The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 468

Jin Jo-woon, the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, was briefly engaged in conversation.

Dahn Ahk-seon excused himself from the guests and approached Byuk Dae-kyung.

As he drew closer, Byuk Dae-kyung greeted him with a wide smile.

“No matter how many times I say it, it won’t be enough, but I want to take this opportunity to thank you again. Thanks to you, I was able to fulfill our sect’s long-cherished wish during my time.”

“It’s nothing. Master Bum deserves more credit than I do. He arranged this gathering and greatly contributed to training the Hainan Sword Sect’s elite forces.”

Byuk Dae-kyung chuckled and nodded.

In truth, many at this gathering would usually avoid Bum Gye-wi like the plague.

Nevertheless, he was pleased that his son-in-law was so eager to give Bum Gye-wi credit.

Meanwhile, Dahn Ahk-seon voiced his curiosity.

“But most of the Hainan Sword Sect’s masters are absent… Is something going on?”

Byuk Dae-kyung burst into hearty laughter at Dahn Ahk-seon’s concerned expression.

“Since this is a very meaningful occasion for our sect, I thought we should prepare a suitable gift for our guests.”

“A gift?”

“Ah! They’re coming now.”

Dahn Ahk-seon turned to where Byuk Dae-kyung was looking and saw Hainan Sword Sect warriors entering through the gate.

“…?”

A question formed in Dahn Ahk-seon’s eyes.

The warriors entering with determined expressions wore clothes bearing the marks of fierce battles.

Besides the gaping wounds visible through torn fabric, some wore splints on their arms and legs.

It was clear they had been through a significant struggle.

Yet, they all wore satisfied smiles.

Their appearance surprised the guests visiting the Hainan Sword Sect branch.

At that moment, two figures leading the Hainan Sword Sect’s elite stepped forward.

Dahn Ahk-seon recognized them as Byuk Hwa-ryeong’s former bodyguards who had once visited Moo-wi with her.

Jong-ri Chu and Jang Cheol-woo.

Known as the Wave-Breaking Twin Swords, they were inseparable and among the most well-known figures in the Hainan Sword Sect.

Moreover, he had heard they had recently achieved remarkable feats among the Hainan Sword Sect warriors.

The two men addressed Byuk Dae-kyung in a resounding voice.

“Under the Sect Leader’s command, we have completed the subjugation of Dammokchae and Wihachae (Dangerous River Fortress)!”

“We personally beheaded both leaders and completely wiped out the remnants who resisted to the end!”

The guests were amazed by their announcement.

The two aquatic camps they mentioned were core strongholds of the Janggang River Alliance, which had long controlled the area, along with the Loyalty Camp of Dongting Lake, which had recently been destroyed.

Many masters were stationed there, and their defenses were known as impregnable fortresses.

Victory was never guaranteed when fighting on water against those specialized in naval warfare, making subjugation seem impossible.

But they had swept them all away.

It was even more surprising that they had done it independently, without help from masters like Dahn Ahk-seon or Bum Gye-wi.

People looked at Byuk Dae-kyung and the Hainan Sword Sect warriors with newfound respect.

By eliminating the two aquatic camps that threatened the area, the Hainan Sword Sect proved their capabilities.

In the Murim [martial arts world], power has always been a virtue and the most effective way to gain support.

“This is the way of the sea men,” Byuk Dae-kyung said, his composure unwavering as he met the gazes of the crowd.

In doing so, they clearly declared their entry into the Central Plains.

At that time, Dahn Ahk-seon, carefully examining the injured, frowned.

“Regardless of the severity of their injuries, please gather all the injured here.”

Jong-ri Chu and Jang Cheol-woo laughed as if it were nothing at Dahn Ahk-seon’s words.

“Haha, this is nothing compared to being swept away by the waves.”

“That’s right. We’ll be fine with some ointment and rest, so don’t worry about it.”

However, Dahn Ahk-seon disagreed.

No one knew how many more similar battles they would face in the future.

If they continued fighting so recklessly, the accumulated injuries would eventually hinder them.

But he didn’t need to persuade them.

Bum Gye-wi suddenly stepped forward, glaring with murderous intent and growling lowly.

“Or should I make you in a state where you definitely need treatment?”

Before he even finished speaking.

Chachachak.

The Hainan Sword Sect warriors, already lined up, pleaded with Dahn Ahk-seon with their eyes.

“Is this how we gather?”

They showed that even rough sea men could sometimes be very docile.

* * *

In the northern garden of the Forbidden City.

The Emperor, having dismissed his guards, frowned at the old man prostrating before him.

The only person in the entire Imperial Family allowed a private audience with him.

None other than Sa Rye-tae-gam, his close eunuch and the leader of ten thousand eunuchs.

The Emperor, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“Can’t you postpone it a little longer?”

Sa Rye-tae-gam bowed his head further.

“I dare to say, please grant my request. My old body can no longer keep up with Your Majesty’s pace.”

The Emperor questioned Sa Rye-tae-gam, hearing the earnestness in his voice.

“Even if I ask you to stay?”

Sa Rye-tae-gam had been by his side longer than anyone else.

He was one of the few people he trusted implicitly and to whom he could reveal his true intentions.

From the moment Sa Rye-tae-gam said he had something important to say, the Emperor had been guessing, but hearing him request resignation filled him with complicated emotions.

A regretful smile, revealing the passage of time, settled on Sa Rye-tae-gam’s face.

“I prostrate myself and say, Your Majesty has generously favored me, and I have had the honor of dedicating myself to the Jongmyo Shrine [royal ancestral shrine] alongside many virtuous people, so I have no regrets even if I die in this position.”

“……”

“However, as the saying goes, ‘It is rare for people to live to seventy since ancient times.’ Moreover, I am already over seventy, nearing eighty. My ears are deaf, my eyes are dim, making it difficult to hear and see, and my waist and legs ache, causing me to fall easily. Now, I can only cause harm to Your Majesty, so please consider this poor old man’s situation and grant my request.”

“Come to think of it, you’ve gotten very old too.”

Sa Rye-tae-gam’s unusually white hair and the deep wrinkles etched into his face like ridges in a field caught the Emperor’s eye.

The same was true of his body, as thin as a dry branch.

The Emperor sighed heavily.

“Everything in the world is in my grasp, yet I can’t control people’s hearts. I don’t know why those I cherish all want to leave me.”

The Emperor stared into the air, his expression bitter.

All civil and military officials in the court were granted the right to request resignation at seventy.

However, according to the Book of Rites, the Emperor also had the right to refuse their resignation by bestowing a Gwijaeng (几杖) [a cane and a supporting chair], to support the body.

Such Sagwijaeng (賜几杖) [bestowing a cane and chair] was considered the greatest honor for public officials.

However, this could not be applied to Sa Rye-tae-gam.

Those who could receive Gwijaeng had to meet all the requirements of being a Sammangja (三望者) [Three Expectations].

They had to be in the first rank of office, over seventy, and have made contributions related to important national events.

However, eunuchs were not given formal ranks.

Above all, the Emperor could not force him to work when he was old, sick, and wanted to rest.

“…I grant it.”

Sa Rye-tae-gam prostrated himself before the Emperor, who nodded reluctantly.

“Thank you for your grace.”

The Emperor received the words with a displeased expression.

“But can you truly forget everything and live leisurely after walking the thorny path of power all your life?”

Sa Rye-tae-gam smiled and replied.

“So, I’m thinking of performing my last dance before I leave, so I don’t leave any regrets behind.”

A strange light flashed in the Emperor’s eyes.

He knew the meaning of the dance Sa Rye-tae-gam spoke of.

“I’ll see your sword dance after a long time. Where is the tip of that sword pointing?”

“To the Eastern Depot.”

“The Eastern Depot?”

“Yes, even after I leave the Imperial Family, I must ensure Your Majesty’s eyes and ears are not clouded. I will conduct my own investigation.”

“The inside will be noisy for a while.”

“Just as fish in the lake thrive when a typhoon strikes, and the river floods to bring a good harvest the following year, it is essential for Your Majesty’s reign.”

The Emperor paused, then spoke.

“Does Minister of Supervisory Affairs know about this?”

Nung So-mil, originally the Deputy Minister of the Censorate, was recently promoted to Left Minister of Supervisory Affairs, the department head.

The rank was Second Rank.

It was the highest position an official who hadn’t passed the civil service examination could reach.

It was the Emperor’s desperate attempt to keep him from leaving the Imperial Family.

The Emperor smiled, recalling Nung So-mil sweating profusely and stubbornly refusing the promotion.

Sa Rye-tae-gam, also present, smiled and said.

“I’m thinking of giving him wings this time.”

“Hmm… He’s been waiting a long time, so he’ll be very excited.”

Nung So-mil had recently been suspicious of the Eastern Depot’s actions.

So the Emperor was worried.

He knew Nung So-mil wasn’t one to wield a sword clumsily and stop.

However, too much is worse than not enough.

He couldn’t burn down the thatched house to catch a flea [cause excessive damage to solve a minor problem].

“I don’t know what Your Majesty is worried about, but I don’t think you need to worry too much.”

“Why?”

Sa Rye-tae-gam smiled strangely at the Emperor’s question.

“That guy Nung once told me I was his teacher.”

The Emperor showed interest.

“Are you talking about the man who wouldn’t give an inch of his heart to any high-ranking officials in the court?”

“Of course, I know it’s just lip service. But now that I’ve heard those words, I’m thinking of teaching him the right path like a real teacher, even if it means cutting off my own hands and feet.”

“Hmm… I don’t doubt your loyalty, but I’m still worried.”

“This time, he will keep the line well enough.”

“Why?”

“Because my neck will also be on the tip of the sword he wields.”

Sa Rye-tae-gam continued, seeing the Emperor’s frown.

“When you start dusting off the Eastern Depot, you will find small and large flaws that you have not been aware of or have buried for the greater good.”

“Does that mean you trust him that much?”

“His ability is enough to make him a Prime Minister (丞相) [highest-ranking official in ancient China].”

Early in the founding of the country.

There was a Prime Minister in Jungseoseong [central secretariat], a position of great power.

However, after Ho Yu-yong, the Prime Minister during the Hongwu period [first emperor of the Ming dynasty], was executed for treason, the position disappeared with the abolition of Jungseoseong.

It was the most generous evaluation for Sa Rye-tae-gam, who was stingy in evaluating officials.

“Now is the right time. Nung So-mil didn’t have any sense of front or back in the first place, and I’m going to squeeze out the rest of my strength to pave the way for Your Majesty before I retire. So please approve.”