Chapter 45
Chapter 45
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: [Secret Clinic] God Hand (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That afternoon, after sleeping through the morning, I woke up feeling refreshed.
The fatigue from working all night had long since vanished.
'Earth's Blessing is sneakily overpowered, huh.'
Without it, I probably couldn't have pulled an all-nighter, and I'd still be groaning right now.
I stepped outside and started sweeping the courtyard when the gate burst open, and a palanquin rolled in.
It was Kim Naegwan.
"Is anyone here?!"
"Welcome, my lord."
He looked like a wreck.
Forgetting his even dirtier complexion than yesterday, his awkward, stumbling gait screamed physical therapy.
"Who might this be? Kim Naegwan himself?"
Master Heo Seol, emerging from the inner quarters, looked shocked.
"What's wrong with your walk? Did you get injured somewhere?"
"Oh, no. The path at night was dark, so I just... Ahem."
Kim Naegwan coughed awkwardly, embarrassed.
He couldn't exactly say it.
Admitting a Taoist lectured and beat him would ruin an eunuch's dignity.
This was Confucian Joseon, after all.
Just mentioning a Taoist would spark cries of superstition, worshiping brute strength and ghosts.
"By the way, did you deliver the medicine to Her Majesty?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I can breathe easier. She took it and regained some strength. It's all thanks to you."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Truly grateful. I won't forget this favor."
He grabbed Master Heo Seol's hands, expressing his thanks.
Good, that's how it should be.
'You're doing well.'
I nodded approvingly when Kim Naegwan glanced at me and frowned.
"You there! When an elder arrives, shouldn't you fetch tea immediately instead of staring like an idiot with those wide eyes?"
"......"
"Tsk tsk, lowborns are so clueless. Master Heo, how do you train your help? They should move on their own when guests arrive."
"Kim Naegwan, please don't be too harsh. Lee Jun here isn't a servant—he's my disciple. He helped with the process of making the pills for Her Majesty."
Master Heo Seol defended me, but Kim Naegwan clucked his tongue again.
"Being your disciple doesn't erase his lowborn status. If anything, it makes him more insolent. Lowly underlings like that need proper discipline."
"Ahaha..."
Master Heo Seol laughed awkwardly at Kim Naegwan's words.
Still, he was a high palace official, so she couldn't push back too hard.
'Ha, look at this guy?'
Yi Gil-dong the Taoist—I told you.
Thank your benefactor properly.
I delivered the medicine in Master's place while she rested from the all-nighter, and I helped make it as she said.
Yet he treats me like dirt and nitpicks?
'Looks like he hasn't been beaten enough.'
Yi Gil-dong the Taoist might need to make another house call tonight.
"My apologies, my lord. I'll prepare tea right away."
"Hmph, hurry up."
I bowed and retreated to brew the tea.
And that night.
I donned the bamboo hat again and vaulted over the palace wall.
"This way, right?"
I flew across the rooftops and landed near the annex by Hyangwonjeong.
But inside wasn't just Kim Naegwan—unlike yesterday, there were four menacing presences.
"You lot! Useless rice-wasters! Guard properly tonight!"
Kim Naegwan's bellow echoed from within.
Peeking through the tiles, four burly warriors stood guard in the room.
'He called in bodyguards?'
After yesterday, he'd taken precautions.
They looked skilled, but below the Black Shadow Squad from the Chief State Councillor's estate.
Decent enough, but still just ordinary people.
'No match for me.'
Like before, I muffled sounds with mana around us and distorted my voice to avoid detection.
Then kicked the door.
Bam!
"Who goes there?!"
"Assassin!"
"It's Taoist Yi Gil-dong! Evil spirits are afoot!"
"You bastard! What Taoist? You wanna die?!"
The warriors charged, yelling.
Shing!
I drew my three-section staff and danced.
Thwack! Thud! Crack! Smack!
The last one went down with a kick.
One breath was all it took to floor the four in the room.
Oh, sweet.
Meanwhile, Kim Naegwan huddled on the floor, trembling.
"Eek! T-Taoist! I was wrong! Spare me!"
"What did you do wrong?"
"W-Well..."
He rolled his eyes awkwardly before speaking.
"I... I don't know."
Of course not.
From his view, he'd done as told, yet here I was again, beating his guards.
"I warned you. Thank those who've helped you."
"I did! I thanked Master Heo!"
"Only Master Heo."
"Pardon?"
"That disciple under him. Don't you know he toiled all night boiling the medicine? Ignoring his sincerity and scorning him as lowly?"
"B-But... he's just a servant..."
Servant bullshit again.
Hasn't learned a thing.
Just apologize vaguely and bow—why make me whip you more?
"Your rotten elitism is the problem! People are born before status, not the other way around! Everyone is precious, yet you've lost your humanity along with your balls?!"
"Eek! I was wrong!"
"No good. You need more whipping tonight."
Crack!
"Aaaagh! Mercy! Spare me!"
"Don't worry! I won't kill you today either!"
But it'll hurt like hell.
That night, beastly screams echoed through the Hyangwonjeong annex till dawn.
Added insolence for the bodyguards—total beatdown.
The next morning.
Kim Naegwan practically crawled into the medicine hall courtyard.
"Aigoo, welcome, my lord."
Yesterday he could walk; today, he couldn't stand without support.
He brushed past Master Heo Seol and knelt before me as I swept.
Thud.
Not even a yangban, but the king's closest eunuch, on his knees.
I hadn't expected this much.
"M-My lord? What is this?"
I tried to help him up, but he grabbed my hands.
"Listen, young man. No, Lee Jun."
Jun now?
Upgraded from bastard lowborn.
"Yes?"
"I was mad yesterday. My eyes were clouded; I ignored your kindness and spoke rudely. Forgive me. I sincerely apologize. You slaved all night over the medicine, and I failed to recognize it, treating you poorly. I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me."
"No need. I just did my job."
"No! Without you, my head would've rolled! Thank you, truly!"
He pulled a bundle of coin from his bosom and pressed it into my hand.
"It's not much, but take it as my sincerity. And anything you need in future, just say. I'll help as much as I can."
Pretty heavy.
Sincere effort.
'Oh.'
I hadn't asked for cash since it'd seem mercenary for a Taoist, but he brought it himself.
Knows how to apologize.
"Aigoo, no need. People make mistakes. I harbor no grudge. Please take it back."
I pushed the bundle back lightly, feigning refusal once.
In this Confucian land, you can't snatch gifts outright.
"Eek! No! Please accept. If you don't, my heart grows heavier."
Kim Naegwan panicked, fearing no forgiveness.
"W-Well, if it eases your mind... I'll gratefully accept."
"R-Really? You forgive me?"
"Of course. I forgot it long ago."
His face lit up.
"Thank you! Truly! You're... destined for great things!"
He shook my hands repeatedly, then gave Master Heo Seol a thick sum as medicine fee.
"Kim Naegwan, you look unwell. Care for a check-up before you go?"
"N-No, I'm fine. Master Heo, urgent business calls. Farewell."
He fled like after our last talk.
Looked like he'd never come near again.
Watching, Master Heo Seol tilted her head.
"What's with him? Arrogant as they come, yet giving you money and apologizing?"
"Who knows. Maybe some midnight epiphany."
"Sudden changes bring death, they say. Tsk tsk."
I pocketed the coins with a grin.
Funds were low practicing Fengyang Pills.
Worried about extra ingredients for the real [Divine Pill: Fengyang Pill], but this solved it.
Anyway, Kim Naegwan affair cleanly closed.
Even if the Queen's condition worsens, no coming here or blaming Master.
Blocks the original plot where Master gets arrested, jailed, and dies of illness.
Now, the final puzzle piece.
"Lee Jun, customer here."
Right on cue, palanquin bearers called from the gate.
"The young lady from the Minister of Personnel's house has arrived!"
Minister of Personnel.
The powerholder over appointments.
His sheltered jewel daughter.
Today's appointment.
My tenth and final VIP.
'Please don't be ugly.'
I eyed the gate prayerfully.
Reward grind or not, the finale should please the eyes.
Soon, the palanquin entered the courtyard; the door opened, and a woman stepped out gracefully.
'Whoa, jackpot.'
She was stunning, almost unbelievable.
Age around 20?
Pale, baby-fat cheeks; glossy black hair neatly braided.
Silken robes shone, but her beauty outshone them.
Min Jo-hee had mature married allure; this was fresh, haughty ice princess.
Of course, this world's blessing meant killer development.
Chest straining her jeogori ties; hips swaying her skirt with each step.
"Welcome, miss."
Master Heo Seol greeted her.
She nodded aloofly, fanning her mouth.
"Heard the rumors. Said you're skilled. My body runs cold, low energy..."
Voice fantastical too.
Shivers down my spine instantly.
"You've come to the right place. This way."
Master led her to the exam room.
A bit later, she cracked the door and called me.
"Lee Jun."
"Yes."
"She's got severe cold in her lower abdomen, qi blocked. Your hot hands would open it perfectly. I've checked her pulse; you do the treatment."
"Got it, Master!"
We'd agreed today's guest was mine, but handing over such a beauty?
Master, loyal as ever.
I washed thoroughly and headed to the special room.
"Pardon the intrusion, miss."
She lay prone on the bed, glaring warily.
"What? Where's the physician? Why's a servant like you coming in?"
"I'm disciple Lee Jun, assisting the physician. Per his prescription, I'll unblock your channels."
"Hah! Absurd. You, a lowborn, dare touch me? Get out!"
Fiery personality.
Sharp eyes, chin up—looks down on men.
'I get the vibe.'
Classic high-nosed lady.
But dark circles, lip-biting—clearly frustrated desires.
Easy conquest.
These types melt once the body loosens.
"Miss, cold hands and feet, pulling lower belly? Night fevers, sleepless?"
"......H-How do you."
"Blocked channels. My touch will cure it clean. Don't believe? Just once."
First VIP, Min Jo-hee, took hours of warmup.
Now, with proficiency and [Massage] at D-rank...
30 minutes to seal the deal.
"Insolent. But for the physician's face, one chance. If even slightly clumsy... you're out."
"I won't disappoint."