Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 90

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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 90
‘Once I finish my work, be sure to visit. I’ll at least prevent you from falling behind the Heavenly Demon.’
In the novel, he safely rose to become the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, so the kidney stone would likely be expelled through urine with high probability.
I felt a bit sorry for frightening him, but it was necessary.
Discovering the kidney stone had become a decent pretext.
“Please eat less salty foods and drink plenty of water.”
I glanced down at the dishes on the drinking table for a moment.
They were all delicious, salty, and greasy.
* * *
As a result, I spent the night conversing with the Namgung siblings about this and that, staying up quite late.
After entering my guest room at a late hour, I dispelled my fatigue and completed my inner energy cultivation through breathing exercises, and by the time I finished, the morning sun was dimly rising.
Since an inn of this scale operated twenty-four hours, I decided to head downstairs early and have a simple meal.
But when I went to the inn’s dining hall, weren’t Namgung Un and Namgung Yeon already seated there?
Namgung Un held his head as if suffering from a headache, while Namgung Yeon handed him a teacup with warm steam rising from it.
Looking at the two of them, my heart felt oddly ticklish.
But if it showed on my face, it would be rude, so I deliberately approached them with a stoic expression.
“It seems you have quite a severe hangover.”
“Ugh… you came? I suppose a doctor is still a doctor.”
“Even without being a doctor, one can tell at a glance. I’ve heard that hangovers can be dispelled with inner energy—why not do that?”
“Haha, if I’m going to eliminate the toxins, why drink at all? This too is a form of romance.”
Namgung Yeon sighed at her brother’s words. I greeted her.
“Good morning, Miss Namgung.”
At that, she seemed to flinch and look startled.
‘Don’t they greet each other with “good morning” in the Central Plains?’
“You’re quite affable, aren’t you?”
“It’s ordinary. By the way, does the boat depart in one hour?”
“That’s right. The boat already arrived at dawn. It should be preparing for departure now. Make sure you repay this debt thoroughly later, yes?”
“I also diagnosed your kidney stone…”
“Still, the boat fare from the main house is quite expensive.”
“Let’s call it a small remaining debt, then.”
At my words, Namgung Un laughs heartily.
“So to repay the debt further, let me treat your headache.”
“Huh?”
I stood up and approached Namgung Un’s side, extending my hand toward his neck. His body flinched, and killing intent rose before dissipating.
“Well, this too is a form of romance.”
So having a doctor treat you is acceptable after all.
With that thought, I also realized my mistake. In Gangho, isn’t it taboo to carelessly entrust one’s body to another?
“Ah, my apologies. Since I’m a born doctor…”
“No, it’s fine. Go ahead with that treatment.”
“Are you certain?”
“We only just met yesterday, but I trust you.”
“Trust, you say….”
I placed my hand on the back of Namgung Un’s neck. Then I gently channeled my qi, kneading his blood vessels and muscles with care.
“Mmm….”
A soft groan escaped from Namgung Un’s lips. Namgung Yeon’s eyes widened as she watched me work.
“Most headaches stem from poor blood circulation. Simply massaging this area provides relief. Acupuncture would be even better, but since I’m already performing tuina therapy using qi cultivation, it should be effective.”
“Tuina…you mean that massage-like technique…? But this… something… my body feels so refreshed….”
“You’ll also need to be more careful with your diet regarding the kidney stones.”
I continued the massage for about a quarter hour before returning to my seat.
“Please drink plenty of water.”
“Little brother, why have you been telling me to drink water since yesterday?”
“Water is good for hangovers and equally good for kidney stones.”
Namgung Yeon watched me intently. After a moment of deliberation, she poured tea into a cup and handed it to her brother Namgung Un.
I spoke up.
“Water instead of tea, please. Plain water is truly best.”
She nodded and slid a cup of water toward him.
“If you don’t drink it, I’ll pinch you again.”
I answered on his behalf.
“Having someone care about your health is the greatest blessing. Don’t be stubborn—drink it.”
“Ugh, little brother, why don’t you seem like someone your age at all? It feels like I’m talking to my own mother.”
In terms of mental and spiritual age, we might be comparable.
‘If I had married earlier, I might have a son like you by now.’
I feigned innocence.
“I’ve heard I’m mature for my age, but…”
“No, it’s not that you’re just deep for a child—there’s something genuinely substantial about you.”
“So… you won’t drink it…?”
Namgung Yeon stammered the question.
Namgung Un glanced between me and Namgung Yeon alternately, then heaved a long sigh.
“I can’t win against both of you.”
With that, he gulped down the water.
After finishing the cup, he asked back.
“Is this enough?”
“This is just the beginning—you need to drink plenty regularly.”
“If this were alcohol, I’d be confident, but…”
“If you’d rather experience the pain of having a blade lodged in your belly and die, then by all means…?”
“I can’t win. Server! Bring water by the pitcher!”
At those words, Namgung Yeon seemed satisfied, covering her mouth as she giggled.
Her appearance was so endearing that I nearly reached out to pat her head without thinking.
‘It was the same with Wang Gak-yeon, but why do children always make me want to pat their heads….’
I almost wanted to give her candy to stick on those plump cheeks.
I tried not to show my concern.
“Don’t gulp water down hastily. Drink it slowly, and cut back on the alcohol.”
“Isn’t this nagging a bit much, from start to finish!”
“If you dislike it, perhaps you’d prefer the agony of your belly splitting open….”
Namgung Un hastily waved his hand.
“It’s my way of saying I’m delighted to have a doctor as a close friend.”
Then he drank water again.
* * *
The three of us finished breakfast and left the inn. Namgung Un and Namgung Yeon saw me off to the dock.
“Stay healthy. I hope you achieve all that you desire.”
“I won’t forget what happened today.”
“Neither will I. In more ways than one.”
Namgung Yeon gathered her courage and spoke.
“S-Sohyeop. Please return safely.”
After saying so, she hid behind her brother again, embarrassed.
‘I can’t believe that little girl will become the Iron-Blooded Sword Master.’
The Iron-Blooded Sword Master was an epithet the people of Gangho would call her in the future.
That child unifying the fractured Namgung clan through sword and blood to avenge her brother’s death?
It felt different from what I had read in the records.
‘Hmm… Humans truly are unpredictable in how they change.’
The two siblings were now spending a happy moment, unaware of the misfortune that would befall them.
I bowed deeply to the two of them.
“Please do visit Baekrin Uigak.”
“I’ll go even if only because my Yeon frightens me… Ow, ow! Yeon, stop pinching me. In any case, she’s my younger sister, but her ferocity puts mountain beasts to shame… Owww!”
I burst out laughing.
Then I heard that the boat would depart soon.
I boarded the vessel.
The two siblings waved their hands until the boat departed.
It was a small parting.
* * *
The boat departed.
I was surprised that the Namgung clan’s vessel was far larger than I had anticipated.
‘They said the boat size is large because of the river pirates on the Yangtze, right?’
The Yangtze River. And the Yellow River.
These two great rivers pierce through the Hua Empire.
The Yellow River runs through the northern regions, while the Yangtze runs through the central and southern regions.
These two rivers were also vital transportation routes crossing the Central Plains.
All merchant caravans and goods moved around these two rivers. That meant they moved along the direction of money.
Naturally, there existed bands of thieves called river pirates who intercepted this money in transit.
Among them were those with powerful organizations, known as the Eighteen Gangs of the Yangtze River.
According to martial arts chronicles, the number of Yangtze River sects sometimes decreases to twelve, but typically they maintain a count between ten and sixteen.
Currently, the Hua Empire had eighteen Yangtze River sects, and each one boasted power rivaling that of a mid-sized martial faction.
However, this Hongtaek Lake had no Yangtze River sect members.
Because Nanjing was nearby.
Nanjing was once the empire’s capital. Even now, high officials lived there and the military was stationed there.
‘Still, thanks to Nanjing, there are no sect members at Hongtaek Lake, so it should be fine. The captain said if I stay on the boat through two nights, I’ll arrive in Nanjing… Maybe I should cultivate while aboard?’
Gazing at the vast river stretching like a coiling dragon, I began planning how to use my time efficiently here.
‘Youth doesn’t last long. Using this time well becomes a lifelong asset. Right.’
If Namgung Un, wielder of the Dragon-Soaring Sword, had heard such words from someone this age, his face would have turned pale wondering what kind of elder was speaking.
My face was that of a teenager, but my mind was that of a middle-aged man.
I could think of nothing but how to push this young body further and grow stronger.
And there were those watching the Namgung clan’s boat from a distance.
* * *
Late at night.
The captain, knowing the waterway well despite the darkness, continued moving the boat. However, the speed was noticeably slower than during the day.
The sails were furled and they advanced slowly by oars.
And the water surface touching the boat rippled.
Splash.
Three figures burst from the water. They skillfully drove daggers into the boat’s hull, then scrambled up nimbly.
The Three Killing Rat Trackers.
True to their alias, their movements resembled rats scaling a wall.
Ilseong, the eldest, spoke.
“This is the Namgung clan’s boat, so be careful not to harm the others. If we end up being pursued by the Namgung clan, it’ll be a nuisance.”
“Elder brother. Do we really need to go this far? That Seo Baek-ryong seemed to have some martial skill.”
At Iseong’s words, Samseong, who had been silent, spoke.
“I’m sorry. If I hadn’t gambled, things wouldn’t have come to this…”
“Your gambling debt in Haowen was eight hundred gold taels, wasn’t it?”
“If I don’t pay it in full by next month, I’m a dead man.”
The reason he had rejoined despite wanting to quit midway was because of this.
Only when they were about to abandon the pursuit did Samseong finally reveal his true gambling debt amount.
“Didn’t you say it was two hundred gold taels at first, Samseong?”
“Are you sure eight hundred gold taels is the end of it? Samseong, you don’t have more hidden debts, do you?”
At those words, Samseong answered urgently.
“No, brothers. I swear eight hundred taels is everything.”
In truth, including interest, it came to twelve hundred gold taels. But Samseong had decided to insist it was eight hundred.
At that moment, Iseong gave a hand signal. It meant there was a sentry above.
The instant he saw that signal, Samseong threw his body forward and struck a pressure point.

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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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