The Martial God with Psychic Powers

There was a logic to it.

No—there had to be. Nothing else made sense.
Jo Deok, who had occasionally handled tasks on his behalf, knew the clan lord’s personal seal.
“That little bastard… So he had something up his sleeve all along.”

The realization hit like a gut punch, and fury surged to the surface.
Jo Sang turned to the chief steward.
“Head to Cheongseok immediately and declare the document null and void. He must’ve forged my seal. Report it as a case of falsifying official documentation. A felony. Make sure they know it must be treated as such.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”
After issuing the order, Jo Sang addressed the warrior standing beside him.
“Gui Mu Squad Leader. Go bring that bastard Jo Deok here. Right now.”

“Understood.”
“If he resists, deal with him—but don’t kill him.”
“Yes, sir!”

Jo Sang chuckled as he watched Gui Mu move out with cold, predatory eyes.
“Keh keh keh… Just look at that glare. He’s going to drag him back in chains.”
Satisfied, Jo Sang turned and headed back inside.

 
****
“What are you talking about?!”

“Must I repeat myself? I said Jo Deok didn’t require a guardian’s seal.”
“You’re telling me the clan withdrawal was processed without a parent’s consent?! That’s insane!”
The head steward of Manchwi Gate had ridden all night to reach Cheongseok’s Academy Registrar. His face was twisted in disbelief.
“Be that as it may, those were the orders from above. What would you have me do?”

“From above? What the hell do you mean, ‘from above’? Who the hell is that boy for the higher-ups to issue such orders?”
“How would I know? If you’re so curious, go ask them yourself. The order came down directly # Nоvеlight # from the Ministry of Military Affairs. If you want to protest, take it up with them.”
“T-The Ministry…?”

“That’s right.”
The steward’s expression twisted further in stunned confusion.
The Ministry of Military Affairs…? Why would they get involved?

And if the Ministry had indeed issued such an order, this was far above his pay grade.
“…I won’t take more of your time. Thank you for your cooperation.”
With an ominous feeling creeping up his spine, the steward realized this matter had gone well beyond his authority. He turned and left without another word.

 
****
Gui Mu’s forces were already on the move, hunting for Jo Deok.

They started near the Cheongseok Academy where he’d last been seen, and followed leads all the way down to the southern regions, to Baekyeong Academy.
Eventually, they tracked him down.
To a place none of them had heard of before:

White Tiger Gate.
“A new sect?”
“That’s right. Everyone who recognized Jo Deok’s portrait pointed us to this place.”

“White Tiger Gate… I’ve never heard of it.”
“Judging by the new signboard, it hasn’t been around long.”
“Looks like he joined during its founding. Probably got recruited while they were pulling in martial artists.”

That explanation made the most sense.
“So that’s what he was banking on? He had somewhere to go?”
“Seems that way.”

“He must not realize how foolish that is. Our Manchwi Gate is ranked thirty-ninth among the Mushincheon sects. And he’s putting his faith in some newborn group?”
Gui Mu’s eyes darkened as he glared toward the gate.
“Let’s go. Time to show them exactly how terrifying Manchwi Gate truly is.”

“Yes, sir!”
 
****

Inside White Tiger Gate.
The compound was bustling.
The sect had only just been founded, and there was far too much to be done.

Every member was a former drifter—ronin—wandering martial artists left adrift when peace took hold under Mushincheon’s rule. With war fading away, the sects no longer needed their swords. Jobs dried up. Hunger crept in.
To survive, they’d taken any job. Even the dirty ones.
And that had landed many of them in chains—caught by Mushincheon for criminal acts. They’d been counting down the days to execution.

Until a lifeline appeared.
Not only would they be spared—they’d be fed, housed, and given purpose.
All they had to do was join White Tiger Gate.

There was no reason to refuse.
Especially not with none other than General Chun Ho Seong himself guaranteeing the arrangement.
So long as they didn’t betray the sect, they had nothing to fear.

The sect leader might’ve been a teenager, barely old enough to come of age—but who cared?
They had a home. They had a future.
These weren’t weak men. If they had been, Chun Ho Seong never would’ve backed them.

They were known as the Mad Wind Syndicate—the name the drifters had used for themselves before becoming a formal unit.
Their leader, Seop Pung, was the one who kept order among them. He assigned work, settled disputes, gave them direction.
And Seop Pung was no ordinary ronin.

He had reached the Fourth Stage of the Fire Realm—a level of strength far beyond most martial artists.
He’d once considered founding his own sect with the Syndicate.
That was before he met Chun Ho Seong.

Now, he’d been reborn—as the Commander of the White Tiger Mad Wind Unit.
He believed it to be fate. He vowed to serve his young sect leader with everything he had—and raise White Tiger Gate to prominence.
But for now, there was still so much to fix, build, and organize.

CRASH—!
Just as he was reviewing organizational charts in his study, a thunderous noise echoed from the front gate.
“What the hell was that?”

“Sounded like a door getting smashed in.”
“I know what it sounded like. I’m asking why it sounded like that!”
“Looks like we’re under attack.”

“That’s odd. No other sects around here would dare challenge us…”
“Maybe they think we’re easy prey. A brand-new sect, ripe for shaking down.”
“Go check it out. If that’s all it is, rough them up a little and demand compensation for the gate.”

“Understood.”
Deputy Commander Won Gwanho scowled as he stepped out.
“Damn it, I’ve got enough to deal with already…”

Won Gwanho was no slouch—he was at the Second Stage of the Fire Realm, a true master.
Outside, the White Tiger Mad Wind Unit had already formed ranks—facing off against a group of intruders.
“What’s going on here?”

“They’re from Manchwi Gate.”
“…What?”
Manchwi Gate? Ranked thirty-ninth among all Mushincheon sects?

“And what do they want?”
“They’re demanding we hand over Jo Deok.”
“…Excuse me?”

“Apparently, that’s his name. Jo Deok.”
SMACK!
“OW! What the hell was that for?!”

“You lunatic! Watch your damn mouth when you speak the Sect Leader’s name!”
“What? Wait… our Sect Leader’s name is Jo Deok?!”
“You didn’t know?”

“...No…”
“Any of you know?”
The others averted their eyes in shameful silence.

“Gods above… We’ve got a long way to go.”
Well, what could you expect? The sect was barely two weeks old.
Won Gwanho turned toward the intruders.

“The man you’re seeking is our Sect Leader, the Master of White Tiger Gate. Why exactly is Manchwi Gate after him?”
Gui Mu, standing at the front of the Manchwi warriors, let out a mocking laugh.
“You hear that? The bastard’s their sect leader.”

“I honestly thought I misheard,” another scoffed.
“What the hell is this place?”
Nothing made sense anymore.

“…We need to speak to your Sect Leader. Now.”
“Our Sect Leader is your buddy now? You should be on your knees begging forgiveness for smashing our gate—and paying for the damage on top of it.”
“Oh? I must’ve phrased that wrong. You thought I was asking? I’m issuing a command.”

“That so? Then here’s mine.”
Won Gwanho and the Gui Mu Squad Leader locked eyes in midair, their stares colliding like drawn blades.
“So, words won’t work on trash like you.”

“Thanks for saying what I was about to.”
“No registry with Mushincheon, since you’re brand-new, right? Fine—kill them all. Wipe them out.”
At his order, the Gui Mu warriors surged forward with bloodlust radiating from their eyes.

Won Gwanho scoffed and turned to his men.
“You hear that? They’re planning to kill us all.”
“Loud and clear.”

“So we can go all out?”
“Of course. You planning to bow politely to people who just ordered our execution? Give it back to them—tenfold.”
As Won Gwanho gave the order, the White Tiger Mad Wind Unit released a storm of killing intent, eyes locking on the enemies advancing toward them.

Gui Mu's squad leader’s face tightened.
What the hell? I thought they were just a pack of riffraff… But these men—
They moved like trained wolves, not strays.

Just what was this place?
Jo Deok founding a sect was insane enough. But the people under him weren’t just decent—they were dangerous.
Is someone backing Jo Deok from the shadows?

It made more sense than believing he’d built this power base alone. No way someone like him could command men like these.
What had started as a simple retrieval mission now felt like the opening to something far more dangerous.
Especially that man—the one commanding them.

He wasn’t ordinary.
Still... there's no way I lose here. I’m a Third-Stage Fire Realm master.
He might be formidable, but surely there couldn’t be another Fire Realm expert hiding in a place like this…

CLANG—!
Blades clashed and sparks flew across the compound.
The Gui Mu warriors had underestimated their foes—and were quickly learning just how wrong they’d been.

They were meeting heavy resistance. In some places, they were even being pushed back.
The squad leader grit his teeth. If he wanted to turn the tide, he’d have to do it himself.
With a burst of speed, he launched himself toward Won Gwanho.

CRASH—!
Won Gwanho caught the surprise attack with crossed arms, boots skidding back along the dirt. A thin line of blood trickled from his lips.
“Son of a bitch… You’re stronger than I expected.”

He wiped the blood away with the back of his hand, licking it from his lips.
The Gui Mu leader’s eyes narrowed.
He blocked that?

He hadn’t expected to find a master here who could match him blow-for-blow.
“You the strongest one here?”
“Oh? Curious, are you? Too bad. That kind of info doesn’t come free.”

WHOOSH—!
The squad leader dodged a vicious counterattack.
He’s fast. And powerful.

To block that strike and respond instantly meant this man was on his level.
And that hadn’t been part of the equation.
And if he’s not the strongest in this sect?

Then Gui Mu was in real trouble.
“…Lost in thought? Where’d all that confidence go?”
Won Gwanho’s taunting didn’t faze him. His eyes were scanning, calculating.

He had to protect his men.
We retreat.
FWEEET—!

He let out a sharp whistle, and the Gui Mu warriors immediately disengaged and began falling back.
Their bloodied uniforms and limping steps showed just how vicious the battle had been.
“Fall back!”

But just as they turned to flee—
CHILL—
A deathly aura swept through the air like a collapsing storm.

The Gui Mu leader froze, every hair on his body standing on end.
He felt like prey—cornered by a predator.
Who…?

Who the hell had just arrived?
Slowly, he turned toward the main gate.
There, walking calmly through the wrecked entrance, were two figures: a broad-shouldered man in middle age—and a face he recognized.

“…What the hell’s this mess?”
The older man’s voice was cool, but heavy.
Won Gwanho, pale-faced, rushed forward to greet him.

“S-Sir! These men came from Manchwi Gate!”
“Manchwi Gate? Isn’t that where your former parents are?”
Jo Deok smiled bitterly at the phrase “former parents.”

He stepped in beside the man.
The Gui Mu leader snapped to attention.
“Master Jo! We came to retrieve you!”

Won Gwanho cut him off, disgusted.
“If you came to ‘retrieve’ someone, would you smash the damn gate in first?”
“…So that’s what happened to the door? I thought it got broken during the fight.”

“No, sir. They led with the gate.”
“Disgraceful.”
The older man accepted Won Gwanho’s report with a nod.

Gui Mu’s leader stared at him, confused.
Why did this man look so… familiar?
Then another figure emerged.

The White Tiger Mad Wind Unit’s commander—Seop Pung—came sprinting toward the middle-aged man.
“Master Chun Ho Seong!”
What?!

The Gui Mu leader reeled back, blood draining from his face.
Chun Ho Seong?! The Sword Emperor?!
He looked closer.

Yes. It was him.
That’s why he’d seemed so familiar.
And then came the final blow.

“What business do you have with my disciple?”
“…Y-Your disciple?”
“That’s right. The man you’re after—Jo Deok—is my disciple.”

The Gui Mu leader’s jaw slackened.
Nothing made sense anymore.
He’d come to subdue and capture Jo Deok—and Jo Deok had become the disciple of none other than Chun Ho Seong?

“I built this sect so my disciple could walk with pride. You wreck the place before we’ve even had a founding ceremony? Real classy.”
So that’s why Jo Deok’s the Sect Leader…
Everything suddenly clicked into place.

No—it didn’t. One question still burned.
How did he become the disciple of the Sword Emperor?
And more urgently—what the hell do I report back to the clan?

Will they even believe this?
His mind was spiraling.
“What do you think? You’re the Sect Leader now—you decide.”

Chun Ho Seong turned to Jo Deok.
Jo Deok looked at the retreating warriors, then let out a sigh.
“…Just make them pay for the gate and send them on their way.”

“Clicking your tongue like that—how are you supposed to handle anything big with such a soft heart?”
“They were… family. Once.”