The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 419

The Divine Doctor’s New Demonic Arts (419)

None of the Five Great Families attended this meeting.

Most were in seclusion due to the Murim Alliance incident.

Even those who had avoided taking responsibility for the seclusion weren’t in much better shape.

They couldn’t ignore the disapproving gazes and public opinion of the Jianghu [the martial arts world], so they were refraining from external activities as much as possible, keeping their doors tightly shut.

Needless to say, the Zhuge Family, the clan of Zhuge Yeon, who was responsible for all those incidents, was in even worse condition.

Suffering from all kinds of criticism from the Central Plains Murim, the Zhuge Family had long been isolating themselves, completely cutting off contact with the outside world.

That’s why Dan Akseon visited the Zhuge Family late at night.

Given the situation, Dan Akseon was cautious even while requesting a meeting.

However, the head of the Zhuge Family did not refuse to meet with Dan Akseon.

Around the end of midnight.

The surroundings were already shrouded in deep darkness.

Dan Akseon, having arrived at the Zhuge Family estate, was immediately guided to a deep inner quarter.

A study, the only one among numerous buildings with its lights on.

As he entered, Zhuge Kyung, who had been waiting in a neat posture, politely paid his respects.

“Welcome.”

Zhuge Kyung, having offered the honored seats to Dan Akseon and the Three Demonic Venerables, handed them tea that he had prepared in advance.

He looked very haggard, as if he had been through a lot of mental distress.

“It is an honor to visit the Divine Zhuge, who has been with the Central Plains Murim throughout its history, the headquarters of the wise.”

Zhuge Kyung smiled bitterly at Dan Akseon’s greeting.

“For the Divine Doctor of New Demonic Arts, who stands at the center of the current Jianghu, to say such a thing, this foolish one cannot dare to bear it.”

“Is there a reason why the Zhuge Family is referred to as Mucheon Jongsik (貿遷種植) [a vast wisdom encompassing music, Go, calligraphy, painting, and medicine]?”

In the truest sense of the word, it was a vast wisdom encompassing music, Go [a strategic board game], calligraphy, painting, and medicine.

That was why no one in the current Jianghu dared to treat the Zhuge Family carelessly.

“Especially, I believe that the medical skills rooted in your family have had a significant impact on Central Plains medicine. That’s why I wanted to visit your family if I ever had the chance.”

A faint smile appeared on Zhuge Kyung’s lips.

He knew better than anyone else about Dan Akseon’s unrivaled status when it came to medicine, something that could not be compared to anyone else in the current era.

Moreover, he was well aware of the deep animosity between Dan Akseon and Zhuge Yeon.

Yet, Dan Akseon did not equate Zhuge Yeon with the family and maintained courtesy throughout.

That alone was enough to be considered a sign of goodwill.

“The tea tastes good.”

Dan Akseon, having savored the tea, put it down and quietly opened his mouth.

“First, I must apologize for something.”

“An apology?”

Dan Akseon continued, addressing the bewildered Zhuge Kyung.

“Due to my lack of medical skills and virtue, I could not stop the head of the Namgung Family in the past.”

Zhuge Kyung’s expression darkened rapidly as Dan Akseon mentioned Namgung Ho.

Zhuge Kyung shook his head with a sigh.

“It is the karma that this family has accumulated, so who can I blame or resent? If we were to go by that, this family should apologize to the Divine Doctor of New Demonic Arts first.”

Zhuge Kyung bowed deeply to Dan Akseon.

“Although it is late, I would like to sincerely apologize on this occasion. I have raised my daughter poorly, causing the Jianghu to fall into turmoil, so this incompetent one is simply speechless.”

Dan Akseon readily accepted Zhuge Kyung’s apology.

“It’s alright now. More than anything…”

Zhuge Kyung paused at Dan Akseon’s words.

“Not all members of the Zhuge Family are like that. There are also heroes who willingly dedicate themselves in the shadows for the sake of the Central Plains, even though no one recognizes them.”

“San… You knew about that child’s actions?”

“I recently met with the Palace Lord of the Ewha Palace.”

Zhuge Kyung smiled bitterly, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

After a moment of silence.

“If you cannot change it, do not interfere. But if you act under the name of Zhuge, you must change it.”

Zhuge Kyung, having started with those words, added with a regretful expression.

“That was the Zhuge Family’s ideology. I wanted to pass on the same teachings to future generations, just as I had done. A life solely for the common people. That is what I believed to be the reason for the existence of those who inherited the Zhuge surname. But seeing the two of them make such extreme choices, it seems that my teachings were flawed.”

“Did you know about your third son’s plan from the beginning?”

“I didn’t know at first.”

Zhuge Kyung’s eyes were filled with complex emotions.

“Not until the Demonic Cult sent a message.”

Dan Akseon looked at Zhuge Kyung with surprised eyes.

It wasn’t difficult to guess the reason.

It must have been to use the Zhuge Family by taking the head of the family’s flesh and blood as a hostage.

“So, what did you do?”

“Of course, I refused outright.”

“Then why didn’t you inform the outside world about this?”

“It was to respect that child’s choice. I couldn’t disgrace his noble intentions.”

Zhuge San was known to have the most outstanding mind and the talent of a divine calculator.

If such a third son made such a decision, he believed that there must be a valid reason for it.

“If I had known that it was such a reckless plan, I would have rolled up my sleeves and stopped him long ago.”

Dan Akseon suddenly realized something.

“So, that’s why you announced him as the next head of the family.”

Zhuge Kyung sighed softly.

“Like it or not, a child is still a child.”

Zhuge Kyung wanted to save his son.

If he were the next head of the Zhuge Family, even the ruthless Demonic Cult would not kill him rashly, considering his value.

At the time, that was the only way to protect him while not interfering with his son’s plan.

As the head of the family, he had to be endlessly cold-hearted, but it was a part where one could glimpse the heartbreaking aspect of him as a father.

That’s why Dan Akseon couldn’t bring himself to offer comfort.

Dan Akseon nodded with a serious look.

“I will not forget and remember his dedication and sacrifice.”

“Perhaps, if…”

Zhuge Kyung, who was about to say something, closed his mouth with a self-deprecating expression.

Dan Akseon could guess his feelings, which he couldn’t bring himself to say first.

He must have wanted to ask him to save his son.

But in the end, Zhuge Kyung did not utter a pathetic request.

Instead, he brought up another story.

“But I don’t think that’s the only reason you came to see me.”

“There is something I would like to ask of you.”

“I will listen.”

“I want to learn about formations.”

A gleam appeared in Zhuge Kyung’s eyes.

“Formations… you say?”

The knowledge of the Zhuge Family, which had mastered all fields without exception, possessed outstanding skills in astrology, astronomy, physiognomy [the art of judging character from facial features], crafts, and even horticulture.

And the field that encompassed all of that was formations.

In fact, formations were the epitome of all the wisdom of the Zhuge Family.

Indeed, Dan Akseon was able to confirm the formations installed in various places inside the Zhuge Family estate as he entered.

The formations, encompassing all kinds of forms without distinction, revealed their pride in formations.

However, Zhuge Kyung couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“If you want knowledge about formations, I can gladly provide it. But the true essence of it cannot be obtained overnight.”

Similar to martial arts, formations were the same.

Just as the saying goes, ‘One who has mastered a thousand techniques need not be feared, but one who has mastered a single technique should be feared,’ if deep enlightenment does not support it, the vast knowledge can become an obstacle.

And the process of obtaining that enlightenment was similar to martial arts in that it was arduous.

“I know a little about the general operation method.”

Zhuge Kyung wore a bitter smile at Dan Akseon’s answer.

As with most things, it was quite common to commit the error of ‘blind men describing an elephant,’ judging the whole based on a superficial knowledge.

And formations were a prime example.

Zhuge Kyung, who had silently stood up, took out a scroll that was placed in one of the bookshelves and spread it out on the table.

Then, complex drawings, along with symbolic symbols including the Eight Trigrams and annotations written in tiny letters, appeared.

“This is the Eight Trigrams Formation (八陣圖) [Bagua Formation], the most basic framework of this family’s formations.”

Zhuge Liang, the first head of the Zhuge Family.

It was a legendary formation said to have been used by him.

Originally, its form originated from the ancient times, but it was famous for having been completed by Zhuge Liang after passing through outstanding geniuses such as Punghu (風后) [a minister of the Yellow Emperor] and Sun Tzu (孫子) [author of The Art of War], Ogi (吳起) [a famous general and strategist].

In fact, Zhuge Liang had used it to reverse unfavorable war situations several times and achieve victory.

“Ah! I’ve seen this before.”

Once, while traveling through the Central Plains, Dan Akseon had passed near Namgangtan (南江灘) [South River Beach], located in Yeongan Palace (永安宮) [Eternal Peace Palace] in Eobok County (魚復縣).

There, traces of the Eight Trigrams Formation remained, where Zhuge Liang had trained his soldiers in the past.

“I’ve also seen it in Gihyeop (夔峽) [Kui Gorge].”

Gihyeop is another name for Gutang Gorge (瞿塘峽) at the mouth of the Yangtze River Three Gorges (三峽).

There, too, the ruins of the past Eight Trigrams Formation existed.

“Then it will be easy to explain.”

Zhuge Kyung, having moistened his lips with a sip of tea, pointed to various parts of the painting spread out before him with his finger.

“The Eight Trigrams are originally eight forms of military formations created by Punghu, a minister of the Yellow Emperor (黃帝). Originally, they were composed of Heaven (天), Earth (地), Wind (風), Cloud (雲), Tiger Wing (虎翼), Serpent Coiling (蛇蟠), Flying Dragon (飛龍), and Bird Soaring (鳥翔). Here, Muhu (武侯) [Marquis Wu, Zhuge Liang’s posthumous title], the founding ancestor of this family, transformed them into Dongdang (洞當), Junghwang (中黃), Yongdeung (龍騰), Josang (鳥翔), Yeonhoeng (連衡), Akgi (握奇), Hoik (虎翼), and Jeolchung (折衝).”

Dan Akseon, who had been quietly looking at the painting, nodded.

“Gijeong (奇正) refers to Sagi (四奇) and Sajeong (四正), right? The four symbols representing animals are Sagi, and the remaining four formations are Sajeong.”

A gleam appeared in Zhuge Kyung’s eyes at Dan Akseon’s answer.

Simply knowing and understanding the essence contained within were worlds apart.

“That’s right. Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Cloud are taken as Sajeong, and Dragon, Tiger, Bird, and Serpent are taken as Sagi, so that’s eight, the Eight Trigrams. Two formations always correspond and follow each other, and inside the outermost formation, there are two more formations, one fighting and one defending.”

“Two formations correspond to each other?”

Dan Akseon suddenly recalled the formation outside the Divine Land and the double formation surrounding the palace where the Heavenly Demon resided.

“Those are called Heaven and Earth, and Wind and Cloud, respectively.”

Zhuge Kyung explained the operating principle of the formation as clearly as possible.

“Jeong (正) is to confront the enemy, build a base, and engage in combat, and Gi (奇) is to use tricks such as ambushing or attacking.”

Dan Akseon, who had been intently gazing at the Eight Trigrams Formation, nodded.

“The Heaven Formation (天陣) becomes the Heavenly Gate (天門) corresponding to Qian (乾) [Heaven], and the Earth Formation (地陣) corresponds to Kun (坤) [Earth], so it becomes the Earthly Gate (地門).”

“……!”

Zhuge Kyung couldn’t hide his surprise.

He didn’t know that Dan Akseon, whom he thought was a doctor, was so knowledgeable about formations.

“Similarly, the Wind Formation (風陣) becomes the Wind Gate (風門) corresponding to Xun (巽) [Wind], and the Cloud Formation (雲陣) becomes the Cloud Gate (雲門), which is Kan (坎) [Water/Cloud].”

“If we give it one more change here, the frontal assault (前衝) of Heaven and Earth becomes Tiger Wing (虎翼), and the Wind (風) forms the shape of a coiled snake, becoming Serpent Coiling (蛇蟠).”

“So, that’s why tigers and snakes are located in the northwest? Giving priority to Yin (陰) [the feminine/negative principle], taking the right as the front, and also because the wind follows the tiger.”

Zhuge Kyung, who nodded and admired without realizing it, took out an armful of scrolls from the bookshelf and poured them onto the table with a crash.

Starting with the Reincarnation Formation (輪廻陣), the Flower Field Odd Formation (花田奇陣), the Myriad Phenomena Rising Naturally Mixed Mist Formation (萬象起然混霧陣), the Taiji Qiankun Illusion Formation (太極乾坤幻象陣), and the Great Chaos Heavenly Formation (大混天陣勢).

Finally, up to the Sanskrit Linked Ring Formation (梵字連環陣) and the Six Harmonies Ghost Gate Formation (六合鬼門陣).

Bewilderment appeared in Dan Akseon’s eyes.

For some reason, Zhuge Kyung couldn’t hide his joy.

But the real reason Dan Akseon was flustered was different.

The look in Zhuge Kyung’s eyes as he stared at him.

It was difficult to pinpoint and explain, but the eerie something flickering within was close to madness.