The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 234

“Aunt?”

Han Seolhwa nodded slowly in response to Dan Akseon’s question.

“I was planning to visit them anyway. Now that it’s clear they’ve joined forces with the Demonic Sect, I can’t just stand by and watch.”

“But…”

Han Seolhwa wore a faint smile at Dan Akseon’s worried expression as she trailed off.

“There’s nothing to worry about. They can never harm me. More than anything…”

Han Seolhwa hesitated, a complex emotion flashing across her eyes.

“This is also a personal matter. Something I’ve put off for far too long.”

That night.

Han Seolhwa personally brewed a cup of tea for the visitor who came to her residence.

“Are you worried about me?”

Dan Akseon, who received the teacup, sighed softly.

“…Yes.”

Han Seolhwa chuckled, revealing her composure.

“I’m much stronger than you think.”

“I know.”

Dan Akseon stared at the shimmering tea in the cup Han Seolhwa had handed her.

“I’ve been examining you longer than anyone else. That day when the masters of the Byeonhwang Five Families attacked, I could tell you weren’t giving it your all.”

“Then why do you look so gloomy?”

“I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”

“Didn’t I just say? I am…”

“Not physically, but emotionally.”

“…!”

Dan Akseon didn’t miss Han Seolhwa’s momentary pause.

“You’ve never once talked about the Northern Ice Palace.”

“…”

“It must not have been a pleasant memory. That’s why you haven’t mentioned it until now.”

Dan Akseon cast a pitiful gaze towards Han Seolhwa, who remained silent.

“But now you have to face that memory again. That’s why I’m worried. I’m afraid it might hurt you emotionally.”

Dan Akseon’s voice and eyes held deep concern.

Han Seolhwa felt a strange sense of emotion as she faced the sincerity within them.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve been a terrible patient. You’ve worked so hard for me, yet I’ve been hiding so much from you.”

Dan Akseon smiled and shook her head.

“I’m fine. There must have been a good reason why you didn’t tell me.”

“I’m grateful that you say that.”

Han Seolhwa gently reached out and held Dan Akseon’s hand.

“I’ll tell you everything when I get back.”

Dan Akseon nodded and said,

“Please be careful.”

“I will.”

Dan Akseon, who had quickly finished the moderately cooled tea, said her goodbyes and turned away.

Han Seolhwa’s face, as she saw Dan Akseon off, was filled with an exceptionally gentle smile.

It was a warm smile full of affection, enough to make Cho Akryang or Beom Gyewi rub their eyes and look again.

As soon as day broke, Han Seolhwa and Sa Musim left Shinma’s House.

As planned, Han Seolhwa headed to the Northern Ice Palace.

Sa Musim also headed north.

It was to contact the forces led by Dallyeon Khan, the most influential tribe in the Saeoe region [Outer Regions].

Since they had been keeping Hyeongunsa in check for a long time, he judged that they would be the best informed about their movements.

“Finally!”

As soon as Han Seolhwa’s figure completely disappeared, Beom Gyewi raised both hands and cheered.

“Freedom from the witch!”

On the other hand, Dan Akseon’s face was full of worry.

Realizing this, Cho Akryang scolded Beom Gyewi.

“You’re not only brainless but also clueless.”

“Why are you picking a fight with me from the morning?”

“Since when have you been mindful of Han Nui [Han Seolhwa]?”

“Ever since Hwa Ryung found out about the scam, it’s been like sitting on pins and needles. Weren’t you the same, Cho Hyung [Older Brother]? Like having a bomb next to you that could go off at any moment?”

“Forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Cho Akryang turned his gaze to Dan Akseon.

“She’ll be back safe, so don’t worry.”

“If she’s gone, it would be better if she just stayed there.”

Cho Akryang frowned.

“That’s not likely, is it?”

“Why? Isn’t she originally from the Northern Ice Palace?”

Beom Gyewi, who was questioning, suddenly tilted his head.

Come to think of it, he realized that he knew nothing about Han Seolhwa except that she was from the Northern Ice Palace.

“But why did she leave the Northern Ice Palace? Do you know anything about it, Cho Hyung?”

“Ask her directly. It’s not a story to be talked about in the absence of the person involved.”

“Could that be related to why the witch calls Cho Hyung ‘Older Brother’?”

Cho Akryang looked at Beom Gyewi with a startled expression.

He was often surprised by Beom Gyewi’s intuition, which sometimes hit the nail on the head.

Beom Gyewi cast a suspicious look at Cho Akryang.

“I’ve been taking it for granted and haven’t thought about it, but it’s strange. Why does the witch, who is much older, call Cho Hyung ‘Older Brother’?”

Cho Akryang replied with a clearly troubled face.

“Ask her about that directly too.”

* * *

Han Seolhwa, who left Muwi, unfolded her lightness skill [a martial art technique for moving swiftly and silently] without rest.

For days, she crossed the Jungwon [Central Plains], traversed the grasslands and deserts, heading north.

A desolate wilderness swept by winds carrying the chill of extreme cold appeared.

A snow-covered wasteland with nothing.

After passing even this and running for a long time, a huge frozen lake finally unfolded before her eyes.

‘This place hasn’t changed.’

Han Seolhwa frowned without realizing it as she took in the huge palace built in the middle of the lake.

The pillars and roofs of the building were similar to those of the Jungwon, but the terrain, completely isolated from the outside due to the huge lake, was itself a natural fortress.

The scenery remained the same despite the passage of many years.

Leaning on that image, she could briefly recall old memories.

However, the memories that came with the short reminiscence were not pleasant.

Han Seolhwa, who had been silently staring at the Ice Palace, stepped onto the lake.

As she slowly approached the Ice Palace, suddenly…

Clunk.

A heavy door opened, and a person appeared.

It was an old man with an impression of gentle eyes and soft features.

He was smiling at Han Seolhwa from inside the gate, holding a tray in his hands.

On the tray was a cup of tea with rising steam.

Han Seolhwa walked past the doorposts supporting the huge gate and walked towards the old man.

When their distance was about a Jang [a unit of length, approximately 3 meters], the old man opened his mouth.

“The wind is cold. Before you tell me the purpose of your visit to this palace, please warm yourself with this first.”

Han Seolhwa stared at the old man with indifferent eyes.

Then she approached him and silently picked up the teacup.

“…”

A strange light flashed in Han Seolhwa’s eyes after taking a sip of the tea.

She didn’t have high expectations, but the tea tasted surprisingly good.

In particular, the fragrant aftertaste that lingered in her mouth was by far the best among the teas she had ever tasted.

“It’s a good tea.”

The old man smiled and nodded at Han Seolhwa’s words.

“Of course. It’s a special tea that is only served to distinguished guests.”

The smile on the old man’s lips deepened.

“Not to mention if that guest is a traitor to this palace.”

The old man no longer hid the murderous intent lurking beyond his kind smile.

Han Seolhwa did not answer.

She knew better than anyone that the old man had brought the tea for the purpose of stalling for time from the beginning.

In that short time of handing over the tea and exchanging a few words,

She felt the subtle movements of many people surrounding her.

The space within a hundred Jang radius was completely under her control.

No matter how skilled a master was, they could not escape her senses.

Then at one moment,

Han Seolhwa’s eyes flickered strangely.

Having been born and raised here, she was familiar with the unique energy of the Northern Ice Palace warriors.

However, she felt a foreign presence that gave off an extremely dangerous feeling among them.

Han Seolhwa, who had been silently staring at the old man, slowly opened her mouth.

“Are you the current Hyeonbing Iro (Wise Ice Two Elders)?”

Han Seolhwa, who had estimated the depth of his martial arts based on his energy, could easily guess his identity.

Due to the Ice Palace’s unique closed atmosphere,

Information about the people of the Ice Palace was rarely known in Gangho [Martial Arts World].

At most, it was about the Palace Lord and the left and right guardians who assisted him.

In particular, the guardians, known to be the strongest except for the Palace Lord, were the Hyeonbing Iro.

The old man nodded.

“That’s right. This old man is the Left Guardian of this palace.”

“Where is the other one?”

“Dead.”

“…?”

“At your hands.”

Han Seolhwa recalled the masked woman who was among the five who attacked Dan Akseon.

She thought that her martial arts were considerable, and it seemed that she was the Right Guardian.

It was then that surprise arose in the eyes of the old man who identified himself as the Left Guardian.

It was because of Han Seolhwa’s too calm expression and attitude.

This was not the reaction he had expected.

“Why don’t you drink more? You won’t be able to do so in a moment.”

Han Seolhwa put the teacup she was holding on the tray held by the old man instead of answering.

Then she stared intently at the old man.

The old man, who was initially puzzled and wondered why, soon let out a ridiculous laugh.

This tea was the last treat before leaving this world.

So, it meant that the person who would drink the tea was him, not her.

It was a confidence that was truly arrogant and absurd.

But now it was time to pay for the tea.

Clang.

The teacup that fell from the old man’s hand shattered on the floor.

Was that the signal?

Koo-oong.

The gate that had just been entered closed.

At the same time, countless warriors poured out from all over the palace and surrounded Han Seolhwa in layers.

Han Seolhwa sighed softly at the sight of the old man, who was now openly revealing his murderous intent.

A bitter smile appeared on the old man’s face.

“Even the Ice Jade Fairy is afraid of death?”

“No.”

Han Seolhwa replied with an expressionless face.

“I’m just tired of it.”

Bukungjeong, who held the position of Left Guardian, was inwardly dumbfounded.

Han Seolhwa’s eyes were so unguarded that one could not think of her as someone facing a fierce battle.

She didn’t even feel any tension.

Han Seolhwa said.

“In the past, I gave you a chance. But you still don’t know how to repent.”

“What?”

Han Seolhwa cast an icy gaze at the flustered old man.

“That day… The reason I didn’t completely erase the Ice Palace was because I still had some regret and pity. So, I forgave you by only taking the life of the Palace Lord at the time. But you are ungrateful enough to point a sword at me again.”

“Shut up! Traitor! You don’t deserve to say those words!”

“Traitor?”

Bukungjeong shouted at Han Seolhwa’s question.

“If that disaster hadn’t happened back then… If this palace had the same power as before, we wouldn’t have had to endure such humiliation!”

Han Seolhwa tilted her head.

It was difficult for her to understand the meaning of what he said.

But it wasn’t difficult to grasp the meaning.

“Are you talking about the Byeonhwang Five Families, including the Ice Palace, being reduced to the Demonic Sect’s pawns?”

“…!”

Bukungjeong’s eyebrows twitched.

Bukungjeong’s face turned red in an instant as if she had touched a sore spot.

“The traitor who stole this palace’s sacred object and ran away is shameless!”