Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Medical Pavilion Examination
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In Virtual Fantasy, Yuseong had walked the path of a proper priest.
Though he hadn't served as a holy knight, he knew well how holy knights fought.
They didn't train in mana cultivation methods, so their physical abilities fell short compared to knights, and they couldn't wield aura either.
Yet holy knights never yielded to most knights—in fact, when factoring in their self-healing capabilities, they held even greater advantages.
The path to higher realms lay open to knights, but holy knights excelled in sustained defense.
So how did they bridge that gap without mana cultivation methods?
Through buffs and items.
Holy knights could envelop their bodies in buffs to match knights' physical prowess.
The issue was aura, the knights' exclusive domain. Infusing holy power into ordinary swords couldn't replicate aura's effects.
Special items were required.
That was where orichalcum came in.
Holy knights' blades were forged from orichalcum, and condensing holy power within them produced effects akin to a knight's aura.
Immense cutting power!
In other words, even without internal energy, the path to becoming a holy knight had opened for Yuseong.
Of course, he lacked the absolute quantity of holy power needed, and the orichalcum he'd obtained this time was far too scant.
'Can I acquire more orichalcum in the future?'
Jegal Yeongyeong had recognized the Heavenly Fortune Stone at a glance, implying more existed somewhere.
If he gathered it diligently, it should suffice for a single sword.
Even in Virtual Fantasy, it had been rare, but the temples held considerable stocks.
Back then, he hadn't cared about the source—likely meteorites, he figured, leading to the same conclusion here.
'That's a distant future plan. For now, how to make use of this.'
Too little even for a short dagger.
It wouldn't alloy with other metals, unlike eternal cold iron that could mix with ordinary iron.
One idea surfaced, but he wandered the display shelves seeking better options.
Clatter—
The needle pouch at his waist rattled incessantly, firming Yuseong's resolve.
'Alright. For now, crafting needles is best. Even if holy power quantity remains unchanged, amplification through needles would allow treating more patients, even the critically ill. Building holy power diligently is the priority.'
One worry resolved, another arose.
'But who here can forge orichalcum needles? No dwarves around...'
Orichalcum was notoriously hard to process.
Likely why Jegal Yeongyeong dismissed it as pretty but useless metal.
***
On the way home, carrying a few antiques.
At the fork, Jegal Yeongyeong naturally followed toward Yuseong's house.
"Are you perhaps heading all the way to my home?"
"Yes, I'll walk you to your doorstep. Consider it an escort."
"Last time, you said it would be troublesome if others saw."
"That was because I went inside. This is fine. I properly earned payment by appraising antiques for you."
Jegal Yeongyeong shook the small tassel in her hand.
"It's nothing special."
Among the antiques was a fine yellow tassel suited for women, mistakenly mixed in.
Curious, he'd shown it to her; she'd asked for it as fee, and he'd agreed.
"Oh, right. You always keep formations active at home, yes?"
"Of course. I reinstall the Labyrinth Formation and Seclusion Formation every few days—no need to worry."
"After that incident, how could I not? Always take care."
"Of course. I'm not living alone, after all."
"W-What?! Y-You're not single?"
Since growing closer, Yuseong often teased Jegal Yeongyeong for her amusing reactions.
She didn't disappoint this time.
She flailed like a live fish on land.
"With countless patients awaiting my touch, how could I be single?"
Zap—
Her glare sharpened.
"I'm kidding."
"No more jokes like that."
...
After idle chatter, Yuseong raised his query.
"Do you know any artisan capable of crafting needles from this Heavenly Fortune Stone?"
"Needles? From Heavenly Fortune Stone?"
"The amount's too small, as you see. Needles are what I use most in my profession."
"That makes sense. It actually seems decent. I hear Heavenly Fortune Stone has excellent durability. Processing it will be tough, though."
Right.
In Virtual Fantasy, god-sent dwarf blacksmiths made it effortless.
But could any ordinary human here handle it?
He'd ask local smiths, but needed leads on the skilled ones.
"Sichuan Tang Clan comes to mind first. Not sure about better smiths, but they supply their own hidden weapons, so they employ top-tier artisans."
"Ah, Sichuan Tang Clan! Good. Though it's quite far."
"You're not thinking of going there yourself?"
Entrust it to them via commission from here?
Yuseong pondered.
Send Heavenly Fortune Stone via Murim Alliance to Sichuan Tang Clan for processing.
'If via Murim Alliance, that could work. Less risk of loss than carrying it myself.'
"Do the Sichuan Tang Clan accept Murim Alliance commissions?"
"No, they don't. Prideful bunch. Heard they've rejected fabrication requests multiple times."
"Then if I go in person?"
"Hmm, if you grant them a favor. They value favors and grudges deeply."
"Favors and grudges..."
The Sichuan Tang Clan was insular. To prevent technique leaks, even direct daughters stayed unmarried, taking sons-in-law.
No Tang Clan members in Murim Alliance or Murim Academy, as far as he knew.
He doubted many chances to entangle with them.
Yet undeterred, Yuseong resolved to seek them if other smiths couldn't handle Heavenly Fortune Stone.
...
Unaware, Jegal Yeongyeong fidgeted beside him, watching his determined expression.
***
Near Luoyang's Murim Alliance buzzed with physicians from across the land.
All here to overturn their fates via the Murim Alliance Medical Pavilion exam.
"He Physician, we meet again. So many wrinkles, nearly didn't recognize you."
"Ma Physician, still sharp-tongued. But aren't the competitors too formidable for you?"
"Me?"
"What?!"
"Divine Physician's disciple is entering, and that rising star Baek Yuseong applied too. Think you stand a chance?"
"I'm far better than you. Even if not here, I'll take the Luoyang Medical Hall exam soon—no worries!"
"Hmph."
The longtime rivals had come for the exam but held low expectations.
Uncertain if some hidden genius would appear, but with Luoyang Medical Hall's twin peaks competing, passing seemed unlikely.
They sensed they'd meet again at the Luoyang Medical Hall exam days later.
Then someone sidled up slyly.
A man with a large mole beside his nose placed paper on a wooden board discreetly.
"Elders, care to bet? Small wager on who passes the Medical Pavilion. You can even list your names."
...
The paper listed physicians' names with stakes.
Having bet before, they scanned favorites like cautious Yang Jiyeon and Baek Yuseong's odds.
No hubris to bet on themselves.
"Hmm, poor odds."
"Ah, eyeing Yang Physician and Baek Physician? Pick your favorite anyway."
"Then I'll back Yang Physician."
He Physician bet first; Ma Physician hesitated, then wagered small on Baek Yuseong.
Didn't want to seem like a follower.
Pride at stake.
He Physician sneered at Ma Physician.
"Hmph, terrible eye as always. That's why you'll fail. Unless Divine Physician appears, Yang Physician has no equal in such exams."
***
"Here, Baek Physician. Rice cakes bought up ahead. Eating them boosts exam passing odds. I trust in you."
Yuseong took the small packet from Cha Physician.
A few glutinous rice cakes inside.
No believer in superstitions, but the sincerity touched him.
"Thank you. But what's that packet?"
A similar-colored one peeked from Cha Physician's sleeve.
"Ah, th-this? Looked tasty, so I bought one too. Anyway, busy—gotta go!"
Today, half of Luoyang Medical Hall's physicians rested for the Murim Alliance Medical Pavilion exam.
Cha Physician was among the off-duty half.
Yet he vanished in a flash, claiming busyness.
Yuseong entered the Murim Alliance, heading to the exam grounds.
A vast plaza before the hall inscribed "Medical Pavilion"—his workplace if he passed.
Numerous applicants already seated; Yuseong took his assigned spot and ate one of Cha Physician's cakes.
Chewy and delicious.
'No matter what, written test disadvantages me. Match scores there, win on practicals.'
Beyond activities, he'd scoured bookstores for new medical texts, but gains were slim.
Absolute grading aside, single-pass relative evaluation hinged on rivals; Divine Physician's disciple Yang Jiyeon was a real threat.
Yuseong had researched Divine Physician too.
Current head of longstanding Divine Physician School, heir to vast healing secrets, beloved by the jianghu.
Lately near-secluded for unknown reasons, but corresponded with old ties.
Among disciples, Yang Physician was most renowned.
Thus, Yang Physician, true inheritor, demanded no complacency.
Moments later.
Someone quietly sat beside empty-seated Yuseong.
As he meditated eyes closed, the man spoke.
"Baek Physician, you're my neighbor."
Turning, Yang Physician sat smiling faintly.
Confidence radiated.
"I see. Random seating—I never imagined beside you, Yang Physician. You look pleased."
"Dreamt of Master last night. Good omen, no?"
"I see. Best wishes for a fine contest."
"I've long wanted a proper matchup with you. Eaten breakfast?"
"Lightly."
Yang Physician drew a small packet from his sleeve.
Shape Yuseong knew well.
Sure enough, glutinous rice cakes emerged.
"Cha Physician gave them. Younger fellow's thoughtful like that. Have one."
"...Thank you. Looks chewy."
Bat-like maneuvers, but survival strategy—irritating yet understandable.
"Now, the exam begins!!"
Soon, the proctor's shout launched the Murim Alliance Medical Pavilion exam.