The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 184

Dan Akseon continued his explanation.

“Generally, the heart is an involuntary muscle that can’t be controlled by a person’s will. However, with martial arts, one can manipulate their inner Qi [life force or vital energy] to gain some control over it. For example… like the Turtle Breathing Technique.”

At those words, Joo Chowoon felt as if the fog obscuring his vision had finally lifted.

He had once heard that some martial artists could use their inner energy to stop breathing, slow their heart rate, and control blood flow to artificially enter a state of suspended animation.

“Is that the method assassins use to hide?”

“I don’t mean actually using the Turtle Breathing Technique, but rather using internal energy to control involuntary muscles at will.”

Joo Chowoon felt a glimmer of hope.

“Martial arts… you mean?”

Dan Akseon continued his explanation.

“Of course, you shouldn’t use martial arts like ordinary martial artists do. It will definitely strain the heart. It should only be used to assist the heart.”

At those words, Joo Chowoon let out a heavy sigh.

“I’ve been too narrow-minded. I thought medicine was the only solution and focused only on eliminating the cause. I thought I had exhausted all methods… My perspective was too limited.”

Dan Akseon comforted Joo Chowoon.

“There’s no need to regret or blame yourself. Even I would have made the same decision as you in the past.”

Still, Joo Chowoon only sighed, and Dan Akseon looked at him with pity.

“You know your son doesn’t have much time left, right?”

Joo Chowoon nodded silently.

‘At most, half a year.’

If he couldn’t improve his condition within that time, there would be no other way to help him.

Even if he restored the heart’s function to its original state, it was obvious that the damaged organs would cause a chain reaction of problems.

“I will do whatever I can. So please… save my son.”

At Joo Chowoon’s earnest gaze, Dan Akseon nodded.

“I will do my best, as I have always done. But I need your help, Doctor.”

“My help?”

Joo Chowoon was taken aback.

He felt helpless, wondering how he could help Dan Akseon, who was already at a much higher level than himself.

At that moment, Dan Akseon said as if it were obvious.

“We need to put our heads together to find even slightly better methods. That will increase the chances of treatment. And you know your son’s condition better than anyone else.”

Joo Chowoon was inwardly surprised by Dan Akseon’s words.

‘I was so arrogant!’

Despite possessing such outstanding medical skills, he was unreservedly seeking advice from him, who was less skilled, to find a better method!

Dan Akseon’s attitude was a refreshing shock to Joo Chowoon.

It also made him reflect on himself for having looked down on and ignored doctors who did not meet his standards.

‘Myung-yi, if only I can save this child!’

He had been struggling through each day, wallowing in despair.

Now, a new flame of desire began to flicker in his eyes.

“I look forward to working with you.”

Meanwhile, Joo Jangmyung, lying on the bed, looked at his father and Dan Akseon with sad eyes.

Adoo approached Joo Jangmyung.

“Would you like to drink this?”

Joo Jangmyung struggled to sit up in bed to receive the tea Adoo offered.

His skinny fingers gripped the teacup.

Pity appeared on Adoo’s face as he saw this.

Perhaps because he had younger siblings of a similar age, it didn’t feel like someone else’s problem.

Then, he suddenly felt something was off.

It was because Joo Jangmyung was silently staring at the tea.

“It’s tea brewed with medicinal herbs that are good for your body. It will warm you up.”

“Thank you.”

But Joo Jangmyung didn’t even bring the tea to his lips.

“Are you worried it might be bitter? Don’t worry. It’s sweet because it has lots of licorice, loquat, and jujube [types of fruits and herbs often used in traditional medicine].”

No matter how many times he urged him, Joo Jangmyung didn’t drink the tea, and Adoo was flustered.

“Why aren’t you drinking it? It’s good for your health!”

It was then that Joo Jangmyung opened his mouth.

“If I try, my father will have a hard time.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Joo Jangmyung put down the teacup and smiled sadly.

“It means that the more I try to live, the harder it is for my father. It’s always been like that.”

Joo Jangmyung looked up at Joo Chowoon, who was standing far away.

“But if I die, my father will have a hard time again.”

Tears welled up in Joo Jangmyung’s eyes.

“I’ve been making my father suffer while I’m alive, and I’ll make him suffer even when I die. I wish only I could be in pain, but my father hurts because of me. Why… why was I born like this?”

Joo Jangmyung was rambling, perhaps because his heart was in turmoil, but his feelings were conveyed to Adoo intact.

Adoo quietly reached out and took Joo Jangmyung’s trembling hand.

“Still, you’re lucky.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. In not just one, but two ways.”

Adoo gave Joo Jangmyung, who was looking puzzled, a gentle smile.

“The first is that you met our doctor now. He will definitely make you healthy.”

“Can I really get better?”

“Of course. Look at this.”

Adoo lifted his uncomfortable leg.

“If I hadn’t met the doctor, I would have had to live as a cripple forever. But now, thanks to the doctor, I can walk on my own like this. Of course, I still need more treatment.”

Adoo patted Joo Jangmyung with a confident expression and voice.

“I can vouch for our doctor’s skills from personal experience. So don’t worry.”

“Yes…”

Adoo picked up the teacup again and handed it to Joo Jangmyung, who was slowly nodding.

“Aren’t you curious about the second reason?”

At those words, Joo Jangmyung met Adoo’s gaze.

“I’m curious.”

Adoo smiled and opened his mouth.

“It’s that you have a good father who cherishes and loves you. I don’t have either of my parents.”

Adoo suddenly smiled bitterly.

“Unlike me, you have a father who will be happy with you when you get better. That’s the second stroke of luck.”

“Ah!”

Only then did Joo Jangmyung give Adoo a sorry look.

“Don’t make that face. You’ll be smiling like me soon. Trust our doctor.”

Adoo, who was in a difficult situation himself, was giving him so much care and advice.

His warm heart caressed the pain that had built up.

Adoo gave him a look of encouragement as Joo Jangmyung silently brought the teacup to his lips.

Meanwhile, there were three people watching the scene from afar.

“I guess my childhood was happier than those kids’.”

Cho Akryang opened his mouth with a bitter expression.

Of course, he had also experienced unfortunate events, but at least he had never suffered from physical discomfort or illness.

At those words, Beom Gyewi pouted.

“Tch, what’s so pitiful about that…”

“Wipe your tears.”

Beom Gyewi snapped at Cho Akryang’s teasing.

“I’m not crying!”

It was then that Han Seolhwa, who had been standing silently, spoke.

“Will that child survive?”

Beom Gyewi nodded.

“Doctor Dan said there’s a way. He’ll save him no matter what.”

“I hope so.”

Cho Akryang nodded, casting a pitiful gaze.

He could only hope that the heavens would recognize the efforts of the father and son who had been relying on each other to endure hardship.

That evening.

Dan Akseon, having finished all the treatments, headed to the detached house in the backyard of the manor.

It was a temporary residence where the Joo family would be staying for a while.

Joo Jangmyung was very tired and had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Still, in case he woke up, Dan Akseon and Joo Chowoon began to stroll through the garden and talk.

They shared and coordinated their opinions, searching for treatment plans for about an hour.

Finally, they were able to gather their opinions and reach a conclusion.

“Even if I use all the medical skills I have, there are definitely limitations. He can only last for two years at most. The only way is to build up internal energy to support the heart within that time.”

At Dan Akseon’s words, Joo Chowoon made a troubled expression.

“But I am ignorant when it comes to martial arts. Besides…”

Joo Chowoon trailed off.

If he needed to be able to control blood flow using inner Qi, he would need a considerable level of internal energy.

Even if he lacked knowledge of martial arts, he knew that building that level of internal energy in two years was close to impossible.

Reading his expression, Dan Akseon spoke calmly.

“Of course, it’s difficult with existing martial arts. But there’s a martial art I’ve been researching recently. However, I can’t guarantee success.”

Dan Akseon had already built up considerable internal energy through the Wihwa Divine Art [a specific martial art].

But this was only possible because his foundation was well-established.

It was uncertain whether Joo Jangmyung, who had never learned martial arts, could learn the Wihwa Divine Art.

Nevertheless, Joo Chowoon nodded firmly.

“We still have to try. It’s the only way now.”

“Then rest for now. I’ll go back to the Divine Demonic Valley and discuss it with the others. I can’t decide this alone.”

“I understand. I’ll be waiting then.”

Dan Akseon smiled and nodded.

“They’re good people, so they’ll definitely grant permission willingly. So rest easy.”

Dan Akseon, escorted by Joo Chowoon, returned to the Divine Demonic Valley and immediately explained the situation to Cho Akryang, Beom Gyewi, and Han Seolhwa.

“To save that child, we need to pass on the Wihwa Divine Art.”

As expected, the three did not strongly object.

Since they had already taught 능소밀 [Neung Somil – name of a character], there would be no problem with adding one more person.

“But even if he learns it, he can’t use martial arts, right?”

Dan Akseon replied to Beom Gyewi’s question.

“It’s just to support the heart anyway.”

“If we can save him even like that, we have to do it. Isn’t the Wihwa Divine Art itself a martial art created to save people?”

At Cho Akryang’s words, Han Seolhwa also nodded silently in agreement.

At that moment, 능소밀 [Neung Somil], who had been silently watching the situation from the side, smiled slyly and opened his mouth.

“So, I’m getting a junior disciple?”

능소밀 [Neung Somil] gave a meaningful smile.

“Junior disciples should be trained hard…”

Suddenly, 능소밀 [Neung Somil] quickly changed his words as sharp gazes flew in from all directions.

“…but I’m different. I will cherish and care for him to the best of my ability.”

Only then did the three people’s gazes soften, and 능소밀 [Neung Somil] wiped his surprised chest.

This is why you have to watch your surroundings when making jokes.

사무심 [Sa Mu-shim – name of a character] offered an opinion at that moment.

“What about that child’s father? Was his name Joo Chowoon? How about hiring him as a formal doctor of our medical family?”

“As a formal doctor?”

“Isn’t he in a situation where he has to stay in our medical family anyway for his son’s treatment? Besides, he’s said to be skilled in medicine, so he’ll be a great help in the current situation where patients are flocking in.”

Dan Akseon soon agreed.

“After talking to him today, he seemed quite skilled. He does have a conservative tendency leaning towards traditional medicine, though.”

On the other hand, he had pride in his medical skills and the skills to match.

Beom Gyewi simply summarized the situation.

“Great! The son gets treatment, and the father becomes a doctor!”

When everyone else agreed, Dan Akseon smiled and nodded.

“Then I’ll ask him tomorrow.”

* * *

As soon as the day dawned, Dan Akseon headed to the medical family and conveyed the stories he had shared in the Divine Demonic Valley last night to Joo Chowoon.

“If you save my son, I will not hesitate to jump into a fire pit. However…”

Joo Chowoon hesitated for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

“I will dedicate the rest of my life to this place, but I ask that you allow my son freedom.”

Dan Akseon looked surprised.

He had not intended that from the beginning.

“Please. Let me bear my son’s share as well.”

Dan Akseon was flustered by Joo Chowoon’s repeated pleas.

“Our medical family has no restrictions or prohibitions. Staying in our medical family is not forced, but rather a formal invitation. Why do you have such a misunderstanding?”

This time, Joo Chowoon was rather flustered.

“Don’t tell me you don’t care if your own secrets are leaked?”