A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 518

101. According to Plan (4)

That evening, Jun-hoo’s office.

Jun-hoo was sitting on the sofa in front of his desk. On either side of him, on separate sofas, sat Chun Seok-young and Jeong Min-jae.

A triangular formation was formed with Jun-hoo at the center.

Jeong Min-jae’s legs were shaking rapidly.

He nervously chewed on his fingernails.

Chun Seok-young appeared calm, but that was just on the surface.

Inside, he was burning up. His dry lips were cracked, and his beady eyes were constantly glancing at Jun-hoo.

The fate of both men depended on Jun-hoo’s judgment at the apex.

“Both of you have worked hard. It must have been a lot of pressure with the Vice Director and the Hospital Director observing.”

“……”

“You both successfully completed the surgeries. I don’t think there could be better news today.”

Jun-hoo clapped his hands, expressing his delight.

The epilepsy clinic’s great first step was a resounding success.

Chun Seok-young and Jeong Min-jae, having taken the baton from Jun-hoo, performed the robotic surgeries flawlessly.

It was a crisis-free, smooth progression.

Securing the field of vision.

Proficiency in robotic manipulation.

Understanding of the surgery, and so on.

Both demonstrated top-notch skills.

At this rate, future surgeries would be a breeze.

“It’s all thanks to you, Chief. Your training was exceptional.”

Chun Seok-young praised Jun-hoo as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“I agree with Professor Chun. Especially the head massages you gave us were a great help.”

“That’s right. After the massage, my head felt so clear. I understood the operation methods perfectly.”

“If possible, I’d like to receive them often in the future.”

Jun-hoo smiled awkwardly at their compliments.

In just two months.

The reason why the two of them had perfectly mastered robotic surgery.

At the heart of it was the ‘Brain Acupressure Technique’ [a specialized massage technique targeting specific pressure points on the head].

A martial art unique to Jun-hoo in the modern era, stimulating brain nerves to draw out 100 percent of the brain’s capabilities.

In the past, he had only used it on himself, but after being appointed as the chief, he found himself in a situation where he had to share this ability with those around him.

“Anyway.”

Chun Seok-young carefully gauged Jun-hoo’s expression before continuing.

“The reason you called us here……”

“You probably already have an idea. I said that after seeing the surgery results, one of you would be transferred.”

As soon as Jun-hoo got to the point, both of them swallowed hard as if they had made a pact.

A cruel guillotine match.

Who would stay in Busan, and who would be kicked out?

Who would fall, shedding invisible blood?

A tense atmosphere enveloped the office.

“Don’t look so grim, both of you. I’ve given it a lot of thought.”

“……”

“I’ve come to the conclusion that both of you are essential personnel in Busan. The transfer will be canceled.”

“Thank you, Chief!”

Jeong Min-jae’s face lit up as he bowed to Jun-hoo.

On the other hand, Chun Seok-young’s face clearly showed dissatisfaction.

“Professor Chun, what are you so unhappy about?”

“Unhappy? It’s just that it doesn’t feel real.”

Chun Seok-young gave an awkward smile.

“Professor Jeong, would you mind leaving us for a moment? I have something to discuss with Professor Chun separately.”

“Of course.”

Perhaps he was happy that he had survived.

Jeong Min-jae left the office cheerfully without any suspicion.

Immediately after Jeong Min-jae left.

Jun-hoo’s expression changed 180 degrees. His gaze towards Chun Seok-young was fierce.

“Professor Chun.”

“Yes.”

Chun Seok-young avoided Jun-hoo’s eyes as he answered. The oppressive aura Jun-hoo was emitting was terrifying.

“You think you did better than Professor Jeong, but you’re upset that you both get to stay?”

“No, it’s not that……”

“But you’re not in a position to complain.”

“……”

“Your goal was sabotage. You wanted to ruin the epilepsy clinic.”

“What are you talking about? I just had a reluctance towards robotic surgery, so I delayed the training……”

“Enough with the lame excuses.”

Jun-hoo cut off Chun Seok-young’s words, switching to a more informal tone.

“I knew you were on Professor Kim Han-sang’s side and that you would sabotage. That’s why I deliberately threatened to transfer one of you.”

“Did you never intend to transfer anyone from the beginning?”

Jun-hoo replaced his answer with a wicked smile.

Suddenly, the back of Chun Seok-young’s head felt numb.

Shocked, he couldn’t speak.

The Vice Director of Medical Affairs. Associate Professor Kim Han-sang.

And even himself.

These three had been nothing more than puppets in Jun-hoo’s hands all along.

He thought Jun-hoo was just a fool who only knew medicine, but how could he have devised such a meticulous plan?

“Well, thanks to that, you’ve become skilled in robotic surgery. Now that the Vice Director has approved the project, you have no justification for sabotaging it.”

“I admit defeat. I acknowledge everything.”

Chun Seok-young raised both hands in surrender.

Since Jun-hoo had seen through everything.

There was no use in denying it.

It was a complete defeat.

A first-round knockout.

“But how did you know that the Associate Professor and I would act this way?”

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Just then, a knock was heard.

When Jun-hoo told them to enter, a slender professor with glasses walked in.

He leaned back in the chair where Jeong Min-jae had been sitting, relaxing.

“Professor Choi……? Why are you here?”

Chun Seok-young’s eyes widened.

Why was Choi Jin-gu, Kim Han-sang’s right-hand man, here?

Could it be…….

“Why are you acting like an amateur? It’s obvious.”

A sly smile hung on Choi Jin-gu’s lips.

“You, did you betray the Associate Professor?”

“Betrayal? Doesn’t that require trust first? I never trusted the Associate Professor from the start.”

“No wonder you’ve been skipping tea time lately, you were plotting something like this.”

Chun Seok-young trembled with betrayal.

The heat that started in his cheeks spread to his earlobes, turning them red.

“Do you think the Associate Professor will let you get away with this?”

“What’s he going to do if he doesn’t?”

Choi Jin-gu scoffed.

Jun-hoo simply watched their argument leisurely, without intervening.

What was that kid with barely any blood dried behind his ears planning?

What trick did he use to win over Choi Jin-gu?

Chun Seok-young suddenly wanted to delve into Jun-hoo’s mind.

“Now that I see it, Professor Chun, you’re quite dense.”

“What did you say? Dense?! Are you done talking?”

Chun Seok-young shouted.

The simmering anger, betrayal, and humiliation merged together, erupting like a volcano.

“The Associate Professor’s era ended a long time ago, when are you going to stop clinging to him?”

“……”

“Right here! Can’t you see the rising sun?”

Choi Jin-gu playfully pointed at Jun-hoo with both arms.

“The lifeline Professor Chun is holding onto is rotten. It’s going to break soon. You saw how skilled the Chief is this time, right?”

“Ugh……”

Chun Seok-young couldn’t bring himself to respond.

His tightly clenched fists hadn’t loosened since earlier.

“Our Chief, you see, cherishes his people dearly. But if he considers you an enemy, he’ll thoroughly crush you. I’ve been crushed once, and Professor Chun has been crushed once, so I won’t explain further.”

“Just get to the point. What do you want?”

“You’re so frustrating. I’m saying Professor Chun should get on the Chief’s line too.”

“Betray the Associate Professor?”

“Why is that betrayal?”

Choi Jin-gu widened his eyes and asked back.

His voice conveyed that he couldn’t understand Chun Seok-young at all.

“Isn’t it natural to choose the side that benefits me?”

“Chief, do you really trust Choi? This bat-like human’s [a person who switches allegiances easily] words?”

Chun Seok-young couldn’t help but question Jun-hoo.

He wanted to properly understand Jun-hoo’s true feelings at this point.

“Well, I don’t think Professor Choi said anything wrong?”

“What?”

“I promised Choi that after ousting Kim Han-sang, I would give him that position. If I can’t keep that promise, Choi will stab me in the back.”

“……”

“Isn’t that how the world works?”

Chun Seok-young was shocked by Jun-hoo’s chilling remarks.

It was as if he was the only Alice in a strange land [reference to Alice in Wonderland, symbolizing disorientation and unfamiliarity].

“I don’t force anyone to have faith. Dedication and reward. Enemy and ally. I only see the world outside of medicine in black and white.”

Jun-hoo revealed his philosophy for once.

People around him mistakenly thought Jun-hoo was just an innocent person who only knew justice.

Far from it!

Jun-hoo’s roots were in the Murim world [a world of martial arts and cultivation], and the roots of the Murim world were the law of the jungle.

The Demonic Sect was openly a gang of thugs.

And the Orthodox Sect was just a gang of thugs pretending to be good.

That was Jun-hoo’s belief.

Looking back on his past actions, except when he was treating patients.

Jun-hoo had always defeated his enemies ruthlessly and cruelly.

Only the aspect of saving patients was emphasized, so the image of him dealing with enemies was diluted.

“You’ve mastered robotic surgery, and the epilepsy clinic is a hit. Now, if you just hold onto the Chief’s hand, Professor Chun, you’ll be on the fast track, right?”

Choi Jin-gu, who had been silent, smiled slyly.

It was a face that made you want to punch him, but the words coming from that face were true.

With the epilepsy clinic.

Jun-hoo’s stock price had skyrocketed several times over [his reputation and influence had greatly increased].

It was impossible for the current Associate Professor to catch up with that gap.

“Chief, I just have one question.”

“You can ask anything.”

“Did you deliberately tell Choi to come at this time? To win me over.”

Choi Jin-gu grinned, revealing his teeth. Jun-hoo nodded instead of answering.

Suddenly, all the strength drained from his body.

“Ha…… I really can’t beat you, Chief.”

Chun Seok-young shook his head as if he was fed up.

* * *

The next day, in the morning.

Kim Han-sang was stomping through the neurosurgery ward.

“Hello, Associate Professor.”

“Hello.”

Some of the nurses who recognized him greeted him, but he ignored them all.

Kim Han-sang wasn’t hearing anything right now.

Damn it!

Why does things keep turning out this way?

Is the sky only on Seo Jun-hoo’s side?

Kim Han-sang bit his lip with an angry face.

The epilepsy clinic, which he thought would fail miserably, unexpectedly became a hit.

Jun-hoo goes without saying.

Even Chun Seok-young and Jeong Min-jae managed to master robotic surgery in just two months.

They had successfully completed the showcase surgery in front of the Vice Director and the Hospital Director.

As a result, Kim Han-sang’s position became even narrower.

Jun-hoo was successful in everything he did, while Kim Han-sang remained in the same place.

At this rate…….

Even the professors under him might be completely snatched away by Jun-hoo.

“……!”

The moment he opened the conference room door.

Kim Han-sang received the biggest shock he had had in recent times.

Jun-hoo had arrived at the conference room first, with Choi Jin-gu and Chun Seok-young on either side of him.

Like a left blue dragon and a right white tiger [auspicious symbols representing powerful protectors].

The image clearly conveyed what was happening.

Kim Han-sang supported the back of his neck with one hand as his blood pressure rose.

It was no joke, he almost staggered and fell.

“Associate Professor, what’s going on? Professor Chun and Professor Choi are next to the Chief.”

“Do you know anything about this?”

“This is an emergency. At this rate, the department will become Chief Seo’s kingdom.”

The professors who followed him, sitting in their usual seats, bickered like children.

It was as if Kim Han-sang’s one-two punch had been completely taken over by Jun-hoo.

“Everyone calm down. There must be some misunderstanding.”

Kim Han-sang said, trying to hide the bubbling anger inside.

It was right after the conference and morning rounds.

Kim Han-sang called the two of them separately.

“Let’s talk for a bit at the cafe. I’m quite taken aback by the current situation.”

“Why are you acting like someone who’s about to eat salted shrimp in a Buddhist temple? [a situation that is completely out of place or inappropriate]”

Choi Jin-gu scoffed.

Choi Jin-gu was no longer the Choi Jin-gu that Kim Han-sang knew.

On the other hand, Chun Seok-young couldn’t bring himself to meet Kim Han-sang’s eyes, as if he felt guilty.

“Beeeep.”

Choi Jin-gu made a machine sound with his mouth, pretending to bring his arm to Kim Han-sang.

What kind of bizarre act was this?

“Did you hear that just now?”

“What sound?”

“The sound of the two of us switching to Chief Seo. Hehehe.”

Choi Jin-gu exploded with his unique taunting and left, dragging Chun Seok-young with him.

That…… bastard who deserves to be torn to pieces!

The smooth talk that was so refreshing when he was on the same side became a terrifying thorn when he turned into an enemy.