Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 974

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 974
It would be no exaggeration to say I exploited Kang Ho-in’s obsession with martial arts.
If his mind could become just a bit clearer, if his rage could be calmed more easily, then—only then—could he glimpse a higher realm.
‘When one cultivates demonic arts, madness seeps into the marrow, turning one ferocious and insane. But this approach reverses that principle entirely. The more one practices, the clearer and sharper the mind becomes. And the deeper one understands Buddhist enlightenment, the higher the realm ascends.’
Bukgung Sansan asked.
“What would happen if he cultivated it alongside demonic arts?”
“Yin and yang would annihilate each other, leaving him weaker. However, the madness would subside, and it would provide a foundation to begin anew.”
“…That would require considerable resolve.”
“Even so, I’ve given him the chance to choose. This fool believes himself some sort of bodhisattva.”
If I had demanded a higher price instead.
Or if I had used this divine technique as bait to expand my subordinates and grow the Oryun Association further, the gains would have been far greater.
“This man is a genius. Yet he would become poison to Sadoren.”
“Isn’t the heterodox arts that Sadoren cultivates fundamentally different from demonic arts?”
“Perhaps not to the point of mutual annihilation, but practitioners would certainly become more lucid. The number of those learning heterodox arts would decrease. Of course, those madmen with their own philosophies won’t touch this. And among Sadoren, the larger sects already possess heterodox arts as powerful as divine techniques—they have no need to covet this martial art. For them, heterodox arts are stable enough to rival righteous faction techniques.”
“Is this a legacy left by the previous Mu-jon?”
“Something like that… Well, not just the previous one, but the current Mu-jon has also left heterodox arts behind. Throughout the generations, those bearing the title of Mu-jon are madmen who will learn, dissect, and taste anything—demonic arts, heterodox arts, righteous arts—so long as it makes them stronger.”
“So that’s why there are so few from the righteous faction.”
“Exactly. That’s why there are quite a few heterodox arts left in the Heterodox Faction.”
“That’s rather positive!”
“However, you know that divine techniques containing the burden of divine knowledge cannot be transmitted to just anyone. The rabble will still attempt to learn this divine technique.”
Bukgung Sansan’s eyes conveyed a plea for some hopeful words.
The situation was that desperate from a strategist’s perspective.
Sulgye finally offered something.
“I said earlier that Ilgwang exploited Kang Ho-in’s obsession with martial arts, but in truth, quite a few will give up halfway through. Is living righteously ever easy? And those who were butchering humans until yesterday—if enlightenment were simple, every dog and cow would shave their heads and ascend the mountain.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
“Besides, the difficulty of breaking through the barrier will ultimately be no different from other divine techniques.”
Bukgung Sansan sighed.
Still, Sulgye’s words offered some consolation.
Just a little.
“Sigh… Ilgwang released poison to seize demonic arts, and now our Sadoren weakens as well.”
“That’s how it is.”
“Will the righteous faction rejoice?”
“Not particularly. The righteous faction doesn’t really care about virtuous warriors increasing in number. That’s more the concern of Shaolin, the Mudang Faction, and Daoist friends like Huashan. The great sects have very different circumstances.”
“Different circumstances meaning…?”
“To speak plainly: when those rabble from the heterodox faction—whom we considered insignificant—grow stronger by learning divine techniques, they’ll want to hang the righteous faction banner.”
“Wouldn’t that be favorable for the righteous faction then? If the heterodox becomes righteous, there’s no need for further bloodshed between them.”
“You still have much to learn about the world, boy.”
Sulgye clicked his tongue.
Despite being called Sano, a strategist of considerable skill, he still doesn’t fully understand the righteous faction.
Or perhaps that’s only natural.
From here on, this is the true face of the Righteous Faction that only the Righteous Faction knows.
“The moment they hang up the Righteous Faction banner, they’re no longer Heterodox Sect members—they’ll come rushing to seize the Righteous Faction’s interests. Will the Righteous Faction accept that willingly? In the old days, we could just lump everyone together as Heterodox Sect and beat them senseless, and that was justification enough.”
Sano’s eyes widen at those words.
“!?”
A struggle over interests!
The new Righteous Faction groups would now be dividing up the legitimate world’s interests!
For the Righteous Faction, it was a blow nonetheless.
But from the Sadoren’s perspective, it didn’t matter—the defectors were fighting the Righteous Faction people anyway.
“From the commoners’ perspective, that would be beneficial.”
“Right. If the challengers want to claim they’re not heterodox but righteous, they ultimately have to properly accept the orthodox martial arts that Ilgwang released. And if they want to play the role of the Righteous Faction, they need justification—so they won’t easily extort commoners passing by. If they do, the Righteous Faction will come running with eyes wide open, saying that bastard is definitely Heterodox Sect, and eliminate him.”
In the end, it all comes down to money.
Even struggles over justification are being swayed by money—that’s the current state of Gangho.
And Ilgwang…
‘He resembles his Master—he doesn’t fall for the Righteous Faction’s justifications.’
The righteous path and the Righteous Faction are different things.
The Righteous Faction refers to groups that move according to grand causes.
The righteous path… refers to those who walk the way of chivalry.
Not all Righteous Factions walk the righteous path.
Not all Heterodox Sects walk the dark path either.
The old masters of Gangho reach that truth through countless hidden causes, and Ilgwang at his age was already beginning to see through Gangho.
That the Righteous and Heterodox Factions don’t represent human morality.
‘Well, being a Doctor, he could understand that.’
He must have encountered many genuine Righteous Faction members…
“Regardless, the Demonic Sect will certainly release more demonic techniques. If they threw in the towel this easily, they wouldn’t be the Demonic Sect.”
“Still, I’m concerned. We’ve recently obtained intelligence that while exchanging with sects belonging to the Sadoren, they’re distributing demonic martial arts manuals… What should we do?”
“Damn it, that’s something you should worry about. Why should I?”
“Pardon? You’re the Sadoryeonju.”
“That was until just now.”
“?”
Bukgung Sansan stares at Sulgye in disbelief.
A youthful appearance with cunning speech.
Yet he’s not a person with a wicked nature.
He has some sense of responsibility, so hasn’t he been looking after the Sadoren all this time?
“I warned you not to do this, but in the end, everyone just lived as they pleased! Whether they die or not.”
“What are you going to do?!”
“I’m retiring!”
“Whaaaat?!”
Bukgung Sansan’s heart sinks.
However, Sulgye’s expression is peaceful.
The eyes of one who has let everything go.
“You won’t listen to me anyway, and the Heavenly Secrets are already ruined! I don’t need to be the Sadoryeonju anymore. Let those bastards live or die as they will. Tell them to handle it themselves!”
I had to stop him.
If Sulgye abandoned us now, what would become of everything after?
“You cannot! Absolutely not! Kill me first before you go!”
Bukgung Sansan wrapped her arms around Sulgye’s legs.
“…You should retire too.”
“Pardon?”
Bukgung Sansan’s eyes widened.
“Damn it, haven’t you been worn down enough? Just retire with me.”
This was a proposal I could never have imagined.
* * *
At the same moment, in the Martial Arts Alliance conference hall.
The leaders of each sect sat together discussing this crisis.
Changwang Akjin rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
“Selling divine techniques and absolute methods for a single coin? This is an insult to martial arts! An insult to the Gangho!”
“Quite right, quite right indeed!”
“Selling rootless martial arts as legitimate techniques without proper master-disciple relations, scribbling a bit of martial knowledge—how can that possibly be divine techniques and absolute methods!”
“Correct! Ilgwang is a plague upon the Gangho!”
“In a way, isn’t Ilgwang causing more harm to the Gangho than the Heterodox Faction or the Demonic Sect!”
Roaaaar!
Indeed, Sulgye’s experience from living long in the Gangho was no ordinary thing.
Sulgye’s prediction had been correct.
The Righteous Faction was not pleased at all.
Rather, numerous sects within the Martial Arts Alliance were seething with rage.
If all these Heterodox Faction members learned divine techniques and absolute methods, called themselves righteous, and claimed to be part of the Righteous Faction…
They would surely drive their spoons into the profits that the Righteous Faction had monopolized.
Until now, the Heterodox Faction had only squabbled among themselves in the shadows over profits—they had never been able to advance into the light.
‘Damn it, what if they truly reform?’
The Righteous Faction was not one to let such things slip away before their eyes.
Now they had to find weaknesses and destroy them by any means necessary.
Changwang Akjin, sensing these true intentions, let out a sigh.
‘How has the Righteous Faction become so corrupted that they cannot rejoice when the Heterodox Faction reforms?’
Among all this, glancing toward Shaolin Temple, the Patriarch of Shaolin who had come as their representative was rolling prayer beads one by one through his fingers with a gentle smile.
“Excellent, excellent indeed. Amitabha Buddha…”
He must have already read the righteous techniques that Jin Cheon-hee was spreading and grasped the essence of Buddhism.
[You seem pleased.]
When the Martial Arts Alliance Leader sent a transmission, the Patriarch responded through transmission as well.
[Even the wicked, if they repent and awaken to the Way, can achieve liberation—how could this humble practitioner not rejoice?]
Yes, I had expected as much from Shaolin.
Despite their corruption, it was thanks to such people that those called the “Righteous Faction” could ultimately be accepted by the people.
The Mudang Faction faced the same predicament.
[We shamans are fortunate that our workload has decreased. The Daoist from Mount Hua shared the same sentiment.]
The great mountains supporting the Righteous Faction remained unmoved.
Yet beneath them, countless trees of lesser stature seethed with anger.
“We must stop Ilgwang—we must! Even if it costs us our honor! We cannot allow such tyranny to continue unchecked!”
“But on what grounds can we oppose him? Baekrin Medical Guild has not withdrawn from the Martial Arts Alliance!”
It was then that the Daoists from Shaolin, Mudang, and Mount Hua spoke.
“We shall not involve ourselves in this matter. That martial technique is indeed orthodox, and it demonstrates considerable stability.”
Screech—
They rose as one and departed from the chamber.
Opposition.
In fact, a decidedly firm opposition at that.
At their departure, the faces of the other Righteous Faction members flushed crimson with rage.
“Y-you… you… you… you… damned monks…!”
Some could not contain their fury and finally spat out words.
Though it was a considerable insult inappropriate for such a gathering, the Patriarch of Shaolin was laughing.
When asked if he was not angered, the Patriarch replied.
“You may think you have just cursed this humble monk, but words are mirrors of the heart. Since this humble one did not receive your curse, those gathered here may distribute it among themselves as they see fit.”
A citation from the forty-two chapter sutra of the Buddha, the seventh chapter.
Just as when the Buddha receives a gift and does not accept it, the gift returns to the giver, so too does a curse return to its speaker if not received.
“!!!!”
Upon hearing this citation, the faces of all those assembled in the chamber burned scarlet with shame.
It was fortunate that swords could not be drawn in the conference chamber.
Otherwise, bloodshed would have erupted long ago.
And it was fortunate that Shaolin was renowned for martial prowess.
For none could defeat the Patriarch of Shaolin in hand-to-hand combat.
Changwang Akjin sighed as he restrained him.
‘Ilgwang… because of you… the Martial Arts Alliance has become a complete mess. No… it’s not your fault. The contradictions that the Martial Arts Alliance has accumulated are simply erupting now.’
Why had the Martial Arts Alliance been founded in the first place?
‘What was the Righteous Faction created to accomplish?’
The moderates—those who neither loudly called for Ilgwang’s destruction nor abruptly left their seats like the monks and Daoists.
The moderates among the Martial Arts Alliance’s warriors began to harbor questions in their hearts.
‘Why did we gather in the Martial Arts Alliance?’
The foundation of the Martial Arts Alliance that had endured even through the Oryun Association crisis.
‘Was it not to stand against the Demonic Sect and establish righteousness?’
That very foundation began to crack, bit by bit, from the question Ilgwang had posed.
* * *
The Ilwol Singyeo.
The Cheonma’s grand hall.
The Cheonma held her belly and laughed.
“Kekekeke! How delightfully the situation unfolds. Yes, this is precisely why I postponed the Ascension.”
It was rare for Cheonma, who expressed emotions sparingly, to laugh so heartily.
A man with three eyes.
Only Honnoeja prostrated beneath Cheonma’s feet.
The other five subordinates were nowhere to be seen—they had apparently been dispatched to handle various matters at Cheonma’s command.
Honnoeja spoke.
“Due to Ilgwang, it has become difficult to carry out your orders, yet you seem pleased.”
“I long ago planted the seed of the Demonic Way within that wretch, and waited patiently for it to sprout. Finally, it has germinated and given birth to chaos beyond imagination. How could I not be delighted? Hahahaha!”
“…Is the germination of this chaos not somewhat unusual?”
“Ah, you speak of that one’s ‘Salvation of the Heavenly Demon’? Indeed. Normally, when chaos germinates, one should release their deepest desires without restraint. Yet I cannot fathom why that wretch chose to germinate in the form of ‘Salvation of the Heavenly Demon.'”
“Yes. Typically, they would pursue unification of the realm or becoming the greatest under heaven. The orthodox path is to pursue hegemony without regard for means or methods.”
“Precisely. Ahahaha!”
After watching Cheonma laugh for some time, Honnoeja spoke carefully.
“What shall we do?”
Snap.
Cheonma’s laughter ceased instantly.
“That is not your task, Honnoeja. You must devise the strategy.”
In the moment those pitch-black eyes looked down upon him, Honnoeja understood.
The one laughing so amusedly before him was undoubtedly a Geomal—and his sovereign lord.
‘I must not let my guard down by his laughter.’
A chill ran down his spine.
Cold sweat dripped down Honnoeja’s back.
Yet on the other hand, the foundation of a strategist lies in knowing both enemy and self.
The burden was immense—he had to navigate the board already laid out without knowing the variable that was Ilgwang.
But if his lord commanded it, he had no choice but to obey.
This too was surely a test for Honnoeja.
“Sigh… Yes, that is so. I understand. I shall set a counter-fire while devising an alternative strategy.”
“So you speak of adding an extra move in Go? What is your plan?”
Adding an extra move.
Literally, adding one more move.
To explain it simply on the surface, it means placing an additional stone to defend one’s territory.
If placed well, it can reinforce the weak points of an incomplete territory and secure it. But if placed poorly, it amounts to surrendering initiative to the opponent—a blunder of the highest order.
One would be dragged around by the hair throughout the entire game.
Still, it is better to add a move than to die without trying. Absolutely better.
But where should it be placed?
“First, since we have come this far, we too must print in large quantities and sell. However, we shall sell ours for five silver coins.”
Ten silver coins equaled one gold coin.
Seeing that Ilgwang was selling his Righteous Cultivation at one gold coin, this meant selling at half price.
At those words, Cheonma suddenly laughed for quite some time.
“Kekeke… Yes. Our Honnoeja has only recently awakened, after all.”
“Pardon?”
“No, actually, it might be good for you to see how the Gangho has changed while you were sleeping. Get a taste of the world.”
“?”
“Do your best.”
Cheonma became even more delighted.
“This strategist, Honnoeja, shall certainly strike down Ilgwang and elevate my lord’s prestige even further!”
No matter how remarkable Ilgwang might be, he was merely a youngster who hadn’t even lived half a century.
Honnoeja was confident.
Confident that he could bring down Ilgwang.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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