Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Sightseeing
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As always, the two of them decided to find lodging first.
"We should go to one of the inns run by the Haomen this time too, right?"
"It won't be that easy."
"Why not?"
"Namchang County or Muchang County, it's all the same."
Major powers didn't particularly like having information networks like the Beggars' Sect or Haomen operating in their own backyards.
The Hwangbo Clan was so far out on the edge of the Central Plains that gathering intelligence was difficult, so they often made use of Haomen branch halls.
But for massive groups like the Paeguk Sect or Nangong Clan, they naturally ran their own independent intelligence operations.
There was no reason for them to allow places like the Haomen to set up bases.
"Our news probably hasn't reached Namchang County for the same reason."
Given the situation,
the Paeguk Sect would have gone all out to cover up their internal strife.
In that process, Hwangboyun and Wi Sowol would naturally have been hidden as well.
With Muchang's smooth logistics and high transient population, they couldn't block it forever.
But if the Paeguk Sect was determined to block it, delaying the news was entirely possible.
"Oh...! Then we can just go to the Nangong Clan and ask to borrow a room. I bet all the inns are already packed anyway."
Wi Sowol agreed with the latter part.
The Mid-Autumn Festival.
She hadn't expected it.
Wi Sowol wasn't the type to enjoy such holidays anyway.
Hwangboyun forgetting... well, that was just like her.
In any case, Namchang County was a famous spot bustling with festival events and sights, especially renowned as a great place for women. Securing a room now would be incredibly difficult.
As Hwangboyun said, heading straight to the Nangong Clan would solve it easily.
How could the Nangong Clan lack a room for two women?
Considering Hwangboyun's status, they'd probably offer a separate annex.
But Wi Sowol felt deeply uncomfortable about the Nangong Clan.
She didn't even know what the Weird Physician had left behind, and getting entangled with them already felt worrisome.
No, honestly, that wasn't the issue.
Wi Sowol had never been one to think deeply about such things.
The problem was that while she didn't know much about Jiangnan, she had a decent grasp on the Nangong Clan.
'Is that punk Shin still at the Nangong Clan around now?'
Nangong Shin.
The ridiculous guy who had volunteered to be her past life's disciple, Wi Soil's.
His nickname was Reverse Sword.
He had betrayed his clan and joined the Sword Assembly, only to meet Wi Soil there and become his follower.
The time Wi Soil had spent in the Sword Assembly was quite a few years from the present.
Her past life's Wi Sowol hadn't blocked incoming people or chased away those leaving.
She had no interest in those around her.
Thus, Wi Sowol only knew about Nangong Shin what he himself had told her—one-sidedly.
She didn't know exactly when Nangong Shin had left the Nangong Clan.
She vaguely remembered it was around next year.
'Jindam's words fit perfectly.'
They say a person's name determines their fate.
Nangong Shin, bearing the name "Shin" meaning firewood, was the perfect example.
Though small, firewood stood by the sun character, so his life's end was to burn to death by his own flames.
"The Nangong Clan... let's save it for last."
"Ah, just in case. If the Nangong Clan's Tian'an Pavilion has caught wind of Muchang events by now. Yeah, whatever."
Noticing Wi Sowol's reluctance toward the Nangong Clan, Hwangboyun decided to accommodate her companion, who still had much to learn.
"Then should we start walking around? Or visit some local notables in Namchang County?"
"No need for that."
At this point, there was no reason to hide.
If the Nangong Clan knew about Muchang, they'd come looking no matter what.
If they truly didn't know, skulking around would only look more suspicious.
'Time to reactivate it.'
Wi Sowol caressed the token at her waist—her license.
The Healer's License Badge.
It was time to wield its power again and create a space.
'Why did that punk Shin end up leaving the clan again?'
Because he was from a branch family?
Inspired by the Sword Assembly's cause?
That might play a part, but there was a more decisive reason, she recalled.
'Something about getting involved in an incident...'
Wi Sowol turned her head.
As if peering into the invisible Nangong Clan compound.
§
A physician was always welcome anywhere, anytime.
Human history was a war against wounds and diseases.
No one could live illness-free forever, nor without a single injury.
Wherever people gathered, wounds and illnesses followed, with physicians trailing behind.
It was the same now.
Namchang County overflowed with people for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the number of clinics hadn't increased much, creating a shortage of doctors amid abundant patients.
Even the Nangong Clan, cooperating with the officials for public aid, couldn't cover everything.
So when Wi Sowol boldly held up her Healer's License Badge,
to the innkeepers thriving on tourists, she became a golden frog worth paying extra to attract.
"Easy."
Wi Sowol lovingly stroked the badge.
It wasn't just any license.
No, it was the real deal.
Show it at a post station, and they'd even lend a horse.
No wonder people obsessed over official positions.
If even minor authority intoxicated them so, how thrilling must it be to hold a position under one emperor and above ten thousand?
"Then let's head to Dengwang Pavilion, Dengwang Pavilion!"
"Right now?"
"We gotta go quick. I asked around down there? They say you can't go up on Mid-Autumn day itself."
"Why?"
"The Nangong Clan rented it out."
When Dengwang Pavilion had burned down in a fire,
the Nangong Clan had donated massively to the reconstruction fundraiser.
Thanks to that, they held exclusive rights to use it for major events like this.
"Then we can just go then."
"Huh?"
"Wouldn't that be even better for sightseeing?"
"Aren't you burdened about getting tangled with the Nangong Clan?"
"Yeah."
"Want me to go alone?"
"Guess so?"
Wi Sowol asked nonchalantly.
Dissatisfied with the response, Hwangboyun frowned.
It was more a pout of hurt feelings than anger.
"We're going together."
"Hmm..."
"Decide now. Either with me today to Dengwang Pavilion. Or together on Mid-Autumn."
No option to not go?
She almost retorted unconsciously, but Wi Sowol held back. Even oblivious and uncaring as she was, Hwangboyun had done so much—being too cold-hearted felt wrong.
In the worst case, she'd even accept tagging along for ear-plugging measures.
But only because Hwangboyun's safety would be secured.
If the Nangong Clan cried traitor and hunted Hwangboyun, Wi Sowol would fight alongside as her companion.
Time to yield here.
'She did snag a lot of snacks.'
As payment, a trip to Dengwang Pavilion might not be bad.
"Then Mid-Autumn."
"Great, then get ready... Huh?"
"Mid-Autumn."
"...No way?"
"What?"
"You're delaying just for today, then using some weird logic to bail then too, right?"
Trust in her companion so low?
Sure, she'd snuck some snacks, but was her reliability that doubted?
Wi Sowol wondered what her evaluation in Hwangboyun's eyes truly was.
"I keep my word."
"Yeah... you do."
Reflecting on the past, it was true.
From promising to go to the pawnshop together.
Everything Wi Sowol had said she'd do, she followed through on.
She just rarely made such promises.
"Good. But no issues with the Nangong Clan or anything, right?"
"Nothing like that."
Not yet.
"Fair enough. You're from Gansu anyway. What trouble in Jiangxi?"
Hwangboyun quickly assumed it was Paeguk Sect trauma and nodded.
A bit oversensitive maybe,
but considering the Inspectorate bastards, avoiding the Nangong Clan wasn't incomprehensible.
"What now then?"
Hwangboyun listed things she'd overheard while Wi Sowol created space with the badge.
"Tons of events. Nangong Clan-hosted martial tournament for the festival. Sign-ups closed, so just watch. Also theater troupes and acrobats. Street plays too. Leisurely that way's fine."
"Have fun. I'm a doctor. Crowds mean more injuries."
Hwangboyun's mouth shut at the irrefutable physician logic.
Even the young lady of the prestigious Hwangbo Clan couldn't object.
"...Then I'll go with you."
"Sure. We'll set up outside the inn, so catch a street play on the way if you see one."
"Great!"
Hwangboyun giggled and clung on at the promise of a street play.
Thus, the two strolled Namchang's streets.
"Sowol, hand."
"...What suddenly?"
"Crowd's thick. Don't get lost."
"My eyesight..."
"Can't use it now, right?"
True.
Wi Sowol's condition wasn't normal.
She had absorbed much of Gong Yatak's poison qi.
All her inner energy was purifying and absorbing it.
In that sense, Namchang's sweltering heat was medicine for her.
This land's low yin energy reduced what her Nine Yin Absolute Meridian body drew in.
Like a health retreat.
Anyway, with inner energy sealed, Wi Sowol's body was pure Nine Yin frailty.
Hwangboyun could dangle her around without proper resistance.
"Hold hands, or carry?"
Wi Sowol pondered deeply, hesitated, then reluctantly offered her hand.
"...Here."
Hwangboyun seemed increasingly adept at handling her.
A hint of sulk, then firm push.
The exquisite balance of soft and hard held the answer.
'Human relations are like martial arts.'
Hwangboyun's talent was terrifying.
In such trifles, she grasped how to infuse softness into the Hwangbo Clan's rigid fist techniques.
But the moment hands clasped, that insight scattered before the chill of her touch.
"Heh."
Securing Wi Sowol's hand, Hwangboyun grinned happily.
The Nine Yin body made her hand cool, driving away the heat.
Street plays unfolded in every alley.
Not full troupes—small skits by a few or solo storytellers ranting.
Debates of sophists, fundraisers' pitches, enthusiasts' critiques.
Amid countless tales, one caught Hwangboyun's ear.
"Shaanxi's heroes repelled the vile Guangzheng Cult! A new hero's birth joins them! Fist thrust, thunder dragon ascends; kick out, storm gale howls! Ah, named the Golden Thunder Divine Hero!"
That's my story!
Even her nickname upgraded from Golden Justice Hero to Golden Thunder Divine Hero!
Hwangboyun tugged Wi Sowol's hand urgently.
"Sowol, over there..."
Turning to Wi Sowol, Hwangboyun stopped.
Wi Sowol's gaze fixed on one spot.
At its end, a street play with decent staging and costumes for the venue.
A play Hwangboyun knew well.
One any Hwangbo saw at least once.
The Mulian Drama.
Of Mulian saving his mother.
Hwangboyun now habitually used Foresight Vision.
Wi Sowol's teaching.
Thus, unintentionally glimpsing Wi Sowol's face under the veil.
'What are you thinking right now?'
Wi Sowol watched silently until the Mulian play ended.
Hwangboyun watched her in turn.
When it finally concluded,
Hwangboyun belatedly realized she hadn't heard the Shaanxi hero tale she'd wanted.
"It's over..."
"What is?"
"Oh, uh, there was a storyteller recapping the Guangzheng Cult fight in Shaanxi earlier."
"Yeah? Wanted to hear more?"
About to say she missed it, Hwangboyun shut her lips, anticipating the follow-up question.
She offered another answer instead.
"Nah. Glad I followed you."
"...Whatever."
Awkward, Wi Sowol dragged Hwangboyun's hand to find a spot quickly.
They settled in a somewhat secluded corner with space to lay someone down.
Surgery was tough; she'd do simple acupuncture or moxibustion while gathering intel.
People gathered fast.
Mostly women.
Since Physician Queen Dam Yunhyeon became imperial doctor, women could practice, but female physicians remained rare.
Male doctors couldn't treat female patients by custom, and relying on gossips risked punishment as unlicensed under the Great Ming Code.
Women always struggled for care; a female doctor appearing was a godsend.
Not a few faked illnesses for a check-up.
Wi Sowol saw through and dismissed the malingerers with a glance.
But real patients weren't few.
Still, venturing out for festival meant no critical cases.
Wi Sowol placed needles and moxa lightly, collecting rumors.
Then a name popped up.
"It's true. They said the Jade Maiden was in Namchang County... Honored to be treated by her."
"Jade Maiden?"
Wondering if it was her new nickname, Wi Sowol lightly echoed.
But like a frog startled by a casual stone,
the patient flinched, covering her mouth, fearing she'd offended.
"S-sorry. Wasn't supposed to say..."
"No issue. But what's Jade Maiden? Explain properly."
"Th-that..."
Realizing her slip too late, the patient's face paled.
She'd assumed the doctor was the Jade Maiden. Wrong.
"I'm a doctor too. No plans to sabotage rivals. Speak."
Wi Sowol aimed for calm reassurance,
but it sounded icy to the listener.
The nearly fainting patient stammered, swearing secrecy repeatedly before spilling.
"Heard from a friend Clear Sound Jade Maiden, a female doctor, was in Namchang... Hard conceiving, so came for Gosa Bridge ritual, hoped for her treatment too..."
Clear Sound Jade Maiden.
Wi Sowol's instincts reacted sharply to the name.