Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 997

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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 997
Once Jin Cheon-hee, Sama-hye, Hwang-gu, and Noeji were ready, the Seven-Colored Envoy took the lead without delay.
I left the Baekrin Group behind.
The Gukgok Mountain we were heading to was one of Sichuan Province’s most renowned habitats for deadly toxins.
Woof, woof woof.
Screeeee—
Strangely enough, the Seven-Colored Envoy and Hwang-gu seemed to communicate well, exchanging sounds and confirming their intentions with each other.
‘Now that I think about it, Noeji and the Seven-Colored Envoy did exchange brief words with each other before, didn’t they?’
In nature, the Seven-Colored Envoy would be prey for Noeji.
Hawks do eat snakes, after all.
Perhaps because of this, the Seven-Colored Envoy seemed particularly wary of Noeji, and Noeji deliberately refrained from provoking the Seven-Colored Envoy.
‘Do spiritual creatures have some sort of common language?’
At that moment.
Woof.
Hwang-gu pointed in a certain direction with the tip of his nose, and the Seven-Colored Envoy crawled up onto Hwang-gu’s body, wrapping around it like a scarf.
Woof, woof!
Signaling Sama-hye to climb onto his back, she quickly mounted Hwang-gu.
Noeji, as if waiting for this moment, climbed onto Sama-hye’s shoulder.
Then Hwang-gu began running at maximum speed.
I did not ride on Hwang-gu’s back this time. I needed to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
However, I easily kept pace using lightness technique, never falling behind Hwang-gu.
How long did we run like this?
After running for more than half a day, a tremendous roar echoed from afar.
BOOOOOM!
‘That must be Gukgok Mountain!’
Then.
An unbelievable creature burst through the smoke of the explosion.
It was a creature that seemed to be a mixture of a centipede, a mosquito, and a dragonfly.
Moreover, countless insects were flying around it.
KIEEEEEEK!
At the creature’s cry, all the insects resonated and began to grow ferocious.
“Ou, what in the world is that?”
Even I had never seen such a creature before.
Then Sama-hye cried out.
“That is the Bi from the Classic of Mountains and Seas! I never thought it actually existed…”
At Sama-hye’s words, my Hyeonwon Jeondan Singeong quickly retrieved the memory.
Bi.
An insect mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, though its appearance is not described in great detail.
There is only one mention of Bi.
‘That it is the food of the Chimjo, a legendary bird even within the Classic of Mountains and Seas.’
Chimjo described it as being roughly the size of a massive eagle, with feathers of a deep green hue that evoked thoughts of extreme toxicity merely by looking upon it.
It possessed a beak like copper, a body shrouded in blackness, and eyes as crimson as human blood.
Its primary diet consisted of the creature called Bi that I had just mentioned, and this Bi creature itself carried extreme toxicity within it.
Beyond the Bi creature, it apparently devours any manner of poisonous substance without discrimination.
Thus it was a bird that embodied toxin itself, and the poison it harbored was said to rival the greatest poisons under heaven.
‘There exists another creature also called Bi (蜚)—one with the body of a cow and the tail of a serpent—but that is an entirely different demonic beast.’
I posed a question.
“Hye-a, is that truly a Bi? I’ve never encountered a description of a Bi’s appearance before.”
“I have seen one. In a shadow edition of the Classic of Mountains and Seas from before…”
It appeared there existed another version of the Classic of Mountains and Seas.
‘I should search for it myself. But still… this Bi creature… what a terrifying thing. And those creatures swarming around it…’
No matter how I looked at them, they appeared to be nothing more than mosquitoes and flies!
When I voiced this observation, Sama-hye responded.
“There are grasshoppers too.”
Indeed, it seemed this creature was also playing a role beyond merely the abnormal climate.
I immediately threw the torches I had brought around the area and planted them firmly in the ground.
When I ignited them with Sammaejinhwa, acrid smoke began to billow upward.
“Eun Gong, what is this…?”
“A formation. No toxin will be able to reach you. Hwang-gu, Noeji, Hye-a—protect them.”
Yelp!
Chirp!
Noeji, being a bird, was not only a natural predator of serpents but also of insects, making him more than sufficient to protect Sama-hye.
At my words, Sama-hye spoke up.
“I cannot simply leave Eun Gong to fight alone!”
So Sama-hye was indeed a martial artist.
However, the opponent appeared far larger and more formidable than anticipated, and Sama-hye had never experienced true combat where lives hung in the balance.
In such circumstances, even I lacked the confidence to fight while protecting another’s life.
I attempted to persuade her calmly.
“When we are injured, we need someone to treat us. If you are also wounded, there will be no one left to provide care.”
“Ah…”
Sama-hye fell silent in contemplation before responding immediately.
“…I see. Then there is no choice.”
It was strange.
I had expected her to argue back several times, yet instead Sama-hye was brushing her chest in relief, was she not?
Only then did I understand.
‘Ah, Hye-a dislikes fighting. Of course… yes, that is normal!’
From spending time among martial artists, my sense of normalcy had grown distant.
It was normal to fear pain and to be afraid of combat.
For Sama-hye, her insistence on coming along stemmed not from shame at my fighting alone, nor from the pursuit of greater martial prowess or a love of battle itself, but from something else entirely.
‘Yes. This was what was normal.’
With that thought, my heart grew lighter as well.
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
“Of course. I’ll prepare everything in advance. Since Eun Gong and Hyeolpyeon-wang have both mastered the Toxin Resistance technique, there’s no need to worry about poisoning.”
“Good. Then let’s go!”
With those words, I leaped swiftly toward the enemy, growing distant.
“….”
Sama-hye watched my retreating figure with concern.
Still, it was a relief that she wouldn’t have to fight.
For Sama-hye, combat that tore through flesh and blood was genuinely terrifying.
‘A martial tournament under rules would be different.’
But this was a desperate battle where lives hung in the balance.
Could one die and be fine? Even if one survived, permanent disability could result.
Yet she couldn’t understand why martial artists would rush forward so willingly into such things. Still.
‘I have my medical arts to offer instead.’
Considering Eun Gong’s martial prowess, it was unlikely he’d need it, but if there was anything she could do to help, she was prepared to do so without hesitation.
* * *
I crossed the mountain swiftly.
On all sides, I could see a terrifying swarm of flying insects. And on the ground, an enormous mass of creatures writhed and crawled.
‘This is horrifying. Could this also be an effect of the loss of heavenly fortune? I’ve never read of such a thing in the Jicheon Cheonma records.’
Then.
‘Kwakwang!’ A vortex erupted as Dang-a leaped skyward.
“You wretched creature! Did you think this Hyeolpyeon-wang would die so easily! Take the Blood Dragon Whip!”
Ooh… Dang-a!
The whip extended in a long arc.
Its length reached a full ten zhang—thirty meters!
Infused with inner force, the crimson whip flew forth to strike the massive body of the Bi.
A force like a tidal wave itself.
Kwakakakakak!
‘Powerful. Absurdly powerful!’
However.
Countless flying insects surrounding the Bi blocked its trajectory.
Even as they were crushed by the Blood Dragon Whip, they noticeably reduced its speed and force.
Flying insects that gathered like clouds, continuously swarming.
They happened to have poor compatibility with Dang-a’s whip technique.
Hwak!
The Bi soared upward.
With its six dragonfly wings spread wide, it was certainly a grotesque sight.
Its body was that of a centipede itself, reaching a staggering length of ten zhang!
Moreover.
Its head bore both the mandibles of a centipede and the proboscis of a mosquito.
‘What in the world… where is that thing coming from?’
The creature’s wings were larger than its body, making it worthy of being called a colossal beast.
As it flapped its wings and took flight, swarms of flying insects—as thick as mist or clouds—descended upon Dang-a.
And that was not all.
Each tiny insect emanated a deep blue aura.
Toxin!
Every single creature summoned by this Bi carried poison within it!
Had Dang-a not been raised within the Sichuan Tang Family, perfected her Toxin Master physique, and reached the absolute pinnacle, she would have succumbed to poisoning long ago—the venom was that potent!
“How dare you!”
Dang-a roared with fury, seizing her whip and lashing it with violent force.
The whip spiraled around her in a helical pattern, rotating continuously.
It transformed into a perfect sphere, grinding everything around it like a millstone.
Crunch-crack-crunch!
The Blood Dragon Whip was wreathed not in ordinary force, but in whip energy—what should be called whip qi.
It magnified the whip’s size by several times over, pulverizing everything in its vicinity like a blender.
Crunch-crunch-crunch-crack!
A perfect sphere with not a single gap!
Its rotational force and ferocity were such that mere insects could never penetrate it.
However.
There were simply too many insects.
They filled all directions like clouds clinging to a mountain peak!
But that was not the only threat.
The Bi soared high into the sky and cunningly fired poisoned barbs from its tail in rapid succession.
Each projectile possessed power exceeding the hidden weapons thrown by masters of the Sichuan Tang Family!
Boom! Boom!
The poisoned barbs collided with the whip barrier, creating deafening explosions.
‘At this rate, Dang-a could lose. Given her remarkable growth, she might escape before her strength wanes… but…’
To fight, then flee, then return when strength recovered, only to fight again and again.
Yet I had no desire to return home and summon reinforcements.
I had already made bold declarations to her father, the Lord of the Tang Family.
One way or another, the situation was deteriorating.
And there were limits to fighting in such a manner.
No matter how exceptional Dang-a was, her wounds would continue to accumulate.
‘If I leave this as is, Dang-a’s life will be in danger. Then the priority is to eliminate the flying insects and the ground insects!’
The sky was not the only place teeming with insects.
The ground was also crawling with flightless insects carrying poison.
I drew out the Seven-Colored Envoy.
‘Learning a single sound technique has proven useful in so many situations.’
Indeed, I believed the supreme martial art recorded in the Imperial Palace Secret Records was not swordsmanship or archery, but rather this sound technique itself.
‘Though no one acknowledges it, a perfected sound technique possesses infinite possibilities beyond any conventional weapon.’
And then.
“Dang-a! Wrap your ears with inner energy for protection! I’m going to use sound-based martial arts!”
I unleashed a Lion’s Roar, shouting with all my might.
“Krahahahaha! Has my rival arrived! Indeed! Today we shall join forces to annihilate that evil!”
Even without wearing the mask, she had slipped into Hyeolpyeon-wang mode.
She must have been excited upon seeing me.
‘Ou, still the same as ever!’
For a moment my fingers nearly curled in exasperation, but I decided to enjoy this situation instead.
“그래! 이 대적자가 도착했다! 적이여, 함께 악을 멸하자꾸나—!”
“…!!”
At those words, Dang-a’s expression suddenly overflowed with joy.
I witnessed it.
The tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.
The only companion in this world who could play with her—her dear friend—had finally arrived at this place.
Dang-a cried out.
“Go forth! My rival! Sow death with blood and darkness!! Krahahahaha!!”
I had no idea what it truly meant, but I understood through intuition.
Ding—
In that instant, my fingers began plucking the seven-stringed zither.
좌자자자자장—!
Boom! Pap-pap-pap-boom!
Sound-based martial arts proved to be a lethal weapon against these tiny creatures.
As if the Red Sea itself were splitting in two, the insects all around exploded with thunderous force and scattered.
The swarm of insects that had darkened the sky like black clouds vanished in an instant, and clear skies revealed themselves once more.
Witnessing such a mythical scene unfold, Dang-a made no attempt to hide her delight.
“Krahahahaha! Truly worthy of my rival! What manner of devastating destruction is this!”
Dang-a was still Dang-a.
Even in this moment of mortal peril where her friend had come to aid her.
She shed tears once, then immediately resumed wielding her whip with ferocity.
Even amidst the turbulent storm of emotions, Dang-a’s whip remained razor-sharp.
Kwakwakwakwang!
‘Wow, Dang-a. You’ve truly grown stronger.’
True to her genius talent, her destructive power and range were incomparable to the past.
Even without increasing the number of blood threads, everything in sight was being obliterated.
She was a living god of destruction, and the title Hyeolpyeon-wang seemed almost an understatement.
The Sichuan Tang Family was distant from the martial world’s center, where news always arrived a step too late.
Had the Sichuan Tang Family moved even slightly closer to the heart of the martial world, Dang-a’s fame would have spread far more quickly.
Matching her attacks, I continued to play.
자자자장—!
The sound-based martial arts and whip danced together in harmony, and now all the tiny insects were completely annihilated.
And only the Bi remained—a colossal beast that rivaled even a massive monster!
“Watch out for the enemy’s attacks, my friend!”
Dang-a wiped away her tears with her sleeve.
Instead of calling him ‘adversary,’ she greeted Jin Cheon-hee with the word ‘friend.’
A crossroads between life and death.
Jin Cheon-hee answered not with words but by plucking the string of his guqin. That alone was enough.
That alone was enough!
Dang-a burst into loud laughter as she faced the colossal enemy.
“적이여, 덤벼라아아앗—-!”

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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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