Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 280

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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 280
Eun Wang-ya rested her chin on her hand, looking down at me.
A Doctor, yet the path I had walked thus far could not be contained within the simple framework of a Gangho Doctor.
The ideals and convictions I possessed were equally difficult to regard as merely those of a Doctor.
To Eun Wang-ya, I was an alien existence that defied easy description.
“Let us speak of your reward. Originally, I intended to grant you three things of your choosing. My treatment of the Beolmose condition. And the treatment of the Third Prince. And as originally promised, the creation of the purified water conduit within five days.”
None of these three matters were unimportant to the Empire.
The Doctor before me simply sat motionless, listening.
A clear blue light lingered briefly before passing away.
That flowing blue light resembled the winding passage of a river, which stirred the hearts of all who beheld it.
Both enemy and ally alike.
Eun Wang-ya continued speaking.
“However, now that I see it, I must reduce your reward by one due to that flaw. Rewards and punishments must be clear.”
“I am merely grateful.”
“You do not speak of being overwhelmed or of boundless imperial grace.”
“I know you do not favor such words.”
The wind brushed past my profile.
My neatly bound hair gathered and scattered in succession.
The way I did not startle at Eun Wang-ya’s words seemed as though I had known from the beginning what she would say.
If so, perhaps I should play along a little.
Eun Wang-ya felt a playful spirit arise for the first time in ages—an emotion gradually forgotten as imperial authority solidified and the Empire grew stronger.
“Then, what reward do you desire?”
The foreign woman beside me remained prostrate, her head bowed.
She knew that if this conversation were to leak out, she would die.
Eun Wang-ya had not yet completely decided what to do with that foreign assassin.
The decision not to kill her was merely a whim.
Such variables were trivial compared to the playthings occasionally indulged in while ascending to the throne and maintaining that position.
But what came next remained uncertain.
I could entrust her to the Doctor before me and observe, or find some suitable pretext to take custody of her.
Most curious was what this Doctor would choose.
‘Surely it would be the funding for Baek Hwan-hu or matters concerning soap sales as the first priority.’
The next priority would be the expansion of Yeonmu City or the consolidation of Baek Rin’s Medical Guild influence…?
‘Considering the recent intelligence, it could also concern Hyeolseonggyo.’
A confrontation with Hyeolseonggyo!
I had heard quite detailed accounts of how Baek-ui Sinryong had engaged in a blood battle with Hyeolseonggyo’s Sip Cheon-gun.
Even my fellow alumni who received the intelligence marveled that they had not perished.
The Eunuch General Han Gwang, who compiled that intelligence, offered this assessment.
-They struck a rock with an egg, yet that egg ultimately shattered the rock.
Even a hundred strategists rather than ten would have deemed it impossible.
For merely four individuals at the late stage of the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly to eliminate Hyeolseonggyo’s Sip Cheon-gun.
I accomplished it.
The Hyeolseonggyo is under the Imperial Palace’s careful watch.
However, they hide far too deep, and their position within the bureaucracy has become a shackle.
In that sense, the young man before me is a blessing fallen from heaven for Eun Wang-ya.
‘I’m curious what choice you’ll make.’
After a moment, I steadied my breath and spoke.
“I wish to gain strength.”
“Ho?”
To become stronger.
The one person in all the world least obsessed with martial arts now wished to learn them.
“What martial arts do you desire? The power of a tyrant to conquer the realm? Or perhaps… the power to throw the world into chaos instead?”
“I need only the strength to walk the path before me—strength enough to endure it to the very end without falling.”
Strength enough to walk without perishing.
What exactly is this young man seeing?
It certainly isn’t the path of renown as a Doctor or the anonymity gained from the Yongbong Society.
“What path requires such strength?”
“I will walk through hell. Therefore, I need the strength to complete that hellish journey to its end.”
I furrowed my brow slightly.
“I did not seek great rewards, but if you are offering, I wish to use both rewards for this instead.”
“Do you wish to become a royal guard of the Imperial Family?”
I shook my head.
And from the lips of the blue-eyed young man came a fourth answer that even Eun Wang-ya had not anticipated.
“Grant me access to the Imperial Palace Archives. I wish to spend ten days there.”
“Ha? Hahahaha!”
How amusing.
Suddenly asking for access to the Imperial Palace Archives.
“Do you understand that only the Eunuch General standing before you can barely gain access to that place?”
“I do. However, I also know that such a reward was once granted to a Warrior who saved the Previous Emperor’s life.”
“True. There is precedent.”
Opening the Imperial Palace Archives is not particularly difficult.
Of course, what lies within contains considerable martial arts of the highest caliber.
However, the truly important works are kept elsewhere under strict guard, and only a select few members of the Imperial Family, including the Emperor himself, can access them.
Opening the Imperial Palace Archives would not be particularly difficult for me.
“Is there a particular book you wish to possess?”
I shook my head.
“I do not seek a single supreme martial art. I simply wish to view numerous martial texts all at once.”
“Hmm. So you seek quantity rather than quality.”
At those words, I waved my hand in panic.
“I absolutely do not mean to disparage the texts of the Imperial Palace Archives… it’s just…”
“Haha! I know that’s not your intention. I simply find it amusing.”
Not a single supreme martial art, but rather hundreds of merely ordinary martial manuals.
Of course, since these are kept in the Imperial Palace’s secret vault, they would never store inferior martial arts there.
‘Still, there’s no better place to peruse multiple texts. And it’s a place where only quality books are gathered.’
Suddenly, I became curious about the future this young man was envisioning.
“So that’s why it’s ten days.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“I believe the clues to advance to the next stage lie in that place.”
“By the next stage, do you mean Hwagyeong?”
At those words, I shook my head.
“I’m searching for what lies beyond it.”
Hyeongyeong…!
It sounded like the delirious ramblings of a madman.
A mere fledgling who hasn’t even formally reached Hwagyeong, barely touching it, dares to speak of the martial philosophy of Hyeongyeong?
“Hahaha! How amusing. How amusing indeed! And the only reason you wish to do this is merely to survive.”
“…It’s strange to say, but that’s how it is.”
“Will you die if you fail to reach Hyeongyeong?”
“…”
I lowered my eyelids without answering.
Eun Wang-ya asked again.
“Is this a path where you’ll die if you don’t reach Hyeongyeong?”
“…I’m simply searching for a way to survive.”
Without offering detailed explanations, I merely answered plainly what was necessary.
Eun Wang-ya smiled bitterly.
“Yes. Doctor, you who saved my life. What exactly are you trying to hide?”
* * *
Facing Eun Wang-ya is a frightening and difficult matter.
‘She’s also quite persistent.’
She seems to find my answers so amusing and entertaining that she’s reluctant to give me an easy answer.
‘But there’s no other opportunity now to enter the Imperial Palace’s secret vault.’
One of the greatest events in martial arts novels. Access to the Imperial Palace’s secret vault!
Normally it’s an event where you obtain one or two martial arts, much like a goblin treasure room in an old video game, and leave.
I thought they were worthless martial arts, but in reality they’re ancient texts of supreme value, and only the protagonist with discerning eyes would take those books out.
‘I just need any collection of unspecified martial manuals.’
After all, there’s no telling how long it will take just to digest the martial arts I’ve already learned.
Of course, if there’s a supreme martial art, it would be nice to memorize it, but that’s ultimately a matter of priority—what’s important is overwhelming information.
I need to find clues about Hyeongyeong through that information.
Eun Wang-ya dismissed everyone.
Now only Eun Wang-ya and I remain in the garden.
Though it appears infinitely open on the surface, I know that not even a mouse could escape from here.
Even if I myself became a corpse here, that fact would never leak beyond the walls.
“Ten days… Now that’s an unexpected request. I never thought you’d take an interest in martial arts. And on top of that….”
He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me carefully.
“It’s remarkable that you understand the palace’s regulations so precisely. When outsiders are granted access to the Bi Go as a reward, ten days is indeed the limit.”
“….”
“Hehehehe, yes. You truly are a fascinating creature. The dishes you’ve prepared—no one in all the realm knows of such cuisine. Even in the distant kingdom of Seorim beyond the world, nothing like your creations exists. And that peculiar medical skill of yours on top of it all.”
“….”
I offered no response.
“Will you remain silent to the end?”
“No, Your Majesty. I’ve calculated that there will come a time when I must speak.”
The day I revealed my secrets and truly conversed with my Master.
No matter how carefully I plotted my future, I had reached one conclusion: I could not continue without revealing at least some truth to those who aided me.
That was it. They were not objects, but people.
Without trust, relationships would inevitably fracture, and fractured relationships could only destroy what lay ahead.
In the end, I had to cross this dangerous bridge.
Yet my Master and I had agonized greatly over when, how, and to whom—and how much—I should reveal.
‘Ilkana accepted it.’
Perhaps because I hadn’t disclosed too much information.
Perhaps because there was substantial evidence.
In any case, she had accepted that much.
But how much would the one before me accept?
Still, I had to do this. For the sake of what lay ahead.
If I could not cross this mountain, walking the hellish path that awaited would be impossible.
“Your Majesty. Before I answer, might I share something of my own story?”
“Hmm… I’m curious what you intend to say. You’re not trying to change the subject at this late hour, surely. Very well. Speak.”

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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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