Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 478

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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 478
The next day.
I urgently acquired another two-story building.
Rather than constructing something new, I purchased an existing inn that was already there.
“I’ll have the children reside there, and register them all with the Baekrin Medical Guild afterward.”
Then I instructed Man Seon to contact the Baekrin Medical Guild headquarters and request administrative personnel for the Baekrin Medical Guild branch.
While Man Seon was making arrangements, I set out immediately toward the Wanderer’s Market with Cheonwoo.
Wanderers.
These are the drifting martial artists of the Gangho.
The martial artists who visit Yeonmu City most frequently are also those from wanderer backgrounds.
These people earn their living by taking on various commissions, though most of their work involves the blade.
Some serve as problem-solvers, while others are hired for tracking or bandit suppression.
For instance, Samjeolchuho, with whom I had prior connections, is a prime example of a wanderer.
And naturally, businesses emerged to arrange work for such wanderers, and they inevitably developed their own histories.
That said, they differ from the mercenary guilds depicted in fantasy novels.
The martial arts world’s businesses are chaotic and lack unified coordination.
Such establishments existed in Hangzhou as well.
‘Or rather, because it’s Hangzhou, such places exist on a grander scale.’
The Evening Wind Brokerage Office.
“It’s said to be a famous wanderer employment agency in Hangzhou. Originally it handled all sorts of brokerage work, but I heard it now deals exclusively with wanderer recruitment.”
“You seem quite knowledgeable about this, Cheonwoo.”
“Haha, I’ve taken on work through them during my travels through the Gangho before.”
That was true. Not just wanderers, but martial artists like Cheonwoo traveling through the Gangho sometimes visit brokerage offices to earn money.
Especially since Mudang Gwon-je wouldn’t be the type to provide Cheonwoo with spending money for leisurely travels.
Cheonwoo continued speaking.
“Originally there were several wanderer brokerage agencies, but as the Evening Wind Brokerage Office became famous, the other businesses closed down, or so I heard.”
“Oh, so they sent all the competing businesses to the river of death? Seems like quite the establishment.”
“Yes. The owner of the Evening Wind Brokerage Office is also a renowned Gangho figure in Hangzhou, with the epithet Evening Wind Great Axe.”
A rather distinctive epithet.
Cheonwoo continued.
“She appears to be a woman in her mid-to-late thirties, but her actual age is greater. As a master who has reached the Hwagyeong realm in martial arts, she’s also known in society by the epithet Wanderer King.”
“Wanderer King, that’s quite an epithet.”
“Yes. I heard that while her martial prowess doesn’t rank among the top ten masters, she is certainly strong. The aura she projects is quite formidable.”
To maintain the epithet of Wanderer King, it would naturally follow that she possessed martial ability worthy of their recognition.
I pondered this.
Cheonwoo spoke.
“She has quite a following of wanderers, so you could say she’s established a considerable faction within Hangzhou.”
“Quite the impressive figure.”
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
* * *
When I arrived at the Manpung Geoganso, I found a three-story building with a spacious courtyard.
The building itself was three stories tall, and upon entering through the main gate, the entire courtyard bustled like a labor employment office.
Stalls and canopies were spread out like a street market, with each person shouting their offers.
“We’re recruiting warriors to fight the Japanese pirates in times of emergency!”
“The Bota Trading Guild is hiring temporary guards! We’re only accepting experienced warriors with verified backgrounds!”
“Is there anyone willing to search for missing persons? Only first-class swordsmen renowned for their tracking skills need apply!”
Behind the stalls were boards like blackboards covered with numerous papers.
The swordsmen listened to the stall keepers’ calls and examined whether there were any jobs suitable for them.
“If we don’t encounter Japanese pirates, will we still receive payment?”
“You’ll receive a base salary. What do you think? That’s a good idea.”
The warriors discussed among themselves what kind of work they would take on.
“The Bota Trading Guild pays well, but it’s difficult and worrisome.”
“There’s a high probability we’ll be involved in maritime transport, so we might encounter pirates.”
“It would be good to check if the Bota Clan’s inspectors are accompanying the shipment. Then we could conduct safer trade operations.”
No one is responsible for a swordsman’s life.
A swordsman must assess the danger of the work himself, and determine whether the compensation is appropriate for that risk.
Most of the swordsmen who took jobs from such places were second or third-rate warriors.
They could disappear like morning dew on a blind sword at any moment.
“By the way, why are you looking for this place, hyeong?”
“Haha, you ask quickly, Cheonwoo. Before the main force arrives, I want to recruit at least temporary protective personnel for now.”
“That makes sense. That would certainly be important.”
“Right. Considering the battles ahead, we need to protect the main base first.”
The Baekrin force is stationed at the Hangzhou Bunta Branch 1, but their numbers are just enough to guard that one location.
While establishing Branch 2, we needed escort personnel for protection.
Especially if we’re going to stir up Hangzhou in the future, more warriors are always better.
That’s why I sought out the geoganso.
Following Cheonwoo’s guidance, I passed through the marketplace-like courtyard and headed toward the building.
Cheonwoo, familiar with the place, greeted the gatekeeper and spoke.
“The Patriarch of the Baekrin Medical Guild, Doctor Jin Cheon-hee, has arrived. Please guide us to the owner of the geoganso.”
The gatekeeper was slightly startled.
“Oh, aren’t you Swordsman Cheonwoo? If you’re the Patriarch of the Baekrin Medical Guild… and… oh, the White-Robed Martial Dragon! Yes, I’ll guide you right away!”
At those words, I asked.
“What? The White-Robed Martial Dragon? Why does my epithet change so often?”
The gatekeeper replied awkwardly.
“I’m not entirely sure myself. But you’ve been active in the Gangho for quite some time now, haven’t you? The Divine Dragon is an epithet given to those newly emerging in the Gangho for a few years. So we called you the Martial Dragon. Is that… improper?”
“No. Well… it’s better than Ilgwang.”
At my words, the gatekeeper’s face flushed red.
The fact that he had almost said Ilgwang was true.
The gatekeeper opened the door, and I stepped inside.
“Martial Dragon—not bad at all.”
“It’s a fitting alias, considering your current martial prowess, Hyeong.”
Yes. Better than Ilgwang. Far better than Ilgwang.
How much deeper had we ventured?
At the mention of the White-Robed Martial Dragon, a handsome man with chiseled features and a sturdy build emerged to greet me and Cheonwoo.
“I am honored to meet the White-Robed Martial Dragon. My name is Mukdal, and I oversee the miscellaneous duties of this Manpung establishment.”
“A pleasure, Mukdal Sohyeop.”
Both Cheon Hee and Cheonwoo bowed respectfully.
This man called Mukdal possessed considerable inner energy—at least that of a supreme master.
‘A master of such caliber handling miscellaneous tasks?’
Whether he was being humble or truly served as a handyman remained unclear, but he was undoubtedly a formidable warrior.
He spoke cheerfully.
“Had your business been elsewhere, you would have been turned away at the entrance. But if you are the White-Robed Martial Dragon, surely you’ve come to meet the proprietor?”
His perception was sharp as well.
“Yes, that’s correct. I wish to meet the one called Nang-in Wang.”
“Understood. Please follow me.”
He certainly didn’t appear to be merely a handyman.
Suddenly, I sensed a familiar inner energy from the man.
‘What is it?’
I couldn’t quite place it, but something about his gait and demeanor seemed familiar, as though I’d witnessed it before.
Yet he led the way forward.
I chose not to ask.
We ascended three floors.
Mukdal called out.
“Proprietor, we have visitors!”
“Damn it! Visitors at this ungodly hour? Come in!”
A husky voice—or perhaps a pleasant contralto—rang out loudly.
“She seems rather displeased,” I remarked.
He responded to my observation.
“It is said that beautiful women require ample sleep. Please pay it no mind.”
Creak—
As the door opened, a woman lying on a large bed was blowing a bugle with a wine bottle.
Her clothes were disheveled, not arranged properly, and what showed between the gaps was nothing but muscle.
Muscle trained to the absolute limit through external cultivation.
“I was hoping to enjoy my hangover cure in peace.”
She stood eight chi tall, her entire frame composed of thick, rippling musculature, with large eyes and a powerful countenance.
“Nang-in Wang, the foremost beauty of Hangzhou, Mok Dam-hwa.”
“Foremost beauty of Hangzhou? Ha! Bah!”
For reference, my Master is the foremost beauty of Jiangsu.
Beauty varies with each era and region.
Just as the Venus of Willendorf differs from the Venus of Milo, beauty reflects the aesthetics of its time.
Beauty in Gangho differs somewhat from the slender, elegant aesthetic of modern fashion models.
Rather, it signifies a beauty akin to a sharp, deadly blade.
People describe my Master as a beauty like the Great Sword, yet Mok Dam-hwa, the First Beauty of Hangzhou, possessed a beauty reminiscent of a Green Dragon Crescent Blade.
Thud!
She rose to her feet using only the strength of her latissimus dorsi muscles.
Pale skin and piercing eyes.
The muscular power of an Amazon!
Her massive frame alone dominated the very air around her.
‘Indeed, the First Beauty of Hangzhou. The aura she emanates is truly extraordinary.’
A beauty so overwhelming merely to behold.
Confronted by her formidable presence, I swallowed hard, my nerves taut.
Mukdal spoke to Nang-in Wang.
“Madam. The Patriarch of Baekrin Medical Guild has arrived.”
“Ilgwang?”
In that instant, one side of her garment slipped down from her shoulder.
As her thick trapezius and deltoid muscles became exposed, Mukdal let out a sigh.
“Madam. Please… we have a guest. Won’t you put on your clothes?”
“Ah. You dress me then. How troublesome.”
“My apologies, Patriarch. Please give me a moment to prepare…”
Mukdal sighed and briefly closed the inner chamber door.
The sound of changing clothes rustled from within.
[Hmm, Nang-in Wang remains unchanged.]
[Quite the carefree one.]
[From the start, her natural physique was exceptional enough to be counted among Hangzhou’s beauties, and her temperament is equally bold. I’ve heard she has considerable influence among those around her despite her appearance.]
[She shares some similarities with Ju Wang-ya.]
[She too possesses considerable muscle, loves alcohol, and if we must categorize, they’re of the same type.]
That much is true.
Still, in a Confucian society where men and women maintain strict propriety, I worried whether it was acceptable for her to expose herself below the shoulders without the slightest shame.
‘Well, Cheonwoo’s martial robes don’t fit properly either, so his chest shows sometimes.’
Surely Nang-in Wang wasn’t poor enough to be unable to afford properly tailored clothes.
I waited with a flushed face for Nang-in Wang to finish dressing.
Soon the door slid open.
There sat Mukdal with a sigh, and Nang-in Wang, now changed into fresh clothes with her appearance properly composed, a towering figure.
The wine bottles remained untouched on the table.
“Hahaha, delighted to meet you, Ilgwang. Ah, since I’m your senior in years, we can speak casually, yes? As the proprietor of this trading house, I’m certainly no inferior to the Patriarch of Baekrin Medical Guild.”
When Nang-in Wang opened her large eyes wide, her long lashes caught the light.
Fundamentally, to become the “First Beauty” of a region requires not only exceptional natural features but also refined facial proportions and a lovely countenance.
Though her atmosphere differed from Jegalling, who was both the First Beauty of all under Heaven and of Gangsu, she too was an exceptional beauty.
“Please, make yourself comfortable, Madam. I am Jin Cheon-hee, Patriarch of Baekrin Medical Guild.”
“Come in then. Wine…”
I was about to tell him to have a drink, but Mukdal gave me a look suggesting he should stop.
Eventually, Nang-in Wang let out a sigh and spoke.
“…At least let me offer you some tea.”
Worried that his superior might change his mind, Mukdal quickly interjected.
“I’ll bring it at once. We’ve just received some high-quality Hangzhou beauty tea—I’ll have it brought immediately.”
“Damn it.”
Nang-in Wang cursed under his breath.

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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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