Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 219

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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 219
I grasped Gongseon Hyeon’s wrist and felt her pulse, then contemplated the diagnosis.
‘There’s no serious illness here. It’s a matter of constitution.’
It wasn’t a severe affliction like a severed pulse, but Gongseon Hyeon’s constitution was far from ideal either.
Her body was perpetually cold, fell ill easily, and tired quickly.
Perhaps that was why she had always admired Gongseon Yeong, whose yang-dominant constitution stood in such contrast.
I inserted the needles lightly.
“There’s no serious illness, so I’ll place needles to relieve fatigue and reduce heat. I’ll have someone bring the herbal medicine ingredients shortly.”
Gongseon Hyeon finally sighed.
Surrender.
Watching her older sister, Gongseon Yeong and Wang Gak-yeon celebrated their victory.
Seolgyeon observed them with apparent envy before speaking.
“There is actually a reason we came here.”
“What reason might that be?”
Gongseon Hyeon asked with a pale complexion.
“…Hmm… I wanted to ask whether the Gaju had heard the true reason the Dragon Phoenix Assembly is being held this year.”
At those words, Gongseon Hyeon’s face stiffened slightly. She commanded her close friend and cousin.
“You two, step outside for a moment.”
Since this was a matter for the Young Gaju, they left without protest.
Click, thud—
Only after the door closed completely did Gongseon Hyeon exhale.
“From your expression, it seems you’ve already heard.”
“The story is so absurd that I’ve been skeptical. However, seeing how firmly Father spoke after returning from the assembly, I believe it’s likely true.”
“Indeed. That someone other than Jeong, Sa, and Ma fought Gwon Je and set fire to the Murim Sect. A year ago, I would have laughed at such madness.”
“…”
Gongseon Hyeon did not respond.
From the deep silence, Seolgyeon spoke.
“Trust no one.”
“Are you saying there are spies?”
“Without concrete evidence, all I can offer is this vague speculation. But mark my words… they are definitely here. Kuhuk… Does it sound mad?”
“…”
Gongseon Hyeon did not respond. Her dark eyes glanced at the floor once, then the ceiling, then at me, before finally settling back on Seolgyeon.
“…I will inform the Gaju that the Gongseon Family will withdraw from this Dragon Phoenix Assembly.”
“Kuhuhuk. Your thoughts have reached that far. Truly, you are the Black Ice Poison Dragon.”
If disaster struck the Murim League, it would inevitably occur in the very heart of the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.
At that moment, even knowing beforehand, would it be easy to find one’s blood relatives in such a vast place?
And even if such an incident did not occur…
“One must be cautious of those one meets, and even more cautious of those one crosses blades with.”
“Still, you are bold. Excessively bold. Well, that is why you are the Black Ice Poison Dragon.”
Gongseon Hyeon nodded.
“I’m simply doing my duty as the minor family head.”
“Frightening. While several families learned of this matter, only the Gongseon Family’s minor family head made such a decision in that moment.”
“….”
Perhaps it was because she had heard unfavorable words and needed to calculate unfavorable variables.
With a face grown even paler, Gongseon Hyeon simply nodded.
After finishing the acupuncture treatment, I wrote down the herbal medicine ingredients for Gongseon Hyeon and stepped outside.
Seolgyeon and Gongseon Hyeon seemed to be staying longer for a private conversation. Lingering here any further would only entangle me in troublesome matters.
I already carried enough burdens of my own.
A doctor does only what a doctor must do. I had provided treatment—that was sufficient.
Outside, Wang Gak-yeon stood with her back against a pillar.
“All done?”
“My work is finished.”
At my words, Wang Gak-yeon grinned widely. Just as I had grown, so too had Wang Gak-yeon matured.
The bow strapped to her back bore more wear than before, and an empty quiver hung at her waist.
When she no longer needed to carry this quiver would be proof that she had advanced to the next stage.
Wang Gak-yeon spoke.
“Are you participating in the Yongbong Conference?”
“Yes. That’s how it turned out. What about you?”
“I can’t participate. Gongseon Hyeon told me not to this year. And at the same time, she told me not to lay down my weapons.”
At those words, I was slightly startled.
‘Wasn’t the conversation about the Hyeolseonggyo just moments ago?’
I asked.
“When did she tell you that?”
“Hmm… before we even departed?”
My reasoning branched into two possibilities.
First, Gongseon Hyeon claimed she heard it from the Gaju, but in reality, she had already secured her own evidence beforehand and recognized the danger.
The second possibility was that this information did not come through the Gaebang at all.
‘Nor through the Haowen.’
Had the Haowen been aware of this matter, Sama Hyeon would not have deployed in such a manner.
I turned to look back at the door.
Gongseon Hyeon would be beyond that door.
She would be conversing with Seolgyeon as if she knew nothing.
‘How far has the Black Ice Poison Dragon’s insight penetrated?’
When her brother died, she burned herself to ashes to eliminate the Demonic Sect. And now that her brother had returned alive, she was calculating the moves to protect the family as its Gaju.
“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
At Wang Gak-yeon’s words, I burst into hearty laughter.
“No, that’s not it.”
Since Wang Gak-yeon and I were childhood friends, such information would naturally leak out—she must have anticipated this.
Yet the fact that she didn’t command silence meant that such variables were already factored into her calculations.
‘Different from my Master’s methods, but Gongseon Hyeon is also a terrifying strategist.’
Her pallid complexion and sickly, gaunt frame made it easy to underestimate her, yet she was far more formidable than Gongseon Yeong, the previous champion of the Taiyang Zhiti and Yongfeng Zhihui tournament.
‘Thank heavens I haven’t made an enemy of Gongseon Hyeon.’
Far from an enemy, she was the elder sister I cherished, yet I still felt relief wash over me.
Wang Gak-yeon asked.
“Is something the matter?”
“I’m not certain. But if you say so, there must be good reason for it.”
I kept my response as vague as possible.
The fact that Gongseon Hyeon hadn’t elaborated meant there was a reason for her restraint.
Without concrete evidence, voicing concerns would only breed anxiety without offering any solution.
“Is that so? Understood. Oh, by the way! Could you critique my archery?”
“What? You want me to observe?”
“Why not? Apparently you’ve watched Yeong’s martial techniques and offered guidance! Give me some pointers too!”
“That’s… well, it’s a forbidden technique between different sects.”
“But Father broke that very prohibition! And didn’t Father overcome his wall because of you?”
Pressed by Wang Gak-yeon’s insistence, I finally sighed.
“Fine. I’ll observe, but don’t expect miracles.”
“Okay!”
* * *
I watched Wang Gak-yeon’s archery and offered various suggestions.
She was still at the stage before hitting a wall. It was impossible to transcend a major martial bottleneck with mere words alone.
She needed to continue practicing diligently in her current state.
Eventually she would encounter that wall, and then a word or two of guidance would prove invaluable.
“Where did you learn your footwork?”
“I didn’t formally study it—it just developed naturally from repelling approaching enemies.”
“You could deepen your footwork considerably…”
Divine techniques are useful, but sometimes basic martial arts available in any marketplace prove more practical than divine techniques.
Like the Descending Tiger Form.
Since I was more of a doctor than a warrior, I harbored no particular pride in martial prowess itself. Instead, I focused on practical applications.
“Heaven-Earth-No-Day Step would suit you well.”
One of the common martial techniques.
A martial manual sold off by someone—the descendant of a defunct sect’s heir.
It possessed no particular advantage worth mentioning, making it an inferior grade martial art.
Even now it circulates everywhere.
“Isn’t that a movement technique?”
“It doubles as footwork too.”
“Wouldn’t people normally call that a miscellaneous technique?”
I laughed at that.
“True enough. People complain about how scattered such techniques are. It’s both movement and footwork, and even if mastered, it won’t display exceptional martial achievement.”
People call it a worthless technique.
They also say it’s worth exactly one silver coin.
I answered her.
“That will save your life many times over.”
“?”
The habit when drawing a bowstring, the shift in center of gravity and dynamic visual acuity.
The principles of action when entering combat.
If she learned from Gungwi Elder, then Heavenly Earth Shadowless Step would likely suit her aptitude.
However, she had already mastered the Harmonious Arhat Step. For a warrior, martial arts are pride itself.
I understood that pride as well.
There was no reason for her to learn such crude street techniques. So….
“Well, the choice is yours.”
I brushed off my rear and stood up.
I had completed all the diagnosis I could offer; the rest was for her to accomplish.
Now that I had reached forty, I realized life did not always flow according to my predictions.
There was no guarantee that what I saw was necessarily correct.
This was something that mattered neither well nor poorly.
Wang Gak-yeon furrowed one eyebrow.
“Why have you become even colder than before?”
“Have I?”
>”It’s strange to say, but you seem more tender too.”
“Ha ha ha. Just as you’ve experienced many things, so have I.”
I smiled at my old friend and bid her farewell.
“Stay well.”
“Yeah.”
“Will you see your father?”
Gungwi Elder was here in this place.
Wang Gak-yeon shook her head.
“Both Father and I are on duty. So this is enough.”
Wang Gak-yeon’s eyes gleamed.
For a warrior, inquiries about well-being mean achievement, health, and connection.
One only needs to confirm these three things.
I realized my childhood friend was growing into a true warrior, crossing countless battlefields. And so, lingering attachment remained, and ultimately.
“Will you learn the footwork I mentioned?”
“Of course I will. It’s advice from my friend. I survived Snow Mountain that way too.”
At those words, I burst out laughing.
“That was strange advice.”
“Right. It was strange. With enemies coming like that, just run first.”
The two of us ran across that snow-covered mountain and protected the lives of Bangju, Hwang-gu, and ourselves.
“I’ll never forget that time.”
“Never. You and you, and Hwang-gu with his injured leg….”
Clang!
Hwang-gu wagged his tail as if in response.
A dear friend who repaid my dismissive advice with profound trust. I bowed deeply to that friend.
“May fortune favor you, Wang Dae-hyeop.”
“Stay well, Jin Dae-hyeop.”
Reluctant to part ways, the two of us exchanged one more playful remark before separating.

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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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