The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 459

The words hung in the air, decisive and final.

Byeok Dae-gyeong nodded, exchanging a significant glance with the assembled elders.

Beyond all other considerations, simply creating an opportunity to reshape the public image of the Hainan Sword Sect was a challenge worth undertaking.

More importantly, unlike the Nine Great Sects, which had suffered considerable losses in the conflict with the Demonic Cult, the Hainan Sword Sect had emerged with its strength largely intact.

A golden opportunity to realize the sect’s long-held ambitions.

To squander such a chance would be the height of folly.

Byeok Dae-gyeong chuckled, a hearty sound that echoed the longing he saw in the elders’ eyes.

“The Hainan Sword Sect will stand with you, as we always have.”

“Thank you,” came the grateful reply.

“But before that…”

Byeok Dae-gyeong’s voice trailed off as his gaze shifted towards Byeok Hwa-ryeong, who sat quietly on the edge of the Changhae Pavilion.

Contrary to his fears, Byeok Hwa-ryeong had readily embraced the idea of Beom Gye-wi venturing into the Jianghu [the martial arts world], greeting the news with a smile.

“Our Gaga [a term of endearment, like ‘dear’ or ‘precious’] is finally going to the Jianghu after all this time. I’ll see to his preparations.”

Beom Gye-wi’s face lit up at the confirmation of his departure.

It was the most vibrant expression Byeok Hwa-ryeong had witnessed on his face in years.

* * *

Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province.

Located in northeastern Hunan, Changsha overlooks Dongting Lake to the north and is sheltered by the Hengshan Mountains to the south.

An ancient city steeped in history, it was also a place of countless legends and picturesque sites.

Mount Yuelu, in particular, rising near the Xiang River, continued to draw throngs of tourists.

Perhaps that was why the area in front of Yuelu Academy, the most renowned landmark, was crowded with inns and teahouses.

Among these numerous establishments was Joyang Pavilion.

At first glance, it appeared rather old and unassuming.

Yet, the wooden pavilion bustled with patrons savoring tea.

It perfectly catered to the tastes of tea connoisseurs who favored understated elegance.

Just then, a man carrying a bundle on his back entered Joyang Pavilion.

He was a wholesale supplier who delivered tea from across the Central Plains to this very spot each day.

He made his way directly to the warehouse in the back.

After glancing around to ensure he was alone, he pressed a specific spot on the warehouse wall.

A click echoed.

A hidden door swung open, revealing a staircase leading down to the basement.

He descended the underground passage for what felt like a long time.

Emerging from the passage, he found himself in a tranquil garden enclosed by verdant bamboo.

The man headed straight for the gazebo at the garden’s center.

A middle-aged man, who had been reviewing stacks of documents, looked up and fixed his gaze on the newcomer as he stepped into the gazebo.

“A direct report is rare. What’s the matter?”

The man answered without hesitation.

“Mangsan Choja [a highly skilled and respected martial artist from Mangsan] has joined forces with Shinma Uiseon [Divine Devil Doctor], who had been operating independently until now.”

“What?”

The middle-aged man was visibly shaken by the name and shot to his feet.

“When did this happen?”

“The information was initially obtained three days ago, but the confirmation came just an hour ago.”

“Fool! I’ve told you countless times that caution is good, but information is most valuable when it’s timely.”

The man lowered his head, accepting the rebuke.

“Besides, it’s Mangsan Choja! You should have reported it the moment you heard that name.”

The middle-aged man, still scolding his subordinate, had once been in charge of the Heukjeom’s [Black Spot, an information guild] Shanxi branch.

“This is a disaster. A complete disaster.”

Yeop Dan-yeong, uncharacteristically agitated, was interrupted by his subordinate.

“A crisis can also be an opportunity.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Although our Heukjeom’s position has been severely weakened by the Demonic Cult’s schemes, if we leverage the branch manager’s connection with Shinmagok [Divine Devil Valley, Shinma Uiseon’s base]…”

“Huh.”

Yeop Dan-yeong scoffed in disbelief, glaring at his subordinate.

“Friendship? You think that’s friendship?”

Yeop Dan-yeong shuddered at the memory of events long past.

Then, a sudden realization struck him, and his face paled.

‘Oh, no!’

There was a strong possibility that Beom Gye-wi would come looking for him.

The problem was that Dan Ak-seon knew their organizational structure.

In the past, Heukjeom had paid dearly for being manipulated by the Demonic Cult.

They had been forced to prostrate themselves before Dan Ak-seon.

In the process, they had to provide detailed reports, including names and appearances, of every branch manager just to avoid complete annihilation.

As a result, Dan Ak-seon could easily find them whenever he wished.

‘This is a bad omen.’

Just then.

Even though it was daytime, the surroundings suddenly darkened.

And, as he had feared.

Crack.

A massive object crashed through the gazebo roof and landed with a thud.

“Yo, how have you been?”

Yeop Dan-yeong sighed deeply as he saw Beom Gye-wi emerge calmly from the cloud of dust and debris.

His ominous dream from the previous night had been a warning.

Regardless.

Beom Gye-wi, having just destroyed his beloved gazebo, grinned.

“You should greet him properly, right?”

Yeop Dan-yeong immediately bowed low.

“Greetings. Yeop, a junior member of Heukjeom, pays his respects to the esteemed Jongju [clan head/leader] of Mangsan.”

“You’re using fancy words again. Do you want to die?”

Yeop Dan-yeong wore a troubled expression.

He couldn’t openly call him Mangsan Choja.

He was caught in a bind when it happened.

“I didn’t realize there was such a hidden scenic spot near Yuelu Academy.”

Yeop Dan-yeong pursed his lips as he noticed a man walking through the bamboo forest.

It was Dan Ak-seon.

He, too, led an information organization.

Since Dan Ak-seon’s reappearance in the Jianghu, he had been diligently gathering information about him.

He had also received a report on Dan Ak-seon’s appearance, making him easy to recognize.

“You could have just come in normally, but why do you always break the roof…”

Beom Gye-wi grinned at Yeop Dan-yeong, who was muttering under his breath.

“Are you saying that for my benefit? You’ve gotten bolder since I last saw you?”

“It’s because I don’t want to waste money on repairing the roof.”

“What? Does Heukjeom not have enough money to fix a roof?”

“We’re not what we used to be.”

Yeop Dan-yeong put on a pitiful face, looking dejected.

“Recently, we haven’t even been able to properly cover the kids’ expenses.”

Dan Ak-seon turned to Yeop Dan-yeong.

“It sounds like the situation is dire.”

Yeop Dan-yeong let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“Well, it’s our own fault, so there’s nothing we can do. I can’t deny my responsibility for appointing Yoo Gi-jin as the Heukjeomju without realizing he was a pawn of Subo [a high-ranking member of the Demonic Cult].”

Dan Ak-seon nodded and looked around.

“Considering the circumstances, you’ve established a branch in a place with rather beautiful scenery.”

“I didn’t choose this place because I liked it.”

Yeop Dan-yeong revealed his true feelings to the puzzled Dan Ak-seon.

“We have nowhere to operate north of the Yangtze River. At least this place offers some opportunities. The Sajongak group is desperate to control the south of the Yangtze River.”

Many martial artists in the area were closely watching his movements.

The greater the sense of crisis, the more valuable the information.

Heukjeom was trying to rebuild by selling information about the Suro Alliance to them at a premium.

Yeop Dan-yeong was doing the same.

He had gathered the few remaining subordinates he had and come here to collect valuable intelligence.

“Even so, it’s only 20% of what it was in its prime.”

Dan Ak-seon, who had been contemplating something while listening to Yeop Dan-yeong’s lament, made an unexpected proposal.

“Can you help us wholeheartedly until we eliminate Sajongak and his forces?”

“By wholeheartedly, you mean…?”

“I’m asking if you can provide information exclusively to us, without sharing it with others.”

Yeop Dan-yeong smirked.

Although phrased as a request, it was essentially an order.

After all, Dan Ak-seon held their fate in his hands.

Knowing that Dan Ak-seon possessed the list of branch managers and lower-level members scattered across the regions, he couldn’t dare to refuse.

“Given our current situation, I will follow your instructions, but I must point something out.”

“…?”

“Our communication network and informant base are not what they used to be. Furthermore, since the branch managers have been operating with independent authority since the disappearance of the Heukjeomju, who was the central figure, consolidating information is not easy.”

Beom Gye-wi, who had been listening quietly, tilted his head.

“It’s been a while since the Heukjeomju died, why is the position still vacant?”

“They’re reluctant to step forward. They know what happened to their predecessor, and no matter how greedy they are for power, they only have one life to lose.”

Even the Dongchang [Eastern Depot, the imperial secret police] of the imperial court continued to monitor Heukjeom.

Eunuchs were known for their vindictiveness and long memories.

Yoo Gi-jin, the Subo of the Demonic Cult and the Heukjeomju, had conspired to overthrow their leader, Sa Rye-tae-gam, and Heukjeom had suffered greatly as a result.

In that situation, who would want to become the Heukjeomju?

It would be better to swallow poison and die.

At least that would be a cleaner death than being dragged to Dongchang’s prison without a sound and subjected to every torture imaginable.

Just then.

“What’s all this about? Is that the only reason?”

Beom Gye-wi, smiling nonchalantly, pointed at Yeop Dan-yeong.

“You do it.”

“Yes?”

“Heukjeomju. I’m telling you to become the Heukjeomju.”

“What, what do you mean…?”

Beom Gye-wi grinned at Yeop Dan-yeong, whose face had turned pale.

“If you become the Heukjeomju, all the problems will be solved, right?”

“But that’s…”

“Choose.”

“Yes?”

“Me? Or Dongchang?”

“…!”

Yeop Dan-yeong’s face, trapped and desperate, turned ashen.

He cast a pleading look at Dan Ak-seon.

But Dan Ak-seon simply smiled and nodded.

“As expected, Uncle Beom is a genius.”

Yeop Dan-yeong stared at Dan Ak-seon with a look of utter disbelief.

He knew Beom Gye-wi was a reckless monster capable of anything, but he never expected Dan Ak-seon to act this way.

Dan Ak-seon smiled and addressed him.

“In return, I will guarantee your safety.”

“How so?”

Dan Ak-seon mentioned the Sinpae [a special badge] he had received from Sa Rye-tae-gam some time ago.

A pair of sun and moon symbols, surrounded by a golden border.

At the time, Sa Rye-tae-gam had explained that it was a Sinpae granting the authority to mobilize Dongchang forces, including the Jegis [special agents] stationed in each region, as well as the Byeongryeok [military force] of Wiso [a military unit under Dongchang’s command].

He had added that he had obtained the emperor’s approval, so he should use it whenever necessary.

Currently, Neung So-mil possessed it, so if he sent a letter ordering Dongchang not to interfere with Heukjeom’s affairs, that would be the end of it.

Yeop Dan-yeong sighed as Dan Ak-seon finished his explanation.

He had no other options left.

But Dan Ak-seon’s next words made his face brighten.

“I will allow you to re-establish a Heukjeom branch in Muwi. Furthermore, the Shinma Merchant Group will provide the necessary funds until you regain your former prosperity.”

“…!”

His eyes gleamed for a moment.

After contemplating something for a long time, Yeop Dan-yeong cautiously spoke.

“I’m not in a position to ask for anything…”

“Speak your mind.”

Yeop Dan-yeong, looking at Dan Ak-seon and Beom Gye-wi, continued with a determined expression.

“Please grant us our freedom when this is all over.”