? That brat Jo Deok is the disciple of the Sword Emperor? And… he was gifted White Tiger Gate?!”
“Y-Yes, sir. That’s what I heard directly.”
Jo Sang stared at him, dazed.

“So that’s it…”
“Sir?”
“The steward who went to Cheongseok earlier today told me that Jo Deok’s withdrawal was approved—without a guardian’s seal. And the office that signed off… was the Ministry of Military Affairs.”

“Th-The Ministry?!”
“Yes. The Ministry. I couldn’t make sense of it at the time—but now I understand. It was because he became the disciple of the Sword Emperor.”
One question had haunted him from the beginning—

Why?
Why would the Sword Emperor of all people take in Jo Deok?
Surely there were dozens of more worthy candidates.

It simply didn’t make sense.
Just then, the chief steward burst into the room, panting.
“What now?”

“Jo—Jo Deok’s cultivation rank has just been updated!”
“How high could it be that you're this worked up?”
“H-He’s reached Second Stage of the Transcendent Realm!”

“…What?”
“It’s true!”
“That’s insane! How many levels did he jump all at once?!”

“And there’s more.”
“What now?”
“His personal information has been updated as well—”

“And?”
“He’s now officially registered as the Sword Emperor’s first disciple.”
“I already heard that.”

“But do you know this? He’s been confirmed as the inheritor of the White Tiger Physique—one of the Four Guardian Bodies!”
“Son of a—! You’re sure?”
“Y-Yes, sir!”

That last mystery unraveled everything.
“So that’s why… that’s why he took him in.”
It was like they’d kicked a treasure chest and walked away.

“No… I can’t just give up like this.”
A White Tiger Physique—and the Sword Emperor’s disciple. That meant White Tiger Gate was all but guaranteed to climb into Mushincheon’s upper ranks.
“What if… What if we go to him, beg for forgiveness, even offer him the position of co-Patriarch? He always listened to me.”

But everyone shook their heads.
Gui Mu’s squad leader stepped forward.
“There’s… one more thing, sir. Lord Chun Ho Seong has given orders to White Tiger Gate.”

“What orders?”
“To kill anyone who comes from Manchwi Gate.”
Gulp.

No matter how strong they were, they were nothing compared to Chun Ho Seong.
If they got greedy again, they might lose everything.
“…Hahh…”

Jo Sang let out a long, bitter sigh.
Too late now.
There was nothing left but regret.

And surrender.
 
****

The day Jo Deok officially transferred to Baekyeong Academy…
He realized something he had completely forgotten.
He had slacked off during his time at Cheongseok, deliberately sabotaging his grades under house orders to get held back.

No matter how hard he worked now, it wouldn’t be enough to graduate this year.
He’d be stuck in the academy for at least another year.
But strangely… that didn’t bother him.

It meant more time to grow closer to the students of Baekyeong.
When Yeon Woo Jin heard the news, he chuckled.
“I was just thinking it’d be a shame if you graduated too soon to bond with the Baekyeong kids. Seems like it worked out.”

“Yes, I think so too.”
“Well then, shall we begin your training with the others?”
“With… the others? Not with you, Master?”

Before Yeon Woo Jin could reply, Chun Ho Seong answered from nearby.
“You brat. I’ve got work to do. The training they’re doing here isn’t that different from what I’d teach you anyway. So join them. Learn with them. And get close to them.”
“…Understood.”

“You’ve memorized everything I gave you?”
“Yes, sir!”
“You’ll need that foundation to learn the Lightning Flash Killing Sword. Study hard.”

“Yes!”
“I’ll drop in now and then to check on you.”
“Thank you, Master!”

Watching them talk, Ma Ryong and Jeok Seong grumbled nearby.
“Man… it sucks not having a disciple.”
“Yeah. I need to go out and get one.”

“You think there’s any talent left out there?”
Yeon Woo Jin chuckled at their whining.
“If someone shows promise, I’ll make sure to recommend them to you both.”

“Truly?”
“Hahaha! If the Young Lord says so, I’ll wait with joy!”
Their mood lifted with a single word from him.

But to Jo Deok, the whole thing still felt surreal.
Just then, Sunwoo Baek walked up.
“Senior Jo Deok. It’s time for training. Please follow me.”

“Huh? Oh. Right. I’ll be off, then.”
He bowed with a martial salute. Chun Ho Seong cackled.
“Do try to survive. Hah!”

What did he mean by that?
Jo Deok didn’t understand—until the training began.
“AAAAARRRGHHH!”

This is insane!
It wasn’t training. It was torture.
As fury surged up within him, the White Tiger inside stirred—on the verge of waking.

Grrrr…
And then—
A voice rang out in his mind. Calm, cold, absolute.

—Come out, and you die.
In an instant, the beast's power recoiled and vanished.
And Jo Deok understood something else.

Why Baekyeong was so powerful.
 
****

At Gwak Pyeong’s home.
Two elders had gathered to discuss the future of the soon-to-be graduate.
His paternal grandfather, Gwak Won.

And his maternal grandfather—Jeon Yeo, Director of Baekyeong Academy.
“So… our little Pyeong. Has he been doing well in the academy?”
At Gwak Won’s question, Jeon Yeo chuckled.

“Very well. I was worried when he said he wanted to transfer from Jungcheon to Baekyeong, but… he’s exceeded every expectation.”
“Hah. I was surprised too, honestly. But I’m glad to see he’s thriving. Truly.”
“He’s not just doing well. He’s the strongest student in the southern region. Every major faction is trying to recruit him now.”

“Hahaha! That so? Poor fools. He already knows where he’s going.”
“The Law Enforcement Hall.”
“That’s right. I’m the Vice-Director of the Law Enforcement Hall. Of course he’s coming with me.”

“He might have something else in mind.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why not ask him yourself when he arrives?”

“Very well.”
“For now, let’s drink, shall we, in-laws?”
“Hahaha! It has been a long time.”

“Indeed! Cheers!”
As the two grandfathers clinked cups, Gwak Pyeong stepped into the room.
“Apologies for the delay.”

“It’s all right. We know you were training.”
“You’ve worked hard. Any breakthroughs?”
“Yes.”

“What’s your current cultivation rank?”
At Gwak Won’s question, Jeon Yeo also turned to look at Gwak Pyeong, curiosity in his eyes.
“I’ve reached the Fifth Stage of the Transcendent Realm.”

Gwak Pyeong had recently advanced—moving quickly from Third Stage to Fifth in a short span of time.
“Well now! That’s remarkable! Truly outstanding! Hahaha!”
“I still have a long way to go.”

“Hahaha! And modest, too. I like that.”
Both elders gazed at him with evident pride.
Then, as if casually, Gwak Won asked:

“So then, graduation is just ahead. Do you have somewhere in mind for your assignment afterward?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Oh? Where?”

“Baekyeong Academy.”
“…What?”
Gwak Won immediately turned to Jeon Yeo, whose face had frozen in surprise.

Judging by their expressions, this wasn’t something they’d coordinated beforehand.
Gwak Won took a slow breath to steady himself and asked calmly,
“…And why Baekyeong?”

“Because there’s still something I need to do.”
“Something you need to do?”
“Yes.”

“What would that be?”
He couldn’t say the real reason.
That he wanted to remain at his lord’s side.

“That there are people I want to watch over. I want to help them grow strong and upright.”
“People you want to watch over?”
“Yes. I’d like to stay at Baekyeong Academy for two more years.”

At the mention of two years, Gwak Won let out a breath of relief.
So it wasn’t permanent.
And the reasoning was… understandable.

Still, he found himself wondering—who?
What kind of person would drive Gwak Pyeong, of all people, to speak like this?
“Who are these people? Anyone I know?”

Jeon Yeo asked, his tone cautious. Gwak Pyeong nodded slightly.
“Is it… Sunwoo Baek?”
No.

But to persuade them, a lie would be necessary.
“Yes. Sunwoo Baek, and others who’ve just been promoted to the intermediate division. They’re Baekyeong’s golden generation. I want to witness how brightly they can shine—and help guide them along the way.”
They were the very students he’d helped nurture.

It made sense that he’d want to see their journey through.
But two years…
That was too long.

“One year. No more.”
Jeon Yeo nodded in agreement.
While other graduates would be scrambling to secure long-term posts, two years of delay would widen the gap too much.

Reading the unspoken agreement in their expressions, Gwak Pyeong nodded.
“Understood. Then please allow me just one year—to remain and watch over them.”
“Very well! That much we can accept. Jeon Yeo, would that be all right?”

At Gwak Won’s question, Jeon Yeo gave a nod.
“One year should be fine. We could appoint him as a temporary Disciplinary Officer to help guide the first-years.”
“Oh! A Disciplinary Officer—perfect. He’ll be right there beside them, watching over them just as he hoped.”

“And now I’m curious, too,” Jeon Yeo added. “Just how exceptional are these students, to move Pyeong like this?”
Gwak Pyeong replied with confidence.
“You won’t be disappointed. I believe next year will be the most brilliant year in Baekyeong Academy’s history.”

The conviction in his voice only fueled their anticipation.
“Hahaha! Sounds like next year won’t be dull.”
Gwak Won smiled at Jeon Yeo’s words.

“Then I suppose I should start paying more attention to Baekyeong business myself. ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Hahaha.”
Gwak Pyeong smiled quietly to himself.
Whatever the reason or the cost—he’d get to stay by Yeon Woo Jin’s side.

And that, more than anything, made him happy.
 
****

One year ended, and the new one began.
Yeon Woo Jin and the others were now intermediate students, and a new generation of lower division recruits entered Baekyeong.
Hwang Sung compiled a full report using the Five Elements Convergence—accurately assessing the cultivation level of top students from other academies, along with background information on the new Baekyeong recruits. He brought it to Yeon Woo Jin.

“One of the new recruits… he’s the grandson of the Tianzhu Hall Lord, correct? Goes by the name Shin Dowoon?”
“That’s right.”
“Shouldn’t someone from that family have entered Jungcheon Academy?”

“Normally, yes. But he chose Baekyeong instead.”
“Hm… and he’s already Second Stage of the Transcendent Realm? At his age? That’s unusually advanced. Why would someone like him choose to come here?”
“From what I can gather, he’s not coming alone. The other students who trained with him are coming as well. My guess is—he didn’t want to be separated from them.”

“That makes sense. What about his personality?”
“…Not well regarded, from what I hear.”
“Not well regarded?”

“According to the reports, he’s likely coming here because his attitude wouldn’t fly at Jungcheon. He’s looking for an easier place to throw his weight around—somewhere he can act like a king.”
If that was true, he had picked the worst place possible.
“Whatever the reason, someone of that caliber could be useful in managing this year’s academy affairs.”

“…Will he follow orders?”
“And if he doesn’t?”
Yeon Woo Jin smiled faintly, eyes narrowing.

Hwang Sung shuddered.
That smile was terrifying.