The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 92

The Divine Doctor of Mount Hua (92)

If they were Han Seol-hwa’s group, they were also guests of Mount Hua.

This was not something to simply overlook.

“Fortunately, the doctors generously paid for the repairs. However, due to the circumstances, we won’t be able to do business for a while.”

Jinmyeong Jin-in couldn’t hide his disappointment at the innkeeper’s words.

Then, he suddenly felt a strange sensation and turned his head.

He saw Han Seol-hwa, her eyes cold and radiating a chilling aura.

Jinmyeong Jin-in gave a bitter smile.

Her disappointment must have been immense.

But could it compare to his own?

He felt a deep regret for missing the chance to create new memories against the backdrop of old ones.

“I will personally take this matter up with the Murim Alliance [a governing body for martial arts sects and clans].”

Han Seol-hwa realized Jinmyeong Jin-in was misunderstanding, but she didn’t bother to explain.

Instead, she took Dan Ak-seon’s hand and turned away.

“Are you leaving already?”

Han Seol-hwa nodded indifferently at the bewildered Jinmyeong Jin-in.

“Let’s postpone the meal for another time.”

Dan Ak-seon quickly bowed to Jinmyeong Jin-in.

“Thank you once again.”

“Hmm?”

“For the joint letter.”

Jinmyeong Jin-in responded with a gentle gaze.

“It was no difficult task at all. Mount Hua supports Young Master Dan’s cause. May the blessings of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning [a Taoist deity] be with you.”

“I hope so too. I’ll rush to help whenever you need me.”

Jinmyeong Jin-in watched the departing figures with a lingering gaze. Once they were completely out of sight, he slowly turned his head.

The warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.

His gaze was fixed on the dumpling stall next to the inn.

“The Murim Alliance is truly crossing the line.”

The man disguised as a street vendor flinched.

Despite the considerable distance between them, Jinmyeong Jin-in’s voice was as clear as if he were standing right next to him.

The Murim Alliance’s spy, avoiding Jinmyeong Jin-in’s gaze with an uneasy expression, quickly packed up his stall and left in a hurry.

* * *

Dan Ak-seon, walking alongside Han Seol-hwa, smiled brightly.

“But it seems like the uncles have gotten much better.”

“……?”

Han Seol-hwa, puzzled, chuckled at Dan Ak-seon’s next words.

“They were attacked first, but they ended it without killing anyone.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Isn’t that right?”

“That’s…”

Han Seol-hwa, about to continue her explanation, let out a light sigh.

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

With that, the two entered the forest where Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi were hiding.

“Oh? You’re here? Did you finish early?”

Han Seol-hwa’s eyes narrowed at Beom Gye-wi’s unusually welcoming demeanor. His nonchalant attitude, as if nothing had happened, was infuriating.

Cho Ak-ryang was the same.

“Did things go well?”

“Yes!”

Dan Ak-seon smiled brightly, holding up the joint letter with Jinmyeong Jin-in’s signature.

Han Seol-hwa asked the two.

“Were you here the whole time?”

“Of course!”

Beom Gye-wi answered immediately, as if he had been waiting for the question.

“No accidents?”

“Absolutely not!”

At this point, Han Seol-hwa was beyond exasperated.

Even though she knew everything, they were blatantly lying to her face!

“What? What’s with that look? You don’t trust us? We were really here the whole time. Right, Cho hyung [older brother]?”

“Huh? Yeah… Right.”

Unlike Beom Gye-wi, Cho Ak-ryang trailed off, noticing the unusual look in Han Seol-hwa’s eyes.

Seeing this, Dan Ak-seon shook his head with a soft sigh.

Beom Gye-wi asked Dan Ak-seon with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong? Doctor Dan. Are you feeling unwell?”

“It’s not that.”

Dan Ak-seon forced a troubled smile. A chilling aura was now emanating from Han Seol-hwa’s entire body.

“We’re… coming from Yaryeohyang.”

Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi flinched and exchanged glances.

In that instant.

Beom Gye-wi turned around in a flash and disappeared like a dot.

Just as she was inwardly dumbfounded by his behavior.

“It’s all that bastard’s doing.”

Han Seol-hwa’s gaze turned to Cho Ak-ryang.

“I was actually trying to stop him, so it only ended like that.”

Cho Ak-ryang, placing all the blame on Beom Gye-wi, shouted confidently.

Han Seol-hwa inwardly scoffed. Considering he had retreated to a distance beyond her reach, his words were hardly convincing.

As Han Seol-hwa silently stared at him, Cho Ak-ryang cleared his throat.

“Ahem. I’ll go catch that bastard right away.”

With those words, Cho Ak-ryang darted away. However, it was in the opposite direction from where Beom Gye-wi had disappeared.

From the start, Beom Gye-wi was just an excuse.

Han Seol-hwa’s gaze turned to Ga Du-dal, who was trembling alone.

Ga Du-dal cried out pitifully.

“I’m innocent and powerless!”

Han Seol-hwa shook her head, utterly unconvinced by his desperate plea.

Then, she turned to Dan Ak-seon and said.

“Do you see? These are the kind of people they are.”

* * *

Jegeal Yeon, the leader of Cheonidan [a special intelligence unit], frowned deeply.

The reports that kept arriving were all contrary to her expectations.

“No one died?”

At her irritated tone, the subordinate kneeling before her cautiously spoke.

“A letter of protest has also arrived from the Mount Hua Sect.”

“…….”

“It was written by Jinmyeong Jin-in himself. He is demanding that the Murim Alliance formally reprimand those responsible for this blunder.”

“Blunder?”

The man, belatedly realizing his mistake, quickly lowered his head.

After a long pause, the man cautiously spoke again, watching Jegeal Yeon’s expression.

“How should we proceed with the pursuit?”

“Continue it.”

“Then, this time, should we use some more skilled…”

“No. Do it as before.”

Unable to offer any more opinions due to his superior’s displeasure, the man retreated.

Jegeal Yeon was trying to calm her troubled mind with a cup of tea that had long gone cold when someone visited her.

“Is it true that someone from the Mount Hua Sect has been sent?”

Jegeal Yeon’s eyes flashed with annoyance at No Danyang’s undisguised displeasure.

“Are you handling matters in this way?”

Jegeal Yeon’s brow twitched at No Danyang’s rebuke.

“You speak as if the Heavenly Maiden is subordinate to the Pasa Clan Leader?”

No Danyang glared at Jegeal Yeon for a moment before expressing his concern.

“This incident could potentially jeopardize the Alliance Leader’s position.”

“Perhaps.”

No Danyang frowned at her ambiguous answer. It was a statement that could easily lead to a major misunderstanding.

“If the Mount Hua Sect continues to pursue this matter…”

Jegeal Yeon interrupted No Danyang.

“Wouldn’t that be a good thing in its own way?”

“……?”

“What would happen if, after all the commotion, it was revealed that they were actually Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi?”

No Danyang’s eyes flickered slightly.

“In that case, the Mount Hua Sect’s position would become difficult.”

Ultimately, they would be seen as protecting the Ten Evils, and the repercussions would be significant.

“Shouldn’t we report this to the Alliance Leader?”

“We should.”

Jegeal Yeon sighed softly.

“I was going to observe the situation a bit longer, but it seems I have no choice now.”

She had already finished all the calculations in her head.

If she could use the actions of Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, along with Han Seol-hwa and the Righteous Alliance’s son, to involve other sects, she could resolve the pressure on the Murim Alliance in one fell swoop.

For the Murim Alliance, whose very existence was threatened after the Righteous-Demonic War, it was an unparalleled opportunity.

“Before that, the Alliance Leader might be forced to step down.”

Already, starting with the Beggars’ Sect, discussions about the uselessness of the Murim Alliance and the Alliance Leader’s resignation were being cautiously raised.

And that public opinion was gradually gaining momentum.

“Are you afraid?”

“…….”

No Danyang’s eyes turned cold.

He finally sensed an unusual undercurrent in Jegeal Yeon’s attitude.

He had felt strange a few times in the past, but recently, her words and actions whenever she mentioned the Alliance Leader were suspiciously blatant.

Jegeal Yeon smiled quietly, as if understanding.

“Well, I suppose so. After all, the power of the Pasa Clan ultimately relies on the Alliance Leader’s authority.”

No Danyang remained silent.

That was true.

It was obvious that if Namgung Baek fell, he too would become a kite without a string.

Just as the silence was about to lengthen, someone entered the room.

It was a warrior from the Changcheon Clan, escorting the Alliance Leader.

After showing respect to the two, he turned to Jegeal Yeon and spoke.

“The Alliance Leader is looking for you.”

Jegeal Yeon smiled brightly.

“It seems so.”

Standing up, Jegeal Yeon nodded to No Danyang.

“Then, I must go see the Alliance Leader now…”

Leaving behind the confused No Danyang, Jegeal Yeon headed straight for the Alliance Leader’s office.

“Cheonidan Leader Jegeal Yeon requests an audience with the Alliance Leader.”

Jegeal Yeon felt a sharp gaze flying towards her neck.

Slowly raising her head, Jegeal Yeon had to meet Namgung Baek’s eyes, which seemed to be burning with fire.

“Explain what has happened.”

As their eyes met, Namgung Baek dropped the letter he was holding.

The letter, suspended in the air, slowly moved towards Jegeal Yeon.

Belatedly realizing that it was the letter of protest sent by the Mount Hua Sect, Jegeal Yeon smiled quietly.

“Have you forgotten? It was the Alliance Leader who told me to bring results, not processes.”

Jegeal Yeon remained calm even in the face of Namgung Baek’s furious gaze.

“Indeed. But the result is too disappointing.”

Namgung Baek stared intently at Jegeal Yeon.

“Did I overestimate the abilities of Cheonidan?”

After a moment of silence, Jegeal Yeon sighed lightly.

Then, she raised her eyes and looked up at Namgung Baek, who was sitting in the grand chair.

“What would you do if Ak Gong and Ak Il were Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi?”

“I’ve already said it. If they were Blood Demon and Mangsang Choja, there’s no way I wouldn’t have recognized them.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Namgung Baek’s eyebrows twitched.

However, since she, the military strategist of the Murim Alliance, had openly raised a question, he had no choice but to answer.

“The day they were treating Hyang-i, I wasn’t the only one who felt the energy emanating from the residence.”

Yang Bul-wi, the leader of the Changcheon Clan, who was standing on one side of the office, nodded.

The energy he felt that day possessed a warmth that made one feel comfortable just by being near it. The misty aura of true energy, with its strange power to attract people, did not feel the slightest bit evil.

“The Namgung Clan’s Azure Sky Grand Evolution Divine Art is an inner cultivation technique specialized in dispelling evil.”

If it had been an evil technique from a heretical sect, he would have been the first to notice.

Jegeal Yeon smiled faintly and opened her mouth.

“Sometimes, inexplicable things happen in the world.”

Jegeal Yeon expressed her thoughts without backing down.

“Ak Gong and Ak Il. I believe those two are Blood Demon and Mangsang Choja.”

Namgung Baek’s eyebrows twitched.

However, there must be a reason why she was so confidently refuting him.

“Speak.”

Jegeal Yeon wore a faint smile.

“Although I may not possess the heart of a lion like the Alliance Leader, I do possess the mind of a fox that coldly analyzes situations.”

Jegeal Yeon explained the reasons why she suspected Ak Gong and Ak Il were Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

She listed a series of events centered around martial prowess and the incomprehensible actions of Baek Un-hwi, who was a surveillance agent. In particular, she linked the suspicious circumstances at the time with events that could not be dismissed as mere coincidences.

Namgung Baek retorted firmly.

“What I want is not circumstantial evidence or suspicion, but solid proof.”

Jegeal Yeon did not lose her smile even at Namgung Baek’s rebuke.

And Namgung Baek finally had to change his expression at her next words.