Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 17. The Knife
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"A Jo Physician, the patient that the White-Clothed Physician was treating just died. He was an herbalist who fell off a mountain, and he'd been treated by the White-Clothed Physician several times."
The servant who had slipped into the treatment room and blurted this out received an irritated wave from Jo Physician.
"What does that have to do with anything? If you're just going to spout nonsense, get out."
"No, I just... You told me before to let you know if something like that happened... Well, carry on with your work."
Embarrassed by Jo Physician's sharp attitude, the servant slunk back outside.
'He always used to insist I tell him stuff like that. What a cranky old geezer.'
No matter what curses the servant muttered under his breath, Jo Physician sat tapping on his low desk, lost in thought.
'If someone had to die, it should've been the Demon Subduing Division Leader back then. What difference does one lousy herbalist make?'
Jo Physician had fallen from grace.
Or rather, he was in the midst of falling.
If things continued unchanged for much longer, his ruin would be certain.
The incident with Jo Physician and the Demon Subduing Division Leader had spread far beyond Luoyang Medical Hall to the surrounding cities.
'The reputation I built over a lifetime, crumbling like this... It's all that Baek Yuseong's fault. Nothing's gone right since that bastard showed up at the medical hall.'
No matter that it was due to the aura of a Peak Realm expert, many people had witnessed Jo Physician's unsightly behavior.
His medical skills hadn't diminished.
But people hadn't come to him solely for his skills, had they?
In terms of pure skill, Yang Physician was superior anyway, and now most people thought Baek Yuseong had surpassed him.
The number of patients seeking him out had plummeted.
Even the old regulars who still visited no longer showed him the same respect.
Naturally, every day felt like dying.
As soon as his consultation hours ended, he headed straight home.
The new concubine he'd taken in had shrewdly notified him of her departure long ago.
The only one to greet him was his long-suffering wife.
Seeing her husband return with slumped shoulders and a defeated air, Jo Physician's wife ventured a conversation.
"Husband, why don't you take some days off and go do medical charity work in the slums?"
"Medical charity? What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"I've heard there are many poor patients who can't afford to come to the medical hall in the slums. What if you offered your skills to them and rebuilt your reputation that way? You have the talent for it."
"Medical charity... It might help occasionally, but... Wait, where did you hear about this?"
"..."
Seeing his wife unable to continue, Jo Physician felt an ominous premonition.
After pressing her, he learned that lately Baek Yuseong had been doing such things, and Jo Physician finally exploded.
"What? You want me to copy that bastard?!"
"I only said it with good intentions, so please don't take it the wrong way. Word has spread widely among the people of Luoyang, and now many see the White-Clothed Physician in a very positive light."
"I don't want to hear it! Regaining fame by imitating that guy would mean nothing!"
His wife had brought it up hoping to help him make a comeback.
But Jo Physician, who already blamed everything on Baek Yuseong, couldn't think rationally.
'I didn't want to resort to this method. But if it weren't for him, I could rise again!'
***
There was a shabby inn on the outskirts of Luoyang.
Since travelers coming and going to the great city of Luoyang never ceased, business was fairly good.
The owner, Oja-seong, was a man in his forties. Those around him believed he'd saved up enough from his wandering ronin days to open Zaseong Inn.
But one old man who knew Oja-seong's true identity came to visit Zaseong Inn.
Oja-seong hurried over to greet the elder.
"Jo Physician, what brings you all the way out here?"
"I'd like to speak with you alone in a quiet place."
Seeing Jo Physician's stern expression, Oja-seong's face hardened in turn.
"Please, come inside."
Oja-seong led Jo Physician to a secret room.
It had no windows, and the door was firmly shut, leaving no chance for anyone to eavesdrop.
Jo Physician spoke first.
"First, I have one thing to ask. Is our agreement still in effect?"
"...Of course."
"That's a relief. Then let's get to the point. You've heard the rumors about me lately, I presume?"
"..."
The rumors about Jo Physician these days were far from good.
It was impossible he hadn't heard that Jo Physician, out of jealousy toward a fellow physician in Luoyang Medical Hall, had schemed against him only to suffer greatly at the hands of the Demon Subduing Division Leader.
Oja-seong said nothing, but Jo Physician cut straight to the chase.
"I want you to kill one person for me."
Oja-seong closed his eyes slowly.
In the past, he had owed Jo Physician a great debt.
Back when he was an assassin for the Death Gate, he'd ambushed an orthodox warrior and fled, only to be gravely wounded by pursuers.
In that desperate moment, he'd hidden in a random civilian home.
With wounds too severe to heal easily, he figured that hiding spot would become his grave.
By chance, Jo Physician was staying at that house.
For reasons unknown, Jo Physician had a calm conversation with Oja-seong, treated his injuries, and fended off the orthodox warriors who came searching during his recovery, saving his life.
Oja-seong had hidden and received treatment at Jo Physician's home for about three months. In that time, he shook off not only the orthodox pursuit but also his ties to the Death Gate.
The orthodox factions had finally located and wiped out the Death Gate's base.
Fortunately, having just been promoted to a senior assassin, he hadn't yet ingested the control poison.
By sheer luck, Oja-seong had gained his freedom, and Jo Physician asked one thing in return for saving him.
It was exactly what Oja-seong was best at.
"Understood. You said that once—just one person you wanted dead—you'd let me know, and I'd handle it. I'll do it. Who is it? The Demon Subduing Division Leader? Or Baek Yuseong? Just so you know, even risking my life, the odds of success against the Demon Subduing Division Leader are less than ten percent."
"What if the target is Baek Yuseong?"
"Ninety percent."
Jo Physician asked in puzzlement.
"You, who once succeeded in assassinating a Peak Realm expert, say ninety percent? Not even ten?"
"I don't know enough about Baek Yuseong yet. There could be unknown variables. I need to investigate."
"Handle the details yourself. Can you do it within a month?"
"...One month from now, either I or Baek Yuseong won't be in this world."
Jo Physician left Zaseong Inn satisfied.
'The knife I impulsively sharpened for Yang Physician can finally be put to use.'
Ten years ago, he'd been overshadowed by the younger Yang Physician and consumed by bitter inferiority.
Back then, he'd soon regained his senses and sought other paths.
But now, delaying further would mean the end of everything.
Jo Physician, no longer capable of sound judgment amid his rage.
After Jo Physician departed.
Oja-seong promptly used illness as an excuse to hand over the inn's operations to someone else.
Over the next few days, he disguised himself, visited Luoyang Medical Hall to receive treatment from Baek Yuseong and gauge his skills, and tailed him under the guise of coincidence.
Yet he didn't act rashly.
Such operations aimed to eliminate variables and push success odds near one hundred percent.
It was this meticulousness that had allowed him, as a first-rate warrior, to assassinate a Peak Realm expert during his Death Gate days.
And Oja-seong believed his caution was paying off again this time.
'Beggars' Sect disciples are constantly positioned around him.'
For unknown reasons, Beggars' Sect members were keeping eyes on Yuseong without respite.
Oja-seong, who wanted to live long even after killing Yuseong, resolved to proceed with even greater care.
***
Yuseong inquired with the herb custodian in the pharmacy and visited Luoyang's largest herbal merchant to investigate the Fire Spirit Herb.
The results were dismal.
'The Fire Spirit Herb that Chosan gathered is just a bit over forty years old. What to do? Should I at least pass this one along?'
Thanks to Shaolin Temple's widespread announcement, everyone knew a fifty-year-old Fire Spirit Herb was required.
Yuseong gauged his Divine Power.
Boosted further by Jin Eunseon's exploits, he calculated generously beyond his daily gains.
Still impossible.
He concluded he couldn't acquire the Acceleration skill by Shaolin's deadline.
'It's regrettable, but delivering my sentiments will have to suffice.'
In the end, Yuseong skipped slum clinic duty on his day off and headed to Shaolin Temple.
He carried the Fire Spirit Herb Chosan had left him close to his chest.
Many ordinary folk were heading to Shaolin Temple as well.
Blending among them toward Lesser Flower Peak, Yuseong sensed a man drawing very close beside him.
"Keep walking naturally and talk. I'm from the Beggars' Sect."
Glancing over, Yuseong saw a clean-faced man in fine silk robes who looked nothing like a Beggars' Sect disciple.
He appeared more like the son of a wealthy family.
"You're really from the Beggars' Sect?"
"Circumstances required a disguise. I have information for you."
The man subtly lifted his jacket, revealing three knotted strings at his waist.
It was indeed the mark of a Beggars' Sect disciple.
Yuseong mingled naturally with the crowd and conversed as they walked.
"What information do you have?"
"Over the past few days, there's been one guy circling you, changing outfits each time. Did you know about him?"
No matter how he thought, no one came to mind.
This was due to Oja-seong's skill in observing from Yuseong's blind spots, but without sensing or eyes in the back of his head, Yuseong had no way of knowing.
"I didn't. Who is he?"
"We're still identifying him. He's highly skilled and elusive. But his intentions aren't good. In the worst case, assume he's an assassin. He seems to be tracking your movements, so stay vigilant."
"I'm grateful for the info, but why tell me this?"
At Yuseong's question, the Beggars' Sect disciple thought to himself.
'Here it comes!'
He recited his line exactly as thoroughly trained.
Careful not to omit a single important detail.
"The Iron Fist Branch Leader ordered us to protect you with our lives. And the Branch Leader follows Soun."
Thanks to the Beggars' Sect disciple's sincerity, Yuseong grasped the situation.
'Soun must have settled well in the Beggars' Sect. Good for him.'
"Thank you for letting me know. I'll make sure to thank Soun personally. I'll mention the Iron Fist Branch Leader's help too."
A satisfied smile crossed the Beggars' Sect disciple's face.
"The Iron Fist Branch Leader has stationed Beggars' Sect disciples trained in martial arts around you, so don't worry too much."
"So that's why I've been seeing so many Beggars' Sect folks around lately."
Yuseong soon parted ways with him.
His mind was a whirl.
'The chance of Baek Family Manor sending an assassin after me is near zero. That connection ended with me leaving the family. So, Jo Physician? Or Paeng Jisan and Jin Yeongho?'
Harboring grudges without martial prowess was dangerous.
He'd been especially careful not to accrue enmity with murim folk.
If Paeng Jisan or Jin Yeongho had sent someone over the tavern incident, what twisted minds they must have.
'Still, their odds are low. I never directly provoked them. Jo Physician seems the most likely.'
Lost in these tangled thoughts, Yuseong had arrived at Shaolin Temple before he knew it.
The gate monk asked his business.
"I'm Baek Yuseong, a physician from Luoyang Medical Hall. Could you tell the Abbot I'm here to deliver herbalist Chosan's belongings?"