Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 1013
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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 1013
Let me rewind time a bit here.
Back to the moment when I was about to sell Yoo Ho’s refrigerator.
Mu-wol had requested a meeting with me.
“Very well, Chief Manager Mu-wol. Please, go ahead.”
“I’d like to propose hosting a cooking competition. It would help us promote the Yoo Ho refrigerator, after all.”
In this world without television, newspapers, YouTube, or social media, advertising methods were severely limited.
The only viable options were festivals and word-of-mouth, but even those were slow and difficult to manage.
‘Marketing through competitions would be quite effective in an era like this.’
Even on Earth, companies frequently held competitions for brand marketing.
Like those famous Go tournaments sponsored by instant noodle companies.
Particularly, those Go tournaments were held internationally, representing the pride of Korea, China, and Japan.
‘Mu-wol, you’re quite clever with your thinking.’
From this point on, it was a matter of creativity rather than investigation or memory.
I could tell that the chicks under Mu-wol’s command had sharp minds spinning with ideas.
Mu-wol set down his proposal and spoke.
“So, what do you think of naming it the ‘Yoo Ho Refrigerator Cup Cold Cuisine Cooking Competition’? It’s a cooking competition that utilizes the refrigerator!”
“Ooh… that’s quite good.”
“Since the refrigerator doesn’t instantly freeze things like a Small Frost Mage would, competitors will bring ingredients to store in the refrigerator, then use the pre-frozen items to create cold dishes.”
The refrigerator I created doesn’t freeze things easily.
That’s because it’s based on the pot-in-pot design, modified using martial arts techniques.
To freeze ice, you must place water in the topmost compartment and keep the refrigerator door closed for at least three days, or be extremely careful about opening it, before ice begins to form.
In humid regions, three days is nothing—you might need to wait five days.
But even so, without using an underground ice storage chamber (which mostly just preserves ice frozen in winter until summer), and without using a Small Frost Mage—
The formation of ice is nothing short of a revolution of revolutions in this era.
The internal response was excellent.
“This seems quite plausible, doesn’t it?”
The proposal contained the following:
1. Each cook receives lodging and a Yoo Ho refrigerator one month in advance. They’re given the opportunity to study the Yoo Ho refrigerator for about a month.
2. After one month, the cooks place pre-prepared ingredients into the Yoo Ho refrigerator and step back.
3. On competition day, the participants’ refrigerators are transported to the venue!
4. They compete using the ingredients inside those refrigerators!
‘Hmm, this reminds me of some program I saw long ago.’
It was also about chefs creating delicious food from ingredients in a refrigerator.
“Let’s call the competition ‘The Greatest Under Heaven! Please, Yoo Ho Refrigerator.'”
“…Wouldn’t it be better to simply call it the ‘Yoo Ho Refrigerator Cup Greatest Under Heaven Cold Cuisine Cooking Competition’?”
Hmm, perhaps that was too modern.
After all, in this era where they call it the ‘Dragon-Phoenix Gathering’ rather than ‘Let’s Find Martial Arts Saplings!’ competitions, the Yoo Ho name might seem too foreign.
“Understood. The ‘Yoo Ho Refrigerator Cup Greatest Under Heaven Cold Cuisine Cooking Competition’ it is!”
And so the competition name was decided!
* * *
However, the people of Gangho…
“They say the Bingho Competition is being held!”
“What’s the Bingho Competition? Well, there’s some official name for it, but it’s complicated, so everyone just calls it that.”
That was right. Because even that name was too long, they had started calling it the Bingho Competition.
Bingho (氷狐).
Ice Fox.
The prototype of Yoo Ho’s refrigerator remained, but it was already a name that had faded far into the past.
Eventually, the people of Baekrin Medical Guild also began calling it the Bingho Competition, one by one.
After that, they began recruiting Hao-mun and Gaebang from all corners of the realm, and even Baekrin Medical Guild’s Buntas and Baekrin Convenience Stores joined in to advertise.
“The Greatest Bingho Competition Under Heaven! Let us find the finest housekeeper!”
“Ohhh! They say we’ll be using Yoo Ho’s Bingo!”
By the way, the term “Yoo Ho refrigerator” was almost being deleted as well.
Bingo (氷庫).
In any case, since Yoo Ho remained, it might be fine…
“So we must cook using Bingho Bingo… hmm? I’m not sure if it will work out.”
And before long, even the name “Yoo Ho” from Yoo Ho’s refrigerator quietly disappeared, and the term “Bingho” began to be attached.
There was practically nothing left of the original name “Yoo Ho refrigerator.”
From the beginning, the nicknames of Gangho don’t go the way one wishes.
It was similar to how I had desperately fought to make Cheonwoo’s nickname righteous and proper, but it hadn’t worked out well.
“The Greatest Bingho Competition Under Heaven! Those wishing to participate in the preliminaries, please write your names on this list!”
The Baekrin Medical Guild Buntas and Golden Blood Hall Buntas in each region conducted preliminary screenings.
The number of preliminary participants was greater than expected, with the line extending beyond the building and wrapping around once.
The preliminary theme was just one.
Freestyle cooking.
It was a competition to bring one’s most confident dish and satisfy the judges.
“I’m dying to know why so many people gathered… At this rate, we’ll be doing preliminaries all week long. Isn’t it the same for the other Buntas?”
“Of course it is. The honor of the ‘Imperial Dragon Grand Housekeeper’—the title of the greatest chef under heaven—that was originally bestowed by the Imperial Palace’s cooking competition! They say that title will be given out in this competition as well!”
Imperial Dragon Grand Housekeeper!
This was proof of being the greatest chef under heaven.
The Emperors had quietly placed their spoons in the pot.
Jongri Cheol-san of Golden Phoenix Blood Beauty, who had once competed against me in a dumpling duel, had won the championship with dumplings and received the emblem of Imperial Dragon Grand Housekeeper.
A chance to become an Imperial Dragon Grand Housekeeper!
Even if they had failed in the competition hosted by the Imperial Palace, with this new innovation, Bingho Bingo, things would surely be different!
With such hopes in their hearts, people began gathering one by one.
Someone had heard this news.
An old man sat in a kitchen.
In the large kitchen, there was nothing that wasn’t worn, yet it was maintained with such care that everything gleamed spotlessly.
Before him, a muscular man of great stature gripped a heated iron pot with his bare hands and shook it.
“Hehehehe. So your Master is holding a cooking competition this time. I imagine your Master will participate as well…”
“….”
Instead of answering the elderly man, the muscular man swung the wok with a flourish.
Whoooosh!
The golden fried rice undulated like autumn grain stalks.
It was a symbol of abundance.
Golden waves rippled, creating a deep, charred aroma.
The muscular man answered.
“I see, Father. Then this is when I repay my Master’s kindness. Surpassing one’s teacher—that is the true duty of a disciple!”
He portioned the fried rice into a bowl, then set down an enormous wok.
Thud!
The wok was so heavy that the sound resembled that of a thousand-pound weight.
The massive man had a physique closer to that of a martial artist than a cook.
No—even martial artists would struggle to possess such a body.
“I shall go forth, defeat my Master, and become the greatest chef under heaven!”
His eyes gleamed like machinery.
Indeed.
He had become a disciple of Jin Cheon-hee, now ranked among the hundred greatest masters of the realm, originally aspiring to become one of the ten greatest housekeepers.
The remodeled housekeeper—Eom Suksu!
His body, reconstructed by Jin Cheon-hee’s hands, trembled with resolve.
It was truly a physique like a sculpted statue.
The elderly man, Jegalling’s benefactor Eom Nosa, spoke.
“Yes. In the martial world, the greatest filial piety one can offer a master is ultimately to surpass them! This time, show us what true surpassing truly means by exceeding that man!”
Eom Suksu marches forth!
And.
Hidden culinary masters from across the realm began to stir.
“Jin Cheon-hee, the greatest chef of the realm…. You defeated Cheol-san of the Golden Phoenix Blood Essence, did you? But he is the weakest among those who received the Yellow Dragon Master Chef’s credential. Before my Noodle Sword and Food Knife, you are nothing….”
A narrow-eyed middle-aged man muttered while sharpening a sharp Chinese cleaver on a whetstone.
“Hehehehe. Golden Phoenix Blood Essence. I’ve always wanted a reckoning with you. This time, I, Seonsikeong, shall end you with my cooking!”
Though appearing elderly, a muscular, well-built housekeeper stirred the contents of an enormous pot with a fishing rod, declaring his ambitions.
Indeed.
Even the greatest culinary masters of the realm who had not moved for the imperial palace’s tournament of the greatest chefs under heaven were all beginning to gather!
Truly.
What would come to pass?
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle—
The Yoo Ho Refrigerator Cup Cold Cuisine Tournament of the Greatest Chefs Under Heaven, summoning wind and cloud!
Opening soon!
* * *
Sip.
“You’re always stirring up interesting matters. But it’s quite a good idea. The harvest season approaches soon, so holding a grand festival beforehand would be splendid.”
“Indeed?”
After a long time, Master and disciple sit face to face, sipping tea.
A rare moment of respite amidst the relentless duties.
I close my eyes and savor the fragrant aroma.
Jegalling spoke.
“Yes. However, this Master has business elsewhere to attend to. You prepare the event and conduct it well.”
“I’ll take care of it! But where are you going?”
“Shaolin Temple.”
“Pardon?”
An unexpected name emerged. My Master continued.
“It seems the Jegallim Family left something behind in the past, and they wish for me, as their successor, to assist with it.”
“Is it something you’ll only understand once you arrive?”
“I have a rough idea. They’re likely asking for repairs to the formation.”
It appeared the Jegallim Family had once assisted with formations at that place as well.
Now my Master Jegalling had inherited that responsibility.
“I see. Then Master, please return safely!”
“Mm.”
Thus the tea time ended and my disciple stepped outside.
Jegalling waited for quite some time until his disciple was completely out of sight, then finally opened his mouth.
“Yoo Ho.”
“Yes.”
Yoo Ho emerged from the shadows.
Though a person had appeared from what seemed to be empty space, Jegalling showed no disturbance, as if accustomed to it.
“The Thousand-Year Shaolin… They say various demonic creatures were imprisoned in the Repentance Cave beneath it?”
“Likely. As the celestial barrier tore, it must have become difficult to contain them.”
“In such matters, they are truly frustrating people. Can those creatures truly be guided through Buddhist principles?”
“Who knows. Even the Monkey King managed to be guided in the old days.”
The Monkey King Sun Wukong.
Under the guidance of the Tripitaka Master, he was even revered as a Buddha bearing the dharma name Victorious Fighting Buddha.
However.
Was the Monkey King truly properly guided?
The truth of that remains unknowable even now.
Though unknowable, humans can only trace such remnants through legends and tales.
“I see. A Buddha…”
Jegalling savored the word Buddha for a moment.
Buddha.
Not merely revered by Shaolin alone, but the great master followed by all who belong to the Buddhist path—a transcendent existence.
Yet it would be no exaggeration to say it possesses a distinctly different nature and stature from the Jade Emperor of the Daoist path.
However, humans know neither what enlightenment truly is, nor what the immortals called forth by Daoism precisely are.
Those distant ones are simply too distant.
Does human reason not shatter far too easily from even fragments of them?
“Does Shaolin hope for mercy until the very end?”
Jegalling’s final words resonated softly through the empty air.
“What will you do at Shaolin, Master?”
“….”
Jegalling did not answer. After a moment, he swallowed the remaining tea and opened his mouth.
“Everything is for Hee.”
His voice carried the edge of a blade.
As the disciple prepares for the final age, so too does the master prepare for it.
‘However, the master’s gifts are always things that ordinary people find difficult to bear.’
Yoo Ho became curious about how Shaolin would confront such a Jegalling.
‘Shaolin, which harbors the hidden face of the world—the Jegallim Family ancestors must have left something there. The fact that Jegalling was summoned now surely means….’
Then a voice echoed from afar.
“Yoo Ho! Yoo Ho ho ho ho ho ho–!”
“?!”
The mad cry of a madman.
Author’s Note
Happy Birthday Yeo Ha-ryun!!!!!!! I’m releasing the illustration a day early!
Dobin drew this birthday commemorative illustration, and Mudogwan provided the coloring.
Actually, this cover’s nickname is ‘Strength Demonstration.’
It may be hard to see at small sizes, but when you zoom in, you can see the color of each individual hair strand and its light reflection…. The eyelash details, the way flesh folds on the hands, and even the wet long robe—everything has been meticulously carved out….
Moreover, today is the web comic opening day for [The Doctor, Reborn]….
So Dobin wanted at least one earthling to recognize Ha-ryun’s charm, and thus poured their innate talent into this work. Mudogwan also participated and continued to assist all the way to the final touches.
That’s right. This illustration contains the innate talent of two people buried within it.
Thank you, Dobin and Mudogwan!
I can only express my gratitude.
To be able to work with such wonderful people—I must have saved a nation in my past life.
As the two of them completed the illustration, they expressed their concerns….
At first, it was good to boldly apply color to showcase Ha-ryun’s charm…. But they worried about how to incorporate the typography and whether it might get buried.
Then SSONG, our typography designer, fit the final piece together as if asking what there was to worry about, and it matched so perfectly… the illustration was completed exactly as originally intended—that genuine 90s noir film aesthetic masterpiece!!!!!!!!!!!
And through the hands of K-Editor, it was safely delivered to our readers.
Thank you all.
Dobin mentioned suffering through a slump until early this year, but after overcoming it, they seem to have gained enlightenment and are progressing toward Hyeongyeong’s realm.
Though I’ve already said thank you many times, I must say it again.
I’m truly grateful.
This cover contains much hidden symbolism.
The red light represents Cheon Sal-seong’s murderous intent and madness,
The black light represents Yeo Ha-ryun’s restraint and conviction.
The green light of reflection signifies righteous will.
The pouring rain symbolizes adversity, yet even within it, the gaze is directed forward.
The composition was arranged so viewers make eye contact with Yeo Ha-ryun, and if you don’t mind, if you look at what’s written in white letters beneath Ha-ryun’s English typography… the charm will come through even more powerfully.
The illustration is being distributed in desktop wallpaper version on Golem Factory’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/romanticgolem), so if you enjoy it, this author would have nothing more to ask for.
[The Doctor, Reborn] – I remember that both Dobin and I were quite clumsy and inexperienced in the early stages of serialization.
Though we call them a novel and a webtoon respectively, back then both of us were simply running ahead on passion alone.
There were trial and errors during serialization and considerable hardship, yet we were able to continue without missing a single chapter—all thanks to our readers.
Over more than 1,000 chapters, you’ve watched over us and cheered us on, allowing us to grow to where we are today.
I harbor the desire to grow further and to show you even better work going forward.
However, what we two can do as creators is… simply to strive each day to bring you joy and to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to our craft.
Thank you so much for reading this chapter.
Thank you so much for viewing the commemorative illustration as well.
If you don’t mind, I would be deeply grateful if you could visit the webtoon that Dobin opened today after his hiatus ends.
Please do check it out.
Many people have worked hard to draw it for our readers.
Thank you so much for reading this lengthy notice.
Then, thank you!!!
May all our readers be happy!!!
See you again tomorrow with the next chapter!! I love you all.
P.S. Since this cover illustration contains multiple layers of innate celestial energy, I will keep it displayed a bit longer.
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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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