The Terminally Ill Youngest Daughter of a Medical Dynasty Is a Genius Physician - Chapter 45

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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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Episode 45
‘Byeok Cheongyeon……!’
Only then, hearing the name, did the scattered fragments of memory align into a coherent whole.
Byeok Cheongyeon, Small Lord of the Geomcheon House.
A man who would later be called the “Divine Sword” and earn renown as the greatest swordmaster in the Cheonmyeong Kingdom.
‘Now that I think about it…….’
Without realizing it, I found myself gazing into his blue eyes.
The Geomcheon bloodline, I had heard, inherited the Azure Dragon Qi and bore blue eyes and hair with a faint azure tint.
I had never seen Byeok Cheongyeon with my own eyes in my past life, but I had heard his name countless times.
More than anything, the Byeok Cheongyeon I remembered had one famous story attached to his name.
He had lost both his eyes and still became the greatest swordmaster of the Geomcheon House.
‘Could the cause of that be……?’
The image of him I’d seen at the marketplace came to mind.
A boy collapsed with poison spreading through his entire body.
And I vaguely recalled hearing that around this time in my past life, Byeok Cheongyeon had sought out Yakryeong House for treatment.
‘Did he lose his sight because of that poison back then?’
Fortunately, in this life I’d administered emergency treatment at the marketplace, so the worst had been averted.
But with poison still remaining in his body, I couldn’t afford to be entirely at ease.
I glanced away from Byeok Cheongyeon’s gaze.
Until just moments ago, I’d thought we wouldn’t meet again.
And of all things, he had to be the Small Lord of the Geomcheon House.
“These here are the four senior elders of Yakryeong House.”
While I was lost in thought, Grandfather had been introducing the people gathered here one by one.
“And this is my eldest daughter, Yeon Dohwa, and her son, Yeon Hwicheon.”
Aunt Yeon Dohwa bowed her head lightly.
Yeon Hwicheon, as if on cue, offered a gentle smile and returned the courtesy with proper decorum.
Yet the light in his eyes as he regarded Byeok Cheongyeon had turned subtly rigid.
‘He must be shocked too.’
The person he had so thoroughly dismissed moments before turned out to be the Small Lord of the Geomcheon House.
“Ryeonghwa.”
Father, sitting beside me, called my name in a low voice.
“Are you alright?”
I turned to look at Father and smiled slightly.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“If anything feels uncomfortable, you must tell me at once.”
“Yes, Father.”
Father still seemed uneasy, so he examined the side dishes set before me, selected something easy to eat, and pushed it closer to me.
I obediently picked up my chopsticks.
Just then, Grandfather set down his teacup and spoke.
“How pleasant to meet the Small Lord of the Geomcheon House, known as the Shield of the Cheonmyeong Kingdom, in such a manner.”
“I am grateful for such generous hospitality.”
Byeok Cheongyeon bowed his head with unruffled composure.
“I had understood that the household lord still resides at Yakryeong House, which came as a surprise. I was told that he visits briefly each year before returning to the Imperial Court.”
“Under normal circumstances, that would be so.”
Grandfather chuckled leisurely.
“But now I have decided to remain with the household.”
Hearing those words, I had to suppress the corners of my mouth from rising.
Though I already knew this, hearing it from Grandfather’s lips again filled my heart with reassurance.
Grandfather’s gaze turned toward me for a moment.
When our eyes met, his smile deepened with satisfaction.
‘……Heh.’
A laugh nearly escaped me unbidden.
Then Grandfather turned his attention back to Byeok Cheongyeon.
“However.”
The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly.
“The Small Lord of the Geomcheon House would not have made the journey here merely for treatment.”
A brief silence fell.
Father gazed at Byeok Cheongyeon.
“What brings you here?”
Byeok Cheongyeon withdrew a sealed Bamboo Slip from within his robes.
“An urgent dispatch has arrived from the Northern Region.”
Father’s expression hardened.
Byeok Cheongyeon held out the bamboo slip with both hands, and Father immediately broke the seal.
“I had originally been sent south on a different assignment.”
Byeok Cheongyeon continued speaking in an even tone.
“But yesterday, I received an urgent dispatch from the Northern front lines.”
His voice dropped lower still.
“There was a larger attack than anticipated. The wounded have increased dramatically, and the local physicians alone cannot manage the situation.”
Father’s eyes grew heavy as he read the bamboo slip.
“That is not all.”
Byeok Cheongyeon pressed on.
“During the fighting, there was also an assault by Salyeong.”
The air in the room turned cold and still. The elders’ faces lost all hint of levity.
Father’s hand froze above the bamboo slip.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
Byeok Cheongyeon answered without hesitation.
“The full scale is still being assessed, but the casualties continue to mount.”
‘Salyeong…….’
The moment I heard that word, my chest sank.
In my past life, it was the very thing that had drenched the Northern Region in blood.
A creature neither fully alive nor entirely dead.
Among those who fell on the battlefield, some rose again for reasons unknown and attacked the living.
The problem was that they had appeared far earlier than I remembered.
‘It wasn’t until years later that they appeared in such numbers…….’
Now I understood.
‘It was already beginning back then.’
And I suddenly recalled why Father had never managed to leave the Northern Region in my past life.
As the Salyeong multiplied, the war stretched on without end.
Father remained bound to the North, treating countless wounded.
‘Will it happen again this time……?’
Without thinking, I clenched my hands.
Grandfather slowly surveyed the elders.
“How severe is the damage in the Northern Region?”
“Severe, sir.”
Byeok Cheongyeon nodded.
“Every moment lost will increase the casualties.”
After a brief pause for thought, Grandfather spoke.
“What do you elders believe should be done?”
Heo Unbaek stepped forward first.
“I will assemble a support team from our branch physicians and senior medical apprentices.”
Dam Uhyeon bowed as well.
“If needed, we ourselves will head north immediately.”
Nam Jino and Ju Yeonseok voiced their agreement.
Grandfather sat silent for a moment, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his chair.
Then he turned his gaze toward Father.
“Yeon Baekgang.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You will remain here.”
Father’s eyes wavered.
“The main house still has much to put in order since Yeon Sotaek’s expulsion. The Small Lord cannot abandon his post.”
Father was silent for a moment, then lowered his head.
“……I understand.”
Something that had been pressing on my chest loosened slightly.
‘Thank goodness.’
Father is not leaving for the North.
At least for now, he remains at my side.
But immediately thoughts of the countless patients waiting for help in the North weighed on my heart. Joy and guilt mingled together.
Grandfather looked at each of the elders in turn.
“Nam Jino and Ju Yeonseok—depart for the North as soon as preparations are complete.”
The two elders bowed their heads.
“We shall obey your command.”
“Heo Unbaek and Dam Uhyeon will remain at the main residence to organize the support staff and tend to the patients, rotating duties as circumstances allow.”
“Understood.”
Grandfather turned his gaze back to Byeok Cheongyeon.
“The Small Lord cannot return to the Northern Region, I take it.”
Byeok Cheongyeon glanced down at his own arm.
“Correct. The poison has not yet fully left my body.”
At that moment, Aunt Yeon Dohwa’s eyes fixed on one of his arms.
“You’re having difficulty using your arm properly.”
“The sensation has not fully returned.”
Byeok Cheongyeon answered evenly.
“It seems I shall require treatment for some time.”
Grandfather nodded slowly.
“Then remain here at Yakryeong House and receive treatment.”
“Thank you.”
“We must appoint a physician to oversee your care.”
A brief silence fell over the room.
The two elders were to depart for the Northern Region soon, and the remaining elders likewise had to organize support staff and attend to the patients at the main residence.
Father himself had no time to spare, occupied as he was with the accumulated duties of the Small Lord and the aftermath of the problems Yeon Sotaek had left behind.
It was then.
“I shall take on the responsibility.”
My aunt, Yeon Dohwa, who had been quietly sipping tea, finally spoke.
Everyone’s attention turned toward her.
“A guest of such standing—the Small Lord of Geomcheon House—would be best treated by someone of appropriate rank. I believe I am the most fitting choice.”
It was a statement no one could easily refute.
A physician who had treated countless patients at the Imperial Court.
By sheer skill alone, she counted among the finest healers in Yakryeong House.
“However, I would ask that Hwicheon assist me at my side in observing the patient.”
“…Mother?”
Yeon Hwicheon’s eyes widened for a moment.
Yeon Dohwa continued speaking calmly, without looking back at her son.
“Though Hwicheon is still a medical apprentice, he has learned the fundamentals of toxicology and trauma treatment thoroughly.”
There was not the slightest wavering in her voice.
“Since I will personally oversee every step of the process, there will be no burden placed upon the patient.”
Grandfather stroked his beard.
Yeon Dohwa added further.
“It will also serve as valuable experience for Hwicheon, and perhaps forge a good bond between Geomcheon House and Yakryeong House.”
‘…’
I regarded Yeon Dohwa quietly.
Her words themselves were not without merit.
It was a fine opportunity for Yeon Hwicheon to gain experience as a medical apprentice, and with Yeon Dohwa personally overseeing the treatment, there was no concern for safety.
Yet I could sense there was meaning beyond simple medical care in all of this.
Grandfather seemed to harbor the same thought; he did not answer immediately.
“Hmm…”
Just as Grandfather was about to speak.
“Father.”
Byeok Cheongyeon’s voice rose first.
Grandfather looked toward him.
“Go ahead.”
Byeok Cheongyeon looked at Yeon Dohwa and Yeon Hwicheon for a moment, then turned his gaze back to Grandfather.
“I have one request to make.”
“A request?”
“Yes.”
At that moment.
A sense of foreboding washed over me for reasons I could not quite name.
Byeok Cheongyeon’s blue eyes moved slowly.
And they fixed directly upon me.
‘…Why is he looking at me?’
Byeok Cheongyeon opened his mouth and spoke calmly.
“Please allow Yeon Ryeonghwa to assist in my treatment.”
The reception room fell silent.
Yeon Hwicheon’s brow furrowed slightly.
Aunt Yeon Dohwa turned to look at me then, as if only now remembering I was there.
Father’s gaze shifted between me and Byeok Cheongyeon, his expression caught between surprise and something else.
And I—
could only stare at Byeok Cheongyeon with my eyes wide open.
‘…What?’

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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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