Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: [Secret Clinic] The Real Deal
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"Whoa, fuck..."
A gasp of awe slipped from my lips unbidden.
The moment I lifted the lid of the lacquered box, a mystical glow pierced the pitch-black darkness, spilling out like a divine aura.
A brilliant radiance that could blind the eyes.
At the same time, a thick, intoxicating fragrance assaulted my senses, numbing my nose yet clearing my mind as it sank deep into my lungs.
My dantian grew hot.
Just from the scent alone, heat surged through my lower abdomen, and my blood boiled throughout my body.
"What the hell is all this?"
With trembling hands, I peered inside the box.
Four precious ingredients lay enshrined on a bed of silk cloth.
A horn that glowed with its own light even in the darkness, shaped like a deer's antler but transparent like jade.
A feather that flickered as if red flames danced within.
A chunk of turtle shell exuding a heavy, dark aura.
And a crystalline gem brimming with azure moisture.
No one could mistake these for ordinary herbs.
Even ginseng or deer antler would look like weeds compared to their overwhelming presence.
"...Insane."
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Kirin? Phoenix? Spirit Tortoise? Azure Dragon?
Wasn't this supposed to be alternate history?
I thought it was just some adult comic set in the Joseon era with a bit of smut thrown in.
'System glitch?'
Or maybe this was the worldbuilding all along?
Come to think of it, even in the original Master Physician Heo Seol, there were constant mentions of legendary miracle drugs and royal secrets.
I'd brushed them off as nothing special.
But hey, it's a comic book world.
Fantasy elements like this aren't out of place.
Maybe the author snuck in some Eastern fantasy vibes, and my trait turned them into real items?
'Still, nothing like this has shown up in the original yet.'
Maybe it's coming later.
The manga's not finished, so who knows.
Anyway, that's not the point.
The point is what these ingredients are for.
I swallowed hard.
I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but the message didn't change.
"Holy shit..."
The elixir I knew from the story was a hasty fake Heo Seol whipped up for the eunuch.
It only gave +5cm length and some stamina boost.
But this one's called a Divine Pill—maybe that's why?
Double the length gain, and crucially, it thickens too.
'This is the superior version of the Fengyang Pill from the story—and the one I'll get as a quest reward later.'
Honestly, for guys, girth matters more than length.
Long but skinny ain't satisfying, right?
This gives length, girth, and infinite stamina.
'If I eat just this...'
Alone, it'd bump me to 13.4cm—equal to two regular Fengyang Pills.
Add two more later? 23.4cm.
Just imagining it makes my chest swell with pride.
I could strut through the bathhouse with shoulders back, never shrink before any woman.
Hell, I'd make 'em pass out.
"I have to eat this."
Born a man, hitting this spec before dying leaves no regrets.
And one mystery solved.
'Why the Queen Mother wasn't fully cured by the Fengyang Pill in the original.'
In the late story, when Heo Seol made it for her, there was a hint it was temporary.
It led to him personally infusing yang energy via sex.
I thought it was just smut bait, but nah—the pill lacked potency without these Divine ingredients.
'So if I eat this, then cure the Queen Mother later?'
Perfect.
Replenish my yang, heal her illness, snag the [Royal Physician] reward.
Not just killing three birds—one stone, more like ten.
"Heh heh heh."
Flawless plan.
I become super-dick with the Divine Fengyang Pill, then use that yang to treat her.
Sister-in-law happy, brother-in-law happy.
Fuck Jo Hee, fuck the Queen too.
"Alright, decided."
Closing the box lid plunged the room back into darkness.
Now, how to store it.
'Try the inventory?'
Wait, just shove the whole box in?
How'd I not think of that?
I tried immediately.
Cannot store this item.
Inventory can only hold one item at a time.
(Stacks of identical items allowed.)
"Ah, fuck."
No dice.
Thought I'd found a loophole.
Guess hauling stuff between worlds in a bag is out.
"Tch, what now? Can't carry it around."
Take it to the clinic?
No way.
Master Heo Seol's got a nose like a ghost.
Hide something radiating this aura? He'd sniff it out in a day.
And it's too bulky to carry on me.
"Gotta bury it."
Old-school, but surefire.
Plant it where no one knows.
I wrapped the box tight in the silk again.
Outside Hanyang's city walls, in a remote mountain rarely visited by humans.
I ventured deep into the woods where even woodcutters avoided due to tiger rumors.
An owl hooted ominously.
Eerie vibe.
But no reason for me to fear.
Tiger?
If one shows, skin it and sell. Or bring the bones—Master would love the meds.
"This spot'll do."
Under a massive boulder, amid thick underbrush.
"Hup!"
I dug with bare hands.
My Steel Body-enhanced fists outdid any shovel.
Thud, thud.
Firm earth crumbled like tofu.
In moments, a waist-deep pit.
Gently placed the box in.
"Sleep well, my ten centimeters."
Covered with soil, camouflaged with leaves and brush.
Stamped it down—perfect.
No one digging on purpose would find it.
Memorized landmarks: odd-shaped pine, moss patterns on the rock.
Crunch.
Carved personal marks on nearby trees with my finger.
"Whew."
Key part done.
Now, the recipe.
Ingredients mean squat without knowing how to make the Fengyang Pill.
Why refine herbs into pills? To max the effects.
Raw might work per the descriptions, but pill form's best.
'Learn from Master Heo Seol.'
When he makes the fake for the eunuch, assist and spy the process.
Materials differ, but principles same.
Steal his skills, complete the Divine Pill with mine.
A few more days passed.
Clinic life stayed peaceful.
I swept the yard, chopped wood, fetched water, served customers—like always.
No night watches, so solid sleep.
Condition peak.
"You brat, strength to spare, eh? Planning to pulverize the logs?"
"Haha, ate too much, Master."
Master Heo Seol chuckled from the porch.
He'd visited the palace days ago to check the Queen Mother's pulse.
Face same as usual, but sometimes gazed at the sky with worry.
'No ingredients box—must be stressing him.'
Eunuch's supposed to deliver, but nada.
Her illness worsens, no meds—he's gotta be antsy.
'Damn, starting to feel guilty.'
Can't be helped.
Original story had it lost anyway.
Suck it up, Master.
Though the eunuch should show soon.
A few days later.
And that day arrived.
Late afternoon, post-treatments.
A shabby palanquin slipped through the back door.
Worn thing for common homes.
But bearers' eyes sharp.
Suspicious.
"Who goes there?"
I blocked the front—the curtain flew open.
"Physician Heo! Is Physician Heo here?!"
It's him!
Kim the eunuch leaped out.
Gone was the arrogant, greasy vibe from Cheowol House.
'Rough times, huh.'
Face ashen, eyes sunken, robes wrinkled—zombie-like.
"Well, if it isn't Lord Kim the Chamberlain."
Master Heo emerged, feigning surprise.
Acted, sure.
He'd sensed trouble—delayed box screamed issues.
"Shh! Quiet! Walls have ears—I'm here in secret!"
Kim paled, glancing around.
"Physician, inside. Urgent matter."
"Of course. Lee Jun, stand guard outside. Let no one in."
"Yes, Master."
I bowed and stepped back.
Kim clutched Heo's robes, crawling inside.
Door shut—I grabbed a broom, pretended to sweep, edged toward the room.
Channeled mana to ears.
Enhanced hearing flow.
"Physician! Save me! My life's on the line!"
Kim's wail pierced the wall.