The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 342

The Emperor was the first to react to those words.

“I already asked her the same question, but she said she has no desires.”

The Empress Dowager responded with a peculiar smile to the Emperor’s words.

“Isn’t that because the Artificer’s Slumbering Cocoon [a magical artifact that can grant wishes] is not His Majesty’s, but originally my possession?”

The Empress Dowager’s gaze returned to Han Seolhwa.

“Please speak candidly. His Majesty is so filial [dutiful and respectful to his parents] that he tends to grant my requests.”

“…….”

While Han Seolhwa was pondering, unable to come up with anything, the Empress Dowager did not press her, quietly maintaining her smile.

How much time had passed?

The Empress Dowager casually spoke to the Emperor.

“I was too excited and acted without tact. I have taken too much of Your Majesty’s time, which is already tight with state affairs.”

“I have finished my official duties for today, so it is fine.”

“Then shouldn’t you also spend time with the Empress and concubines who are eagerly awaiting Your Majesty?”

The Emperor chuckled at the subtle and refined dismissal.

Following the Emperor, who rose from his seat without a word, the Empress Dowager also stood up.

“I will escort the Emperor out. The food here is prepared for you, so please enjoy it and decide slowly.”

Following the Emperor outside, the Empress Dowager walked alongside him for a while.

Once they were some distance from Jangnak Palace, the Emperor suddenly spoke.

“Excessive courtesy is impolite.”

The Emperor, who had been inwardly displeased with Han Seolhwa’s attitude, revealed his discomfort.

“It makes me uncomfortable to watch you, as an elder of the Imperial family, lower yourself before a commoner like that. Furthermore, it will significantly damage the dignity of the Imperial family.”

“Did it seem that way?”

The Empress Dowager gave the Emperor a radiant smile.

“I must have told you repeatedly.”

“…….”

“If it weren’t for that person, the owner of the throne Your Majesty occupies would already be someone else.”

Unable to deny this, the Emperor remained silent.

The Empress Dowager asked him.

“There is a poem that I like the most. Since you are the Emperor who understands me better than anyone, do you know what it is?”

“‘Dreaming of Li Bai, Two Poems’.”

It was a poem in which Du Fu lamented the death of Li Bai, who was his irreplaceable soulmate, and expressed his longing for him.

Seven years ago.

The song she chanted while blocking the blizzard on the frozen ground with her whole body, and the verse Han Seolhwa gave when parting with the two, were all contained within that poem.

“Then you must also remember the last part of the poem?”

“‘A name for ten thousand ages, lonely affairs after death’.”

The Empress Dowager nodded at the Emperor, who answered unexpectedly readily.

“That’s right. No matter how much one leaves a name for ten thousand ages, all that remains after death is loneliness. That is the way of the world, and as long as Your Majesty is human, you cannot avoid it.”

Those pursuers from that time.

She had witnessed with her own eyes the sight of them, each reigning as death gods wandering the battlefield, being swept away in a single blow.

Although she had not learned martial arts, she was inherently a wise person.

She could vaguely estimate Han Seolhwa’s martial prowess through the realm of the Eastern Depot [Imperial secret intelligence agency] guards she commanded.

An unavoidable, absolute death.

At least to her, Han Seolhwa was such an existence.

“So, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s eyes wavered at the Empress Dowager’s words.

“If you wish to preserve that precious body, please cultivate your ability to judge people.”

“…….”

“I do not want the world to fall into chaos and misery due to Your Majesty’s death.”

Although her voice was gentle, the Emperor was not foolish enough to not know that it was a serious piece of advice.

Moreover, it was advice from none other than her.

“Do you understand what I mean?”

The Emperor, who knew her wisdom and insight better than anyone, silently nodded in response.

After exchanging brief greetings, the Empress Dowager stared silently at her son’s receding figure, remaining rooted to the spot long after the Emperor’s figure had completely disappeared from her sight.

How much time had passed?

“Chief Eunuch Jang.”

As soon as she opened her mouth, a man walked out from the garden.

“You called, Your Majesty.”

The man bowed respectfully, his hands clasped together, towards the Empress Dowager.

It was Jang In-tae, the head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who stood at the pinnacle of the nearly ten thousand eunuchs.

Even Byeongpil, the head of the Eastern Depot, who wielded great power, could not dare to compare to his authority.

The Directorate of Ceremonial was the organization that not only supervised all the eunuchs, including the twenty-four departments, but also handled the Emperor’s schedule management and related documents.

Furthermore, it was directly involved in diplomacy, making it the center of eunuch politics.

“Do you also think I am being excessive?”

Jang In-tae smiled and shook his head at the Empress Dowager’s question.

“Not at all. Your Majesty is handling it wisely.”

“It seems His Majesty thinks differently.”

“There is a saying in the martial world.”

“……?”

“There are three plague gods that one should never get close to: the Blood Demon Lord, the Mangsan Madman, and the Ice Jade Immortal. One should not get close to them, but one should never make them enemies.”

“But didn’t that boy, Danak Seon, the Cursed Blade Immortal, spend time with all three of them?”

Jang In-tae’s eyes showed a troubled expression at the Empress Dowager’s question.

“I dare say that is the most prominent unsolved mystery in the martial world. This humble servant has not yet been able to grasp the exact reason.”

“Is that so.”

The Empress Dowager, who was thinking about something for a moment, suddenly asked a question.

“If they were to antagonize the Imperial family… do you think annihilation would be possible?”

Jang In-tae, who quickly grasped the hidden meaning within, nodded his head.

“Of course. However, all the elites of the Imperial family, including the Eastern Depot, would have to be sacrificed.”

This was the worst of the worst options.

“Sometimes, an unsheathed sword is more frightening.”

The Empress Dowager, who let out a soft sigh, said to Jang In-tae.

“Instruct the Factory Director [Vice Director] to maintain a loose guard for the time being. There must not be any disgraceful incidents.”

The Factory Director was another term for the Vice Director of the Eastern Depot, who commanded the Eastern Depot, second in command to Jang In-tae.

“Are there any further instructions?”

The Empress Dowager nodded, and Jang In-tae bowed his head.

“Then I will convey it.”

After dismissing Jang In-tae, the Empress Dowager turned her steps back to Jangnak Palace.

“It seems you still haven’t come up with anything?”

The Empress Dowager, who offered a smile to Han Seolhwa, who was silently nodding while sipping a cup of tea, turned her gaze to Danak Seon.

“I heard you are called a god of trust outside?”

“My father was called that. I’m not yet worthy of hearing such words.”

“Ah! I was mistaken… Was it the Divine Demon Physician?”

“I somehow gained such an undeserved title.”

The Empress Dowager tentatively opened her mouth at Danak Seon’s embarrassed smile.

“Then, could you perhaps take a look at my daughter?”

“Is there something wrong with her?”

“It’s not a big problem, but her complexion hasn’t looked good lately. She’s the type who doesn’t reveal her inner thoughts…”

“I’ve heard that the Imperial physicians are very skilled.”

“If I leave it to them, there’s a chance that if there’s even a slight illness, it will reach the ears of the Emperor or others, wouldn’t it? I thought she wouldn’t want that, so I’m asking you separately like this.”

“Is that so? Alright.”

“Thank you.”

The Empress Dowager came closer and clasped Danak Seon’s hand.

It was then that the smile disappeared from Danak Seon’s face as he nodded.

He hadn’t noticed when they were apart, but as they got closer, the dark shadows under the Empress Dowager’s thick makeup became clearly prominent.

The jaundice in her eyes was the same.

He hadn’t noticed it at first because she was hiding it with a smile, but the signs were ominous.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

The Empress Dowager was startled by Danak Seon’s sudden grab of her wrist.

The Golden Uniform Guard warriors who were guarding her were also taken aback.

The Empress Dowager shook her head at them, who were hastily reaching for their swords.

“Everyone, wait outside until I call you again.”

“But, Your Majesty…”

“Do you want me to repeat myself?”

Her voice was still gentle, but her eyes were as cold as ice.

Danak Seon could immediately tell where the Emperor’s stern gaze, which he had displayed at the imperial council, had come from.

As the imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids all disappeared outside, the Empress Dowager finally looked at Danak Seon.

Then, she quietly smiled at Danak Seon, who was making a serious expression.

“It doesn’t look good, does it?”

“…….”

“There’s no need to worry. I’ve known for a while. As you said, the imperial physicians are quite skilled.”

Han Seolhwa couldn’t contain her curiosity and opened her mouth.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Danak Seon sighed.

He had encountered similar cases several times.

But this time, there was nothing he could do.

The symptoms were already too deep to reverse.

The only way was to use medicine to delay death as much as possible.

Danak Seon’s eyes showed pity.

“You must not have been able to sleep because of this…”

Even right now, she must be suffering from extreme pain.

Yet, the Empress Dowager’s appearance, still not losing her smile, seemed truly remarkable.

“The physicians predicted a year, but what does our young doctor see?”

“I can prescribe medicine for you. If you take it steadily, you might be able to look forward to five years. But…”

Danak Seon trailed off.

He couldn’t be sure if this was the best way.

Depending on the case, prolonging life could be a more cruel measure for the patient.

Even if death is delayed, the pain and fear do not disappear.

Nevertheless, the Empress Dowager’s expression brightened greatly.

“If it could be like that, I would have nothing more to wish for.”

The Empress Dowager winked at Danak Seon.

“Then, could you perhaps prescribe a slimming medicine too?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems like my clothes are getting tighter and tighter.”

“It’s not that there aren’t such medicines, but I don’t want to recommend them.”

“Why?”

“The swelling is due to your underlying illness. Rather, it’s more likely to cause side effects.”

“Is that so? If that’s the case, then it can’t be helped.”

The Empress Dowager, who let out a deep sigh, smiled brightly again as if nothing had happened.

“Still, it’s a relief.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve relieved my guilt.”

The Empress Dowager gave an embarrassed smile to Danak Seon, who was puzzled.

“Until now, I thought I was just getting fat because I was lazy. No wonder my clothes kept getting smaller even when I skipped meals… It wasn’t that I was getting fat, but that I was swollen.”

Danak Seon was newly impressed by the Empress Dowager.

He never knew she had such a positive and cheerful personality.

He had seen countless patients so far, but there were few who calmly observed and accepted their own death.

“Are you really alright?”

The Empress Dowager shrugged at Han Seolhwa’s question.

“This body was supposed to die seven years ago anyway. But thanks to that, I lived this long, and I was able to lay the foundation for His Majesty to carry out his reign, so I have no regrets even if I die right now. So, please tell me what you want before it’s too late. Don’t regret it after I’m gone.”

Behind Han Seolhwa’s mournful eyes, the Empress Dowager earnestly asked Danak Seon.

“I don’t want my illness to be known to the outside world. If he knows, His Majesty will be very disturbed.”

“I will do that.”

The Empress Dowager smiled again at Danak Seon’s answer.

“Then shall we go see Yeongsun now?”