The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 253

A hush fell over Jinak Palace.

After a moment.

“There’s nothing wrong with what he said.”

Hong Jeok-mun, who had been quietly observing the situation, suddenly spoke up.

Jegeul-yeon, who had attacked Dan Ak-seon under the guise of trust, had fallen into her own trap.

It was a clear case of self-inflicted injury.

No other words seemed appropriate.

Ignoring Jegeul-yeon, who was glaring at him with bitten lips, Dan Ak-seon spoke.

“First, I should explain the role of the Gangmyeong Inn.”

Dan Ak-seon mentioned the information he had gathered in detail.

“They planned meticulously.”

At someone’s murmur, the representatives of the Nine Great Sects gathered in Jinak Palace nodded with grim expressions.

“And according to our own investigation, it doesn’t seem like the Seven Fiend Monarchs are in league with the Demonic Sect. Recently, he has been attacking the Blood Cloud Temple’s factions one after another.”

Hong Jeok-mun expressed his doubts at Dan Ak-seon’s explanation.

“Why is he attacking the Blood Cloud Temple?”

“Perhaps it’s to ascertain the authenticity of the secret manual he possesses. The Blood Cloud Temple has been spreading incomplete Demonic Art manuals throughout the Central Plains, with key elements missing.”

If he were to ask for the complete manual, they would not hand it over willingly, leaving him with only one option.

Like the Blood Cloud Temple, he would kill and plunder.

Given No Dan-yang’s volatile personality, he was more than capable of doing so.

Jinmyeong Jin-in exclaimed in admiration.

“Doctor Dan has uncovered quite a lot.”

“I’ve been continuously investigating. I’m still gathering information through merchants traveling to and from the outer regions.”

Dan Ak-seon, who had regained control of the meeting with just a few words, drove the point home.

“We plan to continuously share the information we obtain in the future.”

“Thank you. If you ever need the help of our Hwasan Sect, just say the word.”

“Amitabha. Shaolin will also cooperate.”

Starting with Jinmyeong Jin-in and Beop-yeon, the leaders of the Nine Great Sects promised their full cooperation to Dan Ak-seon.

At this point, Dan Ak-seon turned his head to look at Jegeul-yeon.

“Do you have any concerns about the information we’ve provided? Or any additional information that we haven’t been able to uncover? Anything is fine, please speak candidly.”

“…….”

“There isn’t any?”

As the situation unfolded, only Jegeul-yeon’s position became difficult.

There was nothing she could do at the moment.

Dan Ak-seon had preempted her with far more information.

Besides…….

“I’m quite disappointed in Cheonidan [an information organization]. How on earth did it come to be called the best information organization in the Murim [martial arts world] world?”

Hong Jeok-mun’s blatant sarcasm was annoying.

Cheonidan was a fine name, but it was essentially a criticism of her incompetence as the person in charge for so long.

Jinmyeong Jin-in smiled and looked around the room.

“Well, then, let’s have our meal. The food has gone cold from all the heavy talk.”

Jegeul-yeon also sat down and began to eat.

However, she couldn’t taste the food.

Dan Ak-seon, who had been silently watching Jegeul-yeon, felt a strange sensation and turned his head.

It was then that he met the gaze of Hwangbo-eon, the head of the Hwangbo Family, who was giving him a strange look.

Dan Ak-seon faintly shook his head.

It wasn’t the time yet.

Only then did Hwangbo-eon also start eating as if nothing had happened.

The next morning.

The training grounds were bustling.

It was to prepare for the martial arts competition of the younger generation, which would be held from noon.

As it was a hastily decided competition, there was no need for elaborate decorations or a grand stage.

The judges and adjudicators took their seats on chairs prepared next to the arena, and all that was left was to place the elixirs of each sect, which they had offered as prizes, on a small platform in front of them.

Nevertheless, some formality had to be observed, so the disciples of the Hwasan Sect, who were hosting the competition, were busy.

“But isn’t this competition too one-sidedly disadvantageous for Shaolin?”

Beop-ryo smiled at Jinmyeong Jin-in’s words.

Only Beop-yeon and Beop-ryo had attended this meeting from the Shaolin side.

As it was a martial arts competition for the younger generation, they could not participate.

“That’s right. If there had been such an event ten years ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated… I’m truly disappointed.”

The dignitaries smiled at Beop-ryo’s joke and nodded. In such a friendly atmosphere, one person suddenly spoke up.

“We’ll put this up too.”

Han Seol-hwa placed a small wooden box the size of her palm on the platform.

“It’s the Holy Water Divine Pill.”

At those words, the eyes of the crowd widened.

“Haha. This will make the competition even more heated.”

Han Seol-hwa smiled slightly at Jinmyeong Jin-in’s exclamation.

“It won’t be easy to take one.”

Following Han Seol-hwa’s gaze, the dignitaries of the Nine Great Sects could see Dan Ak-seon warming up on one side.

There must be a good reason why a master of Han Seol-hwa’s caliber was expressing such confidence.

Jinmyeong Jin-in suddenly wondered how skilled Dan Ak-seon was.

Thump, thump, thump.

It was then that the sound of drums announcing the start of the competition echoed throughout the arena.

“Then let’s watch the feast of the future pillars who will lead our Murim world.”

At that moment, before the three drumbeats could finish, someone stepped onto the arena.

“Hmm?”

A look of bewilderment appeared on the faces of the dignitaries who were seated next to the training grounds.

The person standing on the arena was Dangga Taju [a high-ranking position in the Dang Family], Dang-ryeong, who had attended the meeting representing the Sichuan Dang Family.

Dangga Taju was the highest position in the Dang Family, excluding the head of the family.

In a typical sect, it was equivalent to the position of deputy sect leader.

“Have you forgotten that this competition is for the younger generation?”

At Jinmyeong Jin-in’s gentle rebuke, Dang-ryeong smiled shamelessly and opened his mouth.

“If we’re only talking about age, shouldn’t I also be included in the ranks of the younger generation?”

“But Dangga Taju came to Hwasan as the acting head of the Dang Family, didn’t he?”

“Then I’ll just give up my qualifications as acting head of the family.”

There was nothing particularly wrong with what he said, but the dignitaries of the Nine Sects could not hide their discomfort.

This was not the way to do things.

Above all, his impure intentions were obvious.

Since stepping onto the arena, his gaze had been fixed on Dan Ak-seon, flashing sharply.

It was clear that he was harboring resentment over the argument between Dan Ak-seon and Jegeul-yeon the day before.

Jinmyeong Jin-in, the host of the competition, cast a glance at Jegeul-yeon.

But he couldn’t help but be puzzled.

Jegeul-yeon’s face was also filled with embarrassment.

This meant that there had been no prior agreement between Dang-ryeong and her.

‘What on earth is he doing!’

Jegeul-yeon couldn’t hide her bewilderment.

Dang-ryeong was only making her position more difficult.

She had been gently rejecting his persistent advances.

And she had set a condition that he prove his abilities before winning her heart.

However, this was not the way she wanted it.

Of course, he was unlikely to lose to the younger generation of other sects.

He was such a talented individual, and he was recognized as a master within the Dang Family.

However, his rash actions would greatly damage the reputation of the Murim Alliance.

It was as if he was revealing to the world that she, as the leader, had not completely taken control of the Murim Alliance.

‘Even if he wins, it’s a wash.’

What if he were to lose?

The thought alone was terrifying.

‘Because of a mere brat like that…….’

Jegeul-yeon glared at Dan Ak-seon, who was preparing for the competition.

At that moment, Dang-ryeong, who was standing on the arena, opened his mouth.

“Of course, I’m not shameless enough to participate in the Yongbong Competition [a martial arts competition for the younger generation] empty-handed. So, I’m thinking of putting up a prize comparable to an elixir as an entry fee.”

Dang-ryeong took something out of his pocket and held it forward.

It was a jade bead that resembled a large pearl.

“The Poison Aversion Pearl!”

Several people exclaimed as they recognized it.

The Poison Aversion Pearl, which was said to have the ability to detoxify most existing poisons just by possessing it, was a priceless treasure known to be possessed by only a very few within the Dang Family.

For the Dang Family, who always dealt with poison and hidden weapons, it was a precious item of incomparable value.

However, it was also an item that could be of great help when in their hands, but conversely, it could be very harmful if it fell into the hands of the enemy.

Because their poison would become useless.

The fact that he was willing to offer such a Poison Aversion Pearl meant that he was confident in his skills.

Dang-ryeong smiled provocatively at Dan Ak-seon.

“If you win against me, the Poison Aversion Pearl is yours.”

Dan Ak-seon tilted his head.

He spoke as if he was doing a favor, but the meaning behind it felt strange.

“Are you suggesting a bet with me?”

At Dan Ak-seon’s question, Dang-ryeong smiled and nodded.

“What else is there to liven up the atmosphere?”

“Then what should I bet?”

Dang-ryeong immediately replied as if he had been waiting for it.

“Bet the Death Severing Arrow.”

“The Death Severing Arrow?”

Dan Ak-seon frowned.

He recalled Dang-ryeong pestering him to return the Death Severing Arrow when he visited the Emei Sect to complete the Yeonpajang [a martial art] a long time ago.

“That’s not my item.”

At Dan Ak-seon’s words, Dang-ryeong wore a meaningful smile.

“I heard that you were personally taught martial arts by the Blood Demon Lord.”

“So?”

“If he passed on his precious martial arts, which are like life to a martial artist, it means that he has a deep affection for you, doesn’t it?”

“……?”

“I think Doctor Dan would be willing to give it up if he wanted to?”

Cho Ak-ryang glared at Dang-ryeong with a cold smile.

The forgotten battle came to mind.

The Lion’s Roar of the Arhat Hall Master, which he had forced in exchange for his life.

As a result, his protective energy was momentarily broken, and Cheonsuamje, who was the head of the Dang Family at the time, did not miss the opportunity and shoved that damn Gangjeon [a type of hidden weapon] into his shoulder.

The terrible pain of it digging into his shoulder was still vivid in his mind.

On the other hand, Jegeul-yeon could not hide her embarrassment in a different sense.

‘That bastard?’

The reason Dang-ryeong had stepped onto the arena was not for the Murim Alliance, nor for her.

From the beginning, he had committed such an absurd act solely for his own selfish desires.

Certainly, Dang-ryeong was capable, and he wielded influence within the Dang Family that was no less than that of the head of the family.

However, this frivolity was undermining all of his strengths.

It was then.

“What if I don’t accept the bet?”

Dang-ryeong’s eyes wavered at Dan Ak-seon’s words.

He never thought that there would be a martial artist who would refuse the Poison Aversion Pearl.

“Have you ever thought about why you’re so obsessed with the Death Severing Arrow?”

“That’s…….”

Dan Ak-seon cut off Dang-ryeong’s words as he hurriedly tried to make excuses and asked a question.

“Isn’t it because of the poison that was on the Death Severing Arrow?”

“……!”

“Since it was a hidden weapon aimed at Uncle Cho, the poison on it must have been painstakingly created by the Dang Family.”

The problem was that Dan Ak-seon was the successor of the Holy Hand Divine Doctor, who was second to none in detoxification.

Secret poisons are only valuable when only they can detoxify them.

Just as the Holy Hand Divine Doctor had done in his lifetime, if Dan Ak-seon analyzed the poison and spread the antidote, it would be as if the Dang Family had lost one of their secret weapons.

That’s why they were so desperate to recover the Death Severing Arrow.

“But there’s something you’re misunderstanding.”

Dang-ryeong, who was puzzled, widened his eyes at Dan Ak-seon’s next words.

“The attack by that Cheonsuamje person was successful.”

“That’s impossible!”

Dang-ryeong looked at Cho Ak-ryang with an incredulous expression.

The poison they had painstakingly developed had never been revealed to the world.

If he had been hit by the hidden weapon, he would not have been able to survive until now.

“Then how are you still alive?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled.

“Because I detoxified it.”

“What?”