The Genius Doctor of the Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 40

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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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Hwasan Sect’s Genius Physician, Episode 40

Song Ha was the name of the slum boy Baek Hyun had met before.
The one who’d sought out the Hwasan Medical Clinic to save his sister.
He was clever with his hands too—the kind who could knock together wooden trinkets without breaking a sweat.
Baek Hyun still visited Song Ha’s home now and then to see how they were faring.
‘A capable kid. A good heart.’
Fortunately, these days he was selling various wooden ornaments, and life had gotten a little easier than it used to be.
“Hmm, the boy does have fine handiwork. But I’m not sure he can produce a medicine box to the standard you’re asking for, benefactor.”
Cho Woo-jin fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“Isn’t that asking too much right now?”
“To be honest, it might be.”
Baek Hyun did not protest.
“But wouldn’t it be good to give the boy a chance to grow by entrusting him with work like this? With his talent, he could surely accomplish it eventually.”
“Fair point, but… does it need to be finished right away?”
“No. The medicine box we have now works well enough.”
At Baek Hyun’s words, Cho Woo-jin let out a light sigh.
“True enough. Then I’ll come along.”
“You could rest a bit if you wanted to.”
“The Slums are dangerous. There’s no telling what kind of ruffians might pop out. I’m not doubting your skill, but there could be an unsafe situation.”
Baek Hyun closed his mouth at that. He understood Cho Woo-jin was saying it out of concern for him.
“Then let’s go.”
The two of them headed to the home of Song Ha and Song Yeon, the siblings who lived in the Slums.
“Doctor!”
As they stepped into the familiar house, Song Yeon greeted them with a bright smile.
“Is that you, Yeon? Is Song Ha around?”
“Yes. My brother is working in the back room.”
The healthier-looking girl pulled Baek Hyun’s hand and led him to Song Ha.
Song Ha, seeing Baek Hyun and Cho Woo-jin, quickly bowed with a pleased expression.
“Doctor, you’ve come?”
“No need to be so stiff about it.”
Baek Hyun chuckled and sat down on the floor mat.
“I’m not here just to visit—I came to talk business.”
“Business?”
“Yes. I’d like you to make a medicine box for me.”
Baek Hyun then laid out his requirements.
“The compartments need to be clearly separated. And I’d like humidity control so that the needle tubes and medicinal materials don’t spoil.”
“To make something like that, I’d need to frame it in paulownia wood and divide the bottom and compartments with sandalwood.”
“And the medicine bottles inside can’t break. I know I’ll be careful, but make it as sturdy as possible. And if you could also include a section to store surgical instruments and spare needle tubes…”
……
“Can you do it?”
Song Ha fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“To be honest, I’m not confident. I’ve only made small Buddha statues and wooden boxes before—I’ve never even tried anything as complicated as a medicine box.”
“But you can do this.”
Baek Hyun spoke with a warm voice. He didn’t say such things carelessly. He had genuinely glimpsed talent in Song Ha.
“I’ll prepare the wood for you. Don’t worry about failing a few times—just do your best to make it. Can you do that?”
“Since you’re saying so, Doctor, I can’t refuse.”
Song Ha thumped his chest with a determined expression.
“Just trust me. I’ll definitely make a fine medicine box worthy of you.”
“Good. Thank you.”
Baek Hyun smiled and nodded to Song Ha.
Afterward, Song Yeon joined them as well, and they spent some time catching up on recent news. By the time Baek Hyun was ready to leave, the sky had already begun to darken.
“My, we stayed longer than I meant to. I should get going.”
“Yes, take care.”
“The materials will be procured by the Hwasan Sect. We’ll have them delivered soon, so just wait for it.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Song Ha bowed once more.
Baek Hyun waved his hand and left the Slums.
Though there was some unease at the thought of entrusting expensive timber to Song Ha…
‘Just like that beggar back then, it could be taken from me again.’
But if the Hwasan Sect moved directly, the situation would change entirely. For someone to seize something given by Hwasan’s martial artists was to declare a blood feud against them.
‘Still, I should inform the Hwasan people just in case.’
Dispatching a few idle inner disciples to patrol occasionally was also an option.
That way, anyone harboring ill intent would think twice.
“Huff.”
Baek Hyun exhaled lightly and returned to the Hwasan Medical Clinic.
“You’ve returned?”
Baek Ya greeted him. It seemed all the other physicians had left, and only he remained.
“You’ve worked hard, sir.”
“You’ve done well yourself. I’d like to tell you to rest properly, but…….”
“Is something the matter?”
“Someone from the Hwasan Sect came looking for you earlier. We sent them to Song Ha’s residence, but you two must have missed each other on the way.”
“Looking for me?”
Baek Hyun tilted his head in bewilderment.
He couldn’t immediately think of a reason why the Hwasan Sect would seek him out.
“Yes. You’d better head up the mountain soon.”
“All right, I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Baek Ya waved him off with a gesture.
After parting with Cho Woo-jin as well, he made his way up the mountain.
What on earth could it be about?

* * *

“Ah, Baek Hyun has arrived.”
The moment he reached Hwasan, Cheong In was waiting for him.
Baek Hyun regarded Cheong In with fresh eyes. Something about the aura surrounding him felt different from usual.
“Have you achieved a breakthrough, sir?”
“Can you tell?”
Baek Hyun nodded to Cheong In, who asked with barely contained delight.
“Your energy now seems softer than before, yet your presence has become far more distinct. Surely…….”
“Yes. I’ve crossed the barrier into Superior Master Rank.”
“……!”
Baek Hyun’s eyes widened as he gazed at Cheong In. A Superior Master Rank expert—that was a realm achieved by only the most formidable leaders of major sects.
A realm that only a handful in the Hwasan Sect itself had reached.
“Congratulations, sir!”
“It’s all thanks to you. Had you not offered that counsel on the day I met you after you claimed the Small Plum Blossom Gathering, I would never have come this far.”
Cheong In smiled warmly, and Baek Hyun returned the smile with quiet satisfaction. Cheong In was Cheong Jin’s most cherished senior brother. Seeing him grow like this, Cheong Jin would surely be pleased.
“But what brings you to summon me? Surely not just to announce your breakthrough?”
“Ha, hardly. Even if I wanted to boast, I wouldn’t go to such lengths. I called you here because I have a task for you.”
“What sort of task, sir?”
“Baek Hyun, would you be able to undertake a journey for a while?”
“What do you mean?”
Baek Hyun blinked, not understanding.
Cheong In continued with a wry smile.
“The Hwasan Sect has Affiliated Family Sects beneath it. Though many severed their ties with us after what happened with Cheong Jin, some sects still remain connected to us.”
“They are indeed generous.”
“Among those sects is one called Sosjeong Gate. And it seems they’ve become embroiled in a dispute.”
“What kind of dispute, exactly?”
“It appears to be a conflict over a business venture. The trouble is, most of Sosjeong Gate’s martial artists have sustained serious injuries.”
“Ah, so that’s why you need me.”
Cheong In nodded.
“The sect elders have decided to send me along with another Plum Blossom Sword Technique master, and from among the inner disciples, both Lee Cheong-un and yourself. So I wanted to hear your thoughts on this.”
“My thoughts? Either way, I have to go. It’s the sect’s affair.”
Baek Hyun answered without hesitation.
“I am a member of the Hwasan Sect. I dream of the sect’s prosperity and work toward it. Therefore, I’ll follow the sect’s decision.”
“Baek Hyun…….”
“Still, it’s somewhat surprising that you’ll be going with us. Is there a particular reason?”
“The inner disciples have reached the age where they should gain some experience in the outside world. You all must eventually make your debut in the Murim World, so you need to grow accustomed to such situations beforehand.”
“I see.”
Baek Hyun nodded.
“We’re leaving tomorrow, then?”
“That’s right.”
“In that case, I should visit the clinic first to say goodbye to Cho and the others.”
It could wait until morning, but……
Wouldn’t that be too rushed?
Better to head back down the mountain now. Cheong In nodded at Baek Hyun’s words.
“Then do as you see fit.”
“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”
Baek Hyun descended the mountain at a brisk pace. He needed to leave word with the Hwasan Medical Clinic staff to look after things in his absence.

* * *

The next day.
A party of four disciples—two from the first generation and two from the second—set out from Hwasan Sect.
“Master, where are we headed?”
Lee Cheong-un asked in a cheerful voice.
It seemed his spirits were high at finally leaving Hwasan after so long.
“Munsu in Shanxi Province. It’s not terribly far.”
Cheong In replied in an even tone.
Lee Cheong-un’s face broke into a grin at the mention of Shanxi Province.
“Senior, did you hear? Shanxi Province! Have you ever been there?”
“Never. Though I’ve heard plenty of stories about it.”
‘Truth is, I have.’
But that was only from Shin’s experience as Hwaseo Ming.
The Dragon of Hwasan, Baek Hyun, had never ventured beyond Shaanxi.
So he was lying.
“I didn’t know our Hwasan Sect had an Affiliated Family Sect branch in Shanxi.”
“It’s not that far away. Actually, the distance from the edge of Shaanxi to Munsu is much the same, I’d say.”
Baek Hyun spoke as he glanced backward.
“Still worried Cho might catch up with us?”
Lee Cheong-un asked with a mischievous smile. Baek Hyun let out a sigh. He was right.
‘I never thought he’d insist on coming along on a Hwasan Sect mission.’
Yesterday, Baek Hyun had stopped by the Hwasan Medical Clinic to explain the situation to Baek Ya and Cho Woo-jin.
Baek Ya had wished him well, but Cho Woo-jin had insisted on going with him.
He’d argued there might be unforeseen dangers.
‘I worked so hard to talk him out of it.’
Fortunately, this morning, after showing Cheong In now at Superior Master Rank, he’d finally managed to break through Cho Woo-jin’s stubbornness. The fact that Cho Woo-jin had growled at Cheong In to watch over Baek Hyun was just a bonus.
“I think it would’ve been fun if Cho had come along.”
“Cheong-un, don’t talk nonsense. Why would a martial artist from an external sect get involved in Hwasan Sect business?”
Cheong In was taken aback by Lee Cheong-un’s thoughtlessness. Cheong In harbored a certain wariness of Cho Woo-jin, likely because he’d once lost face to him in a confrontation.
“Still, wouldn’t Cho’s presence guarantee Baek Hyun’s safety beyond all doubt?”
“Baek Hyun will be well protected with us alone.”
Cheong In snorted dismissively and moved ahead. Lee Cheong-un, realizing he’d say too much and face a scolding, fell silent with a wry smile.
But then.
“Hold.”
Cheong In, who had been leading, raised his hand to bring the party to a stop.
“Senior, what is it?”
Cheong Su, a disciple of the second generation who’d come on the mission, asked from beside him, his hand resting on his sword hilt.
Cheong In didn’t answer, only turned slowly to look back.
The forest path lay empty. Only the rustle of leaves stirred by the wind reached their ears.
Yet his hand had already moved to rest upon his sword hilt.
“Someone is following us.”

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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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