The Physician of Traditional Medicine Returns from Murim - Chapter 177

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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 177

 

Since returning to South Korea, my nerves had been more on edge than ever before.

 

“One royal milk tea, please~.”

 

Though I placed the order with my mouth, I concentrated all my attention on sensing any suspicious presence.

 

The scent of a kindred spirit.

 

Of course, this didn’t mean that person had learned martial arts.

 

However, whether innately or through training, there are some among ordinary people with exceptional ki sensitivity, and he was exactly that type.

 

I could tell.

 

Like me, he had his ki senses wide open, surveying his surroundings.

 

Though he wouldn’t be able to detect me.

 

‘As expected.’

 

I held up my phone, pretending to check myself in a selfie, and confirmed the person’s face.

 

‘So he was a Westerner.’

 

A neat-looking middle-aged white man.

 

He wouldn’t attack in such a crowded place, would he?

 

Just in case he posed a threat, I gripped acupuncture needles in my hand, ready to respond immediately.

 

“One espresso, please.”

 

“I’m sorry, sir. Our store doesn’t sell espresso. For coffee, we only have americano and cafe latte.”

 

“Sorry. I’m not good at reading letters. Vanilla ice cream, please.”

 

The man approached the counter and placed his order with the staff.

 

His Korean wasn’t perfectly fluent, but there was absolutely no problem with communication.

 

‘Seeing him order espresso… he’s definitely Italian.’

 

I naturally turned my body, pretending to wait for my milk tea.

 

The man’s eyes were directed toward Roberto.

 

‘He’s definitely tailing him.’

 

But seeing how close he’d come and that I’d detected his presence, he didn’t seem to be a professional at surveillance or assassination.

 

…Or was he? Should I consider this level specialist-grade?

 

As an ordinary citizen, I had no way of knowing the average skill level of such people.

 

The only stalker I’d encountered in modern times was that pathetic one who had been following Chu Miyoung.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

I waited like that for 5 minutes.

 

But the man also just stood still, occasionally glancing at Roberto.

 

“Number 86 milk tea, number 87 vanilla ice cream ready!”

 

The staff soon called for us.

 

‘Is he planning to do nothing today?’

 

As I moved next to the man to get my drink, I pondered for a moment.

 

If I had been in a situation where I could guard Hwangseoyeong 24 hours a day for the time being, I would have waited too.

 

Until he made the first move.

 

But I had to finish my business in Seoul today and return to Busan by tomorrow morning at the latest.

 

In that case, indeed.

 

‘That’s the only method left.’

 

* * *

 

Mario Moretti.

 

He was the Consigliere (advisor role in the organization) of the ‘Cerbini Family,’ one of the top three families even in Italy, the homeland of the Mafia.

 

A man who had been active for decades as the boss’s right hand, moving between the worlds of light and darkness.

 

On one side, he served as the organization’s legal counsel as a perfect lawyer.

 

On the other side, he was a cold strategist who had engaged in bloody battles with enemies both inside and outside the organization.

 

‘Tsk, to think I’d be doing work usually assigned to small fry at this age.’

 

An organization member who had sworn a blood oath with the boss and was one of the few the boss trusted 100%.

 

Physical combat and shooting skills that could match any active Mafia member.

 

A clean criminal record as a licensed lawyer. In other words, no disqualifications for overseas travel.

 

Even as a speaker of 8 languages with intermediate-level Korean skills, there was no one more suitable than Mario for this job.

 

‘What a doting fool.’

 

Thus, Mario had come to South Korea at none other than the boss’s earnest request.

 

His mission was background investigation and safety confirmation regarding Roberto and the woman he was meeting.

 

The boss was worried whether rival organizations might be connected to Roberto’s departure from Italy, or if the woman he was meeting might be dangerous.

 

For someone of Mario’s caliber, finding Roberto and Hwangseoyeong was not difficult at all.

 

Maintaining an appropriate distance while tailing them and surveying the surroundings was equally easy.

 

Investigation results.

 

There was absolutely nothing for the boss to worry about.

 

Hwangseoyeong’s identity was very solid, and she was even a young lady from a quite prestigious family in this country.

 

Having sent his report to the boss, he was planning to wrap up his mission and return home soon.

 

It wouldn’t be a big problem to just deploy a couple of suitable soldiers and go back.

 

‘Damn Americans.’

 

Mario counted the days until he could return home in his head as he received the vanilla ice cream.

 

He didn’t particularly like sweet foods, but it would be better than that bizarre drink of watered-down espresso.

 

If he sprinkled some balsamic vinegar that he usually carried around, even vanilla ice cream would be somewhat edible…

 

Splash!

 

But right at that moment.

 

A drink spilled all over Mario’s clothes.

 

“…?!”

 

Milk tea.

 

The woman in front had dropped the cup she was holding.

 

“I’m so sorry! I’ll wipe it off for you!”

 

Mario was startled.

 

When had she been there? He hadn’t sensed her presence at all.

 

“Ah, it’s fine.”

 

“Oh my, what should I do. It looks like expensive clothes… Wait a moment, let’s go to the restroom and try to remove the stain. I don’t think it’ll work though… If it doesn’t work, I’ll pay for dry cleaning, no, I’ll pay for new clothes. I’m sorry!”

 

The woman poured out words like a machine gun.

 

Mario couldn’t understand everything she was saying.

 

He had no intention of trying to understand either.

 

The situation itself didn’t make sense.

 

Was bumping into him really an accident?

 

“Not at all. You don’t need to worry about it.”

 

“No way. I’ll wash it off for you quickly.”

 

The woman grabbed Mario’s hand and pulled him along.

 

At that moment, Mario was certain that the woman spilling milk tea was absolutely no accident.

 

“…?!”

 

His judgment was too late.

 

He needed to get away.

 

She wasn’t an ordinary woman-.

 

“Wait…!”

 

“Follow me.”

 

The woman turned to look at Mario with a cold expression.

 

In that instant, he realized.

 

‘She’s the same kind.’

 

It didn’t just mean she had a foot in the underworld.

 

This woman was the same type of human as the boss.

 

The magic power to draw people in, make them submit, and dominate them with just a look.

 

Even Mario, who had spent his entire life serving beside such a boss, was momentarily terrified.

 

Everything happened too quickly.

 

There had been so many people in the ice cream shop, yet no one noticed Mario being dragged to the restroom.

 

Bang!

 

The restroom door closed.

 

Click.

 

And it was locked.

 

“Who sent you here?”

 

The woman smiled brightly.

 

Only then could Mario properly see the woman’s face.

 

Hanyewon.

 

The doctor who had treated Roberto together with Hwangseoyeong.

 

Why was this person here?

 

Thwack!

 

Her movement was faster than expected.

 

Even though it was an unexpected situation, he couldn’t just stand there terrified.

 

He had survived multiple gunfights, and this was just one person!

 

But Mario’s leg only cut through empty air.

 

The woman had gotten behind Mario with movements he couldn’t even see.

 

‘This is impossible!’

 

Before he knew it, a sharp instrument gleamed at his nape.

 

Thud!

 

Mario’s body, with his limbs restrained, collapsed helplessly.

 

* * *

 

“No, it’s not a weapon, it’s just a medical tool. A needle! Acupuncture! Treatment Tool! Like a scalpel!”

 

Wait, would holding a scalpel to someone’s neck be just as strange?

 

After explaining for a while, I paused for a moment.

 

“…I see.”

 

Taking advantage of the gap, the man got up while brushing off his clothes.

 

Though he had relaxed his guard considerably, a subtle fear flickered in his eyes.

 

What? What did I do to make him react like that? Did I point a sword at him? What did I do?

 

He clearly wasn’t an ordinary person either.

 

“I’m sorry. I was worried my friend might be in danger, so I overreacted.”

 

Though I grumbled inwardly, I showed the magnanimous demeanor of a gentleman by apologizing first.

 

Hmm, if it had been Master…

 

No. If it had been Master, he would have just stabbed him the moment he tried to kick.

 

Not that he would kill him or anything.

 

Just a light prick to the pressure point with a thin needle.

 

– Argh!

 

I had simply dodged the roundhouse kick, then knocked the man down, laid him on the ground, and restrained both his arms and legs.

 

Then a quick body search.

 

Naturally, there was no gun.

 

No knife either.

 

‘Did I overdo it?’

 

For a moment then, I briefly wondered if I had messed with an innocent person.

 

– Hanyewon?

 

He called out my name, all three syllables clearly.

 

– You know me?

 

– From a photo, with Hwangseoyeong…

 

– Speak clearly, who sent you. Otherwise…

 

We exchanged a few words while hiding our true intentions from each other.

 

I roughly interrogated him, considering the possibility that the man was sent by Roberto’s rival organization.

 

The man worried whether I might be a threat to Roberto and tried not to reveal any information.

 

‘It would have been better if he had said where he came from in the first place. Thanks to that, it took quite a while to clear up the misunderstanding.’

 

Though the process was rough, we eventually figured out each other’s identity.

 

“Not at all. Having a friend nearby who can emit killing intent with medical tools is actually reassuring.”

 

“Killing intent? I’m just an ordinary Korean Medicine Doctor from South Korea.”

 

Mario’s expression twisted strangely.

 

What is he thinking?

 

It overlapped with the gazes of those Martial Arts Alliance bastards from long ago when I was accused of being Makyodo.

 

It seems like he’s making some rude assumption.

 

“…Yes. I’m just an ordinary lawyer from Italy.”

 

But instead of pressing further, Mario soon smiled calmly.

 

That’s nonsense on your part, but mine is real!

 

If your young master hadn’t bled right in front of my eyes, we wouldn’t have gotten involved at all!

 

“Yes, yes. Let’s go with that. Shall we keep today’s contact a secret too?”

 

“I would appreciate that.”

 

“Will you keep following them around? Can you adequately protect my friend even if your boss’s enemies threaten her?”

 

It won’t work against me, but I guess having someone is better than having no one?

 

“I have to go back. We plan to deploy personnel to guard from a distance just in case.”

 

“So there is a possibility of enemy attacks?”

 

“It approaches zero. The boss just developed neurosis after Roberto got hurt last time.”

 

I nodded.

 

For now, even from my perspective, there were no suspicious presences other than Mario.

 

With guards attached, the things I was worried about probably wouldn’t happen.

 

‘It’s better if Seoyeong doesn’t know.’

 

From what I heard, that father doesn’t seem to have any intention of interfering with his son’s life either.

 

It’s only because it’s me that I noticed – Hwangseoyeong and Roberto wouldn’t know even if someone was following them.

 

I decided to keep my mouth shut.

 

“If Doctor happens to discover any dangerous individuals, please report to us.”

 

Mario held out a business card to me.

 

“Ah, of course we also welcome any opportunity to repay the favor from last time.”

 

The number written there…

 

matched the black card I received last time.

 

“Got it.”

 

Direct line to the secretary, something like that?

 

I really didn’t want to get involved.

 

Why did it turn out like this?

 

* * *

 

“Uuuuugh”

 

In the brief time I was away taking care of business, Roberto’s face had become even paler.

 

“Don’t tell me you ate ice cream?”

 

“I finished it all! Why did you take so long?”

 

No, this guy’s a Korean Medicine Doctor too!

 

He could clearly see his boyfriend wasn’t feeling well but didn’t stop him from eating ice cream – what was he even doing?

 

“Ah, I accidentally spilled some milk tea on a stranger. I went to the restroom to wipe it off, but it didn’t work, so I decided to buy him a new one.”

 

“You did?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“No, it’s just… I can’t imagine you spilling something… Though I guess it could happen.”

 

What does she think I am?

 

“Um, would it be okay if I went to the restroom?”

 

Since Mario went outside, it should be fine to use the restroom.

 

I pointed in the direction, but Roberto shook his head.

 

“No. It’s not that. My stomach just hurts.”

 

Hmm, seems like he has an upset stomach.

 

“Instead of just sitting here, let me use acupuncture to calm it down. Are you afraid of needles?”

 

I asked Hwangseoyeong.

 

“Not really… but can you calm it down right away?”

 

Hwangseoyeong tilted her head curiously.

 

“Of course?”

 

A few acupuncture points should at least settle whatever’s churning in there, right?

 

I pulled out needles from my sleeve.

 

Not the thin needles I used to threaten Mario earlier, just regular ones.

 

“I’ll just place a few on your arm.”

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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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