“The primary targets of river pirates are rarely the ships of great clans like the Gongsun Merchant Guild. Those are massive scores, the kind of prey a predator must steel itself to hunt. In culinary terms, they are a rare delicacy, not a daily meal.”

“Then what is their staple food?”

“The boats of the common people. They are the ones who suffer the bleed most acutely, and consequently, they are the ones who desperately pray for an arbiter to judge the pirates on their behalf. By dealing with the pirates in a similar fashion, we implant a memory.”

“A memory of the Gongsun Clan?”

“To be precise, a memory of the Black Ice Poison Dragon. A memory of how terrifying she is, yet how utterly necessary she is to the common folk.”

The Black Ice Poison Dragon, Gongsun Hyeon, craved infamy. She wanted the world to hold her in awe, to perceive her as a ruthless and cruel strategist, for virtue was a luxury her sister, Gongsun Yeong, could afford to accumulate in her stead.

Jin Cheon-hee continued his explanation. “However, now that she has officially ascended to the seat of Clan Head, she requires the genuine favor of the people. That is the foundational method of managing a great clan.”

“You seem to place a great deal of importance on the hearts of the people, savior kiddo.”

He nodded at Gongsun Yeong’s observation. “I do. There are clans that simply exploit the common people, treating them as livestock. We call them the Unorthodox Faction.”

“And the Orthodox factions merely uphold the line.”

“Mm. That is not enough.”

Even for a minor administrative task, the budget required could fluctuate wildly depending on whether the local residents offered their aid or withheld it. In a region where the locals were exclusionary, one had to begin by bribing the village chief, and even that was often insufficient. The reason the White Qilin Medical Pavilion’s commercial influence had swelled so massively, and its escort routes were so impeccable, was that it held the genuine favor of the populace. Information flowed to them like water.

“Then why are you renting out the pirates’ ships at a low price instead of selling them off?”

“Because other pirates could simply purchase them and restart their illicit business. By renting them out, we force a system of periodic management. We can verify the identities of the commoners who lease them, allowing us to rest easy regarding their use.”

“Hoh.”

Gongsun Yeong felt she was beginning to understand why her sister was so desperate to recruit him.

“Alright. I’ll tell her right away. I’m sure she’ll agree unconditionally…”

“You can’t be so sure. What I’m presenting is merely a proposal, and we don’t know the internal political situation of the Gongsun Clan. They might have other ideas.”

This man wasn’t arrogant enough to assume his words were absolute law.

The more I see of him, the more I like him.

The problem was that the one who had a firm grip on his leash was the White Dragon Divine Doctor. If he were from some lesser clan, she might have been able to sweet-talk him into defecting.

***

After subjugating the first water stronghold, they navigated to a port on the Yellow River to resupply before tackling the second target. As Jin Cheon-hee prepared to disembark, a familiar uniform caught his eye.

The Namgung Clan?

The crest emblazoned on their chests was unmistakably the symbol of the Namgung family. Focusing his vision, he realized it was the Namgung Clan’s Azure Heavens Sword Squad. And at their head stood a man he knew all too well.

Namgung Woon?

Jin Cheon-hee quickly pulled down his veil to obscure his face, just in case he was recognized despite the expert craftsmanship that had altered his appearance. As if on cue, Hwanggu, entirely oblivious to the tension, began to wag his tail and moved to greet Namgung Woon.

Woof?

He quickly clamped the alpaca-Hwanggu’s muzzle shut.

“Shh, they can’t see us.”

He whispered in a tiny voice, and Hwanggu finally ceased his enthusiastic wagging. No matter how much his bone structure was altered and how expertly the sheep’s wool was attached, his mannerisms remained stubbornly canine.

Peck!

Noe-jin, as if to say ‘I told you so,’ pecked Hwanggu sharply on the forehead. Looking dejected, the disguised beast retreated into the cabin.

Phew, that was close. Good cover.

Jin Cheon-hee naturally fell into step behind his group as they disembarked. Namgung Woon offered a polite salute to the Gongsun Clan’s warriors before turning his attention to Gongsun Yeong.

“I have been waiting for you.”

“What business does the Namgung Clan have with us?” she asked, her tone guarded.

Namgung Woon flashed his signature, good-natured smile. “If I were to claim I was merely passing by and happened to spot your ship… you wouldn’t believe me, would you? The truth is, I was waiting specifically for you because I have matters to discuss. Might I have a moment of your time?”

Just then, Wang Gak-yeon projected a telepathic message.

[No, my eonni would believe you. She’d just believe it.]

[Doesn’t the Namgung Clan know how simple Gongsun Yeong-noona is?]

[They know, but they’re underestimating the depth of it. They think her simplicity is at the level of someone who could bankrupt a clan in a month. In reality, she’s a prodigy who could achieve that ruin in a week.]

[I… see.]

Jin Cheon-hee looked at her. She possessed a dashing appearance and a clear, refreshing voice, radiating a bright energy that warmed like sunshine. But as Wang Gak-yeon had implied, she was so blindingly bright that getting too close felt like inviting ruin upon one’s life. He wasn’t sure about ruining a person, but she certainly seemed capable of dismantling the Gongsun Clan’s finances.

“As it happens, I have prepared some excellent wine,” Namgung Woon said smoothly. “I am sure that Lady Gongsun, a renowned connoisseur of spirits, would be delighted to partake.”

At the word ‘wine,’ Gongsun Yeong’s eyes practically glowed.

[We’re doomed,] Wang Gak-yeon lamented. [My eonni would die for a drink.]

[A connoisseur?]

[That’s putting it politely… She just inhales it by the cask.]

Incredible.

[That Namgung Woon, he’s up to something.]

[Is he trying to extract information?]

Wang Gak-yeon fell into thought.

[No… Gongsun Hyeon-eonni already knows what Gongsun Yeong-eonni is like, so she doesn’t entrust her with any truly critical secrets.]

[Then what is his angle?]

[Let’s just go with her. You too, Cheon-hee.]

Ah… I really don’t want Namgung Woon to see me like this.

Just then, Namgung Woon addressed the veiled figure of Jin Cheon-hee. “I have heard rumors that you are a princess from a foreign land. If you would be so kind, would you care to join us for a drink?”

He replied in a fabricated, clear, sweet voice. “I do not handle liquor well… but you, young master…?”

“Hahaha, what good is a man of the Gangho if he cannot drink?”

I see. He hasn’t reflected on his kidney stones at all!

He was certain he had given the man a taste of the agony that would follow if he continued to drink like a fish.

And he’s still drinking? Is he insane?

It wasn’t even surprising anymore.

Phew, why should I get angry? It’s his body that I fixed, and he’s the one who wants to trash it. He’ll probably clutch his stomach and die in a ditch somewhere. That madman.

I am not angry, he told himself firmly. I already predicted Namgung Woon would be like this. So I am not! Angry! At all!

After all, humans were foolish creatures who compulsively repeated the same mistakes. If he got angry over things like this, he wouldn’t last long as a physician. He repeated the mantra in his head.

I am not angry. I am not angry. I am not angry.

“Then, if the princess would also join us…”

“Very well. I shall be sure to enjoy the culture of the Gangho.”

For some reason, there seemed to be a subtle, crushing force in the princess’s tone, but Namgung Woon decided not to dwell on it.

That’s right, the princess thought. I’m only going to help prevent Gongsun Yeong-noona from getting swindled. Namgung Woon’s urinary tract is none of my business.

How many patients ignored their doctor’s advice? He thought it over again.

Right, I’m not angry. It’s his life, he can live it how he wants.

***

“Our Namgung Clan has recently signed a contract with the brewery that creates this fine spirit. Thanks to that, we can now drink the best liquor every single day.”

Right. Every day. He wasn’t even trying to cut back; he was living exactly as he always had.

Jin Cheon-hee mentally recited a Buddhist sutra to calm his nerves. Wasn’t this kind of thing common on Earth too? No matter how much you treated them and warned them, patients ultimately lived according to their habits—cases where they failed to change and returned with worsened conditions. It would be ideal if everyone learned their lesson and changed their lifestyle, but more often than not, they simply didn’t.

Phew, that’s just how it is. It’s their freedom to ignore a doctor’s advice and ruin their own body.

Even if he had repaired that belly, wasn’t it the patient’s prerogative to break it again? Whether he continued this idiotic behavior or not was simply not his concern.

Sensing the less-than-pleasant atmosphere radiating from the veiled figure beside her, Wang Gak-yeon spoke up. “Uh, Young Master Namgung. I heard that you shouldn’t drink because of kidney stones. Are you alright?”

“Hahaha, now that you mention it, Lady Wang, you are acquainted with Brother Jin. Brother Jin is quite strict about such things. However, you need not worry anymore.”

“Pardon?”

“Those kidney stones. I’ve found a way to deal with them.”

…What does that mean?

Beneath the veil, Jin Cheon-hee’s eyes widened. If there was a way to prevent kidney stones even while drinking heavily, that was a medical technique that didn’t even exist on Earth. Had Namgung Woon discovered a solution that he himself didn’t know? As a physician, his curiosity was piqued.

“And what method would that be, Great Hero Namgung?”

He even added the title ‘Great Hero.’ If the man had discovered such a method, he was truly worthy of the name.

“It is… to train in extremely minute qi manipulation and strike one’s own abdomen with the Internal Heavy Hand Technique. By doing so, one can pulverize the recurring kidney stones!”

“…Pardon me?”

“Pushing out the toxins from one’s body with internal energy is something any master of internal arts can do. This is just an application and development of that principle.”

Incredulous, Wang Gak-yeon asked again, “So you mean you hit your own stomach? Young Master Namgung…?”

“Yes. Of course, it hurts. It hurts a tremendous amount. However, if it means I can drink, I am willing to endure this much pain.”

“…”

Jin Cheon-hee and Wang Gak-yeon were rendered speechless, exchanging a look of sheer disbelief. Beside them, Gongsun Yeong was busy chugging wine, completely oblivious to their conversation.

After a moment of stunned silence, Jin Cheon-hee asked, “Umm… Young Master Namgung. Have you, by any chance, studied the anatomy of the kidneys within the human body?”

“Hahaha, I only know the general area.”

“Uh-huh. Then, have you ever formally studied medicine…?”

“I have not! But I am certain this will work.”

“Then, have you ever practiced this crushing method with the Internal Heavy Hand Technique, or learned it from an expert…?”

“Not at all!”

“So you’re just… punching your own lower abdomen over and over…?”

“Ahem! It is the Micro Internal Heavy Hand Technique. Do not misunderstand. With my level of internal energy, it is more than possible.”

Namgung Woon felt that something was off. He couldn’t see the princess’s face under the veil, but he felt as if she were staring at him without blinking, radiating a strange, cold anger.

The princess spoke. “Then let’s do this. I shall strike Young Master Namgung’s head with this stone pipa. Since I will apply the Micro Internal Heavy Hand Technique, I trust your intelligence will also be cured.”

“Pardon…?”

In that instant, the white pipa flashed through the air and struck Namgung Woon’s head like a bolt of lightning.

WHACK!

“Guh-heok?!”