Chapter 23: Suspicious Gaze

“Very impressive. It’s good enough to use right away.”

At Cheong’s words, Palcho’s face lit up with joy.

Paljae also looked happy, as if it were his own success.

“All that overnight work paid off, Father!”

“Haha, it certainly did.”

Now that Cheong looked closely, Palcho had dark circles under his eyes. He seemed quite tired.

Even though he was repaying a favor, she felt a bit guilty for pushing him so hard.

“Please, sit here. I’ll give you a massage.”

Cheong wanted to help relieve Palcho’s fatigue using her medical skills.

“I’m fine. I’ve got enough energy to stay up a few more nights!”

“Come on. You won’t get an opportunity like this again.”

Though Palcho refused at first, he eventually gave in and sat on the anvil.

Cheong pressed the pressure points on his neck, shoulders, and head with her fingers. She also massaged his stiff muscles.

“Oh wow, that feels so good.”

As Cheong pressed different acupoints—like Pungji, Gokwon, Gyeonjeong, Gyeonu, Nosu, Byeongpung, Cheonjong—Palcho made happy, satisfied noises, like an old man soaking in a hot spring.

“My body feels so light, I think I could reach up and grab the sun!”

After the massage, Palcho rolled his shoulders and neck with a refreshed expression.

“Of course! She’s not just any doctor—she’s the royal physician.”

At Palcho’s words, Paljae proudly lifted his shoulders.

He seemed really happy that Cheong had become a royal physician.

“A royal physician?”

“Didn’t you know, Father? I told you earlier—His Majesty acknowledged her skill and made her an official royal doctor…”

Before Paljae even finished speaking, Palcho jumped up and ran outside.

Then, banging his hammer on the anvil like a bell, he shouted to the blacksmiths working nearby:

“To celebrate Physician Sim becoming a royal doctor, we’re taking the day off! Put down your tools and close up shop! Even if customers come, we’re not working today!”

“Yaaaay!”

The strong blacksmiths shouted in celebration at his cheerful command.

Cheong was embarrassed and tried to stop Palcho, but it was no use.

“Alright! Everyone, come line up and give your thanks and congratulations to Royal Physician Sim!”

Following Palcho’s order, the muscle-bound blacksmiths quickly lined up and bowed to Cheong.

Some of them even took the chance to quietly ask her about their symptoms.

In return for the congratulations, Cheong offered short medical checkups to those who wanted them.

Just as the forge was filled with excitement over the surprise medical event—

“Hey, Sasun! Come over and show your skin to the royal physician!”

Palcho called out to a dark-skinned man sitting in the corner.

His face, neck, and arms were covered in bumpy scars like pockmarks—he looked strange and unsettling.

“I’m fine.”

Sasun replied coldly, looking annoyed.

“When else will you get a chance to see a royal doctor? Come on over!”

Despite Palcho’s urging, Sasun just snorted.

“Even if she’s a royal doctor, she’s still human. And my skin? It’s not a disease—it runs in the family.”

“Ugh, you’re so stubborn. Don’t mind him, Doctor.”

“Yes, understood.”

Cheong nodded at Palcho’s words—but in truth, she was a little bothered by Sasun.

His gaze and expression were openly hostile.

Even more unsettling, Sasun had been watching her the whole time since she arrived at the forge.

“I’m done for the day, so I’ll head out now.”

Noticing Cheong watching him, Sasun quickly packed up and left.

His constant gaze was gone, but Cheong still felt uneasy.

After finally leaving the forge, Cheong and Gahwa headed back to the palace.

The blacksmiths’ enthusiastic congratulations had drained all their energy.

Still, they were in good spirits.

Cheong walked lightly and said cheerfully,

“I was worried Palcho might struggle to make the needles, but it all worked out.”

“Didn’t I tell you he’s the best blacksmith under the sea?”

“Yes. It’s all thanks to you, Gahwa.”

“Of course. If you need help in the future, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Cheong smiled at Gahwa’s proud tone.

She held a small wooden box in her arms.

Inside were golden acupuncture needles of different sizes, freshly made by Palcho.

“Thank you again.”

Cheong hugged the box tightly.

Without Gahwa, she never would have gotten such high-quality needles.

“I’ll choose a few skilled blacksmiths and start mass-producing the needles from tomorrow.”

Palcho had promised to melt all the gold flowers Cheong gave him and make them into acupuncture needles.

If he did, she would end up with hundreds—or maybe thousands—of needles infused with Haewon’s divine power.

Just the thought made her heart race.

“I’ll guide you back to your room.”

As soon as they entered the palace, Gahwa turned to lead Cheong to her quarters.

“Gahwa.”

Cheong called out to her.

“What is it?”

“I need to stop somewhere first.”

Gahwa’s face turned curious.

It made sense—Cheong had just become a royal physician. The only places she’d usually go now were her room or the king’s chambers.

But today, she had no appointments.

So where could she possibly want to go?

“It’s nothing strange, don’t worry.”

Noticing Gahwa’s look, Cheong quickly added an explanation.

Still, Gahwa looked suspicious.

“Where exactly are you going…?”

“The Royal Clinic.”

Cheong answered casually, and Gahwa’s eyes widened.

The Royal Clinic was where the palace doctors worked.

It was run by Byeoljubu and filled with both senior and junior doctors who brewed medicine, recorded patient notes, and did medical research.

In other words, it was packed with Byeoljubu’s people.

“Do you really know what it means to go there?”

Cheong pouted and rolled her eyes.

“I’m officially a royal doctor now—there’s no reason I can’t go.”

She knew why Gahwa was worried, but pretended to be confident.

If I keep avoiding things, I’ll never achieve anything.

Cheong didn’t want to face Byeoljubu either.

He hated her for taking his position and saw her as a threat.

And he was not only the leader of the royal doctors—he was in charge of the whole clinic.

Even though Cheong had the king’s trust, that didn’t mean much inside the clinic. Byeoljubu still had all the power there.

But Cheong wanted to go there—for the sake of her long-term plan.

To heal the Dragon King’s illness and return to the surface.

There’s a huge treasure trove of resources right in front of me. I need to use it.

Cheong decided to go to the clinic mainly for the herbs, equipment, and facilities.

She would use everything available to cure Haewon’s illness as fast as possible.

And then… I’ll return to the human world.

She didn’t know how long it would take to find a way back to the modern world, so she couldn’t afford to waste time in the palace.

“Gahwa, please lead the way.”