The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 297

The wedding of Beom Gye-wi concluded without incident.

It was an unprecedentedly grand event since the founding of the Hainan Sect, a monumental achievement etched in the history of the Murim [martial arts world].

It was an extremely rare occasion to have figures from both the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, as well as government officials, all gathered in one place.

Despite this, the wedding concluded successfully without any major issues.

The Hainan Sect, as the host, faced considerable difficulties due to the unexpected influx of guests, but they managed to overcome the challenges by exerting all their efforts.

However, even after the wedding, the guests lingered.

This was due to the bet between Kang Wi-ryong and Dan Ak-seon.

The bet concerned the method of creating the Saintly Divine Elixir, considered the most outstanding elixir in Murim history, and the method of creating the Peach Blossom Spring, renowned as the finest liquor of all time.

The area around the training ground, where the outcome of the bet would be determined, was already packed with people, leaving barely any room to stand.

Then, a man leaped onto the training ground.

Thump!

The figure placed a bottle of liquor on the table in the center of the training ground.

It was Kang Wi-ryong.

“Now! It is time for the showdown! You little brat who provoked me, come forward! Let us determine whose skills are superior in this arena!”

A resounding voice filled with profound inner energy shook the entire Hainan Island.

Kang Wi-ryong frowned as he looked around.

“Surely, you haven’t run away, have you?”

Just then.

The crowd that had densely surrounded the training ground parted to the left and right like a receding tide, and a man walked through the gap and stepped onto the training ground.

It was Dan Ak-seon.

Dan Ak-seon also held a small porcelain teapot in his hand.

Kang Wi-ryong smiled triumphantly at Dan Ak-seon, who met his gaze without flinching.

“Hmph… I’ll give you credit for your guts.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded in response.

“Shall we begin, then?”

As soon as those words were spoken, a suffocating tension settled over the training ground.

Kang Wi-ryong, confident in his victory, and Dan Ak-seon, who remained composed, were calm, but a strange atmosphere began to swirl among the spectators.

In the east of the training ground, where the Unorthodox faction was located, centered around figures from the Murim Alliance, a murderous aura surged.

On the other hand, in the Orthodox faction on the opposite side, a firm, unwavering resolve was felt.

Kang Wi-ryong, standing in the center of the training ground, could not have been unaware of this rapid change in atmosphere.

“How amusing.”

Kang Wi-ryong grinned and asked Dan Ak-seon.

“Now that I think about it, I forgot something important. Who do you intend to entrust with the judging?”

Thud.

No sooner had those words been spoken than a man leaped onto the training ground.

“I will!”

It was Beom Gye-wi.

He had rushed over in such a hurry that he hadn’t even changed out of his wedding attire.

Beom Gye-wi strode towards Dan Ak-seon, grabbed his hand, and lifted it high.

“Dan Physician wins!”

“What? We haven’t even tasted the liquor yet!”

Beom Gye-wi grinned, completely ignoring Kang Wi-ryong’s outburst.

“It’s my wedding, so it’s my decision. Dan Physician wins!”

“You bastard!”

Kang Wi-ryong, his face flushed with anger, raised his murderous aura as if he were about to attack.

He was furious at Beom Gye-wi’s despicable attempt to sabotage the sacred bet.

On the other hand, Beom Gye-wi glared back and rolled up his sleeves.

“What? You want to try me?”

Dan Ak-seon quickly jumped between the two men, who seemed about to clash.

“The bet must be fair.”

“But, Dan Physician…”

Beom Gye-wi cast a worried look at Dan Ak-seon, who was trying to dissuade him.

However, Dan Ak-seon smiled and reassured Beom Gye-wi.

“Don’t worry. Trust me.”

Dan Ak-seon turned his head and looked at Kang Wi-ryong.

“To ensure fairness, I think it would be best if someone unrelated to the Murim were to judge this bet.”

Dan Ak-seon pointed to one side of the training ground.

“How about we entrust the judging to those people?”

Kang Wi-ryong frowned as he cast his gaze towards the place Dan Ak-seon was pointing.

“Aren’t the government officials here as guests anyway? If so, they will naturally side with the groom, Beom.”

“Hmm… that may be true.”

Dan Ak-seon readily nodded in agreement, as it was a valid objection.

However, even Kang Wi-ryong, the great Kang Wi-ryong, couldn’t help but be taken aback by Dan Ak-seon’s next words.

“Then, how about you be the judge yourself?”

“What?”

“You have a more outstanding discernment in discussing the taste of liquor than anyone else. Above all, you are sincere when it comes to betting. Surely, someone like you wouldn’t lie.”

Kang Wi-ryong wasn’t the only one taken aback by Dan Ak-seon’s suggestion.

The crowd surrounding the training ground was also visibly agitated.

To think that he would give the authority to decide the outcome to the opponent he had bet against.

It was a situation that no one in the arena had anticipated.

Leaving behind the commotion that was spreading like wildfire, Dan Ak-seon asked once more.

“Shall we begin if you agree?”

“Are you really telling me to judge?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded in response to Kang Wi-ryong’s question.

“Yes. I think that’s the fairest way.”

“I don’t want any backlash.”

“That’s why I’m entrusting the judgment to you. And more than anything, it’s because I’m confident that I won’t lose.”

Kang Wi-ryong’s competitive spirit flared up at Dan Ak-seon’s confident gaze, which showed no sign of wavering.

“Very well! I swear on my name and reputation that I will evaluate honestly without any lies.”

“In return, may I decide the order?”

Kang Wi-ryong readily nodded.

“As you wish.”

“Then, please try your liquor first.”

Kang Wi-ryong stared intently at Dan Ak-seon before picking up the bottle of liquor.

Gulp.

He tilted the bottle to his mouth and swallowed a mouthful of liquor, then closed his eyes tightly.

The subtle scent of orchids that enveloped his mouth, along with the rich aroma of fruit, left a lingering aftertaste that filled him with immense satisfaction.

Even though he had brewed the liquor himself, he was genuinely pleased with it.

In fact, strictly speaking, the liquor he had just drunk was not the Peach Blossom Spring.

The Peach Blossom Spring required a meticulous aging process, so it wasn’t a liquor that could be made in just a few days.

However, as it was clearly the original liquor that could be called the root of the Peach Blossom Spring, he was confident that no liquor in the world could compare to it.

“Hoo.”

As he exhaled deeply, a graceful fragrance swirled around the tip of his nose.

A vivid temptation that made him crave another sip.

The unique savory flavor, which only liquor that could truly be called a masterpiece possessed, filled his chest with an intense sensation.

“I can confidently say that there is no liquor in the world that can surpass this.”

Beom Gye-wi, who was standing next to Dan Ak-seon, flinched at those words.

The intense aroma of the liquor reached even where he was standing!

That alone was enough to make it impossible to deny Kang Wi-ryong’s words.

“Then, it’s my turn now.”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and lifted the teapot he had brought.

Pour.

A deep suspicion arose in Beom Gye-wi’s eyes as he gazed at the clear and transparent liquid filling the glass.

‘Why isn’t there any fragrance?’

Beom Gye-wi wasn’t the only one who noticed this.

Kang Wi-ryong also couldn’t help but be puzzled.

Occasionally, in the case of liquor that had been aged for a long time, it took a considerable amount of time for the aroma and flavor to awaken.

At first, it was spicy and bitter, but over time, as it came into contact with the air, the fragrant and sweet flavor that had been hidden deep within would assert its presence.

However, the liquor contained in the teapot that Dan Ak-seon was holding was a liquor that had been made in just three days at most.

From the beginning, it didn’t meet those conditions.

“Please, try it.”

Kang Wi-ryong stared silently at the glass that Dan Ak-seon had offered before pouring it into his mouth in one gulp.

“……!”

It was then that Kang Wi-ryong’s eyes twitched.

“What is this?”

Kang Wi-ryong roared, his voice filled with anger, at Dan Ak-seon, who simply responded with a gentle smile.

“Are you daring to mock me now!”

Crack.

As Kang Wi-ryong clenched his fist, the glass he was holding shattered into powder and scattered.

Still unable to contain his anger, Kang Wi-ryong growled lowly, his voice filled with murderous intent.

“Are you insulting me with such… nonsense?”

The scenery around Kang Wi-ryong seemed to distort for a moment.

The atmosphere was momentarily twisted by the intense power contained in the aura he was emitting.

Beom Gye-wi quickly stepped in front of Dan Ak-seon.

Not only that, but Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa also rushed to Dan Ak-seon’s side.

At that moment, Dan Ak-seon shouted loudly.

“It’s alright. The bet is not over yet.”

Kang Wi-ryong became even more enraged at those words.

“You! This isn’t liquor!”

Beom Gye-wi flared up.

“Are you saying that our Dan Physician lied?”

However, Dan Ak-seon unexpectedly nodded.

“That’s right. It’s not liquor.”

“Huh? Really?”

Beom Gye-wi blinked in bewilderment.

“It’s really not liquor?”

Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa also showed signs of embarrassment.

Kang Wi-ryong gritted his teeth.

“Are you daring to make a fool of me?”

However, even in the face of Kang Wi-ryong’s murderous rage, Dan Ak-seon remained calm.

“Before you get angry, please try the liquor you made again.”

“What?”

“Get angry afterward.”

Kang Wi-ryong defiantly gulped down the liquor he had made at Dan Ak-seon’s composed expression.

“……!”

It was at that moment that Kang Wi-ryong’s figure froze like a stone statue.

“What, what is this?”

Beom Gye-wi nodded in satisfaction at Kang Wi-ryong’s stammering, astonished appearance.

“Well done, Dan Physician.”

Beom Gye-wi smiled and said to the puzzled group.

“It’s a poison that reveals its effects when consumed with liquor, right? Hehe, it seems he didn’t know that our Dan Physician is also skilled in poisons. Serves you right, you bastard.”

Kang Wi-ryong, who would have retorted immediately under normal circumstances, stood there blankly, shocked.

Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa looked at Dan Ak-seon with surprised eyes.

“Is that true?”

Dan Ak-seon shook his head at Cho Ak-ryang’s question.

“Of course not.”

It was then.

“What on earth is going on?”

Kang Wi-ryong, who had belatedly regained his senses, stared at Dan Ak-seon with a look of astonishment.

He was certain that there was no liquor more outstanding than this…!

That belief, which had been like an impregnable fortress, was crumbling to pieces.

The faint scent of orchids, which had been perfectly hidden at first and whose existence he had not even known, was now felt as clearly as if it were a lie.

Moreover, the fresh fragrance, which was reminiscent of plums and peaches, became even more prominent, turning it into a completely different liquor than before.

What was certain was that it had transformed into a liquor with a much more diverse and superior flavor than when he had first tasted it.

As if he had fully anticipated this, Dan Ak-seon smiled and opened his mouth.

“I may not be able to make liquor, but I know how to make all the liquor in the world taste better.”

“……”

“It’s called Hwanjeong Tea (換正茶) [Tea that restores the senses].”

Kang Wi-ryong couldn’t hide his surprise at Dan Ak-seon’s calm explanation.

“As a physician, I have handled more poisons than anyone else. Tasting them to distinguish them was the most basic method. However, even if it was a trace amount of poison, if I repeatedly tasted it, my sense of taste would become numb, and at some point, I would no longer be able to distinguish the proper amount. So, I always drink Hwanjeong Tea with it to maintain my senses.”

And there was an unexpected effect as well.

It was that it maximized the sense of taste, allowing him to clearly detect subtle changes in taste due to poison.

“It also has an excellent effect of protecting the mucous membranes such as the esophagus and stomach. If you think of liquor differently, it’s not much different from poison once it enters the body, so I thought it would definitely have an effect.”

Therefore, drinking Hwanjeong Tea would make the taste of liquor clearer and wouldn’t cause discomfort in the stomach.

Kang Wi-ryong was dumbfounded.

“I won this bet. From the beginning, the key to the bet was who could create a more delicious liquor.”

“That’s right. I couldn’t make liquor. But it’s clear that I made the liquor you made taste better.”

“Are you trying to say it’s a tie?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and looked up at Kang Wi-ryong.

“It’s up to you to decide that.”

“Haha. This is quite something.”

Kang Wi-ryong couldn’t help but feel inwardly embarrassed.

He had won the bet itself to make liquor.

However, Dan Ak-seon had come up with a way to make that liquor taste even better.

Each side had won once, so it was a tie.