The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 191

A drizzling rain, heralding the end of spring, fell on a deep night.

곡운경 [Gok Un-gyeong], who had been circulating his energy [internal energy or Qi], slowly opened his eyes.

He sensed someone approaching the village entrance from a short distance away.

“Tsk.”

곡운경 clicked his tongue.

Those who visited at this late hour were usually of one kind.

They were the kind who moved while avoiding the eyes of others.

곡운경 rose and left the cloth shop.

He stood silently, staring into the darkness for a moment.

A man without a raincoat ran towards the village.

His face was indistinguishable due to the rain mixed with the darkness, but his haste, unconcerned with the splashing mud, suggested a sense of urgency.

The man, seemingly unaware of 곡운경, was about to pass the cloth shop and head straight into the village.

곡운경 called out to him.

“Stop.”

Startled by the sudden voice stopping him from the darkness, the man looked around in surprise.

곡운경 could finally see the man’s face.

He appeared to be in his early forties.

His gaunt face, long lower jaw, and sunken eyes gave him a somewhat sinister impression.

Moreover, his uneasy eyes were filled with wariness.

곡운경 took a step closer to him and spoke.

“Name.”

“…….”

At first, the man hesitated to answer, keeping his mouth shut, but when 곡운경 released his energy, he flinched and took a step back.

Soon, he readily opened his mouth.

“진영산 [Jin Yeong-san].”

곡운경’s eyes showed a hint of doubt.

Even after wandering the 강호 [Gangho – the martial arts world] for so long, he couldn’t possibly know everyone’s name.

However, the man was clearly a 무림인 [Murim-in – a martial artist] at first glance.

And not just some third-rate nobody.

Judging from his eyes and aura, he possessed considerable martial arts skills.

“Title?”

“My friends in the 강호 call me 초마효응 [Choma Hyoeung – Withered Nightmare Owl].”

“초마효응?”

Now that he mentioned it, the man’s face was covered in pockmarks.

The problem was that he had never heard of such a title.

As if reading 곡운경’s expression, the man who identified himself as 진영산 gave an awkward smile.

“I only recently started making a name for myself in the 강호, so it’s not surprising you don’t know me. I used to be affiliated with the 적호방 [Jeokho Bang – Red Tiger Clan].”

“적호방? Are you referring to the one in 복산 [Boksan], 귀주 [Gwiju]?”

“귀주 is correct, but it’s 복산, not 복천 [Bokcheon]. I once watched you spar with 귀영마동 [Gwiyoung Madong – Ghost Shadow Devil Child] Han No, a senior 호법 [Hobeop – Protector of the Dharma, a high-ranking position] of the 적호방, from afar.”

곡운경 nodded.

That was true.

He had deliberately mixed in some false information to test him, and the man had accurately pointed it out.

Moreover, it was true that he had sparred with the 적호방’s 호법 called 귀영마동 in the past.

“What is your purpose here?”

진영산 smiled bitterly at 곡운경’s question.

“As you know, the 무림맹 [Murim Maeng – Martial Arts Alliance] wiped out the 적호방 a long time ago. And I have been wandering for years, avoiding the 정파 [Jeongpa – Orthodox Sects] people who are after me.”

In other words, he had nowhere to go.

It was somewhat suspicious that he came to 무위 [Muwih – No-Fear City] at this late hour, but 곡운경 judged that there was no need to be too wary.

Above all, he didn’t possess great martial arts skills to cause trouble in 무위.

곡운경 explained the rules he had to follow to stay in 무위 and sent him away.

진영산 thanked him several times before entering the village.

Even then, he looked back several times.

곡운경, concerned about his uneasy attitude, went straight to the 신마상단 [Shinma Sangdan – Divine Devil Merchant Guild].

He entered the 신마상단, which was lit up late into the night, and was able to meet 소적산 [So Jeok-san], who was guarding the place.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

곡운경 described 진영산’s appearance in detail to 소적산, who greeted him happily.

“I think we need to verify his identity.”

“You’re always doing so much. I’ll check on what you said right away.”

As 곡운경 turned around, 소적산 immediately left the 상단.

And headed to a particularly bustling place late at night.

It was a street where 기루 [Giru – courtesan houses] were gathered.

In recent years, commerce had flourished, and merchants from the 서역 [Seoyeok – Western Regions] had begun to visit for trade, and 무위’s entertainment industry was booming as never before.

Especially the 기루, which had only been one a few years ago, had now increased to eight.

Among them, 이화루 [Ihwalu – Pear Blossom House] was establishing a 독보적인 [dokbojeokin – unique and unrivaled] position.

From the exterior of the 기루 to the interior decorations, furniture, and the 술 [sul – alcohol] and 요리 [yori – cuisine] they handled.

Everything was 고급스럽지 [gogeupseureopji – luxurious].

And above all, the level of the 기녀 [ginyeo – courtesans] was different.

They were not only skilled in 시서금화 [siseogeumhwa – poetry, calligraphy, music, and painting] but also in 가무 [gamu – singing and dancing].

It was truly a place that 제대로 [jaedaero – properly] targeted the tastes of customers who spent money in 무위.

As a result, 이화루 was always crowded with people.

As 소적산 entered 이화루, the 기녀 who found him ran to him as if they were flying.

“Oh my! 부단주 [Budanju – Vice Guild Leader]! Why is it so hard to see you?”

“I know. You haven’t been around much lately.”

The smiles of the 기녀 towards 소적산 contained genuine goodwill, more than just simple hospitality.

That’s because there was no 순의방 [Sunuibang – Patrol Unit] in 무위.

In the past, the 흑룡회 [Heukryonghwe – Black Dragon Society] and 이의당 [Iuidang – Righteousness Society] had divided and managed the night streets of 무위, but not anymore.

The 회주 [Hweju – Society Leader] of the 흑룡회 had disappeared by 범계위 [Beom Gyewi], and the successor who followed him had also been eliminated by 사무심 [Sa Mu-sim].

The 이의당, where 소적산 was the 당두 [Dangdu – Faction Leader], had also been absorbed into the 신마상단 and was 대신하고 [daeshinhago – substituting] the role of 순의방.

Nevertheless, they did not collect protection money or commit atrocities.

Rather, they supplemented the 부족한 [bujokhan – lacking] parts of the business and took care of the troubles that occurred while operating the 기루.

As such, the 기녀’s goodwill towards the 신마상단 was natural.

“Unfortunately, I’m busy right now. Tell the 총관 [Chonggwan – General Manager] that I want to see him.”

“Phew. 소 오라버니 [So Orabeoni – Brother So] is too expensive. You’ve become less interesting since you’ve become successful.”

“오라버니, don’t do that and play a little. 응 [Eung – Huh]? I’m free today.”

소적산 frowned at the dizzying 교태 [gyotae – coquetry] and 고혹스런 [gohokseureon – alluring] 유혹 [yuhok – seduction] pouring in from all directions.

“Later.”

소적산 struggled to shake off their 유혹 and headed inside the 기루.

Soon, 소적산, who had reached a quiet inner room, sat down on a chair and sighed.

After a while, a child in charge of errands at the 기루 brought tea.

After drinking tea, he waited for a while.

“Have you come?”

A person entered the room as the door opened.

An 장년 [jangnyeon – middle-aged man] in his fifties who resembled a 학사 [haksa – scholar] in his eyes and atmosphere, unlike his 화려한 [hwaryeohan – flamboyant] clothes.

It was 고벽운 [Go Byeok-un], the 총관 of 이화루.

However, 소적산 knew better than anyone that he was not just a simple 총관.

“It’s been a while.”

고벽운 nodded with a smile at 소적산’s greeting.

“We are continuing our business without any major problems thanks to the 신마상단. The 루주 [Luju – House Owner] seems very pleased.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“But do you have a favor to ask?”

소적산 nodded and conveyed the 인상착의 [insangchagui – description] and 명호 [myeongho – name and title] of 진영산 that he had heard from 곡운경.

“I understand. As soon as we finish investigating his identity, we will send someone to you.”

“Thank you.”

“Haha, we have to help in this way to save face.”

고벽운 responded with a soft smile, but 소적산 was inwardly uncomfortable with him.

Because he knew his true identity.

He was the contact sent by 흑점 [Heukjeom – Black Dot], an 암거래 [amgeorae – black market] group that traded everything from stolen goods to information, and even people’s lives, if it made money.

He may look ordinary on the outside, but he was a person whose 속내 [songnae – inner thoughts] was difficult to guess.

“Then please give my regards to 단주 [Danju – Guild Leader].”

소적산, who bowed his head to 고벽운’s greeting, left 이화루.

He thought it was fortunate to be on the same side as the 강호’s notorious 흑점 at times like this.

Because through their 연계 [yeongye – connection], he could obtain detailed information about the trends and backgrounds of the 사파인 [Sapa-in – Unorthodox Sects people].

The next morning.

고벽운 sent a letter by messenger.

The sealed letter contained a detailed account of the background of the man named 진영산 that he had requested last night.

But the problem was that an unexpected force was mentioned in it.

“녹림 [Nokrim – Green Forest Bandits]?”

It was true that 진영산 had once been affiliated with 적호방.

But the fact that he had recently been affiliated with 녹림십팔채 [Nokrim Sip-palchae – Eighteen Camps of the Green Forest], especially 와호채 [Wahochae – Crouching Tiger Camp], which was their 총단 [chongdan – main base], was news to him.

“This is suspicious…….”

녹림 was the largest and most influential 사파 group in existence.

Moreover, they were clearly 사파.

Even though 무위 was declared a 금지로 [geumjiro – forbidden area], it was only limited to the 정파 무림.

There was no justification for preventing the 사파인 녹림도가 [Nokrimdo – Green Forest Bandits] from entering 무위.

Above all, if they pushed in with force, a troublesome situation would unfold in many ways.

In particular, the 총표파자인 [chongpyopajain – Chief Bandit Leader] 악호군 [Ak Ho-gun], who led the 녹림, was a 부담스러운 [budamseureoun – burdensome] presence.

He was once one of the 십대악인 [Sipdaeagin – Ten Great Evils], but now most of them were dead, leaving only four, 강호사사 [Gangho Sasa – Four Evils of the Jianghu].

초악량 범계위, and 악호군, the 거마 [geoma – great devil] who was 당당히 [dangdanghi – confidently] occupying one of the seats along with 칠절마군 노단양 [Chiljeolmageun No Dan-yang – Seven Severing Devil Lord No Dan-yang], whose whereabouts were unknown.

“I thought it was getting stable…….”

소적산 turned to his 수하 [suha – subordinate].

“Find out where that 진영산 is right now.”

At 소적산’s 지시 [jisi – instruction], the 수하 from 이의당 hurriedly left the 상단.

But not long after they disappeared outside, other 수하 rushed in and shouted.

“부단주! It’s a disaster!”

“What? What’s the matter that you’re making such a fuss about?”

“녹림도 have appeared!”

“What?”

소적산’s face contorted.

It was as if the feared thing had become a reality.

“I’ll go and check it out first, so you guys go to 신마의가 [Shinma Uiga – Divine Devil Clinic] and report the situation.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than 소적산 날렸다 [nallyeotda – unleashed] his 신형 [sinhyung – movement technique].

After running for a while, he arrived at the village entrance and was able to confirm 곡운경’s 모습 [moseup – figure], who was confronting a group.

But the atmosphere was unusual.

The number of 녹림도, who were raising their 험악한 [heomakan – fierce] 기세 [gise – aura] with 살기등등한 [salgideungdeunghan – murderous] eyes, was as many as twenty.

Moreover, each of them had an 범상치 [beomsangchi – extraordinary] 기 [gi – energy].

It was clear that they each had a position in 녹림.

As if a 곱지 않은 [gopji anheun – unpleasant] conversation had already taken place, 장한 [Jang Han], who was standing at the head of the 녹림도, glared at 곡운경.

“You’re too 오만불손 [omanbulson – arrogant and disrespectful], believing only in your 무위.”

The 살기 [salgi – murderous intent] that made you 떨리는 [tteollineun – tremble] just by facing it.

The 무형의 [muhyeongui – intangible] 기운 [giun – energy] that they emitted at the same time was a 섬뜩한 [seomtteukan – chilling] threat in itself.

However, 곡운경’s eyes, which were taking it all in alone, showed no 흔들림 [heundeullim – wavering].

“What’s the purpose?”

The man who had opened his mouth first frowned at 곡운경’s 모습, who opened his mouth 담담히 [damdamhi – calmly], ignoring his words.

“What right do you have to stop us?”

“Purpose first.”

“How dare you!”

곡운경 sighed at the 모습 of the 녹림도 who were 발끈 [balkkeun – flared up].

As expected, they were a 족속 [joksok – kind of people] who could not be 상대 [sangdae – dealt with] with dialogue.

“This 무위 has its own rules. Anyone who ignores them will not be welcomed as a guest.”

“Is that a warning?”

“A 정중한 [jeongjunghan – polite] 권고 [gwongo – recommendation].”

The 녹림도 exchanged glances with 어이없는 [eoieomneun – dumbfounded] eyes at 곡운경’s words.

Then, they each 거머쥐 [geomeojwi – gripped] their 무기 [mugi – weapons] and began to narrow the distance with 곡운경.

펄럭 [Peolleok – Flutter].

곡운경’s 소매 펄럭였다 [somae peolleogyeotda – sleeves fluttered] even though there was no 바람 [baram – wind].

The 녹림도 멈칫했다 [meomchithaetda – paused] at 곡운경’s 기세, which changed in an instant.

“Until just now, it was a 권고, but from now on, it has changed to a 경고 [gyeonggo – warning]. Anyone who takes even one more step, don’t blame me for being 무정하다 [mujeonghada – merciless].”

It was truly a 일촉즉발 [ilchokjeukbal – imminent crisis] situation.

“곡 선배님 [Gok Seonbaenim – Senior Gok]! Please wait a moment!”

곡운경 frowned at 소적산’s 만류 [mallyu – dissuasion], who hurriedly jumped in.

However, he 살기를 풀며 [salgireul pulmyeo – released his murderous intent] and took a step back at 소적산’s explanation that followed.

“The 삼존 [Samjon – Three Venerables] will be coming this way soon.”

When the word 삼존 was mentioned, an 동요 [dongyo – agitation] that could not be hidden spread over the faces of the 녹림도.

No matter how 세상 무서울 게 없는 [sesang museoul ge eomneun – fearless] they were, the 무게 [muge – weight] of the names 초악량 and 범계위, 한설화 [Han Seol-hwa] could never be 경시 [gyeongsi – disregarded].

It was then that 곡운경’s eyes 떠오른 with 이채 [ttaeoreun with ichae – lit up with a strange light].

‘These guys……?’

The 녹림도, who had 당연히 예상했던 물러서리라 [dangyeonhi yesanghaetdeon mulleoseorira – expected to retreat], were 오히려 정비 [ohiryeo jeongbi – rather reorganized] their 진열 [jinyeol – formation] and 가다듬고 [gada듬go – adjusted] their 전의 [jeonui – fighting spirit].

‘They have something to believe in.’

There was no other way to explain the situation now.