The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 339

“Around that time, among the ministers who had served the late Emperor, those in the military who had enjoyed his absolute trust began to reveal their true ambitions.”

The Emperor at the time believed that only a strong military could ensure the realm’s stability.

In fact, he even adopted the name Ju Su (朱壽) and bestowed upon himself the title of Grand General Wuwu (威武大將軍, meaning ‘Majestic and Martial Grand General’), styling himself as the Duke of Jinguk (鎭國公, a title implying the pacification of the nation).

Not content with these titles, he insisted on using the name Ju Su when leading troops into battle.

Because he so revered military power, the military’s influence naturally grew.

However, as the Emperor’s health declined and his death drew near, the military figures began to feel insecure.

They feared that the new Emperor, upon ascending the throne, would not tolerate such an excessively powerful military.

“So, they plotted to eliminate Ju Hu-chong before he could become Emperor. Their intention was to enthrone a powerless member of the imperial family and manipulate him as their puppet.”

“They were plotting a rebellion.”

“It wasn’t exactly a rebellion, as he hadn’t yet ascended the throne.”

But their plan ultimately failed.

The reason the current Emperor consolidated his power through a massive purge immediately after his coronation was precisely because of this conspiracy.

Essentially, he deeply distrusted his ministers.

“So, that’s why he became so arrogant and authoritarian.”

Han Seol-hwa chuckled at Dan Ahk-seon’s words. “Hearing that, I almost feel sorry for him.”

“You’re the only one who would describe the Emperor that way.”

Four days later.

The Emperor, having gathered high-ranking officials in the jeongjeon (正殿, the main hall of the palace), Hwanggeukjeon (皇極殿, the Hall of Supreme Ultimateness), personally presided over the imperial court meeting as usual.

After concluding a few agenda items and pausing for a moment.

“Your Majesty, Dan Ahk-seon and Han Seol-hwa, who arrived at the palace under Your Majesty’s summons, have just entered the palace grounds.”

The Emperor nodded at the report from the court eunuch who attended to him most closely.

“Have them brought to the Hwanggeukjeon immediately upon their arrival.”

“Understood.”

As the eunuch withdrew to relay the Emperor’s order, the gazes of the ministers standing within the Hwanggeukjeon shifted.

The ministers’ expressions even carried a sense of grim determination, as if they were facing a life-or-death battle.

The Emperor noticed this and chuckled inwardly.

However, he didn’t reveal his amusement outwardly.

A moment later.

Two figures entered the Hwanggeukjeon.

A strange light flickered in the Emperor’s eyes as he glanced at them.

He stared intently at Han Seol-hwa’s face for a long moment.

“So, it was you.”

The Emperor openly revealed his agitation.

He had requested an audience, claiming he had something to return, and had ordered an investigation into the item’s identity.

When the report came back that it was the Jowha Geonjam (造化乾簪, a hairpin of creation), the Emperor was greatly surprised.

He recalled that seven years prior, he and the Queen Mother had owed their lives to someone.

He had suspected it might be her, and his hunch had proven correct.

Unlike Dan Ahk-seon, who performed the oche-tuji (五體投地, a prostration touching the ground with five body parts: forehead, two hands, and two knees) according to imperial etiquette, Han Seol-hwa simply nodded and remained standing.

At this sight, the ministers immediately erupted in protest.

“How dare you be so rude…!”.

“Who do you think you are!”

Acting so arrogantly in the Emperor’s presence was deemed unacceptable.

The conservative ministers, believing they had found an opportunity, began to berate Han Seol-hwa relentlessly.

The ministers aligned with Minister Jin-yeong of the Ministry of Personnel, who supported Neung So-mil, also found themselves in a difficult position.

Unable to openly advise her, they could only offer desperate glances, urging her to show respect while inwardly burning with anxiety.

Nevertheless, Han Seol-hwa completely ignored their reactions.

The Emperor chuckled and raised his hand, silencing the ministers as he observed her aloof demeanor.

“Enough. That woman is not my subject.”

Through the Queen Mother, who had briefly met her, the Emperor knew that she hailed from beyond the Great Wall, from Saeoe (塞外, lands outside the border).

Uncharacteristically, the Emperor refrained from asserting his authority and even offered a plausible explanation, which bewildered the ministers.

However, there was always someone lacking in tact.

“However, as long as she resides within the territory governed by Your Majesty, she should adhere to the proper etiquette…”

“I said enough.”

“……!”

The minister, meeting the Emperor’s cold gaze, was startled and lowered his head.

It was then.

“Long live, long live, long long live!”

A clear voice echoed throughout the grand hall.

It was Dan Ahk-seon.

Dan Ahk-seon, who had been lying prostrate with his forehead on the floor, cautiously raised his head.

“Am I doing this right?”

Han Seol-hwa smiled and nodded.

Then, she raised her eyes and met the Emperor’s gaze.

The Emperor responded with a faint smile.

“People Dan Ahk-seon, please rise and be seated comfortably.”

He then addressed Han Seol-hwa.

“I received the item you returned.”

The Emperor deliberately avoided mentioning the Jowha Geonjam.

It was originally an item belonging to his mother’s family, and he preferred to keep its existence hidden from his ministers.

However, he had not forgotten that the Queen Mother had given the Jowha Geonjam to Han Seol-hwa in the past and had promised her something.

“Do you have any wishes to express to me?”

Han Seol-hwa quietly shook her head.

At this sight, the ministers were on the verge of another outburst.

“She cannot speak,” the Emperor said, preemptively silencing their criticism.

He then repeated his question. “Does that mean you desire nothing?”

“……”

Han Seol-hwa paused, considering something for a moment, and then silently nodded.

From the beginning, her purpose had been to accompany Dan Ahk-seon, using the Jowha Geonjam as a mere pretext.

“I see…”

The Emperor, revealing a hint of disappointment, turned his gaze to Dan Ahk-seon.

“You have performed great service in the North.”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled and replied to the Emperor’s praise. “Shouldn’t I be the one thanking you? Things worked out well thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration.”

“Even so, the fact that you have rendered great service cannot be denied. Do you have any desires?”

“Well… It wasn’t really that great of a contribution, so I don’t believe I deserve an award.”

“You don’t deserve an award?”

Dan Ahk-seon nodded at the Emperor’s question, which was laced with doubt.

“Because I acted according to my own purpose from the start. Your Majesty simply facilitated my actions, so I should be the one offering a gift of gratitude to Your Majesty.”

Dan Ahk-seon continued his explanation calmly. “I wanted to prevent the Demonic Sect from gaining strength in the North, but I couldn’t cross the Great Wall without permission. Fortunately, Your Majesty granted that permission, allowing me to achieve my goal. Therefore, I have no choice but to express my gratitude to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor chuckled, concealing his amusement at Dan Ahk-seon’s words, which attributed all the credit to him.

It was then that one of the conservative ministers spoke up, as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“Your Majesty, this boy’s words contradict the report submitted by Neung So-mil, the Lord of Neungso.”

Previously, Neung So-mil had reported on the situation in the North, acknowledging the legitimacy of the Blood Cloud Squad’s subjugation, stating that it was all for the peace of the Emperor and the realm he governed.

The conservative ministers, determined to find fault in any way possible, tenaciously clung to this discrepancy.

“Their crime of deceiving Your Majesty by reporting a false purpose for crossing the Great Wall is by no means something that can be simply overlooked. In order to uphold the authority of Your Majesty and the Imperial Family, this matter must be addressed.”

Since it was a seemingly reasonable argument, the Emperor nodded in agreement.

“What are your thoughts on this?”

Dan Ahk-seon answered the Emperor’s question.

“Uncle Neung didn’t lie.”

“Then are you lying? Since the two of you are saying different things, doesn’t that imply that one of you is being dishonest?”

Dan Ahk-seon remained composed even in the face of the Emperor’s questioning.

“It’s true that I sought Uncle Neung’s help for my own purpose. However, Uncle Neung believed that my actions would ultimately benefit Your Majesty and the court. We simply had different motivations for the same endeavor.”

The Emperor chuckled, hiding his amusement.

“Are you being honest, or are you simply foolish? If you had simply stated that you were acting on my behalf, you could have avoided all this trouble.”

“Uncle Neung repeatedly warned me not to lie before Your Majesty. He said that if I carelessly told a lie, my head would be forfeit.”

The Emperor stared at Dan Ahk-seon with an intrigued expression.

‘I took notice of him because he claimed loyalty to someone as capable as Neung So-mil…’

He was somewhat disappointed that Dan Ahk-seon’s responses to the ministers’ attacks didn’t meet his expectations.

However, there was definitely something more to him.

His seemingly fearless and innocent demeanor couldn’t be the whole story.

With only that level of ability and understanding, it would be impossible to manage an Imoogi (蛟, a serpent-like dragon) like Neung So-mil.

“You are well aware that if you lie here, your head will be forfeit. Therefore, I will ask you one more question.”

The Emperor decided to test Dan Ahk-seon further.

“I have heard that you are the de facto owner of the Shinma Merchant Guild. Is that correct?”

“It is true that the Shinma Merchant Guild was established for my benefit, but I am not the owner.”

“It exists for you, but you are not the owner? Then who is the owner of the Shinma Merchant Guild?”

Dan Ahk-seon answered without hesitation.

“All the guild members who dedicate themselves to the Shinma Merchant Guild.”

“Hmm?”

While the Emperor was briefly taken aback by the unexpected answer, Dan Ahk-seon continued.

“As Your Majesty knows, I am a doctor and not skilled in business. However, expensive medicinal ingredients were necessary for my treatments. People who felt sympathy for me began selling the medicine I made on my behalf. The results were positive, and the guild was able to establish itself. Therefore, wouldn’t it be presumptuous of me, who receives help from them, to claim ownership of the Shinma Merchant Guild?”

The Emperor tapped the jade throne with his fingers, speechless at Dan Ahk-seon’s candid response.

There was nothing more to inquire about.

His answers aligned with the information already gathered through the Geumuiwi (錦衣衛, the Embroidered Uniform Guard) and Dongchang (東廠, the Eastern Depot, both were secret police agencies).

It was somewhat anticlimactic for the Emperor, who had anticipated meeting Dan Ahk-seon.

However, now that things had unfolded in this manner, there was no reason to prolong the meeting.

‘Still, I cannot simply dismiss him since he accompanied my benefactor.’

Just as he was about to conclude the meeting by arranging a simple tea party with the Queen Mother.

The Minister of Finance, who led the conservative ministers, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, please grant me permission to interrogate them.”

“Did you just say ‘interrogate’?”

The Emperor frowned.

“Interrogate” was a term reserved for serious charges such as treason.

“Please review the current situation in Muwi (武威, a strategically important city in the northwest).”

The Minister of Finance, beginning with this statement, raised his voice and cornered Dan Ahk-seon.

“Among the numerous martial artists, this individual has uniquely gathered only impure elements of the Demonic Sect in an area called Muwi. Their numbers already exceed five hundred, making it necessary to understand his intentions clearly. Furthermore, he has amassed wealth rivaling the wealthiest in the Central Plains through the Shinma Merchant Guild and has also forged alliances with some of the northern barbarians for unclear purposes.”

In an attempt to deliberately provoke the Emperor’s anxiety, the Minister of Finance touched upon sensitive issues.

“It is claimed that all of this is to combat the Demonic Sect, but I cannot dismiss one lingering question.”

The Minister of Finance, glancing at Dan Ahk-seon, raised his voice even further.

“It is said that all those affiliated with the Shinma Merchant Guild revere this individual as if he were the heavens themselves. In addition, he has leveraged his parents’ reputation to win over prominent figures from various martial arts sects and is cooperating with the court to exert considerable influence over the Hainan Sword Sect, which defends the southern region. As if that weren’t enough, he is currently attempting to gain popularity among the general populace, including the children of the military stationed in Muwi, under the guise of providing free education.”

“So?”

“The more time passes, the greater this individual’s influence will become. At the very least, Your Majesty must be wary of his presence overshadowing Your Majesty’s authority in certain areas, including Muwi.”

The Minister of Finance revealed the carefully sharpened knife he had been concealing.

“Neung So-mil is the same, and in this boy’s case, there is more than enough reason to suspect a hidden agenda. Please do not forget the case of the Eight Tigers (八虎), who abused their power due to the favor they enjoyed from the previous Emperor.”

The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched.

The Minister of Finance was correct.

A group known as the Eight Tigers, or the Eight Parties (八黨).

Just as eight eunuchs, led by Yu Geun, had manipulated state affairs during the previous Emperor’s reign, excessive trust could lead to unfortunate consequences.

Moreover, upon reflection, the affairs of Muwi were no longer confined to the martial arts world.

He commanded the loyalty of people and military strength.

In addition, he possessed the financial power to support these endeavors.

Like the former princes, the power centered around Dan Ahk-seon in Muwi could transform into a threat to imperial authority at any moment.

At the very least, this was a possibility that could not be ignored.

“Do you have anything to say in response to the Minister of Finance’s concerns?”

Dan Ahk-seon sighed deeply.

Then, he raised his eyes and stared at the Minister of Finance.

When Dan Ahk-seon’s gaze met his, the Minister of Finance offered a faint, barely perceptible smile.

Once you fall into a swamp, the more you struggle, the faster you will sink.

He was confident that there was no escape unless Dan Ahk-seon possessed the eloquence of Neung So-mil.

However, he was overlooking one crucial factor.