The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 275

That afternoon, Dan-ak Seon requested an audience with the Dalai Lama.

Soon after, he was able to meet the Dalai Lama once again.

“Could I see the records from when I was poisoned by the Demonic Sect’s toxin?”

“Of course, it is not a difficult matter.”

The Dalai Lama readily granted Dan-ak Seon’s request.

“The two of you left behind the antidote recipe and some acupuncture techniques for emergency situations before you departed.”

“Are there no other records?”

“That is all the two of you left behind personally, but…”

The Dalai Lama, who had been pondering something for a moment, asked back with a cautious look.

“Though it may not be considered a professional record, our monks at the time separately recorded reports on the symptoms and prognosis.”

Dan-ak Seon’s expression brightened.

“That’s fortunate. I would like to review all the records related to the poison that were created at that time.”

The Dalai Lama smiled and nodded.

He didn’t even ask for a reason.

While the Dalai Lama was giving instructions to his disciples, Cho-ak Ryang asked Dan-ak Seon.

“What are you trying to do?”

“I’m going to try to create the poison.”

Cho-ak Ryang couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the unexpected answer.

On the other hand, Beom Gye-wi exclaimed and nodded.

“Ah! Are you going to re-poison the monks here?”

Beom Gye-wi grinned, leaving behind the dumbfounded Cho-ak Ryang and Han Seol-hwa.

“Good idea. Leave the poisoning to me.”

Cho-ak Ryang frowned.

“Why would you re-poison the people that the Divine Doctor and Demonic Doctor worked so hard to cure?”

“They couldn’t protect Doctor Dan’s parents even after working so hard to cure them. So, of course, we have to return things to the way they were.”

“You…”

Cho-ak Ryang, who was about to snap back, paused for a moment.

It was because of Dan-ak Seon, who was smiling faintly.

“Uncle Beom’s jokes are always funny.”

“Oh? Oh, right…? D-did that cheer you up a bit?”

“Thanks to you.”

Cho-ak Ryang, having confirmed Beom Gye-wi’s flustered expression, scoffed and chided him.

“Because of you, we’ll only get plain water for the evening meal.”

Beom Gye-wi, feeling embarrassed for no reason, picked a fight with Cho-ak Ryang.

“Read the atmosphere a little. I finally made Doctor Dan smile, and you’re ruining the mood without any tact.”

“What, you little punk?”

Cho-ak Ryang was speechless, feeling inwardly dumbfounded.

To think he would be told he lacked tact by none other than Beom Gye-wi!

“You have no 余裕 [yoyuu – composure,余裕], no 余裕 [yoyuu – composure,余裕]… That’s why you’re growing old alone and miserable without a partner.”

“…!”

The monks who were carrying out the Dalai Lama’s instructions flinched and turned to look at Cho-ak Ryang.

Cho-ak Ryang’s eyes, silently glaring at Beom Gye-wi.

The terrifying killing intent that poured out from within was filling the room.

“Hmph!”

Beom Gye-wi also revealed his killing intent without backing down.

It was then that the Dalai Lama spoke to Dan-ak Seon.

“But may I ask why you are trying to recreate the poison from that time?”

Dan-ak Seon readily replied.

“I suspect that the poison used at that time was not ordinary. If I was secretly poisoned over a long period without even high-level experts noticing, and it affected my inner energy to the point of causing a Qi Deviation [a dangerous imbalance of internal energy], then a highly skilled method of manufacturing was definitely used.”

The Dalai Lama let out a sigh of relief.

If Dan-ak Seon hadn’t spoken up in time, a major disaster unprecedented since the construction of the Potala Palace might have occurred.

Dan-ak Seon continued his explanation, turning his back on the two who had turned their heads away as if they didn’t want to see him.

“From my experience so far, when manufacturing elixirs, the manufacturer’s special method is often reflected. It could be a family secret, or it could be a unique technique gained through enlightenment. And the same goes for poison. In any case, the traces of the person who made it are bound to remain.”

“Are you trying to identify the person who manufactured the poison?”

Dan-ak Seon nodded at Cho-ak Ryang’s question.

“You said the Demonic Sect made it?”

Dan-ak Seon’s eyes became serious at Beom Gye-wi’s question.

“It’s different in many ways from the poisons of the Demonic Sect that I’ve known so far. They use deadly and powerful poisons, but they mainly use neurotoxins that take effect immediately.”

But in this case, it was the opposite.

“The poisoning progressed secretly and slowly, to the point that even the Potala Palace’s medical skills thought it was an illness. It was colorless and odorless, left no trace, and the symptoms appeared almost simultaneously. It is highly likely that an outstanding expert in the field of poison manufacturing was involved. Of course, I’ll have to check the records to know for sure.”

After a while.

“It’s just as I expected.”

Dan-ak Seon, who had been rummaging through the mountain of documents piled up in front of him, sighed with a serious face.

“I don’t know who it is, but they used a manufacturing method of a higher level than I thought. I’ll have to make it myself.”

“But is it possible to create a poison just from records?”

Dan-ak Seon replied cautiously to the Dalai Lama’s question.

“I can deduce the ingredients used in the poison to some extent through the antidote manufacturing method. The acupuncture techniques left by my parents are also a sufficient reference. If I retrace the order of the symptoms and the treatment methods, I can roughly figure out the composition ratio of the materials used in the poison manufacturing.”

There was enough possibility if he cross-compared it with the clinical records recorded at the Potala Palace.

“Is there a secluded place where people don’t visit?”

Since it would take time and involve considerable risk, he needed a safe and independent space.

“Why don’t you return to Mount Hua and research it?”

Dan-ak Seon shook his head at Han Seol-hwa’s suggestion.

Of course, if it were Mount Hua, he could put his heads together with excellent doctors like Pung Jin-sung or Joo Cho-woon.

But there would definitely be things he would want to ask the Potala Palace about along the way.

He couldn’t go back and forth between the Potala Palace and Mount Hua every time.

“There is a secluded temple not far away. It has been neglected for a long time and is old, but I will send someone to take care of it.”

Dan-ak Seon offered his thanks to the Dalai Lama, who readily accepted his request.

Then he turned his head towards his companions.

“I should contact the Shinma Merchant Guild just in case. I think I’ll need to get the necessary medicinal ingredients.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Dan-ak Seon began to sort through the documents in front of him again.

Because he couldn’t afford to waste even a moment, as he didn’t know how many trials and errors he would have to go through.

Thus, Dan-ak Seon began to manufacture the poison in earnest.

* * *

“Hoo…”

Looking at the magnificent sight of the Forbidden City (紫禁城) [Zijin Cheng – the Imperial Palace in Beijing] unfolding before his eyes, Neung So-mil unknowingly sighed.

‘How much money did they pour into this?’

The scale of the Forbidden City, completed after a massive construction project spanning fourteen years, was truly enormous.

The Zi (紫) taken from Zǐwēi Yuán (紫微垣) [the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, a Chinese constellation that symbolizes the center of the universe], which symbolizes the center of the universe, and the Jin (禁) taken from the meaning that no one can approach without the Emperor’s permission.

The splendor and grandeur of the Forbidden City, completed by grinding over 100,000 artisans and over a million laborers, was worthy of its name.

Neung So-mil, who was moving his steps, stopped in front of the Meridian Gate (承天門) [Chengtianmen – the main gate of the Imperial City], the south gate of the Imperial City.

“I’ve been in the military for a long time, but to think I would have the honor of seeing the place where His Majesty resides…! It’s all thanks to Chief Neung. I’ll buy you a hearty drink later.”

Neung So-mil wore a bitter smile at the words of Jeong Cheon-ho, a Jeongopoom [a mid-level rank in the Joseon Dynasty] official who had escorted him to this place.

‘He doesn’t know what’s going on…’

However, he couldn’t just blame his naivety for liking it so much.

It was natural that he, who had been in the military all his life, did not know what was happening inside.

The martial world, where all sorts of schemes run rampant, is often expressed as Dosangeomrim (刀山劍林) [a mountain of knives and a forest of swords, a metaphor for a dangerous and treacherous place], but when it comes to being insidious, it could not be compared to the high-ranking officials in the political world.

Not to mention the Emperor, who stands at the pinnacle of those politicians and bureaucrats.

In particular, unlike the previous Emperor, who was addicted to pleasure and died young in an unfortunate accident, the current Emperor was known to be so outstanding that he could manipulate even the worn-out old retainers.

As young as he was, he was ambitious and eager, and he implemented bold policies accordingly.

Above all, the Emperor, who had suddenly ascended to the throne, had a weak power base, so he carried out a large-scale purge of the existing meritorious subjects, and through this, he firmly grasped power.

It was then that a man walked out from among the soldiers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard [a Ming Dynasty secret police] lined up in the distance.

“Jang Deung.”

Even though he only revealed his name, Jeong Cheon-ho, who was commanding the escorting army, bowed respectfully.

He recognized that he was a general belonging to the Imperial Guards (御臨親衛軍) [the Emperor’s personal guard], the Emperor’s direct army, just by the other person’s uniform.

The general who introduced himself as Jang Deung nodded and turned his head towards Neung So-mil.

“Are you the head of the Shinma Merchant Guild?”

“That’s right.”

“Follow me.”

Instead of the retreating Weiso’s forces, the Imperial Guards quickly surrounded Neung So-mil.

Neung So-mil realized anew that he was in the Imperial Palace because of their orderly and strict military discipline.

Following them into the Imperial City, Neung So-mil was able to face an enormous plaza and building.

The majesty of the Fengtian Hall (奉天殿) [Hall of Supreme Harmony], which is mainly used for national events such as the Emperor’s enthronement ceremony, royal weddings, and ancestral rites, was truly great.

Neung So-mil, who passed through the Fengtian Hall and walked for a long time, arrived at the Hall of Literary Glory (華蓋殿) [Hall of Literary Profundity] located behind it.

It was a pavilion where the Emperor waited and rested for a while before holding official events at the Fengtian Hall.

However, it was also used as a space to read and dispose of memorials coming from all over the country.

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long live the Emperor!”

As soon as he entered the Hall of Literary Glory, Neung So-mil prostrated himself on the floor with a resounding cry.

He had heard so much about the imperial etiquette while coming here that his ears were bleeding.

“……?”

Neung So-mil felt strange.

It had been a long time since he had paid his respects, but he couldn’t hear any words that should have been there.

But the real problem was different.

It was the stinging gaze that flew and pierced the back of his head and neck.

It wasn’t difficult to guess who the owner of that gaze was.

It was thanks to the senses trained against the Shinma Three Venerables.

How much time had passed like that?

“I heard that the money received from the Shinma Merchant Guild has no repercussions, right?”

The moment Neung So-mil heard those absurd words, his spine chilled.

‘Was this it?’

Neung So-mil finally sensed that the reason he was called here was more of a hearing about the Shinma Merchant Guild.

The Shinma Merchant Guild, which built its foundation by pioneering trade with the Western Regions.

The current imperial court strictly prohibits trade with foreign countries except for tribute trade conducted with the permission of the imperial family.

So I had no choice but to rely on smuggling.

But this is a clear violation of the law.

To this end, Neung So-mil gave numerous gifts to try to win over central political figures as well as local officials.

In addition, he promised taxes in excess of the amount originally due, and presented valuable treasures obtained through trade to the imperial family.

But that has now become a knife aimed at his neck.

“Raise your head.”

At the Emperor’s voice, Neung So-mil slowly raised his head.

With the Emperor sitting on the throne and casting a sharp gaze, the Imperial Guards were lined up on the left and right, and tens of civil and military officials were lined up below, guarding their positions.

The Emperor, who was staring intently at Neung So-mil with his chin resting on his hand, suddenly opened his mouth.

“I heard that it is the most rapidly growing merchant guild in the Central Plains recently.”

Neung So-mil replied immediately.

“Everything is thanks to His Majesty’s grace, which is as vast as the sea.”

“I heard that you paid your taxes diligently too, right?”

“Yes. I always add 10% more to the tax levied on all businesses and pay it.”

“Really?”

The Emperor revealed an interesting look.

“What’s the reason?”

“I do not doubt that Your Majesty will use the money benevolently, so I do not regret paying more. I judged that paying less due to an error would be deceiving Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s lips curled up slightly.

It was then.

“Your Majesty, I am afraid, but I dare to ask for permission to say a word.”

An old man who was clearly a high-ranking official opened his mouth.

“What’s wrong with the Left Censorate (左都御司) [a high-ranking official in charge of monitoring and criticizing the government], who is usually taciturn? Good. I allow it.”

As soon as the Emperor’s permission fell, a civil official with a pale face called the Left Censorate glared at Neung So-mil.

“You must not believe what that person says.”