Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 87

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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 87
Jin Cheon-hee and Hwang-gu.
Then who were these three men observing the two of them?
“From now on, I’ll have to rely on Heukjeon Medical Hall when I get injured, but a thousand gold taels is unavoidable. Second brother, get ready. Are you watching?”
“Already prepared.”
The three men bore such ferocious expressions that one might mistake them for legendary demons rather than humans.
Three brothers famous in Haowen for assassination work.
They were bounty hunters of Gangho known as the Three Killing Rat Trackers.
Their movements resembled rats so much that they earned the alias “Rat Tracker,” contrary to their appearance.
By classification, they fell under the heterodox sects, but they were common criminals.
They weren’t those who committed major crimes. Rather, they didn’t distinguish between matters they should and shouldn’t involve themselves in, making them targets of numerous sects now.
They survived by fleeing and handling dirty work, and the three brothers each possessed different specialties, making their escape skills legendary.
The martial abilities of all three were roughly first-rate level, but their specialties were exceptionally troublesome.
“Judging by the direction they’re heading, they seem to be going to Hong Taek Lake to cross the Yangtze River…”
“If they cross the river during the day, we attack afterward. If they cross at night, we attack right there.”
The eldest was a master of tracking.
Especially with his keen sense of smell, he was known to pursue targets with a sense of olfaction superior even to dogs.
The second possessed special eyes.
It was said that with internal energy, he could discern objects at least three kilometers away.
The youngest excelled at swimming and concealment techniques.
These three had built considerable renown as bounty hunters traveling throughout Gangho.
“I’ve memorized the scent, so let’s follow slowly.”
“As you wish, elder brother.”
“Good.”
The three brothers reached their conclusion.
* * *
Jin Cheon-hee and Hwang-gu finally arrived at Hong Taek Lake, which connected to the Yangtze River.
This famous lake of Jiangsu Province was known for its vast expanse and beautiful scenery.
The sight of mist rising over the mirror-like expanse of Hong Taek Lake was magnificent.
Hot spring water flowed from this region as well, it was said.
Perhaps for this reason, connoisseurs would often say:
“On cold mornings, it’s as if clouds descended to moisten their throats. With clouds in both earth and sky, the immortal realm has nothing to envy.”
Among the cities bordering Hong Taek Lake, there was one with sufficient scale for boats to traverse.
Bao Ying.
Jin Cheon-hee arrived at this place in the late afternoon as the sun began to set.
“This is a lake and not the sea?”
Upon entering Bao Ying, I gazed at the lake stretching like a horizon.
I had never directly seen such a lake in the real world.
In the first place, I hadn’t traveled much, whether domestically or internationally.
“I’m seeing it only after dying.”
Living in a daze was the same back then as it is now. But even so, getting an opportunity to come out like this was a valuable experience.
Woof, woof!
“You must see things like this all the time.”
“Wang!”
“This is my first time.”
In my past life, my world as Jin Cheon-hee was incredibly narrow.
It consisted of nothing but the Medical Hall and my home.
Even when I built relationships, they were strictly professional, with almost no personal connections.
In short, I was always amicable as a colleague, but I never made friends I could fully open my heart to and travel with.
That was a path I had chosen myself.
I scratched Hwang-gu’s head vigorously, savoring the emotion.
“Once Master recovers, I’ll have to travel much more.”
I don’t know why the things I’ve never done shine so brightly.
Wang!
I arrived at the Bowung Post Station while chatting with Hwang-gu about this and that. It was to leave the horse I’d used at the post station.
‘I need to find a boat now.’
From here on, it would be much faster to travel by boat along the tributaries of the Yangtze River to my destination.
“The horse’s condition seems fine for how hard it was ridden?”
“Oh, is that so?”
The post station attendant said while stroking the horse’s neck.
“Looking at the time written on the relay horse pass, this is the time that should only come from riding at full speed, yet the horse seems somewhat tired. It’s strange, but…”
“The horse must be a fine steed.”
“Hmm. It doesn’t look like it.”
That was because I had applied the Five Elements Divine Art to the horse, forcibly giving it vitality.
Of course, it wasn’t a panacea—no matter how fine a relay horse was, it would still tire eventually—but I could make it last longer.
I dropped the act and stepped out onto the street.
But just as I emerged onto the street, a beggar approached me.
‘A Gaebangdo member… probably.’
While I was thinking that, the middle-aged man who was a beggar came over and showed me a knot.
“I’m called Bangju of Gaebang. Are you the young master Seo Baek-ryong Jin Cheon-hee?”
“I am indeed Jin Cheon-hee. I’m honored to meet the great master of Gaebang.”
A greeting from Gangho.
As I bowed respectfully with a fist salute, the middle-aged man nodded and spoke expressionlessly.
“There will be a boat tomorrow, so you’ll need to stay here for a day. But because of the bounty Haowen put out, various riffraff have gotten involved, so be careful.”
He scratched his head vigorously and added one more thing.
“There are a few of us Gaebangdo members around, including myself, but our numbers aren’t many.”
“I see.”
I was taken aback.
I knew that Haowen had put out a bounty, but I didn’t expect Gaebang to have made such careful arrangements beforehand.
‘I suspected it when I saw Hwang-gu was sent, but they’re more thorough than I thought. This is really appreciated.’
Jin Cheon-hee’s mind drifted to Seolgyeon’s face.
Saving Bangju and Il-geol back then had become my strength in this moment.
“Those with brains probably won’t make reckless moves because of us, but things could get dangerous on the water.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Head to the Yeonggyeon Inn. It’s operated by our people.”
“What about the post stations?”
“If your goal is to move discreetly, it’s best to stop using them now. Officials are hopelessly incompetent by nature. If we know something, Haowen knows it too.”
At those words, I finally realized I’d been overconfident in my knowledge.
“So this is how one grasps the nature of Gangho.”
“Haha, no. Seo Baek-ryong conducted himself more wisely than most heirs of prominent families. But this sort of thing is a matter of experience rather than knowledge—there’s no helping that. Though unintentional, the fact that Seo Baek-ryong moved faster than the dispatch riders meant you avoided getting entangled in troublesome matters.”
It was consolation, perhaps. But it was also the truth.
No matter how well one knows the places visited, if the speed is great enough, it becomes difficult to catch. That was why I remained safe.
I laughed bitterly.
“I’ve received a lesson from a senior of Gangho.”
“So it’s true that Seo Baek-ryong is humble. When you show such modesty, I have no choice but to do my best.”
“That’s not it. I truly am still lacking.”
I waved my hand respectfully.
“Haha. In any case, leave the preparations to us. We’ll meet at the Yeonggyeon Inn.”
The middle-aged beggar finally dropped his expressionless mask and left with a smile.
I looked down at Hwang-gu and spoke.
“People should help others when they can. Right?”
Woof woof!
“So where exactly is this Yeonggyeon Inn…?”
Hwang-gu took the lead.
“You know, don’t you? Good. Show me the way.”
Bark!
And so I began walking through the streets following Hwang-gu. Then suddenly, a sensation I’d never felt before washed over me.
A chill!
My spine went cold.
I felt the air suddenly ripple with unease.
The moment I tried to determine whether this was mere imagination or a premonition.
Simultaneously, the sound of something cutting through the air reached my ears.
Before thought could follow, my body instinctively twisted my head to the side.
Whoosh!
Something grazed past my cheek. No wound formed, but my skin prickled with dread.
Had I been even a moment slower, the needle would have struck between my brows, leaving a neat hole.
‘An ambush! But didn’t that man just say those with brains wouldn’t make reckless moves?’
I heightened my qi perception.
Then I quickly located the direction from which the needle had come.
Beneath the wall of one of the buildings along the street.
At the junction where the street merged into an alley, shadowed slightly from the light, stood a man with several hidden blades tucked into his waistband.
One blade was held in the man’s left hand, while his right arm remained extended in the posture of someone who had just released a projectile.
“Tch, I thought you were just some scholar who knew nothing but medicine.”
Though it was a spot slightly obscured from view, I never expected an ambush to come from such a place!
‘What do I do?’
I froze in shock for a moment.
Being attacked without warning was certainly startling enough, but what surprised me more was that the man, seeing my hesitation, suddenly spun around and began to flee.
It seemed he had decided to escape after his ambush failed. But then, from deeper within the alley, two beggars burst forth.
“Bi-geom Jo-hwan! How dare you attempt to harm our benefactor!”
“Hmph! You nameless rabble from Gaebang dare to lay hands on me, Bi-geom? I know there aren’t even ten of you wretches here!”
“Shut that mouth of yours!”
Thus the man called Bi-geom collided with the two Gaebang members.
Watching this unfold, my emotions grew complicated.
‘I see. There’s no helping it when dealing with those lacking sense.’
Though I had been told that those with intelligence wouldn’t attack, it seemed there was no accounting for thoughtless rabble.
‘A thousand taels bounty, then.’
Haowen had placed a bounty on my head, creating attackers, while Gaebang sought to help me as their benefactor.
The result was this life-or-death struggle unfolding before me.
Was this what they called a debt of gratitude in Gangho?
‘My feelings are conflicted.’
And it was not a pleasant sensation.
I had always thought I would eventually understand what a debt of gratitude in Gangho truly meant. But I never imagined it would manifest in this way.
Should I not have saved the Prince?
What if I had stopped Ju Wang before he sought revenge against Haowen?
If I hadn’t saved Bangju, these Gaebang members wouldn’t have reason to risk their lives fighting now.
Woof!
That was when Hwang-gu barked.
The dog, known as a spiritual creature, looked at me with bright, clear eyes.
Seeing those dark, luminous eyes, my heart somehow felt lighter.
“You’re right, Hwang-gu. I should do what I can.”
Woof?
I began to run.
Directly toward the man called Bi-geom and the two Gaebang members. Bi-geom wielded hidden blades in both hands, and despite them being short weapons, his technique appeared formidable.
The two Gaebang members countered with single staffs, but they were already wounded in several places, bleeding from their injuries.
The moment Bi-geom saw me, he hurled a long needle in my direction.
It seemed this man, known as Bi-geom, also employed needle-like projectiles as hidden weapons.
I slipped past it using the Samjae Footwork, my body gliding smoothly out of harm’s way.

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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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