The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 2

Divine Physician of the Demonic World (2)

Early morning.

As the sunlight, having cleared away the dim dawn, streamed through the second-floor window, Dan Akseon opened his eyes, warmed by the gentle light on his face.

“Haaam.”

Stretching languidly in bed, Dan Akseon reached over and opened the window.

Swish.

The waterfall cascaded down, its cool spray drumming against the pond below.

The rising mist, illuminated by the sunlight, sparkled like a scattering of jewels.

Dan Akseon paused, savoring the familiar scenery.

Even though he witnessed the same view every morning, he never tired of it.

After a moment, Dan Akseon headed towards the stairs leading to the first floor.

A jar sat on one side of the room.

He scooped a handful of barley from inside, put it in his pocket, and left the building.

He walked directly to the pond.

The water was so clear that the bottom was visible, and incredibly cold. Washing his face with the water made him feel instantly refreshed.

Then, he noticed something shimmering in the water.

Dan Akseon smiled faintly.

“Hello, everyone.”

Fish of various colors had already gathered, anticipating his arrival.

Dan Akseon reached into his pocket.

He scattered the barley into the pond.

The fish darted about, eagerly devouring the offering.

Dan Akseon, watching with a satisfied expression, then headed to the hut where Cho Akryang was staying.

“I’m coming in.”

Cho Akryang, who had been meditating and circulating his internal energy [qi], opened his eyes and offered a quiet smile.

“Welcome, Physician Dan.”

“Please don’t call me that. It’s embarrassing.”

“Haha, I understand… Physician Dan.”

Dan Akseon puffed out his cheeks, thinking that Cho Akryang was teasing him.

Cho Akryang smiled awkwardly at his slightly sulky expression.

“Alright, alright. I’ll speak more casually then. Is it okay if I just call you ‘Physician’ instead of ‘Teacher’?”

Only then did Dan Akseon relax his expression.

“Yes. How is your body feeling?”

Cho Akryang offered a wry smile.

“I’m trying this and that, but it’s still difficult to circulate my energy properly.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Dan Akseon cautioned him, worried that Cho Akryang might overdo it.

“Your meridians [energy pathways] are twisted, and your dantian [energy center] is damaged. You’ve lost a lot of blood, and your internal organs are badly injured. You’re still in a precarious state, actually.”

Dan Akseon raised his hand and pointed to Cho Akryang’s chest.

“Be careful, or you could relapse if you overexert yourself. The open wound hasn’t healed completely yet, either.”

Dan Akseon sighed.

“You were incredibly lucky. If the chest wound had been even half an inch deeper, you would have died instantly.”

“It wasn’t just luck.”

“Yes?”

“The Namgung Clan’s elder unleashed the Emperor Sword Formation; luck alone couldn’t have overcome that.”

The eerie sword energy that had pierced through his protective energy.

It was a chilling memory, even now.

“The Namgung Clan? The one known as the greatest sword family under heaven?”

Dan Akseon’s curiosity was piqued.

Cho Akryang nodded at his sparkling eyes. Dan Akseon’s words quickened.

“I heard about them from my father. The Namgung Clan is considered the origin of all swordsmanship, so they’re called the Sword Dynasty.”

“Hmph!”

Cho Akryang scoffed.

“What Sword Dynasty? The guy who died had my sword through his neck, didn’t he?”

“That’s similar to what my mother says.”

“Is that so? What did the Demonic Physician of Death say?”

“She said they’re fools who don’t even know which way the point of their sword is facing. Eventually, that sword will turn on them.”

“Indeed, the Demonic Physician! What amazing insight. The Namgung Clan are nothing more than foxes pretending to be tigers.”

As Cho Akryang’s killing intent flared, Dan Akseon tried to calm him.

“Excessive excitement is forbidden. If your breathing becomes labored, your broken ribs could puncture your organs.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Despite his words, Cho Akryang couldn’t easily suppress his anger. Recalling the internal force that had penetrated his side reignited his fury.

Then, he noticed Dan Akseon’s expression.

His face was filled with curiosity.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

After hesitating, Dan Akseon carefully broached the subject.

“I wanted to ask about the injury to your side. It would be easier to treat if I knew the cause. Of course, I’m also curious.”

“Curious?”

“Yes. I’ve never seen broken ribs with such regular spacing. But I was worried you might get angry again if I asked.”

Cho Akryang smiled despite himself.

He felt grateful and touched that Dan Akseon was concerned about his feelings even in this situation.

“It’s the Lion’s Roar Finger, a unique skill of the Shaolin monks. It’s a technique that specializes in destroying protective energy by shaking the internal organs with shockwaves.”

“Shaolin Temple? I’ve heard it’s one of the great pillars of the martial world.”

Along with Southern Dignity Wudang, the two pillars supporting the righteous martial world, Northern Reverence Shaolin.

“My mother said they’re crazy people who believe they become stronger just by shaving their heads, but…”

Cho Akryang nodded.

“Among those crazy people, there was a guy named Ryo Beom. He was the leader of the Arhat Hall.”

Dan Akseon suddenly sensed something was off. It was because Cho Akryang spoke in the past tense.

“Does that mean he isn’t anymore?”

To Dan Akseon’s question, Cho Akryang answered nonchalantly.

“Because his neck was broken, and he died.”

Then, he pointed to his shoulder.

“He went to the afterlife with the guy who made this wound, as friends.”

Cho Akryang continued, his gaze chilling.

“After collapsing my sternum, he directly struck my heart.”

Cho Akryang revealed a fierce killing intent as he recalled that moment.

‘Shameless old men.’

He was still dumbfounded by their actions.

Each of them was considered a renowned figure in the martial world. Of course, there was a difference in skill between them and himself, so he could understand the relay battle to some extent.

But to think they would resort to a combined attack.

They deserved to die miserably.

What renown did those shameless people deserve!

At that moment, Dan Akseon scurried out of the hut and returned a moment later with something in his hands.

He was wearing thick leather gloves.

“This is the hidden weapon that was embedded in your shoulder.”

It was a metal gangjeon [dart].

When Dan Akseon touched the side, hooks in the shape of reverse scales sprang out from the body of the gangjeon with a click.

“Actually, this gave me the most trouble. It was really difficult to remove. It was even coated with poison.”

“That’s called a ‘Death Bolt’.”

Cho Akryang added an explanation.

“It’s a hand bolt thrown by hand. It’s a secret hidden weapon handled only by the family head and elders of the Tang family.”

“It’s incredibly elaborate.”

Dan Akseon nodded, as if he understood the words ‘Poisonous Scripture Tang Family’.

“What did the Demonic Physician say about the Tang family?”

Although he asked casually, Cho Akryang was genuinely curious about the Demonic Physician’s evaluation.

“She said they’re petty cowards. How little they must have to show off that they have to promote themselves with mere poison.”

“Heh heh! That’s an excellent assessment. That’s exactly right.”

“My father agreed with that part too.”

“Oh? The Divine Physician too?”

“He hated the Tang family. He said they were petty people who didn’t know the way of the gentleman.”

At that harsh evaluation, Cho Akryang was able to laugh sincerely for the first time in a long time.

But that laughter didn’t last long.

Cho Akryang carefully asked, watching Dan Akseon’s expression.

“Aren’t you scared of me, even though I’ve killed three people?”

It was because Dan Akseon was so calm, even after hearing that he had killed three people.

Dan Akseon raised his eyes and looked at Cho Akryang.

“To be honest, rather than being scared, I’m more amazed.”

“Amazed?”

Dan Akseon nodded.

“You’re still alive even after enduring so many divine skills and martial arts with your bare body.”

Dan Akseon continued.

“As a doctor, it’s like a miracle.”

Cho Akryang chuckled.

If he hadn’t met Dan Akseon, that miracle wouldn’t have been possible. Regardless, Dan Akseon took out his acupuncture kit and said,

“I think I should insert the needles beforehand today. I have to go to the village.”

“Are you going to sell medicine?”

“Yes, and I have things to buy too.”

Cho Akryang let out a soft sigh.

“I’m always just receiving favors like this… I’m really shameless.”

“That’s my worry, not yours. So don’t worry.”

“If my body gets a little better, I’ll find a way to get the medicine money myself.”

If he could just stop by his residence, money wouldn’t be a problem. At those words, Dan Akseon’s expression brightened.

“If possible, bring a lot. If we use good medicine, the treatment will be faster. But for the time being, it’s absolutely forbidden for you to do anything strenuous.”

Cho Akryang burst into laughter.

“Absolutely forbidden? You really sound like a doctor.”

Cho Akryang felt a pang at Dan Akseon’s sulky expression.

“I’m sorry. I misspoke. I meant to say you sound like a doctor, but I just…”

Dan Akseon silently took out the wooden case containing the needles.

Cho Akryang flinched at the sight.

“You don’t have to be nervous. Today I’m using my father’s method.”

Cho Akryang coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem, nervous? I can handle the Demonic Physician’s method too.”

Unlike his words, Cho Akryang was inwardly relieved.

Dan Akseon smiled and opened his mouth.

“My father’s method is slow but stable and less painful. On the other hand, my mother’s method is fast but rough and very painful. But both have necessary parts.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll gladly endure this much pain to save my life.”

“Then I’ll start.”

Dan Akseon began to insert the needles.

It was then that Cho Akryang spoke.

“It’s best not to talk about me when you go to the village.”

“I won’t.”

Cho Akryang was curious at Dan Akseon’s willingness to agree so readily.

“You’re not asking why?”

“Martial artists usually have a lot of secrets.”

Cho Akryang silently stared at Dan Akseon for a moment. He couldn’t detect any suspicion on his innocent face.

“My name is Cho Akryang.”

After a pause, Cho Akryang continued.

“I am the Fist Paragon among the Five Supreme Masters.”

“Ah! Fist Paragon Cho Akryang! I’ve heard of you! The five strongest people in the current martial world!”

“I’m more famously known as the leader of the Ten Great Evils.”

Cho Akryang watched Dan Akseon’s expression.

But Dan Akseon’s reaction was lackluster.

He simply nodded once and remained focused on the treatment.

“Aren’t you uncomfortable with someone like me?”

To Cho Akryang’s question, Dan Akseon answered nonchalantly.

“Have you forgotten who my mother is?”

At that one sentence, Cho Akryang laughed. It was because she was the best in the Demonic Path when it came to her eccentric personality and bizarre behavior.

Then Dan Akseon spoke.

“Martial artists are all the same.”

“…?”

Dan Akseon continued, turning to Cho Akryang, who was puzzled.

“My mother and father both said that. As long as you’re involved in the martial world, the distinction between good and evil is meaningless.”

“The distinction is meaningless?”

“Anyone who harms ordinary people is a bad person. The rest are all the same.”

Dan Akseon raised his eyes and looked at Cho Akryang.

“Which one are you?”

“I swear I have never killed anyone who didn’t have a grudge or wasn’t a martial artist.”

“Then you’re the latter.”

“Haha.”

Cho Akryang let out an awkward laugh.

It was a simple but clear logic. Then, Cho Akryang suddenly asked what he had been curious about.

“But what did they say about me?”

At that moment, Dan Akseon’s shoulders flinched.

The child, who had been calm all along, was flustered by that question.

“I won’t say.”

“What did they say that made you…?”

“It’s better not to hear it.”

“Hmm…”

“But my evaluation is different. The uncle I’ve experienced firsthand doesn’t seem so arrogant, nor does he seem like someone who only lives for the moment without thinking about the future.”

Cho Akryang smiled bitterly.

It was as if he had heard everything even without hearing it.