Thud!
The needle shifted.
It penetrated ruthlessly, piercing through tender human skin. The stoic royal guard clenched the white sheet tightly, unaware of the discomfort.
Urgh!
Does it hurt?
No, not exactly
Then why are you whining? Its just a tiny needle.
Even a royal guard like you. Tsk tsk.
Well, its just that
The royal guard blushed and replied.
Its because the needle is stuck in my face, after all
So, are you scared?
Its not that Im scared
Oh, I see. Youre afraid.
Its alright. You wont die. Just complaining about a blocked nose. In that case, like this.
Thud!
Goodness!
Another needle was inserted into the royal guards nostril, precisely at the Yingxiang acupoint. A satisfied smile appeared on Raciels face.
Just stay like that for a mont. Dont touch the needle. Now, whos next?
The next patient(?), a court attendant waiting on the adjacent bed, trembled slightly and cautiously inquired.
Your Highness, the Crown Prince?
Hmm. Speak.
Well, do I also need to be pricked?
Didnt you ntion it yourself when I examined your pulse earlier? That youve been experiencing frequent stomach rumbling and excessive gas?
Yes, I did ntion that
Then I have the perfect solution.
Is there any other thod besides being pricked a better way?
No, there isnt.
Just kidding. Why wouldnt there be other treatnt thods? But this is the simplest one.
Raciel raised his right hand to his shoulder. Kozumi, the hedgehog perched on his shoulder, squeaked as if anticipating sothing.
Kozumi!
He exerted force on his buttocks as he exclaid.
His body quivered.
Swish!
A single white needle shot forth and gently landed on Raciels right hand. Raciel said,
Now, take off your shoes and extend your legs.
Pardon?
Youre going to receive acupuncture.
On my foot?
Yes.
The court attendant couldnt comprehend.
He had complained about stomach rumbling and excessive gas. But why would they administer acupuncture on his foot, which seed unrelated?
Is he simply trying to tornt !
It certainly seed that way.
Our Crown Prince, always finding new ways to tornt people. Does he now have a creative approach to it?
But he held no power. If commanded to kneel, he knelt; if ordered to roll, he rolled. The court attendant reluctantly took off his shoes and extended his foot.
As he did so, he wondered. He hadnt washed his feet separately. What if the odor angers the Crown Prince?
But his worries were unfounded. The Crown Prince swiftly took a damp towel and thoroughly wiped the foot. Just as the court attendant tried to retract his foot in surprise, his ankle was caught instead.
Relax. Tension isnt good for your circulation.
Hes surprisingly dedicated for soone who tornts others. Its a bit perplexing. The court attendant obediently relaxed as Raciels hand moved swiftly.
Pop!
A white needle pricked the slightly fleshy area beneath the inner side of the court attendants ankle bone, at the Shangqiu acupoint.
When your intestines dont get enough rest and you experience frequent gas, its referred to as a soggy stomach. Taking care of this point will help your intestines feel better. If you still feel discomfort after todays acupuncture, press this spot with your thumb. Understand?
And before you go to sleep, if you press it with your opposite big toe for just 5 minutes, it will help. Alternate between both sides. It will improve your sleep too.
Are youare you sure?
Would I lie?
Raciel chuckled.
Leaving the court attendant with a bewildered expression, he surveyed the hall. The number of beds had increased even more than before. Nurous individuals, including Star Palace guards, court attendants, and maidservants, lay or sat on them, waiting for him.
Their presence reminded him of sothing that happened a few days ago.
We need to establish a clinic in the Star Palace.
Excuse ?
During lunchti on the day he ford a special alliance with the gladiators and established the special duty squad, Raciel discussed his plans for the future. Gardins eyes widened in surprise.
What do you an?
A clinic. Dont you understand?
Of course I do.
Exactly. Im going to establish a clinic.
Here, in the Star Palace?
Yes.
Raciel nodded.
He stated it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
I need it to survive.
Excuse ?
Well, in simple terms, I believe that if I establish a clinic here and heal many people, bringing them happiness, I will also find happiness.
It was true.
Truly and genuinely, it was true.
He wanted to care for as many patients as possible. He wanted to cure their illnesses and prolong their lives. Only then could he acquire a significant bonus to his own lifespan. Wouldnt the happiness index soar?
Thats a real win-win for both the patients and !
With such sincerity, he spoke.
As for Gardin?
His heart was pounding, overwheld by a whirlwind of emotions.
So profound!
Oh, co on. You startled . Whats the matter? Why are you reacting like that this ti?
All this ti! I feel like Ive misunderstood you!
Misunderstood? What do you an?
To be honest, I used to think you were a selfish person!
Well, I am selfish.
No! I realize now that I was wrong!
I think I finally understand. Ive co to realize, albeit belatedly, the great compassion and dedication to serving society that lies within your desire to establish a clinic in the Star Palace and care for many people.
Well, actually
No, dont deny it. I know. How could I not know? As your primary physician, I know better than anyone that youre still unwell. Yet, despite your own illness, you prioritize the pain of others Your Highness, I am truly moved! Sob!
Well, let him think what he wants.
Its easier for him that way.
Heh, indeed.
He chuckled. It occurred to him that it wouldnt be so bad if Gardin continued to misunderstand him.
Of course.
Gardin had no knowledge of his secret. He couldnt even begin to guess about things like bonus lifespan.
Its better to be seen as a selfless figure, rather than revealing everything and being perceived as a madman.
The Crown Prince who puts his subjects first, even while suffering from his own illness. It seed like a fitting title and a justifiable cause. He found himself content with the unintended misunderstanding he received.
Then, by establishing a clinic, or rather, an Oriental dicine clinic in the Star Palace, I wont face opposition or rejection from those around . Its an action with a reasonably justified purpose. Moreover such a title will attract more people.
Having people co to him. Making them co willingly for treatnt. He felt that was the most important thing.
I cant go searching for them one by one.
If he were to personally seek out patients each ti?
Firstly, it would be dangerous. Especially in the slums where many patients reside, the sanitary conditions would be abysmal. With his severely weakened immune system, if he were to wander around such places, he would quickly beco susceptible to various diseases like syphilis, tuberculosis, and more.
It would be the end.
Even with my super low stamina and weak physique, if I were to get infected with sothing like that I wouldnt be able to continue my work and would probably et the king of the underworld for so career counseling. Ugh, lets stop this nonsense.
Raciel shook his head.
The issue wasnt just the danger. Going from patient to patient individually would be exhausting. And it wouldnt be efficient. He wouldnt be able to see a large number of patients at once. He would remain trapped in a situation where he barely survived on his minimal bonus lifespan.
Thats a problem. Because the bonus lifespan ratio is surprisingly low. 1950 to 1? Even if I were to extend a patients life expectancy by 100 years the bonus lifespan I receive would only be 18.46 days. It would increase by just 18 days.
A re 18 days of bonus for extending soones life by a staggering 100 years. If he were to personally visit each patient?
It wouldnt be profitable. In the worst case scenario, the ti it takes to treat the patients could far exceed the bonus lifespan he receives.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary. I need to make the patients co to . Besides, the Star Palace is vast and spacious, providing ample room to establish a clinic.
If he pursued this idea wholeheartedly, he could even create a comprehensive clinic. If he openly operated an inpatient ward? He could treat dozens, even hundreds of patients at once. It would enable him to establish an efficient system for collecting bonus lifespan.
However, it wasnt all smooth sailing. He kept that in mind as he spoke.
Well, if Gardin is happy, then Im happy. Anyway, Im considering running a clinic here in the Star Palace, and as a pilot program, I thought of treating our Star Palace family first.
Huh? The people of the Star Palace?
Yes. It will help with promotion.
Promotion?
Indeed.
He nodded.
He spoke as if it were self-evident.
Think about it, Gardin. Lets say we spread the word that a clinic is being established in the Star Palace and that we will be accepting patients. But will people just co rushing in for treatnt?
Well um ah.
Do you understand?
Yes, Your Highness. This is the Star Palace, after all.
Exactly. It can be intimidating, especially for commoners.
It was a logical point to consider.
This was the Star Palace, the residence of the crown prince. It was a place that impressed visitors with its grandeur from the mont they set foot in it. But would common people feel comfortable visiting such a place?
It might be difficult for commoners. Oh, I have a cold, should I go get treatnt from the Crown Prince? How many commoners would casually co with such thoughts?
Youre right.
Exactly. And what about the nobles?
Pardon ?
Think about it. This is the palace where I, the Crown Prince, reside. But if a certain noble cos here for treatnt, would other nobles view it innocently?
They they wouldnt. They would interpret it as that noble trying to gain favor with you.
Exactly. They would see it as a political move.
Thats how nobles are.
Indeed. They are inclined to attach political significance to even the smallest actions.
He smiled softly.
Indeed, the behavior of the upper class tends to be similar regardless of ti and place. The nobles here would be no exception. Perhaps they would feel more burdened visiting the Star Palace than commoners.
That wont do. If that happens, there will be no one coming here for treatnt, and only flies would be buzzing around.
If that were the case, his plan would fail.
Without a solution, it would crumble and collapse. There would be no calculation of bonus lifespan, just like the Oriental dicine clinic he had diligently operated in South Korea, which ended up collapsing due to a lack of patients.
I feel like Im experiencing PTSD.
He quickly brushed away his negative thoughts. He gathered his resolve and spoke.
Anyway, thats why effective promotion is necessary. Sothing like a notable case that would capture peoples attention. If such a case spreads through word of mouth, gradually, people will start coming here for treatnt.
In that case, the results would naturally spread through word of mouth. As the word spreads, more patients would co. More successful treatnt cases would generate even more word of mouth. Isnt that a model of voluntary viral marketing?
Fortunately, Gardin seed to grasp Raciels intentions well.
So, to create the first notable treatnt case that will generate word of mouth, youre planning to treat the people of the Star Palace?
Thats correct. So, gather the Star Palace family imdiately.
That was a few days ago.
Phew. Its been busy ever since.
Raciel, who was taking the pulse of a maids wrist, snapped out of his thoughts. It had been quite busy since that day. He had examined the servants, maids, and other workers in the Star Palace, including the palace guards. The total number was close to 500, and he ticulously checked each one of them, providing tailored treatnts.
For so, he administered moxibustion, while for others, he prepared herbal decoctions. Acupuncture was the primary treatnt for the majority. It had been a draining few days, depleting his physical strength. However, the problem was that the results were not as promising as he had expected.
Theres no one seriously ill.
Even after examining 500 people.
I suppose individuals with severe health issues would not qualify for work in a palace like this. I overlooked that fact.
In retrospect, it was evident. However, this obvious fact had now beco a stumbling block in his plan.
Ugh. The problem is that everyone is too healthy.
The most severe cases he encountered were athletes foot, stomatitis, mild constipation, or common colds. From the perspective of an oriental dicine doctor treating patients, it was favorable. But from the standpoint of soone seeking to accumulate bonus lifespan? It was disappointing.
I only gained 2 days of bonus lifespan from treating 500 people. Moreover, in this manner there wont be any notable treatnt cases to generate word of mouth.
A remarkable treatnt case that could capture peoples attention. An impactful case.
In other words, a selling point for advertising!
But it seed like such a case was not materializing.
That was the main issue.
Are there no seriously ill individuals
After a brief morning consultation with the Star Palace workers, Raciel naturally let out a deep sigh during his lunch break. Perhaps he should consider abducting a few individuals from the slums. Various concerns flooded his mind like a dense bone broth.
There was a sense of urgency that this situation could not continue. A restless feeling, hoping for the appearance of a seriously ill patient. He chewed on his salad, a mix of two emotions, and plunged into the depths of negative thoughts.
But then, suddenly
Wait a minute.
Raciel paused. Sothing flickered and brushed past his mind.
Gardin.
He lifted his head, calling out to Gardin.
Tell the head steward to prepare 500 questionnaires imdiately.
Um yes?
Gardin tilted his head, looking puzzled. But Raciels face displayed a triumphant smile.
A questionnaire for all the mbers of the Star Palace workers to fill out. Lets title it Star Palace Staff Family Health Status Survey or sothing similar.
Raciel was convinced.
If the Star Palace workers were excessively healthy, then surely there would be at least one seriously ill patient among their family mbers!
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