Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 42

 

 

‘The security is tight.’

 

Inside was even more so than Outside.

There were also those hiding here and there.

Outside, even more people were openly revealing themselves.

Though they were dressed as porters or shopkeepers.

 

‘It’s a disguise.’

 

Every single one of them clearly seemed to have learned Martial Arts.

 

‘Indeed, is this what the Hangzhou branch is like.’

 

Seeing this, Jung Myeong was not afraid.

Rather, he was convinced.

 

‘If there are people of this caliber here… their skills must be proper too.’

 

Conviction that his choice was right.

The walking path wasn’t very long.

Passing through the corridor.

 

[You have passed through a Formation.]

[Your understanding of Formations has increased.]

 

Beyond a Formation he couldn’t even sense.

Digging through a maze-like place would be the end.

 

‘The path itself isn’t long, but they’ve twisted it like a maze with Formation. It’s narrow but feels spacious. It’s an interesting method. Maybe I should install this in my Medical Clinic too?’

 

Just as Jung Myeong’s curiosity about this place was subsiding.

 

“Branch Leader. I have brought the guest.”

 

The guidance had ended.

Though some surprise was added to that.

 

[Do they usually guide people directly to the Branch Leader?]

[How could that be the case.]

 

It seemed he had met someone of higher rank than expected.

The reason was obvious.

 

[Hmm… this seems like they know about me and went straight to the Branch Leader?]

[It looks that way to me too.]

[They already know. Hmm…]

 

They must have heard rumors about Jung Myeong.

While Song In still showed signs of surprise at this.

Jung Myeong quickly dismissed it.

Instead, he sparked interest.

 

[This is getting interesting.]

[I’m getting nervous for no reason though?]

[Nothing will happen. If anything, meeting someone at the Branch Leader level would be better for us.]

[Because you’re worried about Black Point?]

[Exactly that.]

 

While he didn’t hide his interest.

A voice came from the Branch Leader’s Office.

 

“Tell them to enter.”

“Yes!”

 

 

* * *

 

 

Upon entering Inside, he could see the Branch Leader shrouded in darkness.

Was it due to the arrangement of the Lanterns Inside?

At a glance, that figure appeared massive. Like a Middle-aged Man.

However, Jung Myeong succeeded in immediately seeing through the hidden figure within.

 

‘A woman. Well, this isn’t strange.’

 

A woman.

Moreover, a woman who appeared to be of marriageable age.

Two things could be inferred from what he saw.

Either she had the ability to become Branch Leader at a young age. Or she possessed such a high level of mastery that she appeared so.

 

‘It seems to be the latter.’

 

Either way, she wouldn’t be an easy person.

If so, it was worth taking the time to come here.

While he was seeing through her, the Branch Leader also seemed to have finished her assessment.

A greeting was heard.

 

“Welcome to the Hangzhou Hao Gate Branch.”

 

That’s right. Jung Myeong had come to find the Hao Gate branch in Hangzhou.

And directly to the Branch Leader at that!

Unlike other provinces, in Hangzhou the influence of the Hao Gate branch was considerable.

Considering that.

Jung Myeong had clearly come here to undertake quite a big task.

Though he had traveled lightly, it was a heavier position than expected.

 

“I am the one honored to meet the renowned Branch Leader.”

“Oho. That’s unexpected. You’re going to apply gold leaf right away?”

“It’s a lesson and ability I gained while wandering as a Gangho Physician. It’s better to apply gold leaf than not to.”

“Huhu. This time it seems to be the correct answer.”

“That’s fortunate.”

 

Despite the weight of the position, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Just as even Song In was relaxing his tension in the eased atmosphere.

The Branch Leader suddenly thrust forward.

 

“Should I address you as Physician? Or should I address you as Martial Artist?”

 

This was an important question.

 

‘Martial Artist or Physician. Choose, that’s what this is.’

 

Depending on which answer he gave.

His treatment would be determined accordingly.

 

Saying Physician would be advantageous.

As a Physician, he had treated quite many of those connected to this side.

Since he had given as a Physician, they too had to give back accordingly. That was mutual exchange.

 

However, as a Martial Artist, it would be disadvantageous.

As a Martial Artist, he had no debts owed to them whatsoever.

Rather, from their perspective, Jung Myeong as a Martial Artist was a burden.

A burden who gave nothing, yet caused trouble in Hangzhou by his very existence!

However, the answer was already decided.

 

“I came to this meeting today as a Martial Artist.”

“As expected. You didn’t show us that sparring match and come straight here for nothing, did you?”

“Has the rumor about the sparring match I held already reached here?”

“Even if rumors don’t spread, we can create them, can’t we? It would be strange not to know.”

“Indeed, that’s impressive.”

“The impressive one is you, Physician. You showed unexpected strength.”

“Hmm.”

 

As soon as he made that choice of answer.

To attack like this.

Faster than expected.

 

‘This is interesting. Even after I showed my skills in the sparring match and they confirmed it, they’re pressuring me like this?’

 

The opponent’s purpose was clear.

After mentioning rumors about Jung Myeong and that they had grasped his abilities.

They were clearly trying to bring the initiative of the conversation to the Branch Leader herself.

 

‘Taking the initiative right from the first deal?’

 

This was his first deal with them.

Even a fool would know that losing the initiative wouldn’t be good.

Knowing this better than anyone.

Jung Myeong wasn’t confident. Confident that he would be pushed back like this.

 

“Do you like having such rumors spread about you, Physician?”

“Yes. I like it.”

“I thought you would be a bit reluctant… Hmm? You’re saying you don’t dislike it?”

“Rumors about my abilities spreading. That’s actually what I want.”

“Hmm…”

 

Spreading rumors. She had tried to use this to seize the initiative.

But instead he said he liked it.

He could feel the opponent’s confusion at this.

 

“You know that our Hao Gate specializes in such matters, don’t you?”

“I came here knowing that.”

“And yet… you want us to spread rumors. Interesting.”

“I also find it interesting that you seem to be showing good will without me saying anything about it.”

“Oho.”

 

Wondering if Jung Myeong was testing her.

The Branch Leader tried to pause and see.

But Jung Myeong went one step further.

 

“Wait, surely I don’t have to pay for spreading rumors? I didn’t request it, after all.”

“Of course not.”

“Phew. Then that’s settled. I was surprised thinking I’d have to make an unexpected expense.”

“…”

“Still, thanks to this, my work seems like it will become easier, so that’s good.”

“…”

 

Did she feel that the tables had completely turned?

 

‘I read the situation wrong.’

 

The Hao Gate Branch Leader frowned her delicate eyebrows and kept silent.

If things continued this way.

It was clear she wouldn’t even break even.

What could she do?

Having failed to shake him, she had no choice but to silently accept the consequences.

 

“Let’s stop the mutual teasing here.”

“I’m not teasing though?”

“Do you truly want rumors to spread? Don’t you know the taboos of Murim, Physician?”

“You mean the saying to hide thirty percent of one’s abilities?”

“Yes. Even if it’s already revealed, shouldn’t you think about hiding even three parts of your ability? Yet you want rumors to spread?”

“Yes. I sincerely want them to spread.”

“Hah…”

 

She was trying to cover this round and start anew.

But Jung Myeong seemed to have no intention of covering it up.

Instead, he threw out a proposal.

 

“It seems it’s time to gradually explain the reason….”

“You have a reason rather than just bravado?”

“Yes. I do. Are you prepared to listen?”

“For now, yes.”

“Good. Let me start by saying that on a small scale, this is a plan for me to overthrow the Donghwa Guild Leader, and on a large scale, it’s a good move for Hao Gate to strike a blow against Black Point.”

“…This makes it impossible not to listen.”

 

And that proposal was quite interesting.

It was also something that appealed to the Hao Gate Branch Leader.

Just as he said.

 

‘If this works. Won’t the carefully laid plan be overturned from its very foundation? Even that Gyeom Gwang-ja would have no choice.’

 

It was a plan that would make things turn out quite interestingly.

When all such explanations were finished.

Jung Myeong still asked without losing his smile.

 

“Now, will you participate in my plan?”

“The answer seems already decided. I’ll participate.”

“Welcome.”

 

As the Branch Leader said, the answer was already decided.

Jung Myeong was satisfied with this and clasped his fists before withdrawing.

 

 

* * *

 

 

From some time after.

Rumors about Jung Myeong spread widely throughout the Hangzhou area.

 

“Chang-ro. Don’t you have any interesting stories?”

“Stories? I’m a shopkeeper, not a storyteller who tells tales.”

“Hey now. This guy. Haven’t you heard anything? You’re unusually good with words, aren’t you?”

“Hmph. Nothing comes out just because you praise me like that.”

“What? This guy?”

“Well, there is one thing I heard. About that person called the Divine Physician in the west.”

“Divine Physician? What’s so grand about that?”

“Geez. Don’t you know? Then not Divine Physician. You know, that place that makes Clear Intestine Decoction?”

“Ah. There! What about that physician?”

“That physician, you see? He’s a master! A peak master at that!”

“What? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Hey. It’s really true.”

“If you’re talking nonsense, forget it, man.”

“No, it’s not nonsense….”

 

The rumors started from the shopkeeper’s mouth.

What added credibility to this.

Were the witnesses who came forward one after another saying they saw it too.

 

“Hey, I heard it too.”

“Brother Jang too?”

“Yeah. They say he’s really a master?”

“Huh. A physician is a master?”

“That’s what they say?”

“I saw it too!”

 

Those who actually saw the sparring also came forward to agree.

What was interesting was that even those who didn’t actually see it claimed they did. But that didn’t matter now.

It didn’t take long for the rumors that spread through word of mouth to grow.

 

-A peak master?

-No, they say he’s a transcendent master?

-What!? Transcendent! Does that make sense?

 

Sometimes. Exaggeration was added, going from peak to transcendent master.

 

-Right? But he does seem to be a master.

-Hmm… Then would he treat patients well too?

-Probably? No wonder there were more Martial Artists than at other Medical Clinics.

-It must be because he’s a master!

-Right?

 

Rumors about his medical arts also spread subtly along with it.

 

-He seems to charge quite a bit from those Martial Artists.

-Thanks to that, he probably charges us common folk less. Shall we go take a look?

-Let’s go together!

 

The rumors naturally added to the Medical Clinic’s prosperity.

The story was that the number of patients seeking treatment increased.

However, such matters were secondary for Jung Myeong, who had ‘deliberately’ spread the rumors.

What he wanted was.

 

‘It should be about time for them to make their move?’

 

For these rumors to reach the person he wanted.

Wasn’t it obvious who he wanted?

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