Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 878

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

Chapter 878
Thanks to the Thousand-League Divine Messenger.
Of course, it was also thanks to Sama Hyeon’s talent combined with my teachings.
“Is Cheonwoo doing alright? I might surpass you eventually, you know?”
“That won’t happen. And I’m fine.”
Despite Sama Hyeon’s playful provocation, Cheonwoo simply pressed forward without a word.
As a direct disciple of the Mudang Faction, Cheonwoo stubbornly adhered solely to the Mudang Faction’s divine technique—the Ladder Cloud Leap, a supreme movement method of the highest caliber.
That was only natural.
A disciple of the Mudang Faction would learn the Mudang’s martial arts, not some other technique!
It went against the very soul of the Righteous Faction, so it was inevitable.
As for Sama Hyeon being of the Heterodox Faction, that was expected.
But I could be called peculiar.
Perhaps it was because I had always viewed martial arts merely as a tool, nothing more.
‘That’s probably why I’m a doctor.’
There was something fundamentally different about me from the start—something alien to those of the martial world.
“Oh! We’re here!”
And so the group, having run all this way, finally reached a place where the distant walls of Namgyeong City came into view.
The group slowed their pace slightly.
“Haaah… I’ve never run like this before.”
Sama Hyeon, completely drenched in sweat, exhaled heavily.
Beside him, I remained dry and composed as I asked.
“Is that so?”
“At this distance, people usually ride military horses. Do you always run around like this?”
Sama Hyeon’s expression showed utter bewilderment.
“When Hwang-gu pesters me enough, I ride him. Otherwise, I just run around.”
“It’s not that the Thousand-League Divine Messenger is impressive—it seems like you’re the impressive one.”
Cheonwoo spoke while wiping away torrents of sweat.
The Thousand-League Divine Messenger was indeed a supreme movement technique renowned throughout the martial world, but the Ladder Cloud Leap was equally famous as the pride of the Mudang Faction.
In other words, they were in the same tier!
Ultimately.
It wasn’t about martial arts being exceptional.
“You’re just you, hyeong. What else?”
Sama Hyeon grinned mischievously.
“You should train your movement techniques early. This is preparation for the unexpected. You two should practice running too.”
“Hyeong, if you use your inner energy like that, it could be dangerous in an emergency.”
“That’s why you learn to distribute it while running. It all improves with practice. It’s training.”
Stern when it mattered, as always.
The martial arts old-timer took long strides forward.
Before them, the gates of Namgyeong City stood wide open, with many people passing through.
Whether it was because they saw Hwang-gu and Noeji, or because my appearance had already become widely known, the gate guards greeted me with respectful courtesy.
“Salute! I greet you, Governor Jin Cheon-hee!”
“Thank you for your service. These are my sworn siblings.”
“Acknowledged!”
And so we passed through the city gates, heading straight toward the fortress where the Governor resided.
“But hyeong, shouldn’t we wash up somewhere before going in?”
“Hmm… you’re right, we should.”
I looked much the same as when we’d departed, but my two companions were an absolute mess—covered in dust, dirt, and sweat.
The saving grace was that we’d used my specially designed heated tent for sleeping, and I’d prepared camping meals for us, so at least our physical condition wasn’t terrible.
“There should be a Baekrin Inn here as well. Let’s head there.”
“Good. Let’s do that…”
“Governor Jin~”
Just as we were about to head off to wash.
Someone called out to me and came running.
The three of us and the two spirit beasts turned our attention in that direction.
Yu Rang-hu, the consort of Prince Ju Wang.
She was still displaying her beauty as she ran toward us.
“Hyeong.”
“What?”
“Is there some kind of system where someone automatically comes running whenever you show up?”
“You, where did you even learn the word ‘system’… Never mind. Forget it. Anyway, I have no idea.”
I let out a short sigh.
* * *
We hurried to wash and change into proper attire.
Fortunately for us.
Since all three of us were absolute masters, we were able to wash quickly and even hand-wash our clothes.
After washing thoroughly with the soap I’d provided and rinsing well.
We could infuse our inner energy and shake them a few times with a snapping sound, leaving them completely dry and fluffy.
After tidying our appearance, we proceeded to Prince Ju Wang’s audience chamber.
And we saw it.
I thought to myself.
‘Wow. Can a person really pout their lips out that far?’
Cheonwoo was genuinely astonished.
‘So it’s true—she’s cast aside all dignity and propriety as a member of the imperial family and lives freely.’
Meanwhile, Sama Hyeon had a different interpretation.
‘That’s… she’s sulking. The great Prince Ju Wang is sulking. I wonder why~?’
Pungju-ha, whose lips were protruding like a duck’s beak by a good three inches.
She had turned her head away and was openly huffing with indignation.
Standing beside her, Yu Rang-hu wore an awkward smile.
“We greet Prince Ju Wang.”
“We greet Prince Ju Wang.”
“Prince Ju-wang, I… greet you.”
All three sworn brothers bowed simultaneously, and Ju-wang reluctantly acknowledged them.
“Very well.”
His tone was distinctly curt.
I tilted my head inwardly, puzzled.
‘Did I do something to offend him?’
Yet no matter how thoroughly I searched through the Hyeonwon Jeondan Singeong, I found no obvious reason.
“Haha. The Prince is merely disappointed that he hasn’t yet tasted the aged meat dumplings that you created, Governor Jin. It’s nothing serious, so please don’t concern yourself.”
Yu Rang-hu stepped forward with an explanation.
Aged meat dumplings!
“Lang-lang! Why would you reveal it so carelessly!”
At that, Ju Wang-ya cried out, her face flushing slightly.
Seeing this, I, Sama Hyeon, and Cheonwoo—
The three of us sworn brothers were dumbfounded, but all three of us, having reached the absolute mastery of Hwagyeong, quickly controlled our muscles and managed our expressions successfully.
‘Phew… that was terrifying. If I hadn’t reached this level, my expression would have shown.’
‘I almost failed to hold back my laughter. Good thing I didn’t~’
‘This is the military advisor Pungju-ha? How has my brother managed to deal with someone like this all this time?’
While the three of us harbored different thoughts internally—
Ju-wang spoke again.
“That’s right! You wretch! You never offered me those delicious aged meat dumplings! I heard they’re incredibly tasty!”
“When I inquired at the Baekrin Inn’s Namgyeong branch, I was told that aged meat is only produced in small quantities at the main location. Apparently, it’s because there’s no ice storage.”
Ju-wang bellowed loudly, while Yu Rang-hu continued his explanation beside him.
Seeing the two of them, I opened my mouth.
“Aged meat spoils easily if mishandled, so we’re being especially careful. Without ice storage, it’s genuinely difficult to produce.”
“Hmph! That’s why I’ve prepared it. A large ice storage!”
Yes, of course you would. If Ju Wang-ya is making ice storage… the Emperor would surely provide ice, wouldn’t he?
If not, those twin emperors might experience the taste of a certain painful surprise…
Even now that I’ve become Emperor, I recalled the twin emperors suffering from their sister’s temperament.
Well, it doesn’t pain my heart at all.
After all, it’s someone else’s problem.
And I replied.
“Yes… I will do it. I’ll teach you the method for making aged meat and prepare the dumplings as well.”
Only then did Ju Wang-ya’s face brighten.
“Really?”
“Yes, truly.”
“Ahahaha! That’s our Governor Jin! That’s right. That’s how it should be! So what brings you here?”
The dumplings come first, official business second.
Is this even acceptable?
But I’m not surprised by this anymore.
I know well that organizations, however grand they appear, often function far more haphazardly than one might expect.
It’s just the people doing the actual work who suffer.
“I wish to employ a large number of impoverished people from throughout Gangso Province, not just Baekrin County.”
“The impoverished?”
The moment Ju Wang-ya expressed her doubt, Yu Rang-hu stepped forward.
“Governor Jin. Since you mentioned ‘large numbers,’ it seems the quantity is substantial. What specific number are you referring to?”
“I’m looking to employ at least five thousand households. The issue is that to do so, those five thousand households would need to relocate to Baekrin County.”
“Five thousand households!”
Ju Wang-ya cried out in surprise.
Yu Rang-hu’s expression was equally astonished.
“On average, a household contains about eight people. Larger families might have twelve, while smaller ones might have four. By simple calculation, that’s roughly forty thousand people. You intend to employ all of them? What exactly are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to create a large-scale agricultural estate. In other words, I intend to employ these people as tenant farmers.”
“Wait. Suddenly increasing the fiefdom by five thousand households would be problematic.”
Ju Wang raised an objection.
Baekrin County was the fief of Uiguk Baek Jegalling.
The people of Baekrin County were essentially all granted as fiefdom to Uiguk Baek.
Adding another five thousand households would be… politically problematic.
If the population naturally increased through the people within the fiefdom dedicating themselves to growth, that would be one thing.
But pulling people from outside and attaching them would certainly invite criticism.
“That’s true, but… it’s a necessary measure.”
“Necessary? I’d appreciate an explanation of what aspect makes this necessary.”
“My Master and I have made a prediction…”
I brought up the discussion I’d had with Jegalling about the anticipated population increase and food shortage.
As Yu Rang-hu and Ju Wang learned just how serious the situation was, their expressions grew grave.
“It’s my failure. I should have noticed this beforehand as well…”
“It’s not Lang-lang’s fault. She’s doing well. Those monsters are just on another level.”
With those words, he gently stroked Yu Rang-hu’s back.
Yu Rang-hu, embarrassed, trembled as she poured the tea.
She ended up spilling tea into Ju Wang’s cup.
Today too… well… they were a couple with excellent harmony.
‘Yes, I’m glad they’re happy.’
I observed the two with the eyes of a Buddha.
After all, it was better than their relationship falling apart and causing trouble for us.
Besides.
“I’m planning to create a large-scale agricultural district near Hongtaekho in Gangso Province.”
I smiled brightly as I spoke.
However, my voice carried a hint of madness.
Sama Hyeon thought to himself.
‘Ah, there it is. Hyeong’s business smile.’
Given how incredibly sacred that smile looked, he was planning to strip that place bare.
“There aren’t many people there? It’s quite a pleasant place to live…”
Hmm, it seems you’re not familiar with the details.
That’s fine.
Gold and Silver aren’t like my sister Haengjeong, whom I sent here as a Blue Dragon Crescent Blade. They wouldn’t have been dispatched for such trivial matters.
When there was vacant land worth living on in Gangho, I typically explained the general circumstances or connections tied to that land.
“Then can’t they catch the Gangho martial artist who did this?”
“Many cases aren’t even investigated, and even if they are and we spread word through the Yongmo Faction, it’s not the garrison soldiers who catch them—it has to be someone from the White Path who comes forward from Gangho.”
“True. To properly apprehend a Gangho martial artist, the Dongchang or the Geumui Guard would need to step in, and they won’t unless it’s a serious situation.”
“Yes. There’s also a shortage of personnel. And investigation relies on witness testimony.”
It’s strange that the Republic of Korea has fingerprints for the entire population, but in an era without CCTV or DNA technology, it’s common not to know who the culprit is even after burning down a village.
If they later gain notoriety and earn a moniker, that’s fortunate.
If a White Path martial artist wears a mask and commits such acts, how would anyone know if this person belongs to the Black Path or what they do?
Even if there are scars, if the sword technique isn’t their own martial art but common swordplay seen in the streets, there’s no answer.
‘This is Gangho’s problem.’
Ju Wang stares intently at me.
‘This fellow seems to have some plan in mind?’

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