Chapter 125
The Headmaster’s Disciple,
The Only Daughter of the Lone Dragon Pavilion Lord.
Those grandiose titles attached to my name often put a significant distance between the other members of the Lone Dragon and me.
It was natural that, as the headmaster’s direct granddaughter, I was treated well within the family. But among the trainees training alongside me, I had no desire to receive special treatment.
When training, I was just another trainee.
Fortunately, my father, who knew my heart better than I did, smiled reassuringly.
“Do not worry. I am not unaware of your disposition.”
His fingertips brushed the ends of my hair.
“Go on now. The wind is still cold, so be careful.”
I nodded to show that I understood.
That my father sent me off without me even asking meant he was extremely busy.
To avoid disturbing him, I quickly left the Lone Dragon Pavilion.
“Ah, right! It looks just like this!”
The skilled portrait artist had drawn the face of the man I had seen in the Heavenly Poison Forest that day.
Curious, I stared intently at the portrait. Even without seeing him directly, the likeness was astonishing.
“How could it be so exact?”
“It’s thanks to the young lady’s clear description,” the artist said humbly.
I knew, however, that my description hadn’t been that great. The portrait’s quality was entirely due to the artist’s skill.
“I will deliver this portrait to the head of the family,” said the chief officer, who had waited beside me until the drawing was completed.
I nodded.
‘I hope he gets caught quickly.’
Only then could I enter the Heavenly Poison Forest without worry. I had been prohibited from entering for a while, which had upset me.
A small head peeked from inside my sleeve. It was Zarin, who gazed curiously at the portrait the chief officer held.
It was as if Zarin were memorizing every detail of the face. I gently stroked the little head.
“You’re upset too, huh? It’s been a while since we came, and you didn’t even get to eat properly.”
Zarin wrapped her long neck lightly around my wrist in response. Meanwhile, the artist’s young apprentice was tidying the brush and paper used for the portrait.
“Then, I’ll be off now.”
“Well done. Your payment will be issued immediately as promised,” said the chief officer.
Once his words were finished, the artist left the room. I quickly followed to see them out.
At that moment, the elderly artist placed a hand on the apprentice’s shoulder, hesitated, and then turned toward me.
“Ah!”
Startled, I stepped back, and the elderly artist bowed politely.
“My apologies. Did I startle you?”
“It’s fine. But why did you stop suddenly? Did you forget something?”
“No, it’s not that. I have a request. This old man’s memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, so I didn’t mention it earlier.”
“A request?”
“What is it?”
The chief officer held the rolled-up portrait in one hand as he followed behind me.
The old man hesitated, then spoke.
“I won’t take half of the promised payment, but in return, I hope you could look after my apprentice a bit.”
“My apprentice?”
“His condition hasn’t been good these past few days. I was planning to take him to a doctor, but being at the hall reminded me of the hall’s physicians…”
The young apprentice, previously hiding behind the artist, was led out by the elderly artist.
The little girl held a bundle of brushes and paper, glancing up at the old man with a slightly flushed face.
“We stayed in a village recently, and since then…,” the artist said, rolling up the girl’s sleeve to reveal a red rash. The chief officer frowned.
“Any other symptoms?”
“She says her stomach hurts every night,” replied the artist.
The girl, however, spoke up energetically.
“It doesn’t hurt that badly! I can bear it! And we were going to see a doctor near my home anyway.”
Her clear, spirited voice and bright eyes suggested she wasn’t in serious condition, as she claimed.
“You’re noisy, child. If I’m asking for help, why are you babbling so much?”
“But Master—”
“If you’re in pain, you should see a doctor.”
The chief officer listened quietly to their conversation and nodded.
“Very well. It’s not a difficult request. I will guide you to the medical hall. If you wait a bit here, Shibi will come…”
“If we’re going to the medical hall, I’ll guide you,” I said softly after listening to their conversation.
The artist and the chief officer turned their gaze toward me. I smiled faintly and scratched my cheek.
“We were going there anyway. We might as well go together.”
The chief officer spoke.
“However, guiding visitors is usually Shibi’s duty. You really don’t need to—”
“Oh, it’s just that the nearest person does it! Follow me, I’ll guide you,” I said, spinning around to start moving before the chief officer could protest.
I had been intending to go to the medical hall anyway. It wasn’t hard to accompany them.
The artist seemed to consider for a moment, then followed me only after muttering, “…Follow her.”
I led the little girl and the artist to the medical hall. It was extremely busy due to the hall’s expansion project.
The physicians and their apprentices were moving about the hall, checking various things.
‘Even considering the expansion, it’s unusually busy.’
I blinked, surveying the medical hall.
“Ah, young lady! You’re here!”
One of the physicians, sweat-soaked, greeted me. I nodded.
“Where’s the head of the hall?”
“In his private chamber. I’ll show you the way.”
“Hmm, why is it so busy? Did something happen?”
“Well…”
The physician glanced around, then whispered.
“Some people oppose the expansion project, so there’s been some commotion.”
“Opposition? Who? Why?”
“I’m not entirely sure…”
The physician led me, the artist, and the apprentice into the private chamber of the medical hall.
I held the door handle and turned to the artist.
“Wait here. I’ll speak once inside.”
“Thank you.”
I knocked on the chamber door.
“Uncle, are you there? It’s Bie.”
“Bia?”
A familiar voice came from inside.
“Come in, and be careful not to step on what’s in front of you.”
“What’s in front?”
Curious, I opened the door. Immediately, I understood what he meant.
“Ah!”
“Don’t step on it!”
There was a small 3D model on the floor. I lifted my foot awkwardly and spoke to my uncle.
“Why did you leave something like this here?!”
“I was looking for something, and there was no other place to put it… Anyway, what’s going on?”
“I brought a patient. She’s the apprentice of the artist who drew the intruder in the Heavenly Poison Forest.”
“Right! Your mother mentioned there was an intruder in the forest. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. And I brought the artist to draw the man’s portrait, but the artist asked for help because her apprentice is unwell.”
Hearing about the patient, my uncle looked up from rummaging through something.
“A patient?”
“From what I can tell, she has a rash and complains of nightly stomach pain. I don’t know much else.”
“Hmm.”
My uncle made a thoughtful sound, then glanced around the disordered chamber. The medical hall’s private room was in disarray, like it had been ransacked.
“I came because to see a patient, you need my permission,” I said.
“Where is the patient?”
“Outside.”
“Let’s go.”
My uncle moved quickly. I nudged the 3D model aside so he wouldn’t step on it and asked,
“You really intend to see her yourself?”
“Didn’t you come asking me to?”
“Other physicians could do it.”
The position of head of the medical hall carried great weight. The head oversaw all medical practices of the hall, more so than ordinary physicians.
Seeing a patient personally was nearly impossible. Yet my uncle said as if it didn’t matter.
“As you saw, the hall is very busy. There’s no time to issue orders or instruct someone to see the patient, so the nearest person just handles it.”
It was certainly a reasonable explanation.
Still, I followed my uncle, tilting my head in thought.
‘Haven’t I heard that line somewhere before?’
Or… maybe not?
