The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 54

The Night.

Beom Gyewi and Han Seolhwa gathered at Cho Akryang’s hut.

“I hear No Danyang is acting like he owns the place?”

At Beom Gyewi’s question, Cho Akryang scoffed as if it were ridiculous.

“That arrogant bastard is backed by the authority of the Murim Alliance [a powerful martial arts organization], so he sees nothing else.”

“But what does that guy lack that he became a lackey of the Murim Alliance? He even brought all his subordinates.”

“According to Neung Somil, he seems to have made a promise with the Murim Alliance Leader.”

“What kind of promise?”

“He couldn’t find out the details.”

The problem was the Evil Sandan [a group of evil martial artists], where he was the leader.

Until now, Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi had defeated a considerable number of Evil Sandan warriors, but it was only a fraction.

Moreover, even at this moment, the number of Evil Sandan members was rapidly increasing.

This was because they were using the authority and power of the Murim Alliance to absorb small and medium-sized sects like Shinsobang, expanding their influence.

“At this rate, won’t the Murim Alliance swallow the entire martial world soon?”

Cho Akryang couldn’t hide his discomfort at Beom Gyewi’s prediction.

He didn’t like how things were turning out, but he couldn’t deny the current reality.

“Witch, what do you think?”

Han Seolhwa, who had been silently sipping tea, answered indifferently.

“I don’t care.”

“Then why are you listening?”

Han Seolhwa replied with a look of annoyance.

“I’m pretending you’re not here.”

The two couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

After a moment.

“Hey, Witch.”

Beom Gyewi asked Han Seolhwa.

“Honestly, aren’t you having fun with us?”

“……?”

“From some point on, you’re always around when we talk?”

“…….”

Han Seolhwa only sipped her tea silently.

As Han Seolhwa brought the teacup to her mouth again, Cho Akryang said.

“I saw earlier that your cup was empty.”

Han Seolhwa paused.

Embarrassed, she put down the teacup and tried to go outside.

Cho Akryang stopped her.

“Just stay here. Let’s put aside the Seven Fiends [likely a group or concept], we need to talk about Doctor Dan from now on.”

Beom Gyewi reacted first when Dan Akseon’s story came up.

“Is there something wrong with Doctor Dan?”

Han Seolhwa sat down again, and Cho Akryang opened his mouth.

“Internal energy cultivation technique. Now that we’ve decided to learn it, we shouldn’t delay any longer.”

“True. It’s not early even if we start now.”

Han Seolhwa also gave her opinion for the first time.

“We can’t ruin a talent that won’t exist again in the world.”

Cho Akryang nodded and asked the two.

“When do you think we can start?”

“Theoretically, it’s been established to some extent…….”

Beom Gyewi hesitated and carefully opened his mouth.

“Theory and practice are very different, you know.”

The three were silent for a moment.

As Beom Gyewi said, there were still many variables.

They couldn’t rashly have Dan Akseon learn the incomplete internal energy cultivation technique.

“Should we grab someone and teach them?”

Cho Akryang’s eyes lit up at Beom Gyewi’s passing remark.

“Good idea?”

“Huh? Really?”

Unlike the embarrassed Beom Gyewi, Han Seolhwa immediately noticed Cho Akryang’s thoughts.

“We have a suitable guy who just came in.”

“Oh? That’s right?”

Only then did Beom Gyewi realize the intentions of the two.

“But what if something goes wrong?”

Cho Akryang replied to Beom Gyewi’s question.

“We’ll fix it. Didn’t you say that the method of treating severed meridians [energy pathways in the body] was originally derived from the method of treating inner demon [mental or spiritual imbalance]?”

“That’s right, I did.”

The three smiled meaningfully.

Thus, once again, Neung Somil’s fate was decided regardless of his will.

At the same time.

Neung Somil felt a chill for no reason.

He wondered if it was because of the chilly night air, but it wasn’t.

‘What is it? This ominous feeling?’

He looked around, but there was nothing particularly strange.

‘Is it because I’m nervous?’

Neung Somil nodded inwardly as he looked at Sa Musim’s back, who was walking ahead.

‘Indeed.’

There was a reason why he was called Sojeon Gwiya [likely a title or nickname].

The person in front of him, Sujeon Gwiya [another title or nickname], was more than capable of hiding a knife behind his smile.

It would be strange not to be nervous.

Sa Musim, who was guiding Neung Somil, pointed to a hut located next to the warehouse.

“You will stay here for the time being.”

Neung Somil carefully opened his mouth, watching Sa Musim’s expression.

“Isn’t this the Chief Manager’s residence?”

“I can’t let a patient be exposed to the night dew, can I?”

Sa Musim wore a benevolent smile.

“You must be tired from the long journey, so don’t feel burdened and rest comfortably.”

Neung Somil stared at Sa Musim.

His excessive kindness only increased his doubts and anxiety.

‘Why is he doing this? Why is he being so nice to me?’

He was even personally taking care of the bedding and preparing water to drink when he was thirsty.

Eventually, Neung Somil couldn’t stand it and asked.

“Excuse me…….”

“……?”

“You’re the Sa Senior who used to be called Sujeon Gwiya……, aren’t you?”

Sa Musim replied with a gentle look.

“There was a time when I was called that. But now, I’m just the Chief Manager of Shinma Valley [likely a location or organization].”

Neung Somil wondered how much of those words he should believe.

Sa Musim continued to speak to him in a kind manner.

“I know better than anyone how you feel right now. I was the same way. But this place is also a place where people live. You’ll get used to it as you live here. Not to mention the three seniors, even the Valley Lord is worthy of respect.”

At those words, Neung Somil felt a renewed sense of wariness.

‘Come to think of it, he said he was a doctor, right?’

He wanted to go to Dan Akseon and ask what medicine he had given him.

Otherwise, it was difficult to explain why Sujeon Gwiya, who was so famous for his wickedness, was acting like an enlightened monk.

It was then.

Sa Musim, who saw the back of Neung Somil, bowed politely.

“Have you arrived?”

Neung Somil, who reflexively turned his head, was startled.

Cho Akryang, along with Beom Gyewi and Han Seolhwa, were casting strange glances at him, having been standing there since who knows when.

“You’re Neung Somil, right?”

Neung Somil flinched at Beom Gyewi’s words.

“Yes? Yes!”

“What kind of meat do you like?”

“Pardon?”

“Do you want me to say it twice?”

Neung Somil hurriedly replied as Beom Gyewi frowned.

“I like pork!”

“Is that so? I understand.”

Leaving those words behind, Beom Gyewi turned around.

Then, Han Seolhwa asked this time.

“What about fruit?”

“Pardon?”

“…….”

Neung Somil hurriedly replied to Han Seolhwa’s glaring eyes.

“S, wild strawberries! I like wild strawberries.”

Han Seolhwa, having heard the answer, also turned around silently.

As expected, Cho Akryang also threw a question.

“What kind of alcohol do you like?”

“S, Sohongju [a type of Korean traditional liquor]…….”

Cho Akryang disappeared without even hearing the end of the sentence.

Neung Somil could only stand there blankly, not knowing what was going on.

“What on earth just happened?”

Neung Somil, who finally came to his senses, asked Sa Musim.

Sa Musim smiled and replied.

“I’m glad to see that the seniors like you. You should go in and rest now. I still have things to do.”

“I’ll help you.”

“Didn’t you hear the Valley Lord say that you should rest for the time being? There’s no need to feel burdened, so just rest well.”

With those words, Sa Musim turned around without hesitation.

Left alone, Neung Somil couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

‘What is it? Why am I so uneasy?’

It didn’t take long for Neung Somil to realize the reason.

The next morning.

Neung Somil blinked at the lavishly prepared food in front of him.

It was because of the mouth-watering steamed piglet, a plate full of wild strawberries, and a whole container of Sohongju.

On the other hand, everyone else’s meals were all vegetables.

‘Why only me?’

He couldn’t bring himself to eat it because he felt burdened.

Beom Gyewi suddenly opened his mouth towards the hesitant Neung Somil.

“What are you doing? Why aren’t you eating?”

Cho Akryang and Han Seolhwa were the same.

Neung Somil reluctantly brought the food to his mouth at the sight of the three people staring at him.

“Would you like to eat together?”

Neung Somil carefully opened his mouth, feeling too embarrassed to eat delicious food alone.

However, the three smiled meaningfully and shook their heads.

“No. You eat it all.”

Beom Gyewi pushed the food towards Neung Somil.

“Th, thank you.”

“No. We should be thanking you.”

“Pardon?”

“Eat quickly. Don’t leave anything behind.”

Even while eating delicious food, Neung Somil couldn’t taste the food properly.

He was so nervous that he didn’t know if the food was going in through his nose or his mouth.

Halfway through, he wanted to leave some food because he was full, but he couldn’t.

He couldn’t bring himself to leave it behind because of the burdensome gazes of the three people who were fixated on him.

Eventually, Neung Somil, who had forced himself to eat all the food, gasped for breath.

“Are you done eating?”

“Yes…….”

Neung Somil barely answered Cho Akryang’s question.

“Then let’s talk for a bit.”

“…….”

Neung Somil, who was dragged to a secluded place by the three, felt the anxiety he had been suppressing rising up.

As expected.

“Are you telling me to give up my martial arts?”

Neung Somil shouted in dismay at the unexpected words.

He was a martial artist, even if he was insignificant compared to them.

He would rather die than give up his martial arts.

Cho Akryang clicked his tongue at Beom Gyewi.

“Tsk! How would he understand if you cut off the story like that?”

This was because what Beom Gyewi had said to Neung Somil, who he had dragged away, was ‘Let’s get rid of your martial arts.’

Beom Gyewi said with an aggrieved expression.

“No, it’s not wrong. To learn a new internal energy cultivation technique, you have to scatter all the existing internal energy first, right?”

“That’s why you should have explained the reason first. Look at him. He looks like he’s about to have a heart attack from shock. How would he willingly learn martial arts like that?”

“What is he going to do if he doesn’t like it?”

Beom Gyewi glared at Neung Somil.

“Tell me. Do you not want to learn martial arts from us?”

“Th, that’s…….”

Neung Somil’s face turned pale as he faced Beom Gyewi’s murderous aura right in front of him.

Cho Akryang, who cast a pathetic look at Beom Gyewi, finally stepped forward.

“I have realized something after experiencing this.”

Neung Somil, who was rolling his eyes in fear, came to his senses at Cho Akryang’s words that followed.

“You worked so hard for me, so shouldn’t I give you a reward worthy of that?”

“A reward?”

“I will personally bestow martial arts upon you.”

Neung Somil, sensing something suspicious, quickly waved his hands.

“Ah, no! It’s okay! I didn’t do it for a reward!”

“Don’t refuse.”

At that moment, Beom Gyewi suddenly interjected.

“You shouldn’t refuse.”

“……!”

“You wouldn’t be ignoring our kindness, would you? Right?”

Neung Somil, whose face had turned pale, finally realized why they had brought him meat and alcohol.

As expected, it couldn’t have been a simple gift.

“It won’t be a bad thing for you either. This Murim is a place where you won’t suffer if you have the skills to back you up.”

Neung Somil stammered.

“Are you telling me to become the three seniors’ joint disciple?”

Han Seolhwa chuckled.

Beom Gyewi was just as dumbfounded.

Cho Akryang, worried that there might be a misunderstanding, hurriedly continued his explanation.

“We’re not trying to pass on our unique martial arts. We’re going to teach you a martial art that the three of us created together.”

‘What’s the difference?’

Neung Somil suddenly became anxious.

Still, he was the head of an information organization.

Even if he didn’t know anything else, he was second to none in his ability to gather information and understand the situation.

‘This is going to be bad……!’

Through the conversation between Cho Akryang and Beom Gyewi that followed, Neung Somil realized the situation he was in.

In short, they needed someone to experiment with the newly created internal energy cultivation technique.

He was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t help but be speechless.

Neung Somil felt a dark cloud looming over his fate.