The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 136

The intensity in Bum Gye-wi’s eyes was palpable. It was more than just simple curiosity.

But it wasn’t just Bum Gye-wi who was acting strangely.

Cho Ak-ryang, who had been casually sipping his tea, had subtly moved his chair closer to Dan Ak-seon without drawing attention.

Han Seol-hwa frowned, noticing this shift.

“Brother Cho,” Han Seol-hwa said, her voice laced with ice.

“Have you lost your mind from spending too much time with an idiot?”

Cho Ak-ryang momentarily flinched, but then met Han Seol-hwa’s gaze with a serious expression.

“Sister Han, this isn’t something to criticize or joke about.”

Han Seol-hwa was inwardly stunned. Cho Ak-ryang’s confidence was unexpected and unwavering.

Bum Gye-wi chimed in, equally resolute. “Of course! This is a matter of great importance. Women simply don’t understand.”

What made the situation even more bizarre was that Dan Ak-seon nodded, agreeing with their sentiments.

“That’s right. My dad always said the same thing.”

“Huh? The Divine Doctor [Seongsu Shinui, Dan Ak-seon’s father]?”

“What did he say?”

Bum Gye-wi and Cho Ak-ryang were completely engrossed, oblivious to Han Seol-hwa’s increasingly cold stare.

“He agreed with Uncle Bum. And he asked my mom about how to make Dokgyesan [a type of medicinal concoction].”

“So? What was the result?”

Just as Dan Ak-seon was about to answer, the door creaked open.

Jeongyeon Shini entered the room.

Dan Ak-seon, about to speak, stopped mid-sentence. This interruption caused barely suppressed groans of disappointment from Bum Gye-wi and Cho Ak-ryang.

Jeongyeon Shini, unaware of the undercurrents in the room, glanced around before placing a cloth-wrapped object on the table.

“What’s this?” Dan Ak-seon asked. Instead of answering, Jeongyeon Shini simply pushed the object towards her.

With a puzzled look, Dan Ak-seon unwrapped the cloth.

Inside was a book.

A thick book with no title or author inscribed on its cover.

Dan Ak-seon tilted her head, then opened it.

“……!”

Dan Ak-seon’s eyes widened in surprise.

The handwriting inside was unmistakably familiar.

A medical book she had studied countless times, until its pages were worn and tattered.

It was her father’s handwriting.

“Do you recognize it?” Jeongyeon Shini asked.

Dan Ak-seon nodded, still in disbelief.

Recognizing her father’s handwriting, she looked up at Jeongyeon Shini, a bewildered expression on her face.

“Why is this……?”

Jeongyeon Shini smiled gently and sat across from Dan Ak-seon.

“This sect was originally a women-only sanctuary. Receiving outside guests, especially men, was extremely rare. It was a taboo.”

But that taboo had been broken by one man.

Seongsu Shinui [Divine Doctor].

After he first stepped into this forbidden area, the Emei Sect themselves abandoned their long-standing tradition.

Because no tradition was more important than saving a life.

“His sincerity in wanting to save people was so fervent, it could move even a stone Buddha.”

Seongsu Shinui’s determination was so strong that he risked everything to enter the Emei’s gates.

Thanks to his medical skills, the disciples of the Emei, who had been resigned to their fate, were able to save their lives.

“These are the records he wrote during that time. He chose not to take them with him, out of consideration for us.”

“Ah!”

Dan Ak-seon immediately understood the reason.

The Emei is a sect of female monks.

Even if the records were purely for medical purposes, some of the content could be embarrassing or considered shameful.

Jeongyeon Shini smiled quietly.

“I’m returning it to you now.”

“Yes? Is that alright?”

“I believe it will be far more useful to you, a doctor, than to us. And isn’t that the best way to honor his wish to save even one more person?”

“…….”

“The Emei already owes him a great debt. If we don’t show our gratitude, even in this small way, we would be ashamed as Buddhist disciples.”

At those words, Dan Ak-seon slowly nodded.

She lowered her head and began to examine the contents of the book.

The content itself was simply a collection of clinical notes.

Even so, it felt as if her father was speaking to her through the pages.

Dan Ak-seon’s eyes welled up with emotion.

The sight of Dan Ak-seon’s reddened eyes brought a moment of solemn silence to the room.

No one dared to offer empty words of comfort.

They simply watched Dan Ak-seon, who was radiating a complex and poignant aura.

How much time had passed?

Dan Ak-seon, belatedly realizing the heavy atmosphere in the room, closed the book. She carefully wrapped it back in the cloth and held it close to her chest.

“Thank you so much.”

Jeongyeon Shini responded to Dan Ak-seon’s gratitude with a warm smile.

But then, a commotion erupted.

“Ah! Wait a minute!”

“Don’t push!”

“Keep the order!”

Dan Ak-seon turned towards the door, hearing the sounds of many people approaching.

At the same time, Jeongyeon Shini’s benevolent smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression.

She slowly rose, grabbed the doorknob, and flung the door open.

The nuns who had been gathered at the entrance stumbled into the room.

“You monks have no dignity!” Jeongyeon Shini scolded.

The nuns flinched at her reprimand.

But soon, they protested, their faces filled with aggrieved expressions.

“But if not now, when else will we have the chance to see him again?”

“That’s right. Please allow us to at least express our gratitude.”

The nuns, who had been peeking from outside the temple, were middle-aged women who appeared quite experienced in life.

But the way they looked at Dan Ak-seon was as bright and eager as young girls.

The goodwill and affection in their eyes were unmistakable.

Seeing the nuns searching for her father’s features in her face, Dan Ak-seon once again understood the depth of the connection between her father and the Emei Sect.

“It’s alright,” Dan Ak-seon said, smiling as she approached the nuns.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Dan Ak-seon.”

As Dan Ak-seon greeted them, exclamations of delight erupted from the crowd.

“Cute! And so brave!”

“He was handsome too.”

“How can he resemble him so much?”

These were the people who held cherished memories of Shinui, and they showered Dan Ak-seon with affection.

Cho Ak-ryang, watching the scene unfold, was dumbfounded.

The nuns of the Emei Sect, when they occasionally ventured into the secular world, always presented a solemn and serious demeanor.

To disarm them all at once….

It was at that moment that Cho Ak-ryang realized Dan Ak-seon possessed a charm that surpassed any divine skill.

Two hours later.

As dusk began to settle, Dan Ak-seon finally managed to leave Hyeon Gyeongjeon [a building in the Emei Sect].

“Hoo.”

Dan Ak-seon sighed, her tired face showing signs of exhaustion.

The hospitality of the Emei Sect nuns was overwhelming, and the longer she spent with them, the more drained she felt.

“Stay for a few more days,” one of the nuns said, expressing her regret at Dan Ak-seon’s departure.

Dan Ak-seon bowed her head to the nuns.

“I’ll visit again in the future.”

Staying longer was difficult, especially with Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi present.

Besides, she still had many places to visit in order to complete the Yeonpanjang [a quest or mission].

The Emei Sect nuns began to gather gifts for Dan Ak-seon.

From snacks to pocket money for travel expenses.

In an instant, all sorts of presents piled up like a mountain.

Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi, who had suddenly become reluctant porters, exchanged troubled glances.

“If you ever need anything, come and find us anytime. The gates of the Emei will always be open to you,” Jeongyeon Shini said.

Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded at Jeongyeon Shini’s words.

Although it was a short visit, she was grateful to have spent time immersed in memories of her parents.

As she bid farewell and left the Emei Sect, Dan Ak-seon’s eyes sparkled.

She noticed a structure located far away on the edge of a cliff.

She saw Lee Rip talking to someone inside.

The person facing Lee Rip had their back turned, obscuring their face, but judging from their neatly cut hair and gray monk’s robe, it seemed to be a nun from the Emei Sect.

“That person must be Jeongin Satae [a high-ranking nun].”

Dan Ak-seon paused and stared at the two figures talking.

“What are you looking at?” Han Seol-hwa asked.

Dan Ak-seon smiled sadly.

“I was just wondering if my mom and dad had a hard time like that too.”

Cho Ak-ryang nodded.

“Well, it wouldn’t have been easy for them to be together either. If their relationship had been public, it would have caused quite a stir in the Jianghu [martial arts world].”

Dan Ak-seon nodded and looked at Lee Rip and Jeongin Satae with wistful eyes.

“It’s a shame.”

“What do you mean?” Cho Ak-ryang asked.

Dan Ak-seon quietly sighed.

“They loved each other deeply too. Even though they fought every day.”

Cho Ak-ryang nodded silently.

Her parents had at least had a child, leaving Dan Ak-seon behind.

On the other hand, there was a void between Lee Rip and Jeongin Satae that could never be filled.

No matter how much they missed each other, too much time had passed.

“Who knows their own circumstances?” Han Seol-hwa said.

Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded.

“That’s right. It’s not something that others can easily judge.”

In order not to disturb Lee Rip and Jeongin Satae, Dan Ak-seon left the Emei Sect as quietly as possible.

But Dan Ak-seon remained silent all the way down the mountain stairs.

She was lost in thought, her eyes filled with sympathy.

Then, at some point, Dan Ak-seon quietly raised her hand and touched the medical book in her arms.

She wanted to feel any lingering warmth from her father.

Of course, she knew it was impossible.

But that simple gesture brought her a sense of comfort.

Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi, who were watching her, exchanged glances.

—He must miss his parents a lot.

—Why wouldn’t he? It’s amazing that he’s been holding back so far.

He was so gentle and mature that they sometimes forgot that Dan Ak-seon was still a child.

He was at an age where he should have been spoiled in his parents’ arms.

But instead, he was wandering around the Jianghu for them.

They felt more sorry for Dan Ak-seon than anyone else.

While descending Emei Mountain, Hongjeokmun, who had been loitering at the foot of the mountain, naturally joined the group.

They exchanged greetings with their eyes.

The figure of Lee Rip running towards them came into view.

As Lee Rip arrived, Hongjeokmun suddenly spoke.

“Why is your face such a mess? Did you cry?”

Lee Rip, who would normally have been furious at such a comment, smiled sadly and shook his head.

“I wish I had shed tears…….”

Lee Rip sighed.

“We were both so calm that it made me feel even worse.”

He said that, but Lee Rip’s eyes were filled with a deep pain that he couldn’t conceal.

Lee Rip, suddenly meeting Dan Ak-seon’s gaze, spoke.

“You are right.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you throwing your whole body against the world to protect the person you love?”

Lee Rip smiled bitterly.

“Thinking about it now, I didn’t have the courage to fight. But you have that courage.”

Lee Rip patted Dan Ak-seon on the shoulder.

“I’ll support that courage.”

“Thank you.”

Dan Ak-seon didn’t ask about his encounter with Jeongin Satae.

She knew that no words could offer comfort in his current state.

So they remained silent all the way back to the inn.

But when they arrived, an unexpected surprise awaited them.

A letter was placed on the table in their room.

—I think I won’t be able to be with you for a while because of urgent business. Let’s finish the rest of the martial arts competition when I come back.

The letter was from Ga Dudal.

And next to the letter was a Hapjukseon [a type of folding fan].

Cho Ak-ryang exclaimed softly as he unfolded the fan.

The painting on it was quite unusual.

At first glance, it looked like a landscape painting, but it also depicted a god playing among the clouds, making it a strange combination of landscape and auspicious imagery (吉祥畵) [paintings that symbolize good luck].

“Ah! I wanted to say hello…….” Dan Ak-seon said, unable to hide her disappointment.

On the other hand, Bum Gye-wi stared intently at Dan Ak-seon.

‘How should I ask?’ he wondered.

He hadn’t received an answer earlier, and the only thought that had occupied Bum Gye-wi’s mind all the way down Emei Mountain was whether Dokgyesan [the medicinal concoction] could be made.