Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 722

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 722
Crash!
Yet a gray mass of sand materialized and blocked every sword strike.
Walls and windows, nearby furnishings shattered and scattered.
Baekcheon-gun floated through the air, using the gray sand as his foothold.
With his surreal appearance, Baekcheon-gun opened his mouth.
“We Elders grow stronger and weaker depending on the times. Since we too have received Hyeolseon’s grace, we are inevitably constrained by the Heavenly Mechanism. The same applies to Jang Cheon-gun. When you met him, he was still weak.”
“Hmm, ‘still’ weak?”
“But not anymore. Thanks to you, the Heavenly Mechanism has become far, far looser than it was then.”
Whirrrr.
The sand clustered together as if alive, then scattered, repeating the cycle.
“It is your benevolence. It is your great deed. It is your karma too♬”
He hummed the words like a song.
“So you Elders are growing stronger.”
“Rather than growing stronger… we could say we are gradually recovering our past power.”
My expression hardened completely.
I had once encountered a creature resembling a tiger that made dog-like sounds. I thought it was a spirit, but what if it was actually a demon?
What if demons appeared as the Heavenly Mechanism scattered?
Then his words would be correct.
Among those who follow Yoseon, if non-human entities already exist.
Like Jang Cheon-gun, transferring souls through the Soul Transfer Technique… or if they were never human to begin with.
Then their strengthening as the Heavenly Mechanism scatters!
I save people, and those who should have died survive in greater numbers, singing of the future.
Is this the backlash of that?
“Hehehehe. The more the Heavenly Mechanism scatters… the freer we become. Ah. This is troublesome. I’ve become so delighted conversing with someone of matching caliber that I’ve said too much. I made a mistake. This is problematic.”
He continued with a voice tinged with laughter.
“Now then. Go back, seed of Banson. Return to the Empire as you are and continue your work. I do not dislike you.”
Is he sincere?
Despite my suspicion, he continued humming.
“My other colleagues dislike you, or they wish to bring you as Hyeolseon commanded and use you as a sacrifice.”
….
He hummed alone, seemingly delighted by something.
“I think differently. You belong there. There, saving people and striving for a better future♪”
Upon hearing his words, I conceived a hypothesis.
Soon, the hypothesis became a stone placed on the Go board.
It took less than 0.1 seconds to reach that point.
“The Plague of Cows. It was your doing?”
“My my~ No. It is not. The Plague of Cows was not something we caused. It occurred naturally.”
‘As I thought.’
Hyeolseonggyo did not possess the ability to create diseases like the Plague of Cows.
‘The chances that this is merely a disease rather than a curse have increased by thirty percent.’
I exhaled slowly, my hand pressed against my chest.
That person continued speaking.
“Even so, this is quite the opportune moment for us. Thanks to it, we’ve been able to expand our operations considerably. So wouldn’t you consider returning? It’s not a bad arrangement for you either. We’ll ensure the natron exports proceed very smoothly.”
“Are you finished spouting nonsense?”
I channeled my energy through the Yongcheon acupoint.
Then, with a thunderous roar, I surged forward like a tempest.
Hyeongeuk Taepo
Geuk-kwae Ilseon–!!
The footwork of Divine Skill turned my body into lightning.
Simultaneously, my blade, laden with fierce energy, thrust forward.
Crash!
In an instant, grey sand moved with perfect fluidity, blocking the blade.
The sand even formed into a perfect sphere, defending from all directions.
And the grey sand began to move.
Whoosh!
As dozens of sand tendrils stretched toward me like anemone tentacles, I flipped through the air, concentrating my will even deeper into my blade.
With one strike, I would cleave both the sand and my opponent in two!
Taeul Danseonggeom Shimmoo Jeolgi.
Taeul Danseong–!!
The Shimmoo Jeolgi that cuts through all things split the sand cleanly in half.
Whoosh!
But then.
Baekcheon-gun was nowhere to be seen.
Moreover, the sand split in two began moving from both sides as if alive, attempting to constrict me.
Rumble!
At that moment, a powerful lightning strike came from behind, striking the sand.
Noe Jin-i had awakened and launched an attack!
Hwang-gu seized the small opening created by Noe Jin-i and followed up seamlessly.
“How troublesome. These two spirits are becoming a nuisance.”
Then a voice echoed from the opposite side of the room.
He stood at one end of the spacious, luxurious chamber.
“What… is that?”
“It’s a sorcery called Hoeryeongsa—ash-grey sand infused with spirits. Spirit-infused sand has many uses, you see.”
In that moment, my blade sliced through the pile of sand.
Slice!
With just one strike, it was severed as cleanly as cutting tofu.
“You’re certainly as formidable as the rumors suggest. I never expected to be disliked this much. Here I came with goodwill, yet you’re being so cold-hearted. It breaks my heart♪”
“A midnight visitor is still a visitor, after all.”
“Hehehehe, you’re quite the taciturn one, aren’t you?”
Whoooosh!
The sand swelled and expanded, spiraling around him as it rotated.
This sand was fundamentally different from Hongsa’s sand that I had witnessed during my battle with Jang Cheon-gun.
“Then I shall see you within the kingdom.”
Soon after, all the sand flew out the window and vanished.
A shrill whistle sounded, followed by the thundering footsteps of soldiers rushing over.
Of course, when an explosion erupted in a distinguished guest’s chamber, it would be stranger if soldiers didn’t come running.
Yet Jin Cheon-hee had no time to concern himself with such soldiers.
Gazing at the blue full moon, I could only think of the enemy who had just vanished.
Baekcheon-gun.
* * *
As was often the case with such matters.
The soldiers of the palace garrison arrived belatedly.
Jin Cheon-hee explained the situation in broad strokes. A true citizen must not hide such things but reveal them promptly.
Then the soldiers would handle it themselves…
“This seems too grave a matter for us to resolve. I shall summon General Geumgang.”
Translated into the Central Plains tongue, he spoke something like this as he called for General Geumgang.
Jin Cheon-hee then had a private audience with him.
“Do you happen to know anything about Hyeolseonggyo?”
“Hmm, to be honest, I know little of it. I can only say I’ve heard some tales from the Central Plains. However, there is a sect called Hyeolbulgyo spreading like wildfire within the kingdom of Damjin, and I suspect a connection.”
‘Hyeolbulgyo? Just one character different? A counterfeit of Hyeolseonggyo?’
Geumgang continued speaking.
“It has not yet been designated as a heretical sect, but lately its influence grows and becomes troublesome in various ways. It appears in regions suffering from famine and expands its followers by distributing food to the people.”
All religions feed upon the poor.
There exists no religion in this world that only the wealthy believe in.
If such a thing existed, it would be closer to a secret society often featured in conspiracy theories than a true religion.
Cults are no different.
No matter how suspicious a religion may seem, offer a single meal for tomorrow’s survival and faith materializes from nothing.
“We shall do our utmost to protect you, but any who can breach our strict defenses are no ordinary foe. Exercise caution.”
Jin Cheon-hee nodded.
“I must give this some thought as well.”
After that, more and more people witnessed Jin Cheon-hee moving about with his eyes closed like a blind man, feeling his way forward with a walking stick.
‘He was told to be careful, yet he walks about with his eyes closed?’
Was there such a martial art in the Central Plains?
‘I cannot fathom it. Unless it were a martial technique that sharpens the eyes and enhances vision.’
An eccentric was indeed an eccentric.
* * *
Several days later.
Jin Cheon-hee and the army departed deeper into the kingdom of Damjin.
Two guides provided from above accompanied them as well. After traveling for some time, they arrived at the second oasis city.
‘Hmm, it seems Geumgang didn’t come out to greet us.’
Instead, a military officer appeared, ordered us to establish a camp outside the city, mentioned that supplies were already prepared, and left after handing them over.
‘So Geumgang’s warmth was just an illusion.’
Well, the envoys of the Hwa Empire were said to bring bad news.
It was the same with Wanong, the North Sea Ice Palace, and Oh Dok-mun—they didn’t seem to be diplomats with good reputations.
The Flying General sighed inwardly.
‘To treat a Daeha Empire envoy this way… the envoy must be heartbroken. As expected, he’s clenching his fists and trembling with anger.’
At the same time, I was thinking.
‘These bastards! How dare they give me goat milk! I was already craving stew, but how did they know!’
The supplies contained ingredients that couldn’t be obtained in the Central Plains, and I was very satisfied.
‘My chef’s soul is burning bright!’
However, a simultaneous thought arose.
‘This is karma for the Hwa Empire. I knew this would happen.’
I had no patriotism.
From the start, I was a South Korean citizen, not a citizen of the Hwa Empire.
I knew very well the size of the mess the Previous Emperor had left behind.
‘Hahaha, life is about receiving what you give. Even if I’m an outsider, the Hwa Empire is still distasteful to me.’
I hummed a cheerful tune while preparing to make goat stew, thinking thoughts that would have shocked King Geumgang and his silver counterpart if they’d heard them.
I spoke to Sunyoung.
“General Sunyoung, please proceed slowly toward the capital from here.”
“What is the matter?”
I wondered if she was trying to express diplomatic displeasure, but my answer was the complete opposite.
“The Hyeolseonggyo. You know of them?”
“The heretical cult members? I believe they’re the ones under orders for suppression as traitors.”
“It seems they may be involved in this plague somehow.”
I spoke, recalling my conversation with Baekcheon-gun.
“Ah! The Hyeolseonggyo.”
Sunyoung folded her arms and fell into thought.
“However, the general and I cannot become deeply involved in this matter. This is a foreign land, after all.”
“Yes. There could be talk of interference in internal affairs. Of course, since Damjin Kingdom is not a great power, it cannot resist the actions of this empire… but resentment will remain. Moreover, even if we interfere, there’s no guarantee we can handle it properly, is there?”
Sunyoung was indeed arrogant like any citizen of the Hwa Empire.
But I had no intention of pointing it out in this situation.
“Exactly. So we’ll move separately from here.”
“Separately… what do you mean?”
“Yes. Please proceed toward the palace as slowly as possible. I’ll move alone and investigate.”
“But your safety, Prefect Jin…”
“I am counted among the top ten masters of the Gangho. Don’t worry about my safety. Besides, the two spirits will be with me.”
Sunyoung was slightly taken aback.
“You are the first prefect to refuse such an escort.”
“Of course, it is an honor that will remain for three lifetimes… but.”
I scratched my head as I finished speaking.
Watching me live while my eyes were covered by an eye patch was strange enough to defy description.
Yet Sunyoung knew that I sensed and acted across a wider range than ordinary people.
“Understood! Since the Emperor has commanded us to follow Governor Jin’s orders….”
“I’d appreciate your care with these medical supplies as well. Please handle them with special attention.”
“Yes. Leave it to us.”
Thus I prepared the final stew.
It was remarkable enough to call it miraculous—cooking with sensation alone, without even looking.
‘Governor Jin’s realm is truly difficult to fathom.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————