The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 317

Divine Physician of the Spirit World (317)

“Wait, hold on!”

Yang Hong-seo hurriedly turned his head toward Dan Ak-seon.

But the moment his eyes met Dan Ak-seon’s, Yang Hong-seo’s heart sank.

He had heard that Dan Ak-seon had a gentle nature, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping these outrageous men.

Rather, he was just staring at him with cold, indifferent eyes.

Only then did Yang Hong-seo realize that the situation was turning serious.

But regret, no matter how early, is always too late.

Instead, the warriors of the Bayan tribe stepped forward to stop them.

“Please calm down.”

“We are fine.”

“The warriors of the grasslands are not shaken by such insults.”

However, they could not break Cho Ak-ryang’s will, who had already decided to see blood.

“No. That bastard crossed the line.”

Aside from everything else, the fact that he had acted impudently toward Dan Ak-seon was not something he could simply overlook.

It was then.

Peeeeeek!

A sharp sound that tore through the air pierced his eardrums.

Following the sound, he turned his head and saw a large arrow cutting through the distant sky.

The Great Whistling Arrow (大哨鳴鏑) [a type of arrow with a whistle attached to create a loud sound], also known as a signal arrow, it had a large whistle instead of a tip, making a sound.

Behind it, a group of soldiers could be seen riding towards them.

Having received the message, Shi Ju-gyeong, who had hurriedly organized his troops and departed from Jiayu Pass, had finally arrived.

Confirming this, Yang Hong-seo’s face brightened.

But soon, a deep suspicion arose in his eyes.

The arrangement of the cavalry belonging to Jiayu Pass, who were arriving and lining up one after another, was strange.

They began to surround them as if to encircle them, and to make matters worse, they were even aiming bows with drawn strings.

“What on earth are you doing?”

Yang Hong-seo was beside himself, as the troops under Jiayu Pass, who he had naturally expected would rescue them as members of the same military, were acting in this way.

And that bewilderment and fear were passed on to his subordinates as well.

The cavalry that had set out from Anmun Pass were also greatly shaken by the unexpected situation.

“General Shi! General Shi!”

Despite Yang Hong-seo’s desperate cries for Shi Ju-gyeong, the cavalry belonging to Jiayu Pass did not bat an eye.

It was clear that they had received firm instructions before their departure.

Meanwhile, Shi Ju-gyeong, who was leading the cavalry, rode forward.

Then, without even glancing at Yang Hong-seo, he went straight to Cho Ak-ryang.

Shi Ju-gyeong dismounted and bowed to Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa, then immediately paid his respects to Dan Ak-seon.

“It’s been a while. I hope you have been well.”

Unlike his attitude towards Yang Hong-seo, Shi Ju-gyeong’s attitude towards Dan Ak-seon was extremely respectful.

He knew who Neung So-mil, with whom he was on the same boat, was actually working for.

“Please, quell your anger. I will take responsibility for his rudeness and try to ensure he receives a fitting punishment.”

“No, General Shi! What on earth are you saying…”

Shi Ju-gyeong cast a sharp look at Yang Hong-seo, who was shouting without a clue.

“Although unofficial, these individuals are vanguard officers (尖兵官) [scout or advance guard officers] carrying out a secret mission under His Majesty’s orders. How dare you commit such rudeness, not knowing how you will handle the aftermath?”

“You and I are both subjects of His Majesty, so why are you defending them and pointing your sword at me?”

At this point, Shi Ju-gyeong’s patience had run out.

“Can’t you just shut up?”

“What? What did you just say…”

“If you don’t want to die, just shut your mouth.”

Shi Ju-gyeong was simply dumbfounded by Yang Hong-seo’s foolishness, who he had tried to save, but who stubbornly insisted on crawling towards the afterlife.

Although he was in charge of governing Anmun Pass, one of the Ten Great Gates of the World like himself, in his eyes, he was nothing more than a young pup who only knew his father’s power and didn’t know the terrors of the world.

“You’re going to kill me?”

Shi Ju-gyeong cast a look of utter contempt at Yang Hong-seo, who seemed unable to believe it.

“You seem to be under some kind of misunderstanding, General Yang.”

“……?”

“We are not the ones who killed you and your troops.”

Shi Ju-gyeong raised his hand and pointed into the distance.

“It’s those Blood Cloud Society bastards who swept through this place.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“You arrived here to save the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild, but foolishly failed to notice the ambushing Blood Cloud Society. It’s truly unfortunate that you were swept away by their relentless offensive without even putting up a proper fight.”

Yang Hong-seo, who still couldn’t grasp the situation, had to change his expression at Shi Ju-gyeong’s next words.

“We sent reinforcements here as soon as we received the unfortunate report, but it was too late. Even from my perspective, having to report that you were annihilated is truly disheartening.”

“Wait a minute! General Shi!”

Shi Ju-gyeong cast an icy gaze at Yang Hong-seo, who was hurriedly trying to stop him.

“Choose. Will you leave behind a name in death? Or will you endure humiliation and live?”

Shi Ju-gyeong smirked.

“Well, if the army you led is annihilated, there won’t be much of a name to leave behind. It’s a great pity. Not only for you, but also because it will tarnish the reputation of your father, who is serving as the Vice Commander (都督同知) [a high-ranking military officer].”

“……!”

Yang Hong-seo, sensing that Shi Ju-gyeong’s words were not a mere threat, looked around.

The number of Daldal tribe warriors who had arrived here earlier was only about five hundred.

Moreover, the rear was completely blocked by the Jiayu Pass cavalry.

They were literally surrounded from all sides.

In addition, the Jiayu Pass cavalry were aiming bows with nocked arrows.

No matter how he looked at it, there seemed to be no way out.

“I was wrong……”

“What did you just say?”

Yang Hong-seo, who was mumbling in a barely audible voice, squeezed his eyes shut.

“I admit my mistake!”

Shi Ju-gyeong smiled at Dan Ak-seon.

“So he says.”

Dan Ak-seon nodded with a bitter smile.

“Then let’s wrap things up here.”

Although they were reluctant, Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa reluctantly withdrew their killing intent and stepped back.

If Shi Ju-gyeong had not been here, it would have been a different story, but if they shed blood despite his active mediation on their side, it was clear that Dan Ak-seon’s position would be weakened in the future.

“Lucky bastard.”

With those words, Cho Ak-ryang turned his gaze away from Yang Hong-seo.

If Beom Gye-wi had been in this place, his head would have flown off long ago.

It was then that Shi Ju-gyeong called out to Yang Hong-seo, who was turning away with a slumped posture and a miserable expression.

“Ah, right. General Yang.”

“……?”

“Properly collect the bodies and injured from the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild and return. Since they came through Anmun Pass, shouldn’t you be responsible for them until the end?”

At those words, Yang Hong-seo gnashed his teeth and glared with resentment.

But in the current situation, all he could do was nod.

Under the strict surveillance of the Jiayu Pass soldiers, Yang Hong-seo had his subordinates collect the martial artists of the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild and left.

“Is it okay to send them away like this without any repercussions?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s concern, Shi Ju-gyeong replied with a smile.

“I will take care of the aftermath, so don’t worry.”

In fact, the two had never been on particularly close terms.

Although they belonged to the same military, their backgrounds and positions were different.

Even before the Emperor’s permission was granted and Jiayu Pass and Anmun Pass were opened, they had been checking and competing with each other.

Still, when Cho Ak-ryang’s expression did not ease, Shi Ju-gyeong opened his mouth.

“Have you ever heard the saying that the Ministry of War can issue orders for dispatch (出兵) [mobilize troops] but does not have the authority to command troops (統兵) [lead troops], and the Five Armies can command troops but cannot issue orders for dispatch?”

Shi Ju-gyeong continued to explain.

“In the past, Emperor Taejo abolished the Grand Military Commission (大都督府) [a former high-level military command] that had been established in the past and established the Five Military Commissions (五軍都督府) [military organizations]. However, the Five Military Commissions did not seize all military power. They are mainly in charge of military registration (軍籍) [military census], training, and military administration (軍政) [military administration]. Conversely, the Ministry of War (兵部) [government department in charge of military affairs] is responsible for the appointment and promotion of military officers, and the transfer of military orders.”

This was a measure to prevent military power from being concentrated in the hands of any one minister.

“Therefore, the Ministry of War has no authority to interfere in the affairs of the Five Military Commissions. This applies equally to the Five Military Commissions.”

Even in the early days of the founding of the nation, the highest military commander of the Ming Dynasty could be said to be the Left and Right Commanders-in-chief of the Five Military Commissions.

This was because, in the early days of the founding of the nation, imperial power naturally had to rely on military force.

In fact, the positions of Left and Right Commanders-in-chief were of the first rank, higher than the Minister of War, who was of the second rank.

“Unlike the Ministry of War, which is staffed by personnel selected through the civil service examinations, the personnel of the Five Military Commissions are mostly meritorious subjects and veteran generals (宿將) [experienced military leaders], or their descendants.”

Meritorious subjects and veteran generals mostly had a lot of experience in war, so they had a high understanding of the military and were excellent as commanders.

However, as time passed and the influence of bureaucrats grew stronger, the Ministry of War now controlled most of the military.

This was the reason why the Left and Right Commanders-in-chief of the first rank could not treat the Minister of War, who was of a lower rank than them, carelessly.

As such, the Five Military Commissions and the Ministry of War were constantly checking each other over military power.

The reason why he was able to pressure Yang Hong-seo, whose father was the Vice Commander (都督同知) [a high-ranking military officer] of the first rank assisting the Commander-in-chief, was because he trusted the Ministry of War to which he belonged.

“I also plan to submit a detailed report on this matter. So you don’t have to worry too much.”

When you think about it, Neung So-mil and the grand plan approved by the Emperor were almost ruined due to Yang Hong-seo’s rash actions.

It was obvious who would be blamed.

In any case, thanks to this, he, as the person in charge of Jiayu Pass, had gained justification.

From Shi Ju-gyeong’s point of view, it was nothing short of a windfall.

That’s why he treated Dan Ak-seon so respectfully.

“Thank you. First, please move the injured who have finished their treatment, and five critically ill patients will not be able to withstand the transportation, so I will continue their treatment here. Please send personnel for transportation again in two days.”

“I will do so.”

Shi Ju-gyeong nodded and issued instructions to his subordinates.

As he watched the soldiers moving busily, several warriors from the grasslands approached Dan Ak-seon.

“Thank you.”

At first, he was puzzled as to why, but he soon realized the reason and smiled awkwardly.

They were extremely grateful to Dan Ak-seon and his party for stepping up and expressing their anger on their behalf.

“It’s nothing. It’s only natural.”

The passionate gazes they gave him.

The sincerity contained within was enough to deflect even the cold north wind.

* * *

It was five days later that Jang Gok regained consciousness.

During that time, Dan Ak-seon stayed by his side without leaving for a moment, spending sleepless nights with him.

Even though he had administered the Holy Water Elixir, he could not rest assured.

That was how serious his injuries were, and how critical his condition was.

In fact, Jang Gok had crossed the line between life and death several times a day.

“Keuk.”

Jang Gok, who opened his eyes with a groan, could not come to his senses due to the pain that was all over his body, screaming and writhing.

After a while.

“……?”

A sense of bewilderment arose in Jang Gok’s eyes as he inadvertently raised his hand.

The fingers that had been cut off were neatly attached in their original places.

Although they were wrapped tightly in thick bandages, he could clearly feel each and every finger.

“You shouldn’t move yet.”

Jang Gok turned his head towards the voice and his eyes met Dan Ak-seon’s, who was rubbing his eyes and stretching.

“Am I… alive?”

Dan Ak-seon smiled and nodded.

“Yes. It will take a considerable amount of time for the reattached fingers to fully recover. Moreover, it will take a considerable amount of time to rehabilitate. So don’t be impatient. It may take some time, but I will definitely help you recover.”

“Lord Gokju……”

Jang Gok was momentarily choked up and unable to speak.

Even now, he was constantly overwhelmed by excruciating pain, but it didn’t matter.

Just being able to see his wife and soon-to-be-born child alive again was something he could endure as much as necessary.