Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Are You Truly Alive?
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I wish to work for the Young Master.
Gamu Jin, the general manager of the Golden Jade Villa, stared at the Divine Doctor of the Ages with a look of surprise.
How could he not be surprised?
"You wish to pledge your services to the Golden Jade Villa?"
The Divine Doctor corrected him.
"I wish to work for Young Master Byeok Taesan."
To the general manager, the two were one and the same. After all, wasn't Byeok Taesan a member of the Golden Jade Villa—no, the Golden Jade Trading Company?
Working for Byeok Taesan was, in other words, no different from working for the Golden Jade Trading Company.
At least, that was how it seemed by the general manager's common sense.
"We welcome you unconditionally. You've made an excellent decision. Although our Golden Jade Trading Company may not be known in every corner of the world, our foundation is far more solid than most well-known companies. We will ensure your treatment is more than satisfactory."
The Divine Doctor shook his head.
"Young Master Byeok Taesan has already agreed to take care of everything."
At the Divine Doctor's words, the general manager finally came to his senses. This was him drawing a line.
The general manager took a step back.
"Ah, I understand what you mean. It seems you've made this decision because of the children under the second young master."
"Well... for one reason and another... In truth, it will take quite a long time to treat the Young Master. A month or two won't be nearly enough... I'll likely have to devote all my abilities for at least a few years."
"To think you would go to such lengths for our young master, I am truly grateful. In any case, we will provide a separate and sufficient reward. It's money you don't need to feel burdened by. We've already budgeted for it, so all you have to do is accept."
The general manager said this with a delighted expression.
In truth, Byeok Taesan belonged to the Golden Jade Trading Company. No matter how much of a line he drew, what difference would it make?
"In any case, I will visit you again soon. Are you sure this is a suitable place to stay?"
"It must be."
"Ah... I see. Well, you did say you would be focusing all your abilities... Thank you once again."
"Don't mention it."
Of course, the Divine Doctor's inner thoughts were a little different.
He could no longer leave Byeok Taesan's side. It wasn't a matter of this place being suitable; he *had* to stay here.
As the general manager bowed politely and left, the Divine Doctor let out a deep sigh, as if the ground would collapse.
How did things get so twisted?
'All because of a mere hundred gold taels...!'
Of course, a hundred gold taels was not a sum that could be called 'mere'.
And it couldn't be helped. With his funds dried up, how could he resist the temptation of a hundred gold taels?
He had also taken the job far too lightly.
Who would have thought he'd meet such a terrifying man here?
'Anyway, what is his true identity? He doesn't seem like a simple young master of a trading company...'
As the Divine Doctor recalled his encounter with Byeok Taesan, his face grew paler.
The mere memory was terrifying.
***
"Young Master, are you really sure about this?"
"About what?"
"The Divine Doctor of the Ages."
Cheon Gyeongwan was incredibly anxious.
It was Cheon Gyeongwan who had placed a restrictive seal on each of the twelve physicians brought by the Divine Doctor.
Even as he followed Byeok Taesan's orders, he couldn't comprehend the situation.
And what about the twelve physicians, who had cooperated so meekly even when told a seal would be placed on them?
It was something he simply couldn't understand with his common sense.
'Then again, ever since I got properly involved with the Young Master, nothing has been within the realm of common sense.'
Byeok Taesan spoke to the worried-looking Cheon Gyeongwan.
"Why? Because I left out the Divine Doctor?"
"No, it's not that... But is it really alright? If you only leave him out, won't that cause problems later?"
Byeok Taesan chuckled.
"So you're saying if I'm going to do it, I should do it thoroughly, is that it?"
"No, what I mean is..."
Cheon Gyeongwan started to make an excuse but then closed his mouth. On second thought, Byeok Taesan was right.
In the past, he would have taken issue with placing the restrictive seals on the Divine Doctor's party in the first place.
But now, he was naturally worried about the one person who hadn't been sealed.
"I did it myself, so you don't have to worry."
"Pardon? You did, Young Master?"
"Because your level isn't high enough yet."
The Divine Doctor was someone who could control his own body at will. Twisting his pressure points was nothing to him.
He could also disguise his pressure points.
Therefore, it was impossible for someone of Cheon Gyeongwan's level to place a restrictive seal on the Divine Doctor.
"Then why did you have me do the others...?"
If he could do it himself, it would have been much safer for Byeok Taesan to place the seals.
"I'm still a patient. Do you know how hard it is for me to use my strength properly?"
Cheon Gyeongwan bowed his head slightly, his expression showing that he finally understood.
'I keep forgetting that the Young Master is sick.'
It was inevitable. He didn't seem like a sick person at all.
Byeok Taesan grinned.
"Still, he's a knowledgeable fellow, so it was nice not having to explain things."
As befitting an outstanding physician, the Divine Doctor quickly realized what kind of restrictive seal had been placed on his body.
He also knew all too well that it could never be broken, which sent him into a brief despair.
Finally, he was confused, unable to understand how on earth Byeok Taesan knew the method for that seal.
"But... he's the one who will be treating you from now on. Wouldn't it be better to treat him carefully? What if he decides to do something malicious...?"
"My illness will be cured by visiting courtesan houses. That man's job isn't to treat me."
Cheon Gyeongwan was honestly a bit dumbfounded, but he simply accepted Byeok Taesan's words.
"Then why did you keep him here?"
"For one reason and another."
Of the reasons for keeping the Divine Doctor, about twenty percent was for an excuse when his illness was cured.
He couldn't just tell everyone that his illness was cured by visiting courtesan houses, as he had told those who were his own, like Cheon Gyeongwan, Soso, and Danyeong.
And the other eighty percent was for the twelve physicians with the Divine Doctor.
"Those men are no ordinary physicians."
Cheon Gyeongwan's gaze, filled with curiosity, fixed on Byeok Taesan.
***
Chae Miryeong, the wife of Byeok Taesu, the master of the Golden Jade Trading Company, was the daughter of a small trading company in a corner of Wuhan.
From a young age, she grew up looking up to the Golden Jade Trading Company. Soon, it became her goal.
Knowing full well she could never become the master of the Golden Jade Trading Company, she became the master's woman instead.
But that alone was not enough to do anything.
She couldn't exert any influence over the Golden Jade Trading Company.
To control the Golden Jade Trading Company as she wished, she had to become the true master.
Or get the master in the palm of her hand.
Chae Miryeong's choice was her son. She believed that after her son, Byeok Jehyeok, became the master of the Golden Jade Trading Company, she could then control him.
That plan was proceeding very smoothly.
If not for the news she heard today.
"The Divine Doctor of the Ages decided to stay at the Golden Jade Villa? Did he really say he could cure Byeok Taesan's illness?"
"Yes. However, he said it would take a long time. And he couldn't guarantee that the Young Master's body would hold up during that time."
Chae Miryeong bit her lip.
"I heard the Divine Doctor isn't one to stay in one place for long. That will be the case this time too, right?"
"Well... it is said that the Divine Doctor has decided to serve the second young master."
Chae Miryeong's eyes widened like saucers.
"What are you talking about? Serve whom? The Divine Doctor is serving Byeok Taesan?"
"Yes. He has already unpacked all his belongings."
Chae Miryeong raised a hand.
"Wait, hold on. I can't quite process this. So... you're saying the Divine Doctor of the Ages has become a member of our Golden Jade Trading Company? *The* Divine Doctor of the Ages?"
"He did draw a line, saying he would follow the second young master and not our company... but aren't they one and the same? Yes, he has joined our company."
"What kind of nonsense is this...!"
"Things have been moving strangely around the second young master recently."
Chae Miryeong glared at the man reporting to her, Byeok Cheonil.
"Are you going to keep doing such a sloppy job? How do you expect to properly take control of the Archives Pavilion in the future?"
"My apologies. But this incident was so unexpected that everyone is at a loss."
"Didn't I tell you to pay attention from the moment Cheon Gyeongwan sided with Byeok Taesan? But you let it be, and now look at this mess."
Byeok Cheonil had his own excuses.
It had only been a few days since Cheon Gyeongwan had firmly established himself as Byeok Taesan's man.
What kind of preparations could possibly be made in such a short time?
Things around Byeok Taesan had been moving so hectically lately that there was no room to intervene.
"Anyway, take responsibility and handle it. I have no intention of allowing even the slightest variable to interfere with my son becoming the master of this company."
"I will keep that in mind."
After Byeok Cheonil withdrew, Chae Miryeong took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
In truth, while Byeok Taesan had been a thorn in her side, she had tried not to pay him much mind.
After all, his days were numbered.
"I should have stopped them when they first talked about bringing the Divine Doctor."
Chae Miryeong regretted not having insisted more strongly at the time.
She had no say within the company. She was forbidden from interfering in its operations.
However, that didn't mean she had no influence at all.
In her own way, she would win over and manipulate personnel within the company to produce the results she wanted.
But she hadn't actively opposed the matter of summoning the Divine Doctor.
This was because Byeok Taesu had wanted it so strongly.
She didn't want to strain her relationship with her husband over a trivial matter.
But now this was the result, so how could she not have regrets?
"As I thought... I need to be more proactive."
Chae Miryeong bit her lip once more and muttered softly.
***
"Will the Divine Doctor be accompanying us as well?"
To Cheon Gyeongwan's question, the Divine Doctor nodded as if it were obvious.
"I have a duty to look after the Young Master's body at all times. If I don't follow, who will?"
Cheon Gyeongwan said no more. It didn't matter whether he came along or not, as long as Byeok Taesan permitted it.
So he looked at Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan, paying it no mind, was walking leisurely toward the courtesan house.
Just then, Yu Seoyeon asked, as if she had been waiting.
"But is it really okay for someone as sick as our Young Master to visit a courtesan house every day? He stays up almost every night..."
The Divine Doctor's eyes widened.
"He stays up all night?"
Yu Seoyeon excitedly continued.
"Yes. As expected, staying up all night without sleeping, I mean... um... anyway, that's not good for him, right?"
The Divine Doctor's gaze fixed on Byeok Taesan.
He stealthily approached Byeok Taesan.
And asked furtively.
"What's the secret?"
Byeok Taesan stared at the Divine Doctor with a bewildered look.
"Honestly, shouldn't men help each other out? Oh... come to think of it, I haven't properly taken your pulse yet. How about it? Shall I take a look? My skills are quite remarkable, you know. I can do it while we walk, so all you need to do, Young Master, is lend me your hand for a moment."
"You talk too damn much."
"Ah, is that how it seemed? Actually, I'm not talkative; I've simply become eloquent through my various efforts to reassure my patients. Once I start talking to someone, they naturally start spilling all sorts of personal stories. Of course, I'm the one who does most of the talking, but isn't it all valuable advice that becomes flesh and blood?"
Byeok Taesan suddenly thrust his hand toward the Divine Doctor's mouth.
The Divine Doctor, startled, snapped his mouth shut. There was no time to turn his head and dodge.
A cold sweat broke out.
If this had been an attack, and if that hand had been holding a knife, his mouth would have been pierced.
It was a strike that perfectly exploited the gap between breaths.
"What are you doing? You said you were going to take my pulse."
"Ah...! The pulse! Right, I was going to take your pulse. Hahahaha. Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
The Divine Doctor forced a laugh and carefully took Byeok Taesan's wrist.
A pulse-taking filled with ulterior motives began.
Even while taking his pulse as they walked, the Divine Doctor was able to meticulously examine the condition of Byeok Taesan's body.
The examination continued all the way to the courtesan house, and the Divine Doctor constantly tilted his head in confusion.
"Strange? This can't be right."
The Divine Doctor looked at Byeok Taesan with a dubious expression. He had already let go of his wrist.
He had examined every nook and cranny of his body, to the point where taking the pulse was no longer necessary.
He checked the ki meridians with particular care, since the condition was said to be severed meridians.
"Why? Are the results of the pulse-taking strange?"
The Divine Doctor opened his mouth cautiously.
"Um... Young Master."
"Speak."
"Are you... truly a living person?"
A chilling silence fell over the group.