Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 281
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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 281
“My master, Baekrin Uiseon Jegallim, was actually destined to pass away this year. He was fated to succumb to the Nine Yin Meridian Flaw and perish.”
Her tone carried absolute certainty.
Eun Wang-ya neither affirmed nor denied, simply listening to Jin Cheon-hee in silence.
“Furthermore, after my master’s death, the Medical Guild would disband, and amid that chaos, calamitous events would unfold across the realm. Righteous and demonic sects would wage war against one another, and with the Demonic Cult joining the fray, the world would descend into an era of unprecedented chaos—no, an age of blood. All of it orchestrated from the shadows by Hyeolseonggyo.”
“You speak as though you witnessed it yourself.”
“In that turmoil, King Ju would be consumed by rage at losing his son-in-law. And perhaps… you too would have succumbed to illness and passed away.”
In that moment, killing intent emanated from an unseen corner.
The murderous aura radiating from the shadows.
When Eun Wang-ya raised his hand to stop them, the killing intent immediately dispersed.
“Fascinating. Your words describe… the fate that should have come to pass. Is that what you mean to say?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I see. So you possess the ability to foresee the future. You’re telling me you can read the mandate of heaven and twist it to your will.”
“You are perceptive, Your Majesty. However, to be precise, I was merely acting based on what I had witnessed in the past. Now I no longer know how the future will unfold. I have already altered it.”
“Indeed. You saved your master’s life, rescued my sister’s husband, and saved me as well.”
“Yes.”
“Moreover, through the Baekrin Medical Sect, you have cured countless incurable plagues and saved countless lives who would have otherwise perished.”
“Your Majesty, I am a doctor.”
“Precisely. Because you are a doctor, you did not fear what the future might hold, and simply walked forward like an ox. Like an ox, you walked.”
He clicked his tongue softly and fell into deep thought.
“….”
“The imperial family has occasionally produced those with the ability to read the mandate of heaven and foresee the future. With so many bloodlines mixed and manifesting, it happens surprisingly often. Yet none who possessed such formidable power have lived long lives.”
“Why is that?”
“Those who defy the mandate of heaven are destined to die young.”
“….”
“Do you think I jest?”
At that question, Jin Cheon-hee merely shook his head, his expression pale and weary.
‘The seed of defying fate.’
Had Cheonma not already warned him of this?
“No, Your Majesty. I know it to be the truth.”
“As the saying goes, ‘beauty is cursed with brevity.’ You are destined to die young.”
“I know. That is why I wish to open a path to survival.”
“The answer lies in becoming Hyeongyeong?”
“Yes.”
“Ha, hahahaha!”
The King burst into laughter at something that seemed to amuse him greatly. Then he suddenly spoke.
“There is an easier way. A path far safer and swifter than becoming Hyeongyeong.”
“What might that be?”
“Remain by my side. I shall grant you a position of supreme authority—second only to myself. Then the path to universal salvation you so desperately desire shall open before you.”
Jin Cheon-hee did not answer. He simply shook his head.
“My place is here, Your Majesty.”
For a moment, our gazes collided in the empty air. But soon, Eun Wang-ya shook her head.
It was because my eyes remained unwavering and shone with clarity.
“Tsk. You really won’t budge, will you? Not even tempted by something like this. Remarkable.”
“My apologies.”
“Don’t give me empty words. Well, fine then. In that case, I shall grant you access to the Imperial Palace’s restricted quarters. For ten days.”
Finally, finally I had reached the turning point.
I could hardly hide my expression.
“I am deeply honored.”
“But there is a condition.”
“…Yes?”
My heart sank, wondering what absurd demand would come this time.
Eun Wang-ya spoke.
“Leave behind your peculiar cooking methods. Since I won’t see you for quite some time, at least I’ll have the food. This is a royal decree!”
“Yes…? Cooking methods…?”
“The fried potatoes, that’s what! I know it’s not just simple frying! And the bread coated with egg—you must properly teach me the recipe!”
That was it. Her Majesty had become obsessed with French fries and toast from Earth, that world.
‘She has capitalist tastes.’
I should teach her hamburgers too.
* * *
My thrilling meeting with Eun Wang-ya had ended.
When I returned to my quarters, Ilkana was already waiting.
She regarded me with a peculiar gaze and asked this.
“Brother, do you truly see the future?”
“I suppose you could say I have seen it. I’ve told you before—it’s limited.”
She fell into thought for a long while, then smiled softly.
“I see. Perhaps this too is divine guidance. Though I’m hardly one to speak of such things, being an apostate.”
“Well, any religion that commands suicide upon failed assassination doesn’t seem worth believing in.”
To my words, she replied thus.
“It seems you don’t care much for the Demonic Cult either, Brother.”
“Ah, I consider any religion that doesn’t prioritize life to be a cult.”
In this martial arts dimensional world, that would be Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism—perhaps only these three.
This planet has no nation that existed on Earth.
After all, the Jegalling clan itself—wasn’t Zhuge Liang a Gaepa Investigator?
A world where he somehow survived and enjoys retirement life doesn’t make sense.
Yet despite that, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism still exist.
Meanwhile, Islam and Christianity don’t exist here.
Instead, there’s the Saerim Church of the Saerim Kingdom and Greek polytheism.
In the Western continent fantasy world, I’ve heard the gods capture heroes and turn them into constellations—it seems the fundamental laws of physics are different there too.
As for whether the doctrines are the same as Earth’s Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, most are similar, but there are subtle differences adapted to the martial arts world.
‘The Hwa Empire doesn’t make sense to begin with.’
The previous empire was the ‘Feng.’
The Feng Empire.
Before the Feng Empire came Hyeon, or so they say. I’m not sure if it was called an empire back then either.
The people of this world believe the world is flat rather than round, and I’m starting to think that might actually be true here.
Flat earth theory is genuine in this place.
‘Now I truly feel like I’m in a different dimension.’
A sense of loneliness washed over me.
Because there were so many similarities, I had found comfort by turning my gaze elsewhere, but this isn’t Earth.
Still.
“Any place that disregards life is a heresy. There’s no way religion could be more precious than human lives.”
Though the dimension is different, what I learned on Earth still remains etched in my heart, so I speak the truth.
“You’re quite an interesting person, brother. In the end, what you want is to save lives. And for that to happen, I must become stronger.”
“That’s about right.”
“…It’s strange. That someone like me, merely an assassin, could change anything.”
Ilkana closed her eyes, lost in thought.
The sound of her mother’s murmuring before death still echoed in her ears.
Without ever becoming clear, it spread like fire within her chest.
“Brother, I won’t change. I respect the life of a doctor like you, but I won’t be able to stay with you for long.”
Her true nature was that of an assassin.
She knew she would forever chase after that sound, moving in its pursuit.
Jin Cheon-hee answered calmly.
“It doesn’t matter. Life simply brought us to an intersection by chance. Whether five years is short or long, it’s still time we share.”
“During that time, I’ll watch you save people until I’m sick of it.”
Jin Cheon-hee nodded and smiled.
‘This time, Yeo Ha-ryun won’t survive alone either.’
The Supreme Heavenly Demon Yeo Ha-ryun had always survived alone.
Precious comrades, a master with whom he shared a brief connection, close friends.
All of them passed like fleeting moments and died.
If this were merely a novel, the protagonist’s lonely mastery of the martial world would suffice, but it’s not something a real human should experience.
And if it started from childhood, continued through adulthood, and repeated until the climax of one’s life, what shape would that person’s existence take?
Jin Cheon-hee asked.
“What will you do after five years?”
“I’ll need to prepare for genuine revenge. The heterodox sects won’t be useful for eliminating external forces, so a demonic sect hostile to the Seorim Religious Nation seems appropriate. Brother.”
Having lived two lives, I’ve learned something.
Some things repeat.
No matter how hard I try to change them, there are parts I cannot alter.
“So you’re going to the demonic sect.”
“Yes. As they say, enemies know a person better than friends do. While living as an assassin for the Seorim Religious Nation, I’ve learned quite a bit about the demonic sects. If I capture a decent minor sect leader and make her into a Heavenly Demon, my revenge will become much easier.”
She would enter under Yeo Ha-ryun’s command.
I would turn him into a Cheonma and prepare to strike a blow against that abominable Seorim Empire.
“The probability of survival is extremely low. It’s dangerous.”
“I’m aware. However, this is the path with the highest probability of success.”
Despite my attempts to dissuade her, she simply smiled.
‘Yes. This is a future that cannot be changed.’
This wasn’t a fate determined by heaven, but rather something born from human inertia.
Given her nature, there was no way she would abandon anything.
Just like Samjeolchuho chasing after his younger brother.
The fate created by humans is more terrifying than the will of heaven.
“Then I must grow much stronger over these five years. That way, the probability of success will be even slightly higher.”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
‘This much is within the realm of what I can accomplish with my own strength.’
If such efforts accumulated, Yeo Ha-ryun’s future would become more human-like.
I wouldn’t criticize him for living with blood on his hands, but still, I wanted to reduce the sorrow of being the last one left when everyone else was gone.
* * *
“This should be fine.”
A few days later, I gave Prince Raman a simple pulse diagnosis.
Since he was suffering from the Triple Yin Meridian Syndrome, I had to monitor his recovery for quite a long time, and fortunately the Third Prince recovered safely without any major episodes.
“Thank you. I was able to recover like this thanks to you, Doctor.”
The Third Prince awkwardly performed a Central Plains fist salute.
“Not at all. It’s thanks to your consistent martial training that you had the physical strength to recover.”
Raman smiled faintly.
“Thanks to you, Doctor, I’ll be able to hold the wedding ceremony without worry.”
“Ah, you’re getting married?”
I feigned ignorance and asked back. Raman’s face flushed.
“Yes. I’ve never met her before, but political marriages are common after all. Still, I worried greatly whether there might be lingering aftereffects. She came from so far away, and if I’m such a groom, she’ll surely be disappointed.”
He seemed anxious about the upcoming wedding.
He added one more thing.
“Of course, I’m still worried she might be disappointed even in my current state.”
“That won’t happen.”
After all, she was about to marry the Second Prince—a reckless fool who drinks and beats people, with whom communication is impossible—but instead she’s marrying the Third Prince. How could she be disappointed?
Moreover….
“I’ve learned cooking well from you, Doctor. I hope it suits the bride’s palate. If I could also learn a few Central Plains melodies, perhaps it would help with homesickness.”
This idol from the Seoui Province has hobbies of cooking and playing musical instruments.
Even Han Yi-jeong, his older sister, would have approved of him, which is why she handled the matter so quickly.
I scratched my cheek.
‘Well… the more you think deeply about these things, the more you lose.’
My life in Seoui had been filled with schemes, plots, war, Triple Yin Meridian Syndrome, and parasites.
Now I could only think about waving goodbye and heading back home.
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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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