The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 471

신마의선 (471)

Most eunuchs carried sachets, but the quality and contents varied greatly depending on their status and wealth.

The most common type contained strongly scented medicinal herbs like angelica, cnidium [a type of flowering plant], and mint. Those of higher status or with more wealth used expensive musk.

But dragon saliva, which was dozens of times more expensive than musk? That was another level.

Among the eunuchs, only a select few could possess that much wealth.

Most likely, it was Byeongpil, the head of the Eastern Depot.

Or perhaps a high-ranking eunuch in a comparable position.

The confidence to compare himself to the head of the Zhuge family was also likely because he controlled the Eastern Depot, an intelligence organization within the palace.

“A lowly being crawling at the very bottom of the imperial court dares to speak of great affairs of the world concerning my safety?”

Even faced with Sajoong-ak’s insulting words, the man known as Jwa Ja didn’t lose his smile.

A terrifying murderous aura began to emanate from Sajoong-ak as he silently glared at Jwa Ja.

“So? What brings you here?”

“As I said, I came to give you a gift.”

“A gift?”

Jwa Ja smiled and held out his hand, a small wooden box resting on his palm.

The wooden box, seemingly floating above Jwa Ja’s palm, slowly moved towards Sajoong-ak.

Sajoong-ak’s eyebrows twitched.

Despite its simple appearance, the method of manipulating true energy [internal energy or ‘qi’] was quite refined.

Aside from the immense internal energy contained within, the wooden box itself seemed designed to be crushed if one responded rashly with force.

“Such a petty trick.”

Realizing the other party was testing him, Sajoong-ak waved his sleeve with a cold smile.

Instantly, the wooden box was in his hand.

A fleeting gleam flashed in Jwa Ja’s eyes before disappearing.

The immense internal energy had vanished without a trace.

“As expected….”

Jwa Ja nodded, uttering an almost inaudible exclamation.

Sajoong-ak, on the other hand, was surprised as he opened the wooden box and examined its contents.

“This is?”

Surprisingly, the box contained a single spirit pill.

It was the Taecheong Divine Pill, a treasure of Wudang [a Taoist martial arts sect], no less.

Along with the Shaolin’s Daehwan Pill and Mount Hua’s Jasodan [both are famous pills from well-known martial arts sects], it was a priceless treasure in the Murim [martial arts world].

Jwa Ja smiled and spoke.

“I’m glad you like the gift.”

Jwa Ja continued, looking at Sajoong-ak with a strange glint in his eyes.

“There will be a time when it will be needed soon.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your life will soon be in danger.”

Jwa Ja gave a relaxed smile at Sajoong-ak’s pause.

“I admire your boldness in starting a fight with the entire orthodox Murim. But reality is harsh. It won’t be easy for you to overcome the impending crisis alone.”

“So, you want to join hands?”

“We have the same enemy.”

“…….”

“It will be difficult to make a decision right away, so I’ll give you time to think.”

Jwa Ja’s eyes narrowed as he slowly turned around.

“You know, don’t you? The time given is not much.”

Leaving behind a lingering fragrance in the room, Jwa Ja’s figure disappeared as if melting into the darkness.

Left alone, Sajoong-ak stared at the spirit pill in his hand, lost in thought.

* * *

The Central Plains branch of the Hainan Sword Sect.

A considerable crowd poured through the wide-open gate of what was once the Geosan Inn.

They were merchants belonging to the Shinma Merchant Group [likely referring to merchants associated with unorthodox or demonic factions] and the Beggars’ Sect warriors who escorted them.

All sorts of goods were piled high on the carts, and the merchants carried considerable amounts of luggage.

Yet, they all wore bright expressions.

Dan Ak-seon, watching the scene from afar, smiled quietly and nodded.

“I’m glad the Jang River route has reopened, even if only partially.”

Recently, the bandits in the west had been cleared, securing a safer route. Thanks to this, the supplies that had been held up could be transported to this area again.

And this support from the Shinma Merchant Group was like welcome rain to the parched sects.

“Ak-seon!”

Someone called Dan Ak-seon’s name and rushed over excitedly.

“Welcome, So-bang. You’ve worked hard.”

“Hehe. Originally, the path of a hero is long and arduous. When it comes to chivalry, it’s the Beggars’ Sect! When it comes to the Beggars’ Sect, it’s loyalty! And in the Beggars’ Sect, there’s me, Poongwoon Kwaegeol Bang So-bang! It’s not for nothing that my name has ‘Bang’ twice in it. That’s all…….”

Bang So-bang, who had been talking non-stop, suddenly stopped.

Suddenly, the area around the back of his neck felt chilly, and a warrior’s instincts warned him of danger.

He hurriedly looked around.

In the distance, he saw Beom Gye-wi leaning against the wall, staring at him. Bang So-bang was startled and took a step back.

But only for a moment.

“Euhahaha! Who is this? Isn’t it Senior Beom, the Azure Guest who is one of only two in our sect?”

He approached Beom Gye-wi, laughing heartily as if nothing had happened.

“I wondered why my dream was auspicious last night……. It was foretelling my meeting with our Senior Beom. It’s really an honor…….”

However, Bang So-bang couldn’t continue his usual glibness.

Beom Gye-wi cut him off with a single word.

“Was it you?”

“Yes?”

“Are you the one who coaxed Dan Doctor [referring to Dan Ak-seon] away?”

“What are you…….”

“If not, why would Dan Doctor leave me here and leave?”

Feeling himself shrinking under Beom Gye-wi’s grim gaze, Bang So-bang hurriedly cast a desperate look of help at Dan Ak-seon.

Dan Ak-seon smiled and approached Beom Gye-wi.

“Uncle, you have to protect this place. If the Suro Alliance [likely a pirate or maritime organization] counterattacks, they will definitely target this place first.”

From Sajoong-ak’s point of view, this place was a key strategic point, so he would definitely want to take it back.

“Besides, this is where your family is, too.”

Byuk Dae-kyung, the head of the Hainan Sword Sect, had decided to stay here for a while until this branch was properly established.

His father-in-law was also family, so it wasn’t exactly wrong.

Nevertheless, Beom Gye-wi, already in a bad mood, didn’t like this either.

“Tsk! Why is everyone so weak?”

Beom Gye-wi’s eyes swept around, his grumbling loud enough for everyone to hear. The disciples of the Hainan Sword Sect, busy coming and going, flinched and hurriedly avoided his gaze.

Byuk Dae-kyung, who had suddenly become ‘weak,’ was the same.

He just coughed awkwardly and stroked his beard.

Bang So-bang smiled awkwardly at the sight and opened his mouth.

“Hey, they’re not exactly weak. Recently, the Hainan Sword Sect has been known as the Heumpo Sasin (欽怖死神) [roughly translates to ‘Revered and Feared Death Gods’] in the Jang River area.”

Since Byuk Dae-kyung, the head of the sect, was present, Bang So-bang tried to promote the Hainan Sword Sect.

Warriors valued their honor as much as their lives, and especially the warriors of the Hainan Sword Sect, who had fought the sea on a remote island all their lives, were said to have a stronger sense of pride than anywhere else.

And this was not an empty boast.

The Hainan Sword Sect was solidifying its status by continuously defeating the pirates of the Suro Alliance, who prided themselves on being unmatched in naval warfare.

So much so that the Hainan Sword Sect’s unique Pipoong clothing [likely a type of uniform or attire] was selling like hotcakes as a new trendy product thanks to their popularity.

Conversely, the pirates belonging to the Suro Alliance were suffering from the sudden appearance of a formidable enemy.

But then.

“……?”

Suddenly, Bang So-bang witnessed a strange sight.

The disciples of the Hainan Sword Sect were hurriedly shaking their heads at him.

They were all pale and pleading, putting their index fingers to their lips.

He wondered why they were doing that for a moment.

“Heumpo Sasin? Those guys?”

Beom Gye-wi chuckled and looked around.

Sure enough.

The Hainan disciples, startled like grasshoppers meeting fire, hurriedly scattered and avoided their seats.

It was a moment when the nickname Heumpo Sasin, which Bang So-bang had mentioned, became meaningless.

“Humph! If that were the case, Dan Doctor wouldn’t have told me to stay here.”

Beom Gye-wi was furious as he thought about it.

“Why don’t you get stronger even though you swing your swords every day without doing anything!”

Beom Gye-wi’s thunderous voice shook the surroundings.

The warriors of Hainan Island, avoiding Beom Gye-wi’s eyes from beyond the walls or behind the pavilions, were just frustrated.

In the first place, the standards set by Beom Gye-wi were too high.

Unless they had different innate talents, no matter how hard they tried, not everyone could become a master like Byeok Hwa-ryeong.

Nevertheless, they had achieved a lot through this trip to the Central Plains.

They couldn’t even count how many ships they had sunk and how many pirates they had turned into water ghosts.

Thanks to this, the gazes of the Central Plains warriors who looked at them had also changed a lot.

However, the confidence they had barely regained through this trip to the Central Plains collapsed at Beom Gye-wi’s words.

“I don’t think this will work. I’ll have to start the hell training that I’ve been putting off this time.”

Byuk Dae-kyung hurriedly stopped Beom Gye-wi on behalf of the Hainan disciples, whose faces had turned pale.

“Cough, as you know, there are still sporadic battles going on in various places. As the situation is, it’s better to postpone the training for now…….”

“It’s okay. Battles are battles, and training is training.”

“If you get exhausted from training, you won’t be able to do it in real battles…….”

Byuk Dae-kyung gave a serious reason, but this time, he was blocked by Beom Gye-wi’s words.

“Here, Dan Doctor continued to train by dividing his time even while repeating real battles. Right? Dan Doctor.”

“That’s right.”

Byuk Dae-kyung was speechless at Dan Ak-seon’s answer.

But it was Dan Ak-seon who saved Byuk Dae-kyung from his predicament.

“But the situation is a bit different from then. It’s because Uncle Beom only focused on teaching me intensively.”

Dan Ak-seon missed those days when he thought back to them, even though it was difficult.

“Uncle Cho and Aunt Han were also great teachers, but Uncle Beom’s teachings were really helpful.”

Beom Gye-wi, who had been frowning all along, finally smiled.

“Right? There’s no one but me, right?”

“Of course. You were always the best. Of course, you still are.”

While Beom Gye-wi was beaming with joy, Dan Ak-seon winked at Byuk Dae-kyung.

Byuk Dae-kyung was grateful to Dan Ak-seon.

Now that he was in a good mood, he didn’t seem to be talking about hell training for the time being.

But then.

Something unexpected happened.

“Hey, you.”

“Yes. Senior!”

Bang So-bang, who answered immediately, ran to Beom Gye-wi.

“I’ll teach you a few things since you and Dan Doctor will be moving together for a while.”

“Yes? Suddenly?”

Bang So-bang couldn’t hide his embarrassment when the fire suddenly fell on him.

‘It’s dangerous!’

Having seen the reaction of the Hainan disciples who were horrified when Beom Gye-wi mentioned training, he couldn’t help but know, even if he had no tact.

However, Bang So-bang changed his expression at Beom Gye-wi’s words that followed.

“I’ll have to check if you’re qualified to accompany Dan Doctor. If you’re just going to be a burden to Dan Doctor…….”

“I’ll do my best!”

Bang So-bang answered quickly.

Of course, it would be a lie if he wasn’t afraid of the infamous Beom Gye-wi.

But at this moment.

A desire beyond fear dominated Bang So-bang.

There was a time when he was proud of his talent for martial arts when he was young, but ever since he met Dan Ak-seon, he had always felt lacking.

In fact, unlike himself, who had been devoted to training, Dan Ak-seon had always been at the forefront of the fight against the Demonic Sect, traversing dangerous battlefields.

A sense of helplessness that he couldn’t shake.

He didn’t want to feel that dirty feeling again.

He couldn’t be satisfied with his current level in order to carry on the will of his master, the former Beggars’ Sect leader who had passed away.

To do that, he had to become much stronger than he was now.

And above all, he now wanted to stand proudly by Dan Ak-seon’s side as a friend.

Beom Gye-wi, who smiled, nodded his chin.

“Good. Then come in, junior.”