Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 271

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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 271
I purchased elongated ceramic tubes resembling bamboo containers from the market and devised various designs to construct them.
“What are you doing?”
King seemed curious as I worked with these long ceramic tubes, manipulating them into something.
What I was doing was simple enough.
I placed cotton inside, then layered plant-based fabrics commonly used in this region.
Then I burned charcoal made from coconut shells.
I ground it repeatedly until it became fine powder.
Then I let it dry naturally in a sunny location.
I found fruits similar to lemons in this region, extracted their juice, and mixed it in.
Then I aged it and applied heat once more….
It looked like madness.
“I’m making activated charcoal.”
“Activated charcoal?”
“Well… it’s a type of filtration water purification filter… or rather, a strainer.”
“A water purification strainer… just from the words alone, it sounds like a device that makes water clean… is that correct?”
“As expected, you’re sharp. You guessed it exactly right.”
I placed activated charcoal in the long ceramic tube, covered it with fibers and cotton, added more activated charcoal, then added magnetite stone.
I was stacking layers of materials in the long tube like geological strata.
“But does making it this way actually purify the water?”
I wonder if they’d understand if I said I was making a LifeStraw.
What I was doing was appropriate technology.
In other words, technology that even developing nations could use—inexpensive yet absolutely necessary.
I wanted to create such an appropriate technology device here in the Central Plains.
A LifeStraw.
In Africa, when one must drink contaminated water, placing this straw in one’s mouth allows parasites and bacteria to be naturally filtered out.
The filters inside serve as that shield.
When this first emerged, the manufacturing method wasn’t particularly difficult, the price was quite cheap by developed nation standards, and the usage was extremely simple.
It received the highest recognition as appropriate technology.
‘The problem was that the price was cheap by developed nation standards.’
By African standards, it was a murderous price.
So it could be said to have failed as appropriate technology.
But I judged that the conditions here made it sufficiently usable, so I immediately began production.
However, since I couldn’t determine the golden ratio of cotton and fabric thickness and activated charcoal quantity for the layers, I was making multiple samples for experimentation.
‘Once I complete this, the caravans will have it much easier.’
Water is precious in the desert.
Since there’s no firewood to burn, camels must carry fuel from the start.
But the desert doesn’t cooperate as one wishes.
Today may bring fair weather, yet tomorrow sandstorms often cause one to lose the path.
And if bandits appear, whether victorious or defeated, one must stake both life and cargo.
At that time, the only water source was the oasis.
Water contaminated with bacteria and parasites.
Of course, Wangnong’s Well was also contaminated, but since it was a water source, the government strictly managed it, making it incomparable to the oasis.
The difficulty of obtaining firewood to boil water was also incomparable.
Looking at the caravans’ income, they had more than enough means to purchase this life straw, and the materials weren’t difficult to obtain in the Central Plains.
‘Why wouldn’t I make it when a single sip of water could save a life?’
I explained it to Eun Wang-ya as clearly as possible.
Eun Wang-ya rubbed her chin thoughtfully and spoke.
“If what you say is true and that’s possible, it wouldn’t just help the caravans crossing the desert, but also many soldiers crossing treacherous terrain.”
“Yes. At least we can prepare for endemic diseases caused by contaminated water. Of course, it’s not a cure-all.”
“That alone seems remarkable, but the question is whether it can actually be made as easily as you say.”
It didn’t require advanced metalworking techniques.
Activated charcoal was something charcoal makers could easily produce.
‘If it succeeds, we could save many lives.’
It’s impossible to eradicate all parasites anyway.
In an era without sewage systems, there are limits to purification no matter how much we try.
However, we could prevent many incidents like what happened to the Third Prince caused by endemic local parasites.
‘I wish people would be more careful with animal feces too.’
Since it’s a zoonotic parasite, we need to be careful with horse manure as well.
‘It would be good if soap distribution went along with this.’
First, testing the life straw is the priority.
Eun Wang-ya spoke.
“Good. Then I’ll give you five days. If you succeed within five days, I’ll bestow a reward.”
Oh, that’s good?
* * *
And so various samples were completed, and the moment of experimentation arrived.
The experimental method was simple. Just try sucking through it.
Hwang-gu would be the one to evaluate success or failure.
I placed the life straw in muddy water and instead of sucking with my mouth, I gently drew water through with my internal energy.
Gulp!
To the naked eye it appeared to be clear water, but Hwang-gu’s assessment was different.
“Hmm… okay. Then let me try the second one.”
I try again.
Crunch!
“Better than before? So the activated charcoal ratio is the problem.”
I continue repeating the process.
“I need to apply a layer of glaze on the inside of the ceramic… this…”
I tried combining special glazes on the ceramic several more times and firing them. Eventually, Eun Wang-ya personally recruited a craftsman to help me.
And so, facing the final ultimate test.
Eun Wang-ya said she would send a person to conduct the experiment.
‘Why not just use my absorption technique?’
Well… I suppose it’s reasonable to assume it would work differently than the original method of use.
And then one person arrived.
“Ah… Good day to you, Inspector.”
A familiar face approached Jin Cheon-hee with respectful courtesy.
“White… White Insignia?”
Looking at his clothes, it seemed White Insignia had been stripped of his rank—he wore the standard armor of a common soldier, and his ornate sword was nowhere to be seen, replaced only by a ration spear.
“White Insignia? I hardly deserve such a title. I’ve come to a position befitting my current station.”
Fast… How could the paperwork be processed so quickly?
“Ah, I see… So you’re not being exiled?”
Given the circumstances, I decided to ask directly.
“His Majesty deemed the tax for exile too wasteful… so he confiscated my assets and granted me an opportunity to atone for my crimes.”
‘Hmm, forced labor service in this remote frontier—essentially squeezing every ounce of labor from him until death.’
Neither Eun Wang-ya nor Geum Wang-ya, who works alongside her, would approve of money draining from the imperial treasury like this.
If this man ever rose to a position of power, they would execute him and eradicate his entire line.
But sending this small fry on what amounts to exile—a forced package tour—seemed wasteful.
And executing him would waste the money already spent.
‘Actually, execution might be better…’
Since he was given a chance to atone, perhaps they would torture him with false hope for a while before sending him to his death at an opportune moment… or so I thought.
Eun Wang-ya was not a merciful woman toward criminals.
She would use him thoroughly as a disposable pawn, and when the time came, she would likely send him to never return.
And his first task.
“I simply place this ceramic tube in the mud, then suck from the hole on the other end with my mouth?”
If the experiment failed, he’d have stomach troubles tomorrow, and by next year, parasites would be establishing their kingdom within his body.
“Well…”
In a world without human rights, villains have even fewer rights.
I scratched my cheek before speaking.
“I’ve already tested it several times with my absorption technique, so it should be safe.”
“Yes, yes. Of course. I understand.”
Senior Captain finally relaxed his expression.
‘It seems His Majesty has already been working him quite hard.’
I felt a twinge of pity for an instant, but seeing Hwang-gu’s face made that feeling disappear.
‘Right. He should pay back what he’s done.’
I decided to steel myself.
Then a voice rang out.
“Oh, are you already conducting field tests?”
Eun Wang-ya and the Third Prince, both wearing masks, approached leisurely.
Fine clothing and an air of subtle nobility. Though their faces were hidden behind masks, an overwhelming presence emanated from them.
As White Insignia prepared to prostrate himself, Eun Wang-ya spoke.
“Ah, I’m merely an ordinary merchant. Please, pay me no mind and continue with your work. This person is simply my friend.”
At the mention of the Trading Guild leader, the White Insignia let out a sigh.
“Ah, what a relief. As a mere soldier carrying out His Majesty’s duties, I cannot bow my head to just anyone, you understand.”
‘Oh, look at him puffing himself up.’
This fellow had been golden from the very start.
Even now, I could see him practically radiating the desire to get close to the Trading Guild leader and secure some profit for himself.
Watching that pathetic display, the sympathy that had quietly crept in evaporated without a trace.
“Hehe, so you serve the state, I see.”
As expected, beneath the mask, Eun Wang-ya’s lips curved softly.
To anyone else, it would appear as a pleasant smile, but to my eyes, it was the opposite.
It resembled a lion sizing up a lamb, and my skin crawled.
The Senior Captain seemed oblivious and stroked his beard.
“Ahem. It’s hardly such an important position.”
‘I give up. Just hurry up and finish, then go home quickly.’
A good person like me can do nothing but pray for this fool’s soul.
Let him finish quickly, let me examine him quickly, and send him home quickly.
In about a week, the most I can do is light an incense stick in his memory.
“Let’s hurry.”
“Ahem, Inspector, there’s no need to rush so much….”
Did she catch the scent of money from the silk Eun Wang-ya wore? Why is his tongue getting so long?
“Just proceed.”
Under my silent pressure, the Senior Captain finally crouched reluctantly before the murky water.
Then he slowly dipped the tube into the water and sucked hard.
His expression darkened, as if he could already foresee his future of drinking muddy water. But it was only for a moment.
“Hmm?”
“Is something wrong?”
Then Hwang-gu barked lowly.
Woof!
His wagging tail was a clear signal of ‘approval.’
The Senior Captain spoke.
“The sucking is a bit uncomfortable, but I can taste well water beneath the muddy flavor.”
“Let me take your pulse immediately.”
I placed my hand on the Senior Captain’s neck and attempted to read his vital energy.
‘Certainly seems to have no major issues?’
But it’s too early to let my guard down completely.
“Would you return in a day?”
“If the Inspector says so, I’ll come as many times as needed. Hehehehe.”
He rubbed his hands together eagerly.
“That is… I just hope you’ll mention that I worked hard….”
So that’s his true nature. Certainly, compared to his greed, he’s not particularly intelligent.
“Understood. I will definitely mention it.”
I glanced at Eun Wang-ya before continuing my words.
Eun Wang-ya let out an amused chuckle at my behavior.

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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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