The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 303

The Divine Doctor of Primacy (303)

“Umm…”

Geum Daeryong frowned.

He didn’t expect the desk-bound bureaucrats to be well-versed in the affairs of the Murim [martial arts world], but this was beyond the pale.

“Do you have any idea how many terrifying monsters are swarming over there?”

However, an unexpected answer came back.

“Is there any reason to confront them head-on?”

“……?”

“Wouldn’t it suffice to simply put on a decent show and secure trading rights?”

Geum Daeryong’s eyes lit up.

It was a tempting proposition.

Just like the Shinma Merchant Guild, the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild could also use the pretext of subjugating the Blood Cloud Stronghold to gain access to Gayok Pass.

‘The Central Plains are vast.’

Even with a cursory search, there were countless masters of the Middle Faction who did not belong to either the Orthodox or Unorthodox factions.

If the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild used its wealth to gather them and put on a decent show?

Moreover, the merchants of the Western Regions were not fundamentally different in temperament from the merchants of the Central Plains.

Having endured arduous journeys, they naturally desired greater profits.

If they were offered higher prices than the Shinma Merchant Guild, there would be no reason for them not to trade with the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild.

Yang So’s continued persuasion moved Geum Daeryong’s heart.

“While they are busy catching a tiger, we can simply catch three wolves. A tiger and a wolf are both ferocious beasts. Since the related reports will pass through our Ministry of Revenue anyway, we can simply change a few words in the middle, and the report submitted to His Majesty will highlight the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild’s achievements even more prominently.”

In short, they were being told to simply place their chopsticks on a table that others had set [to take advantage of someone else’s work].

“So, we leave the dangerous work to them and simply reap the benefits that come with it.”

“Exactly! If possible, even capture a few of them alive. Even if they are mere rabble, we will portray them as monstrous villains.”

Geum Daeryong subtly smiled.

If that were the case, then the money he had been paid so far would be worth it.

“I will definitely secure passage through Gayok Pass for you, under the same conditions as the Shinma Merchant Guild.”

Geum Daeryong, who had been delaying his response and stalling for time, finally nodded.

“Understood. I will trust in Minister Yang then.”

* * *

East of Muwi.

In a residential area where many members of the Unorthodox factions resided, a morning arrived like any other.

“Honey, breakfast is ready.”

Jang Gok, who was splitting firewood piled up like a mountain to prepare fuel for the winter, turned around with a smile at the sound of his wife’s voice.

“Let me finish this up and I’ll be right there.”

Eyes and a voice as gentle as could be, belying his reputation as Guyueumso [a fearsome figure in the Unorthodox Faction].

If a Murim person who knew him in the past were to see him now, they would rub their eyes and look again.

As Jang Gok raised his axe again to chop the firewood, his wife, who had come to call him, pouted and tugged at his sleeve.

“Come on. The soup is getting cold.”

“Hehe, alright. Alright.”

Reluctantly following his wife into the room, Jang Gok was met with a meal that was not extravagant but neatly prepared.

As he lifted the bowl filled with soup and slurped it down, he felt his frozen body thaw instantly.

“How is it?”

Jang Gok burst into laughter at the sight of his wife asking with sparkling eyes.

He never tired of seeing his young wife wanting praise in this way every time.

“It’s more wonderful than any food I’ve ever eaten in my life.”

“Tsk, a lie.”

“It’s true. Even if it were just water with salt, if you made it for me, it would be the greatest delicacy to me.”

Jang Gok’s wife, who had been giving him a sulky look, soon smiled herself and picked up her chopsticks.

Even as he ate, Jang Gok found it hard to believe in his current happiness.

It had been a year since he had formed marital ties with her.

It had started when he rescued her from Western Region merchants who were causing trouble, and the relationship had continued until now.

For Jang Gok, who had wandered the Sword Forest of Dosan alone for most of his life and had started a family in his old age, every day was like a dream.

Suddenly, Jang Gok’s eyes met his wife’s, and he coughed awkwardly.

Then, he felt a strange sensation and looked at his wife.

Sure enough.

His wife’s face was full of worry.

“What’s wrong?”

After hesitating for a moment, she carefully opened her mouth.

“Do you really have to go?”

Jang Gok smiled bitterly and put down his chopsticks.

“Is that what it was about?”

“It feels different from when you went to Hainan Island. I have a feeling it won’t be an easy journey…”

“But what can I do? Lord Gokju [Dan Akseon] needs people. It’s only natural that I, who owe him so much, lend a hand, isn’t it?”

It was all thanks to Dan Akseon that he was able to settle down in Muwi, recover from his injuries, and restore his martial arts.

If it hadn’t been for Dan Akseon, he would never have been able to enjoy such a human life.

She felt the same way.

“Thanks to Doctor Dan, Muwi has changed a lot. There were times in the past when we had to worry about our daily meals. But you are more important to me. I heard you have to deal with some very dangerous people? How can I be at ease?”

“Don’t worry, wife. I am Jang Gok.”

“But…”

Jang Gok’s heart grew heavy at the sight of his wife covering her noticeably swollen belly.

“For the sake of our child, I will definitely come back safe and sound. So don’t worry too much.”

“Do you promise?”

“Of course.”

Jang Gok reassured his wife, holding her hand.

After finishing breakfast, Jang Gok left the house with his wife’s farewell.

Even as he walked, Jang Gok looked back several times.

Each time, the sight of his wife waving her hand kept catching his eye.

‘Do I deserve this happiness…?’

He couldn’t help but reflect on his days wandering the Murim.

Sometimes bound by grudges, sometimes forced to stain his hands with countless blood in order to survive.

When his wife’s figure completely disappeared from sight, Jang Gok hurried towards the Shinma Merchant Guild.

“Mr. Jang! Have one of these!”

A peddler operating a stall on the street held out a steaming dumpling that had just been steamed.

“I appreciate the thought, but I have no room. I just had a feast prepared by my wife.”

“Oh! I’m envious. Newlyweds are newlyweds after all. I can’t even remember the last time I had breakfast.”

Another peddler standing next to him chimed in.

“Hey, you should be grateful for that much. I got beaten up this morning.”

“Why? Because you didn’t make enough money?”

“No. Because I woke up perfectly fine.”

Jang Gok, who exchanged greetings with the peddlers who burst into laughter, quickened his pace again.

But this time, he was stopped by the children playing in the marketplace.

“Hello, Mr. Jang Gok.”

“Mister! My mom said you and your wife are coming over for dinner tonight! She’s catching a duck!”

Jang Gok smiled and nodded as he quickly caught and helped up a child who was excitedly chattering and tripped over a stone.

“You have to watch where you’re going, kid.”

“Yes!”

The children, who were so excited about something, were already far away, laughing among themselves.

Watching their retreating figures, Jang Gok was able to savor the preciousness of ordinary life.

That’s why Jang Gok felt his current life was even more precious.

‘I will protect Lord Gokju.’

That was the way to protect Muwi, and it was the way to protect the happiness of those around him.

Shortly after, when he arrived at the main base of the Shinma Merchant Guild, the members of the Unorthodox factions who had arrived earlier greeted Jang Gok eagerly.

“Have you arrived?”

“Brother Jang, you’re here?”

Jang Gok was already widely known among the members of the Unorthodox factions in Muwi as a fervent follower of Dan Akseon.

In terms of martial arts, he was slightly behind Gok Woonkyung, but no one could match his popularity.

Perhaps that’s why, at some point, he had naturally become the representative of the Unorthodox Murim.

“Have you all gathered to participate in the expedition to the new world?”

At Jang Gok’s question, the members of the Unorthodox factions each revealed their fighting spirit.

“We will show those who oppose Lord Gokju what we’re made of.”

“Muwi Jaein (武衛在人) [Muwi is protected by its people]! We will use this opportunity to let the entire Central Plains know that Muwi is where true martial artists gather!”

Jang Gok felt a strange sensation as he looked at the members of the Unorthodox factions, each expressing their ambitions.

When he first came here, they were all jaded and exhausted, but now they had eyes and spirit that were no less than any chivalrous hero.

The past 모습 [state] of being trapped in individualism and selfishness, distrusting and hostile to everyone except themselves, could no longer be found.

Even amidst all this, members of the Unorthodox factions continued to arrive in front of the Shinma Merchant Guild.

One of So Jeoksan’s subordinates, who was managing the guild, couldn’t hide his embarrassment as he looked at the rapidly growing number of people, approaching one hundred.

“From what I heard, the size of the expeditionary force was supposed to be around twenty people.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the atmosphere of the members of the Unorthodox factions lined up in front of the guild changed drastically.

“I will definitely participate in this expedition. So anyone weaker than me, step aside.”

“Then I, Yeom Mo, can’t be left out. Considering my martial arts and reputation, it’s only natural that I go.”

“Hmph! What reputation is someone who borrowed money from me last time and hasn’t paid it back talking about! And in terms of martial arts, you’re the worst.”

“What did you say! You, come out. Let’s test our skills right now.”

Jang Gok smiled bitterly as he looked around the suddenly chaotic scene.

“Everyone, calm down. It will surely be a difficult journey, so it’s only natural that martial arts should be prioritized above all else.”

Normally, they would have yielded and stepped back, considering Jang Gok’s reputation.

But this time was an exception.

“Brother Jang! Are our hands not hands? I’m definitely going this time!”

“I gave up going to Hainan Island! It’s my turn this time!”

Regardless of the reason, no one who had come to lend their strength would easily back down.

In the end, the overheated atmosphere began to turn ugly.

“Good! Let’s just fight! Whoever survives can go!”

“That’s a good idea!”

“I was trying to live a good life after finally getting my act together!”

Jang Gok sighed inwardly at the sight of the crowd revealing their fierce eyes.

He had been forgetting it lately, but after all, the guys gathered in this place were just irredeemable members of the Unorthodox factions.

It was then that one person hurriedly ran over at the report of a subordinate.

It was So Jeoksan, the head of the Shinma Merchant Guild.

“Everyone, please calm down!”

No matter how reckless the members of the Unorthodox factions were, they couldn’t ignore So Jeoksan, the leader of the Shinma Merchant Guild, so they reluctantly shut their mouths.

So Jeoksan, who barely managed to quell the commotion, looked around and opened his mouth.

“Please follow me, everyone. Lord Gokju is waiting.”

As soon as Dan Akseon was mentioned through So Jeoksan, the members of the Unorthodox factions became quiet as if they had never shown any hostility.

Jang Gok shook his head as he watched them obediently follow So Jeoksan towards the Shinma Clinic.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Dan Akseon was checking on patients at the Shinma Clinic.

“Good. This method will definitely put less strain on the patient.”

A young doctor who had researched a new burn treatment method and applied it to his first patient wore a smile as if he had gained the whole world at Dan Akseon’s praise.

“Thank you. Listening to Lord Gokju’s words, it seems that the nights I spent worrying were not in vain.”

“Praise? It’s admiration.”

After that, Dan Akseon continued to check on the patients’ conditions with the doctors, discussing treatment methods and prognosis management.

Certainly, the skills of the doctors had improved noticeably since Poong Jinseong and Joo Choun had joined.

At this rate, there would be no problem with the operation of the clinic even if he were to leave his post.

At that moment, Adoo ran to Dan Akseon and informed him that the members of the Unorthodox factions had arrived.

Leaving the doctors who were continuing their rounds behind, Dan Akseon headed to the back of the Shinma Clinic.

As soon as Dan Akseon appeared, the members of the Unorthodox factions politely paid their respects, without exception.

Dan Akseon first expressed his gratitude.

He had already heard about the situation through Adoo.

“Thank you all for joining me in this endeavor. However, due to the nature of the expeditionary force, we cannot operate with a large number of people. We will inevitably have to go through a selection process to determine the suitability for this task.”

The members of the Unorthodox factions, who had been sizing each other up, readily agreed.

It was Dan Akseon’s word, after all.

“Then I’ll go get my weapon. I left it at home.”

“I’ll do some Qi circulation [energy flow] for a while…”

Dan Akseon smiled and shook his head at them as they prepared for a sparring match as if it were natural.

“The selection criteria are not based on martial arts skills.”

“Yes? Then how…?”

“First, we will check your health and whether you have any injuries.”

The members of the Unorthodox factions showed embarrassment at Dan Akseon’s words.

“I think that only those who cherish and protect their bodies will be able to return safely.”

“Oh? I drank too much yesterday…”

“My ankle is just slightly sprained. It’s unavoidable due to the nature of the martial arts I’ve learned…”

Leaving behind the excuses that were coming from all over the place, Dan Akseon cast his gaze towards Adoo.

“Brother Adoo, can you check carefully? Compare it with the medical records from last time and focus on whether they have properly implemented the points you warned them about. I’m counting on you.”

Adoo, who now possessed skills no less than any doctor when it came to simple treatments.

Some members of the Unorthodox factions wore confident expressions at the sight of Adoo approaching with a smile, while others groaned.

And of course, Jang Gok was the former.

Unlike the bachelors who lived as they pleased, he had a wife who took care of him meticulously.