A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 5

Martial Arts Surgeon – Episode 5

Chapter 1: Butterfly’s Dream (5)

“Junhoo, what happened?”

My father, who was smoking, asked as we arrived at the next delivery location.

“It wasn’t me, but someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“Someone collapsed and lost consciousness.”

Junhoo briefly explained what had happened at the building.

My father listened blankly, then belatedly placed his hand on Junhoo’s shoulder.

“You did well. That was very courageous. Maybe our son will actually go to medical school after all?”

“I’m definitely going, with a full scholarship, so don’t worry.”

Junhoo replied with a grin.

Before even becoming a doctor, he had already felt the reward of saving a life.

And Junhoo wanted to feel that rewarding sensation again.

Suddenly, the faces of the martial artists who were injured and died by his side in the Murim [a world of martial arts and cultivation] flashed through Junhoo’s mind.

Precious lives that could have been saved if they had known modern medicine.

Because he lacked modern medical knowledge in the Murim world, the Junhoo of that time couldn’t save them.

But he would try to prevent the same tragedy from happening as much as possible in modern times.

Junhoo had already experienced the pain of the dying and the sorrow of those left behind.

“Where are we delivering now?”

“To that apartment complex over there. It’ll be much easier than before.”

“Yes. Let’s finish quickly and go home to rest.”

Junhoo sat in the passenger seat of the delivery truck.

Soon, the vehicle entered the apartment complex.

While his father sorted the packages,

Junhoo busily carried the deliveries.

It was definitely easier to deliver now that they were out of the general residential area.

Instead of going up and down stairs, they could use the elevator.

‘Something… feels lacking.’

Junhoo was rather displeased that the work had become easier.

When delivering in residential areas, it was physical training, but that wasn’t the case in apartments.

So he deliberately used the stairs for low-rise deliveries.

Climbing stairs was very helpful for lower body training.

Thanks to Junhoo’s efforts, the packages in the cargo hold quickly disappeared.

There was more empty space than space occupied by packages.

And more empty space meant that quitting time was approaching.

“Wow! A new record. Finishing deliveries at 5:40 PM.”

After the delivery was finished, his father looked at the empty cargo hold and exclaimed.

According to his father, the delivery had never ended this early before.

Junhoo felt proud that he had reduced his father’s fatigue.

And that he helped his father get off work early.

Is this the joy of filial duty?

“Wow, it’s over faster than most ordinary office workers?”

“I’ll continue to help twice a week in the future.”

“Well, let’s see. I’m thinking of reducing my workload once I pay off all the debt.”

“…….”

“Thank you for your hard work. And thank you again, son.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful.”

The gazes of the father and son looking at each other were affectionate and warm.

Vroom, vroom.

The delivery truck left the apartment complex and entered a nearby road.

Because it was around quitting time, the traffic was heavy, but his father seemed excited.

He even hummed a song.

Junhoo was happy because his father was happy.

Happiness was contagious.

“What do you want to eat for dinner tonight? Dad will buy you something delicious.”

“Then jjajangmyeon [black bean noodles].”

Junhoo replied.

After experiencing the Murim world, he strangely craved jjajangmyeon.

The unique sweet and savory taste of jjajangmyeon lingered in his mind.

“Okay. Tonight, it’s jjajangmyeon and sweet and sour pork! A large size, too!”

While talking with his father and returning home,

Junhoo suddenly took out the business card he had put in his pants pocket. It was the business card given to him by the patient who had suffered cardiac arrest.

[New Han Clinic Director: Kim Yongjin.]

* * *

Junhoo studied from the previous evening until the next morning.

The method was the same as yesterday.

He pushed himself to study for 2-3 hours.

And when his concentration and stamina dropped, he recovered with meditative breathing.

If others knew of Junhoo’s abilities, they might call it a scam.

It was actually a scam.

But the most important fact.

It was the fact that Junhoo did not get his abilities for free.

Junhoo lived fiercely in the Murim world, and he was just receiving compensation in modern times.

When it was 12 PM, Junhoo closed his textbook.

He was in the middle of concentrating, so he was sad to stop studying, but he had something to do.

He took a local bus to the subway station.

Junhoo got on the subway.

The destination was Gangnam [a wealthy district in Seoul], because the patient he performed CPR on yesterday had asked to see him there.

He doesn’t need compensation.

Just take good care of your body in the future and stay healthy.

He conveyed that meaning to the patient who contacted him last night, but the patient was adamant.

He said he had to see Junhoo no matter what.

So he had no choice but to make an appointment.

“This stop is Gangnam, Gangnam. The doors will open on the right.”

Just as his thoughts were coming to an end.

The announcement played, and the doors soon opened.

When he got off the subway and went above ground, another world unfolded.

High-rise buildings lined both sides of the road.

Is this why people kept singing about Gangnam, Gangnam?

The scenery was like heaven and earth compared to the neighborhood where Junhoo lived.

Overwhelmed by the atmosphere of Gangnam, which he was visiting for the first time, Junhoo began to walk around, looking around.

Was it because he was aiming to be a surgeon?

The numerous plastic surgery clinic signs caught Junhoo’s attention.

According to what Junhoo had learned in advance, plastic surgery was a department that made a lot of money.

Most treatments were not covered by insurance, and if you opened a clinic and got a good reputation, you could rake in the money.

Even though plastic surgery clinics were already saturated, the popularity was still there.

‘Plastic surgery… Let’s put it on the list for now.’

Junhoo nodded slightly.

Burn treatment, microsurgery, suturing severed body parts, etc.

It wasn’t just about remodeling appearances that was all plastic surgery was about.

Plastic surgery was also a sufficiently attractive field of surgery.

While looking around, Junhoo entered the 4th floor of a stylish 7-story building.

The New Han Clinic, which occupied almost half of the 4th floor, was Junhoo’s destination.

Located in a building in Gangnam.

How much money would you have to make to use half of one floor?

Junhoo couldn’t even imagine it.

“I’m sorry, but it’s lunchtime now.”

The employee at the front desk said to Junhoo, who had entered the clinic.

“The director told me to come at this time.”

“Ah, you’re the guest the director mentioned. Please come this way.”

Junhoo, guided by the employee, entered the director’s office.

Yongjin, the patient he saw yesterday, was sitting in the examination chair waiting for Junhoo.

Yongjin, wearing a white coat, had a completely different aura than before.

This must be the dignity that the location and doctor’s gown give.

“Nice to meet you, student Junhoo. Thank you for coming all the way here.”

“No. It was nice to see Gangnam.”

“I was supposed to come find you, but as you can see, I’m busy… I hope student Junhoo understands.”

Yongjin got up from his seat.

He said he was hungry and took him to a nearby high-end Korean beef restaurant.

Junhoo was shocked when he saw the price tag after sitting down.

Korean beef cost 60,000-100,000 won [approximately $45-$75 USD] per person.

With the money to eat one serving of Korean beef, you could eat four or five chickens!

While Junhoo was shocked by the price,

Yongjin ordered 5 servings of Korean beef.

“Aren’t you overdoing it because of me?”

“This is nothing for a lifesaver.”

“But teacher, please speak comfortably. I’m uncomfortable if you keep using honorifics.”

“Shall I?”

Yongjin smiled as if satisfied with Junhoo’s suggestion.

“Did you go to the hospital yesterday? What did the hospital say?”

“I had an ultrasound and a CT scan, but surprisingly, they said there was nothing wrong.”

“I’ve also studied a little, and I heard that cardiac arrest can occur without a specific cause.”

“That’s why it’s even scarier. If there’s a problem, you can get treatment, but since there’s no problem, you can’t get treatment.”

Yongjin smiled bitterly and continued.

He also said that he had been stressed recently due to family problems and that his smoking had increased, so that was probably the cause.

“People’s lives are really unpredictable.”

“Hmph, kid. You’re already talking like an old man.”

“I can’t help but be like that.”

Junhoo answered honestly.

Because he had experienced things in the Murim world that modern people could not do even if they died and were resurrected.

Sizzle.

Just when the conversation was briefly interrupted.

The employee brought Korean beef and started grilling it himself.

Junhoo’s salivary glands burst open from the savory smell even before he ate the food.

“Let’s stop talking about heavy things here and eat first.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

Junhoo ate the meat like crazy. He also ate cold noodles with cool water for dessert.

Without a doubt, it was the best meal out in Junhoo’s life.

“By the way, what would you like me to do for you?”

Near the end of the meal, Yongjin asked, resting his chin on his hand.

“You already bought me Korean beef, what else are you going to do for me?”

“This was just a meal together, and I have to give you a separate reward for the emergency treatment.”

“I didn’t help you, Teacher, expecting a reward.”

Junhoo shook his head violently.

For Junhoo, Yongjin’s revival was the best reward. He didn’t need any other reward.

“Junhoo, I’m not saying I’m going to repay you for your sake. I feel like I need to repay you so that I can feel comfortable.”

Yongjin continued calmly.

“Should I just give you cash?”

“No. It’s really okay.”

“Hmm… How old are you, Junhoo?”

Ignoring Junhoo’s answer, Yongjin asked again.

“I’m a freshman in high school this year.”

“A freshman in high school… Then I can give you a good gift. Wait a moment.”

Yongjin picked up his cell phone and went outside the restaurant.

Junhoo had no idea what Yongjin was up to.

Soon, Junhoo returned to the clinic with Yongjin, who had returned to the restaurant.

“Please receive it.”

The employee who was waiting handed Junhoo an envelope containing herbal medicine.

The contents were heavy enough for Junhoo to feel the weight.

“What is this?”

“It’s a concentration-boosting tonic that students in Gangnam take. Take two packets in the morning and evening; it’s for one month.”

“Teacher, you don’t have to take care of me this much…”

“It’s not polite to refuse someone’s sincerity. Take it.”

Yongjin gently pushed the envelope that Junhoo was trying to return.

And he also said that he would send the concentration-boosting tonic by courier every month until Junhoo took the college entrance exam.

Junhoo accepted it willingly because it seemed like a fight would break out if he kept refusing.

“Thank you, Teacher. I will enjoy it.”

“I’m the one who’s thankful. Bring your parents with you sometime when you have time. I’ll take care of them for free.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After saying goodbye to Yongjin, Junhoo returned home.

He tore open a packet of the concentration-boosting tonic as a test and swallowed it in one gulp.

He often ate master’s herbal medicine in the Murim world, so the bitter taste was not a problem.

But that’s it.

After about 30 minutes, heat rose from his whole body.

‘This… is this?’

Junhoo immediately realized that the concentration-boosting tonic had the effect of replenishing energy.

So he sat cross-legged and began meditative breathing.

He sent the energy from the concentration-boosting tonic down to his dantian [energy center in the body].

The difference between eating the concentration-boosting tonic and not eating it.

The difference between the two was clear.

The speed at which his internal energy accumulated had increased by about 1.5 times.

This must be because the nutrients of the herbal medicine had permeated into his blood vessels.

A smile appeared on Junhoo’s lips as he continued his meditative breathing.

Good.

I can get stronger faster than I thought.