The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 97

The Divine Doctor of Primordial Demonic Arts (97)

“You look so happy?”

“Of course.”

Dan Akseon smiled brightly, looking at the signed alliance proposal again in response to Beom Gyewi’s question.

It was because he had obtained the personal signature of Dan Geumjin-in, the Supreme Protector of the Jongnam Sect and the master of the current Jongnam Sect Leader.

It only took three days to get it.

Most of that time was spent finding him, secluded in the deep valleys of Jongnam Mountain.

—Even if it weren’t for my connection with Shinui [divine physician], this is something I should do.

When Dan Akseon revealed his identity and asked for his signature on the alliance proposal, Dan Geumjin-in readily agreed.

Beom Gyewi was also in a good mood, seeing Dan Akseon’s face constantly filled with smiles.

“Things are going well because Cho Hyeong isn’t here.”

“What? There weren’t any problems when Uncle Cho was around, though?”

“No. That’s because Dan Doctor doesn’t know Cho Hyeong. If Cho Hyeong were here, some kind of accident would have already happened.”

Beom Gyewi turned his head towards Ga Dudal, who was following behind.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Yes? W-well, yes…”

Ga Dudal forced an awkward smile at Beom Gyewi’s eyes, which subtly urged agreement.

Han Seolhwa frowned at the sight.

For Beom Gyewi to say such a thing, when he of all people should know better.

Beom Gyewi and Cho Akryang were both as bad as each other, but if she had to pick one as worse, it would definitely be Beom Gyewi.

“I wonder if Uncle Cho is doing well?”

Dan Akseon missed Cho Akryang’s absence, knowing that an empty space is felt more than a filled one.

“…….”

Han Seolhwa glared at Beom Gyewi.

To ruin the good atmosphere by bringing up unnecessary things!

Beom Gyewi, feeling uncomfortable with her gaze, cleared his throat. Then, he turned his head towards Ga Dudal.

“Aren’t you going to spar today?”

“Yes? Yes, I should.”

Ga Dudal quickly approached Dan Akseon, worried that he might get caught in the crossfire.

“Is this the eighth spar?”

“Yes.”

Dan Akseon nodded and carefully placed the alliance proposal, which he had been holding dear throughout the descent from Jongnam Mountain, to one side.

Then, he stood facing Ga Dudal.

“I will definitely win this time.”

His eyes were filled with a firm determination that was clearly different from usual.

“It won’t be easy.”

Even when faced with Dan Akseon’s gaze, Ga Dudal still had an余裕 [room to spare/composure].

He was definitely improving noticeably with each spar, but he still had a long way to go.

No matter how talented one is or who they are taught by, the experience honed over time cannot be gained overnight.

Especially since Ga Dudal prided himself on being second to none when it came to improvisation in crisis situations.

His life, dedicated to the art of assassination while wandering through Dosan Sword Forest, was as arduous as anyone else’s.

He had to deceive masters more skilled than himself and break through countless traps.

He couldn’t even count how many times he had overcome precarious situations.

The ability to respond to crises, which naturally developed in the process, was not comparable to that of a novice who had just started learning martial arts.

However, it didn’t take long for him to realize how wrong he was.

The spar began with Dan Akseon’s preemptive strike.

In an instant, the two men’s figures became entangled in a dizzying dance. And before long, a look of bewilderment appeared on Ga Dudal’s face.

It was because Dan Akseon’s footwork, which seemed to anticipate his movements and preemptively occupy his path, was unusual.

‘Did he steal my footwork in the meantime?’

The movements, which had been mere imitations, now had a proper form.

Ga Dudal deliberately created a few openings to induce an attack. But the clever brat in front of him wouldn’t fall for it.

His observational skills had also improved.

Moreover…….

“Heup!”

Ga Dudal gasped and quickly stepped aside.

The ground was deeply dented where he had been standing just a moment ago. It was a trace left by Dan Akseon’s foot sweeping past. Ga Dudal, who almost fell to the ground, inwardly calmed his surprised heart.

The bold attacks that came rushing in without missing an opportunity were also incomparably sharper than before.

The Geumna-soo [Golden Thread Hand], which had now almost achieved a perfect balance of offense and defense, was also equally difficult to deal with.

“Did you just use internal energy?”

“……!”

Ga Dudal flinched at Beom Gyewi’s voice, which suddenly flew in.

He had been caught using internal energy without realizing it when he was in danger just now.

The moment Ga Dudal faltered like that.

Dan Akseon charged again, not missing that fleeting gap.

“Euhut!”

In an instant, a dizzying array of hand shadows surrounded him, and Ga Dudal was startled.

The hands, cleverly blocking his escape routes and gradually closing the distance.

He was barely dodging by leaning back and twisting his body, but even that was not easy in a situation where he had lost the initiative. Eventually, Ga Dudal, reaching his limit, wore a tearful expression.

Before he knew it, his sleeve was caught in Dan Akseon’s hand.

Tteu-jjeuk [sound of tearing].

As if a handful of torn sleeve wasn’t enough, Dan Akseon’s hand changed direction and flew in again.

Ga Dudal’s pupils shook.

‘I can’t avoid this!’

At this point, he couldn’t help but groan.

Ga Dudal didn’t have many options in a situation where defeat was imminent.

Regardless of face or anything else, Ga Dudal flopped down.

But Dan Akseon’s attack was relentlessly persistent.

‘Damn it!’

Ga Dudal began to roll around on the floor.

It was a technique called Naryeo Tageon (Lazy Donkey Rolling), reminiscent of a lazy donkey struggling while lying down.

Dan Akseon was flustered by the sight, while Beom Gyewi and Han Seolhwa frowned.

What they valued more than life was their pride as martial artists.

They would rather be stabbed to death than roll around on the floor in such an unsightly manner. Moreover, he didn’t expect him to use Naryeo Tageon when it wasn’t even a life-or-death duel.

On the other hand, Dan Akseon couldn’t help but be amazed for a different reason.

He found it amazing how Ga Dudal was able to avoid all of his attacks with the Naryeo Tageon technique.

Unlike the dirty appearance, there was quite a profound martial art contained within it.

Dan Akseon had to retreat with regret because of the dust that was blocking his vision.

Perhaps that was what he was aiming for from the beginning.

If so, there was no need to fight inside it.

And after a while.

When the dust settled, Ga Dudal had already retreated far away.

From then on, Ga Dudal changed his fighting method.

Now, he simply stayed far away and didn’t allow Dan Akseon to approach from the beginning. Instead, he relied on his 경공 [light body skill/movement technique] and footwork to start scattering hidden weapons.

However, Dan Akseon skillfully dodged all the hidden weapons.

The same was true even when he was led into prepared traps.

Dan Akseon, as if he was used to it now, didn’t even approach the traps.

Beom Gyewi, who was watching the situation, cast a dissatisfied look at Ga Dudal.

“That guy is useless now, isn’t he?”

Ga Dudal paused at those words.

Han Seolhwa nodded.

“He’s definitely falling behind Dan Doctor now. We should allow him to use internal energy.”

“If that’s the case, it’s better for me to do it. What’s so great about that guy’s internal energy anyway?”

The reason why Ga Dudal was chosen as Dan Akseon’s sparring partner in the first place was one.

It was to allow him to learn how to deal with unexpected variables through dirty fighting methods. But at this rate, it didn’t seem like he would be of any help to Dan Akseon anymore.

“Stop.”

Eventually, Beom Gyewi stopped the spar.

It was after confirming that Dan Akseon had avoided all three attempts using hidden weapons and traps.

Beom Gyewi beckoned Ga Dudal with a gesture.

As Ga Dudal approached hesitantly, Beom Gyewi suddenly opened his mouth.

“You can go now.”

“Yes?”

Beom Gyewi waved his hand at Ga Dudal’s flustered question.

“Just go your way. I’ll talk to Cho Hyeong, so don’t worry.”

“W-wait a minute!”

Ga Dudal had thought about escaping from the monsters in front of him several times a day. However, even though the situation he had so desperately wanted had suddenly arrived, he was not happy about it.

‘I can’t leave like this.’

An undisguised greed flickered in Ga Dudal’s eyes as he glanced at Dan Akseon.

He still needed more time to make Dan Akseon the successor of the Gongong Family.

“May I ask why?”

Beom Gyewi frowned as if annoyed at Ga Dudal’s question.

“Our Dan Doctor has nothing more to learn.”

Ga Dudal became serious at that answer.

“I still have tens of thousands of methods.”

“Then why aren’t you using them?”

“I’m not sure if I should use them.”

Ga Dudal opened his mouth with a determined look towards Beom Gyewi, who was puzzled.

“Just promise me one thing. That there will be no repercussions no matter what method I use during the spar.”

“What are you up to?”

“If you guarantee only that, I will bring out all the tricks I have.”

Beom Gyewi stared at Ga Dudal with suspicious eyes. However, Ga Dudal did not avoid his gaze and accepted it.

At his confident attitude, Beom Gyewi eventually nodded.

“Alright. Then go ahead and try.”

As soon as Beom Gyewi’s permission was given, Ga Dudal stood facing Dan Akseon again.

“Cho Akryang, you son of a bitch.”

“Yes?”

Dan Akseon was taken aback and his eyes widened.

It was because he didn’t expect Ga Dudal to suddenly curse Cho Akryang.

His surprise was even greater because he usually feared Cho Akryang like the Grim Reaper.

“Do you know the term ‘Chocho Gongja (草草公子) [Rough/Crude Young Master]? ‘”

“Chocho Gongja?”

Ga Dudal continued to explain to Dan Akseon, who was puzzled and didn’t know what was going on.

“A playboy from a wealthy family is called Hwahwa Gongja (花花公子) [Flowery Young Master]. But Cho Akryang is called Chocho Gongja because he jumps at anyone wearing a skirt. It means that he doesn’t discriminate against weeds, not just flowers. That’s how much of a lecher he is.”

Dan Akseon frowned.

“Uncle Cho is not that kind of person.”

“That’s because you don’t know him.”

Ga Dudal continued sarcastically.

“How else would the saying ‘Inmyeon Chosim (人面楚心) [Human Face, Chu Heart – meaning someone is two-faced and cruel]’ have come about?”

“Inmyeon Chosim?”

“It means that he has a human face but has a mind like Cho Akryang. It’s a much more unpleasant word than Inmyeon Sushim (人面獸心) [Human Face, Beast Heart].”

Dan Akseon, who was initially flustered, gradually began to feel bad at this point.

“Stop it.”

“There’s a saying in 강호 [Gangho – martial arts world]. Cho Akryang is scarier than 호환 Mama [smallpox/tiger]. Even crying children stop crying when they hear that word!”

“Stop it!”

Dan Akseon became very excited and rushed at Ga Dudal.

At the same time, Ga Dudal’s eyes flashed coldly.

The precision from before could not be found in Dan Akseon’s movements, which were recklessly closing the distance.

Ga Dudal, who lightly deflected Dan Akseon’s attack by twisting his shoulder, quickly exploited the gap.

“Aaaagh!”

A sharp scream erupted from Dan Akseon’s mouth.

Ga Dudal, who had instantly returned to Dan Akseon’s rear, reached out and grabbed Dan Akseon’s neck as it was.

Dan Akseon, whose blood points were sealed, stiffened like a log and collapsed as it was. Even in that state, Dan Akseon was still glaring at Ga Dudal.

“Uncle Cho is definitely not that kind of person!”

His eyes were filled with tears as if he was very upset.

Ga Dudal, who was looking down at Dan Akseon, smiled and readily admitted.

“Yes. It’s a lie.”

“……!”

Dan Akseon looked up at Ga Dudal with a look of exhaustion.

“Why……?”

“Isn’t the most effective tactic among the deception tactics to shake the opponent’s heart?”