A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 173

Chapter 32: Palette (3)

A small mountain, a 20-minute drive from the main family residence.

It was dawn, and the sky was still dark.

A solitary crescent moon watched over the night like a lighthouse.

Usually a popular spot for walkers, it was so early that not even a single soul was in sight.

Jun-hoo slowly made his way to an open space halfway up the mountain.

He took a familiar side path to a secluded clearing he’d frequented since high school.

Ssssh.

Whooo.

Jun-hoo inhaled the crisp dawn air deeply, then exhaled slowly. He began his martial arts training at the crack of dawn.

It was the Azure Dragon Fist Technique, passed down through generations in the Seo Clan.

The fist that pierced the air was fierce.

The kick that soared into the sky was powerful.

The body movements were as fluid as water, yet the attack and defense postures were precise.

The Azure Dragon Fist Technique possessed both strength and flexibility.

It was a well-rounded fist technique, exhibiting the beauty of both straight lines and curves.

After nearly an hour of practice, Jun-hoo finally paused to rest.

He breathed heavily.

He felt refreshed after working up a sweat and moving his body to his heart’s content.

It was difficult to find time for martial arts training in the hospital, and there was no suitable place to practice.

Sitting on a bench, Jun-hoo gazed up at the moon.

A-yeong’s face seemed to float over the crescent moon.

The previous evening, he had finally confessed to A-yeong.

It was an impulsive, intuitive decision, but he didn’t regret it.

Before being a doctor, Jun-hoo was also a man.

He wanted to love and be loved.

Rather than suppressing that fundamental instinct, he now wanted to embrace it.

*Let’s take care of both medicine and love.*

*I can do it.*

Jun-hoo encouraged himself.

Ms. Cheon’s case had been enough to make him shed tears of blood [a Korean idiom for extreme effort or regret].

He couldn’t inflict the same pain on A-yeong.

With the moonlight as his companion, Jun-hoo returned home.

He entered his room and sat cross-legged.

He took Cheonsan Pills [likely a fictional or obscure herbal supplement] and focused on regulating his breathing.

The internal energy accumulating within him, like grain in a barn, filled Jun-hoo with satisfaction.

Though not as abundant as in the Murim world [a world of martial arts fantasy, often used in Korean novels].

Jun-hoo possessed a considerable amount of internal energy.

About 0.3 *Gapja* [a unit of internal energy in martial arts contexts].

To wield 0.3 *Gapja* of internal energy in the modern world meant that Jun-hoo was essentially the strongest weapon on earth.

After finishing his breathing exercises, Jun-hoo sat at his desk.

He stared intently at the desk mirror.

The internal energy drawn from his *dantian* [energy center in the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine] gathered in his eyes. Both eyes faintly glowed with a blue light, like a tranquil lake.

Jun-hoo had begun practicing the Righteous Eye.

In the game, the Righteous Eye was a debuff removal skill [a skill that removes negative status effects].

It was a skill designed to manage the mental state of colleagues and patients.

Because Jun-hoo could channel his Righteous Thought into internal energy to calm their minds.

*Why do you need such an ability?*

Some might ask.

It was a valid question, but…

It also revealed a limited perspective.

Surgery wasn’t a solitary endeavor.

The role of colleagues was crucial.

If colleagues felt anxiety, nervousness, or tension, those emotions would inevitably affect the surgery or assistance.

And the incidents and accidents stemming from that could have a fatal impact on the patient’s recovery.

Jun-hoo wanted to prevent such occurrences in advance.

*It’s not easy.*

*Is it because it’s a martial art I don’t usually practice?*

After practicing the Righteous Eye for about 30 minutes,

Jun-hoo quietly closed his eyes.

Was it because he had used too much internal energy?

His eyes felt hot, as if a fire had ignited within them. They felt as dry as a desert.

Jun-hoo suddenly recalled his conversation with Kang Baek-tong, the hermit who had taught him the Righteous Eye.

“I don’t think you’re cut out for it. You don’t have the aptitude to master the Righteous Eye.”

“What am I lacking?”

Jun-hoo asked, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Jun-hoo had never heard Kang Baek-tong say that he lacked aptitude or talent.

He didn’t show it, but his pride was wounded.

“Don’t you think it’s a problem that you don’t know what you’re lacking?”

“Isn’t it the master’s role to enlighten the disciple’s shortcomings?”

“Hahaha. Are you blaming me now?”

Kang Baek-tong stroked his beard and peered at Jun-hoo with narrowed eyes.

“I’m not blaming you; I’m asking for the reason. My dull head can’t solve the problem on its own.”

“The Righteous Eye is different from ordinary martial arts. Some people can master it in a day.”

“A day?”

Jun-hoo asked in astonishment.

He wondered if there could be a martial art in the world that could be mastered in just one day.

“Of course. I learned it in half a day.”

“Then please tell me the secret to learning it in half a day. I must become stronger. That’s the only way I can avenge my enemy, Jeok Il-do.”

“Your eyes are full of fire. Calm your mind. You can’t maintain your center with a wavering mind.”

Kang Baek-tong’s eyes glowed with a blue light as he looked at Jun-hoo.

The moment Jun-hoo met Kang Baek-tong’s blue eyes,

Jun-hoo had an amazing experience.

The fierce murderous intent he harbored towards Jeok Il-do vanished as if it were a lie.

This seemed to be the power of the Righteous Eye.

He never imagined that it could melt away even the animosity towards his enemy.

“You are amazing, Master.”

“Ahem. I’m not happy to hear the obvious.”

“But you’re smiling brightly right now…”

“Am I? Your eyes must be mistaken.”

Kang Baek-tong cleared his throat and continued.

“Since you’re pleading so much, I’ll give you a small clue. When I see it, you’re not honest.”

“I want to become stronger and take revenge. Is there anything more honest than that?”

“I’m not talking about that kind of honesty. You may be honest with your desires, but you’re not honest with your emotions.”

“…”

“The Righteous Thought that you must put into the Righteous Eye is not just the *right* thought. It must be a thought that contains your true feelings.”

“…”

“What do you think I was thinking when I calmed you down just now?”

“You wanted me to correct my delusions and regain peace of mind.”

Jun-hoo gave a textbook answer, but Kang Baek-tong’s expression remained displeased.

Instead of answering, he simply shook his head.

“Tsk tsk tsk. Let’s give up on practicing the Righteous Eye.”

That was the end of the conversation that day.

Jun-hoo hadn’t practiced the Righteous Eye since.

After finishing his reminiscence, Jun-hoo stared intently at himself in the mirror.

He still didn’t know what he was lacking.

* * *

5 a.m.

It was a very early hour, but Jun-hoo was having breakfast with his parents at the table.

It was because Jun-hoo had to leave for work early.

And his father also left for work early for his 택배 [delivery service] job.

The home-cooked meal he tasted after a long time was delicious.

There were four side dishes, and the spicy kimchi stew with plenty of pork made him constantly reach for his rice bowl.

Unlike his rushed meals at the hospital,

Jun-hoo emptied two and a half bowls of rice that morning.

“Jun-hoo, eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion.”

“I can’t stop.”

His mother spoke with a worried expression, and Jun-hoo smiled awkwardly and put down his spoon.

“The hospital food must be really bad, seeing you eat so ravenously.”

“The hospital food is bad, but it’s also because my mother’s cooking skills are so good.”

“Our son knows how to say pretty things.”

A smile bloomed on his mother’s face at Jun-hoo’s smooth talk.

“Are you two feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. I take my 영양제 [nutritional supplements/vitamins] regularly and get regular checkups.”

“Dad doesn’t have any pain either.”

It didn’t seem like they were just saying that to reassure Jun-hoo.

Only then did Jun-hoo feel relieved.

While working as an intern and resident, Jun-hoo had inevitably neglected his family.

He was at the hospital all day.

And even on his days off, he couldn’t come home if he had plans.

Of course, he called his parents at least once a week, but that wasn’t enough.

“Oh, right. I decided to date A-yeong. Since yesterday.”

“Really? That’s great! I’m relieved if it’s A-yeong.”

“Hehe. Now our son will be able to do his duty as a man [a Korean expression implying fulfilling responsibilities in life].”

His mother and father congratulated Jun-hoo on his relationship.

Jun-hoo had occasionally talked about A-yeong, and A-yeong had also visited the house, so his parents knew her.

In particular, his mother liked A-yeong.

So she often said she wanted A-yeong as her daughter-in-law.

“Now that it’s like this, date for a while and get married quickly.”

“Are you already talking about marriage?”

Jun-hoo asked with wide eyes.

“You’ve known each other for seven years, so there’s no need to test each other, right? If you think she’s the one, it’s best to get married quickly.”

“Hey, Jun-hoo will get indigestion because he’s burdened. You’re already counting your chickens before they hatch…”

“Do you even have the right to say that?”

His mother glared at his father. At that fierce look, his father, who was drinking soup, coughed.

There seemed to be something between his parents that Jun-hoo didn’t know.

It would be good to hear about it later when he had time.

Amidst his parents’ affectionate bickering,

The harmonious breakfast ended.

Jun-hoo washed up, said goodbye to his parents, and left the apartment complex.

* * *

The season was autumn.

Specifically, it was early September. The morning breeze was quite cool.

Jun-hoo, on his way to work, was carrying a backpack, unlike usual.

Inside the backpack was the ultimate strategy for pianist Myung-han’s awakening surgery.

Come to think of it, the awakening surgery was fast approaching—tomorrow.

Jun-hoo felt quite burdened by this surgery.

Because it was a surgery that the chief was paying close attention to.

The chief would not tolerate failure, regardless of the surgery’s difficulty.

The chief was originally that kind of person.

*I hope there will be results, considering how hard I’ve prepared…*

Jun-hoo, arriving at the downtown area near the subway station, found a nearby bakery.

After buying bread, he lingered in front of Exit 1.

About 10 minutes passed.

Jun-hoo waved his hand after spotting A-yeong approaching.

Was it because their relationship had evolved from friends to lovers in just one day?

Jun-hoo felt somewhat embarrassed to face A-yeong directly.

Jun-hoo felt a tingling sensation on his skin.

“Good morning.”

“Yeah. Good morning to you too, Jun-hoo. You’re early again today?”

“Well, it’s a habit. Take this.”

Jun-hoo handed A-yeong the bag of bread.

Since high school, A-yeong had been a bread lover. She usually had bread for breakfast.

“Wow. Good service?”

“Is this all? I have so much more to do for you in the future.”

“It still feels like a dream. You and you…”

A-yeong couldn’t finish her sentence, feeling shy. Her cheeks were already flushed like ripe peaches.

“Oh, right. A-yeong, shall we take a picture?”

“Why suddenly a picture?”

“If you start dating, you have to show that you’ve started dating. Come this way.”

Jun-hoo stood affectionately with A-yeong and took a selfie with his cell phone.

And he uploaded the photo as his messenger profile picture.

A-yeong, watching the process, was quite surprised.

“Is it okay to do this?”

“What?”

“If you reveal that you’re dating, you might hear bad things from people around you. They might pick on you, saying that a resident has time to date.”

“There’s no one in our ward who can say that to me.”

Jun-hoo shook his head and conveyed his sincerity.

Now that he had started dating, he wanted to be confident in front of others.

He didn’t want to hide A-yeong.

“You’re surprisingly bold? I thought you’d keep it hidden.”

“Why? Do you hate it? Should I not do it if it’s burdensome?”

“No? That’s why I like it even more.”

A-yeong smiled.

A-yeong also set the photo she took with Jun-hoo as her messenger profile.

While chatting with A-yeong, Jun-hoo headed to the subway station.

Jun-hoo couldn’t help but adore A-yeong, who was talking while munching on bread.

Confessing yesterday was indeed a very good decision.

“I’ll contact you later. Have a good day today.”

“Me too. I love you.”

“Ew… cheesy.”

After parting with A-yeong, who shuddered at Jun-hoo’s love confession,

Jun-hoo visited the neurosurgery ward.

It had only been a day off,

But the ward felt strangely unfamiliar.

The nurses’ station where the nurses were working.

The wards lined up along the hallway.

The patients and guardians who were barely visible, etc.

After changing in the on-call room, Jun-hoo moved to the doctor’s office.

For some reason, Kyung-soo, Min-kyung (in her second year), and Si-ho (in her third year), who were on duty, were all in one place.

The three people’s eyes shone strangely as they looked at Jun-hoo.

“What? Seo Jun-hoo, did you start dating? What’s with ‘Day 1’ today? How cheesy?”

“If it’s A-yeong, I’ll accept it. But honestly, A-yeong is too good for you. Jun-hoo is a zero as a dating partner.”

While Kyung-soo and Min-kyung were making a fuss,

Si-ho was silently looking down at her cell phone. She seemed to be staring at Jun-hoo’s messenger profile picture.

Soon, Si-ho raised her head and stared at Jun-hoo.

“Your girlfriend is pretty. You two look good together.”

Her tone was normal, but there was something eerie hidden in Si-ho’s eyes and mouth.

Jun-hoo somehow didn’t welcome Si-ho’s attention.