I Became the Oriental Doctor for Divine Beasts - Chapter 63

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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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The Divine Beast’s Herbal Medicine Doctor
#63
“Who’s the suspicious person?”
Ma Yun-sang answered without hesitation to my question.
“Son Byeong-soo.”
In truth, I had the same suspicion.
Son Byeong-soo had every motive to harm Yun-sang—more than anyone else, his motives were crystal clear.
Most of all—
The way he was already acting cocky, as if he’d locked down the starting position, seemed off.
‘But I have no proof, so for now I can only watch and wait.’
After warning Yun-sang of this, a whistle soon blew and training resumed.
Perhaps because Yun-sang was paying close attention to the Tumbler. That day brought him no further major incidents.
I became certain once more, silently.
‘So it really was the beverage after all.’
But the most crucial question still remained unanswered.
Who put what components into it.
Only by uncovering this could I respond, treat it, and catch the perpetrator.
If I jumped the gun now carelessly, it would all be for nothing.
Without solid evidence, if I just blurted out “Something seems to be in that drink,” the culprit could disappear immediately.
‘Then next time they’d use a more subtle method, and I wouldn’t be able to stop them.’
I clenched my fist tightly.
I didn’t have much time left in my summer vacation. I had to catch the culprit within that window.
I was observing the final training session of the day, my resolve hardening.
“Director Go.”
A low voice reached me.
I turned my head to find Kim Beom-hee, the senior AT, standing beside me.
He posed a question gently.
“Yun-sang’s condition—do you have any guesses?”
His tone was strange. He sounded genuinely curious, but also as if he were testing me.
Was he so anxious that I’d fix Yun-sang in a single day?
I paused to consider, then deliberately slouched my shoulders and put on a sullen expression.
“I’m still not sure. The cause is proving harder to pin down than I expected.”
…….
Then, in the briefest moment—
A flicker crossed Kim Beom-hee’s face.
‘……Relief?’
It was so fleeting I nearly missed it, but it was unmistakable.
He quickly composed his expression, then spoke in a measured tone.
“You’ve been through quite a bit today for nothing. Well, thank you for your effort anyway. Please return to Seoul carefully.”
My eyes widened.
I smiled and spoke lightly.
“I still have a few more days of vacation left, you know?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m coming back tomorrow and the day after. The director gave me permission.”
…….
Kim Beom-hee’s eyebrows twitched subtly.
I smiled blankly, as if I knew nothing.
* * *
That day’s training ended that way.
The athletes put away their equipment one by one, and staff members bustled about, preparing to wrap up the day.
I naturally approached Yun-sang.
“Yun-sang. You’ll have dinner with me tonight, right?”
But—
Normally he would have answered immediately, “Yes, Noona!” with a smile.
Today his expression was strange. He avoided my eyes and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ah, well…. Noona, I think I won’t be able to make time for dinner from tonight on.”
“What? Why?”
I blinked.
Yun-sang scratched his head and spoke.
“It’s just… I think I need to focus more on training. I’m sorry for having planned to spend the summer vacation in Sokcho with you.”
…….
I looked at that face for a moment.
Yun-sang’s response felt somehow off.
But without pressing further, I laughed lightly and waved my hand.
“No, no. Your camp is more important. Don’t worry about me.”
…… Yes.
Yun-sang nodded.
And so we parted naturally.
I left the Training Ground, thinking I’d head back to the Workshop alone.
That was when it happened.
“Teacher Go. Here.”
A short horn honked.
I turned to see a black vehicle parked on the curb in front of the Training Ground, and Baek Eun-ho visible through the open driver’s window.
‘Looks like he drove himself without a driver or secretary.’
I chuckled and walked toward the car.
“Wow, you came to pick me up? How long have you been here?”
“Just now. Get in.”
Eun-ho answered briefly, gesturing with his chin.
I climbed into the passenger seat without a word.
The car pulled out smoothly.
The evening streetscape of Sokcho flowed past the window.
Eun-ho opened his mouth while keeping his eyes forward.
“How was Ma Yun-sang? Did you notice anything odd?”
I paused to think before speaking.
“It seems like someone’s been giving Yun-sang something to consume.”
The air in the car grew heavy instantly.
Eun-ho’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Something like a drug?”
I nodded.
“Yes. But not a Western pharmaceutical—it’s on the Herbal Medicine Material side.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Western pharmaceuticals require a prescription, so there’s a record. They’re easy to trace.”
I tapped my knee with my finger as I explained.
“But Herbal Medicine Materials are different. You can buy them at any market, and anyone can obtain them. Of course, market-sourced Herbal Medicine Materials would be lower quality than those from clinics or pharmacies.”
Eun-ho listened silently while driving.
I paused briefly, then continued.
“Most importantly, when I tasted a bit of it, the flavor was familiar. I could sense the subtle sweetness and bitterness characteristic of Herbal Medicine Materials. If I think about it a little more, I think I could identify the approximate type of herbal material….”
Eun-ho, who had been listening intently, let out a short laugh at that point.
“Are you some kind of herbal medicine detective? How would you possibly know that just by tasting it?”
“I just do.”
I lifted my chin confidently.
“I’ve spent my whole life drinking Korean Herbal Medicine like coffee. You might call me a herbal medicine sommelier.”
“That’s still a stretch. Identifying herbal materials by taste? Why not just submit it somewhere for Component Analysis?”
I rummaged through my bag.
Then I pulled out Yun-sang’s Tumbler.
“That’s exactly what I was planning to ask. If I just talk, it lacks credibility, doesn’t it? Eun-ho, please send this for Component Analysis. As quickly as possible.”
Eun-ho glanced at it without a word.
“Understood. I’ll get results as fast as I can.”
A moment of silence passed.
The car stopped at a red light, and Eun-ho posed a casual question.
“Aren’t you having dinner with Ma Yun-sang tonight?”
“Ah, well….”
I let my gaze drift to the window.
“Yun-sang seems busy. Apparently we won’t be able to have dinner together anymore. Well, it can’t be helped. The camp is more important.”
I spoke as if it were nothing, but my voice lost a little strength.
I deliberately shrugged lightly and looked at Baek Eun-ho.
“What about you? You came all the way to Sokcho—aren’t you interested in culinary tourism?”
“Not interested. I’m busy.”
Eun-ho answered without hesitation.
His refusal was so firm that I felt deflated hearing it.
“Tch. Then I guess I’ll have to eat with Won Jun today.”
“Won Jun is busy today too.”
“How would you even know that, Eun-ho?”
Baek Eun-ho ignored my grumbling and simply looked at me.
Our eyes met briefly.
But something in Eun-ho’s gaze felt strange. Today his thoughts were unreadable beneath the surface.
“Teacher Go.”
A lower-pitched voice suddenly posed an odd question.
“What do you think of Ma Yun-sang?”
“Hm? Yun-sang?”
I blinked.
Why was he asking that all of a sudden?
I felt momentarily confused, but answered without overthinking it.
“He’s like a close younger brother to me. His circumstances are rather heartbreaking too. That’s why I want to do well by him.”
Eun-ho listened without a word.
I naturally continued speaking.
“Honestly, I was a little scared at first. There was prejudice because he’s a Fallen Being from the Demon Clan.”
The memory of standing in front of Yun-sang, claiming I would protect Rabit, made a smirk escape.
“But once I spent time with him, I understood. He’s as kind as they come. And his heart runs very deep.”
I spoke with conviction.
“Yun-sang doesn’t suit being a Fallen Being at all.”
“Hmm.”
Baek Eun-ho’s inflection stretched slightly.
“So in your view, Yun-sang is definitely not the type to be a Fallen Being…. I see.”
“Of course. But why are you asking all of a sudden?”
Eun-ho didn’t answer, simply turning his gaze forward.
I tilted my head.
‘What’s that about? Why ask something like that?’
The car headed toward the Won Clan Workshop as silence enveloped us.
Darkness was slowly settling in.
* * *
After training ended.
Ma Yun-sang did not return directly to his lodging.
Instead, he slipped out of the Training Ground away from people’s eyes and took a taxi alone.
“We’ve arrived.”
The taxi soon stopped at a private bar that was barely exposed to the public.
The signage was dim, and heavy curtains hung on the windows, obscuring the interior.
Ding—
A small bell chimed as the door opened.
Ma Yun-sang was guided into a private room deeper inside the establishment.
A person was already seated there.
“You came.”
A low, gravelly voice.
At the end of Ma Yun-sang’s gaze was his biological father.

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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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