Chapter 197
Chapter 197
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 197
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Guest (4)
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“A confession? What kind of confession? Are you crazy?”
“No…”
Anyone would misunderstand in this situation.
“Then why did you tell me to be quiet? So no one could hear.”
“It was so I wouldn't wake anyone else. A healthy body comes from healthy sleep. Didn't you know?”
“…”
Cheong So-so, she's only considerate about the most useless things.
“Hurry up, get dressed, and come out. We don't have time.”
“…”
“What are you doing? Aren't you getting dressed?”
“I can't get dressed with you in here.”
“Tch.”
*Thud.*
She closed the door and left.
“…What a pain.”
I threw on some clothes and went outside, where I saw people gathered at the stables.
“Hurry up!”
As I walked over at Cheong So-so's shout, I asked the stable keeper, who spotted me and rushed over.
“War Dragon!”
“At ease. What's going on?”
“I do not know the full details, my lord. However, they have been discussing some grand technique for a while now.”
“A grand technique?”
The word made my ears perk up.
There was only one grand technique that could be the topic of discussion right now.
The Heaven-Reversing Dao-Guiding Golden Needle Technique.
The Cheong family's ultimate secret art, said to maximize one's potential.
The fact that Cheong So-so and the others from the Cheong family were discussing it in front of the stables meant today was the day Whitey would transform into Super Whitey.
“Yes!”
Filled with anticipation, I dashed toward the stables.
“When are you starting? Are you doing it now? Is there anything I can do to help?”
But when I arrived, the atmosphere wasn't what I had expected.
“Lord Jin, please calm yourself for a moment. So-so, put down the golden needles.”
For some reason, it felt less like they were here to watch the grand technique and more like they were here to stop it.
“Lord Cheong? Why are you still awake at this hour…?”
“I simply couldn't believe you were planning to perform the Heaven-Reversing Dao-Guiding Golden Needle Technique on a horse.”
“It seems you haven't heard. Young Lady Cheong can perform the technique perfectly. The cricket on her shoulder is proof.”
*Chirp, chirp.*
Hearing my testimony, Cheong So-so stepped forward triumphantly.
“See? I told you I could do it.”
“Hah, you only see one side of the coin.”
Lord Cheong sighed and asked.
“What do you know of the Heaven-Reversing Dao-Guiding Golden Needle Technique?”
“It's a technique that draws out a living being's latent potential by inserting needles into 365 acupoints.”
“And the core of the technique?”
“Varying the depth and force when inserting the needles into the acupoints to create different stimuli.”
“And why is that done?”
“To activate the blood vessels… Why do you keep asking things you already know?!”
So rude. If I were Lord Cheong, I would have shaved her head bald.
However, our sweet middle-aged Lord Cheong simply stroked Cheong So-so's head with a loving gaze, offering no reprimand.
“You know it well. I can tell you haven't stopped studying.”
“So…”
“First, the acupoints of an animal and a human are different in location and function. How can you be certain of its safety after testing it on only one or two creatures?”
“Look at Cheong-ah! After the technique, she surpassed ordinary crickets. She's healthier than ever. The proof of its safety is right here.”
*Chirrr. Chirrr.*
Suddenly praised, Cheong-ah let out its characteristic chirp.
Lord Cheong, who had been watching in fascination, cleared his throat and continued.
“Ahem, how can you compare a cricket with only three acupoints to a horse with nearly two hundred?”
Listening to their conversation, a cold sweat ran down my back.
*‘W-what?!’*
That was right.
That mad scientist Cheong So-so was trying to perform the grand technique without any clinical trials.
“But, I wanted to show you how much I've improved, Father!”
And for such a trivial reason, no less.
I couldn't let Whitey become a victim of a clinical trial.
I immediately pulled Whitey back.
“I absolutely cannot allow this until its safety is guaranteed.”
“Ahem, Lord Jin is correct. Though it may be a mere animal, it is not right for a physician to treat life so lightly.”
“That's right, Young Lady. Please follow the Lord's wishes.”
“It seems to be a horse that Lord Jin cherishes… If the technique were to fail, it could make the relationship between you two awkward.”
As public opinion turned against her, Cheong So-so bit her lip and grabbed my arm.
“I-if it fails, I'll marry you, my Lord!”
“Are you crazy? Lord Cheong is watching with his eyes wide open…”
I'd thought it before, but she was definitely a lunatic.
“Hmm… that's not a bad idea. A debt can be repaid with one's body…”
“No.”
Is that something a father should say about his daughter?
* * *
A moment later.
“Hah… Fine. But if there are any strange symptoms…”
“That won't happen.”
In the end, I permitted the grand technique to be performed.
It wasn't because I was scared of Cheong So-so marrying me.
It was because of Lord Cheong's suggestion that there was a way to ensure its safety.
*'If we had a Frost Yin Pill, it might be worth a try…'*
*'What's a Frost Yin Pill?'*
*'It's a pill made from the remnants of the Frost Yin Elixir. It doesn't contain much internal energy, but its unique yin energy is perfect for calming rampant true energy. It's also an ingredient in the Grand Luo Vitality Pill I gave you.'*
*'Hmm… I do have Frost Yin Pills.'*
*'How do you have Frost Yin Pills?'*
*'Why else? Because I made the Frost Yin Elixir. I made four bottles of it, remember?'*
*'Gasp!'*
With safety now assured, there was no reason not to proceed.
Even if it failed, he would have consumed a great elixir. So whether it succeeded or failed, he was bound to become Super Whitey.
I stroked the white fur on Whitey's philtrum.
“That's right, just endure it for a little longer, and you'll be reborn as the most perfect horse in the world.”
“Please get ready.”
*Nod.*
At Cheong So-so's words, I placed my hand on the back of Whitey's neck.
*Thud.*
I pressed the only major acupoint on a horse, and the over five-hundred-kilogram Whitey closed his eyes and collapsed.
*Snort. Snort.*
Facing Whitey, who had instantly fallen asleep, Cheong So-so picked up a golden needle with a tense expression.
A thick, long golden needle.
*Plunge.*
She began inserting the needles without hesitation.
Lord Cheong also watched her intently, worried she might make a mistake.
Watching the two greatest physicians of the era perform the grand technique, I couldn't help but feel a sense of tension.
And so, fifteen minutes passed. Then half an hour. Then two hours.
As time passed, beads of sweat began to fall from Cheong So-so's forehead.
*Swish.*
Lord Cheong took out a handkerchief and wiped his daughter's brow.
“Perfect so far.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Just as I was feeling slightly moved by the sight of the father and daughter working together…
*Slip.*
“Gasp!”
“Oh no!”
Cheong So-so's hand slipped.
It was clearly a case of medical malpractice.
“What! What happened?”
“I-I pierced the Danzhong acupoint too deeply.”
“So what does that mean?!”
“W-well…”
“It's not a major mistake, Lord Jin, so please calm down. So-so, you should finish the technique.”
After checking Whitey's pulse, Lord Cheong skillfully fed him the Frost Yin Pill.
“Hmm…”
He was right. Since it had come to this, I had to trust Cheong So-so until the end.
The tense moments passed.
“Hah, it's done.”
Cheong So-so stood up, wiping her forehead.
“If things go wrong, I'll give you So-so as promised.”
“I'm sorry. My hand suddenly lost its strength… If things go wrong, I'll prepare for the wedding ceremony tomorrow.”
The mere thought made my head spin, but I calmly examined Whitey.
And then.
*NEIGHHHHH-!*
“…!”
A tremendous sound, one that hardly seemed like a horse's neigh, echoed as Whitey stood up.
“Gasp!”
Not only the Cheong family members but also the warriors guarding the stables stepped back in shock.
A martial artist is one who lives with their life on the edge of a blade.
Whitey's appearance was shocking enough to chill the blood of these men, who were not easily startled.
A gleam in his eyes that shone brightly even in the dark of night.
His brown coat had turned jet-black, and the patch of white fur between his eyes had brightened to a silver sheen.
But most absurd of all…
“H-he got bigger!”
“How can a horse's muscles be like that…”
“Red Hare… No, is that a Black Hare?!”
Whitey had grown by more than half his size.
His bones grew, and his muscles swelled.
Wasn't this like the effects of the Super Soldier Serum, all from a few needles and some medicine?
His majestic presence, reminiscent of Captain America, made my voice tremble.
“Incredible…!”
I wasn't just pleased.
This was exactly the picture I had wanted.
“W-Whitey…”
*Nicker… Snort, snort.*
When I held out my hand, Whitey snorted and approached.
“My lord! It could be dangerous.”
“That's right. We'll tame him first…”
The warriors came to stop me, but I ignored them and walked forward.
No matter his appearance, he was still my cute companion horse.
“It must have hurt a lot, huh? You did well… You did well.”
*Pat, pat.*
*Snort. Snort.*
Just as I was sharing a moment with Whitey…
*NEIGH-!*
Hearing a neigh from somewhere, Whitey stiffened his neck.
He sniffed the air, clearly searching for something.
“What is it?”
*NEIGHHHHH!*
As if he'd found something, Whitey let out a loud neigh and bolted for the stables.
*CRASH!*
And then, with a single front kick, he shattered the stable door.
“…”
Everyone just watched, dumbfounded.
*Neigh! Neigh!*
Screech-like neighs echoed from inside the stable.
Only then did the stable keepers realize the gravity of the situation and rush in.
And then came the shouts.
“Pull him off!”
“He's too strong!”
“That thing is the size of a python!”
“No! That one's a stallion!”
I didn't need to see to know what was happening.
Lord Cheong, who was watching the scene, extended his hand.
“Please take good care of So-so.”
“Of course. I won't let anyone lay a single finger on her.”
“Hmm… You can touch a single hair. She needs to get married, after all.”
“…”
* * *
In the end, Whitey only calmed down after mating with every mare in the stable.
I gifted the poor guy, who must have gone through a lot, a new home.
“Even so, for a mere animal…”
“Hey! A mere animal? He's my companion horse!”
I had a spacious new stall built for him, right next to the War King's Pavilion.
In truth, it was a necessary choice.
A single front kick from Whitey could shatter the stable partitions.
Every morning, I patrolled all over Hanzhong, riding the now-Captain Horse Whitey.
“Ugh! Is that a horse or an ox?!”
“Wow…”
“To think such a magnificent horse exists!”
Well, I'd hear praises like that.
“It's been a while.”
While I was on my usual morning patrol with Whitey, a woman named Yang Ryeong suddenly appeared and greeted me.
“Indeed.”
“Hmm, is this the horse from the rumors echoing all over Hanzhong these days…?”
“This is Whitey. Magnificent, isn't he?”
“…”
She shook her head and handed me a neatly folded piece of paper.
“Read it and burn it.”
“Couldn't you just have one of the kids deliver this?”
“The contents aren't something for kids, so I brought it myself.”
“…Is it that serious?”
“Read it for yourself.”
At her words, I unfolded the paper and glanced over the contents.
“The father and daughter are both insane.”
I was once again reminded that my life would never know peace.