The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 243

Bum Gye-wi nodded.

“Well, yeah. It’s about time that guy earned his keep.”

Ak Ho-gun’s eyes turned fierce at Bum Gye-wi’s annoying interjection.

Bum Gye-wi glared back at Ak Ho-gun.

“What? What’s with the eyes?”

“…….”

“If you’re unhappy, let’s fight.”

Ak Ho-gun suppressed his rising anger at Bum Gye-wi’s blatant provocation.

‘Better to die than suffer this.’

He lacked the skill to compete in martial arts, and arguing with words was even more hopeless against Bum Gye-wi.

Wasting energy in a quarrel would only be a loss for him.

Besides, there was a more pressing matter to resolve.

“If we attack the Hwangbo Clan, won’t the Murim Alliance [a coalition of martial arts clans] intervene? The justification for maintaining this place as a forbidden zone will also disappear.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled at Ak Ho-gun’s concern.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the Murim Alliance can’t interfere in the fight between the Hwangbo Clan and the Green Forest.”

Dan Ak-seon continued his explanation.

“Now that the Seven Severed Fiends have been revealed as the assassin who murdered the Lord, they can’t escape being public enemies of the Murim. If it becomes known that the Hwangbo Clan has some connection with the Seven Severed Fiends in this situation, both the Hwangbo Clan and the Murim Alliance will be in a difficult position. The Murim Alliance won’t be able to act rashly, even if they are conscious of public opinion.”

“You mean you’re going to publicize the information you’ve gathered so far?”

“No.”

“……?”

“It’s just for pressure. In reality, there won’t be a clash between the Hwangbo Clan and the Green Forest. Without the Murim Alliance’s help, the Green Forest’s existence alone will be a considerable burden to them.”

Ak Ho-gun, having read Dan Ak-seon’s intentions, chuckled.

“You want me to play the role of a paper tiger?”

It wasn’t a bad plan.

Most of all, he liked the fact that he didn’t have to step forward and suffer any damage directly.

But once again, Bum Gye-wi made a nasty remark.

“You were a paper tiger from the start anyway. As good as useless.”

“What did you say?”

“How many people here do you think are afraid of you?”

Ak Ho-gun, who had been furious, grimaced and groaned.

Because it wasn’t exactly wrong.

“Fine. I’ll take on that role.”

In the end, nodding in agreement was all he could do for now.

The next morning.

Ju Cho-un visited the training ground that Shinma Ui had temporarily set up in the backyard.

There was still some time left before the medical rounds.

He wanted to check on his son’s routine before that.

Ju Jang-myeong disappeared as soon as dawn broke and could only be seen at dinner.

When Ju Cho-un arrived at the training ground, Ju Jang-myeong was already soaked in sweat and looked disheveled, having finished his morning training.

“Here, water.”

“Thanks, Adu hyung [term for older brother or respected male figure].”

Ju Jang-myeong, who gulped down the water he received from Adu, walked towards a table set up on one side of the training ground.

Then he picked up a book placed on the table.

“You’ve sweated a lot. Shouldn’t you wash up?”

Ju Jang-myeong grinned at Adu’s question.

“I’ll just sweat again anyway. I’m just catching my breath and will continue training.”

Adu shook his head as if he couldn’t help it.

Except for sleeping and eating, Ju Jang-myeong devoted himself entirely to training his mind and reading.

It was then that Adu wore a puzzled expression.

“Come to think of it, the book has changed? Did you already finish reading the previous medical text?”

“He allowed me to read clinical records from today.”

“Did Gokju-nim [term of respect for a high-ranking person]?”

“Yeah.”

“Congratulations. You’re now officially on the path of a physician.”

“Hehe. I still have a long way to go to catch up with Adu hyung. Hyung is already taking patients’ pulses and performing acupuncture.”

“I’m just imitating what I’ve learned over my shoulder.”

A warm smile spread across Ju Cho-un’s face as he watched the two of them chatting amicably.

It had been several months since they, father and son, had stayed in Shinma Ui’s house.

Adu and Ju Jang-myeong, who were of similar age and in similar situations, had become the best of friends, regardless of their ages.

Since he started practicing the Weihwa Divine Art while undergoing treatment, Ju Jang-myeong no longer had seizures or lost consciousness.

Adu was the same.

Through consistent treatment, his legs had improved to the point where he could no longer feel a big difference from ordinary people.

Ju Cho-un could only be grateful and thankful for the current situation.

It was an unimaginable sight just a few months ago.

The fact that his son could be healthy and get along with his peers was enough to compensate for all his hard work.

“It’s a good sight, isn’t it?”

Ju Cho-un was startled and turned his head at the voice he heard from the side.

Dan Ak-seon, who had come unnoticed, gave him a smile.

“The two will be good rivals.”

“Rivals, you say?”

“Yes. A precious relationship where they rejoice in each other’s development, rely on each other, and move forward together.”

“Did you have someone like that, Doctor Dan?”

Ju Cho-un, who had asked the question without thinking, wore a surprised expression.

That was because Dan Ak-seon’s medical skills were so outstanding.

However, he nodded at Dan Ak-seon’s subsequent words.

“Uncle Poong, the head of the Jinseong Medical Family. When I was young, I always tried to catch up with him.”

He had never met him, but he had heard rumors about Poong Jin-seong.

“Come to think of it, you said you were in the same school? You studied together under Shin-ui-nim [term of respect for a divine doctor] and Ma-ui-nim [term of respect for a demonic doctor]…….”

A hint of longing flashed across Dan Ak-seon’s eyes.

“Yes… I wonder if Uncle Poong is doing well.”

The two had been in touch less frequently lately due to various matters.

It was then that Ju Cho-un cautiously opened his mouth.

“By the way, I think you should start looking for a way.”

Dan Ak-seon, who immediately understood the meaning of those words, let out an embarrassed laugh.

“The number of seriously ill patients has been increasing recently. We have enough beds and medicine in the ward, but on the contrary, we are severely short of hands. The doctors here are almost at their limit.”

Dan Ak-seon sighed softly.

Recently, as the reputation of Shinma Ui’s house spread throughout the Central Plains, the doctors were so overwhelmed with patients that they were running out of breath.

He himself had recently had to reduce his sleep to one sh辰辰 (2 hours) a day.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have time to practice martial arts.

“There’s nothing we can do. But we have to save people.”

Ju Cho-un was sincerely sorry for Dan Ak-seon, who forced a smile with a tired face.

It was then that Dan Ak-seon’s eyes widened.

“Huh?”

Ju Cho-un, who turned his head following Dan Ak-seon’s gaze, could see a man with a clear impression smiling and approaching them.

Ju Cho-un could immediately sense that he was a person of the same kind as himself, with a similar atmosphere.

As expected.

Dan Ak-seon greeted him with a delighted expression.

“What brings you here? Without even contacting me.”

Poong Jin-seong wore a tearful expression.

“Oh, Gokju-nim. Please take me in.”

“Yes?”

“I’m now a penniless man with nothing left.”

Dan Ak-seon was momentarily taken aback by Poong Jin-seong’s jest.

But soon, he noticed the dozen or so people standing behind Poong Jin-seong and wore a puzzled expression.

Poong Jin-seong opened his mouth towards them.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you greeting him?”

As soon as those words fell, the doctors of the Jinseong Medical Family, led by his disciple Gwan Ok-sim, who had come all the way here to follow him, all paid their respects to Dan Ak-seon.

“Please take care of us in the future!”

“We look forward to your guidance!”

Dan Ak-seon couldn’t hide his embarrassment and asked Poong Jin-seong.

“What on earth is going on?”

“As you can see, the Jinseong Medical Family is no more. Since there isn’t even a roof left to keep out the rain, the only person who immediately came to mind was Gokju-nim.”

“Don’t tell me……?”

Dan Ak-seon asked with a surprised face.

“You abandoned everything and came here?”

Poong Jin-seong, smiling at Dan Ak-seon, greeted Ju Cho-un.

“Are you perhaps Ju Dae-hyeop, the ‘Able to Heal the Dying’ (能療不亡) from Jeongju, Henan Province, who has been praised as a renowned doctor for generations?”

Ju Cho-un was startled and waved his hand.

“It’s true that I’m Ju Cho-un, but I can’t handle the word ‘renowned doctor.’ Compared to Doctor Dan here, I still have a long way to go.”

Poong Jin-seong smiled and took his hand.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I don’t know how grateful I was that someone like Doctor Ju was by Gokju-nim’s side. I’m Poong, with the name Jin-seong, and I’m also walking the path of a doctor.”

“Ah! Now that I see, you’re the head of the Jinseong Medical Family. I was just talking about you with Doctor Dan.”

“About me?”

“That you were Doctor Dan’s good rival…….”

This time, Poong Jin-seong waved his hand.

“Oh, my. I don’t know when that story was from. It’s been a long time since I’ve been trying to catch up with Gokju-nim.”

At that moment, Poong Jin-seong felt a small arm wrapping around his waist and turned his head.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Poong Jin-seong quietly smiled and patted Dan Ak-seon on the back.

“I’m the one who’s grateful. Now I can serve Gokju-nim like before.”

That’s how Poong Jin-seong and the doctors who followed him joined Shinma Ui’s house.

Soon after, Poong Jin-seong headed straight to the inner garden.

It was to greet Cho Ak-ryang and Bum Gye-wi, as well as Han Seol-hwa.

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

They briefly exchanged their recent news.

“Doctor Dan has been looking overwhelmed recently, so this is good. You made a big decision.”

Poong Jin-seong smiled and bowed his head at Cho Ak-ryang’s warm welcome.

“I may be lacking in many ways, but please take care of me in the future.”

Han Seol-hwa also smiled faintly and nodded, welcoming Poong Jin-seong’s joining.

In contrast, Bum Gye-wi glared at Poong Jin-seong with a displeased look.

Because he knew how affectionate and close Dan Ak-seon and Poong Jin-seong’s relationship was.

“Did you come to steal our Doctor Dan?”

“Yes?”

Poong Jin-seong, who was momentarily flustered, soon burst into laughter.

“Haha. Not at all. It’s the opposite.”

“……?”

“Thanks to me, Gokju-nim will be able to focus on martial arts training instead. I’m going to take all of Gokju-nim’s patients. Naturally, I’ll be spending more time with the three of you.”

“Oh? Was that it?”

Bum Gye-wi’s face immediately brightened as if he had never been sulking.

“Welcome, Doctor Poong.”

After greeting Sa Mu-sim and Neung So-mil in turn, Poong Jin-seong immediately participated in Dan Ak-seon’s medical rounds.

He, too, was a born doctor who couldn’t leave patients unattended.

After finishing the rounds together, Poong Jin-seong arranged a separate meeting with Dan Ak-seon.

“Fortunately, there are no patients I can’t treat. I will be in charge of Gokju-nim’s patients from now on. So please hand over all the clinical records so that I can fully take over.”

“Yes? But…….”

“I’ve heard about the current situation through Elder Hong of the Beggars’ Union. I also know that now is the time for you to focus on your training more than ever.”

“Still, Grandpa Song’s treatment will be tricky, won’t it?”

When Dan Ak-seon mentioned the patient with the deepest illness, Poong Jin-seong wore a meaningful smile.

“I haven’t been idle either. I will use medicine to control the heat in the lungs, reduce inflammation, and draw up the moisture from the kidneys that have become parched. Then, the internal balance will naturally find its place.”

“Ah! I was thinking about that method too.”

“Leave the patients to me, and Gokju-nim should now focus on what needs to be done.”

Only then could Dan Ak-seon smile with a much lighter face.

Because he could trust Poong Jin-seong’s reputation and skills to take care of the patients.

Then, suddenly, Dan Ak-seon remembered something and mentioned someone.

“Still, there’s one patient I must take responsibility for treating.”

Poong Jin-seong smiled and nodded.

He, too, guessed who Dan Ak-seon was referring to.

“He’s over there.”

Poong Jin-seong, who found Adu busily preparing for his treatment time, waved his hand and greeted him.

“Doctor!”

Adu, who recognized Poong Jin-seong, couldn’t hide his joy.