The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 12

The Divine Doctor of the Demonic Path (12)

“I told you not to come looking for me.”

“It was just a chance encounter. Please don’t blame him too much for it.”

Pung Jin-sung continued with a smile.

“A diviner I met recently told me that the northeast was auspicious. So, I just set out, and I never expected to meet Master Sogokju [respected title] here. If I had known, I would have given him more fortune money…….”

“…….”

“Now that we’ve met like this, how about having a meal together? We have some history, so you wouldn’t turn me away, would you?”

At his earnest request, Dan Ahk-sun reluctantly followed. Pung Jin-sung, walking side by side, asked a question.

“I heard you’ve been coming down to the village frequently lately? And buying medicine more often.”

“That’s…….”

Dan Ahk-sun was at a loss.

He was troubled about what to answer.

To tell the truth, Cho Ahk-ryang and Bum Gye-wi bothered him. But to lie felt wrong to Pung Jin-sung.

He was struggling to think of a suitable excuse when it happened.

Thud.

Dan Ahk-sun collided with a group of people walking from the opposite direction.

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn’t notice Dan Ahk-sun.

Pung Jin-sung quickly reached out and caught Dan Ahk-sun as he stumbled.

“Are you alright?”

Dan Ahk-sun smiled bitterly.

“I’m fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

Pung Jin-sung breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon, anger took over his face. It was because the men were walking away without a word of apology.

“Hey, you!”

At Pung Jin-sung’s shout, the men stopped walking.

“Ah!”

It was then that a look of bewilderment appeared in Dan Ahk-sun’s eyes. The faces of the people he had collided with looked familiar.

They were the martial artists from the Martial Alliance who had been looking for Cho Ahk-ryang at the apothecary a few days ago.

Pung Jin-sung shouted at them.

“You seem to be people from the Martial Alliance. How can you be so shameless?”

“Shameless?”

One man stepped forward from the group.

“If you’ve done something wrong, it’s only right to apologize, isn’t it?”

The man frowned at Pung Jin-sung’s words.

The sharp eyes and cold gaze created an eerie feeling.

“The warriors of this Alliance are currently on official duty. So, just go on your way.”

It was a chilling voice that conveyed a sense of intimidation just by facing him.

At this, Pung Jin-sung’s eyes turned fierce. It was because of the sight of the opponent subtly reaching for his sword.

The intention was clear to anyone who saw it.

“A martial artist threatening an ordinary person! Aren’t you ashamed? How can someone who carries the name of the Martial Alliance be so reckless!”

The opponent flinched at Pung Jin-sung’s rebuke.

That was because the fierce momentum was extraordinary.

“State your name and affiliation.”

At Pung Jin-sung’s continued words, the martial artists’ eyes turned fierce. But Pung Jin-sung did not back down.

“I will personally visit your Alliance and formally protest this matter.”

The Martial Alliance warriors finally looked at each other’s faces.

They judged that the situation was unusual. At this moment, the man at the head, who had spoken first, clasped his hands in salute.

“I am Kwak Ga, the leader of the Ohjo [group] of the Pasadan [unit within the Martial Alliance]. May I ask for your esteemed name?”

“I am Pung Jin-sung of Punga.”

“Pung Jin-sung?”

The man’s eyes lit up as he repeated the name.

“Are you perhaps from the Jinseong Merchant Guild?”

Pung Jin-sung nodded.

“I am the one who leads that place.”

“……!”

The face of the man who identified himself as Kwak Ga froze.

He had guessed from his attitude and tone that he was not an ordinary person, but he never imagined that he would be the head of the Jinseong Merchant Guild.

“What brings you, who should be in Nanzhou, to this place?”

Kwak Ga belatedly asked with courtesy, but Pung Jin-sung’s expression was still cold.

“Do I have to report my movements to the Martial Alliance one by one?”

Kwak Ga smiled bitterly.

“Of course not. But the situation here is not very good, so I was just giving a warning…….”

Looking around, the faces of Kwak Ga and his party were filled with embarrassment. All eyes were focused on them.

Kwak Ga sighed.

‘This has become troublesome.’

It was a difficult situation in many ways.

In the end, Kwak Ga bowed his head to Pung Jin-sung.

“We sincerely apologize for the rudeness we have committed. Please, I hope you will let go of your anger.”

“The person who should receive the apology is not me.”

Kwak Ga’s brow twitched.

But as if nothing had happened, he clasped his hands towards Dan Ahk-sun.

“I’m sorry, young hero. Please forgive this Kwak’s mistake with a generous heart…….”

Dan Ahk-sun forced a smile and nodded.

There was no good in getting involved with them. As soon as Dan Ahk-sun accepted the apology, the Martial Alliance warriors hurriedly left the scene.

Dan Ahk-sun sighed towards Pung Jin-sung.

“You didn’t have to go this far…….”

Pung Jin-sung smiled as if he had never been angry.

“It’s not because of you, Master Gokju. I just didn’t like their behavior recently.”

Pung Jin-sung continued.

“There is a fearsome villain called Blood Demon Venerable. They announced that they had killed him some time ago. But the reality seems to be different, looking at them sending people out to continue their inquiries like this.”

“Ah…….”

“Because of that, the atmosphere is ominous these days. So, I thought it was necessary to give them a warning. There is nothing more unfortunate than innocent civilians getting caught up in the fights of martial artists.”

As they talked, the two arrived at the inn.

But the inn was already filled with all sorts of delicacies.

There were no other guests either. Pung Jin-sung had rented the entire place.

Dan Ahk-sun asked Pung Jin-sung with a dumbfounded face.

“I suppose this is also a coincidence?”

Pung Jin-sung smiled awkwardly at Dan Ahk-sun’s question.

“Well, please sit down first.”

Pung Jin-sung, who had offered the seat of honor, brought the food and offered it to Dan Ahk-sun.

“Try this too. The chef here is very skilled.”

Pung Jin-sung diligently served food and handed it to Dan Ahk-sun.

But he himself hardly touched the food. He just watched Dan Ahk-sun eat with a happy face.

How much time had passed like that?

Clack.

Dan Ahk-sun, who had put down his chopsticks, looked at Pung Jin-sung.

“Today is the last day I will meet you.”

Pung Jin-sung paused for a moment.

But only for a moment.

“Have you finished eating already? The dessert here is also excellent. It’s dried persimmon simmered in honey and mixed with ginger and peanuts, and if you pair it with Biluochun tea [a type of green tea] produced in Dongting…….”

“Don’t change the subject.”

Pung Jin-sung smiled bitterly.

“Have I made some kind of mistake to Master Sogokju without my knowing?”

“No.”

“Then, do you have any complaints about me?”

Again, Dan Ahk-sun shook his head.

“Then why are you trying to distance yourself from me so much?”

Pung Jin-sung sighed at Dan Ahk-sun’s silence.

“If I knew the reason, I wouldn’t be so frustrated…….”

“You’re not alone anymore, Uncle.”

Dan Ahk-sun smiled quietly.

“It’s time for you to put down the burden in your heart.”

“Master Sogokju…….”

“How long are you going to be tied to that incident?”

Dan Ahk-sun continued.

“It was all decided by your parents. No one blames you. So, please don’t blame yourself anymore. You have to go your own way too.”

“It hurts me to hear you say that.”

Pung Jin-sung continued.

“The grace I received from the two Masters Gokju is as vast as the sea, how can I…….”

“What you’ve done so far is already more than enough.”

“But…….”

Dan Ahk-sun cut off Pung Jin-sung’s words and asked a question.

“Do you remember the last words your parents said?”

Pung Jin-sung nodded, recalling the time.

“Master Ma said to make a lot of money with the medical skills I learned and indulge in extravagance.”

“I suppose you remember what your father said too.”

“Of course. Although it was a bit unexpected.”

―You must get married too. No, get married twice. I can’t be the only one who’s miserable.

It was a completely different side of Shin-ui than he knew.

Dan Ahk-sun smiled.

“They had a fight that day.”

Dan Ahk-sun said to Pung Jin-sung, who was smiling faintly.

“Don’t try so hard like today anymore. Forget everything and live your life. Just like your parents said that day.”

Pung Jin-sung, who had stopped smiling, silently tilted his teacup.

After a while.

“It snowed a lot on the day Master Sogokju was born.”

Pung Jin-sung’s eyes were filled with nostalgia as he recalled an old memory.

“I was there when you took your first steps.”

“…….”

“You followed me so much when you started to talk.”

“…….”

“Was it when you were seven? When the persimmon tree you climbed broke and you were seriously injured, I carried you on my back and ran.”

Pung Jin-sung looked at Dan Ahk-sun with a sad face.

“We may not be connected by blood, but Master Sogokju is like family to me.”

The heartbreaking feeling in Pung Jin-sung’s eyes was clearly felt.

“You shouldn’t do this to me, at least, Master Sogokju.”

“Uncle…….”

“To forget the two of you and Master Sogokju……. Don’t you think that’s too cruel?”

Dan Ahk-sun’s heart ached terribly.

It was because he knew how much he cherished him.

‘What would happen if I told him that I was treating the two uncles?’

He would throw everything away and willingly follow.

Pung Jin-sung was that kind of person.

But Dan Ahk-sun didn’t want Pung Jin-sung to be in danger.

At least he wanted him to enjoy a happy life as it was.

Because he was someone who could enjoy his current fame and status as much as he wanted if he didn’t get involved with him.

‘That’s what my parents wanted too.’

To do that, he had to harden his heart.

It was because he knew better than anyone that he couldn’t break that stubbornness with a suitable reason.

“Why am I trying to distance myself from you?”

Dan Ahk-sun looked at Pung Jin-sung.

“Because it’s hard for me.”

“Yes? What does that……?”

Pung Jin-sung, who was puzzled, hardened his face at Dan Ahk-sun’s next words.

“It’s painful to be with you. It keeps reminding me of my parents.”

“Master Sogokju…….”

“So please listen to me. Not for anyone else, but for me.”

Pung Jin-sung stared at Dan Ahk-sun.

Then he suddenly opened his mouth.

“I’m hurting too.”

That one word shook Dan Ahk-sun’s heart.

“Aren’t we family? If Master Sogokju is sick, I’m sick too. What’s wrong with that? It’s natural for me to be sick if my family is sick.”

Pung Jin-sung reached out and held Dan Ahk-sun’s hand.

“It’s the loneliest when you’re sick. I’ll take good care of you, so please don’t push me away.”

Dan Ahk-sun barely held back the tears that were about to come out.

As soon as he managed to push away that feeling, the words he had to say came to mind.

‘I’m sorry. Uncle.’

He didn’t say those words out loud.

It was for the words he had to say.

Dan Ahk-sun stared at Pung Jin-sung with a firm face.

“Punga Jin-sung.”

“……!”

“As the current Divine Demonic Valley Master, I command you from this seat.”

Dan Ahk-sun’s next words struck Pung Jin-sung’s ears like a thunderbolt.

“I hereby excommunicate Punga Jin-sung, a disciple of the Divine Demonic Valley’s secular family, as of today.”

Pung Jin-sung froze in place as if he had been shocked.

Dan Ahk-sun, who had declared severance, was not in a good mood either. But this was the best he could do. Dan Ahk-sun got up from his seat and quickly moved his steps.

He had made up his mind, but he couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

Pung Jin-sung was left alone.

Only he remained, staring at the teacup in his hand with a bitter look.