Jin Cheon-hee watched the siblings bicker with a pleased expression.
Namgung Woon spoke up.
"By the way, your gaze is quite peculiar. The way you look at me is strange."
"What do you mean by my gaze?"
"It feels like the way a grandfather looks at his grandchild."
Sharp.
Jin Cheon-hee's expression changed.
"I have no memories of family. So, I guess I felt envious."
"... Well, let's just say that's the case."
It seemed he decided to let it go.
Jeomsoi began setting down the food one by one.
The fragrant aroma made Jin Cheon-hee smile naturally.
"Care for a cup of sohongju?"
Namgung Woon, in his early twenties, didn't mind, but in this era, someone with Jin Cheon-hee's appearance would already be married, so drinking wouldn't be too unusual.
However, Jin Cheon-hee shook his head.
"I have a long way to go, so I won't drink."
When Jin Cheon-hee refused, Namgung Woon clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"I guess I'll drink alone. Jeomsoi, bring a bottle of sohongju!"
Outwardly, he looked every bit the refined nobleman.
From the silk sleeves embroidered with intricate patterns to the jade hair ornaments, everything seemed to be crafted by renowned artisans.
His gentle eyes added to the impression that he had never experienced hardship or rough work in his life.
Even the sword sheath at his waist was adorned with intricate designs.
He seemed more suited to the title of a refined nobleman or a carefree gentleman than the nickname "Dragon Sword of the Namgung Family."
'He looks even more carefree than in the novels.'
It was hard to believe that this man would become one of the Three Great Swords of the World.
If he had a bit more time, he might have even become the world's greatest swordsman.
He poured himself a cup of sohongju and drank it in one go.
"I never expected to meet you like this while traveling. You've become quite famous lately."
"Me?"
"Yes. I heard you created a medicine to cure syphilis. Not only that, but it's also said to cure other incurable diseases."
The most famous use of penicillin treatment was for syphilis.
But that was only a small part of what penicillin could do.
It was also effective against sepsis, scarlet fever, and was being tested for numerous diseases like meningitis.
It also had some effect on tetanus, but due to the risks, verification was still ongoing.
However, the prevailing opinion in the medical community was that it was better than amputating an arm.
Moreover, Jin Cheon-hee had personally cured a wandering scholar, proving its effectiveness in treating open fractures.
Jin Cheon-hee gave a faint smile at his words.
"They say there are no secrets in the martial world..."
"For a family like ours, it's only natural to know such things. Achievements like yours can't be hidden. But I am curious why you haven't announced it yet. Any reason?"
The playful glint in Namgung Woon's eyes disappeared.
'As expected of someone who will become one of the Three Great Swords of the World.'
"Medicine must be thoroughly verified. While it's effective against many incurable diseases like syphilis, we don't know what side effects it might have. We plan to announce it officially after all the tests are complete."
"Oh... You're being very cautious, aren't you?"
"It's medicine. People's lives are at stake."
At Jin Cheon-hee's words, Namgung Woon nodded, while Namgung Yeon stared intently.
Though her gaze was burdensome, Jin Cheon-hee didn't look away.
"Indeed... The rumors aren't unfounded. That might be why this incident happened."
"This incident?"
"The Haomen incident."
Namgung Woon poured himself another drink.
"Listening to the stories about Haomen, it seems they live quite complicated lives. They don't really intend to kill you."
He drank his wine, while Jin Cheon-hee sipped his tea.
"From my perspective, it's a bit of an awkward story."
"If they really wanted to kill you, they would have offered five thousand nyang, not one thousand. Of course, one thousand nyang isn't a small amount. But is it enough to incur the hatred of the Baeklin Medical Hall? Hmm... I doubt it. At least, it's not enough to move the big players."
"..."
"You don't look surprised."
"I already dealt with one small fry."
"Hahaha! I thought so. For small fries, it's a considerable amount, enough to be a nuisance. In other words, it's just enough for Haomen to save face."
He then downed his cup in one go.
"Ah... The wine tastes good. Well, you don't look injured, so it seems you can handle yourself. Or did the Gaebang help you?"
"Both."
"Hmm... Your demeanor feels humble. Well, whatever the case, it seems you're not in any great danger."
"I do have something I'm curious about..."
"What is it?"
"While it's true we met by chance, is there a reason you're having this meal and conversation with me? Is it to protect me?"
Namgung Woon's eyes widened.
Namgung Yeon was still staring intently.
She was sipping her tea like Jin Cheon-hee.
"Hahaha! You're not completely clueless, are you? That's right. I wanted to protect you. I heard there aren't many Gaebang members around here. This is a good opportunity to owe the Baeklin Medical Hall a favor. Well... Of course, I also took a liking to you."
He picked up the wine bottle and tried to pour Jin Cheon-hee a drink with a gentle smile.
When Jin Cheon-hee moved his teacup away, he made a troubled expression.
"Really? You're going to make me drink alone?"
"Whatever you say, I have no intention of drinking."
"You're no fun."
"It's necessary."
"Even though I arranged a boat for you, you won't even have one drink?"
"A boat?"
"I got the fastest boat nearby. Not a regular one, but a private boat our family can move. I filled it with trustworthy crew, so you don't need to worry."
This was beyond just arranging a boat.
"It seems like more than just owing the Baeklin Medical Hall a favor."
Namgung Woon spoke.
"You once saved a Haomen disciple, didn't you? The incident that made Haomen put a vague bounty on you. The person you saved, Moo-hwa, is an old friend of mine."
When Jin Cheon-hee stared at the word "friend," he shook his head.
"Haha. It's not the kind of relationship you're thinking of. We just helped each other during tough times when we were young."
The Namgung Family's education was harsh.
Moreover, the pressure Namgung Woon felt after showing his martial talent early on was beyond imagination.
The eldest son of the main family.
A genius talent.
Even he, being human, had his share of hardships when he was young.
"It's understandable if you don't believe me."
At his words, Jin Cheon-hee shook his head seriously.
"I believe you."
"Hmm? That doesn't sound like a polite remark. It seems sincere."
"Well, let's just say that's the case."
Jin Cheon-hee repeated Namgung Woon's earlier words.
"Hahaha! Got me there."
But he was right to believe him.
Based on what he read about his personality in the books, if he said someone was a friend, they truly were.
There was no need to emphasize it unless they were truly friends.
Then, Namgung Yeon spoke with difficulty.
"Y-young hero, where are you going by boat?"
It must have taken great courage for her to ask this.
"To Tangshan, near Nanjing."
"T-that's quite far..."
Had she already calculated the distance from here to Tangshan? Namgung Woon spoke.
"Our Yeon is talking so much. It seems she's taken a liking to you... Ow! Yeon-ah! Stop pinching me."
Namgung Yeon, her face red, pinched Namgung Woon's side again.
Namgung Woon teased his sister while being pinched.
Jin Cheon-hee picked up a piece of stir-fried lobster with his chopsticks and popped it into his mouth.
'It's really delicious.'
The sashimi and meat dishes were the same.
'Now I understand why he offered me wine.'
These dishes were more suited as accompaniments to drinks than as a meal.
Jin Cheon-hee picked up his teacup.
"Pour me a cup of this."
"Wine?"
"No, green tea. But since this is a chance meeting, I'll check your pulse."
"Do you really need to go this far to avoid drinking?"
Jin Cheon-hee only smiled in response.
Looking at his face, Namgung Woon replied.
"You're quite an unusual person."
"I agree."
"Then, let's start with my sister. Please check her pulse."
Jin Cheon-hee took Namgung Yeon's wrist and checked her pulse.
His energy flowed into her body, gathering various pieces of information.
'Hmm, no major health issues.
Her pulse is fast, probably due to nervousness.
As expected of the Namgung Family, her physique is quite strong.
Her meridians are well-developed, and it seems she doesn't neglect her martial training.'
After finishing the pulse check, he spoke.
"Everything's normal. She's just a bit tense."
"Our Yeon is usually quite nervous. Ow, Yeon-ah!"
This time, it was Namgung Woon.
Jin Cheon-hee, after checking the pulse for a while, tilted his head.
"Wait a moment."
He stood up and pressed on Namgung Woon's lower abdomen, releasing his energy again.
Namgung Woon was startled by the sudden action.
After a while, Jin Cheon-hee opened his eyes and asked.
"Have you felt a sharp pain in your lower back when bending over recently?"
"Not often, but I do feel it occasionally..."
"It's a kidney stone."
The diagnosis for the Emperor Sword, Namgung Woon.
Startled, Namgung Woon asked.
"Kidney stone? What's that?"
"Hmm..."
Jin Cheon-hee fell into thought for a moment.
This world was an era of information imbalance.
While kidney stones were well-known in modern society, in this world, only doctors would know about them.
"Do you know what the bladder is?"
"You mean the urine bladder?"
"Yes. To put it simply, a stone has formed somewhere in or around it."
"A stone?"
Namgung Woon looked bewildered.
"Urine is the waste liquid expelled from the body. Sometimes, those waste materials gather and harden into a stone-like mass. Right now, it's near the bladder, but if it tries to pass with the urine..."
"Then?"
"You'll feel excruciating pain. It won't immediately threaten your life, but it will be extremely painful. Though, if it gets worse, it can be fatal."
In the past, kidney stones were a deadly disease.
A disease that caused excruciating pain before death.
At the time, since the cause was unknown, it was even more terrifying.
Namgung Woon's face turned pale.
"S-so, how is it treated...?"
"It's not an emergency, so visit the medical hall later."
"So, you're not treating it now?"
"It's not an emergency. Judging by its size, it doesn't seem like the pain will start immediately. Roughly... if it doesn't pass with urine, you'll start feeling unbearable pain in a month or two. So, come to the medical hall by then. Make sure to visit the main hall, not the branches. Only my master and I can treat it."
Jin Cheon-hee answered firmly.