Chapter 786: PAID

“Is that truly the case?”

Bumdong’s words prompted Ilcheong Sword to ask again.

The Star King had sustained internal injuries.

The information he brought was tempting.

However—

“Yes, it’s true.”

“And do you have proof of this?”

Despite the intriguing nature of the claim, evidence to substantiate it was lacking.

To this, Bumdong replied:

“Do you know that the Divine Doctor is present near the Star King’s residence?”

“I do.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ilcheong Sword nodded.

It was already widely known that the Baekhwa Trading Company hosted the Divine Doctor as a guest and that he resided in Hanan.

When this became known, the Alliance had quickly sent a request to the Divine Doctor.

Naturally, the intent was to persuade him to make the Alliance his base of operations.

But the Divine Doctor had flatly refused.

Well, calling it a flat refusal might be a bit of a stretch—he had merely suggested they discuss it with the Baekhwa Trading Company.

But in practice, this was no different from a rejection.

What merchant group would willingly hand over the Divine Doctor once they had him?

Especially when the Baekhwa Trading Company’s alignment with the Alliance was ambiguous at best.

They had no reason to comply, and indeed, they hadn’t.

‘If they were going to keep the Divine Doctor like that, they might as well have handed him over.’

The Divine Doctor’s value in Zhongyuan was immeasurable.

The mere rumor of his presence nearby was enough to stir sects, clans, and trading groups into action.

Yet the Baekhwa Trading Company did nothing with such a prized possession.

They simply gave him a place to stay—and left it at that.

From the Alliance’s perspective:

‘The only logical reason for keeping the Divine Doctor must be that someone within the company is gravely ill.’

But no evidence of this ever surfaced.

Although rumors occasionally emerged that the Divine Doctor treated others, there was no sign that this was being leveraged for any broader agenda.

Even attempts to investigate further:

‘Were met with difficulties.’

The Divine Doctor’s residence was nearly impenetrable.