The Martial God with Psychic Powers

Four months had passed inside the Temporal Displacement Formation.
Myung Gong had reached the third star of the Apex-Level Realm, and Myung Cheon had reached the eleventh star of the Peak-Level Realm.
Myung Gong had become one of the top experts within the Wudang Sect, while Myung Cheon had become the strongest among the first-generation disciples.
They had attained the realms that others longed for with all their hearts, but neither of them felt any joy.
What was the point of ascending realms?
The stronger they became, the harsher Yeon Woo Jin’s attacks had grown.
They had truly crossed the threshold of death more times than they could count.
It was those countless life-or-death battles that had made Myung Gong and Myung Cheon stronger.
In particular, their combined coordination had risen to the level of art.
They moved so naturally together now, it was as if they were one body.
When the two geniuses joined forces in an attack, no one—save for Yeon Woo Jin and the Master of Martial Deity Heaven—could easily block their assault.
Even Yeon Woo Jin acknowledged the power of their combined offensive.
And yet, what of it?
In the end, they still failed to lay a finger on the hem of Yeon Woo Jin’s robes.
At the last moment, they’d squeezed out every ounce of strength they had, like babes straining for milk—and still, they failed.
The futility of it was indescribable.
What was clear, however, was this—there would never be anyone in this world who could defeat Yeon Woo Jin.
And then, the day they thought would never come… finally arrived.
Yeon Woo Jin had said that on the final day, he would reveal the reason he had trained them like this.
What could that reason be?
Myung Cheon spoke.
“You said you would tell us the reason for our training today.”
“That’s right. There is a reason.”
“What is it?”
“A great sword calamity will soon descend upon the Central Plains.”
“What?”
“The source of that calamity… is the Heavenly Demon Sect.”
What was he saying now?
Of all the shocking things they had heard in the past few months, this might be the most jarring.
It had been shocking enough to learn that they were born with divine bodies blessed by the heavens—and now, this mention of the Heavenly Demon Sect?
“You must not neglect your training, even if I’m no longer around. Demons are beings of the Demonic Realm, not humans. They’re strong. If you wish to protect Wudang, you must become stronger still.”
“W-When will they come?”
“I don’t know yet. It could be tomorrow, or it could be years from now. To be sure, we’ll need to find the Rift that connects to the Demonic Realm.”
“A rift? How do we find that?”
“There’s a divine artifact called the Ji Maho. If we find that, we can locate the rift.”
“Ji Maho?”
Yeon Woo Jin pulled out a drawing from his robe and showed it to them.
“If you ever see something that looks like this, inform me immediately.”
“U-Understood.”
“Well then. You’ve worked hard all this time.”
“No, not at all! You’ve spent four whole months on us, Master—how can we ever repay that?”
“It’s only been four days outside anyway.”
That, too, was hard to believe.
Time flowed differently inside the formation?
“Alright, let’s head out now.”
“Yes!”
 
****
Once outside, Myung Gong was shocked to find that it really had only been four days.
So it was true after all.
Yeon Woo Jin no longer felt like a human being.
He looked like a guardian spirit sent by the heavens to stop the sword calamity.
As Myung Gong stood stunned, Baekwoon came into view.
“Master!”
“Hohoho! So, I take it there were results.”
“Yes! I have now reached the third star of the Apex-Level Realm.”
“Truly? Hohoho. This is a great celebration for our Wudang. And Myung Cheon?”
Baekwoon turned to Myung Cheon and asked.
Scratching his head, Myung Cheon replied.
“I’ve reached the eleventh star of the Peak-Level Realm.”
“Heoh! Astounding! Truly a talent gifted by the heavens.”
He turned again to look at Myung Gong.
“A realm beyond even heavenly-endowed talent… It’s clear how much blood and sweat you’ve shed.”
“Th-That is…”
Myung Gong started to speak about the body he was born with.

But for some reason, he felt embarrassed to say “Heavenly Martial Body” with his own mouth.
Sensing Myung Gong’s hesitation, Myung Cheon spoke up.
“Senior Brother has the Heavenly Martial Body.”
At his words, Baekwoon’s expression went blank for a moment, then he asked again.
“What did you say?”
“Senior Brother Myung Gong possesses the Heavenly Martial Body, a divine martial form granted by the heavens.”
“W-What are you saying? Myung Gong has the Heavenly Martial Body? No! That can’t be!”
“It’s true. Someone placed a restriction on Senior Brother’s body to conceal it. Because of that, his skeleton was grotesquely twisted, and others couldn’t recognize what he was.”
Baekwoon looked at Myung Gong, dumbfounded.
At last, all the questions were answered.
In truth, the body Baekwoon had seen in Myung Gong didn’t seem fit for martial cultivation.
There are things that can be achieved through effort, and others that cannot.
But Myung Gong had achieved what should have been impossible.
He had admired it but never understood it—until now.
Even with the restriction, a Heavenly Martial Body was still a Heavenly Martial Body.
Like a needle in a pouch that inevitably pierces through—a talent that cannot stay hidden.
That was Myung Gong.
Baekwoon Jinin turned his gaze to Yeon Woo Jin.
“Is… what these children said… true?”
If someone had lifted the restriction, it could only be Yeon Woo Jin.
Yeon Woo Jin nodded.
“Yes, it’s true.”
“Gasp… Muryangsabul…”
What was going on?
He had already thought Myung Cheon’s Azure Dragon Physique was a blessing to Wudang, but now Myung Gong too possessed a divine body?
Baekwoon’s lips began to twitch.
He wanted to laugh aloud, but held it in out of respect for Yeon Woo Jin’s presence.
As he held back his joy with superhuman restraint, it dawned on him once again—Yeon Woo Jin was a great benefactor to Wudang.
The favors he had given weren’t just one or two.
Each one was so enormous, they couldn’t be repaid even in a lifetime.
Baekwoon Jinin adjusted his robe.
Then, assuming the most respectful posture he could, he bowed to Yeon Woo Jin.
“The grace our Wudang has received from you is as boundless as the heavens. I cannot imagine how we could ever repay it.”
“There’s no need. You don’t have to trouble yourself.”
No need?
He had given them such immense grace and was now brushing it off like it was nothing.
His capacity was as vast as the great sea.
No need?
Baekwoon couldn’t accept that.
“We must repay it. Please, tell us how we may.”
Knowing that they would try to repay him no matter what he said, Yeon Woo Jin replied.
“Then return that favor not to me—but to Martial Deity Heaven.”
After a moment of thought, Baekwoon bowed once more.
“Understood. Wudang shall repay this debt to Martial Deity Heaven. If I cannot repay it in full, Myung Gong will. And if he cannot, his descendants will carry it on.”
It was already clear that Yeon Woo Jin would become the next Master of Martial Deity Heaven.
Repaying Martial Deity Heaven was the same as repaying Yeon Woo Jin.
“Thank you.”
“Will you be departing again now?”
“Yes. There are still many places I must visit.”
“Where to next?”
“Sichuan Province.”
“Sichuan? Then are you visiting the Qingcheng Sect, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) the Emei Sect, or the Sacheon Tang Clan?”
“All three.”
“I see. Then I suppose you’ll also stop by Kunlun, Gongdong, and Hwasan as well.”
“Yes. I’ll go to Hwasan last. I heard there’s going to be a Shinryong Grand Tournament there.”
At the mention of the Shinryong Grand Tournament, Baekwoon clapped his hands like he’d just remembered.
“Oh! Right! I had forgotten about that.”
“Wudang will be sending someone too, won’t you?”
“Yes. He’s still lacking, but there’s a disciple named Myung Hyeon among the first generation. I plan to send him.”
“Ah, I see… Oh, right!”
As he was answering, Yeon Woo Jin suddenly exclaimed as if he’d just remembered something.
Startled, Baekwoon asked, “What is it?”
“I forgot. I left the first-generation disciples trapped in the formation.”
“Ah! Right. I gave you the command scroll for that myself.”
“Those insolent brats… I hope they’ve come to their senses. I’d better hurry and let them out. Come to think of it, the food I left them is probably running low by now.”
Yeon Woo Jin rushed toward the formation.
Everyone followed after him.
 
****
Inside the now-dissolved formation, three dazed, haggard-looking figures stood.
They were Myung Hyeon, Myung Jin, and Myung Ho—the first-generation disciples.
“We—we were wrong. We won’t do it again.”
“Myung Cheon… I’m sorry. I won’t bully you again. Please forgive me.”
“I’ll never… act so wickedly again.”
The three, reduced to skin and bones, were begging for forgiveness.
Baekwoon Jinin had followed, intending to give them a harsh scolding—but seeing their condition, that anger faded.
It was clear they had already been punished enough. They even seemed deeply remorseful, so he decided to let it go.
Still, he gave them a warning.
“You fools, never torment anyone again. These things always come back around as karmic retribution.”
“Yes, Master!”
“From now on, I’ll live for the sake of others!”
“I will devote myself fully to cultivation!”
Baekwoon clicked his tongue as he looked at Myung Hyeon.
In that state, he couldn’t possibly send him to the Shinryong Grand Tournament.
He turned to Myung Cheon.
“Myung Cheon, you’ll go to the Shinryong Grand Tournament.”
“Huh? M-Me, Master?”
“Yes. That guy won’t do.”
Myung Cheon looked at Myung Hyeon, who quickly lowered his head in fright.
He would likely avoid people for some time.
“But Master, isn’t Myung Hyeon already registered as the representative?”
“If unavoidable circumstances arise, he can be replaced.”
“Then… understood.”
And so, Myung Cheon found himself suddenly representing Wudang in the Shinryong Grand Tournament.
Baekwoon Jinin allowed a pleased smile to curl in his heart.
Hehehe. This year, Wudang will win the Shinryong Grand Tournament for sure.
Who could defeat someone with the Azure Dragon Physique and eleven stars of the Peak-Level Realm?
Victory was practically guaranteed.
Yeon Woo Jin smiled as he watched the scene.
Looks like this tournament will be fun after all.
He’d worried it might turn into a fight between his own students—but perhaps it wouldn’t be that simple.
“Then, I’ll be going now.”
As Yeon Woo Jin announced his departure, Baekwoon spoke with regret in his voice.
“Won’t you stay just one more day? I’d like to give you a proper send-off.”
“No. As you know, this isn’t the time to relax. I need to visit as many places as I can.”
Baekwoon Jinin couldn’t argue. He knew the reason.
“Understood. Then… will you be attending the Shinryong Grand Tournament?”
“Yes. That, I must attend.”
“You’re not… participating, are you?”
“Haha, no.”
“Thank goodness. If you did, there’d be no point in sending Myung Cheon.”
“I agree. If I entered, there’d be no meaning to the tournament.”
It was true.
It would be like throwing a white tiger into a field of puppies.
From behind, Myung Cheon let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Then, until we meet again, I wish you peace and health.”
Yeon Woo Jin gave a martial bow, and Baekwoon returned it.
“I shall earnestly pray to Wonsicheonjon that all your wishes come true, Benefactor.”
“Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave.”
Baekwoon Jinin and the others followed to see Yeon Woo Jin off.
At the mountain gate, the people of Shincheon Escort Bureau had already prepared for departure and were waiting.
As soon as Yeon Woo Jin appeared, Namgoong Hwan ran up and escorted him with utmost respect.
As if escorting his own lord.
Watching that, Baekwoon said,
“It seems Namgoong has already become his clan.”
“I think so too.”
“From now on, the history of the Central Plains martial world will likely revolve around him.”
“I agree.”
“We may have to consider placing Wudang under his banner as well.”
“I think so too… Wait, what?! M-Master, what are you saying?!”
“The Heavenly Demon Sect is coming. To survive that great storm, we must all move as one. That means we must humble ourselves. And that… is also what we must do for him.”
“Master…”
“You saw it yourself. He’s racing across the land to protect the Central Plains. What is becoming part of Martial Deity Heaven compared to that?”
Baekwoon spoke with a resolute expression, as if he had made up his mind.
“He’s gone out of sight. Let’s return. There’s much to do.”
“Yes, Master.”