Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 404

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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 404
I read through the document slowly and spoke.
“A total of fifty-two thousand cases… I see.”
“Yes. It’s a substantial number. Side effects account for less than 10%, though this is also because our medical staff use them strictly.”
“Hospitalization is the priority after all.”
I don’t trust patients to follow instructions.
The timing of taking any antibiotic is critically important.
I’ve seen countless cases where patients forget to take their medicine, then take it again, creating resistance through irregular dosing.
I doubt the martial artists of Gangho would be any different. If anything, they’d be worse.
That’s why when administering antibiotics, I fundamentally recommend hospitalization and let the medical staff make the final decision.
‘Of course, even then, the sects sometimes try to sneak doses out.’
We keep two or three doses in reserve for emergencies.
In a way, it was fortunate that Baekrin’s Divine Elixir didn’t significantly boost internal cultivation compared to other spiritual medicines.
‘Strangely enough, there haven’t been any penicillin allergies.’
The more clinical work I do, the more remarkable things I discover.
I suspect it might be because the people of this world differ from modern Earth humans, but regardless, it’s been beneficial as a physician.
“On the back, there are records of Medical Guild visits and plague mortality rates in regions where soap has been distributed, and the reports show clear decreases.”
“Hmm… I see.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
Muyue looked at me with an exasperated expression.
He clearly expected me to jump for joy, yet I was answering as if I’d already known the results.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“Ah… Of course I’m pleased. I am pleased. Um, I’m happy about the distribution going well—I’m not surprised by the results themselves.”
In regions where soap distribution began, disease incidence dropped below 50% compared to regions without it, and the most striking improvement was in newborn and maternal mortality rates.
In this era, childbirth itself was a life-or-death affair.
Of course, the same is true in modern times, but back then, midwives’ hands transmitted bacteria, making both newborn and maternal deaths quite common and almost expected.
Even during pregnancy itself, not just at birth, infections could be fatal.
According to statistics from a British nonprofit organization I’d seen before, over ten million children die before age five each year in developing countries.
20% of them die within one day of birth.
Approximately 50% die within a month of birth.
The primary cause is infection.
Since that data is quite old, I’m unsure how much has changed since then.
Simply by paying attention to basic hygiene, mortality rates decreased significantly.
‘Newborn mortality dropped by 70%?’
Maternal mortality was reduced by about half.
Of course, I can’t take these numbers at face value.
In this era, some households report births to the magistrate’s office, but many don’t.
However, there’s no doubt that hygiene protected both mothers and children.
Muyue spoke.
“In those regions, a culture of gifting soap to pregnant women has begun to emerge.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
I fell into thought.
‘If I send this record to the royal administration, perhaps we can implement policies to distribute soap more widely.’
The issue of maternal and newborn mortality had historically been a matter of concern for any governing body.
Beyond mere humanitarian considerations, it directly impacted population growth.
‘This is Nightingale’s approach.’
The greatest difference between modern medicine and traditional medicine was statistics.
Many people on Earth knew that Florence Nightingale had improved military sanitation and significantly reduced soldier mortality rates.
But what I focused on was that in 1859, she published ‘Note on Hospitals,’ introducing the world to new concepts about hospital hygiene, the necessity of accurate statistics, and hospital management.
‘I’m not doing anything new. I’m simply following a path someone else has already walked.’
I merely traced the footsteps of such genius, never allowing arrogance to cloud my judgment, simply forging my own way forward.
‘Looking at the statistics, population growth has already begun.’
Muyue spoke.
“Yes. Infant mortality rates have decreased, and thanks to the subsidiary businesses operated by Baekrin Uiseon, employment has increased, driving population growth. However, friction with neighboring families has begun to escalate—the officials’ sudden inspections are a clear indicator of that.”
It was quite obvious that the families were manipulating the officials from behind the scenes.
“Master won’t remain idle either, I presume.”
“Correct. We have some influence as well. However, Master says that if both sides pull, things will tear, so he’s maintaining a careful balance.”
I nodded.
Muyue spoke.
“You could afford to smile a bit more brightly. It seems you’re unchanged from your usual self, Patriarch.”
“Haha, of course I’m pleased. It’s fulfilling.”
“These days in Gangho, there’s talk that one division of Baekrin Uiseon is worth ten magistrates. The doctors of Baekrin Uiseon have become quite proud.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Now even Gangho martial artists don’t dare treat Baekrin Uiseon doctors carelessly.”
At first, small things changed—things that seemed unimportant.
Then more significant things changed, and then even more important things transformed.
‘I said I was changing the heavenly mandate.’
It was clear that one Baekrin Uiseon was changing more than ten Demonic Cultivators.
Change born from the living was inevitably greater than change born from the dead.
Thinking of it that way, it felt like I’d landed a blow against the heavens themselves, and my mood improved slightly.
‘Even so… from now on, I’ll cherish my body more.’
I learned much from the Oh Dok-mun incident.
In the past, I would have certainly rushed forward like the wind, eager to see how far I could go in this brief life.
But Master’s words had pierced my heart.
It was heavier than any nagging. And.
-How many more winters do you wish to see?
It was laughable.
Only when a prophecy of death descended did I truly feel the desire to live.
‘The human heart is truly contrary.’
Without a shred of delusion, without hesitation.
I would move forward, but never abandon myself again.
I touched my left arm habitually.
The pain was a sign that I was alive.
I wanted to live a little longer.
* * *
They say time flows like water, don’t they?
Since returning to the Medical Guild, I had been spending each day busily.
Martial arts training.
Along with studying and researching the poisonous and medicinal herbs of Gangho that I still didn’t know about.
And even performing surgeries on critically injured patients as I deemed necessary.
Before I knew it, winter had passed and spring had arrived.
A peaceful winter that made me wonder if the Six-Horned Venomous Snake’s prophecy had been mere worry.
And spring came as it always did.
But there was one thing that had changed from before.
It was my hobby.
At my Master Jegalling’s insistence, I had decided to pursue a more enriching hobby. And that hobby was….
“That’s it, Patriarch! Becoming one with the flame! Can you feel the rice grains crisping perfectly? That is the ultimate fried rice!”
“I see, Daesuksu. So this is….”
Whoooosh!
The iron wok dances.
My sleek muscles, hardened through numerous ordeals and training, shook the heavy iron wok effortlessly, ensuring not a single grain spilled from within.
It was already an art form.
“Precisely, Patriarch! Your cooking has had flavor, but truthfully, it lacked completion. However, that was because your technique was insufficient. Now that you have mastered all the techniques, you have achieved nothing less than the perfection of the culinary way.”
Whoosh. Thunk!
I transfer the contents of the iron wok onto a plate.
There lay a brilliantly gleaming golden fried rice.
The ultimate fried rice created with merely four ingredients—salt, pepper, egg, and rice!
I gazed at it with a satisfied smile.
That’s right.
My hobby.
It was cooking.
Learning new dishes, mastering the fundamentals of cooking, and seeking new horizons in culinary arts!
“Then, shall I bring this to Master?”
“The Patriarch will surely be satisfied.”
“I hope so. Master has quite particular tastes.”
I hurried along with the golden fried rice.
Of course, I didn’t forget to bring a bowl of egg soup as well.
Upon heading directly to my Master Jegalling’s quarters, he opened the door using the technique of grasping emptiness while perusing documents.
“Time has passed already. So, what did you make today?”
“Today it’s golden fried rice, Master. Daesuksu said that if I’ve made this properly, there are no more techniques left to teach.”
“Hmm… I must admit, thanks to you I’ve discovered a new source of enjoyment. Though I confess I can scarcely distinguish whether what you’re doing is truly a hobby or something else entirely. To earn recognition from Daesuksu himself…”
Daesuksu possessed culinary skills comparable to the renowned chefs of Namgyeong’s finest establishments.
For such a master to declare he had nothing left to teach meant Jin Cheon-hee had already become a first-rate chef in his own right.
I found myself bewildered—was I becoming a “martial artist who cooks well,” or rather a “chef who knows how to fight”?
“I’m already a Hwagyeong cultivator, after all. Since I’ve mastered the three essentials—heart, breath, and body—learning to cook quickly is only natural. Besides, I’ve always been reasonably skilled at cooking, haven’t I?”
“Perhaps… but it seems you’ve already transcended the realm of mere hobby.”
“I’ve heard they call this sort of thing a ‘hobby prodigy.'”
“Where on earth did you hear such a thing?”
“In the marketplace.”
“It appears the marketplace you know and the one I know are vastly different places. In any case… let me have a taste.”
Jegalling lifted his spoon. He scooped up the golden-gleaming fried rice and brought it to his mouth.
Munch, munch.
And there I stood, watching intently, my nervousness mounting with each passing moment.
Gasp!
My master Jegalling’s eyes widened as large as lanterns.
In that instant, I witnessed it.
Behind my master’s back, a vision of a dragon dancing in the air.
Was this the secret technique only those who had taken one step toward Hyeongyeong, who had reached the pinnacle of Hwagyeong, could manifest?
The way the vital energy took form and danced like a dragon signified just how delicious the dish truly was.
Witnessing this magnificent display—as if watching special effects from a cooking manga—I clenched my fists tightly.
‘Excellent! This is the first time my master has shown such joy! It must have turned out perfectly!’
Jegalling ate in silence, taking one spoonful, then a second, and then a third.
This was unmistakable proof of genuine satisfaction!
‘My master has discerning tastes, so I kept the seasoning slightly light, let the natural flavors of each grain of rice and the egg shine through, and added just a hint of pepper for aroma. It’s the most difficult approach because only fundamental technique goes into it, but…’
And in the end, as quickly as one blinks, Jegalling devoured every last bit of the fried rice.
“Ahhh…”
And finally, he drained the egg soup in one gulp.
“This is… truly satisfying, Hope. To create such flavor from merely eggs and rice—it’s remarkable.”
“Hehe. Right?”
My preference would be to add butter and ketchup to this dish.
While we produce our own butter using dairy milk, ketchup is surprisingly difficult to make.
This martial world may have corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and even sugarcane, but it lacks the large-scale harvesting and transportation technology needed.
Items often arrived spoiled, which was frustrating.
‘I’ll establish a tomato farm myself.’
For someone from the city, ketchup is as familiar a comfort food as gochujang or doenjang.
More than anything, I wanted to produce it in bulk, filling massive cauldrons at once, rather than making small batches whenever needed.
However, my master, a purist when it comes to pepper, was already thoroughly satisfied.
“I must apologize to Daesuksu, but it seems you surpass him when it comes to golden fried rice.”
“That’s because I’ve trained in martial arts. It’s much easier to coat each grain of rice with egg and stir-fry it with heat and oil.”
“Indeed, there is a certain unity to it. It feels as though you’ve reached a new realm.”
“From now on, I’ll prepare every meal for you. Just trust me, alright?”
“You two are quite well-matched… No, never mind.”
That was when it happened.
Yoo Ho entered through the open door.

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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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