The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 83

The Divine Doctor of Supreme Cultivation (83)

“What? You let that bastard live?”

Bum Gye-wi clicked his tongue in disappointment as he listened to Dan Ahk-seon recount the events at the Shaolin Temple.

“Tsk. The Four Great Masters could have become the Three Great Masters… What a shame.”

Bum Gye-wi glanced at Cho Ahk-ryang before tilting his head.

“Or is it the Two Great Masters since Cho is in that state?”

“What, you inbred?”

Bum Gye-wi grinned at the flared-up Cho Ahk-ryang.

“Be honest with me.”

“……?”

“Deep down, Cho, you’re relieved, aren’t you?”

Bum Gye-wi continued, teasingly.

“While that Law-ryo is hobbling around, you don’t have to be afraid of Shaolin.”

“Why would I be afraid of Shaolin?”

“Come on. If it had been Law-ryo who attacked you instead of that Arhat Hall leader, do you think you’d still be alive?”

Cho Ahk-ryang flinched.

Recalling the perilous fight, the hairs on his back stood on end.

If Law-ryo had been there instead of Ryo-bum…?

One would only know after a fight, but Law-ryo was the best martial artist in Shaolin.

At least half a level, if not a full level, above Ryo-bum.

“Still, nothing changes.”

He had been prepared to die from the start.

Even if Law-ryo’s grandfather had been there instead of Law-ryo, it would have been the same.

No matter who the opponent was, he was confident he could take them to the afterlife with him.

“Yeah, whatever.”

Cho Ahk-ryang’s face twisted at Bum Gye-wi’s insincere reaction.

Regardless, Bum Gye-wi turned to Dan Ahk-seon and asked,

“Did things go well?”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled brightly.

“I got the signatures on the alliance document.”

“That’s our Dan Doctor! I knew everything would work out.”

Cho Ahk-ryang was dumbfounded by Bum Gye-wi’s brazen lies.

It was only a few hours ago that he was about to head to Shaolin, convinced that something had gone wrong.

“You’ve worked hard, Dan Doctor. Let’s go get something delicious to eat!”

Bum Gye-wi lifted Dan Ahk-seon onto his shoulder.

“I can use my lightness skill [a martial art technique that allows one to move swiftly and lightly] now, too.”

“I’m hungry. Thanks to Cho making such a fuss, I didn’t even get to eat temple food.”

“It’s my fault?”

Cho Ahk-ryang was speechless.

When you think about it, it was all because of Bum Gye-wi’s failure to properly manage the Daecho Jagon [a type of powerful poison] from the beginning.

At that moment, Bum Gye-wi and Cho Ahk-ryang suddenly felt a chill.

Unconsciously turning their heads, the two met Han Seol-hwa’s gaze.

“Come to think of it…”

Han Seol-hwa glared at them, her eyes flashing menacingly.

“Don’t you have something to say to me?”

“…….”

“…….”

Cho Ahk-ryang and Bum Gye-wi smiled awkwardly.

Then, in a split second.

Bum Gye-wi darted away.

“Get back here!”

“Can’t hear you!”

Bum Gye-wi, who had run off, had already disappeared into a dot.

In the moment that Han Seol-hwa was distracted.

Cho Ahk-ryang also tried to use his lightness skill.

No, he was about to.

Thud.

Cho Ahk-ryang, whose wrist was grabbed by Han Seol-hwa, said firmly,

“It’s all that bastard’s fault.”

Cho Ahk-ryang twisted his wrist and slipped out of Han Seol-hwa’s grasp.

It was one of his secret moves, making full use of his specialty, the Keumna hand technique [a martial art focused on striking pressure points].

Then he started running.

Han Seol-hwa, who had been standing there with a dazed look, soon had a murderous glint in her eyes.

“You guys…”

Han Seol-hwa fiercely pursued the two.

* * *

Crack!

The armrest of the sturdy chair made of black ironwood shattered.

Wood fragments scattered in all directions, swept away by the storm-like aura.

An eerie voice echoed through the air.

“Say it again.”

The faces of the members of the Basa Clan, who were standing in attendance, turned pale at the murderous aura emanating from No Dan-yang.

No Dan-yang was genuinely furious.

“They’ve already left, we are told.”

“When? Where to?”

“We’re not sure about that… Keuk!”

One of the Basa Clan members, who was stammering as he reported, was suddenly lifted into the air, struggling.

A chilling light poured down from No Dan-yang’s eyes as he grabbed the man by the collar.

The eyes of the Basa Clan member, who was facing the full force of that rage, turned bloodshot.

The blood vessels burst from the pressure crushing his entire body.

“Find out where they are, no matter what it takes.”

No Dan-yang growled, his face fierce.

“Crush the Beggars’ Sect bastards who interfered, make connections with the Black Marketeers… Mobilize every resource you can to find out where they are.”

“Yes, sir!”

No Dan-yang’s subordinates hurriedly bowed.

It was an order that clearly crossed the line, but the atmosphere was such that they couldn’t dare to object.

Thud.

When No Dan-yang released his grip, the limp Basa Clan member collapsed to the floor.

“This is your last chance. If you show such incompetence again…”

“……!”

The Basa Clan members, exposed to the terrifying aura that cut through their skin, swallowed hard.

It wasn’t hard to guess what would follow, even without hearing it.

The murderous look in No Dan-yang’s eyes, filled with resentment, was enough.

“Get out.”

No Dan-yang’s eerie voice continued as his subordinates hurriedly bowed and left the room.

“Don’t even think about coming back empty-handed. At the very least, bring back your heads.”

Left alone, No Dan-yang sank back into the chair with the broken armrest.

“Haa…”

The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.

He had become like a dog chasing a chicken [meaninglessly chasing after something unattainable].

At that moment, a person entered.

“Does venting your anger on innocent subordinates change the outcome?”

A woman spoke, remaining calm and composed.

It was Je Gal-yeon, the Second Unit Leader.

“Incompetence is a sin.”

“You’re starting to resemble the Clan Lord.”

Je Gal-yeon curled up her lips in a strange smile.

“The Clan Lord said something similar recently.”

It was a vague remark, but No Dan-yang wasn’t so oblivious that he didn’t realize it was a jab at him.

As No Dan-yang’s breathing grew rough, Je Gal-yeon changed the subject as if nothing had happened.

“The more you’re chased, the more you need to keep your composure. If it could be solved by just pushing, it would have been done already…”

“What brings you here?”

“I see I’m not welcome.”

“Just the point.”

At No Dan-yang’s cold attitude, Je Gal-yeon made a sulky face.

“Well, fine. Even if the host doesn’t welcome me, I should at least give you the gift I brought.”

“Gift?”

Je Gal-yeon sat down in the chair opposite No Dan-yang.

“I heard they went to the Shaolin Temple.”

No Dan-yang’s expression changed.

It wasn’t hard to guess who she was referring to.

“Are you sure?”

Je Gal-yeon frowned slightly.

“Do you doubt the information of this unit? Well, if that’s the case…”

No Dan-yang stopped Je Gal-yeon as she tried to leave.

“I apologize. I’ve become sensitive due to my subordinates’ mistakes.”

Je Gal-yeon reluctantly sat back down.

However, she still seemed uncomfortable, dipping her finger into the teacup and flicking the tea onto the table.

No Dan-yang was inwardly displeased with her behavior. But he tried not to show it outwardly.

Because she was the only one he could rely on in the current situation.

After continuing that meaningless behavior for a while.

Je Gal-yeon suddenly opened her mouth.

“It’s an unexpected opportunity.”

No Dan-yang frowned.

Opportunity? For what?

But he realized something at her next words.

“If they’re wandering around the Jianghu [the martial arts world] after leaving the Murim Alliance, what could be better?”

A glint flashed in No Dan-yang’s eyes.

Now that he heard it, it was definitely true.

If they used secluded mountain paths or the darkness of night, it would be much easier to achieve their goal without worrying about the eyes of others.

“Do you happen to know their destination?”

“Well…”

As Je Gal-yeon trailed off, No Dan-yang could guess that she had more information.

“I’m asking you a favor.”

After hesitating for a moment, Je Gal-yeon smiled as if she couldn’t help it.

“Alright. Since I brought a gift, I’ll be generous.”

Je Gal-yeon pointed to one spot on the table with her index finger.

“……!”

No Dan-yang’s eyes changed.

The stain on the table made by the tea water overlapped with a map of the Central Plains.

The place she pointed to was also a coincidence.

“Shanxi?”

At No Dan-yang’s question, Je Gal-yeon smiled and swept the tea water off the table with her palm.

Then, she nonchalantly changed the subject as if nothing had happened.

No Dan-yang thought once again that he shouldn’t easily judge the woman in front of him.

To think that her seemingly meaningless actions were all intentional.

“Thank you.”

As No Dan-yang jumped up, Je Gal-yeon cast a questioning look.

“Are you planning to move yourself?”

“Is there any other way?”

At those words, Je Gal-yeon gave a vague smile.

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m just worried about you, Unit Leader.”

“Worried? About me?”

No Dan-yang snorted in displeasure, but his face hardened at Je Gal-yeon’s next words.

“Bum Gye-wi, Cho Ahk-ryang, Han Seol-hwa. Can you handle even one of these three on your own?”

“…….”

No Dan-yang couldn’t answer.

If he sacrificed all of the Basa Clan and added his own strength, he might be able to handle one of them.

But it was impossible to face all three.

“You’re sure it’s Cho Ahk-ryang and Bum Gye-wi.”

At No Dan-yang’s question, Je Gal-yeon smiled.

“No matter how many times I retrace the flow of events, the conclusion is always the same. Under the assumption that they are moving together, a series of events and all causes and effects fit perfectly.”

“When will you report to the Clan Lord?”

“Well, the cross-validation hasn’t been completed yet.”

No Dan-yang chuckled.

That damn cross-validation.

No matter how he looked at it, it was just an excuse to stall for time.

“If you could secure clear evidence at the scene, it would be a little easier to report.”

Yet, she shamelessly pushed the responsibility back to him, acting innocent.

“I’ll try.”

No Dan-yang replied and left the office.

He didn’t have a clear plan right now, but he couldn’t just keep dragging his feet.

Based on his experience so far, opportunities would come if he kept looking for openings.

But before he could take a few steps, No Dan-yang stopped with a start.

“But why do you keep trying to go around?”

“……?”

“There’s more than one way to get what you want.”

No Dan-yang suddenly felt a chill.

She was a descendant of the Divine Je Gal and the strategist of the Murim Alliance, known as Jinangri [a legendary strategist].

She was likely aware of the secret deal between him and Namgung Baek.

The only question was how much she knew.

“What are you trying to say?”

“Wouldn’t the Basa Clan Lord know that better than anyone else?”

Je Gal-yeon, who blurred her answer with a vague smile, cast a sly look.

“I’m just… saying it because I’m concerned.”

Suddenly, No Dan-yang was reminded of oleander (夾竹桃) [a poisonous plant] by her smile.

A flower that is gorgeous and beautiful, but contains an extremely dangerous poison.

That was why he no longer found her previous favors pleasant.

* * *

“Drawing a spiral while twisting in a circle. The power gained through this movement is called Jeonsa (纏絲) [Coiling Silk].”

Dan Ahk-seon focused and listened to Cho Ahk-ryang’s words.

“The lightness skill that utilizes the power gained here is called Jeonsagyeong (纏絲勁) [Coiling Silk Energy].”

With those words, Cho Ahk-ryang’s foot rolled on the ground.

The moment that power traveled up his ankle, Cho Ahk-ryang’s body moved in a spiral.

The rotational force, passing through his legs and waist, was transmitted directly to his hand.

Cho Ahk-ryang’s palm touched the giant tree in front of him.

Thud.

At first, a light sound echoed, like throwing a stone at a cotton blanket. But the result that followed was not light.

Crack!

The giant tree, thick enough for two adults to hug.

The middle part of the tree seemed to be twisted by an invisible force, and then it exploded with a roar.

The wood fragments that rained down were all finely torn.

“Wow!”

Turning to Dan Ahk-seon, who was exclaiming in admiration, Cho Ahk-ryang asked,

“Where do you think this power starts from?”

After pondering for a long time, Dan Ahk-seon’s eyes sparkled.

“Is it the rotational force that starts from the foot?”

A hint of surprise flashed in Cho Ahk-ryang’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected Dan Ahk-seon to get the answer right away like this.

“Did you memorize the movement?”

“Roughly.”

“Then try to perform it.”

“Now?”