The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 203

Shinmaeuiseon (203)

As Han Seolhwa approached, the masked woman flinched, a visible tremor running through her.

“Why did the Bukhae Ice Palace attack me?”

At Han Seolhwa’s question, the masked woman stilled, her eyes curving into a thin smile.

Realizing the woman was smiling beneath the mask, Han Seolhwa felt a strange unease.

“Dirty traitor.”

Han Seolhwa frowned at the masked woman’s harsh words.

“Traitor?”

Instead of answering, the masked woman glared, her eyes burning with intensity.

“You won’t get anything from me.”

It was then that Dan Akseon cried out.

“We have to target her blood points!”

At Dan Akseon’s warning, Han Seolhwa unleashed a Jipung [a technique to strike vital points with internal energy] toward the masked woman.

*Thwack.*

A streak of internal energy sliced through the air, striking near the masked woman’s shoulder, precisely at the Gyeonjeong blood point [a specific acupuncture point known for its connection to vital energy flow].

But it was too late.

Crimson blood bloomed across the mask, quickly spreading down her front.

*Thud.*

The masked woman’s body collapsed.

No life force emanated from her eyes.

She had committed suicide by severing her own heart meridian [a vital energy pathway in traditional medicine].

Han Seolhwa approached and removed the mask.

A woman around her early fifties.

She had achieved considerable skill for her age.

But it was a face Han Seolhwa didn’t recognize.

‘Is that to be expected?’

It had been decades since she had severed ties with the Ice Palace.

No, it might have been even longer.

As the world had changed so much, the people of the Ice Palace she knew would have long since passed away.

However, the words the woman had spoken before her death lingered in Han Seolhwa’s mind.

‘Traitor, huh……’

It was clear that some absurd misunderstanding existed.

If anything, the opposite should have been true.

Han Seolhwa also examined the faces of the other attackers.

The man who wielded the Hyeopbong Sword [a type of flexible sword] and used the Salmak martial arts was in his mid-forties.

The others were of similar age.

They were all strangers to her.

Dan Akseon, who had been watching Han Seolhwa lost in thought, suddenly looked around.

The scene was saturated with the stench of blood and death.

The sight before her, like a painting of hell, weighed heavily on her heart.

Yet, Han Seolhwa, who had created this scene, seemed like a being from another world.

The decisive skill with which she had mercilessly ended the lives of her opponents.

Recalling this, Dan Akseon let out a soft sigh.

It was a divine might that was no less than that of Beomgyewi, perhaps even greater.

‘This is the world I chose.’

Even though she knew it well in her head, her heart felt heavy every time.

There was an unbridgeable gap between the inevitable death encountered as a doctor and the unavoidable death faced as a martial artist.

Forcing herself to gather her complicated feelings, Dan Akseon approached Han Seolhwa.

“Auntie, are you okay?”

Han Seolhwa nodded.

“I’m fine. Are you the one who’s okay?”

“Yes, thanks to you. If it weren’t for you, Auntie, I would have been in real trouble.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to avoid trouble if it weren’t for you. You held on well.”

Dan Akseon looked around.

“Who on earth are these people?”

Han Seolhwa sighed softly.

“They were proficient in the martial arts of the Saeoe forces [foreign or frontier martial arts groups].”

“Saeoe forces?”

“Also known as Byeonhwangose [frontier vagrants or outlaws].”

Han Seolhwa pointed to the Yeonjacheon [a type of spear] rolling on the floor.

“The spear technique that man used was based on the orthodox spear technique of Yukseonmun [a euphemism for the government or military].”

Yukseonmun was a martial arts slang term referring to the government.

Moreover, there was only one force that used red spear blades shaped like swallowtails.

“Hyeolunsa (Blood Cloud Sand) [a notorious group of marauders]. He probably belongs to that place.”

“Hyeolunsa, could it be?”

Dan Akseon had once heard an explanation about them from Sa Musim.

Once belonging to the Gumun [Nine Sects], who defended the Central Plains, they left for some reason and became a notorious band of marauders rooted in the frontier.

The martial prowess of each individual rivaled that of the elite generals of the Geumuiwi [Imperial Guard], and their numbers were said to be in the hundreds.

Their ferocity and cruelty were comparable to the Bihwang (Flying Locusts) [a metaphor for devastating swarms], locust swarms that swept through the prairies without leaving a single blade of grass, to the point that even the bellicose northern barbarians shuddered at them.

How else could their name be the sands of death that brought blood?

“And the Miljongdaesuin [a secret martial art] he used is a secret art of Cheonchukyuga (Indian Yoga) [referring to ancient Indian martial and spiritual practices].”

“Cheonchukyuga?”

“Have you ever heard of Soraeeumsa (Small Leieum Temple) [a fictional temple associated with unorthodox practices]?”

“Ah!”

“They’re crazy monks belonging to that place.”

After explaining that, Han Seolhwa cast a complicated gaze at the Bukhae Ice Palace woman who had committed suicide.

“That woman is from the Bukhae Ice Palace.”

Dan Akseon had many questions she wanted to ask, but she nodded instead.

That was because Han Seolhwa’s eyes were so faint, betraying a rare display of emotion.

Han Seolhwa pointed to the man who had not let go of the Hyeopbong Sword until his last moment.

“There is a place called Heukyabeol (Black Night Faction) [a secretive assassin group]. It’s not a well-known place, but it’s a group of assassins who dominate the night in the frontier. Now that I see it, Heukyabeol seems to be the descendants of the lost Salmak [an ancient martial lineage].”

“Then where is the last remaining place?”

“Mansusan Villa [a powerful martial arts clan]. It is a sect that destroyed Dokgok (Poison Valley) [a rival sect specializing in poison], which had divided Namma [Southern martial arts region], and unified Namma into a single force, effectively dominating it. The man who attacked you was probably from there.”

“Ah!”

The wild atmosphere and animalistic senses that she had felt from the man.

Once she knew the background, it immediately made sense.

“Why are these people targeting me?”

“We’ll have to find out now. But maybe……”

Han Seolhwa, who unusually trailed off, sighed, her eyes heavy.

“They may have colluded with the Demonic Sect [a common antagonist in martial arts stories].”

“The Demonic Sect?”

“I wish it was just a feeling, but I don’t think the events that happened in the Kunlun [a mountain range often associated with mystical martial arts] and the Joint Sect [an alliance of martial arts schools] and today’s situation are just a coincidence.”

* * *

Taewon, Shanxi Province.

The four-story pavilion facing Ssangtapsa [a famous temple], a local specialty, boasted a magnificent scale that was hard to believe it was a Daru [a type of teahouse or inn].

There was a person climbing the stairs of that Daru.

It was Cho Akryang.

Only the Luju [owner or manager] could use the fourth floor.

Even as he climbed the stairs leading to that place, no one stopped Cho Akryang.

It seemed that there had been prior notice.

As expected.

When he reached the fourth floor, one person was waiting for Cho Akryang.

He was bowing respectfully, but he was clearly nervous.

“Welcome. I am truly overwhelmed that you have personally visited such a humble place. To meet the esteemed face of the Venerable One [a respectful title] in person like this. I must have accumulated a lot of merit in my previous life.”

Cho Akryang smirked.

If he had accumulated merit in his previous life, he would not have had to face monsters like Beomgyewi or himself.

“It must be karma.”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing.”

Cho Akryang waved his hand dismissively and leaned against the Datak [a type of table] in the center, quietly smiling.

“I heard the tea here is particularly special?”

“I will offer it to you soon.”

Yop Danyeong bowed his head and hurriedly disappeared down the stairs.

And after a while.

He reappeared, carrying tea utensils on a tray.

“The Shanxi branch manager of Heukjeom [Black Marketeer organization] personally brewed the tea. I’ve really made it.”

Yop Danyeong forced a smile at Cho Akryang’s joke.

“Haha. I’m the one who’s made it. Haven’t I already met two of the Shinma Samjon [Three Divine Devils], the rulers of martial prowess who are shaking up the current Kangho [martial arts world]?”

Yop Danyeong was suddenly overcome with an ominous premonition.

‘Damn it. Is Bingokseonja [Ice Valley Immortal] going to come looking for me next?’

Just thinking about it made his heart sink.

Beomgyewi alone was a headache, but now even Cho Akryang…….

He knew their true colors better than anyone else, so he felt like his blood was drying up every moment.

‘Did I sell my country in my previous life?’

Yop Danyeong was suffering alone like that, but even this did not last long.

That was because Cho Akryang, who had taken a sip of tea, had a puzzled expression on his face.

“Hmm? This isn’t Gunsaneunchim (Mount Gun Silver Needle) [a type of green tea]?”

“It’s Dongjeongbyeokrachun (Dongting Emerald Spring) [another type of green tea].”

After what happened with Beomgyewi, he didn’t even want to look at Gunsaneunchim.

Because of the overzealous loyalty of his subordinates who misunderstood his relationship with Beomgyewi, he almost said goodbye to this world.

Even now, he got goosebumps all over his body whenever he thought of that day.

The reason why he was caught by Beomgyewi and continued to be dragged around was also because of that damn Gunsaneunchim.

So he changed the tea he was drinking, but tastes cannot be easily changed.

He had mastered all the famous teas, but in the end, he went back to Dongjeongbyeokrachun, a similar type of Hwangcha [yellow tea].

*Clunk.*

Cho Akryang put down his teacup.

“I came with high expectations, but it’s disappointing.”

“Shall I bring you something else? If you want green tea, we also have Seohoyongjeong (West Lake Dragon Well) [a famous green tea] prepared.”

“With Sanglinnamyeong (Auspicious Scale Blue Shadow) [a type of poison] mixed in?”

“……!”

A deadly poison of the Sacheondangga [Sichuan Tang Clan] called Chiljeolmajeonmyeong (Seven Severing Death) [a potent poison], which leads to death before uttering seven groans.

It was the poison that Beomgyewi had put in the Gunsaneunchim last time he visited.

“Could it be that it’s too precious?”

“Yes?”

“Or are you discriminating against Beomga and me? Seeing that you don’t serve me that precious thing.”

Cho Akryang chuckled at the sight of Yop Danyeong sweating profusely.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yes? What, what are you talking about?”

“Unlike that guy Beomgyewi, I’m not good at jokes.”

“Euhaha! Euhahahaha! So this is what they call a side-splitting joke!”

Cho Akryang frowned at the sight of Yop Danyeong belatedly bursting into laughter.

He was almost pathetic.

He wondered how much he had suffered from Beomgyewi to be like this.

“I feel sorry for you, so do it moderately.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yop Danyeong, who had stopped laughing, let out a sigh of relief.

What kind of joke was that that made him so nervous?

He felt like he had lost ten pounds just from the cold sweat soaking his back.

Cho Akryang turned to Yop Danyeong, who was restless while looking at his mood, and brought up the main point.

“Do you know why I came to see you?”

“I’m just guessing that the matter is not light because you met the Bangju [Chief] of the Beggars’ Union and headed this way.”

Cho Akryang was satisfied with the quick-witted answer.

There was a reason why Beomgyewi usually praised him as a decent guy.

Beomgyewi was that stingy with praise.

In particular, Nung Somil [a character] highly praised Yop Danyeong in connection with the recent cooperation with Muwi [a group or organization].

“If I tell you the purpose of my visit, you’ll also know why I met the Bangju of the Beggars’ Union?”

Still, he probed him just in case.

But the answer was a masterpiece.

“I actually don’t have a good memory. I must have gotten dementia early, because I even forget what happened yesterday. That’s why I’m still stuck in the branch manager position.”

Cho Akryang smiled and nodded.

“Do you know anything about the whereabouts of Chiljeolmagun?”

“Are you talking about Chilcheolmagun No Danyang [a character’s name]?”

Yop Danyeong hummed and continued to ponder for a moment.

Soon, Yop Danyeong carefully opened his mouth, watching Cho Akryang’s mood.

“I have secured some information related to him. However……”

“However?”

“Even I can’t leak that information carelessly.”

The information related to him was confidential and belonged to the highest grade within Heukjeom.

Only the Moonju [leader] was allowed to view, distribute, and trade it.

That was also a recent event.

When he explained the situation, Cho Akryang frowned.

“He’s quite a greedy person.”

Yop Danyeong was momentarily puzzled by Cho Akryang’s words. But after understanding the meaning behind it, his face turned pale.

That was because he was not so foolish as not to know that the person Cho Akryang mentioned was referring to the ruler of Heukjeom, Heukjeomju [Black Marketeer Leader].