The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 150

신마의선 (150)

Han Seolhwa stepped forward as Dan Akseon was taken aback by the unexpected remark.

“Why can’t you receive guests?”

The middle-aged Taoist lowered his head with a troubled look.

“This humble Taoist dares not speak of such matters. Please, I beg you to understand.”

He sighed at Han Seolhwa’s chilling gaze.

“My heart is heavy as well for not being able to welcome guests who have come from afar. But we cannot see the Sect Leader at this time.”

Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa exchanged glances, wearing perplexed expressions.

Han Seolhwa was very displeased, but she couldn’t ignore his words.

The Taoist name of the current Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect was Hyeongjin.

Judging by the fact that he used the same character ‘Hyeong,’ the middle-aged Taoist before them was likely of the same generation as the Sect Leader, not of a lower rank.

Eventually, Dan Akseon let out a soft sigh.

“If the host doesn’t want to meet the guest, there’s nothing we can do.”

Dan Akseon grabbed Han Seolhwa’s hand and led her away.

Even at that moment, Han Seolhwa was pondering something very seriously.

“Let’s go back.”

“But…”

“There will be another chance.”

Han Seolhwa frowned at Dan Akseon’s attempt to smile as if nothing was wrong.

In the end, the two had no choice but to turn back before the gates of the Mount Hua Sect.

When they arrived at the only lodge in the village, Beom Gyewi greeted Dan Akseon with a delighted expression.

“You’re back already?”

“Yes. I couldn’t even get past the gates.”

“Why?”

Dan Akseon, who explained what had happened in front of the gates, couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“I wanted to get the consent of all nine great sects…”

But he couldn’t just drag out time indefinitely.

At this rate, he would eventually have to announce the contents of the joint statement without the Mount Hua Sect Leader’s signature.

“But honestly, isn’t it okay if we don’t have Mount Hua?”

Dan Akseon shook his head at Cho Akryang’s question.

“If it’s not perfect, problems will eventually arise.”

“So you’re saying we have to get it no matter what?”

With those words, Beom Gyewi subtly rose from his seat.

Dan Akseon quickly asked.

“Where are you going?”

“Huh? Um… to the restroom?”

Beom Gyewi flinched at Dan Akseon’s words, who had already guessed his intentions.

Dan Akseon smiled and shook his head.

“You know, it’s meaningless to solve it with force.”

Critical gazes poured towards Beom Gyewi, who smacked his lips and sat back down.

“But it’s really strange.”

Dan Akseon still couldn’t understand.

“I thought they would at least meet us before refusing.”

At that moment, a glimmer of light flashed across Han Seolhwa’s eyes.

“The Taoist said they couldn’t meet us now.”

“He did.”

“But he emphasized the word ‘now.’ That means…”

Cho Akryang took over the words.

“He left room for the possibility of meeting us if it’s not now.”

Cho Akryang, who had been pondering something, opened his mouth towards Dan Akseon.

“It seems like they have some kind of story.”

There must have been a hidden meaning behind why even a first-generation disciple came out to say that.

“Could we find out if we ask the Beggars’ Sect?”

The three nodded at Dan Akseon’s words.

There was no place in the Central Plains, wherever people’s feet reached, where the Beggars’ Sect didn’t extend.

Of course, this Gansu was no exception.

Dan Akseon immediately hung a yellow cloth with eight knots tied on it at the entrance of the lodge.

It was a method that Lee Rip had taught him, saying to use it if he ever needed the help of the Beggars’ Sect.

After a while.

A person of the Beggars’ Sect at the level of a Xiangzhu [a regional leader] who controlled the nearby area entered the lodge.

After exchanging brief greetings with him, Dan Akseon immediately got to the point.

“Well…”

The elderly beggar, who identified himself as Pungsuk, tilted his head.

“I haven’t heard any news of any recent incidents within the Mount Hua Sect.”

Dan Akseon couldn’t hide his disappointment when he didn’t get any significant results through the Beggars’ Sect either.

Perhaps feeling sorry, Pungsuk revealed his sparsely missing yellow teeth and offered a comforting smile.

“I’ll look into it a bit more.”

With that, Pungsuk disappeared out of the lodge.

However, he didn’t return even after waiting for a long time.

Just when they couldn’t do anything because they didn’t have any particular solution and were just wasting time.

Cho Akryang suddenly opened his mouth.

“I think we’ll have to call that guy.”

“Who?”

“Neng Somil.”

“Uncle Neng?”

Cho Akryang nodded.

“That guy is a professional at this kind of thing.”

At least when it came to digging up information, there was no one who could follow Neng Somil.

The group immediately headed to the nearest New Devil Merchant Guild.

And after a while.

A carrier pigeon soared into the sky.

* * *

Late afternoon.

Neng Somil, who had finished processing the piled-up documents, left the guild.

Since taking on the position of Guild Leader of the New Devil Merchant Guild, Neng Somil had made sure to take time out of his busy schedule to observe the marketplace.

Because there was nothing as accurate as the atmosphere of the people in grasping the trends of the neighborhood.

It was his own long-standing habit and secret from when he ran the New Info Agency.

While leisurely walking and observing people’s expressions, a porter who was passing by greeted Neng Somil.

“Greetings, Guild Leader.”

Since he was someone he knew, Neng Somil acknowledged him.

“Oh, how have you been?”

“I’ve been well. It’s all thanks to you, Guild Leader.”

“I’m glad to hear that. By the way, how’s your son? I heard he had a bad fever last time?”

The porter wore an overwhelmed expression.

“You even remembered that?”

“Of course, I have to remember. You’re someone who spares no effort for our guild.”

Since there was a stall selling snacks next to him, Neng Somil bought sweets and pancakes and handed them to the porter.

“Take these for your son to eat.”

“Oh, no, I can’t.”

Neng Somil almost pushed the snacks into the porter’s arms, who stubbornly refused.

“You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble…”

“Raising a son alone must mean there are many things you lack. I’ll arrange a better position for you next year, so please be patient a little longer.”

“Thank you. My child is still too young, so I can’t leave him alone yet…”

“Yes, I know. I’ll solve that problem soon, so don’t worry and do your best in your current job. Well, of course, you’re doing very well now, but still.”

The porter was moved by Neng Somil’s words.

At that moment, Neng Somil frowned, noticing something.

“Goodness, that old man really doesn’t listen to people.”

A stooped old man, who was holding tools in both hands, gave an awkward smile at Neng Somil’s words.

“I told you to rest a bit. Why can’t you put down your tools even though you have grown sons? I heard your sons are skilled too?”

“I’m just doing it as a pastime. I’ve been doing this all my life, and I get sick if I suddenly stop.”

“What if you fall off the roof like last time? That’s something that makes your children look bad.”

The old carpenter chuckled at Neng Somil’s nagging.

“I’m fine now, thanks to the care you gave me, Guild Leader. And if I do this, I can at least give my grandchildren some pocket money, right? That’s what I live for these days. Please don’t take away this old man’s joy.”

“Haa. That stubbornness. Who can stop you?”

Neng Somil shook his head.

“Take care of yourself and do it in moderation, just in moderation.”

“Haha, of course.”

Even after parting with him, Neng Somil went around the marketplace and greeted people.

No one showed any unpleasant expressions at his meddling.

This was because their lives had improved much more than before since the New Devil Merchant Guild had established itself here.

“Brother Neng!”

A courtesan who was passing by threw a flirtatious glance at Neng Somil.

“Come visit sometime. I’ll really treat you well.”

Neng Somil stared at the courtesan.

“Are you going to feed me fake alcohol and rip me off?”

“What are you talking about? Fake alcohol?”

“I heard rumors that you’re selling Jiannanchun [a famous type of Chinese liquor] mixed with cheap Baijiu [another type of Chinese liquor] these days?”

Neng Somil warned the startled courtesan.

“Tell Luju to be moderate. I’ll go check it out myself soon. You know that lodge that was kicked out for passing off cheap green tea as Dongting Biluochun [a premium green tea] last time, right? Yes, One Heart Fragrance. Don’t end up like that.”

“W, we’re not like that.”

Neng Somil quietly smiled at the courtesan who hurriedly left.

‘I used to be busy hiding.’

Even he didn’t think he was particularly handsome.

Moreover, he had become accustomed to the life of the Murim world [martial arts world], and he unconsciously put strength into his eyes.

Especially since he had a lot of contact with the people of the Righteous Alliance led by So Jeoksan, most people who misunderstood this tried not to get involved with him as much as possible.

But now the situation was different.

He had become a famous figure in Muwei as he was known as the Guild Leader of the New Devil Merchant Guild.

“It’s peaceful.”

Neng Somil, who looked around, enjoyed the current situation.

His relaxed attitude and expression were full of composure.

Neng Somil was more satisfied with his current life than ever before.

‘It’s incomparable to when I ran the New Info Agency.’

That’s how information is.

It was never obtained for free.

He had to offer bribes disguised as gifts for lubrication, and he had to provide all kinds of entertainment to build friendships with informants.

After doing that, there was not much money left in his hands.

The past, when he was struggling to operate, was nothing compared to now.

Of course, the owner of the guild was Dan Akseon, and he was only the nominal guild leader.

Still, he was the one who actually ran the guild.

It was said that generosity comes from the storehouse, and unlike the past, when he was stingy with taking care of the people around him, he was now learning the joy of giving.

Moreover, Muwei had been revitalized recently with the success of trade with the Western Regions.

Even now.

It was not difficult to find men with red hair and blue eyes wandering around the marketplace.

Just as he was about to return to the guild.

A person rushing through the crowd caught his eye.

It was So Jeoksan.

The people in the market greeted So Jeoksan in a friendly manner as well.

But So Jeoksan responded perfunctorily, as if he was in a hurry, and ran straight to Neng Somil.

“What’s going on?”

So Jeoksan, who was panting, took out a letter from his chest.

“A carrier pigeon has arrived!”

“From who?”

So Jeoksan handed over the letter instead of answering.

Neng Somil felt uneasy at his rather respectful appearance.

As expected.

—Come to the lodge in the village below Mount Hua.

A familiar handwriting that made his heart sink.

It was Cho Akryang.

Neng Somil pondered for a moment with a troubled expression.

“I guess I can’t pretend I didn’t receive this, right?”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

Neng Somil sighed as if the ground was sinking.

“Peace my ass.”

Neng Somil, who instructed So Jeoksan on a few things, immediately flew away.

Neng Somil, who ran with sweat on his feet and arrived at Pyeongrang, a village located below Mount Hua, was able to find the lodge without difficulty.

“Uncle!”

Neng Somil also spread his arms and ran towards Dan Akseon, who greeted him with a bright smile as soon as he saw him.

“Young Lord!”

After exchanging warm greetings, Neng Somil bowed his head towards the three people sitting behind Dan Akseon.

“You look much better.”

Neng Somil immediately replied as if he had been waiting for Cho Akryang’s words.

“It’s all thanks to you seniors.”

Cho Akryang snorted at Neng Somil’s flattering words for a moment.

“There’s something I need you to do.”

“Just tell me.”

“Find out what happened to the Mount Hua Sect.”

“Is there anything else you want to tell me?”