The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 33

Han Seolhwa descended to the inn’s first floor, heading directly for a table positioned between the entrance and the staircase.

Myunggeom sat alone, sipping tea.

Leaning against the wall, his sword casually angled in his arms, he appeared relaxed. However, Han Seolhwa sensed a subtle web of energy surrounding him.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

Myunggeom straightened upon noticing Han Seolhwa.

He offered a polite greeting, judging her to be around his age. Formal introductions had been skipped amidst the day’s earlier chaos.

Han Seolhwa gazed at Myunggeom, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“You never relinquish your sword, not even for a moment.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Myunggeom’s eyes.

The woman had touched upon a core tenet of the Hwasan Sect’s martial arts.

A fundamental, yet vital, lesson in swordsmanship.

How could she know such an internally guarded secret, never shared beyond their walls?

‘Could it be mere coincidence?’

While a flustered Myunggeom remained speechless, Han Seolhwa offered a slight nod.

“Indeed. That embodies the spirit of Hongrim (紅林, Red Forest).”

“Hongrim……?”

Han Seolhwa tilted her head at Myunggeom’s questioning look.

“Don’t you still use ‘Mae Yeong Hongrim’ (梅影紅林, Plum Shadow Red Forest) to describe yourselves?”

“Ah!”

Myunggeom exclaimed.

“I’ve heard our sect was once known by that name. But I’m unsure when the expression fell out of use…”

Myunggeom’s voice trailed off, a hint of discomfort coloring his tone despite their apparent similar age. Han Seolhwa met his gaze directly.

“From tomorrow onward, there’s no need for an escort.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m suggesting you return. Hwasan has demonstrated ample sincerity with this gesture.”

The unexpected statement didn’t ruffle Myunggeom for long.

“I apologize, but this decision isn’t mine to make.”

His firm stance brooked no argument.

“What if your presence makes us uncomfortable?”

Myunggeom offered a wry smile.

The escort’s primary purpose was to ensure their safety, even at the cost of some inconvenience.

“I am simply following my sect’s orders.”

“You’re a stubborn one.”

“I hardly believe I’m at an age to be called a child…”

Myunggeom’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of wounded pride in his expression.

He was unaccustomed to such treatment.

However, he couldn’t openly display his displeasure.

‘Do I really look that young?’

Myunggeom took a step back and began to formally introduce himself.

“Now that I think about it, I’m late with my introduction. I am Myunggeom, a third-generation disciple of the Hwasan Sect, twenty years of age.”

“I heard it earlier.”

“If it’s not a discourtesy, may I inquire as to the young lady’s name and age?”

“It is a discourtesy.”

“Yes?”

“It’s impolite to ask a woman’s age.”

Myunggeom looked at Han Seolhwa, perplexed. She then reached up and removed the veil concealing her face.

The moment he saw her fully revealed face.

“……!”

Myunggeom was momentarily breathless.

Her beauty was captivating, beyond simple description. Han Seolhwa, having drawn an empty teacup closer and filled it with tea, spoke softly.

“From the beginning, the escort was unnecessary.”

“…….”

“Where in the world does a tiger need escorting by a rabbit?”

“…….”

“Are you listening?”

“Yes?”

Myunggeom belatedly realized his lapse and quickly regained his composure. However, he couldn’t shake off the embarrassment, especially considering her words.

Her casual tone, which had previously annoyed him, was now irrelevant. He was simply unsure how to explain the Plum Blossom Sword Saint’s position in the current Murim [martial arts world].

Even if he told the truth, it would sound like self-aggrandizement.

Yet, remaining silent would be a disservice to Hwasan’s reputation.

After a moment of contemplation, Myunggeom resolved himself.

He couldn’t allow them to be perceived as rabbits.

“That assessment is unduly harsh. If one were to list the top 100 masters in the current Murim, any Plum Blossom Sword Saint would undoubtedly be among them.”

“Plum Blossom Sword Saint…….”

Myunggeom’s heart skipped a beat at the wistful way Han Seolhwa uttered the title. The composure he had struggled to maintain wavered under her gaze.

“I’ve seen that look before.”

“Yes?”

Han Seolhwa fixed her gaze on the puzzled Myunggeom and spoke again.

“Was the leader of the Plum Blossom Sword Saints called the Plum Blossom Supreme Sword?”

“That’s correct.”

“In the past, the person who held that position said to me, that if he could only win my heart, he would throw away all that empty position and pretense. He persistently begged me, saying he would take off his robe and return to secular life.”

“……!”

“Your eyes mirror his now.”

“Don’t speak such nonsense!”

Myunggeom’s anger flared for the first time.

He had patiently endured her comments out of respect for his sect’s orders, but this was a step too far.

The current Plum Blossom Supreme Sword would never utter such words. If her claim held any truth, it must have been the previous holder of the title.

‘My master would never do that.’

Abandoning Hwasan for a woman?

“Do not sully my master’s honor with such fabrications!”

“I don’t lie.”

“This is my final warning. Hwasan does not tolerate insults!”

“You doubt my words?”

Han Seolhwa, meeting Myunggeom’s fiery gaze, offered a faint smile.

“What if my words are true? Would you then withdraw the escort?”

“Can you stand by those words?”

“How should I stand by them?”

Myunggeom’s face flushed as he considered the implications.

“Very well. I accept.”

In the past, others had made similar wagers. Most now resided, frozen, at the bottom of Bingrim Pond [Ice Forest Pond].

A fitting fate for those who made outrageous demands.

Oblivious to this, Myunggeom innocently stated his wish in advance.

“Please allow me to continue the escort.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Han Seolhwa’s eyes.

“Will that suffice?”

“Of course. Isn’t a bet supposed to be fair?”

Han Seolhwa found herself liking the young man before her.

“Very well. How will you verify the truth of my story?”

“My master is currently visiting the Murim Alliance’s Xi’an branch on official business.”

Myunggeom penned a brief letter and entrusted it to a Plum Blossom Sword Saint accompanying him.

“Ensure you relay everything you’ve seen and heard here accurately.”

His tone carried the weight of a Plum Blossom Sword Saint’s authority, regardless of his age. The recipient, showing due respect, felt the weight of the order.

As the Plum Blossom Sword Saint departed with the letter, Han Seolhwa gestured for Myunggeom to sit.

“Then let us await the results and drink tea.”

“I’ll stand and wait.”

“Your heart seems to be racing. Shouldn’t you rest a while?”

“I, I’m fine.”

“You shouldn’t refuse an adult’s kindness.”

“Adult…….”

Myunggeom’s mind reeled at the word.

If her claims were true, she was likely the same age as his master. Since joining Hwasan, his mind had never been so unsettled.

“Did I not say sit down?”

“Oh!”

An involuntary sound escaped Myunggeom’s lips.

An irresistible force seemed to envelop him, and before he knew it, he was seated in the chair opposite Han Seolhwa.

‘What is happening?’

It felt as if he were possessed.

Unable to meet her gaze, Myunggeom fixed his eyes on the window and began to sip his tea.

Fortunately, the woman across from him remained silent.

That was his only saving grace.

Otherwise, calming his pounding heart would have been an impossible task.

* * *

The night in Xi’an was vibrant.

Especially the red-light district, a city that never slept, teeming with courtesan houses.

However, where light shines brightest, shadows lurk deepest.

Behind the sweet scent of alcohol and flirtatious laughter lay countless sighs and tears. Disputes over drink prices were commonplace, and bloody incidents with casualties were not unheard of.

That’s where someone like Wooi was needed.

Wooi lived off the darkness of the red-light district.

He was a bopyo (保镖, bodyguard), a hired “shoulder” for the courtesan houses.

Once a renowned pyosa (镖师,镖局 escort) from a well-known security agency in Gangho [martial arts world], he now guarded Yihwaru. The agency’s pay hadn’t been enough to cover his younger sister’s medical expenses.

Wooi’s primary task was dealing with drunkards.

Customers who refused to pay or caused trouble for the courtesans were escorted to a quiet place for a “conversation” with Wooi.

Each time, he resolved the issue with the most primitive and effective method of communication.

Violence.

However, sometimes he faced masters who outmatched him. In those cases, he had no choice.

He simply endured the beating.

Until the other party felt appeased.

Fortunately, his contract stipulated a large compensation for his sister should he die on the job.

But as time passed, Wooi felt the darkness within him growing.

It stemmed from the chasm between his ideals and reality.

The money he earned to save his sister.

That money came from women, often his sister’s age, selling their laughter and tears.

It tormented him.

‘No customers again tonight.’

Wooi sighed, watching Yihwaru from the shadows.

The atmosphere in Xi’an was tense, with Murim Alliance warriors causing more trouble than usual.

Perhaps that explained the recent drop in customers.

Most of the courtesans were indentured, trapped in debt.

If they didn’t make payments daily, the interest only compounded their burden. Wooi felt a pang of unease thinking about the courtesans struggling through the sudden downturn.

Just then.

Koo-oong.

“……!”

Wooi’s languid eyes widened in astonishment.

A giant had descended from the sky.

‘A master!’

He had been involved in Murim for nearly fifteen years, but he had never witnessed such incredible gyeonggong [light body skill, a type of martial art that allows one to move with great speed and agility].

A figure he might only see once in his lifetime.

Wooi immediately approached the giant.

“Welcome to Yihwaru.”

Beomgyewi turned to face Wooi.

The moment their eyes met, Wooi’s heart sank.

The streams of light flowing down.

He was intimidated by the overwhelming presence that radiated from the giant.

“Is this where I’ll be reborn as a real man?”

Wooi belatedly noticed the child in the giant’s arms when he heard the boy’s voice.

The giant grinned and nodded.

“Of course. The new world that our Dan Euwon will experience is right in front of us.”

Wooi couldn’t hide his surprise.

The child couldn’t be older than twelve. It was far too early to bring him to a courtesan house.

But something else was even more astonishing.

The pressure he had felt from the giant had vanished without a trace.

“Clear out all the guests. I’m renting this entire place for the night.”

“Understood.”

Wooi responded immediately, guiding Beomgyewi to the grand banquet hall.

Fortunately, it was empty.

Now, he had to cater to the giant’s every whim. It was best to avoid any potential disaster.

Wooi, leading the way, signaled the chief manager. The manager made a slightly sour face, but soon dozens of elaborately dressed courtesans began to bring out alcohol and food.

“Oh! The quality of women here is good?”

Beomgyewi, seated in the place of honor, smiled at Dan Akseon.

“Dan Euwon, pick one yourself.”

“Pick what?”

“Choose the woman who catches your eye.”

Dan Akseon carefully observed the lined-up courtesans.

“Huh?”

Dan Akseon raised his hand and pointed to one person.

“That one.”

Beomgyewi followed Dan Akseon’s gesture and nodded with satisfaction.