The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 159

Dan-ak-seon, traveling with the three legends of Gangho, was already becoming renowned for his medical skills, earning him the title ‘Divine Doctor.’

Yet, the man at the center of these rumors remained unaware.

“By the way, shouldn’t we give that staff a name?”

At Mook-bi’s words, Dan-ak-seon stroked the staff he was holding.

After a moment, he said,

“Mook-ryong (墨龍)… I’ll name it Mook-ryong.”

Cho-ak-ryang looked puzzled at first, but after considering the meaning, he nodded.

“A silent dragon, huh…”

The more he thought about it, the more fitting the name seemed.

Only Dan-ak-seon, having mastered Wihwa Shin-gong [a unique internal energy art], could truly unleash the power contained within the staff.

It would remain quiet usually, but when amplified by the Wihwa Shin-gong, it would reveal its true majesty.

Mook-bi seemed to like the name as well, nodding enthusiastically.

It was the result of his utmost effort, a masterpiece created with all his might, showcasing his best skills.

The name was worthy of a lifetime’s work, forged by combining Un-cheol [cloud iron] with Man-nyeon Han-cheol [ten-thousand-year cold iron], possessing extreme cold, and Yeom-hwa Dan-cheol [flame flower crimson iron], possessing extreme heat.

“Ah, and…”

Mook-bi, belatedly recalling something important, took out a long wooden case from his chest and handed it to Dan-ak-seon.

“What’s this?”

Dan-ak-seon tilted his head, accepting the wooden case, about the length of a child’s arm. However, his expression brightened at Mook-bi’s next words.

“It’s the item you requested.”

“Could it be?”

Dan-ak-seon was momentarily speechless after opening the wooden case and checking its contents.

A large needle (大鍼) well over a foot long lay inside.

The sheer size of it radiated an immense pressure, even causing Han Seol-hwa to furrow her brow.

“That goes into a person’s body?”

Cho-ak-ryang and Beom-gye-wi grimaced as if horrified.

“Isn’t that a weapon?”

“It’s more likely to kill someone than save them!”

On the other hand, Mook-bi’s eyes shone with confidence.

In a way, the Dae-chim [large needle] before him was a masterpiece into which he had poured even more effort and passion than into Mook-ryong.

As expected.

“Ah!”

Dan-ak-seon, inadvertently channeling Wihwa Shin-gong, couldn’t hide his surprise.

Within the needle head, now infused with Wihwa Shin-gong, the energies of extreme yin and extreme yang seemed to be fiercely intertwined, and a clear, sharp energy began to flow down in streams from the needle tip (鍼尖).

“This needle will save many people!”

At those words, Cho-ak-ryang and Beom-gye-wi exchanged glances and swallowed hard.

Dan-ak-seon’s appearance, holding the giant Dae-chim and rejoicing, suddenly felt frightening.

—Suddenly, I’m afraid of the future.

Beom-gye-wi shook his head, trying to dispel the ominous feeling at Cho-ak-ryang’s telepathic message.

—Surely not. It won’t be…

But before long, their worries became reality.

“Then it’s time for treatment. Since it’s my fault your body is broken, I’ll restore it to its original state.”

Mook-bi’s expression gradually hardened at the sight of Dan-ak-seon holding the Dae-chim and grinning.

“Is that needle used in the treatment process?”

“Of course. Not using such a wonderful medical tool would be a sin, unless I didn’t have it.”

Like a cow being led to the slaughterhouse, Mook-bi was led by Dan-ak-seon into the inner hall.

Soon, Cho-ak-ryang and Beom-gye-wi felt goosebumps all over their bodies at the faint screams coming from the inner hall.

Feeling their spines getting damp without them realizing it, Cho-ak-ryang opened his mouth as if sighing.

“I must not get hurt from now on.”

Beom-gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa nodded silently.

* * *

Dan-ak-seon stayed at Mookga Cheoljang [Mook Family Ironworks] for ten days, focusing on treating Mook-bi.

Fortunately, Mook-bi’s condition improved day by day, and he had now recovered to a state close to his usual self.

It was thanks to Dan-ak-seon’s medical skills and the Dae-chim, named Mook-ryong-a (黙龍牙) [Silent Dragon Fang].

Contrary to its gruesome appearance, the efficacy of Mook-ryong-a was truly remarkable.

Of course, one had to endure a slight (?) amount of pain because it involved directly injecting true energy by inserting the needle, but the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages.

Above all, it had become Dan-ak-seon’s treasure, incomparable to anything else, as it greatly sped up treatment.

Another treasure was, of course, Mook-ryong.

Dan-ak-seon kept Mook-ryong with him even while treating.

He always kept it by his side, even when eating and sleeping, never letting it out of his sight.

In particular, after finishing treatment, he wielded Mook-ryong until late at night, engrossed in training without realizing the passage of time.

The power of Wihwa Shin-gong, which was developing at an unprecedented rate, even surprised the other three.

Dan-ak-seon was rapidly advancing towards a higher realm, repeating the process of re-accepting the Wihwa Shin-gong amplified through Mook-ryong.

Beom-gye-wi, watching Dan-ak-seon training from afar, nodded with an admiring expression.

“Our Dan Doctor will surely become the greatest in the world.”

Cho-ak-ryang also agreed.

“If we guide him well, it may not be impossible.”

On the other hand, Han Seol-hwa sighed softly.

“It would be better if I taught him alone…”

Cho-ak-ryang and Beom-gye-wi chuckled.

Then their expressions turned cold.

At first, they thought it was a joke, but Han Seol-hwa’s expression was too serious.

The two glared at Han Seol-hwa.

Han Seol-hwa also glared back at the two without giving in.

At that moment, Dan-ak-seon, who had finished his final Qi circulation [energy circulation] for the 마무리 [finishing touch], gathered his inner energy and opened his eyes.

The eyes of the three were focused on Dan-ak-seon.

Certainly, his aura was changing day by day.

Not only was his energy naturally revealed, but now his eyes also showed a presence.

Dan-ak-seon, who ran towards the three, shouted at Beom-gye-wi.

“Please teach me the staff technique.”

“Of course! This time, it’s time to learn the cha-cha-ra-rak! thing, right?”

“That’s right. The method of deflecting and then countering to block the opponent’s movements.”

Cho-ak-ryang shook his head.

He was still amazed that Dan-ak-seon understood Beom-gye-wi’s incomprehensible explanations like a ghost.

“You must really like Mook-ryong.”

At Cho-ak-ryang’s words, Dan-ak-seon hugged Mook-ryong and smiled shyly.

“Yes, I really like it.”

Beom-gye-wi suddenly became curious.

“If you compare it to a spirit medicine?”

“I like it as much as a spirit medicine. No, I like it much more!”

The three wore satisfied smiles at Dan-ak-seon’s immediate answer.

Putting everything else aside, it was enough that Dan-ak-seon liked it.

Five days later.

Dan-ak-seon and his party bid farewell to Mook-bi.

In just half a month, Mook-bi was regaining his former self.

Mook-bi extended his stout hand and grasped Dan-ak-seon’s hand.

“Come again anytime.”

“Thank you. I will not forget the kindness you have shown me.”

“May the blessing of the Red Emperor (赤帝) be with you.”

As his profession always dealt with fire, he wished for his future by invoking the name of Zhurong (祝融) [god of fire], the deity he served.

Leaving Mookga Cheoljang, the group left the secluded path and entered the main road.

“What’s our next destination?”

At Cho-ak-ryang’s question, Dan-ak-seon answered without hesitation.

“I’m going to Hunan Province.”

“Hunan?”

“I’m going to visit a place called Cheongdamyeon (淸潭淵) [Clear Pool Abyss].”

“Ah!”

Cho-ak-ryang nodded.

“Are you going to meet Dam-jeong of the Flying Shadow Divine Whip (飛影神鞭)?”

“Yes.”

Although he was not the leader of a sect or force, he was one of the respected figures within the orthodox martial arts world.

“I’m also going to get his signature and meet some friends.”

A playful smile appeared on Dan-ak-seon’s face as he thought of Woon-joong-san and Bang-so-bang.

* * *

An inn near Wudang Mountain.

No sooner had Dan-ak-seon put down his luggage than he grabbed Mook-ryong and quickly ran outside.

“I’ll be back!”

Dan-ak-seon had been excited for days at the thought of meeting his friends after a long time.

The three smiled at the sight.

“Is he that happy?”

Leaving the smiles of the three behind, Dan-ak-seon headed straight for Wudang Mountain.

“Woon-joong-san? That child…”

In front of the Wudang Sect’s gate.

The young Taoist priest in charge of greeting guests wore a troubled expression for a moment at Dan-ak-seon’s words that he had come to meet Woon-joong-san.

“Why? Can’t I meet him now?”

“Hmm. No, it’s not that. Wait a moment.”

Leaving those words, the young Taoist priest disappeared beyond the gate.

Left alone outside the gate, Dan-ak-seon began to pass the time aimlessly, waiting for Woon-joong-san.

As he gradually grew tired of waiting and became bored.

“Ak-seon-ah!”

A voice calling him was heard in the distance.

“Joong-san-ah!”

Dan-ak-seon also ran towards Woon-joong-san, who was running like he was flying.

The two, hugging each other without either taking the lead, began to chatter non-stop, unable to hide their joy.

“Oh? But you’ve grown taller?”

“You too. At first, I wondered who you were.”

“In just one more year, I’ll be able to officially register my name on the Domyeongcheop (도명첩) [Taoist register].”

“Are you really becoming a disciple of the Wudang Sect now?”

“That’s right.”

Dan-ak-seon smiled at Woon-joong-san’s appearance, puffing out his chest with a proud expression.

Although his appearance had changed slightly, his old-man-like, stiff tone was still the same.

“But what is that you’re holding?”

Woon-joong-san, noticing Mook-ryong in Dan-ak-seon’s hand, showed curiosity.

“This? Hehe.”

Dan-ak-seon smiled slyly and held out Mook-ryong as if 자랑 [showing off].

“His name is Mook-ryong.”

“Mook-ryong?”

“Yeah. It’s my Seongmyeongbyeongi (성명병기) [signature weapon].”

Woon-joong-san’s eyes shone with envy.

He wasn’t allowed a real sword because he was still an unnamed trainee disciple.

Only when he was formally initiated would he be granted a sword along with his Domyeong [Taoist name].

“That’s cool. Can I touch it?”

“Of course.”

Woon-joong-san, holding Mook-ryong handed over by Dan-ak-seon and observing it in detail, unknowingly exclaimed.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Mook-ryong’s extraordinary 자태 [appearance] at a glance.

“Let’s go show it to So-bang. And let’s have a sparring match together after a long time.”

Woon-joong-san’s expression darkened at Dan-ak-seon’s words.

“It’s okay to go see him… but sparring might be difficult.”

“Huh? Why?”

“So-bang is badly hurt.”

Dan-ak-seon was startled.

“Hurt? How much?”

Woon-joong-san sighed.

“It would be better for you, as a doctor, to check it yourself.”

The two hurriedly came down the mountain and headed to the shack on the outskirts of the village where Bang-so-bang was staying.

As he entered, lifting the mat covering the entrance, Bang-so-bang’s eyes widened as he lay there with 부목 [splints] on.

“Oh? Ak-seon-ah! Keuek…!”

Bang-so-bang, inadvertently raising his body, groaned and sat back down.

Dan-ak-seon couldn’t speak for a moment after discovering his swollen face and the bruises all over the place.

“What happened?”

At Dan-ak-seon’s question, Bang-so-bang responded with his unique 너스레 [banter].

“The life of a hero is always difficult. Of course, you 애송이 [brat] don’t know that yet.”

“…”

“Anyway, let’s go out and talk. The fleas in my house are excited. They say a rare 별식 [treat] has appeared.”

However, Dan-ak-seon silently took out the wooden case containing the needles from his chest.

Dan-ak-seon sighed as he placed the needles on Bang-so-bang’s body.

It was harder to find a healthy spot than to find out how much he had been beaten.

Not to mention internal injuries, his fingers were also fractured.

In addition, his ribs were also 실금 [hairline fractures].

With this level of injury, it would be painful every time he breathed, but Bang-so-bang acted as if nothing was wrong.

But there was something he couldn’t hide.

The cold sweat that began to form on his face soon poured down like rain.

“Is it something difficult for you to tell me?”

Bang-so-bang flinched at Dan-ak-seon’s worried voice.

“Tsk.”

Perhaps feeling belatedly wronged and 분한 [resentful], Bang-so-bang raised his arm and covered his face.

A stream of tears flowed down in the meantime.

Dan-ak-seon raised his eyes and looked at Woon-joong-san.

At this, Woon-joong-san sighed and began to explain why Bang-so-bang was hurt.

“There’s a man in this village named Yeon Dae-ya, who has become a 거부 [tycoon] over several generations.”

He had a son late in life, and his personality was very 개차반 [awful].”

And Dan-ak-seon was startled at Woon-joong-san’s following words.

“He decided to give 은자 [silver coins] every time he was hit by 어린 거지 [young beggar]?”