Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Revisit
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The commotion from the first day had spread quietly among the people of Luoyang, so for Yuseong, who was receiving a satisfactory number of patients, it was no small blow that someone on the level of the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist had come to voice complaints.
'If I can't see many patients, my Divine Power recovery will slow down that much. She doesn't seem like an unreasonable woman, but in a situation with so many eyes on us, if rumors spread that my treatment had no effect, patients will drop off.'
Just as the confrontation with Jo Physician had spread far and wide overnight, the mouths of the medical hall servants were sealed tight. Moreover, there were many patients waiting for treatment right now.
While treating patients, Yuseong began seriously pondering what business Jegal Yeongyeong might have and how to handle it if there was a flaw in his Healing skill.
In the meantime, Jegal Yeongyeong's furrowed brow showed no sign of relaxing.
'Let's just clash head-on for now. There's a chance she stayed up for two straight nights working excitedly after her headache vanished.'
With that resolve, while treating a patient, someone new appeared in front of his treatment room.
"Heh heh, the Chief Strategist has arrived."
"Ah, Jo Physician. It's been a while. Surely you didn't come all the way here because of me?"
Wasn't Jo Physician, wearing a friendly smile, striking up a conversation with Jegal Yeongyeong?
"Of course not. I just stopped by to see White-Clothed Physician for a moment. But how's your head these days? I heard you came by when I was off duty."
Yuseong was convinced that the purpose of Jo Physician's visit was not himself, but Jegal Yeongyeong.
It seemed the man, who oddly fixated on her, had rushed over upon hearing the news from a servant.
If Jegal Yeongyeong complained of a headache relapse and vented her dissatisfaction, he might end up humiliated in front of everyone.
However.
"The treatment last time was very satisfactory. The headache that hadn't been resolved all this time vanished completely thanks to you, White-Clothed Physician. Thank you for prescribing medicine for my headaches all along. I don't think I'll have to trouble you with them anymore. Please go ahead and handle your business with White-Clothed Physician first. I can wait a bit longer."
Leaving those words, Jegal Yeongyeong stepped aside as if she had no more to say to Jo Physician.
Suddenly deprived of his purpose, Jo Physician, who had been trying to lure her to his treatment room, was left adrift.
"No, really, your headache... Ahem, since White-Clothed Physician looks busy, we'll handle our business later. Please receive your treatment well, and if anything comes up, be sure to come find me."
Unlike his bold entrance, Jo Physician departed with a slightly stiffened expression.
The loose-tongued servant watching this scene meaningfully looked especially reliable today.
Yuseong's eyes met Jegal Yeongyeong's. She gave an awkward smile, as if to say 'sorry for coming again.'
Relieved inwardly that her visit wasn't to complain, Yuseong finished treating his current patient with a relaxed mind and ushered her in.
"Please come in, Chief Strategist."
"I'm sorry. I ended up coming much earlier than I said, which must have put you in a bind?"
"A bind?"
"I inferred from Jo Physician's attitude and the atmosphere. It seems like there's some issue between you two—is it perhaps because of me?"
It seemed the position of Murim Alliance Chief Strategist wasn't obtained lightly. Even without knowing the full story, she could sense the odd tension from a few clues.
"It's nothing for you to worry about. In fact, what you said earlier was a great help."
"That's a relief then. So, may I tell you about my symptoms now?"
"Of course."
"I have a headache, so I came."
"Yes? But you didn't say that to Jo Physician earlier."
"I didn't want to cause any misunderstandings. It's a headache, but it's a bit different from before. It's not from accumulated fatigue— it feels like it's caused by something I'm doing.
Even now, my head throbs, and when I try to do that thing, it hurts like it's going to split open, making it hard to endure."
Seeing her not reveal the details precisely, it seemed this was a secret too.
"It must be something you can't disclose."
"I'm sorry. It's a family matter."
For someone of the Murim Alliance Chief Strategist's stature, she could have coldly dismissed it as a secret, but she showed genuine remorse.
"I'm not scolding you. So, do you want the same treatment as last time?"
"Yes. I'd like acupuncture please."
"Understood. Let me take your pulse first."
Pulse diagnosis revealed no particular abnormalities.
Now, Yuseong could only hope his Healing skill worked on this new headache.
'Healing.'
The Healing skill did not betray his expectations.
After the acupuncture.
"My headache is gone! I felt it two days ago too, but it's truly amazing. How can a single needle fix it?"
Jegal Yeongyeong asked with wide eyes.
Those with some knowledge of medicine would find it hard to accept that a single needle could cure an illness.
With no way to prove the existence of Divine Power and skills to others, Yuseong resolved to play the thick-skinned fool on this matter.
Until he had enough power to protect himself, he planned to avoid revealing all his abilities.
Wasn't there an old adage in the murim to hide some of one's skills?
But the woman before him was the Murim Alliance Chief Strategist, sweet-tempered as she seemed. He had to be careful not to give her any strange impressions.
"This is a secret technique unique to me that others can't imitate."
"Pfft."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Your expression is so stiff. Someone might think I'm interrogating you. I was just genuinely amazed."
"Ah, was my face like that?"
Jegal Yeongyeong flashed a playful smile at Yuseong, who sheepishly scratched his head.
"In short, it's a secret? Like a family technique, as with me..."
"Haha, something like that."
As he dealt with Jegal Yeongyeong, Yuseong felt his mind easing. Seeing that she boosted his Divine Power quite a bit just now, he thought such patients could come every day.
"By any chance... may I come again tomorrow?"
What reason could this beauty, now fully cured with no more pain, have to visit him?
After much imagination, Yuseong arrived at one conclusion.
A gentle spring breeze blew into the heart of a game addict who had lived shut-in and never properly dated.
"O-Of course."
However, Yuseong's fancy quickly turned out to be delusion.
"If my guess is right, the headache will come back tomorrow morning. See you then."
***
The latest hot topic at Luoyang Medical Hall was the rivalry between Jo Physician and Baek Yuseong.
The outcome had finally concluded with a clear victory for White-Clothed Physician.
Thanks to the loose-tongued servant spreading the conversation between Jegal Yeongyeong and Jo Physician far and wide.
Naturally, the rumor reached Yejinil as well.
"Well? Still going to deny it? Hand it over."
"Look here, Hakjin. Can't you possibly back off?"
"Hah, how can a true man go back on his word? Last month, I gracefully accepted the bet's result, so how can you act so petty?"
"Kuh..."
Jong Hakjin happily clutched the hefty money pouch.
Cha Physician suddenly acted chummy with Yuseong. He judged that Yuseong would become the real power at Luoyang Medical Hall following Yang Physician.
It was an eternal truth that sticking close to those in power never led to loss.
Who knew, when Yuseong had to refer patients elsewhere due to long lines, whose room would be mentioned first?
"What? That busy Chief Strategist said she'll come again tomorrow?"
"Yes, don't misunderstand. She's not coming for any other reason."
Cha Physician looked at Yuseong strangely.
"You're talking nonsense. What other reason could a patient have for visiting a physician? Anyway, you've become a physician frequented by the Murim Alliance Chief Strategist. Congratulations."
"What big meaning does that have?"
"My friend, don't underestimate the Chief Strategist's influence. Do you think it's common for someone so young to hold such a high position? It'll surely have a positive effect on the Murim Alliance warriors."
"I hope so."
Murim Alliance warriors' consultation fees were on the pricier side, so it would greatly help his income.
Perhaps murim folk like Jegal Yeongyeong would boost his Divine Power even more.
***
The next morning, Jegal Yeongyeong visited Yuseong early.
She had studied formations until dawn again, and the headache returned.
The hypothesis that studying formations caused the headaches was gaining weight.
A few more verifications, and it would be certain.
Her understanding of formations built up bit by bit when she opened the book and studied, so if she could just resolve the headaches, mastering Comprehensive Analysis of Celestial Divination Formations perfectly wouldn't be a dream.
'Probably the reason others couldn't master it properly is due to some special effect in the book. If I study formations every dawn and immediately get treated by White-Clothed Physician afterward, I can learn Comprehensive Analysis of Celestial Divination Formations without disrupting my life.'
If Jegal Yeongyeong hadn't met the physician Yuseong, she likely would have ended up like others, barely mastering one or two formations over a lifetime.
She had to rest long to manage the headaches, so she couldn't make proper progress.
"It's a secret, so I won't pry, but you're not doing anything dangerous, are you? I'm worried because the headaches keep relapsing even after complete cures."
"It's not dangerous. It's just me suffering because my head isn't good enough. Without you, Physician, I wouldn't have even attempted it."
"Who in the world would call the Murim Alliance Chief Strategist dim-witted? You're being too modest."
It wasn't wrong, and mixed with a bit of flattery, but she felt pleased by Yuseong's words.
"May I come again tomorrow at this time?"
"You're welcome anytime."
***
Except on Yuseong's days off, Jegal Yeongyeong stopped by Luoyang Medical Hall every morning.
The loose-tongued servant even created new rumors.
"Can you believe it? She doesn't miss a single day seeing White-Clothed Physician before leaving."
"The Chief Strategist must have a really serious headache, despite her busy position. I heard the murim situation is unsettled—must be getting overworked. I'm worried."
"You're too naive, friend. Surely she doesn't get headaches every day? It might happen a few times, but daily? That's an excuse for sure."
The servant grinned slyly.
"So you mean..."
"Is White-Clothed Physician handsome? The Chief Strategist must be smitten with him."
"Eek, come on. Even if White-Clothed Physician is handsome, isn't she from the prestigious Zhuge Family? She's even the Murim Alliance Chief Strategist herself. And her beauty is exceptional—how could such a woman fall for a mere physician?"
"At first, I thought it was nonsense too. But if there's no feeling at all, why would the Chief Strategist's eyes hold affection? That's what I'm saying."
"Affection?"
This was the servant misinterpreting Jegal Yeongyeong's admiring gaze toward Yuseong, who was providing crucial help in mastering Comprehensive Analysis of Celestial Divination Formations, but rumors are inherently colored by subjective interpretations.