Chapter 68: Divine Doctor (5)

“How is your body?”

These were the words of Mae Hwa-seon, who, after quite a bit of arguing, finally succeeded in claiming a spot inside the hut.

I also glanced around the atmosphere before slipping inside.

“You must be busy, so why did you come all the way here….”

“I just stopped by while passing through, so don’t scold me like that.”

“…Sect Leader.”

Geum-hu looked at Mae Hwa-seon and replied with a bitter smile.

The Divine Doctor was still glaring at Mae Hwa-seon, but didn’t say anything further.

‘The Divine Doctor…’

How surprised I was when I heard that the old man, who had been having a staring contest with Mae Hwa-seon the entire time, was the Divine Doctor.

An old man whose medical skills were said to be unmatched by anyone.

It was known that there were almost no incurable diseases in the Central Plains, but because he wandered so much, even the highest noble families couldn’t easily summon him.

To run into such a Divine Doctor here.

‘…I didn’t know he’d have that kind of personality.’

[Originally, those who master one thing have always been a bit strange.]

‘…Ah, so that’s why….’

Hearing him say that himself gave it some credibility.

[What is it, punk? What’s wrong?!]

Setting the Divine Doctor aside, the problem was Zhuge Hyuk.

The guy sitting quietly next to me, just staring into space, kept bothering me.

‘Zhuge Hyuk is the Divine Doctor’s grandson?’

I heard he left with the old man when I was looking for him, but to think that old man was the Divine Doctor.

‘What is going on here…?’

What connection could this possibly have?

If that guy is really Zhuge Hyuk, what on earth happened for him to join the side of the Heavenly Demon?

It was a completely different situation from the background he had told me.

Of course, I didn’t believe everything he said, but I never imagined he could be the Divine Doctor’s grandson.

Is this also somehow related?

‘The more I look into it, the more complicated things get?’

How can anything be simple?

I thought, glancing at Zhuge Hyuk.

…Can I really kill him?

“…Geez.”

Do I even have to kill him?

When, how, if that happens, the problem…

“Kid.”

“…Yes?”

[Snap out of it.]

At Shin Noy-a’s reprimand, I covered my throbbing head with my hand.

Turning my head in the direction of the sound, I saw Mae Hwa-seon looking at me.

“Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I’m fine….”

“Imperial Physician!! The child says she’s unwell!”

“Quiet!”

The Divine Doctor, looking at Mae Hwa-seon, just spat out a curse and continued boiling the herbal medicine.

The Divine Doctor slowly handed the carefully boiled medicine to Geum-hu.

“Drink it and lie down to sleep immediately. You’ll feel drowsy soon.”

“…Thank you.”

Gu Ryeong-hwa, nervously watching from the side in case Geum-hu dropped the medicine, supported her.

Although she looked like a thin and frail old woman, both the Divine Doctor and Mae Hwa-seon called her Geum-hu.

Moreover, Gu Ryeong-hwa said she was Geum-hu’s disciple.

Only then did I understand why Yeong-pung called Gu Ryeong-hwa ‘Sa-go’.

Even though the three main disciples had all been initiated, Gu Ryeong-hwa, who joined later, must have been treated as the second disciple for that reason.

‘Why didn’t I know she was Geum-hu’s disciple?’

Although we weren’t particularly close in my previous life, I had never heard from anyone else that Gu Ryeong-hwa was Geum-hu’s disciple.

This means it wasn’t widely known to the public.

How did Geum-hu end up taking Gu Ryeong-hwa as a disciple?

And what happened that Geum-hu’s successor remained unknown?

I only knew that Gu Ryeong-hwa was a disciple of Hua San.

Geum-hu, a female martial artist walking the path of martial arts, someone whom female martial artists admired, or respected in their hearts, at least once.

When speaking of famous martial artists of the Hua San sect, people would naturally mention Geum-hu along with Mae Hwa-seon.

A female martial artist who didn’t hesitate to discuss chivalry and save commoners.

When the Demonic Scripture Cult erupted like a disaster in the Shaanxi region.

The heroic tale of how she evacuated the civilians and single-handedly held back the demonic beasts until Mae Hwa-seon arrived was so famous it continued even into the future.

There seemed to be many discussions about why Geum-hu, who remained active afterwards, suddenly disappeared without a trace.

‘Was it because her chronic illness worsened?’

Just looking at her, she didn’t seem to be in good condition.

Geum-hu should clearly have been Mae Hwa-seon’s disciple, given he was the Sect Leader, yet she looked older than him.

As I was sneakily peeking like that, our eyes met.

As I flinched in surprise, Geum-hu smiled slightly.

“I’m glad.”

“Huh?”

“I should have met you sooner. Both in appearance and… it took far too long.”

“Do you know me?”

Could it be because she heard something from Gu Ryeong-hwa?

If she did, I was slightly worried because I doubted she would have said anything good.

However, what came out of Geum-hu’s mouth was completely unexpected.

“You look a lot like Cheon-hui.”

“…!”

It was an unimaginable statement, and a name I had almost completely forgotten.

How does Geum-hu know that name?

“Do you… know my mother?”

Cheon-hui, that was the name of my mother, now faded.

Not only her name, but even how she used to smile, the voice she called me with, had all become faint.

Geum-hu gave another bitter smile at my question.

“She was my friend. A very close friend.”

“My mother and you…?”

How?

I’ve never heard about my mother’s childhood, so I don’t know, but I heard she lived an ordinary life…

‘…It’s not particularly strange, is it.’

After all, there’s the precedent of Wi Seol-ah.

It was just that there were too many things I was only learning after experiencing regression.

“…She doesn’t resemble her at all.”

These were the words of Gu Ryeong-hwa, held in Geum-hu’s embrace.

Gu Ryeong-hwa, while being held by Geum-hu, was glaring at me.

“Ryeong-hwa…?”

“That guy doesn’t resemble Mother… at all! Mother looks like a rabbit, but this person looks like a praying mantis…!”

“Praying…”

[See? I told you I wasn’t talking about not resembling her!]

Why of all things, a praying mantis….

There are so many cute and cool creatures, why a praying mantis?

[Why can’t you think about not resembling cute and cool things?]

‘…Hey, Noy-a, please stop.’

My heart really aches….

Geum-hu said this while stroking Gu Ryeong-hwa.

“Ryeong-hwa, no matter what, what kind of language is that to someone who came all this way to find you?”

“…That… no…”

“Hurry up and apologize to your oppa.”

At Geum-hu’s words, Gu Ryeong-hwa’s lips jutted out.

She was still a very young child.

“…S…orry.”

Her expression swore, but she apologized with her mouth, clearly reluctant.

Still, she seemed to listen well to Geum-hu’s words.

Geum-hu smiled contentedly looking at Gu Ryeong-hwa like that, then continued speaking.

“Four years ago, when I visited the Gu family, I wanted to see you too… but unfortunately, you were away at the time.”

Four years ago?

‘Ah, that was around then.’

Around the time I could see just a little bit of the darkness the Gu family possessed.

And around the time I was starting to fall apart.

It wasn’t a particularly good memory for me.

Unaware of my feelings, Geum-hu simply smiled at me.

“I’m glad I can see you now, at least…”

“Me?”

“Of course. Not being able to see you was truly regrettable.”

Why would that be?

Is it simply because I am Cheon-hui’s son?

If Geum-hu had visited the family estate four years ago, then it made sense that Gu Ryeong-hwa left for Hua San about a year later.

If it was Geum-hu herself who said she would take Gu Ryeong-hwa as a disciple, it’s possible my father or the elders wouldn’t have objected much.

Although it’s more likely because my existence was already there.

“You look a lot like Cheon-hui.”

At Geum-hu’s words, I laughed inwardly.

Because it was something I couldn’t relate to at all.

“I remember my mother not having such a fierce appearance…”

“Your appearance might be different, but you definitely resemble her, especially your aura.”

[In the meantime, she’s not denying that the woman’s appearance is fierce either.]

‘Do you really have to rain on my parade.’

Aura, what could that mean?

Trying to understand it was difficult, as my memories of my mother were too faint now.

She was just warm.

That was all I remembered.

As I was lost in thought, someone handed me something.

Seeing it was Zhuge Hyuk, I couldn’t help but be startled.

‘What is this…?’

A cloth? What am I supposed to wipe?

“What is it?”

Even when I asked again, he just stared at me silently.

Earlier, Gu Ryeong-hwa had clearly called Zhuge Hyuk mute.

Thinking about how well he used to talk in my previous life, it was strange.

Could that also be the Heavenly Demon’s power?

That it can even make a mute speak?

Is that truly human?

Since I didn’t react much, he put the cloth back into his pocket and returned to sit beside the Divine Doctor.

Was he always like that?

The sly smile the future him wore, the way he drove thousands to their deaths with a single word without hesitation.

Is that unrelated to the him of today?

If so, what on earth happened for Zhuge Hyuk to become a cultist?

“So.”

The Divine Doctor asked, looking at Mae Hwa-seon.

“You scoundrel, why did you come here?”

“…Geez, calling the Hua San Sect Leader ‘malco’…”

“I’m packing my bags?”

“Call me whatever you like comfortably… I came to see my disciple’s condition, why else would I be here?”

“You’d rather shit out of your mouth! It’s written all over your eyes that you have another purpose.”

“Ahem…”

“Is that perhaps related to this guy?”

The Divine Doctor’s gaze turned towards me.

“No, well… since I’m already here, it would be good if it was convenient…”

As if confirming it was the right answer, Mae Hwa-seon slightly averted his gaze.

Seeing that, sparks flew from the Divine Doctor’s eyes.

“My promise with you ends with Geum-hu. You surely know that, right?”

“…Hmm.”

The atmosphere was quite uncomfortable just sitting there.

I hadn’t received any explanation beforehand, and yet the purpose of seeking out the Divine Doctor was me.

“Um… what…”

“Ah! Just do it for me! That’s what friends are for, right?!”

“Look at you acting shamelessly now! Do you know how much I’m worth? You think you can just ask as a favor?!”

“How petty! Are you really going to be like this?”

“Petty my ass, damn it! I’ll make you wash your face with herbal medicine.”

What is this? What is this low-quality conversation?

Is this really the conversation between Mae Hwa-seon, who claims Taoism is supreme, and the legend of the medical world?

Geum-hu just sat there smiling while listening to that.

It was a face that seemed strangely familiar.

“In any case, no.”

“You…”

“[He] doesn’t look well, even at a glance. If you pay attention to him, you won’t be able to pay all your attention to Geum-hu. Are you okay with that?”

“Huh?”

At the Divine Doctor’s words, my eyes widened naturally.

Not well? Who…?

‘Me?’

I eat well, poop well, sleep well, and even walk well, so where am I not well?

The problem was, if it were anyone else, I would have dismissed it as bullshit, but the speaker was none other than the Divine Doctor.

“Judging by your reaction, you didn’t even know your own condition. Are you asking me to fix this?”

“No, who said anything about fixing it… I’m just asking you to take a look.”

“You’re talking nonsense, Do-hwa.”

Anger could be felt in the Divine Doctor’s voice.

“That is the responsibility of a physician. Are you telling me to knowingly send away someone I’ve touched after they’ve been injured?”

“…Imperial Physician.”

“Moreover, I have someone I must care for right before my eyes…”

“Would the leaves of Yonghyeoncho be enough?”

Freeze.

At Mae Hwa-seon’s statement, the Divine Doctor stopped moving.

He seemed quite surprised, as the hand that was boiling the medicine had stopped.

It wasn’t just the Divine Doctor who was surprised; I was too.

‘He has Yonghyeoncho?’

Yonghyeoncho is a legendary herb that is difficult to obtain even with money.

It was said that even the Great Restoration Pill, considered the best among spirit pills, could be made in quantities of several with just one root of Yonghyeoncho.

…But he’s offering that?

Hua San Sect is one of the Nine Great Sects, so it wouldn’t be strange for them to possess Yonghyeoncho, but…

They wouldn’t offer it just for examining my body.

Not even a small amount, but leaves, no less.

The Divine Doctor also seemed doubtful about the statement, asking Mae Hwa-seon again.

“Do-hwa, are you serious?”

“If my words are a lie, I’ll bark like a dog in front of you.”

No, Sect Leader, barking like a dog…

It wasn’t something a Taoist Sect Leader should say, but strangely, saying it like that made it believable…

“…This son of a bitch! I saw with my own eyes how he said that last time and barked without batting an eye…!”

The surroundings froze for a moment at the bombshell statement dropped by the Divine Doctor.

The master of Hua San barked like a dog? Surely the Divine Doctor is joking.

Thinking so, I looked at Mae Hwa-seon, but he just kept clearing his throat repeatedly.

“Hey! There are people here…!”

“You crazy bastard, considering how many incidents you’ve caused, do you think you have any dignity left to lose?”

I suddenly thought.

…Will Hua San Sect be okay like this?

‘Shin Noy-a….’

[…Don’t call me.]

‘With Hua San Sect in that state, are you really okay?’

[What is Hua San Sect? I don’t know. My memory’s been a bit hazy lately… Maybe I have dementia….]

‘…’

This old man wasn’t normal either.

To blame dementia when there’s no excuse.

“…This isn’t working.”

“This…”

“Then, if this statement is false, I will immediately step down from the position of Sect Leader.”

“Sect Leader!”

Geum-hu called out to Mae Hwa-seon, startled.

It looked like he was betting his position as Sect Leader when he had nothing else to bet.

In reality, he’s someone who once bet his sect’s treasured artifact on a drinking game, so…

I couldn’t really trust him.

At Mae Hwa-seon’s words, the Divine Doctor looked back towards me.

Perhaps he thought it was worth believing since the position of Sect Leader was on the line.

“Hmm…”

“How about it?”

The Divine Doctor seemed to be contemplating for a long time.

Is the reputation of Yonghyeoncho really that significant?

The Divine Doctor then sighed.

“…I will only examine you… Whatever happens, I will do nothing else.”

The Divine Doctor, who had been paused for a long time, finally accepted Mae Hwa-seon’s request.

“Oh, yes yes! That’s enough.”

“Um, excuse me… elders, what about my opinion?”

“…Fine, I’ve had enough. I’ll never come to see you again.”

“Then I’ll just come find you.”

“Just shut up, please.”

Saying that, the Divine Doctor extended his hand towards me.

“Roll up your sleeve and give me your arm here.”

At the Divine Doctor’s words, I couldn’t help but hesitate.

I knew it was probably because Mae Hwa-seon dragged me here due to the energy of the Plum Blossom Eternal Spring Stone or the plum blossom scent flowing through my body, but…

I had doubts about whether a physician could detect it, and also anxiety about being discovered regarding my demonic cultivation if they could.

[Give me your arm.]

‘Shin Noy-a?’

[The longer you hesitate, the more useless questions will arise. I’ll handle your anxiety somehow, so extend it for now.]

At Shin Noy-a’s words, I rolled up my sleeve and extended my arm to the Divine Doctor.

[Instead, I hope I can hear the related story later.]

‘…Yes.’

The Divine Doctor took my arm and slowly began to take my pulse.

A very small amount of internal energy flowed from the tips of the Divine Doctor’s fingers touching my arm.

It seemed that even physicians, despite being doctors, weren’t without internal energy.

“…This guy.”

The Divine Doctor fiddled with my arm for about an hour before finally opening his mouth.

Hearing those words, my mind went blank.

“It’s not just that your body is strange; at this rate, you’re a walking corpse?”

What…?