The Martial God with Psychic Powers

Jegal Munyeok’s words were sincere.

With the Celestial Transformation Divine Art, the Jegal Clan could rise several levels beyond their current status.
The stigma of being a clan with weak martial arts could finally be shed.
In a way, this was the clan’s long-cherished wish.

And the benefactor who fulfilled that wish stood right before him.
How could someone who read the clan’s secret manual be considered a benefactor, you ask?
From the start, the Jegal Clan treated that manual as if it didn’t exist.

It had been seized by Mushincheon.
But not only had the manual been returned, they had also received a martial art far superior to it.
It was practically a miracle.

How could he not be a benefactor?
If people heard that Yeon Woo Jin improved their treasured manuals to such a degree, every sect in the Central Plains would scramble to offer him the manuals they had hidden away.
Truthfully, Jegal Munyeok wanted to show him not just the Great Heaven Divine Art, but every secret manual the clan possessed.
No, he wanted to open the secret vault and let Yeon Woo Jin examine them all at his leisure.

Let him "meddle" as much as he pleased.
But that would only inconvenience their benefactor.
“May I ask one last question?”

Jegal Munyeok’s tone grew increasingly polite.
“You want to ask about the illness, don’t you?”
“Yes. Is there truly an inherited illness unique to our bloodline?”

“Yes. Don’t your Yin and Yang meridians tingle every time you circulate your qi?”
“T-That’s true. But I assumed it was due to the nature of our clan’s martial art.”
“It’s not. Let me show you how it feels to be free of the illness. Could you remove your top for a moment?”

“Certainly.”
Jegal Munyeok obediently took off his top.
Clink.

Yeon Woo Jin retrieved acupuncture needles from his kit and inserted them near the Yin and Yang meridians.
In that instant—
A sensation of complete relaxation swept through his muscles.

Simultaneously, the constant headache he’d lived with vanished.
All Yeon Woo Jin had done was insert a few needles near his meridians.
“Try circulating your qi now.”
“In this state?”

“Yes.”
Jegal Munyeok sat cross-legged on the spot and began circulating his energy.
It showed how completely he trusted Yeon Woo Jin.

After completing one small heavenly cycle, Jegal Munyeok stood up in amazement.
“It’s comfortable! Incredibly comfortable! I had no idea circulating qi could feel so effortless.”
And this was just from a few needles—what if he received full treatment?

Jegal Munyeok pleaded earnestly with Yeon Woo Jin.
“P-Please treat me! I beg of you!”
“Of course. I’ll treat you. But the process will be painful.”

“I can endure it! I’ll endure anything!”
“Then, since you’ve already taken off your top, let’s begin.”
“N-Now?”

“Yes. No point delaying it.”
“V-Very well!”
Jegal Munyeok, afraid Yeon Woo Jin might change his mind, hurriedly lay down on the bed, while Jegal Un quietly stepped out to fetch cloths and water to clean away the impurities.

 
****
As expected of a Patriarch.

Unlike Jegal Un, who fainted, Jegal Munyeok endured the entire process.
He experienced every part of the treatment vividly.
When black, foul-smelling impurities began pouring endlessly from his body, he panicked.

He hated filth more than anyone, yet now his body was expelling a putrid stench nonstop.
Jegal Un wiped the impurities away.
Jegal Munyeok, watching his son tend to him, swelled with pride.

If his son hadn’t treated their benefactor so well, would this opportunity have come?
No.
If he had met Yeon Woo Jin himself?

He would’ve handled the formalities and told him to leave.
If that happened, they wouldn’t have reclaimed the manual, nor received the superior Celestial Transformation Divine Art.
They wouldn’t have discovered the hereditary illness plaguing their bloodline either.

All of this happened because Jegal Un had treated Yeon Woo Jin properly.

He was proud.
His son had made a tremendous contribution to the clan.

He’d perfectly fulfilled his duties as the Young Lord.
Jegal Un had said he wanted to follow Yeon Woo Jin.
Approval was guaranteed.

No, rather than approval, he ought to cling to Yeon Woo Jin’s hem and beg him to take Jegal Un along.
Yeon Woo Jin was destined to become the next Mushincheon Lord.
They said Mushincheon was preparing for the Small Heavenly Lord contest.

But from what Jegal Munyeok saw, the contest was meaningless.
Yeon Woo Jin was guaranteed to be the next Lord.
The Mushincheon Lord surely knew that too, which is why he was so casually allowing the contest to proceed.

Forming ties with the next Mushincheon Lord?
There could be no greater fortune for the Jegal Clan.
They were technically part of the Martial Alliance, but when had the Martial Alliance ever properly treated them?

The alliance existed to oppose Mushincheon, but in truth, they did little but tread carefully around Mushincheon’s gaze.
There was never a real fight.
Clinging to pride, unable to forget the glory days, they refused to join Mushincheon and instead huddled under the Martial Alliance as a form of comfort.

But it was Mushincheon that controlled the Central Plains and dictated its fate.
Jegal Munyeok looked at Yeon Woo Jin.
A young prodigy, barely in his twenties, yet already at the level of a Great Grandmaster.

If he was like this now, how terrifying would he become as he aged?
A flawless martial artist would be born.
What? The old sects and Five Great Clans would reclaim the world one day?

As long as Yeon Woo Jin existed, that was a laughable fantasy.
Then, for the sake of the next generation, Jegal Munyeok had only one task:
To firmly seize the fortune that had come knocking on their door.

While he was lost in thought, Yeon Woo Jin’s voice called out.
“It’s done. You can get up and perform the Grand Circulation now.”
“Understood.”

Jegal Munyeok immediately sat and began the Grand Circulation.
With the tingling sensation gone, he slipped into a trance with ease.
Time passed, and his body grew lighter—he felt as if he were floating.

In reality, Jegal Munyeok’s body lifted off the ground as golden energy burst from him in all directions.
The golden energy coalesced into the shape of a massive lotus, then began reabsorbing into his body through the Seven Apertures.
His wrinkles vanished.

His graying hair darkened to black.
It was the phenomenon of Reversing Decay and Returning to Purity, transcending into Peak Mastery.
Jegal Munyeok ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) had finally achieved the Hwagyeong Realm he had long dreamed of.

As he finished circulating his energy and opened his eyes, Yeon Woo Jin congratulated him.
“Congratulations on your achievement.”
Jegal Munyeok’s face contorted in disbelief.

“I-I’ve… I’ve reached Hwagyeong…”
His body trembled with overwhelming emotion.
He shot to his feet and bowed deeply toward Yeon Woo Jin.

“I have no words to repay this grace. All of this is thanks to you, Young Master Yeon.”
“When I become the Mushincheon Lord someday, I hope for your support.”
“Of course! If you simply say the word, I’ll join Mushincheon immediately.”

“I appreciate hearing that.”
“I mean it. Even if this boy becomes Patriarch, he’ll feel the same. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes! I feel the same as Father! If you become the Mushincheon Lord, I’ll gladly follow you.”

“Thank you. That means a lot. Let’s get along well.”
“Of course! Hahaha. Today is a joyous day indeed. Allow me to host you properly.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”

“Hah. Now I understand why my son was guarding the kitchen himself. Haha. I should keep watch over the kitchen today as well.”
“Then, I’ll enjoy the meal and depart tomorrow.”
“Ah, you mentioned taking my son with you, correct?”

“Yes. If the Patriarch permits, I’ll take him.”
“Take him. As much as you wish.”
“Understood.”

“Um… Benefactor, I have one more favor to ask.”
Yeon Woo Jin smiled knowingly, sensing the request.
“Go ahead.”

“Please treat the other members of the clan as well. I’ll compensate you.”
“No need for compensation. I’ll do it.”
“Th-Thank you!”

Hearing there was no need for compensation, Jegal Munyeok made a firm decision.

‘If Mushincheon is led by a man like him…’
 

****
That evening.
The kitchen descended into chaos once more.

“First, it was the Young Lord, and now it’s the Patriarch himself?”
“What kind of VIP showed up to have the Patriarch this worked up?”
“No idea. Hey! They’re watching—just cook.”

“Alright, alright.”
The chefs bustled about in confusion, scolded by the Patriarch as they prepared food.
Rare, expensive ingredients were thrown in without hesitation.

If anyone dared to skimp, they were met with fury.
“You fool! Didn’t I say not to hold back? Are my orders a joke to you?!”
“N-No! It’s just, these are precious ingredients, and this amount is plenty—”

“Put them all in!”
“A-All of them?”
“Yes! Don’t you understand what ‘without reservation’ means?!”

“A-Alright!”
All the costly, rare ingredients were poured in.
The chefs clenched their eyes shut in agony.

But orders were orders.
If ingredients weren’t fresh enough, another scolding followed.
Who could cause such tension?

The Martial Alliance Leader, perhaps?
With the Patriarch watching, the dishes were finally completed. The servants hurried to carry the food.
“You idiots! Hurry! The food’s getting cold! Move!”

A servant tripped, nearly dropping the food.
In that moment—
The falling servant froze midair, then slowly returned to standing.

“You clumsy fool! Be careful!”
“P-Patriarch… you stopped me just now?”
“Of course I did. Who else?”

The servants stared wide-eyed at the display.
“Could it be… you’ve achieved your long-desired realm?”
Everyone knew.

The realm the Patriarch so desperately chased.
To stop a falling person with invisible force—he had reached it.
Jegal Munyeok cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed.

“Ahem… I made progress today.”
At his words, the servants erupted with cheers.
“Waaah!”

“Congratulations, Patriarch!”
“Hahaha! Thank you. Now settle down and get the food out. Our guests must be hungry.”
“Yes, Patriarch!”

The servants thought—
The guest who arrived today must’ve brought incredible fortune, prompting such honor.
With that thought, they busily carried the food.

 
****
Having treated Yeon Woo Jin’s party with utmost care, Jegal Munyeok urgently summoned the clan’s inner circle.

The council members, puzzled, rushed to the meeting.
But when they saw the manual on the table, they immediately understood the urgency.
“Patriarch, why is the Great Heaven Divine Art here?”

“You summoned us because of this?”
As they all questioned him in unison, one person noticed something different.
“Huh? Patriarch! You look younger. Wait—did you ascend?”

“I achieved the Hwagyeong Realm.”
“Truly?”
“Congratulations!”

“Hahaha! A great day for the clan indeed.”
Everyone rejoiced at the news.
“Thank you. I called you here late because of that manual.”

“I-Is that… truly the original?”
“It is. It was returned to us directly by Mushincheon.”
“M-Mushincheon… directly?”

“Why? Why would they—?”
“They stole it from us, threatening us not to oppose them.”
“Indeed. But now, they’ve returned it.”

“Is the kitchen uproar earlier related to entertaining guests from Mushincheon?”
“It is.”