The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 134

신마의선 (134)

“Give back the Severing Life Strike?”

Cho Ak-ryang gritted his teeth.

The forgotten deadly struggle resurfaced in his mind.

The Lion’s Roar [a powerful sonic attack] of the Arhat Hall Leader, forced in exchange for his life.

It momentarily shattered his protective aura, and that damned Strong Strike, released from Chunsuamje, didn’t miss the opportunity.

The terrible pain of it digging into his shoulder was still vivid in his mind.

Cho Ak-ryang emitted a chilling aura.

“I refuse.”

“……!”

The expressions of the men standing behind Dang Ryung wavered.

They were momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer force of the energy, which was incomparable to anything they had felt before.

What was even more disconcerting was that the murderous intent seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

Then, at some point, that murderous intent exceeded its boiling point.

The warriors of the Sichuan Dang Clan, led by Dang Ryung, moved in unison.

Some reached for their waists, while others slipped their hands into their sleeves.

They were ready to unleash hidden weapons and poisons at any moment.

At that moment, a sharp, clear voice pierced the air from somewhere.

“Who dares to disgrace the name of Emei!”

The resonant voice, filled with profound inner energy, drew everyone’s attention to one place.

The sight of a person entering the hall, leading over fifty nuns, came into view.

A face with not a single wrinkle despite the passage of time.

Though her frame was small, her eyes, honed through long years of cultivation, were incomparably sharp and firm.

And above all, she possessed a unique and unapproachable aura.

Cho Ak-ryang recognized the nun, having encountered her several times in the past.

She was none other than Jeongyeon Shinni (正然神尼) [a title of respect for a senior Buddhist nun], the current leader of the Emei Sect.

At her appearance, Cho Ak-ryang dispersed his murderous intent and stepped back.

On the other hand, the Dang Clan members, who had failed to suppress their murderous intent, waited anxiously for Dang Ryung’s instructions.

A stern voice rained down upon them.

“Do you intend to commit such rudeness to our sect’s guests in front of me? Is that truly the will of the Dang Clan?”

Dang Ryung let out a dry laugh.

“Of course not.”

Dang Ryung removed his hand from his sleeve and bowed with a seemingly respectful attitude.

“I, Dang Ryung, a junior, greet the sect leader on behalf of the two thousand members of our clan.”

Dang Ryung wore a bitter smile at the sight of Jeongyeon Shinni staring silently at him.

Her gaze and expression were utterly cold.

It was, in itself, no different from a silent order to leave.

“How could I dare to spill blood in front of those who personally practice great compassion for the salvation of sentient beings? I am not so shameless.”

Cho Ak-ryang frowned at Dang Ryung’s attempt to subtly back down now.

The man’s gaze, full of lingering attachment, was somehow unsettling.

斬草除根 (Cut the grass and eliminate the roots) [idiom meaning to destroy completely to prevent future trouble].

Even if it meant washing this place with blood, he wanted to weed out as many of the poisonous weeds as possible to prevent future problems.

The sword in front of him was not frightening, but the hidden sword was.

That was how notorious they were for using any means necessary to achieve their goals.

It was not for nothing that they were called the Poisonous Root Dark Sect (毒本暗宗) [a derogatory term implying underhanded and ruthless tactics].

This was also why Jeongyeon Shinni’s appearance was unwelcome.

Perhaps sensing Cho Ak-ryang’s gaze,

Jeongyeon Shinni opened her mouth to a nearby nun.

“Since our guests are leaving, escort them politely so they don’t get lost.”

“Yes, Senior Sister Sect Leader.”

The eyes of Dang Ryung turned cold at the sight of the novice nuns approaching them, leading several disciples.

It was called an escort, but in reality, it was no different from assigning guards.

On the other hand, the attitude of the nuns welcoming Dan Ak-seon and his group was extremely respectful.

“This is disappointing. Even if the Nine Great Sects have separated from the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance], we are still part of the orthodox faction.”

Jeongyeon Shinni didn’t even bat an eye at Dang Ryung’s words.

Dang Ryung muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

“猫鼠同處 (Myosu-dongcheo)인가…….” [idiom meaning cats and mice living together, implying unnatural alliances].

Literally, it means that cats and mice live together.

It means that opposing sides are actually getting along well.

Even though the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families had been keeping each other in check and opposing each other, they were still nominally part of the same orthodox faction.

Yet, they were being treated coldly while those of the unorthodox faction were being treated as guests, which made him feel quite twisted inside.

Jeongyeon Shinni simply responded with silence to his blatant sarcasm.

Soon, Dang Ryung turned around, accompanied by his subordinate warriors.

As Dang Ryung’s figure completely disappeared from sight, Jeongyeon Shinni coldly snorted.

“The old beggar of the Beggars’ Sect greets the leader of Emei.”

Only when Hongjeokmun approached and greeted her did Jeongyeon Shinni’s hardened expression soften.

“It’s been a while, Elder Hong. Have you been well?”

“I suppose I owe it to you.”

The two sects had been affiliated with the Nine Great Sects, so the two had been cultivating their relationship for a long time.

“But…….”

Jeongyeon Shinni, after looking around once, asked with a puzzled look.

“Why didn’t the sect leader come? I heard you accompanied him all the way to Jeomchang?”

“As you know, he’s always a busy man.”

Hongjeokmun forced a smile, hiding his troubled expression.

Jeongyeon Shinni quietly sighed at the sight.

How could she not know?

“It’s not that I don’t know that the position of the Beggars’ Sect leader is a busy one, but would you please tell him to take some time to visit our sect soon?”

“Yes? Suddenly?”

Jeongyeon Shinni revealed a bitter smile.

“I would like to ask for it for the sake of our junior sister.”

Hongjeokmun suddenly felt strange.

Jeongyeon Shinni had only one junior sister.

“Is something wrong with Jeongin-satae [another title of respect for a Buddhist nun]?”

She had never met Irip once since she left home.

It was to completely sever ties with the secular world.

Knowing her intentions, Jeongyeon Shinni had not bothered to arrange a meeting between Irip and her.

No, she had rather thoroughly blocked it.

For her to ask for Irip’s visit meant that something unusual had happened.

“A long-standing karma that has bound each other. I think it might be the last chance to put down that heavy burden.”

“……!”

Hongjeokmun, realizing the meaning of the words, nodded with a heavy expression.

“I understand. I will definitely convey it.”

Hongjeokmun, thinking of Irip, already felt uneasy.

Hongjeokmun cast his gaze towards Dan Ak-seon.

“I’ll be going down the mountain for a while.”

“Don’t worry and come back safely.”

Hongjeokmun bowed his head to the others.

“Then I’ll rejoin you later.”

At those words, the gazes of Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi met.

以心傳心 (I-sim-jeon-sim) [telepathy; communicating heart-to-heart].

The two men, confirming the wriggling murderous intent in each other’s eyes, quietly smiled.

“Let’s go together.”

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

“We were just going to escort them anyway.”

From the beginning, the two had no intention of climbing Mount Emei with Dan Ak-seon.

There was something else that took precedence now.

It was to eliminate Dang Ryung and his subordinates.

They were already completely at odds with the Dang Clan anyway.

―We can’t just let those who started the trouble go so easily.

Cho Ak-ryang faintly nodded at Beom Gye-wi’s telepathic message.

They were not the kind of guys who would give up and back down like this.

That was because what never faded or disappeared, no matter how much time passed, was the Dang Clan’s grudge.

―If the Dang Clan is completely erased, that grudge will lose its way.

Beom Gye-wi grinned at Cho Ak-ryang’s telepathic message.

―Hehe. Yeah, that’s like you, Cho-hyung [term of respect for an older brother or close friend].

The two exchanged a conversation that Dang Ryung would have been horrified to hear, as if it were nothing.

Then, suddenly, Cho Ak-ryang felt a strange sensation.

Turning his head, he saw Dan Ak-seon staring intently at him.

“Um, can I talk to those people for a moment?”

As Jeongyeon Shinni nodded, Dan Ak-seon headed towards Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

As Dan Ak-seon approached, the two pretended to be nonchalant.

Dan Ak-seon spoke to them, who were feigning ignorance with a sly look.

“I have to resolve the grudge with the Dang Clan too.”

“What are you talking about? What did you do wrong?”

Cho Ak-ryang frowned at Beom Gye-wi’s words, as if he had admitted their plan.

Dan Ak-seon calmly continued, as she had already guessed.

“Have you ever thought about why the Dang Clan people want the Severing Life Strike?”

Only then did Beom Gye-wi tilt his head with a puzzled look.

“That’s right. Why do those guys want the Severing Life Strike?”

“They’re probably worried that the method of making it will be revealed.”

Cho Ak-ryang answered calmly.

The Dang Clan had built an absolute stronghold with hidden weapons and poisons.

If their secret hidden weapon were to be leaked to the outside, their reputation would be tarnished.

He guessed that was why they were desperately trying to recover it.

However, Dan Ak-seon’s thoughts were different.

“It’s probably because of the poison buried in the Severing Life Strike.”

“Poison?”

Dan Ak-seon nodded at Cho Ak-ryang’s question.

“It was a very potent and unique poison. They must have put a lot of effort into making it in the Dang Clan.”

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes wavered.

He finally began to grasp something.

Dan Ak-seon had detoxified the poison, and thanks to that, he was able to save his life.

“Those guys won’t be happy about that.”

A secret poison only has value as a secret poison when only they can detoxify it.

“That means…….”

Cho Ak-ryang trailed off.

This made it even more likely that those guys would come after Dan Ak-seon.

If Dan Ak-seon analyzed the poison and created an antidote, one of their foundations would be exposed.

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes turned grim.

“We’ll take care of this.”

He couldn’t just leave the Dang Clan, which was sure to be a threat to Dan Ak-seon.

However, Dan Ak-seon shook her head.

“Please don’t. As I said, this is my business too.”

While Cho Ak-ryang was taken aback by the unexpected words, Dan Ak-seon continued.

“The Dang Clan also had deep ties with my parents.”

And she brought up an old story.

“My dad made antidotes every time the Sichuan Dang Clan made a new poison. My mom criticized their poisons as clumsy children’s games.”

“Hmm…….”

“Their real target is me. So you don’t have to take responsibility.”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled bitterly.

Dan Ak-seon had also been continuing the bad relationship with the Dang Clan since her parents’ generation.

“So, please promise me just one thing.”

Dan Ak-seon stared at Cho Ak-ryang with a serious expression.

“Please bear with it until I’m fully recovered. This is not a request as a doctor, but a personal one.”

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes wavered.

Not missing the opportunity, Dan Ak-seon drove in the wedge.

“I won’t stop you after you’re fully recovered. And then I’ll fight with you too. In whatever way.”

After showing a momentarily troubled look, Cho Ak-ryang slowly nodded.

‘That’s what she wanted to say.’

Although a long conversation took place, Dan Ak-seon’s concern for Cho Ak-ryang came first.

Seeing Dan Ak-seon even saying that she would fight together, his heart felt ticklish.

“I will.”

Beom Gye-wi also nodded silently with a face full of regret.

He couldn’t bring himself to insist when Dan Ak-seon asked him so much.

As their conversation seemed to be coming to an end to some extent, Jeongyeon Shinni, who had been standing silently until then, stepped forward.

“It’s been a while.”

Han Seol-hwa silently nodded in response to Jeongyeon Shinni’s greeting, replacing it with an answer.

Jeongyeon Shinni now spoke to Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

“You must have had a hard time coming all this way. Since you’ve come all the way here, why don’t you have a cup of tea before you go?”

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi exchanged glances as if they were in trouble.

They didn’t have any particular grudges against each other, but they still didn’t feel like it.

The gap between the orthodox and unorthodox factions was that deep.

However, the other party was the leader of a sect.

It was difficult to refuse just because it was uncomfortable when they were asking so politely.

While they were struggling to find a suitable reason.

“Let’s go together.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly with an expectant face.

“I wanted to cross the mountain gate with everyone proudly at least once.”