Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Conclusion
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"Wait a moment."
Wi Sowol abruptly halted the conversation like that and approached the patient who had just emerged from the treatment room.
The words had slipped out reflexively, but the woman flinched anyway, wondering if Wi Sowol might do her harm.
The moment Wi Sowol's hand touched her face, the woman's expression turned to one desperate to flee.
Wi Sowol prodded and turned the woman's face this way and that before suddenly hiking up her sleeve.
"Ah, Seon Woo Hyun, look away for a bit."
Only after exposing the pale forearm that had never seen sunlight did Wi Sowol say it.
But Seon Woo Hyun had already turned his head the instant Wi Sowol grabbed the woman's sleeve.
It was a quicker reaction than anyone's.
Having been burned by Wi Sowol's antics once before, he had already adapted somewhat to her impulsive actions.
It was truly astonishing learning ability.
With Seon Woo Hyun's eyes out of the way, Wi Sowol extended the woman's arm even farther inward.
Only after baring it nearly to the shoulder and armpit did Wi Sowol grip the sleeve and scrutinize the arm.
Once satisfied, she released it and muttered.
"Both could work."
"Wh-what do you mean!"
The woman shrieked, frantically pulling her sleeve back down.
How... how could a rogue like this be in charge of the Vase Goddess role...
She felt so wronged tears might fall.
No—her large eyes were already brimming with moisture, her vision blurring.
"Why... why me..."
"Your nose."
"...I know! Mine too!"
"I can reconstruct it."
"It's already ruined... Pardon?"
Ryu Yeonseo jumped in surprise at Wi Sowol's words.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Reconstructive surgery. Also called plastic surgery. One of the surgical techniques my master taught me."
There were two methods for nose reconstruction recorded in the White Spirit Medical Manual.
Wi Sowol had mentally tested both.
Reaching a tentative conclusion that either had ample potential.
"It won't be exactly the same as before. But it'll be far better than now. At least it'll have the form of a nose."
But what of it.
Living without a nose entirely versus living with one, however imperfect.
No consideration needed.
Hope granted, the venomous glint in her eyes—from thinking she'd lost the Vase Goddess role—softened into serenity.
She had already heard from Ryu Yeonseo that Wi Sowol was the Weird Physician's disciple.
A disciple of one of the Six Great Physicians might truly succeed.
The woman clasped her hands demurely, as if before a beloved lover, and composed herself politely.
"You were originally slated for the Vase Goddess role, right?"
"Uh... Y-yes! Yes!"
"Perfect. You can teach her."
"...Um, s-so... you'll fix my nose then?"
"I'll cure your syphilis completely too."
Of course, the syphilis treatment would fall to Seon Woo Hyun over there.
The woman's gaze turned to Ryu Yeonseo.
No matter that Wi Sowol was the disciple of the famed Weird Physician.
The one who had cared for her, building rapport and trust through diligent treatment, was Ryu Yeonseo—the mistress of this house.
The woman needed Ryu Yeonseo's verdict.
She craved the words that it was safe to embrace that hope.
That it wasn't delusion—that true salvation awaited ahead, not deeper despair.
To the woman yearning desperately for Ryu Yeonseo to affirm it...
Ryu Yeonseo delivered the answer she sought.
"Trust her. That child will surely become the world's greatest physician someday."
Infused with unwavering trust and reverence.
'She's laaate...'
What if they go ahead and pick Baek Ha as Vase Goddess?
One full hour—almost up.
Namgung Ji sat on the threshold facing the gate, waiting for Wi Sowol's return.
All her tasks were done.
Only the Spirit Moon Festival remained.
Wi Sowol and Baek Ha.
Which woman to appoint as Vase Goddess.
Once decided, Namgung Ji was done meddling.
With the formal greetings finished, just publicly announce the results.
"Eldest Young Lady, no need to wait longer—go with Lesser Baek Ha..."
"Steward Jang."
"Yes. Shall I issue the order?"
"She's here."
Clunk!
Two girls appeared as the great gate swung open.
Hwangbo Yun and Wi Sowol had arrived.
The moment she saw their entrance, Namgung Ji was certain.
'As expected, Wi lesser is the one.'
Special class, indeed.
Her instincts were spot on.
Just look at that gait.
Dance?
No need to see more.
Martial arts unfold from footwork, and dance begins with walking.
That gait alone made the rest obvious.
From the stepping foot to unshaking shoulders.
Neat, exuding elegance.
A serene stride emulating the flowing moon—still yet ceaseless.
Would a woman who poured a year into preparing for Vase Goddess walk like that?
Baek Ha had impressive poise earlier, but Wi Sowol carried the weight of genuine effort Baek Ha lacked.
"Ten out of ten! Perfect! No need to look further. Wi lesser it is!"
"B-but Eldest Young Lady. Baek lesser's white hair would etch this Spirit Moon Festival deep in people's memories..."
"That's a shame, sure. But I trust my gut. If Wi lesser refused, I'd have gone with Baek lesser. But she's prepared so meticulously—it's hers."
Even with Namgung Ji's unilateral choice, Baek Ha's face didn't crumble.
Very faintly, her lips twitched.
Wi Sowol's eyes tracked the motion.
'Still a Namgung, huh?'
She hadn't studied lip-reading, but on the human body, Wi Sowol was unparalleled.
Deducing words from lip twitches and subtle throat bobs was simple.
She definitely had ulterior motives.
Yet Baek Ha betrayed nothing, feigning calm to the end.
"Then I'll withdraw. A shame, but a beauty like Wi lesser surely suits Vase Goddess."
As Baek Ha bowed out gracefully, Steward Jang wasn't yielding.
"How about this?"
"What?"
"Do both."
Steward Jang rhapsodized like it was genius.
"Wi lesser is petite with black hair—so human-phase Vase Goddess descended to earth. Baek lesser taller, snow-white hair—so goddess-phase. More striking that way, no?"
"Ah! So switch to Baek lesser in the ascending dance for ascension?"
"Exactly! What say you? They'll all marvel."
Namgung Ji clapped, deeming it brilliant.
"Wi lesser, Baek lesser—what do you two think?"
Baek Ha smiled softly.
"I'd gladly accept the chance."
"Great! Wi lesser?"
Wi Sowol pondered briefly.
Keep enemies close.
But give even a sliver of opportunity to those scheming at the festival?
'...Refusing won't fly anyway.'
The real say was Namgung Ji's.
Even if Wi Sowol refused, that expression said she'd persuade relentlessly.
"Let's do it."
Wi Sowol agreed, and Namgung Ji seized both their hands.
"Both of you together—my heart's so secure! Great. Let's make the ultimate Spirit Moon Festival!"
Namgung Ji dove in excitedly.
"The Spirit Moon Festival has five main parts."
First: Greeting the Gods (chamsin).
Pay respects to the divine, signaling the rite's start.
Ritual leader's duty.
Second: Moon Descent (gangwol).
The moon descends to earth.
Signifying Vase Goddess entering the mortal realm; Vase role debuts here.
Third: Offering Procession (heonjin).
Reverently gather tribute.
A street parade touring Namchang County, collecting offerings from the masses.
Fourth: Ascending Dance (seungmu).
Reenactment of Vase Goddess rising from earth to heaven.
Dance to bid the goddess farewell, attaching the people's wishes to her ascent.
Fifth: Farewell to Gods (sasin).
Announce the rite's end to the divine.
Bow twice, burn the prayer writ.
Ritual leader conducts.
"Ascending dance has its own stage. Offering procession leads from the start point to that stage."
Wi Sowol's intuition flared.
Their target wasn't ritual leader—but Vase Goddess.
Leader merely signals start and end.
Little could be done even holding it.
So their scheme lay in Moon Descent, Offering, or Ascending Dance.
Wi Sowol's gut pinpointed Ascending Dance.
Any plot would peak most dramatically at the climax.
'That smile—plan advancing?'
Scratch Namgung Ji's sharp instincts.
"What about the Moonflower Robes?"
"Yield them."
Wi Sowol's reply struck like lightning.
No trace of hesitation.
"Is that fine? Seems you've prepared much for Vase Goddess too..."
"Moonflower Robes become wing robes later. Odd for human-phase descent to wear such splendor."
"...No. You'll draw eyes in Offering Procession, so wear the Moonflower Robes. For Baek lesser, prepare trailing ribbons—the fluttering streamers behind wing robes. Perfect—we're altering Moonflower for your size anyway. Use the scraps."
A lucid fix—yet it only tightened the stuffiness in Wi Sowol's chest.
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