Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 779

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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 779
Emperor Geum-wang furrowed one side of his brow.
“Moreover, since the topic of human sacrifice has come up, those Suksin Tribe bastards who started wars in the past weren’t any different.”
“Is that so?”
“Isn’t it? Even that Kahuray Khan offered sacrifices to Hyeolseonggyo and obtained something called Hyeolseon in return. Do you think those shamans of theirs wouldn’t have done such things?”
“I see.”
Jin Cheon-hee activated the fundamental social skill of ‘automatic agreement’.
It meant he was simply nodding along without any genuine engagement.
No matter how much the other person was a handsome man with sorrowful pasts hidden in his chest, if things went wrong, he was the type to spill blood across foreign lands.
My own benevolent emperor, when viewed from another nation’s perspective, was a tyrant of the highest order.
A thug emperor at that. A genuine thug.
That thug emperor continued speaking.
“Returning to the matter of Damjin Kingdom. Though it’s now just an ordinary kingdom, in the past it controlled territories that those self-proclaimed holy theocracies once held.”
“Quite substantial then.”
“They called themselves the Pasha Empire and fought this empire several times. Now they’ve been divided into Damjin, Dadu, and several other nations.”
“How long ago was that?”
“About two hundred years ago. In any case, you did well. After this incident, Damjin Kingdom will certainly fall under this empire’s sphere of influence.”
Well, ultimately, relations between nations are governed by the logic of power.
Had Damjin Kingdom still been the Pasha Empire of old, the current atmosphere would never have emerged.
‘And Emperor Geum-wang seems intent on eliminating even such potential threats whenever possible.’
If compared to a gardener, Eun Wang-ya would be a nature-loving gardener who tolerates some weeds, while Emperor Geum-wang is one who cultivates plants with perfect calculation.
In Eun Wang-ya’s garden, unnamed flowers would bloom beneath a great maple tree, though it might appear somewhat unkempt.
Poisonous plants could grow there as well.
However, Emperor Geum-wang’s garden contains no such things.
Only plants he permits would grow, and even a single sandalwood tree would be trimmed into a perfect circle.
These two compromise with each other bit by bit, and with practical concerns added to the mix, they somehow manage to keep the current empire running.
Emperor Geum-wang continued speaking.
“Even if the plague has ended, livestock that were already dead won’t suddenly multiply.”
“You’re planning to sell livestock in large quantities.”
“Yes. And I’ll also obtain several profitable rights. Many of them larger than the mining shares you acquired.”
“You’re quite thorough. I thought an emperor would pay no mind to such matters….”
Sip—
He took another sip of tea and let out a small sigh.
“How could that be? Do you have any idea how much money it takes to operate this entire empire? Moreover, those who embezzle in the middle are like cockroaches—even with periodic purges, they keep popping up.”
Could that list he’d drawn lines through with ink earlier have been a purge list for those very people?
“That’s certainly true. It’s said that when the imperial administration sends down ten units, only about one reaches its intended destination.”
“Yes. I’m well aware of that story too. That’s why I’m always trying to address it.”
If only half could reach, that would be ideal.
He sighed.
However, in this era where bribery has become an established tradition and custom, that remains a distant dream.
From the beginning of human history, empires possessing such vast territories have always had to contend with corruption and graft.
Remarkably, this struggle continues even in the modern era.
Especially in civil engineering projects.
Moreover, in a world without telephones or the internet, it becomes far more difficult to uncover the misconduct of others.
Emperor Geum-wang finally placed a potato chip in his mouth and ate it with a crisp sound.
He frowned, disliking how the powder clung to his fingers.
The Eunuch General promptly produced a long wooden chopstick.
Only then did Emperor Geum-wang pick up the potato chips with the chopstick and eat them.
‘Wow, what a spectacle. Truly a spectacle.’
His temperament was decidedly different from Eun Wang-ya, who carelessly ate regardless of whether powder stuck to her fingers or fragments scattered about.
“By the way, you shouldn’t be worrying about such trivial matters, should you?”
“Your Majesty?”
“Your Master is engaged in quite an amusing endeavor. I’ve even lent a hand myself.”
“What is my Master doing, Your Majesty?”
“You’ll find out soon enough when you return to Baekrin Province, won’t you?”
“Ugh….”
A headache washed over me.
The ancient texts I had seen in Gaebang.
In them, I sensed my Master’s presence.
Yet it was certainly not longing.
‘Can a single human truly alter the course of history to such an extent?’
Of course, the power wielded by the Baekrin Medical Guild was now incomparable to what it once was.
Yet even so, the Baekrin Medical Guild remained a medical institution, not an assassin’s guild.
Had there been evidence, Gaebang would never have overlooked it.
Regardless, the Baekrin Medical Guild’s Five Wheels Society had consumed the board, and the greatest beneficiary was ultimately Jegalling and myself.
Yet nowhere was there evidence.
Not even speculation was written.
All that remained were merely the traces left behind by the clash between the righteous and unrighteous paths.
I rubbed the back of my neck, forcibly suppressing the chill that ran through me.
‘In the past, I would have dismissed this as my own delusion.’
Yet now, as a disciple who has reached the pinnacle of worldly governance, I sense my Master.
With reverence and dread.
“Well then, go to Baekrin Province and see for yourself.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
I glanced briefly at where my severed pinky finger had been.
‘This time, I haven’t lost anything significant, so it should be manageable.’
I would be able to weather this storm.
“Now then, what reward would be appropriate for you….”
I quickly raised my hand.
“I wish to install water and sewage systems throughout Jiangsu Province. Please grant the Baekrin Medical Guild permission to undertake this project.”
“Throughout the entire Jiangsu Province?”
Jin Cheon-hee nodded at those words.
“Yes. For now, I’m thinking of focusing on Nanjing as the center.”
“Hmm. That’s going to be an enormous construction project. The imperial government funds it, and you handle the work—is that right?”
“That’s correct.”
Emperor Geum-wang smiled wickedly.
“The profits from this will be substantial… Very well. I’ll have it done that way.”
“Excellent.”
While delighted, I found myself wondering why Emperor Geum-wang trusted me so completely.
‘This is a capital civilian project. Is it really alright to grant it so readily?’
What if I harbored ill intentions?
Emperor Geum-wang spoke.
“By the way, your joy isn’t simply about the money… Is there another reason?”
“It’s necessary for improving public health. And it will create more employment throughout Jiangsu Province.”
Jin Cheon-hee answered honestly.
“Hmm… You’re quite something. Very well.”
Permission was granted. That word meant it would be done immediately.
“I am deeply grateful for your grace, Your Majesty. But since I’m here, shouldn’t I do what I came for?”
“What you came for?”
Jin Cheon-hee nodded.
“Yes. A health examination.”
Give me your wrist.
* * *
After finishing the health examinations bit by bit, several days had passed.
It was time for me to return to the Medical Guild.
I sent a letter to my Master and left the imperial palace.
As I stepped outside, the Eunuch General followed along.
“My goodness~ You’ve worked so hard! Who would have thought those Shaolin fellows would cause such a commotion!”
“It’s nothing. Who could have known that district would end up like that?”
At those words, the Eunuch General smiled warmly.
“This old one was quite worried as well.”
“Thank you for your concern, great Eunuch General.”
Well, this was just typical political rhetoric, wasn’t it?
I knew that whether I died outside or not, the Eunuch General wouldn’t bat an eye as long as the Emperor remained unharmed.
Perhaps sensing my true thoughts, the Eunuch General suddenly spoke with surprise.
“Don’t say such things! The Emperor was so worried. He’s currently considering another method, and I hope you’ll look forward to it.”
‘No. Just don’t. Whatever this method is, please don’t.’
Whether it’s the Virtuous Emperor or the Previous Emperor, those are just praises sung by the people of the current era who place our Emperor above them. But I, who must do the work, think differently.
‘My Master might welcome it, though.’
In any case, it would work out if they just attached me to the Medical Guild.
“I’ve placed the gifts in the carriage.”
“Gifts, you say…”
“It’s the Emperor’s sentiment. Normally, your journey wouldn’t require such hardship, but he was deeply concerned about you.”
Hearing him speak so earnestly, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was genuine.
The Eunuch General continued.
“Nevertheless, only you could resolve this matter, so it was unavoidable. The Emperor’s affairs are truly relentless, are they not?”
Thanks to resolving the cattle plague, not only the Kingdom of Damjin but also the Hwa Empire could rest assured.
When cattle die, the very foundation of an agricultural society crumbles.
“It’s fortunate that it was resolved well.”
“Still, so you really can treat cattle.”
“Well, it’s more accurate to say I prevented further spread rather than a true cure, but yes. We were fortunate.”
It was only because I knew the disease—had it been an unknown illness or one for which creating a vaccine was impossible with current techniques, even I would have been at a loss.
When I exited through the back door, the carriage had been changed.
Clang!
Hwang-gu’s clothing had also been changed.
At first glance, he was clearly wearing something made of fabric, not just ordinary cloth!
The Eunuch General spoke.
“We found it in the imperial treasury beneath the palace. My, I thought there were only human-sized armor pieces, but who would have known there was armor for spiritual creatures as well!”
It was light and durable.
Whether made from snake skin or not, it had elasticity.
It was fashioned like a scarf wrapped around the neck, which was actually better. He’d be annoyed if it hindered his movements.
“Even if you shrink your body using Chukgeun-gong, it won’t slip off.”
“Impressive.”
At that moment, Noeji descended from above my head.
What Noeji was wearing was the same.
This one also covered only the neck area slightly.
It was quite suitable since it wouldn’t hinder flight.
The most vital point for wild animals is the neck, after all.
My eyes gleamed.
“Why do you seem to prefer gifts for your spiritual companions over your own gifts?”
“Of course.”
Moreover, the carriage that Hwang-gu had been pulling had also been changed.
It was fashioned from black iron, and at first glance, it clearly didn’t appear to be ordinary iron.
“Since you’ll be pulling a carriage while dealing with the Suksin Tribe, you might as well pull a good one. Even the most powerful crossbows will bounce off it entirely.”
“Excellent!”
“We’ve also packed plenty of gifts inside, so you can open them once you return.”
Truly a treasure-loving goblin!
He works people like dogs, yet he pays the price for it.
‘I’d be content with just the budget to maintain the capital of Kangso Province!’
Thus, I parted ways with the Eunuch General and boarded the carriage.
As the imperial city receded into the distance, Jasi spoke.
“Expensive carriage, that one. Far less shaking. I’d suffer less motion sickness in this.”
“The imperial craftsmen are quite skilled.”
“Anyway, the Emperor seems to favor you greatly. You look like a concubine.”
Pfft!
I spat out the grain cake I’d been eating.
“What kind of cursed nonsense is that!”
‘Ah, Jasi doesn’t know that the Emperor and I are connected by blood, so he’d say such things.’
I made an inverted Confucian remark without hesitation and tilted my head.
“The Sultan’s harem contains all manner of people. Is it not the same here?”
“Well, there are various individuals, but I am not one of them. I simply ensure a diligent dog is well-fed.”
“I see.”
Jasi nodded as if satisfied.
“In any case, what exactly is Master doing…”
“Have you heard something?”
The Emperor hadn’t explained in detail either.
But in his voice asking after my well-being, I sensed something amiss.
Suddenly, goosebumps rose on the back of my neck again.
‘Why does something feel unsettling whenever I head toward the Medical Guild…’
Was it a survival instinct?
It was peculiar.
The iron-plated carriage and I finally arrived at the dormant volcanic region where Baekrin Uiseon was located.

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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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