A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 316

61. A Gentleman’s Revenge (1)

Early the next morning.

Jun-hoo, who was on duty, sat cross-legged in a quiet corner of the on-call room.

Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing Jun-hoo in a soft glow as he practiced his Qi [vital energy] circulation.

Strangely, the doctor’s gown seemed to transform into a martial arts uniform, and Jun-hoo appeared like a divine being briefly visiting the mortal realm.

A sacred silence filled the on-call room.

How much time had passed?

Jun-hoo slowly opened his eyes.

He rose and sat at his desk, reviewing the ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ he had developed the previous day.

The Internal Energy Heart Technique, inspired by CPR, was proving remarkably effective.

Though only a day had passed, the initial results were promising.

Jun-hoo had performed the technique on five individuals.

Three were staff members, one was a patient in the ward, and the last was a critically ill patient in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Healthy individuals experienced the effects of the ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ almost immediately, feeling an overwhelming surge of energy.

The effects lasted approximately twelve hours.

It seemed administering the ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ to his colleagues around 9 a.m., when they were busiest, would be highly beneficial.

The ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ also demonstrated remarkable benefits for patients.

It proved effective not only for simple invigoration but also for treatment and pain relief.

For instance, a hypertensive patient’s blood pressure dropped significantly, and the skin at a surgical site regenerated at an accelerated rate.

These were surprising and welcome changes.

In the case of the critically ill patient, no immediate changes were apparent.

However, the lack of visible results didn’t diminish Jun-hoo’s confidence in the ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique.’

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Jun-hoo tapped the desk with his index finger.

The universe-themed monitor wallpaper reflected a faint image of Jun-hoo’s face.

Subtle lines creased Jun-hoo’s forehead in the reflection.

Casting speed.

Fast effect.

Most importantly, it didn’t reveal his Murim [martial arts world] origins to his colleagues and patients.

The ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ was undoubtedly a groundbreaking treatment aid, but its limitations were also apparent.

It relied entirely on Jun-hoo’s internal energy.

And Jun-hoo’s internal energy was finite.

There was a limit to how many times he could use it.

Currently, he could use it a maximum of six times a day.

There were fifteen members of the medical staff.

Combined with the ICU and ward patients, there were one hundred and thirty people.

Considering this, the number of ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ uses was woefully inadequate.

It was like trying to saturate parched land with just two liters of water.

This couldn’t be solved even by consuming a ten-thousand-year-old wild ginseng.

I need to transcend my current realm.

I need to advance from the Harmonious realm to the Profound realm.

Ordinary Murim practitioners store internal energy in their dantian [energy center].

But masters of the Profound realm accumulate their dantian throughout their entire body.

Therefore, only upon reaching the Profound realm would Jun-hoo be able to use the ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ freely.

Jun-hoo sighed, realizing the path ahead was long and arduous.

Can I reach a realm in the modern world that I couldn’t even reach in the Murim world?

It was daunting, but he couldn’t afford to give up.

-Jun-hoo, humans must constantly strive forward. If you rest because you are tired, that spot will soon become your grave.

-…….

-Do you know how a single drop of water born at the foot of a mountain becomes the sea?

-I’m not sure.

-The method is difficult, yet simple. It simply flows continuously until it becomes the sea.

Haunted by the frustrating feeling of being unable to reach the Profound realm, Jun-hoo had once sought guidance from the Murim Alliance Leader.

That was what the Murim Alliance Leader had told him then.

Looking back on it.

It was a profound statement, but…

It also felt like an unattainable ideal.

“Become the sea…”

Jun-hoo muttered to himself as he heard footsteps approaching in the hallway.

He could identify the person precisely by their quick pace and the slight drag of one foot.

“Is that Dae-hwi?”

Jun-hoo spoke before the door opened.

Only after hearing Jun-hoo’s voice did Dae-hwi enter the on-call room.

“Are you a shaman? How did you know I was coming?”

“Let’s just say I have my ways. How’s your body feeling?”

“I was so restless I couldn’t sleep. Lying down was even more painful.”

Dae-hwi said with a sly grin, sitting beside Jun-hoo.

Of course.

Jun-hoo had used the ‘Internal Energy Heart Technique’ on Dae-hwi, who had collapsed from overwork the previous day.

The result was Dae-hwi, looking as refreshed as if he had been reborn.

Dae-hwi’s complexion had significantly improved.

His face had a healthy glow, and his eyes were full of energy.

It was hard to believe he was the same person who had collapsed from exhaustion.

“The back massage you gave me yesterday was incredibly effective. I mean, the Chief [referring to Jun-hoo].”

“Why the Chief all of a sudden?”

“The Chief is already up and studying. He’s usually the type who barely wakes up before the morning conference.”

“That’s good news.”

The corners of Jun-hoo’s lips turned upward.

Whether it was a colleague,

Whether it was a patient,

Whether it was a complete stranger,

Witnessing others regain their health was one of Jun-hoo’s greatest joys.

And the verb that resonated most deeply with Jun-hoo was ‘to protect.’

Jun-hoo wanted to protect people.

He didn’t want to lose them.

He hoped to avoid tearful farewells whenever possible.

“Ah, right. Dae-hwi, could I ask you for a favor?”

“Anything. I’ll even play dead if you ask me to.”

“Don’t overdo it so early in the morning. It’s nothing major, just keep Professor Hong occupied for a bit after the morning rounds.”

“Why Professor Hong?”

Dae-hwi blinked, puzzled.

“I have some business to take care of. It’ll only take about ten minutes.”

“Ugh… those ten minutes will feel like a hundred. But is today the day?”

Jun-hoo nodded instead of answering.

The troublesome relationship with Hoon-shik would end today.

The preparations were complete.

“Since he’s obsessed with golf, let’s give him a chance to play golf for the rest of his life.”

“I’m both worried and excited.”

“What’s the most useless thing in the world, remember?”

Dae-hwi chuckled at Jun-hoo’s question.

“Worrying about you, Sunbae [senior colleague].”

“Good, you remember. Let’s get rid of Professor Hong and bring back Seo-jin, who left. The Department of Neurosurgery in Daejeon will be at its peak from then on.”

* * *

During the morning conference, Hoon-shik kept glancing at Jun-hoo.

His gaze was unfriendly, stemming from the thesis assignment.

He had assigned it ten days prior, but Jun-hoo hadn’t submitted it by last night’s deadline.

He must have completely lost his mind.

How dare he ignore the request, no, the order, of a professor like him?

Every time his eyes landed on Jun-hoo,

A fiery anger surged from Hoon-shik’s stomach.

“Professor, I need to speak with you for a moment.”

After the morning rounds,

Just as he was about to pull Jun-hoo aside for a stern lecture,

Dae-hwi appeared and abruptly inquired about treatment and prescription plans for cervical and lumbar patients.

Hoon-shik answered dismissively.

Hoon-shik’s mind had been consumed by Jun-hoo, leaving him unable to focus on anything else.

“That’s enough. Stop bothering me and leave.”

“Professor, I’m really sorry… could I ask about one more patient?”

“Kim Dae-hwi. Are you trying to provoke me?”

Hoon-shik glared at Dae-hwi with a murderous expression.

But unlike usual, Dae-hwi stood his ground.

Did this guy eat something strange this morning?

“Please. The patient’s situation is truly pitiful.”

“What are you curious about?”

“I wanted to ask about the pain medication to prescribe to the patient today.”

“Ha… you held me back just to ask such nonsense? Just use what you used yesterday.”

“I was wondering if there was anything better.”

“No. If there was, I would have changed it already. You’re acting very strange today.”

“I’m sorry, Professor. I’ll be going then.”

“Huh?”

Hoon-shik made a dumbfounded sound, watching Dae-hwi hurry away.

Something felt off.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Dae-hwi had deliberately asked pointless questions.

Forcibly dismissing the unease, Hoon-shik asked Hyuk-jae, who happened to be passing by, about Jun-hoo’s location and headed to the conference room.

Jun-hoo was cleaning the conference room.

He was gathering the printed materials on the table.

“Seo Jun-hoo.”

Hoon-shik called Jun-hoo over with a beckoning finger. Jun-hoo stopped and stood before Hoon-shik.

“The thesis data, what was the deadline I gave you?”

“You told me to finish it by yesterday.”

“But you didn’t send an email yesterday? What were you thinking, defying me?”

Hoon-shik created a tense atmosphere.

To be honest, the data arrangement wasn’t urgent. There was about a month until the thesis submission deadline.

Hoon-shik was simply…

Trying to harass Jun-hoo, whom he resented for reporting his golfing during duty hours to the director.

“I’m sorry, Professor.”

Jun-hoo lowered his head like a sinner.

His voice was barely audible.

“You shouldn’t have given me a reason to be sorry in the first place. Can you submit the data by today?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You little punk, are you a parrot? Why have you been repeating the same thing?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh? Look at this guy.”

Hoon-shik tapped Jun-hoo’s shin with his shoe, losing his temper.

“You can’t send it even by today? What have you been doing all this time?”

“I wasn’t slacking off. I’ve been working so hard to organize your thesis during my breaks and on duty that my eyes are falling out.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You’ve been working so hard that your eyes are falling out, so why aren’t there any results?”

“That’s… I made a mistake early yesterday morning.”

Hoon-shik clicked his tongue at Jun-hoo’s explanation.

According to Jun-hoo,

He was working on the thesis file without saving it separately, and the file was lost when the computer system updated.

“Ha… you’re incredibly unlucky. What are the odds of the system updating yesterday?”

“Professor, do you understand my situation?”

“No? Don’t be ridiculous, you little punk.”

Hoon-shik repeatedly poked Jun-hoo’s chest, causing him pain.

“Don’t think I’m an idiot. You’re making excuses, using the computer system update as a cover?”

“…….”

“Are you even human? Don’t you know it’s basic practice to automatically save thesis data to the cloud every hour?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re so skilled at surgery assisting and patient care, so why is your thesis organization such a mess?”

The more he spoke, the more his anger escalated.

Hoon-shik’s face flushed red as if he were drunk.

His limbs trembled uncontrollably.

Hoon-shik was intoxicated by anger.

He lost his reason and became like a rabid dog.

“You, you little punk, I’ve suspected it all along. I knew this would happen from the moment you said you were smoothly organizing the thesis.”

“…….”

“Damn it. You’re on the Director’s side, aren’t you? My words mean nothing, right?”

“Absolutely not. Professor, you’re mistaken.”

Jun-hoo vehemently denied, waving his arms and shaking his head.

But his anger showed no signs of abating.

“What? A misunderstanding? You’re making excuses every time you open your mouth. You need a beating.”

Hoon-shik began hitting Jun-hoo randomly, his hands and feet acting on their own.

He felt like his body would explode if he continued listening to Jun-hoo’s nonsense.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Hoon-shik continued to assault Jun-hoo, who was helplessly beaten.

In the midst of this, a major incident occurred…

Slap!

A sharp slap echoed through the conference room.

Hoon-shik slapped Jun-hoo’s cheek with full force. Jun-hoo’s head snapped to the side.

Momentarily losing his balance, Jun-hoo struck his head on the sharp edge of the desk.

Thump!

Jun-hoo collapsed.

He lay motionless.

His eyes were unfocused, and his lips were agape.

“Get up. You bastard. You haven’t been punished enough yet.”

“…….”

“Get up…?”

Hoon-shik couldn’t finish the sentence.

As his anger subsided, he realized Jun-hoo’s condition was serious.

“Hey. Seo Jun-hoo! Seo Jun-hoo!”

Hoon-shik approached the fallen Jun-hoo and knelt.

He palpated Jun-hoo’s carotid artery.

Hoon-shik’s face turned pale.

Jun-hoo’s carotid artery was not pulsing.