The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 334

The Divine Doctor (334)

“Please, don’t do this…”

Trying to defuse the situation, Eom Seok changed his tune and cautiously spoke.

But soon, he could only sigh and turn away.

Neng So-mil’s eyes and expression were too firm.

In the end, Eom Seok’s military officers, utterly dejected, supported each other and retreated.

As they completely disappeared, Dan-ak Seon let out a soft sigh and turned his head towards Neng So-mil.

“But, are you sure this is okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m worried that if what just happened gets reported to the Emperor or other officials, it might give them ammunition to use against you.”

There were already many people dissatisfied with Neng So-mil’s rapid rise, fueled by the Emperor’s favor.

He was concerned that someone might find fault and question his abilities as an administrator.

However, Neng So-mil remained calm.

“I’d be grateful if they did.”

“Pardon?”

“Wouldn’t that stop me from getting promoted any further?”

Neng So-mil sighed softly.

“If I get promoted any further from here, there’s only one place to go.”

“Ah…”

Dan-ak Seon, understanding the meaning of those words, let out a short exclamation.

It was the Imperial Palace.

Neng So-mil wore a wry smile.

“I need to stop getting promoted now.”

Dealing with the arrogant Emperor and the old officials who harbored dozens of snakes in their bellies was not how he wanted to waste his life.

Dan-ak Seon smiled at Neng So-mil’s jest.

“I’ve realized once again how amazing you are, Uncle. I understand why the Emperor is so eager to have you.”

It was then that Cho-ak Ryang abruptly interjected.

“I’m the one who brought that amazing guy here.”

Dan-ak Seon nodded with a smile.

“I’m always grateful.”

On the other hand, Neng So-mil pouted.

Even so, he had to set the record straight.

Anyone listening would think he had begged him to come.

“It wasn’t ‘brought,’ it was ‘dragged.'”

“What?”

“Nothing. Never mind.”

Neng So-mil quickly swallowed his words as Cho-ak Ryang’s eyes turned cold.

This was why habits were so scary.

The habit of speaking his mind without backing down to the Emperor or officials remained in his body, causing him to stand up to Cho-ak Ryang without realizing it.

Dan-ak Seon, who had been staring in the direction the military officers had disappeared, sighed once more.

“Anyway, I’m worried.”

Neng So-mil, noticing Dan-ak Seon’s concern, quickly replied.

“Don’t worry. I will firmly question the commander of the Muwi Garrison about this incident to ensure that something like this never happens again.”

“Such a hard-line approach might only increase their dissatisfaction. After all, they didn’t volunteer to be stationed here.”

The reason for establishing the military camp was to ensure the safety of Muwi.

Moreover, Neng So-mil was the one who pushed for this, so it couldn’t be said that he had no responsibility.

“Do you have any ideas in mind?”

At Neng So-mil’s question, Dan-ak Seon began to think carefully.

After a moment,

Dan-ak Seon suddenly came up with an idea.

“First, I think I need to discuss it with Chief Manager Sa.”

“He’s probably at the Merchant Guild right now.”

At So Jeok-san’s reply, Dan-ak Seon headed straight to the Shinma Merchant Guild.

A short while later.

Once everyone had gathered, Dan-ak Seon asked Sa Mu-sim.

“Does the Shinma Merchant Guild have enough funds to spare?”

After being puzzled by the sudden question for a moment,

“May I ask why?”

Dan-ak Seon smiled sheepishly at Sa Mu-sim’s question.

“I want to pursue a business venture, but as you know, I lack financial sense. So, I wanted to get your opinion beforehand.”

Sa Mu-sim, meeting eyes with So Jeok-san, smiled gently.

“We have plenty. The scale and diversity of our business may be slightly behind those of the existing large merchant guilds, but we pride ourselves on having the most available funds and mobilization power in the Central Plains.”

“But you’re currently undertaking a large construction project, aren’t you? Are you sure you don’t have a shortage of funds or anything?”

This time, So Jeok-san confidently replied.

“Even considering that, we have more than enough retained earnings.”

“Then, would it be okay to proceed with a business that won’t generate immediate profits?”

“Yes, it would.”

Dan-ak Seon was taken aback by So Jeok-san’s immediate nod without even hesitating.

“I haven’t even said what the business is yet?”

So Jeok-san grinned.

“If Young Master wants it, we should pursue it no matter what it is. If we’re short on funds, we’ll sell the Shinma Merchant Guild to raise them.”

“Don’t do that, please give me a rational answer.”

“Understood. Then, may I ask what kind of business it is?”

“I want to create a facility for children.”

“A facility for children…?”

“I want to establish a school in this Muwi. A place where they can learn to read and write, and where children who want to can also learn martial arts.”

Sa Mu-sim, Neng So-mil, and So Jeok-san exchanged glances with strange expressions.

After a moment,

“I’m curious about the reason.”

At Neng So-mil’s words, Dan-ak Seon revealed his thoughts.

“It’s a plan I’ve been thinking about for a while, and seeing Jang Gok’s child being born today solidified my resolve.”

To that, Dan-ak Seon added a few more reasons.

“If a school is established, the soldiers belonging to the Muwi Garrison will also have a sense of belonging.”

“A sense of belonging?”

“Yes. I think that if they are to protect Muwi with all their hearts, they must first have affection for this place.”

What Dan-ak Seon was thinking of was a kind of carrot-and-stick policy.

First, Neng So-mil had pushed them hard, so he thought they also needed a conciliatory approach to embrace them.

“It will take time for them to become accustomed to this place, but in the meantime, we should also do what we can.”

“Ah!”

At Dan-ak Seon’s words, Neng So-mil belatedly realized something and exclaimed.

Currently, many of the soldiers in this Muwi Garrison were *Chunggun* [soldiers conscripted from criminals].

However, not all of them were single.

A significant number of them had families.

Before long, they would be granted military registration, and later, the military registration would naturally be inherited by their children.

Eventually, they would settle here completely and take on the appearance of a *Tajipgun* [settled army].

If their children were given the opportunity to be educated, they would be more likely to quickly establish themselves as members of Muwi.

Moreover…

‘There’s a reason why they say parents who entrust their children are criminals.’

On second thought, there was no better motivation than this.

*Chiljongchilgeum* [seven captures and seven releases – a saying about the difficulty of reforming criminals] was not just a saying.

Above all, when children who had benefited from education grew up and inherited their father’s military registration, they would surely protect this place to the best of their ability as true members of Muwi.

“It’s a kind of investment for the future.”

“In that case, I have no reason to object either.”

As Neng So-mil and So Jeok-san agreed, Dan-ak Seon turned his head and smiled gently at Sa Mu-sim.

“Chief Manager Sa, this is something you’ve been dreaming of for a long time, isn’t it?”

“Did you know?”

Dan-ak Seon smiled and nodded.

“Actually, I was planning to pursue it after the battle with the Demonic Cult was completely over, just in case the children might be in danger. But now that a military camp has been deployed here and a certain level of safety has been secured, I don’t think we need to postpone it any longer.”

The problem was finances.

“So, I wanted to ask you. If we make the entire education process free, how many children can the Shinma Merchant Guild’s funds support? If we limit it to children between the ages of five and fifteen.”

Neng So-mil and So Jeok-san exchanged meaningful glances.

“Even if we accept all the children not only in this Muwi but also in the surrounding areas, we can handle it sufficiently.”

“Right now, we can accommodate up to ten thousand. If we take our time to expand the facilities and educational staff, we can accommodate even more.”

Dan-ak Seon was startled by the two people’s answers.

“Does the Shinma Merchant Guild have that much money?”

“It’s still growing at an alarming rate.”

Despite So Jeok-san’s answer, Dan-ak Seon couldn’t quite grasp it.

“Anyway, it’s good that it’s possible. Then, can we proceed with the school project?”

So Jeok-san and Neng So-mil nodded at the same time.

“As much as you want.”

“Of course. The owner of the Shinma Merchant Guild is Young Master, after all.”

The beaming smiles they were wearing spread to Dan-ak Seon.

“Then, would you take charge of this, Chief Manager Sa?”

At Dan-ak Seon’s words, Sa Mu-sim received confirmation once more.

“Are you really okay with proceeding with it completely free of charge?”

“Yes, I would like that. I think that at least the opportunity to learn should be equal.”

“Then, I will proceed as soon as day breaks.”

“Ah! If there are any parents who don’t want their children to study, please persuade them well. But never use coercive methods.”

“I will do so. And…”

“…?”

“Thank you.”

Sa Mu-sim, who had achieved his long-cherished wish thanks to Dan-ak Seon, conveyed his feelings with a passionate gaze.

“What for? It’s for all of us.”

* * *

Ten days later.

Muwi was bustling.

It was because of the notices posted everywhere in the marketplace.

―Muwi School Student Applications Accepted at Any Time.

In addition, the notice included information about recruiting personnel to work at the school.

The people of Muwi, who gathered like clouds to check the contents of the notice, were busy praising Dan-ak Seon with enthusiasm.

“They say they’re going to teach the children for free?”

“Not only reading and writing but also martial arts?”

“And it’s all free?”

“They even provide lunch and dinner, and they treat injured or sick children without any additional cost.”

“Is that all? What about the salary conditions for the instructors and martial arts teachers hired by the school? They guarantee higher pay than most officials, don’t they?”

“The martial artists who have been unemployed because they couldn’t find suitable work must be thrilled.”

“That’s right, they say they’re competing to apply. They all have outstanding martial arts skills, so it couldn’t be better.”

“By the way, where is all that money coming from?”

“It must be the Shinma Merchant Guild. They say they’ve been raking in money lately.”

A merchant belonging to the Shinma Merchant Guild, who happened to be passing by, was stopped by the villagers.

“Hey, is the content of the notice posted there true?”

“It’s all true. Neng *Jiju* [Chief] has already given his permission, and So *Danju* [Branch Leader] has long since approved the use of the guild’s budget. That’s why the entire guild is on emergency alert to prepare the supplies to be used for the school.”

“Can anyone enter?”

“As written on the notice, any child between the ages of five and fifteen residing in Muwi can enroll, regardless of gender. Dormitories are also provided for children without parents, so please spread the word widely.”

As soon as that explanation was over, exclamations erupted from everywhere.

And everyone was busy praising Dan-ak Seon.

Even people without any sense knew how Muwi was roughly operating now.

And that rumor spread not only in Muwi but also to the neighboring villages.

* * *

It was three days later that Han Seol-hwa, who had left Muwi, arrived in Heilongjiang Province.

Crossing the Songhua River, located in the south, and entering Harbin, she went straight to one place.

This Heilongjiang Province was a very barren place, but even so, this Harbin had relatively bustling streets and shops as it was the capital city.

The place Han Seol-hwa headed to was a three-story pavilion with a sign that read “Black Dragon Merchant Guild.”

Han Seol-hwa entered the guild with an indifferent expression.

“Welcome…”

The merchant belonging to the guild, who was habitually responding, couldn’t continue his words and froze in his spot.

He had never expected to encounter such a stunning beauty in this remote backwater.

To him, Han Seol-hwa abruptly opened her mouth.

“Bring the guild leader.”

“Excuse me, but who are you…?”

Han Seol-hwa slightly furrowed her brow.

At that moment, the merchant belonging to the Black Dragon Merchant Guild felt his heart sink.

At this moment, he could fully understand why the term “beauty that could topple a kingdom” existed.

He thought of Daji, along with Baosi, who was considered one of the most beautiful women in history.

It is said that the only time she, who never smiled, smiled was when she heard the sound of silk being torn.

So, in order to see her smile, the king bought expensive silks and tore them up, eventually squandering the national treasury and leading to ruin.

That foolishness was referred to as *Cheongeummaeso* [buying a smile with a thousand gold – an idiom for extravagant spending to please a woman].

But if he had the ability, he would also be willing to spend a thousand gold to buy a smile from the beautiful woman in front of him.

But that was only for a moment.

As the merchant blankly stared at her, lost in thought, Han Seol-hwa’s eyes immediately turned cold.

Crack.

The frost that started from under her feet instantly covered the interior of the building.

“Huk!”

The moment the merchant, belatedly panicking, gasped for air.

“What’s all the commotion!”

A person ran out through the door connected to the inner hall and was startled to find Han Seol-hwa.

It was a beauty that he could never forget, no matter how much time passed.

“What brings you here this time?”

Han Seol-hwa, recognizing the guild leader of the Black Dragon Merchant Guild, abruptly took out a bill from her bosom and handed it to him.

“What is this?”

The guild leader of the Black Dragon Merchant Guild, receiving the twenty-thousand-nyang bill, asked back in surprise.

“I’ve come to find the Creation Key Hairpin.”

At Han Seol-hwa’s answer, the guild leader was greatly flustered for a moment.

“Are you talking about the phoenix hairpin that you sold to me back then?”

At Han Seol-hwa’s nod, the guild leader wore a troubled expression.

“I don’t have that item anymore…”