The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 93

The Divine Doctor of the Demonic Realm (93)

“I once reported that an old Buddha statue at Shaolin Temple was destroyed by Beom Gye-wi.”

“I remember.”

“At the time, Han Seol-hwa and Dan Ak-seon happened to be visiting Shaolin.”

After a moment, Je Gal-yeon continued.

“Doctors Ak Gong and Ak Il were also included in the group.”

Gazing at Nam Gung-baek’s wavering eyes, Je Gal-yeon pressed her point.

“Can we consider this a coincidence as well?”

“……”

Facing the silent Nam Gung-baek, Je Gal-yeon began to reveal the information she had been holding back.

“They visited Hwasan after Shaolin. However, doctors Ak Gong and Ak Il did not ascend Hwasan, even though they were traveling together. Only Bing-ok Seon-ja and Dan Ak-seon met with the Head of Hwasan. Why didn’t Ak Gong and Ak Il climb Hwasan?”

Je Gal-yeon revealed her conclusion.

“No matter what disguise they wear, Jin Myeong-jin-in [a highly respected and perceptive figure] cannot be fooled. Especially Cho Ak-ryang, who belongs to the Five Greatest Masters of the World along with Jin Myeong-jin-in. They have been involved several times in the past. They would have recognized each other immediately upon encountering each other.”

When Je Gal-yeon finished speaking, silence fell in the office.

How much time had passed?

“So, they are Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi?”

At Nam Gung-baek’s words, Je Gal-yeon nodded.

“You must make a decision at this point.”

“A decision?”

Nam Gung-baek frowned as he asked back.

“What are you asking me to decide?”

“We must eliminate them with all our might, before it’s too late.”

Bewilderment appeared on Nam Gung-baek’s face.

Je Gal-yeon’s suggestion was unusually radical for her, a person known for her cautious nature.

*Think three times before acting.* She was the person who best suited the conservative spirit of the Je Gal Clan.

The circumstances were suggestive, but there was still a lack of conclusive evidence.

There was no clear link proving Ak Gong and Ak Il were Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

Then, the part she mentioned at the end bothered him.

“What do you mean by ‘too late’?”

“If we leave them alone, the very reason for the Martial Alliance’s existence will be greatly shaken.”

“……?”

“The reason why the Martial Alliance has not completed the subjugation of the Ten Evils is to maintain the Alliance’s existence. That is how it is perceived externally.”

“……”

“At this point, we need to clearly demonstrate the power of our Martial Alliance. If we eliminate only Hyeol-su Jon-ja [Blood Hand Venerable] and Mang-san Cho-ja [Mang-san’s Cho], if we impress upon them the clear difference in power, the Nine Great Sects will no longer dare to challenge the Martial Alliance.”

Nam Gung-baek’s eyes narrowed.

If that happened, only Ak Ho-gun, the Chief of Nokrim [Green Forest Outlaws], would remain among the Ten Evils.

As he led the massive force of Nokrim, it would be impossible to finish the subjugation overnight. Through this, the Martial Alliance could once again lead the order of the martial world.

But that was something that had to be done after clearly revealing the identities of Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi.

Reading Nam Gung-baek’s mood, Je Gal-yeon played her last card.

“We are the ones being chased, not them.”

Question marks appeared in Nam Gung-baek’s eyes.

“What is the Martial Alliance being chased by?”

“Time.”

Je Gal-yeon asked Nam Gung-baek, who was still puzzled.

“Aren’t you curious as to why they visited Shaolin and Hwasan?”

As if telling her to continue, Nam Gung-baek nodded, and Je Gal-yeon continued her explanation.

“They are receiving letters of agreement from influential figures in the Nine Great Sects, especially those deeply connected with Seong-su Shin-ui [Sacred Hands of God]. They are trying to get consent to turn Murim [the martial arts world] into a haven for fugitives.”

“A haven for fugitives?”

“They are planning to declare a kind of forbidden territory where righteous people cannot set foot.”

“……!”

“If that happens, the Martial Alliance will no longer be able to subjugate the Ten Evils. They can simply run away to that place. Moreover, Hye-gong of Shaolin and the Head of Hwasan have already signed the letter of agreement.”

Nam Gung-baek sank into thought.

If that was true, they were facing a rather troublesome situation.

But everything had its order.

First, it was necessary to verify the truth.

“How did you obtain information related to the letter of agreement?”

Nam Gung-baek knew the personalities of Hye-gong and Jin Myeong-jin-in well.

They would not have been the first to inform him.

“I obtained it through an insider.”

Nam Gung-baek was surprised by Je Gal-yeon’s answer, which was without a hint of hesitation.

“Are you saying you planted spies in Shaolin and Hwasan?”

It was beyond absurd and even embarrassing.

If they found out about this and questioned them, the Martial Alliance would have no defense.

However, Je Gal-yeon nodded calmly.

“Do you think they are the only ones? From the Nine Great Sects to small and medium-sized factions with influence in Murim, we have ears everywhere for the sake of the Martial Alliance.”

“Cheonidan Lord [Lord of Cheonidan, a division within the Martial Alliance]. Are you out of your mind?”

“Everything is for the sake of the Martial Alliance. And that is the reason for Cheonidan’s existence.”

“……”

Nam Gung-baek was speechless.

She was saying it so confidently that he had nothing to say.

Nam Gung-baek was well aware of her ability to identify the other person’s weaknesses with just a few words and use them to manipulate them.

No wonder she was called Jinangri [a venomous snake] within the Je Gal Clan, where people were known for their intelligence, and was kept at a distance.

Facing Nam Gung-baek’s complex gaze, Je Gal-yeon spoke again.

“If it becomes known to the world that the two are Hyeol-su Jon-ja and Mang-san Cho-ja, the one who will be in the most trouble is the Alliance Leader.”

Nam Gung-baek’s eyes wavered slightly.

That was true.

If Ak Gong and Ak Il were Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, the person who would be in the most difficult position was himself.

The leader of the Martial Alliance had failed to recognize Hyeol-su Jon-ja and Mang-san Cho-ja right in front of his eyes.

Moreover, he had brought them into the Martial Alliance headquarters and, to make matters worse, entrusted his daughter’s treatment to them, so even if other clans held him responsible, he would have no defense.

“I’m troubled.”

Je Gal-yeon bowed her head as if she was sorry, facing Nam Gung-baek, who was calming his complicated feelings with a low groan.

“I apologize. But good advice is inherently painful and bitter. Please understand that all of this is for the sake of the Martial Alliance…”

Nam Gung-baek tapped the armrest of his chair with his finger and pondered for a moment.

After a long time, Nam Gung-baek opened his mouth.

“I understand. You may leave.”

Nam Gung-baek said to Je Gal-yeon, who was bowing politely.

“But you……”

“……?”

“You never once said that it was for *me* until the end.”

The smile on Je Gal-yeon’s face wavered for the first time at the words filled with barbs.

But she recovered her composure as if nothing had happened.

“……Because the Alliance Leader *is* the Alliance.”

Nam Gung-baek chuckled.

Because there was something he realized.

“I am a very lucky person.”

Nam Gung-baek said, thoroughly concealing the raging anger beneath his expressionless face.

“Because I have subordinates who care so much about me.”

Nam Gung-baek’s gaze, staring at Je Gal-yeon’s back as she bowed once more and left the office, sank deeply.

It was truly a day of much thought.

* * *

Je Gal-yeon, who had left the Alliance Leader’s office, looked up at the sky.

Her eyes held a smile that was difficult to understand.

‘With this, the Alliance Leader is in checkmate.’

It was said that a cunning rabbit has three burrows [multiple escape routes].

It didn’t matter whether the Alliance Leader killed Ak Gong and Ak Il or not.

If those two were Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi, the Martial Alliance would have to pour considerable power into it. This would inevitably lead to considerable sacrifices.

This would clearly lead to the departure of forces supporting the Alliance Leader.

If public opinion demanding the Alliance Leader’s resignation emerges, all she has to do is give appropriate support to that side.

If it fails, she can still get satisfactory results.

It would prove the Alliance Leader’s incompetence.

What if the Alliance Leader refuses to subjugate Ak Gong and Ak Il?

That would be even better for her. If she only proves that Ak Gong and Ak Il are Hyeol-su Jon-ja and Mang-san Cho-ja, everything will be achieved.

How many people would follow an Alliance Leader who favors the Ten Evils, leaning towards personal grudges instead of the greater good?

A leader who is swayed by mere family ties is not qualified to lead the Martial Alliance.

‘It’s unfair.’

As someone who has come to this position through many sacrifices, she could never overlook his arrogance in trying to have it all.

* * *

“Shall we go to Jongnam next?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Dan Ak-seon nodded.

“Yes. Then I plan to go down to Sacheon and go to Cheongseong.”

If they followed the main road south, Jongnam would be a few days away.

Dan Ak-seon smiled and hugged the letter of agreement in his arms.

“I’m glad things are working out better than I thought. Since we have the letters of agreement from Shaolin and Hwasan, I think others will join us without hesitation.”

Dan Ak-seon’s expression and steps were unusually light.

Cho Ak-ryang smiled and nodded.

“Yes. But don’t rush and take it easy. We have to practice anyway.”

“I feel like I’m traveling now, so I’m so happy.”

It was a heartwarming scene, a smile appearing just by looking at Dan Ak-seon’s happy appearance.

It was then that they encountered a group of people coming from the opposite side of the main road.

It was a trade caravan that divided and loaded luggage on several carts.

At the moment when they were about to pass each other.

Cho Ak-ryang’s eyes changed.

It was because he found a familiar mark between the flags symbolizing the trade association.

“What’s wrong?”

Dan Ak-seon looked up at Cho Ak-ryang, who had been unusually silent while walking for a while. Cho Ak-ryang, who had been lost in thought for a moment, smiled and opened his mouth.

“There is a place I need to visit for a while.”

“Where are you going?”

“It seems someone is worried about me. I need to stop by him for a while.”

“Ah!”

Dan Ak-seon nodded with a disappointed expression.

Cho Ak-ryang smiled at the sight.

“I’ll join you before you arrive at Cheongseong.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Cho Ak-ryang flew away.

Dan Ak-seon silently stared at his back as he quickly disappeared into a dot in front of his eyes.

Soon, when Cho Ak-ryang’s figure disappeared, Dan Ak-seon let out a soft sigh.

“Who is the person he’s meeting? Should I have asked?”

At Dan Ak-seon’s words, Beom Gye-wi scratched his head.

Then, he recalled a conversation he had with Cho Ak-ryang a long time ago from his hazy memory.

“That’s right. He said he had a friend in Sacheon.”

“A friend?”

Dan Ak-seon asked back.

That was a word that didn’t suit Cho Ak-ryang.

Beom Gye-wi smiled awkwardly.

“I’ve never seen him either. He said he was a hometown friend, but I don’t remember the details.”

* * *

Yeomhwa Village is a small village near Dogang-eon, which is connected to large and small waterways.

On the hill overlooking the village, there was a conspicuous manor.

Twenty years ago.

After the owner, Yeom Sa-in, personally built a one-room thatched house by setting up pillars and attaching roofs, the building has steadily increased over time and now boasts a scale comparable to any other manor.

On one side of the manor, where you can feel the elegant atmosphere.

An old man sitting alone on a gazebo by the pond frowned.

The old man, with his neatly combed hair, sideburns, and beard all white, had clearly lived a considerable amount of time, but the strength emanating from his firm eyes and upright posture was no less than that of any young man.

A Go board was placed in front of him, sitting on a soft cushion.

“Did you say you caught a large dragon with this cheap trick?”

Yeom Sa-in glared at the Go board with a dumbfounded expression, reviewing the Go game he had played a long time ago.

Recalling his opponent at the time, who was full of pride, he was once again furious.

“He won with a dirty trick and hasn’t been heard from since… That rascal.”