I Became the Oriental Doctor for Divine Beasts - Chapter 45

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

I had become a physician to the immortals.
#45
I flinched at Baek Eun-ho’s firm voice.
He pressed his temples steadily, drew a measured breath, then spoke.
“Why don’t you take care of your own body? You’ve been seeing patients until you collapsed like this?”
“Oh, it’s not like that. I just got a cramp in my leg. The fever is… I think I’m coming down with something.”
“And your jade bracelet broke from how hard you fell?”
“……That was an accident.”
I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
“I’m sorry for calling you out in the middle of the night. But it’s really nothing, truly. Tomorrow’s Sunday anyway, so once I take some medicine and rest for the day, I’ll definitely be fine.”
After I finished speaking, I looked at the cat still perched on my stomach.
“Alfred. Could you move for a moment? I need to go downstairs to get some medicine.”
I asked with some effort.
Alfred glared at me once, then hopped lightly down onto the bedroom floor.
After confirming he’d left, I tried to sit up as well.
But then—
‘Huh?’
My body wouldn’t budge.
My arms moved with difficulty, but the moment I tried to raise my upper body, my entire frame stuck to the bed again.
The harder I pushed, the deeper I seemed to sink.
It was as if some invisible, massive weight had settled itself upon me.
“…….”
As I grunted through several attempts, Baek Eun-ho, watching, clicked his tongue.
“Ko Yeon-hui. Get a grip.”
His voice dropped low.
“You didn’t collapse from mere fatigue. You collapsed because you depleted all your vital energy.”
“But……?”
I blinked.
“That can’t be right. My vital energy reserves have grown quite a bit lately, and I’ve been careful to monitor the remainder while treating patients.”
“Come on, just admit it.”
Eun-ho spoke plainly.
“You have an uncanny ability to notice when others are ill, yet you completely neglect your own body. You push yourself far too hard.”
Alfred beside me meowed loudly while nodding in emphatic agreement.
“Ugh…….”
This traitor of a cat!
Faced with their combined assault, I had nothing to say.
I lay silent on the bed.
Baek Eun-ho brushed his bangs back roughly and sighed.
Then he suddenly extended his hand.
“Give it here.”
“?”
Pale, slender fingers.
‘They look like they’d play piano beautifully.’
Lost in that odd thought, I stared blankly at his hand, then placed mine gently upon it.
His eyebrows rose at that.
“What are you doing? You need to give me the jade pendant.”
“Ah.”
Embarrassed, I hurriedly removed the pendant and placed it in his palm.
Eun-ho closed his eyes, holding the jade.
After a moment.
Click.
As he refastened the pendant around my neck, I felt a cool, gentle energy seep through my body.
It was like pouring fresh water into a pot that had been boiling empty, its bottom now scorched and smoking.
The fever that had burned my forehead began to subside.
“Ahhhh…….”
I exhaled in relief without thinking.
“Thank you so much. I’m always indebted to you. Doesn’t it tire you out to give your vital energy like this?”
“That’s enough. Now take care of yourself.”
Eun-ho grumbled.
“There are limits to what someone else’s vital energy can do anyway. I only transferred a small amount as a temporary measure.”
I see.
It must work like transfusions—there’s a limit, and ultimately the body must produce its own blood.
“Where are your medicines on the first floor?”
“That’s fine. I can move on my own now—”
“Shh.”
He made a sharp sound, opening his eyes wide as if scolding a child.
I ended up pulling the blanket back over myself and could only move my eyes.
After a moment’s hesitation, I timidly but methodically made my request.
“Well then… there’s a kudzuroot decoction in the refrigerator in the decoction room on the first floor that I keep on hand. When you warm it…….”
“Mm?”
“Please don’t heat it too much—just warm it gently with a water bath until it feels comfortably warm. And…….”
“And?”
“The handmade ceramic cup in the kitchen cupboard marked ‘Ko Yeon-hui’ is my favorite cup, so please pour it into that one.”
“Quite the demanding patient, aren’t you?”
Grumbling, Eun-ho left.
But he took longer to return than I expected.
‘Is he having trouble finding the medicine?’
I was just considering whether to go downstairs myself when—
“Wait, what’s this?”
When Baek Eun-ho returned to the bedroom, I widened my eyes.
He was carrying a tray.
On it sat not just the handmade ceramic cup I’d mentioned, but also a clean white cloth.
And perched on top was a small bowl, steam rising gently from it.
Porridge. Sprinkled with pine nuts, no less!
“You made porridge? Just like that?”
I asked blankly, and Eun-ho shrugged as he answered.
“My apologies for using your kitchen without permission.”
“No, that’s not the issue—but when did you even find time to make porridge?”
“You haven’t eaten dinner yet, have you? This clever cat told me.”
He jerked his chin toward the side.
Alfred sat beside the bed, his tail curled neatly around his paws, nodding contentedly.
“You didn’t have to make dinner for me though.”
At my words, Eun-ho’s eyes widened.
“When someone does something for you, you just say thank you and enjoy it.”
“……Thank you so much.”
Feeling oddly self-conscious, I drew out my words and brought the medicinal cup to my lips.
Sip—
Warmth traveled down my throat.
Then I carefully spooned some porridge into my mouth.
“Oh?”
My eyes snapped open without thinking.
“This is delicious. How is this delicious?”
Eun-ho let out an incredulous laugh.
“Did you think it wouldn’t be?”
“Well, honestly, how could I not? The sole heir to the Baek Group seems like he’d never need to fry an egg.”
“He wouldn’t need to.”
He answered matter-of-factly.
“But sometimes I do it for fun.”
“Oh… an unexpected hobby…….”
In any case, the porridge was truly delicious.
Made with instant rice and whatever vegetable scraps were in the refrigerator, yet perfectly seasoned and wonderfully soft.
Alfred only relaxed onto the cushion in the corner once he confirmed I’d finished the cup and nearly emptied the porridge bowl.
“…….”
During all this, Eun-ho simply rested his chin in one hand, watching me quietly.
Then one corner of his mouth quirked up playfully.
“But what’s with that crooked, sloppy cup? Get yourself something nicer.”
“This one?”
I looked at the cup as I spoke.
“My mother made it for me. When I was young, we went to a pottery workshop together and made cups for each other.”
Cough!
Eun-ho suddenly coughed.
“That… does have a handmade feel, so it’s unique at least. Anyway, since you’ve finished eating, lie back down.”
He changed the subject, then gently swept my bangs back with his finger.
And he carefully placed the damp cloth across my forehead.
I couldn’t help but glance away.
‘This is… kind of embarrassing.’
Life really does throw everything at you.
Being cared for by the heir to the Baek Group.
Not so long ago, I’d have never imagined such a thing.
“It’s strange.”
I murmured without thinking.
“What is?”
“Just…….”
I continued slowly, gazing at the ceiling.
“It’s been so long since anyone’s taken care of me like this. Before, whenever I got sick, I’d just take medicine by myself and sleep under the covers.”
“…….”
Something shifted in Eun-ho’s expression.
The playful glint from moments before faded, and his eyes grew quieter.
After a brief silence, he spoke softly.
“You’ve been through a lot. You’re doing wonderfully, even now.”
……What?
Baek Eun-ho was complimenting me?
Suddenly embarrassed, I joked awkwardly.
“Wow, the fever must be really bad. I’m hearing things.”
Eun-ho chuckled.
I laughed along, and suddenly tension melted from my entire body.
My body sank naturally into the blankets.
And consciousness slowly, very gently, slipped into sleep.

* * *

The next morning, Sunday.
I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window.
It was Baek Myeong-dang’s characteristic quiet, peaceful morning.
‘Good. Today I’ll be lazy and do nothing!’
I resolved this from under the blankets.
My body still hadn’t fully recovered, and things had been hectic up until yesterday anyway.
One day of complete rest seemed not just acceptable but necessary.
……But that’s what I thought up until morning.
‘So why on earth——!’
Roll, roll—
That afternoon.
Seized by sudden comprehension, I was utterly bewildered.
Why was I sitting between Baek Eun-ho and Yang Si-heon, grinding Gongjin pills?!

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