The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 379

Divine Doctor of Primacy (379)

Ak Ho-gun couldn’t hide his dismay.

His honor shattered and his self-esteem at rock bottom, where else could he possibly fall?

“Nonsense.”

“You can judge that after hearing what’s to come.”

Ak Ho-gun, who had been wearing an absurd expression, was shaken by Dan Ak-seon’s subsequent words.

“I intend to escort the former Chief Escort to the government office as he is.”

“Are you dragging the government into the affairs of the Murim [martial arts world]?”

“The damage caused by the poppy isn’t limited to Murim people. In reality, the greatest harm was suffered by innocent commoners.”

Dan Ak-seon stared at Ak Ho-gun with a chilling gaze.

“Incidents that harm public morals and disrupt social norms are always closely watched by the government. Moreover, the evidence is more than sufficient. We’ve secured testimonies from key figures in the Black Shadow Unit stating that the Green Forest cultivated poppies on a large scale.”

Dan Ak-seon drove the wedge further towards the silent Ak Ho-gun.

“I’ll eradicate the Green Forest from this land.”

“What did you say?”

“I will mobilize the government troops. Furthermore, I will use all my connections to embark on a campaign to suppress the Green Forest.”

“……!”

“Do you think I don’t have the power to do so?”

Ak Ho-gun finally realized the gravity of the situation.

From the Green Forest’s perspective, the elite troops of the government were more frightening than the Murim.

First of all, the sheer number of soldiers was unmatched.

The mountain fortresses scattered throughout the Central Plains could never properly contend with the regular army that had been repeatedly training around the garrison.

They possessed a systematic organization and were specialized in group combat.

More than anything, if the government intervened, the Green Forest would be branded as rebels.

Even the common people who had been friendly to them would turn their backs on the Green Forest.

Not only would it become difficult to purchase essential goods, but it was obvious that various business rights scattered throughout the Central Plains would also suffer great damage.

Above all, there was no way to escape the surveillance system that operated throughout the Central Plains.

The reason why the Green Forest had never touched figures from the imperial family and government officials until now was due to this.

The government’s involvement was a problem of a different dimension than conflicts with Murim people.

Moreover…….

That wasn’t the end of it.

Dan Ak-seon was flaunting his influence over the Nine Great Sects [major martial arts factions].

‘Damn it!’

Ak Ho-gun inwardly cursed, recalling the splendid connections of the boy before him.

If they barricaded themselves in their mountain fortresses and established a siege system with the food they had stored, they might somehow be able to withstand the government troops.

However, if the masters of the Nine Great Sects stepped forward, the story would be different.

If the masters, composed of a small elite force, were to disrupt and neutralize the Green Forest’s command system, there would be no way out.

Ak Ho-gun growled softly.

“If it becomes known that you were the one who moved the government, you too will not be able to avoid the criticism of the Murim.”

Even after uttering those words, Ak Ho-gun was inwardly filled with shame.

To think that the only countermeasure he could come up with was such a petty threat.

As expected.

“I don’t care. If that’s what it takes to completely erase the Green Forest from this land, I’m willing to endure it.”

Ak Ho-gun’s face was distorted to the point of being pitiful.

Now that the situation had reached this point, he could no longer dismiss it as a childish outburst from a young boy.

Against such Ak Ho-gun, Dan Ak-seon further increased the level of pressure.

“Don’t even dream of escaping during the escort. Coincidentally, masters from the Eastern Depot [secret intelligence agency] and the Imperial Guard are dispatched to Muwi.”

It was then.

Pitter-patter.

The gray clouds, struggling to climb the ridge with their heavy bodies, finally began to drop raindrops.

And the rain soon became a fierce downpour, engulfing the area.

Swish.

Ak Ho-gun, standing blankly in the pouring rain, let out a self-deprecating laugh.

The seething anger subsided, and as reason returned, one side of his chest cooled down.

It was better this way.

What if the outcome of the life-or-death duel had been different?

He would not have left room to spare like Dan Ak-seon, and it would surely have resulted in Dan Ak-seon’s death.

If that were the case, the Green Forest would have had to face not only the evil sects of Muwi but also the righteous sects and the Beggars’ Union who were friendly with Dan Ak-seon.

Neng So-mil, who followed Dan Ak-seon, would naturally move the garrison of the government office.

Either way, the result would not have changed.

If there was any consolation, it was that he still had a single option left.

‘In any case, he holds all the initiative.’

Ak Ho-gun smiled palely, feeling the cold rain hitting his face.

In the past, Ak Ho-gun had witnessed the heroic death of Namgung Baek, the head of the Namgung Clan.

His noble end, willingly giving his life for his family, had left a deep impression on him.

And he, too, was prepared to give his life at any time.

Above all, he was qualified to face an honorable death.

Ak Ho-gun’s eyes flickered with resolute will.

Dan Ak-seon frowned, meeting his gaze.

He could read the other person’s thoughts all too clearly.

“Chief Escort. You are still a selfish person.”

“What?”

“That paltry pride and honor. Is it worth sacrificing all your subordinates for?”

Ak Ho-gun was dumbfounded by Dan Ak-seon’s subsequent rebuke.

“Selfish stubbornness that ignores the suffering of others for one’s own sake. What’s the difference between the current Chief Escort and No Dan-yang?”

“……!”

Ak Ho-gun stood there blankly for a while, even as he was drenched in the pouring rain.

He was that shocked.

“Even if you commit suicide here, your death will never be glorified. Rather, it will be the greatest disgrace. You will be remembered as the last Chief Escort who brought about the Green Forest’s demise.”

Eventually, Ak Ho-gun couldn’t hold back and shouted.

“Then what the hell am I supposed to do!”

It was after a long time that Dan Ak-seon, staring at Ak Ho-gun’s broken will, spoke again.

“Accept my proposal. If you don’t want the Green Forest to disappear from this land. This is your last chance.”

“…….”

“The Chief Escort, who is responsible for causing all this misfortune, should take responsibility and resolve this situation.”

With those words, Dan Ak-seon turned around.

Beom Gye-wi, who had been glaring at Ak Ho-gun as if to devour him, reluctantly followed Dan Ak-seon.

The same went for Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa.

The gazes they cast before turning away tore apart Ak Ho-gun’s pride all the more painfully.

Dan Ak-seon moved further away.

Only after his figure completely disappeared beyond the hazy mist did Ak Ho-gun let out a sigh.

He had already become an enormous figure that he could not contend with.

“My state has become truly pathetic.”

In Ak Ho-gun’s eyes, looking up at the sky pouring down rain, flickered an emotion of regret that could not be hidden.

* * *

Dan Ak-seon was silent throughout the return to Muwi.

Beom Gye-wi, staring at Dan Ak-seon walking ahead, was also silent.

Cho Ak-ryang and Han Seol-hwa’s eyes were filled with bewilderment at Beom Gye-wi’s unusually heavy gaze.

“Why are you so quiet today?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s casually thrown question, Beom Gye-wi let out a soft sigh.

“Perhaps we’ve raised a truly ridiculous monster.”

“Monster? Are you talking about Dan Ak-seon?”

Beom Gye-wi nodded at Cho Ak-ryang’s question.

“I’m starting to get scared of Dan Ak-seon.”

Cho Ak-ryang chuckled.

However, the laughter disappeared at Beom Gye-wi’s subsequent words.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen the infamous Ak Ho-gun so flustered. We can easily bring him to his knees with force, but completely subjugating his spirit like Dan Ak-seon is something we can’t do.”

“Well…….”

Cho Ak-ryang nodded unconsciously, recalling Ak Ho-gun, who was cornered to the point of being pitiful and unable to do anything.

Dan Ak-seon was no longer the naive child they knew.

He not only possessed martial arts but also had no shortage of eloquence to persuade others.

Above all, he had grown into a figure with amazing intuition and insight, capable of grasping not only the immediate problems at hand but also the larger picture that followed.

If it had been them, it would have been impossible to resolve the matter with only the battle against Ak Ho-gun without such collateral damage.

It was then.

“Judging by how you’re already worrying about getting scolded, you must have a lot on your conscience.”

“What?”

Han Seol-hwa curled up her signature cold smile towards the flustered Beom Gye-wi.

“When that time comes, I’ll be watching from the sidelines without missing a thing.”

“……!”

“I’m looking forward to it. That face you’ll make, full of tears.”

“Do you think you’re any different, you witch?”

“I am. Unlike someone, I have no reason to be disliked by Dan Ak-seon.”

“Neither do I!”

“Who knows? After all, you two are used to doing stupid things almost every day.”

Cho Ak-ryang, who was suddenly lumped together with Beom Gye-wi, couldn’t hide his absurdity.

“Why are you dragging me into this when I’m just standing here?”

Han Seol-hwa snorted at Cho Ak-ryang’s chilling gaze.

“Much of a muchness. You’re both as bad as each other anyway.”

“What!”

“Are you trying to pick a fight right now?”

In an instant, fierce killing intent surrounded the three.

However, that was only for a moment.

The three simultaneously closed their mouths as if they had never fought.

It was because Dan Ak-seon, who had been walking ahead, had stopped and was staring at them.

* * *

It was ten days after Dan Ak-seon and his party returned that Neng So-mil visited Divine Valley.

“The Green Forest is said to be electing a new Chief Escort.”

Dan Ak-seon nodded silently at the news that Ak Ho-gun had stepped down from his position after appointing a new Chief Escort to govern the Green Forest in his place.

“But there’s a problem.”

“A problem?”

At Dan Ak-seon’s question, Neng So-mil carefully opened his mouth.

“The next Chief Escort appointed by Ak Ho-gun is quite hawkish [aggressive]. He is said to be publicly declaring that he will innovate the existing Green Forest and return it to its former state.”

“Who is that person?”

“Jeon Gwang, the leader of Waho Stronghold.”

Cho Ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi, and Han Seol-hwa’s faces were filled with bewilderment.

Clearly, Ak Ho-gun had been in the mood to accept the last chance given by Dan Ak-seon that day.

But to appoint a hardliner no less than himself as his successor?

Cho Ak-ryang frowned.

“At this rate, won’t things remain the same?”

On the other hand, Dan Ak-seon thought differently.

“No. From the Chief Escort’s point of view, it was a plan put forward after much deliberation.”

Leaving behind Cho Ak-ryang, who didn’t understand, Dan Ak-seon looked at Neng So-mil.

“When is the next Chief Escort’s inauguration ceremony?”

“It’s in fifteen days. He plans to formally ascend to the position of Chief Escort through the Green Forest General Assembly held at the main stronghold in Geomdan Mountain.”

At Dan Ak-seon’s nodding appearance, Neng So-mil carefully asked.

“You’re not thinking of going there yourself, are you?”

“Yes. I have to finish what I started properly.”

As the new Chief Escort was officially declaring the future course of the Green Forest externally, this was by no means a matter to be taken lightly.

Above all, he was the only one who could fully complete the settlement plan opened by Ak Ho-gun.

“How did the matter I asked you for go?”

At Dan Ak-seon’s question, Neng So-mil grinned.

“All preparations have been completed.”

“Thank you.”

Dan Ak-seon, who nodded with a smile, left Divine Valley once again with the Divine Demonic Three.

* * *

Green Forest General Assembly Day.

As it was also the inauguration of the new Chief Escort, all the stronghold leaders scattered throughout the Central Plains gathered in one place.

It was a very rare and exceptional event for all eighteen stronghold leaders to gather in one place.

That alone was proof that the Green Forest General Assembly held today was not of light significance.

Instead of Ak Ho-gun, who had already stepped down from the position of Chief Escort, one person stepped forward.

It was Jeon Gwang, the leader of Waho Stronghold.

“It seems that everyone who is coming has arrived, so I will formally open the Green Forest General Assembly.”

At his voice, which shook the entire Great Ridge Stronghold, some stronghold leaders frowned.

Among them, there were those who openly sneered.

Although they had gathered in one place, not everyone was of the same mind.

‘Why did the Chief Escort designate that person as his successor?’

The dissatisfaction that some stronghold leaders openly expressed.

In particular, the stronghold leaders who had absolutely followed Ak Ho-gun did not have a favorable view of Jeon Gwang.

This was because they were well aware of the fact that he had been pressuring Ak Ho-gun under the pretext of the Green Forest General Assembly recently.

Perhaps that was why, even after the opening was declared, an atmosphere as precarious as walking on thin ice continued.