The Martial God with Psychic Powers-Chapter 78

He turned his head and checked—there was a faint smear of blood on his sleeve.

“This? Just a light scratch.”

“Oh please, it’s pouring out.”

It wasn’t pouring.

Just a shallow cut. Nothing serious.

But he didn’t respond.

No point provoking him further.

“I must’ve given you all way too much free time. From now on, we’re regrouping at Baekyaksa again.”

Yeon Woo Jin’s calm declaration made everyone slump in shame.

Truthfully, they had been slacking compared to how diligently they trained at Baekyaksa.

And Yeon Woo Jin had seen through them perfectly.

“If you’d trained like you did at Baekyaksa, you could’ve finished that fight in half a sijin. Tell me I’m wrong.”

No one could say a word.

“Jang Un’s still improving, and he’s in a relationship.”

At that, Jang Un’s face flushed red.

“You’re allowed to show up an hour late, Jang Un.”

“N-no, it’s fine! I’ll show up on time too!”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. She’ll understand.”

Yeon Woo Jin grinned.

“Good. That’s all for today. Dismissed.”

“Dismissed!”

As the others dispersed, only Yeon Woo Jin’s close circle remained.

He looked at Bang Un.

“You too. Get some proper rest ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) and prep for full recovery. Join us as soon as you’re ready.”

“Got it! I’ll go get ready right away!”

Bang Un answered with energy and sprinted off.

After he was gone, Gong Ya-cheon stepped up.

“We might need to help him. You know how Bang Un is...”

“Oh. Right.”

“And Jeon Yeok-gi’s family might make a move after what happened to his right hand.”

“What sect are they from?”

“Ranked thirtieth. Gentlemen’s Gate.”

“They’re called ‘Gentlemen’s Gate’ but... seriously?”

“It’s just a name. They act more like back-alley thugs.”

“And they’re still ranked thirtieth?”

“Yeah. They’ll do anything to win—no matter how dirty.”

“Figures. That’s probably the kind of example he learned from.”

“Exactly. But why didn’t they react when he lost before?”

“Probably kept it quiet. How do you admit you lost to an underclassman? They were just gonna keep quiet and wait it out till graduation.”

“So why stir up trouble now?”

“Bang Un’s been openly acting like the top dog. That must’ve pissed them off. Look at who they sent after him—intermediates and seniors. They probably think Bang Un ruined the hierarchy at Red Shadow.”

“Pathetic. First they try something cowardly, and then they show up in a mob like bullies.”

“Bang Un’s on his own. Sure, they say he’s an abandoned heir, but no parent ignores a kid who comes home with a missing arm. They’ll come back for revenge.”

“And they’ll come after me too?”

“Probably.”

“Well, that makes things easier. No need to track them down separately if we’re in the same place.”

“...Wait, what?”

“Where does Bang Un live?”

“You’re not seriously thinking—?”

“I’ll just stay with him for a bit. Draw me a map.”

“You’d go that far?”

“He’s got the Black Tortoise Physique. Of course he’s worth it.”

“You’re kidding! Bang Un has that physique?!”

“Yeah.”

“No wonder he felt so solid. If he’s really got that kind of body, then yeah... it’s worth you stepping in.”

Yeon Woo Jin smiled faintly.

“Once Bang Un joins officially, we’re going to split into squads and start real competition. You all better be ready. The losing squad’s in for a very special surprise.”

Gulp—

The students swallowed hard, their faces going pale.

“Hey—Red Shadow kids are coming. Let’s get out of here.”

As he spotted the Red Shadow Academy students approaching in uniform, Yeon Woo Jin turned away and started walking.

The rest silently followed.

****

The sign hanging above the gate was weathered, covered in cobwebs from years of neglect.

Heavenly Armor Gate.

This was where Bang Un lived.

And today, an unexpected visitor had arrived.

“Huh? Wh-what are you doing here?”

“Nice place. You live here alone?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah.”

“No one else with you?”

“You mean someone who takes care of me?”

“Yeah.”

“I have an old nanny and a steward who raised me since I was a kid.”

“So basically, they’re your real family.”

“Pretty much.”

“I’m crashing here for a few days.”

“Wh-what? Here?”

“Why? I can’t?”

“No, it’s not that... It’s just—this place isn’t fit for someone like you to stay in...”

“Not fit? Do you know where I used to sleep?”

“...Somewhere more luxurious and clean...”

Yeon Woo Jin let out a dry laugh.

“I was sleeping on the cold floor of the MuRyang archives not long ago. This place is a palace compared to that.”

He wasn’t lying—but Bang Un still couldn’t quite believe it.

“I’m starving.”

“Huh? I-I’ll ask the nanny to prepare a meal!”

“Thanks. Oh—and give her this.”

“What is it?”

“Room and board fee.”

“No, you don’t have to—!”

“No, take it. That’s how I feel comfortable.”

“...Alright. I’ll use it well, then.”

Before coming here, Yeon Woo Jin had already heard about Bang Un’s household from Ma Rang.

Right now, they were barely holding things together.

The inheritance from his parents was nearly gone.

So Yeon Woo Jin gave a bit of money.

Well, what counted as “a bit” to him.

“Young Master! Y-you gave this as a room and board fee?!”

“What? Is it not enough?”

“N-no! It’s too much!”

“Too much? How much is it?”

The nanny unfolded the note in her hands and held it out to Bang Un.

“A full ten thousand silver nyang!*”

“What?! That much?!”

“Exactly! And he just handed this over for food and lodging?!”

“Uh... yeah, he said it was a room and board fee.”

“With this kind of money, we could rebuild the entire sect! Are you sure we can accept it? Is this guy really trustworthy?”

The nanny’s voice trembled with concern, but Bang Un answered with firm eyes.

“He’s absolutely trustworthy. He’s the one I’ll serve.”

“...What are you talking about?”

“Today... my life changed. I found the one I’ll serve for the rest of my days.”

“Young Master?”

“I know. We’ll rebuild the sect. But... I’m sorry. The reason we rebuild it... will be to serve him properly.”

The nanny paused, stunned by how clear and confident his words were.

She let out a long breath.

“This is the first time I’ve heard you speak with such certainty. You always used to dodge things.”

“That’s because I didn’t have a goal. But now I do. It’s not just ‘I guess I should rebuild the sect’ anymore—I know why I’m doing it.”

The nanny smiled as she looked at him.

“Right now... you look exactly like the last Sect Leader.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yes. He always spoke with that same unwavering expression.”

Bang Un smiled in return.

“...We can use the money, right?”

“Of course. It’s a gift from my lord. He gave it for me to use, so I will use it.”

“Understood! Hohoho! What should I cook for him first?”

For once, she didn’t have to worry about saving every coin—and it showed on her face.

And that smile made Bang Un feel lighter, too.

With just one person—Yeon Woo Jin—the entire mood of the household had changed.

He hadn’t just come to save him.

He’d come to revive his family.

And Bang Un made a vow—

He would give Yeon Woo Jin everything he had.

His loyalty. His life.

Everything.

****

That evening.

For the first time in his life, Bang Un sat before a feast worthy of nobility.

He’d watched the nanny cook with unusual excitement, but he hadn’t expected this much food.

“Hohoho! I guess I got carried away. It’s been so long since I made a proper meal that I ended up cooking too much,” the nanny said cheerfully.

Yeon Woo Jin smiled as he looked at the spread.

“It looks incredible.”

“Please, eat it before it gets cold!”

“Shall I?”

He picked up his chopsticks and tried one of the dishes.

“Wow! This is amazing! If it all tastes like this, I might end up eating everything here!”

“Really? Hohoho! Thank you!”

Her face lit up at Yeon Woo Jin’s praise—she looked truly happy.

Bang Un felt his heart warm, too.

“Our nanny really can cook.”

“Seems like it. This is honestly the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”

“Really?”

Bang Un beamed, as if the compliment had been directed at him.

“Hohoho! Then I’ll leave you two to enjoy. Eat as much as you’d like.”

“Why don’t you join us?”

“There’s plenty in the kitchen. I’ll share it with the steward and the others.”

“Ah, then—thank you for the food.”

Once she left, Yeon Woo Jin grinned.

“Come on, let’s eat. This is seriously good.”

“Yeah!”

As they dug in, Bang Un asked,

“How many people are left in the house now?”

“Maybe twenty or so?”

“Any martial artists?”

“None. It’s just me. The rest are all people who served my mother.”

“Sounds like your mother treated them well.”

“Yeah. That’s why I always felt guilty. I’m living off the money they earned.”

“And that’s why you fought so hard to make a name for yourself?”

“Yeah. That was the only thing I could do for them.”

“You’ve had a tough time too, huh.”

Bang Un didn’t answer.

He just smiled faintly.

Had anyone ever comforted him like this before?

No one outside the sect had.

Everyone else only ever looked at him with disdain—or ignored him altogether.

He looked up and asked softly,

“Do you... really need me?”

“Yeah. I’m not letting you go. Better get used to it.”

Zing.

Hearing it spoken so clearly made it all the better.

“Even if you beg me to leave, I’m never walking away. You better brace yourself.”

Yeon Woo Jin gave a short laugh.

“Look at you, making jokes now. I like it.”

“Thanks to you.”

Yeon Woo Jin chuckled again.

Bang Un really had no idea how blessed his body was.

“You might regret saying that tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

“You saw the others training, right?”

“Yeah.”

“They’ve just been doing basic training up till now. But starting tomorrow, it’s the real thing. You’ve already got a foundation, so you’re jumping straight in.”

“I’m ready. Anytime.”

Yeon Woo Jin smiled again at how confidently Bang Un answered.

Let’s see if you’re still that confident tomorrow, he thought.

****

That night.

Sect Leader Jeon Wi-gun of the Gentlemen’s Gate stared at Jeon Yeok-gi, who lay on the bed—his right hand gone, barely conscious.

“Who... brought him back?”

“The Red Shadow students, sir.”

“Do we know what happened?”

“They were all pretty shaken up. They could barely speak straight... but we know who they were fighting.”

“Who was it?”

“Underclassmen. From Baekyeong Martial Academy.”

“Underclassmen?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You’re telling me he ended up like this because of a bunch of underclassmen?”

“Seems that way.”

“Unbelievable...”

“There’s... more.”

“What is it?”

“He was also taken down by a Red Shadow underclassman.”

“What kind of bullshit is that?”

The aide reported everything he’d gathered.

After hearing the whole story, Jeon Wi-gun looked at his son, lying there broken, with pure disgust.

“This idiot... not only got humiliated by juniors, but actually went out to take revenge and came back like this?”

If he weren’t his son, Jeon Wi-gun might’ve beaten him to death himself.

There was no greater disgrace.

But he couldn’t just let it go.

If the sect didn’t show its weight now, others might start stepping out of line.

“Who did this to his hand? Someone from Baekyeong? Or that underclassman from Red Shadow?”

“It may have been either, sir.”

“Both?”

“The students were all in combat. They didn’t see clearly. They only said they heard a scream and saw the boy named Bang Un leaving the scene.”

“So no one knows for sure?”

“That’s correct.”

Jeon Wi-gun stroked his beard in thought, then said,

“We’ll get the truth out of this ‘Bang Un’ one way or another.”

“You think he’ll talk?”

“Oh, he’ll talk. If we peel off his skin layer by layer, he’ll talk.”

His eyes turned cold as he spoke.

“Tonight. Go to his house and bring him here. While you’re at it, burn that place to the ground. Leave nothing behind.”

“Understood!”

“We’ll show them what happens to those who dare lay a finger on us.”