The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 269

Three days later.

Having rested at the Shinma Clinic to recover from their journey, Yeom Sa-in and his group were once again preparing to depart.

“I told you I’d come with you.”

“It’s fine. You’ll be back soon anyway, so there’s no need. Just wait here.”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled wryly at Yeom Sa-in’s stubborn refusal of his offer.

“Goodness, you’re so stubborn…”

“Why the sudden show of affection?”

Yeom Sa-in, after rebuking Cho Ak-ryang, turned his head to look at Dan Ak-seon.

His eyes were gentle, as if looking at a grandchild.

Although his stay had been short, he had already been captivated by Dan Ak-seon.

“I’ll see you again, Doctor Dan.”

“Please have a safe trip, Uncle Yeom. Don’t forget to take your medicine.”

“Heh heh. Uncle?”

“You’re Uncle Cho’s friend, aren’t you? I call Uncle Cho ‘Uncle,’ so it would feel rude to address only Great Leader Yeom differently.”

“Uncle, huh? Makes me feel younger.”

Smiling contentedly, Yeom Sa-in bid a final farewell and left the Shinma Clinic with his group.

“Are you that happy?”

Jang Sam, walking alongside Yeom Sa-in, chuckled as he spoke.

Indeed, a smile had not left Yeom Sa-in’s face the entire time they had been walking.

The Shinma Clinic was already far behind them, out of sight.

Yet, Yeom Sa-in kept looking back and nodding.

“Isn’t that kid adorable? Not to mention how admirable he is.”

Jang Sam was also in good spirits, seeing Yeom Sa-in’s usually gruff demeanor replaced with such tenderness.

“You seem to be quite fond of Doctor Dan.”

“I know, right? I feel like I’ve been bewitched by a fox [a Korean idiom for being charmed or captivated]. That kid is naturally gifted at stealing people’s hearts. That’s probably why that Cho fellow cherishes him as if he were his own flesh and blood.”

“Well, if the two of you had started a family normally, it wouldn’t be strange to have a grandson that age.”

Yeom Sa-in nodded silently before suddenly speaking up.

“By the way, Chief Jang.”

“Yes?”

Jang Sam’s eyes narrowed with caution at Yeom Sa-in’s use of his title.

They had been through thick and thin together for decades.

He knew better than anyone that when the man who usually called him ‘Hey,’ ‘You,’ or ‘Buddy’ addressed him as ‘Chief,’ it meant he wanted something.

Sure enough.

“Do we have some money saved up?”

“Why do you suddenly need money?”

“So we can buy some elixirs to eat. One for you, one for me. What do you say?”

“Out of the blue?”

“That Cho kid seems to have been eating a lot of elixirs here. Why is it that only he seems to defy the aging process?”

“That’s not because of elixirs, but because of his martial arts. Grandmaster Cho has always looked younger than his age.”

“Well, it’s not like we can learn martial arts now, is it? And even if we did, it wouldn’t make us younger. So let’s at least try eating some elixirs.”

“…”

Yeom Sa-in glared at Jang Sam, who was staring back with a frown, and burst out in anger.

“What? Can’t I be a little greedy?”

“Didn’t you say it was pathetic?”

“What was?”

“When Grandmaster Cho offered to teach you a breathing technique for your health. You said, ‘How much longer do I have to live that I should bother trying so pathetically?'”

“Chief Jang.”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to live longer than me.”

“Is it because I get cursed out by you so much?”

A word to the wise.

The two had been together for so long, sometimes as friends, sometimes as helpers.

Yeom Sa-in looked back once more, his eyes filled with emotion.

“To think there’s a village like that under the heavens.”

Jang Sam nodded, understanding Yeom Sa-in’s feelings.

“In some ways, it’s a utopia.”

“I wanted to create a place like that too.”

“Our village isn’t so bad either. Except for having to watch out for someone’s prickly mood every day.”

“That person seems to be watching out for other people’s moods, though?”

“Was there someone like that in our village?”

Yeom Sa-in stared intently at Jang Sam, who was feigning ignorance.

“Forget it. Do you have any of that alcohol you brought? Give it to me.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Have you lost your mind? Doctor Dan said alcohol is strictly forbidden for the time being. Weren’t you there when he said that?”

“You…”

“…?”

“Why don’t you retire already?”

“So you can have all the fun?”

“Tch!”

Yeom Sa-in quickened his pace, his face full of annoyance.

Jang Sam chuckled and followed behind him.

* * *

Late in the evening.

Pung Jin-sung visited the storage to check the herbs for tomorrow.

But there was an early visitor.

“What brings you here so late?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and pointed to one side.

The table where herbs were usually trimmed and sorted.

Unlike usual, it was set with steaming tea instead of a medicinal cleaver and mortar.

“I thought I’d have a leisurely chat with you, Uncle.”

Pung Jin-sung smiled and approached Dan Ak-seon.

“I was just in need of some tea.”

Pung Jin-sung skillfully brewed tea and handed a cup to Dan Ak-seon.

“Can’t you sleep?”

“I guess I’m feeling the autumn blues [a melancholic feeling associated with the change of seasons].”

“Hahahaha. You, Master Dan?”
Pung Jin-sung stifled a laugh at Dan Ak-seon’s sulky expression.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you…”

“Do I look that young?”

“No matter how old you get, you’ll always be like a child to me. I’ve watched you grow up all these years.”

“I guess.”

Dan Ak-seon nodded.

Then, with a complicated look, he opened his mouth.

“Seeing Uncle Cho and Great Leader Yeom made me suddenly think.”

“…?”

“That a bond that has lasted for so long is like this.”

“Don’t you have friends in the Wudang and Beggars’ Sects, Master Dan?”

“It’s been too long since I’ve seen them.”

“Shall I inquire about them?”

“It’s okay. They must be busy training. And I’m with you now, Uncle.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and looked at Pung Jin-sung.

“When I think about it, you’re the oldest bond I have.”

“The same goes for me. I’ve watched you since you were born, including your childhood and all your growth.”

“Hehe. That’s right. You’re the most precious bond to me, but I sometimes forget.”

“It’s alright. I know better than anyone how busy you are.”

“But I wanted to spend time with you today, Uncle. Talking about old times.”

Pung Jin-sung wore a meaningful smile and teased him.

“Like the story of you stealing alcohol behind your masters’ backs when you were seven years old?”

Dan Ak-seon was startled and waved his hands.

“I didn’t steal it on purpose. I was just curious what it tasted like since they called it medicinal wine.”

“If you were just tasting it, wouldn’t a sip have been enough?”

“…”

“The two masters were utterly shocked when they found you passed out on the floor of the storage. And for good reason, since the wine jar was more than half empty.”

“That’s because I spilled it while pouring… I didn’t actually drink that much.”

“Thanks to you, I had a very hard time. I still break out in a cold sweat when I think about it.”

Pung Jin-sung hit his knee, recalling something.

“Come to think of it, there was also this.”

“…?”

“You overheard the two masters discussing the effects of bee stings and brought back a huge hornet the next day. The two masters were horrified when they saw your face and limbs swollen.”

“Did that happen too? Why don’t I remember?”

“You fainted right away. It was a good thing the two masters were there, or it would have been a disaster.”

“I guess so. Why did I do that?”

“You said that hornets are much bigger than bees, so the effect would be better.”

“…”

“Do you remember falling from the persimmon tree while I was distracted for a moment?”

Dan Ak-seon’s eyes were embarrassed by the constant summoning of his shameful history.

“Not those things. They’re all just things I did wrong.”

“Haha, it’s alright. You were cute anyway. Looking back now, they’re all precious memories to me.”

“If you keep doing that, I’m just going to leave.”

Pung Jin-sung found even the threatening expression cute.

“I’m the only one here who treats me like a child, Uncle.”

“Is that so?”

Come to think of it, Dan Ak-seon had grown up a lot recently.

Not to mention that his height was not much different from his own, and his eyes and atmosphere also had a rather mature feel.

Pung Jin-sung was suddenly filled with emotion.

The mischievous little rascal had now become a pillar supporting this Murim [martial arts world].

Pung Jin-sung was endlessly proud of Dan Ak-seon.

‘When did he grow up so much?’

Although he had never started a family, he understood the feelings of a father watching his child grow up in an instant.

“The two masters would be very proud of you now.”

Pung Jin-sung opened his mouth without thinking, then belatedly realized his mistake and closed his mouth.

But as expected.

Pung Jin-sung’s heart also grew heavy at Dan Ak-seon’s darkening expression.

How long had it been?

Pung Jin-sung broke the heavy silence between the two and opened his mouth.

“But why don’t you ask?”

“Ask what?”

“About the reason why the two… masters passed away.”

Pung Jin-sung sighed softly at Dan Ak-seon’s awkward smile with his mouth shut.

“I talked to Leader Neng a while ago.”

Dan Ak-seon, who was puzzled, could not hide his embarrassment at Pung Jin-sung’s words that followed.

“You asked Bat-Eulji, a Dalja [assassin], if he knew anything about their deaths, didn’t you?”

“…!”

Dan Ak-seon paused.

The assassin from the Demonic Sect who ambushed Byuk Hwa-ryung on his way back to the South Sea Island.

The very person who tried to assassinate him by poisoning ordinary people who did not know martial arts.

In addition, he led several plots to prevent the completion of the Joint Writ.

He also assassinated the Kunlun disciples using those who had learned similar martial arts to frame Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa, and also kidnapped the Common disciples.

“Why don’t you ask me?”

Dan Ak-seon stared at Pung Jin-sung silently for a while.

“Because I don’t want to see you lying to me, Uncle.”

“Master Dan…”

“So… it’s okay.”
Pung Jin-sung pondered with heavy eyes.

After a while.

Pung Jin-sung made up his mind.

He realized that denying it all the time was not the answer.

“Do you remember what I said about the deaths of the masters before?”

“Yes.”

Dan Ak-seon nodded.

“You said that a terrible epidemic broke out in a village. Your parents went to save the people who were left there, where no one could enter.”