The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 40

The Divine Doctor of the Demonic Realm (40)

‘There will be another chance someday.’

He tried to be patient, but seeing No Dan-yang acting all high and mighty with his warriors, he couldn’t stand it.

“Where is this awful stench coming from?”

No Dan-yang stopped at Cho Ak-ryang’s words.

“Was that directed at me?”

“Oh, your ears are sharp. Well, you have to be sharp to survive when you jump on the bandwagon like that.”

“Do you know me?”

Even with the blatant murderous intent that felt like it could cut his skin, Cho Ak-ryang smiled slyly and said,

“You know the saying, ‘Jo Jin Mo Cho,’ right?”

It was a jab at him, meaning he goes to the state of Jin in the morning and the state of Cho in the evening [a metaphor for disloyalty or changing allegiances]. He was once a member of the Demonic Sect, but now he was part of the Murim Alliance.

“Looks like you want to die.”

“Kill someone in the middle of the Murim Alliance? Go ahead and try.”

No Dan-yang, who was reaching for his sword, was suddenly overcome with a strange feeling.

It was because of the look in the eyes of the person who was picking a fight with him out of nowhere.

He had never seen his face before, but his eyes looked familiar.

At that moment, one of the warriors from the Azure Sky Squad, who was in charge of protecting his inner energy, hurriedly approached No Dan-yang and bowed his head.

“I am Wi Il-so of the Azure Sky Squad, here to see the Vice Leader of the Demonic Squad.”

“What business does the Azure Sky Squad have with me?”

The warrior who identified himself as Wi Il-so replied with a troubled face.

“He is a doctor invited to treat Young Miss Namgung Hyang.”

“And?”

“The Alliance Leader has ordered that we do not interfere with their affairs in any way.”

No Dan-yang wore a dumbfounded expression.

“The Alliance Leader did?”

No Dan-yang, who had been glaring at Cho Ak-ryang, smiled bitterly and lowered his hand.

“The world seems big, but it’s also small in a way.”

No Dan-yang began, his voice filled with intense murderous intent.

“If you ever meet me again, you will realize how lucky you were today.”

Cho Ak-ryang scoffed.

“I wonder who was the lucky one?”

Cho Ak-ryang threw a blatant sneer.

“Well, we’ll find out when that day comes.”

With those words, Cho Ak-ryang turned around. Feeling the gaze piercing his back, Cho Ak-ryang chuckled.

The more he thought about it, the funnier the situation was.

No Dan-yang, once one of the Ten Great Evils, along with himself and Beom Gye-wi. The three of them were walking around in the middle of the Murim Alliance, the symbol of the Orthodox Murim, without any restrictions.

What kind of expression would Namgung Baek have if he knew that the two devils he was trying so hard to catch were running around in his own backyard?

It was a shame that he couldn’t see it in person.

* * *

Leaving behind the inexplicable unpleasant feeling, No Dan-yang headed to the Hyeonjeong Hall.

“No Dan-yang, Vice Leader of the Demonic Squad, pays his respects to the Murim Alliance Leader, who leads the Orthodox Murim.”

Namgung Baek nodded and immediately opened his mouth.

“You have something to report?”

“Yes, Sa Mu-sim has appeared in Mu-han.”

“Sa Mu-sim? That money-grubber?”

Namgung Baek did not hide his disappointment.

“A nobody like that isn’t worth reporting. The reason I put you in the position of Vice Leader of the Demonic Squad is for other reasons.”

“The number of victims who have fallen prey to that nobody is already over thirty. That includes Paeng Mu-wi.”

Namgung Baek’s eyes flashed.

“Paeng Mu-wi?”

He couldn’t understand.

Paeng Ga, who reigned as a powerhouse in Habuk, how could the descendant of that prestigious family be defeated by Sa Mu-sim?

“I believe there is someone behind him.”

“Someone?”

“I am focusing on securing Sa Mu-sim to confirm that. If we catch him, it will naturally be revealed.”

Namgung Baek slowly nodded.

He thought that perhaps an unexpected big shot might be involved.

Namgung Baek was about to get up from his seat when he wore a puzzled expression.

“Is there anything else to report?”

“Your subordinate requests a private audience with the Alliance Leader. Please grant it.”

A hint of displeasure flashed across Namgung Baek’s eyes and disappeared.

“Granted.”

As soon as Namgung Baek finished speaking, only he and No Dan-yang remained in the Hyeonjeong Hall.

“So, what do you want to say?”

At Namgung Baek’s words, No Dan-yang bowed his head respectfully.

“Please fulfill the condition you promised me in the past.”

Namgung Baek sighed feignedly.

“You are more shameless than I thought. You haven’t even finished the task you were assigned.”

“Everything will be done according to the Alliance Leader’s wishes. However…”

“However?”

No Dan-yang raised his eyes and looked at Namgung Baek.

“I just don’t want to become a hunting dog after the rabbit hunt is over.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust me?”

“……”

Namgung Baek, who had been staring at No Dan-yang, slowly nodded.

“Alright.”

Namgung Baek took something out of his pocket and threw it to No Dan-yang.

Thud.

It was a book.

The title of the book, written in blood-red letters even more vivid than the reddish cover.

“Blood Demon Scripture……”

No Dan-yang revealed intense emotion.

No Dan-yang, who had carefully picked it up and was silently flipping through the book, suddenly stopped. Then, he raised his eyes, his eyes flashing with madness, and glared at Namgung Baek.

It was because he belatedly discovered that half of the book had been torn off.

“Isn’t that enough motivation?”

Namgung Baek slightly curled up the corners of his lips.

“If you want to complete the Blood Demon Scripture, bring me the heads of the remaining ones as well.”

“……I will.”

No Dan-yang, who had stowed the half-book in his bosom, radiated a chilling light.

“It won’t take long.”

Leaving those words behind, No Dan-yang turned around.

* * *

Cho Ak-ryang, who had parted ways with No Dan-yang, was still wandering around the Murim Alliance.

At that moment, a group of warriors searching the area approached Cho Ak-ryang.

“You’ve come quite far today?”

Cho Ak-ryang greeted him without hesitation, as he was a warrior he had greeted several times before and was familiar with.

“Who is this? Isn’t it Warrior Yang?”

Cho Ak-ryang looked around as if surprised.

“I was walking wherever my feet took me because my mind was troubled… I should go back now.”

“I think you should. The atmosphere is quite unsettling right now.”

“What’s going on?”

“The person who killed Iron Palm Lord Paeng has infiltrated this place, Mu-han.”

“Iron Palm Lord?”

As he tilted his head, not having heard of the title, the other person continued to explain.

“You didn’t know? It is said that Paeng Mu-wi, a member of the Habuk Paeng family, was killed by Sujeon-gwi [Water Money Ghost, a derogatory term for Sa Mu-sim, implying he’s greedy for money].”

Only then did Cho Ak-ryang recall saving Sa Mu-sim.

But soon, doubt washed over him.

‘Why is that guy here again?’

He had warned him so sternly, but he couldn’t understand why he was loitering around here in Mu-han.

“There’s no need to worry so much. The Vice Leader of the Demonic Squad has stepped in, so he’ll be dealt with soon.”

No Dan-yang was a highly skilled master, even among the Ten Great Evils. There was no way Sa Mu-sim could compete with him.

“I see. I’ll be careful. Then, take care.”

“Please return safely.”

After exchanging greetings and parting ways, Cho Ak-ryang suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze was directed towards the walls of the Murim Alliance, which were separated from the outside world.

“Ha.”

A hollow laugh escaped him.

The man who was secretly climbing over the wall, his face was familiar.

“That guy has amazing luck.”

He had come to find his own grave, but he just happened to catch his eye. Cho Ak-ryang approached the guy who was hiding and concealing himself.

The closer they got, the more unstable the energy felt.

“I……”

The moment Cho Ak-ryang opened his mouth.

Whoosh.

A black shadow rushed towards Cho Ak-ryang like a gust of wind. However, he could not be a match for Cho Ak-ryang, who had already recovered a considerable amount of martial arts.

“I clearly told you, didn’t I?”

At the same time as he opened his mouth, Cho Ak-ryang reached out and grabbed the black iron ruler flying towards his chest.

“To hide quietly and wait for the right time.”

As Cho Ak-ryang twisted his wrist, the opponent who had been rushing in flipped over in the air and crashed roughly to the ground.

Thud.

“Cough!”

Sa Mu-sim, who was trembling and in pain from the impact of falling on his back without even using a landing technique.
A cold gaze was poured out towards him.

“You recognized me belatedly?”

Sa Mu-sim’s eyes widened.

He never dreamed that he would run into Cho Ak-ryang in the middle of the Murim Alliance, of all places.

“I told you I’d kill you if you got caught again, right?”

In fact, it was what Beom Gye-wi had said, but it didn’t matter anyway.

Cho Ak-ryang’s thoughts were not much different.

“I, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, why does a guy who knows that keep doing things he’s sorry for?”

“Th, that’s……”

“Tell me. Even if I kill you, let’s at least know the reason. Why are you so desperate to find a grave?”

After hesitating for a moment, Sa Mu-sim sighed and opened his mouth.

“I have to get the wooden box back.”

“The one you mentioned last time?”

“Yes.”

“Is it worth risking your life like this?”

“The traces of the children are inside.”

Cho Ak-ryang stared at Sa Mu-sim.

“Children……”

“Yes, I must find it.”

“Interesting.”

Cho Ak-ryang asked with a face that was not at all amused.

“Okay, let’s say it’s very important. But why is a calculating guy like you acting so recklessly?”

Sa Mu-sim, who had been hesitating, lowered his head.

“Because I don’t have much time left.”

“No time? What does that mean?”

“I……”

Sa Mu-nim gritted his teeth and said.

“I have fallen into Inner Force Deviation [a dangerous condition where one’s internal energy goes awry].”

“……!”

“I’m going to die anyway, so I’m trying to find that wooden box before I die.”

“Inner Force Deviation……”

A flash of light flashed across Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes as he thought for a moment.

The things he had seen in the Murim Alliance warehouse a while ago. The box with the red letters written on it, labeled ‘Evidence.’ Judging from the fact that it was not dusty, it must have been a recently confiscated item.

Inside, there was also a wooden box the size that Sa Mu-sim had described.

‘Could that be this guy’s?’

If there is a connection, it will happen no matter what obstacles there are. Perhaps that was the case with Sa Mu-sim, Cho Ak-ryang thought.

“Is that wooden box made of walnut wood?”

“Yes? Yes, how did you……”

Cho Ak-ryang explained the size and characteristics of the wooden box he had seen in the warehouse.

“There is lacquer on the top, but some of it is peeled off. There was a crack in the shape of a zigzag on the right corner.”

Sa Mu-sim’s eyes widened.

“That’s right! That’s the wooden box I’ve been looking for.”

Sa Mu-sim, who was approaching Cho Ak-ryang, stopped.

“I’ve saved you twice so far.”

Cho Ak-ryang’s meaningful smile somehow felt eerie.

“If you include this time, is it the third time?”

Sa Mu-sim nodded cautiously.

He didn’t bother to say that three rescues didn’t mean much since he was going to die anyway.

“I won’t forget it until I go to the afterlife. I desperately want to repay you, but I have nothing left……”

“What about the wealth of a guy who was called a money-grubber?”

“I gave it to the children.”

“What a unique guy.”

Sa Mu-sim pretended not to hear Cho Ak-ryang’s muttering, ‘How did a guy like this become an evil person?’

“I can’t help it. Pay with your body.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll bring you the wooden box. Instead, you have to use your talents for us until you die. I just happen to need someone who is good at calculations.”

Sa Mu-sim cautiously nodded his head.

He had only three or four months left to live, half a year at most. He would do anything to get the wooden box.

“I will.”

“Then leave here now and go to Gansuk Province. If Jin Seong-ui of Ranju is hiding near you, I will come and find you soon.”

“But……”

“I promised you. I will get you the wooden box.”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s nonchalant words, Sa Mu-sim nodded firmly.

“Yes, then I’ll leave it to you.”

Sa Mu-sim politely bowed and disappeared over the wall again.

Cho Ak-ryang, who was watching him, wore a satisfied smile.

“Is the problem with the Chief Manager solved with this?”