A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 512

Busan Shinwon University Hospital, 13th floor.

This was the VIP ward.

Entry was restricted.

Regular patients and staff couldn’t even think of approaching.

An elevator exclusively for the VIP ward was located in a secluded area of the hospital.

Even knowing its location, access to the ward was impossible without prior authorization.

The opulence of the ward’s lobby rivaled that of a five-star hotel.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Luxurious carpets covered the floor.

A subtle, fresh scent of wood pleased the nose, and classical masterpieces adorned one wall.

Calm classical music flowed from the speakers.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve been to a VIP ward.’

Joon-hoo stepped out of the elevator and into the VIP ward.

“Hello, Doctor.”

“Hello.”

The nurses at the station bowed politely.

Their demeanor was more akin to hotel staff than nurses.

Joon-hoo responded with a nod.

He passed the station and headed to Room 1301, located at the end of the left corridor.

The spacing between rooms was quite generous, with only four rooms on one side of the hallway.

The reason being…

Naturally, the rooms were spacious.

The cost of a VIP room was nearly a million won per night. Cramped spaces were out of the question.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A voice responded, inviting him in.

Joon-hoo entered the room.

Chairman Jung Hyun-woo was leaning back against the headrest of the bed, reading a book.

Despite being the powerful figure who controlled Shinwon University Hospital,

Jung Hyun-woo’s appearance was ordinary.

He had a friendly image, the kind you might encounter in a neighborhood park.

There was no sense of authority or charisma.

“You enjoy reading.”

“I feel like I get thorns in my mouth if I don’t read for even a day.”

“Then you must have about twenty thorns in your mouth.”

“Indeed. That’s why I read so diligently.”

Jung Hyun-woo chuckled dryly.

He placed the book on the table and took off his reading glasses.

“How are you feeling?”

“I heard I had a series of terrifying surgeries, but I’m surprisingly fine. All thanks to you.”

“You’re too kind.”

Joon-hoo smiled shyly.

He answered modestly, but Jung Hyun-woo’s words were true.

The reason Jung Hyun-woo was still alive was thanks to Joon-hoo’s martial arts-enhanced surgery.

Jung Hyun-woo’s incredible recovery speed was due to internal energy healing.

He came twice a day.

Pouring in internal energy, it would have been stranger if his progress hadn’t improved.

Jung Hyun-woo regained consciousness fifteen days after the surgery.

Since then, he had been monitoring his progress in the VIP ward.

He could have been discharged sooner, but.

The Vice President of Medical Affairs and the hospital director dissuaded him.

The chairman needed to fully recover.

That was their argument.

Was that really the case?

Or did they want to make a good impression while the chairman was hospitalized?

He had reasonable doubts but didn’t press the issue.

“I must confess, I’ve read the essay you published.”

“Hahaha. I’m honored.”

“Honored? I was glad to indirectly experience the experiences of a righteous doctor like you.”

Jung Hyun-woo drank the water on the table.

His expression brightened.

“I heard you’re struggling with the establishment of the Epilepsy Clinic and the introduction of epilepsy-specific robot surgery?”

“You knew.”

“Well, I know everything I need to know.”

A smile that was difficult to decipher appeared on Jung Hyun-woo’s lips.

It was a different kind of inscrutability than the hospital director’s.

He had felt a similar feeling from the leader of the Murim Alliance [a powerful martial arts organization] for a long time. The feeling that everything was transparently visible in his palm.

“I’d like to help if I could, but it’ll be difficult.”

“It’s alright. I didn’t perform the surgery expecting a reward.”

“I knew you’d say that. Actually, I’ve delegated hospital matters to the vice chairman.”

“…….”

“Of course, she’ll follow my orders, but I want to respect her opinion.”

“I understand.”

Joon-hoo nodded.

He was disappointed, but he had no intention of grabbing the chairman’s pants leg and begging.

If the hospital director’s personality was similar to the Murim Alliance leader,

Appealing to emotions wouldn’t work.

They made decisions carefully.

And never reversed those decisions.

Hanging on would only backfire.

“However, I can help in other ways. Would you like to hear it?”

“Other ways?”

Joon-hoo’s surprised eyes widened.

His mouth also opened slightly.

“It’s about moving your workplace to Incheon. We’re building an affiliated hospital in Incheon. I think it’ll be completed at the end of this year?”

“…….”

“How about pursuing your dreams there?”

It was a tempting offer.

If he moved his workplace to the new hospital, Joon-hoo could build his kingdom from the ground up.

But the suspicion didn’t go away.

“Can I really get what I want in Incheon? I don’t think the vice chairman will accept my proposal just because I go to Incheon…”

“She might oppose pouring new wine into old bottles. But there’s no problem pouring new wine into new bottles.”

“Is that so?”

Joon-hoo stroked his chin.

He didn’t hesitate for long.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll stay in Busan.”

“You’re turning down this great opportunity?”

Now it was Jung Hyun-woo who was surprised.

He had given Joon-hoo the best option, considering him.

But Joon-hoo rejected it outright, so he couldn’t help but be shocked!

“You won’t be able to get what you want in Busan. I’m not saying this because she’s my daughter. Hyun-jung is not easy to deal with.”

“I’ll try as much as I can, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll find another way.”

“What else can you do?”

Jung Hyun-woo’s words were aggressive, but his tone was gentle.

He just wanted to point out that Joon-hoo was in a powerless situation.

“Everyone has a hidden weapon, don’t they?”

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell you yet.”

Joon-hoo smiled.

Jung Hyun-woo chuckled at Joon-hoo’s relaxed attitude.

He felt it while reading the essay.

Joon-hoo was no ordinary person.

Aside from being dedicated to patients, he also had a knack for social skills and political power.

If he were just a fool who only knew patients, Joon-hoo would never have reached his current position.

“What is your goal for the future?”

“I’m not that ambitious. I’d be happy just to become the hospital director.”

“You don’t need anything more than that?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“The higher I go, the further I’ll be from the patients. I want to stay in the field forever.”

He would leave politics to his teacher, Park Jae-hyun.

He would make a name for himself as a star surgeon, treat patients, and train future generations.

The rosy picture Joon-hoo had painted had never changed or wavered.

“You’re a strange one. I’ve never seen a friend like you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Then, I’ll be going. I’ll visit you again in the evening. Get some rest.”

Joon-hoo checked the time and left the room. It was time for a final negotiation with the Ice Witch.

* * *

The reception room in the VIP ward.

Joon-hoo was facing Vice Chairman Jung Hyun-jung.

A table was between them, with two steaming cups of coffee on it.

A nurse had brought the coffee, but neither of them touched it.

They exchanged silent, intense glances.

“How is my father’s progress? Isn’t it almost time for him to be discharged?”

Jung Hyun-jung spoke first.

“I think we can wait just two more days.”

“We don’t have to worry about aftereffects, right?”

“No. The surgeons were very skilled.”

“You shamelessly praise yourself well.”

“It’s the truth.”

Joon-hoo shrugged.

Jung Hyun-jung didn’t press further.

She had heard from the hospital director.

That her father’s surgery was not easy.

That her father would have died if it weren’t for Joon-hoo.

She even heard that Joon-hoo had brought a thoracic surgeon with him.

That during the urgent surgery, they discovered problems not only with her father’s brain but also with his heart.

The thoracic surgery department was fully booked with scheduled surgeries.

But Joon-hoo had asked his wife, a thoracic surgeon, to urgently attempt heart valve reconstruction.

“I’m grateful to Director Kwak. This is the first time I’m expressing it, though.”

“That’s understandable. You must have been surprised when your father suddenly collapsed. And the hospital foundation must have a lot of work to do.”

“However.”

Jung Hyun-jung took a sip of coffee and continued.

“You know that treating my father and the Epilepsy Clinic project are completely separate, right?”

“…….”

“If you were thinking of linking the two events, you’re greatly mistaken.”

“I expected as much.”

Joon-hoo smiled bitterly.

In a normal development, Joon-hoo would have saved the chairman, and the vice chairman would have approved the Epilepsy Clinic project.

How many people could refuse to let the benefactor who saved their father’s life proceed with the work?

But Jung Hyun-jung was doing that difficult thing.

Her skill in drawing the line was superb.

“I’ll be frank with you here. I can’t accept the project you proposed. The profitability is too low.”

“Aren’t you looking at the scope of money too narrowly?”

Joon-hoo said with his arms crossed.

His posture was different from before.

“The reputation that can be gained from operating an epilepsy clinic using robot surgery is also an asset that cannot be ignored.”

“…….”

“We need to improve our constitution with new businesses. If we can’t do that, we’ll have to keep looking at Jewon University’s tail [inferior to Jewon University].”

“Well, I have a different opinion?”

Jung Hyun-jung retorted in a cold tone.

“If there’s room to invest in neurosurgery, I’d rather focus on other departments. Maybe expand the health checkup center.”

The two people’s logic still ran parallel.

There was no sign of them ever meeting or overlapping.

At this point, Joon-hoo needed to draw his sword first.

He didn’t want to do this, but what could he do?

“I’ll concede one step. Let’s buy just one robot for epilepsy surgery for now.”

“…….”

“We can test the profitability and added benefits first, right?”

“Haven’t you forgotten? One robot costs 3 billion won [approximately $2.5 million USD].”

“Isn’t it okay to just buy it? I’ll use my own money.”

At Joon-hoo’s words, Jung Hyun-jung gave him a look that said, ‘Are you crazy?’

But Joon-hoo’s eyes were only serious.

“It’s not 300 million, it’s 3 billion. You’re going to pay for that with your own money?”

“Yes. I’ll splurge. If the results aren’t good, I’ll dispose of the machine myself.”

“…….”

“But if the results are good, please repurchase the machine I bought from the hospital. And introduce additional new machines.”

“…….”

“With the vice chairman’s power, you can do that much, right?”

Jung Hyun-jung’s head went numb at Joon-hoo’s bombshell statement.

What kind of person was this?

No normal person could have come up with this idea.

To burn 3 billion to prove his point…

Did he even have 3 billion in the first place?

Jung Hyun-jung crossed her arms, crossed her legs, and squinted. She exuded an atmosphere of disbelief.

“I have a lot of money. Much more than the chairman imagines.”

Joon-hoo smiled like a rascal and continued.

“If you don’t believe in my skills, I’ll prove it with money. Let’s see who’s right.”