The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 25

The Divine Doctor of Mount Hua (25)

“Try circulating your Qi [vital energy].”

At Dan Akseon’s words, Han Seolhwa focused and began circulating her true energy. Dan Akseon, who had been intently observing the flow of her true energy with closed eyes, suddenly opened them.

“I believe you’re correct. There was a distinct moment when the true energy moving along the meridians [energy pathways in the body] scattered and then gathered again.”

Dan Akseon nodded, convinced.

“There is indeed a point where the true energy moves separately, deviating from the prescribed path in the mnemonic verses. In reality, there is no corresponding meridian at that location, but the consciousness forcibly guides the true energy, causing a subtle discrepancy.”

Now it was Beom Gyewi’s turn.

Dan Akseon identified Beom Gyewi’s problem in a similar manner.

“Hmm…”

After careful deliberation, Dan Akseon finally nodded.

“Now that I understand the root cause, I believe a fundamental cure is possible. However, there’s a significant obstacle.”

“What obstacle?” Beom Gyewi inquired.

Dan Akseon sighed.

“We require a substantial quantity of spiritual medicine [rare and potent herbal remedies].”

Dan Akseon elaborated, “We need to redirect the true energy to the correct meridians, but these pathways have become blocked due to prolonged disuse. Furthermore, the body has already adapted to the incorrect mind technique.”

She provided an analogy: “Imagine the original path goes around a hill. But currently, we’ve forcibly created a shortcut that cuts straight through the hill. Consequently, the original path is overgrown and neglected. While going straight across the hill shortens the distance, it demands significantly more energy. If you’re carrying a heavy load, the strain becomes considerably greater.”

“So, we need to clear the original path that goes around the hill? And we need spiritual medicine to clear away the overgrown vegetation?” Beom Gyewi asked.

Dan Akseon nodded.

“If we can resolve the spiritual medicine issue, we can certainly attempt the treatment.”

At this juncture, Poong Jinseong, who had been listening attentively, cautiously interjected, “Do you recall when Master Gok mentioned Gongcheong Seokyu [a specific type of spiritual medicine] last time? I mentioned that I might have a solution.”

Poong Jinseong smiled. “The Murim Alliance [martial arts alliance] possesses a vast store of spiritual medicine.”

“…!”

With the exception of the Imperial Family, the Murim Alliance holds the largest collection of spiritual medicine in the Central Plains [ancient China]. The amount of spiritual medicine dedicated solely to treating the youngest daughter of the Alliance Lord is, in fact, immense.

“If Master Gok were to treat the Alliance Lord’s youngest daughter, he could readily obtain a considerable amount of spiritual medicine.”

Poong Jinseong noticed the glint of hope in Dan Akseon’s eyes.

“Moreover, at the current rate, that child will not survive. Life-sustaining treatment using spiritual medicine has reached its limits.”

At that moment, Beom Gyewi blurted out, “Treating the Murim Alliance Lord’s daughter? We endured all that hardship because of those Pasadan [a rival group] bastards, and you’ve already forgotten?”

Dan Akseon looked at Beom Gyewi with a puzzled expression.

“How did you know about that?”

Beom Gyewi suddenly felt a tingling sensation at the back of his head.

He turned and met Cho Akryang’s displeased frown.

“Uh… That’s…”

While the flustered Beom Gyewi stammered, a telepathic message flashed into his mind.

Beom Gyewi quickly spoke, “I encountered a hunter in the village during a walk. He mentioned it. He said it was a major incident.”

“That’s correct,” Dan Akseon said.

Dan Akseon quietly sighed, and Beom Gyewi inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

Beom Gyewi glanced at Han Seolhwa.

She was the one who had helped him in his moment of crisis. If she hadn’t sent the telepathic message, their victory over the Pasadan would have been revealed.

At that moment, another telepathic message reached Han Seolhwa.

—Idiot.

“What?” Han Seolhwa asked, confused.

Cho Akryang stepped forward, positioning himself in front of the flustered Beom Gyewi.

“So, does that mean Doctor Dan must travel to the patient’s location?” Cho Akryang asked, revealing his discomfort.

He was reluctant to send Dan Akseon to the Murim Alliance alone. However, bringing the patient here was equally impossible.

What father would willingly send his precious daughter to a foreign land unaccompanied? It was certain that practitioners, doctors, and bodyguards would accompany her in large numbers.

Consequently, this location could be exposed, and their existence revealed.

“The problem remains the same for both of you; you cannot postpone the treatment.”

“Wouldn’t that problem be resolved if these people accompanied you?” Poong Jinseong suggested.

“Hmm. That’s true, but…”

Even with a potential solution, the most significant issue persisted.

“I lack the self-control to restrain myself if I encounter the Murim Alliance Lord.”

“If he catches my eye, I’ll smash his head in immediately,” Cho Akryang added.

Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi immediately displayed their murderous intent. They harbored the deepest resentment towards the Murim Alliance.

At that moment, Poong Jinseong addressed Dan Akseon, “May I have a word with these individuals for a moment?”

“Yes?” Dan Akseon asked.

“I intend to persuade them.”

After receiving permission from Dan Akseon, Poong Jinseong led the three to a location beyond Dan Akseon’s earshot.

“I hope you will accept this arrangement for Master Gok’s sake,” Poong Jinseong said.

“What’s your true motive?” Cho Akryang asked, suppressing his rising anger.

“The Murim Alliance Lord is the only individual who can grant the special right of immunity from death.”

Special right of immunity from death.

It literally refers to the right to avoid death, regardless of the severity of the crime.

“That is the only way to ensure Master Gok’s safety in the event of an emergency.”

“An emergency,” Cho Akryang repeated.

Poong Jinseong was referring to their potential exposure.

If their association with them was revealed, Dan Akseon’s life would also be in danger. This was why Poong Jinseong suggested treating the Murim Alliance Lord’s daughter.

It was the minimum safety measure to protect Dan Akseon.

“Well, if that happens, there will be a justification for Doctor Dan to leave, even if we are exposed,” Beom Gyewi surprisingly admitted.

“Then we have to do it,” Cho Akryang said, receiving Beom Gyewi’s gaze, and nodding.

He desired to kill the Murim Alliance Lord, but his feelings for Dan Akseon were stronger.

“I don’t care,” Han Seolhwa said, having no reason to refuse in the first place.

“Thank you. Then I will prepare to accompany Master Gok,” Poong Jinseong said.

“Wait,” Cho Akryang said, grabbing Poong Jinseong, who was about to turn around.

“If we’re going to do it, let’s have some fun,” Cho Akryang said. Then he approached Dan Akseon and said, “Doctor Dan, shall we go on a trip?”

“A trip?” Dan Akseon asked, her face brightening at those words.

Dan Akseon had never been on a trip before.

She had spent most of her life in Shinma Valley, and even when she did leave, it was only to nearby villages. This was why she enjoyed listening to stories of the Jianghu [the martial arts world].

A trip she had always dreamed of.

Cho Akryang nodded, observing Dan Akseon’s cheeks, which were flushed with excitement.

“Doctor Dan wants to go, so we have to go,” Cho Akryang said.

Han Seolhwa also nodded. “If the doctor goes, the patient has no choice but to follow.”

From that day forward, Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi became very busy.

They needed to raise travel expenses. Beom Gyewi carried wood tirelessly, and Cho Akryang sharpened his knives to carve wooden statues. Han Seolhwa assisted with the cleanup.

That was the only way to earn travel money at the moment.

Poong Jinseong offered to cover all the travel expenses, but they refused.

“It’s our Doctor Dan’s first trip, so we have to buy him something delicious,” Cho Akryang said.

Cho Akryang and Han Seolhwa agreed with Beom Gyewi’s sentiment. If they were going to splurge, they wanted to use their own money.

* * *

Mr. Im, the owner of the woodworking shop, was having another busy day. Merchants from nearby villages arrived daily to make deals.

The popularity of the wooden statues he had recently acquired was soaring, and he struggled to keep up with the overwhelming demand.

The problem was the limited supply.

Consequently, the prices of the wooden statues were also skyrocketing.

That was the case even now.

“I’ll give you one more silver coin. So, hand it over to us,” one merchant said.

“I’ll give you two more silver coins!” another countered.

“What? Then I’ll add 50% more to that!” the first exclaimed.

“You son of a bitch? Don’t you have any business ethics?” the second retorted.

“Who are you to talk! I was the first to make a deal!” the first shot back.

The excessive competition among the merchants eventually led to a scuffle. Mediating these disputes had become part of Mr. Im’s daily routine.

“Please stop, both of you. The items here are already under contract, so I can’t trade with other people,” Mr. Im said, sighing at the sight of the merchants’ disappointed faces.

“Then let’s do this,” Mr. Im said, presenting a tempting offer.

“The contract to supply other trading companies will expire in a month. After that, I have to renew the contract, but I will give other people a chance to bid.”

“Bidding? Are you saying you’re going to put it up for auction?” one merchant asked.

“There are many people who want to buy it, but there is a shortage of quantity, so there is no other way,” Mr. Im said.

It was the best alternative he could offer.

The merchants had no choice but to turn back with regret.

However, they were all preoccupied with calculating their bid prices.

If they could win the contract and monopolize the wooden statues, they could reap enormous profits.

As the merchants from other villages departed, Mr. Im began to tidy up the store.

Just as he was about to finish his daily work and close the store, someone entered.

“Hello,” Dan Akseon said.

“Oh! Welcome,” Mr. Im said, greeting Dan Akseon with a smile.

At one point, the store was on the verge of closure due to financial difficulties.

However, after making a deal with Dan Akseon, he had experienced unprecedented success.

As such, she was an invaluable customer to him.

“There are a lot of wooden statues today,” Mr. Im said.

“I’m grateful if you bring a lot. I’m in a mess because there’s a shortage of quantity anyway,” Mr. Im said, surprised to see a cart full of wooden statues. It was several times more than usual.

“The quantity has increased a lot?” Mr. Im asked.

“Yes. I don’t think I’ll be able to come for a while,” Dan Akseon said.

Mr. Im’s face hardened as he smiled.

“Did something happen?” Mr. Im asked.

“I’ve decided to go on a trip,” Dan Akseon said.

“A trip? Where to?” Mr. Im asked.

“Wuhan,” Dan Akseon said.

“Wuhan in Hubei Province?” Mr. Im asked.

“Yes,” Dan Akseon said.

Mr. Im asked with a troubled expression, “When do you think you’ll be back?”

“Well,” Dan Akseon said, estimating the date, and soon shook her head.

“It’s hard to say. It’s my first trip, so I don’t know how long it will take,” Dan Akseon said.

“Hoo, well, I can’t help it if that’s the case,” Mr. Im said, worried and disappointed.

If the items that were already in short supply were temporarily discontinued, the bidding competition would become even fiercer. However, he couldn’t simply detain Dan Akseon.

“Be sure to let me know when you come back,” Mr. Im said.

“Yes. Take care until then,” Dan Akseon said.

Mr. Im paid for the wooden statues on the spot and came out to see Dan Akseon off.

Beom Gyewi, who had been waiting outside, helped Dan Akseon into the empty cart.

“Are you that happy?” Beom Gyewi asked.

At Beom Gyewi’s question, Dan Akseon smiled brightly.

“Yes. When I said I was going on a trip, he gave me a high price. We’re rich now,” Dan Akseon said.

“I’m happy that you’re happy,” Beom Gyewi said, feeling rewarded for carrying wood all night, seeing Dan Akseon happy. Just as Dan Akseon was about to leave the village in the cart led by Beom Gyewi, someone suddenly emerged from the end of the alley.

“Excuse me…” a man said, looking fearful and watching Beom Gyewi, carefully approaching the cart.

“Oh?” Dan Akseon said, recognizing the man’s face.

It was the owner of the woodworking shop he had first visited to sell wooden statues.

“What is it?” Beom Gyewi asked, frowning.

Startled, the man stopped in his tracks. However, he soon smiled obsequiously and bowed.

“I have something to say to the young hero over there,” the man said.

“You have something to say to me?” Dan Akseon asked.

As soon as Dan Akseon finished speaking, the man nodded and immediately got to the point.

“Can you supply wooden statues to us too?” the man asked.

“That would be difficult,” Dan Akseon said.

“I’ll give you twice as much as the place you’re trading with now,” the man said.

Dan Akseon smiled bitterly.

The amount of money Mr. Im had just paid for the wooden statues was five silver coins each, so he was offering ten silver coins.

It was ten times more than the one silver coin he had initially offered. However, no matter how good the conditions were, Dan Akseon had no intention of trading with him.

It was because of his initial attitude of looking down on him and mistreating him.

“I’m sorry. I have no intention of changing my trading partner,” Dan Akseon said.

“Then three times…” the man said.

Dan Akseon shook her head firmly.

“No matter how much money you give me, my mind won’t change. So, please go back,” Dan Akseon said.

Beom Gyewi glared at the man who still couldn’t turn away.

“Hey. Are your ears blocked?” Beom Gyewi asked, his voice filled with murderous intent.

The man was startled by Beom Gyewi’s voice and ran away.

Beom Gyewi clicked his tongue as if he was disappointed at the sight.

“Tsk. I’m a professional at unblocking blocked ears,” Beom Gyewi said.

“How?” Dan Akseon asked.

At Dan Akseon’s question, Beom Gyewi pretended to wield the Daechojagon [a martial arts technique].