The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 163

The Great War (1)

Time flowed swiftly, like running water.

The Kunlun Sect, where Dan Akseon first arrived after leaving the Divine Devil Valley.

Already a year had passed since then, and the New Year was just around the corner.

During that time, Dan Akseon had obtained signatures on the circular letter from thirty renowned figures of the Jianghu [the martial arts world], in addition to the Nine Great Sects.

Moreover, the title of Divine Devil Physician, which had naturally begun to follow him, was also gaining fame.

Divinity and Demonicity.

Dan Akseon’s medical skills, inheriting the strengths of both, were now comparable to the legendary physicians Hwata and Pyeonjak.

Dan Akseon’s personality, unable to ignore any patient, also played a part in this.

Although his journey was delayed as a result, his medical skills, which he bestowed without distinguishing between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, gradually gave Dan Akseon’s name significant influence in the Jianghu.

Furthermore, the martial arts contests he held during his travels greatly contributed to enhancing Dan Akseon’s reputation.

This was because his opponents were all renowned masters.

In the process, rumors spread that Dan Akseon was a joint disciple of Cho Akryang, Beom Gyewi, and Han Seolhwa.

Then, an unexpected situation occurred.

People began to seek out Dan Akseon.

Patients and their families suffering from chronic diseases.

Physicians seeking to learn his esteemed medical skills.

Leading figures from each sect and masters from various factions risking their lives for fame.

Even matchmakers trying to secure a marriage prospect in advance.

Countless people wandered the Jianghu to meet Dan Akseon.

However, Dan Akseon did not stay in one place and was always traveling, so only a very few people achieved their wish.

Yet, even this gave Dan Akseon an air of mystery.

Rumors in the Jianghu are often exaggerated and inflated.

Some gossips claimed that one had to accumulate the virtues of three lifetimes to meet the Divine Devil Physician, and thanks to this, Dan Akseon was often portrayed as a divine immortal roaming the human world in the form of a young boy.

However, Dan Akseon, the person at the center of the rumors, was simply focused on his training as usual.

“Time truly feels like a flash of lightning.”

Cho Akryang, watching Dan Akseon wielding Mungryong [his sword] on the pure white snowfield, wore a deeply moved expression.

The blue moonlight poured down on the snowfield.

In addition, the snowflakes scattered by his powerful energy sparkled like stars, creating a spectacle.

Beom Gyewi and Han Seolhwa felt the same way.

They cast pleased glances at Dan Akseon, who was continuing his dance with Mungryong.

How much time had passed like that?

Dan Akseon, having sheathed Mungryong, approached the three.

In the meantime, Dan Akseon’s height had grown so much that it was hard to call him a child anymore.

He had grown to about chest height of Cho Akryang.

The well-balanced and toned muscles, along with his sturdy physique, also created a dignified feeling.

However, his face still retained a youthful prettiness.

The same was true of his eyes.

His clear and calm eyes, like diluted tea, were still gentle and sparkled like stars.

“Now, the Wihwa Divine Art has surpassed the sixth level.”

At Cho Akryang’s words, Dan Akseon smiled awkwardly.

“I’m still far from it.”

Cho Akryang chuckled at his dissatisfied appearance.

Having spent a long time together, he could now sense what he was thinking just by looking at his eyes.

“Have you ever thought that you set the standard too high from the start?”

“Yes?”

Cho Akryang chuckled, suppressing a smile at Dan Akseon’s question as if it were obvious.

“You’re probably the only one who thinks that way.”

Han Seolhwa said to Dan Akseon, who still looked clueless.

“Don’t be too impatient. You are growing faster than anyone in the history of the Murim.”

Beom Gyewi also nodded.

“That’s right. Someday, you’ll be able to catch up with us.”

Even now, Dan Akseon’s skills were so outstanding that no other junior could compare.

“Yes. I won’t be impatient.”

Dan Akseon smiled brightly.

“You know I’m always grateful, right?”

The three smiled at Dan Akseon’s now quite cheeky expression.

Then, Beom Gyewi suddenly opened his mouth, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“But do you really have to go there?”

Dan Akseon smiled and replied to Beom Gyewi’s expression, which clearly showed his reluctance.

“I’ve been thinking about stopping by for a while now.”

“But aren’t they no longer one of the Five Great Families? It won’t mean much to include them in the circular letter, will it?”

“Still, who can ignore the Namgung Family? Above all, I have to visit them once to check on the progress of the patient I treated.”

Dan Akseon’s next destination was none other than the Namgung Family in Anhui.

Beom Gyewi understood Dan Akseon’s thoughts well enough, but apart from that, he still didn’t like Namgung Baek.

Although he had stepped down from the position of Murim Alliance Leader and retired to his hometown, there were so many accumulated conflicts that he couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

“The very fact that that human’s name is on our circular letter makes me feel bad.”

Cho Akryang nodded in agreement.

“I won’t stop you if you want to go. Go with Han. We’ll rejoin you later.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“I don’t think Namgung Baek will welcome us, putting aside our feelings.”

Although they had a good ending, Namgung Baek had to step down from the position of Murim Alliance Leader because he was involved with them.

No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t possibly welcome them.

“You don’t need to be uncomfortable because of us, do you?”

Dan Akseon persuaded the two, who were subtly backing away.

“Don’t do that, let’s go together. There’s a patient there that we saved by joining forces for the first time.”

Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi exchanged glances as if they were in trouble. But Dan Akseon’s next words moved their hearts.

“I know very well how hard you worked to save the patient at that time. So I don’t think it’s worth visiting unless we go together.”

Cho Akryang reluctantly nodded.

“If that’s what you think…”

Beom Gyewi also sighed and scratched his head.

“Well, if Doctor Dan says so, I can’t help it.”

Thus, the four moved towards Anhui, where the Namgung Family was located.

* * *

“This is not a matter to be simply overlooked.”

Dan Riungpung, the chief manager of the Namgung Family, raised his voice.

The old chief manager was in a state of great anger, as if he might collapse at any moment.

“To dare reorganize the Five Great Families… How can this be allowed? How can this family, which has led the Five Great Families in the name of the Sword Ancestor Namgung, be…”

The more he spoke, the more absurd it seemed, and the old chief manager finally burst out in frustration.

“We must not sit idly by and watch the Murim Alliance’s deception! If you allow it, this old servant will personally lead the family’s children and make them realize how heavy our family’s sword is.”

Namgung Baek soothed the old chief manager, who was as excited as a wild boar hit by a lightning strike, with a gentle smile.

“Isn’t it just a Murim Alliance in name only, as the chief manager said? No matter what schemes they are plotting, I don’t think we need to get involved.”

“However, Family Head! It is said that even feathers can sink a ship if there are too many. If one dog barks at something it sees, all the dogs in the neighborhood will follow suit. Rumors are just like that. Even if our family doesn’t care, there will be more and more people who talk nonsense on their own. Are you really going to just stand by and watch this?”

“A deeply rooted tree does not fear the wind shaking it, and if my appearance is upright, why should I worry that my shadow is crooked?” [Meaning: If you are righteous, you have nothing to fear from slander.]

How could Dan Riungpung not know that those words were from the Zengguang Xianwen [an ancient Chinese text]?

“Family Head!”

Namgung Baek shook his head with a calm look.

“Forbidden.”

Namgung Baek cast a pitiful look at the old chief manager, who was only sighing deeply.

There may have been ups and downs, but the Namgung Family had always enjoyed prosperity.

But in this generation, they had come to a situation where they had to endure humiliation.

It must have been a difficult time for the old chief manager, who had been in charge of the family’s affairs all his life and had as much pride as anyone else.

Knowing this, Namgung Baek gave him a pitiful look.

“I do not fail to understand the chief manager’s intentions, but the name of Namgung will still be in its place. Like a rock in the middle of a torrent, like an old pine tree rooted at the end of a cliff.”

“If that’s Young Master’s will…”

Namgung Baek smiled slightly at the old chief manager’s words.

When did he start calling him Young Master?

That’s how long they had been together since childhood.

“But what can’t be done can’t be done.”

The old chief manager’s face was full of regret.

Namgung Baek said to him.

“Don’t worry. I think the current situation is a great opportunity. Now that I’ve cleared the darkness that had been blinding me, I can finally see everything properly. I’ve also realized where the real power of our family is rooted. So trust me. It’s only a matter of time before our family rises again.”

The old chief manager, facing Namgung Baek’s eyes full of composure and confidence, smiled faintly.

“I don’t know how long this old man will last… I don’t know if I’ll be able to see the family regain its glory.”

Namgung Baek burst into laughter at the old chief manager’s grumbling.

“It doesn’t work. Isn’t it enough to have been using it for over ten years? More than that, there’s something more important to do now, isn’t there? Is the preparation to welcome the guests going well?”

“What kind of welcome guests are they…”

Namgung Baek shook his head at the old chief manager’s muttering.

It had been five days since Dan Akseon and his party had sent a visiting card.

But the old chief manager’s attitude was very lukewarm.

This was because the family’s finances had declined significantly due to the Gongcheong Seokyu [a past incident/conflict].

“Anyway, let’s focus on welcoming the guests for now. I’ll think about the matter you mentioned slowly. If they cross the line, I won’t just stand by and watch.”

“This old servant will only follow the Family Head’s orders.”

Namgung Baek shook his head again at the sight of the old chief manager turning around with slumped shoulders.

He could picture his face smiling with his eyes even though he looked like that.

Namgung Baek, left alone, sighed softly.

The problem started with the Murim Alliance recently announcing the Five Great Families again.

They removed the name of Namgung from the existing Five Great Families.

And the Zhuge Family replaced that vacant spot, and they brought in the Murong Family of Liaoning to seek a change in the system as a new Five Great Families.

In addition, they succeeded in recruiting prestigious Murim families centered around the Five Great Families consisting of Zhuge, Tang, Peng, Hwangbo, and Murong into the name of the Murim Alliance.

They replaced the Nine Great Sects, who had different intentions from them, with other forces.

The Seomun Family, the Gongson Family, and even the Eon Family of Jinju, famous for their Eon Family Fist, and the Shinchang Yang Family, who are said to be on par with the Jo Family in terms of spear techniques.

He also heard that the Guangdong Jin Family, which had been rooted in the southern region for a long time, had recently joined the Murim Alliance.

With Namgung Baek’s downfall, only the Namgung Family was isolated like a lone boat drifting in the sea.

As the situation became like that, they faced economic problems.

The merchants and courier companies that had been cutting through the world’s storms under the name of Namgung began to gradually lose their footing.

The economic foundation that had been with the family for a long time was shaking greatly.

However, Namgung Baek did not doubt that the opportunity would come again.

For that time, he had to do his best to strengthen the internal affairs above all else.

Namgung Baek, who had left his residence, walked for a long time, organizing his thoughts.

Then, he suddenly found his daughter standing far away.

In front of the garden prepared in the outer hall, Namgung Hyang was gazing at the main gate and could not take her eyes off it.

Namgung Baek smiled bitterly because he had never seen her waiting for someone so eagerly.

“I should have connected them back then.”