The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 353

Divine Physician of the Demonic World (353)

Leaving the brewery, Yeom Sa-in headed straight for the workshop where the dyed fabrics were processed.

Due to the nature of dyed fabrics, the workshop had to be located near a stream, so it was situated in a quiet area on the outskirts of Muwi.

Therefore, it was quite a distance from the brewery.

Kang Wi-ryong, who was following Yeom Sa-in’s leisurely steps, frowned.

‘How can he be so indifferent?’

Even from a considerable distance, he could smell the fragrance of Dowonhyang [Peach Blossom Scent Liquor, a fictional premium alcohol].

Yet, Yeom Sa-in was not swayed by the violent temptation emanating from the opened bottle.

He would occasionally stop, close his eyes as if savoring the taste, and relish the scent spreading around him, but he never once brought the bottle to his lips.

He didn’t even glance at the bottle in his hand.

Kang Wi-ryong was starting to get tired of his superhuman patience.

When Yeom Sa-in arrived at the workshop, he abruptly handed the bottle of Dowonhyang to the chief, Jang Sam.

“What is this all of a sudden? And where have you been during this busy time?”

Jang Sam, who was questioning Yeom Sa-in with a blunt expression and tone, suddenly changed his expression.

The enchanting fragrance that instantly captivated his sense of smell left him speechless for a moment.

The unique, flowery, and sweet scent, like a blend of floral and honey aromas.

“Could this be…?”

Yeom Sa-in chuckled briefly and chided Jang Sam, who was beaming with delight.

“Hmph! You have a nose like a bloodhound. Yes, it’s the Dowonhyang you’ve been singing about.”

Jang Sam, who had inadvertently received the bottle, couldn’t hide his surprise.

“How on earth did you get this…?”

“It’s a birthday present. I went through a lot of trouble to get this, even having to ask favors, so drink as much as you want.”

Despite his gruff tone, Yeom Sa-in’s eyes were filled with warmth.

Just seeing Jang Sam’s undisguised joy was enough for Yeom Sa-in to feel immensely satisfied.

But at that moment.

“Why are you holding that?”

Jang Sam noticed the other bottle in Yeom Sa-in’s hand and wore a puzzled expression.

Come to think of it, the bottle he had been given was tightly sealed.

On the other hand, the bottle Yeom Sa-in was holding had no cap in sight.

Jang Sam, belatedly realizing where the pervasive aroma originated, dropped his smile and became serious.

“Don’t tell me that’s also…?”

Yeom Sa-in readily nodded.

“Yes, it’s Dowonhyang.”

“Have you already had some?”

“I haven’t touched a drop.”

“Then why is the cap open?”

Yeom Sa-in smiled bitterly.

“I made a bet.”

Jang Sam frowned at Yeom Sa-in’s explanation.

“That’s a terrible person.”

“Well, are you any better?”

“Excuse me?”

Yeom Sa-in chuckled.

“At least that guy only told me to abstain for one day, but you follow me around day and night, forcing me to abstain every time. How much worse can you be?”

“How can you compare the two? That guy was trying to make a fool of you, but I’m only doing it out of pure concern for you…”

“If you look closely, you seem to be secretly enjoying seeing me suffer, aren’t you?”

“Ahem. That’s…”

Yeom Sa-in, seeing Jang Sam awkwardly clearing his throat, gave him a disapproving look as if he knew it all along, and then called out to the people around him.

“Everyone, gather around.”

Then, he personally filled the workers’ cups with wine and handed them out.

“This is Dowonhyang, known as the finest liquor in the Central Plains. It’s something you can be proud of for the rest of your lives. When you’re feeling tired and weary of life, remember today’s memory and try a little harder. If you do, there will surely be good times like today again someday.”

Yeom Sa-in, after encouraging the workers who were gratefully accepting the cups, set down the empty bottle without regret.

“Aren’t you going to have some, Elder?”

One of the workers asked cautiously.

They knew very well that it was a liquor they couldn’t afford even if they saved their entire lives’ wages.

“Don’t talk to me. I’m too busy swallowing my saliva right now.”

The workers burst into laughter at Yeom Sa-in’s words.

After a while.

The workers brought the cups filled with Dowonhyang to their lips.

Some gulped it down in one go, while others carefully poured a drop at a time, as if cherishing it.

Some even licked it off their fingertips as if it were too precious to waste.

Each person had a different way of drinking it, but they all wore expressions of ecstasy and happiness.

Yeom Sa-in nodded with a satisfied expression as he watched them.

It was then.

“That brat Dan Ak-seon, and… what’s with this Muwi neighborhood?”

Yeom Sa-in slowly turned his head to meet Kang Wi-ryong’s gaze at the sudden voice from behind.

Kang Wi-ryong let out a hollow laugh.

“I’ve been completely swindled.”

Looking back, including the bet with Beom Gye-wi earlier, he had lost three bets in a row.

This was unprecedented since he began making a name for himself in the Murim world as Jugwangdogwi [Crimson Light Demonic Ghost, a title].

Tuk.

Kang Wi-ryong threw another bottle of Dowonhyang, which he had brought separately, to Yeom Sa-in.

Yeom Sa-in, who inadvertently caught it, gave him a puzzled look.

“Huh? This wasn’t included in the bet?”

But Kang Wi-ryong had already disappeared from sight.

—You won the bet.

Perhaps it was because of his pride.

He didn’t want to admit it in person, so he sent a telepathic message to acknowledge his defeat.

The Dowonhyang he gave at the end was a sort of dignity fee to save face.

“Haha, you didn’t have to do this.”

It was then that Jang Sam snatched Yeom Sa-in’s wrist as he was slyly trying to hide the bottle in his sleeve.

“But why is that going in there?”

“Ahem! It’s just a habit, I didn’t even realize…”

Jang Sam smiled and nodded.

“Haha. I was worried for nothing. You’ve endured Dowonhyang twice already, so I thought you might succumb to the temptation a third time.”

“Hahaha. That’s impossible.”

Yeom Sa-in, who was giving an awkward laugh, suddenly became serious.

“But why are you taking this?”

“To relieve you of your troubles, Elder. So let go.”

“Keueung.”

Yeom Sa-in was squeezing out the last of his strength to avoid letting go of the bottle, but the strength drained from his hand at Jang Sam’s next words.

“I’ll tell Physician Dan?”

Yeom Sa-in, who was glaring at Jang Sam, sighed.

“You really are…”

“…?”

“…a terrible person.”

Meanwhile, Kang Wi-ryong, who had lost the bet with Yeom Sa-in and hurriedly left the scene, was becoming increasingly dumbfounded as he thought about it.

Looking back on the series of events involving Yeom Sa-in, he couldn’t help but suspect that the man had figured out his tendencies and induced him to make the bet.

‘Old ginger is spicy…’ [idiom: older people are wiser/more cunning]

Indeed, a master craftsman with such outstanding skills couldn’t possibly be foolish.

He must have gone through his own share of ups and downs, not just grown old in vain.

Cho Ak-ryang, who stood shoulder to shoulder with him as one of the Five Greats of the World.

The fact that he was his childhood friend meant he was not someone to be taken lightly.

‘Come to think of it?’

This was the first time he had lost a bet to an ordinary scholar who didn’t even know Ilchobansik’s martial arts [a fictional martial art technique].

It would be a lie to say that he wasn’t bitter about having to give away three precious bottles of Dowonhyang.

However, he wasn’t particularly upset or displeased.

His pride was certainly hurt, but on the other hand, a strange sense of competitiveness arose.

‘I will never lose in the next bet.’

With that resolve in his heart, Kang Wi-ryong returned to the brewery and frowned.

He had once again found someone loitering in front of the brewery.

But upon closer inspection, it was someone he knew.

It was then that his eyes met the other person, who had been looking around.

“Have you been well?”

Kang Wi-ryong gave a displeased look to Sa Mu-sim, who was politely asking after his well-being.

“Come to think of it, you also won a bet against me once.”

“Excuse me?”

“Never mind. What brings you here?”

Sa Mu-sim, who had been tilting his head, smiled and opened his mouth.

“The Muwi Pavilion will officially open in fifteen days. As befitting the occasion, I was wondering if it would be a good idea to showcase Dowonhyang that day.”

“Muwi Pavilion?”

“Including lodging facilities and pleasure houses, all the way to gambling dens… It’s a special district filled with entertainment facilities, designed with an emphasis on trade with the Western Regions.”

Sa Mu-sim continued to persuade him with a confident look.

“Through the Muwi Pavilion, Dowonhyang’s reputation will soon spread to the Western Regions. It will not only be the finest liquor in the Central Plains but will be reborn as the finest liquor in the world.”

Since Kang Wi-ryong had already made a promise with Dan Ak-seon, he readily nodded.

“The preparations are complete. Come in the morning on the day and I will give it to you.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Wi-ryong called out to Sa Mu-sim, who was turning to leave after giving his greetings.

“By the way, your aura has changed a lot since I last saw you.”

His gaze, his spirit, and even his quite prominent presence.

He was not the Sujeongwiya [Water Crystal Demon, a title] he had known before.

“I have been secluded in the Sinma Valley for some time, training with others.”

“Others? Don’t tell me…?”

“You’re probably thinking of the right people.”

“The Sinmasamjon [Three Demons of Sinma Valley, a group of powerful martial artists] are training now?”

Kang Wi-ryong muttered to himself for a moment before asking as if testing the waters.

“So? Was there any progress?”

“Who are you referring to?”

“Those idiot brothers and the Ice Demon.”

Sa Mu-sim smiled and replied.

“How dare I fathom their realm?”

Although he said that, Kang Wi-ryong could sense that Sa Mu-sim was hiding something.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

After bowing his head and giving his greetings, Sa Mu-sim left the premises and disappeared, and Kang Wi-ryong belatedly let out a groan.

“I can’t let that Beom Ga catch up to me, at least…”

Not to mention Cho Ak-ryang, who was vying for the top spot among the Five Greats of the World, and Han Seol-hwa, who was also recognized as a master.

But to give the title of the Five Greats of the World to someone like Beom Gye-wi?

Of course, such a thing could not and should not happen, but he couldn’t help but feel anxious.

“Should I go into secluded training too?”

Kang Wi-ryong began to seriously contemplate for the first time in a while.

* * *

Fifteen days later.

The Muwi Pavilion officially held its opening ceremony.

Pa pa pa pang!

Fireworks exploded in various places, and performances including lion dances were in full swing in the marketplace.

Muwi, which was in a festive atmosphere, was packed with crowds, making it virtually impossible to find a place to stand.

In particular, foreigners, who were several times more numerous than usual, stood out.

They were all Western merchants who had successfully concluded deals with the Sinma Merchant Guild.

Originally, they were supposed to return home as soon as they finished trading, pressed for time.

However, they willingly delayed their journey due to the entertainment and various attractions offered by the Muwi Pavilion.

In addition, Western merchants who were visiting Muwi for the first time to forge new deals with the Sinma Merchant Guild joined them, creating such an exotic scene that it was hard to believe this was Central Plains.

From the Semu people [historical term for various Central Asian and Western Asian people] with red hair and blue eyes to the Kunlun slaves [historical term for slaves from Southeast Asia and South Asia] with black skin from the Parang Kingdom in the extreme south of Hugwang.

As many different races as there were, different clothes, languages, and cultures were mixed together, creating a scene reminiscent of a completely different world.

For that reason, the busiest person was Neung So-mil.

As the de facto administrative head of Muwi, he had to personally take care of the opening ceremony and oversee the subsequent events.

Western merchant guilds that had been trading with them for a long time sent people and gifts to congratulate them, and key figures from the political world, including the imperial family, were arriving one after another, making him even more 정신이 없었다 [jeongsin-i eopseotda – extremely busy/overwhelmed].

Then, at one moment.

The crowd in Muwi, which had been so dense that not even a needle could be inserted, parted to both sides like a receding tide.

And one person stepped into the gap.

It was Dan Ak-seon.