The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 99

The Hour of the Tiger’s Beginning.

The deserted martial hall was silent.

Only the light from the building, brightly lit late at night, pushed back the darkness surrounding it.

Clunk.

The door of the building opened, and a man walked out.

A middle-aged man in his early fifties with thick eyebrows and a strong jawline exuded masculinity.

Ban Yeohae, the master of the Cheongseong First Martial Hall, stood blankly in front of the door for a moment, gazing at the encroaching night fog.

Then, he slowly inhaled.

The cool night air filling his lungs felt particularly sweet.

The faint mist silently flowing over the wall.

Entrusting himself to it, he felt incredibly comfortable.

Enjoying the tranquil night, Ban Yeohae lowered his head and looked at the secret manual in his hand.

‘It wasn’t all nonsense.’

A secret manual that the sect leader had given him, saying it was worth studying.

The title was erased, making its origin unclear.

Of course, he didn’t like it at first.

It was because the sect leader had acted as if he was doing him a favor by giving him a nameless sword technique, let alone the sect’s ultimate skills like the Seventy-Two Breaking Swords.

However, his thoughts had recently changed a little.

He had been delving into the secret manual for a month, thinking it was worth a shot.

Recently, there had been noticeable progress.

‘A frightening fellow.’

Ban Yeohae’s eyes grew heavy as he thought of the new sect leader about to take office.

When he first appeared, many Cheongseong disciples, including Ban Yeohae, couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

This was because the Cheong Ja generation of Cheongseong disciples were believed to have all died during the Cheongseong Bloodshed.

Upon his appearance, the former sect leader, Un Sanjin, granted him the title of Sanin [a high-ranking disciple] and treated him with utmost respect, placing him in the position of Supreme Protector.

And soon after, a major accident occurred.

The former sect leader, Un Sanjin, fell into inner demon possession and became crippled.

It happened during a martial arts demonstration while transmitting the sect’s ultimate skills.

The Sanin of the Cheong Ja generation, who was his opponent, urgently tried to heal Un Sanjin with energy circulation, but the inner demon possession, once started, could not be stopped.

As time passed, Un Sanjin’s condition worsened, and soon he abandoned his physical body and ascended to immortality.

However, those who knew the truth knew that his ascension was just a euphemism for dying after suffering terrible pain with convulsions and a high fever for fifteen days.

In any case, Cheongseong faced the problem of the sect leader’s absence, leaving them with no other choice.

Naturally, one person was recommended as the sect leader.

The Sanin who was Un Sanjin’s martial arts opponent and senior disciple.

He was the only one with the highest seniority within the Cheongseong sect.

However, Ban Yeohae knew the truth.

He was there at the time of the martial arts demonstration.

The moment Un Sanjin collapsed, vomiting blood, Ban Yeohae’s eyes met Sanin’s on the martial arts stage. It was a fleeting moment, but Ban Yeohae clearly witnessed the murderous intent that flashed across his eyes.

Ban Yeohae sensed it.

This was by no means an accidental accident.

He could deceive the naive Taoists of the main sect who had only trained in the mountains all their lives, but he could not deceive his eyes, which had seen all kinds of human beings.

However, Ban Yeohae remained silent.

He didn’t have the confidence to face his martial arts, background, and cunning.

Then one day, the man who had been appointed as the new sect leader quietly called him.

And handed him a secret manual containing an unnamed sword technique.

How could he not know it was to silence him?

‘It also means to work like a dog.’

He was a man of great ambition.

All the Cheongseong disciples were enthusiastic about his declaration to rebuild Cheongseong, which was barely holding onto the last seat of the Nine Great Sects [the most prestigious martial arts sects], and restore its past glory.

The expansion of the martial halls and escort agencies, the secular sects under the name of Cheongseong, was also carried out at an alarming rate according to his decision.

This was also the reason why they had to involve the Dark Dragon Society to get their hands on Yeomhwa Village.

He was bothered by the fact that the Dark Dragon Society belonged to the White Lotus Society [a secretive and often rebellious organization], but the dice had already been cast.

Now there was no turning back.

And on the one hand, he trusted the sect leader.

No, he trusted the sect leader’s greed.

He wouldn’t abandon him, who would be of great use in the future, with such great ambition.

If the White Lotus Society was behind the Dark Dragon Society, then he had the Cheongseong sect behind him.

‘Now, all I have to do is wait.’

It was when Ban Yeohae was nodding as if to calm his wavering heart.

Thundercrack.

“……?”

Ban Yeohae wore a puzzled expression at the thunderous sound that came from afar.

It wasn’t weather for rain.

At that moment.

Kaboom!

Ban Yeohae was so surprised by the explosion that erupted right next to him that he collapsed on the spot.

But the explosion didn’t end there.

Boom, boom, boom!

The three consecutive shocks shook the entire building.

Dust poured down from the swaying building. Ban Yeohae, who was covered in it, hurriedly stepped back.

He couldn’t come to his senses at the sudden situation.

At first, he thought it was lightning, but it wasn’t.

Ban Yeohae’s face turned pale as he turned his gaze toward the source of the explosion.

A sword embedded vertically in the pillar of the building caught his eye.

Moreover, it was deeply embedded, scabbard and all.

“……!”

Ban Yeohae was dumbfounded.

He could throw a sword and embed it in a pillar. But it wasn’t a sharp sword that had penetrated the pillar, but a blunt scabbard.

‘Who on earth?’

There are only a handful of people in the current Jianghu [the martial arts world] who can display this level of divine power.

What if that had been aimed at him instead of the pillar?

The thought alone made him sweat.

While Ban Yeohae was in confusion, the disciples of the martial hall, startled by the sudden roar, rushed out.

“Master!”

“Are you alright?”

“What on earth is this……?”

Ban Yeohae raised his hand to calm the disciples’ commotion.

Fortunately, the person who threw the sword didn’t seem to be attacking any further.

Ban Yeohae cautiously approached the pillar with the embedded scabbard.

At that moment, Ban Yeohae’s eyes shook violently.

The sword embedded in the pillar belonged to the disciples who had been dispatched to monitor the Dark Dragon Society.

Moreover, the sword was covered in blood.

Ban Yeohae realized that something had happened to his disciples.

Looking around, Ban Yeohae shouted.

“All disciples, draw your swords!”

It might be too late, but he couldn’t ignore the lives of his disciples.

However, Ban Yeohae couldn’t go to save his disciples.

Kaboom!

The gate of the martial hall burst open at the hinges, and a group of people poured in.

“Poisonous Salt Demon?”

Ban Yeohae leaked his bewilderment as he recognized the person at the forefront of the intruders.

In response, Gwak Eon, the leader of the Dark Dragon Society, wore a murderous smile.

“Yes. This old man is the one.”

Gwak Eon stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“Even uninvited guests are still guests, so we must first pay our respects, right?”

As soon as those words were spoken, Gwak Eon’s subordinates, lined up behind him, lifted something and threw it forward.

Thud.

Confusion arose in Ban Yeohae’s eyes.

He wondered if they were throwing lumps of meat, but he realized belatedly that they were his disciples who had been butchered to death.

To throw the corpses of his disciples as a gift.

Gwak Eon sneered at Ban Yeohae, who was speechless with embarrassment.

“Originally, our way is to make salted seafood and offer it, but we don’t have time now. I trust you will understand, given the situation.”

Ban Yeohae’s eyes rolled back.

“You bastards!”

Gwak Eon also rushed forward, wielding a sword and charging at Ban Yeohae. As a signal, the warriors of the Dark Dragon Society rushed to attack the secular disciples of Cheongseong.

In response, the secular disciples of Cheongseong also threw themselves into the fight.

They were quickly entangled in a chaotic mess.

All sorts of curses and shouts poured out from all directions.

Amidst the sword flashes and the cold friction of blades clashing in the fog, blood splattered and screams rang out.

Kaboom!

A heavy impact sound erupted from the center.

Ban Yeohae and Gwak Eon stepped back three steps each.

However, their expressions were clearly contrasting.

Unlike Ban Yeohae, who was massaging his throbbing wrist with a grim expression, Gwak Eon wore a relaxed smile.

“Why? Did you think you could always cut off the head of a salt merchant?”

Ban Yeohae couldn’t refute Gwak Eon’s mockery.

He was surprised by the unexpected situation.

He never knew that the leader of a mere branch faction at the end of the White Lotus Society would possess such great martial arts.

On the other hand, Gwak Eon was thinking about how to kill Ban Yeohae.

In fact, he was one of the top ten experts in the White Lotus Society.

He just couldn’t reveal it due to the nature of the White Lotus Society, which had to move secretly.

From the beginning, the Taoists of the Cheongseong main sect were one thing, but this martial hall master in the outskirts was never his opponent.

At this time, a different light flashed in Ban Yeohae’s eyes as he looked around.

“Deploy the Sword Formation!”

The movements of the secular disciples changed at the resounding shout.

They began to form the Three Talents Sword Formation, with three people forming one group.

Although it was a Three Talents Sword Formation that was treated as third-rate, the difference between having a sword formation and not having one was clear.

Especially in the current situation where the fog was obstructing their vision, there was no more effective means than a sword formation.

The warriors of the Dark Dragon Society quickly became disoriented by the counterattack of the secular disciples, who took charge of the directions of heaven, earth, and man, and attacked and retreated in a interlocking manner.

And soon they were at a disadvantage.

Sparks flew from Gwak Eon’s eyes at the sight of his subordinates falling amidst screams.

He had to reverse the current situation no matter what.

Judging that taking the head of the leader was the most effective, Gwak Eon immediately flew towards Ban Yeohae.

“Die!”

Gwak Eon, who had quickly closed the distance with his opponent, swung his hook-like hand.

It was his unique skill, the Dark Dragon Claw, which could carve a one-inch-thick mark on a stone slab.

Ban Yeohae hurriedly raised his sword to strike down the black hand rushing towards his eyes.

However…….

Clang!

Ban Yeohae’s eyes were filled with despair as he faced the sword that had broken in the middle so helplessly.

Then, for a moment, something flashed through his mind like lightning.

“Gasp!”

Gwak Eon stepped back in surprise.

As he reached out to break Ban Yeohae’s neck, a chilling aura suddenly pierced his neck.

Gwak Eon hurriedly stepped back, but hot blood was gushing from where more than a handful of flesh had been torn off.

“Damn it!”

Ban Yeohae finally breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Gwak Eon cursing in anger.

He had saved his life thanks to the ultimate move in the secret manual that he had recently realized.

Poisonous energy began to fill Gwak Eon’s eyes.

The amount of bleeding was unusual, as his carotid artery had been exposed to sword energy. At this rate, he would collapse before he could even fight properly. The surrounding situation was just as bleak.

The initial close fight had already completely tilted towards the Cheongseong secular martial hall.

“Heh heh.”

Ban Yeohae let out a murderous laugh full of madness.

What was there to hesitate when the situation had come to this?

He was thinking of taking everyone here with him, even if he died.

“Hahaha. Let’s all die together!”

“Be careful!”

Ban Yeohae shouted to his disciples, belatedly recalling Gwak Eon’s alias, Poisonous Salt Demon.

But it was too late.

Gwak Eon was already scattering poisonous salt everywhere.

Unlike Ban Yeohae, who noticed and kept his distance, the disciples were facing the worst situation.

Sizzle.

The clothes of the disciples who were covered in poisonous salt emitted smoke and burned.

And soon, desperate screams echoed from all over the place.

“Aaaaaagh!”

“Uaaaaagh!”

Not only the disciples of the Cheongseong First Martial Hall, but also the warriors of the Dark Dragon Society, who were still groaning without their breath being cut off, began to have their faces and hands turn black.

And soon, they died.

It was truly a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Ban Yeohae’s eyes were filled with despair at the terrible sight unfolding before him.