The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 268

It was truly a kowtow [a deep bow showing respect] of a hundred bows.

After sending Wang Sajin back, who had repeatedly bowed and apologized, Dan Akseon looked at Neung Somil with a puzzled expression.

“By the way, did we have connections in the central political world?”

Wang Sajin had mentioned a great scholar while apologizing.

But no matter how much he thought about it, it was completely new to him.

It was because he had never had any significant acquaintance with such a high-ranking official.

However, he exclaimed at Neung Somil’s following words.

“Don’t you still occasionally exchange letters with Mukbi, the master of Mukbi Ironworks?”

“That’s right, I do.”

“I heard that he has a very close friendship with a great scholar.”

“Ah! That’s right.”

Mukga Ironworks, which he had visited to entrust the Uncheol Stone he received from the Hyeong San School.

Mukbi, the master of that place, stubbornly refused to handle the Uncheol Stone.

So, Ga Dudal, who had accompanied him, directly began to gather information.

In the process, he found out that Mukbi was such a great person that he even had exchanges with figures in the central political world.

At the time, Mukbi had been frustrated by the reality that he could not surpass his father and had given up his hammer.

However, after meeting Dan Akseon, he was able to create artifacts such as Mukryong and Mukryonga, and through this, he achieved achievements that surpassed his father.

That was the reason why he regarded Dan Akseon as his benefactor and cherished him so dearly.

Moreover, the higher Dan Akseon’s reputation rose, the higher his reputation also soared.

“But how did Uncle Mukbi know about this situation?”

“Ahem.”

Dan Akseon was finally able to figure out what was going on, seeing Neung Somil awkwardly clearing his throat and trying to avoid his gaze.

“You’ve been working hard again, Uncle Neung.”

“Haha. Isn’t that what I do?”

No matter how much of a Jin Sa [a successful candidate in the civil service examination] graduate he was, he couldn’t escape his expectations, who had gone through all sorts of hardships in the Murim [martial arts world].

It was obvious that he would mobilize his background and connections when cornered.

“He’s been properly taught a lesson, so he won’t do anything rash like that again.”

“I hope that’s the case.”

Dan Akseon finally let out a sigh of relief.

“It’ll be quiet for a while now.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Now it’ll be qui…….”

It was then that they heard the sound of someone rushing over.

“……It’s never quiet.”

Neung Somil frowned as he confirmed that it was So Jeoksan who was rushing over, gasping for breath.

“What’s the matter this time?”

“Senior Cho…….”

“……?”

“Someone has appeared who says they will kill Senior Cho!”

“What?”

Neung Somil, surprised, jumped up from his seat.

Who in the current Kangho [martial world] would dare to utter the words to kill the Blood Demon Venerable?

‘Moon Spirit Palace Lord Yeon Ok-sang? Or Drunken Gambling Demon Kang Wi-ryong?’

The first two people that came to mind were those two.

Absolute masters who had their names on the Cheonhaojeol [a list of the most powerful martial artists] along with Cho Ak-ryang.

It was because Jin Myeong-jin-in of Hwasan, called the Greatest Swordsman Under Heaven, or the head of the Discipline Hall of the Shaolin Temple, Beop-ryo, had not particularly had conflicts with Cho Ak-ryang.

‘Could it be…….’

A being that was ominous just to think about.

‘The Heavenly Demon?’

But he immediately erased that possibility from his mind.

The possibility of him, who had not shown himself since the Jeongma War [war between righteous and demonic factions], appearing here alone was extremely low.

‘Then who on earth?’

Dan Akseon asked So Jeoksan.

“You said they were going to kill Uncle Cho?”

“Yes. He confidently answered Guk Dae-hyeop’s [a title for a great hero] question about the reason for his visit at the entrance of the village. With a very murderous look on his face.”

“Didn’t Uncle Guk stop him?”

“That’s…… He said he couldn’t do anything about it.”

Dan Akseon was startled.

Guk Un-gyeong was a considerable master in this Muwi, except for the Shinma Samjon [Three Demonic Gods].

“Is he that great of a master?”

“Yes?”

So Jeoksan, who had a puzzled expression at Dan Akseon’s question, shook his head.

“No, that’s not it…….”

“……?”

“He said that he couldn’t touch him because the opponent hadn’t learned martial arts.”

Neung Somil calmed his surprised heart and stared at So Jeoksan.

“I was wondering what it was. Is that something to report with such a serious face?”

“I didn’t think much of it at first either. But when Senior Cho heard this, he was startled. His face turned pale, unlike him.”

Only then did Neung Somil realize that there was some reason he didn’t know and changed his expression.

“Where is Senior Cho?”

“As soon as he heard those words, he ran towards the entrance. Senior Beom said it would be fun and followed him.”

“Let’s go too.”

Leaving behind Neung Somil, who was flustered because he didn’t know what was going on, Dan Akseon was already flying.

A little later.

Dan Akseon, who arrived at the entrance of the village, was wide-eyed.

“Let’s just have a life-or-death battle!”

Putting aside the old man who was yelling and pointing at Cho Ak-ryang.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry my foot! If you were sorry, you would have sent at least one letter!”

“There was a reason for that…….”

“Didn’t we promise? Never to disappear without a word again!”

“I was worried it would harm you.”

“Is that another excuse? How long do I have to live? Let all those Murim people come. I’ve lived enough, what’s so bad about dying a little earlier!”

“What about the villagers? What if they become unhappy like we did?”

“No, how can you not say a word when you say you’re sorry? Are you really sorry?”

“Ah, I said I’m sorry.”

It was because he had never seen Cho Ak-ryang looking so flustered.

“Ah!”

Belatedly, Dan Akseon was able to recall a story that Cho Ak-ryang had told him sometime ago.

It was that his only friend lived in Sichuan.

“I heard you had a big fight at the Cheongseong School! I heard you were badly hurt, but you look fine now? I would have understood if you had broken a leg or something, but you’re perfectly fine! I’m the stupid one for worrying about you without knowing that! Isn’t that right?”

“Oh, this friend of mine……. Why is someone who wasn’t like this acting like this?”

“How can I not be like this? The Cheongseong School has been devastated. A friend who has a deep-seated grudge against those guys has disappeared without a trace. I was waiting for him to contact me, but he didn’t even show his face, let alone send a letter? But I heard rumors that you were playing the role of a god here in Muwi, calling yourself the Shinma Samjon or something?”

In the end, Yeom Sain, unable to bear it any longer, came directly to Muwi.

“Geez…….”

Cho Ak-ryang tasted his bitter tongue, with a troubled look in his eyes.

In fact, he had nothing to say even if he had ten mouths.

It was then.

Beom Gye-wi, who had been watching the situation, suddenly stepped forward.

Then, he handed Yeom Sain a large stone he was holding and grinned.

“You bastard?”

Beom Gye-wi chuckled at Cho Ak-ryang’s sharp gaze.

“If you’ve done something wrong, you have to pay the price. That’s what they call karma…… that something.”

As soon as those words were finished, Yeom Sain stepped forward.

Dan Akseon hurriedly stepped forward because he was really about to drop the stone he was holding.

“Hello.”

“……?”

“My name is Dan Akseon.”

Yeom Sain’s eyes lit up.

“You’re the young friend who’s called the Divine Doctor of Demonic Arts!”

Dan Akseon smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I’ve been called that recently. You’re Lord Yeom, who’s called Songbaekjijo [a respectful title], right? I’ve heard a lot about you from Uncle Cho.”

“That guy told my story? What did he say?”

“That you’re his only friend he can open his heart to.”

“I doubt he would have. If he thought of me as a friend, he would have sent a letter a long time ago.”

Cho Ak-ryang frowned.

“Geez, you hold grudges for a long time. You’re going to keep using it until you die.”

“Humph! It’s only been a year. How long have you been making me angry? Can’t you even stand that?”

“What?”

Cho Ak-ryang’s face hardened at Yeom Sain’s words.

“What does that mean?”

“Are you deaf now? I don’t have much time left to live.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s an occupational disease, what can I do? Isn’t that what I do? Isn’t the dye a bit toxic? The doctor said that the poison has accumulated in my organs and there’s nothing he can do. So I have no choice but to accept my fate.”

Cho Ak-ryang frowned at Yeom Sain’s nonchalant way of talking about it as if it were someone else’s business.

“So you made the villagers quit dyeing?”

Yeom Sain nodded at Cho Ak-ryang’s question.

“It’s not a bad income to make a quick buck when you’re young, but it’s a good way to get sick when you’re old. Like me now.”

At this time, an old man with a gentle impression standing behind Yeom Sain stepped forward.

It was Jang Sam, the chief manager who managed the estate next to Yeom Sain.

“I recommended treatment, but the elder stubbornly refused, so I ended up bringing in the rumors of Lord Cho and forcibly brought him here.”

Jang Sam turned his head towards Dan Akseon.

“I was wondering if the Divine Doctor of Demonic Arts, who is making a name for himself in the current Kangho, might have another way to treat him.”

Dan Akseon nodded.

“You did a good job. Then, instead of doing this here, let’s go to the medical ward first.”

“It’s okay. What’s the point of treatment now? I’ve lived enough, and I’ve seen that shameless guy’s face, so that’s enough.”

“Even if you’re going to leave, please rest for a while. Not to mention the elder, the people who came with you look very tired.”

Yeom Sain glanced at Jang Sam and the three young men who had followed him and clicked his tongue briefly.

“No, even Jang, the chief manager, who’s getting old like me, is fine, but why are these young guys so weak? How are they going to take care of their families like that? Sigh…….”

In the end, Yeom Sain reluctantly followed Dan Akseon’s guidance to the medical ward.

After arriving at the medical ward, Dan Akseon personally brewed tea and handed it to Yeom Sain.

Yeom Sain smiled contentedly and nodded.

“The young doctor is a thousand times better than that rude old man.”

Cho Ak-ryang neither laughed at those words nor got angry.

It was because he was so upset.

“Then I’ll check the elder’s pulse.”

“I said it’s okay.”

“Just while you’re drinking tea. You don’t have anything else to do anyway.”

Cho Ak-ryang got angry.

“Hey, listen to me! Are you acting like an old man? Why are you being so stubborn for no reason?”

“Ha! The one who farted is the one who’s getting angry, are you in a position to be angry at me right now?”

He said that, but Yeom Sain rolled up his sleeves and held out his wrist.

After continuing to check his pulse with a serious face for a while.

Dan Akseon opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“You must have had severe headaches. You must have had intermittent pain too.”

“Well, yeah.”

Yeom Sain, who had been answering indifferently, put down the teacup he was holding at Dan Akseon’s following words.

“But it’s not to the point where I can’t do anything about it.”

“You can treat this?”

“Of course, I can’t treat it in a short period of time. You have to take medicine to excrete the toxins, and you also have to use herbs to purify the blood. You also need to exercise and control your diet.”

He also added that he could relieve the pain to some extent with acupuncture.

“First of all, the priority is to prevent the condition from worsening. If you continue to receive treatment and take care of your health, you will be able to improve.”

“It won’t be that simple.”

“You can leave the complicated things to me. That’s why there’s a doctor.”

“Huh……. Even the doctor who used to be a royal physician shook his head…….”

Yeom Sain trailed off and paused for a moment.

Cho Ak-ryang scolded him, looking at him like that.

“What are you worried about? You have to start treatment right away.”

“I can’t just stay here and get treatment leisurely.”

“Just stay here. Draw your favorite pictures and play Go [a strategy board game]. We can do that when we’re our age. No one will say anything.”

“I can’t just ignore the people I’m attached to. Unlike someone else.”

The moment Cho Ak-ryang was about to get angry, Dan Akseon stepped forward and opened his mouth first.

“Then let’s do this. I’ll prepare a large amount of detoxifying medicine to excrete the toxins accumulated in your body. If you avoid moisture, you can store it for more than a year. Bring all the other villagers here.”

“Our villagers?”

“The toxicity doesn’t discriminate against people. Especially children. So everyone has to come here and get treatment. Of course, the sooner the better.”

Cho Ak-ryang stepped forward, seeing Yeom Sain hesitating without making a decision.

“Please. Listen to Doctor Dan.”

The people next to him were surprised at the word request. It was because it was a word that the Blood Demon Venerable would never use.

As the atmosphere ripened, Dan Akseon quickly added.

“I’ll prepare so that they can continue to do what they’ve been doing here. As you know, the Shinma Merchant Guild needs a lot of talented people. Everyone has a specialty, so if you work with the Shinma Merchant Guild, it will be helpful to each other.”

In the end, Yeom Sain didn’t insist anymore.

“Good. But let me ask you one thing.”

“Please speak.”

“Why are you working so hard when it’s not even your job?”

“He’s Uncle Cho’s friend.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Do you need another reason?”

Yeom Sain, who had been staring at Dan Akseon, smiled brightly.

“I know why that friend, who has been wandering around like a weed all his life, is so attached to this place.”

Yeom Sain nodded happily.

“I understand. I’ll do that.”