Chapter 9
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Filial Hero of Nanyang
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How could he protect his family?
Since his return, Wi Ji-cheon had given it much thought.
The answer was that he had to become stronger.
This was indisputable.
The question was, how much?
For an ordinary medical house, this wouldn't have been a major concern.
A typical medical house with just one peak-level master as a guest would be enough to keep most pests at bay.
The Medical Immortal Medical House was not.
Considering the true mastermind targeting the Medical Immortal Medical House, even if I were to reach the Transcendent State again, it wouldn't be enough to protect them.
The Ten Guests.
The Ten Evils.
The Ten Devils.
These were the ten strongest masters from the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic factions, respectively.
They were absolute masters, shining stars who reigned at the very pinnacle of the martial world.
However, the world recognized a separate class of beings who surpassed even these thirty.
They were The Seven Strongest in the Divine Continent.
The Two Saints: the Martial Emperor, the Sword Immortal.
The Two Hegemons: the Spear King, the Overlord.
The Three Calamities: the Heavenly Demon, the Blood Demon, the Fiend Demon.
Wi Ji-cheon had been counted as one of the Three Calamities among the Seven Strongest.
He had reached a state that could be described as the sky above the sky, but
Honestly, I was on the weaker side among the Seven Strongest.
Just as there were stronger and weaker individuals among the ten masters of the three factions, the same was true for the Seven Strongest.
While the hierarchy of the ten masters was determined by how far they had progressed within the Transcendent State, the hierarchy of the Seven Strongest was divided differently.
Whether one had perfectly reached the Profound State, or merely touched upon it.
The Martial Emperor and the Heavenly Demon had definitely reached it. The Overlord and the Blood Demon were also highly likely.
He didn't know which of the Seven Strongest was the true mastermind targeting the Medical Immortal Medical House.
Moreover, judging by how Jo Baek-il, the head of the White Immortal Medical House, had referred to them as they, there was more than one mastermind behind the curtain.
In other words, even if Wi Ji-cheon completely recovered the martial prowess of his prime from his past life, or even if he perfectly ascended to the Profound State, it wouldn't be enough.
The suspected masterminds among the Seven Strongest weren't just powerful individuals; each was the leader of a massive organization.
Above all, the Medical Immortal Medical House is a medical house. There's a limit to what personal martial strength can protect.
In his past life, the Medical Immortal Medical House wasn't destroyed by an external invasion.
It was because they fell into a vicious scheme.
One could also say they were crushed by power.
Therefore, to protect the Medical Immortal Medical House, it wasn't enough for Wi Ji-cheon to become strong alone.
The Medical Immortal Medical House itself had to become strong.
So strong that no one would dare to touch it carelessly.
Which meant
We must become the World's Greatest Medical House.
His previous vow to become the World's Greatest Medical House wasn't just to support his father's dream.
It was for survival.
The problem was how.
One couldn't just become the World's Greatest Medical House by wanting it.
Outstanding medical skills? A heart for the people?
Of course, those were important.
But if that were all it took, the Medical Immortal Medical House wouldn't be struggling as a provincial-level medical house right now.
On the contrary.
Management is crucial for a medical house's growth. Like a merchant guild.
This wasn't just Wi Ji-cheon's idea.
The leading major medical houses didn't achieve their success simply by diligently treating patients.
One could tell just by looking at the Namjung Medical House, which had recently schemed against them.
As soon as a competitor showed the slightest potential to threaten them, they used schemes to crush them.
While such schemes could be condemned as immoral, from the perspective of a family's survival strategy, they were excellent.
In the end, the essence of all human affairs is competition, and the noble work of medicine, which deals with life, is no exception to that essence.
In that sense, the Medical Immortal Medical House needs a shield. Something to act as an umbrella against the wind and rain until we've grown.
It could also be called a backer.
It was impossible for Wi Ji-cheon to be the family's shield.
It wasn't that his martial arts were lacking.
Though still at the peak level, he was more than strong enough to protect a provincial-level medical house.
The problem was that Wi Ji-cheon was too young.
A mere fifteen years old.
Even the prodigies of renowned major sects couldn't reach the peak level at fifteen. Even those counted among the Seven Strongest likely hadn't reached the peak level at that age.
The appearance of a genius will only attract unnecessary attention from the martial world.
This kind of attention would put the Medical Immortal Medical House in even greater danger.
Everyone would investigate the background of his strength, which could lead to more people discovering the secret of the Heavenly Immortal Divine Arts.
It might be different after the Medical Immortal Medical House had grown strong enough, but for now, this kind of attention had to be avoided.
Thus, he had to find another shield, and as it happened, Jang Sam of the Black Ghost Sect fell right into his lap.
It was an insignificant underworld sect, but its insignificance was actually a good thing.
It was a perfect fit for the Medical Immortal Medical House's current level.
N-No, Great Warrior?
Great Warrior? Please, Great Sir! I am now the dog of the Medical Immortal Medical House, so please, just call me Jang!
Everyone stared at Jang Sam, aghast, and Wi Ji-cheon let out a low sigh.
-Can't you do it properly? Everyone's getting suspicious. Want another refreshing round of Bone-Shattering, Tendon-Twisting?
!!
Jang Sam's eyes trembled, unseen by anyone.
That kid is a real demon! Why did I have to mess with a demon like that!
Jang Sam recalled the conversation he had with Wi Ji-cheon earlier.
Just the memory of it was enough to make him piss his pants.
It was that horrifying.
The fact that Wi Ji-cheon was a young boy made it even more terrifying.
His innocently bright face looked like a mask worn by a demon.
-Act well, so everyone is convinced. I gave you the script earlier. If you can't, we'll have another 'conversation'.
No!
Pale-faced, Jang Sam began to act with all his might.
A-Ahem. I apologize for startling you. The reason I'm acting this way is all thanks to this dem ah, no, to Young Master Wi Ji-cheon.
What do you mean?
Young Master Wi Ji-cheon has taught this beastly man, Jang, about the ways of humanity.
??
Wi Ji-cheon stepped forward from the side.
Scratching his head.
Waving his hands with an embarrassed expression.
Great Warrior Jang, you praise me too much. I merely told you how hard my father has worked for the people until now.
My story?
Wi Ji-cheon continued in a voice full of respect.
I've watched from the side how much you've suffered for your patients, Father. I acted presumptuously and rudely, hoping that Great Warrior Jang Sam would recognize your good deeds.
Cheon.
Everyone, especially Wi Ji-seon, was overcome with emotion.
Imagining the pure-hearted boy confronting an underworld ruffian out of love for his father, their hearts couldn't help but stir.
Of course, to Jang Sam, Wi Ji-cheon was simply detestable.
How can he be so loathsome while wearing a human face! That kid is definitely a demon! A demon!!
Flinch.
At that moment, his eyes met Wi Ji-cheon's, and Jang Sam hurriedly continued his act.
Young Master Wi Ji-cheon is right! This man, Jang, has come to deeply regret his past life. Great Sir, I respect you. Please accept my apology!!
Haha. Huh?
Wi Ji-seon looked utterly bewildered.
He couldn't tell if he was dreaming or awake.
The surprises didn't end there.
Father, Great Warrior Jang Sam has prepared something.
!!
Jang Sam snapped to his senses.
The demon had demanded a few conditions in exchange for sparing his life.
You there! Bring the safe from my room!
!!
The members of the Black Ghost Sect, flustered, obeyed the order.
Please, accept this token of my sincerity!
It was filled with gold ingots.
A quick glance showed well over ten, nearly twenty of them.
In silver, it was a huge sum, close to a thousand taels.
N-No, I cannot accept this.
If you don't accept it, I will die!
What?
W-Well As it happens, I had a dream last night. It said that if I don't repent for the sins I've committed, I'll be struck down by heavenly punishment and die. How else can a ruffian like me repent if not by spending money like this? Please, Great Sir, put it to good use!!
Heh, heh, heh.
From the side, Wi Ji-cheon chimed in again.
If you use that money for patients, Father, Great Warrior Jang Sam will be pleased too. Isn't that right, Great Warrior?
That's right!!
Jang Sam swallowed his tears and nodded.
Damn it. To make me suffer such humiliation. I won't let those Namjung Medical House bastards get away with this.
Jang Sam gritted his teeth.
The reason he had picked a fight with the Medical Immortal Medical House was entirely because the Namjung Medical House had instigated it.
If it weren't for the Namjung Medical House, he wouldn't be suffering this humiliation!
He couldn't even dream of defying that demon.
That demon had even fed Jang Sam poison.
A horrifying poison that would lead to an agonizing death if he didn't take the antidote periodically!
-Come to the Medical Immortal Medical House once a month. I'll give you the antidote depending on how you behave.
It meant he was to grovel from now on.
If there is anyone who displeases you, Great Sir, please tell me! This man, Jang, will not let them be!!
Heh, heh, heh? Th-Thank you?
The commotion ended, and a rumor spread throughout Nanyang.
That Jang Sam, the leader of the Black Ghost Sect, moved by the good deeds of the Medical Immortal Medical House, had declared himself their protector.
It was an absurd story, but there were more than a few witnesses.
-The good deeds of the Medical Immortal Medical House, which moved even an underworld sect!
The reputation of the Medical Immortal Medical House rose another notch.
There was another person who received attention.
It was Wi Ji-cheon, who had moved Jang Sam's heart.
-The boy who rebuked an underworld sect with his filial piety!
Ever since Confucius, filial piety had been one of the most important values in the Central Plains.
The people of Nanyang all praised the filial piety Wi Ji-cheon had shown.
He even gained a nickname that wasn't quite a title: the Filial Hero of Nanyang.
It's a nickname that will soon be forgotten once the rumors die down, but I like it.
Wi Ji-cheon looked pleased.
The Filial Hero.
Wasn't it much better than his title from his past life, the Fiend Demon?
In my past life, I didn't show even a speck of filial piety. I was a good-for-nothing who only caused them grief.
He had even fallen for the White Immortal Medical House's trickery and played a huge role in the family's destruction.
The mistake from that time remained like a brand on his heart, so getting the nickname 'Filial Hero' felt good.
It felt like a sign that this life would be different from the last.
What are you grinning about, you unfilial son.
It was his older brother, Wi Ji-gang.
Unfilial? Don't you know what the people of Nanyang are calling me?
Dying before your parents is the greatest unfilial act of all. To do something so reckless, without valuing your own life. Great Warrior Jang Sam could have smashed your head with a single swing of his palm.
Hmm.
The people outside might be praising him as a filial son, but his family scolded him harshly.
His older brother, Wi Ji-gang, in particular, unleashed a storm of nagging every time they met.
What brings you here? I'm studying in preparation for the Medical Examination Ceremony.
Wi Ji-gang shot him a displeased look, then his expression hardened.
I came to ask you something.
What is it?
Wi Ji-gang pressed his lips together.
He seemed to be hesitating about something.
Then.
When you convinced that bastard Jang Sam, what trick did you use?
!!
Wi Ji-cheon's heart sank.
His brother Wi Ji-gang's eyes were filled with suspicion.
My brother always did have a sharp side to him.
Wi Ji-cheon slowly opened his mouth.
The truth is.