Chapter 307 The Blue Family (2)

Chapter 307: The Blue Family (2)

Hoot. Hoot.

The dawn hour, filled with the hooting of owls.

I began scouring every corner of the Cheongga residence in search of hidden spaces.

From the inner courtyard where the head of the Changja family, his immediate family, and distinguished guests resided, to the outer courtyard where guests and ordinary officials stayed.

After searching every nook and cranny, I reached one conclusion.

‘There’s nothing.’

Of course, it was a result I had somewhat anticipated.

After all, traces of a sect investigation are always hidden deep, even a scrap of a diary.

Unless the Qingzhang Chief was a fool, he wouldn’t have left anything in plain sight.

That’s why I searched for hidden places too, but I couldn’t find any trace of the founding master within the Cheongga family.

‘So it’s outside, then…’

He immediately deployed the Flying Wind Technique and stepped outside.

His goal was to search the rear mountain and front yard of the Cheonggajang residence, situated in a classic location backed by mountains and facing water.

And.

‘Nothing here either?’

Only after unfurling the Seven-Colored Map for quite some time did I admit there were no traces of the founding master in this vicinity.

‘Well, it wouldn’t be easy.’

Searching a little longer with regret, I noticed the sun rising and the day beginning to brighten.

‘I should head back.’

I set off again, flying back into the depths of the Blue Forest.

Though guests stood in line, none saw me.

It was the power of the lowly wind that had achieved the Twelve Great Sages.

Squeak-

Taking advantage of the moment when no one was around, I opened the door and immediately lay down on the bed.

It wasn’t to sleep.

I wanted to revisit my memories and confirm once more if I had misjudged.

He did this for one hour.

‘It was strange from the very beginning.’

First, I revisited the doubts I’d harbored all along about the Qing family’s medical skills.

Even setting aside his knowledge of infection, there were more than a few peculiarities.

Alright, fine, let’s concede that point. Orthopedic physical therapy could be an option.

Cheonggajang was like a university hospital primarily treating martial artists, so they’d have more than enough experience with dislocations, fractures, sprains, and muscle pain.

But how do you explain the treatment given to a diabetes patient?

‘Diabetes has no cure. We can only alleviate the symptoms.’

‘Eh? What do you mean?’

‘Avoid alcohol and greasy foods, and eat in moderation. Moderate exercise is essential.’

The treatment advice I overheard at the clinic during a chance visit.

I had always thought it was just the basic counseling doctors give patients.

You know how it is.

Like the standard advice doctors always give at the neighborhood clinic.

“Avoid wheat-based foods, no alcohol or smoking, and take your medicine regularly—you’ll get better soon.”

That sort of thing.

At the time, I thought doctors at Hyundai or Moolim were all the same, but looking back now, it seems incredibly suspicious.

And that’s not all.

“Judging by your irregular pulse, there might be stagnant blood clogging the pathways. I’ll start with acupuncture first…”

‘Hmm… Your breathing passages are swollen. It seems the pollen blowing from flowers in spring is the cause. I’ll prepare some herbs for you. Simmer them lightly and drink the liquid instead of water. You’ll get better.’

‘It seems you ate something spoiled. Just have some rice gruel and rest for a few days, and you’ll be fine.’

‘You’ve caught a cold. Avoid contact with others for now. Since your wife is expecting, you must be especially careful.’

From heart failure to ENT and internal medicine knowledge.

This diagnosis couldn’t have been made without applying modern medicine to the martial arts world.

“…It’s certain.”

No matter how much I think about it, my assumption is correct. This is undoubtedly evidence that someone in the same situation as me existed in the martial world.

And that person is highly likely to be the first head of the Blue Family.

Of course, finding their traces won’t change anything.

I can’t face him directly, nor can I have a conversation with him.

But it might ease the knot of loneliness that’s been gathering in a corner of my heart.

I have no way to return, nor any intention to… but perhaps I might discover why I was reborn here.

The problem is.

‘The founding patriarch? Why would I know? Oh, I have no idea. I’m busy enough just living my life now—how could I possibly look after an ancestor from three hundred years ago?’

Cheongso-so claimed to know absolutely nothing about the founding patriarch.

It was a moment that made me deeply worry whether my own descendants would be like this someday.

The direct search failed, and the cleaning staff knew nothing.

“The only ones left are the current head of the Cheong family and Sosso’s brothers… They’re not likely to tell me easily…”

And it’s not just anyone asking—it’s a Gaepo investigator.

As an outsider, if I ask, they’re likely to give me embellished or exaggerated information.

‘Or they might just ignore me altogether.’

Even if I ask to see the evidence, they’ll likely refuse.

‘Hmm… What to do.’

Just as I was pondering this alone, I heard Chief Officer Oh calling my name from outside.

“This is Oh Sang-sik. I came to see you because I have something to discuss.”

“Ah, yes. Chief O.”

Opening the door and stepping out, he greeted me with his characteristic kind smile.

“I hope I haven’t disturbed your rest.”

“Not at all. I was just sitting here with nothing to do. But what brings you here?”

“The reason I’ve come is that Lord Jang has announced he will host a banquet in honor of Lord Jeonryong’s arrival… I humbly request your presence.”

A guest cannot refuse a host’s invitation.

“…Of course I must attend. It is being held specifically to welcome me, after all.”

Upon confirming his attendance, Chief Steward Oh smiled brightly and nodded.

“Hehehe, I’ll send someone when the time comes. It should start around sunset, so keep that in mind.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Watching Director Oh’s retreating figure, he thought.

‘Hmm… Could it be?’

If it’s not disclosed to outsiders, wouldn’t it be enough to just become an insider?

‘Just hint that you’re dating, and they’ll come over.’

Even if it’s a lie.

* * *

The emergency room staff worked nonstop all day.

The physicians rose at dawn to check on the patients staying overnight, then treated the flood of new patients.

They even made decoctions and pills in between, making it nothing short of a labor exploitation site.

Yet the reason it operated steadily was simple.

Over a hundred individuals had voluntarily become slaves, forsaking monthly wages and holidays, solely to learn the art of medicine.

Ah, by the way, the blood relatives of the Qing family, who could be considered their mentors, were diligently overseeing and supervising these physicians—taking them on rounds, conducting training sessions, and so forth.

‘University hospital professors and unpaid fellows…’

If the martial arts world had a Ministry of Employment and Labor, I suspect the Qing Family would be the first to face its righteous hammer.

Moreover, there was another source of torment for these physicians.

“You expect me to pay two silver coins just to look at this? Even for the Qing Family, this is outright fraud!”

It was the troublemakers.

“Hey! I got here first, so why are you checking on that guy first! Are you ignoring me just because I’m a ronin or something?!”

“This patient’s condition is critical. If you wait just a moment, another physician will…”

“You little bastard! Do you know who I am?! I’m the Yacha Sword of Fujian! You wanna die?!”

Even in the martial arts world of this era, there were vermin like the cockroaches of modern times.

If they swung their swords wrong, two or three would drop dead. In a way, they were even more dangerous than their modern counterparts.

But even so, they wouldn’t stand a chance against the world’s greatest physician, Qing Jia Zhang.

“Wait, hold on! That’s not what I meant… Get treated first…!”

“Consider yourself lucky this is a doctor’s office. Otherwise, my sword would have severed your neck.”

A retainer watching nearby stepped forward and threw him outside.

True to the reputation of the Blue Pavilion, which housed over a hundred masters as guests.

Perched high in a tree, watching the scene unfold, he spotted Yang Xiaochao, today’s target, approaching from afar.

“Ugh.”

Thud.

“Whoa.”

Landing right before her, she stopped in surprise.

“I’d like to talk for a moment…”

“Well, that is to say…”

“I’m not angry, so don’t worry.”

“Ah… I see.”

“First, let’s go somewhere quiet.”

“A quiet place?! Why? Why? I-is this some excuse to take advantage of me…?”

She wrapped her arms around her Atlantic-sized heart and asked.

“What is this woman imagining? How can we have a conversation in such a noisy place?”

He retorted with a hint of disappointment in his obscured vision, and she walked away, her face flushing.

“Ah… yes. Please follow me.”

The place she led him to was a small hill behind the Blue Pavilion.

He chose any rock to perch on and spoke.

“I asked you to meet like this because I have something to ask you.”

“Oh, what might that be…?”

“Well, I wanted to know what His Majesty the Medicine King likes. Food, perhaps, or wine. You’ve served him for so long, you must have some idea, right?”

I asked the cleaning staff earlier, but they said they didn’t know such things.

‘You should ask him directly, how would I know?’

It was the moment when my poorly raised daughter proved less useful than a single puppy.

“Why bring that up all of a sudden….”

“You’re hosting a welcome banquet for me, so I can’t possibly show up empty-handed, can I? I’ll bring something, anything.”

“Ah…”

After a moment’s thought, she replied.

“Well, I know he doesn’t particularly enjoy food or drink, but I believe he does enjoy tea.”

“Tea? What kind of tea?”

“Ta… Taehoryongjeong.”

“…The highest grade tea, presented to the imperial court.”

“Y-Yes.”

It was the Rolls-Royce of teas, costing over a hundred silver taels per jar.

‘Hmm….’

It was painfully expensive, but I silently shook my head.

Money can be earned again, but who knows when I’ll be able to come back to Cheongga-jang if not now.

“Then I suppose I’ll have to try and get it. Thanks for the advice.”

“Huh? Yes… yes.”

I asked her the question that had been on my mind since earlier, as she awkwardly bowed her head.

“But why are you stuttering like this? When we met at Jeonryongdang, you spoke clearly and distinctly…”

“Th-that’s…”

Her eyes darted wildly.

Seeing that, I felt certain.

‘Oh dear, oh dear… [Again]?’

It was.

Following Myohyang and Jikwharan, the third victim to lose their heart to me has appeared.

Well, it’s understandable.

With his handsome face, exceptional martial arts skills, and even perfect abilities, there’s no way women could resist falling for him.

‘No wonder women go head over heels for him…’

Even with a fierce wife like Myohyang, seeing him like this proves I am truly a man of many sins.

Of course, as a member of the martial arts elite, I had my duties and dignity to uphold.

Using the gentlest tone possible, he preemptively cut off her confession…

“I heard rumors that the current head of the Jin clan is a womanizer who gets aroused whenever he sees a woman in a skirt…”

“No.”

Who’s spreading such a crazy rumor?

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

Flustered and unable to say anything, Yang Socho dashed away as if fleeing.

“…I’ll catch him on his way back and kill him.”

As he stared blankly at her retreating figure, something caught in the scattered aura.

“What is it?”

Of course, I’ve ascended to the Flower Realm and mastered the Seven Senses, transcending humanity. There’s absolutely no way this is a mistake.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The seven-sensory perception radiating in all directions gathered all information within 100 meters.

A slight foreign sensation was felt, and immediately the transformation technique was deployed.

Caw. Caw.

“Crows?”

Only a single crow was present.

“…Is my body weak lately?”

I suppose I should start eating nourishing foods.