From the region around the heart, the flow of qi trembled faintly, irregularly.
'No. That's still within the normal range.'
As said before, distinguishing between normal and abnormal was unexpectedly difficult.
A true physician must not only know what illness looks like, but also where health ends and sickness begins.
By Wi Jicheon's refined insight into meridians — the result of a lifetime that had reached the pinnacle of martial enlightenment — this minor irregularity was still perfectly normal.
'But there's nothing else that could explain it.'
Then, a thought surfaced.
'Could it be something harmless now, but one day worsening into blood stagnation?'
He didn't know.
How could anyone know the future?
Perhaps Sama So had died not from disease, but from something else entirely.
'What should I do?'
If this were only about passing the examination, the answer was simple.
All he needed to say was "Normal." The hall would erupt in applause, and he'd be crowned the top scholar.
But he couldn't shake off the unease.
'Sama So is too valuable a man to let die meaninglessly. If he lives, he could help our Divine Healer's House immensely.'
More than that — it wasn't about gain or loss. It was about saving a life.
Wi Jicheon had made two vows after returning to his younger self.
First, to protect his family.
Second, to atone — however slightly — for the blood he had spilled in his previous life.
'Even if it was all for revenge… too much blood was shed.'
He didn't regret killing his enemies.
But their blood wasn't the only blood on his hands.
He had tried to kill only those who deserved it, but if things had truly gone as planned, he wouldn't have become one of the Three Calamities.
His enemies had hidden beyond his reach, and to reach them, he had been forced to cut down countless innocents — martial artists of the Alliance who simply obeyed orders, eccentric wanderers who had tried to stop him out of righteous intent.
He could never call himself innocent.
'Maybe it's hypocritical to think this way, but… I want to atone, even just a little.'
To protect his clan, Wi Jicheon didn't need to become a true physician.
Passing the examination would have been more than enough.
Yet he had poured all his effort into it — and if he had the chance, he wanted to heal people, not just learn.
Not for enlightenment of the Heavenly Immortal Divine Art, but to seek repentance.
'In a way, Sama So is my first patient. I can't give up so easily.'
Then a memory surfaced — something his brother Wi Jigang had said during one of those hellish lessons.
"A physician doesn't know everything, nor can he do everything. Knowing what you can and cannot do — that is the first step of a healer."
'Ah.'
He realized his mistake.
He had been acting like a master physician — when in truth, he was still an apprentice.
"Life is in the hands of Heaven. A physician merely does his best."
'Right. I'll just do what I can — my best.'
Sama So's calm but expectant voice pulled him back.
"Are you finished taking the pulse?"
"Yes. I'll now present my diagnosis."
After collecting his thoughts, Wi Jicheon spoke clearly.
"My diagnosis is no disease present (無病證). The floating pulse is shallow, and while there are signs of external heat, the spleen's transformation is unaffected. Thus, it cannot be called illness. As for the excessive inner heat, that is the natural effect of your cultivation of the Yang-Gang Technique, and therefore also within normal range. Moreover…"
As his explanation continued, astonishment spread across every face in the hall.
Not only had he given the correct answer — his reasoning, his logical path to it, was flawless.
'Whoever called that boy a fool should bite their tongue.'
'He's like a seasoned physician already.'
Wi Jiseon couldn't hold back the twitch in his lips.
"Ahem. My son is a Great Roc — he was merely crouched all this time, waiting to soar higher. Ha ha! Don't be too envious. If your disciples come to our Divine Healer's House, I'll have my son personally teach them."
A shameless boast if ever there was one — but none of the other house heads could object.
It was the Divine Healer's complete victory.
This year's examination had been their festival alone.
But it wasn't over.
Wi Jicheon suddenly spoke again.
"If I may be so bold, may I offer a prescription to Master Binghak?"
"A prescription? For someone with no illness?"
"Yes. The greatest form of healing, after all, is prevention — maintaining balance before evil qi can invade."
"True. So, what would you prescribe for me? You do know that the same medicine can nourish one patient and poison another?"
Sama So's eyes gleamed with interest.
Wi Jicheon had already exceeded all expectations.
He was almost certain now — this boy had the blessing of the Geo-Spirit Star.
Who else could it be?
He couldn't help but anticipate what kind of remedy Wi Jicheon would suggest.
'Likely something for longevity or balance — perhaps an herbal regimen for internal harmony.'
But instead—
"I would advise you to avoid excessive stimulation of the Heart Shu point during your internal cultivation."
"…What do you mean?"
Sama So's brow twitched.
The boy was… criticizing his martial arts?
"You must already know that your qi and blood near the heart fluctuate irregularly."
"Of course. The heart is inherently unstable. Variations in its qi and blood are natural."
"That is true — but if it continues to be exposed to the forceful yang energy of your cultivation, complications may arise."
"!!"
Wi Jicheon lowered his head, as if realizing he had overstepped.
It was, after all, only a suspicion — nothing proven.
"The heart corresponds to the sun in the Five Elements. And as with all things, excess becomes harm. I fear that, someday, it may become a problem — thus my humble prescription."
"..."
The hall fell silent.
All eyes turned nervously to Sama So.
Patriarch Dan Socheon of the Huazhong House smirked inwardly.
'That arrogant brat just doomed himself. You don't lecture Binghak Sama So on martial arts!'
But Sama So's silence wasn't from anger.
'…He's not wrong.'
He remembered a patient from years ago — another master of the Yang-Gang Technique.
The man had shown the same faint irregularities around the heart. Nothing alarming, well within normal range.
Then, one day, he died suddenly, for no reason.
They had even performed an autopsy. Nothing was found.
'If this boy's guess is correct… then I owe him my life.'
"How did you come to that conclusion? It's not written in any medical text."
Wi Jicheon hesitated, then answered honestly.
"It just… felt that way. A sense."
"A sense?"
"…Yes."
He nodded awkwardly, prepared for a scolding. After all, it sounded like blind guesswork.
But Sama So's expression softened in awe.
'He sensed that through intuition?'
In real practice, symptoms rarely matched theory perfectly.
More often, one wandered through a fog — and in that fog, intuition was everything.
Such intuition was cultivated through endless experience treating patients.
How could a boy who'd never even practiced medicine possess it?
At that moment, Sama So was certain.
Wi Jicheon was the one blessed by the Geo-Spirit Star.
"I will now announce the results of the examination. I, Sama So, declare that all disciples of the Divine Healer's House have passed. Furthermore, as examiner of the Medical Alliance, I grant each of them a Gold Medallion."
"!!"
The hall erupted.
Only the Divine Healer's House had passed — and every one of them received gold.
And more—
"The top scholar of this examination is Wi Jicheon of the Divine Healer's House. He shall be awarded the Hundred-Sects Top Scholar Prize."
"!!"
Not just first place — but the highest honor possible, acknowledging his perfection in every aspect.
Bestowed in the name of Binghak Sama So himself.
It was the moment when the name Physician Wi Jicheon first spread across the martial world.
A grand feast was held at the Divine Healer's House.
Wine flowed like water, and joy filled every hall.
"Ha ha ha! Did you see that, son? The face of that Dan brat turning green?"
"Father, please, you've had too much to drink."
"Too much? I saw you in the courtyard shouting 'That's my brother!' at the top of your lungs!"
"When did I—? I was merely expressing righteous pride to the heavens!"
"My brother, so admirable."
Even the disciples were drunk.
"Are we sure we actually passed the exam?"
"This means we don't have to review Senior Brother's lessons anymore, right? Please tell me that's true."
"Anything but the reviews! Spare us, Senior Brother!"
It seemed they were more thrilled to be free of Wi Jicheon's "special training" than to have become official medical apprentices.
'Well… there will still be a few special lessons in the future. No need to tell them that now.'
Just then, his uncle Wi Jimu stumbled over, flushed and grinning.
"Our precious youngest! You're the pride of our family!"
News of their overwhelming victory had spread fast — and many merchant guilds were already showing interest in supporting the Divine Healer's House.
Their potential was finally being recognized.
'This is only the beginning.'
The examination was just one step in being promoted to an Earth-Rank Medical House.
Their dominance put them ahead of the competition, but the true challenge was yet to come.
"Uncle, are you by any chance interested in land investment?"
"…Land investment? Why?"
"Our Divine Healer's House will soon expand greatly. This estate feels far too small."
The second criterion for Earth-Rank recognition: scale.
How many patients the house could accommodate.
"But we don't have the money."
"We can borrow it."
"Borrow? From whom? Buying land isn't cheap!"
"We just need enough for the down payment. The rest, we can earn later."
He already had a plan.
"Our house was acknowledged by none other than Binghak Sama So himself. If we borrow— I mean, use— his name a little, getting that deposit should be easy."
"Y-you…"
But his uncle's face suddenly turned pale.
Confused, Wi Jicheon turned —
And froze.
"Well, well," Binghak Sama So said with a smile. "Using my name, was it? That's quite an idea. A very good one."
'…I'm doomed.'