The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 178

The Manor Where the Divine Devil Medical Family Would Reside.

Standing before the entrance, Dan Akseon looked up at the gate with a deeply moved expression.

The space had been empty.

Now, the newly hung signboard bore the four characters ‘Divine Devil Medical Family (神魔醫家)’ [Shinma Uiga: roughly translates to “Gods and Demons Medical Family,” implying a mastery of both orthodox and unorthodox healing methods] in elegant calligraphy.

He had finally established the medical family he had longed for.

It had been only a month since he returned to Murim [the martial arts world].

Dan Akseon was speechless for a moment, overwhelmed with emotion.

Beom Gyewi, who had been watching Dan Akseon with a satisfied expression, grinned.

“Our Dan Doctor has fulfilled another wish, hasn’t he?”

Cho Akryang also cast a look of pride.

“Congratulations. You have now confidently taken your first step into the world.”

Han Seolhwa also offered a warm smile.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Dan Akseon embraced the three of them tightly.

“It’s all thanks to your help. I’m truly grateful.”

Unconcealed joy was evident in Dan Akseon’s excited eyes and voice.

“Congratulations.”

“May you prosper and become the best medical family in the Central Plains.”

“I wish you all the best, as if sailing with the wind at your back.”

Sa Musim, Neung Somil, and even So Jeokseok.

Everyone who attended the signboard unveiling ceremony took turns offering words of congratulations and encouragement.

As he responded to the greetings pouring in from all directions, some very welcome people arrived.

Pung Jinseong had come in person, leading the people of Jinseong Medical Family.

Among the group were Adoo and his siblings.

After exchanging warm greetings, Pung Jinseong pointed to those who had come with him.

“Since it hasn’t been long since you established the medical family, you will need a lot of help.”

So, Pung Jinseong brought young doctors from Jinseong Medical Family.

“Thank you.”

Pung Jinseong smiled and shook his head at the gratitude in Dan Akseon’s eyes.

“Rather, I am grateful. I wanted these fellows to experience real medicine. Just watching Master Gokju’s [Dan Akseon’s title, meaning “Jade Hand”] medical skills up close will be a great help to them.”

Three young doctors, not yet of legal age, bowed to Dan Akseon.

“We look forward to your guidance.”

They had already heard so much about Dan Akseon from Pung Jinseong on their way here that their ears were sore.

So, although he was younger than them, they could not look down on Dan Akseon.

A martial artist speaks with martial arts, and a doctor speaks with medicine.

The fact that he possessed medical skills superior to their teacher, Pung Jinseong, was enough to make Dan Akseon an object of respect for them.

“I’m the one who should be grateful.”

Dan Akseon bowed his head in return and exchanged brief greetings.

Pung Jinseong pointed to the rest of the people, excluding the three doctors.

“These people will be assisting Master Gokju and the other doctors here for a while.”

As Pung Jinseong introduced them, they bowed politely to Dan Akseon.

Among them was Adoo.

When his eyes met Adoo’s, Dan Akseon smiled awkwardly.

“I was rude last time.”

“Pardon?”

Dan Akseon gave a sorry look to Adoo, who asked back in confusion.

“I thought you were similar to me or my younger brother, but I found out you’re a year older than me? I didn’t know that and spoke informally to you at our first meeting.”

“Ah, no.”

Adoo waved his hands hastily.

“Please, feel free to speak informally.”

“But how can I do that? You’re older than me.”

“Even Pung Doctor speaks formally to Master Gokju, so how dare I……”

At Adoo’s insistent refusal, Dan Akseon reluctantly nodded.

“Then let’s speak politely to each other. Would that be okay?”

Dan Akseon thought it was a reasonable solution, but Adoo did not.

“That would make me uncomfortable. You need to speak comfortably so that I can work with peace of mind. Regardless of age, you are my benefactor, the doctor who will heal me, and the superior who will give me instructions.”

Pung Jinseong, who was next to Adoo, nodded.

“Adoo is right. Isn’t Master Gokju now the owner who will lead this medical family? You must consider the basic etiquette for the group.”

When even Pung Jinseong stepped in, Dan Akseon could no longer insist.

“Okay. No, okay. Adoo hyung [older brother/respected male figure]. Then please take care of me.”

Adoo was flustered again by the title of ‘hyung,’ but Pung Jinseong nodded slightly.

‘He is a kind person by nature. This must be Master Gokju’s way.’

In the end, Adoo also bowed his head at this point.

“I look forward to working with you, Doctor.”

After formally greeting him, Adoo opened his mouth to his siblings behind him.

“What are you doing? Greet him quickly.”

The children, much smaller than Dan Akseon, stepped forward hesitantly.

They were a brother and sister who were not yet ten years old, and the boy seemed to be the older brother.

“Hello.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The children bowed to Dan Akseon.

But they looked very intimidated.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Dan Akseon understood the children’s reaction.

Perhaps this was a natural reaction.

They were regretting leaving the Jinseong Medical Family, where they had at least been treated like people.

Dan Akseon crouched down to meet the children’s eyes.

“I look forward to working with you too. From now on, think of this place as your home and feel comfortable. Ask the uncles here for help with anything difficult.”

The two children flinched as they looked around.

They were frightened by the sight of the rough-looking men lined up here and there.

Then the children’s gaze stopped behind Dan Akseon.

Dan Akseon, who turned his head following the children’s gaze, met Beom Gyewi’s eyes.

And that’s where the problem arose.

When Beom Gyewi grinned, the children burst into tears.

“Why are you making the kids cry on this good day?”

At Cho Akryang’s rebuke, Beom Gyewi cast an aggrieved look.

“Are you, Cho hyung [older brother/respected male figure], of all people, saying that to me?”

Beom Gyewi was inwardly dumbfounded.

With his fierce eyes and sharp aura, Cho Akryang, who possessed a threatening atmosphere in himself, was not in a position to say anything to him.

It was then that he noticed Han Seolhwa covering her mouth with her sleeve.

Judging by her narrowly curved eyes, she was clearly laughing.

“Don’t laugh. Do you think you’re any different?”

Han Seolhwa’s eyes turned cold in an instant.

Sa Musim wore a troubled expression at the rapidly freezing atmosphere in the room.

And he cast a look asking for help towards Dan Akseon.

Because there was no one else who could stop them except Dan Akseon, even if you searched the entire Central Plains.

It was then.

Neung Somil, who had been away for a while, quickly stepped forward.

In his hands, which he held out to the children, were already delicious sweets.

Neung Somil skillfully calmed the children with snacks and witty expressions, and took them to a secluded part of the manor, and the unexpected commotion was brought to an end.

“I’m sorry. The kids are still young……”

Dan Akseon smiled and shook his head at Adoo’s apology.

“It’s okay. Kids are all like that.”

At the sight, several people bit their lips to hold back their laughter.

Because the two people having such a conversation were still children.

But there was no one brave enough to laugh openly in this place.

Pung Jinseong put his hand on Adoo’s shoulder.

“This child will be quite helpful in the future.”

Pung Jinseong did not spare praise for Adoo.

“He is quick-witted, has an excellent understanding, and learns very quickly. And he doesn’t neglect his efforts.”

Adoo, who had been illiterate until recently, was now able to handle writing skillfully enough to write prescriptions instead.

In addition, his knowledge of medical tools and medicinal herbs had become quite extensive.

The process of quickly acquiring everything he learned, as if water seeping into dry rice paddies, was astonishing even to Pung Jinseong.

This was partly due to Adoo’s innate intelligence, but it was also possible because of his efforts to devote himself to studying, even at the expense of sleep.

In fact, Dan Akseon’s eyes widened at Pung Jinseong’s words that he had never seen Adoo sleep more than two hours a day since entering the Jinseong Medical Family.

“Wow! Amazing!”

Adoo smiled awkwardly at Dan Akseon’s compliment.

“I want to be successful.”

“Success?”

At Dan Akseon’s question, Adoo glanced up at Pung Jinseong.

“Master Pung told me something that touched my heart deeply.”

Adoo spoke instead of Pung Jinseong, who was tilting his head.

“You said that success doesn’t require conditions. Age, gender, background, ethnicity, knowledge……. That anything is just a very small part. That all that is needed is enlightenment.”

“Ah!”

Pung Jinseong, who belatedly remembered that he had said such a thing, looked at Dan Akseon with a subtle smile.

Sure enough.

Dan Akseon was standing there with a surprised expression.

Because this was one of Divine Doctor’s usual beliefs.

Adoo, who did not notice this, recalled the time and said.

“A carpenter is not ashamed because he cannot cut a bluestone slab with one sword.”

Dan Akseon immediately took over what Adoo had said.

“Just as a boatman does not despair because he cannot draw a picture like a painter.”

“Huh?”

This time, Adoo was surprised and looked at Dan Akseon.

Dan Akseon smiled and nodded.

“Those are the words my father used to say.”

Dan Akseon looked at Pung Jinseong and Adoo and opened his mouth.

“And he said this: that enlightenment begins with acknowledging oneself.”

“The fervor that emanates from that enlightenment becomes a will and leads to desperation.

If you acknowledge yourself, you will like yourself.

He said that if you value yourself, you will naturally find a way to survive and eventually start looking for your own strategy for this.”

“Is that also what you said about the only way to escape the current suffering is to study?”

Pung Jinseong smiled and nodded at Adoo’s question.

“Those are the words my teacher told me.”

Learning martial arts or honing medical skills is just acquiring skills, not studying.

True study means the process of self-awareness, realizing reality, and organically analyzing and understanding information for survival.

The process of constantly pondering and acquiring life based on this.

He always emphasized that the process itself is studying.

“You said that you can only face happiness when you know yourself properly.”

Dan Akseon, who had been lost in fond memories for a moment, burst into laughter at Pung Jinseong’s words that followed.

“Every time, the other teacher would tell him to stop bothering the kid and go to bed if he was drunk.”

His father, who was usually taciturn but became talkative when he drank.

And the image of his mother scolding such a father and pouring out nagging was still vivid in his mind.

“They will surely be happy too.”

Only after saying that did Pung Jinseong belatedly realize that he had touched Dan Akseon’s most painful part.

Sure enough.

Although he was smiling, Dan Akseon’s eyes looked somewhat lonely.

Pung Jinseong quickly changed the subject.

“When are you planning to start formal treatment?”

Dan Akseon forced a smile and replied.

“From fifteen days later. I’m going to try to prepare properly by then.”

“I will lend a hand.”

As Pung Jinseong took the lead and rolled up his sleeves, the others also hurried to prepare for the opening.

It was then.

Pung Jinseong quietly called out to Dan Akseon, who was busily giving instructions here and there and running around himself.

“Master Gokju.”

“Yes?”

Pung Jinseong stared at Dan Akseon and asked a question.

“Are you happy?”

Dan Akseon smiled brightly and asked back.

“How do I look to you, uncle?”

At Dan Akseon’s attitude, which had become quite skillful, Pung Jinseong could once again realize that Dan Akseon was fifteen years old.

“You look happy.”

Dan Akseon winked.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Fifteen days later.

The day finally came for the Divine Devil Medical Family to officially open.

Sa Musim, who had been checking the opening preparations himself early in the morning, gave some instructions to the workers and then looked for Dan Akseon.

Even though there was still more than an hour left before the opening, Dan Akseon was already neatly arranging the bedding and preparing for treatment.

“There’s still more than an hour left before you can receive patients?”

Dan Akseon smiled at Sa Musim, who was wondering.

“I’m going to treat our people first.”

As if it had been mentioned in advance, Cho Akryang, Beom Gyewi, and Han Seolhwa immediately entered the treatment room.

Dan Akseon first checked their conditions in order and began to apply acupuncture.

It was then that Adoo hesitantly entered the treatment room.

“You were looking for me…….”

“Adoo hyung, come on in.”

Dan Akseon smiled and pointed to the bed prepared on one side of the treatment room.

“It’s almost over, so can you sit and wait for a moment?”

Then Dan Akseon began to continue the treatment.

Shortly after, when the treatment of the three people was over, Dan Akseon asked Sa Musim.

“Could you call the doctors from Jinseong Medical Family?”

When Sa Musim brought the three doctors dispatched from Jinseong Medical Family, Dan Akseon began to treat Adoo in earnest.

Dan Akseon, who was massaging Adoo’s uncomfortable leg as if he was testing its flexibility, inserted a needle between his thigh and pelvis.

“In this state, can you lift your knee high once?”

Adoo, who was following Dan Akseon’s instructions, burst out in embarrassment.

“Huh?”