A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 414

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence filled the lab.

After the contest, Jun-hoo and Jae-hyun switched places, meticulously examining the nerve transplants each had performed.

Was it some kind of telepathy between master and disciple?

After a moment.

As if by unspoken agreement, they stared at each other, eyes wide with surprise. Seeing their matching reactions, a chuckle escaped Jun-hoo’s lips.

“A complete defeat. There’s no room for excuses.”

Jae-hyun was the first to speak. He had been confident of victory, but it was a foolish underestimation of his student’s rapid growth.

First of all, in terms of speed, Jun-hoo far surpassed Jae-hyun.

He hadn’t timed it precisely.

But Jun-hoo seemed to have finished about ten minutes earlier than Jae-hyun.

Calculating based on the extent of the frontal lobe nerve transplant that Jun-hoo had completed, such a difference in speed seemed impossible.

It didn’t make logical sense.

‘Jun-hoo is doing this transplant for the first time today, and I’ve been researching and practicing for two years,’ Jae-hyun thought.

Perhaps Jun-hoo had only focused on speed?

…Jae-hyun entertained this suspicion until he observed Jun-hoo’s work with the microscope.

But that was just wishful thinking.

Jun-hoo’s nerve transplant was a work of art in terms of quality as well. There were no gaps at the site where the artificial and normal nerves were joined (anastomosed). The knots were neither protruding nor loose.

So Jae-hyun concluded that, at least in terms of dexterity, Jun-hoo had become a surgeon who could be counted among the best in the country, no, the world.

If he gained a little more experience, he would become a great surgeon, not just a good one.

Jae-hyun was immensely proud of Jun-hoo and grateful that his disciple had grown so proficient.

Meanwhile, Jun-hoo was equally impressed.

Considering his teacher’s age and wrist condition, the achievement Jae-hyun had demonstrated was amazing.

Although he was slower, the perfection of his nerve transplant was nearly indistinguishable from Jun-hoo’s.

Jun-hoo had sought learning from many top professors while working at Mayue Hospital and had collaborated with them.

His teacher was only less famous than them, but his skills were, in Jun-hoo’s opinion, superior.

With his teacher’s skills, he could immediately perform hand surgery. In other words, it seemed there would be no problem even if he performed microsurgery.

‘That’s why he was so confident,’ Jun-hoo muttered inwardly.

What if Jun-hoo from seven years ago had faced his teacher?

The result would have been a crushing defeat. In terms of both speed and perfection, he would have only reached half of what he was capable of now.

In other words, the seven years Jun-hoo spent at Mayue were by no means a waste.

“No. It’s just because I’m much younger and more energetic.”

“Well? I wasn’t as good as you when I was your age. Your skills were overwhelming.”

After speaking, Jae-hyun approached Jun-hoo and, as if proud, patted his shoulder with one hand.

“I’m relieved to see you’ve grown so much. Now, let’s talk about something really important.”

* * *

“I’m thinking of quitting as a surgeon within this year.”

Sitting on the sofa, his teacher made a shocking statement.

Surprised, Jun-hoo could only blink. He doubted his ears. This was like a bolt out of the blue.

His teacher was, in name and reality, a triple board-certified neurosurgeon and one of the best in the country. But why suddenly retire?

“Isn’t it too early to retire?” Jun-hoo blurted out.

“You just succeeded in artificial nerve transplantation. You have such great skills, so why… Is it because of your wrist health?”

“Jun-hoo. Take a breath. Let me take a breath and answer.”

“Ah. Yes. I’m sorry. I was so shocked.”

Jun-hoo smiled awkwardly and scratched his temple with his index finger. Come to think of it, he had said too much, and several questions were overlapping.

“There’s no problem with my health when it comes to surgery. My wrist is still usable.”

“Then why….”

“To put it simply, it’s because a good opportunity has come my way.”

His teacher paused for a moment, and Jun-hoo was intensely curious about what this opportunity could be. His teacher had already reached the pinnacle as a neurosurgeon. He couldn’t imagine a better opportunity.

“Do you remember what I’ve been saying until my lips are worn out since before?”

“You said that in order to reform the medical community, we need to change the medical system.”

“You remember well.”

“I think the same way as you, teacher,” Jun-hoo nodded vigorously.

There was a limit to the surgical field being maintained by the sense of duty and sacrifice of surgeons.

In one university hospital, even when a staff member of their own hospital was diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage, the fact that they couldn’t perform the surgery themselves and had to transfer him to another hospital was the stark reality of the Korean neurosurgery field.

The bleakest part was that the media only flashed the story briefly, but the reality did not change; it was getting worse and more corrupt.

“But what does that have to do with a good opportunity?”

“I’m going to start getting into politics, little by little.”

“Ah…….”

A sigh flowed from Jun-hoo’s lips. His teacher was attempting to transform from a surgeon into a politician.

It was a shame, but that was potentially the fastest way to change the medical system. Even if a doctor talks about it, laws are not created or changed.

Laws were always created or changed after a major accident had already occurred.

Perhaps now was the best time for his teacher to transform because his reputation and fame were at their peak.

“Have you received any offers from anywhere?”

“It must have been about a year ago. There was a member of the National Assembly among my surgery patients. I had a chance to have a candid conversation, and that relationship has continued until now.”

“I don’t know whether to congratulate you or say I’m sorry.”

“If possible, please congratulate me.”

“It feels like I’m receiving a bow while lying down [being put in an awkward position].”

Jun-hoo laughed at his teacher’s joke.

“Have you decided on a retirement date?”

“It’ll be around the end of this year. There’s an election the year after next, and I might be elected as a proportional representative then.”

“I somehow can’t imagine you with a lawmaker’s badge.”

“Me neither.”

His teacher drank from the bottled water on the table.

Looking at his teacher, Jun-hoo suddenly had a worry. Would his teacher be able to do well even if he entered the political world?

A doctor who thinks of patients, a so-called ‘patient-fool doctor,’ was usually stubborn and didn’t know how to compromise. So, unintentionally, he often made enemies everywhere.

The same was true in the Murim Alliance [a fictional martial arts world organization]. A so-called chivalrous person could not rise above the intermediate ranks. They were often caught up in incidents or became the center of incidents and were demoted.

Perhaps that’s why he was worried that his teacher would go down to Cheongmu Field [a metaphor for a challenging political arena] and become a sad butterfly with his wings wet in the waves [a metaphor for failing in politics].

“Teacher, I have something to tell you.”

“You’re not going to try to persuade me to continue my surgeon life, are you? I’ve already made up my mind.”

“No. I respect your decision.”

“Then what do you want to say?”

“If you ever have any difficulties after entering politics, please come to me.”

“Jun-hoo, were you also interested in politics? I never imagined that?”

His teacher’s eyes widened, and his eyebrows soared high into the sky.

“I’m not interested, but I have a talent for it.”

A smile appeared on Jun-hoo’s lips.

The Murim Alliance life was more intense than the political world—a fight for justification and practicality, a power struggle, conspiracy, trickery, collusion, and discord, etc.

Jun-hoo had not only learned martial arts in Murim. Surprisingly, he had even learned political maneuvering.

The position of Azure Dragon Unit Leader, which was within the top ten of the Murim Alliance hierarchy, was by no means obtained for free.

The only blemish Jun-hoo left behind was that he had lost his reason in the matter related to his father’s enemy, Jeok Il-do.

“If you promise me just that one thing, I will gladly watch over my teacher who has become a politician.”

“Hmm… If you come out like that, I have to listen,” his teacher nodded and continued.

“Okay. I’ll look for you first when there’s something difficult.”

“Thank you.”

“And I have one thing to ask of you too.”

His teacher cleared his throat and paused. Was he about to say something important?

The silence was longer than expected.

“It’s a bit much to bring this up on the day of your return, but it’s about your future.”

“It’s okay.”

“I hope you, Jun-hoo, would come to Jewon University Hospital, not Shinwon University Hospital.”

His teacher’s explanation followed. First, spend about a year as an associate professor at Jewon University, and when Jae-hyun enters politics, he would naturally take over the position of head and lead the neurosurgery department.

But even after receiving Jae-hyun’s offer, Jun-hoo only smiled ambiguously, so Jae-hyun judged that Jun-hoo was subtly rejecting his offer.

“I guess it’s better to return to the hospital you used to go to? It’ll be comfortable because the staff there are all people you know.”

“No. Actually… I like your offer better.”

Jun-hoo opened his mouth after a long time.

“If I come to Jewon University, I’ll have a lot to learn from you, and I’ll be promoted to head quickly.”

“But why were you making such a sullen face?” Jae-hyun tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your offer. I…….”

“Huh? You clearly said just now that you liked my offer better?”

“Yes, but just because I like it doesn’t mean I can go.”

“Huh. Are you teasing me?”

“Of course not. It’s because I’m in a situation where I can’t go anywhere.”

Jun-hoo smiled bitterly.

* * *

Two months later.

It was a day when the sky was particularly blue.

Jun-hoo was driving his car on a road in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

Was it because it was in the outskirts? Even though it was early in the morning, the road was deserted.

There were no cars going down, and only cars going up to Seoul were occasionally seen.

The scenery of the mountain road was amazing. The blue mountain peaks waved like waves. Colorful spring flowers were peeking out from the bushes around the roadside.

The air felt much fresher because it wasn’t downtown, but the face and heart of Jun-hoo, who was driving, were not so bright. It was like the heart of a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse.

He couldn’t put strength on the accelerator he was stepping on.

‘No, let’s think positively. This is also an extension of seeing patients,’ Jun-hoo corrected his twisted mindset.

Depending on the direction of interpretation, the place where Jun-hoo’s strength was most needed, the place where he could exert 100 percent of his ability, was the place he was heading to now.

Beeeeeep.

The phone rang just in time. Jun-hoo answered the phone when the car stopped at a signal. It was Ah-young’s call.

– Today is your first day, right? How do you feel?

“It was bad, but now it’s better.”

– That’s a relief. I never dreamed that you would go there… I really didn’t think this day would come.

“It’s something I’ve been putting off.”

Jun-hoo paused and continued.

“Let’s see each other after work. Let’s eat something delicious in the evening.”

– Really? Is that okay?

“Maybe this is the time when we can date the most. We can’t miss this time.”

– Okay. I’ll contact you as soon as I’m done.”

“Okay. See you later.”

After hanging up, Jun-hoo continued driving.

About thirty minutes passed.

A sturdy stone wall surrounded an area. Barbed wire with thorns was stretched over the stone wall. It was a place that didn’t look ordinary at first glance.

Soon, Jun-hoo arrived at the guard post. The guard post was the entrance to a military unit with a barricade installed.

When Jun-hoo parked his car in front of the guard post, a soldier on guard duty approached him.

“Halt! Who are you?”

Jun-hoo lowered the car window and said, “I’m the medical company commander who will be working at the unit from today.”