A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 168

Chapter 31: Progress (3)

Before discussing the patient’s condition, Jun-hoo started by providing some background on the patient himself.

After hearing the story, Jae-hyun stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“So, the patient was a famous pianist. Quite famous, judging by the name. Even I recognize it.”

“I only found out after searching online.”

“That’s understandable. Everyone has different interests. But your chief must be giving you the evil eye right now.”

“Exactly! He’s ready to tear me apart if the surgery goes wrong, saying I’ll ruin the department’s reputation.”

Jun-hoo shuddered as he replied.

The chief’s narrow, snake-like eyes.
The chief’s narrow, snake-like eyes.
The chief’s narrow, snake-like eyes.
His uniquely irritating tone suddenly came to mind.

“By the way, Professor, do you know our chief well?”

“Of course. Everyone in the academic world knows he’s narrow-minded.”

“So, our chief isn’t famous, but infamous.”

“Well, something like that.”

“Let me show you my phone.”

Jun-hoo readily handed his phone to Jae-hyun.

Myung-han’s chart was already displayed on the screen.

These days, you could check a patient’s medical records and PACS [Picture Archiving and Communication System – a medical imaging technology] on your phone.

The times had certainly improved.

But this convenience wasn’t necessarily a blessing.

With the hospital’s computer system connected to phones, doctors could never truly rest.

“Alright, let’s take a look.”

Jae-hyun took the phone from Jun-hoo and began to examine the chart.

How would Jae-hyun diagnose Myung-han?

What treatment plan would he devise?

Jun-hoo was very curious about his mentor’s judgment.

About five minutes passed.

After reviewing various charts and MRIs, Jae-hyun handed the phone back to Jun-hoo.

Jae-hyun’s expression wasn’t very bright.

“This is a tough case. You’re going to have a lot of trouble.”

“Yes. It’s a case that wasn’t even in the materials you gave me, Professor. That’s why I was even more curious about your opinion.”

“My opinion…”

Jae-hyun hesitated before continuing.

“It’s better not to hear it.”

“Why? I want to hear it.”

Jun-hoo asked back, a little flustered.

Jae-hyun’s opinion would surely serve as a lighthouse in the vast ocean.

The mentor’s refusal felt unfamiliar and unexpected to Jun-hoo.

“You should follow the lead surgeon, Professor Dong-hoon’s, intentions, not mine.”

“Isn’t it okay just to know your method?”

“It’s much better not to know. It could create preconceived notions about the surgery.”

“…….”

“Above all, this surgery is an awake surgery. Nothing can be confirmed until we try the nerve stimulation.”

“If that’s your wish, I won’t ask further.”

“You’re giving up more easily than I expected. You seem a bit subdued today.”

“I believe there’s a good reason why you’re not telling me your thoughts, Professor. I don’t know it well yet, but I trust that reason.”

Jun-hoo replied calmly.

He didn’t resent Jae-hyun, nor did he feel disappointed.

Perhaps it was because he had experienced the world of martial arts.

Jun-hoo believed that the most important thing in a master-disciple relationship was trust.

Once you have a master, you should trust and follow them to the end.

The moment you doubt your master.

The trust is broken, and the teachings become unreliable.

“It’s a bit of a relief to hear you say that. With that attitude, you’ll soon realize why I acted this way.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Jae-hyun’s face.

Jae-hyun’s gaze towards Jun-hoo became even softer.

Thanks to that, Jun-hoo knew he had given the right answer.

“It’s a very difficult case… but if Professor Dong-hoon and you work together, you’ll be able to overcome it.”

“Yes, Professor. I’ll do my best.”

“Let’s change the subject. I’m curious about what you felt while observing today’s surgery.”

“Your ears might sting a little.”

With a bit of cheekiness, Jun-hoo began his explanation.

Jun-hoo meticulously reported the pre- and post-operative processes.

As if reciting a surgical record.

Jun-hoo had memorized Jae-hyun’s surgery by breaking it down into individual techniques.

To exaggerate a bit, even if he went to the operating room right now, Jun-hoo was confident he could almost 100 percent replicate Jae-hyun’s surgery.

After explaining the surgery.

Jun-hoo also shared his plans on how to apply what he had learned today to Myung-han’s surgery.

“Excellent. Nothing to add or subtract.”

“I’ve always been good at math.”

“Oh, you. Have you read the brain tumor compendium a lot?”

“I’ve read it all and am on my fourth review.”

It had already been six months since Jun-hoo received the brain tumor secrets from Jae-hyun.

Jun-hoo devoured the secrets whenever he had time, or rather, by creating time.

If the data were a book instead of a document file, the cover and pages would already be tattered.

“I was expecting it to take at least two years, but you’ve already finished it.”

Jae-hyun exclaimed, his mouth wide open.

The collection of materials that Jae-hyun gave to Jun-hoo was vast. It was a compression of over 300 papers.

And that’s not all.

The papers also contained various secrets that Jae-hyun had learned after long practical experience.

He was going to praise him if he had read about half of it, but he was already on his fourth review….

It was Jun-hoo’s learning ability that could only make him shake his head.

“If you don’t believe me, you can test me right here.”

“No, there’s no need to do that.”

“Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable confirming it?”

“I believe in you as much as you believe in me.”

The intersecting gazes of the two men were intense.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, they deeply trusted each other.

The real recognizes the real.

“Then I should send you some new materials soon. What field do you want to study after brain tumors?”

At Jae-hyun’s question, Jun-hoo answered as if he had been waiting for it.

“The field I want to conquer next is…”

* * *

After finishing the interview with Jun-hoo, Jae-hyun left the research building.

The season was autumn.

The sky was high and blue.

The breeze that brushed against his skin was refreshing and fresh.

The trees planted for the hospital’s landscaping had already changed into yellow and red.

Leaves often caught on his feet as he walked.

If you convert a human’s age into seasons.

Jae-hyun would be in the early autumn of his life.

The spring and summer were his younger days.

The medical skills to which he devoted his body and mind had matured and reached their peak.

But Jae-hyun wasn’t afraid of the coming winter.

Because his reliable disciple, Jun-hoo, would take care of the coming winter.

Jun-hoo, who had been unusual from their first meeting, had shown the miracle of mastering brain tumor data in just six months.

Although he didn’t test him directly.

Jae-hyun could tell.

He caught a glimpse of the confidence and dignity unique to those who had achieved their goals from Jun-hoo.

Just keep growing like this.

So quickly take over my position.

So that I can fix the Korean medical system that keeps repeating the same tragedy.

As he became known as a master.

As he saw more patients.

Jae-hyun felt the absurdity of the medical system acutely.

He concluded that there was no solution by just treating patients.

If Jun-hoo helped, Jae-hyun could achieve his great work much faster.

Jae-hyun entered the main building and went to the 4th floor where the operating room was located.

He walked across the hallway.

“Chief. You’re here early again today.”

At the familiar voice, he turned his head.

Dong-soo, a 4th year and chief resident, was running towards Jae-hyun.

“Yes, Dong-soo. Did you get enough rest?”

“I couldn’t rest well, because of the residency exam preparation.”

Dong-soo stood next to Jae-hyun and smiled awkwardly. Dong-soo had the residency exam this winter.

“The pass rate is over 90 percent. Can’t you take it easy?”

“I haven’t been able to study much.”

“I guess you’ve been through a lot, taking care of the department and assisting my surgeries.”

“It’s an honor to assist you, Chief. But Chief.”

Dong-soo hesitated before continuing.

“Who was the friend in the operating room for observation? Is he a resident from another hospital?”

“You saw him.”

“I’m curious why you allowed a resident from another hospital to observe.”

“Just know that there’s a connection.”

Jae-hyun answered vaguely.

He didn’t want to reveal that Jun-hoo was his disciple.

Just because he was his disciple.

Jun-hoo could unintentionally become an enemy with someone in the academic world.

Because….

Jae-hyun had many enemies.

The world people live in was nothing but murky.

If you pursue justice, your sincerity is questioned, and if you are skilled, you are envied and jealous.

Those who hated Jae-hyun were still flashing their eyes, looking for opportunities to cut down Jae-hyun’s reputation and bring down his honor.

“I see. Still, if he caught the professor’s eye, he must be quite skilled.”

“Yes. I have high expectations.”

“Is he better than me?”

Dong-soo asked directly.

Dong-soo was skilled and had a strong desire to win. But there was a deficiency in the most important virtue for a surgeon.

“Well. I don’t know. Because he’s from another university.”

“Don’t you have a feeling?”

“It seems like my feeling has gone out today?”

“It seems like that friend is not easy to deal with, since you’re not taking my side.”

Dong-soo showed a hint of disappointment.

It was understandable.

Dong-soo had been following Jae-hyun since his first year, claiming to be his disciple.

“Anyway, Dong-soo.”

“Yes. Chief.”

“What’s my surgery schedule for tomorrow morning?”

“As I recall, there’s one at 10 o’clock.”

“Then let’s move it up to 8 o’clock.”

“Wouldn’t that be too early? It’s almost right after the morning rounds.”

“It’s okay. That’s fine.”

Jae-hyun urgently changed the surgery schedule.

To observe the awake surgery at Shinwon University the day after tomorrow.

* * *

After parting with Jae-hyun.

Jun-hoo was sitting on a bench in the outdoor area of Shinwon University Hospital.

Numerous patients, guardians, and hospital staff passed by Jun-hoo.

Even an ambulance with sirens blaring passed by.

In the midst of the busy people.

Jun-hoo was reviewing this morning.

The mentor’s awake surgery that he had directly observed.

The conversations he had with his mentor after observing the awake surgery.

Looking back, he had gained a lot in less than half a day.

Myung-han’s surgery is the day after tomorrow.

I think I’ve prepared almost everything I can.

Except for one thing.

Jun-hoo held his phone in his hand and changed it to selfie mode.

Looking at his face on the phone screen, he unfolded his True Sight.

The internal energy drawn from his dantian [a center of spiritual power in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine] was concentrated in his eyes.

The concentrated internal energy made his eyes hot.

It felt like his eyes were on fire.

Rest assured.

No one can harm you.

Your mind will be as calm as a lake.

As he emitted his righteous thoughts along with his internal energy, his eyes briefly turned blue.

But the duration wasn’t very long.

Even the desperate righteous thoughts didn’t touch his heart.

Instead of feeling at ease, he only felt annoyed.

If he could only complete True Sight.

He could calm the patient even if they panicked during surgery.

He could also prevent the side effects that occur while using tranquilizers.

Jun-hoo shook off his disappointment and got up from the bench.

It was noon when the sun was at the top of the sky. It was time to start the next schedule.

Beeeeeep.

The phone rang just in time.

Checking it, he saw that Ah-young had sent a message.

[Jun-hoo, we’ve left. Let’s meet there later.]