The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 78

Divine Doctor of the Demonic World (78)

Beopyeon smiled serenely and said to Han Seolhwa,

“Would you please wear your veil?”

Han Seolhwa cast a questioning glance, and Beopyeon continued with a smile,

“Even this old man’s heart flutters at the sight of the Seonja’s [a title for a woman of surpassing beauty and virtue] beauty, how much more so for the young monks?”

Han Seolhwa, who had briefly removed her veil because it was stuffy, silently adjusted it again. Upon arriving at the abbot’s room, Beopyeon instructed his disciples to bring tea.

While waiting for the tea, Beopyeon asked,

“May I ask the reason for wanting to see the Great Patriarch of this temple?”

Great Patriarch.

That meant he was the Dharma Heir [spiritual successor] who inherited the lineage of the previous generation.

Instead of answering, Han Seolhwa turned her head towards Dan Akseon.

Naturally, Beopyeon’s gaze followed Dan Akseon.

“I want to meet him and speak to him directly.”

A look of trouble briefly crossed Beopyeon’s face before disappearing.

“I may hold the position of Abbot, but I cannot force anything if he refuses.”

Dan Akseon readily nodded.

“It would be good to meet him, but if he refuses, I will simply return.”

Beopyeon smiled broadly, as if satisfied.

At that moment, a novice monk opened the door and carefully brought in the tea.

“Oh?”

Dan Akseon wore a surprised expression as he recognized the novice monk’s face.

It was the same novice who had greeted them at the temple gate.

The novice, who had inadvertently turned his head and met Dan Akseon’s gaze, was also startled. He had conveyed the message just in case, but he never expected to meet them again in the abbot’s room.

“Didn’t that child say the Abbot wasn’t receiving guests?”

At Han Seolhwa’s question, Beopyeon looked at Dan Akseon and smiled.

“It depends on the guest.”

“……?”

“How can the name of the Divine Doctor be taken lightly?”

This time, Beopyeon looked at Han Seolhwa and wore a meaningful smile.

“If this humble monk had said he would not meet you, would you have obediently returned?”

Han Seolhwa coldly snorted, and Beopyeon nodded as if he expected it.

“The reason this humble monk does not receive guests is to avoid disturbing his purity.”

“What does that mean?”

“Venerable Hyegong, who is my grand-master, is preparing to pass on the Dharma robe.”

The Dharma robe, passed down through generations of the Seonjong [Zen Buddhism] lineage.

Passing on the robe and bowl held profound religious significance.

It was tangible proof that the master recognized the disciple’s enlightenment, entrusting them with the role of leading the Buddhist disciples.

“To this end, he has entered a period of seclusion. He is about to enter Nirvana [a state of perfect peace], shedding all remaining worldly attachments. Therefore, he has refused outside guests until he designates the disciple to whom he will transmit the Dharma robe.”

Beopyeon brought writing materials and composed a short letter. He beckoned the novice monk closer and handed him the letter.

“Take this to the Chief of the Arhat Hall and tell him to take it to the Second Patriarch’s Hermitage.”

“You mean Venerable Ryogong? Understood.”

The novice monk glanced at Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa before leaving.

At that moment, Han Seolhwa asked a question.

“I thought the Chief of the Arhat Hall was dead? Was his Dharma name Ryobeom?”

“……!”

Han Seolhwa did not miss the momentary flicker in Beopyeon’s eyes.

“I heard you launched a joint attack to capture the Blood Demon Venerable? With the Heavenly Jade of the Tang family and an elder from the Namgung family joining forces.”

Beopyeon was utterly embarrassed. It was a question that dug into his most painful spot. However, Han Seolhwa, who had asked the question, showed no emotion.

Beopyeon took a sip of tea and let out a soft sigh.

“Everything is this humble monk’s fault.”

That was the end of it.

He closed his eyes tightly and pursed his lips, as if not allowing any further mention of the matter.

It was then.

Dan Akseon suddenly spoke up.

“Venerable, would you mind sticking out your tongue for a moment?”

Beopyeon, startled by the sudden request, was slightly taken aback.

Dan Akseon had approached him closely and was staring intently at his face with a serious expression.

“I thought it was a little strange when I first saw you, but I became certain just now.”

“What are you certain of?”

“Your illness.”

“……!”

Dan Akseon sought permission with his eyes and reached out to take Beopyeon’s pulse. After closing his eyes, Dan Akseon sighed after a long silence.

“The fire energy in your heart has become too strong, severely affecting your heart meridian [pathway for vital energy]. It seems to have been going on for at least a year?”

Beopyeon smiled bitterly.

“No need to worry. I know my body better than anyone else.”

“Including the fact that you don’t have much time left?”

Beopyeon’s eyebrows twitched.

Judging by his words, it seemed he was already aware of his condition to some extent.

“Stick out your tongue. I need to see it to make a more accurate diagnosis.”

“Don’t bother. This is also a karmic debt that I must bear.”

Despite Beopyeon’s refusal, Dan Akseon was adamant.

“It must have been incredibly painful, how have you endured it until now?”

“I thought of it as a bamboo staff that makes me reflect on past mistakes……”

Dan Akseon interrupted Beopyeon.

“Being hit with a bamboo staff doesn’t kill a person. But this disease will kill you. And painfully so.”

Dan Akseon gazed at Beopyeon with a sincere look.

“Didn’t Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha [a Buddhist figure who vowed to save all beings] throw himself into hell for the sake of sentient beings?”

“……?”

“He must have done so because it was his calling.”

Beopyeon, who had been watching Dan Akseon, wondering what he was going to say, smiled serenely at the words that followed.

“My calling is to save people. If I turn a blind eye to someone dying before my eyes, I will be tormented by guilt for the rest of my life. And I heard that Buddhist disciples must practice compassion.”

“So, if I refuse treatment, it means I am committing a great sin as a Buddhist disciple.”

Beopyeon nodded.

Having obtained permission, Dan Akseon checked the color of Beopyeon’s eyes and tongue, listened to his back and chest, and began tapping all over his body.

“As I thought……”

Dan Akseon wore a serious expression.

“If we had been any later, it would have been irreversible.”

“Alright, what is my diagnosis?”

“It’s Heart Fire Rising.”

“Heart disease……you mean?”

“That’s the cause, but it’s deteriorating into a much more serious condition.”

Dan Akseon shook his head and continued his explanation.

“There is the largest and most important blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the entire body. As it is connected to the heart, it receives the highest pressure. Therefore, it must be more flexible and durable than any other blood vessel.”

“And?”

“Part of that blood vessel is hardening, and it is not able to withstand the high pressure, causing minor ruptures. Eventually, it will tear lengthwise.”

Dan Akseon asked,

“Did you feel extreme pain between your shoulder blades on your back?”

When Beopyeon nodded, he asked again,

“That pain must have felt like being struck with an axe or hammer. It was probably the most severe pain you have ever experienced in your life.”

Beopyeon’s eyes widened.

He was amazed that Dan Akseon had grasped his condition in such detail.

“If left untreated, the blood vessel will tear and the blood will flow to the wrong places. As a result, the nerves that are not supplied with blood may lose their function, leading to paralysis of the lower body.”

“Is treatment possible?”

“Fortunately, it’s not too late, so treatment is possible. By placing needles in the Danjeon [energy center below the navel], Naegwan [acupoint on the inner forearm], and Sinmun [acupoint on the wrist] points to lower blood pressure, and using medicine to restore the damaged blood vessel, it can be treated. However……”

“……?”

“There is a high possibility of recurrence. The reason for the high blood pressure seems to be psychogenic.”

Beopyeon let out a hollow laugh, as if he was dumbfounded.

“Haha, I thought the son of the Divine Doctor had come, but the Divine Doctor himself has come.”

“Then I will begin the treatment.”

Dan Akseon took out a wooden case containing needles from his pocket.

The moment Dan Akseon held the blue needle with its exquisite ivory carvings, Beopyeon exclaimed.

“It’s a Seonang Needle!”

Beopyeon felt a sense of joy at seeing his divine object, symbolizing the Divine Doctor.

“But it will be very painful.”

Beopyeon closed his eyes, saying he was alright, as Dan Akseon cast a worried glance.

Dan Akseon inserted the Seonang Needles into the blood points he had identified in advance.

After tirelessly applying the needles, Dan Akseon sighed and stepped back after about two quarters of an hour [roughly 30 minutes].

Beopyeon opened his eyes and was inwardly impressed.

His symptoms had definitely improved noticeably compared to two quarters of an hour ago.

“Amitabha [a Buddhist invocation].”

Dan Akseon said to Beopyeon, who was softly chanting the Buddha’s name.

“You will have to wait a little while for the medicine. It will take time to obtain and prepare the medicinal ingredients.”

“Is the method of making that medicine a secret of the Divine Doctor?”

Dan Akseon shook his head at Beopyeon’s question.

“No. It’s not like that. The manufacturing method is not difficult, so even a general doctor can make it if they have my prescription.”

“That’s a relief. Then just write me a prescription.”

“Ah! The Hall of the Medicine King!”

Dan Akseon exclaimed, belatedly remembering something.

In Shaolin, there was a separate hall for treating patients.

Its facilities, scale, and level of medical skill were second to none, and it was no exaggeration to say that it was the best medical institution of the time.

Dan Akseon borrowed writing materials and wrote a prescription.

Beopyeon sighed as he received it.

Dan Akseon smiled at the sight and said,

“Don’t worry. If you take the medicine on time, you will recover quickly.”

“No, what I’m worried about is not that……”

Beopyeon cast a complex look at Dan Akseon, who was puzzled.

“How am I to repay this debt?”

It was then.

A voice calling for Beopyeon was heard from outside the abbot’s room.

“Venerable Abbot, this humble monk is Ryogong.”

“Come in.”

At those words, the door to the abbot’s room opened and a man entered.

A monk with calm eyes that left a strong impression.

It was the Arhat they had first encountered at the temple gate.

Now that he saw him again, he was the Chief of the Arhat Hall, leading the Arhats of the time.

“Yes. Did you deliver the letter?”

At Beopyeon’s question, Ryogong answered with the utmost politeness.

“I was unable to see his face. So, I left the letter and returned.”

“Was there anything else unusual?”

Ryogong hesitated for a moment to answer.

Beopyeon faintly smiled, noticing that his gaze lingered on Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa for a moment.

“You may speak freely.”

Only then did Ryogong carefully open his mouth.

“It seems he has been fasting for several days. It seems……”

Ryogong trailed off, and Beopyeon’s expression clouded over as he guessed what he was about to say. After pondering something for a moment, Beopyeon turned to Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa.

“Venerable Hyegong will contact you separately. Would you please wait a little longer until then?”

Beopyeon smiled at Han Seolhwa, who was showing a displeased expression.

“It will soon be time for the meal. You have come all this way, so you must give us the opportunity to treat you to our temple food.”

Beopyeon instructed Ryogong.

“Guide our guests to their lodgings and tell the novice monks who will be attending to them to ensure they lack nothing.”

“Yes, Venerable Abbot.”

Ryogong bowed politely to Dan Akseon and Han Seolhwa.

“This humble monk will guide you.”

As the two left the abbot’s room following Ryogong, Beopyeon finally let out a long sigh. With a complex look, he pondered repeatedly before heading towards the Hall of the Medicine King.

He did not enter, but stood there for a long time. The head monk in charge of the Hall of the Medicine King approached Beopyeon and paid his respects.

“Is there any improvement?”

The same question as yesterday.

The answer that came back was no different than usual.

“There have been no particular results.”

The head monk lowered his head as if he was sorry at Beopyeon’s sigh that came out involuntarily.

Beopyeon raised his eyes and looked up at the sky.

‘Is there truly no other way?’

He only repeated the Buddha’s name in his heart with a feeling of helplessness.