The Terminally Ill Youngest Daughter of a Medical Dynasty Is a Genius Physician - Chapter 24

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

Chapter 24
* * *
The following morning.
Deep within the Main House of Yak Ryeong-ga.
A grave tension had settled over the Grand Council Chamber since early hours, the space adjoining the family patriarch’s official quarters.
The Grand Council Chamber opened only when matters of utmost importance required the gathering of the family’s senior executives.
Columns of blackwood, centuries old, rose to support the vaulted ceiling, each carved with intricate motifs of green medicinal herbs and the Xuanwu tortoise symbol that marked Yak Ryeong-ga’s identity.
Family executives flanked the long conference table on both sides, seated upon crimson silk runners.
At the far end, elevated on a dais, only two chairs remained empty—those reserved for the patriarch and vice-patriarch.
Presently, the weighty doors of the chamber swung open on both sides.
“The patriarch and vice-patriarch enter.”
As the attendant’s announcement rang out, Yeon Baek-yu and Yeon Baek-gang appeared side by side.
Those assembled rose from their seats in unison.
“We receive the patriarch and vice-patriarch.”
Yeon Baek-yu raised a hand briefly, acknowledging their salute.
“Be seated.”
When his quiet yet commanding voice echoed through the chamber, the assembly settled back into their places.
Yet the four elders positioned to Yeon Baek-yu’s right remained standing, offering a formal bow.
“We have only just returned to the Main House yesterday, and so we offer our greetings.”
“How long has it been?”
Yeon Baek-yu crossed toward the four elders, making no effort to hide his pleasure.
“You’ve all traveled far and endured much. You must be weary.”
“We receive the patriarch.”
Heo Un-baek, the first elder, bowed in representation of the group.
Yeon Baek-gang, too, offered formal respect to the four men who had once served as his instructors.
“It has been long, elders. I trust you have been well?”
“And has the vice-patriarch been keeping well?”
“Come now, be at ease and sit.”
At Yeon Baek-yu’s invitation, the four elders took their seats.
These four were each recognized as the foremost authority in their respective fields—Pulse Diagnosis, Pharmacology, Acupuncture, and Pharmaceutical Formulation—throughout all of Cheon Myeong-guk.
They maintained vast numbers of disciples, traveling the realm to treat patients, only returning to the Main House for six months when the Physician Examination drew near every third year to mentor the Physician Candidates.
Heo Un-baek, the first elder, slowly stroked his snow-white beard and spoke first.
“We’ve heard word from the senior Physician Candidates. This morning’s council concerns Ryeong-hwa’s Physician Examination, we understand.”
“We were told the decision on whether she takes the test will depend on the efficacy of the medicinal pill she created.”
Yeon Baek-gang nodded in agreement.
Before him sat a single wooden box.
Joo Yeon-seok, the fourth elder and renowned master of Pharmaceutical Formulation, fixed his gaze upon it and asked.
“Does it contain the medicinal pill that alleviated her condition?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Baek-gang slid the box toward the center of the table.
“I assisted from the sidelines, but it was Ryeong-hwa who conceived both the formulation and the manufacturing method.”
All eyes in the chamber turned toward the small box in unison.
Yeon Baek-gang opened the lid slowly.
Inside lay the medicinal pills Ryeong-hwa had crafted with him the day before, arranged in perfect order.
The four elders examined each pill in turn, assessing its scent, texture, and medicinal properties.
Dam U-hyeon, skilled in Pharmacology, exhaled softly in admiration.
“The formulation is exquisite.”
He studied the fine powder clinging to his fingertips and nodded thoughtfully.
“It would be difficult to achieve such a blend without precise understanding of each herb’s nature. There is no conflict between the medicinal properties at all.”
Joo Yeon-seok broke one of the pills in half and examined the cross-section.
“The refinement is likewise remarkable. It strains credulity that a child made this for the first time.”
“More thorough verification will be necessary, but I am certain this pill will prove effective in temporarily stabilizing her twisted Qi Channels.”
Nam Jin-o, the third elder skilled in Acupuncture, gave a brief, confirming nod.
“Remarkable indeed. In the past, no medicine we administered produced any meaningful improvement in her condition.”
The four elders had observed Ryeong-hwa since her childhood and sought treatment paths for her, yet never found a clear solution.
And this formulation was one they themselves had never discovered.
Soft murmurs of wonder rippled through the assembly of executives.
A faint expression of relief crossed Yeon Baek-gang’s face.
Yet Joo Yeon-seok alone kept his stern expression unbroken to the end.
He set the pill down and posed a question.
“How long does the medicinal effect last?”
“……Half a day, approximately.”
The moment Yeon Baek-gang’s answer fell, the air in the council chamber grew heavy.
Joo Yeon-seok exhaled slowly, as though he’d anticipated this.
“Just as I thought.”
“What’s the concern?”
Someone from one end of the council table asked; Joo Yeon-seok answered.
“There’s no doubt regarding the girl’s talent or the pill’s efficacy. However, if this medicine is taken continuously for more than three days, there’s a risk of damaging the stomach.”
He gestured toward the medicinal pill on the table.
“Once she becomes a Physician Candidate, there will be situations where she must observe patients for extended periods. Should emergency cases flood in all at once, she may need to remain at her post for more than half a day.”
“If she must take the medicine again each time, ultimately her body will give out first.”
Heo Un-baek also turned his gaze toward Yeon Baek-yu.
“Master of the house. The authority to finally determine the qualifications for the Physician Examination rests with you.”
He stroked his snowy beard slowly downward.
“But I confess I don’t see why the young lady must take the examination now.”
Dam U-hyeon ventured carefully to add his voice.
“If you’ve found a clue to alleviating the illness, it’s best to continue with treatment and research first.”
“There’s no harm in taking the Physician Examination three years hence, after her body has fully recovered. Indeed, I believe that path serves her better.”
The executives seated around the council table began nodding one by one.
The mood shifted swiftly against the opposing view.
It was then that Yeon Baek-gang slowly opened his mouth.
“I understand the concerns of the elders well enough.”
He continued, his gaze on the medicinal pill atop the table.
“But the Physician Examination isn’t a place to select fully-fledged physicians. It’s a test to confirm one’s qualifications and potential to learn as a Physician Candidate.”
Heo Un-baek’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Once she passes the examination, she’ll face real patients.”
“The scope of practice can be restricted.”
Yeon Baek-gang did not retreat.
“I don’t mean to leave her to manage patients alone. She can learn at the side of a supervising physician only during times when her physical condition is stable.”
He added in a steady voice.
“A child who had received no instruction discovered this formulation by herself. Then shouldn’t we have her receive proper teaching as soon as possible?”
But Heo Un-baek quietly shook his head.
“The Physician Examination itself demands no small amount of physical endurance.”
“What if the medicinal effect wears off and she collapses during the test?”
He paused before adding.
“Furthermore, once she becomes a Physician Candidate, she’ll encounter unforeseen circumstances during her practical training. A single medical error can cost a patient their life.”
Yeon Baek-gang was about to speak again.
Squeak.
The firmly closed door to the Grand Council Chamber slowly swung open.
Every gaze in the chamber turned toward the entrance at once.
Yeon Baek-gang half-rose from his seat.
“Ryeong-hwa, what are you doing here……?”
Standing in the doorway was I, a small wooden box held in my arms.
I looked slowly around the council chamber, then spoke as clearly as I could manage.
“Grandfather, Father. And honored elders.”
I raised the wooden box in both hands for them to see.
“I apologize for intruding uninvited. But there’s something I very much want to show you, so I’ve come directly.”
Just as Father was about to speak, Grandfather lifted his hand to stop him.
“Come in and tell us.”
‘Thank goodness. At least I’ve been given a chance to speak.’
I took a slow breath.
Dozens of pairs of eyes fixed upon me all at once.
The Master of the house and the young master.
And the four elders, whom Cheon Myeong-guk called the finest physicians…….
The wooden box in my arms suddenly felt several times heavier.
But I couldn’t turn back now.
I had spent the whole night preparing medicinal pills for this moment.
‘I can do this.’
I steadied myself and walked toward the center of the council chamber.
Upon reaching the table where the elders sat, I carefully set down the wooden box.
“Before drawing conclusions from the Medicinal Pill alone, I hope you’ll examine these as well.”
Heo Un-baek’s snowy eyebrows lifted slightly.
“There are Medicinal Pills in that box too?”
“Yes.”
I opened the lid with both hands.
Inside were the Medicinal Pills that Yeoul and I had made together the night before, sorted by type.
Their colors and sizes varied subtly, separated by thin partitions to keep them from mixing.
The expressions of the elders shifted in unison at the sight.
Joo Yeon-seok picked up the Medicinal Pill from the leftmost compartment.
“It seems these are not all the same Medicinal Pill.”
He examined the pills divided by compartment and asked.
“What is different about them?”
I picked up the Medicinal Pill from the far left.
“The blending ratios and manufacturing order are entirely different for each.”

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