The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 167

The Divine Doctor of Primordial Demise (167)

Once upon a time, Kaifeng, the capital of the Song Dynasty, was so prosperous that it was called the City That Never Sleeps.

But over the long years, it had endured many ups and downs.

It had been ravaged several times by foreign tribes.

However, it remained a spiritual home for the Han Chinese.

There, the Beggars’ Sect continued its long history.

The Beggars’ Sect, which had spread all over the Central Plains, always maintained its main headquarters in Kaifeng.

Moreover, Kaifeng held a new significance for Dan Ak-seon and his group.

It was their final destination, the end of their long journey.

The day before the Yuan Festival [Lantern Festival], on the last day of the lunar month, a large number of beggars flocked to Kaifeng.

It was the day of the Beggars’ Sect Grand Assembly, the largest gathering of its kind in the Central Plains.

As the Beggars’ Sect boasted the largest membership among single sects, the number of participants was enormous.

The merchants and residents suffered from the overflowing beggars on the streets.

Still, it was only one day a year, and there was no particular harm, so people hoped the day would end soon, thinking they only had to endure it for one day.

On the other hand, some people had a particularly hard time.

One of them was Han Seol-hwa.

“Madam, are you okay?”

At Dan Ak-seon’s worried voice, Han Seol-hwa frowned and sighed.

“My head is about to break.”

Han Seol-hwa’s complexion was very pale.

Her already white skin was now as pale as a blank sheet of paper.

“Can’t you at least paralyze my sense of smell?”

At Han Seol-hwa’s words, Dan Ak-seon looked troubled.

“It’s not impossible, but the aftereffects would be severe. Your senses are just starting to return; forcibly blocking them will slow down the recovery much more.”

Han Seol-hwa sighed again.

The unbearable stench was coming from all directions, so much so that she wanted to tear off her nose if she could.

Even though she was staying inside the inn all day, the streets were full of beggars, so closing the windows was no use.

Thump.

The door to the room opened, and someone came in.

“It’s time.”

Hong Jeok-mun, who had entered with a smile, was startled.

Han Seol-hwa’s fierce eyes flew at him like daggers.

Dan Ak-seon grabbed Han Seol-hwa’s hand to calm her down, then smiled at Hong Jeok-mun.

“I’ll be there soon.”

Hong Jeok-mun hurriedly disappeared, and Dan Ak-seon led Han Seol-hwa out of the inn.

Han Seol-hwa reluctantly followed Dan Ak-seon, holding her throbbing head.

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, who had been waiting outside the inn, joined them, and the group headed to the venue where the Beggars’ Sect Grand Assembly was being held.

A huge open space located on the outskirts of the village.

It was the site of Cheoncheongsa Temple, the largest temple in Kaifeng in the past, but now only the stupa [a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine] remained, resembling ruins.

Already, so many beggars that it was impossible to count were packed there.

It was very noisy and loud.

They greeted each other and asked how they were doing, but the number was so enormous that even the voice next to them could not be heard.

So most people were talking with a mixture of winks, expressions, and gestures.

However, their expressions were all bright and friendly.

At that time, a man climbed onto a rock in the central open space.

It was Yi Rip, the leader of the Beggars’ Sect.

As Yi Rip appeared, countless beggars began to surround the rock densely.

“You look radiant, Sect Leader!”

“Did you steal some jujube wine without us knowing?”

“Hey. Our honorable Sect Leader would never be swayed by jujube wine. Unless it’s alcohol.”

Laughter erupted from all directions.

“Haha. Sect Leader! If you have good wine, share it with us. Don’t drink it all by yourself!”

From that alone, one could guess how closely Yi Rip usually interacted with other members of the Beggars’ Sect.

The noise in the hall reached its peak as everyone shouted a word.

Tak!

At that moment, a cheerful sound echoed through the hall.

Yi Rip struck the rock with the Beggars’ Sect’s sacred object, the Staff of Subjugation.

Tak, tak, tak!

Not stopping at once, Yi Rip began to strike the rock with the Staff of Subjugation at regular intervals.

After filling all nine times, the hall became quiet as if by magic.

It was so quiet that even the sound of a hair falling could be heard like thunder.

At the sight, Dan Ak-seon inwardly exclaimed.

The Beggars’ Sect’s usual free-spirited nature hid such strict rules and discipline.

Breaking the heavy silence, Yi Rip opened his mouth.

“You beggar bastards who have come from afar to attend today’s meeting! This beggar leader sincerely expresses his gratitude.”

With that, Yi Rip briefly explained the major and minor events that had taken place around the Beggars’ Sect this year.

The dignified appearance of praising what should be praised and scolding what should be scolded had the dignity and presence of a leader leading one side without any shortage.

“…For the same reason, on behalf of the ten thousand members of the Beggars’ Sect, I hereby appoint a new elder in the name of this sect leader, which cannot but be a great blessing for this sect.”

Yi Rip turned his head towards the back.

“The elder should come up to the stage and show his face to the members.”

As soon as those words were finished, an old beggar with pockmarks on his face climbed onto the rock.

“I am Chu Myeon-gae, the branch leader of Baekhwa Branch, and I greet the fellow members gathered here.”

As he took a fist salute, turning to all directions, thunderous cheers poured out for him.

“Oh! Chu Myeon-sin-gae (Ugly Faced Divine Beggar)! It’s Great Hero Chu Myeon-sin-gae!”

“With him, there is no doubt that he is qualified to perform the duties of an elder!”

All the beggars gave him generous applause and congratulations.

Chu Myeon-gae smiled awkwardly and turned his head towards Yi Rip.

“This old man is still worried about whether someone like me can dare to become an elder of this sect.”

Yi Rip smiled and shook his head.

“Don’t you know those guys’ personalities? If you weren’t qualified, they would have tried to pull the elder down right away. In fact, it’s already too late to entrust you with the position of elder now.”

As he said, Chu Myeon-gae was the most trusted person in the Beggars’ Sect.

His martial arts were not outstanding, nor was his eloquence excellent.

In addition, he was reluctant to come forward because of his severely pockmarked face.

However, he had been a member of the Beggars’ Sect who had silently dedicated himself to the sect for a long time.

For the sake of the Beggars’ Sect, he spared no effort and stepped forward in everything, and he did not hesitate to give up his life for the sake of righteousness.

He had also always set an example and had been a role model for many members of the Beggars’ Sect.

Character and righteousness.

He was a rare person who rose to the position of elder with only that.

Chu Myeon-gae checked the faces of the beggars who were sending him cheers and congratulations one by one and gave them a look of gratitude with a deeply moved expression.

At that time, Yi Rip once again raised the Staff of Subjugation and struck the rock.

As the noise in the hall subsided, Yi Rip shouted.

“Today, we have invited a special guest to this sect.”

At Yi Rip’s words, the members of the Beggars’ Sect exchanged meaningful glances.

This was the Beggars’ Sect.

Due to the nature of the place where all the rumors and information of the Central Plains gathered, they immediately guessed what Yi Rip was trying to say.

“That famous Divine Doctor of Primordial Demise?”

“The blood of Divine Doctor, so he is already like a brother to us.”

“So, isn’t he deliberately publicizing the contents of the joint letter to our Beggars’ Sect?”

“Oh! He’s coming out there!”

The members of the Beggars’ Sect cheered greatly at the sight of Dan Ak-seon climbing onto the rock and the three people following behind him.

“I’ll wait here.”

Han Seol-hwa could not possibly step into the middle of the beggars, so she stepped back from a distance.

Knowing how difficult it was for her, Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded.

Instead of Han Seol-hwa, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi stood by Yi Rip as if to protect Dan Ak-seon, taking on his left and right sides.

At Yi Rip’s signal, Dan Ak-seon stepped forward.

And he shouted the words he had prepared in a loud voice.

“I heard it from my father someday.”

As Dan Ak-seon opened his mouth, the members of the Beggars’ Sect paid attention to Dan Ak-seon’s next words.

“The Beggars’ Sect is the root of the true righteous martial arts world. Thanks to the Beggars’ Sect’s dedication to justice and righteousness, the righteous martial arts world was able to blossom. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the countless heroes of the Beggars’ Sect who have disappeared without a name for this.”

At Dan Ak-seon’s words, a heavy silence fell in the hall.

But that was only for a moment.

“Divine Doctor raised his son well after all.”

“Divine Doctor has always taken good care of our Beggars’ Sect.”

“I heard that the Divine Doctor of Primordial Demise has also been very polite to our Beggars’ Sect beggars.”

From some point on, the beggars of the Beggars’ Sect began to nod and applaud.

Dan Ak-seon, who realized the meaning of the welcome, bowed his head once again.

“If you have any difficulties in the future, be sure to find us!”

“Our Beggars’ Sect will never forget your kindness!”

“It’s a relief that there’s a place to repay the kindness we couldn’t repay to Divine Doctor!”

That’s how the atmosphere was ripening.

Suddenly, a voice broke the warm atmosphere.

“Wang Chil! Seok-du!”

Dan Ak-seon turned his head and looked at the place where the voice came from.

Right behind Yi Rip.

Chu Myeon-gae, the elder who had just been inaugurated, was staring at him with wide eyes.

While Dan Ak-seon was flustered by Chu Myeon-gae’s sudden approach, Chu Myeon-gae passed by Dan Ak-seon and headed straight for Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

“You’re alive, you bastards!”

Everyone was wondering what was going on.

“Huh!”

Beom Gye-wi, who was glaring at Chu Myeon-gae, gasped.

Cho Ak-ryang was the same.

His eyes darted around, looking very embarrassed.

The beggars began to buzz.

“Wang Chil? Seok-du? Who is that?”

“Aren’t those the Blood Demon Lord and the Mangsan Choja? The Three Dignitaries who are always with the Divine Doctor of Primordial Demise along with Bingok Seonja [Ice Valley Immortal]?”

“Really? Is that old man getting dementia now?”

An old beggar with considerable experience among the members of the Beggars’ Sect tilted his head.

“Wait? Wang Chil and Seok-du? Aren’t they the guys who caused a big accident and disappeared thirty years ago?”

“Ah! Then that?”

Dan Ak-seon could not help but be puzzled by the appearance of Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, who had turned pale.

It was rare for the two, who did not blink an eye at ordinary things, to be so shaken.

Then, something suddenly came to mind.

“Do you happen to know him?”

“Uh? Uh… That’s…”

At Dan Ak-seon’s question, Beom Gye-wi trailed off with a troubled expression.

He couldn’t bring himself to lie to Dan Ak-seon.

At that moment, Chu Myeon-gae hugged Beom Gye-wi and Cho Ak-ryang tightly.

Chu Myeon-gae’s wrinkled eyes were already wet with tears.

“You heartless bastards! If you were alive, you should have at least sent word. Not knowing that, this old man has been holding ancestral rites for you every year.”

The two, caught by Chu Myeon-gae in a daze, could only stand there awkwardly, unable to do anything.

-Why did this old man suddenly appear?

-How would I know that?

The two, exchanging telepathy in embarrassment, soon sighed as they saw Dan Ak-seon staring at them intently.

“Can you explain what’s going on?”

At Yi Rip’s question, who sensed an unusual atmosphere, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi exchanged glances and could not speak for a long time.

How much time had passed like that?

Cho Ak-ryang acknowledged that there was no choice and pulled out an old story from his memory.

“It was thirty years ago.”

Just as he was beginning to make his name known and was beginning to put his name on the last seat of the Ten Great Evils, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi were being driven into a huge crisis.

Someone was digging up information about the two and providing it to the righteous faction.

In the end, the two joined hands to overcome the crisis.

After many twists and turns, they were able to find out that the person who dug up their information was Hao Mun-ju.

But the problem was that his whereabouts were so vague that he could not be caught.

“Then I barely got a clue.”

The two, who had secured information that Hao Mun-ju was appearing near Seokga-jang, Habuk, headed there right away.

“Because he was such a cowardly rat, it was necessary to thoroughly conceal his identity.”

So the two disguised themselves as beggars and began to lie low.

It was around that time that they met Chu Myeon-gae.