Chapter 33: After all, isn’t it right to get married?

“Don’t get too optimistic.”

Seeing my hopeful expression, the physician clicked his tongue.

“Not only is it uncertain whether that Hwa guy can cure Nine Yin Blocked Meridians…”

His tone grew serious, not just to dampen my spirits.

“He’s the kind who wouldn’t save a dying person in front of him unless it serves his interests. He’s not worthy of being called a physician.”

‘Oh, right…’

His words brought back the earlier conversation between the Clan Leader and the physician.

The Clan Leader had said that if anyone in the vast Central Plains could be considered the greatest physician, it would be the Divine Physician.

And the physician had exploded, insisting that someone who uses their skills only for personal gain doesn’t deserve the title.

‘I thought it was just jealousy over being second best.’

But there seemed to be a real reason behind it.

As if the mere thought enraged him, the physician gritted his teeth and shouted.

“With near-divine medical skills, he should use them to help those in need!”

“…”

“Just thinking about what that lunatic did during the Yangtze River Disaster makes me want to smash his head… Ahem, ahem!”

He caught himself, glancing around.

He must’ve realized yelling like that in front of teenagers wasn’t appropriate.

But it was too late—Baek Yeon narrowed her eyes at him.

Avoiding her gaze awkwardly, he cleared his throat and put on a dignified air.

“Ahem. Anyway, it’s not urgent, so don’t worry too much. I’ll look for solutions in the meantime.”

“Oh, okay…”

“Well then! I’m busy, so I’ll head out. I’ll visit again soon, Yeon.”

Looking a bit embarrassed, he left with a quick farewell.

‘The Divine Physician…’

I started thinking about this Divine Physician.

Putting aside the physician’s personal feelings, it was clear he was exceptionally skilled.

Even while cursing him, the physician kept acknowledging his abilities.

The problem was that the Divine Physician sounded like a very eccentric person.

‘Not helping someone dying unless it suits his interests?’

Definitely a physician who defies the Hippocratic Oath.

Not that the Hippocratic Oath exists in the Central Plains, but still.

Even if I begged, it’d be useless unless I had something he wanted…

‘Tch, should I wander the martial world?’

Lately, I’d been feeling it.

Maybe I was destined to be what’s commonly called a “protagonist.”

Not out of arrogance, but seriously.

Looking at my situation, it’s been a string of absurd luck.

A poor farmer’s daughter, only to become a martial genius obsessed over by the Baek Clan’s Young Lady?

…Listing it like that sounds a bit lame, but still.

So, I had this weird confidence that if I roamed the martial world and, say, fell off a cliff, I’d find something the Divine Physician wanted.

Of course, I wasn’t planning to leave right away.

I’m just a 14-year-old kid who’s barely started learning the sword.

And…

‘…Baek Yeon wouldn’t let me go.’

No, she definitely wouldn’t.

If I said I was going to the martial world to find the Divine Physician’s “card,” she’d probably lock me in a closet.

She loves me, sure, but… her affection is a bit twisted.

Thinking that, I glanced at Baek Yeon beside me.

“Hm…”

“?”

She was unusually quiet, her brow furrowed in deep thought.

“What are you thinking about, Young Lady?”

Curious about her uncharacteristic demeanor, I asked softly.

“Well…”

Still serious, she slowly opened her mouth.

“Maybe we should get married.”

…What?

“…Who’s marrying who?”

“You and me.”

“…?”

The conversation took a turn I couldn’t follow, but she seemed dead serious.

“No matter how I think about it, you and I are fated by the heavens.”

“No, but…”

“Like Physician Pyun said, everyone my age is getting married. But I only want you.”

She turned to look at me directly.

“So, I think we should get married.”

“…Haha.”

I let out a nervous laugh.

This is the second time she’s said something this wild.

“Young Lady, stop saying weird things…”

“Why is it weird?”

She cut me off, leaning in close.

“Don’t you want to do it with me?”

“…”

I wished she’d be clearer with her pronouns, but she didn’t give me a chance to respond.

“Hmph.”

With a huff, she turned away, pouting dramatically.

‘Ugh…’

She knows I can’t resist when she acts like this.

She’s such a kid sometimes.

But, as I’ve said before, I’m pretty good at handling her by now.

Ch peck.

I grabbed her cheeks and kissed her lips.

When she’s upset, this always works.

As expected, her expression softened instantly.

Looking pleased, she murmured cryptically.

“Hm… Well, seeing this, I guess it’s not far off.”

“?”

I didn’t get it, but… I smoothed things over, so it’s fine, right?

—

After the New Year’s banquet, time flew by.

A year passed, spring came with its warmth, summer brought its stifling heat, and now a cool autumn arrived.

Perfect weather for an outing, but…

“Ughhh…”

I’d been stuck with Dowan since the afternoon, and now, with the sun long set, I was still at it.

Carrying heavy sandbags on my shoulders, I barely managed to squat and stand.

The modern equivalent of squats.

“Come on, one more!”

“But you said that was the last one…?”

“I don’t recall! One more!”

“…”

If your memory’s that bad, see a physician!

Swallowing my retort, I groaned and did another squat.

Dowan was a harsher teacher than Song Hwa.

My legs were trembling so much they felt like they’d explode. This was too much for a frail kid’s body.

Using internal energy would’ve helped, but Dowan insisted on building physical strength and forbade it.

‘But… isn’t today a bit too intense?’

Normally, we’d have finished ages ago, but why were we still going?

I didn’t have the guts to ask my master why he was being so harsh today, so I just teared up and followed orders.

After dozens of “one mores,” he finally said—

“Good. Now swing your sword.”

“…Y-Yes, sir.”

I never thought I’d be relieved to hear “swing your sword”…

“If you don’t move fast, we’ll do a few more—”

“No!”

I frantically dropped the sandbags, grabbed my sword, and assumed a stance despite my shaking legs.

Swish!

I began performing the Yuhyeon Heart Sword.

Flowing naturally with my footwork, I thrust, slashed, and struck at the right moments.

I thought it looked pretty good, but…

“Hm, even after exhausting your body to clear your mind, you’re still mimicking my sword.”

Dowan stroked his chin, looking unsatisfied.

…Oh, that’s why.

I thought he’d developed a new sadistic hobby.

“It’s tough…”

He was right, though.

I’d realized recently that my eyes were exceptionally sharp.

Combined with my Yin-Yang Body, perfect for channeling internal energy, I could replicate anything I saw.

It was a brilliant talent… but also a problem.

“You can’t stop at my level. If you keep this up, you’ll hit the same wall I did.”

“…That wall feels pretty far off.”

It’s disorienting when a Hwakyung-level master says something like that.

I’m barely at the first-rate level (though plenty of martial artists never even reach that).

Thwack!

I muttered skeptically, and all I got was a flick to the forehead.

“Don’t talk back to your master, disciple.”

“Yes, sir.”

This is why I can’t say anything.

As I shut my mouth, Dowan continued, looking slightly disappointed.

“Keep thinking about what a sword is and find your own path. That’s your lifelong task.”

I nodded.

Still stroking his chin, he muttered softly.

“Well, this should be enough to show off in front of others. It’s only lacking in my eyes—others will find it more than impressive.”

“…In front of others?”

That sounded odd.

“This year, the Eight Great Clans’ gathering will be held at the Baek Clan.”

“…”

“And you’ve been chosen to demonstrate your swordsmanship.”

…Me? Since when?

‘…’

A bad feeling was creeping in.

“Let’s make something happen before then.”

“What?”

He grinned, as if waiting for the question.

“Sword aura, of course.”

“…?”

Sword aura?

I’ve only just reached first-rate!