Chapter 34

Chapter 34

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 moment. 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 mention it yourself when I examined your pulse earlier? That youve been experiencing frequent stomach rumbling and excessive gas?

Yes, I did mention that

Then I have the perfect solution.

Is there any other method besides being pricked a better way?

No, there isnt.

Just kidding. Why wouldnt there be other treatment methods? 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 something.

Kozumi!

He exerted force on his buttocks as he exclaimed.

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 seemed unrelated?

Is he simply trying to torment me!

It certainly seemed that way.

Our Crown Prince, always finding new ways to torment 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 someone who torments 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?

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 come rushing in for treatment?

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 moment 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 treatment from the Crown Prince? How many commoners would casually come with such thoughts?

Youre right.

Exactly. And what about the nobles?

Pardon me?

Think about it. This is the palace where I, the Crown Prince, reside. But if a certain noble comes here for treatment, 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 time 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 treatment, 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 medicine 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. Something 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 treatment.

In that case, the results would naturally spread through word of mouth. As the word spreads, more patients would come. More successful treatment cases would generate even more word of mouth. Isnt that a model of voluntary viral marketing?

Fortunately, Gardin seemed to grasp Raciels intentions well.

So, to create the first notable treatment 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 immediately.

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 meticulously checked each one of them, providing tailored treatments.

For some, he administered moxibustion, while for others, he prepared herbal decoctions. Acupuncture was the primary treatment 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 become 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 medicine doctor treating patients, it was favorable. But from the standpoint of someone 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 treatment cases to generate word of mouth.

A remarkable treatment case that could capture peoples attention. An impactful case.

In other words, a selling point for advertising!

But it seemed 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. Something flickered and brushed past his mind.

Gardin.

He lifted his head, calling out to Gardin.

Tell the head steward to prepare 500 questionnaires immediately.

Um yes?

Gardin tilted his head, looking puzzled. But Raciels face displayed a triumphant smile.

A questionnaire for all the members of the Star Palace workers to fill out. Lets title it Star Palace Staff Family Health Status Survey or something 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 members!