The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 230

The Divine Doctor of the Demonic Path (230)

Hong Jeok-mun tilted the liquor bottle upside down, shaking the last few drops into his mouth.

He savored the lingering, subtly bitter flavor for a moment.

Staring at the bottle in his hand, Hong Jeok-mun belatedly realized something.

“Wait? That guy might forget his Dog Beating Staff, but he never forgets his liquor bottle!”

He cursed inwardly.

“No wonder he ran off so quickly.”

It must have been deliberate.

“Damn Bangju [Sect Leader]. If there’s no one else to swindle, he swindles his friends!”

The last person to empty the bottle always refills it.

It was an unspoken rule between them, though never explicitly stated.

Hong Jeok-mun could practically see Lee Rip scratching his belly somewhere, waiting for him.

Sighing, Hong Jeok-mun jumped off the roof.

Fortunately, he spotted an inn in the distance, its lights still on.

Hong Jeok-mun trudged towards the inn.

Suffering as the Bangju [Sect Leader] of the Beggars’ Sect was his fate, so he’d set that aside for now. Still, he’d feel better sending his friend off with a bottle of liquor for his arduous journey.

“Fill this up with liquor.”

The innkeeper frowned at the beggar’s request, made just as he was about to close up shop after a long day.

However, upon spotting a small silver ingot placed on the counter, he immediately bowed respectfully.

“What would you like, sir?”

“The cheapest white liquor you have… No, fill it with your most expensive stuff.”

“As it happens, we just received some Yanghe Daqu and Gujing Gong Liquor from Jiangsu Province yesterday. Which would you prefer?”

A gleam appeared in Hong Jeok-mun’s eyes.

“You have Gujing Gong Liquor? Then give me that.”

Gujing, in Anhui Province, the hometown of Cao Cao [a famous historical figure], had been famous for its water since ancient times.

The Gujing Gong Liquor produced there was often compared to a peony due to its unique, flowery taste.

Hong Jeok-mun chose Gujing Gong Liquor for that very reason.

“Here you are.”

Hong Jeok-mun accepted the bottle from the innkeeper, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

A peony flower was engraved on the seal encircling the bottle’s cap.

Beside it were a butterfly and a cat.

The peony symbolized wealth and honor, while the cat (耄) symbolized seventy years of age. The butterfly (耋) symbolized eighty years of age.

Thus, the peony, combined with the cat and butterfly, completed the phrase ‘富貴耄耋’ (fugui maodie) [a Chinese idiom], meaning to enjoy wealth and honor for many years to come.

It was a sentiment that couldn’t be further from the truth for Lee Rip, the leader of beggars.

Lee Rip, who claimed to be a liquor fiend, would never refuse fine liquor, so he could tease him endlessly for drinking liquor that wasn’t in his destiny.

Stepping out of the inn, Hong Jeok-mun estimated the direction Lee Rip had taken.

The ability to track and follow was one of the fundamental virtues of a Beggars’ Sect member.

Especially Hong Jeok-mun, who was more skilled in that area than anyone else in the Beggars’ Sect, so finding Lee Rip’s trail wasn’t difficult.

His figure melted into a gust of wind.

He followed Lee Rip’s trail for quite some time when suddenly.

“……!”

A cold glint flashed in Hong Jeok-mun’s eyes.

He detected a faint scent of blood carried on the wind.

Coincidentally, it was coming from the direction Lee Rip had disappeared.

A sudden ominous premonition seized Hong Jeok-mun.

Still, Lee Rip was the Bangju [Sect Leader] of the Beggars’ Sect.

People often underestimated him because of his constant, easygoing smile, but in reality, he was a formidable expert, not far behind Hong Jeok-mun, one of the Three Great Swordsmen of the World.

In particular, the Beggars’ Sect Bangju’s [Sect Leader’s] unique martial arts, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and the Dog Beating Staff Technique, were so outstanding that it was difficult to find an opponent in the world.

Yet, strangely, the agitation in his heart wouldn’t subside.

Following the scent of blood, Hong Jeok-mun arrived at a place.

Hong Jeok-mun froze in place as he discovered a person lying in a pool of blood.

“B-Bangju [Sect Leader]…….”

Hong Jeok-mun called out to Lee Rip in a trembling voice.

But there was no response.

“What are you doing? This joke is too much, don’t you think?”

Hong Jeok-mun slowly approached Lee Rip, who remained motionless.

The closer he got, the more Hong Jeok-mun couldn’t control his trembling hands.

Splash.

Hong Jeok-mun sank down onto the pool of blood.

“What’s wrong? You said you were going to meet the Martial Alliance Leader, right?”

Hong Jeok-mun spoke to Lee Rip again, caressing his cheek, and then shuddered.

The chilling coldness rising through his fingertips struck his heart.

“Get up……. Why are you lying here?”

Hong Jeok-mun lifted Lee Rip’s hand and forced the liquor bottle into it.

Thud.

But as soon as he let go, Lee Rip’s arm fell limply.

“Why are you like this? Not like the Bangju [Sect Leader] at all. Why are you refusing liquor?”

Hong Jeok-mun repeatedly placed the liquor bottle in Lee Rip’s hand.

But each time, without fail, the bottle rolled to the ground.

Lifeless eyes reflecting the night sky.

That empty gaze became a cold ice knife, tearing at Hong Jeok-mun’s heart.

How much time had passed?

Hong Jeok-mun slowly raised his head, his face twisted like a demon.

“Just who the hell…….”

Hong Jeok-mun scanned his surroundings, his eyes spewing torrents of murderous intent.

But he couldn’t sense the presence of the culprit anywhere.

All he saw were traces of a fierce battle scattered everywhere.

“Uwaaa!”
A desperate cry erupted from Hong Jeok-mun’s throat as he threw his head back.

“Lee Rip……. You bastard……. Please get up! Keuheuheuk!”

Hong Jeok-mun shouted in heart-wrenching sorrow.

Indescribable grief and rage.

Hong Jeok-mun’s hot tears, a mixture of all those emotions, fell onto Lee Rip’s cold face.

But his voice no longer reached Lee Rip.

Lee Rip’s spirit was already heading far away to Bukmang Mountain [a symbolic place for the deceased].

And…….

The news of the death of Lee Rip, the Bangju [Sect Leader] of the Beggars’ Sect, reached Dan Ahk-seon a day later.

* * *

Early dawn.

Nung So-mil, barely dressed, rushed through the fog, panting, and knocked on the door of Dan Ahk-seon’s office.

Knock knock knock!

“Gokju-nim [Young Master]! Gokju-niim [Young Master]!”

Han Seol-hwa was the first to react to the commotion that shook the morning air.

“What’s going on?”

Nung So-mil wasn’t surprised by Han Seol-hwa’s ghost-like appearance.

The news that had just arrived from the Black Marketeer was far more shocking.

A moment later, Dan Ahk-seon emerged, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Nung So-mil hurriedly spoke to Dan Ahk-seon.

“Something terrible has happened. Bangju-nim [Sect Leader]……. The Bangju [Sect Leader] of the Beggars’ Sect…….”

“What about Bangju-nim [Sect Leader]?”

Nung So-mil, gasping for breath, shouted as if wailing.

“He has passed away!”

“Yes?”

At first, Dan Ahk-seon frowned, wondering if he had misheard.

But at Nung So-mil’s next words, his figure froze like a stone statue.

“He was attacked early yesterday morning and met his end.”

It was truly a bolt from the blue.

“The Bangju [Sect Leader] of the Beggars’ Sect?”

Nung So-mil repeated the Black Marketeer’s message each time Dan Ahk-seon asked, unable to believe the words.

“That can’t be……. Where is Bangju-nim [Sect Leader] now? I need to go see him myself.”

“It’s already…… too late. Gwaesu Yeoui-nim [a character’s name] personally confirmed his passing. They say Bangju-nim’s [Sect Leader’s] body is being moved to Gaebong.”

“……!”

Dan Ahk-seon rushed down the stairs without even putting on his coat.

Cho Ahk-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, who had already approached, tried to stop Dan Ahk-seon, who was running out barefoot.

“Wait, Dan Doctor.”

“Yes. It’s not too late to move after understanding the situation.”

Cho Ahk-ryang spoke to Han Seol-hwa.

“Beomga and I will take Dan Doctor to Gaebong.”

They were the two who had been indebted to Lee Rip at the Beggars’ Sect tournament held in Gaebong in the past.

Since they had obtained the title of Honorary Guest (淸衣賓客) [a formal title] of the Beggars’ Sect at the time, they could visit the Beggars’ Sect without worrying about outside eyes.

“Let’s go!”

Beom Gye-wi, who had hurriedly finished preparing, had already placed Dan Ahk-seon on his shoulders.

“Then we’ll leave this place to you.”

Without a word, the two of them soared into the air.

On Beom Gye-wi’s shoulders, racing at a terrifying speed, Dan Ahk-seon bit his lip.

Suddenly, the days he had traveled the world with Lee Rip flashed through his mind.

Despite his position as the Bangju [Sect Leader] of the Beggars’ Sect, he had always given him warm encouragement and advice because of his connection with his father.

A warm smile and an unpretentious gaze.

The thought of never seeing them again brought tears to his eyes.

Beom Gye-wi’s expression also turned heavy at the sobs coming from his shoulders.

He had nagged him every time they met, but in truth, he didn’t dislike Lee Rip.

‘No…….’

Rather, he liked Lee Rip.

Unlike the rigid and dogmatic orthodox guys, he was flexible and gentle, and even he, a member of the Demonic Path, sometimes felt that his character, which embraced the world, was amazing.

Cho Ahk-ryang was the same.

His heart was complicated and confused by Lee Rip’s death, and it wasn’t much different for him.

Regardless of status, age, or position, Lee Rip was one of the few people Cho Ahk-ryang acknowledged.

숭상협의(崇尙俠義) 천하개방(天下丐幇) [a slogan] (Revering Chivalry, the Beggars’ Sect Under Heaven).

He would have laughed if someone else had said those words, but he was an exception.

A person who thought and acted for the world more than anyone else.

“We’ll see him soon. So……. Don’t cry, Dan Doctor.”

Beom Gye-wi comforted Dan Ahk-seon, spurring his feet even faster.

But his eyes were already red.

On the other hand, Cho Ahk-ryang gritted his teeth so hard they were about to break.

He didn’t know who was responsible, but he would definitely make them pay the price!

Beom Gye-wi and Cho Ahk-ryang’s figures gradually sped up, eventually becoming a streak of light, piercing through the fog and disappearing.

* * *

It didn’t take long for the news of Lee Rip’s death to spread throughout the martial world.

Heads of various sects, led by the leaders of each clan, and numerous renowned figures of the martial world visited Gaebong, where the Beggars’ Sect’s headquarters were located.

They had set out early for the journey to attend the sixtieth birthday banquet of the head of the Mount Hua Sect.

But they turned their steps towards Gaebong at the unexpected news.

“Amitabha! This humble monk feels the futility of his cultivation at the news that the heavens are collapsing. Even Buddha is indifferent. How could he take him away so quickly, a man who dedicated himself to the martial world……. Alas! Alas!”

Starting with Beopyeon, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, the heads of each sect continued to offer their condolences.

“My friend! My friend! Even if I call out with all my might, there is no answer, and my heartbroken feelings float in the air like incense! I bid you farewell with tearful eyes, may you rest in peace! May you rest in peace!”

Gwangjin Dojang, the head of the Kunlun Sect, who had been close to Lee Rip, beat his chest with his fists and wept bitterly.

At that moment, Hong Jeok-mun respectfully bowed his head as he spotted the venerable Taoist priest with a divine aura, his white beard fluttering down to his chest.

One of the Five Great Masters of the World, the Divine Sword of Mount Hua.

It was Jin Myeong-jin-in, the head of the Mount Hua Sect.

He too had rushed over at the tragic news.

“How great must your grief be. How can this humble monk fathom your heart filled with bone-deep pain (刻骨痛恨) [a deep-seated hatred]?”

“Thank you for coming.”

At Hong Jeok-mun’s greeting, who was acting as the chief mourner, Jin Myeong-jin-in sighed with an extremely heavy gaze.

“I had to come. I had to come.”

An unconcealable sadness appeared on Jin Myeong-jin-in’s face as he looked around the mourning hall.

“This humble one, along with the many people of the martial world, have always been greatly indebted to your sect’s hard work and the Bangju-nim’s [Sect Leader’s] efforts, who always took the lead for the sake of chivalry. I should have expressed my gratitude while he was alive, but I am only filled with regret and sorrow for not doing so.”

At that moment, Jin Jo-un, the head of the Mount Heng Sect, hurriedly entered the mourning hall.

The Taoist crown that had been holding his hair in place had disappeared, showing how hastily he had rushed over.

Yet, Jin Jo-un collapsed before Lee Rip’s memorial tablet in a disheveled state.

“Lee Hyung [Brother]! How could you leave so meaninglessly!”

The mourners who had arrived earlier cast solemn glances at his sobbing.

Hong Jeok-mun simply stood by his side in silence, knowing better than anyone the close relationship between Lee Rip and Jin Jo-un.

It was then that a cold glint flashed in Hong Jeok-mun’s eyes as he looked around.

Condolence visitors continued to enter.

Among them was someone he never wanted to see.

The woman at the head of the group, entering with a retinue of over twenty people as if flaunting her power.

It was none other than Je Gal-yeon.