The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 470

‘Is he trying to strike me down?’

Neng Somil’s heart grew troubled.

What he desired was to quietly resign from his post and retire to his hometown, not to vanish like dew on the execution ground, atop the blade of power.

Seeing the Emperor and Eunuch Sarye exchanging meaningful glances, his suspicion solidified into certainty.

‘They’ve already discussed this beforehand!’

Perhaps the Emperor had decided that he had outlived his usefulness.

‘Or maybe it’s just a nasty disposition—if he can’t have me, he won’t let anyone else have me either….’

How could he possibly fathom all the resentment in his heart? But as things stood, there was no other way.

His way was to repay the enemy with interest, adding a hefty sum when they showed hostility.

Neng Somil hardened his heart, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

“I will never forget His Majesty’s grace, which is as vast as the sea, and I will do my best to ensure that I leave no room for mistakes!”

Surprise flickered across the Emperor’s eyes.

Given Neng Somil’s personality, he had expected a lengthy argument and a process of persuasion.

But he agreed and accepted too easily, which made him suspicious.

However, he couldn’t retract his words now.

The Emperor glanced at Eunuch Sarye.

In response, Eunuch Sarye nodded, wearing an inscrutable smile.

“I will personally draft the imperial edict.”

While the eunuchs hastily prepared the writing materials, Neng Somil, who had gained tremendous authority, smirked as he scanned the civil and military officials standing in the hall.

The faces of the officials darkened as they met his smile.

Before they could properly object, they realized that Neng Somil had already risen to become an untouchable figure of power.

The officials tried their best to avoid Neng Somil’s gaze.

They didn’t dare to meet those chilling eyes.

Only the Emperor and Eunuch Sarye wore faint smiles on their faces in this place.

After the imperial court session ended.

There was a voice calling out to Neng Somil, who was watching the civil and military officials hurrying out of the hall.

“I need to talk to you.”

Ignoring the call and striding out of Yangsim Hall, Neng Somil was quickly stopped by Eunuch Sarye, who grabbed his sleeve.

“Ah, what is it?”

Eunuch Sarye frowned at Neng Somil’s arrogant and disrespectful gaze.

“What is this? You used to call me teacher? Is that how you treat a teacher?”

Neng Somil smirked.

“I’m not in my right mind. The guy I once believed to be my teacher just held a knife to my throat. So, if you have something to say, let’s make it quick, old man.”

“Old man?”

“Who declared war first? Actually, even ‘old man’ is too good for you. Or is there another word to describe a political enemy? If so, please tell me. I’ll call you that.”

The struggle for power had no middle ground.

There was only one outcome.

Be eliminated, or eliminate.

Eunuch Sarye realized that Neng Somil was under a ridiculous misunderstanding.

“Tsk, tsk. How can I entrust the court to such a half-wit?”

Neng Somil flared up at Eunuch Sarye’s words.

“No, why are you being so clingy after cornering me? Fine, let’s put the result aside for now and get to the reason first. What did I do wrong to deserve this?”

“It’s the opposite.”

“……?”

“It’s your exceptional abilities that have caused all this trouble.”

“Are you serious…….”

Eunuch Sarye stopped Neng Somil, who was about to unleash a torrent of harsh words, and suddenly spoke.

“I recently requested to resign from His Majesty.”

“Yes?”

Neng Somil was so surprised that his eyes widened.

“No, why would someone who should be careful even of falling leaves do such a thing? You must know where the sword I wield might be directed.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“……!”

“I have already lived a long life, and if I can rest my weary body, a single coffin made of paulownia wood is enough.”

“So, that reward plan wasn’t to eliminate me, but…….”

Neng Somil couldn’t finish his sentence.

He finally realized Eunuch Sarye’s true intention.

He was truly astonished that the head of the eunuchs had chosen him, not one of his own eunuchs, as his successor.

Eunuch Sarye nodded and opened his mouth.

“After hearing your words last time, I personally investigated. I found that some individuals with unsavory intentions were secretly building their own power within the palace. Among them were those suspected of colluding with the former Demonic Cult’s leader.”

“So, you’re trying to use me to perform one last sword dance?”

With a somewhat bitter expression, Eunuch Sarye nodded.

“The last path doesn’t necessarily have to be a silk road, does it? And this is also the least I can do for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Eastern Depot [secret police agency] is focusing on gathering information about the Murim [martial arts world] and trying to intervene.”

“Could it be…….”

Neng Somil was also watching the trends of the current Murim.

As expected.

“They will choose the Janggang River Alliance [a major force in the Murim].”

“Because it’s much easier to control their lifeline that way.”

Neng Somil frowned.

“Doesn’t the well water not interfere with the river water?”

Jeongsu Bulbeom Hasu. (井水不犯河水) [A Korean proverb meaning ‘well water does not interfere with river water,’ referring to non-interference between different spheres of influence.]

It meant the long-standing tradition of mutual non-aggression between the government and the Murim (官武相互不可侵) [the principle of non-interference between the government and the martial arts world].

“Frankly, the Murim has always been an unpredictable variable from the palace’s perspective. We’ve only declared non-aggression because they’ve been a headache so far, but if we can bring them under our control, there’s no reason not to, is there?”

After a moment of silence, Neng Somil watched the direction in which the Emperor had disappeared.

“But His Majesty wouldn’t want the Eastern Depot to become any more powerful than it already is, would he?”

Recently, the number of eunuchs and Jaegi [talented individuals] belonging to the Eastern Depot had been exploding.

In this situation, they would even recruit a separate Murim force and bring them under their command?

As historical facts proved, excessive concentration of power had the potential to become a seed of treason, and the Emperor would not overlook this.

“So, you’ve appointed me to check them?”

“Because you are the sharpest and most intelligent sword we have.”

“Ha…….”

Neng Somil, having learned all the background and reasons, wore a hollow expression.

“I was one step late.”

Eunuch Sarye smiled as he watched Neng Somil take out his resignation letter from his pocket and tear it to shreds before his eyes.

“Life is about seizing opportunities when they come. If you hesitate and miss the right time, you’ll regret it forever. Just like you are now.”

Neng Somil, who was sighing deeply, cast a more complicated look at Eunuch Sarye’s words that followed.

“Keep that in mind. That is my last teaching as your teacher.”

* * *

“Dammokchae and Wihachae have fallen into their hands!”

Sajongak, who was presiding over the meeting, frowned deeply at the report of his subordinate who had rushed in.

Losing Chunguichae in Dongting Lake was bad enough, but losing two strategic strongholds to the enemy was a painful mistake.

For the River Alliance, it was no different from having its waist cut off.

“The five western water camps have sent urgent requests for support.”

“Southern Murim clans, centered around the Hainan School, are attacking the water camps in each region. Their forces are unexpectedly strong, so it’s uncertain how long they can hold out…….”

The news that followed was all the same.

There was no news that could be called good.

“The date of the Nine Great Sects’ leaders’ meeting has been confirmed. They will gather in Mount Hua in fifteen days.”

Sajongak, unable to bear the rising irritation, gritted his teeth without realizing it.

“Do I have to step in after all?”

After glaring at his subordinates with annoyed eyes for a moment.

“Summon all of the Canglang Squad. We’ll strike first and cut off their limbs before they can unite.”

After dismissing his subordinates, Sajongak picked up the wine glass in front of him and gulped it down.

“Everything went wrong when that Divine Doctor of Primacy appeared.”

Sajongak glared at the outside of the office with an irritated expression.

“There’s not a single useful guy.”

It was then.

Sajongak’s eyebrows twitched as he was clutching the wine glass.

The wine glass in his hand flew in a straight line toward somewhere immediately after that.

Clang.

It was the fragments of the wine glass that shattered against the wall.

In between, a man appeared like a ghost.

He was probably in his early fifties.

He was a slender man with snow-white sideburns that contrasted sharply with his ruddy complexion.

“Who are you?”

At Sajongak’s question, the man smiled and clasped his hands.

“The insignificant one, Jwa Ja, feels infinitely honored to be able to meet the great master of evil, who is shaking the current Murim, Great Hero Beongaengnyong Sa.”

Sajongak stared intently at the man who identified himself as Jwa Ja.

Sajongak had a very bitter taste in his mouth.

Aside from the fact that the other party had grasped his identity, he was more uncomfortable with the fact that the location of where he was staying now had been revealed.

He had been moving the water camp irregularly, fearing a sudden attack by righteous masters.

However, the fact that he had figured out his location in this way meant that the author’s intelligence was that great.

“Are you an assassin?”

He had accumulated countless grudges to get to this position.

As such, it would not be strange for someone to hire an assassin.

However, the man bowed his head with a smooth smile.

“Even if Hyungga (荊軻) [Jing Ke, a famous assassin in Chinese history] came back to life, how dare he point a knife at Great Hero Sa, who has achieved the unification of evil?”

“Then who are you?”

“I am just a strategist who has come to present a gift in advance to the one who will truly become the master of the Murim in the future.”

“Strategist?”

At Sajongak’s question, Jwa Ja smiled.

“Didn’t you just lament that there was no one useful? Although my martial arts cannot be compared to Great Hero Sa, I am confident that my strategy is comparable to that of the Jegeol family’s Shin Sanhyojae (神算曉才) [a title meaning ‘divine calculation and insightful talent’].