A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 340

Chapter 65: A Foreign Land (5)

It was a day when the crescent moon gleamed sharply.

It happened on a wild mountain bordering the provinces of Sichuan and Shaanxi.

Jun-hoo, then the Azure Dragon Unit Leader of the Murim Alliance [a martial arts alliance], stood on the mountainside.

Whoosh.

The wind blowing from the opposite side made his long coat flutter, and his long hair, tied back, whipped around.

About twenty Azure Dragon Unit members stood opposite Jun-hoo.

The gazes of Jun-hoo and the Azure Dragon Unit members clashed intensely in the air.

As the wind died down, a suffocating silence fell.

“Everyone, step back. If you don’t move, I will hold you accountable for insubordination.”

Jun-hoo’s voice was cold, but his heart was hotter than ever.

Finally, he had found it!

The hideout of his father’s enemy, Jeok Il-do!

Perhaps that was why.

His sword had been whispering to him for a while now.

It wanted to soak itself in Jeok Il-do’s blood as soon as possible.

“Unit Leader, calm down and think rationally. Even a stray dog would know this is a trap. Doesn’t something seem strange?”

Deputy Unit Leader Hwangbo-cheol pleaded, or rather, spoke with a frustrated expression.

“The informant’s story is too detailed, which makes it even more suspicious. It’s strange that they accurately remember Jeok Il-do’s appearance. Isn’t it suspicious that we found Jeok Il-do’s hideout so easily in just a few days when he’s been hiding like a rat for the past ten years?”

“…….”

“Going in there now is like sticking your head into the mouth of a tiger.”

“He must be exhausted from hiding. That’s why he was caught. There’s no need to overthink it.”

Jun-hoo shook his head firmly.

Jun-hoo had been listening to Hwangbo-cheol’s advice with one ear and letting it out the other for a while now.

Perhaps the result would have been the same even if the Murim Alliance Leader had tried to persuade him.

At this time, Jun-hoo was blinded by revenge.

Have you ever seen your father’s chest pierced by the cold blade of an evil man?

Have you ever held your bleeding father and cried, begging him to live?

Have you ever faced the inescapable pain of that day in a terrible nightmare every night?

Without experiencing that, it was impossible to understand Jun-hoo.

“Then, at least, how about asking for help from the Murim Alliance’s Sichuan branch and waiting until they join us?”

“Nonsense. There’s no guarantee that Jeok Il-do will stay here until then. We can’t miss this opportunity given by the heavens.”

Jun-hoo’s voice was unyielding like bamboo.

Sensing his stubbornness, the Azure Dragon Unit members sighed deeply.

Some looked up at the mountain peak with resigned expressions.

“Hwangbo-cheol.”

Jun-hoo called the Deputy Unit Leader in a low voice.

“Yes, Unit Leader.”

“Jeok Il-do is a fugitive wanted by the Murim Alliance. Do you think it makes sense for a fugitive to set a trap for pursuers?”

“He’s a vicious and unpredictable guy. We have to consider various possibilities.”

“I don’t want to waste precious time arguing. Step aside.”

Jun-hoo issued his final warning.

But Hwangbo-cheol shook his head instead of answering. Hwangbo-cheol’s eyes, looking at Jun-hoo, seemed somehow pitiful and lonely.

Hwangbo-cheol was a martial artist from the Hwangbo Clan and was the same age as Jun-hoo.

When they were alone, they spoke to each other casually and often shared drinks while lamenting their lives.

In fact, Jun-hoo didn’t want to fight with Hwangbo-cheol either.

But he hated missing Jeok Il-do, who he had finally tracked down, even more.

“I can’t go. If you want to go further, you’ll have to cut me down and go.”

Hwangbo-cheol blocked Jun-hoo’s path with his arms wide open.

His shocking action caused the Azure Dragon Unit members to stir noisily. The moment the conflict between Jun-hoo and Hwangbo-cheol was heading towards a catastrophe.

Just then, an owl nearby cried mournfully.

“I’d rather die at your hands than at Jeok Il-do’s.”

“Step aside.”

“I can’t.”

When Jun-hoo turned to the right to avoid Hwangbo-cheol, Hwangbo-cheol followed him like a shadow.

Jun-hoo’s brow furrowed.

Wrinkles appeared on his forehead.

“Do you think you can stop me like this? Have you already forgotten the difference in our martial arts skills?”

“It’s just that this is the only way left. Jun-hoo, please, just this once, change your mind for my sake.”

Jun-hoo was startled by Hwangbo-cheol’s earnest voice.

This was the first time Hwangbo-cheol had spoken informally to Jun-hoo in front of the unit members.

In other words, Hwangbo-cheol’s request was….

Not as a Deputy Unit Leader, but as a friend.

Jun-hoo paused for a moment but pushed forward, brushing Hwangbo-cheol’s arm with his chest.

The Azure Dragon Unit members standing behind him also parted to the left and right, creating a path.

Thus, Jun-hoo headed towards the mountain peak alone.

Overcoming the harsh wind blowing from the opposite side.

* * *

‘I was foolish… I should have listened to his advice back then.’

Jun-hoo muttered bitterly to himself, withdrawing his gaze from the window.

To put it bluntly.

The information the informant gave him was indeed a trap.

The informant was colluding with Jeok Il-do, and Jeok Il-do was watching Jun-hoo and the Azure Dragon Unit members with malicious intent.

Although Jun-hoo said he would face Jeok Il-do alone, the Azure Dragon Unit members quickly followed Jun-hoo.

They couldn’t leave their Unit Leader, Jun-hoo, alone.

Of course, in return for that trust, they all lost their lives.

They were brutally murdered by the lurking Jeok Il-do and the demons he had raised.

Why did Jeok Il-do set a trap?

While fighting a life-or-death battle with Jeok Il-do, Jun-hoo was able to hear the hidden story.

-I see you’re still mistaken. You didn’t survive; you were spared thanks to me.

-What?

-I mean, I was watching you holding your father and crying pathetically that day.

-Why…?

-What a foolish question. Of course, it’s because it’s fun. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. If I kill you with my own hands, the one who comes to avenge his father in the distant future, what could be more thrilling than that? Hehehe.

So, Jeok Il-do had an ambitious plan to raise Jun-hoo and then devour him.

Although he fell for his own trick and ended up in a mutually destructive situation with Jun-hoo.

Looking back now, Jun-hoo’s judgment at that time was short-sighted and foolish.

He was devoured by the monster of revenge and made the mistake of losing the precious lives of his comrades.

And that mistake remained in Jun-hoo’s heart as an indelible scar.

The reason why Jun-hoo was able to become more level-headed in times of crisis was probably because of that scar.

It was because he didn’t want to leave any more scars on his heart.

While wallowing in painful memories, the plane had already arrived at Cleveland Airport.

The plane landed, and people began to gather their luggage and leave the plane.

Don’t hesitate, don’t give up, and move forward into the future.

That’s the only way to atone for them.

Leaving the painful memories on the plane, Jun-hoo headed towards the entrance gate, following the crowd.

“Dr. Seo, are you busy?”

A large man stood next to Jun-hoo and spoke to him.

The man was Richard, who had collapsed due to diabetic hypoglycemia [low blood sugar] and orthostatic hypotension [low blood pressure upon standing].

Jun-hoo had briefly introduced himself to Richard about an hour ago.

Richard had come to Jun-hoo’s seat to express his gratitude for the emergency treatment.

“I’m fine now.”

“Are you saying you won’t be fine later?”

“Someone is coming to pick me up.”

“That’s a bit disappointing. I wanted to treat you to a meal because I felt bad about just thanking you and letting you go.”

Richard’s voice contained a hint of regret.

“There’s no need to feel so burdened. It’s natural for a doctor to treat a patient.”

“How peaceful would the world be if only natural things happened?”

Richard chuckled and took out his wallet from his pants pocket.

He opened his wallet and handed Jun-hoo a business card that was inside.

Jun-hoo’s eyes widened as he checked the business card.

He thought he was good at writing based on his notebook, but he never imagined he would have such a job.

“Welcome to Cleveland, Dr. Seo.”

After exchanging contact information.

Richard gave him a warm welcome and moved away from Jun-hoo.

After completing the immigration process, retrieving his checked luggage, and going through customs, Jun-hoo headed straight for the arrival gate.

Whoosh.

The gate opened automatically.

* * *

Whoosh.

The airport’s automatic door slowly opened and closed. A tall, blonde woman was already standing next to Jun-hoo, who had come out of the automatic door.

“Have you ever been to the United States, Dr. Seo?”

“No. This is my first time. I’ve never even been on a plane to a foreign country before.”

Jun-hoo answered, looking around with a sense of wonder.

As it was a foreign country, almost everyone around him was a foreigner. The skin colors of the people passing by were all different.

Taxis were lined up like snakes on the airport road.

Across the road, a shuttle bus had just arrived. As the bus door opened, people poured out.

The sky he looked up at was gloomy with dark clouds.

The weather was quite cold.

The wind that brushed his face was sharp.

“Clara, have you ever been to Korea?”

Jun-hoo asked, looking at the blonde woman.

The woman’s name was Clara.

She was a surgeon affiliated with the Mayo Clinic, knew his mentor Jae-hyun, had helped Jun-hoo with his entry procedures, and was also a benefactor to whom Jun-hoo would be indebted for the time being.

It was difficult to judge her age by her appearance because she was a foreigner, and he didn’t ask her age separately.

He had heard that asking about age was rude, as it was in Korea.

“I’ve been there once. I remember enjoying the grilled pork belly [Samgyeopsal].”

“Grilled pork belly is delicious.”

“By the way, Dr. Seo, your English is fluent. Did you study English hard?”

Clara asked with a surprised voice.

Jun-hoo’s reflection was fully visible in Clara’s clear, blue eyes, as clear as a lake.

“I knew this day would come someday.”

“Being good at English will be a great help. Most Asian doctors have trouble adapting to the United States because of communication problems.”

Jun-hoo nodded in agreement.

Even though medical terminology was common.

Even if there was no problem reading and writing charts.

He couldn’t work as a doctor if he couldn’t communicate in everyday life.

A doctor had to constantly communicate with patients, guardians, and even other staff members.

Jun-hoo moved to the public parking lot with Clara, got into Clara’s car, and headed downtown.

“What’s the schedule for today?”

“It’s going to be a hectic day. There’s a mountain of things to do. First, you need to get a social security number, open a bank account, and get a cell phone. Oh, are you going to get a driver’s license here?”

“There’s no need to worry about that. I got an international driver’s license in Korea.”

Jun-hoo took out his international driver’s license from his wallet and waved it in the air.

“You’re so well-prepared. Dr. Park’s acquaintance is definitely different.”

Clara smiled, revealing her white teeth.

During a brief pause in the conversation.

Jun-hoo stared blankly out the car window.

Unlike Korea, the road was bordered by a wide and desolate horizon.

It was a moment when the fact that he had come to a foreign land suddenly hit him.

Without taking his eyes off the car window, Jun-hoo asked.

“Clara, I’d like to hear more about the boost-up program.”