Chapter 179

Chapter 179
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**Chapter 179**
**The Weight of a Name**

Fame—or rather, the power a name carries—offers far more protection and influence than most would guess. Such was the nature of the era they lived in. As he had seen firsthand lately, depending on who spoke, even a young master from one of the world’s Five Great Clans could be dismissed as nothing more than a worthless good-for-nothing.

*“The disciple of the World’s Greatest Physician!”*
*“Even if someone were to impersonate him, why pick someone of such standing…!”*

Despite Chui-dal and Baek Heon-so’s misgivings—their outright anxiety, in fact—Baek Yang-hui strode boldly onward, following the gatekeeper’s directions without a hint of hesitation.

“Young hero… are you truly the disciple of the World’s Greatest Physician?”
“Ah, I’ve already told you that I am! You don’t have to take my word for it—once we’re inside, you can put my skills to the test yourself.”
“Hmm… should it turn out you are lying, you will face severe punishment.”
“Goodness, it’s so hard to earn anyone’s trust these days.”

Chui-dal and Baek Heon-so let out another silent cry of alarm.
*Exactly—we can’t just trust anyone who walks up claiming this sort of thing!*
*Brother, why don’t you just go in alone!*

Setting their status aside, the three still carried the bright, unguarded look of youth. Three strapping young men turning up out of nowhere and claiming ties to the World’s Greatest Physician? Anyone would be suspicious. If their clothing had not been of respectable quality, they would have been chased away and beaten before they could even explain themselves.

“Tch, treating the disciple of the World’s Greatest Physician with such scant courtesy? Is this really how things are done here?”
“For now, these are only words, young hero. Once the truth of your claim is established, our young master will receive you with all due honor and respect.”
“It had better be that way. Ahem.”

Baek Yang-hui and his companions were led to an opulent guest chamber within the main reception hall.
“Wow, this place is truly impressive.”
“It’s finer than the main halls in most noble households, isn’t it?”
“As one would expect of a house numbered among the Three Great Merchant Houses of the world.”

They exchanged quiet remarks as they waited, and before long, a man appeared. His robes were as richly embroidered and magnificent as the room itself, yet his face was clouded with obvious displeasure.

“Young hero… you claim to be the disciple of the World’s Greatest Physician?”

There was no polite preamble, only a direct, blunt question—delivered with a sour, unsmiling expression to match. To greet every visitor this way was a sure way to turn away those of consequence. What if this really *was* the disciple of the World’s Greatest Physician—or someone equally important?

*Of course, I am deceiving them.*

Still, he would do well to smooth things over now, before the ruse was uncovered and he faced the consequences. With that thought, he deliberately shaped his lips into a calm, confident smile.

“How many others have come before me?”

Taken aback by the unexpected question, the man—clearly the young master of the house—showed a flicker of genuine interest.
“I ask because I imagine many people must claim to be the World’s Greatest Physician’s disciple and seek entry to your home.”
“…You are the fourth. The previous two were beaten and cast out.”

The unspoken pressure was clear: prove you are who you say you are, or you will share their fate. Yet Baek Yang-hui’s smile never wavered.

“The World’s Greatest Physician, Seong Su-sin—he is indeed my master.”

In truth, he had never even seen the man’s face. But what did that matter? If he could cure the household head, Jin Yeong-gil, all would be well.

“May I ask a few straightforward questions to confirm you are truly Seong Su-sin’s disciple?”
“By all means!”

The young master pulled a chair close and began firing question after question—nearly all concerning medicine and healing. Baek Yang-hui answered with effortless ease, supplementing his replies with detailed explanations that made plain his knowledge far exceeded that of an ordinary healer.

*As the old saying goes—even a dog that lives beside a school will learn to recite poetry after three years.*

He had spent nearly ten years alongside the Tang siblings, young masters of the Tang Clan. The Tang Clan’s mastery of medicine and poisons ranked among the finest in the world, and Baek Yang-hui possessed a memory that never forgot anything he had heard even once. Passing himself off as a skilled physician was child’s play.

“Young hero… we have exchanged questions, and your grasp of medical principles is undeniably profound.”
“Hmph. So you are not some charlatan spouting nonsense for easy coin.”
“Most certainly not.”

He spoke loudly enough for all present to hear, remaining perfectly composed—though Chui-dal and Baek Heon-so were sweating profusely beside him.
*That is exactly what this is… from start to finish…*
*Brother… their instincts are incredibly sharp…*

“Surely you can place your trust in me now, young master?”
“Let us suppose, for the moment, that you are indeed Seong Su-sin’s disciple. What brings you to our house?”

Instead of answering directly, the young master posed a question of his own—leaving no doubt he remained unconvinced.
“To treat Lord Jin Yeong-gil, naturally.”
“And then claim a reward for your services?”
“Ahem… I would not refuse one if it were offered.”
“I see. You will remain in this guest room for the next few days.”
“Hmm? For how long, exactly?”

The reply carried a distinct note of skepticism.
“Did you expect to examine our master immediately? Over the coming days, we will conduct a thorough investigation into your background and recent travels. Do not take it personally.”

When the young master closed the guest room door firmly behind him, the sound echoed sharply in the quiet room.
—Brother!! You marched in here so sure of yourself, and this is what comes of it?!
—Aren’t we finished for? What do we do now?

Baek Yang-hui quickly scanned their surroundings. As befitted a great merchant house, guards were posted everywhere—though they were making little effort to stay hidden.
—There are ears listening everywhere, so we will speak through mental transmission from now on. Everything is going exactly according to plan, so calm down.

His words, though meant to reassure, did little to steady his two companions.
—According to plan, my foot! You were just making it up as you went along and hit a wall!
—Now, Chui-dal, watch your tongue.
—Oh, so now you’re calling me names?
—I’m simply in no mood for long explanations today, that’s all. I promise you, this is exactly how things were meant to unfold.
—Prove it!
—There. We are inside the manor, are we not? That is proof enough.

He offered a broad grin as they fell silent. It was no empty excuse—matters truly were proceeding as he had intended. Claiming to be the World’s Greatest Physician’s disciple had been nothing more than a means to gain entry.

*Seong Su-sin, who announced his retirement nearly ten years ago? Common folk might believe such a claim on its face, but one of the Three Great Merchant Houses will require far more than words alone.*

—Brother… is it truly all right to pretend to be his disciple? If word gets back, Father will be furious.
—It will be fine, no trouble will come of this.

Why? Because Seong Su-sin was already dead. Roughly ten years prior, his remains and his secret manuals had been recovered and the news announced throughout the martial realm. There was no one left to object or expose the impersonation. Borrowing his name for a few days—what possible harm could it do?

“Now then—since we are inside, let us take a look around and gather what information we can. Come along.”

Jin Yeong-gil’s mysterious illness was widely known, so the reception hall was sure to be crowded with self-proclaimed healers promising a cure. If others had already examined the patient, he could piece together the symptoms through careful inquiry. He was confident he could devise an effective treatment within days once he understood the nature of the sickness—though gathering additional intelligence would do no harm.

With this in mind, he made his way toward the hall where visiting guests were gathered. Sure enough, he saw many dressed in the robes of physicians.
“Greetings to you all! I am Baek, and I have inherited the true teachings of the World’s Greatest Physician, Seong Su-sin! It is an honor to make your acquaintance!”

Dropping that famous name should spark some reaction—curiosity, confusion, perhaps even suspicion. But the response was surprisingly muted.

“You are… that great master’s disciple?”

The speaker was a nun with a youthful face beneath a small ceremonial hat—a Buddhist monk, in other words. Given the region, one sect came immediately to mind.
“Are you from the Emei Sect?”
“Amitabha.”

Standing beside her was a Taoist in robes embroidered with patterns of sunset clouds and blue mist. Red sun sinking over blue clouds… and Sichuan.
“The Qingcheng Sect as well.”
“Immeasurable blessings. What an unexpected and interesting turn of events.”

The Taoist’s robes were of deep black, stitched with patterns of glowing white light.
“And representatives of the Dian Cang Sect too?”
“Ha! You recognize our sect’s distinctive attire—you are clearly well-traveled, friend.”

How could he not? Even in distant Yunnan, the Nine Great Sects were renowned—especially those powerful enough to hold such standing from so far away.
“It is an honor to meet esteemed guests from the Emei, Qingcheng, and Dian Cang Sects.”

He offered a respectful salute, and the Dian Cang Taoist smiled gently.
“We should properly introduce ourselves, but first I must ask—this friend claims to be the disciple of the great physician. What do you make of it?”

He placed a hand on the shoulder of the man beside him. The figure known as the Little Divine Physician shook his head firmly, as if the very idea were absurd.
“My master had only one disciple—and that is I, Venerable Daoist.”

For the first time, Baek Yang-hui felt cold sweat trickling down his back. This had not been part of his plan.

Truth be told, he had thought the young master’s guarded, suspicious reception was overly cautious. Surely the name of Seong Su-sin, the World’s Greatest Physician, should command immediate respect? Yet now he understood why they had been treated with such reserve. Three brash young men appearing from nowhere claiming to be his disciple… and alongside them, representatives of three of the Nine Great Sects, plus the man presenting himself as Seong Su-sin’s true disciple.

*The young master is far sharper than I gave him credit for. He will make a fine head of the house one day. That explains why he did not turn us away at the gate.*

The only problem was that both sides were making it all up. Seong Su-sin had died without ever taking a disciple—of this he was certain. There might be untold stories, but no official successor had ever been named.

As he weighed his options, Neung O of the Dian Cang Sect addressed him with a calm smile.
“Very well then, let us exchange names. I am Neung O, of the Dian Cang Sect. Put aside this pretense of being the World’s Greatest Physician’s disciple and tell us who you truly are.”

—Brother… things are getting out of hand. Shouldn’t we tell them the truth now?
—Brother! We’re in serious trouble! What do we do? If this comes out, the Tang Clan will be dragged into it!

And it would be—for the Tang Clan answered to the Nine Great Sects, and here stood disciples from three of the most powerful among them.
*Damn… this complicates things considerably.*

Three of the nearby Nine Great Sects sending representatives at the same time? It was plausible—Jin Yeong-gil was head of one of the Three Great Merchant Houses, so each would naturally want to secure his favor, and curing his illness would bring immense benefit. But the timing… investigating their backgrounds *and* sending their own healers? Not even Zhuge Liang reborn could have foreseen such an extraordinary coincidence.

“Friend? You seem lost for words. Or do you have no name to give?”

Baek Yang-hui looked Neung O directly in the eye—that infuriatingly calm smile, speaking so smoothly… was it the robes that made him so aggravating?

*Very well then—if I must, I will meet this head-on.*

“You may call me Baek. But first, I have something to say to all of you from the Nine Great Sects. That man standing there… he is an imposter.”

The Little Divine Physician stiffened at the accusation. Baek Yang-hui ignored him and spoke with even greater conviction.
“A complete fraud. Because it is impossible for him to be Seong Su-sin’s disciple! I will stake my life on it—my very head!”

—Brother!! What are you doing?!
—There is no turning back now!
—Nooo! That is not what we should do! I am truly terrified!

Fear not, brothers—this is what you must learn. A crisis is nothing more than opportunity wearing a different face.
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