Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 154

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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 154
Ju Wang strode through the door located behind Juwang Palace and entered.
After passing through a long corridor and stepping into the Annex, even the attendants became scarce.
And that Annex.
Ju Wang opened the door to the Annex and spoke.
“Remember my words well, Seo Baek-ryong.”
*Creak—*
Curtains hung around the bed.
The patient’s face was hidden behind a mask and could not be seen.
‘They’re thoroughly concealing their identity.’
I first attempted to show proper courtesy befitting royalty.
“Stop.”
The moment the voice’s owner spoke, my body inexplicably could not move.
*Thud—*
‘What is this…?’
Soon the voice spoke again.
“Rather than showing courtesy, please take my pulse.”
The voice was too high to be a man’s, yet too low to be a woman’s.
Entranced by those words, I moved toward the patient’s side.
‘An innate ability. The power to manipulate people through words.’
If Ju Wang’s innate ability concentrated on physical force, this royal’s ability seemed to focus on mental interference.
No matter how much the court and the Martial Arts World remained separate, there would inevitably be martial artists harboring treacherous thoughts.
Yet the reason no one currently plotted rebellion was because of this innate ability possessed by the descendants of Taeho Bokhee.
Unlike martial prowess, it was impossible to predict, and even grasping the principle of how it activated was difficult.
Rather than fight against such an alien ability, it was right for both sides to live like water and oil, not interfering with each other.
‘In the novel, the Imperial Family is rarely discussed…’
The Supreme Heavenly Demon follows the protagonist Yeo Ha-ryun’s actions.
Since Yeo Ha-ryun would never harbor treacherous thoughts, there would be no reason to describe the royal family.
The one who appears most is merely Ju Wang.
‘It’s difficult to identify who they are based solely on their innate ability.’
I first attempted to take their pulse.
The masked man appeared to be in his thirties.
His frame was sturdy, and while not quite as skilled in martial arts as Ju Wang, he appeared quite accomplished.
“Have you ingested poison in the past?”
“Ho, yes. Even Hwaju Yakson deduced that much. Fortunately, I managed to survive by having an antidote prepared.”
Traces of damage still remained in the stomach and intestines.
‘Indeed, the places where royalty are injured differ from martial artists.’
The Imperial Palace, lacking only firearms, would be in the very depths of intrigue and conspiracy.
“Pardon me.”
I placed my hand on the man’s abdomen and sent my true energy.
My qi began to seep beneath the muscular abdomen.
“The pulse-reading method differs from that of Hwaju Yakson. It’s different from the imperial physicians as well.”
Rather than respond, I focused on assessing the patient’s condition.
When pressure was applied to the abdomen, King Eun-ya let out a slight groan from the intensity of the pain.
The pulse-reading took longer than expected. Even Ju Wang, who had been watching, let out an awkward cough.
Meanwhile, my expression grew increasingly darker.
‘It doesn’t appear to be stage one.’
Stage two or three.
Fortunately, the progression had been slowed by the power of wealth. It seemed he had consumed every rare medicinal substance that countered tumors.
These were precious medicinal materials that were difficult to obtain even if one knew of them, yet he had somehow procured and prepared them.
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly discovered cancer in this country.
To explain it simply.
Up to stage one, where it has only penetrated the intestinal wall, there is no lymph node metastasis, so removal alone suffices, with good prognosis and often no need for additional chemotherapy if the tissue examination is favorable.
At stage two, the intestinal wall layer has been completely breached, but there is no lymph node metastasis itself.
Even in this case, the five-year survival rate is sixty to eighty percent. Lower than stage one, but the possibility of survival increases if discovered at this stage.
The problem begins at stage three.
When lymph node metastasis begins. Regardless of the cancer’s size.
It’s a matter of whether metastasis has occurred or not.
From here onward, the survival rate is approximately thirty to sixty percent.
Stage four, where metastasis has already occurred and begun growing in difficult-to-operate locations like the brain or lungs, is five percent or less.
This is why physicians unanimously recommend regular health screenings starting from one’s fifties.
‘If there are already symptoms or a family history of cancer, it’s better to begin even earlier.’
If discovered at stage one, surgery is straightforward and the prognosis is favorable.
Don’t think of colonoscopy as strange—simply undergoing timely screenings can save one’s life.
‘King Eun-ya appears to be beyond stage two….’
A headache naturally arose.
‘Fortunately, it’s colon cancer, not rectal cancer.’
Cancer in the colon allows for easier surgical field exposure and, even with wide resection, functional impairment rarely occurs.
‘I won’t need to worry about urinary complications after surgery.’
This era doesn’t have colostomies, and if the rectum needed to be touched, it would be troublesome.
Without going that far, the patient’s quality of life seems manageable.
‘For now, the tumor is blocking bowel movements, causing constipation….’
The pain must have been considerable, yet seeing him endure it—perhaps royalty truly is royalty.
After organizing my thoughts, I concluded the pulse-reading.
“What is your assessment, Seo Baek-ryong? Can I survive?”
After deliberating, I opened my mouth.
“My opinion remains unchanged regarding resection using the scalpel, but I cannot guarantee survival even five years from now.”
The problem is I cannot determine which stage it is.
“Then can you guarantee I will certainly survive until the end of this year?”
“Fortunately, it does not appear to have spread to other organs, so survival until then seems possible.”
‘Ban’ is another term for cancer.
While this era cannot precisely understand cancer, they know that tumors form in organs and cause death—a condition they collectively call ban or a mass.
King Eun fell into thought.
“…That means my abdomen would need to be opened. Inevitably, I would be asleep.”
“If you’re referring to the mask you wear, I absolutely will not remove it.”
“The imperial physician who speaks thus has already beheaded seven predecessors. Since this time it’s a doctor personally recommended by my sister, I cannot say what will happen.”
The man’s stomach and intestines were already damaged from poison.
That also signified betrayal.
It was remarkable, truly.
The man before me possessed considerable martial prowess, befitting one who carried Bokhi’s blood.
Yet the wounds were not of the body but of the internal organs, leaving scars that remained.
It meant he had dealt more with schemes than warfare. It also meant he had few people to trust.
Ju Wang spoke to the masked man.
“Eun. You still harbor much suspicion.”
This King’s pet name appeared to be ‘Eun.’ It might have been a childhood name.
However, with only a single-character pet name, it was difficult to guess the full name, so I ceased my deeper contemplation.
“Had I not, I would have followed my wet nurse long ago. Sister.”
“Mm. That is true.”
Soon after, Eun Wang-ya spoke.
“I will need time to think on this matter.”
I spoke.
“Then I shall help alleviate the symptoms of intestinal obstruction.”
“Does that also require opening the abdomen?”
“There is no need for that. I intend to manage it through acupuncture and herbal medicine.”
“Then proceed.”
Despite considerable pain, Eun Wang-ya received my treatment without a single groan.
* * *
After the acupuncture was complete, Jegalling and I unpacked our belongings in the guest house.
Jegalling spoke.
“You seem to have much on your mind. Hee.”
“I was thinking how difficult it must be to live as royalty.”
“Hahaha, those who rule from high positions lose much as well.”
At my Master’s laughter, I wore a slightly sullen expression.
“Master, are you not concerned?”
“Had it been me, I would have already declared treatment impossible and left. I would never have taken such a risk to save a patient like you do. That is also the truth.”
Whether the cancer is stage two or stage three matters greatly.
‘Perhaps heaven will aid us, and when we actually open the abdomen, it will be stage one….’
However, from the pulse diagnosis, such fortune does not seem likely.
“It seems there is something else you worry about beyond that.”
How did my Master perceive this? I nodded.
“Eun Wang-ya has become far too weakened. I cannot be certain she can endure the surgery. Moreover, her esophagus and intestines have already been damaged once, which is another cause for concern.”
“Indeed. Even with detoxification, if poison has already penetrated deeply enough, aftereffects are inevitable. The human body is easily damaged but difficult to heal.”
The inability to identify the poison’s nature was also a significant problem.
Once anesthesia was administered, she would be placing her body entirely in my hands.
She had already nearly fallen victim to poisoning within the schemes that ran rampant through the Imperial Capital.
To survive in such a place, one would need vigilance bordering on paranoia.
It was impossible not to imagine what could happen while she lay unconscious.
“In contrast, Ju Wang seems to live quite peacefully.”
“Strength simplifies everything from the start. Moreover, a person whose desires and intentions are simple and consistent causes those around them to lower their guard. He was also someone without ambition for power.”
“He disliked being constrained as well.”
“Yes. As long as that doesn’t change, there is no benefit in killing him.”
I began to understand why Ju Wang had renounced the throne.
Or rather, he was someone who had never harbored ambition for that position to begin with.
“Then the Wang-ya I examined today has aspirations for power….”
“Shh.”
My Master raised his index finger to his lips.
“…It would be wise not to think beyond that point. Do not even speak of it through transmission.”
There were no attendants about, only silence.
Yet I understood what my Master meant.
He was telling me not to become involved.
I hugged my knees and fell into thought.
“Operating the Medical Guild is truly difficult work.”
“Your Master is quite pleased that you understand.”
“Well, I didn’t always know….”
“…You have caused me no small amount of worry, Hee. Your Master’s back is nearly broken from protecting you.”
“Ugh….”
Inwardly, I clicked my tongue. But I had nothing to say.
Suture scars still remained on the back of my hand, and thinking of my Master suturing lacerations instead of tending to his own injuries, I had no words even if I had ten mouths.
‘There has never been such unfilial conduct.’
Jegalling spoke.
“Of course, had you not been involved, dozens of children would have all perished miserably. Because I know this as well, I am putting you through hellish training.”
My Master reached out and stroked my head.
My long black hair fluttered softly through my Master’s fingers.
“Will you call Yoo Ho?”

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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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