The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 450

Seol Nan-yeong’s expression brightened.

“The last place they were seen was in a fishing village called Hwangjinpo, south of the Yangtze River.”

Seol Nan-yeong brought a map and spread it on the table, pointing to a spot with her finger.

“Right here.”

Dan-ak Seon, who had been carefully examining the map, nodded.

“It’s not as far as I thought.”

If he used his proper lightness skill [a martial art technique for moving swiftly and lightly], he could arrive there within three days.

“But there’s a problem.”

Seol Nan-yeong cautiously opened her mouth, laced with worry.

“That area has long been under the control of the Four Evil Tyrants. As long as we travel by water, no one can escape their notice.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.”

Bang So-bang grinned, a confident look on his face.

“Even the strongest fortress has a loophole.”

Fortunately, Bang So-bang had already identified several terrains that were out of their sight.

However, Seol Nan-yeong still couldn’t hide her concern.

“It will also be difficult to expect cooperation from the sects located in that area.”

Even the Mount Emei Sect or Hengshan Sect, which belonged to the Nine Great Sects [prominent martial arts schools], were too busy putting out the fires that had fallen on their own feet.

If those prestigious orthodox sects were in such a state, there was no need to mention the small and medium-sized sects.

However, Dan-ak Seon was relaxed.

“Not all sects are in that situation.”

Bang So-bang, who had been tilting his head at those words, soon realized something and exclaimed.

“Ah! That’s right! There was the Hainan Sect, wasn’t there?”

A solitary island in the distant sea of the South Sea.

The Hainan Sect, which had long controlled the seas in that area, was taking an independent path, unlike the Central Plains [the central region of China, often associated with the heart of martial arts and political power].

Seol Nan-yeong’s face brightened at the thought of their existence.

The Hainan Sword Sect was one of the most prominent forces with ties to Dan-ak Seon.

“I was planning to visit there anyway.”

As soon as Dan-ak Seon finished speaking, Seol Nan-yeong cast a cautious glance.

“But would that be alright?”

“Huh?”

“That person is at the Hainan Sect…”

Dan-ak Seon, who had been tilting his head, belatedly realized what Seol Nan-yeong was worried about and quietly smiled.

“Uncle Beom will be fine.”

“…”

Seol Nan-yeong let out a soft sigh.

Judging from the situation, Dan-ak Seon clearly didn’t know what Beom Gye-wi had been up to.

If he did, he couldn’t be so carefree.

Even Bang So-bang, the Surveillance Chief of the Beggars’ Union [a powerful information network], turned pale when Mangsan Choja was mentioned.

Seol Nan-yeong looked at Bang So-bang with a troubled expression.

She was urging him with her eyes to explain properly.

However, as soon as their eyes met, Bang So-bang cleared his throat and avoided her gaze.

Seol Nan-yeong frowned.

Of course, she understood his position.

Along with Cho Ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi was also affiliated with the Beggars’ Union in a special form.

Therefore, cleaning up the accidents caused by Beom Gye-wi was entirely the responsibility of the Beggars’ Union.

‘I have no choice but to trust him.’

Seol Nan-yeong nodded with a bitter smile.

Dan-ak Seon was the only person who could handle Mangsan Choja, even if she searched the entire world.

* * *

As the blazing sunset magnificently dyed the area,

Dan-ak Seon and Bang So-bang were looking at a huge stream of water.

“Here it is. The loophole I was talking about.”

Bang So-bang pointed to the rapids in the distance, churning up white foam.

“It’s called Yonggutan (Dragon’s Mouth Shoal) because the reefs lurking beneath the surface of the water resemble the teeth of a dragon.”

The number of people who had been crushed by those reefs and turned into fish food was countless.

Once swept away by the strong currents, even the most experienced boatman had no way to deal with it.

So, the boatmen in the nearby area didn’t even go near this place.

Thanks to this, the eyes of the Yangtze River Alliance had not yet reached this place.

Using this, Bang So-bang was freely traveling between the Yangtze River, avoiding the eyes of the enemies.

“You move by stepping on the reefs that are submerged to about ankle depth. I’ll show you, so remember the location well.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Bang So-bang flew into action.

Even though his vision was limited due to the muddy yellow water, Bang So-bang managed to accurately step on the reefs submerged in the water and move.

He wobbled precariously once in the middle, but safely landed on the opposite side of the river.

“Did you remember well? If you step exactly where I stepped…”

Bang So-bang couldn’t continue speaking as he shouted towards Dan-ak Seon.

It was because of Dan-ak Seon, who flew into action before he could even finish his words.

“…!”

Bang So-bang couldn’t help but be dumbfounded by the sight of Dan-ak Seon crossing the river in a straight line like a ray of light, leaving behind a white spray.

He was speechless at the astonishing lightness skill of walking on water, so-called Susangbi (Water Surface Flight) [an advanced martial arts technique that allows one to glide across water surfaces].

“All the boatmen will starve to death.”

Just as he was inwardly marveling to himself.

Dan-ak Seon landed opposite Bang So-bang.

After briefly showing an awkward smile due to embarrassment.

Bang So-bang soon stared at Dan-ak Seon with a serious look.

“I know you have amazing martial arts. But don’t even think about fighting the Four Evil Tyrants on the water.”

Just like the case of Jin Myeong-jin, one of the Five Greats of the World, there was no guarantee that such an unfortunate situation would not happen again.

Dan-ak Seon quietly smiled and nodded.

“It’s good to worry about me, but be careful yourself. It seems like those guys are bloodshot to catch you.”

“Huh! Why are you like this? I’m Bang So-bang, Bang So-bang. I’m the romantic hero of the Beggars’ Union. A loose net can’t tie up a free cloud that moves with the wind.”

Dan-ak Seon quietly smiled at Bang So-bang’s unchanging glibness.

“Then see you again.”

Bang So-bang nodded at Dan-ak Seon’s greeting.

“A communication network has been established between the Beggars’ Union branches and the Shinma Merchant Group, so just say the word anytime. I’ll run right over.”

After staring silently for a moment, Dan-ak Seon hugged Bang So-bang.

Bang So-bang glared at Dan-ak Seon with a serious face.

“Why are you like this? It’s embarrassing. Didn’t you say you didn’t like new clothes before?”

However, he made a tearful expression at Dan-ak Seon’s reply.

“You can just buy new clothes, but you can’t do that with friends.”

“Ha, you rascal. You’re still the same, giving medicine after giving the disease [a Korean idiom meaning to first cause trouble and then try to make amends].”

After exchanging smiles for a moment.

As Dan-ak Seon turned around and disappeared beyond the dim darkness, Bang So-bang also whistled loudly somewhere.

After a while.

Bang So-bang grinned as he checked the Beggars’ Union members who appeared one after another from somewhere and lined up.

“Then shall we start a counterattack now? Since they messed with a beggar, we have to get a sure price.”

The playful appearance had disappeared without a trace, and Bang So-bang had already taken on the dignity of the Surveillance Chief of the Beggars’ Union.

“This time, let’s start by 털어 [a Korean slang term for ‘shaking down’ or extorting] the guys who newly joined the Yangtze River Alliance.”

Bang So-bang emitted a stern look.

“The Beggars’ Union!”

“Revere Chivalry!”

The Beggars’ Union members responded to Bang So-bang’s lead.

Their resounding shouts full of fighting spirit shook the area.

* * *

Dan-ak Seon, who had parted ways with Bang So-bang, immediately used his lightness skill.

How long had he been running like that?

Before he knew it, the sun had set and darkness had swallowed the surroundings.

However, even the deep darkness was not a big problem for Dan-ak Seon now.

It was then that a splendid night view came into Dan-ak Seon’s sight, relying on the moonlight to travel a considerable distance.

He had entered Hunan, which he had aimed for.

Numerous ships filled the wide surface of the water, and the ships’ brilliant lights cast over the water.

It was Dongting Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Central Plains.

Generally, if Ha (河) refers to the Yellow River and Gang (江) refers to the Yangtze River, then Ho (湖) refers to this Dongting Lake.

It was a boundary dividing Hubei Province and Hunan Province, and a famous place where countless men of letters left countless phrases with alcohol and the moon as companions.

As such, it was a historically deep place that had been with the history of the Central Plains for a long time.

However, on the other hand, it was also a place where the rapidly expanding bandits belonging to the Yangtze River Alliance had recently seized the area and were using it as a major base.

After calming his energy, Dan-ak Seon entered the village and began to carefully observe the people coming and going.

On the surface, it was not much different from a typical village scene.

However, upon closer observation, the atmosphere was definitely different from that of an ordinary village.

First of all, the expressions of the people passing by on the street were not bright.

In addition, martial artists with particularly fierce energy were seen too often.

Each of them carrying weapons, they intimidated the merchants in the market and extorted money and goods under the guise of protection money.

There were also those who openly harassed women.

It was a scene that would have been unimaginable ten years ago.

This village was originally a place where the Cheongsumun (Clear Water Sect) [a minor martial arts sect], one of the baekdo sects [righteous or orthodox sects], had built a foundation for a long time and exerted a strong influence.

In the past, Dan-ak Seon had stopped by here while traveling through the Central Plains to complete the yeonpanjang [a type of martial arts training], and had stayed for a while, receiving a warm welcome from Tak Il-yeong, the head of the Cheongsumun.

The Cheongsumun had actively participated in the past Jeongma War [a conflict between righteous and demonic sects].

Unfortunately, the head of the sect at the time died in the final battle in Giryeonsan, but thanks to this, he was recognized by the Nine Great Sects and was able to fully establish a base here.

Even during the Magyo subjugation [suppression of demonic cults] ten years ago, the head of the sect personally took the masters of the Cheongsumun and rushed to the Shinji [sacred grounds] to support the Nine Great Sects.

Relying on his memories of visiting this place in the past, Dan-ak Seon immediately moved to the place where the Cheongsumun was located.

Even in the midst of this, he couldn’t help but frown at the various atrocities of the hooligans that kept coming into his eyes.

But now, the first thing to do was to meet the people of the Cheongsumun and hear the whole story.

Crossing the market, Dan-ak Seon arrived at the manor located on the outskirts of the village and tilted his head.

Certainly, the exterior of the manor was consistent with the appearance he remembered from his childhood.

But now the signboard was gone.

‘I heard that the Shinma Merchant Group [a powerful merchant organization] continued to provide support?’

As much as they valued history and tradition, there were almost no cases where a sect that had taken root in the area moved its base.

So, just as he was inwardly wondering.

Suddenly.

A group of people poured out as the main gate of the Cheongsumun opened.

Amid the strong smell of alcohol, there were boisterous laughter and dirty lewd remarks.

Each of them had courtesans with them, and they all had terrified expressions on their faces.

Dan-ak Seon intuitively sensed that they were bandits under the command of the Four Evil Tyrants, who had recently seized the nearby area.

Their fierce eyes.

And above all, a fishy smell of blood that could not be hidden by the smell of alcohol was felt in every attitude and action.

The person at the head of them found Dan-ak Seon and stopped.

But soon he rubbed his eyes and looked at the place again.

It was because the person standing in front of him had disappeared like a phantom.

Thinking that he was seeing things because he was drunk, Jang Han led his party again and disappeared beyond the alleyway.

After a while.

Dan-ak Seon, who slowly walked out of the darkness, entered the wide-open gate of the Cheongsumun.

“…”

Dan-ak Seon frowned as he checked the inside of the manor, which had turned into ruins.

At a glance, it was clear that this place had been abandoned long ago.

Dan-ak Seon, who had stepped out again, began to move in the direction where the bandits had disappeared.

Eventually, Dan-ak Seon arrived at a splendid inn located in the market.

Jjaraak.

As he pushed aside the curtain and entered, a curse suddenly burst out from somewhere.

“Crap! I told you not to take guests today! Are you making fun of me?”

Thud.

“Aaaagh!”

Clang.

Along with a sharp scream, one of the courtesans who had been attending to the bandits fell to the floor.

One of the bandits picked up a bottle of alcohol and hit her head with it.

The blood that soaked the unconscious courtesan’s hair soon spread to the floor.

Behind him, the shop assistant was also seen trembling with a pale face.

Dan-ak Seon frowned at the sight.