The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 456

Loyalty Hall, which had been operating secretly, using Dongting Lake as its base, had been wiped out.

Even after eliminating them, Dan Akseon couldn’t relax.

He needed to send word through the Beggars’ Sect and contact the Divine Demon Merchant Guild to secure a safe route for delivering relief supplies and funds to the area.

Moreover, he had to find time to continue treating Jo Maengjin.

Fortunately, Jo Maengjin regained consciousness relatively quickly.

Dan Akseon discovered that Jo Maengjin’s condition wasn’t as critical as he initially feared.

The injuries themselves had improved long ago.

Clearly, a physician with considerable skill, though unknown to him, had treated Jo Maengjin.

However, Jo Maengjin had been kept unconscious for an extended period, essentially drugged with Dream Haze Drug.

This was done to restrain him under the guise of treatment.

Consequently, his physical strength was severely depleted.

He was further enraged by their underhanded tactics.

But he couldn’t afford to dwell on his anger.

He was more concerned about Jo Maengjin’s well-being after waking up.

Having learned of his elder brother’s death, Jo Maengjin had wept for three days and nights. His already weakened state was worsened by his refusal to eat, wailing incessantly, leaving him in poor condition.

He would often faint while kneeling and weeping, and each time, Dan Akseon stayed by his side, sharing his grief.

Thankfully, he was gradually recovering his composure.

“Uncle, it’s me, Dan Akseon.”

Dan Akseon, entering Jo Maengjin’s room with herbal medicine, sighed softly upon finding the bed empty.

He set the medicine down and went outside.

How far had he walked?

He spotted Jo Maengjin on a small hill overlooking Dongting Lake in the distance, pouring alcohol in front of a grave.

“All my brothers are gone, and now only this incompetent younger brother remains. I hope you can lay down the burdens of this world and rest in peace.”

Jo Maengjin, continuing his lament, wiped tears from his eyes with his sleeve.

“I will cherish this life I owe to my brothers and live on. I will create many stories to tell, so on the day we meet again… let’s have a joyous reunion.”

Dan Akseon watched Jo Maengjin silently.

As Jo Maengjin turned around with a long sigh, he noticed Dan Akseon.

“I’ve shown you an unsightly sight.”

“No, I feel the same way.”

Dan Akseon smiled and took the bottle, pouring alcohol on Jo Maengbang’s grave.

“Are you planning revenge?”

Jo Maengjin flinched at Dan Akseon’s question, as if his inner thoughts had been exposed.

“I don’t intend to stop you.”

“Yes?”

Jo Maengjin was surprised by the unexpected words.

“But recovery comes first. You can’t exact proper revenge in your current state.”

Jo Maengjin smiled bitterly and nodded.

“I understand. And I’m sorry.”

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

“I mean, this happened because of me. If I had been well, my brother wouldn’t have made such a choice…”

“It’s not your fault, Uncle. The real culprits are elsewhere.”

Just then,

Dan Akseon sensed a single, rapidly approaching qi [life force] signature.

A person with a stable aura.

Someone Dan Akseon knew well.

Sensing it was time to leave, Dan Akseon approached Jo Maengjin.

“I’ll give you one last acupuncture treatment.”

Jo Maengjin nodded obediently.

Dan Akseon took needles from his pocket and applied acupuncture to various points on his body.

Then, a curiosity arose.

“Interestingly, only a few acupoints are showing stronger recovery compared to others.”

It was a unique method.

He had heard of a similar treatment passed down orally, but it had been lost, with no specific records remaining.

“Do you remember who treated you initially?”

Jo Maengjin nodded.

“I don’t remember clearly because I was often unconscious, but I recall some general characteristics.”

At Jo Maengjin’s words, a different light flashed in Dan Akseon’s eyes.

“The physician who first treated me was a mysterious woman.”

“A woman?”

“Yes. I believe I received treatment for about a month, and from then on, my injuries improved noticeably. I couldn’t see her face clearly because she was backlit, but her voice sounded quite young.”

“Did you ever hear her name?”

“Well…”

Jo Maengjin, looking thoughtful, suddenly recalled something and brightened.

“Celestial Doctor! I heard someone call her Celestial Doctor.”

“Ah!”

Dan Akseon exclaimed.

He hadn’t expected the rumored Celestial Doctor to be a woman.

Or so young.

He realized how easily prejudice can cloud judgment.

Having heard she was associated with the Four Evil Vices gang, he had imagined an old, cunning doctor hardened by experience.

‘Well…’

Even his mother, the Demon Physician, had displayed her talent early and gained fame in the Central Plains.

“Any other identifying characteristics?”

Jo Maengjin pondered, then sighed softly.

“I’m sorry. I was too out of it at the time… and it was so long ago.”

“It can’t be helped. It’s not your fault, Uncle.”

Dan Akseon removed the needles and smiled, saying goodbye.

“Please take care of yourself.”

“I hope Divine Doctor Dan stays safe as well.”

After Jo Maengjin left, Dan Akseon slowly released his qi.

He felt the presence heading towards the village inn quickly turn in his direction.

Shortly after.

“What’s with the sentimentality in the middle of the night?”

Bang Sobang, panting as if he had rushed, didn’t stop talking.

“Well, the moon over Dongting Lake is a masterpiece. No wonder poets like Du Fu and Li Bai came here. I used to…”

Dan Akseon cut him off, knowing he could go on all night.

“Did things go well?”

Bang Sobang pouted, then smiled and patted his chest.

“Of course. Who do you think I am? It would be strange if things didn’t work out when the Romantic Hero Bang personally stepped in.”

Dan Akseon chuckled at Bang Sobang’s boastful demeanor.

Talking with a friend lifted his spirits.

A few days later,

Jin Joun, sect leader of the Mount Heng Sect, came to the main gate with his disciples to see Dan Akseon off.

“I’m embarrassed to always be on the receiving end of your help.”

“I’ve only done what’s natural.”

“Thanks to you, we’ve bought time to solve the problems ourselves.”

They had dispatched martial disciples, including masters from the main mountain, to Loyalty Hall to strengthen defenses.

They wouldn’t surrender the Dongting Lake area to the Waterway Alliance again.

Unless the Four Evil Vices intervened directly, there was little to worry about.

Perhaps sensing Jin Joun’s thoughts, Dan Akseon said,

“As I mentioned, the Janggang Waterway Alliance won’t have the余裕 [leisure/resources] to focus here.”

Although the Four Evil Vices’ power had expanded, spreading influence throughout the Central Plains, it wasn’t without its drawbacks.

As their reach grew, so did their vulnerabilities.

He didn’t know the Four Evil Vices’ current location, but if the losses continued, they would have to surface.

He intended to show them how vulnerable a tree with many branches could be.

He also had another purpose.

To draw out the Twin Devils of Annihilation.

With the Waterway Alliance preoccupied, they would be too busy to focus for a while.

Naturally, the pursuit of the Twin Devils of Annihilation would slacken.

Moreover, news of his arrival in the Jianghu [martial world] and his subsequent actions was spreading through the Beggars’ Sect’s intelligence network.

To ensure their safety, the Twin Devils of Annihilation would have to seek him out, as he was relatively friendly.

“Wouldn’t it be too dangerous?”

Jin Joun couldn’t hide his concern.

No matter how skilled Dan Akseon was, facing the combined might of the Four Evil Vices was risky.

However, Dan Akseon smiled.

“Don’t worry. I have strong allies too.”

“Allies?”

Jin Joun, recalling Dan Akseon’s destination, nodded.

“Now that you mention it…”

A person who constantly stirred up rumors wherever he went in the Murim [martial arts world].

He almost felt sorry for the Four Evil Vices and their remnants, who would face not only Dan Akseon but also that monster.

Jin Joun clasped Dan Akseon’s hands.

“Be careful on your way to Hainan Island.”

“Until we meet again, may the sect leader be in good health.”

After exchanging greetings, Dan Akseon flew south.

‘I wonder how Uncle Beom is doing?’

It had been a while since he visited Hainan Island.

A faint smile appeared on Dan Akseon’s face.

* * *

Still before sunrise.

Even at early dawn, the training ground of Hainan Island was packed.

The warriors of the Hainan Sword Sect, aligned in rows, were devoted to their training.

The zeal in their serious eyes and disciplined movements reflected a stern spirit comparable to any sect in the Central Plains.

At the forefront stood a small girl.

About ten years old.

A petite and adorable girl, making the sword in her hand seem awkward.

However, unlike her cute appearance, her eyes were serious.

The contrast was endearing.

Just looking at her made one smile.

When she shouted in a clear voice, the warriors responded with resounding shouts and continued their training.

“Changfeng Polang (Long Wind and Waves)!”

“Haa!”

As over a hundred swords cut through the air, dazzling sword lights filled the training ground like leaping silver fish.

“Changhai Taotao (Vast Sea滔滔)!”

“Hot!”

Following the precisely interlocking stances, majestic sword energy surged like endless waves.

But then.

Some warriors paused, noticing something.

This disrupted the flow, causing embarrassment.

“What’s going on?”

One warrior, complaining to his colleague, stopped abruptly.

He had noticed a steel tower-like figure walking slowly while picking his nose.

The girl, sensing something, turned around.

The warriors were staring tensely at something.

The girl sighed.

But only for a moment.

“Dad!”

The girl’s sharp voice echoed.

Before the shout ended, Beom Gyewi was in front of her.

“Oh, yeah. My daughter. Did you call Dad?”

Beom Gyewi, who had been listless, smiled brightly, as if he hadn’t been.

However, the girl puffed her cheeks and put her hands on her waist.

“I told you not to interfere with my training, didn’t I?”

“Huh? Did I? I’m not saying anything.”

“No, please just stay home! The atmosphere gets messed up when Dad comes!”

“What?”

Beom Gyewi became serious and glared at the warriors.

“Aren’t you doing it right? Do I have to hear such harsh words from my daughter, who I cherish more than anything, because of you pathetic guys!”

The warriors flinched at Beom Gyewi’s fierce gaze.

“Dad.”

“Huh? Why, my daughter. Ugh!”

Beom Gyewi, looking back with a smile, closed his eyes tightly with a scream.

“Daughter, what are you doing?”

“You said it wouldn’t hurt even if you put me in your eyes, right?”

“Does that mean you can poke your father’s eyes with your fingers? Can you?”

“Ah, I don’t know! I’m going to tell Mom everything!”

“Umm…”

The warriors exchanged glances at Beom Gyewi’s troubled expression.

Despite his strength, he was completely devoted to his daughter.