Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 480

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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 480
Nang-in Wang spoke.
“The Hyeolseon Sect has always ranted about erasing the Mandate of Heaven and plunging the world into chaos. And we’ve managed to prevent their destruction from coming to pass. But then you appeared, and suddenly I found myself thinking like this.”
She grasped the empty wine bottle with both hands.
The muscles in both her arms swelled as she slowly compressed it.
Crunch—
Finally, the ceramic bottle crumbled like melting wax, and the remaining drops of wine spilled out from within.
Yet she continued to compress it further and further.
At last, it condensed into a single point within her massive palm, and her two hands came together as if in prayer.
A tremendous force converged at a single point within her hands without exploding.
It was a realm even I didn’t know.
Nang-in Wang, who had achieved this through intoxication alone, spoke thus.
“Isn’t the very act of fighting endlessly with those Hyeolseon Sect bastards itself the ‘Mandate of Heaven’? Isn’t the struggle between those who would destroy and those who would protect merely one ‘play’ created by someone? Then what exactly is the [Mandate of Heaven]? Is there meaning in us protecting the Mandate of Heaven?”
Soon after, she finally opened her hands.
In the hollow center of her large palm lay a round bead, something like dark metal.
“Well, so we’re quite confused too. Honestly, we don’t issue divine oracles like the Hyeolseon Sect does. We’ve simply been moving to protect something vague called the Mandate of Heaven. In contrast, those Hyeolseon Sect bastards are consistent. They continue to cause chaos, kill people, and exert all their strength to bring about destruction.”
“….”
“This is the situation you’ve created. What are your thoughts?”
“….”
I listened throughout with an expressionless face.
After a long silence, I finally opened my mouth.
“Well… such things happen when you live long enough. I don’t have any particular thoughts on the matter.”
“What?”
“Hmm, I understand that you’ve lived with a sense of mission to protect the Mandate of Heaven. After passing through several generations, it’s natural to feel manipulated. But as a third party, it’s not my place to comment on the truth.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes, well. I do offer my condolences regarding the feeling that your very existence has been denied.”
Nang-in Wang and Mukdal looked at me with expressions of disbelief.
Even Cheonwoo seemed surprised that his brother would give such an answer.
That made sense—the brother he knew had always consistently shown empathy toward others’ misfortune and suffering.
Rather, this kind of precise boundary-drawing was behavior he had never witnessed before.
“Hmm, everyone keeps asking me if I’m prepared to take responsibility for something, or whether I’ll bear that weight… and honestly, I’m not sure. To avoid tearing the Mandate of Heaven, should I… refuse treatment?”
I said this and fell into thought once more before speaking.
“I’m not sure how great the destiny set by those of high station truly is, but I understand that the Mandate of Heaven’s followers suffered to protect it. Still, I will refuse treatment to the Hyeolseon Sect. They can seek out another doctor if they wish.”
“Is that truly all your thoughts?”
“Hmm… Yesterday, I taught a child how delicious tanghulu eaten twice over is. I made it with persimmons, and the child ate it eagerly without even noticing the persimmon juice dripping down their hands. Even when they grow up, they’ll think of today whenever they eat persimmons.”
At those words, Cheonwoo nodded.
Yesterday, last night.
I fed the children porridge and took their pulses.
Then, as promised, I brought out the persimmons.
That night was one where no one would be struck or broken, even for indulging their appetite.
“What are you trying to say?”
“Just that the moon was so bright that night. I don’t know much about the Mandate of Heaven, but what good is stealing persimmons from children?”
After saying that, I let out a small chuckle to myself.
Only Cheonwoo understood the true meaning behind those words.
However, Nang-in Wang seemed to grasp something as well and opened his mouth.
“You’re someone who values the persimmons before your eyes more than the solemn will of heaven.”
“You can’t eat the Mandate of Heaven, can you?”
“That’s right. You’re someone for whom feeding persimmons is more important.”
Her massive shoulders tilted to one side.
She rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, then spoke.
“Then let’s do this. While you’re in Hangzhou, I’ll make sure you have all the persimmons you want.”
“Excellent.”
“That’s all I can do for you. Hangzhou is my domain, so no other Mandate of Heaven practitioners will bother you there. But that’s where it ends. Once you leave Hangzhou, you’re responsible for whatever happens.”
“That’s my specialty. Taking responsibility for myself.”
“Good. Now I understand perfectly why you’re Ilgwang. It’s a shame. If we had someone of your caliber on our side, things might have gone better.”
She clicked her tongue slightly.
I asked her.
“Three hundred wanderers….”
“I’ll send them as well. I’ll select capable ones and dispatch them. So go ahead and act freely under my approval.”
“Thank you.”
“But I warn you, the Red Mansion won’t be easy. Above it stands Hao-mun. The Mandate of Heaven practitioners are people who unite for the greater good regardless, so they maintain certain principles. But the most terrifying thing is human malice. Can you withstand that?”
“Ha…hahaha.”
“I know you’re on good terms with the Golden Blood Sect, but Hao-mun is still Hao-mun. Just as the Mandate of Heaven practitioners have different thoughts, so do they.”
It was advice from Nang-in Wang that gold could not buy.
I bowed deeply and expressed my gratitude.
* * *
At the same time, in Hao-mun.
All five sect leaders who comprised Hao-mun had gathered.
The Golden Blood Sect, Hong Ryu Pavilion, Tudo School, Gambling Faction, and Osalji Faction.
And among the leaders of these five sects, the one who could be called the Hao Munzhu was the Patriarch of Hong Ryu Pavilion.
He wore crimson robes, carried a long pipe, and oddly enough, wore spectacles.
Purchased from a Western merchant, they had the function of correcting vision, and though it was unclear how effective the round lenses truly were, he always wore them.
Rubbing his rough chin, he spoke.
“Greetings. I am the Hao Munzhu. Between us, real names hardly matter. Please call me Hong Ryu.”
It was rare for the Hao Munzhu to appear personally, but it also meant that Hangzhou was an important stronghold for Hao-mun.
Before the Hao Munzhu sat the executives of each sect, reporting on the current situation.
The first to speak was the Tudo School.
“Ilgwang has started his mad schemes again. He says he’ll pacify Hangzhou and overturn this unjust situation.”
Hearing this, the Osalji Faction grumbled.
“What, a doctor? He should stay cooped up playing with patient flesh.”
The Gambling Faction responded to those words.
“How would we know what’s in Ilgwang’s heart? Perhaps he genuinely wishes to become a hero of the jianghu.”
“A hero in this day and age? It would make more sense if he’s after Hangzhou’s interests and trying to win the people’s hearts. What do you think, Golden Blood Sect Leader?”
The representative sent by the Golden Blood Sect did not answer.
“This one sent by the Golden Blood Sect this time is quite taciturn.”
Hao Munzhu spoke.
“May I offer a word?”
“Go ahead, Hao Munzhu.”
“A friend of ours, or rather… precisely speaking, a ‘friend of a friend of a friend.’ The Black Dragon Faction, three connections removed, has already been attacked, and the Red Residence Gang, which paid tribute to them, will likely be targeted next.”
“Hmm…”
“However, as you know, our Hao-mun has various interests entangled with Baekrin Uiseon. Especially with their Golden Blood Sect, we have quite a special relationship. Is that not so?”
“…”
The Golden Blood Sect still did not answer.
Hao Munzhu Hong Ryu watched this scene with a smile beneath his spectacles.
Then, without pressing further, he changed the subject.
“In any case, I have called you all here to determine our course of action.”
Soon after, the Golden Blood Sect representative opened his mouth.
“Cheolrip, Patriarch of the Iron Blood Party, speaks on behalf of Golden Blood Sect Leader Emperor Geum-wang. Our Golden Blood Sect actively supports Ilgwang’s cause.”
The Osalji Faction grumbled at this.
“I thought the Silver Blood Party Leader, that young Sama Hyeon, would come, but this is unexpected.”
“Ah, the Silver Blood Party Leader is currently undergoing a test from Emperor Geum-wang.”
The other Hao-mun members gathered there showed signs of surprise.
“Ho? Emperor Geum-wang personally gave him a test?”
“Yes. That is enviable.”
“He could die from it.”
Whoosh—
Hao Munzhu exhaled smoke and spoke.
“I admire the martial prowess of Silver Blood Party Leader Sama Hyeon. In any case, I understand the Golden Blood Sect’s position.”
As he nodded, his spectacle cord swayed with a soft sound.
The Tudo School spoke.
“The Golden Blood Sect will naturally follow the side that brings profit. The Tudo School abstains. After all, our school’s primary business is thievery, so it hardly matters to us.”
“Even so, thieves from the Tudo School have broken into our faction.”
“Oh, is that so? How curious.”
The Tudo School answered shamelessly.
Just as Gaebang cannot control all beggars, the Tudo School cannot control all thieves.
However, that is true of most factions in Hao-mun.
In a sense, Hao-mun is endlessly like grains of sand.
Hao Munzhu asked.
“I am curious about the opinions of the Gambling Faction and the Osalji Faction?”
“The Gambling Faction believes we must take action against this. If Hangzhou shows weakness, everyone will mock Hao-mun.”
“The Osalji Faction feels the same way. The Soggakju must pay a blood debt. Even if he’s not directly responsible, at minimum Baekrin Uiseon must see blood spilled. Otherwise, what will the other dark paths think?”
“Hmm.”
Hao Munzhu maintained his smile while falling into brief silence.
For those who walk the dark path, reputation is paramount.
One who cannot repay their own debts cannot be called a dark path walker.
Reputation is a dark path walker’s weapon.
If Hao-mun’s honor crumbled to dust, the villains under his command would scatter to the four winds.
However, that was the concern of dark path walkers.
The Golden Blood Sect cared little for such matters.
“So then, what of Hyeolrin Gwangssal behind Ilgwang? Everyone knows that beast’s talent is no trivial matter. If he runs wild, Hao-mun will be crippled. We can even bring up the matter of Ju Wang from before.”
Hao Munzhu answered.
“The five of us gathered here have all spent time in Gangho since Hyeolrin Gwangssal was being Hyeolrin Gwangssal. I deliberately instructed that younger members not be sent to this meeting, and I’m grateful that each sect leader has honored that.”
Everyone remembered when Hyeolrin Gwangssal had been mad.
How many dark path walkers had vanished from the map during those times.
How many had waited for his death. Even if he didn’t die, everyone had waited, certain he would soon weaken.
Time had been their ally, and indeed it was.
Until he took on a disciple.
The Osalji Faction spoke.
“Regardless, we must see this through to the end. If Hao-mun withdraws here, there will be no backing him afterward.”
“…One abstention and two restraints. One opinion to cooperate with Ilgwang. I understand.”
Now only Hao Munzhu’s vote remained.
He adjusted his spectacles slightly and answered.
“As Hao Munzhu, I…”
At his answer, everyone’s eyes widened.
Hao-mun’s direction was thus decided.

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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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