The Divine And Demonic Doctor [EN]: Chapter 490

“We can’t overlook the Fengfu Point (风府穴) [a specific acupuncture point on the back of the head], which is closely related to motor nerves. However, it would be better if there was a way to stimulate the Yangbai Point (陽百穴) [another acupuncture point on the head] at the same time……”

As Tak Yeo-sang trailed off, Dan Ahk-seon smiled and nodded.

“Since it belongs to the Gallbladder Meridian (膽經) [a major energy pathway in traditional Chinese medicine] and meets the Yang Yu Meridian (陽維脈) [one of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians] at the Convergence Point (會穴) [where multiple meridians intersect], we can sufficiently supplement it with acupuncture.”

“Before that, the child’s innate energy is still weak, so we need to delicately support the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. For example, by applying moxibustion [a traditional Chinese medicine therapy involving burning dried mugwort on specific points on the body] to these acupoints.”

“A method of helping the flow of true energy using heat?”

“It’s a classic method, but it has its pros and cons. In terms of efficiency, the effect may be somewhat slower, but it is that much more stable.”

After pondering Tak Yeo-sang’s suggestion for a moment, Dan Ahk-seon slowly nodded.

“Not bad. However, a child’s heart beats quickly, so we need to operate the flow of innate energy in accordance with that speed.”

“There is also a method of utilizing a formation as an external aid.”

“That’s quite an interesting idea.”

Medicine is fundamentally based on the flow of the Five Elements [a philosophical concept used to explain a wide array of phenomena, from cosmic cycles to the human body], so it wasn’t an absurd idea.

Dan Ahk-seon looked at Tak Yeo-sang with a fresh gaze.

Having inherited the progress of the Ghost Hand, she was indeed an outstanding physician.

Even with the same treatment method, her unique secrets and interpretation methods provided a fresh stimulus, offering a new perspective.

That’s why Dan Ahk-seon enjoyed this time so much.

Just being able to have so many conversations on the single topic of medicine allowed them to form a bond that was hard to come by.

“But according to my father’s records……”

Dan Ahk-seon continued to explain for a long time.

“Ah! Our ancestor interpreted that part in this way.”

Tak Yeo-sang took the baton again.

The two, who had been exchanging stories non-stop, took a breather after half an hour.

In the meantime, Bum Yeo-hwa, tired of waiting, was dozing off in the warm sunlight.

Dan Ahk-seon carefully picked up Bum Yeo-hwa.

She gazed at the peacefully sleeping child’s face for a moment.

Then, Cho Ahk-ryang and Han Seol-hwa approached Dan Ahk-seon.

“Have you finished the discussion?”

“Yes. We’ve grasped the general direction and outline.”

It was the result of the two racking their brains for days.

Cho Ahk-ryang nodded after listening to Dan Ahk-seon’s explanation.

“So, it’s not just a simple Cleansing and Marrow Exchange [a process to purify and strengthen the body’s constitution]?”

“It’s about naturally accepting the energy and flow of the Five Elements through a formation so that the body remembers it. If it goes as researched, it will far surpass the effects of the Great Cleansing and Marrow Exchange itself.”

The research that Dan Ahk-seon and Tak Yeo-sang were dedicated to was for Bum Yeo-hwa’s Cleansing and Marrow Exchange.

Jegal-san, the head of the Jegal Clan, had done it for his son, so Bum Yeo-hwa could not be excluded from that, of course.

“However, the problem is……”

Dan Ahk-seon trailed off.

No matter how successful the research was, it was only theoretical.

Since it had not been actually demonstrated and verified, a confirmation process was needed.

“We can practice on him.”

Cho Ahk-ryang, whose gaze was directed towards where Han Seol-hwa was looking, smiled slyly.

Just the right person was strolling this way.

“Huh? Practice what?”

Bum Gye-wi, who was wondering, frowned at Cho Ahk-ryang’s words.

“How can a father ignore his own child’s affairs? Gladly sacrifice yourself.”

“So, what are you talking about?”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled and shook her head.

“You don’t have to worry. It’s not a story that applies to a master like Uncle Bum anyway.”

It was then.

Sa Mu-sim, who happened to be passing by and heard the story, volunteered.

“Then I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?”

“What’s not to be okay with? I trust Master Gok.”

In fact, it was not something that involved great risk or side effects, so Dan Ahk-seon readily accepted Sa Mu-sim’s favor.

Shortly after.

Cheon-ui began to set up a formation around Sa Mu-sim.

It was a special formation devised in consultation with Dan Ahk-seon for the purpose of Cleansing and Marrow Exchange.

After completing all preparations over the course of an hour, Sa Mu-sim stepped inside.

“Oh! It feels similar to the formations here in Shinma Valley (신마곡), but also different in some way.”

Sa Mu-sim exclaimed at the changed environment around him, looking around with a curious expression.

“It won’t take long. It’ll be about half an hour at most.”

Sa Mu-sim nodded and sat in the center of the formation. Dan Ahk-seon placed her palm on the 풍문혈 [an acupuncture point] on his back and drew up 위화신공 [likely a specific internal energy cultivation technique].

At the same time, Tak Yeo-sang placed needles and applied moxibustion to several acupoints on Sa Mu-sim.

After a while.

“Huh?”

Tak Yeo-sang, who was placing needles on Sa Mu-sim’s blood points, looked at Dan Ahk-seon in surprise.

“What is it? This unbelievable potential (潛力)?”

The inner strength deeply hidden in Sa Mu-sim’s dantian [the body’s energy center, located in the abdomen].

Tak Yeo-sang, who was unable to hide her surprise at the immeasurable amount of inner strength, was once again astonished by Dan Ahk-seon’s words that followed.

“It’s probably the effect of the Divine Stone Oil (공청석유) he took a long time ago.”

“Did you just say Divine Stone Oil (공청석유)?”

A divine elixir of 천고 [ancient times] that could not be encountered unless heaven allowed it.

It was such a precious elixir that even Tak Yeo-sang had only heard of it and doubted whether it actually existed.

However, Dan Ahk-seon nodded nonchalantly.

“At the time, his body was unable to fully contain its efficacy, so only a portion was used for treatment, and the rest seems to have been dormant deep within his dantian.”

Dan Ahk-seon gave Sa Mu-sim a smile.

“That’s great. Let’s take this opportunity to completely melt the remaining energy of the Divine Stone Oil (공청석유) into Chief Sa’s internal energy.”

Sa Mu-sim replaced his answer with eyes filled with infinite trust.

Soon, Dan Ahk-seon began to 운공 [circulating internal energy] in earnest.

The auspicious energy of 위화신공 [the internal energy cultivation technique] engulfed the area immediately after.

Sa Mu-sim, too, had already closed his eyes and was focusing on the true energy running through his body.

How much time had passed?

“Hoo.”

Dan Ahk-seon took a light breath and stepped back.

And Sa Mu-sim slowly opened his eyes.

“How is it?”

At Dan Ahk-seon’s question, Sa Mu-sim checked his body condition and quietly reached out his hand forward.

쩡.

A clear palm print was engraved on a rock fifty *jang* [a traditional Korean unit of length, approximately 12 feet] away.

Afterwards, Sa Mu-sim took out the iron ruler he was carrying on his side and injected true energy into it.

우우웅.

The iron ruler vibrated and emitted a low cry, and a clear sword energy comparable to *ganggi* [a powerful form of martial arts energy] rippled above it, revealing its power.

“Congratulations. You’ve achieved great success.”

Sa Mu-sim bowed his head with grateful eyes at Dan Ahk-seon’s congratulations.

“Everything is thanks to Master Gok’s grace.”

Sa Mu-sim also paid his respects to Tak Yeo-sang.

“Thank you, Doctor Tak.”

Tak Yeo-sang, who approached with a smile, took Sa Mu-sim’s pulse and nodded.

“There are no special side effects. It’s a success.”

Her voice and expression were quite excited.

That was because it was the first feat she had achieved in collaboration with Dan Ahk-seon.

“Then all the preparations are complete.”

Dan Ahk-seon turned her head and met Bum Yeo-hwa’s gaze as she held Bum Gye-wi’s hand and looked up at her.

“Now it’s our Yeo-hwa’s turn.”

Bum Yeo-hwa, who had woken up a long time ago, had been watching the Cleansing and Marrow Exchange process that had taken place earlier.

So, Dan Ahk-seon was secretly a little worried.

Even if her parents were martial arts masters, Bum Yeo-hwa was just a child.

There was a possibility that she would be afraid of the Cleansing and Marrow Exchange process itself.

But unexpectedly, Bum Yeo-hwa burst into cheers and quickly jumped into the formation.

“See, Mom. I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Huh?”

She was puzzled by the incomprehensible words for a moment.

At her daughter’s words that followed, Byeok Hwa-ryeong burst into laughter.

“I told you, I was really born well [a Korean expression meaning ‘I was born into a lucky situation’].”

Bum Yeo-hwa, who had completed the Cleansing and Marrow Exchange in half an hour, fell asleep again in an instant, probably quite exhausted.

Bum Gye-wi, holding his daughter in his arms, carefully examined Bum Yeo-hwa’s condition.

And not long after, he smiled brightly.

He clearly felt that it was definitely different from before.

“Doctor Dan! Thank you!”

“You’re welcome. We’re family. I just did what was natural.”

Bum Gye-wi nodded and this time smiled at Tak Yeo-sang.

“Cheon-ui, thank you too. Sorry for cursing you in my heart all this time.”

“Did you?”

Tak Yeo-sang also gave a smile to Bum Gye-wi, who was smiling awkwardly.

“Since you have committed a sin, you must bear the consequences. I will gratefully accept your greetings.”

“Cheon-ui, cheer up. I’ll support you now too.”

“Support? What on earth……”

Tak Yeo-sang, who was tilting her head, soon realized something and her face turned bright red.

Bum Gye-wi, who was smiling meaningfully at her, suddenly remembered something and called out to Dan Ahk-seon.

“Ah, right! Doctor Dan!”

“Yes?”

“Are you going to do the same for our second child?”

Dan Ahk-seon looked at Byeok Hwa-ryeong in surprise and asked.

“Did you have a second child?”

Byeok Hwa-ryeong gave him a dumbfounded look and stared at Bum Gye-wi.

“You have to look at the sky to pick a star [a Korean idiom meaning ‘don’t count your chickens before they hatch’]!”

“……?”

“Has he been a little busy lately [implying they haven’t been trying for another child]?”

“Ah!”

Dan Ahk-seon smiled awkwardly.

“What’s the problem? You can start trying now! Right?”

Dan Ahk-seon nodded.

“Not just a second child, but a third, or even ten.”

“Hehe, thank you, Doctor Dan. So, what I mean is……”

“……?”

“Do you have any *dokgyesan* [a medicinal aphrodisiac] left over?”

짜악 [sound of a slap].

Bum Gye-wi’s back burst into flames.

Byeok Hwa-ryeong’s palm had exploded.

“Gaga! What on earth are you talking about!”

“No, my woman. Isn’t that right? To pick a star, you have to look at the sky first, and to look at the sky, you need *dokgyesan*……”

“Is that something you can say in front of others?”

Leaving the bickering couple behind, Dan Ahk-seon looked at Cho Ahk-ryang and Han Seol-hwa.

“The same goes for you two.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Cho Ahk-ryang, who had inadvertently retorted, coughed awkwardly at Dan Ahk-seon’s words that followed.

“If a child is born between you two, I will take responsibility for that child as well.”

“커험 [cough]. What kind of……”

Cho Ahk-ryang, embarrassed and blushing unlike himself, was once again embarrassed by Han Seol-hwa’s gaze staring at him.

“Han Nuna [a respectful Korean term for an older sister or female friend]?”

Han Seol-hwa beckoned Dan Ahk-seon and whispered quietly.

“If there’s any left, could you give me some too?”

One look was enough.

Dan Ahk-seon smiled and nodded.

“Of course.”

Because of that, Cho Ahk-ryang, feeling embarrassed, pretended not to hear the two’s conversation and turned his gaze to the distant sky.

That evening.

Han Seol-hwa had her pulse taken by Dan Ahk-seon for the first time in a long time.

“There’s nothing more I can treat you for now.”

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard all this time.”

Dan Ahk-seon, who was gazing at Han Seol-hwa smiling, quietly smiled.

“Gray hair?”

Han Seol-hwa nodded.

“They’ve started to appear one or two strands recently.”

“It was a matter of the heart after all.”

“……?”

“A long time ago, your body was definitely completely healed. Nevertheless, Auntie’s body was not affected by the passage of time.”

At Dan Ahk-seon’s words that followed, Han Seol-hwa also wore a soft smile.

“Now that my frozen heart has melted, the stopped time has begun to flow again. I guess there are limits that cannot be overcome with medicine after all.”

Dan Ahk-seon reached out and took Han Seol-hwa’s hand.

“I’m so glad that you two are happy.”