Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 150
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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 150
At last, I had finally decided on two trading guilds to make my final purchases from.
The ondol heating system would go to the Bota Trading Guild, which belonged to the Yunlong Courier Bureau.
It wasn’t simply because of my connection with the Abbot—it was because maritime trade allowed them to procure materials smoothly.
“What a pleasant surprise to see you again.”
I couldn’t express how shocked I was when Gong Ban-ha arrived as a representative of the Bota Trading Guild.
“Shouldn’t you be at the Gongseon Courier Bureau?”
Originally, the Gongseon Courier Bureau was a small-to-medium-sized courier operation that rented space in the same building as the Bota Courier Bureau.
After rescuing her younger brother Gong Il-sang from bandits, I had met her through that connection and even stayed in a private room at the Cheongsang Guest House.
So she had moved not just to the Bota Courier Bureau, but to the Bota Trading Guild itself.
Gong Ban-ha let out a small sigh.
“I’m ashamed to admit it, but due to management difficulties, the Gongseon Courier Bureau has transitioned to become part of the Bota Trading Guild.”
‘Running a small-to-medium courier operation must be incredibly challenging.’
In a way, courier bureaus were much like modern delivery companies.
Large, well-established enterprises could stumble along on their existing foundations, but small businesses struggled with every single task.
Especially since the courier business wasn’t exactly a blue ocean—it was a bloodbath.
If this were the original world where the Yunlong Courier Bureau had collapsed, it might be different, but now it stood firm and established, and new courier operations had to break through that barrier.
‘The Gongseon Courier Bureau’s failure was inevitable.’
Instead, it seemed she had joined the Bota Trading Guild and formed a cooperative relationship with the Bota Courier Bureau.
Whether in the modern world or the martial realm, corporate acquisitions and restructuring were all the same.
I offered her words of encouragement.
“Still, you have such a keen eye for trends and so many people willing to help you that I’m sure you’ll succeed.”
“Thank you, Great Physician.”
I guided Gong Ban-ha into the warm ondol room.
“In the Central Plains style, one would normally use tables and chairs, but I removed them so you could fully appreciate the warmth radiating from the floor.”
I led her to a cushion.
Gong Ban-ha nodded and took her seat.
Yoo Ho entered and brewed tea, then brought it in on a small table with the tea service arranged on top.
Just perfectly, snow was falling outside the window.
‘There’s nothing quite like an ondol on a cold day.’
With the floor warm, it was natural to become as relaxed as glutinous rice cake.
Gong Ban-ha didn’t quite melt like that, but she was testing the warmth by placing her hand on the floor.
“I heard you wanted to sell the construction method for this ondol.”
*Psssh.*
I poured her tea as I spoke.
Gong Ban-ha nodded.
“Yes. That’s why our guild has been making inquiries, even at great effort, to purchase this ondol. I was astounded to hear that you invented it yourself, Great Physician.”
“I didn’t invent it. This is simply something used elsewhere that I’ve adapted to the Central Plains style and brought here.”
“And where might that be?”
“It’s a very distant place, and I’m afraid I cannot discuss it.”
It’s a Korean-style ondol from the blue Earth, the third planet in the solar system, located near the edge of our galaxy.
The third planet in the solar system, situated near the edge of our galaxy.
I swallowed those words.
Gong Ban-ha fell into deep thought before speaking.
“Martial artists who have experienced the ondol at Baekrin Uigak have been contacting numerous trading guilds, hoping to create something similar. We would like to conduct business by receiving direct instruction from the Great Cooperator.”
‘In other words, they want to use the genuine article.’
Gong Ban-ha continued.
“Moreover, some masters have even spent considerable sums installing glass windows in their homes. Of course, the transparency doesn’t compare to Baekrin Uigak, but there are many who wish to imitate it nonetheless.”
“Ah… I see.”
I nodded.
Neither Gong Ban-ha nor I were the type to waste time on such matters anyway—time is money.
“I wish to receive thirty percent.”
“Thirty percent…?”
“Yes. For each ondol constructed through transaction fees, I wish to receive thirty percent of the net profits.”
“….”
Gong Ban-ha fell into contemplation.
“We were thinking of ten percent.”
I continued speaking.
“An ondol used incorrectly can kill people. I will ensure to explain what dangers arise from using an ondol with faulty construction.”
Since this era uses firewood rather than briquettes, it’s safer than modern times, but carbon monoxide poisoning accidents still occur.
Even in modern times, accidents at camping sites and rural fireplaces happen frequently.
Moreover, fires from improper installation occur regularly.
‘This is something that can kill people.’
I was already concerned about this matter, so this worked out well.
In short, I intended to launch a campaign saying, ‘No counterfeits—use only the genuine article.’
“Many people are willing to pay dearly for Baekrin Uigak’s medical records.”
Gong Ban-ha fell into thought.
“…I cannot compete with the Great Cooperator. Thirty percent. With exclusive trading on both sides.”
To give thirty percent, exclusive trading was necessary.
If I sold the technique to this guild and that guild, Gong Ban-ha would be stabbed in the back.
I answered.
“A fair deal.”
That was what I had considered from the beginning.
Next came the sale of the jade stones.
An unexpected person stepped forward for the bid.
It was none other than Gongseon Hyeon and Gongseon Yeong, the sisters.
Of course, Gongseon Yeong was merely dragged along—the owner of Gongseon Trading Guild was her older sister, Gongseon Hyeon.
And the one who came as her guard was… Wang Gak-yeon.
Gongseon Yeong, wearing martial robes embroidered with the pine tree symbol of the Gongseon Family, treated Wang Gak-yeon literally like a cherished doll.
“Hey there, my benefactor! Wow, you’ve grown so much!”
Gongseon Yeong continued waving her hand broadly toward Jin Cheon-hee with her characteristically boisterous voice.
Jin Cheon-hee greeted Gongseon Yeong in return, and beside her stood Wang Gak-yeon, ascending with an embarrassed flush coloring her face.
“Gak-yeon!”
“C-Cheon-hee!”
Wang Gak-yeon’s face had turned crimson.
‘She didn’t expect to return because of work like this.’
‘I’m going out to accomplish something great!’ she had declared when she left, yet it seemed she hadn’t anticipated being dragged back on official business before completing her task.
‘Wang Gak-yeon has grown tremendously.’
Wang Gak-yeon, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, had undergone remarkable growth.
Most notably, only an empty quiver now occupied the space on her back.
‘She’s reached the realm of Heart Archery.’
It appeared that Wang Gak-yeon had achieved at a young age the same realm where Gungwi once fired inner force instead of arrows to strike enemies.
It was a joy to see a friend grow stronger.
Jin Cheon-hee felt his spirits lift naturally.
Behind the two of them, Gongseon Hyeon was ascending while breathing heavily.
“You two… just… let me rest a moment…”
“That’s why I told you to take a palanquin up.”
“That’s right. Sister, or would you like me to carry you on my back?”
As Wang Gak-yeon naturally assumed a posture to carry Gongseon Hyeon, she waved her hand vigorously.
“No, no, there are eyes watching. How could I? Honestly…”
Even as she spoke thus, honey dripped from Gongseon Hyeon’s eyes as she gazed at the two of them.
Though her peculiarly twisted posture remained unchanged, her complexion had become considerably healthier than before.
When one stands beside bright people, one naturally becomes bright as well.
From that day forward, Gongseon Hyeon lived each day with gratitude for the fact that her younger sibling was by her side.
Then one day, through Jin Cheon-hee’s introduction, Wang Gak-yeon had come, and it seemed she had spent happy times pinching the plump cheeks of the round-faced Wang Gak-yeon.
‘The Gongseon Trading Guild’s growth lately has been terrifying.’
Not only did they earn money skillfully, but their ability to eliminate competitors was equally remarkable.
And there was no one in the Central Plains who didn’t know that Gongseon Hyeon stood behind it all.
Jin Cheon-hee cupped his fist in salute.
“It is such a joy to meet all three of you.”
“I am delighted to see the renowned Seo Baek-ryong of the Gangho in person.”
My sister Gongseon Hyeon still maintained formality as she greeted Jin Cheon-hee.
Displeased by her sister’s demeanor, Gongseon Yeong pulled her from behind and lifted her up effortlessly.
“Oof! Yeong!”
“Sister, you’re scheming something sinister again, aren’t you? Let’s not do that to our benefactor, okay?”
“…Sigh, Yeong.”
“What, sister? I don’t act like this toward other people.”
As Gongseon Yeong rubbed her cheek against her sister’s cheek, Gongseon Hyeon finally couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“I concede. Honestly. This is why people keep noticing how close we are.”
“I don’t understand why you’d want to hide it.”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, the Gongseon Family’s structure between the main and branch lines is quite rigid….”
“I understand. I understand.”
Gongseon Yeong waved her hand dismissively.
Born with a Solar Constitution and wielding a sword throughout her life, she lived the very embodiment of a warrior’s spirit.
Gongseon Hyeon could not match her sister’s bold nature.
“…As you can see, it has come to this. There was a power struggle between the main and branch lines, so we kept it hidden, but Yeong…she had no intention of concealing it, so more and more people are beginning to notice.”
Gongseon Hyeon sighed with a pale expression.
What she wanted was to pass the position of Gaju to Gongseon Yeong and leave herself.
To achieve that, she had to exploit the conflict between the main and branch lines.
But her younger sister Gongseon Yeong harbored not a shred of ambition and only looked up to her older sister.
‘It seems she’s finally beginning to grasp reality.’
I didn’t voice it aloud, but it appeared that Gongseon Hyeon herself was gradually coming to realize that having her cousin become Gaju might not be impossible after all.
Gongseon Hyeon spoke.
“And the Gak-yeon you introduced is serving as my guard and helping with the trading guild’s affairs. She has reached the realm of Heart Mastery and has begun to be called the Little Sovereign of Hearts.”
It seemed she was calling Wang Gak-yeon by the affectionate nickname ‘Yeon-i’.
“Yeon. You’ve come home—why are you so embarrassed?”
“….”
Wang Gak-yeon retreated backward with a crimson face.
Then Gongseon Yeong grabbed her sister and also grabbed Wang Gak-yeon.
“Aaaah! Sister!”
“Hahaha, what’s there to be embarrassed about! That’s more than enough for a glorious homecoming!”
“B-but…I haven’t had a glorious homecoming. I haven’t obtained secret techniques or consumed elixirs….”
Wang Gak-yeon’s standards were high.
That was when it happened.
“Gak-yeon!”
A booming voice rang out from behind me. It was the Gungwi Elder.
The moment he spotted Wang Gak-yeon, he cried out and rushed over.
“You’ve grown so much.”
Tears began to form in his large eyes.
Wang Gak-yeon was startled and burst out, “Dad, a-are you…crying?!”
“What are you talking about? Your father doesn’t cry over such things.”
His shoulders began to tremble.
Though he had waited calmly with a warrior’s heart while his child was out in the Gangho, it had been a long time since he’d seen his daughter.
Seeing how much she had grown, he could not contain a father’s tears.
“Don’t cry! Dad!”
“Your father isn’t crying, so stop that.”
His lips began to quiver.
Unable to bear it any longer, Gongseon Yeong slapped Wang Gak-yeon on the back.
“Go embrace him.”
“Go and give her a hug.”
“Oh, my dear child….”
Tears welled up in Wang Gak-yeon’s eyes as she spoke those words.
No matter how impressive her reputation became in the Gangho, no matter what grand title she earned or how she aspired to become a great hero, life away from home was still difficult.
Even with Jin Cheon-hee’s kindness and support, it could never compare to living with family at home.
“…Dad.”
Wang Gak-yeon could no longer hold back and embraced her father.
Gungwi patted her daughter’s back as he spoke.
“Don’t cry, my daughter. Your father will… do well.”
“…You shouldn’t cry either, Dad.”
Watching the scene unfold, Gongseon Hyeon spoke calmly.
“Yeong. I’m giving you two days of leave, so spend today sharing this moment with your father.”
“What are you saying? I have work to do.”
“That’s enough! Take it when it’s offered.”
Gongseon Yeong chuckled heartily.
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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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