The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 299

“Heh heh, this is something…”

Looking around, Jinmyeong Jin-in was once again surprised by Dan-ak Seon, who had seized control of the situation in one fell swoop.

“If you give up a seat next to you, Hwasan will also be happy to cooperate.”

As the situation reached this point, Akho-gun, who had been unable to hide his uncomfortable expression, had no choice but to add a word.

“…Nokrim will also participate.”

Having secured everyone’s confirmation, Dan-ak Seon politely clasped his hands.

Although not present at this gathering, Gollyun and Gaebang would also support him.

Despite having secured the cooperation of more than half of the Nine Great Sects, Dan-ak Seon was still worried.

It was only to the extent that they shared the same purpose.

The perfect form of alliance he envisioned was still a long way off.

Still, he was satisfied with this for now.

‘Now, what remains is…’

The only way to unite everyone’s strength was to clearly present the direction they should take.

Someone had to step forward to do this.

And it was something Dan-ak Seon had been prepared for a long time ago.

* * *

The next day.

Dan-ak Seon remained until the end to see off the guests who were leaving the Haenam Sect one by one.

Only then did Dan-ak Seon hasten his preparations to leave.

Unlike the other two, Beomgyewi decided to stay in Haenam after much deliberation.

This was because Byeokhwa-ryeong’s martial arts transmission was not yet complete.

A newlywed couple couldn’t be apart from the start of their marriage.

“I’m sorry, because of me.”

Byeokhwa-ryeong couldn’t hide her apologetic feelings.

“I’ll finish the martial arts transmission and join you right away, dear.”

Beomgyewi also clicked his tongue.

“I’m sorry, Doctor Dan. But it seems I need to help from the side to finish it as soon as possible.”

Beomgyewi glared at the Haenam Sect’s masters who came to see him off.

“How come everyone except Hwaryeong is so dull-witted?”

The Haenam Sect warriors, who had suddenly been labeled as dullards, didn’t know where to look and only coughed awkwardly.

On the other hand, Dan-ak Seon encouraged them with a smile.

“Do your best. I believe there will definitely be good results.”

The Haenam Sect warriors, nodding with moved expressions, soon showed determined eyes as if they were steeling themselves.

‘The role of the Haenam Sect will be important in the future.’

For Dan-ak Seon, the Haenam Sect was like a great gift.

It was because of the symbolism that the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions had become one through marriage.

Also, since Beomgyewi, who was like family, had married Byeokhwa-ryeong, the Haenam Sect was already like family to Dan-ak Seon.

That’s why Dan-ak Seon was paying even more attention to them.

“Ah, I almost forgot.”

“What is this?”

Byeokdae-gyeong, who received the box Dan-ak Seon handed over with a puzzled expression, was startled when he checked the contents.

“This is… !”

Dan-ak Seon looked apologetic at Byeokdae-gyeong, who was so surprised that he couldn’t speak.

“I’m sorry I can’t give you more. I can’t make as much as I want because I don’t have enough ingredients. Instead, I’ll provide you with enough elixirs that can help improve your inner strength.”

“C, can I really accept this?”

Byeokdae-gyeong was so surprised that he was unknowingly using honorifics [formal speech].

No wonder, the elixir contained in the box was clearly the Holy Water Divine Pill.

As many as three of them!

A priceless treasure known to everyone in the Murim [martial arts world]…

The Holy Water Divine Pill was known to surpass Shaolin’s Great Return Pill.

With this alone, it was not just a dream for the Haenam Sect to be reborn and leap forward as a strong force.

Dan-ak Seon smiled and nodded.

“Of course. We’re not strangers anymore. But please keep it a secret from the outside.”

“O, of course!”

That was what he wanted to ask first.

If this fact leaked to the outside, Haenam Island would be turned upside down right away.

At this time, Beomgyewi strode over and hugged Dan-ak Seon tightly.

“Doctor Dan. Even if you miss me, please bear with it. This will be the last time we’re apart for a while!”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

Beomgyewi turned his head towards Choak-ryang.

“Take good care of Doctor Dan.”

Choak-ryang, who would usually sneer and taunt, nodded with a smile for some reason.

“Don’t worry.”

Choak-ryang seemed to be in a better mood than usual.

It was because of the liquor bottle in his hand.

At Dan-ak Seon’s persuasion, Beomgyewi finally shared the Dowonhyang [a special, high-quality liquor].

With those brief greetings as the last, Dan-ak Seon boarded the ship.

The ship, filled with wind in its sails, quickly cut through the water, and the figure of Beomgyewi waving goodbye quickly disappeared.

“Are you going to Muwi now?”

Dan-ak Seon shook his head at Choak-ryang’s question.

“No. I have a place to stop by.”

A huge storm that was difficult to foresee even an inch ahead.

The time to throw himself into it was not far off.

So there was something he wanted to do even more before that.

It was also a gift that Dan-ak Seon himself allowed for himself, who had overcome difficult situations so far.

* * *

A small village in Gyun County, Hubei Province.

The remote open space in this village, which is located on the south side of Wudang Mountain, a sacred mountain of Taoism, was suffering from the uninvited guests who visited it without fail today.

Pa-pa-pang!

A flurry of chaotic footwork and air-splitting sounds filled the area, and a cloud of dust filled the arena.

How much time had passed?

Among the two people who stepped back and distanced themselves from each other, a boy wearing ragged clothes exclaimed.

“Wow! Our Un brother’s skills have improved a lot! If I’m not careful, I’ll be caught up with soon!”

At Bangso-bang’s jest, Unjung-san retorted with a blunt expression.

“You’ve been saying that for a year now. Isn’t it time to admit it? I won by half a move just now.”

“Jungsan-ah! You have a nosebleed!”

“…?”

“It’s on your chest.”

Doubt arose in Unjung-san’s eyes as he lowered his head to check his front.

There was not even dust on it, let alone a nosebleed.

“Okay, I received your greeting well [sarcastic remark].”

Bangso-bang, who opened his mouth as if he had been waiting, chuckled, and only then did Unjung-san realize that he had been tricked.

Unjung-san frowned and was about to say something.

Bangso-bang, who had stopped laughing, suddenly opened his mouth.

“I wonder where Akseon is and what he’s doing right now.”

“…”

“He must be much stronger than us now, right?”

“He was stronger than us from the beginning.”

“…You’re no fun.”

Bangso-bang suddenly missed Dan-ak Seon.

It was one of those days when Dan-ak Seon was especially missed, as they were constantly dealing with that stubborn blockhead who had no sense of humor.

But soon, a bitter feeling washed over them.

“Our Akseon has become someone we can’t even dare to look up to anymore.”

Bangso-bang continued his grumbling, probably after overhearing something somewhere.

“While we’re struggling here, Akseon has already become a big shot encompassing both the orthodox and unorthodox factions.”

“Once a friend, always a friend.”

“That’s just what we think. Do you think the world is as naive as we are? If that were the case, why are there beggars and people suffering injustice?”

“……”

“Haa… What should we call him when we meet again? Young Master Dan? Or Great Hero Dan?”

“I still prefer just his name.”

“……!”

Unjung-san and Bangso-bang were startled by the sudden voice and turned their heads.

The two discovered Dan-ak Seon standing and smiling on one side of the vacant lot, and without a word, they dashed towards him.

“Akseon-ah!”

“Haha. It’s been a while.”

They hugged each other, rejoicing for a moment.

“What brings our famous friend, the Divine Devil Doctor, here all of a sudden?”

Dan-ak Seon smiled at Bangso-bang’s usual jest.

“Just because. I missed you guys.”

“Hmm… Suspicious? What is it? This strong smell of conspiracy?”

Thwack.

“Ack! You bastard, ambushing me when I was off guard?”

Unjung-san, who had kicked Bangso-bang’s butt with all his might, gave him a worried look.

“I heard you’ve been busy.”

Dan-ak Seon nodded with a complicated expression.

“I think I’ll be even busier now. So, I wanted to see you before that. I don’t think I’ll have another chance otherwise.”

“Chance? What chance?”

Bangso-bang, who had been interrupting, quickly hid behind Dan-ak Seon when Unjung-san raised his fist.

Dan-ak Seon smiled at his friends.

“I’ve been itching to see you guys.”

“W-wait a minute! Akseon-ah, what’s with that look?”

Bangso-bang, who had stepped back in alarm, wore a look of horror.

The fist that Dan-ak Seon had just thrown had narrowly missed his nose.

“Oh! Not bad? When did you get so good?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Dan-ak Seon raised his knee towards Unjung-san’s lower abdomen.

But as if he had expected it, Unjung-san deflected Dan-ak Seon’s attack with a gentle force and assumed a defensive stance.

“Is this why you came to see us?”

Dan-ak Seon replied to Unjung-san’s question with a dazzling grappling technique.

Thwack, thwack, thwack.

Violent sounds of impact echoed as hands, arms, and elbows collided in rapid succession.

Unjung-san, who was suddenly at a disadvantage, swallowed his inner embarrassment.

“Hmph! I can’t ignore a friend’s crisis! Who am I? If it’s about justice, it’s the Beggars’ Sect, and if it’s the Beggars’ Sect, it’s Bangso-bang! Why else would the character ‘Bang’ [referring to the sound of a bell or strike, implying importance or impact] be in my name twice?”

As Bangso-bang intervened in the fight between Dan-ak Seon and Unjung-san, the situation quickly became even more chaotic.

The sight of the three boys intertwined and fighting in a cloud of dust.

Cho Ak-ryang, who was watching from afar, wore a bitter smile.

“They look happy.”

Han Seol-hwa nodded silently.

Just one day.

It was the time Dan-ak Seon could spend with his friends.

That’s why it was even more heartbreaking.

Unlike before, Dan-ak Seon could now get anything he wanted.

But what Dan-ak Seon chose as a gift for himself was to spend time with his friends.

A simple happiness that should have been an everyday occurrence.

Even that was not easily granted in Dan-ak Seon’s life, which was pitiful.

Perhaps that was why.

Dan-ak Seon’s bright smile pierced his heart more painfully than ever.

How much time had passed like that?

Dan-ak Seon cast a sorry look at his friends, who were exhausted and falling apart.

“Are you okay? Was I too much? I got carried away with the joy of seeing you…”

“No way? Haa, just you wait, half a quarter of an hour [roughly 7.5 minutes – a short break].”

“Me too… Huff, huff, not yet.”

Bangso-bang and Unjung-san replied with difficulty, still panting heavily.

“How did you endure all this time, wanting to see us this much?”

Bangso-bang, who had been glaring, paused at Dan-ak Seon’s reply.

“I’ve been enduring by eagerly anticipating this moment whenever I had a hard time.”

“Just…?”

“Of course. You guys are my only friends.”

At those words, Bangso-bang and Unjung-san exchanged glances.

“……”

After a moment of silence.

“Ugh.”

“Keuk.”

The two, who had forced themselves to stand up, took their stances again.

“Alright. Shall we start again then?”

Unjung-san nodded at Bangso-bang’s words.

“We can do this all day.”

This time, the two of them threw themselves forward first.

* * *

“Haa…”

Neng So-mil, who was staring into the distance at the entrance of Muwi [likely a significant location or stronghold], sighed deeply enough to make the ground sink.

The unorthodox faction members who had left to attend Beom Gye-wi’s wedding had to face shocking news as they returned to Muwi.

“Why such a sigh?”

Neng So-mil wore a tearful expression at Sa Mu-sim’s question.

“What is it about the Valley Lord that makes him want to coax that troublemaker?”

Neng So-mil already had a headache at the news that Kang Wi-ryong was coming to Muwi.

At that sight, So Jeok-san also became deeply troubled.

At least Neng So-mil could excuse himself with official duties, but as the head of the Shinma Merchant Guild [likely a powerful merchant organization], he could not leave this place even if he didn’t want to.

“I know, right? Why do all these scary people gather here?”

“Haa.”

“Hoo.”

After taking turns sighing for a moment.

Neng So-mil muttered.

“According to rumors, he’s said to be no less eccentric than Senior Beom…”

Sa Mu-sim chuckled.

He had also met Kang Wi-ryong a long time ago.

“Senior Beom is better.”

“Yes?”

“What did you just say…?”

Sa Mu-sim, who had inadvertently opened his mouth, could not bear to face the pitiful gazes of the two and turned his head slightly.