Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 272

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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 272
The final test was complete.
The former captain of the Hundred Blades… or rather, Experiment Subject 1, could drink water without any issues.
Apart from a slight lime taste in the water, there were no side effects.
Eun Wang-ya sent a few more subjects, and the results were identical.
‘Indeed, I am the best. Excellent!’
I had tested it directly myself, and the performance was undeniable.
Woof!
“Come on… don’t say anything. Direct testing is the most accurate method.”
Chirp!
“See? It was fine. Wasn’t it?”
Hwang-gu and Noeji each scolded me in their own languages, and I understood perfectly what they meant without needing translation.
“But I can’t sell something I haven’t tested myself.”
The two of them had no rebuttal to that, falling silent for a moment before tugging at my sleeves from both sides.
“Fine, fine. You mean I need to be even more careful, right?”
Chirp! Growl!
Each of them spoke in turn.
I gently stroked both their heads and nodded.
‘But what more could be safer than this?’
Originally, I had wanted to test it on my own body first, but Eun Wang-ya stopped me, calling them criminals and corrupt officials—Experiment Subjects 1, 2, and 3. She didn’t send them.
While the safety had been thoroughly verified, conducting the final test myself seemed like the best approach.
From my perspective, it was the fastest way to diagnose my own body.
After the final test succeeded, both Eun Wang-ya and the Third Prince summoned me.
The Third Prince spoke.
“If you have no objections, I would like to sell the Doctor’s product. We could save many merchants and nomads crossing the desert.”
At those words, one of Eun Wang-ya’s eyebrows arched uncomfortably.
“I wonder if you’ve forgotten. Ra Man, this person is my guest.”
“However, there is no order to conducting trade, is there? I too operate a merchant house. I must have this tube.”
Sparks flew between the two.
‘Wow, the Third Prince certainly has quite the personality.’
Perhaps it was because of his bright and gentle demeanor.
Perhaps it was the K-idol image of someone who enjoyed playing instruments and cooking.
Even as Eun Wang-ya spoke with obvious displeasure, he showed no sign of backing down.
Worried that her possession might slip away, Eun Wang-ya also showed no signs of yielding.
“I have no objections. I’ll provide it to both of you. I simply ask for intellectual usage fees… or rather, one-tenth of the sales profits.”
If a martial artist would draw their blade, then when the two pillars of power fought, it would be war.
Eun Wang-ya asked in return.
“One-tenth? I believe the standard is three-tenths…”
‘Aha, so both Cheong-ok and Ondol have already investigated this.’
The royal blood of the Hwa Empire left no room for oversight.
‘Well, I should speak properly.’
I straightened my posture and adjusted my bearing. Then I looked directly at the two figures before me.
Not as a merchant guild leader, but as a Doctor facing an Emperor and a Prince.
“This product is directly tied to human life. Reducing the unit cost is more important than generating profit. Moreover, we cannot allow counterfeits to circulate.”
“Why do you think so?”
I scratched my cheek.
“If counterfeits are made, they must be cheaper than the genuine article, which means performance will inevitably be severely compromised. When that happens, people die. It’s a different matter than jade or ondol heating.”
People don’t die simply from not using jade, and ondol can be replaced with other heating methods of this era.
But this product—people die from it.
I knew how murders happened in Africa.
Humans kill each other for countless reasons.
The LifeStraw had both the functionality and price point to kill others.
‘Still, the Central Plains are different from Africa. Ironically enough.’
I don’t know why modern Africa is more hellish than this era’s Central Plains.
Well, there are many reasons if I explain it.
Exploitation since the Age of Exploration, plantations, creaking jurisdictions since liberation… developed nations selling weapons to military regimes and creating civil wars, continued abnormal climate patterns.
Environmental pollution pressing down from the poorest lower classes.
Polio, malaria, and AIDS killing children, education becoming ever more difficult.
But I don’t know of any single solution that clearly resolves any of it.
I’m merely a surgeon, not a politician.
‘Fortunate, perhaps. And strange.’
Why is medieval Central Plains better than the modern era?
Perhaps human poverty stems not from the absence of science, but simply from someone’s ignorant greed.
“At this price, even lower-ranking constables could afford it with their monthly wages. I’ve calculated it at roughly the cost of three meals at a roadside inn. That’s a price worth trying.”
“Isn’t it too inexpensive?”
“If we mark it up any higher, counterfeits will inevitably appear.”
“….”
The Third Prince fell into thought.
The Emperor would simply distribute it to soldiers and officials anyway, so she likely had no particular concerns.
But the Third Prince’s position was different.
He was not the Emperor.
He had renounced succession rights long ago and entered the merchant trade.
By any measure, this was not a particularly profitable business.
And he had a major surgery ahead of him.
He couldn’t help but wonder what life would unfold after that surgery ended.
The young man’s eyes fixed on the small tube held in my hand.
The gaze of a merchant who perceives value and assesses worth.
What did his eyes perceive?
Soon his lips parted.
“But might I obtain one more thing?”
“What is it?”
“I wish to improve the kingdom’s wells. Could you lend me your wisdom on the matter?”
An endemic disease.
Not quite as prevalent as in the oases, but this parasite had quietly spread throughout Wanong.
He hesitated before speaking.
“You may have already noticed, but I am a prince of a kingdom. While my life might be worth the price, I have no desire to contract such a disease again.”
Suddenly, I thought—wouldn’t it be good if this man became king?
Such a thought crossed my mind, but ultimately I shook my head.
Instead, I spoke with the brightest expression I could muster.
“Of course. I have always given considerable thought to improvements in water sources. However… it will require some expense.”
“Whatever it takes!”
The Third Prince nodded with a bright voice.
Suddenly, the back of my head tingled, and when I turned around, Eun Wang-ya was grinning wickedly.
“I would like to hear that story as well. Could you tell me? It would be best if you could draw it out as a design blueprint.”
That smile. I had seen it not long ago.
‘Ah… she’s reconsidering the kidnapping plan.’
Had I gotten too deeply involved?
But what choice did I have! I had to eradicate this endemic disease as much as possible!
The Doctors… no, the healers would have an easier time of it!
‘The Sack Man… no, I need to keep my guard up around Eun Wang-ya for a while.’
* * *
A week later.
Finally, the Doctors from Baek Rin Medical Guild’s Bunta branch and their medical equipment arrived.
The Medical Staff had never seen Jin Cheon-hee in person before, but upon seeing the enormous Hwang-gu, Cheonryeong, and beauty that matched the rumors, they recognized him immediately.
“We encountered bandits and arrived later than expected, Patriarch. The Doctors of Bunta’s branch greet you.”
All the Doctors bowed respectfully to Jin Cheon-hee.
Jin Cheon-hee returned their greeting with a fist salute.
“Not at all. Rather, I am relieved that no one was injured and nothing was damaged.”
At those words, the eldest Medical Staff member shook his head as if to say not to mention it.
“The swordsmanship of your Guards was like lightning, so swift it was barely visible. To think such an exceptional merchant caravan employs so many masters… the world beyond truly is vast.”
“Ah, ahaha…”
Jin Cheon-hee wiped cold sweat from his brow and glanced at Eun Wang-ya.
Eun Wang-ya answered nonchalantly.
“Not at all. We simply spared no expense to save an old friend.”
“Ah, so that is why you employ such excellent Warriors.”
“Yes. And masters, you say? You are too kind.”
“My eyes are not keen, so I know little of Warriors’ levels. I am merely grateful for our safe travels.”
I would bet the egg toast I ate this morning that several Imperial Palace martial artists are mixed in among them.
Of course, since there is no modern bread in this region, it is toast made from wheat bread baked here.
‘Dipped in egg wash, sprinkled with sugar, fried, then layered with sauce made from ground fruit, sliced cabbage, onions, ham, cheese and so on…’
Even thinking about it again, my mouth fills with saliva.
Why is it that everything delicious tends to be so rich and indulgent?
For reference, Eun Wang-ya devoured three different varieties.
At this rate, I’m starting to worry I’ll be kidnapped not as the Imperial Medical Advisor, but simply as the Imperial Chef.
‘Sigh, tonight I should make something plain—just ordinary spicy chicken stew. I’ll throw in plenty of potatoes.’
At the end, I must always finish by stir-frying rice to complete the meal.
No matter how humble and simple I try to keep it, as long as Korean blood flows through Jin Cheon-hee’s veins, eating rice is inevitable.
‘I wonder if he’ll eat three bowls again.’
I’m not sure whether he’s naturally a heavy eater or if my cooking simply suits his palate, but the King certainly consumes my dishes in remarkable quantities.
“Soggakju, your orders.”
Jin Cheon-hee nodded.
The temporary surgical clinic of Baek Rin’s Medical Guild was opening.
* * *
With all staff assembled, the focus now shifted to meetings, practice, and managing the patient’s condition.
Jin Cheon-hee continuously took the Third Prince’s pulse throughout, monitoring his state.
On the morning of the surgery itself, I checked the Third Prince’s pulse once more.
“Hmm… it’s surprising how calm you are, considering this is abdominal surgery.”
At my words, the Third Prince smiled faintly.
“We’re opening the abdomen to save a life, not to end one. What is there to fear?”
‘Hmm, this man has clearly lived a difficult life.’
I already knew he hadn’t lived comfortably.
It’s a different feeling from the mortal danger of encountering bandits during merchant travels.
‘Perhaps he didn’t become a merchant out of choice.’
But that too was a decision of his own.
It’s best to pretend not to know.
The Third Prince spoke.
“You’re not nervous either, Doctor.”
“If I get nervous, I’ll botch the job.”
When I grinned with what could only be called shameless confidence, the Third Prince muttered softly.
“You smile like that because you have the skill, don’t you?”
“Of course. Let’s finish quickly and enjoy something delicious together.”
Since the Third Prince was staying in the guest quarters, he naturally ended up sharing meals with the food I prepared.
Surprisingly, he has good tolerance for spicy food—just add cheese and he’s unstoppable.
“It’s strange. We’ve only known each other for a month, yet it feels like we’ve been acquainted for a long time.”
“That’s just human nature—people grow fond of those who feed them. It’s a biological instinct.”
“Ah… so that’s why.”
“Is there anything you’d like to eat? Oh, but not right after surgery, of course. After you’ve recovered.”
At my question, the Third Prince fell into deep thought before answering.
“Well… pork braised in a sweet and savory sauce, you know?”
‘Ah, he’s talking about braised pork ribs.’
I’ve never met a single person who disliked it.
Children, adults, even those who claim to hate pork—they all become helpless when it’s served over rice.
“It’s the perfect dish for celebration.”
I released the Third Prince’s wrist and spoke those words.
“Now then, shall we proceed with the surgery?”

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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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