The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 70

The Divine Doctor (70)

“Doctor Dan.”

“Yes.”

“Enjoy it.”

“Pardon?”

“Our master said so. Martial arts are ultimately learned to live happily.”

Bum Gye-wi snatched the Jemi Pill from Dan Ahk-seon’s hand.

Dan Ahk-seon, caught off guard by the sudden theft of the Jemi Pill, wore a bewildered expression.

Bum Gye-wi said to Dan Ahk-seon,

“Eat the roasted duck now. Then, I’ll happily train with you.”

“But…”

“Why are you practicing martial arts, Doctor Dan? To be happy, right?”

Dan Ahk-seon nodded.

Though the details were slightly different, the conclusion was not wrong.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then you shouldn’t miss the happiness of the present.”

Bum Gye-wi continued with a smile.

“How can someone who doesn’t know how to enjoy the happiness given to them now enjoy happiness later?”

“Huh?”

Surprise flickered in Dan Ahk-seon’s eyes.

“You’re right, Mister.”

“Here! Eat!”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled brightly at Bum Gye-wi, who offered the roasted duck.

“I think it would be even happier if we all ate together.”

“Alright. I’ll make an exception just for today.”

Bum Gye-wi readily nodded.

It was during the meal they were all sharing.

Cho Ahk-ryang looked at Bum Gye-wi with a renewed gaze.

He too had tried to persuade Dan Ahk-seon several times, but he had always been defeated by his stubbornness.

“I didn’t know you had such persuasive skills…”

Bum Gye-wi, chewing on food, nonchalantly replied,

“Those were the words of our master. It wasn’t roasted duck back then, but chicken.”

Bum Gye-wi’s expression turned gloomy for a moment.

“Ah, suddenly I miss master.”

The longing in Bum Gye-wi’s voice, as he muttered with a bitter look, was unmistakable. At that moment, something suddenly appeared before him.

Dan Ahk-seon offered Bum Gye-wi a large piece of roasted duck leg.

“Thank you.”

“Huh? For what?”

“For the food, and for the advice, everything. Thanks to you, my anxious heart has calmed down.”

Bum Gye-wi’s face brightened again as he brought the duck leg to his mouth.

“Really? Then that’s all that matters. Hahaha.”

Bum Gye-wi’s booming laughter echoed through the Divine Devil Valley.

* * *

Late afternoon on the last day of December.

The fierce wind that had been raging subsided slightly, and the heavy gray clouds that had been hanging low finally began to scatter snowflakes.

People welcomed the snow that marked the end of the year.

However, as time passed, the amount of snow falling increased, eventually turning into an unprecedented blizzard that blanketed Muwi.

People who had gone to the market to prepare for the Spring Festival hurried home.

The same was true for merchants who were looking forward to the peak season.

Muwi was soon deserted as the fierce blizzard raged. So, when a man entered Sojeok Mountain through the thick blizzard, he was taken aback.

The man, wrapped in a thick overcoat, smiled quietly, revealing only his eyes.

“Have you been well?”

“…!”

Sojeok Mountain, recognizing the voice, jumped up from his chair.

“Chief Manager!”

It was a reunion after six long months.

Sojeok Mountain handed Sa Mu-sim, who was shaking the snow off his head and shoulders, a warm cup of tea.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

Only after Sa Mu-sim had emptied the teacup and his frozen body had thawed a little did Sojeok Mountain cautiously open his mouth.

“You’ve come earlier than I expected. Didn’t you say it would take more than a year?”

“I went with the group, but I came back alone, so I hurried. I think I’ve been away from this place for too long.”

At those words, Sojeok Mountain asked with a worried expression.

“Is it alright, though?”

He was worried about the trade group returning without Sa Mu-sim.

“Don’t worry. The trade group is traveling with merchants from the Western Regions, so nothing will happen.”

Sojeok Mountain finally nodded in relief.

Sa Mu-sim asked,

“Has anything happened in the meantime?”

“There haven’t been any major incidents… Ah! That’s right.”

Sojeok Mountain reported in detail about the Jangnakbang group infiltrating Muwi in the past.

“So, what happened?”

“Well, they disappeared just like that…”

Sa Mu-sim smiled faintly.

Since he had informed the Divine Devil Valley, the seniors must have taken care of it, so it didn’t seem like a big concern.

“Anything else?”

“Until recently, there were many outsiders inquiring around the neighborhood, looking for the Son of Righteousness.”

Sa Mu-sim had expected it too. However, what he was curious about was Sojeok Mountain’s tone, as if the matter was over.

“Has it been resolved?”

“Yes. The Beggars’ Union has taken over and driven out the outsiders.”

“The Beggars’ Union?”

“Yes, their intentions are unclear, but they are not investigating at all, they are just guarding against outsiders. It’s as if they are protecting Muwi.”

“Hmm. Are they protecting the doctor?”

The Beggars’ Union’s favor was appreciated, but there were many uncomfortable aspects.

“More than that, what about the task I asked you to do before?”

At Sa Mu-sim’s question, Sojeok Mountain smiled brightly.

“As you said, we have filled the positions with trade company employees.”

“You’ve done well. I will gather them separately to teach them soon, so tell them to eat well, rest, and train their bodies before then.”

“We are already doing so.”

Sa Mu-sim felt inwardly pleased with Sojeok Mountain’s handling of the work.

“Ah! I almost forgot this.”

Sa Mu-sim, belatedly remembering something, took something out of his pocket and handed it to Sojeok Mountain.

Sojeok Mountain, taken aback, asked with a puzzled face.

“What is this?”

“It’s said to be a famous liquor from the Western Regions.”

“Yes? Such a generous…”

Sa Mu-sim gave Sojeok Mountain a kind smile, who was unable to continue speaking due to his emotion.

“I’ll take care of you even more when I make money.”

Sa Mu-sim lightly patted Sojeok Mountain’s shoulder, conveying the meaning of praise and encouragement, and put on his overcoat again.

And before leaving, he left a word of caution.

“If anything happens, contact me immediately. They are martial artists, so don’t try to investigate recklessly.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Then, see you again.”

Sojeok Mountain cautiously suggested to Sa Mu-sim, who was heading back into the pouring snow.

“Night will be coming soon, how about leaving after the snow stops?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll decline.”

Sa Mu-sim smiled brightly.

“Still, I want to celebrate the New Year at home.”

* * *

“Heaven is helping me.”

Sa Mu-sim’s steps towards the Divine Devil Valley gradually quickened.

As he left the village and entered the foothills, the snow began to subside as if by a lie. As he hurried along, the entrance to the Divine Devil Valley came into view in the distance.

The familiar mountain range and scenery that he had not seen in a long time felt new and welcome.

It was a feeling he had not felt in a long time.

A feeling like returning to his hometown.

But that was only for a moment, as a strange sound began to be heard as he got closer to the entrance of the Divine Devil Valley.

Sa Mu-sim quickened his pace even more. For some reason, all sorts of wild animals, including tigers, bears, and wild boars, were gathered at the entrance of the valley.

On the opposite side, Neung So-mil was single-handedly fighting the beasts.

Sa Mu-sim, who had quickly closed the distance, swung his hand like lightning towards the tiger in front of him.

“No, Brother! You mustn’t kill them!”

Neung So-mil shouted in surprise.

“…?”

Sa Mu-sim was flustered and hurriedly withdrew his hand.

Neung So-mil, who had pushed the beasts back at once, greeted him with a delighted expression.

“Welcome, Brother.”

“What… what is going on here?”

“This?”

Neung So-mil smiled awkwardly.

“These guys are a little excited right now, but they’ll calm down if you wait a bit. I’m also using them to train in the meantime.”

“Why are the wild animals here?”

Instead of answering, Neung So-mil pointed to the inside of the Divine Devil Valley.

Only then was Sa Mu-sim able to turn his head and examine the inside of the Divine Devil Valley.

‘This is?’

A strange energy that draws people in.

At the center of it was Dan Ahk-seon.

Behind Dan Ahk-seon, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, Bum Gye-wi and Han Seol-hwa were sitting side by side, placing their palms on Dan Ahk-seon’s back.

And Cho Ahk-ryang was protecting them.

An auspicious aura overflowed around them.

“These guys are drawn to that energy.”

Neung So-mil nodded.

“Yes. It will be over soon.”

“Ah, right. I’m late with my greetings. It’s good to see you again.”

“Yes, it’s good to see you too… Huff, huff, just a moment. Let me take care of these guys first…”

Neung So-mil was panting as if his energy was running out as he opened his mouth to speak. Then, he was hit in the face by a paw swung by a bear that was nearby.

“Cough!”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes! It’s nothing. This is not even ticklish.”

Sa Mu-sim raised his hand and pointed to Neung So-mil’s face.

“You have a nosebleed?”

“…?”

Neung So-mil wiped his nose with the back of his hand and frowned.

“I’m sorry. It’s because I was talking to you…”

“No, Brother. This is an everyday occurrence.”

Unlike his words, the power of the club he wielded at the beasts was fiercer than ever before.

“You! Come here!”

Neung So-mil grabbed the surprised bear, neglecting his defense.

“I told you! To do it moderately!”

Sa Mu-sim, who was dumbfounded and let out a chuckle, turned his head and examined the inside of the Divine Devil Valley.

The mysterious energy that had created all these phenomena was being absorbed into Dan Ahk-seon as if being sucked in.

Sa Mu-sim, standing in front of Cho Ahk-ryang, bowed his head as politely as possible.

“I have returned, Senior.”

“Yes, you have worked hard. Was there anything wrong?”

“There were some difficulties, but I resolved them safely.”

Cho Ahk-ryang nodded without asking for details.

“If you say so, then that must be the case. You must be tired from traveling a long way, so take a rest.”

“I’ll greet you first.”

It was about an hour later that Dan Ahk-seon opened his eyes.

‘Only half a year?’

Dan Ahk-seon’s eyes were as deep and stable as clear tea water.

Sa Mu-sim received a shock close to astonishment. This was because he could clearly feel the internal energy that was beginning to be fully harnessed beyond being revealed to the outside.

It was a truly amazing rate of development that was hard to believe even when seen with his own eyes.

Even considering that he had been blessed with innate talent and the teachings of three people comparable to grandmasters.

Dan Ahk-seon, who discovered Sa Mu-sim, smiled brightly and ran over.

“Welcome! Chief Manager. Are you feeling well?”

Sa Mu-sim felt a warmth welling up from the depths of his heart at Dan Ahk-seon’s greeting as he held his hand.

‘He’s still the same.’

The only thing that had changed was the change in his body, Dan Ahk-seon was still Dan Ahk-seon.

“Thanks to you, I returned safely.”

The height that had been around his sternum before he left was now just below his collarbone.

“You’ve grown a lot taller while I haven’t seen you.”

Sa Mu-sim handed the object he had taken out of his pocket to Dan Ahk-seon, who was smiling awkwardly.

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

Dan Ahk-seon’s face lit up as he received the wooden case that Sa Mu-sim had handed him and opened it.

“This is!”

Sa Mu-sim smiled and nodded.

“It’s the Dragon Saliva Incense and Saffron you wanted so much.”

He had brought the highest grade of medicine among the items brought in through the trade company separately to give as a gift to Dan Ahk-seon.

“Wow! Even this alone must be incredibly expensive.”

The enchanting color of the neatly dried red petals immediately captivated Dan Ahk-seon’s eyes.

“That much is one *nyang* [a unit of weight, approximately 37.5 grams], which is the unit for measuring the amount of medicine, and I heard that you have to pick over two thousand flowers to get that much.”

“Thank you, Chief Manager.”

“You’re welcome. I’m more grateful.”

“Pardon?”

“Seeing the Lord’s happy face makes me feel like the long journey has finally been rewarded.”