The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 496

Neng Xiaomi began his full-fledged effort to shake up the Eastern Depot.

As planned, numerous individuals were already operating in various locations.

The operation was codenamed “Myriad Rectifications” (萬端正化) [meaning a comprehensive reform across all aspects].

The starting point was Dong’an Gate, the location of the Eastern Depot’s main building and prison.

Neng Xiaomi, having already deployed a large contingent of Embroidered Uniform Guards to secure the entrance, confidently strode into the Eastern Depot’s executive office.

He soon encountered the Eastern Depot’s leaders confronting the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Though weapons remained sheathed, the atmosphere was thick with tension.

A smirk played on Neng Xiaomi’s lips as he met the murderous gazes in the air.

Suddenly, one of the Eastern Depot’s men spotted Neng Xiaomi and shouted.

“This area handles highly confidential matters! No unauthorized personnel are permitted!”

“How about this, then?”

*Flap.*

Neng Xiaomi produced a decree bearing the Emperor’s order from within his robes and unfurled it.

The imperial order was, indeed, a trump card.

Faced with it, the Eastern Depot’s leaders paled and immediately prostrated themselves.

“Hmph!”

Neng Xiaomi snorted coldly, brushed past the leaders, and continued onward.

But then, he stopped.

He had reached the shrine of Yue Fei, a national hero, located beside the Eastern Depot’s main building, Changben Pavilion (廠本閣) [literally ‘Factory Script Pavilion,’ likely referring to the Depot’s function of producing reports].

Yue Fei was a national hero who saved the people by defeating the Jurchen Jin Dynasty’s army.

Though the Song Dynasty, in which he lived, was long gone, he remained revered by the people.

A cold smile curled on Neng Xiaomi’s lips as he gazed at the phrase ‘Liufang Baishi (流芳百世)’ [meaning ‘fragrance lingers for a hundred generations,’ signifying lasting fame] hanging beside the shrine.

The shrine’s purpose was to promote the Eastern Depot as an organization that protected the court and the people by associating themselves with revered heroes.

“‘Liufang Baishi,’ my ass. More like ‘Liuchou Wannian (流臭萬年)’ [meaning ‘stench lingers for ten thousand years’].”

Good deeds might be remembered for a hundred generations, but evil deeds leave a stain that lasts for ten thousand.

With that, Neng Xiaomi, having thoroughly mocked the Eastern Depot, entered Changben Pavilion.

Having witnessed the Emperor’s decree, no one dared to stop him.

Even the Eastern Depot’s head, Eunuch Zhang, remained still.

Though his expression was bitter, he readily yielded his seat to Neng Xiaomi.

Of course, he made his displeasure known.

The coldness radiating from his eyes was enough to freeze the room.

Even under that resentful gaze, Neng Xiaomi didn’t flinch.

“From this moment forward, I will conduct a special inspection of the Eastern Depot under His Majesty’s strict orders! Anyone who disobeys will be considered a traitor and punished accordingly!”

With those words, Neng Xiaomi immediately began sweeping all the confidential documents and ledgers within the pavilion into the carts he had brought.

“What are you doing? Get to work!”

At Neng Xiaomi’s urging, the officials from the Censorate [an imperial watchdog agency], who had been observing the Eastern Depot’s reaction, gritted their teeth and carried out his instructions.

The inside of Changben Pavilion quickly descended into chaos.

Zhang, who had been watching, approached Neng Xiaomi.

“Are you really going to do this?”

“I believe I’ve given you ample time, haven’t I?”

“It’s not as if this will conjure up evidence that doesn’t exist, right? I’ve already stated that I have no knowledge of any wrongdoing.”

“That’s right.”

“……?”

“Originally, isn’t the Eastern Depot a place that *creates* evidence, even if it doesn’t exist? Why have you been idle until now?”

“What?”

Zhang, momentarily flustered, attempted to regain his composure.

The authority granted to this man was temporary, after all.

From experience, he knew that time was ultimately on their side.

Moreover, unlike reports submitted directly to the Emperor, the data within the Eastern Depot was primarily recorded in cipher.

Without decryption, it was nothing more than meaningless gibberish.

However, Zhang’s expression stiffened at Neng Xiaomi’s next words.

“Starting today, individual statements will be taken from all Eastern Depot personnel, and no one is permitted to leave Dong’an Gate. No exceptions. Any unavoidable circumstances require a written explanation and approval from the Censorate. Violation will result in the penalties I mentioned earlier…”

Zhang felt a wave of dizziness.

He barely registered the rest of Neng Xiaomi’s pronouncements.

‘Oh no!’

Zhang, realizing Neng Xiaomi’s true objective, was overcome with dismay.

‘Was this his plan all along?’

His intention was simply to confine them and buy time.

But the opportunity was lost.

Had he anticipated this, things might have been different, but he had been caught completely off guard.

Neng Xiaomi smirked at Zhang’s discomfiture and turned away.

“I’ve been waiting.”

Neng Xiaomi’s gaze was directed elsewhere.

Zhang’s eyes widened as he followed that gaze.

Two figures were approaching: Eunuch Li, the only eunuch of higher rank than himself, and General Biaoqi, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Dark clouds gathered over Zhang’s face as he sensed the ominous turn of events.

* * *

Simultaneously with Neng Xiaomi’s actions, the Murim [martial arts world] also began to move.

One of the key players was the Beggars’ Sect.

Specifically, members of the Surveillance Unit, known for their quick wits and skills, secretly infiltrated Beijing.

Leading them was Bang Sombang, the Surveillance Unit Leader.

“But why should we act according to the Imperial Court’s will?”

Bang Sombang, crouching low and observing the scene before him, frowned and turned.

The question came from a young beggar from a nearby branch.

The young beggar, meeting Bang Sombang’s gaze, pressed on.

“Isn’t it against the Murim’s principle of non-interference to participate in the Imperial Court’s power struggles?”

“Yes. Let’s clarify this once and for all.”

Seeing that several others shared the same question, Bang Sombang decided to address it directly.

“Firstly, *they* were the first to violate the principle of non-interference. Secondly, we are not acting according to the Imperial Court’s will. We are helping our friend from the Beggars’ Sect, the Divine Physician of the Demonic World. Finally, the ultimate goal is singular: to find the Four Evils and end the chaos in the Murim.”

The young beggar nodded in understanding.

“Then it’s our duty. But are these all the people who will testify to the Eastern Depot’s corruption?”

The number of beggars currently deployed was only around thirty.

Even that small number was scattered, with teams of three or four conducting surveillance.

They were positioned near the residences of high-ranking officials previously involved with the Eastern Depot.

Considering the size of the Eastern Depot, this was woefully inadequate.

“Most of them are likely dead. Those meticulous bastards wouldn’t leave loose ends.”

At Bang Sombang’s words, another beggar spoke up.

“Then what about those who are still alive? Why kill some to silence them and leave others alive?”

“There are two types of survivors: those who still have value, or those who are complicit with the Eastern Depot.”

“Ah! That’s why we’re monitoring them. They’ll try to destroy any incriminating evidence now that the situation has changed.”

“Exactly. That’s why we must act discreetly and carefully. But we’ve been talking too much for that, haven’t we?”

“……I’ll be quiet.”

Bang Sombang nodded and refocused on the mansion before him.

The plan was simple.

With the Eastern Depot in turmoil, those involved would attempt to eliminate any traces of their involvement.

The Beggars’ Sect would subdue the Eastern Depot’s henchmen, persuade those who could be persuaded, and threaten those who could be threatened to tip the scales in their favor.

And, as expected.

An unusual glint appeared in Bang Sombang’s eyes.

He had spotted figures silently scaling the fence.

“Alright, beggars. Let’s make some noise.”

The Beggars’ Sect’s experts, led by Bang Sombang, began to move in earnest.

* * *

Somewhere on the outskirts of Beijing.

Men in various attire gathered before a dilapidated Gwanje Temple, long abandoned and in ruins.

The men, all with solemn expressions, scrutinized each other’s faces and exchanged greetings.

The man who had arrived first, waiting for the others, addressed the group.

“This is our last chance.”

Gao Byeokun nodded at Yeop Danyeong’s words, a former head of the Black Mark’s Shanxi branch.

He also operated a brothel called Yihwaru in Muwi, but in reality, he was the head of the Black Mark’s branch responsible for transactions with the Divine Merchant Guild.

Both were influential figures within the Black Mark.

“Though Doctor Dan eliminated our list of members, we must reassert the Black Mark’s power to operate openly again. Therefore, we must prioritize securing witnesses and evidence for the case provided by the Divine Physician Valley. If necessary, we must conduct additional investigations to prevent their targets from escaping.”

It was unprecedented for all the Black Mark’s branch leaders to gather in one place.

They were acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

“Even now, we are thoroughly investigating retired officials and newly appointed eunuchs in the Eastern Depot.”

“Beyond the case requested by the Divine Physician Valley, we are also gathering information on personal corruption and secrets of executives above the rank of leader.”

The Black Mark was staking its survival on this, deploying its information network to its fullest extent.

It was a matter of organizational life or death.

The die had been cast; now, they could only await the outcome.

Meanwhile, another Murim force was moving in concert with the Black Mark.

It was the Hao Gate.

The two organizations, long-time rivals, were working together this time.

In fact, they had committed the most personnel to this endeavor.

Leading them was Seol Nanyeong, former head of the Xi’an branch.

“Remember: Neng Do-eosa [referring to Neng Xiaomi] is from our sect, but he harbors deep resentment towards us. Failure will cost the Hao Gate its standing. We must succeed to atone for past mistakes.”

She had announced the death of the previous Hao Gate Lord and succeeded him.

The bond between her and Dan 악seon [Dan, the Evil Physician] played a significant role in her ascension.

Her first priority as Gate Lord was to restore relations with Neng Xiaomi and gain an advantage in the Murim’s information market.

However, even she was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information pouring in.

Bribery and corruption inevitably involved wine and women.

“It’s truly astonishing.”

A sigh escaped her lips as she surveyed the mountain of reports.

“This is only what remains after filtering out reports that have been cross-verified at least three times, taking into account their importance.”

Seol Nanyeong shook her head at her subordinate’s words.

“I dug my own grave.”

But what could she do?

As the Hao Gate Lord, she had to bear the responsibilities.