The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 478

The Divine Doctor of Mount Hua (478)

“Clearly, there will be damage in many places going forward. Just like after the battles with the Demonic Cult in the past, I believe we need an organizational system to support the sects and martial artists who suffered damage in this subjugation.”

“Hmm… It would be good if that were the case, but I already feel indebted to the Shinma Merchant Guild…”

At Zhuge Shan’s words, most of those attending the meeting couldn’t hide their embarrassed expressions.

In the end, all processes require funds, and everyone knew that those funds ultimately came from the Shinma Merchant Guild.

Dahn Ahk-seon smiled and began to speak.

“So, I would like to include the Shinma Merchant Guild in that council and formally launch it.”

“Has this been discussed with the Shinma Merchant Guild?”

Instead of answering, Dahn Ahk-seon looked pointedly at someone.

Everyone in the hall naturally followed his gaze and turned their heads towards the same person.

And there stood a person with a flustered face, fidgeting.

“Haha…”

He, who was now the focus of numerous renowned figures, awkwardly laughed with an embarrassed expression.

Following his self-introduction, exclamations of admiration erupted from various places in the hall.

“An unknown junior martial artist greets the esteemed seniors. I am So Jeok-san, and I am humbly leading the Shinma Merchant Guild.”

So Jeok-san paused, seemingly embarrassed.

In fact, So Jeok-san was a very busy person.

Also, he tended not to participate in external affairs as much as possible, so only his name was known to the outside world.

Therefore, apart from those involved with the Shinma Merchant Guild, not many people knew his face.

So, he didn’t have high expectations while attending this meeting.

But then…

“Is that him…?”

“Oh! Master So, the Benefactor of Gold and Virtue, is here!”

Belatedly, commotion spread throughout the hall.

Initially, no one paid much attention to So Jeok-san.

He had nothing special compared to other renowned figures, and above all, his presence itself was too ordinary to notice.

But now the situation had changed.

“Amitabha [a Buddhist expression of reverence].”

With a low Buddhist chant, Beop-yeon, the Abbot of Shaolin, paid his respects to So Jeok-san.

“We have only received help without properly expressing our gratitude. On behalf of Shaolin, this humble monk thanks Master So.”

Starting with this, the renowned figures from each sect who had received help from the Shinma Merchant Guild, large and small, took turns offering a word of gratitude to So Jeok-san.

“Haha… This is…”

So Jeok-san returned the greetings with a perplexed face.

Bestowing wealth to accumulate virtue.

He learned for the first time at this gathering that he was being called by such a title without his knowledge.

That fact was inwardly embarrassing and shameful.

Buying fame with money was never an easy task.

Regardless of the era, the more wealth one had, the more envy one attracted.

Also, greedy individuals lurked around, eyeing his interests, so he was always wary and suspicious of people, except for a few old acquaintances.

Naturally, good words were unlikely to come out.

He was called stingy, mean…

He was even said to be as heartless as a wooden statue.

So, So Jeok-san couldn’t believe this situation.

He, who was once just a low-life in the back alleys, never imagined that he would receive such respect and hospitality from the renowned figures of the Central Plains.

“For the past ten years, you have supported us materially and spiritually without any compensation or discrimination. What other merchant guild in the world could do that? The Zhuge Family also expresses its deep gratitude. We will try our best to repay you when this matter is settled.”

So Jeok-san waved his hands in embarrassment at Zhuge Shan’s words.

“Huh? Repay? I was just following Master Gokju’s will.”

Dahn Ahk-seon smiled and shook his head.

“The first time I asked was for five years. But it was your decision to extend it again for another ten years after that period had passed.”

“W, well… If we cut off support immediately, there would be more than one or two sects in trouble…”

“It was because of your decision that the Central Plains martial arts world was able to endure this much.”

The renowned figures gathered in the conference hall nodded at Dahn Ahk-seon’s words.

So Jeok-san’s face flushed red with the gazes of respect and gratitude pouring upon him.

“When we form this association, I want to increase support not only to the sects we have been supporting but also to those who have been harmed by the Suro Alliance. Is that possible with the current financial situation of the Shinma Merchant Guild?”

So Jeok-san, who had been thinking about something for a moment at Dahn Ahk-seon’s question, nodded his head.

“We can handle it sufficiently.”

At those words, Zhuge Shan asked back in surprise.

“Really? I heard that the Shinma Merchant Guild has also had difficulties in business for a while because the Yangtze River was blocked.”

So Jeok-san and Dahn Ahk-seon’s eyes met for a moment.

As Dahn Ahk-seon nodded, So Jeok-san smiled and began to speak.

“If we succeed in subjugating the Suro Alliance, the blocked southern route will be opened, so we can quickly recover our business.”

When the story turned to business, So Jeok-san’s face lit up.

The timid aspect disappeared without a trace, and he continued speaking with eyes full of conviction.

“Moreover, now that Master Gokju has returned, the northern tribes will actively support our Shinma Merchant Guild. If that happens, we can resume Western trade as well.”

“That’s a relief.”

Zhuge Shan nodded in relief and turned his head towards Dahn Ahk-seon.

“Then we need a name for this association now.”

As everyone’s gaze gathered on him, Dahn Ahk-seon quietly smiled.

“How about the Corrective Justice Society (匡正會)?”

“The Corrective Justice Society… Did you take it from the phrase ‘Correcting Injustice and Returning to Righteousness (改善匡正),’ which means to correct what is wrong and restore it to its original state?”

As expected, he understood the meaning immediately.

“If there is a better name…”

“No. I like it.”

Zhuge Shan immediately agreed as soon as Dahn Ahk-seon cautiously opened his mouth.

Zhuge Shan looked around the assembly and asked for their opinions.

“Does anyone have a better idea? I would like to hear the wise opinions of the renowned figures here.”

However, no one objected.

“All that remains is to decide on the President.”

At Zhuge Shan’s subtle attempt to pass the buck, Dahn Ahk-seon firmly shook his head.

“Since I named the association, the Family Head should take on the role of President.”

“Huh? But…”

This time, Dahn Ahk-seon cut off Zhuge Shan’s words and asked the assembly.

“Is there anyone who is willing to take on the role of President, or is there anyone else you would like to recommend?”

Again, there was no objection.

“Haha! The Zhuge Family Head is getting back more than he gave.”

“You’ve been properly snared this time.”

Zhuge Shan smiled bitterly at the laughter erupting from here and there.

Then, he politely bowed in several directions.

“I am simply grateful that you have entrusted me, an ignorant person, with such an important task. Although it is a temporary position, I will do my best to fulfill the given responsibility.”

In the end, the Corrective Justice Society was established, and it was decided that Zhuge Shan would be recommended as the first President.

In addition, the Shinma Merchant Guild officially became a member of the Corrective Justice Society and was responsible for financial and material support.

After the meeting adjourned.

So Jeok-san, who came down from Mount Hua amidst the warm welcome of many, looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

“Human So Jeok-san has really succeeded.”

If it were the old him, none of them would have dared to even make eye contact with him.

He felt a sense of profound change as his existence and influence were recognized in a place where such renowned figures of the martial world gathered.

“Thank you, Master Gokju.”

So Jeok-san started walking again with an even more proud heart.

His subordinates, who had been with him since the days of Sunui-bang [a term for a group or organization] and had built up the Shinma Merchant Guild.

He had a heroic tale to boast to them.

So Jeok-san hastened his busy steps, wanting to share the pride he felt now with them as well.

* * *

The news of the formation of the Corrective Justice Society, which began in Mount Hua, spread like wildfire throughout the martial world.

The martial artists who had been suffering from the tyranny of the Four Evil Lords and the Suro Alliance reacted immediately.

Small and medium-sized sects declared their participation one after another, saying that they would join forces with the Corrective Justice Society.

It wasn’t just them who welcomed the launch of the Corrective Justice Society.

The common people who had been harmed by the pirates also expressed their intention to participate in the future actions of the Corrective Justice Society.

Those who did not possess martial arts skills asked to be assigned even menial tasks, and some of those who had lost their families offered to donate all their property.

They had no way to take revenge directly, so they wanted to relieve their grievances by giving everything they had.

And as expected.

The Suro Alliance, centered on the Yangtze River pirates, reacted most sensitively to the news.

They faced an unexpected setback at a time when they were about to launch the Sado Alliance, a coalition of evil factions beyond the Suro Alliance.

The pirates who had been frequenting the ferries along the Yangtze River as if they were their own homes began to be cautious and quickly disappeared.

Because the situation was unusual, they wanted to watch the flowing atmosphere while holding their breath for the time being.

Thanks to this, the martial artists belonging to the Corrective Justice Society, centered on the Nine Great Sects, were able to easily occupy their areas of activity.

The Arhats of Shaolin and the Plum Blossom Sword Troops of Mount Hua.

In addition, the entire Wudang Seven Heroes led their disciples down the mountain and began a sit-in.

The same was true for Emei, Mount Hua, and Hengshan.

Even the Diancang Sect of Yunnan, far away, dispatched the best swordsmen, equivalent to their entire force, to support each sect.

Not to be outdone, Qingcheng also urgently dispatched martial artists to save face.

However, there was one sect that stood out among them.

It was the Hainan Sword Sect.

With the water ghosts [elite naval warriors] who were skilled in naval warfare at the forefront and the masters of each sect supporting them, it was truly invincible.

Several sporadic and intermittent battles took place in various places along the Yangtze River, but they ended with the overwhelming victory of the Corrective Justice Society, led by the Hainan Sword Sect.

When the situation reached this point, Sa Jong-ak was furious to the point of madness.

“Most of the ships transporting smuggled salt through the waterways have been sunk by the Corrective Justice Society bastards.”

Sa Jong-ak’s eyes twitched at his subordinate’s report.

Leaving aside the captured subordinates, the ships had sunk, so the salt they were carrying must have dissolved in the water and disappeared.

‘Damn it!’

Sa Jong-ak gritted his teeth until they shattered.

The immediate problems were piling up, suffocating him.

‘It’s all because of that bastard.’

The guy called the Divine Doctor of Mount Hua.

A doctor who didn’t know his place was causing trouble and gradually destroying everything he had built up so far.

If you traced back all the current problems, the guy was invariably there.

The process by which the Suro Alliance made profits was simple.

They sold the spoils obtained through plunder to raise the necessary funds.

And the Black Mark was their most important trading partner.

Originally, the Black Mark was a place that distributed information and stolen goods.

Although they had a tendency to undervalue the price somewhat, the Black Mark was the only place that could handle a large amount of loot at once.

In addition, the small merchant guilds that secretly bought loot while keeping an eye on the Shinma Merchant Guild were also indispensable major trading partners.

But recently, the deal with the Black Mark fell through.

They seemed to be postponing the payment day after day, but at some point, they suddenly notified him that transactions were no longer possible.

At first, he thought, ‘Is this what it means to be robbed in broad daylight?’

But as time passed, he realized that someone was behind the Black Mark.

The rumor that the guy called the Divine Doctor of Mount Hua was secretly controlling the Black Mark was not entirely unfounded.

The problem was that other merchant guilds were also reluctant to buy stolen goods.

Even when he offered to sell them at a bargain price, no merchant guild accepted.

Thanks to this, there was a problem with the smooth flow of funds.

At least, he had been replenishing some of the dried-up funds through the distribution network of smuggled salt that he had obtained by absorbing the collapsed White Serpent Society, but even this had recently reached an impasse.