Doctor’s Rebirth

Chapter 119

Mu-wol, the younger brother, spoke with concern.

“I know Master Jin isn’t the type to worry about petty people coming to visit, but he’s an extremely important figure in this martial world. I wish he would take better care of himself…”

“Mu-wol.”

Mu-hwa raised her hand to stop Mu-wol.

“What Master Jin does is save people. How can a doctor practice if he becomes wary of people?”

“But…”

Mu-wol’s brow furrowed slightly.

He was worried, but there was nothing he could do.

If saving people is a doctor’s destiny, avoiding people would mean not treating them at all.

“That’s why I trained rigorously in martial arts. And I have this guy too.”

Woof! – Trust me, human. My nose is faster than my eyes.

The yellow dog at Jin Cheon-hee’s feet asserted its presence.

“I’ve already heard about Lord Hwanggu. They say he’s a famous spiritual beast in the Beggars’ Sect. He’s grown much larger than what I was told.”

“He’s growing by eating medicinal herbs from the medical pavilion and the flesh of other spiritual beasts. He’s growing rapidly.”

Not much is known about the ecology of spiritual beasts even in the martial world.

This was especially true since spiritual beasts weren’t a biological classification like mammals or fish, but rather referred to creatures that could use qi and had internal energy cores.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you have a bowl? The dongpo pork is the best in the world.”

At those words, the expressions of the two siblings became quite serious.

“Dongpo pork as the best in the world? That’s intriguing.”

“No, sister. It might be that sir Little White Dragon hasn’t tasted real world-class dongpo pork yet.”

“What do you mean by that?”

In response to Jin Cheon-hee’s question, Mu-wol said:

“The true world-class dongpo pork is from our branch. It’s only natural for sir Little White Dragon to feel that way since he hasn’t tasted our dongpo pork yet.”

“Oh? Does that mean I’m a frog in a well?”

Good. I accept the challenge.

“Waiter! Two more portions of dongpo pork!”

“Give us two plates of dongpo pork here!”

At that moment, Mu-hwa and Mu-wol both ordered dongpo pork simultaneously.

“There’s no place better than our branch, but let’s compare and see.”

“That’s a good idea, Mu-wol. Sampling the best restaurants in the martial world is an important duty of the Hao Sect branch master.”

The two siblings spoke with humorless voices.

‘Was there such a duty for the Hao Sect branch master…?’

Even Jin Cheon-hee, who had read many martial arts novels, was hearing this for the first time.

Anyway, the two siblings each received a plate of dongpo pork and carefully put it in their mouths.

***

A delicious meal followed.

After eating the dongpo pork at the Celestial Inn, the Mu-hwa and Mu-wol siblings had opposite reactions.

“Sister, this is not far behind our branch’s quality!”

“Judging by the taste, this must be that chef we tried to recruit for our branch before. It’s a pity the Namgoong family succeeded in recruiting him.”

They said this while moving their chopsticks without pause.

‘They eat well.’

As expected of martial artists.

They eat a lot and they eat well.

The two siblings finished the dongpo pork heartily and ordered xiaolongbao and three-flavor dumplings as well.

The pleasant time continued.

They each drank a cup of Shaoxing wine, while Jin Cheon-hee drank tea as they conversed.

Eventually, the conversation between the three people began to slow down.

It was time to part ways.

Just as they were about to start looking for signs of who would say goodbye first, Mu-hwa spoke.

“Master Jin, we’ve detected suspicious movements from an unknown group recently. It’s probably nothing, but I hope you’ll be careful.”

‘So that’s what they came to talk about.’

Jin Cheon-hee immediately realized.

They probably don’t have any evidence.

They probably haven’t accurately identified what kind of group these suspicious people are.

It would be fortunate if it’s just a guess, but if it’s real, it might be too late.

Since such things often happen in the martial world, Jin Cheon-hee nodded.

“Thank you. Ah, there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“The child I recently operated on, and their family, will likely continue to run their theater troupe in this street. Um, could you keep an eye on them?”

“By keeping an eye on them, you mean…”

Jin Cheon-hee briefly mentioned the gang that had recently attacked Sama Hyeon.

As Sama Hyeon’s troupe became more popular, the number of gangs targeting the Silver One would likely increase.

If it were just Sama Hyeon alone, he could easily defeat such gangs, but if they took the children hostage like last time, it would be a different story.

“Ah… there are always such bastards around.”

Mu-hwa fell into thought.

After a while, she opened her mouth.

“If it’s just thugs causing trouble, I should be able to handle it at my level without much difficulty.”

Jin Cheon-hee didn’t bother to ask how she would handle it.

She was from an unorthodox sect.

It meant she would handle it in the way of the unorthodox sects.

As long as the children would be safe because of it, that would be enough.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all, Master Jin. I’m glad I can help.”

Mu-hwa smiled gently.

The scars from syphilis had almost disappeared from her face.

Her aura had also become much heavier and stronger.

‘You’ve become stronger.’

The achievement of a martial artist.

Jin Cheon-hee deliberately didn’t bring it up first.

If she wanted to be congratulated, she would have mentioned it first. Not mentioning it probably meant she had her reasons.

“Even at this moment, you’re doing many things, Master Jin.”

Jin Cheon-hee shook his head.

“I’m just doing a little of what’s within my reach.”

He said with a smile.

Mu-hwa and Mu-wol quietly marveled at Jin Cheon-hee’s demeanor.

“If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Jin Cheon-hee shook his head.

Since treating his younger sibling, Sama Hyeon had consistently refused Jin Cheon-hee’s help.

It seemed they had judged that being associated with him would do them no good.

For such a Sama Hyeon, all he could do was secretly shield them from the wind and rain a little like this.

‘It might seem a bit overprotective, but…’

The other party was the future leader of the Hao Sect.

This much should suffice.

***

The night before departing for the Zhoushan Archipelago.

‘The next ship arrives tomorrow.’

On the top floor of the six-story pavilion.

In the most luxurious room, Jin Cheon-hee was having a late-night snack.

This was the most expensive place, costing more than a month’s salary for an ordinary person to stay for just one night.

The room arranged by the Gong-woon Escort Agency was already nice, but with Mu-hwa and Mu-wol added, they ended up staying in what would be equivalent to a modern-day ultra-luxury VIP suite.

Against the backdrop of an extravagant dragon scroll that was surely painted by a master, Jin Cheon-hee was spending his last night in Hangzhou with its cuisine.

“The medical pavilion is good in all aspects, but the food is a bit bland. I understand it’s patient food, so it can’t be helped, but is there no room for improvement? What do you think, Hwanggu?”

Woof woof! – Master, the food is too delicious! Please supply more!

Thanks to his master, Hwanggu’s meals had also become luxurious.

Although he was said to be at the level of a disciple of the Beggars’ Sect leader, it was still the Beggars’ Sect after all.

The food he could eat in the Beggars’ Sect was at best good coarse rice.

Compared to that, following Jin Cheon-hee allowed him to taste delicacies and even the flesh of spiritual beasts.

Woof! – Master is indeed a good master! I made the right choice in serving him.

Hwanggu realized once again today that his choice had been correct.

“You’re not just sticking with me for the food, are you?”

Whine. – No, Master. While rations are an important issue, I like you, Master.

Woof! – So, could you give me that duck leg over there…!

Tsk, Jin Cheon-hee doubted Hwanggu’s loyalty for three seconds.

‘Dammit. Why do dogs have to be so cute…’

He couldn’t resist the dog’s furry charm.

This was a losing battle.

Jin Cheon-hee reached out and pinched Hwanggu’s cheeks, then tore off a large piece of the duck leg and placed it in Hwanggu’s bowl.

Woof woof! – Master, loyalty loyalty!

That’s right.

Whether he peed in the master’s shoe rack or tore up the floor to drive him crazy, there was no winning against that adorable furball.

Don’t dog training programs ultimately come down to the human’s fault, not the dog’s?

‘Dogs are innocent. Dogs are.’

Jin Cheon-hee said.

“Come to think of it, your metabolism is different from regular dogs. There’s no food you can’t eat. You recover even faster than humans.”

Woof? – Does that mean I’m strong?

“Yeah, that’s about right.”

He even had stronger resistance to poison than humans.

The amazing thing was that he was getting bigger, and his physical abilities were getting stronger as he ate spirit pills and the flesh of spiritual beasts.

Pant pant pant. – I like Master. Like.

“Want some chicken? I’ll tear some off for you too.”

Jin Cheon-hee gave Hwanggu some food while vigorously patting his head.

At that moment, he sensed someone outside.

“Who is it?”

“Lady Mu-hwa has sent a message. It’s urgent, so I’ve come up like this.”

Judging by the voice, it was the waiter from the Celestial Inn.

Jin Cheon-hee looked down at Hwanggu.

Woof! – It’s a familiar smell, Master! It’s the person who gave me soft meat!

Jin Cheon-hee patted Hwanggu vigorously again and said,

“Come in.”

Creak-

The waiter prostrated himself before Jin Cheon-hee.

“The message is that Sama Hyeon, whom you treated before, is in danger, and it would be best if you went immediately. They said to tell you that high-ranking individuals from the orthodox sects are involved, making it difficult for martial artists to intervene directly.”

“What?”

Woof!

As Jin Cheon-hee sprang up, Hwanggu also raised his body abruptly, following Jin Cheon-hee.

Without further conversation, Jin Cheon-hee opened the window and stepped outside.

Hwanggu followed Jin Cheon-hee, leaping out together.

Being able to use internal energy was a characteristic of spiritual beasts.

Hwanggu was one of the few spiritual beasts that could keep up with Jin Cheon-hee’s movements.

Arf! – Following Master.

“Sama Hyeon’s new residence… no. Track Sama Hyeon’s scent.”

Awooo! – Understood!

Hwanggu’s most fearsome ability lay in his tracking skills using his dog nose.

Hwanggu immediately began to track Sama Hyeon’s scent.

Duck, and even the leg torn off for him by his master.

It was time for Hwanggu to repay the kindness in his own way.

***

“Huff, hah… Wow. I knew there were many experts in the martial world, but I didn’t expect them to come after a mere child like me~”

Blood was sticky on Sama Hyeon’s head.

Even his hands, which he had been so proud of, were covered in small wounds.

In front of the boy stood a giant figure over 2 meters tall, blocking his way.

It was a man with skin as rough as tree bark.

Only the skin on his hands and face was exposed, giving him a rather monstrous appearance.

It was enough to create an illusion that a piece of wood was moving, rather than a person.

“Child, didn’t I tell you to come quietly? Even at my age, I didn’t want to run such an errand. But if you resist further, I’ll have to cut off a limb or two to drag you along.”

Sama Hyeon exhaled deeply.

The boy’s breath condensed in the cold air, creating clouds.

Taking a stance meant he had the will to fight.

“Tsk tsk tsk. Judging by your behavior, losing a limb or two won’t be enough to make you listen. Well then, how about cutting off the heads of those siblings you care so much about?”

At those words, Sama Hyeon’s handsome eyes curved nicely.

“…Why don’t you try it, old man~ I’ll show you that just as cold water has its layers, there are hierarchies even in the day of death.”

“Kekek. You think you can do that?”

“Isn’t ‘the ears of a rabbit dying along with the fox’ a saying for a reason? If you die and I die right after, that would be filial piety, wouldn’t it? I’ll write a new history of respecting elders for you. How about that~?”

“Hohoho, you’re still putting on airs in this situation? When you barely have the strength to maintain a standing posture.”

“…Well. We’ll see about that.”