The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 96

While Cho Ak-ryang and Yeom Sa-in were reminiscing about the past, a commotion arose from the villagers working by the river.

Upon closer inspection, they were arguing with unfamiliar men.

Yeom Sa-in frowned.

“Why are those guys here?”

“Do you know them?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Yeom Sa-in nodded with a displeased expression.

“Cheongseong First Hall. They’re the affiliated martial arts hall of the Cheongseong Sect I mentioned earlier.”

“Cheongseong First Hall?”

Cho Ak-ryang chuckled. The name could be interpreted in several ways, depending on how one heard it.

“Let’s go see what’s happening.”

“Is it really necessary…?”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled and reassured his friend, who looked worried.

“Don’t worry, nothing like what you’re thinking will happen. Besides, those youngsters probably don’t even know my face.”

Yeom Sa-in, inwardly relieved, went down the hill with Cho Ak-ryang.

As they got closer, they could hear the conversation.

“Please, I beg you. This is for a special occasion.”

A man with a particularly sturdy build among the three from the Cheongseong affiliated martial arts hall pleaded.

“Why won’t you take our order?”

Goo-chil stepped forward, representing the villagers.

“We’re too busy with existing orders to take on additional ones.”

“Then just ten! Please, just enough to make ten dopo [traditional Korean overcoat]!”

Goo-chil sighed.

“We have a minimum order quantity, so that’s even more difficult.”

Cho Ak-ryang and Yeom Sa-in were able to grasp the situation through the conversation.

“Please, I implore you. The dopo is for none other than the Sect Leader of our Cheongseong Sect.”

The other men from the Cheongseong martial arts hall added their voices.

“This is the only place we’ve heard of that can produce a sky-blue color.”

“If the Sect Leader of our sect wears a dopo made here, wouldn’t that be a great honor?”

Yeom Sa-in, who was listening to the conversation from a distance, chuckled.

“I heard the Cheongseong Sect has a new Sect Leader taking office. They must be eager to impress him.”

While he understood the desire to present a gift to the new Sect Leader, this was not the way to go about it.

In reality, the villagers were already struggling to keep up with the existing orders, even with everyone working on it.

“I told you, it’s not possible.”

Goo-chil finally raised his voice, his expression hardening. The men from the martial arts hall changed their attitude.

“Are you saying no, even after we’ve pleaded so earnestly?”

“This is too much. You must know who we are.”

“Isn’t this just about making money? Why can’t you do it? We’ll pay enough!”

Goo-chil flinched as the burly men, a head taller than him, became agitated.

However, he remained firm.

“It’s not about the money. How many times do I have to tell you that it’s a matter of trust with our existing clients?”

Unable to watch any longer, Yeom Sa-in stepped forward.

“That’s enough.”

The men from the martial arts hall recognized Yeom Sa-in and stopped.

Even though he was involved in the dyeing business, they were aware of Yeom Sa-in’s influence in the area.

He was a famous figure known for being respected by many and having connections with the government.

“Lee Gyeom, martial arts instructor of Cheongseong First Hall, greets Great Man of Pine and Cypress Integrity, Yeom.”

The man who identified himself as Lee Gyeom respectfully clasped his hands.

“It is an honor of three lifetimes to meet the Great Man of renowned fame like this.”

Yeom Sa-in was not pleased with the way he had been browbeating Goo-chil, only to change his attitude so quickly.

“Leave.”

Lee Gyeom and his group were taken aback by the sudden expulsion order.

Yeom Sa-in said to them:

“The person you just threatened is the one who manages and supervises the workers here. If he says no, it means no.”

“Threatened? You misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand?”

Yeom Sa-in stared at Lee Gyeom with cold eyes.

“Do my eyes look like knot-holes?”

“W-well, that’s…”

As Lee Gyeom stammered, unable to speak,

Another man who followed him spoke up.

“Our master will be very disappointed if we don’t get the desired result.”

“Your master? Are you talking about the head of Cheongseong First Hall?”

At Yeom Sa-in’s question, the man nodded.

“Yes. Ban Yeo-hae, the Azure City Dragon (靑城遊龍), who is the only disciple of the Cheongseong affiliated hall to have been personally taught the 능풍 [Neungpung] sword technique and the 대라 [Daera] sword technique by the Sect Leader. That is our master.”

Yeom Sa-in found it amusing that they were subtly trying to pressure him by invoking their master’s reputation.

Cho Ak-ryang, who was standing right next to him, was one of the most powerful figures in the Murim world, one of the Five Supreme Masters (천하오절).

Their eyes were no better than knot-holes if they couldn’t recognize him even when he was right in front of them.

“Whether your master is disappointed or not is his business. Why should I care?”

Lee Gyeom sighed at Yeom Sa-in’s firm attitude.

“What good will it do to make enemies of us?”

Yeom Sa-in scoffed.

“I know there’s nothing to gain from being close to those who wield swords.”

Lee Gyeom’s face flushed at those words, and he spoke again.

“I’ve heard that the White Sand Society (白沙會) is targeting this place.”

“So?”

“They’re the kind of people who will do anything to get what they want. But if they know that our sect is protecting this place, they won’t dare to try.”

“So, you’re saying we should be protected by Cheongseong?”

Lee Gyeom smiled and nodded.

“Wouldn’t it be beneficial to cooperate and develop this village through this opportunity…?”

“No, thanks.”

Yeom Sa-in rejected the offer outright and issued another expulsion order.

“I won’t see you off. Take care on your way back.”

The men from the martial arts hall, led by Lee Gyeom, snorted.

Each of them had a clear expression of displeasure. However, they had no choice but to turn away in the face of Yeom Sa-in’s stubborn gaze.

As they walked away, Cho Ak-ryang smiled wryly.

“You’ve gotten involved with some troublesome guys.”

“Humph! They can’t do anything right away. Since they’re nominally backed by a righteous sect, they won’t be able to openly antagonize the government.”

“Not Cheongseong Sect.”

“…?”

“I’m talking about the White Sand Society.”

Salt accounts for a large portion of the taxes collected by the government.

Even Black Dot, who would do anything for profit, did not touch the salt trade. That was tantamount to asking the government to kill them.

The White Sand Society was a group of salt smugglers (鹽梟) who traded in illicit salt (密鹽).

“Humph! Those salt thief (鹽賊) bastards.”

“They’re not to be underestimated. They’re the kind of people who live only for the moment, risking their lives.”

It was said that even the Sichuan Tang Clan, known as the most venomous of all, would concede a point when it came to the White Sand Society’s venom and tenacity.

In particular, the poisonous salt they spread was as notorious as the Tang Clan’s Corpse Rotting Poison (腐屍毒), a forbidden poison (禁用毒) in the Murim world.

“How did the White Sand Society become interested in this village?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s question, Yeom Sa-in raised his hand and pointed to a place.

Following his hand, Cho Ak-ryang turned his head and saw carts filled with dyed fabrics.

“I see.”

Cho Ak-ryang nodded, understanding the situation.

What they were after was the carts to secretly transport illicit salt.

More precisely, they needed 염화 [Yeomhwa] Village’s reputation to pass through inspections smoothly.

Cho Ak-ryang turned his head and stared in the direction where Lee Gyeom had disappeared.

“Those guys don’t seem like they’ll give up easily.”

Yeom Sa-in sighed softly.

“It’s been quite a while since our dyed fabrics became famous. Now, we can’t even keep up with the orders. There are many who want to develop the village together. Recently, even some well-known large merchant groups have been approaching us, talking about investments.”

“Isn’t it good to make a lot of money?”

At Cho Ak-ryang’s words, Yeom Sa-in shook his head.

“For whose benefit?”

“…?”

“In the end, there will only be more people trying to take from us. And some of them will definitely be wielding swords.”

Yeom Sa-in looked at the villagers who were moving busily.

“I don’t want them to be in danger. All I can protect is just this much.”

“You always stubbornly take the hard way instead of the easy one. You live a tiring life.”

“As if you’re any different.”

Cho Ak-ryang chuckled at the retort. Yeom Sa-in said to him:

“Don’t do anything. Don’t worry about anything. Just rest and leave.”

“That’s what I intend to do.”

Cho Ak-ryang smiled and nodded.

Yeom Sa-in failed to notice the terrible thing crouching behind that carefree appearance.

‘Cheongseong…’ (Azure City)

Cho Ak-ryang suppressed the murderous intent that surged from deep within his heart and made a vow.

‘This cursed relationship never ends.’

* * *

“The Cheongseong Sect is targeting 염화 [Yeomhwa] Village?”

Deep in the night.

From a dilapidated shrine located on the outskirts of a village near Dogang-eon, an irritated voice erupted.

“Yes. The affiliated martial arts hall of the Cheongseong Sect contacted 염 대야 [Yeom Daeya] and told him to receive their protection.”

Guo Eon, the leader of the 암룡방 [Amryongbang], which belonged to the White Sand Society, frowned even more intensely than his already grim face.

“Ha… Why are those bastards suddenly acting up?”

At Guo Eon’s extreme irritation, a one-eyed man, the deputy leader, cautiously opened his mouth.

“I think it has something to do with the change of Sect Leader.”

Seeing the leader frown, the one-eyed man quickly spoke up.

“Isn’t there a Cheongseong Sect Leader Inauguration Ceremony soon?”

“So?”

“Now that a new Sect Leader has taken office, wouldn’t other sects send congratulatory envoys? And they’ll bring gifts too.”

“What does that have to do with 염화 [Yeomhwa] Village?”

“Recently, the dyed fabrics produced in that village have become incredibly popular. They’re so popular that you can’t get them even if you have money. Aren’t Taoists a bit obsessed with their dopo? It’s a good way to curry favor later, so there’s no better gift.”

“…?”

“Think about it. Except for Shaolin, Emei, and Diancang, all of the Nine Great Sects are Taoist sects. Mount Hua, Wudang, Zhongnan, Kunlun, Kongtong…”

Guo Eon waved his hand, cutting off his subordinate’s words.

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

“Damn it. I worked so hard to stake my claim, and now someone else is going to take it.”

No matter how reckless they were, the name of the Cheongseong Sect was a burden.

At this moment, the one-eyed man cautiously opened his mouth.

“Why don’t we strike first, ahead of them?”

“Huh?”

“In the end, all the events in that village depend on 염 대야 [Yeom Daeya]’s decision. If we secure him, that’s all we need. The rice is already cooked, so what can the Cheongseong Sect do?”

“How? We’ve tried to win that man over several times, but we’ve failed every time. That stubborn old man isn’t someone who can be swayed with money or threats.”

“Let’s trade with his life.”

“Forget it. He’s the kind of guy who would rather offer his neck and tell us to kill him.”

“Not the person’s life.”

The deputy leader’s one eye gleamed as he smiled eerily.

“I heard that old man is very fond of the children in the village.”

“Really?”

Guo Eon’s face brightened for the first time.