The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 491

The Divine Doctor of Primacy (491)

After Han Seol-hwa left.

Danakseon, having meticulously organized all her medical records, stepped outside with a relieved expression.

Night had deepened, and the solitary moonlight cast a long, oblique shadow across Shinma Valley.

He paused, absorbing the starlight shimmering on the pristine white waterfall and pond.

Danakseon slowly closed his eyes, carefully masking his presence.

The crickets, silent until now, began their chirping chorus.

He remained still for a long time, savoring the peaceful night air, when he overheard voices in conversation nearby.

Turning his head, he saw Byeok Hwa-ryeong and Tak Yeo-sang approaching in the distance.

Their initial awkwardness seemed to have vanished; they appeared quite close now.

‘Interesting.’

Tak Yeo-sang’s contributions had been vital to the success of Beom Ryeo-hwa’s Balmose [a complex medical procedure]. Furthermore, she was a rare female doctor within the Haengrim Association.

Her knowledge and experience in gynecology far surpassed his own.

Regardless of their closeness, Tak Yeo-sang, as a woman, would likely find it easier to discuss certain matters with Byeok Hwa-ryeong than he would.

Anxious not to intrude, Danakseon began to turn away.

However, they were already quite close, and their conversation carried clearly to him.

“So, what are your plans for the future?”

At Byeok Hwa-ryeong’s question, Tak Yeo-sang sighed softly.

“I must atone for my sins. I bear responsibility for Sa Jong-ak’s atrocities.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Yes?”

“What about Doctor Dan? What are your feelings for him?”

Danakseon was taken aback and turned his head towards them.

He hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but the conversation had taken an unexpected turn, making it impossible to ignore.

In the soft moonlight, he saw a blush rising on Tak Yeo-sang’s face.

“I heard the Devil Doctor kidnapped the Divine Doctor a long time ago, right?”

Danakseon wondered at the sudden mention of his parents.

Tak Yeo-sang lowered her head and continued, “I think I understand his feelings.”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong smiled knowingly.

Danakseon, however, found no humor in the situation.

While he had spent considerable time with her, it had been as a fellow doctor, and he had never considered a deeper relationship.

Before the situation became more complicated, Danakseon decided to leave.

Although Byeok Hwa-ryeong was also a master, his own achievements were greater.

Fortunately, they hadn’t noticed him.

Just as he was about to slip away unnoticed, Tak Yeo-sang’s voice, almost a whisper, stopped him in his tracks.

“I risked my life to separate him from the world. But he abandoned me.”

“You mean Sa Jong-ak.”

“Yes. But someone else unexpectedly picked up that life.”

After a pause, Tak Yeo-sang spoke again. “So, I wonder if I should give that life… to the person who picked it up.”

Danakseon was flustered, momentarily speechless.

* * *

Meanwhile, even as the Murim [martial arts world] was stabilizing, Neung So-mil remained as busy as ever.

Late at night, when the streets were deserted,

Neung So-mil secretly visited Eunuch Sa Rye-tae’s room and immediately cut to the chase.

“Sa Jong-ak has disappeared.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He vanished without a trace, despite the Beggars’ Union, Black Point, and every intelligence organization focusing on him. What does that suggest?”

Neung So-mil nodded towards Eunuch Sa Rye-tae, who offered a bitter smile.

“It suggests the most skilled intelligence organization in the land is involved.”

The organization in question was easily guessed.

Eunuch Sa Rye-tae’s contribution was significant in establishing Dongchang’s dominance over other intelligence agencies.

“So, what are you implying?”

Eunuch Sa Rye-tae, who had been studying Neung So-mil, sighed softly.

“Do you have concrete evidence linking Dongchang to Sa Jong-ak’s disappearance?”

“If I had concrete evidence, I wouldn’t be asking you. However, I have reliable testimony.”

“From whom?”

“Doctor Dan.”

Discomfort flickered across Eunuch Sa Rye-tae’s face.

Regardless of Danakseon’s influence in the Murim, he was still just an ordinary citizen.

Even Eunuch Sa Rye-tae struggled to fully comprehend the extent of Dongchang’s power.

Accusing Dongchang based solely on one person’s testimony was a risky proposition.

Neung So-mil pressed on.

“When Beon Gang-ryong fled, someone attacked Doctor Dan to secure their escape. They burned their faces to prevent identification. But they all had one thing in common: they were missing their yangmul (陽物) [penises].”

“…….”

“I’ve heard rumors that Dongchang is secretly training a special task force composed of eunuchs, called Eomsi Gyo-wi (閹侍校尉) [Eunuch Military Officers]…….”

“Those are just rumors circulating within the imperial family. There’s no proof they’re trained by Dongchang.”

“Are you denying it?”

“Tsk!”

Sa Rye-tae clicked his tongue, regarding Neung So-mil with concern.

“Aren’t you acting rashly? Coming to me demanding Sa Jong-ak is unlike you.”

“Why wouldn’t I be in a hurry? The life of someone I owe a great debt to is at stake.”

“Doctor Dan’s life, you mean…….”

“It’s not him.”

“……?”

“The person I’m worried about is you, Eunuch Sa.”

As the embarrassed Sa Rye-tae struggled to respond, Neung So-mil met his gaze with a serious expression.

“If Dongchang gets their hands on Sa Jong-ak and manipulates him, who do you think will be their first target?”

Possessing a prized sword creates the desire to wield it.

If the owner of that sword is power-hungry, the outcome is predictable.

“You made the courageous decision to retire to balance power, but Dongchang won’t easily relinquish the authority you’ve passed on. They’re addicted to the sweetness of power.”

Power struggles are often compared to a deadly gamble for good reason.

There’s no turning back.

Once the die is cast, there’s no reversing the outcome.

Furthermore, there are no small changes in this arena.

“From the moment they threatened Doctor Dan, Dongchang declared war on me.”

Neung So-mil’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m working to ensure your survival, Eunuch Sa.”

“…….”

“If you want to retire honorably and enjoy your remaining years, distancing yourself from Dongchang isn’t enough. The winds of change will be fierce. You must fully commit to this side. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

With that warning, Neung So-mil turned to leave.

“Hmm…….”

Sa Rye-tae, left alone, groaned softly.

“A third of the Eomsi Gyo-wi have been eliminated.”

It was painful that Dongchang’s hidden strength, intended to stop Danakseon, had been revealed.

But something else was more pressing.

“The imperial palace will be in turmoil.”

Recalling Neung So-mil’s intense gaze, Sa Rye-tae felt a sense of foreboding, suspecting a storm far greater than he anticipated was brewing.

The next morning.

An unknown tension hung over the imperial family like thin ice.

The Dochalwon [Censorate], active since dawn, moved with purpose as soon as the sun rose.

The officials of the Dochalwon, their faces grim, hurried towards an unknown destination.

Those who witnessed their solemn demeanor speculated that Neung So-mil had finally drawn his sword against Dongchang.

The emperor, upon receiving the report, shared the same sentiment.

“Neung So-mil has finally mobilized the Dochalwon, has he?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. That is correct.”

“How is Dongchang responding?”

“They’ve summoned the Weisa [guards] and closed Doanmun [a major gate in the Imperial City].”

The emperor frowned.

Dongchang was located north of Doanmun, as its name implied.

With the gate sealed, the Dochalwon couldn’t possibly break through.

If the Dongchang Weisa, skilled in martial arts, formed a barricade, the Dochalwon officials, mostly literary scholars, would be helpless.

“Is it just a show of force? While Neung Do-eosa [Neung So-mil’s title] is a master in his own right, he can’t possibly face them all…….”

The emperor couldn’t comprehend Neung So-mil’s strategy.

But then.

“Your Majesty, Dokgo-jin of the Imperial Guard requests an audience.”

The emperor was puzzled by the report.

He wondered why Dokgo-jin, who should have finished his shift, was still present.

Still, Dokgo-jin had served him faithfully for a long time.

He wouldn’t request an audience without a valid reason.

“Let him in.”

As soon as the emperor granted permission, Dokgo-jin entered the hall and prostrated himself.

“Shin Dokgo-jin respectfully reports.”

“I’m listening.”

“At this moment, officials of the Dochalwon, led by Neung Do-eosa, are heading towards the Daenaechingundo Dokbu (大内親軍都督府) [Grand Headquarters of the Royal Guards], where the Jihwidongji (指揮同知) [Vice Commander] resides.”

“What?”

The unexpected news startled the emperor.

‘They’re targeting the Geumiwi [Imperial Guards], not Dongchang?’

Although Dongchang had diminished its authority in recent years, the Geumiwi remained a formidable force.

It was a surveillance organization with a history even longer than Dongchang’s.

The Geumiwi, a special agency established by Emperor Hongwu, served as the emperor’s personal sword.

Unlike Dongchang, the head of the Geumiwi was a military official, not an eunuch.

Emperor Taejo Hongwu, founder of the Ming Dynasty, had risen from humble beginnings as a commoner, a mendicant monk, a Red Turban rebel, and finally, an emperor.

He dedicated himself to establishing an unshakeable imperial power to ensure the Ju clan (朱氏) [imperial family name] would inherit the world, ruthlessly suppressing his subjects as an example.

Particularly suspicious, he framed the founding meritorious subjects Ho Yu-yong (胡惟庸) and Nam-ok (藍玉), like Emperor Gaozu of Han, who purged Han Xin, and annihilated their nine clans (九族) [extended family].

Afterward, a large-scale purge of the founding meritorious subjects, known as Horamjiok (胡藍之獄) [the Ho-Nam Purge], continued for over a decade.

The Geumiwi (錦衣衛) [embroidered uniform guard], known for silencing even crying children, played a crucial role.

However, in the twentieth year of Hongwu,

Emperor Hongwu, believing he had achieved his goal of strengthening imperial power, disbanded the Geumiwi.

He transferred the prisoners held by the Geumiwi to the Ministry of Justice (刑部) and destroyed all torture devices and related documents.

But this didn’t last.

The Geumiwi was revived after only one generation.

It happened when the third emperor, Yongle, drove out his nephew, Emperor Jianwen, through the Jingnan Rebellion and ascended the throne.

Like Emperor Hongwu, Emperor Yongle used the Geumiwi for the same purpose.

As many opposed his seizure of the throne, he thoroughly suppressed them to consolidate his power.

The Weisa of the Geumiwi, wearing vermilion clothes and riding horses, were a symbol of fear.

“Unexpected.”