The master spoke.
"You did well to collect the flesh of the Ten Thousand Year Fire Lotus. Although it’s not as good as an inner elixir, it’s still a great help in boosting your internal energy. Especially when combined with our family’s medicinal cuisine, the effect is doubled."
Jin Cheon-hee, who was about to stop eating and prepare to learn, made Zhuge Lin burst into laughter.
"Let’s eat first. Today, let’s not do anything and just rest, both of us."
Jin Cheon-hee nodded.
It was hard to swallow the food with a lump in his throat.
But still, it was the most delicious breakfast of his life.
The members of the Medical Pavilion, including Jin Cheon-hee, took a full day off. 'Though it was a day off, the emergency medical staff on duty still worked.' That’s how it was.
Whether it was a modern hospital or a martial world’s Medical Pavilion, complete rest was never possible.
Even on public holidays when everyone was supposed to rest, if it was your turn, you had to work.
Instead, those who worked that day would rest the next day.
Still, the Medical Pavilion was unusually quiet that day.
Jin Cheon-hee went up to the pavilion and poured himself a drink.
It didn’t contain alcohol.
In this region, it was called sweet wine (甘酒).
He didn’t know how old his physical body was, but his mind was already that of an adult past the age of forty.
Through the process of rebirth, his appearance looked like that of a late teenager.
By the standards of this era, he was an adult.
'If not on a day like this, then when?' Even in this situation, he didn’t drink alcohol because he simply didn’t like the taste of alcohol.
He didn’t understand the taste of alcohol when he was young, and even now, he still didn’t get it.
Even after living through this many lifetimes, alcohol still didn’t appeal to him.
He preferred non-alcoholic drinks like sweet wine, which only had the word "wine" in its name.
Sipping the sweet wine made for medicinal purposes in the Medicine Hall, he lay down on the roof.
'It’s over.' Even though he had just woken up, he felt sleepy again.
It wasn’t strange.
The fatigue that had built up over time came crashing down like a broken dam now that the work was done.
It wasn’t physical fatigue.
It was mental exhaustion.
Looking at the blue sky, Jin Cheon-hee fell asleep.
When he opened his eyes, his master’s coat was covering him.
He must have come and gone briefly.
Hearing a noisy sound, he looked down and saw a banquet taking place.
"Cheon-hee, you’re awake. You were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t wake you," the master said with a kind smile.
"What’s all this?" Musicians and performers had been invited, and they were dancing and singing.
It was a full-fledged banquet.
The master made a troubled expression and said, "The four great hall masters seemed to have been waiting for this and started the banquet."
What? Jin Cheon-hee turned around in surprise and saw the four great hall masters shaking their wine cups with flushed faces.
They were already quite drunk, their faces red and tipsy.
Even the notoriously strict Acupuncture Hall Master, Sima Bing, was sipping wine with a red face.
"Well, it’s only natural. The master’s body is the heart of the White Scale Medical Pavilion. Now that the heart has finally been healed, it’s time to celebrate."
"Yuho."
"What’s the matter?"
Yuho was carrying wine bottles to the Medical Pavilion members and the hall masters.
The difference was that Yuho’s face wasn’t flushed, and there was no scent of alcohol on him.
The Medicine Hall Master, Man Pagok, shook a wine bottle.
"Chief Steward Yuho, stop working and have a drink!"
At those words, Yuho shook his head.
"I don’t like alcohol."
"Why won’t you even touch it on such a joyous occasion? You’re too harsh. Too harsh."
Man Pagok clicked his tongue and approached Jin Cheon-hee.
"Will our young pavilion master have a drink?" Man Pagok emphasized the word "young pavilion master."
Although they had called him "young pavilion master" during official duties, in private, they had called him "young master" or "young lord."
"Hahaha. Please call me comfortably."
"How can I do that now? You’re as lofty as the heavens, young pavilion master."
It was a sincere acknowledgment of Jin Cheon-hee as the young pavilion master, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Man Pagok continued, "What’s this! The four great hall masters haven’t even poured a drink for the young pavilion master yet!"
At those words, the four great hall masters stood up in unison.
Surprisingly, the first to pour wine into Jin Cheon-hee’s cup was Acupuncture Hall Master Sima Bing.
Drip, drip—
"To the young pavilion master, this Acupuncture Hall Master offers a cup."
It wasn’t the first time Man Pagok had grumbled about Sima Bing being a stubborn old man.
The Bone Setting Hall Master, Ju Dan-ha, had cursed him, saying he was an old man who rarely praised anyone.
He was someone who rarely smiled.
The wine was sweet and strong, with a scent of bamboo and medicinal herbs.
It was the scent of the White Scale Medical Pavilion.
Surprisingly, after swallowing the wine, Sima Bing burst into a hearty laugh.
The wrinkles on the old man’s face deepened even more.
It was a valley of happiness.
Next, the Bone Setting Hall Master, Ju Dan-ha, filled Jin Cheon-hee’s cup.
"That old man stole the first cup. Bone Setting Hall Master Ju Dan-ha offers a cup to the young pavilion master."
And so, another cup was filled.
"They say a quiet cat climbs the stove first, but even the Acupuncture old man was the first to pour? Martial Hall Master Dokgo Jung-hu offers a cup to the young pavilion master."
Another cup was filled.
Finally, Medicine Hall Master Man Pagok stood before Jin Cheon-hee.
"I believed in you from the moment I first saw you. Among the four great hall masters, this old woman was the first to support you, young pavilion master. Please remember that. Hehehe."
She covered her mouth with her sleeve and smiled slyly.
It was the slyness befitting a retainer of the Zhuge family.
Though she spoke as if joking, it was Man Pagok who had given Jin Cheon-hee the most support.
From post-surgery care to the creation of the White Scale Divine Pill, she had assisted Jin Cheon-hee without fail.
She was a grateful person.
Drip, drip—
The cup was filled to the brim.
As if it were a signal, the four great hall masters spoke in unison.
"Pavilion Master, Young Pavilion Master. Congratulations! May you live a long and prosperous life!"
Wahhh—!
The cheers and applause of the Medical Pavilion members echoed.
After the four great hall masters poured the first cups, the other Medical Pavilion members began filling Jin Cheon-hee’s cup one by one.
This time, it was non-alcoholic sweet wine.
It seemed they were offering it because they knew Jin Cheon-hee liked it.
"Chief Steward Yuho told us that the young pavilion master succeeded in rebirth!"
"Truly, the young pavilion master! Not only did you create the White Scale Divine Pill, but you also succeeded in treating the Pavilion Master. It’s a blessing for the White Scale Medical Pavilion!"
"It was hard to learn, but thanks to you, I’ve been able to save many patients. Thank you."
Jin Cheon-hee exchanged cups with them.
Soon, Wang Ga-yeon, who had been in the corner, approached Jin Cheon-hee.
"Hey, why are you only giving me barley tea? Is it because of my dad? They didn’t even give me sweet wine."
She grumbled as she approached.
Jin Cheon-hee replied innocently, "I like barley tea better."
"You’re so annoying."
She chuckled.
Jin Cheon-hee asked, "You’ve grown quite a bit, haven’t you?"
"Yeah. I’m at that age where I’m growing fast. When I’m fully grown, I’ll probably be taller than most girls my age."
Thinking about it, both Zhu Wang and Gongson Yeong were quite tall.
Their limbs were long, and their bones were thick.
Their muscles were also elastic and firm.
"There are martial artists who are short."
"You can’t change what you’re born with. You can only help someone grow a bit taller."
That alone was quite significant.
"Is Uncle Gong-gwi quite tall?"
"Yeah. My mom’s tall too. So I’ll probably be tall. If you don’t want to look up at me later, don’t get complacent just because you’ve gone through rebirth."
Wang Ga-yeon’s words were filled with sincerity.
She had declared that she would one day look down on Jin Cheon-hee.
"By the way, where’s Uncle Gong-gwi?"
"Dad’s standing guard in place of the Martial Hall Master. Someone has to protect the Medical Pavilion."
"That’s tough."
"Tough? It’s not as dangerous as before, the money comes in steadily, and since it’s work under the name of the White Scale Medical Pavilion, there’s less chance of making enemies in the martial world. It’s quite comfortable. Plus, unlike before, the family isn’t separated for months at a time. We see each other every day after work."
It seemed his job satisfaction was high.
Come to think of it, Uncle Gong-gwi’s expression had been brighter lately.
"That’s good."
"Good? I’m grateful. Dad keeps saying that meeting the White Dragon was the best decision of his life. He tells me to treat you well."
"Kekekeke."
"But you’re already doing so well that I don’t know if this noona can help you with anything."
"There is."
Thud!
Hwanggu crawled out from between Jin Cheon-hee’s legs.
"Oh, Hwanggu’s awake?"
Hwanggu had been eating throughout the banquet, and when full, he would sleep, repeating the cycle.
Despite his appearance, as the messenger dog of the Dog Faction’s leader, the food he was given was always of high quality.
A dog’s life is a good life.
Wang Ga-yeon scratched Hwanggu’s neck.
"Our Hwanggu. Did you miss me?"
Pant, pant, pant.
Hwanggu licked Wang Ga-yeon’s face vigorously.
Wang Ga-yeon laughed and hugged Hwanggu tightly.
"So cute. So cute. You’ve grown a bit too, haven’t you? It’s okay. It’s okay. Even if you grow, you’re still cute. Big and cute!"
Hwanggu and Wang Ga-yeon played together like long-lost family members.
Watching them play, Jin Cheon-hee sipped his wine contentedly.
"Why does the young master seem like an old man who’s seen it all?"
It was Yuho.
He brought a new wine bottle and stood beside Jin Cheon-hee.
"Are you going to stop calling me 'young punk'?"
"If you wish, I can call you 'young pavilion master.'"
"Just don’t call me 'young punk.'"
Jin Cheon-hee poured himself a drink.
Then, he suddenly picked up an empty cup and handed it to Yuho.
"How about it, Chief Steward? A drink?"
"I don’t like alcohol."
"Why not?"
"It doesn’t taste good. I don’t understand why humans drink that tasteless stuff."
"Even sweet wine?"
"No."
It wasn’t just a matter of duty.
He genuinely disliked it.
"Then how about barley tea?"
Wang Ga-yeon shook the water bottle she had brought.
Yuho replied, "That’s fine too."
"You don’t like barley tea?"
"……."
Yuho didn’t answer.
Instead, he placed the new wine bottle down with a clink.
Then, before Jin Cheon-hee could say anything, he turned his back and walked away.
"Strange guy."
Jin Cheon-hee poured himself a drink from the wine Yuho had brought.
As he poured, a rich aroma filled the air.
"Wow, young pavilion master, what kind of wine is that?"
"I don’t know. Chief Steward Yuho just left it here."
After taking a sip, a deep, sweet fragrance filled his mouth, enough to make him feel dizzy.
But after swallowing, it was so strong that he could feel it burning from his throat to his stomach.
It was an aged wine.
A wine brewed by a master craftsman over a long time.
The scent of flowers filled his nostrils.
"I wonder what this wine is called."
The musicians’ performance filled the night air.
The master, who had been sitting beside Jin Cheon-hee, stood up.
"Today, to celebrate the recovery of this Zhuge family member and to thank the Medical Pavilion members and my disciple, the White Dragon, I will give a small token of appreciation."
The master walked to the center of the banquet hall.
At the appearance of the Medical Pavilion Master, the musicians paused their performance.
The master waved his hand, signaling them to continue, and they began playing again.
Zing—
This time, a more atmospheric piece filled the hall.
The master raised his hand and focused his internal energy.
His long, silver hair billowed up in an arc.
Soon, something flew in.
It was an iron sword that had been stuck somewhere.