The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 251

The Divine Doctor of Mount Hua (251)

“……!”

Jegal Yeon’s expression hardened at Gwangseongja’s words.

The more she thought about it, the more absurd and dumbfounding it seemed.

Even if someone was new to the Murim [martial arts world] and somewhat naive, how could they not recognize the leader of the Murim Alliance?

“Ah, is that so? I was wondering who it was.”

The resounding rebuke echoed at that moment.

“You! I told you not to speak so lightly!”

Gwangseongja flinched at his eldest martial brother’s scolding, which was as frightening as their master’s.

“That person is the current leader of the Murim Alliance.”

“This old lady is?”

Thwack.

“Ugh!”

Gwangseongja clutched his shin, where he had been suddenly kicked, and slumped down, looking up at Gwangdoja with aggrieved eyes.

Gwangdoja, wearing a stern expression, sighed and bowed deeply to Jegal Yeon.

“Our ignorant youngest martial brother has committed a great discourtesy. Please forgive his immature and foolish mistake with your generosity.”

“……It’s alright. It’s not something to blame him for, lacking discernment.”

Jegal Yeon, conscious of the surrounding gazes, forced a smile and accepted the apology.

It was then that she heard Gwangseongja muttering as he rubbed his aching shin.

“I thought she was someone important because Akseon was next to her.”

Jegal Yeon glared at Gwangseongja, but he was no longer there.

He had already reached Dan Akseon’s side.

It was as if she was not even in his eyes.

Gwangseongja, with a friendly demeanor, put his arm around Dan Akseon’s shoulder and grinned.

“Has your martial arts improved a bit?”

Dan Akseon smiled back and nodded.

Gwangseongja’s face brightened at the confident look in her eyes.

“Oh! Then, how about we spar for old time’s sake… Keuk!”

Gwangseongja, who was rolling up his sleeves, was once again suspended in the air.

Gwangdoja had grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and lifted him up.

“It hasn’t even been an hour since I scolded you! Are you trying to disgrace Kunlun’s name on purpose!”

“No, S 형님 [hyung-nim, respectful term for older brother]. What did I do wrong….”

“This isn’t Kunlun. If you come to Mount Hua, you have to follow Mount Hua’s rules. What kind of guest acts as they please without the host’s permission!”

Jegal Yeon shook her head and turned away.

Being close to those martial brothers would only diminish her own dignity.

Meanwhile, Gwangseongja protested with an aggrieved expression.

“Still, it’s a sixtieth birthday celebration. There’s no music, no dance… The Nine Great Sects have gathered in one place for the first time in a while, shouldn’t there at least be some sparring?”

“This guy, really?”

“Look at him! Him! That Mount Hua Taoist over there also looks like he’s itching for a fight.”

“What?”

Gwangdoja turned his head sharply to look where Gwangseongja was pointing.

“……!”

Myunggeom, one of the three great disciples of Mount Hua, was startled.

Suddenly, the eyes of the crowd were all focused on him.

He was about to open his mouth in embarrassment, but Gwangseongja was a little faster.

“He’s been looking like he wants to spar since a while ago.”

Myunggeom couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

It was true that he had been finding it difficult to suppress the competitive spirit within him.

It was all because of Gwangseongja.

In fact, they were the two most talked-about figures among the younger generation of the Nine Great Sects recently.

Myunggeom was actually three or four years older than Gwangseongja.

He had entered the Murim world earlier, and as the leader of the Plum Blossom Sword Formation, his reputation in the Jianghu [martial arts world] was incomparable.

A Hidden Dragon(臥龍) that Mount Hua harbored.

He was receiving the full expectations of his sect, living up to the name Seoak Ilgi(西岳一器) [One Instrument of the Western Peak].

However, recently, rumors had been circulating that a talented individual had appeared in Kunlun as well.

Myunggeom had not encountered any notable rivals among the younger generation of similar age.

So, at first, he was curious.

As time passed, his curiosity gradually turned into a strange sense of competition.

Unlike himself, who had not yet experienced any significant real battles, Gwangseongja had earned the moniker Kunlun Fighting Dragon(崑崙鬪龍) through fierce life-and-death struggles with the Demonic Sect.

That was why he couldn’t take his eyes off Gwangseongja from the moment he crossed the gates of Mount Hua.

But…….

‘Him?’

He was not only displeased but also dumbfounded.

Gwangseongja’s attitude, as if he didn’t even care about him, was beyond absurd and almost disheartening.

It was the first time he, who was admired by the younger generation of the Jianghu, had experienced such a situation.

But Gwangseongja, unaware of his feelings, grumbled.

“Originally, these kinds of gatherings are supposed to have dragon soaring and phoenix dancing(龍飛鳳舞), right? I thought that was the romance of the Central Plains?”

“Dragon soaring and phoenix dancing(龍飛鳳舞) refers to beautiful scenery! It’s Dragon and Phoenix Sparring(龍鳳比武) when the younger generation competes through martial arts!”

“It’s all the same. As long as the meaning gets across….”

Gwangdoja burst out.

“From this moment on, you just keep your mouth shut!”

“Why?”

“Because talking to you makes my blood boil! Don’t even say you’re from Kunlun when you go anywhere!”

Gwangseongja pouted with a dejected expression.

At that moment, a hearty laugh erupted from one place.

“The exchange between the younger generation through martial arts is the tradition of the Nine Great Sects and the romance of the Central Plains. The young hero of Kunlun truly understands the essence of elegance.”

The eyes of the crowd focused on one person.

It was Jinmyeong Jin-in, the person celebrating his sixtieth birthday, who had spoken those words.

“Facing each other, competing in martial arts, and sharing a drink regardless of victory or defeat. What could be better than martial arts friendship(比武親善) for fostering friendship as martial artists?”

Jinmyeong Jin-in smiled and asked Myunggeom.

“What do you think? Wouldn’t you like to see the sword of Kunlun?”

Fighting spirit flickered in Myunggeom’s eyes.

“Is that alright?”

“Of course. All sparring is learning for each other’s growth. There’s no reason why not.”

“Then I would like to compete.”

Jinmyeong Jin-in smiled at Myunggeom’s immediate nod and sought Gwangdoja’s permission.

“What is Kunlun’s intention?”

Gwangdoja glared at Gwangseongja, who had caused the current situation, for a moment.

Gwangseongja, who was still gleeful, flinched and avoided Gwangdoja’s gaze.

At that sight, Gwangdoja finally smiled wryly.

“If you would give us the opportunity to witness the noble sword of Red Cliff, I would be grateful. I hope you will give my youngest martial brother, who is ignorant of the heights of the sky, a great lesson.”

“Haha, we should be the ones asking for guidance. Opportunities to witness Kunlun’s martial arts, which have been developed through real battles, are rare.”

Jinmyeong Jin-in looked around and suggested.

“What do the others think? The heavy topics we need to discuss are the responsibility of us old folks anyway. We can’t force an uncomfortable atmosphere on the young members of the younger generation.”

Jin Joun, the sect leader of the Mount Heng Sect, smiled and responded.

“It is necessary to promote friendship among the younger generation for the future of the Nine Great Sects. I agree with the sect leader’s words.”

Starting with him, most people reacted positively to Jinmyeong Jin-in’s proposal.

Among them, only Jegal Yeon had a bad expression.

‘That cunning old man is plotting something.’

Jinmyeong Jin-in’s intentions were obvious.

Most of the dignitaries who attended this event had brought their younger generation with them.

It was a kind of preliminary work to broaden their knowledge of the Jianghu and naturally build connections with the dignitaries.

On the other hand, there were no notable figures among the Murim Alliance who could be called the younger generation.

Strictly speaking, it was herself or Dang Ling?

Since they had not yet passed the age of thirty, it was not impossible for them to participate in the sparring.

However, she was in charge of the Murim Alliance, and Dang Ling was in charge of the Dangga Tower.

Participating in a younger generation sparring event like the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering would be demeaning.

However, it was also a problem to just stand by and watch like a bump on a log.

It was clear that the Murim Alliance would be naturally excluded from their own event centered around the Nine Great Sects.

Unlike Jegal Yeon, who was struggling with what to do, the younger generation of each sect who had ascended Mount Hua were sparkling with anticipation.

Myunggeom was no exception.

He had also been achieving rapid progress in his martial arts recently.

It was the result of his determined efforts after meeting Han Seolhwa.

However, opportunities to compete with external martial artists and be verified were rare.

That was why he couldn’t hide his expectations even more.

It was then that Jinmyeong Jin-in made an announcement.

“Then, we will formally set up a sparring arena. As this is a Dragon and Phoenix Sparring hosted by our sect, I cannot, as the host, encourage the younger generation with empty words. Therefore, I will offer our sect’s elixir, the Purple Cloud Pill, as the prize for the winner.”

“Oh!”

Exclamations erupted from various places.

It was then that Dan Geumjin-in, the sect leader of the Wudang Sect, who had been silently keeping his place with a good-natured smile, stepped forward.

“Since Mount Hua made the first proposal, our Wudang cannot just stand by. I will also add our sect’s elixir, the Supreme Purity Divine Pill.”

Beopyeon and Beopryo of the Shaolin Sect also nodded, making eye contact.

“Haha, the two great Taoist sects have shown great generosity, so if we Buddhists are left out, you will surely curse us behind our backs as shameless monks, right?”

Following Beopyeon’s jest, Beopryo put his palms together and accepted the words.

“Following the abbot’s words, we will offer our Great Return Pill to the winner.”

Buzz.

It didn’t take long for the commotion that spread throughout the area to turn into a burning fervor.

The Shaolin’s Great Return Pill and Mount Hua’s Purple Cloud Pill, called the Plum Blossom Divine Pill.

Even one of them was a priceless treasure(無價之寶) [an invaluable treasure] with enough value to shake the Jianghu.

Naturally, exclamations erupted from various places.

Behind those exclamations, Jegal Yeon swallowed a groan.

‘These old men?’

She could feel the intention to completely exclude them subtly.

It was evident from the excessive sincerity they showed, which seemed too much for encouraging the younger generation.

“How should we conduct the sparring?”

At Jinmyeong Jin-in’s question, the dignitaries of the Nine Great Sects stared at one place.

It seemed like he was asking everyone, but Jinmyeong Jin-in’s gaze was fixed on Han Seolhwa.

Apart from their friendship, it was a perfectly natural thing.

In fact, the person with the highest status in this place was her.

Han Seolhwa, who had been thinking about something, soon wore a faint smile.

“A winner-stays-on format would be good.”

It was a method of determining the winner by having the winner continue to face the next opponent.

“Good. What do the others think?”

When Jinmyeong Jin-in nodded, no one else offered a different opinion.

In that way, the Dragon and Phoenix Sparring of the younger generation was decided, and the opening was set for noon the next day.

Afterward, Jinmyeong Jin-in separately prepared a place in the J鎮嶽宮in Palace [Zhen Yue Palace] and guided the sect leaders of each sect, the representatives who had been delegated full authority, and the heads of the families belonging to the Murim Alliance.

Cho Akryang and Han Seolhwa also attended the event.

Among them, Dan Akseon, who was particularly young, was naturally bound to stand out.

The Murim Alliance officials seemed inwardly displeased, but they did not openly express their discomfort.

Dan Akseon was also the clear person in charge of Muwi, which was forbidden.

The same was true for the Qingcheng Sect.

Perhaps uncomfortable with being with Cho Akryang, they took their seats farthest away.

“First, I would like to sincerely thank the fellow martial artists of the Jianghu who have climbed the dangerous mountains to celebrate my humble sixtieth birthday.”

Jinmyeong Jin-in, who opened the conversation in that way, immediately got to the point.

“As promised last time, I would like to share candid information about the issues surrounding the current Jianghu.”

As if waiting for it, Jegal Yeon came forward.

“These are the people who have disappeared from the families belonging to the Murim Alliance.”

There were five people on the list that Jegal Yeon revealed.

Starting with this, each sect exchanged information about the missing persons they had investigated internally and the suspicious situations they had identified on their own.

From as few as three or four to as many as ten.

However, only a very small number of them had been confirmed to have defected to the Demonic Sect, and the majority were uncertain whether they had joined.

However, even though there was no evidence, their suspicions had solidified to some extent.

This was because it had happened so simultaneously, and most of the missing people were obsessed with power or martial arts.

However, Kunlun was the only sect among them that had no missing people.

Facing the puzzled crowd, Gwangdoja shed a bitter look.

“For us, a missing person means a dead person. It has been happening so often since the past that the tally itself was meaningless.”

Kunlun was the only sect that was constantly fighting against the remnants of the Demonic Sect in the most remote border areas.

As they were the ones who knew the situation better than anyone else, sighs of pity flowed from various places.

However, the atmosphere in the hall changed rapidly at Jegal Yeon’s words that followed immediately.

“This has already started eight years ago.”