A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 483

Chapter 94: Turf War (4)

“Did I perhaps cause an accident?”

Yoonchan asked, glancing nervously at the staff.

By the end of his question, Yoonchan’s shoulders were hunched. His voice was barely a whisper.

The intern had only assisted with the procedure.

The scrub nurse had merely handed instruments to Junhoo.

In Yoonchan’s mind…

If anyone was going to cause trouble here, it seemed it could only be him.

Even if the chief helped me, I’m still a troublemaking first-year…

I knew things were going too smoothly.

“It’s not your fault. No need to be discouraged.”

Junhoo’s voice was firm as a ramrod.

Yoonchan felt comforted by the firmness, a first for him.

“Then there’s no reason for the spinal pressure to suddenly increase, right?”

“I watched you from beginning to end. If there’s a problem with your procedure, it means there’s a problem with me.”

Junhoo gestured with his chin towards the endoscope monitor.

“Move the endoscope to L4 [the fourth vertebra in the lumbar spine] and scan all the way to L6 [the sixth vertebra in the lumbar spine]. Be careful not to damage the lumbar structures.”

“Yes, Chief.”

Yoonchan replied crisply.

He scanned the spine, careful not to let his wrist twitch in the wrong direction.

“Stop for a moment!”

“Is there a problem…?”

“Bring the lens close to the spine.”

Following Junhoo’s instructions, the lens’s field of vision narrowed. Simultaneously, the area appeared larger.

It was a zoom-in effect.

“Th-this is…”

Yoonchan stammered.

The eyes of the surprised intern and scrub nurse also widened.

The spinal dura mater [the outermost membrane surrounding the spinal cord] located between L4-L5 was torn. The length of the tear appeared to be about 2-3 centimeters by estimation.

The culprit behind the sudden increase in spinal pressure.

It was hiding right here.

The chief saw what no one else did. Is his vision almost Mongolian? [referencing the historical stereotype of Mongolians having exceptional eyesight]

Yoonchan marveled inwardly.

“It seems the patient’s back was strained from undergoing surgeries in quick succession.”

“…”

“Endoscopic surgery isn’t entirely without burden, after all.”

“So, the spinal dura mater rupture really isn’t my fault?”

Junhoo nodded.

“Just because a surgery goes smoothly doesn’t necessarily mean there are no problems. The human body has mysterious aspects. Patch, please.”

Junhoo grasped a patch about the length of a finger joint with the endoscopic instrument.

The patch was a type of hemostatic gauze [a gauze that promotes blood clotting] used to adhere to bleeding areas.

Whoosh!

The patch passed through the funnel-shaped port.

It skillfully avoided the complex spinal bones as if performing a feat.

The staff watched the scene with their mouths open.

They watched, holding their breath.

It’s a difficult procedure even normally.

And Junhoo was performing it with an endoscopic tool.

To put it in perspective…

It was like picking up beans with long chopsticks.

The patch adhered perfectly to the ruptured dura mater.

About five minutes later, the anesthesiologist’s bright voice echoed.

“Spinal pressure is back to normal. Vitals are fine, and the electrocardiogram and oxygen saturation are all normal.”

Junhoo’s observational skills.

Problem-solving abilities.

And the astonishing dexterity that supported it all.

The staff was overwhelmed by Junhoo’s different-class skills.

“It’s too early to be this surprised.”

Junhoo chuckled at the staff’s reaction.

“The real deal starts now. Everyone, buckle up tight. It’s going to get even more thrilling.”

Crack. Crack.

Junhoo moved his neck joints from side to side.

He held endoscopic tools in both hands.

Residency training was over.

Now was the time to show the true colors of a top graduate of the MAYU Boost-Up Program.

* * *

“Good work.”

“Good work.”

The staff’s greetings poured out.

Junhoo also told the staff they had worked hard and left the operating room.

Whoosh.

Coming out of the operating room, Junhoo shed his surgical cap, gloves, mask, gown, etc., in order.

Surprisingly!

The surgical equipment was all fresh.

It wasn’t because the operating room was cool.

It was because Junhoo had easily performed this surgery.

It was a revision surgery, and an endoscopic surgery with a narrow surgical field, but it was no match for Junhoo.

He removed the damaged disc.

And inserted an artificial disc.

In the process, there was not even a sliver of nerve damage or bleeding.

Whoosh.

He inserted four screws each on the left and right sides of L5 and connected wires to fix them.

Immediately after the surgery.

A portable CT scan was taken in the operating room.

The instability of the patient’s back had improved twice as much as before.

If he steadily received back rehabilitation, he would be able to live a life no different from a normal person.

That’s it for proving my skills in the cervical and lumbar spine parts.

Time to discipline the wayward calf. [idiomatic expression for dealing with someone who has strayed or is causing trouble]

Junhoo’s gaze turned to the side.

Just then, Kim Hansang and Choi Jingu were coming out of the operating room.

They probably didn’t expect to run into Junhoo head-on.

Both of them looked visibly flustered.

Their eyes darted back and forth.

They were busy clearing their throats.

The people who had hoped Junhoo’s surgery would fail.

The people who had intended to witness Junhoo’s misfortune and snicker.

Just imagining how bitter they must feel made Junhoo feel incredibly gratified.

“It’s an honor that you took the time out of your busy schedules to observe my surgery.”

Junhoo approached the two and said.

“Indeed, your skills are as outstanding as I’ve heard. Revision surgery and endoscopic surgery must have been challenging.”

Kim Hansang praised Junhoo.

He said things he didn’t mean without batting an eye.

He was a slippery eel himself. [idiomatic expression for someone who is evasive and hard to catch]

“I only took it on because I could handle it from the start. By the way, Professor Choi, are you busy?”

“Ah… well, I have a surgery schedule coming up soon.”

“You have a schedule, but it’s not soon, is it?”

Junhoo continued, dripping with sarcasm.

“Isn’t your next surgery in two hours? Isn’t that enough time to have a chat with me?”

Junhoo tied up Choi Jingu as if with a rope. [metaphor for cornering someone]

Where are you trying to run off to!

Junhoo had no intention of letting Choi Jingu, who he had cornered, go.

“Hahaha. You’re really amazing. You even memorized the surgery schedules of other professors?”

Choi Jingu pouted, as Kim Hansang only praised Junhoo without taking care of him.

“My memory is naturally good. Then, I’ll borrow Professor Choi for a bit.”

“Huh? Huh?”

Junhoo grabbed Choi Jingu’s arm and left the operating room.

It was as rough as a police officer arresting a criminal.

Choi Jingu couldn’t resist and was helplessly dragged away by Junhoo.

The place they arrived at was the doctors’ lounge on the floor with the operating rooms.

Junhoo and Choi Jingu sat on the sofa, facing each other.

Junhoo glared at Choi Jingu.

Choi Jingu couldn’t dare to meet Junhoo’s eyes.

He kept his head down and tapped his leg.

“You’ve been doing some very interesting things.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Aren’t you the one who changed the surgery assistant, Professor Choi?”

“I… I’m not?”

“Are you going to deny it after eating chicken? [idiomatic expression for denying something obvious] Should we call the resident and Professor Hwang for a three-way meeting?”

“…”

“Wasn’t the humiliation you suffered last time enough?”

A cynical smile appeared on Junhoo’s lips.

Choi Jingu shuddered at the coldness.

“Chief, it’s not so much that I switched them… Please listen to me carefully.”

Choi Jingu slowly warmed up his tongue and poured out excuses.

Professor Hwang was having a hard time with today’s surgery. He seemed worried for days.

Blah blah, blah blah.

He heavily packaged it as an act for Professor Hwang, but Junhoo wasn’t going to believe it as it was.

He had experienced enough political maneuvering to be sick of it in the Murim Alliance [referencing martial arts world politics, implying a world of complex power struggles] to be sick of it.

He could easily filter out such low-level excuses.

“Don’t defile my precious ears with dirty words.”

“Huh huh… Isn’t ‘dirty’ a bit harsh?”

“Professor Choi and I. Who has done more severe things?”

Junhoo glared at Choi Jingu with inner force.

Choi Jingu couldn’t even open his mouth.

If he said even one word, it felt like he would cross a point of no return.

Junhoo was that scary now.

“Let’s not beat around the bush and get to the most essential issue.”

Junhoo leaned back on the sofa.

The purpose of forcibly separating Choi Jingu from Kim Hansang.

The purpose of arranging a separate meeting in a quiet place.

He intended to achieve that purpose from now on.

If this operation succeeded, it would create a foothold to check Associate Professor Kim Hansang and increase Junhoo’s own power.

Shall we slowly get started?

Junhoo took a deep breath and brought up the main point.

“Professor Choi. Honestly, you don’t like me, do you?”

“Why are you asking that?”

“Relationships between people should be honest for proper communication.”

“Well, I don’t like you.”

Perhaps it was because of what he had suffered so far.

Choi Jingu’s voice was sulky.

Junhoo, who became the chief as a parachute [idiomatic expression for someone who gets a position through connections rather than merit] without knowing whose connection he had.

Junhoo, who didn’t have a submissive side.

Junhoo, who was trying to take over the department and wield it in his hands.

Junhoo, whose medical skills were so amazing that it was hard to criticize him.

Junhoo, who had inflicted humiliation on him.

Choi Jingu couldn’t possibly see Junhoo favorably.

“Good. Now we can communicate a bit.”

“Communicate? Or are we drawing parallel lines?”

Choi Jingu scoffed.

“I’ll ask one more thing. Are you sincerely loyal to Professor Kim?”

“Ha… I’m going crazy. Are you asking me that question to drive me insane?”

Thump!

Choi Jingu couldn’t stand it and stood up from his seat.

He tried to pass Junhoo and leave the lounge, but Junhoo snatched Choi Jingu’s wrist like lightning.

“If you’re going to leave, answer me first.”

“Won’t you let go of this?”

“I won’t let go until you answer.”

“Damn it. I’m really going crazy. Let go of this. I’ll sit down again.”

Choi Jingu rubbed his dry face roughly with one hand and returned to face Junhoo.

He was frustrated because he couldn’t understand Junhoo’s intentions.

Why was he pouring out such absurd questions from earlier?

“Chief. I thought you were a normal person, but you unexpectedly have a crazy side?”

“There are times in life when you have to go a little crazy. So, what’s your answer?”

Junhoo persistently clung on.

Since there was no way to escape, Choi Jingu decided to answer honestly.

“Loyalty? Would there be loyalty in the hospital scene when it doesn’t even exist in the military? I’m just sticking close to Professor Kim to pick up some crumbs.”

“…”

“If Professor Kim becomes the chief, wouldn’t I become an associate professor?”

Choi Jingu felt relieved after saying everything.

Oh well, I don’t care anymore.

Since the water has already been spilled, let it be. [idiomatic expression for accepting that something cannot be undone]

“That’s welcome news. Actually, I was expecting that answer.”

A crazy smile appeared on Junhoo’s lips.

Did the chief also have this side to him?

“Let me summarize. So, promotion is important to Professor Choi. That’s why you’re groveling to Professor Kim. Is that correct?”

“Yes. Why? Do you want to call me a snob and insult me?”

Choi Jingu asked accusingly.

“No. It’s because I think we can be friends.”

“Friends?”

“Yes. Friends.”

Junhoo suddenly stood up from his seat. He walked over to Choi Jingu.

Then, what he did was…

He politely extended his hand.

Unlike his slender build, Junhoo’s palm was big and wide.

“I don’t believe in old-fashioned things like loyalty either. There’s give and take. Humans are originally calculating animals.”

“I’m going to die of frustration! So, what do you want me to do?”

Choi Jingu’s veins stood out on his neck as he asked back.

“If I take control of the department, I’ll promote Professor Choi to associate professor. Instead, from this moment on, Professor Choi will be my shadow, my right-hand man.”

Choi Jingu doubted his ears at Junhoo’s surprising statement.

Professor Kim’s right-hand man is me.

Is he going to openly recruit me like this?

Seo Junhoo. Is this guy completely crazy?