The Price of Relief

Was this a clinic exclusively for VIPs?

'How could such a young Oriental medicine doctor make such an accurate diagnosis...?'

County Governor Song Jiheon could not hide his astonishment.

"How did you know?"

"Your complexion is yellowish, your skin lacks luster, and your hair is dry and brittle. You occasionally take deep breaths while speaking—is that because you are trying to suppress the urge to sigh?"

"Th-that is correct."

'To think he noticed I was holding back my sighs!'

"Because the lower burner is blocked, the Qi of the middle burner cannot circulate, which causes a constant feeling of tightness in your breathing. Do you also experience occasional neck stiffness and twitching in your left eye?"

"Gasp. Yes, even now..."

"Your pulse appears to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be a Hong-maek (surging pulse) at first glance, but it turns into a Se-maek (thready pulse) when pressed. It is a pattern of Yang deficiency accompanied by Gi-ul (stagnation of Qi)."

What was truly surprising was that he wasn't just pointing out generic symptoms of constipation; he had pinpointed the exact, characteristic sensations Song Jiheon had been feeling.

With every word Kyungwoo added, Song Jiheon’s body leaned further forward.

'It’s severe.'

Kyungwoo was reading Song Jiheon’s sensations. He could vividly feel the stubbornness of the heavy matter in the intestines, refusing to budge like hardened cement. Along with that, the dizzying, bloated feeling caused by the fermented food that hadn't been properly digested.

'It’s better than pain, but it feels disgusting.'

Kyungwoo frowned. However, in Song Jiheon’s eyes, even that frown was interpreted as the agony of a noble, master physician.

In the world of politics and administration, the condition of constipation was a variable that required more attention than one might think. The signal, which came only once every few days, never cared about time or place. If he missed that moment, there was no telling when it would return.

During the last county governor election, even when his victory was confirmed, Song Jiheon had been in the restroom.

He couldn't even reveal his condition openly. He was supported by middle-aged and elderly female voters for his image as an intellectual gentleman; if word got out that he was a 'constipation-sufferer,' it would be the end of it!

The only ones who knew his state and covered for him were the specially appointed aides and secretaries he had hand-picked. He had secretly visited famous hospitals in Seoul to avoid rumors within the county, but this was the first time a doctor had pinpointed his condition in such detail.

'Perhaps this is why he opened an Oriental medicine clinic in this rural area and is fully booked for six weeks...!'

Could it be that it was a clinic for VIPs only, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even the locals didn't know it existed?

"Is there... a treatment method?"

Song Jiheon’s attitude changed completely. Unlike moments ago, when he had been polite but maintained the superior air of a 'higher-up who came to help the clinic,' his tone of voice became humble.

Kyungwoo nodded.

"Well, let’s try acupuncture."

Kyungwoo walked out of the director's office first, and the county governor followed.

"Director, shall I prepare the treatment?"

"Yes. We'll start with the abdomen. Get the placenta pharmacopuncture ready."

Song Jiheon felt a prickling sensation on his back. He could feel Park Miyoung’s silent accusation, wondering if he had successfully cut in line. He tried his best not to meet her eyes as he rolled up his shirt.

Kyungwoo stared at the exposed belly.

'The key points for constipation are Cheonchu and Jigu. Points that prove why the basics are the basics. On top of that, I’ll combine points for Qi stagnation and Yin deficiency.'

First, he located the Cheonchu points. The Bok-mo-hyeol (abdominal alarm point) of the large intestine, located two chon to the left and right of the navel.

"Inhale, and exhale."

"Hoo—"

The moment the tension in his body released with the exhale, the needle was inserted without hesitation.

Chon (寸). This unit of length used to designate the location of acupuncture points in Oriental medicine does not simply mean 3.33 centimeters. Since the straight-line distance from the center of the human body to the nipple is 4 chon, 2 chon is found at the midpoint. It means the acupuncture points change in proportion to the human body. Therefore, accurate point selection ultimately relies on the Oriental medicine doctor’s senses, and Kyungwoo’s senses were currently extremely heightened.

'Here.'

The inserted needle reached the pinpoint. At that moment, Song Jiheon felt his intestines churn with a gurgling sensation.

Ppooong—

His face turned red as he couldn't hold back a fart. However, Kyungwoo pretended not to notice and moved to the next acupuncture point. A short while later, the acupuncture for ten points was finished, and the county governor’s expression was much more relaxed.

"Wow, this is amazing. My lower abdomen feels comfortable."

"Since it’s chronic, the response is a bit slow."

"Pardon?"

"I think it would be good to use pharmacopuncture."

He had never felt his intestines churn like this from just one acupuncture session, and he called it a slow response?

"It’s called placenta pharmacopuncture; it’s a treatment where a refined placenta extract is injected into the acupuncture points. It’s effective for constipation accompanied by Yin deficiency, like yours, Governor."

"Ah, then you must do it!"

"However, pharmacopuncture is not covered by insurance, so there is a cost."

"That’s fine. If it can be cured, what does the cost matter? Please do whatever is necessary."

"Is that so...?"

Kyungwoo smiled meaningfully. Because his belly kept gurgling, the governor didn't notice the director’s lips curling up in a devious way.

"Miyoung, did you pull the pharmacopuncture?"

"Yes, Director, here it is."

'Pharmacopuncture is completely different when you hit the exact point.'

Pharmacopuncture is injecting the herbal medicine directly into the acupuncture point instead of consuming it. In terms of Western medicine, it’s similar to the difference between an oral painkiller and a local analgesic, so if the appropriate herbal extract is injected into the correct point, the effect is excellent.

Kyungwoo carefully inserted the needles into both of Song Jiheon’s Cheonchu points, injecting 0.5cc of the extract into each along with appropriate pain stimulation.

And a short while later.

"Ugh, please take the needles out!"

"It hasn't been 15 minutes yet..."

"It's, it's fine. Quickly... quickly!"

Song Jiheon turned pale and ran to the restroom. A thunderous sound echoed through the clinic.

* * *

After Song Jiheon entered the director's office, Miyoung and Yoon Gwanwoo were left alone in the waiting room.

"The person who called this morning, that was you, the secretary, right?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"...If a superior tries to go down a wrong path, it is the duty of a subordinate to risk their neck to speak the truth, and yet your name is Gwanwoo..."

"......"

Miyoung, who was once a Romance of the Three Kingdoms fanatic, muttered quietly. He was clenching his mouth shut and glaring at Miyoung because he couldn't reveal the true purpose of his visit to explain himself, when the director came out with the governor and headed to the treatment room.

"It really was a trick."

Miyoung spat out the words and followed them into the treatment room.

'This is so unfair...'

However, remembering his purpose, Yoon Gwanwoo quickly scanned the clinic. Nothing special was visible. It was so clean that there wasn't even a corner to hide anything.

'There isn't even a profile of the director.'

A clinic that excluded all forms of solicitation to attract patients. However, Yoon Gwanwoo did not give up. While observing his surroundings in detail, he found a hint in a stack of books neatly placed next to the desk.

The thin magazines stacked monthly were clearly useless handouts published by the department to encourage alumni to participate in funds. 'Isn't Gyeonghyun University the most prestigious among Oriental medicine schools?'

Yoon Gwanwoo opened the search bar. The idea was simple. Oriental Medicine Doctor Hyun Kyungwoo of Gyeonghyun University. Professionals sometimes run blogs or YouTube channels under their own names, so he searched with the thought that maybe something ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would come up. But...

'Daeo Oriental Hospital? Wait a minute.'

Yoon Gwanwoo had heard of that place too. No, had he only heard of it? He had even tried to make a reservation.

'Is it the same person? Why would someone like that come all the way to Goesan?'

Just then, Governor Song suddenly ran out to the waiting room. "Governor, I have something to tell you—" "Move!!"

Song Jiheon pushed Gwanwoo aside and went in. A moment later, a loud roar echoed from the restroom...

'It’s the same person!'

Yoon Gwanwoo was convinced. The terrible constipation that dictated the condition of the superior he served. The person who solved that with a single acupuncture session couldn't possibly be a different person with the same name!

Yoon Gwanwoo opened the restroom door and went in. "Governor, it’s Gwanwoo."

"Oh, Secretary Yoon. A master physician has come to our Goesan. The acupuncture effect is incredible, ha-ha."

It seemed he had already felt the skill when he was treated. Yoon Gwanwoo lowered his voice even further to respond to the governor’s voice, which was brighter and more cheerful than at any time in the years he had served him.

"Governor, do you remember the Oriental medicine doctor who was famous at Gangnam Daeo Oriental Hospital?"

"The young master physician who suddenly disappeared? I couldn't go because my reservation was canceled, remember?"

"I think he’s the same person as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the director here."

"What?!"

"I found a clue that he was from Gyeonghyun University in the waiting room, and when I searched for it, Daeo Oriental Hospital came up."

Song Jiheon’s eyes flashed. 'For someone like that to come to our Goesan! Was it really a clinic exclusively for VIPs!'

Now it was no longer a problem limited to his constipation treatment. As the governor of Goesan, the fact that such a place was opening in Goesan meant it could be connected to various projects for regional development.

'Phew... my intuition.'

What kind of proposal could he make to create a picture where he would cooperate with Goesan County? As Song Jiheon was thinking happily and pulling the toilet lever...

Swoosh— Krrr-k!

"Huh?"

The water went down and then started to rise again. An enormous amount of 'matter' had exceeded the processing capacity of the sewage pipe.

"Uh... this isn't good?"

The governor shuddered, thinking of Park Miyoung’s strict face.

* * *

A short while later, Song Jiheon, who had returned to the director's office, bowed his head.

"Director, thank you."

"Don't mention it."

"But by any chance, are you the Hyun Kyungwoo who used to work at Daeo Oriental Hospital?"

This time, it was Kyungwoo’s turn to be flustered.

"...How did you know? I wasn't that famous."

"You were famous among those who knew. I also tried to make a reservation, but I couldn't because you had quit."

"Ah... I see."

When Kyungwoo remained silent after that, Song Jiheon continued.

"I don't know how you came to have a connection with Goesan, but it’s a welcome thing that a master physician has come here. I, Song Jiheon, will help you. If you wish, I can provide full support for you to relocate to the area with the best scenery and the most developed transportation in Goesan."

It seemed he was under a serious misunderstanding.

"It’s fine. My patients are here."

"Pardon? Are you opening the hospital to the neighborhood residents as well? The grandmother I met in front of the clinic didn't know about the clinic..."

"She didn't know? What did she look like?"

Kyungwoo chuckled after hearing the description. 'That must be our crafty Grandma Soonja.'

"She must have pretended not to know because she was afraid reservations would become difficult. I only see two or three patients a day."

"No, why would such a master physician only see two or three...!"

Kyungwoo mixed truth with lies.

"I have a problem with my body, so it’s difficult to see more than that. I’m just seeing the neighborhood residents a little bit at a time."

"Ah... such a...!"

Song Jiheon was disappointed. The Goesan revitalization plan led by the master physician would be difficult to attempt right away. However...

Soon, a tingling sensation of emotion spread from his Danjeon.

'A person who is in poor health opened a clinic to treat the neighborhood residents even while taking on a deficit?'

He was truly a master physician! Not only his skill but also his intentions were at a level that an ordinary person could not imagine. Thus, a misunderstanding that wasn't a misunderstanding took root deeply in the governor’s heart...

"On behalf of the residents of Goesan, I thank you!"

"Ah... it’s not to that extent..."

"If you have any inconveniences in the future, please contact me anytime. I will help you as much as I can."

The only inconvenience was the increasing number of patients.

"Please just keep it a secret. I’d like to decline people finding out and coming from Seoul."

"I understand. If that happens, there will be less time to treat the neighborhood residents, and that wouldn't align with my medical pledge."

Then, after glancing around, he asked, "Still... may I come occasionally?"

"Well, if you succeed in making a reservation."

The governor was given the mission of breaking through the gatekeeper of the clinic.

"Ah, and about the non-insured treatment."

"You mean the pharmacopuncture from earlier? That effect was truly miraculous."

"That’s why it’s a bit expensive."

"Ha-ha, don't worry and just say it. You can charge more than the list price. With such a skilled and meaningful clinic, how could any amount be a waste?"

"That’s a relief. Since you said that, I will tell you without burden."

"Yes, how much is it?"

Song Jiheon asked with a hearty laugh.

"5 million won."

"Pardon?!"

The focus in his pupils disappeared.