The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 49

The Divine Doctor of the Demonic World (49)

The leader of the Righteous Alliance, So Jeok-san, couldn’t hide his dismay upon hearing his subordinate’s report.

“What? Say that again. What did those bastards do?”

“The Black Dragon Society has kidnapped the daughter of Wang, the silk merchant.”

“Isn’t that the man who disappeared without a trace about half a month ago? And why kidnap his daughter?”

“They say she was taken as collateral for Wang’s debt.”

“What are you talking about? We already cleared the debt that man owed to the Black Dragon Society!”

“They presented a debt confirmation with Wang’s signature on it.”

“When was it written?”

“They say it was written four days ago.”

A person who disappeared half a month ago borrowed money four days ago?

Something smelled fishy.

“Those crazy bastards….”

So Jeok-san gritted his teeth at the Black Dragon Society’s actions.

It was an open secret that they sold women taken as debt collateral to brothels.

More than anything, Wang’s daughter was still a child, innocent and unaware of the world’s harsh realities.

“And you just stood there and watched?”

At So Jeok-san’s rebuke, the reporting subordinate bit his lip.

“We tried to stop them, but they outnumbered us. Man-seok is near death, and the other five are seriously injured.”

“Damn it!”

So Jeok-san couldn’t contain his rising anger.

The Black Dragon Society, weakened by the disappearance of their leader, Ga Hwi-seop, and the rapidly expanding Righteous Alliance, felt threatened.

So, they contacted Ga Hwi-seop’s younger brother, who was far away, and brought him back.

That bastard, Ga Hwi-geon, had an incredible background.

The Ancient Wood Divine Monk, who inspired terror throughout Heukmok-ae [a region or area], had personally taught him martial arts.

After Ga Hwi-geon became the new leader of the Black Dragon Society, the brothels and Yeomhwangchae [likely a type of gambling den or illicit establishment], which the Righteous Alliance had worked so hard to eradicate, began to reappear.

“Gather the remaining men.”

Seeing So Jeok-san’s battle-ready expression, the subordinate hurriedly tried to dissuade him.

“You must endure this, Alliance Leader!”

He had witnessed the situation firsthand.

So Jeok-san’s martial arts were superior, but the new Black Dragon Society leader’s skills were on a completely different level.

However, he couldn’t sway So Jeok-san’s resolve.

“What is the Righteous Alliance’s purpose?”

So Jeok-san rebuked the hesitant subordinate.

“What is the motto of our Righteous Alliance!”

“To keep faith with our brothers and to keep faith with the merchants.”

So Jeok-san nodded.

“That’s right. That’s what our Righteous Alliance is about. That’s why merchants in difficult circumstances pay us protection money.”

Even if they were just gangsters from the back alleys, they had a code of conduct to uphold.

If the Righteous Alliance lost its trust, it would lose its position.

And more than anything….

‘At this rate, I won’t be able to face him.’

Even if he was the infamous Ancient Wood Divine Monk’s successor, Beom Gye-wi was far more terrifying.

‘It’s the same whether I die this way or that way.’

Just as he was burning with fighting spirit, a voice cut through the air.

“How old is the daughter of Wang that they took away?”

“…!”

So Jeok-san looked toward the entrance with surprise.

A man had entered unnoticed.

Perhaps in his mid-forties.

Despite his sharp eyes, he possessed a carefree, gentle smile, as if he had attained enlightenment.

As So Jeok-san cautiously gripped his weapon, the man smiled and said, “There’s no need to be nervous. He sent me.”

“He?”

So Jeok-san, momentarily puzzled, nodded with a flustered expression.

“I… I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”

“It’s alright. Continue with what you were saying. How old is that child?”

So Jeok-san glanced at Sa Mu-sim.

Although his martial arts were mediocre, he prided himself on his judgment of character.

Even to him, this man radiated an extraordinary aura.

“She must be around thirteen or fourteen years old.”

The smile vanished from Sa Mu-sim’s face at So Jeok-san’s answer.

So Jeok-san felt goosebumps rise on his arms.

He was overwhelmed by an intense killing intent, a cold feeling running down his spine.

“Lead me to those people.”

So Jeok-san immediately led Sa Mu-sim to a manor on the outskirts of the village.

It had once housed a retired official, but now it served as the lair of the Black Dragon Society.

“This is the place.”

Sa Mu-sim nodded at So Jeok-san’s words and walked toward the main gate.

Then, he kicked the gate with explosive force.

Kwaang!

The thick gate was torn from its hinges.

Sa Mu-sim walked through the broken gate, as if taking a leisurely stroll.

Behind the surprised Black Dragon Society thugs, a young man with a unique presence slowly emerged.

Emotionless, white eyes.

He had a bizarrely thin and pale face.

Ga Hwi-geon, spotting So Jeok-san, smirked. “I was looking for you anyway, so thank you for saving me the trouble.”

Then, he shifted his gaze to Sa Mu-sim.

“How did you invite such a master?”

He spoke to So Jeok-san, but his gaze remained fixed on Sa Mu-sim, sharply assessing him.

Sa Mu-sim, on the other hand, couldn’t help but be surprised.

Ga Hwi-geon’s energy exceeded his expectations.

It was a level of martial arts that seemed out of place for a mere Black Society gang leader dominating the back alleys of Muwi [likely a city or region].

The old ghost of Heukmok-ae, the self-proclaimed divine monk, must have invested heavily in training his disciple.

Sa Mu-sim smiled quietly.

His face smiled, but his eyes did not.

“Do you know what I hate the most?”

“…?”

“It’s messing with children.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sa Mu-sim launched into action.

Surprised by the speed and momentum, Ga Hwi-geon hurriedly released the hand he had been holding behind his back.

At the ends of his long, dangling hands, strong claws containing a blue aura appeared.

Kaang!

Blue sparks flew as the two men stepped back exactly three steps each.

Sa Mu-sim frowned as he assessed his opponent’s skills.

The bastard’s achievements were remarkable for his age.

He was skilled enough to be included in the top 100 masters.

If it had been before he met Dan Ak-seon, victory would have been far from guaranteed.

Ga Hwi-geon, conversely, couldn’t hide his surprise.

He belatedly identified the weapon in Sa Mu-sim’s hand.

Few in Gangho [the martial arts world] used a two-foot-long black iron ruler as their signature weapon.

“Soojeon Gwiya! [likely a title or epithet meaning ‘Money Ghost’ or similar] So you’re that money ghost!”

Ga Hwi-geon was flustered.

Sa Mu-sim’s martial prowess was far beyond what he had anticipated.

Conversely, Sa Mu-sim seized the opportunity to unsettle his opponent.

Ga Hwi-geon’s breathing was slightly ragged as he spoke.

Sa Mu-sim’s iron ruler, closing the distance once more, swiftly penetrated the gap.

At the same time, he unleashed all his hidden energy.

Seo-eok.

With a chilling sound, Ga Hwi-seop’s claws were severed like fingers.

“…!”

Sa Mu-sim, closing the distance even further on the shocked Ga Hwi-seop, reached out and grabbed Ga Hwi-geon’s nape.

“Keuheok!”

“Is Wang still alive?”

Ga Hwi-geon was momentarily speechless.

He was so dumbfounded by the unexpected turn of events that he couldn’t recall who Sa Mu-sim was referring to.

Then, he felt a chill near his armpits.

As Ga Hwi-geon belatedly noticed the iron ruler that had pierced under his shoulders, he tried to speak.

Seukeok.

A cloud of blood erupted as Ga Hwi-geon’s arm was severed.

Ga Hwi-geon stared blankly at the arm rolling on the ground, then screamed. “Kkeuaaak! You! How dare you…!”

“That’s not the answer I wanted.”

At the coldness of the iron ruler that had penetrated his other armpit, Ga Hwi-geon hurriedly shouted, “That bitch! That guy’s daughter is still alive!”

The implication was clear: Wang was dead.

Sa Mu-sim smiled quietly.

“J-just a moment!”

Seokeok!

“Euaaak!”

Ga Hwi-geon, having lost both arms, thrashed around, spraying blood.

However, Sa Mu-sim’s cold eyes remained indifferent.

As the grip around his neck gradually tightened, Ga Hwi-geon’s complexion, already pale, turned as white as paper.

“Keokeok! Money! I’ll give you money!”

According to rumors in Gangho, he could never refuse money.

However, Ga Hwi-geon was wrong.

The unwavering killing intent was palpable.

This was not the Soojeon Gwiya he knew.

“How dare you… Do you think you’ll be safe after doing this?”

Sa Mu-sim’s smile deepened at Ga Hwi-seop’s threat.

No matter how terrifying the old monster of Heukmok-ae was, he was nothing compared to Cho Ak-ryang, Beom Gye-wi, and Han Seol-hwa.

Sa Mu-sim tightened his grip.

“Kkeueo….”

The light of life faded from Ga Hwi-geon’s eyes as his tongue lolled out.

Ga Hwi-geon died standing up, strangled to death.

It was a futile death compared to his background and status.

Looking around at the pale-faced Black Dragon Society thugs, Sa Mu-sim said, “Is there anyone among you who has been designated as the next leader of the Black Dragon Society? If so, step forward. It’s troublesome to visit again, so let’s settle it here.”

Since Ga Hwi-geon, a master, had died so helplessly, the Black Dragon Society thugs were terrified and disoriented.

They couldn’t comprehend the sudden disaster.

Sa Mu-sim declared, “The next leader of the Black Dragon Society will also die by my hands. The same goes for the leader after that.”

The remnants of the Black Dragon Society, watching Sa Mu-sim’s every move, slowly retreated.

Then, they scattered and ran away without looking back.

“I have a proposal.”

Sa Mu-sim smiled softly at So Jeok-san, who remained alone.

However, So Jeok-san couldn’t lower his guard.

He had smiled like that, as if enlightened, even while brutally killing Ga Hwi-geon.

Whether it was a tiger in the mountains or a wolf in front of him, both were terrifying.

Beom Gye-wi was scary, but this man was no less of a monster.

“I will follow any order.”

“It’s not an order, so you can refuse if you don’t like it. I’ll look for someone else.”

Sa Mu-sim revealed the real reason he had come to So Jeok-san.

“I’m going to create a merchant group that engages in Western trade. If you’re interested, I’d like to entrust that task to you.”

“A merchant group… you say?”

“From what I can see, you seem to be a person who values trust. I’ll give you time to consider it carefully.”

* * *

That afternoon.

Dan Ak-seon, Han Seol-hwa, and Beom Gye-wi gathered at Cho Ak-ryang’s hut.

Cho Ak-ryang sat cross-legged on the bed with his eyes closed, and Dan Ak-seon sat opposite him, his face showing unmistakable tension.

The treatment was at a critical stage.

Beom Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa, who were developing the Weihwa Therapy [likely a specific medical technique], were equally focused.

They were more attentive than ever, controlling their energy and awaiting Dan Ak-seon’s instructions.

Time passed.

Dan Ak-seon spoke. “Now, withdraw your energy.”

Beom Gye-wi, who had been holding Cho Ak-ryang’s pulse, and Han Seol-hwa released their hands and stepped back. Dan Ak-seon carefully removed the needle from Cho Ak-ryang’s lower abdomen, near the Gihae blood point [an acupuncture point].

Then, Cho Ak-ryang slowly opened his eyes.

Intense light burst from his eyes, and a misty aura flowed from his entire body.

Cho Ak-ryang was speechless.

It was the first time in a long time that he had felt the flow of energy.

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes were filled with emotion as he confirmed that the energy, which had been flowing powerfully along his meridians, was now settling in his dantian [energy center in the body].

“You’ve worked hard.”

Dan Ak-seon, wiping the sweat from his forehead, smiled at Cho Ak-ryang.

“The dangerous moment is over.”

“Does that mean I can use my internal energy like before?”

Dan Ak-seon nodded at Cho Ak-ryang’s cautious question.

“Yes. All the scattered meridians have been restored.”

“Thank you.”

Cho Ak-ryang looked at Dan Ak-seon with gratitude.

He also gave a grateful look to Han Seol-hwa and Beom Gye-wi.

He knew better than anyone the effort they had put in for him, even while grumbling.

Cho Ak-ryang closed his eyes and briefly circulated his energy to check the level of internal energy in his dantian.

He nodded calmly.

‘It’s only 30%, but it’s so reassuring!’

He realized that he only truly appreciated what he had lost after losing it.

Although it was not even half of his prime internal energy, Cho Ak-ryang felt as if he had gained the whole world.

If he absorbed the energy of the elixir that he had not yet fully assimilated, he would quickly regain his former internal energy.

Cho Ak-ryang left the hut.

Now that he had recovered his internal energy, he wanted to test his martial arts.

Cho Ak-ryang walked to the center of the Divine Demon Valley and slowly gathered his energy.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, he powerfully stomped his feet.