The Martial God with Psychic Powers

The Changcheon Trading Group was ambushed on their way back from making a delivery.

The attackers were female martial artists dressed in the uniform of the Sword Pavilion.
“What in the world do you think you’re doing?!”
Namgoong Hwan shouted in fury, but the women gave no reply.

“Chief! They're attacking!”
“Damn it! Don’t attack—just defend for now!”
Clang-cha-chang—!

Even as the situation devolved into a battlefield in an instant, Namgoong Hwan kept trying to talk.
“What in the world is this about?! At least tell us why you're doing this!”
Frustration swelled as the women continued to attack in silence.

“Chief, are we to keep defending?”
“We can’t hold out much longer!”
“Please give the order to strike!”
The martial artists, who had only been defending under the chief’s orders, cried out in distress.

If he gave the order to attack here—
They wouldn’t be able to clear up the misunderstanding with the Sword Pavilion and would become enemies for good.
But if they only defended—

The entire trading group would be wiped out.
“Goddamn it! Attack!”
As the Changcheon Trading Group began to strike back, the female martial artists started getting pushed back.

But they weren’t easy opponents.
“So they really are from the Sword Pavilion?”
Even so, the martial artists of the Changcheon Trading Group were strong.

In the end, the attackers couldn’t withstand the onslaught and retreated.
Namgoong Hwan couldn’t believe what had just happened.
If only he knew why they had been attacked, it wouldn’t feel so frustrating.

Ah—!
Namgoong Hwan quickly checked on Yeon Woo Jin and his party.
Fortunately, they had stayed in the rear and hadn’t been harmed.

If Yeon Woo Jin got hurt?
That would be a much bigger problem.
Namgoong Cheon would never let him live it down.
“Are you all right?”

At Namgoong Hwan’s question, Yeon Woo Jin nodded.
Namgoong Hwan let out a sigh and said,
“I have no idea what’s going on. Why would they attack us?”

“I don’t think it’s over yet.”
“Pardon? What do you mean—”
Just as Namgoong Hwan was about to respond to Yeon Woo Jin’s words—

“They’re coming again!”
“Damn it! Stop them before they get close!”
“Yes, sir!”

The martial artists of the Changcheon Trading Group all launched themselves at the female martial artists of the Sword Pavilion.
Meanwhile, the women from the Sword Pavilion were startled.
The moment the Changcheon group spotted them, they had suddenly initiated an attack.

Seeing this, the woman who appeared to be their leader ground her teeth and shouted,
“You bastards! So you really were the ones who tampered with the medicinal ingredients!”
From the fact that they were being attacked, she became convinced that these people were the culprits.

“Capture them all!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
The women of the Sword Pavilion also drew their weapons and charged toward the Changcheon group.
Seeing them draw weapons and rush in, the members of the Changcheon Trading Group responded with fierce resolve, as if confirming their suspicions.

The battle resumed.
Cha-cha-chang—!
The sound of clashing swords rang out in every direction.

“Chief, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to suppress them easily.”
“As expected of the Namgoong Clan?”
“What shall we do? Should we let the children open the blood gate?”

“Yes. Tell them they’re permitted to kill.”
“Understood.”
With their leader’s order, the women of the Sword Pavilion began attacking with murderous intent.

The martial artists of the Changcheon Trading Group began to falter under the pressure.
At this rate, people were going to die for real.
That was when—

Jjeo-jeo-jeong—!
A powerful burst of Qi and a sweeping shockwave blew through the battlefield, forcing the Sword Pavilion women to retreat.
The ones responsible were none other than Jang Woon and Sunwoo Baek.

The two had entered the fray.
As Namgoong Hwan looked on in surprise, Jang Woon spoke.
“We will assist you.”

“Thank you.”
It wasn’t the time to refuse help, so Namgoong Hwan gratefully accepted their support.
The power of cultivators at the Hwagyeong level was truly on another level.

The two began subduing the female martial artists of the Sword Pavilion with astonishing speed.
Seeing this, the master of the Sword Pavilion’s unit looked shocked.
“What the—? They brought experts of that level?”

“If they came to the Sword Pavilion with warriors like that, it means they came with full intent.”
“Looks like we’ll have to step in ourselves.”
Having silently watched the situation until now, the unit’s chief and vice-chief finally moved.

They each went to face Jang Woon and Sunwoo Baek.
Namgoong Hwan watched their battle with awe.
“So this is the difference of the Hwagyeong level…”

To be at that level at such a young age.
And yet, their way of fighting showed the poise of seasoned veterans.
It was as if they had been through countless battles.

If they were already this incredible now, what would they become with age?
They would become monsters beyond imagination.
Namgoong Hwan turned his gaze to Yeon Woo Jin.

The one these monsters devoted themselves to.
That alone spoke volumes of his fortune in people.
He was envious.

“They’re different.”
Yeon Woo Jin suddenly spoke, prompting Namgoong Hwan to tilt his head in confusion.
“What is?”

“The women who came earlier and the ones we’re fighting now. They’re completely different.”
Namgoong Hwan studied them again.
“To my eyes, they look no different. Even the martial arts techniques are the same.”

“Their appearances might be identical, but the way they circulate their internal Qi is completely different. The first group just seemed to be imitating them.”
“What? But why would they do that?”
“I don’t know. But I think someone wants the Sword Pavilion and the Namgoong Clan to become enemies.”

Yeon Woo Jin’s words brought Namgoong Hwan a sudden realization.
He shouted at once,
“Everyone stop fighting and fall back!”

At his command, the martial artists simultaneously retreated.
Jang Woon and Sunwoo Baek also backed away.
Namgoong Hwan stepped forward between the withdrawing warriors and offered a martial bow.

“Please, tell me why you attacked us!”
The Sword Pavilion unit leader shouted back in anger.
“What are you talking about?! It was you who attacked us first!”

As expected, Yeon Woo Jin had been right.
Namgoong Hwan said,
“I believe there’s a misunderstanding here! Let’s all calm down and talk this out.”

“A misunderstanding? Didn’t you attack us to cover up your misdeeds?”
“Misdeeds? What misdeeds are you accusing us of?”
“You tried to sow chaos in the Sword Pavilion by supplying us with defective medicinal ingredients!”

“Defective ingredients? What are you talking about?! We selected only the highest quality goods!”
“The person who consumed them had their condition worsen! Even the physician said the ingredients were the problem!”
“That’s impossible! We run our business on trust and integrity!”

“Hmph! And why should we believe that?”
“What can we do to make you believe us?”
“Come with us quietly. Then we’ll believe you.”

The Sword Pavilion leader’s words made the Changcheon members stir with unease.
“Chief, what should we do?”
To their questions, Namgoong Hwan replied,

“Let them go. I’ll go with them.”
At his words, the Sword Pavilion leader thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Fine. That might be better than bringing all of you.”

Since the chief had agreed to go voluntarily, the leader allowed it.
Namgoong Hwan turned to the head escort.
“You’ll take the people back to the trading group.”

“Chief! This is absurd. If something happens to you…”
“It’s fine. Better me alone than putting everyone in danger. And those folks over there are important, so make sure they’re treated with utmost care on the way back.”
“Chief…”

“It’s an order. Obey it.”
“Khuh! U-understood.”
At that moment, Yeon Woo Jin approached.

Namgoong Hwan turned to him and said,
“I’m sorry. It looks like I won’t be able to accompany you.”
“I’ll go with you.”

Namgoong Hwan’s eyes widened in shock at Yeon Woo Jin’s words.
“W-what are you saying? Absolutely not!”
“You know, I’m a physician too.”

“What if something happens to you?!”
“This whole matter arose from a misunderstanding over the medicinal ingredients. It’s only right that I go and examine them myself. That’ll also make it easier to clear your name, Chief.”
“But I can’t take my benefactor into danger with me.”

“I’m going by my own will. Even if you try to stop me, I’ll still follow you—so you should be aware of that.”
To Yeon Woo Jin’s words, Jang Woon and Sunwoo Baek added,

“There’s no use trying to stop him. Once he sets his mind to something, he sees it through.”

With that, Namgoong Hwan gave him a worried look and said,
“Are you truly intent on coming with me?”
“Yes. If I don’t, only you—who knows nothing about the medicinal ingredients—will be put at a disadvantage.”

He had a point.
In the end, Namgoong Hwan lowered his head.
“Then… though it’s shameless of me… I’ll leave it to you.”

“All right.”
Namgoong Hwan turned to the leader of the Sword Pavilion unit.
“These people will accompany us.”

“Aren’t they part of your trading group?”
“They are. This person here is a physician. He says he’ll personally check whether the problem lies with the medicinal ingredients.”
“Do as you like. We’re short on time, so let’s get moving, shall we?”

“Understood.”
 
****

Thus, Yeon Woo Jin’s party returned once more to the Sword Pavilion.
“Vice Chief, we’ve brought the Chief of the trading group.”
“You didn’t bring all of them.”

“I judged that bringing just the chief would be better than bringing everyone.”
The Vice Chief looked over at Namgoong Hwan and nodded.
“You’re right. This is better than dragging the whole lot. He’s the one responsible, anyway.”

“Yes. The one next to him claims to be a physician.”
“Hmph! A physician they brought? We can’t trust someone like that. Send him back.”
At the Vice Chief’s words, Namgoong Hwan was taken aback.

“Show some respect to these individuals! This man is a valued guest of the Namgoong Clan!”
“A valued guest?”
“Yes! He is the physician who treated our matron! He’s not someone you can casually disregard! He came with me today, risking himself, just to defend my name!”

The matron of the Namgoong Clan, Hong Seol Hwa, was known to suffer from an incurable disease.
To think this man had healed her…
Could he possibly cure her master too?

That thought crossed her mind.
But she couldn’t bring herself to trust him.
After all, this person was here as a suspect.

—No. If I show him my master’s condition and observe his reaction, I’ll know. If he’s truly a skilled physician, he’ll know what’s wrong at a glance.
The Vice Chief turned to Yeon Woo Jin and said,
“If you came to defend him, then show us your skill.”

Yeon Woo Jin asked,
“How should I demonstrate it?”
“I’ll show you someone. Diagnose their condition.”

“Very well.”
“But! You are not allowed to touch the patient.”
At that, Namgoong Hwan protested,

“That’s nonsense! How can one diagnose without touching the patient’s pulse?!”
“You said he was a renowned physician, didn’t you? Then he should be [N O V E L I G H T] capable of that much.”
“What kind of unreasonable—!”

Yeon Woo Jin stopped Namgoong Hwan.
“It’s fine. I can do it.”
“What?”

“I can diagnose through thread contact.”
“But using thread to check the pulse—surely you won’t be able to determine the condition precisely that way?”
“I am a divine physician.”

Yeon Woo Jin smiled as he spoke, and Namgoong Hwan bowed his head.
“I’m sorry. You’re enduring all this because of me.”
“No, I’m here because I chose to be. I was the one who asked to join the trade delegation. Chief, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

Namgoong Hwan was deeply moved by Yeon Woo Jin’s words.
He turned to the Vice Chief and said,
“Treat this man with the utmost respect. Should anything happen to him, you’d best be prepared to make an enemy of the Namgoong Clan for life.”

At that threat, the Vice Chief scoffed.
“Do you think saying that will make us afraid? If the Namgoong Clan wants to survive this, your physician had better prove that you’re not the culprits.”
Namgoong Hwan almost blurted out who Yeon Woo Jin really was.

—Don’t say anything.
If not for hearing Yeon Woo Jin’s sound transmission.
In the end, Namgoong Hwan kept his mouth shut and remained silent.

The Vice Chief smiled, seemingly satisfied.
“Don’t worry. We’re not some barbaric cult that would harm a physician.”
Namgoong Hwan bowed formally and said,

“Then please, treat the physician with all due courtesy.”
“Fine. That much I can agree to. Follow me.”
At her words, Yeon Woo Jin turned to Namgoong Hwan and said,

“Don’t worry about me. Please wait here.”
When Jang Woon and Sunwoo Baek moved to follow, Yeon Woo Jin told them,
“You two wait here too.”

“Yes, sir.”
The Vice Chief looked surprised as she watched Yeon Woo Jin move without an escort, contrary to her expectations.
There wasn’t a hint of fear on Yeon Woo Jin’s face.

In fact, he followed her with such composure that she began to feel a sliver of trust.
Perhaps—just perhaps—this physician might really be able to heal her master.