The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 442

Divine Physician of the Demonic Realm (442)

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye was realizing at this moment that when something is too absurd, it doesn’t even make you angry.

“Oh, yes! I hope you don’t regret those words!”

Sharp gazes and a fierce atmosphere filled the hall.

It was a wonder they weren’t grabbing each other by the collar.

“Enough.”

It was then that a voice echoed through the hall.

The Emperor, unable to watch any longer, stepped in himself.

After confirming that the two had bowed and retreated, the Emperor sighed softly.

“It’s not that I don’t know your loyalty.”

Sa Rye and Neung So-mil.

Both were his most cherished subjects.

But Neung So-mil was the problem.

He had brought him to the palace because he thought it necessary, but there wasn’t a quiet day.

He charged ahead without considering the consequences, creating trouble out of nowhere.

Yet, he couldn’t just dismiss him.

He handled everything according to principles and had long held an important position in reforming the state affairs.

Even now, that was the case.

He hadn’t said anything particularly wrong.

‘However…’

No matter how experienced a minister, his reckless attitude of charging in whenever he didn’t like something was enough to tire even him.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here.”

“But Your Majesty, I still have…”

“…”

Neung So-mil reluctantly closed his mouth at the Emperor’s sharp gaze.

The Emperor sighed lowly and waved his hand.

“Everyone, leave. Only Grand Eunuch Sa Rye and Vice Censor-in-chief are to remain.”

As soon as the Emperor’s words fell, the officials who had filled the hall hurriedly left.

The Emperor, staring intently at Neung So-mil, suddenly spoke.

“I clearly promised you. That I would send you back to Muwi once Physician Dan returns.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Then you must also remember your promise to do your best in discussing state affairs with me until then, correct?”

Neung So-mil flinched at the Emperor’s words.

“If you thought you could return to Muwi by causing such a ruckus, you are mistaken.”

“…!”

“My promises are weighty. So, moderate yourself now.”

Neung So-mil inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘That’s why those quick-witted guys are…’

He glanced sideways at Grand Eunuch Sa Rye across from him, who was questioning with his eyes whether the Emperor’s words were true.

But if he were to yield so easily, he wouldn’t be Neung So-mil.

Instead, Neung So-mil, having decided to act even more brazenly, wore an utterly wronged expression.

“That is a most unjust accusation, Your Majesty. A ruckus, you say? How dare I harbor such disloyal thoughts in Your Majesty’s presence?”

“…”

“However, if Your Majesty felt that way, then so be it. Still, please know this much. The fact that I occasionally engage in arguments with other ministers with rude remarks also stems solely from my loyalty to Your Majesty.”

“So, it’s all my misunderstanding?”

The Emperor’s voice was somehow ominous, but Neung So-mil remained calm.

Since he had already stepped into the mud, it didn’t matter whether he sank to his ankles or his knees.

“Didn’t Your Majesty personally say that I should fulfill the role of the Censorate [an agency that supervised the efficiency of all branches of government] while I remain by Your Majesty’s side? I am merely upholding Your Majesty’s decree, maintaining a ‘riding a horse and whipping it on’ attitude, further tempering myself and doing my best every day.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“They say in the Jianghu [the martial arts world] that you are called ‘Neung the Deceiver’?”

“…!”

“I now know why you are called that.”

Having lived and bickered together in this narrow palace for ten years, he couldn’t help but know.

“I think highly of you. The fact that the Censorate has regained its original status and role, and that corruption within the Imperial family has greatly decreased as a result, is a sufficiently encouraging achievement.”

In fact, there was no more useful sword than Neung So-mil in straightening out the discipline of the Imperial family and the court.

Moreover, unlike the Eastern Depot [secret police], which secretly shook things up by holding onto weaknesses, there were surprisingly not bad reviews of Neung So-mil from the ministers because there was no aftermath.

It was difficult to be openly rebuked in front of their faces, but this too was something they only had to endure at the moment.

“However, I will no longer overlook you acting recklessly, believing in my favor.”

“…”

“If you are expecting demotion or exile, give that up as well. I will not allow it.”

“…!”

“Withdraw now. Someone is giving me a headache.”

The Emperor shook his head, looking troubled at Neung So-mil’s retreating figure with his lips sticking out an inch.

He often wondered if he was doing the right thing.

He was a necessary talent for a greater purpose, but because of him, the court meetings never went smoothly.

At this point, he was curious as to what fault he would find tomorrow and what kind of chaos he would create.

But the problem that really troubled the Emperor was something else.

‘How can I truly make this guy my own?’

On the surface, he was loyal to him, but the Emperor knew that the person Neung So-mil truly devoted his heart to was someone else.

That’s why he wanted Neung So-mil even more.

That’s why he felt like he understood Cao Cao’s feelings when he tried so hard to make Guan Yu his own [a historical reference to a famous general known for his loyalty].

As he pondered for a long time, at that moment.

“Your Majesty. Jo Seung, the Eastern Depot Chief Eunuch, is requesting an audience with Your Majesty.”

The Emperor awoke from his thoughts at the report of the eunuch attending him.

“The Chief of the Eastern Depot?”

A look of doubt settled on the Emperor’s face.

If the head of the Eastern Depot, the eyes and ears of the Imperial family, had come quietly like this, the matter would not be light.

As expected.

“Let him in.”

The news brought by the old eunuch, who carefully entered the hall, brought another concern to the Emperor.

“Divine Physician of the Demonic Realm… That Dan Ak-seon has returned?”

An undeniable conflict was evident between the Emperor’s furrowed brows.

He had made a promise, but he felt too sorry to send Neung So-mil away like this.

* * *

“You, come see me for a moment.”

Neung So-mil smiled brightly at Grand Eunuch Sa Rye, who called out to him as soon as he left the hall.

“Of course. If you want to see me, I have to make time even if I don’t have it. Hehe.”

The old eunuch was inwardly dumbfounded by Neung So-mil’s attitude, which was different from before.

The crazy guy who had desperately tried to tear him apart in the royal court was suddenly acting so friendly, which was absurd.

He stared at Neung So-mil for a while before opening his mouth.

“You know better than anyone that you crossed the line today, right?”

“If I wasn’t so frustrated, would I have done that?”

Neung So-mil sighed as if the ground was sinking.

“How could the civil and military officials of the court, including me, not know that you are the most incorruptible person? But you also know that the position of Grand Eunuch cannot be held by someone who is just nice.”

“Does that mean I’m too lenient?”

“No, no. It means you are incredibly benevolent. The problem is that those below are taking advantage of your kindness and acting without knowing their place.”

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye snorted briefly at Neung So-mil’s behavior, which changed as easily as flipping his hand.

It was not something that a guy who had been so eager to see who had more dust on them would say.

“I am different from other ministers. I will never be fooled by your eloquence.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m going to attack you openly tomorrow anyway.”

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye’s eyes twitched.

“Are you declaring war on me now?”

“That’s because it’s more effective.”

“…?”

“If I act like a crazy person, wouldn’t you have a little more room to maneuver?”

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye was startled.

He was also a person who had experienced all kinds of hardships in this political arena.

So he could immediately understand the meaning hidden in Neung So-mil’s words.

If Neung So-mil constantly attacked him, he could use this as an excuse to create a confrontational relationship and establish a new political power structure.

“Since I’ll be taking more of the blame anyway, please turn a blind eye to my rudeness in the royal court.”

After a moment of silence, Grand Eunuch Sa Rye realized he wasn’t just being taken advantage of.

“I’ve been patient until today, but I won’t stand still from now on. Stories are starting to circulate that the Wiso’s forces are excessively concentrated around the villages near the Yangtze River. And you can’t not know that someone’s influence has clearly played a role in this.”

At those words, Neung So-mil became serious.

“Master! Didn’t we already implicitly agree not to touch that?”

“Why am I your master!”

“Ah! I accidentally blurted out the sincerity I had been harboring alone.”

Neung So-mil gave a sly smile to Grand Eunuch Sa Rye, who was furious.

“Aren’t you the only one I can rely on in this Imperial Palace? I actually receive teachings from you in many areas.”

“…”

“You know I like you, right?”

“Nonsense!”

Neung So-mil stared at Grand Eunuch Sa Rye with a face that had completely lost its smile.

“Honestly, don’t you need to clean things up a bit with this opportunity?”

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye paused at Neung So-mil’s words that followed.

“You told me I was crossing the line, but recently, it’s the Eastern Depot’s guards under the Chief Eunuch who are really crossing the line. Do you know what the Chief Eunuch, your right-hand man, has been up to lately?”

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye firmly closed his mouth.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know and wasn’t taking action.

However, he was just keeping a close watch on the matter since it was a sensitive issue.

“Give them a stern warning. Or get rid of them harshly. What’s certain is that you need to distance yourself from him.”

Neung So-mil said with emphasis.

“I trust you, but I don’t trust the people under you.”

“You really…”

Grand Eunuch Sa Rye, who had mumbled the end of his words, stared at Neung So-mil with an endlessly complicated look.

After a while.

“I’ll be fooled one more time.”

Neung So-mil’s heart was not at ease as he watched Grand Eunuch Sa Rye turn away with those words.

Imperial politics, where even one wrong step could lead to a bottomless cliff.

He could now fully understand how lonely he was standing at the end of that precarious situation.

As Grand Eunuch Sa Rye’s figure completely disappeared from his sight, Neung So-mil also left the Forbidden City.

But when he arrived at his residence, unexpected news awaited him.

So Jeok-san had sent a letter through a messenger.

Neung So-mil’s hand, clutching the letter, trembled.

‘Finally!’

Neung So-mil hurriedly asked the head merchant of the Shinma Company, who had brought the letter.

“Where is he now?”

The head merchant replied immediately.

“I heard that he headed to Beijing not long after I left.”

“He’s coming here?”

Neung So-mil, who had been delighted, had his expression clouded by the head merchant’s words that followed.

“Yes. Wouldn’t it be best to pay respects to the Emperor first so that you can leave the political world smoothly?”

With a heavy sigh, Neung So-mil shook his head.

“I’m eager to leave, but I can’t right now.”

A look of doubt appeared on the face of the head merchant, who had been watching Neung So-mil for a long time.

That’s because Neung So-mil had been waiting for Dan Ak-seon more eagerly than anyone else.

But after hearing Neung So-mil’s complaint, he soon realized the reason.

“If I resign from my position and return as a civilian, what do you think will happen to the Wiso’s forces deployed in the Yangtze River area?”

It was clear that the Eastern Depot, which already considered him a thorn in their side, and the forces that agreed with them would come forward as if they had been waiting and advocate for the withdrawal and redeployment of troops.

If that happened, they would lose one of the few means to check the rampant bandits in recent times.

That’s why he’s making his life difficult.

More than anything else, he could never stand by and watch the lives of the common people that Dan Ak-seon had protected being devastated by other Jianghu forces.