The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 242

The Divine Doctor of Primordial Demise (243)

It was then.

“What? Kill someone?”

“What are you talking about?”

Two people who had just entered the hall hurriedly spoke.

It was Ak Ho-gun and Neung So-mil.

Both of them couldn’t hide their embarrassment.

They had rushed over, startled by the sudden roar, only to hear something even more shocking.

“Please explain in detail.”

At Dan Ak-seon’s request, Han Seol-hwa explained in as much detail as possible what she had experienced since arriving at the Bukhae Ice Palace, in chronological order.

“Hmm…”

Ak Ho-gun was so surprised that he unconsciously made a groaning sound.

He, too, had faced one of them during the past Righteous-Demonic War.

‘Back then, he was one of the Ten Guardians.’

The Axe Demon (斧魔) who had single-handedly invaded the Green Forest’s main camp.

His formidable martial prowess still sent shivers down his spine.

Moreover, he wasn’t even in perfect condition.

He was missing an eye, and his leg was limping.

Yet, in that impaired state, he took over a hundred elite Green Forest members to the afterlife with him.

Even Ak Ho-gun, who prided himself on being a skilled martial artist recognized in the Jianghu [the martial arts world], couldn’t dare to face him in a one-on-one duel.

Instead, he lured him into a pre-prepared trap and showered him with hidden weapons, barely managing to end his life.

The Ten Guardians who survived the Righteous-Demonic War at that time were the current Six Demonic Lords.

As such, they were true masters among masters, possessing not only martial arts but also experience.

To face two of them simultaneously and even behead one of them!

Ak Ho-gun was simply stunned by Han Seol-hwa’s nonchalant recounting of the events.

On the other hand, Neung So-mil couldn’t hide his joy at the unexpected gain.

“Losing one of the Six Demonic Lords will be a significant blow to the Demonic Sect. In terms of chess, it would be like losing at least a rook or a cannon.”

It was then that Dan Ak-seon, who had been deep in thought, spoke up.

“Who could the Chief Secretary (首輔) they mentioned be?”

“Generally, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, who presides over the cabinet affairs of the court, is called the Chief Secretary. They serve as advisors who petition the emperor on matters of right and wrong.”

At Neung So-mil’s answer, Dan Ak-seon was surprised and asked.

“Does that mean someone from the court is deeply involved with the Demonic Sect?”

“That’s unlikely.”

Neung So-mil shook his head and continued his explanation.

“Although they have become more religiously inclined now, the Demonic Sect used to plot conspiracies to overthrow the imperial family. They believe that the current dynasty should rightfully be theirs.”

During the late Yuan Dynasty, when the Red Turban Rebellion and the warlords’ uprisings had plunged the country into extreme chaos,

numerous Han Chinese rose up, centered around the White Lotus Society.

One of those who distinguished himself by moving between the White Lotus Society and the Red Turban Army was Zhu Yuanzhang, who later defeated the Han Chinese warlords and the Yuan Dynasty army to become emperor.

The reason why the nation’s name was Ming (明), which means “brightness”, was deeply rooted in religious undertones.

It was common for dynasties founded by the Han Chinese to use the names of states that existed during the Spring and Autumn or Warring States periods.

Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, held the title of Prince of Han (漢王), while Cao Cao and Sima Zhao, the founders of Wei and Jin respectively, styled themselves as Prince of Wei (魏王) and Prince of Jin (晉王).

Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of Sui, was the Prince of Sui (隋王), and Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, was the Duke of Tang (唐國公) under the Sui Dynasty.

When establishing a dynasty, founders often utilized the titles they had been granted or were known by. However, despite having used the title Duke of Wu (吳國公) before becoming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang named his dynasty Ming (明) instead of Wu (吳).

This was closely related to the White Lotus Society.

In the past, the White Lotus Society had advocated that darkness (黑暗) would recede and brightness (光明) would come.

The name Ming, the dynasty established after overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty, which represented darkness, carried that meaning.

“As you know, the Demonic Sect’s leader, the Heavenly Demon, enjoys wearing yellow robes for that reason. They believe that they are the true masters of the world.”

Yellow symbolizes sacredness, nobility, and authority, and is also known as the color of emperors.

Since ancient times, yellow has been located in the center of the five directions (五方), five elements (五行), and five colors (五色), signifying the central government.

Therefore, it was revered as a color reserved only for the emperor.

“In fact, with the concept of a prime minister having disappeared, the Chief Secretary is likely being used as a concept of being second only to one, above all others. Or perhaps it’s simply the name itself. There’s too little information to say for sure right now.”

Dan Ak-seon nodded heavily at Neung So-mil’s words.

No matter how he thought about it, his existence bothered him.

“I have a feeling that he’s deeply involved in the Demonic Sect’s movements.”

The conversation between Yeom-ma and Geom-ma.

Especially the part where they accurately predicted that Han Seol-hwa would come to the Bukhae Ice Palace was chilling.

The fact that they sent two of the Six Demonic Lords in preparation was also concerning.

Yeom-ma had said that the Chief Secretary was being overly cautious, but looking back, he could guess that it was a decision made under thorough calculation, as Geom-ma had said.

What if those two had attacked Han Seol-hwa with all their might from the beginning without letting their guard down?

The person who would be hearing the news of her death right now might have been himself, not the Chief Secretary.

Was that why?

He was even more worried about Sa Mu-sim, who had left to investigate the movements of the Blood Cloud Society.

“I hope Chief Sa is safe…”

At that moment, Cho Ak-ryang, who had been silently staring somewhere, smiled.

“It seems your wish has reached the heavens.”

“Yes?”

For Dan Ak-seon, who asked back with a puzzled face, Cho Ak-ryang raised his hand and pointed to one place instead of answering.

Following his hand, Dan Ak-seon was able to discover a person just passing through the Woldeong Gate.

It was Sa Mu-sim.

“Chief!”

As Dan Ak-seon waved his hand with a delighted expression, Sa Mu-sim also smiled and approached, paying his respects politely.

“It seems everyone is gathered.”

Sa Mu-sim began to explain in detail what he had experienced.

After he finished his story, Beom Gye-wi smacked his lips with a disappointed expression.

“Should I have gone? If I had, I would have caught that No Dan-yang…”

“It wouldn’t have been easy.”

Sa Mu-sim, recalling the divine might that No Dan-yang had shown at the time, let out a soft sigh.

“He wasn’t the Seven Fiends of the past.”

“Humph! He’s still just No Dan-yang. Could he be my match just because he learned a Demonic Sect technique?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s outburst, Sa Mu-sim took something out of his pocket.

It was a half-burnt piece of paper.

“It seems that the Demonic Sect martial art he learned wasn’t just the Blood Demon Vajra.”

Cho Ak-ryang frowned as he checked the contents of the letter.

“A martial arts manual.”

Although it was severely damaged by fire, it wasn’t difficult to guess that it was part of a gatha [a verse or hymn], the core secret of a specific martial art.

A characteristic that clearly deviated from the martial arts of the Central Plains.

It was definitely demonic art.

Sa Mu-sim nodded.

“It seems that they delivered the demonic art to No Dan-yang in this way, confirmed that he had mastered it, and then ordered the contact to destroy the evidence.”

“Who?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s question, Dan Ak-seon answered.

“The current Martial Alliance Lord, I presume.”

Dan Ak-seon pointed to the letter.

“It’s clear at a glance that it’s a woman’s handwriting.”

At this time, Neung So-mil, who had been lost in thought, suddenly opened his mouth.

“But you said that the contact between Je Gal-yeon and No Dan-yang was a member of the Hwangbo Clan?”

Beom Gye-wi also tilted his head.

“Huh? Come to think of it, that’s strange. Didn’t Brother Cho confirm that the contact used the Murong Clan’s martial arts before?”

“That’s right. The martial art he used was definitely the Murong Clan’s unique Golden Dragon Claw.”

At the puzzled gazes of the group, Sa Mu-sim shook his head.

“What I saw was definitely the Hwangbo Clan’s martial arts.”

Just before subduing his opponent.

He tried to counterattack using the Mount Tai Eighteen Style Palm (泰山十八盤掌).

The Hwangbo Clan’s fist techniques were faithful to the principle of using stillness to control movement (以靜制動) [using a calm, defensive stance to overcome an opponent’s aggressive attacks].

This was because they were generally skilled in various palm strikes based on innate strength, large physique, and powerful internal energy.

Although their martial arts techniques were simple and straightforward, the momentum and power of their palm strikes more than made up for their shortcomings.

One of the most representative martial arts was the Mount Tai Eighteen Style Palm, which was newly compiled by absorbing the martial arts of the now-defunct Mount Tai Sect.

Pan-jang (盤掌) [wrapping palm technique].

The palm technique of wrapping and supporting the attacking wrist with the other hand to double its power was one of their unique characteristics that was difficult to find in other sects.

“Actually, it’s not that strange.”

Neung So-mil nodded.

“The Martial Alliance is a place where clans have united.”

It was then that Ak Ho-gun, who had been maintaining silence, opened his mouth.

“I’m more concerned about something else.”

As everyone’s attention focused on him, Ak Ho-gun mentioned the internal strife that the Blood Cloud Society had experienced, as Sa Mu-sim had explained.

“One of the Demonic Sect’s masters killed the leader of the Blood Cloud Society, and he’s only about twenty years old? And he did it in just ten moves. I’m as uncomfortable with his existence as a thorn in my throat, am I the only one who feels that way?”

The martial prowess of the Blood Cloud Society’s leader was roughly on par with his own.

In other words, the moment he faced that unidentified master, there was no guarantee that he wouldn’t suffer the same fate.

“Could it be…”

Dan Ak-seon carefully opened his mouth.

“Could he be the Chief Secretary that the Six Demonic Lords mentioned?”

At this moment, Han Seol-hwa recalled something.

“Perhaps he’s a master raised by the Six Demonic Lords. The relationship between the Chief Secretary and the Six Demonic Lords seemed very close.”

There was an undeniable sense of trust in Yeom-ma and Geom-ma’s eyes when they mentioned him.

“Like us?”

At Beom Gye-wi’s question, Cho Ak-ryang nodded.

“There’s no reason why the Demonic Sect can’t be like that.”

Dan Ak-seon summarized the situation.

“We should always be prepared for a battle with the Demonic Sect. More than anything, resolving the internal unrest within the Martial Alliance should be our priority.”

Dan Ak-seon picked up the letter that Sa Mu-sim had brought.

“Can we use this as evidence to pressure the Martial Alliance?”

Neung So-mil shook his head.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think so. Even if we somehow manage to tie the Hwangbo Clan to No Dan-yang, the Martial Alliance Lord will surely deny knowing anything about it.”

Cho Ak-ryang opened his mouth with a cold glint in his eyes.

“It doesn’t matter. All we needed was confirmation.”

Beom Gye-wi also nodded.

“That’s right. We’re not government officials, nor are we judges who pass judgment based on the presence or absence of evidence.”

There was a unique way in the martial world.

And it was a method that most people in this place agreed with.

“Blood is washed away with blood, that’s the law of the Jianghu [martial world].”

Even Ak Ho-gun, tired of the current stagnant situation, agreed with that opinion.

Only one person.

Only Dan Ak-seon shook his head.

“What we need is justification.”

Dan Ak-seon, who started with those words, continued to persuade them with a calm look.

“If we punish them with force, we can avenge the death of the Clan Lord. But that’s not the way the Clan Lord wanted. We must judge right and wrong based on perfect evidence and justification that they can never refute. Only then can we prevent any possible conflicts from arising. Our real enemy isn’t just the Martial Alliance. If we don’t properly resolve the internal conflicts as soon as possible, we’ll only give the Demonic Sect an opportunity to take advantage of us.”

“Then should we find more evidence?”

Dan Ak-seon shook his head at Beom Gye-wi’s question.

“No. I don’t want to go around in circles either. We’ve gained a firm conviction, so we should start right away. Now, we’ll take the lead and induce them to create internal strife themselves.”

“Are you saying that we should create conflict among the clans belonging to the Martial Alliance?”

Dan Ak-seon nodded at Neung So-mil’s question.

“Yes. Starting with the Hwangbo Clan for now.”

At those words, Beom Gye-wi cracked his knuckles as if he had been waiting for this.

“Is it finally my turn to step up?”

But Dan Ak-seon shook his head.

“No. There’s someone else to deal with the Hwangbo Clan.”

“Huh? Who?”

Dan Ak-seon’s gaze turned to one person.

“They already have a clear enemy. One they’ve been fighting for a very long time.”

As everyone’s attention focused on him, Ak Ho-gun frowned in embarrassment.

“Me?”