The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 320

As always, the pier on Hainan Island bustled with activity.

The number of ships traveling between the mainland and Hainan Island had increased dramatically since Bum Gye-wi and Byeok Hwa-ryeong’s wedding.

In particular, the Shinma Merchant Group had recently established a base on Hainan Island, which served as a hub for maritime transportation.

As a result, Hainan Island was experiencing unprecedented prosperity.

Just then, a ship bearing the Shinma Merchant Group’s flag entered the port.

“Welcome!”

As soon as the ship docked, warriors from the Hainan Sword Sect boarded, greeting them with bright smiles.

With the increasing frequency of exchanges with the Shinma Merchant Group, their relationship had grown quite strong.

The manager in charge of the ship greeted them happily.

Then, he paused, startled, and looked at the warriors of the Hainan Sword Sect.

“Why do you all look so pale?”

The warriors exchanged awkward smiles, glancing at each other.

Each had sunken eyes, and the dark circles beneath them made them look so haggard they seemed on the verge of collapse.

One of the Hainan Sword Sect warriors sighed.

“It’s because special training has started.”

“Really? I thought only a select few would participate.”

“That’s how it was originally… but since yesterday, it’s been changed to full attendance.”

With a bitter smile, he turned his gaze toward the Hainan Island headquarters.

“Can you hear that sound?”

“Sound?”

Come to think of it, a faint wailing sound seemed to carried on the wind from the mountains.

“At least we’re assigned to the duty crew, so we can catch our breath…”

Another Hainan Sword Sect warrior shook his head.

“That side is literally hell. A living hell.”

The manager was taken aback by the dire words.

“Oh dear…”

The manager, clicking his tongue in sympathy, took something from his pocket and held it out.

“Please try this. It’s a fatigue recovery medicine we carry. It’s very effective.”

“Oh my, what are you trying to do? No way.”

To prevent any potential issues, Byeok Dae-gyeong, the head of the Hainan Sword Sect, had strictly forbidden accepting any gifts or bribes.

“Come on, just pretend you didn’t see it and take it. This is a Cheongsimdan [a traditional herbal medicine] that our merchant group has started selling. It’s excellent for motion sickness and fatigue.”

“No. Thank you, but I’ll only accept your kindness.”

The manager smiled slyly at the stubborn refusal of the Hainan Sect warriors.

“Then how about this?”

“……?”

“I bought it for five *mun* [old Korean currency], but I’ll sell it to you for six *mun*. That way, it’s a fair trade, and I’m making a profit, so isn’t it a win-win for both of us?”

The Hainan Sword Sect warriors brightened.

As long as they paid the proper price, there would be no room for problems.

Besides, the efficacy of medicines distributed through the Shinma Merchant Group was beyond question.

They paid without hesitation.

And as expected.

As soon as they took it, their stomachs warmed, and energy began to flow into their tired bodies.

“Hehe, the effect is amazing. Do you have any more?”

Once they confirmed the efficacy of the Cheongsimdan, they naturally wanted to buy more.

“We’re only producing a small amount for testing purposes, so we don’t have enough stock. I heard a large quantity will be in stock soon, so I’ll bring plenty then.”

“We would be grateful if you did. We will pay the proper price.”

Even as they spoke, the workers belonging to the Shinma Merchant Group were working diligently.

They unloaded supplies at the pier and loaded the ship with local specialties of Hainan Island, medicinal herbs, and items seized from pirates.

“Ah! And this is a regular letter. Please have the Moonju [sect leader] check it and pass it on to Bum Dae-in [a respectful title].”

“Thank you as always.”

“It’s nothing. I just have to deliver it.”

The principle was to deliver the letter written by Neung So-mil without delay.

As soon as the Shinma Merchant Group’s ship left, the Hainan Sword Sect warrior immediately flew to the main mountain.

Changhae Pavilion (滄海閣) [Pavilion of the Azure Sea], where all the major and minor affairs of the Hainan Sect were decided.

The elders, sitting on either side of Byeok Dae-gyeong, who was presiding over the meeting, raised their voices in protest.

“No, Moonju! Isn’t this too much?”

“Training! I’ll be eighty-four years old next year. How could you so easily allow the participation of all the disciples?”

Byeok Dae-gyeong cast a troubled look at the elders’ accusations pouring in from all directions.

One of the elders pointed to the entrance of Changhae Pavilion.

“Look at that. Is that what a person looks like?”

In the place he pointed to, two middle-aged men with haggard appearances and half-soulless eyes were sitting.

The two men, whose eyes lacked vitality, were the leaders who commanded the battle lines.

And they were the sons of the elder who had just protested.

“I have no face to see my daughters-in-law. My daughters-in-law are already anxious every time they go out to sea, and I’m afraid that their hearts will break and they will leave before this old man.”

Another elder chimed in.

“Even if it’s my son-in-law’s request, how can I roll around with young juniors at this age?”

“Hoo.”

Byeok Dae-gyeong, who sighed, began to persuade the elders who strongly opposed the training participation.

“It’s not together. Don’t they say they’ll arrange separate groups? Is this something to refuse so vehemently?”

But the process was not easy at all.

Groans poured out from all over as Byeok Dae-gyeong did not seem to easily change his mind.

“How long will we live…”

“Every time I lie down in bed, I wonder if I’ll be able to see the sun rising tomorrow. I wouldn’t be surprised if I died at any time, but what glory am I going to enjoy now…”

Byeok Dae-gyeong smiled bitterly and looked around the hall.

“Elders. Do you know that?”

Byeok Dae-gyeong wore an extremely complicated expression at the bewildered gazes directed at him.

“Full attendance means that I am also included.”

The startled elders were momentarily speechless.

After a moment.

“Father! No!”

“They are demons!”

“You are saying that because you haven’t experienced what kind of hardship awaits you yet!”

Byeok Dae-gyeong cast a stern look at his three sons who were trying to stop him.

“It is natural for the head of the family to be a role model for all the disciples!”

Byeok Dae-gyeong’s will was firm as if he had already made up his mind.

“This is truly a decision for the sake of this sect! Isn’t it natural to endure pain for growth? What does it matter if the master is a daughter or a son-in-law? If it is for the sake of strengthening this sect, I will gladly endure any hardship.”

A sigh leaked out from all over Changhae Pavilion at the firmness of Byeok Dae-gyeong’s voice.

Byeok Dae-gyeong continued.

“I want our Hainan Sect to take the lead in defeating the Demonic Cult that threatens the world more than any other sect in the Central Plains. Rather than shedding blood and dying at that time, isn’t it better to shed sweat now, even if it’s hard?”

It was a word to his sons, but Byeok Dae-gyeong’s gaze was directed at the elders who were strongly opposed to the training.

The stern eyes and dignified voice of Byeok Dae-gyeong.

The elders closed their mouths at the head of the family’s force of will.

At this time, someone entered Changhae Pavilion.

“This is a letter from the Shinma Merchant Group.”

“Give it to me.”

Byeok Dae-gyeong, who casually received the letter and checked the contents, paused.

The letter written by Neung So-mil contained detailed descriptions of the current movements of the subjugation group centered on Dan Ak-seon and the political situation of Murim [the martial arts world].

Above all, the process of the battle with the Blood Cloud was organized in chronological order.

“It is said that the elite of Muwi [a powerful group] are currently fighting the Blood Cloud.”

“If you say elite…?”

“It is said to be composed of Shinma Euiseon, Blood Demon Lord, and Ice Jade Fairy, as well as about twenty masters of the Demonic Sect.”

Suddenly, the inside of Cheonghae Pavilion became quiet.

After a moment of looking at each other’s expressions and grasping the atmosphere.

One of the elders carefully opened his mouth.

“They are our closest allies. If they are having such a difficult fight, then of course this sect should step up to support them.”

As soon as those words were finished, Byeok Dae-gyeong’s three sons raised their hands.

“I’ll go!”

“No. The eldest brother must inherit the family, so I, the second son…”

“How can I send my brothers to a place where they might become disabled? Still, I think it’s right for me, who has the best martial arts among our brothers, to go.”

It was not only them who volunteered to support them.

“After all, we, who have a lot of experience in Gangho [the martial world] and are experienced, should step up in this kind of matter…”

“Hmm. Do you think so too, Elder Hwang? After all, it is the order of things for us, who have no regrets even if we die at any time, to take the lead rather than young people who have a long way to go?”

“Of course. That’s how it should be. Rather than wasting food here without anything to do, it would be more glorious to contribute to the Blood Cloud subjugation and enhance the reputation of this sect.”

Even the elders volunteered in competition.

In fact, like most of the warriors of the Hainan Sword Sect, they had spent their entire lives on the sea.

So they were second to none when it came to naval warfare and shipboard battles.

On the other hand, they did not know the battle methods of the grasslands well.

Nevertheless, there was no other reason for coming forward like this.

Let’s just get out of Hainan Island!

That was their unanimous thought.

Looking at the way things were going, it was as good as decided that all members would participate in the training.

Rather, a battlefield where they risked their lives was better.

The training led by Bum Gye-wi and Byeok Hwa-ryeong was that terrible and vicious.

Hainan Island, where the couple stayed, was literally hell.

“Wait a minute.”

At this time, Byeok Dae-gyeong’s eldest son stepped forward, stopping the crowd.

“Maybe.”

Everyone’s faces brightened for a moment at his next words.

“If Hwa-ryeong and his wife find out about this situation, will they just stand still? Isn’t it possible that they will run to the north right away?”

Everyone’s faces lit up at the words.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze was focused on Byeok Dae-gyeong, who occupied the upper seat.

“Cough.”

Byeok Dae-gyeong, who suddenly received everyone’s expectations, coughed lowly.

Then, he slyly pushed the letter sent by Neung So-mil onto the table.

“People who are thirsty dig a well [idiom meaning ‘take initiative’].”

Who will bell the cat [idiom meaning ‘who will take the risk’]?

They only looked at each other, and no one came forward easily.

After a moment.

“Please leave it to me.”

One person stepped forward.

The person who walked forward with a determined expression and picked up the letter was none other than Byeok Dae-gyeong’s eldest son, Byeok Pa-yeong.

Byeok Pa-yeong, who took the letter, left Cheonghae Pavilion with a dignified appearance.

The eyes of the people who were staring at his back were full of life.

‘Good luck, Grand Prince!’

‘We only trust the Grand Prince!’

At least at this moment, everyone was cheering him on with one heart and one mind.

* * *

A detached house on the outskirts of Hainan Island.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Byeok Pa-yeong frowned at the strange vibration that became clearer as he got closer to the detached house.

‘Could it be from broad daylight?’

The buildings on Hainan Island were all built sturdily to withstand typhoons.

The detached house was the same.

But now, the entire building was shaking as if it would collapse at any moment.

Byeok Pa-yeong sighed lowly.

At first, the two people set up a bridal chamber in the main building of the Hainan Sect.

But soon, complaints from the disciples poured in.

This was because the two people’s stamina was so amazing that they craved each other day and night.

In the end, the two had to move their bridal chamber.

Byeok Pa-yeong hovered around with an embarrassed face and made a sound when the vibration stopped.

“Ahem. Is Hwa-ryeong there?”

After a moment.

Behind Byeok Hwa-ryeong, who left the detached house with a flushed face, Bum Gye-wi appeared wearing only pants.

“Why are you here at this hour, Brother?”

At Byeok Hwa-ryeong’s question, Byeok Pa-yeong immediately got to the point.

“It seems that Shinma Euiseon is in danger.”

“What?”

Startled, Bum Gye-wi strode up and snatched the letter Byeok Pa-yeong was holding.

“I can’t believe it!”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong was surprised by Bum Gye-wi’s embarrassment and asked back.

“Is Shinmagok really in danger?”

Bum Gye-wi, who was clutching the letter, trembled.

After a moment.

Bum Gye-wi shouted in anger.

“They’re having fun without me!”