Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: [Secret Clinic] Treating the Queen Consort (1)
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Ding-!
Right after tricking the king and making my escape, a skill popped up.
I checked the system messages and let out a hollow laugh.
"Well, isn't this something."
Absolutely ridiculous.
[What, is it gonna give me a scam skill or something next?]
I'd once imagined something like that while impersonating a Daoist in front of Cheon Bong, but I'd just been joking around. Who knew it'd actually hand me a skill like this?
"Come on, I'm a hunter at least. Can't it give me something decent like swordsmanship or magic? There are cool names like 'Acting' or 'Eloquence,' you know? Why 'Deception' of all things?"
Of course, the system had no reply.
No reply... but this system definitely has a grudge against me.
[Clubbing], [Brawling], and now [Deception].
Looking at my status window, you'd think I was some criminal mastermind.
Giving skills like these to a good guy like me—it's infuriating.
Ding-!
'Well, not bad, I guess.'
The name was a bit iffy, but the description made it seem pretty solid.
In a world without abilities like [Master Physician's Nonsense], I'd been able to pass off inventory items, body enhancements, and real-world goods as "Daoist arts" just fine.
But if I ended up in a comic world full of magic or superpowers?
'Pulling off the same tricks there would be tough.'
With this [Deception] skill, though, it'd be a different story.
Even with flimsy evidence or contrived situations, as long as I pushed shamelessly, the odds of them going, "Oh, really?" and buying it would skyrocket.
"The more shameless, the stronger the effect, huh..."
Tough skill for a pure soul like me, but whatever—can't return it now.
Might as well make use of it.
I shrugged and headed back to the herbal medicine hall.
I'd lied about heading out to gather herbs after morning duties, so I needed to return before anyone got suspicious.
"I'm back, Master."
Master Heo Seol, who had been sitting on the yard bench drying herbs, looked up as I opened the gate.
"Oh, already? The sun's still high."
"The terrain was too rough to go deep."
"I see. Any luck?"
"Well... not really. Seems like all the good herb gatherers have picked everything worthwhile lately."
Master eyed the bundle in my hand.
I'd bought some random herbs from a gatherer on the way back.
A few wilted bellflower roots, shriveled deodeok, and some nameless weeds.
I unwrapped them to show him, and he let out an incredulous chuckle.
"Heh heh... You call this gathering herbs? Even a cow wouldn't touch this as fodder."
"Haha... Sorry. Nothing decent caught my eye. Guess today's not my day."
"You're hopeless at foraging. You've got the hands for it, so why the terrible eye?"
"Tell me about it. Maybe brewing medicine under you is more my speed after all."
"Fine, go wash up. Afternoon clinic starts soon."
"Yes, sir."
As I changed in my room and stepped out, the street outside the hall buzzed with noise.
Unusual clamor.
Murmurs spilled over the fence.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"Is it true? The Chief State Councillor?"
"Runners were swarming everywhere just now."
"The whole place is in an uproar!"
Something big had gone down in the streets.
It had finally come.
"Master, what's all the commotion outside?"
"No idea. I was just about to check myself."
We stepped out the gate together. A crowd swarmed the market bulletin board like clouds.
Imperial Guards with spears controlled the street, while runners pasted red notices in between.
"In the world... the Chief State Councillor, a traitor?"
"He tried to assassinate the Queen Consort?"
"No wonder the kingdom's been in such a state lately."
The shocking content left the commoners stunned.
I blended into the crowd, cheering inwardly.
'Cheon Bong, you goofed up at the auxiliary palace, but you nailed this.'
He must've hidden that empty box I gave him in a genius spot.
The moment the king's Imperial Guards searched the Chief State Councillor's home, bam—there it was. From his perspective, it'd be a ghost story. A box he'd never seen popping out of his own bedroom.
And cursing the Queen Consort? Her health issues were pre-existing, weren't they?
Just tacked on out of spite, probably.
"Heh, unbelievable..."
Master Heo Seol sighed, puffing on his pipe beside me.
"They say power doesn't last ten years. The Chief State Councillor, who could drop birds from the sky, falls as a traitor overnight."
"Crazy times, huh."
"But... the rumors are odd."
"Odd rumors?"
"A Daoist appeared."
"A Daoist?"
"Yeah. Some Yi Gil-dong or whatever. Showed up like the wind, reported the Chief State Councillor's corruption straight to the king. Used shrinking-earth arts and rode off on a cloud. Funny, right? Same with that eunuch Kim losing the box—everything lines up too perfectly, like someone's orchestrated the whole play."
"Haha, yeah. Weird stuff happens. A Daoist? Sounds like something out of a novel."
I chimed in casually.
"Curious, though. In that short time you were out gathering herbs, Hanyang saw a lot. Chief State Councillor arrested, a Daoist appears."
Master stared right at me, his deep gaze piercing like he was reading my soul.
Cold sweat trickled down my back for no reason.
'Did he figure it out?'
No way.
The Daoist rumor was spreading, sure, but suspecting a mere servant like me of being that Daoist?
Even if Master Heo Seol was this comic's protagonist and a genius physician, that'd be too far-fetched.
No evidence.
Nothing linking Lee Jun, the herbal hall apprentice learning medicine, to Daoist Yi Gil-dong.
From what he said, it was just that a Daoist appeared while I was out herb-picking.
I was overthinking because of my own guilt. Even a glance from him felt loaded now.
"Everything okay, Master? Something on my face?"
"...No."
He stared a while longer, then chuckled and turned away.
"Your face just looks brighter these days, that's all. Overflowing with energy since that vacation."
"Yeah, rested well and had fun. Feels like my head's clearer too."
"Youth is a blessing. Let's head in."
Crisis averted.
Just my imagination.
Made no sense to think I was involved anyway.
With this, the Chief State Councillor was done for.
Irrefutable evidence meant his clan was toast—only a matter of time.
Now for cleanup.
I sorted plans in my head while tidying the storeroom.
'Eunuch Kim's no longer needed.'
Originally, I'd planned to let him go and have him spread tales of Daoist Yi Gil-dong's wonders far and wide.
Viral marketing, sort of.
Not blatantly advertising Daoist Yi Gil-dong, just casual "heard there's this guy" whispers.
But things changed.
I'd unintentionally debuted right before the king, maximum impact.
He saw it himself; his guards were witnesses.
'Guess no Robin Hood play for me.'
A bit disappointing—I'd saved it for later.
Build buzz gradually: tales of a righteous Daoist Yi Gil-dong helping the needy.
But now the king was blabbing about how Daoist Yi Gil-dong saved the kingdom.
No point anymore.
'Tell Governor Jang to contact Eunuch Kim and send him back quietly.'
Returning to the palace, he'd face jailbreak scrutiny and questioning over the Chief State Councillor mess.
But I'd saved his life, so call it even.
'Next up is the big one.'
With the box found at the Chief State Councillor's, the king must be brimming with hope.
Finally, he could cure his beloved Queen Consort.
But.
'The box is empty.'
Its contents were already mine—boosted dick, stamina, stats.
The Chief State Councillor wouldn't know where the ingredients went, so torture wouldn't help.
When the king despaired over the empty box, Daoist Yi Gil-dong swoops in.
[Your Highness, despair not. This humble Daoist shall cure Her Majesty.]
Kuh, perfect scene.
Pulling her from the pit of despair—a savior's hand.
Damn, it's good.
Treat the Queen Consort, snag [Royal Physician] trait, and I'm basically done here.
Stick around till acupuncture or medical skills unlock?
'Ugh, but it feels kinda off.'
Inevitable part of treating the Queen Consort.
'NTL.'
Not NTR.
NTR is getting stolen from; NTL is the stealer.
Stealing the king's woman? That's not why it feels off.
I don't give a damn about that king—dunno if he can even get it up.
Not like we're buddies.
He probably never did it with her anyway.
What bugs me is Master Heo Seol.
'In the original story, he treats the Queen Consort—removes her "ada."'
But if I take his place and score the ada too...
It gives off NTL vibes.
The man who taught me everything.
Took in a random bandit-lookalike.
Took me as a true disciple, sharing his secrets freely, holding nothing back.
Feels wrong taking his woman.
No.
He's benefited from me too, even if unknowingly.
He's the winner in all this.
Avoided the original plot where Eunuch Kim frames him, landing him in prison.
No last-minute Queen Consort treatment to cheat death—that hellish ordeal.
'Win-win, right?'
No prison drama or suffering for Master.
I get [Royal Physician] and her ada.
Queen Consort cured.
King happy with healthy wife.
No one's hurt. Perfect world.
Objections get the three-section staff from Daoist Yi Gil-dong.
That night, while the herbal hall slept, I donned the bamboo hat again.
Black plainclothes on—Daoist Yi Gil-dong transformation complete.
Time to meet the king.
As the kingdom's savior Daoist, no need to sneak in this time.