Chapter 246
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: Why Do You Say It's Impossible? (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'Look at this guy?'
The Holy Flame Princess stared at the young man speaking boldly right in front of her, thinking he was utterly audacious.
Even though she was hiding her identity, she had offered ample compensation, yet the man coldly refused.
'It's an empty spot anyway. He could just accept her first regardless of Ju Yak-seon's opinion, take the money, and be done with it...'
The Holy Flame Princess took this as proof that the man trusted Ju Yak-seon that much.
Moreover, he seemed to know that some things were more important than money, which made her like him a fair bit.
'But... I can't back down either.'
It had been over ten years since her marriage, yet she and her husband had no children.
There was no way she could think irreverently of imperial blood, so she'd assumed it was her husband's issue. But recently, that notion had been turned upside down.
Her husband had begged and finally taken a concubine, who promptly got pregnant and bore a son like a plump toad.
With proof that her husband's seed was fine, the conclusion was clear: the problem lay with the Holy Flame Princess.
Feeling that her in-laws' gazes toward her had subtly changed—perhaps because she was seen as a woman unable to bear children—she grew anxious.
She'd begged her father and undergone an examination by the royal physicians attached to the palace, but they found nothing wrong.
'This place is my only hope.'
When the royal physicians failed, she'd sought out skilled folk healers, striking out every time. Recently, she'd heard of this clinic specializing in women.
If even this renowned physician in the Sichuan region—one of the best—couldn't treat her, she'd surely become even more of an outcast.
"Hah, but... couldn't it improve once a child is conceived? We should try treatment first..."
"Madam, treating someone with no issues as if they have a problem could harm the body."
"H-how can you be so sure there's no problem?"
"You're not from around these parts, are you, Madam?"
"What does that have to do with... anything?"
"I assume you've seen other renowned physicians elsewhere. Am I wrong?"
"..."
"Did any of them say there was a problem with you? If so, that one would be the true master compared to Ju Yak-seon here."
His words were irrefutably logical. And his final remark even implied, 'So go get treated by that master instead.'
Stymied by his flawless demeanor, the Holy Flame Princess decided to retreat for now.
"J-Ju Yak-seon! Check my pulse once more!"
"...Pardon? But Lady Seong already..."
"That was then! It might be different now!"
How much could change in just a few days? Still, Ju Yak-seon had no way to refute her stubbornness.
In the end, Ju Yak-seon held back a sigh and led the Holy Flame Princess into the treatment room.
Meanwhile, as Ju Yak-seon departed, the young man locked eyes with the middle-aged woman again.
'So they do know each other.'
Ju Yak-seon grew quite curious about the woman's identity.
While Ju Yak-seon was examining the woman called Lady Seong, I grilled Yang Ha-jeong for the full story.
It was more like I guessed the answers and she confirmed them, since she wasn't eager to spill.
And my conclusion, upon learning why Lady Seong desperately wanted a child, was this:
"The concubine must've cheated."
"..."
Yang Ha-jeong furrowed her brow but didn't deny it.
I didn't know Ju Yak-seon well, but Tang Hye-won had praised her skills multiple times.
If Ju Yak-seon—a physician so exceptional that her fame worried Tang Hye-won—said there was no issue, then there wasn't.
'Medical knowledge is still primitive, so maybe some issues go undetected...'
Anyway, if Lady Seong was fine, the husband must be the problem. But if the concubine had a child anyway, cheating was likely.
"Even if the concubine's entourage is all women except the husband, if she wants to cheat, she'll find a way."
"I get it, so stop harping on 'cheating'... What if others overhear?"
Come to think of it, I was the king of cheating myself. No room for me to talk.
'...Wait, speaking of which, my Hand Dragon corresponds to the Wind trigram in the Eight Trigrams...'
"Anyway, I'm surprised. Who'd have thought this place was yours..."
"It's not exactly mine. It's sustained by donations."
"A unique setup. Never considered raising funds like this."
Yang Ha-jeong called it unique, but it wouldn't last forever.
It'd been less than a year since opening, and fame was peaking with overflowing donations. But over time, they'd dwindle.
'Unless every other doctor is an idiot, copycats will emerge.'
Of course, the original's reputation plus Ju Yak-seon's skills wouldn't be easily matched, but it wasn't sustainable for 10 or 20 years.
So before then, they'd need to revamp revenue—maybe ditch the clinic model altogether.
'But I can't waste that precious time.'
"Anyway, can't Madam Peng persuade Lady Seong? It's obvious the concubine cheated."
"She wouldn't believe it, and even if she did, it's too late. The concubine's already borne a son. Accusing without proof would just make them think Madam Peng is jealous."
Damn.
If it were just Lady Seong, I could've ignored her and pushed through. But with Yang Ha-jeong involved, it was tricky.
Forget my mother—Yang Ha-jeong seeing Peng Yeon-hwa's massive eight-month belly would clue her in instantly.
Peng Yeon-hwa had taken my cock multiple times during those days at the Peng family with her voluptuous, swollen body. Yang Ha-jeong would know she could be a target too.
"Wh-where are you looking? In broad daylight, with all these people around..."
Noticing my gaze, Yang Ha-jeong modestly covered herself.
"My mistake, Madam."
I emphasized "Madam." Sure, she had a tempting body, and as a milf-chasing pervert, my eyes might wander—but not enough to lose control here.
Yang Ha-jeong glanced around, seemed relieved, and dropped her hand. Seeing her tense up sparked my mischief, so I sent a transmission:
[If you're interested, visit tonight. Staying at an inn? Which one?]
Yang Ha-jeong startled again and shot me a glare.
As I teased her, alternating transmissions and whispers, Ju Yak-seon soon returned with Lady Seong.
Ju Yak-seon's subtle head shake confirmed nothing new.
"...Tomorrow, I'll come back."
"As you wish. But as I said before, understand that I can't treat someone with no issues even if you insist."
"Kuh...!"
Telling her not to come tomorrow myself would be pointless. I secretly signaled Yang Ha-jeong to please talk her out of it.
[I'll try my best... Sigh...]
She seemed hopelessly stubborn; Yang Ha-jeong looked doubtful. Still, better than me talking.
Lady Seong shot a resentful glare, spun on her heel, and left. Yang Ha-jeong gave me an apologetic wave before following—looking utterly pitiful.
How stubborn must this woman be to drag even Peng Yeon-hwa around like this...
"Sorry for the trouble, given the circumstances... Young Hero Kang."
"No need. Ju Yak-seon did all she could—what fault is there?"
This was why difficult customers were impossible. No matter how you say 'We can't due to these reasons, ma'am,' it never got through.
Relieved by my words, Ju Yak-seon excused herself as patients gathered and returned to work. With nothing left for me, I headed home.
Everyone was excited about moving to a bigger house, but telling them we'd have to stay put awhile would disappoint them.
What to do?
Black Tiger was in a foul mood.
[Meeting missed prey is unavoidable... We achieved the meeting's goals, so rest now.]
His master, Tiger Command, showed no anger or disappointment in the report.
Desperate, Black Tiger offered to go back and capture Namgung Hye, but Tiger Command's response was lukewarm.
[She's no longer a virgin anyway, is she?]
True enough. While evading the Martial Alliance's White Tiger and Vermilion Bird Squads, days had passed since the wedding by the time Black Tiger reported.
'Damn it...!'
Regardless of the mission's importance, failing Tiger Command's order gnawed at him.
Tiger Command's martial arts were heavenly.
Thanks to his teachings, Black Tiger had risen this far, and among peers, he prided himself as the top.
[I can't comprehend it. Killing Un So-young would make sense, but what's the point of just 'lightly injuring' her?]
Yet he'd been tricked by that old man, Huang Du-myeong, failing the order—and now fretted over being overtaken by rivals.
"Leader!"
Then, a subordinate far off rushed up, clutching a small note—likely a messenger pigeon.
Black Tiger took the proffered note, read it, and his face twisted viciously.
"This damned...!"
The note said Tiger Command had assigned the task to Silver Tiger instead.
Geographically, Silver Tiger in Yunnan was closer than Black Tiger in Shanxi—a natural choice—but Black Tiger felt a nagging unease.
'That brat...!'
The image of the Namgung youth—who'd rampaged at the forefront—flashed in his mind.
Impressively skilled for his age, yet endlessly snarky. Just recalling it boiled his blood.
Without him, Black Tiger wouldn't be in this mess. Ironically, this time he hoped the kid survived.
'Don't die...!'
Kang Yun had to live—for Black Tiger to steal back the chance from the now-distrusted Silver Tiger.