Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 122

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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 122
“I understand you’re not one to concern yourself with such matters, but we stand with Patriarch Seo Baek-ryong.”
“….”
The weight of it was heavy.
I drew a deep breath to keep from being crushed beneath that burden.
Then, with a smile, I spoke.
“Let’s just say you’re accomplices.”
“My goodness, are you dragging us into this as well?”
“If you turn a blind eye, you’re accomplices. That’s all there is to it.”
I jested in that manner. Then, with a more serious expression, I continued.
“If it comes to light later, say that I ordered you to do it. Tell them I’ll take full responsibility, and that should suffice.”
I spoke deliberately lightly, then lay back down on the bed.
“Now, I need to see patients.”
It was a dismissal.
The doctors nodded at my words and quietly withdrew.
What I needed most was recovery.
The treatment was complete, but restoring the body’s strength was the patient’s responsibility.
I slowly began circulating my inner energy through cultivation.
A grueling battle. At last, I felt the reality of victory.
* * *
The next day, I immediately began discharge procedures.
“You’re leaving already?”
“I’ve already stayed far longer than necessary.”
Brushing off the Uigak-won one by one as they tried to cling to my trouser legs, I courageously attempted my discharge.
Then I encountered Sama Hyeon at the entrance.
“Just as I expected, you’re heading right out~”
“Were you waiting for me?”
Sama Hyeon shook his head at my words.
“I was just coming to find you.”
Behind Sama Hyeon were Muhua and Muyue.
“I have something to discuss, and I’d prefer somewhere without people~ Would that be alright?”
Sensing something unusual in the atmosphere, I nodded.
The four of us headed to the bamboo grove in Buntta, a place without people.
Baekrin Uigak has a bamboo grove in Buntta as well. Within a simple formation that muffled conversations inside while allowing outside sounds to be heard easily, Sama Hyeon spoke.
“I’m planning to enter Hao-mun~”
“….”
“You’re not surprised, are you, brother?”
I nodded.
“Muhua and Muyue are here. I had a feeling it would be something like this.”
Sama Hyeon entering Hao-mun and becoming its Patriarch was the natural flow of the narrative.
What Jin Cheon-hee changed was merely whether Sama Hyeon entered with a clear mind or intoxicated by madness.
That was a significant difference.
“The martial arts I learned were supposedly from the great-grandfather Hao Munzhu. That Elder Seok. I thought he harbored many secrets, but I never imagined he was concealing something like this…. Hahaha!”
‘So that’s why he pursued him so relentlessly. He even sent Gokgol Hyeolma to get Sama Hyeon under his control.’
Though not quite equal to inheriting the martial arts of the current or previous Hao Munzhu, the techniques of the great-grandfather Hao Munzhu were still worth sending Gokgol Hyeolma for.
They held that much value.
“If you hadn’t been here, I would’ve been dragged away, forced to divulge everything I know, or destroyed in internal strife.”
“I see.”
“I’ve arranged for the children I was caring for to be looked after at Baekrin Uigak in Buntta. Since everyone in Hangzhou knows of that place, I’m confident they’ll be well cared for.”
“Are you sure about that? You were so determined not to incur any further debt to me.”
At Jin Cheon-hee’s words, Sama Hyeon smiled bitterly.
“If I stay with you, next time they’ll send someone even stronger. Right now I was fortunate enough to save the children thanks to you, but who knows what happens next. Street urchins digging through garbage—whether a few of them die means nothing to the people in power.”
A cold cynicism settled at the corners of Sama Hyeon’s mouth.
Instead of responding, Jin Cheon-hee met Sama Hyeon’s gaze directly.
Sama Hyeon spoke.
“Well, that’s how it is. There are things in this world we can’t help… Since I’ve already incurred a debt, I might as well repay it.”
It was the logic of an adult rather than a child.
Sama Hyeon added one more thing.
“Oh, and Hye-a decided to stay at Baekrin Uigak in Buntta. She wants to refine her medical skills, apparently. It works out well since we’re short-handed anyway, and she needs to continue receiving pulse diagnosis treatment.”
At those words, Jin Cheon-hee had a premonition that he would see Sama-hye again soon.
A young child, yet resolute.
What would become of her if she also possessed keen intelligence?
The path to becoming a Doctor would not be easy, but I decided to support her.
Sama Hyeon spoke.
“By the way, I kept it secret from Hye-a that I’m going to Hao-mun. She thinks I got a job at a merchant company. I probably seem cold-hearted for making this decision without consulting her at all.”
Certain information becomes dangerous merely by being known.
As long as Sama-hye remained under Baekrin Uigak’s protection, she should be safe, but one could never be too careful.
Jin Cheon-hee spoke calmly.
“Sama Hyeon, joining Hao-mun won’t be easy for you either.”
“True. It won’t be. But still… being able to choose one of the five branches for myself is quite the privilege, isn’t it?”
Jin Cheon-hee looked at Muhua and Muyue at those words. Muhua answered.
“The leaders of each branch have reached an agreement. Sama Hyeon may enter the branch of his choosing. That is the content of the accord.”
Jin Cheon-hee replied.
“How fortunate that such an agreement was reached. It seems information was transmitted simultaneously…?”
At Jin Cheon-hee’s words, Muyue smiled.
“Yes. Information that the Osasal branch had obtained exclusively leaked out simultaneously. Quite fortunate indeed.”
Jin Cheon-hee detected a strong scent of conspiracy in those words.
He also became certain that Muhua and Muyue were involved in that affair.
“Life has its lucky days when you live long enough.”
Jin Cheon-hee answered only that much and asked no further questions.
Each sect has its own path to walk.
I could only hope that the two siblings and Sama Hyeon would remain safe.
“If you’re injured, come find me anytime. Baekrin Uigak is always open.”
That was the extent of kindness I could offer.
Sama Hyeon spoke.
“Brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Then until I repay my debt, will you and I remain in the relationship of surgeon and patient’s guardian?”
It was truly an ambiguous relationship.
Even I didn’t know what kind of relationship it was, so I furrowed my brow slightly.
Sama Hyeon spoke.
“You’ve saved me three times, brother. It’s shameless of me to say, but… if you don’t mind, I’d like to continue calling you my brother.”
I understood the meaning behind those words well enough.
But there was still one remaining problem for me.
‘I thought sworn brotherhood was formed all at once like the Peach Garden Oath, but is it possible to form it separately?’
I spoke.
“I already have a first younger brother, and he needs to give his approval.”
“What~?”
The future Heavenly Demon and the future Hao Munzhu.
If the madness of Cheonsal Seong goes wrong, he could smash Sama Hyeon’s head, or conversely, Sama Hyeon could set the Demonic Cult ablaze with his unique realm of one step becoming ten thousand changes.
Just a strong guy versus the master of trolling.
In the original work, it all happened.
“I’ll ask him later if he approves. And you’re number two on the waiting list.”
“What?”
“That’s how it works.”
‘I wonder if Cheonwoo is doing well. I should send him a letter.’
I thought to myself.
Of the three, Cheonwoo was the one with the most sense.
‘I hope he’s doing well at the Wudang Sect.’
019. Cheonryeong
Seagulls flew over the boat.
I stood at the bow, lost in thought as the sea breeze brushed against me.
‘I wonder if the letter I sent to Sama-hye arrived safely.’
There was nothing particularly noteworthy in it.
Even if it was difficult at first, she should continue physical therapy as she recovered, and she mustn’t forget to have her pulse checked according to her growth stages.
I had written down foods that would be good for her to eat.
I didn’t include words of comfort about her older brother Sama Hyeon or sympathies about how difficult it must be to adapt to her changed life.
I simply wrote only what I had to say as a doctor, keeping it brief.
If anything, I added only the advice that while studying to become a doctor is good, if she ever feels that path isn’t right for her, she shouldn’t hesitate to explore other options.
Being a doctor was a profession that earned respect from people, brought fulfillment, and didn’t leave much room for financial worry, but it demanded equally extensive study and required great moral character and sense of responsibility.
It was the same back on Earth.
I had seen countless people who knew their aptitudes didn’t align with their path, yet pressed forward anyway—either for family or because they couldn’t bear to waste the years they’d already invested in their studies.
Some had even been told by their families to take their own lives if they didn’t become doctors.
But one cannot wear an ill-fitting garment for a lifetime.
Life becomes miserable. Naturally, people become increasingly twisted.
That was unfortunate for both the doctor and the patient.
If the work was merely displeasing, one could manage it. But if the judgment came that it was utterly impossible, perhaps letting go of attachment wasn’t such a bad approach.
‘I’ll support whatever Sama-hye does, but I still hope she’ll pursue something she truly loves.’
The anxious concern of an old man.
With that, I enclosed one letter.
One letter of regards each to Yeo Ha-ryun and Cheonwoo.
To my Master, who was staying at the Yongbong Branch, I sent word that I was doing well without any ailments, eating dongpa-yuk and living in comfort.
I didn’t send anything to that fellow Yoo Ho, who was guarding Baekrin Uigak.
We’d already seen all there was to see between us, and I thought I’d just end up receiving another eloquently vulgar letter like last time.
‘Hmm… I’m living more earnestly than I thought, aren’t I.’
Habits don’t change, whether on Earth or in this world.
Woof! – Master, are you all better now?
I stroked Hwang-gu’s neck.
“Yes. All better.”
Woof woof! – Master got hurt alone and scared me. The small human who was with me got scared too.
Hwang-gu served as a supportive role for restraint.
The fighting was my responsibility.
Naturally, my wounds kept accumulating.
No matter how strong Hwang-gu was, he was no match for facing a Hyeolma directly.
A dog’s teeth couldn’t tear through skin hardened by demonic energy.
Woof. – Small human. When master fell, he went mad. He said he’d never even imagined someone would risk their life fighting for him.
“When I saw him earlier, he seemed composed?”
Growl. – When carrying master around the corner, he tore at the wall’s edge with his bare hands.
‘It must have been quite the ordeal.’
And yet, in front of the person involved, he’d acted as though he knew he’d recover completely.
Was it the stubbornness of a child?
Well, his benefactor had collapsed after saving him—it was understandable to be shocked.
Woof. – He said if he’d been stronger, this wouldn’t have happened.
Was that why he desired strength?
Entering Hao-mun was identical to the novel, but his motivation seemed different from back then.
I spoke.
“Learning martial arts to protect someone is a good motivation. Sama Hyeon will be able to grow stronger.”
Like anything else, motivation was important.
Sama Hyeon would now build his martial foundation accordingly.
For the purpose of protecting his own home rather than setting fire to someone else’s.
“And I need to grow stronger as well.”
I clicked my tongue, lamenting how my soul had shown such an unseemly sight before the child.
‘I’ve caused unnecessary worry.’
I sat in a cross-legged position at the bow of the boat and slowly reviewed the battle in my mind.

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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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