The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 473

The Divine Doctor of Primacy (473)

A secluded seaside in Jiangsu Province.

Looking down at the fishing village far below the hill and the endless sea beyond, Bang So-bang exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow! This is the sea!”

“Is this your first time seeing the sea?”

Dahn Ahk-seon, who was admiring the view alongside him, asked back with a puzzled expression.

“I thought you roamed all over the Central Plains?”

“I haven’t seen the sea yet. As you know, the position of the Beggars’ Union’s Surveillance Chief isn’t that leisurely. What about you?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been to Hainan Island often, so you must be familiar with the sea, right? So why are you admiring it like it’s new?”

“This place is so different from the sea I knew.”

Indeed, this area had a distinct charm unlike anything he had experienced before.

The coast had no rocks or cliffs, and there were no islands in sight.

Instead, the smooth coastline was entirely filled with mudflats.

But when he turned his head to look in the opposite direction, there was a vast plain that stretched as far as the eye could see.

“It’s because of the Huai River.”

While Dahn Ahk-seon was puzzled by Bang So-bang’s sudden remark.

“Still, I’m part of the Beggars’ Union. I’ve picked up a few things.”

Bang So-bang, who started talking like that, poured out words without stopping.

“This place is quite small in terms of area compared to other regions. But the Huai River runs east-west through the center of the province, acting as a lifeline, so the land itself is very fertile.”

Although overshadowed by the symbolism of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, the Huai River forms many small tributaries, and lakes and swamps are well-developed in this area.

“You can see that there’s hardly anything that can be called a mountain, right? How much rice do you think is produced in this fertile plain? That’s why the population density in this area is so high. Based on this granary, it already surpassed the economic power of North China during the Southern Song Dynasty. And that’s not all. Thanks to the Grand Canal built by Emperor Yang of Sui, water transportation is also well-developed.”

Dahn Ahk-seon chuckled at Bang So-bang, who was enthusiastically explaining without being asked.

In times like these, he was exactly like his master.

Although Lee Rip had passed away, he had left behind a disciple who resembled him perfectly.

“That’s why Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty made Jinling the capital when he first founded the country. Of course, it’s now called Nanjing because the capital was moved to Beijing.”

Even though Beijing, which is politically and militarily important, is the capital, the fact that this area, unlike other provinces, has a direct-controlled territory called Nan Zhili shows how important this region is considered.

“Did you know that since the imperial examination system was implemented, this region has produced the most top graduates, even as the country changed? Right now, more than 70% of the scholars occupying the cabinet of the court are from here.”

“The world is indeed wide.”

Bang So-bang grinned and cleared his throat.

“A man’s home is wherever he is (男兒到處是故鄕), how many people have long been in the sorrow of a traveler (幾人長在客愁中)!”

Bang So-bang, who was picking up a stick lying on the ground and writing verses in a stylish manner, suddenly stopped.

He had heard some poetry and could imitate it to some extent, but when he actually tried to express his thoughts in verses, his learning was slightly lacking.

Bang So-bang quietly put down the stick and erased the letters on the ground with his foot.

Then he continued singing in a melodious tone.

“The approaching ten thousand layers of waves! A true man who wanders the world with the world as his friend will face it with only righteousness!”

A faint smile appeared on Dahn Ahk-seon’s face.

He had been wondering why Bang So-bang was dragging his feet, but he finally realized the reason.

As expected.

“Is it because you’re a beggar that you’re shameless? Or are you a beggar because you’re shameless? What kind of true man are you with that appearance?”

Bang So-bang burst out at the voice that came from somewhere.

“I was trying to enjoy the romance, but some rootless bastard popped out of nowhere to spoil the mood!”

“Now that I see it, you’re shameless too. Who are you calling a bastard with that look?”

Dahn Ahk-seon couldn’t help but laugh at those words.

Indeed, Bang So-bang’s face, which was still swollen from the bruises, was definitely far from the appearance of a true man.

“You…….”

Bang So-bang glared at Dahn Ahk-seon with betrayed eyes.

But soon, he rushed towards the real culprit who had caused the current situation.

“To try to drive a wedge between me and my one and only confidant! You shall pay for that grave sin with your life!”

It was then that Bang So-bang, who had been rushing towards someone with great momentum, hurriedly backed away.

“Hey! It’s a foul to grab a sword against someone who’s empty-handed. That doesn’t seem right, buddy.”

Avoiding Woon Joong-san, who was glaring at him, Bang So-bang quickly hid behind Dahn Ahk-seon.

“Ahk-seon, please stop that stubborn Taoist.”

Only then did Dahn Ahk-seon smile at Woon Joong-san.

“Welcome, Joong-san.”

It was a reunion after ten years.

Their appearances had changed greatly, but Dahn Ahk-seon was able to recognize Woon Joong-san at once.

His unique atmosphere was still the same, and when he looked closely, he still had many of the features of his childhood.

Dahn Ahk-seon recalled Bang So-bang sending a messenger pigeon somewhere a few days ago.

He must have been so busy preparing this meeting.

“It’s been a while.”

Bang So-bang scoffed at Woon Joong-san’s somewhat stiff reply.

“Ahk-seon, you have to understand. He’s always been a bit emotionally dry. How else would he get the nickname Stone Buddha Taoist? What’s the point of being a stone Buddha when you’re a Taoist?”

However, Dahn Ahk-seon thought differently.

Because Woon Joong-san’s eyes and the tip of his nose were turning red.

It was obvious that he was trying to suppress his agitated feelings.

Bang So-bang, feeling awkward about the silence, unnecessarily brought up Dahn Ahk-seon.

“Ah, right. And Ahk-seon.”

“……?”

“I’m only saying this because it’s just us, but I think you need to change your *mal-tu* [manner of speaking].”

“My *mal-tu* [manner of speaking]?”

Bang So-bang nodded with a serious face at Dahn Ahk-seon’s question.

“Hmm, how should I put it… Your atmosphere and presence are those of a great master, but when you open your mouth, it’s a bit of a letdown?”

Dahn Ahk-seon smiled awkwardly.

It was natural to feel that sense of incongruity.

‘My time has stopped ten years ago.’

During the period of isolation from the outside world, the only conversational partners were the Divine Devil Trinity.

And even then, they only exchanged three or four words a day.

Realizing that fact anew, he felt embarrassed and ashamed.

Even though he knew it wasn’t his fault, the embarrassment he felt at that moment made him unable to speak for a moment.

It was then that Woon Joong-san glared at Bang So-bang.

“Are you in any position to talk about others?”

“What?”

“It’s okay, Ahk-seon. It’s much better than someone who can’t act their age, like someone.”

“That someone wouldn’t be me, would it?”

“It seems like you’re aware of it yourself, so you still have a conscience.”

“Hey, you! How could you stab a friend in the back after I raised you?”

“Didn’t you say we were enemies, not friends?”

Dahn Ahk-seon smiled wryly at the sight of his friends.

He wasn’t so oblivious as to not know that the two were deliberately bickering to ease his embarrassment.

Dahn Ahk-seon stopped the two and looked at Woon Joong-san.

“You seem like a proper Wudang disciple now.”

Woon Joong-san smiled quietly.

“A lot of time has passed. Ah, my Taoist name (道名) is Moo-kyul (無結).”

“Moo-kyul?”

“Since there is no end, there is no end, and since there is no end, it goes around and becomes Taegeuk [the Great Ultimate]. My master gave it to me with that meaning.”

“That’s a good meaning. It suits you well.”

Bang So-bang, who was jealous of the two’s friendly appearance, stepped in to spoil the mood.

“But how long ago did you send the messenger pigeon? Why are you only showing your face now? Is this all you can do as a disciple of Wudang? When are you going to use that *jarang-ha-deon* [boasted] *jeun-jong* [unique Wudang movement technique]?”

“There were circumstances.”

Woon Joong-sang’s expression darkened.

“One of the elders of the sect has gone missing, and I set out into the Jianghu [martial world] to investigate. So I couldn’t leave my position rashly.”

Bang So-bang was surprised and asked back.

“If it’s a *sa-suk* [martial uncle], it must be Jeong 자 [generation name], right? Who? Elder Jeong-hyeon? Or Elder Jeong-do? Or else…….”

“It’s *sa-suk* [martial uncle] Jeong-jin.”

“Huh? If it’s him, he’s the one in charge of the *Yakwangjeon* [Medicine King Hall] in Wudang, right?”

Like Shaolin Temple, Wudang also had a *Yakwangjeon* [Medicine King Hall].

Its main task was to treat the injured, and it also manufactured *yeongdan* [spiritual pills] and *chisangdan* [healing pills] such as Taecheongshindan.

“Did you get any clues?”

Woon Joong-san sighed and shook his head at Bang So-bang’s question.

He and the disciples of Wudang had searched everywhere for traces, but they still had no results.

“Our Beggars’ Union will also conduct its own investigation.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for.”

Bang So-bang nodded casually and took out a *geojeok* [coarse mat] from his bosom.

Then, he wrote something on it with a small piece of charcoal and sent it flying somewhere.

“Wait a minute.”

Bang So-bang, who had disappeared after leaving those words, returned after an hour.

“I sent a message, so our Beggars’ Union members will be moving soon.”

Bang So-bang said that and grinned.

“Then let’s go meet that person now.”

“That person?”

“Oh, right, Joong-san, you don’t know yet? We’re here to meet our *Joogwangdogwi* [Mad Daoist Joo] elder.”

“*Joogwangdogwi* [Mad Daoist Joo]… one of the *Cheonhaojeol* [Five Supreme Masters]?”

Perhaps because of the expectation of meeting one of the *Cheonhaojeol* [Five Supreme Masters].

Woon Joong-san quickened his pace to catch up with Bang So-bang, who had started walking ahead.

After a while.

“Oops! Look at my mind!”

Bang So-bang, who suddenly stopped walking, took out a small knife from his waist.

Then, he cut down a thick branch from a nearby tree and began to sharpen the end.

“What are you doing?”

Bang So-bang smiled at Woon Joong-san’s question.

“Still, we can’t go empty-handed when we’re meeting the *Joogwangdogwi* [Mad Daoist Joo] elder.”

“Who expects a gift from a beggar?”

“Tsk. You don’t know anything. That’s why you’re just a guy who’s been stuck in the mountains. Just wait a minute.”

Bang So-bang ran straight towards the sea and jumped into the water.

After a while.

Bang So-bang, who came ashore soaking wet, had a large, wriggling fish skewered on a branch in his hand.

Bang So-bang, who came to the group triumphantly, shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ve been dealing with *soojeok* [pirates], so I’ve naturally gotten better at *jamsu* [diving]. Thanks to that, I don’t have to worry about starving to death in the future.”

Bang So-bang was determined to teach the *bangdo* [members] of the Beggars’ Union how to *jamsu* [diving] as soon as he returned.

However, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed at Dahn Ahk-seon’s words that followed.

“But if you’re self-sufficient like that, you don’t need to beg anymore, right? If you don’t beg, doesn’t that mean you’re no longer a beggar?”

“Huh?”

Woon Joong-san chuckled.

“Thanks to someone, the history of the Beggars’ Union may come to an end.”

Bang So-bang glared at Dahn Ahk-seon and Woon Joong-san and lowered his voice.

“I swear. I’ll take today’s events to the grave.”

“We’ll see.”

“You! How can a Taoist be so narrow-minded? What about you, Ahk-seon? You’ll keep it a secret, right?”

Dahn Ahk-seon smiled.

“We’ll see.”