The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 368

Throughout the return to Muwi, Dan Ahk-seon was lost in deep thought.

His gaze and expression were so heavy that even the jovial Beom Gye-wi couldn’t easily strike up a conversation.

The one who broke the long silence was Cho Ahk-ryang.

“Don’t worry. Now that the Beggars’ Sect has set its sights, they will soon find traces of the Demonic Sect.”

As if waiting for those words, Beom Gye-wi nodded.

“That’s right, Doctor Dan. Even if they seem a bit clumsy, they never miss prey they’ve once marked. Cho hyung [older brother/friend] and I know that better than anyone. You know? We were once in the Beggars’ Sect.”

“Why are you bringing that up again? As if it’s something to be proud of.”

Just as Beom Gye-wi was about to bristle at Cho Ahk-ryang’s rebuke, Dan Ahk-seon spoke.

“The scope is definitely narrowing.”

Cho Ahk-ryang stared silently at Dan Ahk-seon.

Dan Ahk-seon’s expression was still serious.

Only then did Cho Ahk-ryang realize that the reason for Dan Ahk-seon’s worries wasn’t just about the Demonic Sect.

“Is there something else troubling you?”

Dan Ahk-seon sighed softly.

“The Green Forest… no, the movements of the Chief Bandit Leader are bothering me.”

“Should I go and smash them to pieces right now?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s words, Dan Ahk-seon shook his head.

“What good would that do? The poppy powder is probably already circulating in the market.”

Moreover, there was something else he was more concerned about.

“The poppy field we saw alone would have yielded a considerable harvest. But there’s no way that’s the only cultivation site.”

Cho Ahk-ryang nodded.

In fact, his thoughts weren’t much different from Dan Ahk-seon’s.

“What that guy said about the Green Forest’s recent troubles must be true. They must have made an unreasonable move to protect the Chief Bandit Leader’s authority.”

“That’s probably it. Their reputation has already fallen greatly.”

The existing Ten Evils system had already collapsed.

Moreover, they had entrusted themselves to Muwi for survival.

As a result, the Shinma Merchant Guild was freely entering and exiting the Green Forest’s territory.

That alone was greatly shaking the Green Forest’s status.

Naturally, the dissatisfaction of the mountain bandits scattered throughout the Central Plains was increasing, and Evil Tiger Lord had to appease his subordinate bandit leaders somehow.

It was then that Beom Gye-wi interjected with an indifferent expression.

“Why are you so worried? It’s just bad guys doing bad things.”

“Then which is worse, the Demonic Sect or the Green Forest?”

The three were taken aback by Dan Ahk-seon’s sudden question.

“Is there even any comparison?”

“Of course, it’s the Demonic Sect.”

“…….”

Although she didn’t say it, Han Seol-hwa also nodded in agreement.

However, Dan Ahk-seon’s thoughts were different.

“From my perspective, both are the worst, but if I had to choose the worse one, I’d say it’s the Green Forest. Poppy powder puts more people at risk than the Demonic Sect.”

Even if a full-scale war broke out with the Demonic Sect, most of those who would die or be injured would be martial artists.

On the other hand, the harm caused by poppy powder doesn’t discriminate between martial artists and ordinary people.

“Evil Tiger Lord has definitely crossed the line.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Instead of just talking, let’s wipe them out for good.”

At Cho Ahk-ryang and Beom Gye-wi’s words, Han Seol-hwa also stopped walking in silence.

She was ready to draw her sword at any moment if Dan Ahk-seon gave the word.

“Will the Green Forest disappear if we deal with Evil Tiger Lord?”

The three couldn’t answer Dan Ahk-seon’s question.

Besides the Beggars’ Sect and the Hao Gate.

The group with the largest number of people in the Central Plains was the Green Forest.

No matter how determined the Shinma Three Venerables were, it was impossible to wipe them out completely from the start.

“If the survivors hide in the shadows, more problems could arise. The Shinma Merchant Guild will be the first to suffer the damage.”

The Green Forest’s tenacious vitality was like weeds.

No matter how much you thin them out, someone will take their place again.

No one could guarantee that they would take a cooperative stance with the Shinma Merchant Guild like they do now.

Rather, since they had become enemies, there was a high possibility that they would openly antagonize them.

It was fortunate that Evil Tiger Lord was in control now, but once the command system collapsed, everyone would surely bare their greedy fangs at the Shinma Merchant Guild.

“First, I need to see the poppy powder that the Green Forest is distributing with my own eyes.”

Cho Ahk-ryang expressed his doubts.

“In person? Couldn’t you just leave it to Branch Leader Neung or Sub-Patriarch So?”

“They won’t be able to grasp how dangerous the poppy powder has been made as well as I can.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

As Cho Ahk-ryang nodded, Dan Ahk-seon asked.

“Is there a way for me to check it myself?”

“Well, that’s not difficult.”

Cho Ahk-ryang nodded.

The moment he heard Dan Ahk-seon’s words, he immediately thought of one group.

There was no information group more specialized than them in digging into the darkest depths.

Five days later.

Dan Ahk-seon and the Shinma Three Venerables entered Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.

Cho Ahk-ryang, who was guiding the group, headed straight for the street lined with numerous brothels without hesitation.

It was just as the sun was setting and the brothels were starting their business in earnest, so red lanterns were hung everywhere along the street.

Also, as a place that sells alcohol and laughter, it was bustling with all sorts of people.

The courtesans, who hid the hardships of life with thick makeup, seduced customers with smiles and coquetry, and the touts argued with customers haggling over prices.

A drunkard who had already passed out in a corner of the street was also visible, and occasionally, curses and the sound of furniture breaking leaked out from inside the brothels.

A chaotic space where the pungent smell of powder and food, along with all sorts of foul odors and songs, were mixed together.

Han Seol-hwa, who faced the blatant red-light district, frowned without realizing it.

Beom Gye-wi chuckled at the sight.

“Why don’t you go and meet Hwasan’s Malco?”

“Why? Is Hwa-ryeong secretly trying to go to a brothel?”

Beom Gye-wi jumped at Han Seol-hwa’s retort.

“Don’t say such a terrible thing! Now, the only woman in my life is Hwa-ryeong! Well, if it’s for Doctor Dan, I can close my eyes and go for a moment…”

Han Seol-hwa, who glared at Beom Gye-wi, who trailed off vaguely, pulled Dan Ahk-seon towards her.

In the moment that Beom Gye-wi flinched at Han Seol-hwa’s chilling gaze.

Cho Ahk-ryang looked at Han Seol-hwa with concern.

“No matter what you see in the future, you must never act first.”

Han Seol-hwa coldly retorted.

“Do you think I’m like you guys?”

At that moment, Cho Ahk-ryang and Beom Gye-wi exchanged meaningful glances.

“Hehe. Let’s see if you can endure it.”

Han Seol-hwa glared at Beom Gye-wi, but Beom Gye-wi, who had already gone ahead, turned around and disappeared into the dark back alley.

Han Seol-hwa, who followed him silently, was soon faced with a crisis.

“Oh! How can there be such a beauty (尤物) [yowu: alluring woman] here?”

It was because of a middle-aged man who was drunk and had a flushed face, making advances towards her.

“How much will it cost? Huh? How much will it cost? I’ll gladly embrace you today… Heup!”

The middle-aged man, who was staggering towards Han Seol-hwa, trembled as if struck by lightning.

It was because the moment he met Han Seol-hwa’s gaze, he was immediately breathless.

It was then that Beom Gye-wi threw a word.

“You can’t stand it, can you?”

“……!”

Han Seol-hwa, startled, lowered her hand that was about to strike and groaned lowly.

Then, with a frustrated look, she took out a veil and covered her face.

But the crisis didn’t end with that one time.

The alley was relatively secluded and had few people.

There were all sorts of garbage and vomit.

There were even people urinating against the wall.

Han Seol-hwa shuddered for a long time at the stench and filthy scenery that vibrated in all directions.

Eventually, Han Seol-hwa, unable to bear it any longer, snapped at the other two.

“Where the hell are we going?”

Cho Ahk-ryang smiled bitterly at her sharp gaze.

In fact, it was amazing that she had endured this much given her personality.

“Han nuna [term of endearment for older sister], why don’t you just wait at the inn?”

“…….”

“We have to go much further, but if you’re already like this…”

Han Seol-hwa paused at those words.

“Absolutely no brothels. If you don’t come back within half an hour, I’ll come looking for you.”

“I promise. I’ll thoroughly monitor Beom Gye-wi so he can’t do anything foolish.”

At those words, Han Seol-hwa reluctantly nodded.

She could trust Cho Ahk-ryang’s promise, even if she couldn’t trust anyone else.

Beom Gye-wi grinned, baring his teeth at the sight of Han Seol-hwa disappearing in an instant without looking back.

“Good! Half an hour is enough. Doctor Dan, where do you like to go?”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been looking around all the way here. There must be a brothel that caught your eye. Personally, I like a place called Cheonhyangnu.”

Just as Cho Ahk-ryang was about to frown and say something to Beom Gye-wi.

Dan Ahk-seon spoke first.

“Ah! I remember. I’ve been bothered by it all along.”

“Right? Then let’s go there…”

“Even though I only passed by briefly, there were many people with bad complexions. If it can’t be covered up with thick makeup, then the disease they have is by no means light.”

Beom Gye-wi flinched for a moment.

The memory of taking Dan Ahk-seon to a brothel flashed through his mind.

“No. Now that I think about it, I have to keep my promise, even if the other person is a witch.”

Beom Gye-wi immediately changed his attitude.

But he still smacked his lips as if he was still disappointed.

Soon, the three arrived at the end of the alley, turned around a bend, and changed direction.

Then, an even narrower alley appeared.

But the scenery that unfolded was completely different from before.

The dirty appearance had disappeared without a trace, and instead, a neat road with neat bricks laid on the floor appeared.

Moreover, only this place was not lit up, so it was shrouded in deep darkness.

Only then did Dan Ahk-seon realize the meaning of the glances that Cho Ahk-ryang and Beom Gye-wi had exchanged.

“Did you deliberately come to the back alley to get rid of Han ajumma [respectful term for older woman]?”

Cho Ahk-ryang nodded.

“It seemed like it was a place that didn’t suit Han nuna.”

After a while.

Cho Ahk-ryang, who had reached a small door at the end of the alley, carefully observed a red bell hanging at the entrance.

“It seems like we’ve come to the right place.”

“What is this place?”

“This is the Xi’an branch of the Hao Gate (下五門) [Xia Wumen: Lower Five Gates, a network of lower-class professions].”

Dan Ahk-seon was startled.

Although they are classified as a sect, they were an organization that was ambiguous to call a sect.

In fact, the Hao Gate was a kind of union formed by the lowest classes of society.

The coachmen and boatmen, the shop clerks, and the porters and courtesans.

The Hao Gate is named after taking one letter from each of their occupations.

However, currently, pickpockets, thieves, gamblers, and swindlers also belonged to the Hao Gate.

So, it was sometimes called by the derogatory name Hao Gate (下汚門) [Xia Wumen: Lower Filthy Gates].

Nevertheless, the status of the Hao Gate in the Murim world was by no means low.

Although they couldn’t use force, they were an information organization with a long history along with the Beggars’ Sect.

In particular, since the members all had despised occupations, their sense of unity and cooperation was unparalleled.

“Are they distributing poppy powder?”

“They may or may not be. But if such a thing is circulating on the streets, they will definitely be aware of it.”

If it was just the amount of information they handled, regardless of the quality, the Hao Gate boasted the largest amount in the Central Plains.

Even sects with their own information gathering capabilities would pay the Hao Gate for information.

This is because the quality of information can be further improved through cross-validation.

Moreover, the source of the information is the lower class of the bottom.

They were the ones who faced the darkest depths up close.

It was then that a voice was heard from the deep darkness.

“Identify yourself.”