The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 440

The rear garden, nestled within the Divine Doctor’s [a renowned medical institution] grounds, housed a secluded area.

Beyond it lay a space isolated from the outside world.

It was a place specifically designed for critically ill patients requiring intensive care.

Consequently, most patients residing here teetered on the brink of life and death.

Thus, it was a place where joy and sorrow intertwined multiple times each day.

There, a voice filled with bewilderment echoed.

“This is terrible!”

It was a young, handsome doctor.

He cried out urgently while examining the patient’s condition.

“Summon the head physician! Immediately!”

Leaving behind those who rushed to obey his orders, the young doctor swiftly retrieved needles and inserted them into various acupoints [specific points on the body used in acupuncture] on the patient’s body.

Then, with an anxious expression, he began massaging different areas of the patient’s body.

How much time had passed?

“Ugh!”

The patient, who had been sitting cross-legged, vomited blood and slowly opened his eyes.

A pale face, pale lips, and dark circles under his eyes told a story of suffering.

His emaciated cheeks were sunken, revealing the severity of his illness.

Yet, he smiled at the young doctor before him.

“You don’t need to try so hard, Doctor Ju.”

“…….”

The young doctor was called Doctor Ju.

Pity washed over Ju Jang-myung’s face.

He had dedicated ten years to honing his skills and now possessed abilities that ranked among the best within the Divine Doctor.

However, as always, he was confronted with a sense of helplessness in the face of a patient he couldn’t save.

Despite employing every method at his disposal, the treatment yielded minimal results; in fact, the symptoms seemed to worsen over time.

He barely managed to control the reversing internal energy [qi or vital energy flowing in the body] with needles, but this was merely a temporary solution.

It was insufficient to address the underlying cause.

“Please hold on a little longer. The head physician will be here soon.”

At Ju Jang-myung’s words, Jang Gok wiped the blood from his mouth and offered a weak smile.

“There’s no need to exert yourself. I know my illness better than anyone else.”

It had been a full ten years.

The last battle in Shinji [a fictional or historical location].

The internal injuries he sustained there triggered seizures shortly after his return to Murim [a martial arts world or community].

Moreover, once a chronic disease took root, it proved difficult to eradicate.

“This tiresome illness now sometimes feels like a companion. Perhaps it signifies that my death is near.”

Ju Jang-myung sighed softly at Jang Gok’s resolute gaze.

He longed to offer words of hope, but the stark reality of his inability to do so filled him with bleakness and distress.

Nevertheless, Ju Jang-myung forced a smile.

“Still, that day won’t be today.”

At this moment, his only hope was that Poong Jin-sung would arrive in time, as he had bought some time.

Even as he perspired profusely, Ju Jang-myung didn’t cease his efforts.

He employed the Wihwa Divine Art [a specific medical technique] to channel true energy into Jang Gok’s acupoints, striving to maintain the uninterrupted flow of internal energy.

A faint warmth flickered in Jang Gok’s eyes as he gazed at Ju Jang-myung.

It served as a poignant reminder of the swift passage of time.

The young boy who had been carried on his father’s back to this very place to seek treatment for an incurable disease had now matured to the point where he stood shoulder to shoulder with esteemed doctors like Poong Jin-sung and Ju Cho-un.

‘I wonder how much Doctor Dan has changed too?’

Jang Gok suddenly felt a pang of longing for Dan Ahk-seon.

As he sensed his final moments drawing near, he found himself thinking of Dan Ahk-seon more and more.

‘I wanted to hear his voice before I departed…….’

Jang Gok smiled wistfully and gently raised his hand to place it on Ju Jang-myung’s shoulder.

“That’s enough. What will become of the patients who rely on you if you collapse?”

“But…….”

“I’m finished now. I’ve fulfilled my duty by eradicating the Demonic Sect from this land, so I have no regrets even if I die right now. So please, stop now. You’ve done enough.”

Despite Jang Gok’s pleas, Ju Jang-myung remained steadfast.

“Under no circumstances does a doctor abandon a patient. That’s what I’ve learned, and that’s how I’ll continue to live. So, if you’re concerned about me, focus more on circulating your energy.”

Jang Gok smiled wryly and shook his head.

He sometimes felt that when it came to stubbornness, no ordinary martial artist could compare to a doctor.

Just then.

Bang.

The door burst open, and someone hurried inside.

“Head Physician!”

Poong Jin-sung, nodding in acknowledgment to the welcoming Ju Jang-myung, swiftly took Jang Gok’s pulse and initiated emergency treatment with needles.

“I’m sorry. I was inadequate…….”

Poong Jin-sung smiled at Ju Jang-myung, who trailed off, blaming himself.

“No. You did well. It’s fortunate that you were here; if you hadn’t intervened in time, we would have faced an irreversible situation.”

At this point, Jang Gok fixed his gaze intently on Poong Jin-sung.

His exhausted face was covered in dust and sweat, revealing the haste with which he had rushed over.

“Doctor Poong.”

Poong Jin-sung, meeting Jang Gok’s gaze as he quietly called out to him, frowned at his subsequent words.

“Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to dedicate the time and effort you’re wasting on me to other patients?”

“I despise people who lie.”

Jang Gok, momentarily puzzled, shifted his expression at Poong Jin-sung’s next words.

“Didn’t you promise me? That you would do your utmost to endure until you meet Master Gok again.”

“…….”

“Besides, what about Soha?”

Jang Gok’s eyes twitched.

He couldn’t simply give up and let go of everything, as he still harbored concerns for his young daughter.

The will to live, which had been waning, rekindled once more.

Jang Gok sighed softly.

“Alright. I have to see our Soha get married.”

Poong Jin-sung smiled brightly as he met Jang Gok’s gaze.

“That’s right. Think of the family who are eagerly awaiting Great Warrior Jang’s return, and hold on a little longer. I will definitely find a way to cure you.”

Poong Jin-sung, speaking as if making a vow to himself, turned his head and gestured to Ju Jang-myung.

In response, Ju Jang-myung retrieved a small porcelain bottle from his pocket.

Then, he sprinkled a small amount of powdered medicine contained within the bottle into a small teacup and brought it to Jang Gok’s mouth.

“Don’t be alarmed if you suddenly feel sleepy. It’s a necessary process to stabilize your meridians [pathways in the body through which energy flows], so take a good nap and wake up.”

Jang Gok, nodding, drank the tea with a bitter taste.

Soon, he felt his entire body grow languid.

Poong Jin-sung, carefully laying the drooping Jang Gok on the bed with his eyes closed, cast a fleeting look of pity.

In truth, his condition had deteriorated to the point where it was a miracle he had endured this long.

It was truly a situation where he could cease breathing at any moment.

“There’s really not much time left now.”

The side effects that weren’t addressed in time during the early stages led to Inner Force Deviation [a dangerous imbalance of internal energy], and now the progression was accelerating uncontrollably.

“Please rest for now. I’ll keep a close watch on Great Warrior Jang’s condition.”

Poong Jin-sung shook his head at Ju Jang-myung’s words, who expressed concern for him.

“I’m fine. I can’t rashly abandon my post, as his condition could change suddenly at any moment.”

“Didn’t you say that there’s nothing more foolish than a doctor who can’t take care of himself?”

“I don’t think you’re in a position to say that?”

The two men exchanged a bitter smile as they took in each other’s exhausted appearances. At that moment.

“Doctor, it’s Adoo.”

Poong Jin-sung tilted his head at Adoo’s voice from outside.

There were no scheduled appointments for today.

“What’s going on?”

“I think you should come out and see.”

Poong Jin-sung couldn’t help but feel puzzled by Adoo’s slightly agitated tone, which was uncharacteristic.

However, he understood the reason as soon as he stepped outside.

A tall young man stood behind Adoo.

The moment Poong Jin-sung’s eyes met the young man, who wore a faint smile, he trembled as if struck by lightning.

“Master Gok?”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled brightly at Poong Jin-sung, who was so astonished that he couldn’t utter a word.

“As expected, you recognized me right away, Uncle.”

Dan Ahk-seon was well aware that his appearance had undergone significant changes compared to before.

Still, he had a feeling that Poong Jin-sung would recognize him.

As expected.

The turbulent emotions were evident in Poong Jin-sung’s eyes as he gazed at Dan Ahk-seon.

Divinity and Demonicity [referencing a duality of nature].

The faces of his two masters in their youth were vividly reflected in the face of Dan Ahk-seon standing before him.

Poong Jin-sung hurriedly approached Dan Ahk-seon.

Then, he stumbled and swayed greatly, accidentally misstepping.

Dan Ahk-seon quickly supported the staggering Poong Jin-sung.

The strong arm supporting him.

And the sight of Dan Ahk-seon, who had grown so tall that he now had to look up, left Poong Jin-sung speechless for a moment.

Setting aside the feeling of generational change that washed over him, he couldn’t believe that he was facing Dan Ahk-seon right before his eyes.

After a moment.

“I believed you would return.”

Poong Jin-sung’s eyes were already moist.

The tearful voice conveyed his long-standing worries and longing.

“I’m sorry. Am I too late?”

Poong Jin-sung nodded with a complex expression at Dan Ahk-seon’s apology.

“Over the past ten years, I have personally understood the saying ‘a moment feels like three autumns’.”

“You’ve endured much during that time.”

At that moment, Poong Jin-sung felt a warm energy coursing through his meridians.

“I’m fine.”

Poong Jin-sung protested, but Dan Ahk-seon shook his head with a look of concern.

“Your energy is severely depleted. It will only take a moment, so relax and trust me.”

Immediately after that, a strange light flickered in Poong Jin-sung’s eyes.

The accumulated fatigue vanished completely, replaced by a surge of new vitality, following the invigorating true energy that flowed throughout his body.

Poong Jin-sung looked at Dan Ahk-seon with admiration.

Dan Ahk-seon’s medical skills, which had already completed his pulse diagnosis in that brief moment and, furthermore, swiftly improved his mental and physical state by utilizing his martial arts.

Dan Ahk-seon possessed unique medical skills, as he had in the past.

But now, he could sense that he had taken it a step further and made significant progress.

It was then that Poong Jin-sung, belatedly recalling something, hurriedly spoke.

“Master Gok!”

“Yes?”

“There’s someone I’d like you to examine before me.”

Dan Ahk-seon couldn’t help but feel puzzled by Poong Jin-sung’s actions, suddenly pulling him inside.

But only for a moment.

Dan Ahk-seon let out a groan without realizing it as he saw Jang Gok lying on the bed with his eyes closed.

On the other hand, Ju Jang-myung looked back and forth between Dan Ahk-seon and Poong Jin-sung with surprised eyes.

This was because this area was one of the most strictly guarded places within the Divine Doctor, where the entry of outsiders was forbidden.

However, since Poong Jin-sung had brought him in himself, there must be a valid reason.

And his prediction proved correct.

“……!”

Surprise flashed across Ju Jang-myung’s eyes.

Then, he meticulously observed every action of the unfamiliar outsider, leaving nothing unnoticed.

From the way he began by taking the pulse and examining the patient’s condition, he could sense the ingrained expertise that only a professional could possess.

How much time had passed?

Dan Ahk-seon sighed softly.

“His condition has deteriorated rapidly recently.”

And Ju Jang-myung was startled by Dan Ahk-seon’s next words.

“To have endured for ten years with a body like this…….”

“How did you know that?”

Ju Jang-myung’s eyes widened as he belatedly noticed the needles in Dan Ahk-seon’s hand.

He hadn’t recognized him immediately due to his changed appearance, but he definitely remembered the Seonang needles [a specific type of acupuncture needle] in Dan Ahk-seon’s hand.

Besides…….

The energy emanating from his entire body as the young man channeled his true energy felt all too familiar.

He couldn’t help but recognize it because he had also mastered the Wihwa Divine Art.

“Could it be……?”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled brightly and met Ju Jang-myung’s gaze.

“It’s been a while, Jang-myung.”