Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: To the Nangong Family
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The next morning.
Before the Medical Pavilion had even officially started its duties.
Jegal Yeongyeong visited the Medical Pavilion first thing.
A servant stood in front of the Medical Pavilion.
“You’re earlier than usual today, Chief Strategist.”
“Yes, I have a lot to do this morning. Is the Medical Pavilion Leader in?”
“Of course. Please go ahead.”
After chatting with Jong Hakjin, who handled patient triage, Jegal Yeongyeong headed to Yuseong’s consultation room.
Jang Chil, who usually guarded the front, was nowhere to be seen.
Since official duties hadn’t started yet, he must be busy with something.
She announced herself at the consultation room door.
“Medical Pavilion Leader, may I come in?”
“Ah, Chief Strategist. You’re early. Come on in.”
Jegal Yeongyeong opened the door and entered. Her headache was severe, and even forcing a smile didn’t work well.
Seeing her familiar pained expression, Yuseong gave a slight smile.
The ambiguous excitement from last night in her bedroom wasn’t there, but this was better for work.
“Did you study formations again until dawn today?”
“Yes. I pushed myself to make as much progress as possible while you’re here, Medical Pavilion Leader. That’s why it hurts even more.”
“Then let me treat you.”
As he prepared the acupuncture needles, Jegal Yeongyeong hesitated before speaking.
“Um… Could you do it like yesterday?”
“L-Like yesterday?”
…This was tricky.
Yuseong scratched his chin.
He mostly treated patients while seated, but if something like that happened again, it could be problematic.
‘But if she wants it, and just for a moment…’
She wouldn’t die from a headache, but she’d made a lot of progress studying, so who knows. The severe pain might have scared her.
She seemed sensitive to pain and easily frightened.
Honestly, Yuseong hadn’t disliked yesterday’s feeling.
No, it was better to say he liked it.
Unlike massaging Dang Harin’s body without a moment to think due to detoxification, yesterday had that thrilling, tingling sensation that kept him tense all the way home.
If someone had stopped him on the way…
It would have been disastrous in that state where he couldn’t even stand straight.
Thud-
Having made up his mind, Yuseong set down the needles.
The scent from her hair. The soft warmth felt from her chest. He wanted to feel her slender frame nestling into him once more.
Jegal Yeongyeong nodded, looking ready as well.
Yuseong straightened his chest and spread his arms wide.
“Then I’ll hold you just for a moment.”
“…Huh?”
***
One of the Medical Pavilion servants, bustling around to prepare for morning consultations, spotted Jang Chil’s suspicious behavior.
The blabbermouth Jang Chil.
He was still as talkative as ever, but there was something oddly deliberate about his words, and now he stood there frozen in place.
‘Everyone’s dying of busyness, so why is he suddenly just standing still in front of the Medical Pavilion Leader’s consultation room?’
He’d clearly gone to tidy up the Medical Pavilion Leader’s room, yet he hadn’t moved an inch from the door.
He was a chatty, scatterbrained guy, but diligent with his work.
He even gestured for others passing nearby to take a detour.
‘Did he eat something bad this morning?’
It earned him misunderstandings from colleagues, but Jang Chil had a good reason.
Ever since the Luoyang Medical Hall days, he’d suspected Jegal Yeongyeong had a deep relationship with Yuseong.
But that was a misunderstanding, and he’d thought it was Nangong Yurin who had the deep connection.
‘Not one, but two! He’s also deeply involved with the Chief Strategist!’
Otherwise, why would he say something like “I’ll hold you” to the Chief Strategist?
Having overheard by chance, Jang Chil scanned the surroundings.
He felt a sense of duty to keep the secret for the Medical Pavilion Leader, who had treated his mother.
There was no way Yuseong would marry daughters from two of the Five Great Families at once, so he planned to take this secret to the grave.
‘I can’t even tell Mother about this.’
When it came to Yuseong, his lips were sealed tighter than gold.
***
“Take care, Chief Strategist.”
“Yes? Ah, you too, Jang Chil. Have a good day.”
Receiving Jang Chil’s unusually deep bow,
Jegal Yeongyeong headed to her Chief Strategist office.
There had been an embarrassing misunderstanding with Yuseong due to communication issues at the Medical Pavilion, but it cleared up quickly.
‘Who knew he’d misunderstand my words like that.’
She’d only panicked because it was a place where anyone could walk in at any moment. If it had been somewhere else, she might have gladly let Yuseong hold her.
It was what she’d hoped for, after all.
But repeating such antics—or rather, such behavior—in a consultation room where anyone could enter… impossible.
‘Still, I gained one thing. The Medical Pavilion Leader didn’t dislike what happened yesterday.’
There hadn’t been any sign of displeasure on Yuseong’s face as he spread his arms wide.
She couldn’t be certain, but it even felt like there was a hint of anticipation?
She’d confirmed his positive reaction, so she could create another opportunity.
‘Maybe next time I can say my lower left abdomen hurts like yesterday?’
It was the kind of idea someone ignorant of medicine like her could come up with.
In any case.
What Jegal Yeongyeong meant by “like yesterday” wasn’t a hug, but remote treatment.
Yuseong had kept it tightly under wraps, so she’d only learned of it yesterday for the first time, but if he could perform treatment without direct contact on the affected area and even do remote healing, his strategic value would skyrocket.
That’s what her request had aimed to confirm,
And she’d verified once more that he could treat headaches remotely.
What if Yuseong healed injured warriors in real-time during a battle?
It would change the entire course of the fight.
And he could even cast divine arts to enhance their speed.
The ultimate support, regardless of martial prowess.
‘Now that I’ve confirmed it, I’ll keep that as a trump card.’
Yuseong’s abilities were dangerous.
Invaluable from an ally’s perspective, but anyone viewing the Murim Alliance as an enemy would prioritize eliminating him.
That day, at the Murim Alliance meeting, Jegal Yeongyeong formally proposed strengthening the Medical Pavilion’s escorts.
It was phrased as protection for the Medical Pavilion, but it would effectively be guarding Yuseong.
“The Chief Strategist’s opinion is sound! We must treat the Medical Pavilion Leader as a core asset of the Alliance!”
Cheongun Elder, who had gone to Sichuan with them, raised veins on his neck as he listed reasons why Yuseong needed strong protection.
“…Thank you. Cheongun Elder said everything I wanted to say. Does anyone have objections to this?”
No one opposed.
Even Moyong Rim, who had once clashed with Jegal Yeongyeong, just twirled his beard and stayed silent.
***
After days of practice, Yuseong had mastered sustained healing to Jegal Yeongyeong’s satisfaction.
He still needed acupuncture for precise control, but the effect was outstanding.
“How is it?”
A day had already passed since he’d applied the skill.
Jegal Yeongyeong, who had skipped studying formations today for the check-up, beamed.
“No headache all day. I feel perfectly fine even now.”
She could barely contain her joy.
She wanted to jump up and shout.
Her hips fidgeted.
As long as Yuseong was at the Murim Alliance, she was free from headaches.
Of course, studying would bring them back, but at least her daily life could be refreshed.
Even handling the headache-inducing strategist duties left her mind clear, boosting her efficiency.
“Then let me take a quick look.”
Yuseong applied a needle to her Baihui acupoint and examined it.
‘Some divine power remains, but a day seems to be the limit.’
He wished he could make it last a month or more, but that seemed impossible.
What kind of book was that, anyway?
If this were a virtual fantasy and not just her problem but everyone’s, it would have been called a cursed book and caused an uproar.
“So starting tomorrow, I can study again?”
“Yes, that would be best. You should make as much progress as possible while I’m here.”
“Phew, right. Not much time left.”
A messenger pigeon had arrived from the Nangong Family requesting aid.
The Murim Alliance leadership hadn’t refused the Sword King’s request to send Yuseong, as it was hard to bring his grandson to the Alliance.
They were cooperating with the Nangong Family, and had promised more elite warriors in return.
Yuseong wasn’t leaving immediately.
They’d agreed he’d handle the backlog from the Sichuan trip first.
“But how much more of that book do I have to read?”
“The formations book? Well… If there were no headaches and plenty of time, I’d study all day, but conditions aren’t right.”
Jegal Yeongyeong recalled her daily study amount.
Her current pace was about one shichen (30 minutes) per day.
If she could study all day, she might finish *Comprehensive Analysis of Celestial Divination Formations* faster than expected.
But as Chief Strategist of the Murim Alliance, she lacked time,
‘Three days’ worth already gives me unbearable headaches from studying all day.’
Of course, the solution to her headaches was right in front of her.
Study until it hurts, get treated by Yuseong.
Study again, hurt again, get treated.
That way, she was confident she could dedicate half a day to studying instead of three days.
Her cheeks flushed red.
She’d imagined the two of them pressed close all day—studying, getting treated by Yuseong, studying more.
In her imagination, it wasn’t just studying.
People need to eat and sleep.
And then…
Last night’s events might become routine…
‘Yeongyeong, Yeongyeong. What are you thinking!’
Lately, skimping on sleep to read that book led to such wild fantasies.
The book from that remote bookstore was filled with all sorts of embarrassing illustrations.
***
Yuseong, who had been endlessly busy, gradually regained his peaceful routine.
He’d treated all the serious patients backed up from the Sichuan trip, and the number seen on rest days decreased.
Thanks to vastly increased efficiency from treating more patients at once.
With news that even the Sword Demon had returned to the Demonic Cult, it was the perfect time to depart for the Nangong Family.
With everything sorted, Yuseong set off for the Nangong Family with his escort warriors.
Naturally, Nangong Yurin came along.