The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 232

Dan Akseon frowned, momentarily speechless.

Jegal Yeon offered a meaningful smile to Dan Akseon.

“We can’t make exceptions, can we? It’s a prohibition that was so difficult to establish. That’s why we’ve been tacitly acknowledging the Green Forest Chief’s whereabouts, because we recognize that as well.”

Whatever the task, the first time was always the hardest.

If they started making exceptions, there was no guarantee there wouldn’t be more.

Naturally, the original meaning would fade.

“More than anything, isn’t it ridiculous that the Demonic factions are investigating the death of the Beggars’ Sect Leader, who was a symbolic figure of the Orthodox Factions?”

That statement was decisive.

The atmosphere in the hall froze at the uncomfortable remark.

Nevertheless, Jegal Yeon maintained a confident expression, leaving those final words before turning away.

“Come and find us anytime after the Sect Leader’s funeral. I’ll tell you all the stories we couldn’t share today.”

Though inwardly displeased, Hong Jeokmun endured it once more, mindful of his position as the chief mourner.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Jegal Yeon inwardly scoffed at Hong Jeokmun’s persistently stiff demeanor.

Even the Nine Great Sects, being gatherings of people, were bound to waver in the face of self-interest and justification.

The Beggars’ Sect served as a central point, overcoming such conflicts and discord to unite them as one.

Though they treated her coldly now, they would inevitably seek the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] once their emotions subsided and they thought rationally.

‘The unity of the Nine Great Sects isn’t what it used to be, so they won’t even be able to gather their opinions.’

The situation with the mourners alone was telling.

Nowhere were there any mourners from the Cheongseong Sect.

Yun Jeongjin, who had recently taken office as the Sect Leader, was too busy managing the unsettling atmosphere within the Cheongseong Sect.

Moreover, he had heard that the relationship with the Beggars’ Sect had become strained due to the incident in which Cheongmyeong Sanin, the former Sect Leader of the Cheongseong Sect, had died at the hands of Cho Akryang.

This was because Irip had stopped Yun Jeongjin, who had tried to punish Cho Akryang with his disciples.

Irip had clearly stated the faults of the Cheongseong Seven on the spot, thereby justifying Cho Akryang’s revenge.

‘The same goes for the Joint Faction.’

They couldn’t openly express it, but they must have been inwardly dissatisfied with the Beggars’ Sect’s decision to accept Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi as honored guests.

Even the greatest embankment can collapse from a small crack.

At least until now, the situation was unfolding according to her intentions.

As Jegal Yeon’s figure completely disappeared, Cho Akryang abruptly opened his mouth.

“There’s a tiger mixed in with that pack of jackals.”

And one that had rather sharp teeth and claws hidden.

Beom Gyewi also seemed concerned about Moryong Geuk.

“Why is a master of that caliber under that girl?”

“How would we know their circumstances?”

Cho Akryang turned his gaze towards the incoming mourners.

Belatedly, mourners from Emei, Wudang, Jeomchang, as well as the Joint Faction and Jongnam Sect were arriving one after another.

And finally, the Cheongseong Sect also sent mourners.

As one of the Nine Great Sects in name, they couldn’t afford not to attend.

In particular, they felt a sense of crisis as the Hyeongsan Sect was rapidly solidifying its position and threatening the Nine Great Sects.

Yun Jeongjin, the Sect Leader, visited in person.

Yun Jeongjin, who had finished paying his respects and was turning around, flinched upon discovering Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi.

However, he made an effort to avert his gaze nonchalantly, pretending not to notice.

There was no point in raising his voice in this place, as it would clearly do more harm than good.

This was because the people of the other Nine Great Sects, excluding the Joint Faction, were friendly to Dan Akseon’s group.

After a long time, as night deepened, Hong Jeokmun gathered the key figures of the Nine Great Sects in the conference room.

And he presided over the meeting in place of Irip.

Of course, Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi, led by Dan Akseon, also attended.

“The reason I have arranged this separate meeting is to tell you something.”

Hong Jeokmun explained in detail the information that the Beggars’ Sect had investigated under Irip’s instructions.

“It is true that Demonic Arts manuals are circulating in the Central Plains. In fact, there are quite a few who have suffered from Inner Demons after practicing Demonic Arts. This document is a list of those involved that this sect has identified.”

The leaders of the Nine Great Sects groaned at the mention that most of those who had gone missing or whose whereabouts were unknown within the Nine Great Sects were related to Demonic Arts.

The number was nearly a hundred.

“The reason for disclosing this in a gathering of everyone is because the matter is that serious.”

The leaders of the Nine Great Sects exchanged heavy glances.

They had already grasped the situation to some extent through their own investigations.

However, they had been reluctant to disclose it, judging it to be an internal matter.

“As the situation has become like this, an investigation into the Namgung Clan Head is also inevitable. The more clues we have about the Seven Fiends, the better.”

Namgung Ho, who had attended in place of Namgung Baek, was not present at this meeting.

He had left in a hurry to report.

Hong Jeokmun turned his head towards Dan Akseon.

“It seems we need to investigate the Green Forest Bandits, who are staying in Muwi… Dan Doctor, will you help us?”

At Hong Jeokmun’s cautious question, Dan Akseon nodded without hesitation.

“Actually, I’ve already completed the investigation on that person. And although I didn’t mention it, I found out a few more things. Besides that person, there was another person who suffered from Inner Demons due to Demonic Arts.”

Dan Akseon explained why Byeokhwa Ryung, the Deputy Chief of the Hainam Sword Sect, had come to visit the Divine Doctor Family.

Then, looking around at the assembly, he continued.

“There was something that overlapped in the information I obtained from those two people. It’s the name, Gang Myeong.”

“I see…”

Hong Jeokmun nodded.

“Is that the name written on the back of the manual?”

“Yes.”

“Have you found out anything about that name, Gang Myeong?”

“We are also investigating, but we haven’t had any significant results yet.”

“……”

It was after a long silence that Hong Jeokmun opened his mouth.

“At this rate, we’ll have no choice but to ask the Murim Alliance for help.”

Hong Jeokmun was bothered by what Jegal Yeon had said before leaving.

She had said that they had been investigating this matter for a long time, so they must have a lot of information.

He didn’t want to hand over the initiative to them, but in order to resolve the situation quickly, all methods had to be used.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation, but it seems that the Sect Leaders of each sect will have to step forward directly now. There must be those who have escaped the notice of our Beggars’ Sect.”

Starting with Beopyeon’s Buddhist chant, sighs and lamentations erupted from various places.

Dan Akseon’s heart also grew heavy at the sight.

He knew how they felt, having to find the flaws of their own sects.

Hong Jeokmun bowed his head to the Sect Leaders.

“We will also do our best to investigate.”

In the end, the meeting of the Nine Great Sects came to an end.

The leaders of the Nine Great Sects, who once again wished for the deceased’s soul to rest in peace before leaving, exchanged greetings with Hong Jeokmun one by one.

After seeing them all off.

Several people approached Hong Jeokmun, who had left the conference room.

They were the elders of the Beggars’ Sect, who had been waiting for the meeting to end.

“We can’t leave the Sect Leader’s position vacant forever.”

A disfigured, old beggar with a pockmarked face opened his mouth.

He was Chumen Shingae (Ugly Faced Divine Beggar), who had served as the Branch Leader of the Hundred Flower Branch and had recently been promoted to the position of Elder.

He wasn’t particularly skilled in martial arts, nor was he eloquent, but he was the most trusted person in the Beggars’ Sect.

“As Elder Shin said.”

The other elders of the Beggars’ Sect nodded in agreement.

“We have already gathered our opinions that Elder Hong is the most qualified to take on the next Sect Leader position.”

“Haven’t you spent the most time with the Sect Leader on a regular basis? Please take the position of Sect Leader and lead our Beggars’ Sect.”

Hong Jeokmun sighed softly at the elders’ words, who were recommending him as the new Sect Leader.

“I cannot dare to take on such a heavy responsibility.”

Hong Jeokmun revealed a firm gaze towards the flustered elders.

“The only thing I have to do now is to find and punish the culprit.”

“But…”

“I am grateful for your kind consideration, but please withdraw that offer.”

The elders sighed in disappointment at Hong Jeokmun’s firm attitude.

“I understand. Then let’s formally elect the next Sect Leader according to the procedures of the Beggars’ Sect.”

As the elders retreated, Dan Akseon also bid farewell to Hong Jeokmun.

“Then I’ll be on my way too.”

“Okay. I’d like to hold you back, but… I can’t help it because of the situation.”

Hong Jeokmun nodded with a regretful expression.

Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi once again offered their condolences to Hong Jeokmun.

As Dan Akseon stepped outside, he faced the sounds of mourning echoing throughout Gaebong, and his heart became gloomy.

Irip, who was the spiritual pillar and support of the Beggars’ Sect.

The Beggars’ Sect disciples were the ones who felt the greatest sense of loss at his death.

Then, suddenly, Dan Akseon’s gaze was fixed on one place.

It was because he had discovered one person among the beggars who was wailing particularly sadly.

A particularly small beggar.

It was Bang Sobang.

“I’ll go meet him for a moment.”

Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi nodded silently.

“Oh? Akseon!”

Bang Sobang, who belatedly recognized Dan Akseon, burst into tears.

“Master… Master…”

“I know, Sobang. I feel the same way as you.”

“Master! Waaaaah!”

Hugging each other, the two cried bitterly for a long time.

“I’ll find the culprit! I will definitely avenge Master with my own hands!”

Dan Akseon felt very sorry and heartbroken for Bang Sobang’s resentful eyes.

But he did not avoid that gaze.

Dan Akseon nodded with a determined look.

“Okay, I’ll try too.”

* * *

That night.

It was on the way back to Muwi after leaving Gaebong.

The three, who had no choice but to camp out because it was late at night, sat around a bonfire.

Crackle, crackle.

The surroundings were quiet.

Dan Akseon, Cho Akryang, and Beom Gyewi were also silent.

The only thing that filled the area was the sound of flames occasionally popping from the damp firewood.

Hugging his knees to his chest, Dan Akseon, who was staring at the burning bonfire, sighed softly.

He couldn’t help but feel uneasy about returning from the funeral so early.

At least he wanted to see him off until the very end.

However, it would take at least a few more days until the funeral procession.

The current situation was not easy enough to waste time like that.

Was it because it was difficult to endure the heavy silence?

Beom Gyewi, who was watching Dan Akseon’s expression, opened his mouth.

“Aren’t we going to end up fighting the Demonic Sect along with the Seven Fiends?”

Dan Akseon shook his head.

“Although it hasn’t been clearly revealed yet, I don’t think the Seven Fiends have a direct connection with the Demonic Sect.”

“Huh? Then where did that bastard get the Blood Demon Energy from?”

“We need to find that out.”

Cho Akryang explained to Beom Gyewi, who still didn’t understand.

“It’s certain that the foreign forces have allied with the Demonic Sect. But No Danyang attacked the Blood Cloud Temple, which is one of the foreign forces. If they were on the same side, he would never have done that.”

Dan Akseon nodded.

“There must be another purpose. As such, we need to focus on one target first.”

“Only one?”

“Yes. Without thinking too complicatedly, we should focus on finding the Seven Fiends.”

“It won’t be easy, will it? Even Uncle Cho came back empty-handed.”

“He didn’t come back empty-handed. If Uncle Cho hadn’t obtained a clue about the Seven Fiends, we wouldn’t have been able to find out who the culprit who killed the Sect Leader was.”

Dan Akseon met the eyes of the two.

“The good thing is that we have information that the Murim Alliance doesn’t know yet.”