Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 222

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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 222
“Brother, I picked up this exquisite ceramic from a sect that went under this time. Take it.”
“Why are you giving me this?”
“It’s proper etiquette to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home.”
In modern terms, it would be nothing more than a fruit basket.
The ceramic that Sama Hyeon set down was no ordinary pottery.
Depending on how the glaze had been applied and how the light struck it, it shimmered between blue and white—a true curiosity worthy of the name “strange object.”
“The Gaepa Investigator supposedly embedded the essence of profound martial technique within this, but even the descendants don’t understand what it means. The transmission seems to have been cut off. Since he wanted to make ends meet, I quickly bought it at auction.”
“And you’re giving this to me… for what purpose exactly?”
“Use it as a flowerpot. I think it would be nice to grow orchids.”
‘Did you think my heart would waver when you look at me with those bright, eager eyes like a beagle?’
No matter how naive I could be about worldly matters at times, I wasn’t mad enough to actually cultivate orchids here.
“If you refuse, I’ll make it into a flowerpot myself. I’ll have to drill drainage holes in the bottom.”
“…Please, I’ll accept it. I’ll use it well.”
Thus I received the ceramic that supposedly contained a sect’s profound martial technique.
Of course, this wasn’t really my choice—I was rescuing it from my mad, wealthy younger brother who intended to drill holes in the bottom to use it as a planter.
“Does the Golden King realize how you live…?”
“My Master and I get along well. She says that treasures before our eyes are all fleeting illusions that will vanish someday. Don’t be swayed by money—grasp it and shake it instead.”
…That’s sound advice, but I’m confused whether it’s something the Golden King should be saying.
‘But can you really call someone as lofty as my Master by the title “sister”?’
I was beginning to understand why the righteous sects despise the unorthodox ones.
Under Confucian ideology, they’re the sort you play with behind closed doors but wouldn’t associate with in public.
“Anyway, brother, do you have money?”
“If you mean the coins I’m carrying right now… yes. Why?”
“Lend it to me. I’ll multiply it.”
“How will you multiply it?”
“Gambling.”
“Gambling…? Gam-bling? Hyeon-a, let me give you some brotherly advice…”
“No, that’s not it. I want to bet on you.”
“Huh?”
“This Dragon-Phoenix Festival is a massive speculation arena, right? And speculation is legal.”
That was true. In this era, speculation grounds were legal “within reasonable limits.”
What constituted “reasonable limits” varied depending on the region, the laws, and how much the local magistrate had been bribed.
And the Dragon-Phoenix Festival was clearly speculation “within reasonable limits.”
In modern terms, it was no different from selling horse racing tickets at a racetrack.
“So you’re betting on me?”
“Yeah. You’ll definitely win anyway. But there are so many idiots who underestimate your skills. It’s money on the table waiting to be picked up—why would I pass on that?”
Sama Hyeon rubbed her hands together, already excited at the thought of handling money.
“Brother, do you know who your opponent is today?”
I’d seen the bracket, but I hadn’t heard who had won and advanced as my opponent. However, if someone from a prominent family had made it through…
“Eon Jeong-mu?”
“Just as I thought. Or did you guess?”
“Either way, if it’s Eon Jeong-mu, that’s the same Sohyeop who threw the cup, right?”
“Yeah. The one I’ve been setting up.”
‘Gaju, please guard your finances carefully. Someone will be inserting a straw soon.’
Sama Hyeon laughed wickedly.
“The gambling participants can’t enter under their own names, but if I call it in for them, that works. Brother, give it to me. After I call it in, I’ll launder the source cleanly and return it to you.”
So he’d thought that far ahead.
But I’m not the type to refuse money that comes my way.
I pulled out all the silver I had in my sleeve and placed it before Sama Hyeon.
Clink!
“Put it all in. While we’re at it, spread some rumors that I’m weaker than I look. Or spread word that Eon Jeong-mu is incredibly strong. Let’s boost the odds.”
“I don’t even need to step in—Eon Jeong-mu’s reputation is already high. He’s been picking fights with everyone and has quite the winning record. He was a strong contender at the last Yongbong Gathering too. That’s why many people are betting on him.”
So that had happened.
I nodded with clear eyes.
“More money is always better.”
“Right, brother. It’s about time we increased the Baek Hwan-hou children. We’ve been struggling with the budget lately.”
That’s how charity work is. No matter how much money you pour in, it’s never enough.
“Earn like a dog, spend like a minister.”
Sama Hyeon looked at me with admiration for a moment, then averted his gaze.
“…You haven’t changed, brother.”
“?”
“No, it’s just strange. Usually the more people have, the more they want, but you’re not like that.”
Sama Hyeon stopped there and closed his mouth.
I changed into my martial robes and headed to the Yongbong Gathering.
I asked him.
“Which match are you in?”
“I’m eleventh. You’re third, right?”
“Yeah. So there are two matches before mine.”
“If we leave now, you can watch from the first match. That’s why I came out early.”
Hyeon-a, you really do have everything planned out.
A systematic plan to have fun.
“Brother. The chicken skewers at Maejuk Tavern are the best.”
Saying that, he’d already found everything to eat while we watched.
“I’ll take good care of you, brother~”
‘Are you really allowed to just loaf around like this? Hyeon-a… the Golden King sent you! By any reasonable standard, you should have mountains of work piling up…’
“Brother, that one too. Those rice cakes. The syrup is expensive.”
Sama Hyeon didn’t think about what came after.
* * *
My Master spoke.
“Still, I hope the Yongbong Tournament proves enjoyable. It’s an opportunity to witness different martial techniques.”
Or so I thought.
In the Doshan Martial Arts Tournament, opportunities to observe another’s martial prowess usually came at the cost of one of your four limbs.
If you were lucky, just a limb. Usually, your life came along with it.
In such circumstances, being able to sit safely and simply observe others’ matches was indeed a valuable opportunity for a warrior.
“Yongbong Tournament main bracket, Round of 16! The first match! Gonggong Faction versus Moyong Family! Place your bets on the later rounds!”
Gambling rings had already sprung up.
People wagered their money and cheered for their chosen side.
“Isn’t Gonggong Faction known for large, crude swordplay? Moyong Family’s precision strikes should have the advantage, shouldn’t they?”
“That’s amateur thinking. Though Gonggong Faction appears crude and expansive, there’s subtlety hidden within those bizarre movements. Most who cross blades with them find it quite strange.”
“But Moyong Family’s swordsmanship is known for its discipline and devastating power with each strike, isn’t it? Obviously Moyong Family will win!”
Humans truly do change when money is on the line.
They bickered back and forth about who would win or lose.
And the match ended in Moyong Family’s victory.
Roooaaarrr!
In the heated atmosphere, I clenched my fists tightly.
If I had any money left, I’d be tempted to place a small wager for fun. But my entire fortune had already been wagered on myself.
‘More impressive than I expected.’
At the same time, I carefully analyzed the sword wounds both fighters had sustained.
“Brother, you’re wondering whether to call the emergency room, aren’t you?”
“Haha. You caught that?”
“Brother, if needed, I’ll ring the bell. Besides, it’s technically a ring-out forfeit, so Baek Rin’s Medical Guild can handle this level of injury.”
“….”
“They’re people you trained. Trust them a little.”
I finally nodded in agreement.
Soon the next match began.
“Oh Dok-mun versus Hwangbo Family! Double or nothing! The odds favor Hwangbo Family! If you think Oh Dok-mun will win, don’t miss this opportunity now!”
“Isn’t Oh Dok-mun a master of poison techniques rivaling the Tang Clan itself? Betting now seems like it could pay off?”
“But strangely, he doesn’t use poison needles—he uses spears, swords, and flying blades instead. I’m not sure if he should be evaluated on the same level as the Tang Clan.”
Indeed, with money involved, humans rapidly evolved from spectators into experts.
“Who do you think will win?”
Sama Hyeon answered to that.
“Hmm… there seem to be some variables, but I’m betting on Hwangbo Family.”
“No surprises will occur?”
“Right. Compared to the Tang Clan, Oh Dok-mun’s martial arts are more difficult and talent-dependent. Poison techniques are possible, but they still require substantial personal martial power. It’s hard to produce fighters of that caliber. Probably…”
He spoke well enough, but what was this “probably” at the end?
“Match start!”
The match itself proved quite fascinating.
What Oh Dok-mun brought was a flying blade.
Moreover, he controlled it by connecting it with threads, attacking from a distance.
The fierce clash continued, and ultimately the Hwangbo Sega suffered defeat.
‘Hwangbo Mu-a, quite strong.’
Had he gained some insight from the advice I gave him before?
Woooooah!
‘They must have sent the antidote to the emergency room beforehand, right? That’s the tournament rule.’
Otherwise, people would die.
My thoughts as a Doctor came first. And then.
‘That thread doesn’t seem to be ordinary thread… Could it be something like a white silk thread? If you infuse true energy into thread like that, it can be controlled so freely. Maybe I should research that later too? If that’s possible, it would be convenient when suturing.’
In the emergency room, we sometimes use adhesive or staplers for suturing.
In short, the fundamental principle of medicine is to use any means necessary to save a patient’s life.
Because there is nothing more precious than life in this world. That was why my thinking wasn’t bound by preconceptions.
Ultimately, my second thought also turned entirely toward medicine.
I rose to my feet.
“It’s my turn now.”
“Good luck out there, brother!”
Sama Hyeon cheered while waving a skewer of grilled chicken.
Behind Sama Hyeon, betting stakes began to accumulate.
“No matter what, it’s hard to dislodge an established stone with a rolling one.”
“Eon Jeong-mu was already a powerhouse last year, wasn’t he? No matter how much of a rising star Seo Baek-ryong is, it’s difficult to push out an established master.”
Despite the martial prowess he had demonstrated, it seemed difficult to break people’s preconceptions after all.
The odds favored Eon Jeong-mu.
But Sama Hyeon didn’t doubt his brother’s victory for a moment.
That faith became the bet laid down.
Before the martial arena, I slowly warmed up my body.
“The arena is all prepared. Are both sides ready?”
The first to answer was Eon Jeong-mu.
“Come at me whenever you wish! Seo Baek-ryong!”
He seemed to remember quite well the grudge of being drenched in alcohol.
‘Indeed, there’s no humiliation quite like that kind of humiliation.’
On top of that, even though he wanted to throw a punch, the Sword Dragon was watching, so he ended up returning with his tail between his legs.
Double humiliation!
Eon Jeong-mu, who had taken a combo of two humiliations, had been anticipating today’s match ever since.
“I am also ready.”
Meanwhile, I thought this toward Eon Jeong-mu.
‘Hmm… If I knock him up in the air first, then land an air combo, that should work?’
I should end it with bruising rather than fractures, so I need to be more careful with my strikes.
Not adding to the emergency room’s workload.
Knocking everyone out safely and sending them back to their homes.
That is my objective.
Victory or defeat is ultimately secondary.
Of course, there was a bonus objective of ‘winning the wager’, but it paled in comparison to the first two purposes.
The two of us stood facing each other at the end of the martial grounds.

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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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