The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 241

―Shut up.

“I was really surprised back then.”

The flustered emotions of that time were evident on Cho Ak-ryang’s face.

“I initially subdued her easily, so I never imagined she would be a master capable of using telepathy.”

The problem was that this situation made Cho Ak-ryang wary of Han Seol-hwa.

However, that wariness didn’t last long.

“At first, I thought she might be a little lacking. Sometimes people develop disabilities from improperly learned martial arts.”

―…….

Han Seol-hwa paused and glared at Cho Ak-ryang.

Cho Ak-ryang subtly turned his head, avoiding Han Seol-hwa’s fierce gaze.

“Back then, Han *noona* [older sister or respected female figure] didn’t have any expressions like she does now. Besides telepathy, there were no other means of communication. So, naturally, I couldn’t help but think that way…….”

That’s how the two of them started talking.

At the time, she was innocent, so she told him her story without embellishment.

And that became the decisive factor in dispelling Cho Ak-ryang’s wariness.

Han Seol-hwa was practically like a simpleton.

Compared to her beautiful appearance, like a sculpture carved from ice, her mental age was only about ten years old.

She was that ignorant of the norms and laws of the world.

That was why she had confined herself in the cave.

The world she suddenly faced without preparation was harsh and confusing.

Feeling sorry and pity for her, Cho Ak-ryang traveled the *Jianghu* [martial arts world] with her for a while.

Cho Ak-ryang was the one who first suggested they become sworn siblings.

“Back then, I was tired of the *Jianghu* and starved for human affection.”

Besides his friend in Sichuan, Han Seol-hwa was the only person he could confide in.

“I only found out later that Han *noona* was older than me.”

The same went for her martial arts.

As time passed, Han Seol-hwa fully recovered her original state, and her martial prowess was astonishing.

“I later learned that Han *noona* was Bingok Seonja [Ice Valley Immortal], a master who shook the *Jianghu* fifty years ago before disappearing.”

Afterward, Cho Ak-ryang cautiously suggested they organize their titles.

However, Han Seol-hwa firmly refused.

―It was unique.

Cho Ak-ryang looked at Han Seol-hwa at the sudden telepathic message.

―It was also the only time someone genuinely cared about me without any conditions… and the only time I was protected by someone.

Was she recalling those times?

Han Seol-hwa’s eyes, as she looked at Cho Ak-ryang, softened.

―Only Cho *oraboni* [older brother or respected male figure] was the one.

The world Han Seol-hwa faced after leaving the Ice Palace was unfamiliar and bizarre.

She thought she was free from bad people, but the world was full of even worse humans.

A crowd captured by all sorts of desires and selfishness.

The sticky gaze stained with greed made her shudder even now.

The way they looked at her as if she were a monster was the same.

Within that, Han Seol-hwa began to tire.

That was why she sought a completely isolated space, cut off from the outside.

A prison of ice and cold created by herself, where only consciousness existed.

In the cold where a moment felt like an eternity, the purpose and reason gradually faded.

Then, at some point, she felt like she just wanted to be comfortable.

It was around that time that she was seized by the intense temptation to let go of everything.

That’s how she quietly turned into ice, completely alone, without anyone knowing.

The boundary between life and death.

Only a vague consciousness that crossed between reality and illusion remained, and what held her back from falling into the endless abyss was a ray of warmth that Cho Ak-ryang had breathed into her.

It was Cho Ak-ryang’s voice that brought her back to the world.

That was why Han Seol-hwa still called Cho Ak-ryang *oraboni*.

She couldn’t think of their relationship in any other way.

No, she didn’t want to think about it.

The first human emotion she felt in the world.

She didn’t want to prioritize worldly norms over that precious value.

“Tch, I thought it was something. I thought there was a great reason.”

Beom Gye-wi, who was grumbling, flinched at Han Seol-hwa’s fierce gaze.

It was then that Dan Ak-seon exclaimed.

“Ah!”

“What’s wrong?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Dan Ak-seon approached Han Seol-hwa and began to check her pulse.

After confirming something for a while, Dan Ak-seon sighed again.

“That’s what I thought.”

Leaving behind the puzzled Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, Dan Ak-seon looked up at Han Seol-hwa with a pitiful gaze.

“It wasn’t because of the Ice Crystal.”

―But…….

“I’m sure.”

Dan Ak-seon asserted and quickly continued the explanation.

“If that were the case, there would definitely be an unstable flow of true energy, or problems in the meridians or other parts. But in reality, Auntie’s body condition is not much different from before. There’s really nothing seriously wrong.”

Dan Ak-seon asked back.

“You said there were similar cases in the past, right?”

Dan Ak-seon mentioned when Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa first met.

“This is a psychological problem. In short, her heart is hurt.”

At those words, Beom Gye-wi made a dumbfounded expression.

Then he grabbed his stomach and started laughing.

“Puhaha! No way! Not that Ice Witch!”

On the other hand, Dan Ak-seon stared at Han Seol-hwa with a face that looked like she was about to cry.

“Because her nature is more delicate and kind than anyone else’s.”

Cho Ak-ryang also nodded with an understanding expression.

“I wanted her to put down the burden in her heart, but instead, she came back with even greater wounds. If I had known this would happen, I would have stopped her back then…….”

The disconnect between mind and body.

In fact, there was nothing more dangerous than this for a martial artist.

It was only because it was Han Seol-hwa that it ended at this level; if it had been another martial artist, the true energy that had lost control would have gone wild the moment the balance between the two was disrupted.

After that, it was obvious that they would follow the path of inner demon.

That was why mental cultivation was emphasized from the moment one entered martial arts.

It was also why the rate of inner demons was particularly high among unorthodox martial artists compared to orthodox martial artists.

That much, it was no different from holding a double-edged sword for someone with a tender nature to learn martial arts.

In fact, this was the part that the three of them were most concerned about when they passed on martial arts to Dan Ak-seon.

It was then.

Beom Gye-wi, who had been silently staring at Han Seol-hwa, broke the heavy silence that was pressing down on the room and suddenly opened his mouth.

“Weakling.”

Han Seol-hwa flinched and glared at Beom Gye-wi.

―……What?

Cho Ak-ryang also cast a displeased gaze.

“Is that what you have to say in this situation?”

Beom Gye-wi turned his head and glared at Cho Ak-ryang.

“Cho *hyung* [older brother or respected male figure] too!”

Cho Ak-ryang was dumbfounded when the blame was directed at him.

“What did I do?”

“The Witch too, and Cho *hyung* too. You people really have no conscience.”

“Uncle…….”

“No, Doctor Dan. Don’t stop me. I have to say this.”

Dan Ak-seon hurriedly tried to stop Beom Gye-wi, but Beom Gye-wi continued to speak as if he had made up his mind.

“What’s the point of Doctor Dan painstakingly fixing you up? You always come back injured after going somewhere.”

Cho Ak-ryang, feeling guilty, cleared his throat.

Han Seol-hwa was the same.

She had no expression, but her eyes were filled with embarrassment.

Regardless.

Beom Gye-wi, who had opened the floodgates of criticism, drove the two of them without giving them a chance to breathe.

“Doctor Dan’s precious elixirs, time, and effort that were poured into treating you two?”

“…….”

―…….

“Do you even have a conscience?”

Beom Gye-wi raised his hand and pointed at himself.

“Look at me. The more I get treated, the healthier I become, and my martial arts have even gotten stronger. Who’s asking for much? Just be like me and don’t let Doctor Dan’s hard work go to waste.”

―Shut up.

Beom Gye-wi scoffed at Han Seol-hwa’s telepathic message.

“Aren’t you ashamed to face Doctor Dan? Or are you making fun of Doctor Dan’s efforts?”

―Stop!

“If not, are you ignoring Doctor Dan?”

Han Seol-hwa’s quietly simmering anger crossed the boiling point at some point.

Han Seol-hwa’s figure disappeared as if it had been extinguished.

Clang!

It was then that a heavy impact shook the air.

Han Seol-hwa flew her figure and attacked Beom Gye-wi.

Beom Gye-wi blocked and lifted Han Seol-hwa’s palm with his fist.

However, he too was pushed back about one palm’s length.

He had not completely deflected the impact.

It was fortunate that he had sensed the rising murderous intent and prepared in advance; if he had been spacing out, it would have been a powerful attack that would have immediately put him on a boat to the afterlife.

“The farting one gets angry, so instead of repenting, you’re getting angry?”

Han Seol-hwa’s eyes were coldly colored.

The air seemed to freeze coldly in an instant.

Tsu tsu tsut.

Transparent ice spears appeared in the air.

As Han Seol-hwa’s hand pointed at Beom Gye-wi, countless ice spears rushed towards Beom Gye-wi all at once.

But Beom Gye-wi was not the same as before.

“Okay! Let’s settle this today!”

As he raised his unique mental art, Doban Samyang True Energy, to the extreme, a scorching heat like lava filled the area in an instant.

Kwaang!

It was right after that that the two collided.

Surprisingly, no roar erupted between the two who were entangled like lightning.

Instead, only lightning-like movements that aimed at each other’s gaps and weaknesses made the eyes dizzy.

The two did not back down an inch.

The outcome of a contest between masters can be decided in an instant if they are pushed back in momentum.

Especially in close combat, the outcome is decided as soon as one move is missed.

A dangerous situation continued precariously, as if one of them would vomit blood and fall at any moment.

But this did not last long.

Beom Gye-wi had begun to be pushed back slightly.

Taking advantage of that momentum, Han Seol-hwa poured all sorts of her best moves at Beom Gye-wi.

―I.

Kwang!

―Stop.

Kwaang!

“I told you to shut up!”

Beom Gye-wi was startled and shouted at Han Seol-hwa’s angry shout that shook the air.

“Either send a telepathic message or shout, just do one! I thought my eardrums were going to burst!”

“What?”

Han Seol-hwa froze on the spot with a surprised face.

Seeing this as an opportunity, Beom Gye-wi quickly stepped back and poked his ear with his finger.

“Where’s the pretense? Pretense. You look perfectly fine.”

“…….”

“Witch, you’re caught.”

Beom Gye-wi glared at Han Seol-hwa, who was speechless with embarrassment.

“What are you up to?”

“A trick?”

“Yeah! You were trying to gain the heart of the tender Doctor Dan by pretending to be pitiful and pathetic, right?”

A cheer echoed through the room at that moment.

“Wow! As expected, Uncle Beom is amazing!”

“Huh? Me?”

Dan Ak-seon praised Beom Gye-wi, who was making an incomprehensible expression.

“You just healed Auntie.”

“Huh? I did such a useless thing?”

Han Seol-hwa frowned and glared at Beom Gye-wi.

“How did I get involved with that idiot…….”

She was inwardly dumbfounded and embarrassed, but soon Han Seol-hwa smiled.

Anyway, she had regained her voice and was making expressions.

Cho Ak-ryang opened his mouth with a dumbfounded face.

“A mental wound that is difficult to overcome…… To turn someone inside out to the point of making even such mental trauma meaningless. In some ways, you may be the best in the world.”

Still, the happiest person among them was undoubtedly Dan Ak-seon.

“Anyway, that’s a relief! Uncle Beom is the best!”

“Ehehe! See, Doctor Dan. I told you, you only need to trust me, our Doctor Dan?”

Beom Gye-wi was puffing up with pride at Dan Ak-seon’s praise.

But inside, he was letting out a sigh of relief.

After his martial arts improved rapidly, he had been secretly looking for a chance to fight Han Seol-hwa, but when he actually crossed hands with her, what was this?

Less than half.

No, exactly half of half was lacking.

The problem was that she was currently suppressing a considerable amount of internal energy to bind the Ice Crystal.

Then, suddenly, he felt strange.

“But was there such a great master in the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”

“Huh?”

Beom Gye-wi frowned at Cho Ak-ryang, who was making a puzzled expression.

“No, that’s not it. You said you’d die soon if you took out the Ice Crystal, right? I mean, is there a master there who’s worth taking that risk and pouring out all your strength?”

The person who answered that question was Han Seol-hwa.

“There were Yeomma and Geomma there.”

Cho Ak-ryang was startled and asked back.

“The Six Demonic Venerables of the Demonic Sect?”

Han Seol-hwa nodded.

“I killed Geomma and missed Yeomma.”

“……!”

“……!”

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi looked at each other with blank expressions for a moment.

Then, in the end, Beom Gye-wi burst out.

“Why are you telling us that now! You should have told us that first!”