Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 704

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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 704
042. The Disciple Soars, I Remain the Master
Now that the dumplings were perfectly prepared, it was time for the tasting.
I, Jin Cheon-hee, had gathered not the fourth generation of guild masters, but the fifth—no, the seventh generation.
“Ah, it’s been quite some time since we’ve had dumplings.”
“However, since we’ve eaten so many dumplings at Baekrin Medical Guild, it will be difficult to impress unless they’re truly delicious.”
“Indeed. Quite so.”
The fourth-generation guild masters chattered among themselves, while Yoo Ho and Sama-hye sat with vacant expressions.
I, Jin Cheon-hee, served as the Patriarch of the Surgical Arts Guild, and Yoo Ho as the Patriarch of the Nursing Guild.
Sama-hye served as the Patriarch of the Regeneration Guild.
The Regeneration Guild not only reconstructed skin damaged by illness, burns, and wounds, but also handled muscle recovery and the lingering effects of poison and fire techniques.
‘It’s the guild requiring the most internal energy.’
One couldn’t even dream of finding talent reaching the level of sword inspector; at minimum, one needed individuals with fundamental understanding of sword energy.
Even the same surgical tools in this field required channeling internal energy to use—a bizarre discipline indeed.
Thus, the Regeneration Guild was the most difficult place to recruit talent. Yet it was also where individual combat strength was greatest.
And it was where money accumulated most abundantly.
‘Since we’re pioneering unexplored territory, the Regeneration Guild must plant its flag on unclaimed land.’
The most treacherous path.
No matter how much I assisted, treading a road no one else had traveled was never easy.
As a result, Sama-hye’s face appeared hollow.
She could step down if she wished.
Even returning to her position as the Bundata Master of Hangzhou would present no blemish on her career.
After all, the surgical skill of Hangzhou’s Bundata Master was called unparalleled even in Hangzhou, and through the medical texts she had written, countless young talents were growing in Hangzhou.
Hangzhou’s star was absolute.
No one in Hangzhou questioned her influence.
Slurp—
Yet despite this, Sama-hye sipped bitter medicinal broth while laying her foundation.
At this point, merely the desire to save more lives or the willingness to dedicate oneself to a better future was insufficient.
Slurp—
“Damn it….”
A gathering of seven-generation guild masters.
Coarse language escaped Sama-hye’s lips.
Yet none of the fourth-generation guild masters present stopped her.
Rather.
“Isn’t the medicinal broth too bitter? Perhaps I should have the disciples brew it sweeter.”
The Herb Guild Master, Manpagok, offered comfort to Sama-hye with a benevolent expression.
“…No. This level is perfect.”
“Hehe, if there’s anything difficult, please tell me anytime.”
Yet Sama-hye understood.
These people appeared kind, but before matters of work, they were merciless.
When the time actually comes, he vanishes without a trace.
Sama-hye remembers once again that she lives her life alone.
“You’ve been working hard, Master of Rebirth.”
In public, Jin Cheon-hee calls Sama-hye by her title, Master of Rebirth.
Before Sama-hye lay dumplings of various shapes.
From xiaolongbao bursting with savory broth to dumpling forms she had never seen before in her life.
“We’ve specially added one extra dumpling for you, Master of Rebirth. No one has any complaints, I trust?”
At those words, the other four Guild Masters nodded in agreement.
She deserved it.
They too had experienced the greatest hardships when establishing their own guilds.
They understood that following a path already carved by others and blazing that path oneself were sufferings of entirely different dimensions.
“Thank you. Eun Gong. Or rather… Master Soggakju.”
“Please, call me freely.”
Sama-hye picked up her chopsticks and lifted the end of a xiaolongbao, placing it on a white porcelain spoon.
She dipped the chopstick tip in chili oil and coated it, then piled on fresh ginger generously.
Fearing it would be too hot to eat in one bite, she tore the xiaolongbao apart with her chopsticks.
The rich broth poured out abundantly, soaking the white porcelain spoon.
Fragrant.
The pepper aroma was somewhat strong, yet it only stimulated her appetite further.
Slurp—
The dense broth seeped from her tongue’s tip down to her throat.
“Wow…”
Another bite, then another.
After savoring the broth, she swallowed the meat in one gulp.
The meat, deliberately cut into rough pieces, entered her mouth.
Because it was cut roughly, she could actually taste the meat’s distinctive flavor all the more.
The pork’s gamey note emerged subtly, neither overpowering nor harsh. Rather, paired with the ginger, it gently provoked her appetite.
Without realizing it, Sama-hye closed her eyes as she ate.
A small joy burst within her mouth.
Such delicious food naturally makes one close their eyes to savor it.
Next came another xiaolongbao. But this one she wanted to swallow all at once.
‘Ah, hot! Ah, hot!’
The scalding broth burst forth, filling her mouth with heat. So hot.
A dense inferno unfolding within her mouth.
Maddeningly delicious.
After enjoying it for a while, she wanted to try something else.
‘There are fried dumplings too.’
Crunch—
As the dumpling skin shattered roughly, a savory aroma rushed forth.
The taste of Chinese chives, glass noodles, and rich duck meat.
It felt as though fatigue was being washed away.
“Mmm, this is delicious.”
“Everyone’s been enjoying them so much, I’ve already put three more batches in the steamer.”
“Huh?”
Looking around, everyone was utterly captivated by the dumplings.
Mu-wol Oe-chongwan, whose composed expression had vanished without a trace, was stuffing dumplings into his mouth with gusto, while the Herb Guild Master was carefully selecting each one and savoring them with evident delight.
The Chuna Dangju had doused his dumplings generously with chili oil before shoving them into his mouth.
The Acupuncture Guild Master was taking small bites of each dumpling, truly savoring life.
The Martial Arts Guild Master popped two dumplings into his mouth at once—a rather crude display, yet somehow it looked delicious too.
Finally, Yoo Ho Nae-chongwan had finished long ago and now sat quietly, tilting his wine cup over an empty plate.
‘Wow, there’s quite a lot of them, and they’re disappearing fast.’
Each dumpling was quite large and generously filled.
Yet they vanished like snow before the wind.
“I’m about to make dumpling noodle soup. Would anyone like some? Fair warning—it’s quite spicy.”
At those words, Sama-hye raised her hand.
Looking around, everyone had already done the same.
“Perfect. And I have some experimental batches—rib dumplings and octopus dumplings. I’ll bring them out shortly.”
Excited by the positive response, Jin Cheon-hee dashed toward the kitchen.
Jegalling watched his disciple’s retreating figure with a pleased expression.
“In my judgment, dumplings of this caliber could certainly be sold at an inn for profit. What do you think?”
Mu-wol answered first.
“If sold as they are, I’m uncertain whether there would be any profit margin. The ingredients are clearly premium, and they require considerable labor.”
“True enough. Mu-wol has identified the issue precisely. However, if we’re speaking of an inn in the imperial capital, that would be a different matter entirely.”
“Ah, the imperial capital? Are you referring to the White Crane Pavilion?”
It was the place given to me by Ga Wan as compensation for treating her daughter Ga-won.
“Yes. Since Baekrin Uiseon took over operations, the clientele has grown considerably. That establishment could certainly manage this.”
A six-story grand inn in the imperial capital.
One that even sold beer and fried chicken—that peculiar establishment.
Those who had tasted its offerings were said to return without fail, such was its reputation for excellence.
Mu-wol Oe-chongwan nodded in agreement.
“That venue should be more than capable of handling this. If permissible, I would even like to consider expansion.”
At those words, Jegalling’s eyes curved softly with warmth.
“I shall seek the necessary permissions. Given that Ju Wang-ya is providing special support, I believe it should not be difficult, but…”
Beyond monthly wages, Baekrin Uiseon offered performance bonuses.
A portion of the profits generated from one’s work was distributed as additional compensation.
Thus, a portion of the revenue from medical texts written by Baekrin Uiseon’s doctors continued to arrive as performance bonuses, and a portion of treatment fees and donations from patients also returned to the physicians.
As a result, though the body labored hard, money accumulated steadily.
When exhaustion became too great, one could transfer to Bunta at most.
Upon transferring to Bunta, a portion of the profits earned there would also flow into one’s coffers, so retirement seemed secure—or rather.
One witnessed the peculiar situation where even in retirement, those with sound bodies declared they would earn even more.
The human heart is ultimately a finite resource, and no matter how noble one’s intentions, when it comes to putting food on the table for one’s family.
Even a saint will be tested—such was my philosophy as Soggakju.
Similarly, Mu-wol receives performance bonuses for his work.
The increased revenue of Baekhaekru translates directly into Mu-wol’s performance bonus.
Moreover, compared to other medical-related budgets, it requires far less effort, making it quite profitable.
“I truly wish to be of service!”
“Excellent. It would be good for the Chief Manager to have a word with this foolish disciple. Come to think of it, it’s about time Mu-wol Oe-chongwan built himself a fine estate in Hangzhou.”
“An estate? But I’m not from a prestigious family, how could I possibly dare such a thing….”
“Hahaha, and yet you’ve already accumulated quite a fortune.”
Mu-wol was earning sums that far exceeded what ordinary salaried workers could ever hope to accumulate.
“In any case, I shall work diligently.”
Just then, the door creaked open and I entered carrying several plates of fresh dumplings.
“Fresh dumplings have arrived!”
Unaware that my master was already scheming how to exploit me further, I remained blissfully content.
“Please tell me which dumplings taste the best when eaten, and which ones don’t suit your palate!”
The aroma of meat broth was so sweetly intoxicating.
* * *
For some time afterward, the Baekrin Medical Guild became a dumpling feast.
The medical assistants favored the steamed dumplings most. Their youth granted them excellent digestion.
They particularly enjoyed dipping them generously in chili oil, and watching them suffer no stomach ailments whatsoever revealed to me the mystery of youth.
The senior physicians, being of delicate constitution, preferred the tender xiaolongbao, and especially enjoyed duck nourishment dumplings made with various medicinal herbs.
Whenever they felt overstuffed, one could witness the amusing sight of them inserting needles into their own meridians for relief.
What the middle-aged men preferred was dumpling soup noodles.
They were greedy fellows who wanted to enjoy both noodles and dumplings.
‘The octopus dumplings are really becoming quite popular, aren’t they?’
Naturally, the rib dumplings were expected to be popular.
But no one had anticipated that the octopus dumplings, made merely as an experiment, would become such a sensation.
And so, with everyone happily enjoying the dumplings, I made a decision.
“I wish to establish a dumpling inn.”
“Hmm? Rather than renovating Baekhaekru?”
Already having been encouraged by Mu-wol, I nodded readily and began planning to dedicate myself to the expansion of Baekhaekru.
But this time, I was proposing to expand the venture of my own volition.
A smile played at the corners of Jegalling’s lips before being concealed by his fan.
“Of course, most sects and families do take inns as their primary business… and we ourselves are already in partnership with Hao-mun.”
“I wish to pursue this more earnestly.”
“Hmm. Is there truly a reason we must do so? Are we not already earning considerable profits?”
“Money is… of course important. But there is something more important that I wish to accomplish.”
“And that is?”
My eyes brightened.
“I wish for people to be able to eat dumplings affordably and inexpensively.”
Isn’t that the very purpose instant noodles were created for?
Building such a factory here would be difficult.
However, I believe dumpling noodles might be feasible.
Isn’t it true that in any corner of Gangho, there’s nowhere without dumplings, nor anywhere that can’t make them?
“Cheap, affordable dumpling noodles will naturally lack in taste.”
“Yes. But wherever one goes, the taste is merely adequate, and as long as people don’t get sick from eating it, there will be many Kang Ho-in and commoners willing to consume it. That’s why Cheonha Ilmi isn’t the goal. Cheonha Dongmi. That’s what I aspire to. Everyone tasting the same flavor.”
Cheonha Dongmi.
It was a peculiar concept.
“Naturally, any tavern worth its name aspires to Cheonha Ilmi, does it not?”
“Well… but Cheonha Ilmi is expensive, isn’t it?”
….
Is my disciple truly mad?

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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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