The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 125

Divine Doctor of Primacy (125)

The Murim Alliance headquarters was located in Mu Han.

A group of people poured out from the wide-open main gate.

They were the eminent figures of the Nine Great Sects who had decided to part ways with the Murim Alliance, including Taoists and monks in flowing robes, and martial artists in secular attire.

Among them were Yi Rip and Hong Jeok-mun.

Yi Rip suddenly stopped and looked up at the magnificent plaque engraved above the main gate of the Murim Alliance.

“With this, our ties with the Murim Alliance are severed.”

His tone was a mix of relief and regret.

The process of withdrawing from the Murim Alliance was surprisingly uncomplicated.

Regardless of merits, the person who had supported the Murim Alliance until now was, without a doubt, Namgung Baek. After Namgung Baek stepped down as the Alliance Lord and retired to his hometown, most of the influential figures left the Murim Alliance.

The resulting power vacuum was directly linked to the Murim Alliance’s influence.

Moreover, there was neither justification nor power to hold onto the Nine Great Sects.

Perhaps because they were parting ways with the Murim Alliance more easily than expected, their expressions were light.

“Why do you look like that?”

Hong Jeok-mun asked cautiously, aware of the eyes around them.

“It’s nothing. There’s just something on my mind.”

“……?”

“Ji Nang-ri. I wonder if it was the right thing to hand over the position of Murim Alliance Lord to her.”

“Isn’t that unnecessary worry?”

As he said, the power of the Murim Alliance, with the departure of the Namgung family and their followers, as well as the Nine Great Sects, was incomparable to what it once was.

It had virtually become a nominal organization, existing in name only.

“She’s not a woman who would simply occupy a position without any practical benefit. She must be planning something.”

“I think you’re being overly cautious.”

“I hope so, but…”

“Let’s go to Yunnan first. We’ll have to hurry quite a bit to join up with Dan’s medical team.”

The two greeted the eminent figures of the Nine Great Sects and then approached one person.

An old man reminiscent of a sharp, unsheathed sword.

He was Sagong-myeong, the Changryeom Dogae [Bearded Sword Master], one of the elders of the Jeomchang Sect.

His prickly beard was grizzled, but his eyes were cold and sharp.

“It seems like the journey to Yunnan will be long, how about we travel together as companions?”

Yi Rip’s unique affability softened Sagong-myeong’s stern gaze slightly.

“Haha. If you would, this old man would be grateful. How could this country bumpkin refuse the opportunity to witness the eloquence of Yongdu Bangju [Dragon Head Gang Leader], the best in the Central Plains?”

He humbled himself as a country bumpkin, but Yi Rip thought very highly of him.

Sagong-myeong was the master of the Fallen Sun Blade, one of the Sailygeom [Four Sun Swords] that symbolized Jeomchang, and was one of the top five masters of swordsmanship in the world.

“I’ve also received word from the Sect Leader.”

The Beggars’ Sect and Jeomchang had already consulted in advance.

“Unless there’s a special problem, the Sect Leader won’t refuse to sign the joint statement.”

At Sagong-myeong’s words, Yi Rip burst into a hearty laugh.

“Haha. What problem could there be? Elder Sagong will also like that child. Who knows? There might be an unexpected opportunity?”

“Opportunity? What kind of opportunity are you talking about?”

“The nagging neuralgia that I’ve suffered from for over ten years disappeared after meeting that child.”

Sagong-myeong’s eyes sparkled at those words.

“Haha. That’s certainly something to look forward to. I’ve also been running around on the front lines with this old body, so there’s no place that’s unscathed.”

Hong Jeok-mun, who had been waiting for the right moment to greet him, seized the opportunity and clasped his hands in respect.

“Hong, a junior from the Beggars’ Sect, greets the great senior of the Jeomchang Sect.”

“Oh! I see the Quick Hands of the Jade Flute here!”

“It’s just an embarrassing reputation.”

Hong Jeok-mun’s face flushed slightly.

Sagong-myeong thought of it as humility, but at that moment, Hong Jeok-mun was genuinely embarrassed.

It was because he had already seen Cho Ak-ryang up close.

He wanted to find the guy who had grouped him and Cho Ak-ryang together as the Three Great Commanders and beat his stupid mouth to a pulp.

“Well, then, let’s go.”

Yi Rip stepped aside to one side of the road, yielding the lead.

“Let’s do that.”

Sagong-myeong also nodded, smiling cheerfully.

Thus, they began their journey to Yunnan in a friendly atmosphere.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the same time, in Ocheon, Guangdong Province.

Braving the fierce sea breeze, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi arrived at the harbor.

The bizarre rock formations and islands of all shapes and sizes created by the rocky islands spread out over the vast sea.

Cho Ak-ryang took a deep breath.

‘It’s been a while.’

Even the salty sea breeze, which he once found tiresome, was now welcome. Beom Gye-wi also had a smile on his face as he looked at the sea.

“Are you happy to see the sea? Or are you happy to see the person you’re about to meet?”

“I’m just happy thinking about how much Dan’s medical team will like it.”

“No worries?”

“What worries? It’s just a little uncomfortable.”

“Really just a little?”

“A little less than a little.”

Cho Ak-ryang was inwardly dumbfounded by that reaction.

He had intended to tease him if he was nervous, but he didn’t show any signs of it.

In fact, he himself was not in a position to tease Beom Gye-wi right now.

He was in a difficult situation as well.

He was thinking about this and that when it happened.

Pee-ik!

A sharp sound that tore through the air pierced his ears.

Turning his head to follow the sound, he saw a large arrow cutting through the air in the distance.

It was a Daechomyeongjeok [Great Whistling Arrow].

Also known as Hyosi [Signal Arrow], it was a signal arrow that made a sound by attaching a large whistle instead of a warhead.

“How did they know we were coming?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s words, Cho Ak-ryang, who was looking around, smiled bitterly. It was because some people were glancing at them.

They must have contacted them.

“That damn bird never dies of old age.”

Following Cho Ak-ryang’s gaze, Beom Gye-wi was able to spot a hawk circling high above them in the sky.

It was a Songgol [Gyrfalcon], also known as a Haedongcheong [Sea Eastern Falcon].

It always confirmed the target before its owner.

Sure enough.

Not long after the Daechomyeongjeok rang out, a ship appeared from behind a large island in the distance.

The ship, with its sails fully unfurled and catching the wind perfectly, was speeding towards the harbor. It was an enormous warship, far exceeding the size of a reconnaissance speedboat.

The flag at the highest mast of the ship clearly bore the emblem symbolizing the Hainan Sect.

“They’re already showing up.”

Beom Gye-wi spotted a person standing proudly at the bow of the ship.

It was also then that the hawk circling in the sky quickly flew towards the bow.

The hawk, which had rushed in like a ray of light, landed gently on the arm of the woman who was extending her arm as she stood at the bow.

She was probably in her mid-thirties.

Her face, with her ebony hair fluttering, was full of an unmistakable smile.

“She really doesn’t age.”

Cho Ak-ryang nodded at Beom Gye-wi’s words.

She was actually over forty, but the woman at the bow was maintaining her youthful appearance to a considerable extent.

Perhaps her sharp eyes were a flaw.

Her eyes, sparkling like black pearls, her high nose, and her vivid red lips formed a strange contrast with her tanned brown skin, making her a woman of outstanding beauty.

She was Byeok Hwa-ryeong, the Vice Sect Leader of the Hainan Sword Sect.

As she raised her hand and stroked the hawk’s back, the hawk made a pleasant cry and rubbed its beak against her hand to show its affection.

Tuk.

As soon as the ship reached the harbor, Byeok Hwa-ryeong soared into the air.

Then she landed gently in front of Beom Gye-wi.

“You’ve finally come?”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong gave Beom Gye-wi a radiant smile.

It was a smile so beautiful that it would make any man’s heart flutter just by looking at it.

“You’re very late… but I’ll forgive you since you came anyway.”

Beom Gye-wi smiled awkwardly.

“Okay. Thank you for forgiving me.”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong nodded, smiling gently, and turned her head towards Cho Ak-ryang.

“Cho Orabeoni [Older brother], you’ve been well too, right?”

“Thanks to you. Byeok Nui [Younger sister] is still the same.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief. But what happened to Cho Orabeoni? Why do you look so old?”

“Well… I’ve been through some hardships.”

Cho Ak-ryang brushed it off.

He still couldn’t get used to her direct way of speaking, even after several years.

However, it was difficult to calmly dismiss even the following words.

“Our young master Beom is so handsome.”

“Cough! How old is that guy, and you’re still calling him young master…”

“He’s still as charming as ever in my eyes.”

Her eyes, looking at Beom Gye-wi as if honey was dripping from them, were full of undisguised affection.

“Then get on board. Let’s talk in detail as we go.”

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi nodded and boarded the ship.

At the same time, the fifty or so Hainan Sect disciples lined up on the ship bowed to Beom Gye-wi in unison.

“We greet the Vice Sect Leader’s Jeongrang [Lover]!”

The united voices, as if they had practiced, were so loud that they echoed through the harbor.

“J-Jeongrang?”

Beom Gye-wi was flustered by the sight of the Hainan Sect warriors treating him with such courtesy. Just as Beom Gye-wi was about to say something, Cho Ak-ryang poked him in the side.

—Just stay still until we achieve our goal.

Beom Gye-wi made a face at Cho Ak-ryang’s telepathic message.

—Don’t you know that woman’s temper? We could both end up in a terrible situation.

—Why us? It’s you.

Beom Gye-wi contorted his face fiercely.

—Are you going to be so mean?

Cho Ak-ryang smiled awkwardly and looked away.

Beom Gye-wi, who had been staring at him, sighed. Then he immediately said to Byeok Hwa-ryeong.

“I didn’t come here to get married. I came here for something.”

Cho Ak-ryang was shocked by Beom Gye-wi’s sudden bluntness, even though he had tried to stop him.

Byeok Hwa-ryeong, who had been standing there blankly for a moment as if she had been shocked, asked in a calm voice.

“Something?”

“I heard that the Hainan Sect has Yeomhwadancheol [Blazing Fire Refined Iron]?”

“What if we do?”

“Give it to me.”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong smiled quietly. But her eyes were as cold as ice.

“So you’re saying you didn’t come to take me?”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong smiled radiantly once again at Beom Gye-wi, who swallowed hard instead of answering.

“I’ll give you one more chance. So tell me properly this time. That you came to take me.”

“…I didn’t?”

“Then what about our promise?”

Beom Gye-wi looked at Cho Ak-ryang with a troubled expression, but Cho Ak-ryang was just as embarrassed.

“Is that so?”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong took a step towards Beom Gye-wi. Beom Gye-wi stepped back as much as she approached.

“I see.”

With those words, Byeok Hwa-ryeong continued to push Beom Gye-wi.

The subtle confrontation continued until Beom Gye-wi was precariously perched on the railing of the ship.

It was then that Byeok Hwa-ryeong opened her mouth.

“Don’t avoid me.”

“Huh?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s question, Byeok Hwa-ryeong said once again with a firm look.

“I told you clearly. Don’t avoid me.”

As soon as those words were finished, Byeok Hwa-ryeong reached out her hands and grabbed Beom Gye-wi’s collar. Then she pulled Beom Gye-wi towards her and offered her all the more seductive red lips.

Just before their lips met.

Beom Gye-wi raised his hand and blocked her lips.

“I told you, I didn’t come here for this?”

“……!”

At that moment, a fire of anger exploded in Byeok Hwa-ryeong’s eyes.

Bang!

With an explosion that shook the ship, Beom Gye-wi’s figure floated into the air. Byeok Hwa-ryeong had suddenly struck Beom Gye-wi’s chest with her palm.

Thanks to his protective energy, he wasn’t seriously injured, but Beom Gye-wi, who had lost his footing, fell into the sea. Beom Gye-wi, who had hit the surface of the water and used the rebound to soar into the air again, shouted.

“What are you doing!”

“Doing this.”

Beom Gye-wi couldn’t continue speaking.

It was because of the huge, heavy lump of metal flying towards his eyes.

Jjeoeong!

He managed to knock away the anchor that had flown in with terrifying force by swinging his hand with all his might, but Beom Gye-wi’s figure fell back into the sea.

Splash.

Beom Gye-wi, who had fallen into the sea, looked up at the railing of the ship with a dumbfounded expression.

A cold voice poured out towards him.

“What’s this about coming back after ten years?”

“Huh?”

Bewilderment appeared on Beom Gye-wi’s face.

Geugeugeuk.

It was because Byeok Hwa-ryeong was dragging something.

It was a huge cannon.