The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 296

“I’ll bet on liquor.”

“What?”

Kang Wiryong couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

There were many ways to bet on liquor.

From simply competing in drinking capacity to guessing the name of the liquor by tasting it without any prior information…

But the little kid in front of him was too young and clearly had little experience with liquor.

“Have you ever drunk liquor before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

He asked just in case, but the answer was as expected.

“Then what kind of liquor bet are you proposing?”

Dan Ahkseon smiled and answered leisurely.

“You don’t necessarily have to drink to make a bet. I mean a bet related to liquor.”

Kang Wiryong frowned.

He didn’t know what trick he was up to, but giving up the bet here would be a disgrace to the name of Jugwangdogwi [Drunken Mad Demon].

More than anything, he was confident in any kind of bet related to liquor.

“Haha. Good.”

Kang Wiryong, who burst into laughter, stared intently at Dan Ahkseon.

“As always, I’ll bet the Dowonhyang [Peach Blossom Fragrance Liquor]. What will you bet?”

“I’ll bet the manufacturing method of the Holy Water Divine Pill.”

“……!”

For the first time, Kang Wiryong’s expression hardened.

“Not the Holy Water Divine Pill……”

Kang Wiryong double-checked, wondering if he had misheard.

“You’re betting the manufacturing method?”

“Yes.”

Kang Wiryong was momentarily speechless.

As a martial artist, he knew the value of the Holy Water Divine Pill.

But the manufacturing method, not the pill itself.

He was momentarily taken aback by Dan Ahkseon’s boldness in raising the stakes so suddenly.

Yet, Dan Ahkseon calmly continued.

“So, Uncle, you should bet something equivalent. Bets should be fair.”

“…….”

“As you know, it’s too early for me to drink. Even if I win, I can’t drink the liquor anyway, so betting the Dowonhyang is unfair to me.”

Kang Wiryong agreed, as it made sense.

“Alright. Then what should I bet?”

“The manufacturing method of Dowonhyang.”

“What?”

Kang Wiryong’s eyes immediately turned fierce.

He growled, emitting a palpable killing intent from his eyes.

“Dowonhyang is the only liquor in the world that no other liquor maker can replicate. It is the greatest of my life’s achievements. It is comparable to any supreme martial arts manual in the world……”

“Is the Holy Water Divine Pill not worth as much as Dowonhyang?”

“Huh?”

Kang Wiryong, at a loss for words, wore a bitter smile.

He was truly a kid with a natural talent for silencing people.

How much time had passed?

Kang Wiryong, who had been considering the terms of the bet, finally nodded.

“You’re quite clever for a young one. Alright, what kind of bet are you proposing?”

“It’s simple. The person who makes the more delicious liquor between the liquor I make and the liquor you make wins.”

Kang Wiryong was momentarily dumbfounded and retorted to Dan Ahkseon.

“A guy who’s never even drunk liquor is going to make liquor?”

“Yes. That’s how advantageous the bet is for you, Uncle.”

“Are you crazy?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Then why on earth……?”

“Because I’m confident I can win this bet.”

Kang Wiryong, staring silently into Dan Ahkseon’s eyes, felt a deep suspicion rising from within.

Dan Ahkseon’s eyes were too clear and pure to be considered a madman.

Moreover, he felt an unwavering belief that he would win.

‘What the hell is this?’

While Kang Wiryong couldn’t shake off his deep suspicion.

“This is too reckless.”

“That’s right, Doctor Dan. That guy may be crazy, but he’s really damn good at making liquor!”

“No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t seem right.”

Cho Ahkryang, Beom Gyewi, and even Han Seolhwa strongly dissuaded Dan Ahkseon.

Seeing this, Kang Wiryong judged that there were no suspicious circumstances in this bet.

“Third parties should stay out of this.”

Ignoring the killing intent pouring out from the three, Kang Wiryong opened his mouth towards Dan Ahkseon.

“I unconditionally abide by the rules I set in a bet. That goes for you, even if you’re a kid and a doctor.”

“I’ve never broken a promise either.”

“To dare challenge me to a liquor-making contest… Keuheuhe! Good! Let’s do it!”

Buzz.

As the bet was established, a huge commotion spread among the crowd surrounding Dan Ahkseon and Kang Wiryong.

A bet with the manufacturing methods of the Holy Water Divine Pill and Dowonhyang at stake!

On the other hand, Dan Ahkseon smiled leisurely.

“Then let’s have the bet at this time tomorrow.”

Kang Wiryong smirked.

It was clear that he had never made liquor before.

The fermentation process was essential to produce a decent refined liquor.

Mixing grain with yeast to saccharify it and then aging it would take at least two days.

“No, let’s do it three days later, to coincide with that Beom family’s wedding. After all, the outcome of the bet between the Beom family and me will be decided after the wedding.”

Dan Ahkseon readily nodded.

“Okay. Ah! But I have a question.”

“A question?”

“What happens if we tie?”

“Hehe. That will never happen.”

Kang Wiryong was full of confidence.

He had no doubt that nothing could compare to the liquor he made himself.

“If, by any chance, we do tie, I’ll acknowledge your victory.”

Dan Ahkseon gladly accepted.

“Then let’s compete fairly in three days.”

* * *

That night.

Moo-wi’s [Demonic Faction] affiliated heretical martial artists gathered in one place.

The first to speak among them, all exchanging worried glances, was Jang Gok, a fervent follower of Dan Ahkseon.

“Brothers, I think we need to come up with a plan.”

Lee Maesu Yeomdang nodded and took up the words.

“This bet is disadvantageous to Master Gok in anyone’s eyes.”

No sooner had those words fallen than sighs erupted from here and there.

“I don’t know what he was thinking, making such a reckless bet……”

“We can’t just stand by and watch the manufacturing method of the Holy Water Divine Pill fall into the hands of that insane monster.”

“The result is already determined, so what can we do?”

“How about asking the seniors for help?”

Kang Wiryong was a master who had his name on the list of the Five Greats of the World, even though he was crazy about liquor and gambling.

To face him, Cho Ahkryang, Han Seolhwa, or at least Beom Gyewi had to step forward.

“But that would tarnish the reputation of the seniors……”

“…….”

“…….”

Masters value their honor as much as their lives.

Especially martial artists like the Shin-ma Three Gods [Three Divine Demons].

At this time, Dokanryong Yoo Gwi opened his mouth, his only eye gleaming.

“If Doctor Dan loses, I will try to die together with that bastard. I can never let the manufacturing method of the Holy Water Divine Pill fall into his hands.”

The Holy Water Divine Pill was not just a simple spirit pill.

It was one of the few legacies that his father, Holy Water Divine, had left to Dan Ahkseon.

They knew what that meant to Dan Ahkseon.

As such, they couldn’t just stand by and watch the manufacturing method of the Holy Water Divine Pill fall into Kang Wiryong’s hands.

Above all, Kang Wiryong was someone who could bounce anywhere.

They couldn’t predict what he would do using the manufacturing method of the Holy Water Divine Pill.

“Can you do it alone? I’ll join you.”

“I will also risk my life with Yoo Hyung [Brother Yoo].”

Cheonggeumgwisu Lee Hanyoung and Halshimdokjo Yeomgi also joined Yoo Gwi’s opinion.

In addition, the majority of heretical martial artists, including Dokreungsaneung Jo Maengbang and Hyeoleum Nobong Yang Ikcheon, stepped forward and strengthened their resolve.

No matter how high the wall of the Five Greats of the World was, they couldn’t just stand by.

To them, Dan Ahkseon was a benefactor like no other.

Thanks to Dan Ahkseon, they were free from the pursuit of the orthodox faction, and they were able to recover from their injuries and regain their martial arts.

Above all, they were able to regain their dignity as human beings.

The person who gave them the opportunity to overcome the sense of defeat and humiliation that they had become accustomed to.

They were willing to give their lives for Dan Ahkseon.

“…….”

On the other hand, Gok Woonkyung was the only one among them who remained silent.

But no one blamed him.

Rather, they gave him a soft look.

“Please stay by Master Gok’s side and protect Moo-wi, Great Hero Gok.”

Gok Woonkyung, who had been silently looking into the tea water, slowly raised his eyes.

“Why do you think Master Gok will lose?”

“Why? Well……”

Yoo Gwi opened his mouth, replacing Lee Hanyoung, who was slurring his words.

“Didn’t Master Gok deliberately induce the bet to prevent Kang Wiryong from causing trouble at the wedding? By sacrificing the manufacturing method of the Holy Water Divine Pill, which is more valuable than the bet between Senior Beom and him. Otherwise, there’s no way that bastard would have readily agreed.”

“Well……”

Gok Woonkyung wore a meaningful smile.

“Is that really the case?”

The faces of the heretics except for Gok Woonkyung were full of doubt.

“Does Great Hero Gok think that Master Gok will win this bet?”

“I don’t have the clairvoyance to see the future, so how can I guess the direction of the bet?”

Gok Woonkyung took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and then opened his mouth again.

“However, what is certain is……”

“……?”

“Master Gok is not someone who would make such a decision without thinking. He must have intended something.”

Silence briefly fell around them.

But before long, Jang Gok opened his mouth.

“But in fact, isn’t it a problem even if he wins? Even if he submits to the bet because of his face right now, he will surely harbor resentment.”

Most people nodded at those words.

Losing a bet with the liquor he is most confident in?

The thought of what he would do later was terrifying.

However, Gok Woonkyung answered nonchalantly.

“Then can’t we just stop it when that happens? But I don’t think that will happen.”

“What do you mean?”

Gok Woonkyung smiled slyly.

“I don’t think Master Gok’s personality would create resentment with just a bet.”

The people of Moo-wi, exchanging glances, showed complicated eyes.

No one could refute those words.

At the same time.

In another place, other people were gathered.

The story of the bet between Dan Ahkseon and Kang Wiryong was no different for the people of the orthodox faction.

It was not anything else, but the item of the bet was brewing.

The only specialty that Kang Wiryong was more confident in than martial arts.

On the other hand, Dan Ahkseon said that he had never even tasted liquor, let alone made it.

There was no doubt that Dan Ahkseon was not the type to tell lies.

Therefore, the bet was in a situation where it was as good as decided that Kang Wiryong would win.

The problem was the problem that the result of the bet would cause.

“Even Cho Ahkryang is quite a sensible person, unlike the ominous title of Blood Demon Venerable. The problem is Beom Gyewi, that bastard. Will he really submit willingly?”

Worried sighs leaked out from here and there at Jin Jo-woon’s words.

His reputation that he would run with his eyes on fire if it was Dan Ahkseon’s business was already widespread throughout the Jungwon [Central Plains; the center of the martial arts world].

“Bingokseonja [Ice Valley Immortal] is also a person to watch out for. From the beginning, he is a person who cannot be tied up with common sense.”

The story gradually began to flow strangely.

“Surely there won’t be a bloodbath on the wedding day?”

“If Beom Gyewi and Han Seolhwa step out without looking back……”

“We need to keep a close eye on those two.”

“Surveillance is secondary, but what if they start to run wild? Do you have any countermeasures?”

At this time, someone among the crowd opened his mouth.

“There is something you are overlooking.”

“What do you mean?”

“The fact that Cho Ahkryang cannot be excluded. Even if that person turns his eyes once, he can never be called a sensible person.”

“Well, if he was a sensible person, he wouldn’t have caused the Cheongseong Bloodshed twice in the first place.”

Flinch.

From the side of the Cheongseong [Clear Star] faction’s martial artists, who were watching the situation from the corner without even having the right to speak, a self-deprecating sigh leaked out.

Jinmyeong Jin-in’s [True Name True Man] eyes, who had been listening to the opinions silently from the upper seat in the center, became heavy.

Soon he came to a conclusion.

“I will stay by Senior Han’s side, so Priest Beobryo, please stay by Beom Gyewi’s side. At least we have to stop the blood wind, right?”

“Then what about Cho Ahkryang……?”

At someone’s question, Jeongyeon Shinni smiled bitterly and opened her mouth.

“If such a thing happens, this humble nun will step out and appease him.”

Jeongyeon Shinni’s gaze turned to the old monk who was just entering the room.

“Then can I ask Great Master Beopyeon for mediation?”

No matter how arrogant they were, they could not disregard the existence of a high priest who possessed the robes of the Seonjong Ilmaek [Zen Buddhism Lineage].

Beopyeon smiled slyly and opened his mouth.

“I don’t think that will happen.”

The more benevolent smile hung over Beopyeon’s face as he looked around the puzzled crowd.

“In this humble monk’s opinion, that child’s heart is not so shallow.”