To the Heavenly Demon Cult
"You son of a bitch, you fat pig. Why the hell are you shoving the kid? Do you really want to die?"
"W-what did you just say...?"
"Got wax in your ears too?"
"Young Lady Han, please, calm yourself."
—Smack!
"Guek!"
Even with just a light punch, his face caved in like rice cake and he flew backward. This really is a world that runs on the logic of power. I like it. The onlookers who were shocked at first quickly got used to the scene and dragged the fallen guy away with practiced ease.
—Chik, chik.
"Huu— Next."
They just kept coming, like this was some kind of plague ward instead of a normal street. While I was treating patients and watching them drop coins into the basket, a groaning voice came from the side.
"Ugh····."
"You awake?"
"Ung. Yeah."
Namgung Myeong, who had been passionately kissing the dirt, slowly pushed himself up.
"You were making out with the ground like a toad on a rainy day."
"A sudden gale blew right in front of my eyes. After that, everything's a blank····."
The onlookers stared at him like he was an idiot. Namgung Myeong noticed their looks and whipped his head around in embarrassment. Considering he'd been spinning through the air like a propeller, "gale" wasn't exactly wrong.
"If you're awake, go home."
"Hmm."
"Next patient."
I turned away from Namgung Myeong and kept treating people. He just stood there blankly, watching.
"Thank you, Divine Physician. Thank you so much."
"Neng. Next."
"Young Lady, you just treated a courtesan's syphilis, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"You're saying you cured an incurable disease that easily?"
"Neng."
"Even if that's true, how could you touch such filthy skin so casually?"
Namgung Myeong kept throwing out nasty comments.
"Young Lady, come with me to the Namgung Clan. I'll personally inform the family head of your abilities."
"Don't wanna."
His eyes widened so much his mouth fell open. He'd probably spent his whole life being pampered by the Namgung Clan, so this reaction must've been a shock.
"If an ordinary person tried to get an audience with the Namgung Clan, they wouldn't even get through the gates even after a year. I am the great Namgung Clan's·····."
"God, shut up already and get lost, you bastard."
"W-what····?"
By the time I'd worked through the crowd of patients, things had finally quieted down. But this guy was still hanging around, yapping nonstop. My ears were starting to hurt.
"I saved your dying ass and now you're barking like a dog. I don't even know if it's Namgung or whatever the hell, just get lost."
"·····."
I thought he'd charge at me, but he just stood there clenching his fists and trembling.
"Looks like there aren't any more people about to kick the bucket today, so I'm closing up."
The remaining crowd bowed lightly and cleared a path.
"Baek Seol-ah, let's go sleep."
"Eung!"
"Ugh, my back. I should've brought a mattress."
There was zero comfort to be found in this world's sleeping arrangements. The so-called bed was just a wooden box with some straw thrown on top. When I went downstairs, the innkeeper I'd treated yesterday bowed his head.
"Divine Physician, did you sleep well last night?"
"Neng, thanks to you."
"Haha, that's good to hear. Shall I prepare breakfast?"
"No thanks. Looks like I'll be busy from the morning."
I could already hear the crowd murmuring outside. Creaaak. The door, which should've still been locked, swung open to reveal an unbelievable number of people waiting. Someone pushed through the crowd and approached.
Thwack! He struck his fist against his palm—the same fist salute Namgung Myeong had used.
"I'm Jeon Ho, deputy inspector dispatched urgently from the Murim Alliance's Henan branch. Are you the physician known as the Divine Physician?"
"Yeah, probably?"
Jeon Ho nodded at my answer.
"The Murim Alliance's Divine Physician····."
Before he could finish, the crowd parted and a group of people in blue uniforms rushed in. At their head walked an old man with his hands behind his back and a long white beard.
"Ah, Young Lady Han!"
Namgung Whatever-it-was from yesterday greeted me cheerfully from beside the old man. Had he already forgotten getting cursed out?
Thwack!
"Murim Alliance Deputy Inspector Jeon Ho greets the Great Heavenly Cloud Sword."
"Hmm. What brings the Murim Alliance all the way to Hefei?"
"I···· came to escort the Divine Physician to the Murim Alliance."
"Sorry, but that's not happening."
In an instant, the aura of the man called Heavenly Cloud Sword surged. Jeon Ho, the deputy inspector, trembled and took a step back.
"G-great Hero. This is a Murim Alliance matter····!"
Kwagagak! The moment Jeon Ho finished speaking, the so-called great hero went berserk. Thinking the inspector was done, he turned his gaze to me.
"Kid, are you the Divine Physician?"
"Yeah."
"·····You speak so informally."
The murmuring crowd fell silent in an instant. After staring at me for a long moment, Heavenly Cloud Sword released an even stronger wave of energy.
"Why the hell would I call you 'sir'? You look like a damn eunuch."
"I was going to take Myeong's concubine, but it seems a little fame has made you lose all sense of propriety."
"Ha, Young Lady Han! Apologize to my uncle right now!"
"You two are both out of your damn minds. Birds of a feather."
Heavenly Cloud Sword's aura grew even more violent. The onlookers had already backed far away.
"If you lend your medical skills to the Namgung Clan's medical hall, I'll personally overlook this matter."
"Bullshit. Bring it on, you bastard. Your red ginseng candy privileges are revoked for a month."
Just as I was gathering power for the first strike, something fell from the sky at terrifying speed.
Kwaaaang!!
The Heavenly Cloud Sword, who had been looking down arrogantly, was sent sliding backward.
"·····Kup!"
Blood trickled from his mouth. Tok.
"Kekeke. Kid, you doing well?"
"Huh? Grandma!"
"That's right, it's your grandma."
The old woman who had introduced herself as Hyang Hyang landed lightly, followed by Uncle Daeju dropping down behind her.
"Elder, why are you interfering with the Namgung Clan's affairs?"
"Heh heh, a brat still smelling of milk sure talks big."
The Heavenly Cloud Sword's aura had been so strong I'd been considering running away, but this grandma looked ridiculously powerful.
"Grandma! That guy was bullying me! I even treated that Namgung Whatever bastard over there, and these guys have no gratitude at all!"
"I see. Grandma will help you. How would you like me to deal with them?"
"Pull out their eyeballs and stuff them up the Wind Forest Three Brothers' butts!"
"Kuhuhu. Who are the Wind Forest Three Brothers?"
At Grandma's words, Uncle Daeju stepped forward.
"They're the street thugs who picked a fight with Young Lady Han when we arrived in Hefei."
"Naughty little things."
I finally understood Uncle Daeju's warning. A world that runs on power. Always be careful around children and the elderly. Now that I'd seen Grandma, it all made sense. I'd known she wasn't ordinary when she recognized Baek Seol at a glance, but I hadn't expected even the Heavenly Cloud Sword to be completely helpless against her.
"How shameless, threatening a child who practices medicine at such a young age."
"I didn't know she was connected to the Elder."
"Kekeke. Even this peace we enjoy was built on rivers of blood. Do you really think claiming ignorance will save you?"
"·····What do you want me to do?"
He'd only been sent sliding back after one hit, yet he already looked like he'd lost all will to fight.
"I won't take your life. But I'll be taking one of your legs instead."
Grandma met my eyes after speaking. She seemed to be asking if that was okay.
"His ankle's already messed up, right? Losing a hand wouldn't be so bad since he could just switch hands, but without an ankle he'd need crutches and his whole body would be uncomfortable."
"····Kid, are you from the unorthodox side by any chance?"
Heavenly Cloud Sword's face turned blue after hearing our conversation.
"If that's your wish, I'll grant it."
Grandma waved her hand through the air at invisible speed. At the same moment, Heavenly Cloud Sword's ankle split open and blood gushed out. Pabat! He quickly pressed his fingers against his thigh and the waterfall of blood stopped instantly. Then he brought his palms together in salute.
I really couldn't understand the mental state of people in this neighborhood. Was he thanking me for not cutting off his head?
***
We'd been riding in the carriage for hours, but I still couldn't get used to the violent shaking.
"Are you really okay with going to the Divine Cult?"
"Neng."
"It's a bit awkward for me to say this when I'm the one taking you, but most of the people there are half-mad from demonic arts."
"It's fine. The other side didn't exactly seem sane either."
No matter how I looked at it, both sides seemed pretty similar. At least the open hostility was easier to deal with.
"Thank you. If you treat them, I won't forget this favor. I can also give you the spiritual medicine you're looking for—the kind ordinary people can take."
"Oh yeah! That's great. Right, Baek Seol-ah?"
"Eung!"
I vigorously petted Baek Seol, who was playing on my lap, and she wagged her tail in response. Though her plump butt was even more eye-catching.
"By the way, why did you treat that Namgung bastard's leg?"
"He's a swordsman. It'd be pitiful if he lost a leg."
"Hoo."
"Besides, I reattached his ankle at a weird angle. He'll have a hell of a time adapting to his new leg."
"Kekeke. Masterpiece."
Thud. While we were talking, the carriage stopped and the door opened.
"Elder, we've arrived at the entrance to the hidden realm."
"Good work."