The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 104

Thud.

“Kuheup!”

A pained groan escaped from Cho Ak-ryang’s lips.

He glared at Beom Gye-wi, who had unceremoniously dumped him down like a sack of luggage, swallowing the curse that had risen to his throat.

It was because of Dan Ak-seon.

Cho Ak-ryang forced an awkward smile toward Dan Ak-seon, who looked as if she was about to burst into tears.

“I’m sorry. I worried you.”

“No. It’s enough that you’ve returned safely.”

Having said that, Dan Ak-seon turned her head toward Beom Gye-wi.

“Thank you for bringing Uncle Cho back.”

“Huh? No, it was nothing.”

Beom Gye-wi replied casually, then grinned at Cho Ak-ryang.

“You’re the Left Seat of the Ten Evils, after all. I have to do this much. Unlike some people, I take good care of my subordinates.”

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyebrows twitched.

He was annoyed by Beom Gye-wi’s attempt to take credit at every opportunity, but he couldn’t say anything. If it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t be standing here now, nor would he have been able to see Dan Ak-seon again.

“Thanks, I guess.”

Beom Gye-wi burst into hearty laughter at Cho Ak-ryang’s reluctant greeting.

“Hahaha. Why are you being so formal all of a sudden? It’s not like Cho-hyung [older brother Cho] has only been indebted to me once or twice.”

Then, he suddenly felt a sharp gaze and turned his head.

Han Seol-hwa’s disapproving eyes met his.

“Enough.”

“Tch.”

In the end, Beom Gye-wi shut his mouth only after being scolded by her.

At that moment, Dan Ak-seon approached Cho Ak-ryang and sighed.

“Ah…….”

Dan Ak-seon frowned deeply.

It was because Cho Ak-ryang’s condition looked terrible at a glance. Not to mention his pale complexion, there were clear traces of blood around his mouth.

But the more she examined him, the more serious the situation became.

Torn and cut clothes.

Through the gaps, gruesome, gaping wounds were densely packed.

Some injuries were still bleeding.

It was fortunate that there were no wounds deep enough to expose bone.

“Ahem.”

Cho Ak-ryang cleared his throat, perhaps feeling embarrassed and ashamed himself. And he couldn’t bring himself to meet Dan Ak-seon’s eyes, instead casting his gaze into the distance.

He was no longer the Blood Demon Lord who had beaten the Head of Cheongseong Sect to death in front of the sect. He was just a shameless patient who had returned with his nearly healed injuries worsened.

“Let’s get you treated first.”

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes flickered slightly as Dan Ak-seon took out her needles.

“Why the Demonic Spirit Needles……?”

“I wonder why?”

After silently staring at each other for a moment, Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly.

“Because it’s the most appropriate treatment in this situation.”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled awkwardly, following Dan Ak-seon’s lead. However, his gaze remained fixed on the Demonic Spirit Needles in Dan Ak-seon’s hand, never leaving them.

At that sight, Ga Du-dal looked at Dan Ak-seon again with a fresh gaze.

Who in the current Kangho [martial arts world] could make the Blood Demon Lord, the terror of the world, look so fearful?

The same went for Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa, who were smiling as if they were getting their own back.

It was just that Cho Ak-ryang had returned, but the atmosphere was clearly different from before.

At that sight, Ga Du-dal felt a strange emotion once again.

A sense of belonging and camaraderie that he had never felt before in his life. Even a bond that was hard to pinpoint.

‘Why am I envious of this?’

Ga Du-dal’s mind became complicated.

“Kueuk…….”

A groan escaped from Cho Ak-ryang’s mouth at that moment.

Ga Du-dal, who was watching his face contort, also frowned. Just from his expression, he could feel the pain that Cho Ak-ryang was experiencing.

On the other hand, Dan Ak-seon was calmly inserting needles into various parts of Cho Ak-ryang’s body.

“You’ll need extensive treatment again.”

At those words, Beom Gye-wi, who had been silently watching the situation, suddenly interjected.

“Huh? Then do we have to do the Wei Huo Therapy again?”

“It seems so.”

Dan Ak-seon nodded and sighed deeply.

“Because you recklessly drew on your Origin True Qi [internal energy], the meridians that were barely stabilizing have been greatly shaken. Not to mention the internal injuries that have deepened as a result. For the time being, it seems we’ll have to combine Wei Huo Therapy with treatment.”

“…….”

Cho Ak-ryang shut his mouth tightly, like a mute who had swallowed honey.

He had committed a sin, so he had nothing to say even if he had a mouth.

On the other hand, Beom Gye-wi glanced at Han Seol-hwa with a reluctant expression.

“Then I have to join hands with that witch again.”

Han Seol-hwa gave him a dumbfounded look.

“Do you think I like it?”

No sooner had those words left her mouth than Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa glared at each other.

The atmosphere quickly turned hostile, and Dan Ak-seon stepped in.

“Please.”

At that one word, Beom Gye-wi reluctantly nodded.

“……I have no choice.”

Han Seol-hwa was the same.

“Hmph.”

With a cold snort, she turned her head away.

Ga Du-dal was simply amazed by their 모습 [behavior/appearance].

That the masters who made the world tremble would yield to each other’s stubbornness at Dan Ak-seon’s one word. It was truly a rare sight that he would probably never see again in his life.

How much time had passed?

Cho Ak-ryang opened his mouth.

“Why don’t you ask?”

“The important thing is that Uncle Cho has returned.”

In Dan Ak-seon’s words, which were filled with sincerity, an undeniable emotion welled up in Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes.

Because that short sentence contained how much Dan Ak-seon had been worried about him.

After staring silently at Dan Ak-seon, Cho Ak-ryang opened his mouth after a long time.

“It was the year I turned seven.”

Having started that way, Cho Ak-ryang began to tell his story, which he had kept in his heart.

He explained in detail about the starvation he had experienced as a child, meeting his teacher at the crossroads of life and death, how he became known as the Blood Demon Lord to avenge his teacher who was killed by the Cheongseong Seven, and even the reason why he had to kill the new Head of Cheongseong Sect.

Dan Ak-seon already knew Cho Ak-ryang’s past to some extent, having heard it from Beom Gye-wi. However, hearing the story from the person himself was much more painful and heartbreaking.

When Cho Ak-ryang’s story ended, a somber atmosphere descended on the room.

“This is who I am.”

Dan Ak-seon met Cho Ak-ryang’s gaze with complicated eyes.

“It must have been very hard for you.”

Cho Ak-ryang gave an unexpected expression at those words from Dan Ak-seon.

“Don’t you hate me? I’ve returned to you, who saves people, with the blood of countless people on my hands.”

“Who am I to judge and evaluate Uncle? I just…….”

“……?”

“I just hope you won’t have a hard time anymore.”

“……!”

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes shook violently.

The sincerity contained in Dan Ak-seon’s gaze was a greater comfort than any words at this moment.

It was then that Ga Du-dal’s bewilderment echoed.

“Huh? Senior, are you perhaps crying right now?”

When everyone’s eyes focused on him, Beom Gye-wi jumped up.

“Who’s crying! I’m just hungry!”

Beom Gye-wi’s eyes, which were hastily wiping his eyes with his sleeve, were already red.

And even the way he was sniffling…….

Ga Du-dal smiled slyly.

“Senior Beom cries when he’s hungry.”

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

Beom Gye-wi glared at Ga Du-dal with a serious expression.

“Do you want to die?”

“Hic!”

A terrifying killing intent suddenly poured out.

Ga Du-dal, who was faced with this, was startled and hiccuped.

To casually joke with the Mangsang Choja [Mad Dog Beom], something he would never have dared to do normally.

He had crossed the line without realizing it, caught up in the atmosphere.

It was Dan Ak-seon who saved Ga Du-dal from the crisis of his own making.

“It would be best to focus on treatment for at least ten days. We can visit the Wudang Sect after that.”

As the situation was what it was, no one opposed.

That night.

Not long after the sun had set, Dan Ak-seon went to bed early.

Because the treatment had taken longer than expected, she had consumed a considerable amount of physical and mental strength.

Cho Ak-ryang quietly looked down at Dan Ak-seon, who had fallen asleep leaning on his lap.

A faint smile, barely visible, was on Cho Ak-ryang’s face.

The infinitely benevolent and gentle eyes were not much different from those of a father looking at his child.

“Do you feel relieved now?”

Beom Gye-wi asked in a whisper, lest Dan Ak-seon wake up.

“I don’t know.”

Beom Gye-wi asked again at Cho Ak-ryang’s ambiguous answer.

“Anyway, haven’t you taken all your revenge?”

“My revenge is over, but I’ve created another blood debt.”

The eyes of the Cheongseong Sect disciples, who cursed and gnashed their teeth at him the moment Cheongmyeong Sanin died, were still vivid in his mind.

“A blood price is a blood price.”

Beom Gye-wi smirked.

“It’s not like those Cheongseong Sect guys are that great.”

“…….”

“Don’t worry. If those guys want to get the blood debt from Cho-hyung, they’ll have to undergo at least two rebirths. Besides, it’s not just Cho-hyung who they have to deal with. If those guys step forward, I won’t stand still either.”

Cho Ak-ryang sighed softly.

“I’m worried that their revenge will be directed elsewhere.”

Cho Ak-ryang stared silently at Dan Ak-seon, who was fast asleep. Then, he suddenly felt a sharp gaze and raised his head.

Han Seol-hwa was staring at him from behind, having arrived at some point.

Cho Ak-ryang felt embarrassed for no reason and was about to turn his eyes away.

“Hey, you two idiots. Listen carefully.”

Han Seol-hwa opened her mouth, exuding cold air.

“Don’t do anything anymore.”

“What?”

Han Seol-hwa raised her eyebrows at Beom Gye-wi’s question.

“Whatever it is, whatever happens, don’t do anything.”

“I just saved Cho-hyung?”

As Beom Gye-wi opened his mouth, Cho Ak-ryang poked Beom Gye-wi in the side.

That’s how unusual Han Seol-hwa’s atmosphere was.

The anger, which had already passed the boiling point and was boiling over, was conveyed through her eyes. She was in a very dangerous state, as if she would explode if touched even slightly.

“…….”

“…….”

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi avoided Han Seol-hwa’s gaze and remained silent.

After a while.

Cho Ak-ryang, who had remembered something, opened his mouth with a serious face.

“This incident may cause the Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] to step in…….”

“Cho Oraboni [older brother Cho, term of endearment].”

Han Seol-hwa, who cut off Cho Ak-ryang’s words in the middle, smiled quietly.

“Don’t do anything. Don’t even think about it.”

Cho Ak-ryang cleared his throat awkwardly.

Han Seol-hwa, who had been staring silently at Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, soon picked up the sleeping Dan Ak-seon.

Then, without looking back, she strode away.

“Hey, Cho-hyung…….”

“Shh.”

Cho Ak-ryang, who cut off Beom Gye-wi’s words, urged him to be silent with his eyes. Beom Gye-wi also glanced at Han Seol-hwa and reluctantly nodded.

Like that…….

The long day was coming to an end.

* * *

Je Gal-yeon sighed as she looked at the mountain of documents piled up on the table.

Just looking at them made her head throb.

It was an unprecedented amount of reports since she had taken over as the Heavenly Second Unit Leader.

Moreover, even at this hour, letters were flying in from all over the place.

Not to mention the messenger pigeons, if you consider the ones arriving by person……, she was at a loss.

The only fortunate thing was…….

‘Death of the Head of the Cheongseong Sect.’

The contents were all similar.

The culprit who murdered the Head was the Blood Demon Lord. To make matters worse, Beom Gye-wi had also appeared.

There were also reports that the Cheongseong Sect had suffered enormous casualties, but the biggest problem, in her opinion, was not that.

The important thing was that the Cheongseong Sect had missed the two of them despite suffering such damage.

‘It’s pathetic beyond words!’