The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 110

Bum Gye-wi chuckled.

“It’s too late to act cool now.”

Bum Gye-wi cracked his neck, making a popping sound, and steeled his resolve.

“Now that it’s come to this, let’s have a proper fight. I’m starting to reach my limit with tolerating these Murim Alliance bastards.”

Formidable killing intent poured from Bum Gye-wi’s eyes.

“They’ll have to pay the price for pulling a sleeping tiger’s whiskers.”

“Are you that tiger, by any chance?”

“No? Two of them.”

Bum Gye-wi grinned and pointed at Cho Ak-ryang.

“The rickety tiger.”

Then he pointed at himself.

“The healthy tiger.”

Bum Gye-wi, who had been joking around, tilted his head.

“Should we include the witch too?”

“The three of us shouldn’t be easily defeated. I’m just worried that Doctor Dan’s efforts will be in vain.”

“He’ll be even sadder if we leave or die. There must be another way.”

Cho Ak-ryang gave him a strange look.

He usually seemed to live without a care in the world, but Bum Gye-wi occasionally offered surprisingly insightful answers, almost like a wake-up call, which Cho Ak-ryang found remarkable.

Cho Ak-ryang smiled and nodded.

“Yeah. I’m too embarrassed to say I want to leave now.”

At that moment, Dan Ak-seon entered the inn.

“I’m back.”

“Huh? Why are you alone?”

At Bum Gye-wi’s question, Dan Ak-seon looked puzzled.

“I went out alone, didn’t I?”

“Ah, right. You did?”

Bum Gye-wi laughed awkwardly.

Dan Ak-seon was unaware that Han Seol-hwa had secretly followed him.

“I met the Beggars’ Union Chief today.”

Cho Ak-ryang’s face lit up with interest.

“The Beggars’ Union Chief?”

“Yes.”

Dan Ak-seon explained the conversation he’d had with Lee Rip.

Cho Ak-ryang wore a puzzled expression as he listened.

At first, he thought they had come to help the Murim Alliance, but as he listened, the Chief seemed quite friendly to Dan Ak-seon.

With the Beggars’ Union’s intelligence network, they couldn’t be unaware of their presence beside Dan Ak-seon. Since they were part of the Nine Great Sects, it would be natural for them to be hostile towards them…

“I’ll go prepare the medicine.”

As Dan Ak-seon disappeared into the room, Cho Ak-ryang frowned.

‘What are they thinking?’

He couldn’t grasp the Beggars’ Union’s intentions.

On the other hand, Bum Gye-wi was still distractedly looking around.

“What are you doing?”

“It seems the witch’s martial arts have improved.”

“…?”

“I can’t sense her presence anywhere.”

Cho Ak-ryang chuckled.

“Do you know what you and Han Seol-hwa have in common?”

Cho Ak-ryang said to Bum Gye-wi, who looked puzzled.

“You’re both not very good at hiding your presence.”

Since venturing into the Jianghu [the martial arts world], the two of them hadn’t had much experience encountering dangerous enemies. They had always confidently strode about, so they lacked the knack for concealing or erasing their presence, and in fact, there was no reason to do so.

“No way? Don’t you remember when we went to the Murim Alliance? No one recognized me then.”

“That’s because you were overshadowed by Han Seol-hwa’s presence.”

“What about when we went to the Shaolin Temple?”

“There were a lot of incense pilgrims then. It was noisy too.”

Only then did Bum Gye-wi smile in relief.

“I was worried for nothing.”

Cho Ak-ryang said nonchalantly.

“She probably has something to take care of separately.”

Cho Ak-ryang was right.

At that moment, Han Seol-hwa was waiting for someone at the entrance of the village.

After confirming that Dan Ak-seon had returned to the inn, Han Seol-hwa returned and pressed Lee Rip for information.

That’s why she couldn’t just go back.

She had something to do.

Her wait was worth it, as a group of people running towards the village came into Han Seol-hwa’s view from afar.

Han Seol-hwa’s eyes narrowed.

As the distance closed, she could see the face of Namgung Baek at the head of the group. Dressed in light martial attire, Namgung Baek was accompanied by only a minimal number of attendants.

Namgung Baek stopped short upon discovering Han Seol-hwa.

He had expected to encounter her, but he hadn’t expected her to be waiting for him like this.

Slowing down, Namgung Baek, face to face with Han Seol-hwa, cast a complicated gaze.

After a moment, Namgung Baek bowed his head.

“Namgung Baek, a junior in the Murim world, greets Grand Senior.”

Han Seol-hwa opened her mouth.

“Three days.”

“…?”

Han Seol-hwa cast a resolute gaze towards Namgung Baek, who looked puzzled.

“Come in three days.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means exactly what it says.”

Making eye contact with Namgung Baek, Han Seol-hwa continued.

“They won’t run away or hide.”

Namgung Baek’s eyebrows twitched.

‘Did she know why we were coming?’

As Namgung Baek sorted out his thoughts about where the information had leaked, he clicked his tongue.

‘The Beggars’ Union, perhaps.’

Namgung Baek let out a light sigh.

“You probably know why I came here as well?”

When Han Seol-hwa nodded, Namgung Baek spoke calmly.

“I just need confirmation. Is there really a need to waste three days?”

“It’s necessary.”

“Why?”

“Because the result won’t change.”

Han Seol-hwa gazed at Namgung Baek with a firm will.

“But it’s invaluable time for someone.”

At this moment, a man who had been standing silently behind Namgung Baek stepped forward.

It was Yang Bul-wi, the leader of the Changcheon Unit.

“Alliance Leader, Yang dares to say a word.”

When Namgung Baek turned to look at him, Yang Bul-wi opened his mouth.

“The Alliance Leader carries all the authority of this Alliance. Moreover, you are currently on official duty. No matter how eminent, no one can dare to interfere with the Alliance Leader’s actions.”

Then, he glared at Han Seol-hwa with a displeased look.

Namgung Baek chuckled.

He understood the loyalty of the man who had been protecting him for so long, but the woman in front of him was a completely different being from the old men called eminents.

Above all, her level of martial arts.

It was a display of courage because he didn’t know how absurdly monstrous she was.

“Step back.”

“But…”

When Namgung Baek silently stared at him, Yang Bul-wi sighed and stepped back.

Namgung Baek turned to Han Seol-hwa again.

“Is that a warning?”

A faint smile, barely visible, appeared on Han Seol-hwa’s face.

“No. Let’s just call it advice.”

“What happens if I don’t take that advice?”

In an instant, Han Seol-hwa’s atmosphere changed.

The gentle smile had disappeared without a trace, replaced by an icy cold gaze.

“You’ll have to face me before you meet them.”

Namgung Baek’s eyes flickered strangely.

Still, just in case.

He couldn’t help but consider the possibility.

If, as Zhuge Lian claimed, the doctors Ak Gong and Ak Il were Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi?

With their current strength, even those two would be a difficult match.

He couldn’t afford to turn her into an enemy in a situation where he couldn’t guarantee a clear victory.

“I’ll take that advice.”

At those words, Han Seol-hwa quietly smiled.

‘Like begets like…’

Namgung Baek’s spirit, maintaining his composure even against her, was no less than his father, who had faced the Demonic Cult’s offensive alone in the past.

Namgung Baek, who was already rewriting the history of the family with martial arts surpassing the previous head of the family, was receiving such evaluations.

On top of that, he possessed prudence and patience.

It was no mere coincidence that he had become the Murim Alliance Leader.

* * *

The next morning.

As soon as day broke, Dan Ak-seon left the inn.

“I’ll be back for lunch!”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled contentedly as he watched Dan Ak-seon’s disappearing back, running as if flying.

“Is he that happy?”

“Well, it’s his first friend…”

At Bum Gye-wi’s words, Cho Ak-ryang scoffed.

“He did have one. A rabbit friend. Someone ate it, though.”

“…!”

Bum Gye-wi glared with wide eyes.

“Did I eat it alone? Brother Cho ate it too! And how would I know that?!”

Ignoring Bum Gye-wi, who was shouting with an aggrieved expression, Cho Ak-ryang turned his gaze to Han Seol-hwa.

“Did you buy three days for Doctor Dan?”

Han Seol-hwa nodded.

“Because he’s a child who deserves to enjoy happiness.”

Even if it’s only for a moment.

And so, on the third day.

Two people came to the inn.

It was Lee Rip and Hong Jeok-mun.

They had come early to meet Dan Ak-seon, who was visiting the Wudang Sect to receive the signatures for the alliance letter.

Undeniable tension appeared on the faces of the two men as they encountered Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi up close.

In particular, Hong Jeok-mun, who was responsible for the safety of the Chief, had an unusually stiff expression.

On the other hand, Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi were relaxed.

Bum Gye-wi glanced at Hong Jeok-mun and casually spat out a word.

“Is that the Quicksilver Justice? He looks weaker than I thought.”

A flash of light erupted from Hong Jeok-mun’s eyes at the blatant disregard for him.

Cho Ak-ryang smiled and spoke to him.

“Don’t mind him. He’s just a guy who blurts out words without thinking.”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”
Hong Jeok-mun bowed his head.

Apart from his notoriety in the Jianghu, Cho Ak-ryang was an absolute master who held a place among the Five Great Masters. Moreover, he, along with Shaolin’s Beop-ryo and himself, were collectively called the Three Great Knights of the Central Plains.

That alone was a great honor for him.

In comparison, it seemed like he could definitely try to compete with Bum Gye-wi.

Cho Ak-ryang couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly as he read Hong Jeok-mun’s eyes.

Indeed, how many people in the Jianghu would truly know Bum Gye-wi’s true strength? Most of the people who knew it had long since become unreturning guests.

“Then, go and come back safely.”

Han Seol-hwa neatly smoothed out Dan Ak-seon’s clothes.

“I’ll be back.”

Dan Ak-seon, holding the alliance letter preciously, headed to Wudang Mountain under the protection of Lee Rip and Hong Jeok-mun. It wasn’t long after they had sent Dan Ak-seon away with the two men.

A man entered the inn.

It was Namgung Baek.

He had left all his guards and attendants far away, holding only a sword in his hand.

“Have you come?”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled and greeted Namgung Baek.

It wasn’t long before they faced each other across a table.

“Sit down.”

Namgung Baek silently sat on the chair Cho Ak-ryang had offered.

Thud.

Namgung Baek placed his sword on the table.

At the same time, a chilling killing intent arose from Bum Gye-wi’s eyes. However, Namgung Baek was not pushed back in terms of momentum.

A suffocating tension, stretched so taut that it seemed like it would break at any moment, settled in the room.

How much time had passed like that?

“There are those who call you Blood Demon Lord and Mangsang Choja [Wandering Madman]. Is that correct?”

Namgung Baek asked directly.

“What do you think?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Namgung Baek sighed.

He had already realized the identities of the two men as soon as he entered the inn.

It was because of the presence of the two men, which was clearly different from when they had encountered them in the Murim Alliance.

Namgung Baek shifted his gaze to Han Seol-hwa.

“You deceived me.”

“What would have changed if I had told you as it was?”

As a deep suspicion arose in Namgung Baek’s eyes, Cho Ak-ryang added.

“If we had revealed from the beginning that we were the Ten Great Evils, would you have been able to refuse?”

“…!”

Namgung Baek’s eyes wavered.

Cho Ak-ryang was right.

At the time, the only hope to save his daughter, whose life was in danger, was only them.

If he had known this?

Could he have given up his daughter’s life anyway?

“…”

Namgung Baek’s silence grew longer.

But only for a moment, Namgung Baek slowly moved his hand and gripped his sword.