The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 224

As Ak Ho-gun stepped into Muwi, he made sure to observe his surroundings.

Yet, the longer he looked, the more confused he became.

A carpenter was repairing a roof.

A street vendor was selling food from a stall.

Even a porter was carrying a mountain of luggage.

They were all martial artists from the Demonic Sect, people he recognized from past encounters.

Their appearances, seamlessly blended among ordinary people, made him question if they were truly the infamous figures he remembered.

‘I thought this was just a simple refuge…’

He noticed a wariness in the gazes occasionally directed at him.

From this, Ak Ho-gun could sense their deep-rooted sense of belonging.

It was unexpected to see those who had once drifted aimlessly through the Jianghu [the martial arts world], now settled as proper members with this place as their center.

Suddenly, sensing someone following him, Ak Ho-gun stopped and frowned.

“Inviting a guest and then assigning someone to watch them? That’s utterly impolite.”

Before he could finish, a person emerged from the crowd.

“If that’s how you feel, I apologize. But it’s not surveillance; it’s merely a precaution in case of any unforeseen events.”

“Precautionary measure?”

So Jeok-san nodded with a smile at Ak Ho-gun’s question.

“Yes. Just in case the Chief Escort Leader causes an accident and innocent civilians get caught up in it.”

Ak Ho-gun was inwardly dumbfounded.

“Isn’t that surveillance?”

“I don’t think so. If the intention was to monitor the Chief Escort Leader, a much more skilled expert would have been assigned than me.”

Ak Ho-gun’s eyes narrowed.

Indeed, that was true.

The man before him seemed insignificant in terms of martial arts.

Yet, he didn’t sense any intimidation in his attitude.

“Fine. Then guide me to the Divine Devil Physician’s residence.”

“That might be a bit difficult.”

“What?”

“I was told not to assign a guide.”

“Who said that?”

“Senior Bum said so. He said, ‘What kind of important guest needs a guide? The one who’s desperate will find their way.'”

Ak Ho-gun’s face twisted at the unexpected cold treatment.

He was, after all, the Chief Escort Leader of the Green Forest, the largest organization in the Demonic Sect.

‘None of the Nine Great Sects have ever treated me like this…’

Ak Ho-gun growled, revealing his rising anger.

“Didn’t that bastard tell you that my patience isn’t endless?”

So Jeok-san paused at the sight of Ak Ho-gun’s eyes, which revealed his intent.

But he soon smiled nonchalantly and pointed east.

“Why are you getting so worked up? If you go straight down that road, you should be able to reach the Physician’s residence without much difficulty.”

Ak Ho-gun was rather taken aback by So Jeok-san’s ability to calmly meet his gaze.

Clearly, the man’s martial arts were poor.

But how could he be so unfazed even when faced with his killing intent at such close range?

Ak Ho-gun suddenly felt drained.

‘How did I end up in this situation?’

The more he thought about it, the more he sighed.

One of the Ten Evils [a group of infamous villains].

Among them, he had nothing to fear except for Cho Ak-ryang.

Moreover, he led the massive Green Forest, so he believed it wouldn’t be difficult to pressure Muwi to achieve his goals.

But everything went wrong with the battle against Bum Gye-wi.

Because Bum Gye-wi’s martial arts far exceeded his expectations, he wondered what had happened in the meantime.

‘To think there are three experts stronger than me in this small village…’

It was truly an absurd situation.

That alone made this place, Muwi, no different from a dragon’s lair.

‘And then there’s that brat, the Divine Devil Physician.’

The existence of Dan Ak-seon, whom he had only heard rumors about.

The ability to use medicine as a weapon to recruit experts and even gain cooperation from the Nine Great Sects was still unbelievable.

That a child who hadn’t even reached adulthood had accomplished what even the most outstanding divine physicians and demonic physicians couldn’t.

At first, he thought that the child was just a figurehead and that there was a hidden power pulling the strings from behind.

And he judged that the hidden power was Cho Ak-ryang.

In fact, Cho Ak-ryang was not only skilled in martial arts but also respected by many in the Jianghu.

Even though he didn’t lead a faction himself, there would have been many Demonic Sect members willing to submit to him if he had wanted to.

But his thoughts changed after meeting Bum Gye-wi.

The look in his eyes and his attitude when mentioning that brat showed that he was sincere.

‘I’ll know what kind of guy he is when I meet him.’

Ak Ho-gun began to walk again.

‘I am Ak Ho-gun.’

Although he was currently in a disadvantageous situation, he had overcome countless difficulties and adversities to reach this position.

He was confident that he would soon regain control, even though he was currently following their lead.

He would show them that the position of Chief Escort Leader of the Green Forest was not won through street gambling.

With that determination, Ak Ho-gun finally arrived at the Divine Devil Physician’s residence.

“Welcome.”

The one who greeted him with a gentle smile was Sa Mu-sim.

Once known as the Water Battle Demon, a money-grubbing ghost.

But his eyes and atmosphere were so different that he wondered if it was the Sa Mu-sim he knew.

“Please come in. He’s waiting for you.”

Following Sa Mu-sim’s guidance, Ak Ho-gun entered the Physician’s residence.

The sight of numerous patients lined up waiting for treatment was quite impressive.

Despite the large crowd, it was orderly rather than chaotic, and there was no sense of impatience or frustration typical of patients.

In particular, the sight of martial artists and ordinary people waiting in line together created a strange feeling.

But there was something even more unexpected.

They were all praising one person.

‘I can’t deny his talent for captivating people.’

Dan Ak-seon, who was receiving such immense respect.

Ak Ho-gun was pondering the reasons and background for this when…

“My patients, line up properly!”

The patients’ movements became busy at the resounding voice that echoed through the area.

Ak Ho-gun’s face tensed as he realized it was Bum Gye-wi’s voice.

At that moment, an unexpected sight caught his eye.

Bum Gye-wi, who had appeared from somewhere, quickly passed by the patients and began to unleash gusts of wind [using his internal energy to heal minor ailments].

“Ugh, I feel much better now. Thank you, Doctor Bum!”

“Wow! The chills are gone instantly?”

“Truly a great doctor!”

Bum Gye-wi continued to walk, leaving behind the patients’ praise and gratitude.

‘That Bum Gye-wi?’

Bum Gye-wi, known as the scourge of the Jianghu martial world, was someone everyone avoided.

But the patients’ eyes and voices were filled with respect as they looked at him.

Then, at some point, Ak Ho-gun’s heart dropped.

While he was momentarily distracted, Bum Gye-wi had already passed the patients and was right in front of him.

“Are you here for treatment too?”

Ak Ho-gun belatedly came to his senses at Bum Gye-wi’s questioning tilt of the head.

“What?”

Bum Gye-wi frowned at Ak Ho-gun’s bewildered question.

“Then why are you in line?”

Ak Ho-gun looked around and let out a groan.

Come to think of it, the patients’ line was subtly extending to him.

Sa Mu-sim smiled and opened his mouth towards Ak Ho-gun.

“Please go to the inner quarters.”

Ak Ho-gun nodded absentmindedly and left the patients’ line.

Then, Bum Gye-wi resumed his treatment as he walked.

His pride was hurt by the attitude that he was not even in his eyes, but Ak Ho-gun endured it and followed Sa Mu-sim’s guidance.

“Please wait here for a moment.”

“Wait?”

“No one should disturb him while he’s treating seriously ill patients.”

“Dare you call me here and tell me to wait?”

“That’s the rule here.”

Ak Ho-gun’s patience reached its limit at Sa Mu-sim’s nonchalant reply.

The suppressed anger was about to explode.

Just then, a person walked out from the inner quarters.

“Your impatient nature hasn’t changed.”

It was Cho Ak-ryang.

Ak Ho-gun, facing Cho Ak-ryang after a long time, paid his respects with an unwilling face.

“It’s been a while, Senior Cho. How have you been?”

Even in the midst of all this, Ak Ho-gun didn’t forget to glance at Cho Ak-ryang’s condition.

Cho Ak-ryang chuckled and nodded.

“Thanks to you.”

‘Damn it.’

Ak Ho-gun inwardly cursed at Cho Ak-ryang’s healthy appearance.

It was a moment that made the rumors that he had been pushed to the brink of death by the Martial Alliance’s Sky Net [a coordinated attack] meaningless.

No, it was more than that.

The presence that had clearly changed from before weighed heavily on his chest.

He wasn’t giving off a fierce look, nor was he emitting an overwhelming aura.

Yet, the overwhelming pressure that was felt 은연중 [subtly] was like facing a giant mountain.

He couldn’t dare to complain in front of him.

How long had he waited?

When about two hours had passed, Dan Ak-seon finally appeared.

‘Finally, I get to see him.’

Ak Ho-gun bowed his head towards Han Seol-hwa, who was guarding Dan Ak-seon’s side.

“Junior martial artist Ak greets Ice Jade Fairy, Senior Han.”

Han Seol-hwa simply nodded once in return.

Nevertheless, Ak Ho-gun couldn’t express any dissatisfaction.

This was the first time he was facing her, who had only existed as a rumor.

‘Everywhere I go, there are only monsters.’

As he inwardly sighed.

“Thank you for accepting the invitation.”

Ak Ho-gun revealed his discomfort towards Dan Ak-seon, who greeted him with a smile.

“Of course, I had to accept. It was the most polite invitation I’ve ever received in my life.”

At that moment, Ak Ho-gun suddenly felt dizzy.

A murderous intent like a tsunami suddenly rushed in!

Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa were silently staring at him.

Beyond their gazes, something terrifying that had been lurking was quietly stirring.

“Are you inviting me here to kill me?”

Ak Ho-gun shouted, struggling to shake off the overwhelming fear of death.

“Do you think we can’t?”

Ak Ho-gun’s heart sank at the answer that came from right behind him.

Bum Gye-wi was already standing behind him.

At this time, Dan Ak-seon stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“It’s okay. After all, you’re all uncomfortable with each other.”

Dan Ak-seon’s mediation.

The terrifying murderous intent that had been cutting at his skin disappeared like a lie with that one word.

‘Is this possible?’

At this point, Ak Ho-gun wondered if he was dreaming.

The experts he couldn’t handle were obediently following the words of a mere fifteen-year-old brat.

It was such an extremely unrealistic situation.

It was then that Dan Ak-seon opened his mouth towards Ak Ho-gun.

“Don’t feel too wronged by the current situation.”

“What?”

“The Green Forest touched our people first. The order of events must be clear.”

“…….”

Dan Ak-seon continued to speak to the silent Ak Ho-gun.

“I don’t particularly like the Green Forest. Nevertheless, the reason I invited you here is to seek a reasonable solution to minimize unnecessary damage.”

“That sounds good.”

Perhaps his pride was hurt.

Dan Ak-seon met his gaze with a firm look at Ak Ho-gun’s somewhat twisted attitude.

“Right now, I’m doing the Chief Escort Leader a favor. If you don’t know this, then further conversation is meaningless.”

“A favor? Is that what you call this?”

Ak Ho-gun, who was trying to seize the initiative in the conversation, couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by Dan Ak-seon’s next words.

“If you don’t intend to engage in a serious conversation, you can just go back.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No. It’s the second favor.”

“……?”

“There might be someone else in the Chief Escort Leader’s position where you’re standing right now. Do you want that?”