The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 280

The End of the Ox Hour [1-3 AM, a traditional Chinese time division].

The dark prison was silent.

Only the occasional low snoring echoed through the space, a lonely testament to the prison’s desolation.

Even the guard at the entrance was slumped against the wall, dozing.

Squeak.

It was then that Seo Se-chang, who had been lying as if dead, stirred.

He held his breath for a moment, surveying the inside of the prison, before slowly approaching the bars.

‘Only one today.’

The prison guards were usually on duty in pairs.

But today was different.

He had vaguely heard that there was some internal training within the Golden Uniform Guard [an elite imperial guard unit] ?

So, the shift change, which was usually every two hours, had passed three hours, and was approaching four hours with no sign of relief.

The guard, suddenly stuck on solo duty, seemed to have grown tired of the boredom and had started dozing off half an hour ago.

A glint flashed in Seo Se-chang’s eyes.

At that moment.

Crack.

A chilling sound erupted from his entire body as his limbs twisted and contorted in a bizarre manner.

‘Is that a person? Or an octopus?’

Nung So-mil, who was watching the scene with narrowed eyes from the opposite cell, couldn’t help but be amazed by the grotesque sight.

Seo Se-chang was wriggling his body through the bars like a boneless mollusk.

And before long, he had escaped the prison as if by magic.

It was a sight that was hard to believe even when seen with one’s own eyes.

Crack. Snap.

With the sound of bones realigning, Seo Se-chang regained his original form.

After catching his breath and calming his inner energy [qi or chi, vital energy in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts], Seo Se-chang began to exude a thick killing intent.

Soon, he darted towards the guard who was dozing off at the prison entrance.

Screech!

A chilling sound tore through the darkness of the prison.

Seo Se-chang’s hand, aiming for the guard’s neck, struck down.

However, his hand stopped in mid-air, just an inch away from the target’s neck.

Thud.

The guard had already reached out and grabbed his wrist.

‘A master!’

Seo Se-chang’s heart sank.

This was clearly not a low-ranking guard who usually managed the prison, but a seasoned hidden master from the Golden Uniform Guard.

It was then that the dozing guard opened his eyes.

A firm, unwavering gaze.

A powerful aura, unbelievable for someone who had been slumped over just moments ago, swirled within them.

Whack!

The Golden Uniform Guard, with lightning speed, struck Seo Se-chang’s pressure point and smiled wryly.

“So, you really were going to try to escape.”

Seo Se-chang, caught in a daze of bewilderment, trembled as if struck by lightning at the voice from behind.

“Catching this guy is all thanks to your excellent martial arts and outstanding acting skills.”

Wi Cheon-sang, the Captain-General of the Golden Uniform Guard, frowned at Nung So-mil’s words, which were praising him to the skies.

The meaning of the smile that briefly appeared and disappeared on Nung So-mil’s lips.

He was neither foolish nor ignorant enough not to know it.

After that, everything went smoothly.

Seo Se-chang confessed his true identity.

The Golden Uniform Guard’s cruel torture.

No matter how brave or skilled in martial arts one might be, it was meaningless in the face of it.

In the end, Seo Se-chang admitted that he was a member of the Demonic Sect [often portrayed as antagonists in wuxia stories] and had infiltrated the Golden Uniform Guard’s prison to assassinate the Emperor.

The truth didn’t matter.

From the Golden Uniform Guard’s perspective, they needed credit for preventing the Emperor’s assassination, and in the end, he had no choice but to give them the answer they wanted.

Thanks to this, Nung So-mil once again had the opportunity to have an audience with the Emperor.

‘Good grief.’

Nung So-mil wore a wry smile as sharp gazes flew and pierced his skin.

Wang Jik, the Director of the Eastern Depot [secret police] and the head of the Twenty-Four Gates.

Although he was lowering his eyes because the Emperor was next to him, the gaze he occasionally directed at him was far from friendly.

He must have heard that he had used the name of the Eastern Depot to meet with the head of the Golden Uniform Guard.

“I heard you had an interesting night?”

At the Emperor’s question, Nung So-mil prostrated himself further on the floor and replied.

“How could I turn a blind eye to the rebels who disturb Your Majesty’s realm?”

The Emperor sighed softly.

“That the remnants of the old era are still running rampant in the world I rule. It’s truly appalling. And to think they even infiltrated the Imperial Palace.”

The Emperor stared at Nung So-mil.

The Poison Calculation Pill, which he had taken after being examined by the royal physicians, was indeed worthy of its reputation.

Also, Nung So-mil had become even more valuable to him because of last night’s events.

“I am a man of clear rewards and punishments. Your crime of smuggling will be pardoned in exchange for the merit of capturing the Demonic Sect member who infiltrated the Imperial Palace.”

“I was only doing what I had to do. The Demonic Sect is also my mortal enemy.”

“A mortal enemy?”

Nung So-mil declared to the Emperor, who was showing a delighted expression.

“I am also a merchant and a martial artist. The Demonic Sect, which is constantly aiming for the Central Plains [the heartland of Chinese civilization], will surely rise again. At that time, our Divine Merchant Guild and the martial artists of Muwi will be at the forefront to fight against them.”

The Emperor’s eyes softened as if he was pleased with the answer.

“Good. I will remember your loyalty.”

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

“That’s right…….”

The Emperor smiled and opened his mouth.

“Since your crime has been covered by your merit, I must also reward you for the goods you presented, right?”

Then he asked cautiously.

“Is there anything you desire?”

After hesitating for a moment, Nung So-mil prostrated himself even deeper and shouted.

“The only thing I desire is the Emperor’s good health, who is the heaven of the court and all the people!”

“Hmm…….”

The Emperor was truly impressed by Nung So-mil’s attitude.

“You are one who knows how to please me. It is a pity that a eunuch like you is not by my side.”

‘……!’

Nung So-mil felt a chill run down his spine.

He had said it was fortunate before, but now he said it was a pity?

Imagining his manhood being removed and becoming a eunuch, Nung So-mil felt his heart grow cold.

To avoid showing this, Nung So-mil buried his face even deeper into the floor.

“Good. Then I will give you a gift separately from that. This is a reward for pleasing me.”

And at the words that followed, Nung So-mil cheered inwardly.

“The work you are trying to do in Muwi will proceed without any problems. I will personally instruct the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Regional Military Commissioner to provide full cooperation.”

The Provincial Administration Commissioner was the head of the Provincial Administration Office, which was in charge of governing a province, and the Regional Military Commissioner was the head of the Regional Military Commission, which was in charge of the military affairs of the province.

Both were high-ranking officials of the second rank, and a magistrate of the seventh rank could not even dare to look at them.

The Emperor must have already heard about the comprehensive entertainment facilities being built in Muwi.

The Emperor himself had approved it in this place.

Nung So-mil was overwhelmed with a thrilling pleasure.

A sense of elation and joy that was hard to express in any way!

Was this why gamblers kept going back to the gambling table even after their fingers were cut off?

There was a reason why the saying ‘Life is a series of ups and downs’ existed.

But…….

That wasn’t the end of it.

“In addition, I appoint Nung So-mil as the Loyal and Tranquil Commandant and promote the Loyal and Brave Commandant. Furthermore, I appoint him as the Supervising Censor of the seventh rank.”

Nung So-mil was momentarily breathless.

“Pardon?”

He was so surprised that he even questioned the Emperor without realizing it.

The Supervising Censor was a position belonging to the Censorate, which oversaw the supervision of the jurisdictional area.

Although the rank was only the seventh rank, the authority was even more powerful than the actual rank because the results of the supervision had to be reported directly to the Emperor.

With a single word from the Emperor, he had risen to a position equal to the magistrate who governed Muwi.

‘Why are you appointing me as an official without my permission!’

While screaming inwardly, Nung So-mil managed to maintain a calm expression.

“This humble subject cannot dare to bear Your Majesty’s grace, which is as vast as the sea. Above all, I know better than anyone that I lack the ability to meet Your Majesty’s expectations. So please, withdraw those words.”

“Is that so?”

The Emperor chuckled.

“I am already well aware of your outstanding abilities.”

“Ah, no, but…….”

“Wouldn’t you need at least a minimal position to seek cooperation from the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Regional Military Commissioner?”

Nung So-mil was speechless at the Emperor’s words.

“I hope your loyalty will not change.”

At the Emperor’s firm attitude, Nung So-mil finally sighed deeply.

“……I am honored.”

At this moment, Nung So-mil couldn’t help but feel like he had been snared.

In addition, he realized an important lesson.

He shouldn’t be on the wrong side of the Emperor, but he shouldn’t recklessly catch the Emperor’s eye either.

* * *

Dan Ak-seon’s three-month research finally yielded results.

It was possible because of the dedication of the locals who volunteered to research the Poisonous Evil Line.

Although the treatment process was difficult, they successfully detoxified and the twenty men who had recovered their health left the temple with repeated thanks.

However, despite completing the poison he had so desired, Dan Ak-seon’s expression was not bright.

Cho Ak-ryang approached with a puzzled expression at Dan Ak-seon’s serious face as he stared at the completed poison pill.

“What’s wrong?”

Before he knew it, Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa also approached with worried faces.

After hesitating for a moment, Dan Ak-seon opened his mouth with a heavy expression as he looked at the three of them.

“It’s a poison from the Sichuan Tang Family [a prominent family known for their expertise in poisons and hidden weapons].”

“What?”

“Are you sure?”

“……!”

The three people showed different reactions, but the emotion that surfaced in their eyes was an undeniable anger.

“I think that’s why the person named Tang-ryeong was so persistent in demanding the Absolute Severing Battle.”

At Dan Ak-seon’s explanation, a terrifying killing intent exploded from Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes.

“The ingredients are different from the poison buried there, but the manufacturing method and mixing principle are exactly the same.”

Just as everyone has different fingerprints and voiceprints, there are special traces left in the manufacturing method of medicine or poison.

“Then those guys are in collusion with the Demonic Sect?”

Dan Ak-seon shook his head at Beom Gye-wi’s question.

“I can’t say for sure yet. But it’s definitely related.”

Han Seol-hwa broke the silence and opened her mouth.

“Then we have to go to the Tang Family.”

“I think we should.”

After looking around once, Dan Ak-seon forced a smile and changed the atmosphere.

“I ended up staying for three months. Let’s go back now, shall we?”

Before he knew it, time had passed quickly and it was already entering winter.

“We should say goodbye before we leave, right?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Dan Ak-seon began to organize the surrounding furniture.

The dangerous materials used in the manufacture of the poison pill were completely neutralized and buried deep in the ground, and the documents containing the manufacturing method and research process of the poison pill were all burned to prevent any possible misuse.

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, including Han Seol-hwa, helped Dan Ak-seon.

After completing the preparations, they headed to the Potala Palace [a significant Tibetan Buddhist monastery] with only the bare necessities.

Dan Ak-seon, who faced the Dalai Lama, explained the results he had obtained through his research without hiding anything.

“The Demonic Sect and the Sichuan Tang Family have joined hands?”

The Dalai Lama recited the Buddha’s name repeatedly with an unbelievable expression.

Although it was notorious, the Sichuan Tang Family was clearly a family belonging to the Orthodox Sect.

It was difficult to accept the fact that they had been in conflict with the Demonic Sect for a long time.

However, he could not overlook the evidence that Dan Ak-seon possessed.

It was after a long time that the Dalai Lama broke the heavy silence and opened his mouth.

“Thank you.”

“Yes?”

The Dalai Lama gave a gentle smile to Dan Ak-seon, who was puzzled because he didn’t know the reason.

“I am talking about the heart that treats us without prejudice, without leaning to either the new world or the Central Plains.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled shyly.

“That’s only natural.”

Dan Ak-seon answered casually, but the Dalai Lama knew better than anyone how difficult it was.

“Then are you going to go to the Sichuan Tang Family now?”

Dan Ak-seon shook his head at the Dalai Lama’s question.

“No. I think I need to go back to Muwi and organize my plans first.”

“I see.”

The Dalai Lama, who had been silently staring at Dan Ak-seon for a while, quietly reached out and grabbed Dan Ak-seon’s hand and handed him something.

“This is?”

Belatedly, surprise appeared in Dan Ak-seon’s eyes as he checked the object that the Dalai Lama had placed in his hand.