The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 398

The Divine Doctor of the Demonic Path (398)

A pair of suns and moons.

And a golden plaque engraved with cloud patterns surrounding them.

Upon closer inspection, it was densely filled with twenty-two characters, starting with Royal Emissary and Pacification Commissioner (欽差經略) and ending with Vice Minister of the Ministry of War (兵部侍郞).

“This is a divine plaque that grants the authority to mobilize the Jinyi Guard [Ming Dynasty secret police] dispatched to each region, as well as the military strength of the garrison. His Majesty has already given his approval, so use it whenever necessary.”

Having narrowly escaped death thanks to Dan Ak-seon’s wit, Eunuch Sa Rye-tae did not display the hostile or arrogant attitude he had shown before.

Instead, he spoke in a friendly voice and offered kind eyes.

Dan Ak-seon was surprised to learn the identity of the divine plaque.

But soon, he bowed his head with courtesy.

“I also look forward to hearing good news.”

Having promised the full cooperation of the Eastern Depot [another Ming Dynasty secret police agency], Eunuch Sa Rye-tae personally came out to Seungcheon Gate (承天門), the south gate of the inner city, to see Dan Ak-seon off.

Dan Ak-seon was silent all the way back to Muwi from Beijing.

Although he had uncovered the identity of Soo Bo, whom he had been tracking for a long time, and blocked the conspiracy they were plotting in advance, his mind was still confused.

It was because of the conversation he had with Yoon Bong.

If it had been Beom Gye-wi, he would have found the silence difficult to bear, but Han Seol-hwa did not ask for a reason.

She simply moved along with Dan Ak-seon in silence.

Then, at some point.

Dan Ak-seon stopped walking.

“I think I know why the Namgoong Clan Lord made that choice.”

Han Seol-hwa, who was looking at Dan Ak-seon with puzzled eyes as he mentioned Namgoong Ho out of the blue, realized the reason at Dan Ak-seon’s next words.

Dan Ak-seon opened his mouth in an angry voice.

“I can’t forgive the Demonic Sect. If it’s to stop them, I’ll endure anything.”

In each of those words, a deep-seated resentment was felt.

Han Seol-hwa, who had been staring at Dan Ak-seon, slowly shook her head.

“But you are different from Namgoong Ho.”

Han Seol-hwa smiled quietly at Dan Ak-seon, who was meeting her gaze.

“Unlike him, you are not alone.”

Han Seol-hwa continued.

“I am by your side. There are also two troublemakers whose skills are useful, even if their reliability is questionable. There’s also that Neung Ga guy who’s forcing himself to wear ill-fitting official robes for you, and Chief Sa, who’s dedicating his new life entirely to you, isn’t there? The people of Muwi will gladly jump into the fire for your words. Don’t forget. You don’t have to walk that path alone.”

It was the most words Han Seol-hwa had ever spoken while being together.

Dan Ak-seon suddenly recalled his childhood, when he had been alone.

A time when he didn’t know the feeling of loneliness, but was clearly lonely.

But now, so many people were lending their strength to him.

Even if the journey ahead was arduous and difficult, he would not be lonely as long as he was with them.

That alone was a great comfort.

Dan Ak-seon nodded, forcing a smile.

“Thank you.”

Han Seol-hwa replied with a smile as if it were nothing.

It was a smile that was only visible to Dan Ak-seon, an incomparably beautiful and radiant smile.

* * *

Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, was the oldest of many ancient cities.

Once called Chang’an (長安), it encompassed the entire Guanzhong region.

It was a key area in the history of the Central Plains, as there was a saying that whoever gains Guanzhong gains the world (得關中者得天下) [whoever controls this region controls the country].

The city and plains were surrounded by the Qinling Mountains like a circular fortress, and the fertile plains were due to the three rivers flowing to the west and north.

This was why the area was called the Land of Abundance (天府之國) in the past.

Because of its excellent terrain, Emperor Hongwu, who founded the Ming Dynasty, once considered moving the capital to this area.

Until the third emperor, Emperor Yongle, moved the capital to Beijing, Xi’an continued to be considered as a new capital.

But what made Xi’an the most famous now was something else entirely.

It was the Nine Great Sects, the pillars supporting the righteous path [orthodox martial arts schools].

Among them, the Mount Hua Sect and the Chongnan Sect were active around Xi’an.

In particular, the Chongnan Sect was rooted in Mount Chongnan, a branch of the Qinling Mountains.

The Mount Hua Sect was located in Huayin County, but Xi’an itself had a long history, so its activities in this area were the most prominent.

As such, the influence of the two sects on Xi’an was considerable.

The Mount Hua Sect, represented by the Twenty-Four Style Plum Blossom Swordplay (二十四手梅花劍法) centered on quickness (快) and illusion (幻).

Unlike that, the Chongnan Sect, which possessed the mysteries of heavy swords (重劍) that were heavy and profound like the Thirty-Six Swords of the World (天下三十六劍法), sometimes competed and sometimes cooperated to promote development.

One of the famous sights of Xi’an was the beautiful sunset.

The magnificent sunset that dyed the sky red and settled on the surroundings beautifully colored the manor located in the quiet mountains.

It was the place where Ha Woon-baek, the Chongnam Righteous Sword (終南正劍), a swordsman known for his outstanding character and skill among the lay disciples of the Chongnan Sect, who could be said to be the local master of this area, was the head of the manor.

People were gathering at Changyeon Manor one after another.

If those with some insight into the people of the Jianghu [martial arts world] saw it, they would rub their eyes and look again, as they were all key figures of the righteous sects.

Hong Jeok-moon, the Chief of the Beggars’ Union, who had arrived first, greeted the dignitaries with a bright smile.

“It’s been a long time, Abbot. I was very sorry that I couldn’t see you in Hainan.”

Beop-yeon, who visited the manor leading the Four Great Vajras of Shaolin, returned the greeting with a unique Shaolin greeting.

On the day of Beom Gye-wi’s wedding, only Hye-gong Seonsa, the abbot’s uncle, and Beop-ryo, the head of the Vinaya Hall, attended from Shaolin.

“Amitabha. Does Benefactor Quick Hands look even better?”

“Haha, I quit drinking.”

“Oh my? Why?”

“Why do you look like you’ve heard that a fly has stopped eating poop?”

Hong Jeok-moon, who took Beop-yeon’s question as a joke, smiled sadly.

“No matter how good the fine wine (美酒) is, it’s not as good as the cheap wine (朴酒) I shared with my friends.”

Beop-yeon, who understood Hong Jeok-moon’s heart, recited the Buddha’s name quietly.

Hong Jeok-moon joked at him.

“Come on in. It seems that the Chongnan Sect has opened its coffers properly for this long-awaited meeting.”

As Beop-yeon entered the manor, Hong Jeok-moon continued to greet the distinguished guests.

Jin Myeong-jin-in, the sect leader of the Mount Hua Sect, who arrived with the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

Gwangjin Dojang, the sect leader of the Kunlun Sect, who took a long trip after a long time without minding the long distance.

Dan Geum-jin-in, the sect leader of Wudang, and Yoo Hyeon-jin-in, the sect leader of the Chongnan Sect, also visited the manor.

“Huh, I don’t know when the owner of this place changed without me knowing?”

Yoo Hyeon-jin-in jokingly said to Hong Jeok-moon.

This place was clearly the manor of Heo Woon-baek, the Chongnam Righteous Sword, a lay disciple of Chongnam.

But Hong Jeok-moon’s appearance of greeting guests as if it were his own home felt amusing.

Knowing his easygoing personality, Hong Jeok-moon also took it as a joke.

“While we’re on the subject, can I seduce Clan Lord Heo to change his affiliation to my union?”

“Hey, you. How can you try to turn someone who is living well into a beggar? Do you have a conscience?”

“Haha, please come in. Those who have already arrived are waiting.”

As the sect leader of the Chongnan Sect smiled and walked away, other people arrived not long after.

Jeongyeon Shinni, the head of the Emei Sect, and Sa Il-geomjeong, Nak Young-eum, the sect leader of the Jeomcang Sect.

After exchanging simple greetings and catching up, Jeongyeon Shinni headed straight into the manor.

Nak Young-eum was the same.

Known for his stubborn personality, he only exchanged perfunctory greetings before disappearing inside.

On the other hand, Sa Gong-myeong, the elder of the Jeomcang Sect who visited with Nak Young-eum, had a long conversation with Hong Jeok-moon.

Sa Il-geom (射日劍) and Nak Il-do (落日刀), which symbolize Jeomcang.

Among them, he was the master of the sword who had mastered Nak Il-do and was said to be one of the top five in the world in swordsmanship.

Above all, he was close to the former union leader, Lee Rip.

So there were many things they had to talk about.

After a while, Hyeongjin Dojang, the sect leader of the Gongdong Sect, and Taoists, and finally Jin Jo-woon, the sect leader of Hyeongsan, who replaced the declining Cheongseong Sect as one of the Nine Great Sects, visited the manor.

In this way, the leaders of each sect that moved the current Central Plains Murim [martial arts world] took their seats in the conference room prepared inside.

“Have you been well, Master?”

Dan Geum-jin-in, the sect leader of the Wudang Sect, who was sitting far away, burst into laughter at the joke Yoo Hyeon-jin-in, the sect leader of the Chongnan Sect, had made.

Coincidentally, the Taoist name of the Supreme Protector of the Chongnan Sect, Yoo Hyeon-jin-in’s master, was also Dan Geum.

In such a friendly atmosphere, they exchanged words of blessing and well-wishing for each other for a while.

The atmosphere changed abruptly when someone opened the door and entered the conference room.

“Thank you all for gathering.”

Regardless of the atmosphere, Dan Ak-seon bowed politely.

However, the gazes of the dignitaries were directed towards the back of Dan Ak-seon.

Cho Ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi, and even Han Seol-hwa.

Each of them had a troublesome relationship from the perspective of the righteous faction.

Of course, the Beggars’ Union and Kunlun were exceptions.

Jin Myeong-jin-in of the Mount Hua Sect also gave a slight eye greeting to Han Seol-hwa.

However, most of the dignitaries could not hide their uncomfortable eyes.

Conversely, the Demonic Trinity was not happy with the dignitaries of the righteous faction either.

Dan Ak-seon had repeatedly asked them not to grumble, but Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi’s faces were already crumpled.

Fortunately, the Cheongseong Sect was not present at this meeting.

The Cheongseong Sect, which had suffered great damage due to its grudge against Cho Ak-ryang, had been pushed out of the Nine Great Sects by the Hyeongsan Sect, which had recently expanded its power.

Yunjeong-jin-in, the highest-ranking member of the Yun character generation, had taken office as the new sect leader and was struggling to regain the glory of the past, but it did not seem easy.

The mistakes committed by the Cheongseong Seven in the past continued to hold them back.

“It may be an awkward meeting…….”

Dan Ak-seon forced a smile as he looked around the conference room, which had fallen into heavy silence.

And he calmly continued.

“Nevertheless, the reason I asked you all to meet is because I have information that I must convey.”

Only then did everyone’s eyes focus on Dan Ak-seon.

Dan Ak-seon publicly revealed all the information he had gathered about the Demonic Sect and the information he had obtained through Soo Bo.

As befitting the dignitaries of the Murim, no one acted rashly.

But the agitation that spread over their eyes could not be hidden.

Dan Ak-seon’s explanation continued in a consistently calm atmosphere.

Then, at one moment.

“……!”

“Hmm…….”

“Huh!”

Some let out groans, while others could not hide their surprise.

“The Heavenly Demon……. The one who led all sorts of imps and monsters (魑魅魍魎) [evil spirits and demons]……. Is he dead?”

Dan Geum-jin-in of Wudang could not hide his shock and asked back with an unbelievable expression.

And this was the same for others.

In particular, those who had mixed hands with the Heavenly Demon during the Righteous-Demonic War could not hide their shock.

Dan Ak-seon nodded at them.

“The Heavenly Demon, who was defeated in the Gilyeon Mountains, is no longer in this world. But another Heavenly Demon has already become the new master of the Demonic Sect in his place.”

“How on earth?”

Jin Myeong-jin-in of Mount Hua muttered without realizing it.

But most of the people in this place were not much different from his feelings.

“My parents said they killed the Heavenly Demon. My parents also died because of that.”

Everyone was speechless at Dan Ak-seon’s calm explanation.

Dan Ak-seon opened his mouth again to them.

“The important thing is that the new Heavenly Demon has much better martial arts than the previous Heavenly Demon. And the missing masters of the Demonic Path and the missing people are also practicing demonic arts somewhere.”

The expected power of the Demonic Sect, analyzed and estimated based on the information that Yoon Bong, who was Soo Bo of the Demonic Sect, had confessed.

As Dan Ak-seon mentioned this, the eyes of the audience became even more somber.

Everyone sensed that the resurgence of the Demonic Sect, which they had been so worried about, was not far off.