The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 380

Everyone present knew that the Green Forest Assembly wouldn’t end so easily.

Above all, the atmosphere among the chiefs was unsettling.

The absence of Evil Tiger Lord, who had led the Green Forest with overwhelming force and authority, brought about a great deal of chaos.

The most influential person in the Green Forest was Jeon Gwang, whom Evil Tiger Lord had designated as his successor.

Leading the reformist faction with a firm stance, he advocated for the reconstruction of the Green Forest.

His argument that they should sever ties with the Divine Merchant Guild, regardless of the cost, and restore the Green Forest’s independent status as before, gained the support of many.

On the other hand, the conservative faction, mainly composed of those who followed Evil Tiger Lord, had a different opinion.

They believed that strengthening internal unity and solidifying their position based on the current stable situation was the top priority, rather than enduring unnecessary sacrifices.

And then there was the moderate faction, maintaining neutrality and observing the situation.

Although their power was the smallest, if they joined hands with the conservative faction, they could build a force that surpassed the reformist faction.

Therefore, Jeon Gwang, who dreamed of becoming the new Chief Chieftain, couldn’t afford to ignore them.

“I believe everyone here is aware…”

Jeon Gwang, who cautiously opened the conversation, gazed at each of the chiefs filling the conference hall as he continued.

“The most important issue of today’s Green Forest Assembly is to elect a new Chief Chieftain.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jeon Gwang took something out of his pocket and showed it to the assembly.

It was the Dark Iron Badge, symbolizing the authority of the Chief Chieftain, which he had received from Evil Tiger Lord.

Jeon Gwang, who checked the faces of the murmuring chiefs, subtly raised a smile.

Even though the position of Chief Chieftain was elected through the agreement of the chiefs, the legitimacy couldn’t be ignored.

He, who had been recognized by the predecessor, was bound to be in a favorable position.

It was then.

“Where is the Chief Chieftain? We need to hear directly from him whether what the former Chief says is true.”

Jeon Gwang, frowning, looked towards the source of the voice.

The conservative faction that followed Evil Tiger Lord.

Jeon Gwang, who met the gaze of Dam Ga-jin, the chief of Bokwoo Stronghold who led them, slowly shook his head.

“The Chief Chieftain has already declared his retirement and returned to being a free man.”

“Then there’s no way to prove that the Chief Chieftain designated the former Chief as his successor, is there?”

“Here is a letter written by him personally.”

“Hmm…”

Dam Ga-jin, who received the letter from Jeon Gwang and verified its authenticity, groaned lowly.

There was no room for rebuttal.

Evil Tiger Lord’s handwriting was clear, and the content was not much different from what Jeon Gwang claimed.

But there was still a problem.

“The position of Chief Chieftain cannot be ascended through succession. Even if the Chief Chieftain designated the former Chief, there is no rule that we must follow it.”

Jeon Gwang nodded with a relaxed expression at Dam Ga-jin’s rebuttal.

“Of course. I have no intention of ignoring our Green Forest’s traditions either.”

The Green Forest was a union of mountain strongholds.

Therefore, in order to obtain the proper qualifications to lead everyone, the consent of more than half of the chiefs was required.

The reason why Jeon Gwang readily agreed to Dam Ga-jin’s words was because of this.

It was because he already believed that he had secured the support of more than half of the chiefs.

“Then how about we proceed right away?”

Jeon Gwang asked again, looking around.

“Is there anyone here who wants to run as a candidate for the new Chief Chieftain?”

Dam Ga-jin inwardly sighed at Jeon Gwang’s confident eyes and attitude.

The conservative chiefs who supported him in this place were only four.

If he gained the support of the moderate faction, the possibility of being elected wouldn’t be completely absent, but he wondered if they would take the risk of antagonizing Jeon Gwang.

Above all, the conservative and moderate factions didn’t get along well.

They were the ones who had been most discriminated against and ignored when Evil Tiger Lord ruled the Green Forest.

The reason why Evil Tiger Lord could become the Chief Chieftain in the first place was because of his overwhelming martial arts.

He wasn’t the type to govern his subordinates with virtue, and he valued the hierarchical order of command above all else.

However, Waho Stronghold, which maintained close relationships with other mountain strongholds due to its geographical conditions, couldn’t be ignored.

For this reason, Evil Tiger Lord also paid attention to his words and actions when dealing with them.

On the other hand, the moderate faction was located relatively on the outskirts of the Central Plains, so their influence on the entire Green Forest was extremely insignificant.

For this reason, they always had to bear unreasonable decisions without daring to express their dissatisfaction.

Because of the history of enduring losses until now, there was no way they would support them.

“No one?”

Jeon Gwang smiled and nodded.

“I’m the only candidate, so it seems like we just need to decide on approval or disapproval. Then…”

“Wait.”

Cutting off Jeon Gwang’s words, one person stepped forward.

A person that no one in this place had expected.

Im Cheol-ryeong, the chief of Geo-woong Stronghold, located in the most remote area.

Even Jeon Gwang wore an unexpected expression because he didn’t expect him, a representative of the moderate faction, to step forward like this.

“Before deciding on approval or disapproval, I have something I want to ask the former Chief.”

At those words, Jeon Gwang turned his head and looked towards Dam Ga-jin.

‘It’s clear that they didn’t have a secret agreement.’

At first, he thought that the conservative and moderate factions had coordinated in advance, but looking at their expressions, it was clear that they were also embarrassed.

Jeon Gwang pondered for a moment.

If he forced it, he could push through the vote, but Im Cheol-ryeong wasn’t someone he could simply ignore.

As the saying goes, old ginger is spicy [meaning experienced people are not to be underestimated].

Although he was the chief of a remote stronghold, he had been involved in the Green Forest for longer than anyone else.

While the Chief Chieftain had changed three times, he had still been leading Geo-woong Stronghold as a chief, no different from the living history of the Green Forest.

“Speak. I will listen to my senior’s words.”

In response to Jeon Gwang’s polite answer, Im Cheol-ryeong asked.

“If the former Chief is elected as the Chief Chieftain, how do you intend to lead our Green Forest in the future?”

Jeon Gwang, who had been slightly nervous, smiled in relief.

“The current Green Forest has lost its former status and its reputation is hitting rock bottom. I will no longer stand idly by. I will restore the Green Forest to its original form, no matter the cost.”

The chiefs of the reformist faction, who had been harboring dissatisfaction due to Evil Tiger Lord’s decision, nodded in agreement.

But soon after, they stared at Im Cheol-ryeong with surprised eyes.

It was because he had brought up unexpected words.

“I heard that there is a proposal for the Green Forest to gain great benefits without any sacrifice?”

Im Cheol-ryeong opened his mouth again, as if questioning Jeon Gwang, who was hesitating.

“Why are you hiding that fact?”

Confusion arose above the chiefs’ eyes at Jeon Gwang’s appearance, unable to speak in embarrassment.

It was a story they had never heard of.

“I heard that the Divine Merchant Guild and the Armed Escort Alliance have decided to pay higher tributes and tolls than before as a sign of respecting our territory and authority. I know that there have already been specific discussions between the Divine Merchant Guild and the Chief Chieftain regarding this matter. If the Chief Chieftain designated the former Chief as his successor, he must have mentioned this fact as well.”

Muttering.

Jeon Gwang’s complexion hardened as the commotion spread among the chiefs.

“That’s not a matter to be mentioned in this place!”

Unlike Jeon Gwang, whose voice had risen, Im Cheol-ryeong’s voice became even calmer.

“You knew about it in advance?”

“……!”

A cold flame erupted from Jeon Gwang’s eyes.

But soon, he put strength into his voice and shouted towards the chiefs.

“Of course. But it wasn’t worth mentioning. That’s because it’s their cunning scheme to subjugate us!”

Im Cheol-ryeong chuckled.

“We are in a position to receive benefits, not to provide them. It doesn’t seem like we are in a position to be subjugated to them from any angle?”

“No matter how sweetly it’s packaged, the result is the same. Chief Im is now inciting the downfall of the Green Forest!”

“What’s the problem? Is there another way for the Green Forest to enjoy prosperity without shedding blood?”

Bang.

Jeon Gwang, who couldn’t stand it any longer, slammed the table and roared.

“Now that I see it, you’ve been bribed by the Divine Merchant Guild and came to this place!”

Some of the chiefs flinched at Jeon Gwang’s fierce momentum.

But Im Cheol-ryeong didn’t back down and retorted.

“The way of being trapped in useless stubbornness and forcing unnecessary sacrifices is not truly the way for the Green Forest.”

“Nonsense! Why don’t you know that the moment we give up our honor and pride for a few coins, we are no longer the Green Forest!”

Jeon Gwang shouted at the top of his lungs.

“In the end, their goal is one. To tame us with money and build a cooperative force that faithfully follows their instructions. In other words, it means they fear us that much.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course!”

Im Cheol-ryeong raised a faint smile at Jeon Gwang’s appearance, nodding and asserting.

“Then we should hear directly from the person involved. What their real intention is.”

“……?”

At the incomprehensible words, Jeon Gwang couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

Someone then entered the conference hall.

It was the Divine Three, led by Dan Ak-seon.

The person who was most embarrassed by their unexpected appearance was none other than Jeon Gwang.

“This is a place where only the chiefs of the Green Forest can enter!”

“I was just invited.”

Jeon Gwang glared at Im Cheol-ryeong with surprised eyes at Dan Ak-seon’s nonchalant answer.

“Could it be that you?”

Im Cheol-ryeong nodded.

“That’s right. I invited them. Because we shouldn’t leave any doubts in the election of the Chief Chieftain, who will determine the future of the Green Forest.”

“……!”

In a fleeting moment, Jeon Gwang changed his expression several times.

Judging from the atmosphere, it was clear that there had already been prior exchanges between them.

‘Did they absorb the moderate faction!’

He never imagined that they would win over and absorb the moderate faction, not the conservative faction within the Green Forest.

“I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”

Dan Ak-seon faced the chiefs and gave a friendly smile.

“Some of you are familiar with me.”

The chiefs who had once stayed in Muwi coughed lowly.

As the place was what it was, they couldn’t openly act friendly, but some of them still gave light nods.

Dan Ak-seon, who confirmed their goodwill, smiled and continued.

“I am confident that I have never deceived or disappointed you while we were together in Muwi. Isn’t that right?”

No one refuted those words.

In fact, their lives in Muwi were satisfactory enough.

“The reason I came to this place is to build a progressive relationship where we and the Green Forest can seek mutual benefit.”

Jeon Gwang scoffed at Dan Ak-seon’s words.

“The person who blocked the sales route of poppy is saying that they are thinking of us, isn’t this a contradiction?”

“If I hadn’t stepped in, you wouldn’t have been able to gather in one place like this to hold a meeting. You would have been busy dealing with the government troops dispatched to eradicate the Green Forest.”

“……!”

Dan Ak-seon, who read the chilling atmosphere of the assembly, immediately got to the point.

“I would like to make a proposal to the chiefs gathered here.”

Dan Ak-seon met the eyes of the chiefs one by one.

Some gave eyes of distrust, while others gave eyes of expectation.

“The Divine Merchant Guild is willing to pay protection money to the Green Forest. Not in the name of tolls or tributes like before, but in the true sense of protection money.”

“What does that mean?”

When someone among the chiefs asked, Dan Ak-seon replied.

“When our guild passes through the Green Forest’s territory, please take the initiative to protect us. From lurking beasts, or sudden waterways or landslides caused by heavy rain, or isolation due to heavy snow. I believe it is possible because you are more familiar with the area than anyone else.”

Dan Ak-seon added, not caring about the chiefs who were exchanging surprised glances.

“I would be even more grateful if you would allow merchant groups staying overnight to stay in the mountain strongholds. You can even create and operate a separate place where lodging is possible. We are willing to provide as much funding as needed.”

In addition to this, Dan Ak-seon mentioned businesses that the Green Forest could carry out.

“If the Green Forest allows us to use the land where they used to cultivate poppy, we are willing to cultivate medicinal herbs there and pay a corresponding price. The amount will be determined including the land usage fee and compensation for reclaiming the rough terrain, so the amount will not be insufficient.”

Jeon Gwang gritted his teeth so hard that they were about to shatter.

Dan Ak-seon’s radical proposal.

It was because a significant number of the chiefs were clearly wavering here.

“Those who have lived in Muwi know well. What a human life is like.”

Dan Ak-seon drove a wedge as he confirmed the shaking eyes of the chiefs.