Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 465
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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 465
After presenting the first award, a Court Attendant immediately set the next box before Prince Ju-wang.
“Oho! It seems we’re conducting a second-class merit ceremony.”
“I wonder what reward will be bestowed.”
“Even if it’s not first-class, it must surely be a priceless treasure.”
Who would claim this one?
Everyone’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Prince Ju-wang didn’t make them wait long and immediately announced the name.
“Second-class merit recipient, Minor Sect Leader Jin Cheon-hee of the Baekrin Medical Guild, come forward.”
Ooooooh–!
Everyone cheered with delight, though it was surely the same acclaim my Master had received.
“Aren’t you favoring the Baekrin Medical Guild too much?”
“His merits are too clear for anyone to raise objections.”
“Wouldn’t the Mudang Gwon-je be more appropriate…?”
“How many remain who haven’t received treatment from Seo Baek-ryong? Moreover, he rendered great service in securing the head of the final enemy commander. His merits are too substantial to dispute.”
“Even so… hmm…”
“Being within the imperial palace, we simply cannot fully understand the balance of the Gangho.”
Though spoken in a very low voice, it was not something I could fail to hear.
I stepped forward without any change in expression.
“Among the Minor Sect Leaders of the Gangho, how many possess merits of this magnitude? His martial prowess is unparalleled, and his strategy was truly audacious.”
There were those who honestly acknowledged my merits.
However, most bore the look of concern about the Baekrin Medical Guild’s growing power.
“To second-class merit recipient Jin Cheon-hee, I shall bestow the Heavenly Sphere Orb.”
The Heavenly Sphere Orb.
The moment those words ended, a brief silence fell.
Those who knew of the Heavenly Sphere Orb closed their mouths in astonishment, while the majority who didn’t know looked around nervously to gauge others’ reactions.
Waaaaaah–!
Soon the cheers erupted again.
Someone spoke amid the clamor.
“The Heavenly Sphere Orb?! Isn’t that… a legendary martial technique manual?”
“Do you know what that is?”
“It’s a martial technique manual said to have been lost from the Gangho. The legend says that practicing internal cultivation while wearing it allows one to accumulate inner power far more rapidly. Or if one has already gathered inner power to its limit, it can double its purity…”
“But that lost item was in the imperial palace?”
“Who doesn’t know that the Eastern Faction operates in the shadows of the Gangho?”
“Hah… even so…”
Amid the murmuring, I received the box.
‘Hmm, this time she’s not telling me to open it?’
I glanced up slightly.
Then our eyes met with Prince Ju-wang.
She smiled playfully and spoke.
“Go inside.”
With that, the opportunity to see what the Qiankun Pill looked like vanished.
“Isn’t this blatant favoritism?”
“It wasn’t the Hwaju Medical Institute who treated Prince Ju-wang’s consort. It was Ilgwang. Of course they would show consideration.”
“Why couldn’t the Hwaju Medical Institute do the same… Tsk.”
Several doctors from the Hwaju Medical Institute seated at the lower end of the table coughed awkwardly.
With that, the complaints about the Hwaju Medical Institute ceased.
“Ilgwang is quite remarkable.”
“If he truly healed Hyeolpyeon-wang’s Nine Yin Meridians, then his skill must be genuine.”
“How many treasures has the Baekrin Medical Guild been given now?”
Amid those whispers, I turned my head.
There I saw my Master and the comrades I had fought alongside.
Among the suspicion and jealousy, there were those offering genuine congratulations.
Waaaaaah–!
Ilgwang! Ilgwang! Ilgwang!
The cheers rang out once more.
On the surface, it was indeed congratulations.
That was enough, wasn’t it?
I turned back inside with that thought.
Dang-a sent a transmission.
[The Sichuan Tang Clan expresses its gratitude to the Baekrin Medical Guild. You saved many of our warriors this time.]
[Thank you.]
[Don’t mind the petty remarks you might hear. Ahem.]
I couldn’t help but smile at that.
This perceptive girl was worried that I might have been hurt by some of the veiled criticism leaking through.
If I had been an ordinary martial artist of that age, I would have been upset.
But my soul was already far too seasoned for that.
[The Gangho has always been sensitive to secret techniques, rare medicines, and treasures. I consider it natural, so please don’t worry.]
[If there’s anyone you want dead, tell this Hyeolpyeon-wang. Destined rival!]
She deliberately sent the transmission with brightness.
‘How kind. Really…’
It was paradoxical that such a girl spoke of blood and darkness.
Well, it would be fine.
Those with complaints would taste Dang-a’s whip.
“Third-rank meritorious contributors, come forward: Myeonggil Jinin of the Mudang Sect and Minor Sect Leader Dang-a of the Sichuan Tang Family.”
Myeonggil Jinin was the title for Mudang Gwon-je.
The two bowed respectfully.
“Third-rank meritorious contributors shall each be granted lands near their respective sects!”
Woooah!
Land grants!
This is quite substantial.
And since the imperial family wouldn’t be stingy when bestowing land upon a third-rank meritorious official, the grants would be generous.
With such practical benefits secured, both sects would be able to expand significantly.
The land documents were handed down to the two martial artists.
Mudang Gwon-je, having built a wall between himself and the secular world, wouldn’t have particular thoughts on this, but Dang-a’s position was different.
Now, as a minor sect leader, there would be no one who could challenge Dang-a.
“It was already the case, but this solidifies the power structure within the Sichuan Tang Sect.”
“Indeed. Who would dare fight against Hyeolpyeon-wang?”
“Ah, it’s a shame that the Master didn’t receive second-rank merit.”
The conversation moved forward amid the chatter of various martial artists.
“Now then, for the fourth-rank merit awards—the Mysterious Bow Master of the Single-Lineage Transmission Sect Wang Gak-yeon, the Sun Sword of the Gongseon Family Gongseon Yeong, and finally the Changryong Sword of the Namgung Family Namgung Un. Come forward.”
Wang Gak-yeon, Gongseon Yeong, Namgung Un.
Three people stepped forward.
‘My relationship with Namgung Un has grown somewhat distant since our last conversation.’
Such is the nature of bonds in Gangho.
Unless one is as steadfast a friend as Wang Gak-yeon, relationships inevitably grow distant and close again due to family interests and debts.
Especially since the Namgung Family must check the expanding Jegallim Family.
It was a difficult matter indeed.
Both Namgung Un and I had each taken a step away from one another.
‘Like the distance a hedgehog keeps—we’ve grown distant and close again at a level where we don’t wound each other.’
I held no resentment toward Namgung Un.
However, the Namgung Family did owe a debt from when the Jegallim Family’s blood assassins attacked.
Namgung Un was unwilling to acknowledge this.
Then so be it.
‘Yes. That settles it.’
I repeated the same words to myself several more times.
“To the fourth-rank meritorious officials, I grant one year of tax exemption and monetary rewards.”
“We are overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s benevolence.”
Waaaaaah!
Tax exemption and monetary rewards!
Wang Gak-yeon would be most pleased with the monetary reward, while the high-revenue Namgung and Gongseon Families would benefit greatly from the tax exemption.
After that, Prince Ju-wang continued the ceremony, praising each person for their contributions.
Once all the commendations were complete, he patted his own shoulder as if to say it was finally over.
“Now then, those whose names were not called, do not be too disappointed. I shall grant generous rewards to everyone present here.”
Uwaaaaah–!
It was the loudest cheer yet.
With this, the ceremony concluded.
Prince Ju-wang spoke.
“Now then, let us eat and drink! What is a banquet without dance, song, and wine? Let the music play!”
The orchestra began an exuberant performance.
The performers emerged into the center with a flourish and began to dance.
Suddenly, I noticed Dang-a, Gongseon Yeong, and Wang Gak-yeon approaching me stealthily, each wielding wine bottles in both hands.
‘No… why are they coming toward me of all people?’
Were they determined to force-feed me until I collapsed?
Thus the banquet began in earnest.
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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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