The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 171

The Seonghwa Inn in Muwi was a sorry sight.

Inside the inn, which even the owner had given up on, broken furniture and tables were scattered haphazardly.

Yet, the inn was filled with people.

Nearly fifty members of the Demonic Faction had rushed to Muwi as soon as it was declared a forbidden zone, gathering around the only intact Eight Immortals Table [a traditional Chinese table, often round or square, named after the Eight Immortals of Taoist lore].

The central seat, the most honored position, was occupied by Georyeong No-gun, Go Wi-gwang.

Beside him sat Halshim Dokjo, Yeom-gi, and Hyeoleum Nobong, Yang Ik-cheon.

Though somewhat inferior in martial prowess to Go Wi-gwang, their status in the Jianghu [the martial arts world] was undeniable.

Yeom-gi was famous for his claw-like hands that could tear apart even steel, and Yang Ik-cheon was renowned for his ghostly use of a blood-tinged short spear.

When these two offered to be his henchmen, Go Wi-gwang saw no reason to refuse.

After all, to establish power here, the number of followers was as important as martial skill.

“Shouldn’t we start preparing soon?”

At Yang Ik-cheon’s subtle suggestion, Go Wi-gwang chuckled.

Yeom-gi, sitting across from Yang Ik-cheon, spoke with concern, noting his seemingly relaxed demeanor.

“According to the traders, Blood Demon Lord and Mangsan Choja will be arriving here soon.”

Go Wi-gwang’s eyes turned cold.

“Do I look inferior to them?”

The Demonic Faction members couldn’t help but be amazed by the intense glint in Go Wi-gwang’s eyes.

Whatever had happened, Go Wi-gwang’s martial arts had improved remarkably recently.

With most of the Ten Evils gone, his status within the Demonic Faction was comparable to Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

He was exuding a presence that formidable.

In fact, since arriving in Muwi, Go Wi-gwang had already killed more than five people. The villagers were unaware, but there were those within the inn who had directly disposed of the bodies.

His decisive action of pushing experts who opposed him into the forbidden zone without hesitation.

In the process, Go Wi-gwang easily secured the position of leader simply by showcasing his martial prowess.

“But aren’t there three of them?”

Go Wi-gwang smirked at Yeom-gi’s cautious inquiry.

“Even if it’s them, they can’t touch us if we combine our strength.”

“Why is that?”

Go Wi-gwang cast a disdainful look at Yeom-gi’s question.

“Think about it. Why do you think they declared this Muwi a forbidden zone?”

Go Wi-gwang frowned at the blank stares.

“It’s not hard to guess their purpose.”

Go Wi-gwang nodded decisively.

“The Union of Evil, to form an alliance of evil.”

Everyone gathered in the hall couldn’t help but be surprised at those words.

Aware of the attention naturally drawn to him, Go Wi-gwang continued his explanation.

“They’re trying to gather those who hold grudges against the Orthodox Faction to build a single force. To this end, they sent out the circular letter, naturally inducing the departure of the Nine Sects of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts schools]. Thanks to this, the Murim Alliance has been reduced to a coalition of clans. In such a situation, if they provide a focal point for the Demonic Faction members and unite their strength, the strongest force in the entire Murim [martial arts world] will be born.”

“Oh!”

“So that’s the hidden intention?”

Amid the exclamations from various places, someone raised a question.

“But wasn’t the circular letter initiated by the young doctor called the Divine Doctor of Demonic Arts? His actions so far have felt quite different from ours.”

However, Lee Han-yeong, the Azure Gold Hand, nodded in agreement at Go Wi-gwang’s subsequent words.

“He is the son of both divine medicine and demonic medicine.”

“Ah!”

“He’s a very clever kid. He’s planning to deceive the Orthodox Faction by using the bonds his father built, and to control the Demonic Faction members under his command by using his mother’s reputation, aiming to dominate the entire Murim.”

Everyone was convinced by Go Wi-gwang’s plausible hypothesis.

“In the end, what they want is power. That means the value of numbers becomes important. But if the Demonic Faction members, who are supposed to maintain the power, all leave due to the local bullies, what’s the point of creating the forbidden zone?”

Yang Ik-cheon nodded, fiddling with the short spear he was holding.

“So that’s why we need to unite.”

“That’s right. We need to form our own force to avoid being dragged around by them and to secure a favorable position in the upcoming negotiations. Occupying a key position in the Union of Evil in the process is a secondary matter.”

The Demonic Faction members were impressed by Go Wi-gwang’s excellent insight.

There was indeed a reason why the saying ‘old ginger is spicier’ existed.

“They will surely try to seize the initiative in their relationship with us.”

No sooner had Go Wi-gwang finished speaking than a thunderous voice shook the inn.

“Everyone gather! You bastards!”

The internal energy contained in that voice was so great that the building shook and dust fell from the ceiling.

Unlike the startled crowd, Go Wi-gwang did not lose his composure.

“Just like this.”

Go Wi-gwang rose from his seat and stepped out of the inn.

“Everyone, stand behind me. They can’t afford to give up on us with this many people.”

With Go Wi-gwang’s dignified demeanor, the other Demonic Faction members also followed behind with confident expressions.

* * *

A wide space located in the center of Muwi Market.

It was originally a place where lion dance performances were held during the Myohoe event, a festival where markets came together.

But now it was empty and deserted.

There, Dan Ak-seon and his group reunited with Sa Mu-sim and Neung So-mil.

“I’m glad you returned safely.”

Dan Ak-seon sighed at Sa Mu-sim’s greeting with a smile.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know things would turn out like this.”

Sa Mu-sim shook his head at Dan Ak-seon’s apology.

“It was originally due to my lack of ability.”

“But…”

“We can fix the situation from now on, can’t we? The seniors have also come.”

Neung So-mil glanced worriedly at the other three.

“But will it be okay? The seniors seem very angry.”

As expected.

It was an atmosphere where a bloody storm was about to rage.

Dan Ak-seon smiled at the uneasy Neung So-mil.

“The three of them have changed a lot too. They’ve become much more benevolent and gentle than before.”

Neung So-mil retorted with an unbelievable expression.

“Benevolent and gentle?”

Could that really be said of the three people who were still emitting chilling energy?

As expected.

“Hurry up and come out!”

Beom Gye-wi roared at the Demonic Faction members who were appearing one by one.

Some of the Demonic Faction members, startled by the force, hurriedly ran and stood before Beom Gye-wi.

Among them was Gwak Chung, known as the Eight-Armed Vicious Tiger.

“Greetings, Senior!”

Gwak Chung, who had pride in his reputation, greeted Beom Gye-wi.

Beom Gye-wi tilted his head.

He wondered if he knew this guy because he was acting quite friendly, but he didn’t remember his face.

So Jeok-san stepped forward slightly.

“He said he’s like a brother to Senior Beom?”

“He said that?”

“Yes.”

So Jeok-san opened the ledger.

“Isn’t it written here?”

Beom Gye-wi, who checked Gwak Chung’s name written in the ledger, made a dumbfounded expression.

“Have you ever seen a tiger with eight legs?”

So Jeok-san shook his head at Beom Gye-wi’s question.

“No. If there was such a tiger, it would have been known in the Jianghu long ago.”

“Right? If I had met such a strangely 생긴 [strangely 생긴 means ‘strangely 생긴’ in Korean] tiger, there’s no way I wouldn’t remember it.”

At those words, Gwak Chung shouted with a bewildered face.

“Didn’t we meet in Gokbu eight years ago?”

Beom Gye-wi’s eyes turned fierce.

“Are you arguing with me now?”

“Yes? No, I’m not arguing, but…”

As if there was no more worth listening to, Beom Gye-wi asked So Jeok-san.

“Did this guy do anything else?”

So Jeok-san, who checked the contents written in the ledger, immediately answered.

“Three cases of freeloading. Two cases of harassing women.”

“Really?”

Beom Gye-wi, frowning, reached out and grabbed Gwak Chung’s ankle.

“Ugh!”

Gwak Chung was startled.

He clearly saw the hand flying, but he couldn’t avoid it even after seeing it.

Gwak Chung, suddenly hanging upside down in Beom Gye-wi’s hand, shouted with a bewildered face.

“What is this all about?”

At those words, Beom Gye-wi grinned.

“This kind of thing.”

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Gwak Chung’s scream erupted along with the explosion.

Beom Gye-wi swung his arm and slammed him to the ground.

But it didn’t end with just one time.

Thud thud thud thud!

Beom Gye-wi repeatedly slammed Gwak Chung to the ground.

Despite the name of a ferocious tiger with eight arms, Gwak Chung couldn’t even put up a proper resistance.

He was already half out of his mind from the first attack, and he had completely fainted from the second attack.

The crowd couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at Gwak Chung’s miserable appearance, who was considered a master in his own right.

Beom Gye-wi, who threw Gwak Chung, who was sprawled out like a frog, far away, opened his mouth with fierce eyes.

“You’re banished.”

The Demonic Faction members gathered in the hall flinched at Beom Gye-wi’s subsequent words.

“I didn’t create the forbidden zone for you to run wild as you please.”

Beom Gye-wi, who swept the crowd once, snatched the ledger from So Jeok-san’s hand.

“From now on, those whose names I call, step forward.”

Beom Gye-wi’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he listed names for a long time.

The faces of the Demonic Faction members who were called out turned pale at Beom Gye-wi’s words, who opened his mouth with a chilling smile.

“It’s too much trouble to deal with you one by one, so just come at me all at once.”

The Demonic Faction members froze in front of Beom Gye-wi’s chilling gaze.

The names they had made for themselves in the Jianghu and the martial arts they were somewhat proud of were meaningless in front of the disaster called Mangsan Choja.

That’s how they were, unable to do anything.

It was then.

“How can you oppress fellow Daoists [followers of the same path or belief] who walk the same path of evil together?”

The Demonic Faction members parted like the tide on both sides.

One person entered through the gap, exuding a stern energy.

Go Wi-gwang, who met Beom Gye-wi’s gaze, opened his mouth with a seemingly solemn look.

“How can you accomplish great things together with such a nature?”

“Huh?”

A strange light flashed in Beom Gye-wi’s eyes.

“Georyeong No-gun? You were here too?”

Go Wi-gwang’s eyes sharpened at Beom Gye-wi’s blunt remark.

“That frivolous behavior is still the same.”

Cho Ak-ryang chuckled.

“It’s not something a guy who knelt down and begged for his life should say. Especially while shedding tears and snot.”

“…!”

Go Wi-gwang’s face contorted.

The humiliation he wanted to erase from his memory resurfaced.

But he quickly composed himself and straightened his shoulders.

Because many Demonic Faction members were already following him.

As expected.

Even the Demonic Faction members who had been called out by Beom Gye-wi rushed to Go Wi-gwang’s side and lined up.

They judged that he was the only way to survive.

At that sight, So Jeok-san quickly opened his mouth.

“Since that guy took the Demonic Faction members under his command, the number of Demonic Faction members running rampant has increased even more.”

“What crime did that guy commit?”

So Jeok-san answered as if he had been waiting for Beom Gye-wi’s question.

“He has been disrespectful to all three of you. Moreover…”

Before So Jeok-san could finish speaking, Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa stepped forward.

But it just so happened that Beom Gye-wi was also stepping forward.

As a result, the shoulders of the three collided.

The eyes of the three intertwined chaotically.

“That guy is mine.”

“No, I’m first.”

“Why are you interfering? I was doing it!”

The murderous intent was raging so fiercely that it seemed like they would fight each other first.

At this moment, Neung So-mil quickly jumped between the three.

And she skillfully held out her clenched fist.

Inside the fist were three counting sticks.

It was a lottery.

So Jeok-san exclaimed at Neung So-mil’s extremely natural movements, as if she had done it once or twice.

As expected, anyone couldn’t be the head of the trading company.

That was the case now.

The three were silently staring at the counting sticks as if they had encountered the enemy of a lifetime.

Soon, the three people who nodded simultaneously reached out and grabbed the counting sticks.

But the action was so cautious as if they had encountered the enemy of a lifetime.

And the result…

“Tch!”

“Damn it!”

Unlike the two who were shedding resentful eyes, one person smiled quietly.

It was Han Seol-hwa. She stepped forward and asked So Jeok-san.

“What did that guy say to me?”

“He said that even old and frozen flowers will regain their fragrance if they are warmed warmly under the same blanket.”

Han Seol-hwa’s eyes sank coldly.