Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 455

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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 455
There was no time.
Even within this infinite expanse, time was running out.
The young man advanced without being ensnared by even a single wisp of delusion, observing himself with clarity.
‘That would be right. After all, I was probably the first to [possess] this world.’
That young man was submerged in the battlefield and boiled in blood.
‘What about that…? I’m not sure. In a world where supernatural abilities and sorcery exist, and even a transcendent being like Eungryong walks, wouldn’t that require further [investigation]?’
‘You’re right about that. That’s why you are [me]. Another [me] that grew within me.’
‘Exactly. Born from your negative thoughts…. A karma created by the desire for someone else to take your place instead. But really, what’s different between us?’
I agreed with that assessment.
‘But there’s one important thing.’
‘What is it?’
‘Do you really need to emerge right now? Isn’t what’s happening before your eyes more urgent?’
Ordinarily, when one confronts the Heart Demon within, madness consumes them.
And if things go poorly, they become a lunatic like the Odog-mun Sect Leader, spreading toxicity, or like the Mudang Sect Leader, their vital energies twist and they perish.
If things go well, they leap to a higher realm like my Master, or live with clear mind while despising the world like Yo Cheon-gun.
That’s what happens.
However, Jin Cheon-hee was different.
‘[Me], when I return, don’t I need to treat the trauma wounds of the patients from Pungju-ha?’
In that moment.
Time began to move again.
Blood droplets began to fall slowly once more.
Bit by bit, bit by bit.
‘A patient with incised wounds, a commander with puncture wounds, supply soldiers with lacerated wounds, a martial artist on the brink of death from bite wounds.’
Jin Cheon-hee walks forward.
‘There’s a limit to what can be done in a field setting anyway. I can’t perform the remarkable procedures like back at the Medical Guild. Simple bruises, sure, let’s call those acceptable. There aren’t many unscathed people on a battlefield anyway. Severe lacerations need to be controlled quickly. I’ve already trained Ha Uiwon well enough to handle sutures. However, if vitals have been pierced, I won’t be able to stop the hemorrhage, so most will likely be in cardiac arrest before they even arrive. Still, the orthopedic specialists I’ve trained are finally seeing real combat—I need to verify they’re performing well. [Me].’
Speaking words that no martial artist, not even fellow Medical Assistants, could comprehend, Jin Cheon-hee’s mind accelerated.
The vital energy within his body surged upward.
‘Listen carefully. If you are [me], you’ll understand? Finishing this task isn’t what matters. For a doctor, the real work comes after treatment.’
In the past, young Jin Cheon-hee had repeatedly engaged in the mad act of breaking trees and healing them.
At the time, he had only vaguely thought of it as practicing both martial arts and medicine together.
But in a way, it was a vow.
Like a monk performing 108 prostrations.
Like a priest conducting mass every morning.
It was a vow and a ritual.
Because for a doctor, the real work begins after the incident ends.
When the feast of blood concludes and all the martial artists begin packing their belongings to depart, that’s when a doctor’s true work begins.
‘Don’t appear at times like this and waste my time. Help me not miss the golden hour. Or else, you handle it yourself.’
Jin Cheon-hee’s heart, now beginning to run, started pounding like a runaway locomotive.
‘Ha…hahahaha! Hahaha, hahahaha! That’s right. Yes. That’s right, exactly.’
A seed of demonic nature planted through the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
As it germinated, it consumed the Heart Demon and grew.
The dark side of Jin Cheon-hee that had grown this way could rightfully be called the pure malevolent madness spoken of by the Demonic Cult.
But.
My original self was already far from sane.
The Veiled Madman.
-Why must people save people?
That question I had asked hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of times.
Within that, I had already found some answers of my own.
Yet, even so, nothing could be resolved with crystal clarity.
It was unavoidable.
Life was not mathematics.
‘People will kill people anyway, and wars and bloodshed will never cease. Why should I alone break my head trying to save such bastards? But in the end, that’s also a meaningless question.’
Once I came to the Medical Guild, there was only one thing I could do.
‘First, I save them. I just save them. I save them regardless.’
However, if that bastard is from the Hyeolseonggyo and just came back from sacrificing dozens of children, I exclude them.
Find another Doctor for that.
‘The real struggle comes after. Even if this world is filled with ungrateful humans who only betray, even if my anger rises to the top of my head and the Heart Demon comes, and my sense of self fractures.’
I still save them first.
But I am no Buddha, so I cannot view all sentient beings with compassion.
So, Kahuray Khan.
‘Since you are entangled with the Hyeolseonggyo, I classify you as a malignancy and excise you.’
The Doctor had made his decision.
The Heart Demon ultimately could not say anything in response to this state of mind.
* * *
-Baesong Dangju-nim. Please escort Prince Ju-wang away. At the current speed of the Eastern Window, we won’t arrive in time.
I send a transmission while running forward. In this urgent moment, Muyeong Togoe Gongyageon asked briefly.
-Can I withdraw from the front lines?
-It’s fine. Prince Ju-wang is more urgent.
-Then… I’ll pray for your fortune.
The Tugoe said nothing more and withdrew from the battlefield, moving backward. In this world where individuals wield the power of small nuclear weapons, Pungju-ha must protect the lives of many with that body.
Whether she wished it or not.
It was the duty of a ruler, having received the people’s taxes all this time.
As the Tugoe withdrew, Jin Cheon-hee cycled through dozens of thoughts in my head before discarding them.
Then I selected one from the remaining few and moved.
“You think you can scurry away like a rat! Don’t think I’ll let you!”
A giant horse kicks off the ground and charges forward.
Its force was like that of a war chariot, and it seemed difficult to stop it immediately.
But I had already prepared for this.
-Noeji!
Screeeech!
Noeji, soaring through the sky, unleashes lightning from above.
Flash!
The descending bolt strikes Kahuray Khan directly.
However, Noeji’s lightning possessed great power but lacked precision—a notable weakness.
No matter.
In this vast wilderness, there was no way to miss such a colossal beast even if I tried.
Boom-crash-crash-crash!
A formidable force surrounding him repelled the lightning, yet his body could not help but convulse and stiffen.
‘Nervous system paralysis from electrical current.’
And that same effect extended to the beast he rode.
The steed, which had been galloping with power comparable to a war chariot, crashed into the ground as its muscles seized.
Being exceptionally sturdy, it suffered no significant injury, yet its charge had been halted nonetheless.
Kahuray Khan leaped from the beast and landed on the earth.
“I shall be your opponent.”
I stepped forward to face him.
“Dropping lightning? What manner of fool are you?”
“Jin Cheon-hee, Patriarch of Baekrin Uiseon. That is my name.”
As we exchanged these words, the beast rose again, then stood behind Kahuray Khan with a low growl.
“I have heard of you. Yes, I have. The one who crafted miraculous medicines. Many of my tribe’s children were saved by the medicines your Baekrin Uiseon produced.”
Kahuray Khan fixed his gaze upon me.
“Then you are a Doctor, are you not? Yet why do you stand there wielding a sword? Do you too stand there out of loyalty to that hollow empire?”
Kahuray Khan was a cunning patriarch of great renown.
He had ruled the Suksin Tribe for decades, plagued the empire, and unified other tribes under his dominion.
I, who knew the history of Earth, understood well what manner of man this was.
A hero!
What did posterity call those who created great empires—Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan, who forged the world’s mightiest realm?
Did they not call them great commanders and heroes?
In this world, such reverence would be even more pronounced.
Though.
He moved driven by the base desire of youth, yet none could deny his heroic stature.
And that hero’s aura bore down upon me.
“Withdraw, young Doctor. A Doctor such as you would be treasured in my empire. You shall fatten and heal my livestock, care for my family and descendants—how could I not treat you with honor? So step aside and make way.”
Speaking thus, Kahuray Khan, the great patriarch and supreme lord, leaped onto his steed.
I let him go while standing motionless.
Still gripping the gleaming Frost Sword, I remained before him.
“I indulged your intention to buy time somewhat. But here is where it ends. I shall show you no further patience!”
He raised his crescent blade.
Yet before that ominous momentum, I remained composed, my expression serene as my lips parted slightly.
“I have one question.”
Kahuray Khan’s eyes trembled with intensity.
“Kkhehe. A question, you say? What is it?”
“Do you believe this war is justified? So many are dying, innocent lives are being lost. Do you truly think this is right?”
“What?”
Kahuray Khan fell silent for a moment.
Then he laughed. A wild, unrestrained laugh. A roaring guffaw that made him forget even the battle itself.
“Kkhahahahaha! Ahahahahaha!”
And suddenly, the laughter ceased abruptly.
“You wretch. Just as expected of an Empire dog… You seem intent on preaching about benevolence and righteousness, the sort of nonsense you people speak of…”
Gooooooo.
The air grew scorching hot. A thick, viscous killing intent began to radiate from Kahuray Khan.
“We are hunters. We are herders and riders of horses. While you till your fields and hide behind your walls, we have fought the tempests and waged endless wars to feed our livestock!”
The muscles in his arms swelled with power.
“Sin? Why does the word sin even enter this? We hunt and wage war—that is how we live. That you fail to understand this and dare call us barbarians—do you truly believe that is justified? So I say this one final time. This is my last mercy. Step aside. If you do not, I will slaughter you all!”
Watching Kahuray Khan spew forth his fury, I made my resolve.
The value of life differs for everyone.
That is simply how he chooses to live.
Splat—
Blood pooled beneath my feet, belonging to someone unknown.
Will this blood become a river?
Will it become a sea?
By the time it becomes a sea, all will forget the slaughter and welcome him as the Great Emperor.
I understood that this is the world, and this is history.
And yet.
I have chosen to stand against you here.

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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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