The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 305

“I am Yoo Gi-jin. It is an honor to meet Grandmaster Neung Yo-neung Seol, whose reputation precedes him.”

“Neung Yo-neung Seol?”

“I heard that once you set your mind to persuading someone, you never fail, no matter who they are. Thanks to that, you are said to be the sole recipient of the Emperor’s favor. Frankly, I envy that ability more than martial arts.”

The man, who introduced himself as Yoo Gi-jin, took something out of his pocket and handed it to Neung So-mil.

It was a book.

“What’s this?”

Yoo Gi-jin gave Neung So-mil a friendly smile, who looked puzzled.

“It’s a small token of my sincerity.”

“……?”

“It seems the Geumryong Merchant Guild [Golden Dragon Merchant Guild] is about to head to the frontier through Anmun Pass.”

Yoo Gi-jin curled up a meaningful smile.

“It seems their purpose is to put the Shinma Merchant Guild [Divine Horse Merchant Guild] in check in earnest.”

Neung So-mil had expected it to some extent.

But such an immediate reaction was unexpected.

Anmun Pass, which literally means that even geese take a rest there, was backed by the rugged mountainous terrain of Shanxi.

It was not for nothing that it was called the best of the nine fortresses in the world.

If they advance to the frontier through there, the geographical advantage of the Shinma Merchant Guild, which moves through Gayok Pass, would disappear.

“As written there, they seem to have already gathered considerable forces. But even that would be insufficient to face the Blood Cloud Temple.”

Neung So-mil opened the book Yoo Gi-jin handed him.

Neung So-mil’s eyes lit up as he checked the contents recorded inside.

Because the recent trends of the Geumryong Merchant Guild were recorded in detail.

Besides…….

“There are also shops in Muwi that have secretly received funds from the Geumryong Merchant Guild. They are playing the role of monitoring Muwi.”

Neung So-mil frowned at Yoo Gi-jin’s words.

“It looks like it’s going to be quite annoying.”

“Wouldn’t it be? The Geumryong Merchant Guild is basically a merchant guild that has grown by crushing its competitors. First, they shake their opponents to expose their weaknesses, and then they pour everything they have, using any means and methods, to absorb them. They will probably attack the Shinma Merchant Guild in a similar way.”

“…….”

“But we can’t just sit back and watch. For us, the Shinma Merchant Guild is an irreplaceable business partner. In that sense…….”

Yoo Gi-jin, who vaguely trailed off, gently offered a glass of wine.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Neung So-mil, who was quietly staring at Yoo Gi-jin, took the glass and drank it in one gulp.

“I should be the one saying that.”

“Of course.”

Neung So-mil’s eyes flashed sharply at Yoo Gi-jin’s calm and polite bow.

In this wide world, he was not the only one with the talent of a silver tongue.

He felt a strong sense of kinship from Yoo Gi-jin, who skillfully persuaded others.

* * *

Night fell on the prairie.

The horizon that stretched endlessly to meet the sky.

The magnificent sunset, precariously hanging at the end and dyeing the surroundings red, evoked a deep emotion that had not been experienced in the Central Plains [China proper].

But that feeling was only temporary.

The temperature dropped rapidly as soon as the sun set.

Campfires were lit everywhere to ward off the cold.

The group, which formed a circular formation around the campfires in preparation for any possible situation, prepared for the next journey.

Meanwhile, Dan Ak-seon reviewed future plans based on information obtained from Si Jo-gyeong, the person in charge of Gayok Pass.

“Now that the Bukhae Ice Palace [Northern Sea Ice Palace] has fallen, the Blood Cloud Temple is the only remaining force in the Northern Frontier. We must shake the Blood Cloud Temple to draw out the Demonic Sect, and use this to inflict as much damage as possible to neutralize them.”

At the very least, they had to delay their rise and buy time for the Central Plains.

Sa Mu-sim nodded and added his thoughts.

“Although they were scattered in various places after losing their leader to the Seven Severed Demon Lord, they are capable of gathering and dispersing at any time due to their nature. Therefore, we must not let our guard down even for a moment.”

“In fact, their recent movements have been unusual.”

According to Si Jo-gyeong’s documents, the Blood Cloud Temple had been rapidly consolidating its power recently.

They were increasing their size by annexing relatively weak nomadic tribes.

It was a different look from their previous actions.

The Blood Cloud Temple was originally a rough group specialized in looting and plundering.

It was an odd shift, considering their tendency to plunder but not govern, and not to be attached to territory and power.

“It’s definitely strange.”

Sa Mu-sim, who received the documents from Dan Ak-seon, was lost in thought for a moment.

Then, Sa Mu-sim’s eyes flashed.

“I have found a common point among the tribes they are absorbing.”

“What is it?”

At Dan Ak-seon’s question, Sa Mu-sim pointed to the tribes recorded in the documents.

“They are all hard-line tribes that oppose tributary trade with the Central Plains. They are tribes that support the Khan, who claims to inherit the legitimacy of Bukwon [Northern Yuan Dynasty].”

Sa Mu-sim’s expression darkened.

This was because the Dalian Khan’s tribe, the real ruler of this prairie, was known for its bravery.

Moreover, they were also clever enough to deal flexibly depending on the situation without recklessly throwing themselves into victory.

If they had increased their power by absorbing such people, the potential of the Blood Cloud Temple would not be comparable to before.

“It seems that something has forced them to change.”

Sa Mu-sim also nodded in agreement with Dan Ak-seon’s words.

“I think we need to meet a tribe that I have a relationship with and talk to them in more detail.”

This was the real reason why Sa Mu-sim accompanied them.

In the past, among the orphans he had saved, there were children from this prairie.

He had maintained a close relationship with them to this day, with the connection of saving children who were captured and sold as slaves in the process of several northern expeditions carried out by the court.

One of those orphans was now one of the most influential figures in this prairie.

However, the meeting with him was not immediately successful.

This was because they could not find any traces of people anywhere, even though they had entered the area they originally ruled.

“It seems that something has happened.”

But they could not give up here and turn back.

For several days, the group had to wander the vast prairie.

Then, Sa Mu-sim was finally able to meet the prairie warriors with familiar saddles and reins.

They were soldiers patrolling the nearby prairie.

The soldiers, who were initially wary, cautiously approached after confirming the flag raised by Sa Mu-sim.

They recognized that it was the flag symbolizing Dalian Khan, the great chief they served.

One of the soldiers carefully looked at Sa Mu-sim’s face and exclaimed with joy.

Then he gave some instructions to the other members.

Then, one horseman began to run towards somewhere.

At the same time, other soldiers rode their horses towards Sa Mu-sim.

As the distance between them narrowed, the headman who commanded the soldiers opened his mouth with a happy expression.

“We didn’t know. Benefactor. Why here?”

Sa Mu-sim smiled at the other person’s clumsy Chinese and answered fluently in their language.

“I came to see Bayan.”

The man nodded and turned his horse’s head.

Following their guidance, Dan Ak-seon’s party arrived at an outer area far away from where they had initially expected.

Tents were set up everywhere.

In front of the mobile house, called Ger [Yurt] in their language, many people were already out waiting for Dan Ak-seon’s party.

The person at the very front strode forward and hugged Sa Mu-sim tightly.

“Welcome, Benefactor.”

It was a young man with moderately tanned skin, strong eyes, and a defined jawline.

He was a young man with a masculine spirit.

Sadness appeared on Sa Mu-sim’s face as he looked around.

This was because the number of Gers and the size of the warriors had decreased considerably compared to when he last visited.

“You’ve moved your base.”

The young man burst into laughter at Sa Mu-sim’s words.

“Aren’t we the ones who wander around using the prairie as a bed and the sky as a blanket? We just live according to our given destiny.”

That’s what he said, but Sa Mu-sim did not miss the complicated feelings that appeared and disappeared in the young man’s eyes.

Not only had the number of people decreased, but life itself did not seem to be prosperous.

Fortunately, the eyes of the warriors lined up around them were still full of energy.

The value of a person shines when they are in a difficult situation.

It was a part where you could clearly feel how firm their faith and loyalty to the young man in front of you was.

After a brief greeting between them, Sa Mu-sim introduced Dan Ak-seon.

“This is the benefactor I told you about before. He is leading us now.”

Dan Ak-seon stepped forward and paid his respects.

“I’m Dan Ak-seon. Thank you, Bayan Baghatur [Brave Warrior], for allowing us to visit.”

“……!”

Bayan, the young leader who was leading this tribe, was surprised in many ways.

First of all, he was surprised that the person whom Sa Mu-sim, who was such a master of the martial arts, was serving as a benefactor was so young, and he was also surprised that the boy, who was a Jungwon [Central Plains] person, spoke their language, although it was somewhat awkward.

Baghatur is an honorific meaning brave warrior.

It was clear that he had put in a lot of effort to understand their culture and language.

From the beginning, Bayan was a person who believed that the relationship between people was more important than material rewards and rewards, but sincerity and effort from the heart.

It was his own philosophy gained through the difficult experiences he had in his childhood.

So Bayan responded politely.

“I, Bayan, and all the tribes sincerely welcome the guests.”

Dan Ak-seon, who smiled, sent a signal to the back.

Several warriors, led by Jang Gok, brought two carts and handed them over to Bayan’s tribes.

“This is our sincerity that we have prepared in our own way. Please don’t refuse.”

“Hmm…….”

Bayan groaned as he checked the contents of the cart.

This was because it was full of all kinds of supplies, including salt and tea, as well as horseshoes and various medicines.

In addition, even the strong liquor that is difficult to obtain in the prairie.

At a time like now, when supplies are not readily available, the value of those items was worth a thousand gold.

But there is no favor in the world without a price.

Bayan could not help but be more wary.

But now was not the time to refuse this.

The survival of the tribe was more important than immediate pride.

“I will accept it with gratitude.”

Following Bayan, who was guiding him directly, Dan Ak-seon entered the Ger and brought up the main point as soon as he sat down.

“Is the reason you moved your residence because of the Blood Cloud Temple?”

“…….”

Bayan did not try to hide his displeasure.

But he couldn’t deny it either.

It was an obvious fact.

“After their leader died, they were quiet for a while, but from some point on, they have been attacking us persistently.”

At first, they repelled the guys, but the damage caused by the repeated wave of offensives gradually accumulated.

In the process, more than half of the tribal warriors died or were taken prisoner, and in the end, Bayan had to move his base twice because he could not withstand the pressure.

It was a humiliating thing for him, who had been given the flag of Dalian Khan.

“But there was no other way for me to bear the fate of the tribe.”

There were not only warriors here.

He decided to endure the immediate disgrace for the safety of the women and children who were the future of the tribe.

Sa Mu-sim cast a pitiful look as if he understood.

“The purpose of our coming here is to destroy them, the Blood Cloud Temple.”

“Are you saying you will fight the Blood Cloud Temple?”

Bayan checked Dan Ak-seon’s party with suspicious eyes.

“I know that Eun-gong [Benefactor] is a master of the martial arts world, but the battle between the martial arts world and the prairie is quite different.”

“Trust me. Have I ever lied to you even once?”

Bayan hesitated for a moment, then nodded as if he had made up his mind.

“The goal of the Blood Cloud Temple is to weaken the power of Han [Chinese]. You can see that they are subjugating mainly hard-liners who oppose humiliating tributary trade. As their power has grown, there are now tribes who are going to them and surrendering to them. However, there are still tribes who resist to the end because they have a strong aversion to the Blood Cloud Temple, but I can’t guarantee how long this will last.”

Dan Ak-seon asked what he was most curious about.

“But how was the Blood Cloud Temple, which was once greatly disintegrated, able to recover its power like this?”

Bayan flinched.

“That’s…….”

Bayan hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth with a sigh.