The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 116

신마의선 (116)

Bum Gye-wi scoffed.

“The Way, my ass. If thieving is the Way, then murder must be benevolence.”

Except for Dan Ak-seon, no one took Ga Du-dal’s words seriously.

However, Ga Du-dal didn’t care.

“It’s a way to gain both justification and practical benefit.”

“Does it have to be Doctor Dan? Just tell me the location. I’ll get it.”

Ga Du-dal shook his head firmly.

“Only Doctor Dan can do it.”

“Why?”

“Because of the Severing Formation (絶陣) [a type of complex magical barrier] installed there.”

At those words, Dan Ak-seon’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“A Severing Formation?”

Ga Du-dal nodded and continued his explanation to the crowd.

“There’s a unique gap in that formation, barely enough for a child to squeeze through. Unless you’ve mastered the Bone Contraction Skill (縮骨功) [a martial art that allows one to shrink their bones and joints], it’s impossible to sneak in without being detected.”

Lee Rip’s face showed bewilderment.

Places with formations worthy of being called Severing Formations were so rare that you could count them on one hand, even searching the entire Jianghu [the martial arts world].

“Where is it?”

“That’s…”

Ga Du-dal hesitated, then smiled awkwardly and opened his mouth.

“It’s the Cloud Formation Hermitage (雲陣庵).”

“What?”

Lee Rip couldn’t hide his astonishment.

“You must be mad!”

Lee Rip sighed, turning to the crowd who were puzzled by his reaction.

“The Cloud Formation Hermitage is inside the Mount Heng Sect.”

Moreover, it was the most important of important places.

A place where the entry of outsiders was strictly forbidden.

Even members of the Mount Heng Sect needed permission to enter.

It was overseen by Cheoldam Geomgaek (Iron Gall Sword Master) [a title denoting a master swordsman] Yang Il-so, the elder who was next in line after the current sect leader, and he considered the hermitage so important that he personally took charge of its management.

“How can you speak so lightly of violating the rules of a prestigious orthodox sect!”

Ga Du-dal smiled and replied to Lee Rip’s rebuke.

“I’m someone who originally goes around breaking rules.”

“…”

Lee Rip was speechless.

Meanwhile, Han Seol-hwa asked with a puzzled look.

“But why is that divine object in the Mount Heng Sect?”

Cho Ak-ryang chimed in.

“Instead of going to the trouble of stealing it, wouldn’t it be better to just tell them the truth?”

“Why would I?”

Ga Du-dal retorted with a brazen face.

“I have no reason to do that, and even if I did tell them, they wouldn’t believe me. Instead, they’d pin the blame on me and chase after me.”

“Chase after you?”

“Because everyone who knew the truth is dead.”

“…?”

“Who do you think took out the Won Gong Precious Sword?”

Ga Du-dal grinned at the puzzled crowd.

“It’s Yang Il-so.”

Lee Rip was shocked by the words that came out of Ga Du-dal’s mouth.

“He… why?”

He was the martial brother of Jin Jo-un, the current sect leader of the Mount Heng Sect.

Moreover, their brotherhood was known to be very strong.

“I don’t know the inside story.”

It was then.

“But how did you know that, Mister?”

Ga Du-dal readily answered Dan Ak-seon’s question.

“I heard it at a gambling den.”

“A gambling den?”

“Yeah. There was a Mount Heng disciple who was addicted to gambling.”

In the past and even now, Ga Du-dal occasionally visited gambling dens. Of course, it wasn’t for the purpose of enjoying gambling.

“In gambling dens, things are often pawned as collateral for gambling funds.”

Some of them had outstanding value.

“Among the things pawned, there’s also information.”

One day.

While gathering information, hiding on the roof as usual, he overheard a story that caught his attention.

“The guy said that his master was secretly keeping the Won Gong Precious Sword, the divine object of the Mount Heng Sect. He also said that since it was currently an unowned item, he could steal it at any time. But he also said that he would have to risk his life, so he asked for a high price.”

To confirm the truth of the story, Ga Du-dal immediately infiltrated the Cloud Formation Hermitage.

“But I had trouble because of the formation.”

He barely managed to get out, but he almost got caught by Yang Il-so.

“And not long after, people started dying.”

All of them were people who had mentioned or heard about the Won Gong Precious Sword in the gambling den.

“Among the dead was also the Mount Heng disciple who had revealed the location of the Won Gong Precious Sword. Later, I found out that he was Yang Il-so’s disciple. It wasn’t hard to guess who the culprit was.”

“But why didn’t you steal it to the end and give up?”

“Because I didn’t feel it was worth taking the risk. Stealing the Mount Heng Sect’s divine object wouldn’t be of any value to me.”

Dan Ak-seon, recalling what Ga Du-dal had said before, nodded.

“Ah, that’s right. Ga said he was planning to steal the treasures of the Nine Great Sects and exhibit them in the Central Plains, right?”

Ga Du-dal was startled and turned to look at Lee Rip.

Sure enough.

Ga Du-dal, meeting Lee Rip’s fierce gaze with his eyes wide open, cleared his throat and subtly averted his gaze.

After a while.

“Anyway, the best plan is to sneak in secretly and quietly bring it out.”

If he brought back the Won Gong Precious Sword and returned it, the sect leader of the Mount Heng Sect would be grateful and willingly fill in the signature on the alliance list.

There was no need to worry about Yang Il-so either.

Because of his position as an elder, he wouldn’t come forward and confess that he had lost the Won Gong Precious Sword.

People looked at Dan Ak-seon with troubled expressions.

If Ga Du-dal’s opinion was true, it was definitely a good method. But for Dan Ak-seon to step forward personally because of that was a bit…

On the other hand, Ga Du-dal was cheering inwardly.

Stealing isn’t just about secretly taking things.

The true art is elevated when a dramatic story like this is added to the value of the stolen item. And the sense of accomplishment that comes from it is on a different level from the pleasure gained from alcohol and gambling.

‘Hehe. I’ll let you know what it’s like to steal first.’

It is said that there may be people who have never stolen once, but there is no one who has stolen only once.

Dan Ak-seon, unaware of Ga Du-dal’s inner thoughts, began to persuade Cho Ak-ryang, Bum Gye-wi, and Han Seol-hwa.

“Leave it to me. I think this method will cause the least harm to each other.”

“But you’ve never stolen anything before, have you?”

At Han Seol-hwa’s concern, Dan Ak-seon turned to Ga Du-dal.

“Ga will help me, right?”

“Of course.”

Ga Du-dal nodded and shouted excitedly.

“I’ll spare no effort in passing on all my skills!”

Unlike the gleeful Ga Du-dal, Han Seol-hwa had an unwilling expression.

But soon, she let out a soft sigh.

Stubborn eyes of Dan Ak-seon.

It was because she knew his stubborn personality better than anyone else.

The next morning.

As soon as he finished breakfast, Dan Ak-seon began to receive instruction from Ga Du-dal.

Bum Gye-wi, who was watching the scene with a confused expression, suddenly opened his mouth.

“Are we doing the right thing here?”

Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa were also feeling strange.

To even have to learn the art of thievery. It’s difficult enough to master one thing to the extreme, but now they have to learn even miscellaneous skills.

But Dan Ak-seon himself was displaying terrifying concentration.

The pickpocketing techniques he received from Ga Du-dal.

Dan Ak-seon’s face was very serious as he practiced them.

Moreover…

“Look at that. He’s already improved that much.”

Dan Ak-seon was practicing moving the bell he had received from Ga Du-dal last time without making a sound.

But unlike before, there was almost no sound now.

“Excellent!”

Even Ga Du-dal exclaimed in admiration.

Dan Ak-seon’s skill in silently taking out the bell hidden in his sleeve was flawless even in the eyes of the world’s greatest thief, a truly amazing feat.

He thought his talent was great, but he didn’t know it would be to this extent.

“Hehe. Thank you. It’s all thanks to Ga’s teaching.”

The more he experienced it, the more he wanted this guy.

“A great teacher shows the way a disciple should go, and a great disciple shows the teacher the way he couldn’t go…”

Ga Du-dal nodded, genuinely impressed.

“Maybe you’re the one who will reveal a new realm of thievery that I haven’t reached.”

At those words, Bum Gye-wi’s eyebrows twitched.

“Who decided that he’s a disciple and you’re a teacher?”

Ga Du-dal smiled awkwardly at Bum Gye-wi’s fierce gaze.

“Haha, that’s just a figure of speech. A figure of speech…”

That’s what he said, but Ga Du-dal’s inner thoughts were different.

He couldn’t even think of anyone other than Dan Ak-seon as his successor.

Bum Gye-wi sighed.

“I’m worried he’ll open his eyes to something strange.”

Cho Ak-ryang finally stepped in at those words of concern.

Cho Ak-ryang immediately approached Dan Ak-seon and dissuaded him.

“Let’s find another way. No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem right.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly, meeting Cho Ak-ryang’s gaze.

“I realized something while doing this training.”

“…?”

“The art of thievery is very helpful to my medical skills.”

“Are you talking about pickpocketing techniques?”

Dan Ak-seon nodded at Cho Ak-ryang’s disbelieving expression.

“Would you mind closing your eyes?”

“Close my eyes?”

“Yes.”

At Dan Ak-seon’s words, Cho Ak-ryang reluctantly closed his eyes.

After a while.

“You can open your eyes now.”

Cho Ak-ryang, who opened his eyes at Dan Ak-seon’s words, had a puzzled expression.

It was because of Dan Ak-seon’s face, which was beaming with joy. And it didn’t take long to realize the reason.

It was because Dan Ak-seon raised his hand and pointed to Cho Ak-ryang’s hand.

“…!”

Cho Ak-ryang, who inadvertently checked his hand, was startled.

“When did you do this?”

There was a needle stuck in the Hapk谷穴 (Hapgok hyeol) [Acupuncture point on the hand], the point where the thumb and index finger meet.

“Didn’t you feel any pain at all?”

Cho Ak-ryang nodded with a dazed expression.

He didn’t feel any pain, not even a sensation.

“In order to move the bell silently, you have to maximize the subtle sense of your fingertips. But needles are also placed with your hands after all. By applying the feeling and sensation of moving the bell, I was able to do something like this.”

Cho Ak-ryang was speechless at Dan Ak-seon’s smiling face.

“Not only that. I think I can use it for the Geumna Su (擒拿手) [Seizing Hand technique] as well.”

Cho Ak-ryang frowned slightly.

“How dare you compare that petty skill to my Geumna Su…”

Cho Ak-ryang, whose pride was hurt, trailed off with an unpleasant look.

“I’d like to show you, would that be okay?”

Lee Rip, who was sitting far away, stood up at Dan Ak-seon’s words.

“Then shall we have a light sparring match?”

Lee Rip, thinking it was a good thing since he was bored, strode over and stood facing Dan Ak-seon.

Thus, the sparring match began with Dan Ak-seon’s attack.

Lee Rip was the leader of the Beggars’ Sect, which occupied one of the Nine Great Sects. As such, his martial arts also had a considerable reputation.

Of course, he had an overwhelming advantage in the sparring match itself.

However, as time passed, surprise appeared on Lee Rip’s face.

‘What on earth is he doing?’

Lee Rip glanced at Cho Ak-ryang with surprised eyes.

He had heard that he had only been learning martial arts for less than a year, but Dan Ak-seon’s fingertips were too delicate.

The same was true of Hong Jeok-mun, who was watching the sparring match.

No matter how much he had learned from the Cheonhaojeol (천하오절) [Five Supreme Masters], Dan Ak-seon’s Geumna Su (擒拿手) [Seizing Hand technique] was simply amazing.

Watching those subtle movements, even he, who was called one of the Three Great Kwon Masters (천하삼대권사) [Three Great Fist Masters], wanted to taste it.

‘Is that the skill of a mere child?’

Dan Ak-seon’s Geumna Su (擒拿手) [Seizing Hand technique] was so well-organized and fluid that it was believable even if he was a master who had already reached the peak.

However, the person who was most surprised was someone else.

It was Cho Ak-ryang, who had taught Dan Ak-seon the Geumna Su (擒拿手) [Seizing Hand technique].