A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 145

The Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts Episode 145

Chapter 26: Frontal Breakthrough (5)

The reason for visiting the Korean medicine clinic was simple: to replenish my Inner Force.

Even with consistently taking red ginseng and practicing meditative breathing, my Inner Force was woefully insufficient.

Since becoming a resident, the frequency and amount of Inner Force I used had rapidly increased. There was the Inner Force Tumor Angiography, and especially recently, I was training in the ambitious surgical method of removing brain tumors with the Mind Sword.

Perhaps that was why Jun-hoo frequently felt the absence and depletion of his Inner Force.

The Concentration Enhancing Tonic I took in high school was amazing. Let’s rely on it one more time, he thought.

Jun-hoo entered the building and got on the elevator. He entered the Saero Korean Medicine Clinic, which occupied half of the 7th floor.

As expected of a Korean medicine clinic, the fragrant scent of medicinal herbs brushed the tip of his nose from the moment he entered.

In front of the entrance was a neat and sophisticated reception desk, and about 14 patients were sitting on chairs, waiting for their turn.

“Hello. It’s been a long time.”

The staff at the reception desk recognized Jun-hoo and greeted him.

“Yes, hello. But you remember me? It must have been almost 10 years ago….”

“Your appearance was so striking from the first time we met. I heard you became a neurosurgeon. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Jun-hoo nodded. He had been sending text messages to Yong-jin twice a year for every holiday, and it seemed that the content had been passed on to the staff.

“You’ve grown up so wonderfully. Your appointment is at 11, so could you wait a moment?”

“Okay.”

Jun-hoo sat down on a chair and waited his turn. Having experienced pharmacies and clinics in the Murim [martial arts world], Jun-hoo was familiar with Korean medicine clinics. He didn’t have any aversion to them because the doctors were kind and empathetic to patients.

He seemed to have heard somewhere that Korean medicine clinics were becoming popular these days. The Saero Korean Medicine Clinic seemed to be in the same vein. There were a lot of patients waiting.

Korean medicine, huh… Jun-hoo stroked his chin quietly. He was the type to do anything to treat patients. Then, what if I learned Korean medicine and used it to assist with surgical operations?

When managing patients before and after surgery, acupuncture and moxibustion [a traditional Chinese medicine therapy using burning mugwort herb], among other things, could be expected to have good effects.

“Mr. Jun-hoo, please go into the director’s office.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

Leaving Korean medicine open only as a possibility, Jun-hoo entered the director’s office.

The director, Yong-jin, sitting in the chair, didn’t look much different from 10 years ago. It was hard to feel the difference between the face in his memory and the face he was seeing now.

“It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve seen your face, right? Nice to see you.”

“I’m sorry, Doctor. I should have visited you sooner….”

“It’s okay. How busy must you have been studying medicine and working as a doctor? Sit there.”

“Yes.”

“I’m still alive thanks to the CPR you gave me. Seeing you reminds me of that time again.”

Yong-jin said with eyes filled with reminiscence. Five minutes were quickly spent with small talk.

Jun-hoo got straight to the point. “Doctor, do you happen to have a tonic that’s more effective than the Concentration Enhancing Tonic you gave me before?”

“Of course, I do. It’s not a tonic, but a pill.”

“What’s the name and effect of the pill?”

“It’s called Cheonsan Pill, and it’s the best tonic in our clinic.”

Jun-hoo was delighted to hear that there was a pill with better performance than the Concentration Enhancing Tonic. It was worth the effort to come all the way to Gangnam [a wealthy district in Seoul].

“Then I’d like to get a prescription for the Cheonsan Pill.”

“Prescribing it isn’t difficult, but… it’s quite expensive.”

“How much is it…?”

“It’s 100,000 won [approximately $80 USD] per pill.”

“I can afford that much. Please prescribe a month’s worth, and I’ll get a prescription every month starting today.”

Yong-jin blinked at Jun-hoo’s cool answer. 100,000 won per pill was inevitably a hefty sum of almost 3 million won [approximately $2400 USD] to take it for a month.

“Are you sure? It’ll be hard to afford with a resident’s salary, right?”

“I have additional income. I do NewTube [a fictional analogue to YouTube]. It’s doing pretty well.”

Jun-hoo smiled brightly. The income from NewTube was about 4 million won [approximately $3200 USD] per month. The resident’s salary was also about 4 million won after taxes. That’s not to say that the price of the pill wasn’t a burden, but it was manageable enough.

If I could treat patients with the Inner Force gained from the pill, it might even be a worthwhile investment.

“Still, I think you’re overdoing it too much. The amount of absorption varies from person to person.”

“….”

“You might be disappointed if you think it’s worth 100,000 won.”

“It’s okay. I trust your medicinal skills, Doctor.”

Jun-hoo said with a bright smile.

“Well… if you say that, I have nothing to say.”

“But Doctor, can I ask you a favor before getting the prescription?”

“What favor?”

“I’d like to try one Cheonsan Pill before buying a month’s worth.”

* * *

After Jun-hoo left the director’s office with a Cheonsan Pill, Yong-jin temporarily suspended his medical practice. He stood by the window and looked down at the cityscape.

Jun-hoo, the high school student who had performed CPR on him when he collapsed from an acute myocardial infarction, had come to the Korean medicine clinic after 10 years, and he had become a neurosurgery resident.

After meeting Jun-hoo in person, he felt the impermanence of time. It had already been 10 years. To Yong-jin, the past 10 years felt like only 10 hours. Time was passing by like an arrow as he got older.

Anyway, the atmosphere has changed a lot. He feels more intelligent and open-minded. Has he definitely become an adult?

Yong-jin recalled the moment he had a conversation with Jun-hoo a little while ago. Yong-jin, who was good at reading people, was able to quickly notice Jun-hoo’s change thanks to that, because physiognomy, atmosphere, and attitude tend to be revealed subtly.

If he continues to grow like this, Jun-hoo seemed like he would become an excellent surgeon.

After finishing his thoughts, Yong-jin returned to his seat and pressed the call bell on his desk.

“Yes, Doctor. Shall we resume treatment?”

Jung-hwa came into the director’s office and asked.

“Before that, how many Cheonsan Pills do we have?”

“If it’s Cheonsan Pills… we have about 90 pills.”

“Then prescribe a month’s worth to Jun-hoo.”

“Did Mr. Jun-hoo say he would buy the Cheonsan Pills? I don’t think there’s a need for that….”

Jung-hwa also seemed to have a similar opinion to Yong-jin. Why bother? …was the reaction.

The Cheonsan Pill was a pill sought after by the elderly who were weak and wealthy. It wasn’t a pill suitable for young people.

“There’s no other way since he said he absolutely needs to get a prescription.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to dissuade him? It’s incredibly expensive.”

“He didn’t have the look in his eyes to listen to dissuasion.”

Yong-jin chuckled and continued. It was a story about the prescription and the price.

“You’re amazing, Doctor. There’s no need to take the hit.”

“If you’re going to repay a favor, you have to repay it properly. Please handle it well as I just said.”

“Yes, Doctor.”

After Jung-hwa left, Yong-jin started treatment again.

I don’t know why he’s so obsessed with the Cheonsan Pill, but there must be a deep meaning, he thought, because you’re a righteous and brave kid. Try to do well in everything. Be sure to get what you want.

Yong-jin blessed Jun-hoo’s future in his heart.

* * *

Saero Korean Medicine Clinic treatment room. Jun-hoo was sitting cross-legged on a moxibustion bed. Curtains were drawn around the bed, so Jun-hoo could not be seen from the outside.

Twenty minutes after taking the Cheonsan Pill and practicing meditative breathing, Jun-hoo was feeling its extraordinary effects with his whole body. Although it couldn’t be compared to the elixirs of the Murim, the Cheonsan Pill wonderfully proved its value of more than 100,000 won.

The amount of True Qi [vital energy] flowing into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians [pathways for vital energy] was no joke. The mixed medicinal herbs were creating an explosive synergy. This was a special effect that could only be expected from herbal medicine because Western medicine is usually made up of a single ingredient.

This is about twice as good as the Concentration Enhancing Tonic. As expected, the doctor’s tonic is extraordinary.

Jun-hoo opened his eyes and released his cross-legged position. After absorbing all the True Qi of the Cheonsan Pill with the Clear Breeze Mind Method, his lower abdomen felt heavy. If he continued to take the Cheonsan Pill steadily, the days of suffering from a lack of Inner Force would be reduced.

Jun-hoo smiled contentedly as he thought of the treatments and tests he could do with Inner Force. With this, he became even stronger, and he was able to take care of more patients.

“Doctor, I’m here to get a prescription for the Cheonsan Pill.”

Jun-hoo, who was very satisfied with the Cheonsan Pill, went to the cashier and spoke to Jung-hwa.

“Yes, please give me your card. How many months would you like to do?”

“Please do it in full.”

“Yes, the calculation is complete.”

“Wait a minute. Did you calculate it wrong?”

Jun-hoo was surprised to receive the card and receipt after the calculation. The calculated amount was only 1.5 million won [approximately $1200 USD]. It was half price.

“It’s the correct amount. The director told me to give you a 50 percent discount.”

“I didn’t come here for this. Please cancel the payment you just made and pay 3 million won.”

“No. Then I can’t give you the Cheonsan Pill. The director told me very strictly.”

Jun-hoo was embarrassed by Jung-hwa’s firm words. He felt more comfortable buying it at the full price.

“Then please let me see the doctor.”

“That’s not allowed either. He’s in the middle of treatment.”

“Are you really going to do this?”

“Yes, I’m going to do this. If you don’t like it, go empty-handed.”

Jung-hwa said jokingly.

“The director said… Mr. Jun-hoo, please work hard and take good care of the patients as much as you take the Cheonsan Pill.”

“….”

“He said he’ll get the full price back if you neglect the patients. Can you keep your promise?”

“Yes. You don’t have to worry about that. Even if the sky falls apart.”

Jun-hoo answered without hesitation. From the beginning, he bought the Cheonsan Pill for the purpose of examination and treatment, not for his own nourishment.

“Take it. It’s the Cheonsan Pill.”

Jung-hwa handed over the package containing the Cheonsan Pill. Jun-hoo accepted it willingly. He knew that there was no use in arguing any further.

“I put the clinic’s business card and account number in the package, okay? Please deposit 1.5 million won there every month. Then I’ll send you the delivery when it’s about to run out.”

“Yes, Doctor. Thank you.”

“You should thank the director.”

“Still.”

Jun-hoo fiddled with the package and paused for a moment. He felt sorry for Yong-jin, and he was also grateful. He had only performed CPR 10 years ago. He had only done what he had to do. He had been indebted to him too much since then. It would be a lie to say that he wasn’t burdened by the current situation, but that’s it.

Jun-hoo thought that this was a virtuous cycle of help—giving help and receiving help, conversely, receiving help and giving help. The world is still worth living in because there is definitely a virtuous cycle of help. There is still warmth left in the world because there is definitely a virtuous cycle of help.

“Doctor.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“Please tell the director for me: Thank you for the warm consideration. I will repay you by becoming a great doctor.”

“I’ll definitely tell him, even if the sky falls apart.”

Jung-hwa followed what Jun-hoo had said earlier. The two burst into laughter at the same time.

Jun-hoo put the Cheonsan Pill in the backpack he was carrying on his back and left the Korean medicine clinic. He headed back to the subway to handle a much more important task than visiting the Korean medicine clinic.