"Make sure to visit me once your business is done. I’ll at least make sure you don’t fall behind the Heavenly Demon."
In the novel, he had safely risen to the position of the Martial Alliance Leader, so the kidney stones were likely to be expelled through urine.
Though it was a bit cruel to scare him, it was necessary.
Discovering the kidney stones had provided a good excuse.
"Eat less salty food and drink more water," he advised.
He glanced briefly at the side dishes on the table.
Each one was delicious, salty, and greasy.
As it turned out, Jin Cheon-hee ended up spending quite a bit of time that night chatting with the Namgung siblings, staying up late.
By the time he returned to his room, it was already late.
After dispelling his fatigue and finishing his internal energy cultivation, the faint light of dawn was breaking.
Since an inn of this size operated 24 hours, Jin Cheon-hee decided to go downstairs early to grab a quick meal.
However, when he arrived at the dining area, he found that Namgung Un and Namgung Yeon were already there, seated.
Namgung Un was holding his head, seemingly suffering from a headache, while Namgung Yeon handed him a steaming cup of tea.
Watching the two of them, Jin Cheon-hee felt a strange tickle in his heart.
But he didn’t want to show it, so he deliberately put on a stern face and approached them.
"Looks like you’re suffering from a hangover," Jin Cheon-hee remarked.
"Ugh... You’re here? I guess you really are a doctor."
"Even if I weren’t a doctor, it’s easy to tell. I’ve heard you can dispel a hangover with internal energy. Why not try that?"
"Hahaha, if you’re going to get rid of the effects of drinking, why drink in the first place? This is also part of the romance of life."
Namgung Yeon sighed at her brother’s words.
Jin Cheon-hee greeted her.
"Miss Namgung. Good morning."
She seemed to flinch slightly, as if surprised.
"Don’t they say ‘good morning’ in the Central Plains?"
"You’re quite the smooth talker, aren’t you?"
"It’s just normal. By the way, does the boat leave at 1 p.m.?"
"That’s right. The boat arrived early this morning. It’s probably preparing to depart now. You’ll have to pay me back for this favor later, you know?"
"I did diagnose your kidney stones, though..."
"Even so, the fare for our family’s boat is quite expensive."
"Let’s just say there’s still a bit of debt left, then."
At Jin Cheon-hee’s words, Namgung Un chuckled.
"Then, to pay off that debt, let me treat your headache."
"Huh?"
Jin Cheon-hee stood up and approached Namgung Un, reaching out toward his neck.
Namgung Un’s body twitched, and a faint killing intent rose before disappearing.
"Well, this is also part of the romance."
Is it really okay for a doctor to treat him like this?
At the same time, Jin Cheon-hee realized his mistake.
In the martial world, it’s taboo to let someone else touch your body carelessly.
"Ah, my apologies. I’m just naturally a doctor..."
"No, it’s fine. Go ahead and try that treatment you mentioned."
"Are you sure?"
"Even though we only met yesterday, I trust you."
"Trust, huh..."
Jin Cheon-hee placed his hand on the back of Namgung Un’s neck and gently circulated his energy, massaging the blood vessels and muscles.
"Ugh..."
A small groan escaped Namgung Un’s lips.
Namgung Yeon widened her eyes and stared at Jin Cheon-hee.
"Usually, headaches are caused by poor blood circulation. Just massaging like this can alleviate it. Acupuncture would be better, but since I’m using energy healing, it should still be effective."
"Energy healing... like massage... but this... it feels like my body is getting lighter..."
"You should also be careful with your diet, especially with your kidney stones."
Jin Cheon-hee massaged him for a while longer before returning to his seat.
"Drink plenty of water."
"You’ve been telling me to drink water since yesterday."
"Water is good for both hangovers and kidney stones."
Namgung Yeon stared intently at Jin Cheon-hee.
After some hesitation, she poured tea and handed it to her brother.
"Don’t drink tea, drink water. Plain water is the best."
She nodded and pushed a glass of water toward him.
"If you don’t drink it, I’ll pinch you again."
Jin Cheon-hee answered for her.
"It’s best to listen when someone is worried about your health. Don’t be stubborn and just drink it."
"Ugh, why do you sound like my mom? You’re not even that old."
In terms of mental and spiritual age, they might be similar.
"If I had married early, I might have had a son your age."
Jin Cheon-hee brushed off the thought.
"I’ve been told I’m mature for my age."
"No, it’s not just that you’re deep for a kid. There’s something about you that feels... serious."
"Ah, are you not going to drink it...?"
Namgung Yeon stammered as she asked.
Namgung Un glanced between Jin Cheon-hee and Namgung Yeon before letting out a deep sigh.
"I can’t handle the two of you."
With that, he gulped down the water.
After finishing the glass, he asked, "Is that enough?"
"That’s not the end of it. You need to drink plenty of water regularly."
"If this were alcohol, I’d be confident."
"If you want to feel like you’ve been stabbed in the stomach and wish for death, go ahead and do that..."
"I can’t handle this. Miss! Bring me the whole kettle of water!"
At his words, Namgung Yeon covered her mouth and giggled, clearly satisfied.
Seeing her like that, Jin Cheon-hee almost reached out to pat her head.
"Even back with Wang Gak-yeon, I felt the same way. Why do I always want to pat kids’ heads..."
Her chubby cheeks made him want to pinch them.
Jin Cheon-hee tried hard not to show his feelings.
"Don’t gulp down the water too quickly. Drink it slowly. And cut back on the alcohol."
"Really, you’re nagging me from start to finish!"
"If you don’t like it, you can endure the pain of your stomach tearing..."
Namgung Un quickly waved his hand.
"I’m glad to have a doctor as a friend."
With that, he drank more water.
The three of them finished their breakfast and left the inn.
Namgung Un and Namgung Yeon escorted Jin Cheon-hee to the boat.
"Take care of your health. I hope you achieve what you want."
"I won’t forget today’s events."
"Good. I won’t forget either. In many ways."
Namgung Yeon mustered her courage and spoke.
"Brother Jin, have a safe trip."
After saying that, she hid behind her brother, seemingly embarrassed.
"It’s hard to believe that little girl will become the Iron-Blooded Sword Lord."
The Iron-Blooded Sword Lord was a title the martial world would later give her.
That girl would unite the divided Namgung family with blood and steel to avenge her brother’s death?
It felt different from what he had read.
"Hmm... people really can change in unexpected ways."
Right now, the two siblings were enjoying a happy moment, unaware of the misfortune that awaited them.
Jin Cheon-hee bowed deeply to them.
"Please make sure to visit the White Lotus Pavilion."
"I’ll go just because my sister is scary... Ow! Yeon, stop pinching me! Anyway, my sister is more ferocious than a mountain beast... Ow ow ow!"
Jin Cheon-hee couldn’t help but laugh.
Just then, they heard that the boat was about to depart.
Jin Cheon-hee boarded the boat.
The two siblings waved until the boat set sail.
It was a small farewell.
The boat departed.
The Namgung family’s boat was much larger than Jin Cheon-hee had expected.
"I heard the boats are big because of the river pirates on the Yangtze?"
The Yangtze and the Yellow River.
These two great rivers run through the Hua Empire.
The Yellow River flows through the northern region, while the Yangtze runs through the central and southern regions.
These two rivers are also key transportation routes across the Central Plains.
All trade and logistics revolve around these two rivers.
That means they are the direction in which money flows.
Naturally, there are also river pirates who intercept this money.
Among them, the most powerful are the Eighteen River Pirate Gangs of the Yangtze.
Depending on the martial arts novel, the number of gangs may vary, but usually, it’s between ten and sixteen.
Currently, in the Hua Empire, there are Eighteen River Pirate Gangs, each as powerful as a mid-sized martial sect.
Fortunately, there are no river pirates from the Eighteen Gangs in Hongze Lake.
Because it’s near Nanjing.
Nanjing was once the capital of the empire.
Even now, high-ranking officials live there, and the military is stationed there.
"Still, since there are no river pirates in Hongze Lake because of Nanjing, it should be fine. The boat will arrive in Nanjing after two nights... Should I train on the boat?"
Looking at the vast river stretching like a dragon, Jin Cheon-hee planned how to use his time efficiently.
"Young days don’t last long. Using this time well will be a lifelong asset. Hmm."
If Namgung Un, the Azure Dragon Sword, heard this, his face would turn pale, wondering why someone his age was talking like an old man.
Though his face was that of a teenager, his mind was that of an old man.
Jin Cheon-hee could only think about how to push this young body to become stronger.
Meanwhile, there were those watching the Namgung family’s boat from afar.
Late at night.
The captain, familiar with the waterways, continued to move the boat even in the dark.
However, the speed was noticeably slower than during the day.
The sails were folded, and the boat was being rowed slowly forward.
Then, the water near the boat rippled.
Splash.
Three figures emerged from the water.
They skillfully embedded daggers into the side of the boat and quickly climbed up.
The Three Kill Rats.
Their movements, fitting their nickname, resembled rats climbing a wall.
The eldest, First Rat, spoke.
"This is the Namgung family’s boat, so be careful not to harm anyone else. If we attract the Namgung family’s pursuit, it’ll be troublesome."
"Brother, do we really have to go this far? That Little White Dragon seems to have some martial skills."
At Second Rat’s words, Third Rat, who had been silent, spoke.
"I’m sorry. If I hadn’t gambled, we wouldn’t be in this mess..."
"How much is your gambling debt? Eight hundred gold coins?"
"If I don’t pay it off by next month, I’m a dead man."
They had considered giving up midway, but in the end, they had no choice.
Only when they were about to abandon the pursuit did Third Rat reveal the true amount of his gambling debt.
"Didn’t you say it was two hundred gold coins at first? Third Rat."
"Are you sure it’s only eight hundred? Third Rat, are you hiding more debts?"
Third Rat hastily replied.
"No, brothers. I swear, eight hundred is all."
In reality, including interest, it amounted to twelve hundred gold coins.
But Third Rat insisted it was only eight hundred.
At that moment, Second Rat gave a hand signal.
It meant there was a lookout above.
As soon as he saw the signal, Third Rat leaped and struck a pressure point.