The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 226

신마의선 (226)

With everyone’s attention focused on him, Je Gal-yeon continued speaking.

“It’s impossible to accommodate all of the Green Forest Bandits in Muwi. No matter how many elites we evacuate, they can simply wipe out the Green Forest Bandits outside. If their strongholds disappear, the Akho Army will be driven further into a corner.”

More than anything, the authority of the Chief Bandit would be shaken.

Evacuating only the core forces while his subordinates die?

Unlike the orthodox sects that move based on honor and justification, there was no way the unorthodox groups, who move based on profit, would trust and follow such a leader.

“He’ll eventually have to come out. Unless he abandons the Green Forest.”

“What if the Shinma Three Venerables come out together?”

Je Gal-yeon shook his head at Hwangbo-eon’s concern.

“That won’t happen. Unless we enter Muwi, they have no justification to attack us.”

Confined in a fenced enclosure.

In the end, the ban they created to protect themselves had become a fence that confined them.

“As long as we don’t attack them first, there’s nothing they can do.”

Only then did the family heads’ expressions relax.

“Besides, that little brat Dan Ak-seon is a clumsy pacifist.”

That weakness would become a strong shackle binding the Shinma Three Venerables.

Je Gal-yeon smiled and continued.

“Even if, by some chance, the Akho Army survives, the Green Forest will eventually disappear into history.”

* * *

Immediately after the negotiations with the Akho Army.

Figures from the Green Forest were gathering in Muwi almost daily.

Seok Dan-pyeong, the chief strategist of the Green Forest.

In addition, the Blood Wolf Squad, a direct unit akin to the Akho Army’s hands and feet, and the chiefs and key experts from each mountain stronghold were swiftly carrying out the Akho Army’s orders.

On the other hand, Gok Un-gyeong, who was guarding the entrance to Muwi, grew increasingly worried.

The procession of unorthodox martial artists was the largest he had seen since he volunteered to be the gatekeeper.

The number of Green Forest Bandits he had already confirmed with his own eyes was over three hundred.

‘And this is after sifting through and selecting the best personnel…’

It was no exaggeration to call them the top unorthodox power.

So, he couldn’t help but feel concerned.

“Is this really going to be alright?”

Standing next to him, Sa Mu-sim smiled and nodded at Gok Un-gyeong’s question.

“This is a matter decided by the Valley Lord.”

At that one statement, Gok Un-gyeong didn’t ask any further questions. Nevertheless, Sa Mu-sim added.

“Trust the Valley Lord. Although he is young, he is by no means an easy person to deal with.”

Gok Un-gyeong nodded and focused on the front. His gaze landed on a group of over two hundred people wearing red uniforms and lined up in front of the Akho Army.

The Blood Wolf Squad.

They were the most skilled martial artists within the Green Forest, a special task force of the Akho Army specializing in escort and tracking.

It was the reason why the Akho Army, who was far behind Cho Ak-ryang in martial arts, could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Shinma Three Venerables.

In fact, they had sent countless Demonic Cult masters to the underworld during the past Righteous-Demonic War.

Although time had passed and generations had changed, the stern aura in their eyes and the frosty discipline were enough to make even him feel uneasy.

Meanwhile, Dan Ak-seon couldn’t hide his surprise either.

Although he was the one who devised this plan, he couldn’t help but be taken aback by the much larger number of Green Forest Bandits than he had anticipated.

“The scale of the Green Forest was more significant than known.”

The Akho Army chuckled at Dan Ak-seon’s words.

“Weren’t you the one who ordered all the chiefs and key figures of the Green Forest to gather here?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled wryly and nodded.

“Have all the others taken refuge?”

“As you said, I ordered them to hide thoroughly for three months. The businesses have also been completely withdrawn. With most of them scattered across the world, except for the contacts, even if the Martial Alliance tracks them down, the results will be minimal.”

“You did well. With this, we’ve gained the upper hand for now.”

The Akho Army still looked doubtful and questioned Dan Ak-seon.

“But will this really be enough?”

“Yes, it’s enough.”

“It seems like we’re the ones being driven into a corner.”

Unexpectedly, Dan Ak-seon readily agreed.

“That’s true too. The Martial Alliance and we are in a so-called stalemate, unable to attack each other. On the other hand, unlike them, who can move freely, we can’t leave Muwi, so they are the ones occupying the advantageous position.”

The Akho Army frowned.

“Then wasn’t this a flawed plan from the start?”

The Akho Army, who was about to burst out, lowered his voice while glancing at Han Seol-hwa, who was guarding Dan Ak-seon’s side.

“To voluntarily put yourself in a disadvantageous position… I can’t understand it.”

Dan Ak-seon offered a smile to the Akho Army, who was clearly unconvinced.

“Don’t worry. They can’t possibly not know what we’re thinking. But if you delve a little deeper, the situation changes. They don’t have something that we have.”

“What is it?”

“Time.”

“Time?”

The Akho Army, who was puzzled, changed his expression at Dan Ak-seon’s explanation that followed.

“The Martial Alliance needs results. After all, the heads of the great families have all gathered. But what if they can’t do anything?”

The Akho Army realized what Dan Ak-seon was trying to explain.

“The more time passes, the more impatient they will become. The position of the Martial Alliance Leader who created this plan will also be shaken.”

“Attacking this Muwi would be the only option. Of course, they’re not foolish enough to make that choice.”

Anyone with a proper mind would never make such a decision.

That’s how strong Muwi’s forces were, to the point where the Martial Alliance couldn’t be sure of victory even if they poured in all their strength.

Cho Ak-ryang, one of the Five Supreme Masters of the World, and Han Seol-hwa, who had made a name for herself over generations.

Beom Gye-wi, known as the Moving Calamity, and the Akho Army, who led the Blood Wolf Squad.

In addition, the masters of the unorthodox factions who had gathered from all over the Central Plains…

Above all, if they attacked Muwi, which had been declared a forbidden area, without proper justification, they would turn even the Nine Great Sects, who had agreed to the joint statement, into enemies.

No matter how foolish one was, they wouldn’t create a disadvantageous situation by making enemies on all sides.

“Hmm…”

The Akho Army wore a complicated expression.

Dan Ak-seon’s unexpectedly profound schemes were gradually becoming a significant burden.

As Dan Ak-seon said,

if they gathered all their strength for one goal but only ended up wasting their efforts, the Martial Alliance’s solidarity would undoubtedly weaken.

Noticing this, Dan Ak-seon smiled sheepishly.

“I didn’t think of this alone. There are many people here in Muwi who help me. It’s a plan we came up with by putting our heads together.”

“Well, let’s just say that’s the case.”

Dan Ak-seon gave an even more serious look to the Akho Army, who still couldn’t shake off his suspicious gaze.

“To properly complete this plan, the Chief Bandit’s power is absolutely necessary.”

“What is it?”

“It’s for the Green Forest Bandits who have entered Muwi to abide by the rules here.”

Dan Ak-seon continued his explanation.

“From now on, it’s a battle of endurance. The side that causes internal strife first will show a weakness, leading to a very tedious and difficult stalemate.”

He had somehow managed to bring the situation to this point, but there were still elements of instability.

So, it was necessary to drive a wedge in firmly.

“If the people of the Green Forest don’t abide by Muwi’s rules, our negotiations will end at that moment.”

At those words, the Akho Army flared up.

“Another threat.”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a request. I hope that the Chief Bandit, more than anyone else, will keep this in mind.”

“Don’t you know the saying, ‘Don’t use someone you suspect, and don’t suspect someone you’ve used’?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled.

“They say that the Shu region [Sichuan province, known for its mountains and fog] has high mountains and is always foggy, right?”

“What?”

“It’s always so foggy that there are few days when the sun is visible, so when dogs see the sun, they find it strange and bark.”

The Akho Army, who initially wore an incomprehensible expression, soon realized its meaning and let out a hollow laugh.

Shu dogs barking at the sun, meaning that people with narrow views doubt the words and actions of wise men.

Dan Ak-seon was subtly rebuking himself by reversing its original meaning.

In short, he was saying, ‘When have you ever shown a trustworthy side?’

The Akho Army was about to retort but simply closed his mouth.

Unlike Beom Gye-wi, who didn’t understand even if he spoke to him, the little brat in front of him, armed with logic, was a formidable opponent in another sense.

He couldn’t do anything about it with words, let alone martial arts.

Just as the Akho Army was regretting getting involved and tasting bitterness, Dan Ak-seon turned around, leaving behind the Akho Army, who had visibly lost face in front of his subordinates.

“Then, have a pleasant stay.”

“Living peacefully. It’s a very easy thing to do.”

Han Seol-hwa, who had been silently guarding Dan Ak-seon’s side until then, also began to move.

“…”

The Akho Army, who was glaring at Dan Ak-seon as he walked away, suddenly opened his mouth towards Seok Dan-pyeong, who was standing silently like a sack of barley.

“From now on, you deal with him.”

Seok Dan-pyeong briefly showed a troubled expression.

He had never seen the Akho Army lose in words anywhere.

With the Akho Army having suffered a complete defeat, it wasn’t like he had any other brilliant ideas.

But at the Akho Army’s blazing eyes, he reluctantly bowed his head.

“I will.”

* * *

“Welcome back, Doctor Dan.”

Beom Gye-wi, who greeted Dan Ak-seon upon his return to the Shinma Medical Clan, tilted his head.

“Why does your face look so dark?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s question, Han Seol-hwa explained the conversation between the Akho Army and Dan Ak-seon.

“Huh? Then isn’t it going as Doctor Dan wants?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s question, Neung So-mil, who was checking documents on one side, spoke on behalf of Dan Ak-seon.

“We will definitely win this battle. The pressure felt by the Martial Alliance Leader will only increase as time passes. At best, they’ll declare that the Green Forest has fled and be busy trying to package it somehow [spin the situation positively].”

In a situation of sudden gains and losses where things were almost done, that was the best they could do.

Dan Ak-seon let out a soft sigh.

“But the Martial Alliance Leader won’t just stand still. She’s not someone who would be satisfied with a superficial achievement.”

Neung So-mil nodded.

“She’s definitely not someone who will back down easily. She’s a ruthless woman who would willingly endure any unreasonable move for her ambition.”

Beom Gye-wi asked Dan Ak-seon.

“So, that’s what you’re worried about?”

“Yes. I want to end this fight without anyone dying, but it might be impossible.”

Neung So-mil patted Dan Ak-seon.

“Let’s watch the opponent’s response for now. After all, time is on our side, isn’t it?”

Dan Ak-seon nodded.

“That’s right. We should start with what we can do first.”