Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: So You're the Divine Doctor of the Ages
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A group of people entered the Golden Jade Villa.
There were thirteen of them in total, and the general manager of the villa greeted them politely.
“We have been waiting for you. Thank you so much for coming.”
“It was merely fate that brought me here. I would like to see the patient first. Could you please guide me?”
“As expected… Very well. I will show you the way immediately.”
Gamu-jin, the general manager of the Golden Jade Villa, thought that the Divine Doctor of the Ages’ reputation was not built on nothing as he respectfully led him and his party inside.
“The estate is truly magnificent.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages remarked quietly, looking around in admiration.
“The master put a great deal of care into it. In fact, this estate shares its history with the Golden Jade Trading Company.”
The general manager and the Divine Doctor of the Ages continued to walk, making light conversation.
Given the vast size of the estate, they had to walk for quite some time.
Soon, they arrived at the pavilion where Byeok Taesan, the second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company, resided.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages marveled once more at the sight of the pavilion and its surrounding scenery.
“Hoh. The atmosphere here is even better than in other places.”
“This is one of the top three pavilions in the entire Golden Jade Villa.”
Passing through a gate in the low wall surrounding the pavilion, they entered a spacious garden.
It was beautifully decorated and well-maintained.
He could see two men tending the garden and a woman giving them various instructions.
It was Black Two and Black Three, along with Danyeong.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages’ eyes widened when he saw them.
No, to be precise, he was surprised to see Danyeong.
“Who is that person?”
“Ah… she is a handmaiden who serves our Second Young Master.”
“I see. For some reason, she does not seem like an ordinary handmaiden.”
“Her beauty is quite remarkable, isn't it? She comes from a rather famous courtesan house in Wuhan. There are a few others besides her. They all… came here themselves, asking to serve the Second Young Master.”
The general manager looked at the Divine Doctor of the Ages with a slightly puzzled expression.
It was because the Divine Doctor of the Ages couldn’t take his eyes off Danyeong.
It was so far removed from the rumors he had heard about the man that a sliver of doubt crept into his mind.
“Ah, my apologies. I have been rude. Forgive me.”
“No, not at all. I understand completely.”
Was it not instinct for a man’s eyes to be drawn to a beautiful woman?
“Ah… you misunderstand. My interest in her is not because of her appearance.”
“Pardon?”
“It is because of her constitution.”
“Her constitution?”
“It is a rare one. I truly covet it.”
The general manager suddenly felt he could see greed flicker in the Divine Doctor’s eyes.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. The Divine Doctor of the Ages was famous for shunning the company of women. It couldn’t be.
“As expected of a divine doctor, you can discern a person’s constitution with a single glance.”
“Of course, there is a limit to what one can see. To be certain, I would need to check her pulse. But when it is as obvious as that, a pulse diagnosis is hardly necessary.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages made no move to leave, simply standing there and continuing to gaze at Danyeong.
“She is like… a newborn babe. She appears to be around twenty, yet to maintain such purity at that age… it is truly astonishing. Frankly, I covet her.”
“Excuse me? Did you say you covet her?”
“If it is not too much of an imposition, might I take that young lady as my disciple?”
The general manager’s eyes widened.
“Does she have the aptitude of a physician? No, can you judge a person’s potential to become a physician by their constitution?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages smiled faintly.
“Is that not why I call her a coveted talent? Her constitution is like a field of pure white snow. It is very easy to color. In other words, she can blossom with incredible talent in whatever she learns.”
The general manager’s astonished gaze shifted between Danyeong and the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
“What do you say? Will you give me that child? If you do, I will never forget this favor.”
The general manager’s jaw dropped.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages had spoken of a favor. That meant he might be willing to maintain a continuous relationship with the Golden Jade Trading Company.
To have a connection with a renowned physician like the Divine Doctor of the Ages was no different from securing an extra life.
Moreover, the Divine Doctor of the Ages was not a physician who traveled alone.
All those who came with him today were physicians. They were practically his disciples, and their skills were nothing short of outstanding.
In fact, the Divine Doctor of the Ages often collaborated with them when treating patients.
There was not a hint of anxiety in the Divine Doctor's eyes. He was certain his proposal would be accepted.
However, the general manager’s reply was very different from what he expected.
With an expression of utmost regret, yet not entirely devoid of hope, the general manager answered.
“That handmaiden exclusively serves our Second Young Master. She was not taken in by the Golden Jade Trading Company but rather entrusted herself to the Young Master. Therefore, we must have the Second Young Master’s permission.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages smiled faintly.
“May I ask for your help when I seek the Second Young Master’s permission?”
“But of course. I will cooperate to the best of my ability. Honestly, with an opportunity like this, wouldn’t the Second Young Master naturally grant his permission?”
The general manager, with a gleeful expression, guided the Divine Doctor’s party inside.
As he followed the manager, the Divine Doctor of the Ages kept glancing at Danyeong, smacking his lips in anticipation.
* * *
The moment he stepped into the pavilion, the Divine Doctor of the Ages stopped dead in his tracks, standing there blankly.
‘What is this? What in the world is this place?’
The first thing the Divine Doctor of the Ages saw upon entering the pavilion was the sight of three handmaidens cleaning.
And the beauty of those three was anything but ordinary.
Though they fell slightly short of Danyeong, who was outside, they were not of a level one could easily find elsewhere.
The problem wasn’t their beauty.
‘There are three more with the same constitution?’
They had the exact same constitution as the woman outside. The unique constitution that he—no, his master—had named the Pure Constitution.
A person with a Pure Constitution could be used in a great variety of ways.
For one, they could blossom with talent in any field.
They could also be used to alter another person’s constitution.
“This way, please.”
The general manager shook the Divine Doctor of the Ages from his stupor with a wry smile.
He could fully understand the doctor’s reaction.
To be honest, he had reacted the same way when he first came here.
“Are they also… entrusted to the Second Young Master?”
“Yes, that is correct. There is one more who is not here at the moment, and her affiliation is a bit ambiguous. But you can consider her one of the Second Young Master’s people as well.”
“There is another one like them?”
“The remaining girl is not quite as beautiful.”
“No, what I mean is…”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages trailed off and shook his head.
If he were to say he was like this because of their constitutions, what would the general manager think?
It was better to hold his tongue and negotiate directly with the Second Young Master.
“I am eager to meet the Second Young Master.”
“That is what I was hoping for. Please, come this way.”
* * *
Byeok Taesan sat facing the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
Though it was just the two of them now, the room had been teeming with people only a moment ago.
Among them, the person who had spoken the most was, by far, the general manager.
He had lavished such praise upon the Divine Doctor of the Ages that anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was the doctor's disciple, not the manager of the Golden Jade Villa.
The reason for his behavior was contained in the last words he spoke before leaving.
Byeok Taesan stared intently at the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
“Heard you’re quite interested in my handmaidens.”
“That is correct.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages looked at Byeok Taesan with a sense of wonder.
Technically, Byeok Taesan was being rude. Until now, no one had ever spoken so informally to him, the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
And yet, he felt no aversion to it.
It was as if it was only natural for this man to act this way, and he found himself simply accepting that attitude.
This experience was not unfamiliar to the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
‘It’s happened a few times. A few times.’
Byeok Taesan asked again.
“Looks like you have over ten disciples already. You want to add four more? Isn’t that a bit greedy?”
“The physicians who accompanied me today are not my disciples. They are merely colleagues who assist me.”
“They didn’t look like it.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages’ expression stiffened slightly as he looked at Byeok Taesan.
“I can tell just by their attitude. The hierarchy was crystal clear. At that level, they’re either disciples or subordinates. Am I wrong?”
As he spoke with a grin, as if daring him to deny it, the Divine Doctor’s expression hardened a little more.
‘This is so different from what I’d heard.’
According to the Divine Doctor’s investigation, Byeok Taesan was supposed to be an unremarkable individual.
Most people with severed meridians possessed exceptional talent, but Byeok Taesan was said to be different.
While investigations didn’t always match reality, he had never encountered a discrepancy this large.
“In any case, the important thing is whether or not I can cure your illness, is it not?”
“No. That’s secondary.”
The Divine Doctor’s eyebrow twitched.
A man who could die at any moment because of his severed meridians was calling his cure “secondary”?
“What’s really important is that you’re after what’s mine.”
Byeok Taesan grinned. The smile looked somewhat fierce, and upon seeing it, the Divine Doctor of the Ages unknowingly swallowed dryly.
“It—It would be a good opportunity for them as well. The chance to learn my medical arts is not one that comes easily.”
Byeok Taesan tilted his head.
“Why would they learn your medical arts?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages tried to retort, but Byeok Taesan’s words were faster.
“Let’s be honest. You’re not taking them to teach them medicine.”
“What are you implying? Do not insult me further.”
Byeok Taesan let out a short laugh.
“They’re my kids. You think I wouldn’t know about their constitution?”
The Divine Doctor’s expression froze solid.
“Don’t tell me… you took them in knowing about their constitution? I heard they came of their own accord to entrust themselves to you…”
Byeok Taesan waved his hand dismissively.
“Is that important right now? What you plan to do with them is more important, isn't it?”
“I repeat, if you insult me further…”
“The materials are good, aren’t they?”
At Byeok Taesan’s words, the Divine Doctor of the Ages clamped his mouth shut. He was so startled that his gaze wavered violently for a moment.
But he regained his composure in an instant.
“I do not know what you mean. Materials? How could one possibly use people as materials?”
“I’m the one who doesn’t know what you’re talking about. When did I say you use people as materials? I just asked if the materials were good.”
The Divine Doctor’s face contorted unsightly.
“Young Master, even jokes have their limits.”
“A joke? Do I look like I’m joking right now?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages fell silent. He felt uneasy. What did Byeok Taesan know, and what did he want from him?
His mind became a tangled mess.
‘Killing him here is not an option. Should I sneak in at night and kill him then? No. He must have anticipated that much. If I get caught, the problem will only get worse.’
He couldn’t calculate a way out. Frankly, this was the first time something like this had happened, so he had never even considered how to handle it.
‘Of all times for this to happen…!’
The timing was bad. If a similar incident had occurred a year ago, he wouldn’t have needed to think twice.
But not now.
While the Divine Doctor of the Ages was lost in thought, Byeok Taesan spoke calmly.
“It was starting to bother me. They’re my kids, after all, since I allowed them to be mine. It’s annoying when people try to take them away. I just want to live quietly.”
With those words, Byeok Taesan casually looked the Divine Doctor of the Ages up and down.
“Your martial arts are nothing special, huh? Same with the guys outside… You don’t seem useful for anything besides medicine.”
Hearing Byeok Taesan’s mutterings, goosebumps rose all over his body.
‘This man is truly dangerous.’
He was hiding something. He didn’t know what it was, but he knew he absolutely could not make a reckless move.
“Then… may I take my leave now?”
Byeok Taesan grinned.
“Why are you acting coy? If you’ve shown your cards, you have to see the outcome.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages looked at Byeok Taesan with tense eyes.
“By outcome, you mean…”
“The easiest thing would be to kill you. It’s quick and simple. The cleanup is just a bit of a hassle.”
Byeok Taesan said as he looked at his own hand, clenching and unclenching his fist.
“Well… should be enough to kill thirteen guys.”
If his opponent were an elder of the Martial Alliance, it might be different. But for anyone below that level, killing them wouldn’t be too difficult. His body had recovered, if only slightly.
The only problem was the severe aftereffects of making a move.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages suddenly felt his entire body shrink.
He couldn’t move a muscle. He felt like a puppy standing before a tiger.
It wasn't hard to figure out why.
‘This is killing intent?’
The Divine Doctor stared blankly at Byeok Taesan.
This man alone possessed a killing intent that one might barely acquire after killing tens of thousands of people.
And he was being crushed by it.
He had felt such killing intent only once before in his life.
The memory of that time suddenly flooded his mind like a tidal wave.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages prostrated himself without thinking.
“Please spare my life.”
Byeok Taesan scratched his cheek.
“I’ve never spared anyone who’s gone after what’s mine before…”
Cold sweat poured down the Divine Doctor’s body.
A similar memory lingered. The events of that time resurfaced, and he nearly wet himself.
Of course, back then, he wasn’t the one involved but was standing by, watching someone else die.
That man had died a gruesome death. It was a sight so terrifying that just watching it was enough to make one wet their pants.
But he absolutely did not want to die. He would survive, no matter what it took.
“Well, I do need someone to handle my annoying errands.”
As the killing intent that had been constricting his body subsided, the Divine Doctor of the Ages cautiously raised his head.
He saw Byeok Taesan smiling.
The smile was so terrifying that the memory that had resurfaced refused to fade.
‘What the hell. Even his smile looks the same.’
He repeated to himself over and over that it was just his fear making him see similarities.
Otherwise, he felt like he might faint.