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“The Five Great Physicians were as follows.”

Heavenly Doctor Dongbang Mu-gyeol, Guangming Divine Doctor Hwa Seong-myeong, First of Henan Gang Jeon-gil, Medicine King Hwangbo Yun, and Honorable Person Sangwan Hyuk.

I had met each of them at least once, but especially Guangming Divine Doctor Hwa Seong-myeong, who had been my direct mentor in medical techniques for over ten years. Plus, I couldn’t forget Sangwan Hyuk, with whom I had been entangled in many matters recently. They also shared a common experience—gathering to cure a strange disease that the Young Master of the White Lotus Sect had stumbled upon, only to suffer indirect retaliation from the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

“We failed to cure the disease, but that was due to sorcery; if it were a simple illness, these five would certainly be able to cure any ailment in the world.”

I was confident. In fact, even just the medical skills of Hwa Seong-myeong, the head of the Hua Clan, had already reached a level of exceptional mastery. The reason for gathering all of them instead of just calling Hwa Seong-myeong was that if I only summoned him and later had to call another physician if he could not fix Zhuge Sa’s condition, it would hurt his pride tremendously. However, bringing everyone together could foster some healthy competition, hopefully resulting in a more detailed examination.

I considered heading to Hwa Seong-myeong first but hesitated. It seemed that Mangnyang could read my mind.

“It might be better to start with Gang Jeon-gil.”

“Hmm.”

“It involves the Twelve Joules.”

“Right. Involving Hwa Seong-myeong through Jeong Cheol-wook will inevitably reach the ears of the Twelve Joules. There’s no need to share information with them when the situation in the Central Plains isn’t even sorted out yet.”

“I’ll collect them one by one.”

Crash!

First, I headed over to First of Henan, Gang Jeon-gil. He was affiliated with the Shadowless Sect, under the protection of the Sword Demon, making him the physician I could contact most easily at that moment. I roughly explained the situation to him.

“Hmm, so the Shadowless Sect Master has fallen… and the patient has sustained brain damage?”

“There’s a high probability that the patient has significant damage to the brain.”

I explained Zhuge Sa’s condition. Gang Jeon-gil looked troubled.

“The brain isn’t my area of expertise. My main skills are in trauma and sutures. I can manage with herbal medicine, but beyond that…”

“That will do. I plan to bring the others as well to figure out a way to keep him alive.”

“As for me, due to my connections with the Sword Demon, I’d think about helping you, but a distinguished physician would never do it for free.”

“I’ll handle that part.”

“Alright.”

As Gang Jeon-gil agreed, I was about to move him to the Golden Lamp when suddenly—

“Baek Woong!!”

Looking over, I saw Seo Mun-hye running towards me in a rush. She approached and asked,

“What’s going on? How’s Father?”

It hit me then; I hadn’t told Seo Mun-hye about the Sword Demon’s situation yet. I should have conveyed his safety, but I had been so busy with affairs of the Imperial Palace that I completely forgot. So, I filled her in on the Sword Demon’s whereabouts and what had transpired.

After hearing everything, Seo Mun-hye let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad Father is safe.”

“Sorry for worrying you.”

“Not at all. Knowing that you’re there to assist Father puts me at ease.”

She smiled brightly, then added,

“You must be busy, so I’ll send a message to the Sword Demon to inform him of Father’s safety.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, Baek Woong. Are we to wait here until Father returns?”

I thought for a moment and replied,

“Please focus on your martial arts training.”

“Huh?”

“As you’ve learned from the affairs of the Imperial Palace, more powerful adversaries may appear, and the world could plunge into chaos. Neither I nor the Sword Demon can guarantee your safety. You need to raise your martial strength sufficiently to protect yourself.”

At my words, Seo Mun-hye’s expression turned resolute.

“I’ll remember the words of my benefactor.”

Seizing the moment, I took a root of the Black and White Lotus from my wooden armor and handed it to her. When she received it with a puzzled expression, I instructed her,

“This is a peerless spiritual pill. Consuming it will significantly enhance your internal power, so it will be of great help in your cultivation.”

“Thank you!”

“Then I’ll be off…”

I stepped away from Seo Mun-hye and brought Gang Jeon-gil to Zhuge Sa. He took a brief look at Zhuge Sa’s condition and remarked,

“It appears to be internal bleeding, but I’m not certain.”

“Do you perhaps know a physician who specializes in the brain?”

“…That’s a tough question. How many physicians focus solely on brain research? Unlike other injuries, you can hardly do direct surgeries on the brain. Such experts are extremely rare.”

Just as Gang Jeon-gil was grumbling, he suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Right. Another of the Five Great Physicians might know.”

“It seems so.”

“Are you seriously thinking of bringing them here?”

“That was my intention from the start.”

“Well, good luck with that.”

Gang Jeon-gil replied without any enthusiasm, which was understandable since the Five Great Physicians were notorious for being reclusive and scattered across the world. Finding each one of them would undoubtedly be a considerable challenge.

‘But I have their whereabouts from my past life.’

Next, I headed to the Hua Clan to find Hanjin Seong and said,

“Young Master, I have an urgent request.”

Hanjin Seong greeted me with a friendly smile.

“Of course. If it’s a request from the Dragon Avatar, I have my Clan Master’s orders to help with anything.”

“Speaking of which, where is Clan Leader Han Baek-ryeong?”

“She entrusted me with the temporary leadership and is currently handling the Imperial Palace’s post-processing. She’s not at our ancestral home.”

So that’s how it is.

I thought it was fortunate and proceeded to ask Hanjin Seong.

“I need to bring the attending physician, Medicine King Hwangbo Yun, with me.”

“What’s the matter?”

I explained that one of my companions was suspected of internal bleeding and that we absolutely needed to save him. After hearing the details, Hanjin Seong nodded.

“I’ll grant you permission. Please ensure the safety of Medicine King.”

“Of course.”

Finally, I set off with Hwangbo Yun, whom Hanjin Seong summoned, towards Jangryeong Valley. Upon arriving, Hwangbo Yun was taken aback when he saw Gang Jeon-gil.

“What the hell are you doing here, old man Gang?”

Gang Jeon-gil shot back bluntly,

“Shut up and attend to the patient.”

Though Medicine King Hwangbo Yun seemed flustered, he quickly regained his composure and began examining Zhuge Sa. Given that Zhuge Sa’s illness had now stopped progressing—he was still hanging on, making the examination possible. After a while, Hwangbo Yun said,

“Hmm… I can tell there’s an unidentified energy within him, but I can’t pinpoint what it is.”

“Is it difficult to diagnose?”

“His body’s balance is so wrecked that any medication would act like poison. It’s quite challenging.”

Hwangbo Yun shook his head. After failing twice, I cautiously spoke to both of them.

“Pardon my intrusion, but I plan to call the remaining three from the Five Great Physicians. Do you think it’s possible to fix him if everyone gathers?”

As expected, both Gang Jeon-gil and Hwangbo Yun wore displeased expressions. This matter was related to their pride as physicians. But with a resigned expression, Gang Jeon-gil replied,

“There’s no need to summon everyone! If you must, then at least bring Honorable Person or that old fogey Hwa Seong-myeong!”

“I was thinking the same.”

I understood why they reacted that way.

‘Dongbang Mu-gyeol… He seems to be really disliked.’

Stirring their tempers right now wouldn’t be wise. I nodded and said,

“I understand.”

Using the Golden Lamp, I traveled to Luoyang to contact the influential figure Jeong Cheol-wook. Naturally, the gatekeepers tried to block me, but I immediately said,

“I’m one of the heirs from the Hua Clan of the Central Plains. I’m sure you’ll understand once I pass this message.”

After a bit of back-and-forth, I stood before Jeong Cheol-wook, who turned to Hwa Seong-myeong beside him.

“What do you think? Does this person really seem like someone from the Hua Clan?”

Hwa Seong-myeong replied awkwardly,

“I can’t tell just by looking.”

I flashed a grin and said,

“I wish to go to the clinic. I’ll demonstrate my medical skills there and explain why I’ve come.”

Then I began showcasing the techniques of Hua’s 108 Needles and all my medical knowledge, honed through decades of real combat. Not to mention, when I perfectly executed Huatuo’s Five Animals Play, Hwa Seong-myeong trembled in shock.

“A… a genius! How could someone at your age…?”

“Will you now listen to my request?”

“Go on.”

After a moment of contemplation, I told Hwa Seong-myeong,

“I need to save a person. For that task, the First of Henan, Medicine King, and Honorable Person are all gathered in one place.”

“W-What?!”

Surprised, Hwa Seong-myeong listened intently as I explained Zhuge Sa’s condition and Hwangbo Yun’s diagnosis. He tilted his head and said,

“While Honorable Person Sangwan Hyuk doesn’t have specialized skills, he’s exceptionally knowledgeable in all areas. If he has conducted his diagnosis, there may not be a necessity for me to go…”

“There are circumstances. Sangwan Hyuk stands to gain if that guy dies, so I can’t fully trust him. That’s why I need your skill and diagnosis. It’ll be more objective.”

“Hoh…!! I understand that, but what reason do I have to help you?”

Hwa Seong-myeong glared at me with sharp eyes.

“I acknowledge that you are a genius who has inherited the traditional medicine of the Hua Clan, but I’m not leisurely aiding others! If you’re not beneficial to me, then there’s no reason to go back to the Central Plains…”

Boom!

In the next moment, I slammed a chunk of gold I had from my wooden armor onto the table. This was a collection of the golden bars I’d acquired, augmented by the resources the Sword Demon had gathered to expand the Shadowless Alliance.

As he gazed upon the towering golden blocks stacked like a seven-story building, he gaped.

“With this gold and the influence of the Shadowless Alliance, I could easily move the physicians and blood relatives from the Central Plains into Goryeo. Do you need any more help?”

“Really?! You’ll truly do that?! For real?!”

“Absolutely. I can also protect the blood relatives of the Hua Clan, who are currently being scorned in the Central Plains, by utilizing the Shadowless Alliance’s power.”

Hwa Seong-myeong grasped my hand tightly.

“I’ll help! I’ll fully cooperate in saving Zhuge Sa!”

“That’s reassuring.”

“But… I can’t guarantee how much help my skills will provide…”

Seeing Hwa Seong-myeong try to slip away, I couldn’t help but chuckle. After all, Hwa Seong-myeong had never been fond of getting involved in dangerous matters and had a naturally cunning character, which reminded me of the past.

“No. I’m confident that you are the best candidate for the job.”

“Why is that?”

“The medical techniques of the Hua Clan have been inherited from Hua Tuo. You possess an unparalleled depth of knowledge concerning the human body and anatomy, more so than any of the Five Great Physicians, and you have unique insights into the brain, don’t you? Moreover, you’re also the only one who can create the secret formula for the Demon Waste Potion.”

Indeed, it wasn’t merely the fact that Hwa Seong-myeong had been a good connection from my past life. He was genuinely the top expert capable of treating Zhuge Sa, whom the other Four Great Physicians could not handle due to their lack of specialization in that area.

Hwa Seong-myeong exclaimed in surprise,

“You know about the Hua Clan’s secret techniques and skills that well… With that level of expertise, shouldn’t you be able to handle it yourself?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m still very young and only just grasping the basics. I know nothing regarding the upper echelon of medical techniques, particularly concerning the brain.”

My statement was true. Having spent over ten years training under Hwa Seong-myeong, I obtained the minimal qualifications of a physician, but that was merely a basic standard. I was completely unaware of the secrets of the human body involving the brain, nerves, marrow, blood, etc. There was an enormous gap in competence between Hwa Seong-myeong and me.

Hwa Seong-myeong nodded.

“I understand now. Let’s go.”

Boom!

When I arrived at the hall with Hwa Seong-myeong, he locked eyes with the other three. Gang Jeon-gil complained,

“So you brought that guy after all!”

Medicine King Hwangbo Yun added,

“Well, if it’s the brain, he might just be qualified to treat it.”

Hwa Seong-myeong shot a glance at Hwangbo Yun.

“Hwangbo Yun, I need you to prepare materials for the Demon Waste Potion.”

“Got it.”

And then the eyes of Hwa Seong-myeong and Honorable Person Sangwan Hyuk met. Sangwan Hyuk wore a bitter smile.

“Guangming Divine Doctor, you’ve heard my diagnosis from him?”

“Of course, Honorable Person.”

“But let me just say that I had no ulterior motives while delivering my diagnosis. You can trust me.”

“Why would I unnecessarily doubt you?”

Hwa Seong-myeong casually replied and began examining Zhuge Sa’s pulse while stimulating his facial features and his whole body. After quite a while of examining Zhuge Sa, Hwa Seong-myeong said,

“… This is quite troublesome.”

“Why so?”

At my question, Hwa Seong-myeong looked down at the patient with a grim face and replied,

“I might be able to fix him with a little help from the three of you, but I can’t guarantee a full recovery. There’s a high chance he’ll suffer from memory loss or frontal lobe damage, or unexpected aftereffects.”

“……!!”

“Cough… this is going to be a really tough surgery. How did this person end up with their internal organs and brain in such a terrible state? This is honestly the state of a living corpse…”

As Hwa Seong-myeong sighed, he did not appear to be lying at all. The other three physicians, upon hearing Hwa Seong-myeong’s words, also wore heavy expressions. They seemed to have suspected something similar.

Just then, Gang Jeon-gil suddenly said,

“Aren’t there still others we haven’t called?”

“……”

At that moment, a certain face flashed through everyone’s minds.

I muttered the name with an expression of pure distaste.

“Heavenly Doctor…”

Dongbang Mu-gyeol!

As a subordinate to the Master of the White Lotus Sect and someone gunning for the Su Shin Sect’s martial techniques, he was the number one physician in the world. While his personality was eccentric, his medical skills were undoubtedly the finest among the Five Great Physicians. Gang Jeon-gil insisted on seeking out Dongbang Mu-gyeol’s strength.

 

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