Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 200

The next day.

Hwangbo Mu-hwi started calling Jin Cheonhee like this:

“Brother (hyeongje) Jin, I’ll do the dishes.”

Here, “-hyeonje” is a common term of address in the martial world, slightly different from the concept of sworn brotherhood.

‘He’s not sulking about losing.’

The next morning, when Hwangbo Mu-hwi came to his senses, he honestly acknowledged his defeat.

When this Hwangbo Mu-hwi went to apologize to Jin Cheonhee, what he saw was the friendly sight of his rival Hwangbo Mu-ah and Jin Cheonhee.

“Oh, so that’s how you judged the next move from there.”

“Yes. The first step is to observe the opponent’s movements without missing anything. The second is to occupy the position. The third is when the hand should move (see once, step twice, strike thrice). It’s a basic principle of martial arts, but it’s often not followed well in practice.”

“I’ve heard that the Zhuge Clan’s thought process is incredibly fast. Did you use that?”

“Yes. But the Hwangbo Clan has its own methods.”

At those words, Hwangbo Mu-ah asked curiously.

“I’m intrigued.”

“The Hwangbo Clan basically gains the upper hand with strong martial arts and relies on intuition to occupy positions. Is my assessment correct?”

To deduce that much from a brief duel?

It gave her goosebumps. Hwangbo Mu-ah nodded.

Jin Cheonhee immediately continued.

“This is just my personal opinion, but to achieve that, you need to prioritize footwork over fist techniques. Intuition is ultimately a judgment derived from experience, but if your feet are slow, you’ll fall behind in the next move.”

Jin Cheonhee explained in detail how Hwangbo Mu-hwi’s Lightning God Fist was blocked.

The position was well-taken, but the feet couldn’t keep up.

The fist was too fast in comparison.

This creates a momentary weakness that a novice or equal might not see, but a master could exploit even with a casually fired energy bullet.

“What do you think, Young Hero Hwangbo?”

Jin Cheonhee’s gaze fell on Hwangbo Mu-hwi.

Hwangbo Mu-hwi’s face turned red.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It was just hard to find a moment to join in…”

“I understand. Besides, although I was speaking to the young lady, it was you I dueled with, so I was willing to review it together if you wanted.”

“I’ve heard that the Zhuge Clan’s Profound Origin Heaven and Earth Divine Technique develops the five senses. Was it because of that that you could make such judgments during combat?”

Hwangbo Mu-hwi deliberately didn’t mention breaking techniques.

That was also why many sects were wary of the Zhuge Clan.

According to his father, it was also why other sects didn’t help during the Zhuge Clan’s blood purge.

Yesterday’s provocation was enough.

Jin Cheonhee nodded.

“Yes. The Zhuge Clan’s Profound Origin Heaven and Earth Divine Technique is undoubtedly a divine technique. Without it, I’d just be an ordinary person.”

Was it sincere? Or modesty?

It was hard to distinguish.

What was certain was that either way, he was an opponent who had demonstrated overwhelming skill.

His insight into martial arts was at least three moves ahead.

‘We seem to be about the same age, but what kind of hell did he go through?’

He had prided himself on having gone through a considerable amount of real combat. However, he couldn’t keep up with Jin Cheonhee’s martial arts knowledge.

Hwangbo Mu-hwi decided to take charge of the dishes as an apology for last night’s provocation.

Hwangbo Mu-ah said she would normally send a letter to their mother right away, but she’d let it slide once because his life was pitiful.

‘Are they on bad terms, or good terms…?’

And then they fiercely fight over whether to eat one more or one less piece of meat at lunch.

It was a curious sight for Jin Cheonhee, who had lived life alone.

He felt a bit envious of the fact that they had siblings.

Of course, if those two heard this, they would look at each other with horrified expressions.

***

And so, the group advanced towards the Martial Righteous Alliance.

Before they knew it, they were able to arrive at Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province where the Martial Righteous Alliance was located.

While Zhengzhou, as the capital of Henan Province, could be called a huge metropolis, the Martial Righteous Alliance wasn’t situated within such a big city.

Outside the walls surrounding Zhengzhou.

The Martial Righteous Alliance was located on the outskirts of the city.

Being a federation of martial arts sects, the number of people at the Martial Righteous Alliance headquarters alone was nearly six thousand.

The number of martial artists belonging to the Martial Righteous Alliance exceeds at least ten thousand.

In other words, the largest federation in the martial world!

Admiring the enormous scale of the Martial Righteous Alliance, Jin Cheonhee grinned broadly.

‘So this is the Martial Righteous Alliance!’

In any martial arts novel, the Martial Righteous Alliance always appears at least once.

Of course, cases where they win or do well are mostly in flashback scenes.

-Thirty years ago, the Martial Righteous Alliance joined forces to defeat the Heavenly Demon!

Passages like this.

Most of the time, they fail to catch someone or make mistakes.

-Not even a mouse can escape the Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net. No one will be able to escape the Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net spread by the Martial Righteous Alliance.

Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net, literally translated, means a net spread across heaven and earth. In modern terms, it’s like deploying a human search perimeter.

It requires a lot of manpower, so it’s difficult to deploy unless necessary, but the Martial Righteous Alliance often uses it to pursue martial world criminals.

It always gets breached.

Whether it’s the protagonist or the villain, somehow the Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net spread by the Martial Righteous Alliance always gets breached.

-How on earth did that bastard break through the Martial Righteous Alliance’s Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net and escape!

-It’s enough to make ghosts weep!

But it actually happened.

Even so, amidst the whirlpool of official history, the Martial Righteous Alliance plays a crucial role and appears, almost without fail, in the final battle.

They help the protagonist, hinder them, or play supporting roles, but that too is the charm of martial arts stories!

Even if there are orthodox and unorthodox paths, isn’t it the joy of martial arts novels that those alone can’t determine good and evil?

Jin Cheonhee felt his heart swell.

“Your eyes are sparkling, Hee-ya.”

At those words, Jin Cheonhee cleared his throat and averted his gaze.

‘Ah, was it too obvious?’

Still, it felt good. Really good.

Like a fan who successfully booked tickets for a year-end concert!

‘I did it! I came to the Martial Righteous Alliance!’

So this is the brick of the Martial Righteous Alliance. This is the flag of the Martial Righteous Alliance.

And that person standing there in a sloppy pose is a sentry of the Martial Righteous Alliance!

Of course, that’s why the Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net has holes. The Heaven-Earth Encompassing Net should have holes to be truly enjoyable!

Jin Cheonhee was overwhelmed with emotion while indulging in slightly misaligned fandom.

***

The Martial Righteous Alliance was incredibly crowded.

It seemed to be because of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

Not only the young masters and mistresses participating in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering but also the guards and servants sent by the aristocratic families.

Sometimes sect leaders or elders would accompany them, and merchant groups would gather to sell goods to these people.

In short, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering was not just a martial arts tournament for young masters and mistresses.

Passing through the large main gate, Jin Cheonhee let out an exclamation of admiration.

‘Wow, look at the mural on the ceiling. Whew…’

The mural of a dragon and phoenix dancing together gives viewers a sense of awe.

Eventually, a gate guard of the Martial Righteous Alliance (martial artist guarding the entrance) spoke to Jin Cheonhee’s group.

“Please stop for a moment.”

The yawning expression from earlier was gone, replaced by a rather disciplined look as he checked the flags carried by this group and the Hwangbo Clan.

“You’re from the White Dragon Medical Pavilion. Welcome to the Martial Righteous Alliance. Would you please sign the guest book?”

At those words, Joo Danha, the Chiropractic Hall Master who had come along, stepped forward.

“I’ll do it.”

“Thank you.”

After showing the identification plaque, going through a few verification procedures, she immediately signed the guest book.

The gate guard who received the guest book said,

“We’ve received orders from the Alliance Leader to escort the White Dragon Medical Pavilion Master when he arrives. May I guide you?”

Zhuge Rin wore an expression that suggested he had expected this.

It was natural, as the medical pavilion would be the most crucial place during the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.

“Hee-ya, you lead the others to unpack at the guest house. I’ll go meet the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader for a moment.”

The reason he didn’t use an honorific for the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader was because he was meeting him as the head of the White Dragon Medical Pavilion.

After all, the Martial Righteous Alliance is a federation of sects.

The Alliance Leader is not like an emperor of the martial world, but a representative of the union elected by the heads of each sect.

Naturally, it becomes a horizontal relationship rather than a hierarchical one.

“Yes, Master.”

When Jin Cheonhee answered, Zhuge Rin nodded and immediately followed the guide to meet the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader.

‘…I think I understand a bit why Master makes a sour face every time he has to go to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.’

Not only did he have to be responsible for the martial world’s emergency room, which would strain his mental energy, but as a leader, he also had this kind of political position, which must have been even more troublesome.

‘Still, he doesn’t show it much on the outside.’

Another gate guard said,

“I will guide you to the guest house.”

Jin Cheonhee nodded and followed the guide.

***

On the way to the guest house, he realized that the scale of the Martial Righteous Alliance was enormous.

‘This is big enough to fit several large university campuses and still have room left over.’

It seemed like it would be difficult to find your way if you got lost.

Sure enough, a martial artist who had lost his way climbed onto a roof and then used lightness skills to run between roofs, while his family members chased after him, shouting at him to maintain the dignity of a young master.

There were many street vendors selling honey-glazed and grilled rice cakes.

Martial artists from the Beggar’s Sect and their dogs were also visible.

Woof!

As if meeting a familiar dog, Hwanggu briefly left the formation to nose-kiss another dog.

Then he immediately ran back to Jin Cheonhee.

It was enjoyable.

“You look happy.”

Sima Byeong, the Acupuncture Hall Master, spoke to Jin Cheonhee.

“Yes. There are so many interesting things.”

“The Junior Pavilion Master is quite a unique person. Sometimes you seem to know all the truths of the world, and other times you’re unfamiliar with everything like this.”

It was a sharp observation. And it was something his master had said in the past.

Jin Cheonhee scratched his cheek.

“Is that so?”

“This old man likes that about you.”

Sima Byeong added a word, saying it wasn’t meant with any other intention.

“If you’d like, why don’t you buy some snacks for the Pavilion Master? He’ll probably be a bit on edge when he returns.”

“Meeting with the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader must be tiring.”

“Yes. I can’t imagine the details, but the position of a pavilion master responsible for a medical pavilion is one that many people want to meet.”

It was the same master who had always shown a doting attitude towards his disciple at the White Dragon Medical Pavilion.

He had expected that there would naturally come a day when he would see a different side of him, but still.

“I want to unpack our luggage first before moving around. And since Master is quite picky about food, I should taste-test it in advance.”

“Hahaha. I’m sure the Pavilion Master will like anything you buy.”

“Still, it’s better to give him something that suits his taste if possible.”

If his disciple bought it, he might eat a bit more out of consideration, but if left to his usual temperament, he’d probably take two bites and discard it.

Jin Cheonhee said playfully, as if tattling:

“Everyone in the martial world knows how exceptionally picky our Master is.”

“Indeed. It’s famous how he’s particular about fragrances, food, and even people. But how fortunate that he took a liking to you, Junior Pavilion Master. Of course, it must have been quite difficult for you.”

…Why does everyone look at those chosen by Zhuge Rin with pitying eyes?

He didn’t expect even Sima Byeong, the Acupuncture Hall Master, to say such things.

‘No, I’m doing fine, so why?’