The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 31

“Kkeueok!”

With a horrifying scream, Peng Muwei’s limbs convulsed as if struck by lightning.

Fan Gewei slowly pulled out his arm.

As he completely withdrew his blood-soaked arm, Peng Muwei’s body collapsed to the floor.

Just before his last breath.

Peng Muwei belatedly realized something.

“So… that’s it. You are….”

With those words, Peng Muwei breathed his last.

Staggering to his feet, Sa Musim politely bowed to Cho Akryang and Fan Gewei.

“Sa Musim, a humble martial artist, greets the two Evil Grandpas.”

‘Evil Grandpa’ was an honorific used to elevate the few martial artists at the Grand Master level throughout the Demonic Sect. It was used because they were the two with the most outstanding martial arts in the Demonic Sect, regardless of seniority.

“How did you know?”

At Fan Gewei’s question, Sa Musim respectfully replied.

“A rare giant and martial arts of the highest realm. Who in the martial world wouldn’t know that you are with the person you serve as your older brother?”

Cho Akryang glared at Fan Gewei with a displeased expression.

“Why don’t you just spread the rumors everywhere?”

“What did I do?”

“You called me ‘Cho, hyung’ [older brother in Korean].”

“You always complain when I speak informally….”

Muttering to himself, Fan Gewei glared at Sa Musim for no reason.

“We were never here.”

“Pardon?”

“You killed all these guys.”

“Ah! Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Sa Musim, quickly grasping the situation, nodded. Cho Akryang looked at Sa Musim.

“No need for long words, we can’t help you anymore due to circumstances. So, we’re going our separate ways.”

“I will repay this favor without fail.”

“If you want to repay the favor, you must live first.”

Cho Akryang’s eyes sank deeply.

“Hide and wait. When the time comes, I will step forward myself. Don’t get involved in any unnecessary things rashly.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Leaving Sa Musim behind, Cho Akryang and Fan Gewei turned around.

After walking for a while, Fan Gewei suddenly remembered something and questioned Cho Akryang.

“Cho, hyung, you used internal energy just now, didn’t you?”

“I used a little, just a little. I just lightly wrapped it around my fingertip.”

“You always call me stupid, but have you already forgotten what Doctor Dan said?”

“I couldn’t just put my bare skin against that blue pottery!”

“I’m going to tell Doctor Dan.”

“Then we’ll have to tell him that we came here, right?”

“Huh? We can’t do that.”

“Let’s think before we act, think. Is that head just an ornament placed above your shoulders because it’s empty?”

Sa Musim stood there blankly until the figures of the two men, bickering as they walked away, completely disappeared.

* * *

After Poong Jin-sung joined them, Dan Akseon and his group headed straight to Shanxi Province. They mostly traveled on the main roads, and riding in a carriage made the journey easy.

The border between Gansu and Shanxi was heavily guarded to block refugees, but they were able to pass through without difficulty thanks to the travel permits and identification tags prepared by Poong Jin-sung.

Thus, the group entered Xi’an, the capital of Shanxi Province.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Dan Akseon asked, watching Fan Gewei’s expression with worried eyes.

His expression had been poor ever since they entered Xi’an.

Fan Gewei frowned deeply and replied.

“I have a headache.”

“A headache?”

“Whenever I come here, I smell the Mount Hua Sect.”

Dan Akseon pulled back the carriage curtains and sniffed. But he couldn’t smell anything.

“What does the Mount Hua Sect smell like?”

“Like hundred-year-old dust. Very musty.”

Cho Akryang, who was sitting next to him, added.

“Still better than the smell of rotten Doubanjiang [fermented broad bean paste].”

“What’s that smell like?”

“Jongnam [referring to the Jongnam Sect].”

Dan Akseon chuckled.

“Still better than Mom.”

“How did the Divine Doctor describe it?”

At Cho Akryang’s question, Dan Akseon put on an arrogant expression.

“Do you know why those Mount Hua fools are so obsessed with plum blossoms? It’s to hide the smell of a thousand-year-old bachelor.”

“Heu….”

Fan Gewei smiled, seemingly quite satisfied with the Divine Doctor’s assessment.

“What about the Jongnam Sect?”

Dan Akseon replied in a chilly tone, as if ice shards were scattering.

“Thirty-six-Shibal cunts under the heavens.”

“Keuk!”

The insult was a play on Jongnam Sect’s secret technique, the Thirty-Six Swords of the World. Cho Akryang couldn’t help but laugh at the short but powerful jab.

Poong Jin-sung, who was watching the scene, wore a bitter smile.

“The Martial Alliance people will be coming to meet us soon. So, please be careful.”

Poong Jin-sung spoke while looking at Dan Akseon, but it was clear that his words were directed at Cho Akryang and Fan Gewei.

The two cleared their throats and turned their heads.

At that moment, someone approached Poong Jin-sung.

They were Taoists with neat Taoist hats on their heads and wearing navy-blue robes, exuding a pure and refined aura.

Poong Jin-sung was surprised to see the elderly Taoist at the front and approached him.

“Oh, who is this!”

Poong Jin-sung greeted him, and the elderly Taoist returned the greeting with courtesy.

“It’s been a while, Clan Leader.”

“To come all this way in person… I am overwhelmed.”

The elderly Taoist gave a gentle smile.

“I had to come. No matter how far the road, I had to come.”

“I heard that your sect’s disciples were greatly indebted to you last time. I am late in expressing my gratitude.”

The elderly Taoist bowed his head, and Poong Jin-sung was startled and helped him up.

“Excessive courtesy is impolite. How could the Qingxin Hongmei [Clear Heart Red Plum] of the Red Cliff bow his head to a humble village doctor like me?”

It was then that a grumbling sound was heard from inside the carriage.

“Red Cliff? Was he a Mount Hua fool?”

“Tch, he’s so stiff with us, but he’s been saving it for this moment?”

The smile on Poong Jin-sung’s face wavered.

There was no way the person in front of him could have missed the story he had heard.

As expected.

Qingxin Hongmei Jin Hyeon-jin-in.

The disciple of the current sect leader, Hwasan Singeom Jin Myeong-jin-in, and the one with the highest seniority among Mount Hua’s disciples, turned his gaze towards the carriage.

“That’s fortunate.”

“Yes?”

“To be traveling with such eloquent companions, your long journey must not have been boring.”

Poong Jin-sung inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he didn’t seem too upset.

At that moment, Jin Hyeon-jin-in turned his head and looked behind him.

“Come and greet him. He is the Clan Leader of the Jinseong Family.”

As soon as those words were spoken, the Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect, who were lined up behind him, took a fist salute with their swords in hand.

The young Taoist at the front opened his mouth in a clear voice.

“Myunggeom, the third-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, greets the Clan Leader of the Jinseong Family.”

Poong Jin-sung looked at the young man who identified himself as Myunggeom with surprised eyes.

He was the Plum Blossom General Sword (Maehwa Chonggeom) who led the twenty-four Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who could be said to be the core of Mount Hua Sect.

As such, he was known to be the most outstanding talent among the younger generation that Mount Hua Sect boasted.

But seeing him in person, he was too young.

Barely over twenty?

Considering that he had taken on the position of Plum Blossom General Sword three years ago, the surprise was even greater.

The Hidden Dragon (Waryong) that Mount Hua Sect held.

A figure that was not at all lacking in the title of Seoak Ilgi (西岳一器) [One Instrument of the Western Peak, a term for outstanding talent].

The most representative Taoist sects in the martial world were Mount Hua and Wudang.

In particular, the Mount Hua Sect was fully inheriting the lineage of orthodox Taoism, as it was the sect founded by Hak Daetong, Gwangnyeongja (廣寧子) [Expansive Tranquility Master], one of the seven disciples of Wang Chung-yang, the founder of the Quanzhen School, who completed most of the foundations of Taoism.

As such, their pride was higher than anywhere else.

Occasionally, this caused conflicts.

They thought it was pride, but it could be seen as arrogance from the outside.

However, Myunggeom’s confident and upright eyes and attitude did not leave any room for misunderstanding.

He was a figure who was both dignified and humble.

“I was too flustered that day to properly express my gratitude.”

Myunggeom repeatedly bowed his head, and Poong Jin-sung shook his head.

“I was just doing what I had to do.”

“Please speak comfortably to the Clan Leader. This junior finds it difficult to handle.”

“How can I do that to the Plum Blossom General Sword of Mount Hua….”

Myunggeom playfully smiled and looked at Poong Jin-sung.

“Didn’t you say earlier that excessive courtesy is impolite?”

“Oh?”

“So please speak comfortably. That way, this junior can ease the burden on his heart.”

Poong Jin-sung eventually burst into laughter at Myunggeom’s affable attitude.

“Haha. I understand. I will do so.”

Jin Hyeon-jin-in, who was watching the conversation between the two with a pleased smile, said to Poong Jin-sung.

“From now on, those children will escort you to the Martial Alliance.”

Poong Jin-sung was startled.

He did not expect the Plum Blossom Swordsmen to be involved in the escort. Poong Jin-sung glanced at the carriage, but there was no justification to refuse.

“Then I will be in your care for the time being.”

As Poong Jin-sung nodded, Myunggeom headed towards the front of the carriage. Watching him, Jin Hyeon-jin-in said.

“Let’s have a meal first. It’s not fancy, but I’ve made reservations at a place with excellent taste. It’s a hidden gem that only the locals know.”

Following Jin Hyeon-jin-in’s guidance, they arrived at an inn where many dishes were already prepared. Unlike the simple exterior of the inn, each dish was extraordinary.

Before eating, Poong Jin-sung introduced his companions.

“This is Dan Akseon, with the family name Dan, a disciple of my teacher.”

Jin Hyeon-jin-in looked at Dan Akseon with surprised eyes.

“The disciple of Seongsu Shinui [Sacred Hands Divine Doctor]?”

Dan Akseon stood up and bowed to the Mount Hua Sect Taoists.

“I am Dan Akseon. I look forward to working with you.”

Poong Jin-sung smiled.

“He is young, but he possesses medical skills that I cannot dare to follow.”

“……!”

The eyes of Jin Hyeon-jin-in and the Mount Hua Sect Taoists widened.

They were well aware of Poong Jin-sung’s reputation, who even the royal physicians of the imperial court would defer to. To think that he would lower himself to such an extent, saying that Dan Akseon had superior skills.

It was hard to believe even after hearing it from the person himself.

Dan Akseon awkwardly smiled and sat down, feeling burdened by the attention focused on him.

Poong Jin-sung then pointed to Cho Akryang and Fan Gewei.

“These two are members of the Medical Family, named Ak Gong and Ak Il.”

Jin Hyeon-jin-in looked at the two with strange eyes.

Their unusual aura was one thing, but it was strange that the Clan Leader, Poong Jin-sung, used honorifics.

Noticing this, Poong Jin-sung continued his explanation.

“I specially invited them.”

“Ah, so those were the eloquent ones from earlier.”

Jin Hyeon-jin-in gave a friendly smile.

“With them, our children’s escort will not be boring.”

Fan Gewei snorted.

“Who is escorting who.”

The expressions of the Mount Hua Sect people hardened at the blunt retort. Poong Jin-sung hurriedly opened his mouth to smooth things over.

“They rarely come out into the world and are always holed up doing research, so they lack social skills. Please understand.”

“Haha. No, the elders who occupy the valleys and ravines of our main sect are also unparalleled in their eccentricity. We are used to it, so don’t worry about it.”

Poong Jin-sung inwardly admired Jin Hyeon-jin-in’s eloquence.

He was speaking politely, but in reality, he was clearly criticizing the two for being very eccentric.

Fortunately, the two didn’t seem to care much.

“Even if our company is uncomfortable, the atmosphere here has been ominous recently. If an unfortunate incident occurs here, where our sect has established its base, our sect would be very embarrassed. So please understand.”

“How can we refuse Mount Hua’s sincerity.”

Poong Jin-sung smiled and nodded, then looked towards Han Seolhwa.

“This person is….”

However, Poong Jin-sung could not continue speaking.

The outside of the inn suddenly became noisy.

Screams and curses were rampant among the crowd that filled the market adjacent to the inn. It was because of one person who was recklessly pushing through the crowds.

Cho Akryang and Fan Gewei frowned as they recognized him.

“Why is that bastard loitering around here?”

“How would I know?”

It was Sa Musim, who was supposed to be quietly hiding.