Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Senility
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Not everyone in Luoyang knew, but at the very least, the patients visiting the medical hall were aware of the results of the Murim Alliance Medical Pavilion exam.
Isn't a patient's primary concern always which superior physician they can receive treatment from?
That's why the wealthy were more than willing to pay higher fees to visit the Luoyang Medical Hall.
The long line stretching out now spoke volumes about Yuseong's current standing.
With a queue so impossibly long it couldn't be cleared in a single day, Yuseong enlisted the help of his assistant, Jang Chil, to redirect some patients elsewhere.
"Physician Cha is highly skilled as well. Fortunately, it's a minor ailment, so he'll take good care of you."
"But I wanted to see Physician Baek."
There were occasional stubborn patients, but most followed Yuseong's guidance.
"Oh, Physician Baek. I owe you big time as always! If you leave this place, I don't know how I'll manage on my own—it's all darkness ahead."
These were Cha Physician's words as he rushed over after finishing his consultations, handing over money as payment for yesterday's drinks.
"No need for the money. Consider it my treat for passing the exam. Besides, isn't there Physician Yang?"
"Aw, Physician Yang is in Clinic One—too far away. And a man has to have some shame. You're all I've got now, so don't you ever forget that."
Cha Physician was insisting that Yuseong think of him first when new staff were hired for the Medical Pavilion.
Honestly, Yuseong wasn't sure about his skills, but Cha Physician's face was certainly the first that came to mind now.
The man was just so persistent.
"I have no intention of hiring anyone lacking in skill, so I hope you'll continue to hone your medical arts in the meantime."
"Of course! I'll make sure I'm the best in this place, new physicians included! Ah, excluding Physician Yang, naturally."
With Jo Physician gone from this clinic and Yuseong soon to depart, the Luoyang Medical Hall would reopen its hiring exams.
Quite a few physicians who had taken the Murim Alliance Medical Pavilion exam would likely apply here.
Yuseong finished tidying up and left the medical hall.
"I've been waiting. Please, hop in."
So-ok had pulled up a splendid carriage in front of the medical hall.
It was a prearranged appointment, so Yuseong boarded the carriage.
"You came in person instead of sending a servant?"
As the proxy owner of the Luoyang Medical Hall, this woman surely held a significant position.
"Since you're a guest of that person, it's only natural I come myself."
The carriage left the bustling area around the Luoyang Medical Hall, traveling down a main road into a district lined with luxurious mansions.
It came to a stop in front of one of the largest and most ornate estates.
"Please, come in."
Door guards, servants tending the courtyard, maids bustling about.
'They all have solid stances.'
Yuseong could understand So-ok practicing martial arts, but not a single person in this estate seemed untrained, even slightly.
It clearly wasn't your average merchant household.
So-ok beckoned one of the servants over.
"How is the Elder doing today?"
"Very well today."
So-ok let out a soft sigh.
To Yuseong, it sounded very much like a sigh of relief.
"Please, this way."
Guided by So-ok deep into the estate, they reached a room where an elderly woman who appeared to be in her sixties sat with clear, bright eyes.
She was the true owner of the Luoyang Medical Hall.
"Welcome. I'm Jeong Yeon, the owner of the Luoyang Medical Hall. This is our first time meeting face-to-face, Physician Baek."
After exchanging greetings, Yuseong learned the reason she had summoned him.
"Truth be told, I'd heard of your excellent skills and had a favor to ask. But with you transferring to the Murim Alliance, I had no choice but to arrange this separate meeting."
"I'm sorry for leaving after just a few months without working them off. What is it you need?"
Yuseong felt genuinely apologetic inside.
If there were no ties between the Murim Alliance and Luoyang Medical Hall, that would be one thing, but they had a formal contract.
He had worked there only briefly and was now moving to the Murim Alliance without prior discussion, leaving him with a slight sense of debt.
He resolved to grant any simple request.
"I operate a few pleasure houses. I have many courtesans under my care, and I'd originally planned to ask you to treat their illnesses."
"The courtesans?"
A merchant dealing in courtesans?
Was she in the business of selling women?
But Jegal Yeongyeong wouldn't show respect to someone involved in something so base.
Besides, courtesans weren't barred from seeing physicians.
Even if Luoyang Medical Hall was out of reach, they could visit others.
Reading Yuseong's puzzled expression, Jeong Yeon offered further explanation.
"Do you know why I founded the Luoyang Medical Hall?"
"No idea. Was there some special circumstance?"
"Honestly, I never expected it to become this successful when I started it. I simply wanted to gather skilled physicians so my children could receive treatment without worry. But it grew far more famous than I imagined.
Not just the wealthy, but even high officials began seeking it out."
Yuseong had treated a few such patients himself.
High officials who wouldn't even deign to speak with commoners.
Their arrogance had occasionally rubbed even Yuseong the wrong way.
He began to vaguely understand why this old woman was making such a request.
"They don't want lowly courtesans receiving treatment at the medical hall I founded. I can no longer send my children there. But it's too big now to simply abandon."
"I see. That's unfortunate, but as a member of the Murim Alliance, I can't freely take on regular patients. They couldn't enter the Alliance anyway. Of course, before officially joining, I could manage it."
Jeong Yeon smiled faintly.
Her eyes crinkled with many wrinkles, but she seemed kind-hearted.
"I hear you treat the poor in the slums every day off—a noble deed."
The rumors had already spread far and wide.
Yuseong nodded.
"You'll probably continue that even after joining the Murim Alliance, won't you?"
"Yes."
Unless there were emergencies at the Alliance, there would be days off there too, and Yuseong had no intention of lounging at home.
He planned to spend them treating slum dwellers, which greatly boosted his divine power—and Jeong Yeon had pinpointed exactly that.
"I'll help with that. No need to travel far—I'll set up a treatment site near the Murim Alliance and gather the slum folk for you. I'll supply all the herbs you need. Could you treat my children at the same time? I'll pay separately for their treatments."
"Well..."
"Other physicians couldn't cure the strange disease afflicting my children. Please, I beg you."
"A strange disease?"
"It's embarrassing, but it's the illness that strikes courtesans who entertain men. Others could only alleviate symptoms, not cure it completely. You could start right from your next day off."
Yuseong considered it briefly, but it was no loss to him at all.
The slums were prowled by shady underworld types, so he had to stay vigilant anyway.
Having someone gather those in need was a huge help—and Jeong Yeon's offer provided exactly that.
As for the courtesans' strange disease, a few possibilities came to mind.
It was classified as incurable in this era.
"I can't refuse. Looking forward to working with you."
Yuseong bowed his head in greeting.
He thought the conversation had wrapped up smoothly.
"Who are you? Where's my son!"
If only Jeong Yeon hadn't suddenly bellowed.
The clear eyes from moments ago were gone; now she glared at Yuseong with fury in her gaze.
Her pupils even seemed slightly cloudy.
"What do you mean all of a sudden?"
Yuseong asked, but So-ok, who had been sitting quietly beside her, quickly shouted.
"The Elder's having a fit! Everyone, come in!"
Servants and maids rushed in, surrounding Jeong Yeon, while So-ok pulled Yuseong away.
"The Elder's condition has worsened suddenly—please leave for now. Everything we discussed will be honored."
As Yuseong followed the dazed So-ok out, doubts arose.
Her initial inquiry to the servant about Jeong Yeon's state seemed odd in hindsight, and the old woman's sudden change fueled his suspicions.
"How long has the Elder been like this?"
"...Since you've seen it, I suppose I have no choice. I'll confide in you, Physician Baek, but please don't tell anyone else. Her social standing would make it mortifying."
It seemed connected to what Jegal Yeongyeong had mentioned about her withdrawing from activities for a time.
"I understand."
"It's been about two years since the Elder started showing signs of senility."
"Senility?"
"Yes. It happens at her age sometimes."
So-ok called it senility, but Yuseong suspected something else.
He posed several questions, gaining a clear picture of Jeong Yeon's condition.
When symptoms appeared, forgetfulness was the least of it—she'd forget conversations mere moments after having them.
Servants had to stop her from wandering the house at night when everyone else slept, trying to venture outside.
Sometimes she wouldn't even recognize her beloved So-ok, calling only for her long-dead son.
Just as she had before Yuseong's eyes.
'These are dementia symptoms, aren't they? Makes sense—it's not a diagnosed disease in this era.'
Classified as a form of senility or age-related decline, dementia wasn't established as a distinct illness until modern times.
As Yuseong probed further, So-ok gave him a strange look.
"You sound just like you're diagnosing it. Do you think it's an actual disease? Several other physicians visited, but they all just called it senility."
How many could boldly declare an unknown condition a disease?
They had likely gone with the common wisdom: senility, given her age.
In truth, even if they knew, they had no cure. It was unsolved even in the modern world.
But not for Yuseong.
"I believe the Elder is suffering from a disease. May I examine her?"
"Is that true? Not just age or senility?"
"It's probably an undiagnosed illness, not senility. If there's a chance of treatment, shouldn't we try?"
So-ok's eyes reddened slightly.
Even if not her direct superior, Jeong Yeon was like a mother to So-ok.
After losing her son, she had treated So-ok almost like an adopted daughter—yet now senility had confined her here.
Her public appearances had dwindled sharply.
She feared discovery would tarnish her social status.
The episodes were cyclical, so they'd assumed today safe and arranged the meeting.
'They call Physician Baek a divine physician for good reason—his skills are trustworthy. Better that it's out now.'
So-ok bowed deeply to Yuseong.
"If you truly cure the Elder, I—no, we—will owe you an immense debt of gratitude. Please, examine her."
A merchant house where every servant trained in martial arts, even lightly.
Yuseong couldn't pass up the chance to earn their favor.
He wasn't sure if his healing skill would work on dementia, but he decided to try.
Even if not now, he was confident he could cure it eventually.
"I'll give it a shot. Please take me back to the Elder."
But as So-ok led Yuseong back to Jeong Yeon, a man arrived with over a dozen followers, blocking their path.
"Junior Sister, what do you think you're doing?"