The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 366

The Divine Doctor of Mount Hua (366)

It was indeed as he said.

The Green Forest, including himself, owed Dan Ahk-seon and Muwi a great debt.

But to mention it so openly…

‘That sly fellow.’

As Ahk Ho-gun retreated with a groan, Dan Ahk-seon turned his gaze toward Hong Jeok-mun.

“Didn’t you forget that you were the one who summoned me here, sir?”

“It’s not that I called you to this specific place, but…”

“You didn’t exactly tell me the exact location either, did you?”

Hong Jeok-mun wore a troubled expression before letting out a deep sigh.

Then, he silently stepped back.

Seeing the two of them, Dan Ahk-seon smiled faintly.

“Now we can finally have a conversation.”

However, that wish didn’t last long.

It was because of the three people who arrived in the hall as soon as Dan Ahk-seon finished speaking.

The appearance of the Three Divine Demons caused embarrassment to settle on the faces of Hong Jeok-mun and Ahk Ho-gun.

They were people they didn’t want to face again.

In fact, just their appearance alone changed the atmosphere in the hall in an instant.

It was then that Beom Gye-wi rushed over and began to examine Dan Ahk-seon’s entire body.

“Doctor Dan, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine.”

Despite Dan Ahk-seon’s answer, Beom Gye-wi glared at Hong Jeok-mun and Ahk Ho-gun with murderous intent.

“If there’s even a scratch, you’re all dead. Bandits and beggars alike.”

The eyes of the two men flickered slightly at those words.

The look in his eyes and expression were too serious to be dismissed as mere threats.

“Beom Ga [Beom Gye-wi’s given name], read the room.”

In the end, Cho Ahk-ryang stepped in and pulled Beom Gye-wi away from Dan Ahk-seon.

“Didn’t you agree when Doctor Dan said he would dissuade the two of them?”

“I didn’t know they would jump in so rashly.”

“Doctor Dan must have been confident. And he actually stopped them.”

At those words, Hong Jeok-mun and Ahk Ho-gun looked at Dan Ahk-seon with relieved expressions.

Once the tension subsided to some extent, they finally had the composure to calmly retrace the events.

‘I thought heaven was on my side, but….’

The situation at the time was by no means easy to dismiss as mere coincidence.

What if he had been in Dan Ahk-seon’s place at the time?

He couldn’t even guarantee that he could have received their attacks so easily.

Hong Jeok-mun could feel with his whole body that Dan Ahk-seon’s energy had changed so much that it was incomparable to the past.

He had always thought of him as a martial arts prodigy who would achieve great things someday, but he never expected him to enter the ranks of experts so quickly.

Hong Jeok-mun, who had been cultivating a friendship with Dan Ahk-seon for a long time, was very pleased with this fact.

Because he knew Dan Ahk-seon’s upright character better than anyone else.

The righteous martial world.

‘No.’

It could only be for the prosperity of the entire Jianghu [the martial arts world].

On the other hand, Ahk Ho-gun was by no means happy with the current situation.

‘Monsters have raised a monster!’

Ahk Ho-gun’s expression darkened as he sensed that the situation he was in was flowing unfavorably.

Dan Ahk-seon alone was on good terms with the Beggars’ Sect.

Moreover, Cho Ahk-ryang and Beom Gye-wi had once been members of the Beggars’ Sect.

Given the situation, no matter how much time he dragged on, it was obvious that they would eventually side with the Beggars’ Sect.

It was then that Dan Ahk-seon asked the two men a question as Ahk Ho-gun was racking his brains to overcome the immediate crisis.

“Can you tell me what’s going on now?”

The first to answer was Ahk Ho-gun.

“Those beggars trespassed on the Green Forest’s territory without permission. They brazenly said they would investigate the mountain fortress.”

“Without any reason?”

“Hmph! They’re trying to pin some ridiculous slander on us.”

Dan Ahk-seon looked at Hong Jeok-mun with a puzzled expression.

At least the Beggars’ Sect he knew was not a place that would pressure other sects without proper justification.

As expected.

Hong Jeok-mun brought up a surprising story.

“About ten years ago, farmers who were cultivating the mountains went missing in groups. Most of them were unregistered vagrants.”

The Buyeok Hwangchaek [census register] was a kind of census register created and recorded by the imperial court for taxation purposes.

The reason why the imperial court did not welcome vagrants who left their homes and wandered around the Central Plains due to floods, droughts, or the outbreak of epidemics was also because of this.

For smooth tax collection, the contents recorded in the Buyeok Hwangchaek had to match the facts.

“So we only recently learned about this fact and expanded the investigation to the entire Central Plains. As a result, we found that there were more than a hundred such missing farming villages.”

Hong Jeok-mun continued his explanation in a somewhat respectful tone.

It didn’t matter in a personal setting, but now the attention of the surroundings was focused on him.

He couldn’t help but take into account Dan Ahk-seon’s position as the de facto leader of Muwi.

“Then we found one thing in common in the missing villages.”

“A common point?”

At Dan Ahk-seon’s question, Hong Jeok-mun nodded with a dark expression.

“A stranger stayed in a nearby village for a few days. We believe that person is a minion of the Demonic Sect. Moreover, the bodies of old people were buried near the places where the farmers disappeared.”

Realizing the seriousness of the matter, the Beggars’ Sect began to conduct searches and independent investigations in earnest.

“So far, we have identified more than two thousand missing people. This sect suspects that the Demonic Sect is deeply involved in their disappearance.”

Hong Jeok-mun turned his head and glared at Ahk Ho-gun.

“But coincidentally, five missing farming villages and the Green Forest’s mountain fortresses were adjacent to each other. So we requested cooperation for the investigation, but as you can see, the situation has become like this.”

At those words, Ahk Ho-gun burst into anger.

“Didn’t you already check four of those five places? But what? You’re going to enter this headquarters and search it as you please?”

Hong Jeok-mun did not back down and retorted.

“What are you hiding that you’re blocking the visit of a mere beggar? Did you really join hands with the Demonic Sect?”

“How dare you treat people like this! How dare you try to associate us with the Demonic Sect?”

“Then just open the way.”

In the end, Dan Ahk-seon stepped in to mediate between the two.

“Please calm down, both of you. So, the Beggars’ Sect has already completed the investigation of four Green Forest mountain fortresses that are suspected, right?”

The Green Forest had done enough, considering they had been considerate in their own way.

On the other hand, the Beggars’ Sect maintained the position that they must check the remaining one with their own eyes.

That difference in positions led to the current armed conflict.

Dan Ahk-seon’s expression became more serious.

Once the Demonic Sect was mentioned, he couldn’t just let it pass.

“You really have nothing to do with the Demonic Sect, right?”

“Of course… we don’t.”

Ahk Ho-gun glanced at the Three Divine Demons and reluctantly agreed.

However, his complexion noticeably hardened at Dan Ahk-seon’s next question.

“Then, can I check it?”

“……”

“What the Beggars’ Sect wants to check is whether it’s related to the Demonic Sect, to confirm its existence or absence. Other than that, you don’t have any intention of interfering with the Green Forest’s affairs, right? Am I right?”

Hong Jeok-mun nodded at Dan Ahk-seon’s question.

Dan Ahk-seon asked Ahk Ho-gun again.

“So, after I confirm the connection with the Demonic Sect, I can inform the Beggars’ Sect Leader of the results, right?”

Ahk Ho-gun frowned.

“I believe that Master Gok knows how rude and unreasonable that request is.”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled and accepted those words.

“It wasn’t difficult for me at all, though?”

“……?”

“When the Green Forest’s heroes, including the Chief Escort, stayed in Muwi. I provided accommodation and meals, but I never thought of it that way.”

“Keueung……”

Ahk Ho-gun groaned without realizing it.

He prided himself on being quite thick-faced, but when Dan Ahk-seon came out like this, he had nothing to say.

“So, please. To end the misunderstanding between us, please allow me to enter Geo Ryongchae [Green Dragon Fortress, the Green Forest headquarters].”

Ahk Ho-gun bit his lip and glanced at the Three Divine Demons standing behind Dan Ahk-seon.

Since they were involved, there was no way out anyway.

If he forcibly used force, he would have no choice but to watch with his hands tied.

Soon, Ahk Ho-gun nodded.

Even if he had to give up what he had to give up, it was a better choice to protect the minimum secrets he could protect.

“Then, promise me just one thing.”

“Tell me.”

“You must not disclose any information other than the existence or absence of a connection with the Demonic Sect to the outside.”

At those words, Dan Ahk-seon sensed that Ahk Ho-gun was definitely hiding something.

But the reason he came here was to mediate the conflict between the Green Forest and the Beggars’ Sect.

“I will.”

At Dan Ahk-seon’s answer, Ahk Ho-gun reluctantly stepped aside.

“With this much, the Beggars’ Sect shouldn’t have any complaints, right?”

“Of course.”

Hong Jeok-mun also answered readily.

There was no reason to refuse when someone was doing a troublesome task for him.

Ahk Ho-gun glared at Hong Jeok-mun once before turning his figure towards Geo Ryongchae.

And Dan Ahk-seon and the Three Divine Demons followed behind him.

How long had they walked like that?

Ahk Ho-gun, who was walking ahead, suddenly opened his mouth.

“There used to be a village of farmers here, but it has now disappeared. It’s already been five years since that happened.”

It was Ahk Ho-gun who was speaking comfortably again since it was not an official occasion.

Still, Dan Ahk-seon didn’t care much.

“Is it the work of outsiders, or rather, Demonic Sect members, as Chief Hong said?”

“No.”

Unexpected words flowed from Ahk Ho-gun’s mouth.

“The Green Forest took them all in. It wasn’t forced, but their voluntary choice.”

Dan Ahk-seon tilted his head.

He couldn’t understand why the Green Forest, which used force to rob people, would accept farmers who cultivated the mountains as their members.

“Why?”

Ahk Ho-gun did not answer Dan Ahk-seon’s question.

And before long, Dan Ahk-seon realized the reason.

The scenery that unfolded as he entered Geo Ryongchae, which was surrounded by high fences.

It was because of the vast basin that stretched out so wide that it was hard to believe it was deep in the mountains.

It was clear that they had pushed away the dense forest of the mountain and newly cultivated it at a glance.

Beom Gye-wi, who was looking around, grumbled in a low voice.

“What is it? It’s just an empty field?”

He couldn’t understand what kind of great secret this was that the Chief Escort had personally stepped up and fought over.

On the other hand, Cho Ahk-ryang noticed something strange.

“Large-scale cultivation has taken place here.”

He didn’t know what kind of crops were grown, but it seemed that a considerable amount of time had passed since the harvest, and the brown, withered stems of plants were scattered everywhere.

At this time, Dan Ahk-seon let out a soft sigh.

“That’s why you were so determined to block the Beggars’ Sect’s investigation.”

The reason why the farmers volunteered to become members of the Green Forest first.

And the reason why the Green Forest willingly accepted them was all understood at once.

Dan Ahk-seon bent down and picked up the withered stem of the plant.

“It’s opium poppy (罌粟).”

“Opium poppy… as in, poppy?”

Dan Ahk-seon nodded at Cho Ahk-ryang’s question.

“Yes. It has excellent pain-relieving effects and is often used as a medicinal herb in remote areas where doctors cannot reach. It is also used as a treatment for rectal prolapse (脫肛) that occurs when suffering from dysentery.”

“Then why do you have that expression?”

Beom Gye-wi stared at Dan Ahk-seon with a bewildered look.

Even after seeing such a good medicinal herb, Dan Ahk-seon’s reaction was different from usual for some reason.

“Depending on how it’s used, it can be a good medicine, but if it’s overused, it can lead to severe addiction.”

Originally, the poppy itself was not addictive.

The sweet-tasting skin or seeds are sometimes used as seasoning ingredients, and the bitter leaves have a unique taste and digestive effects, so they are used as vegetables.

But the fruit was a different story.

When unripe fruits are cut, a white, sticky liquid forms, and the dried brown opium powder (罌粟粉) collected from it has a strong pain-relieving effect.

The problem was that repeated use caused extreme addiction symptoms accompanied by hallucinations and lethargy.

In fact, opium poppy was also used in the martial arts world as a material for dream soul medicine (夢魂藥) and aphrodisiacs (媚藥).

With a somewhat gloomy expression, Dan Ahk-seon said.

“Even I, as a doctor, hesitate to use it rashly.”