The Martial God with Psychic Powers

The Great Celestial Star Divine Art was a martial technique that pushed the power of formations to their absolute limit.
Every strike wasn’t aimed directly at the opponent—it was merely part of constructing the formation.

Without realizing it, the opponent would focus on fighting back, only to suddenly find themselves trapped inside the formation unleashed by the Zhuge Clan.
The Grand Celestial Reverse Star Formation.
Once cast, unless the user willingly released it, the opponent would never escape.

However, calling it a truly powerful martial technique wasn’t entirely accurate.
First of all, absolute experts wouldn’t be caught so easily.
They’d crush the formation caster before it was ever deployed.

But… what if it was modified slightly?
Yeon Woo Jin sat atop the carriage, lost in thought.
“Bring me an empty booklet.”
At his command, Jang Woon quickly fetched a blank booklet along with writing tools.

By now, Jang Woon had become so attuned that he prepared everything the moment Woo Jin hinted at something.
Yeon Woo Jin let out a faint chuckle, picked up the brush, and began writing across the empty page.
What if the formation could be directly inscribed onto a person’s body?

To achieve that, the process would have to be swift.
He adjusted it so the nature of the formation shifted according to the flow of internal energy.
Whatever the caster envisioned, the formation would adapt to match.

It was a martial technique that perfectly suited the Zhuge Clan’s reputation for intellectual mastery.
As the concept blossomed in his mind, Woo Jin eagerly scribbled down the details—but whether to hand it over became a dilemma.
If handled poorly, they might interpret it as an insult to their clan.

First, he’d visit the Zhuge Clan personally. Only then would he decide whether to present the technique or keep it for himself.
On the cover of the booklet, Yeon Woo Jin neatly wrote the name of the technique:
Heavenly Illusion Transfiguration Divine Art.

Satisfied, he carefully stored the booklet away.
 
****

The Zhuge Clan.
One of the Five Great Clans—though their martial prowess was considered weak, they consistently secured a pivotal position through unmatched intellect.
Lately, however, thanks to their young successor, the household had known no peace.

“Graaah!”
A ferocious yell echoed as Zhuge Yun, heir to the Zhuge Clan, immersed himself in relentless training.
His eyes, bloodshot and wild, glared forward as he ceaselessly swung his sword.
No one could dissuade him.

Unable to bear the sight any longer, the clan patriarch, Zhuge Munyeok, stepped in to intervene.
“Stop this madness at once!”
“No, Father! I’ve still a long way to go!”

“You fool! You’ll destroy your body at this rate!”
“Haa… haa…”
“What’s gotten into you?! Why this sudden obsession with training?”

“Is there a reason a warrior needs to train?”
“I wouldn’t be saying this if you were training moderately! You’re pushing yourself beyond reason!”
Zhuge Yun refused to answer. He simply kept swinging his sword.

Frustration mounted.
What in heaven’s name had gotten into the boy?
‘Did something happen at the Divine Dragon Assembly?’

Thinking back, Yun had changed after attending the Divine Dragon Assembly.
The Divine Dragon Assembly was a gathering of the younger generation of the Central Plains—formed to counter the rising influence of Mushincheon’s elite youths.
Something must have occurred there, but Yun wouldn’t speak of it.

Judging by his demeanor, it seemed he’d suffered humiliation at the hands of someone—but to confront him directly would risk reopening those wounds, should it be true.
‘I’ve no choice but to find out myself.’
How could they respond appropriately if they didn’t know what had happened?

At this rate, his only son might destroy his body beyond repair—a worry that gnawed relentlessly at him.
Zhuge Munyeok turned to the guards posted nearby.
“If the young master collapses, take him to the physician immediately—without delay.”

“Understood!”
 
****

Unable to contain his turmoil, Zhuge Yun wandered outside.
No matter how fiercely he trained, the path remained unclear, and his frustration only deepened.
“Damn it all…”

The reason Zhuge Yun clung so desperately to training was rooted in what he’d experienced at the Divine Dragon Assembly.
Everything had been proceeding as usual, until that day—a woman attended the gathering for the first time.
The moment Zhuge Yun laid eyes on her, he was smitten.

The problem? He wasn’t the only one.
Young elites from other clans were equally captivated.
A fierce, unspoken competition ensued over her affection—and the martial prowess of Zhuge Yun, weaker than most, led to his early defeat.

Even in a battle of wits, he was thoroughly outclassed.
His self-esteem crumbled entirely that day.
To lose even in the arena of intellect, where he’d always found pride, felt as if the world had collapsed.

To make matters worse, she had looked at him with eyes full of pity.
Clench—
The memory resurfaced, and Zhuge Yun’s fists tightened.

He wanted to erase that cursed memory—but it haunted him.
Driven by a desperate need to silence his thoughts, he threw himself into mad training—but the harder he pushed, the more those humiliating images surfaced.
Could he truly lead the Zhuge Clan?

Would his incompetence be their downfall?
Such fears began to consume him.
It was agony.

As he wallowed in his torment, faint sounds approached.
Lifting his gaze, he spotted a group of people drawing near.
Upon closer inspection, they appeared to be merchants escorting a trade convoy.

He turned to leave, ignoring them—but one of them called out.
“Excuse me, could I trouble you for directions?”
Zhuge Yun glanced around.

He was the only one here.
With a sigh, he replied, “Ask away.”
“We’re looking for the Zhuge Clan. Is this the right direction?”

“Are you escorting goods to the Zhuge Clan?”
“That’s correct.”
Zhuge Yun sighed again.

“Follow me. I happen to be headed there myself.”
“Much appreciated!”
“Which escort agency are you from?”

“Ah, we’re the Xincheon Escort Agency, commissioned by the Changcheon Trading Group. My name’s Yeon Woo Jin, leader of this group.”
“Xincheon? Never heard of it.”
“We’re newly established.”

“Changcheon must be terribly short on manpower these days, sending a fledgling escort agency to the Zhuge Clan…”
A hint of irritation crossed Zhuge Yun’s face.
Was even the Changcheon Trading Group now looking down on the Zhuge Clan?

Noticing the discomfort, Yeon Woo Jin smiled lightly.
“We may be new, but we guarantee safer delivery than anyone in the Central Plains.”
“How many successful escort missions have you completed?”

“This is our first.”
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“Pardon? Mocking you?”

“It’s your first escort mission, yet you boldly claim to deliver safer than anyone else?”
“Ah, well… our agency is quite strong.”
“Strong, you say…”

“Yes!”
Zhuge Yun studied him.
Once, he’d brimmed with such confidence himself.

“I’d like to gauge just how strong you are.”
“Pardon?”
Zhuge Yun clasped his fist politely.

“I am Zhuge Yun, young master of the Zhuge Clan.”
“Ah, the Zhuge Clan’s young master—I apologize for not recognizing you.”
“No need for apologies. It’s not as though I wear my title on my forehead. But instead… show me.”

It seemed he wanted to witness Woo Jin’s strength.
“How shall I demonstrate it?”
“Could you subdue me in a single move?”

“Haha… I couldn’t possibly do that to a client.”
“Are you lacking confidence? If you fail, I’ll formally lodge a complaint with the Namgoong Clan for insulting the Zhuge Clan by sending a fledgling agency.”
Zhuge Yun issued the polite threat without a hint of malice.

Yeon Woo Jin smiled calmly in response.
“Understood.”
His eyes fixed on Zhuge Yun.

Judging by his aura, he was roughly at the Ninth Star of the Apex-Level Realm.
“Jang Woon.”
The moment Yeon Woo Jin called his name, Jang Woon swiftly stepped forward.

“Show him your skills.”
“Yes, sir!”
Jang Woon positioned himself in front of Zhuge Yun.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me for a moment.”
At his words, Zhuge Yun drew his sword.
“Don’t take me lightly.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll begin.”
“Come at me!”
No sooner had Zhuge Yun spoken than Jang Woon’s figure vanished.

“Ugh—!”
Zhuge Yun tried to track him, but it was already too late.
Papapat—

In an instant, Jang Woon suppressed Zhuge Yun by striking his pressure points.
Unbelievable.
They looked to be around the same age, yet the difference in skill was this vast?

As Zhuge Yun stood there, stunned, Yeon Woo Jin asked calmly.
“Is that sufficient?”
Zhuge Yun nodded stiffly.

Jang Woon’s level far surpassed what one would expect from an escort agency.
Was this how they carried out their escort missions—with warriors like him?
Could it be… the others as well?

No, surely not.
But why did the rest of the group all seem to exude a similar presence to the man who had just subdued him?
Papapat—

As Jang Woon released the pressure points, Zhuge Yun asked cautiously.
“Is it just him that’s this strong?”
Yeon Woo Jin shook his head.

“Everyone here is strong.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You don’t believe me? These two right here are at the same level as him.”

The same level… as the man who had just subdued him effortlessly?
“Everyone here is at least Fifth Star of the Apex-Level Realm.”
“You… you’re serious? Then those two over there… what level are they?”

“They’re Second Stage of the Hwagyeong Realm.”
“W-What? They look about my age… and they’re… Second Stage Hwagyeong?”
“How old are you, Young Master?”

“I turned twenty this year.”
“They’re twenty as well. So am I.”
Zhuge Yun had dismissed them at first because they all looked so young.

But he had been wrong.
Every last one of them was an expert.
An escort group with the strength equivalent to a mid-sized sect was transporting goods right now.

Zhuge Yun formed a respectful fist-palm salute and apologized.
“I apologize. I judged you all based on appearances.”
“It’s fine. We’re young, so it’s understandable.”

“What about you, Escort Leader? You must be the strongest of them all, leading this group.”
“My level? You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.”
“Are you… Hwagyeong?”

At that, Jang Woon, standing beside him, spoke quietly.
“Our Lord is Mythic Realm.”
“…What?”

For a moment, Zhuge Yun thought he’d misheard.
But Jang Woon calmly repeated it.
“Our Lord is Mythic Realm.”

“Th-That’s impossible…”
Zhuge Yun turned to stare at Yeon Woo Jin.
His expression clearly asked—Is that true?

Yeon Woo Jin looked a little sheepish.
Then he nodded slightly.
“It’s true? I… I can’t believe it… Show me proof.”

“Would you turn around?”
“Turn… around?”
With a puzzled look, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Zhuge Yun turned his head—only to gasp and collapse onto the ground in shock.

Behind him, swords were floating in the air.
But they weren’t simply hovering—they moved independently, aimed directly at his vital points.
“Th-That’s… Sword Control…”

“Now you understand why our agency guarantees the safest delivery in the Central Plains.”
Zhuge Yun nodded dumbly.
An escort agency led by a Mythic Realm monster, packed with Hwagyeong and Apex-Level experts?

Zhuge Yun leapt to his feet, practically begging Yeon Woo Jin.
“P-Please… I want to become stronger! Teach me how!”
“Goodness…”

Thud—
Zhuge Yun dropped to his knees in front of him.
“Please! Teach me how to grow stronger!”

“Young Master of the Zhuge Clan, you shouldn’t kneel so carelessly. Please, stand.”
“Teach me! I beg you!”
This time, he looked ready to bow flat on the ground.

Yeon Woo Jin sighed heavily.
“All right, all right… But stand up first.”
“Truly?”

“Yes. But let’s deliver the cargo to your clan first, then we’ll talk.”
“Understood! I’ll lead the way—this way, please!”
With renewed vigor, Zhuge Yun eagerly guided the group forward.

Meanwhile, Jang Woon transmitted his voice to Yeon Woo Jin through qi.
—You did that on purpose, didn’t you?
—Yeah.

—Why? That guy’s got potential?
—He does. He’s similar to Gong Yacheon. His meridians are messed up. Fix that, and he’ll unlock his true potential.
Fixing him wouldn’t be difficult.

But Yeon Woo Jin fully intended to make it look difficult.
That way, he could secure the Zhuge Clan as part of his growing support base.
 

****
Zhuge Munyeok looked at the newly established Xincheon Escort Agency with clear displeasure.
But then his son, Zhuge Yun, stepped up to defend them.

Was the boy deliberately trying to test his patience?
Why did they never seem to be on the same page?
Still, the escort mission had been completed safely, and for the first time in ages, his son seemed genuinely cheerful.

This time, he decided to let it go.
However, just as they were preparing to see the escorts off, Zhuge Yun threw a fit.
“They’re guests of our clan—how could we send them away without proper hospitality?”

It was admirable in a way—but something about it unsettled him.
“…Fine. Then you handle entertaining the guests yourself.”
“Yes, sir!”

Zhuge Munyeok had expected him to dislike the responsibility—but to his surprise, the boy was brimming with enthusiasm.
What’s gotten into him…?