The Martial God with Psychic Powers

TL Note:
“Mushincheon” (무신천) has been translated as “Martial God Heaven” throughout this work. This term literally combines “Martial God” (무신) and “Heaven” (천), referring to a centralized realm, region, or institutional system governed by martial authority. “Martial God Heaven” preserves both the divine-martial hierarchy and the original structure of the Korean name. It functions as a proper noun, denoting a specific, prestigious setting within the story’s world.
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Seong Baekcheon had rushed to Mushincheon (Martial God Heaven) in a single breath.
He almost went to confront Seong Seaak first, but held himself back.
What mattered most right now was catching the scene of his son being bullied red-handed.

Guided by his subordinate, Seong Baekcheon moved to the location where the incident had been witnessed.
After settling in and waiting, it wasn’t long before a group of children appeared, trudging along with drooping shoulders.
It was obvious to anyone that they were coming against their will, forced to be there.

“How long do we have to keep doing this?”
“Who knows. Probably until the seniors decide to let us go, right?”
“Ugh… We can’t exactly say no, either.”

“Exactly. That’s what’s driving me insane.”
Seong Baekcheon perked up his ears, and the children’s conversation became clear.
Their words told him plainly—they were being bullied.

Still, he waited.
He hadn’t caught them in the act yet.
Just then, his eyes caught sight of his son.

As expected, he looked utterly drained.
Seong Baekcheon wanted to run out right that instant, hold his son tight, and comfort him—but he held himself back.
He clenched his teeth, vowing to tear to pieces whoever dared to torment his son.

The children gathered in the open field and, without anyone giving orders, instinctively began lining up in rows and columns.
While the younger children were lining up, a group came walking in a bit later.
They were intermediate students.
—That one walking at the front is the young lord of the Shin Clan.

At his subordinate’s sound transmission, Seong Baekcheon's brow twitched.
So it’s that bastard.
The one behind all of this.

Flames rose in Seong Baekcheon’s eyes.
Then Shin Dowoon’s voice rang out.
“Did you all rest well yesterday?”

“Yes, sir!”
“Kehehe. If you rested well, that means we should get started today too, right?”
“Thank you, sir!”
The children responded with loud cries of gratitude.

Seong Baekcheon’s body trembled.
Were they being forced to say thank you for being bullied?
“Alright, let’s begin.”

At Shin Dowoon’s nod, the children began moving toward a spot where something had been inscribed into the ground.
—What is that?
—It appears to be a formation. They seemed to be in agony inside it.

—What? He’s using formations to torment them?
He was using formations to bully children? That was too cruel.
Unbelievable.

How could anyone do such a thing unless they were a complete sadist?
Inside the formation, the children began contorting their bodies, obediently doing as the intermediate students told them.
At first, when their bodies were still stiff, it had been painful and miserable—but now they were flexible enough that this level of movement didn’t bother them anymore.

A short while later.
The formation seemed to activate.
“Ggghhh…!”

The children writhed in agony.
Among them was Seong Seaak.
‘So it was real! That son of a bitch! He did this to my son!’

Seong Baekcheon, seething with rage.
He wanted to charge in right that moment and obliterate Shin Dowoon—but he held back.
—We're going to the Shin Clan.

—…What?
—A child’s wrongdoings are the parents’ responsibility.
 

****
Seong Baekcheon dashed to the Shin Clan in a single stride.
Despite his fury, his demeanor was unexpectedly calm.

His subordinate knew.
That when Seong Baekcheon was truly angry, he became even calmer.
Meanwhile, upon hearing that the Lord of Snowy Mountain Sect had arrived, the patriarch of the Shin Clan, Shin Do Gwang, hurried out to greet him.

“Welcome. I am Shin Do Gwang, head of the Shin Clan.”
“I am Seong Baekcheon of the Snowy Mountain Sect.”
Sensing the coldness in his tone, Shin Do Gwang realized at once that this visit was not for pleasant reasons and quickly led him inside.

“It seems you have something serious to discuss. Please, come in first.”
“Then I’ll be imposing for a bit.”
As Seong Baekcheon strode inside without hesitation, Shin Do Gwang tilted his head in confusion.

What could have soured his mood so severely?
Could it be that one of the Shin Clan’s children had caused trouble in Snowy Mountain Sect territory?
He’d find out soon enough.

“No tea. Bring me liquor. My anger can’t be soothed with tea.”
At Seong Baekcheon’s words as he sat down, Shin Do Gwang nodded to his subordinate.
“Bring out the drink tray.”

“Yes, sir!”
While the drinks were being prepared, Shin Do Gwang asked cautiously,
“Lord Seong, it seems your visit to our clan was not for a happy reason. Might I ask what that reason is?”

“Hoo… I came here because of the young lord of the Shin Clan.”
“Did our Dowoon cause some kind of trouble?”
“So you really don’t know, then.”

“Know what?”
“Your young lord has been tormenting students at the High Division. And very cruelly, at that.”
“W-What are you saying? Our Dowoon? Bullying other students? That’s absolutely impossible!”

If that were true, then one of those terrifying people Yeon Woo Jin keeps around would have shown up at the clan by now.
Judging by Shin Do Gwang’s reaction, he truly had no idea.
That was at least a relief.

If he’d known and still dared spout nonsense about “the rights of the strong,” Seong Baekcheon would have declared war on the spot.
Shin Do Gwang was trembling, seemingly in real shock.
Seeing this, Seong Baekcheon realized he might have misjudged the Shin Clan.

‘At least the patriarch is a decent man.’
It felt like they could have a real conversation.
His mood eased, if only slightly.

“Hoo… So the patriarch truly didn’t know.”
“Th-That’s right. Dowoon bullying children? That’s impossible. Especially not in Baekyeong!”
“I saw it with my own eyes.”

“You mean… you personally witnessed our Dowoon bullying children?”
“That’s right. The entire group of intermediate students were moving in perfect unison to torment them.”
“The whole group of intermediates?”

Shin Do Gwang tilted his head again.
If all the intermediate students were acting in such unified fashion, that meant the orders came from above.
And above them was his liege—Yeon Woo Jin.

If it was something his liege ordered, then surely there was a reason.
“There must be some kind of misunderstanding. If all the intermediate students acted together like that, it’s unlikely to have been simple bullying.”
“And how can you be so sure?”

“You don’t seem to know much about Baekyeong High Division, Lord Seong. What do you think made Baekyeong so strong?”
“Lucky coincidence that a lot of gifted kids gathered at once?”
“No. The ones leading Baekyeong’s golden age now were, just two years ago, considered the absolute weakest among all the High Divisions in Martial God Heaven. Are you telling me they suddenly awakened their talents and became strong in one year? Do you think that makes any sense?”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“Mmm. I’ll explain. But before that, why don’t we get a clearer understanding of what you witnessed? I need to know exactly what the situation was as well.”
“Fine. Let’s do that.”

“Thank you. The reason you’re so angry, Lord Seong… your son has joined Baekyeong, hasn’t he?”
“That’s right! I came here today after seeing my son suffering in torment!”
“Then I thank you for restraining yourself and coming all this way in person with such civility, despite witnessing that scene.”

As Shin Do Gwang made a fist-over-palm salute in thanks, Seong Baekcheon returned the gesture with visible reluctance and said,
“My apologies. I’m not exactly in the mood to receive polite greetings right now.”
“I completely understand. Were I in your position, I’d be the same.”

Just then, the drinks were brought in.
“First, allow me to offer a cup to our Lord Seong.”
“Much appreciated.”

The two men filled their cups to the brim and downed them together.
By the time one bottle had been emptied—
The subordinate who had gone to investigate returned.

“Well? Was Dowoon truly bullying the children?”
At Shin Do Gwang’s question, the subordinate shook his head.
“No, sir. However, to someone unaware of the circumstances, it certainly could have appeared that way.”

At those words, Seong Baekcheon spoke in a low tone.
“Unaware of the circumstances? Are you saying that wasn’t a bullying scene?”
“That’s correct. What the children were doing is a training method that’s become a tradition at Baekyeong.”

“What?”
“The formation is something called Yugayeokgeunjin (Reverse Muscular Flow Formation), originating from Tianzhu. It’s said to increase physical flexibility and reinforce the meridians. However, the process is painful.”
“Reverse Muscular Flow Formation?”

“Yes, sir.”
Seong Baekcheon looked utterly baffled.
Was there really such a formation?

His expression was full of doubt.
“That’s a relief. It seems Lord Seong was simply mistaken.”
“To anyone looking, it clearly appeared to be abuse. The young lord of the Shin Clan was laughing and enjoying himself.”

“Most likely... because the same thing was done to him by his seniors in the past… that's why.”
“What are you saying? The young lord of the Shin Clan also went through that same pain?”
“Didn’t you just hear? It’s Baekyeong High Division’s tradition.”

“You’re saying the young lord of the Shin Clan actually went through that absurd tradition?”
“He had no choice.”
Slam!

“What are you talking about! I can’t make heads or tails of this! Are you trying to confuse me and brush this whole thing aside?!”
Seong Baekcheon slammed the table hard as he shouted, and Shin Do Gwang was visibly troubled.
To explain this properly, he would have to reveal Yeon Woo Jin’s identity. But that was something he absolutely could not do.

It had to be kept secret at all costs.
And trying to explain that Shin Dowoon endured it because he followed orders from his seniors—well, even he knew how absurd that would sound.
This was the Shin Clan’s young lord, not some nobody. Who would dare treat the heir of the mighty Shin Clan that way?

Unless it was one of the Five Great Martial Houses, no faction would have the guts.
In the end, the only one who could resolve this misunderstanding was Yeon Woo Jin himself.
With a quiet sigh, Shin Do Gwang finally spoke.

“I understand your outrage, Lord Seong. But to clear up this misunderstanding, I’m going to need some time. Please allow me a little while. I’ll consult with the one who can resolve this matter.”
Was he planning to summon Baekyeong’s division director?
He kept insisting it was a misunderstanding—so for now, Seong Baekcheon decided to wait.

“Fine. Just make sure the liquor doesn’t stop flowing in the meantime. I’ll need it to smother the inferno burning inside me.”
“Of course.”
 

****
“Young master, someone from the Shin Clan has come.”
“What? From the Shin Clan?”

“Yes, sir. They seemed in quite a hurry to find you, so it must be something important.”
“Hm. Let them in.”
“Yes, sir.”

A moment later, the martial artist who had come from the Shin Clan entered and bowed deeply before Yeon Woo Jin.
“What’s the matter?”
At Yeon Woo Jin’s question, the man explained that the Lord of Snowy Mountain Sect had visited the Shin Clan.

“It seems he witnessed the children undergoing Reverse Muscular Flow Formation and misunderstood ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ what was happening.”
“Yes, sir. But Lord Seong is refusing to believe it. And since the Patriarch cannot reveal your identity to resolve the misunderstanding, he’s in quite a bind.”
It was certainly a difficult position for Shin Do Gwang.

Now that he thought about it—this had happened last year too.
Whenever they toned down the formation so the new students wouldn’t get lost, things like this always happened.
It must’ve been the same this time. Someone happened to see it and misunderstood.

He hadn’t paid much attention to it, thinking it would all go away once he graduated.
Yeon Woo Jin stood up from his seat.
“Let’s go to the Shin Clan.”

“Yes, sir!”
The martial artist's face lit up as he stepped forward to lead the way.
 

****
Seong Baekcheon sat drinking in silence with Shin Do Gwang as they waited for news.
Then the doors opened, and a martial artist entered with the news they had been waiting for.

“He’s arrived!”
“What? Don’t tell me... he came in person?”
“Yes, sir!”

“Where is he?”
“He’s entering the residence now! I ran ahead to inform the Patriarch.”
“Well done!”

Shin Do Gwang leapt to his feet, straightened his clothing, and stood with both hands respectfully folded in front of him, his expression tense as he waited.
Seeing this, Seong Baekcheon tilted his head in confusion and asked,
“Is it perhaps the head of Tianzhutang (Heavenly Lord Hall) who’s coming?”

“No. You’ll understand once you see him. And please, be respectful in his presence.”
That person?
Who in the world could make the great Patriarch of the Shin Clan act like this?

He was still wondering when the doors opened—and Yeon Woo Jin stepped inside.
‘Who…?’
Just as Seong Baekcheon began to wonder—

A moment of sheer shock struck him.
“We pay respects to our Lord!”
The Patriarch of the Shin Clan prostrated himself and called out in a booming voice.

No—more than that—what did he just say?
Lord?
Did he just call him Lord?

“I beg you to punish this disloyal subject who dared to summon his liege here!”
Shin Do Gwang bowed deeply, pleading for forgiveness.
“It’s fine. I’ve already heard the situation.”

“Your grace is deeper than the ocean, my Lord. I shall never forget it, not even in death!”
“Please rise.”
“Yes, my Lord!”

What in the world was happening right now?
Yeon Woo Jin’s eyes turned to Seong Baekcheon, who was staring in disbelief.