The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 231

신마의선 (231)

Hong Jeok-moon usually disliked Je Gal-yeon as much as Lee Rip.

Perhaps that was why her visit was not welcome.

He also didn’t like that she brought the heads of the noble families dangling along, as if flaunting the power of the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans].

However, he was the chief mourner at the moment.

He couldn’t openly mistreat the mourners.

Hong Jeok-moon himself came forward to greet Je Gal-yeon and the heads of the noble families.

“I offer my deepest condolences for the deceased.”

Representing the Murim Alliance, Je Gal-yeon mourned the death of Lee Rip.

Hong Jeok-moon bowed his head in gratitude.

“Thank you for coming such a long way despite your busy schedules.”

“We will not forget the noble intentions of the deceased, who has dedicated himself to the Kangho [martial arts world] until now. The Murim Alliance will continue his lofty will.”

“……!”

Hong Jeok-moon’s eyebrows twitched.

He could finally understand Je Gal-yeon’s intentions in attending this event.

However, he decided not to make an issue of it today.

He knew better than anyone that heated arguments during the mourning period would only dishonor the deceased.

However, Je Gal-yeon’s subsequent words made him clench his fist without realizing it.

“Our Murim Alliance will also do its best to cooperate in finding the culprit of this incident.”

The moment she mentioned the culprit, everyone in the funeral hall turned their attention to her.

Hong Jeok-moon, realizing Je Gal-yeon’s intention, tried to stop her.

However, Je Gal-yeon quickly continued.

“I heard that the Chief’s direct cause of death was due to Demonic Art [a forbidden and often evil martial art]. As such, I believe this matter should be resolved with the combined efforts of the entire Murim, regardless of past grudges. I am sure the deceased Chief would have wanted that as well.”

Mumbling.

“Demonic Art?”

“Does that mean the culprit is a member of the Demonic Sect?”

The commotion spread like fire to dry straw, and Hong Jeok-moon gritted his teeth.

The exact truth had not yet been revealed.

Therefore, he did not mention the specific cause of death to protect Lee Rip’s honor.

He didn’t want Lee Rip’s name to be mentioned in unnecessary rumors.

But Je Gal-yeon had ruined it.

The head of the Hwangbo Family, who came with Je Gal-yeon, nodded.

“Of course, we must. Didn’t the deceased Chief always prioritize the harmony of Murim?”

The head of the Peng Family of Habuk took the words.

“That’s right. If we are at odds, the Chief’s death will be in vain. We must unite!”

An angry shout rose to his throat, but Hong Jeok-moon suppressed it with superhuman patience.

It was then that Je Gal-yeon opened her mouth with a strange look in her eyes.

“As it happens, we have information that could be a clue to this case. We have been silent because it is still under investigation, but as things have turned out this way, we have no choice but to reveal it.”

“What do you mean? Information that could be a clue?”

In response to Hong Jeok-moon’s question, Je Gal-yeon wore a meaningful smile.

“There are those who have mastered the Demonic Sect’s martial arts in the Central Plains. And the Murim Alliance has judged this to be a serious matter and has been identifying them from early on.”

At that, someone among the mourners shouted.

“Are you saying that someone who has mastered Demonic Art is rampaging through the Central Plains?”

The fact that the culprit who killed Lee Rip used Demonic Art had already been revealed.

Je Gal-yeon’s statement thrown there was like pouring water on boiling oil.

With everyone’s attention focused, Je Gal-yeon slowly opened her mouth.

“Recently, among the Green Forest Bandits [outlaws], there is a person who fell into Demonic Deviation while learning the Demonic Sect’s martial arts. So, we were tracking him.”

Hong Jeok-moon glared at Je Gal-yeon.

He never thought she would announce that content in this place.

In fact, Hong Jeok-moon had also identified information about the Shinma Physician Family during the investigation.

Also, he had already discussed this with Lee Rip in advance.

The problem was the timing.

It was a sensitive issue and could cause unnecessary conflict.

Above all, it could put Dan Ak-seon in a difficult situation.

They knew better than anyone that the world doesn’t always go as planned, even if they know the truth.

They didn’t want Dan Ak-seon to have a hard time due to narrow-minded views and misunderstandings.

So, they were coordinating when to announce this.

But Lee Rip had left first.

In the meantime, Je Gal-yeon took a step ahead and threw a bomb by linking Lee Rip’s cause of death with Demonic Art.

She was cleverly cutting out the context and distorting the truth with only fragmentary facts.

The intention was clear.

It was a scheme to pressure Murim by forming public opinion.

As expected.

“You said you were chasing him? Then have you identified his whereabouts?”

Je Gal-yeon’s lips slightly curled up at the question of Jin Myeong-jin-in, the leader of the Hwasan Sect.

“A forbidden area where righteous sects cannot enter. It is in Muwi.”

“Muwi, you mean…….”

“Yes. I heard he is receiving treatment at the Shinma Physician Family located there.”

Jin Myeong-jin-in’s eyes sank heavily.

This was because not only Dan Ak-seon but also Han Seol-hwa was in Muwi.

Je Gal-yeon shouted to the crowd.

“We must secure him and investigate. If we find out why he learned Demonic Art, the truth about the Chief’s death will also be revealed.”

Unlike the murmuring crowd, the leaders of each sect, including Jin Myeong-jin-in, could not help but feel doubtful.

Because they had already met Dan Ak-seon and knew his upright and gentle character better than anyone else.

“Amitabha [a Buddhist invocation].”

Beomyeon, the abbot of the Shaolin, stepped forward, chanting the Buddha’s name in a low voice.

“Is that true?”

“How dare I speak falsely in a place like this?”

Je Gal-yeon smiled and met Beomyeon’s gaze.

“That’s not the only suspicious circumstance that has been detected in the Shinma Physician Family. Have you heard the story that a person who mastered the Demonic Sect’s martial arts appeared in the Hainan Sword Sect recently and drove his subordinates to death? Coincidentally, it is said that Byeok Hwa-ryeong, the Deputy Chief of the Hainan Sword Sect, recently promised to marry Mangsan Choja of Muwi.”

A streak of doubt appeared on the faces of the crowd.

Je Gal-yeon, grasping this, led the atmosphere by taking advantage of the momentum.

“All the circumstances related to Demonic Art are directed towards Muwi. Can such repeated coincidences really be called mere coincidences? We must investigate that place…….”

“Stop!”

Hong Jeok-moon’s thunderous shout cut off Je Gal-yeon’s words.

“I understand the Alliance Leader’s intentions, but it doesn’t seem like a story suitable for this place.”

Je Gal-yeon scoffed at Hong Jeok-moon, who was putting on a serious face.

“Not suitable? To find the culprit who killed the Chief, more than anyone…….”

Hong Jeok-moon stopped Je Gal-yeon’s words once again.

“This place is to honor and mourn the spirit of the deceased. Refrain from politics.”

The smile disappeared from Je Gal-yeon’s face at Hong Jeok-moon’s voice, which contained a subtle but clear warning.

“You are distorting my pure intentions.”

“It doesn’t seem very pure. Besides, the people of Muwi, who are the parties involved, are not here either, are they? One of the deceased Chief’s principles was to listen to both sides before making a judgment.”

At that moment, a strange light flashed in Je Gal-yeon’s eyes.

It was because she had discovered someone running towards them in a hurry.

Hong Jeok-moon, who turned his head to where Je Gal-yeon’s gaze was directed, was able to find Dan Ak-seon running while crying, regardless of the gazes of those around him.

“Uncle!”

Dan Ak-seon, who ran towards Hong Jeok-moon, cried with a sob.

“Where is the Chief?”

Hong Jeok-moon had been enduring with a calm face until now.

But the moment he faced Dan Ak-seon’s tears, the tears he thought had dried up burst out.

“Keueu……. It’s too late. It’s too…… late.”

Hong Jeok-moon hugged Dan Ak-seon, who collapsed on the spot as if collapsing.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I should have protected you……. I should have done that……. But I couldn’t.”

The atmosphere in the hall became solemn at the sight of the two people crying sadly.

It was then.

“Hyeolsu Jonja [Blood Hand Venerable]!”

“Mangsan Choja [Mangsan Hermit] too!”

The Murim people who discovered Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi entering the hall following Dan Ak-seon were greatly shocked.

Because the mourners were all from the Righteous Faction, as it was the mourning period for Lee Rip, the Chief of the Beggars’ Sect.

The crowd that had gathered parted like a tide, creating a wide space.

The two people’s reputation and overwhelming presence instinctively made them keep their distance.

Some of them glared at Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, revealing their hostility.

But no one dared to step forward.

As if they didn’t care about them, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi stood behind Dan Ak-seon, casting cold gazes.

Hong Jeok-moon belatedly straightened his posture and bowed his head towards the two.

“Thank you for coming such a long way.”

Cho Ak-ryang, who put the memorial tablet with Lee Rip’s name on it in his eyes, let out a heavy sigh.

“I offer my deepest condolences for the deceased.”

Beom Gye-wi also pursed his lips towards the memorial tablet.

“Geez, people……. Why did you go so early? Still, since you went, may you rest in peace. In the next life, don’t be a beggar, but be born in a decent house and enjoy a long life.”

Hong Jeok-moon politely clasped his hands towards the two.

“The Chief will also be pleased with your visit.”

It was then.

“Amitabha. I should have met you in a happy place, but it is very regrettable to see you again in a place like this. Dan Siju [Young Master Dan].”

Beomyeon of Shaolin gave Dan Ak-seon a pitiful look.

But that wasn’t the only one.

“Muryangsu Buddha [Infinite Life Buddha]. Didn’t Bingok Seonja [Jade Bone Immortal] come to pay respects together today?”

Starting with Jin Myeong-jin-in of Hwasan.

“It’s been a while, Physician Dan.”

Gwangjin Dojang, the leader of Kunlun, and…….

“Stop grieving, Physician Dan.”

Jin Jo-un, the leader of the Hyungsan Sect, also approached Dan Ak-seon and offered comfort.

Je Gal-yeon could not hide her embarrassment at the unexpected situation.

She had been leading the atmosphere of the conversation until now.

But when she came to her senses, most of the important figures were densely gathered around Dan Ak-seon.

It was then that she felt the uncomfortable gazes pouring towards her.

It was the heads of the noble families.

It was a silent pressure to do something.

Je Gal-yeon, biting her lip tightly, opened her mouth in a cold voice.

“Since when have the giants of the Demonic Faction been able to enter this main base, which is the Beggars’ Sect’s sacred ground, without hesitation?”

But unexpectedly, Beomyeon of Shaolin stepped forward and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk. What does the distinction between Righteous and Demonic mean when mourning the death of the deceased?”

Gwangjin Dojang of Kunlun took the words.

“If people who don’t know see it, they might say that our Righteous Faction is narrow-minded.”

Je Gal-yeon’s face froze.

It was because she belatedly realized that the gazes pouring in from all directions were not friendly, not only from the leaders of each sect.

It was then that Hong Jeok-moon drove in the wedge.

“Hyeolsu Jonja Cho Ak-ryang and Mangsan Choja Beom Gye-wi are Blue-Clothed Guests officially recognized by the Beggars’ Sect. Do not be rude to our Beggars’ Sect people anymore.”

Je Gal-yeon tried to say something in rebuttal, but Dan Ak-seon’s words came first.

“I want to…… see the Chief.”

“Yes, you should.”

Hong Jeok-moon supported Dan Ak-seon and stood him up.

“I will guide you.”

Hong Jeok-moon, who was moving with Dan Ak-seon, turned his head and looked at Je Gal-yeon.

“Mourning is not done with the head, but with the heart.”

Hong Jeok-moon said, gesturing to Dan Ak-seon’s still tear-stained face.

“Well……. If you had a heart, you would have done this a long time ago.”

“……!”

Je Gal-yeon glared at Hong Jeok-moon, who was heading to the inner room with Dan Ak-seon.

Then, she suddenly felt a stinging gaze flying and hitting her face.

Je Gal-yeon was startled as she turned her head without realizing it.

It was because she made eye contact with the owner of the gaze who was quietly staring at her.

The owner of that gaze, Cho Ak-ryang, suddenly opened his mouth.

“The one behind this mess will surely pay the price.”

“What do you mean?”

In response to Je Gal-yeon’s question, Beom Gye-wi gave a chilling look and answered.

“I mean, I’m going to throw you into hell.”