Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Nighttime Emergency Call
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Late afternoon finally brought an end to today's consultations.
And as always, Dang Seol-yeong came over with her brush, ink, and books, peppering me with questions.
"For the heat syndrome patient today, which points did you needle? What about the damp-heat one? And the guy with the left leg injury?"
It was her daily routine. Each time, I explained the treatments I'd used on the spot.
But now, she didn't stop there.
"What technique did you use on the Crooked Pool point? Shallow insertion? Medium? Deep?"
Shallow insertion pierces lightly, medium goes halfway, and deep plunges all the way in.
She must have remembered some offhand comment I'd made about needle sensations, because now she was asking about my insertion techniques too.
But I didn't find it annoying in the slightest.
After all, if there was nothing left for her to learn here, she'd have no reason to stick around.
'If Dang Seol-yeong leaves, I'll never find anyone who can fully replace her.'
I answered her questions with utmost sincerity.
A moment later, she finished jotting notes with a satisfied look and began tidying up.
That sparked a sudden curiosity in me.
"You never ask about antidotes, though?"
When she first arrived, she'd said she sought me out to learn antidotes from a different perspective than her Sichuan Tang Family's methods.
But even in her downtime, she only teased playfully.
- Shall we study poisons today?
She never nagged me to teach her antidotes.
"Your acupuncture is so special, Master. Even if you just taught me antidotes, it wouldn't be much use without the rest."
Dang Seol-yeong continued tidying as she spoke.
"I'm learning step by step, from one to ten. Everything takes time anyway."
That word—everything—struck me oddly.
It wasn't just about learning; it felt like she meant her greater goals too.
'She must have her own dreams or ambitions.'
Just like the ones I was chasing.
Soon, she finished cleaning and bowed to me.
"Well then, good work today, Master."
"You too, Apprentice Dang."
I stepped out of Clear Seclusion Clinic and headed to my lodgings. It was already growing dark.
Sichuan's days aren't long. Especially in the basin where people live—work starts early, and dinner is often eaten during consultations.
'At least there's no night clinic here. That's a relief.'
The other famous clinics in Deokyang Medical District do get patients at night.
But we didn't need to yet. We lacked the staff and facilities.
'In my past life, to compete with those veteran Korean medicine clinics, I'd push myself every day with night shifts.'
To catch the working stiffs who couldn't make daytime appointments.
Once, a salaryman dragged in right at closing after overtime, face etched with exhaustion, begging for acupuncture to relieve fatigue.
I needled a few points, and he passed out cold on the treatment bed.
'I was dying of exhaustion myself, but I barely woke him and sent him home.'
Thinking back on that, I lay on my bed for a quick rest—and dozed off.
Knock knock knock.
"Master!"
The door rapping and Dang Seol-yeong's voice jolted me awake.
"What's going on?"
I stepped outside to find her with a familiar face, both looking urgent.
It was Chu Man-seok, the guy whose herniated disc I'd fixed before.
"Jang Physician, could you come with me for a bit?"
Just when I'd been thrilled about no night calls, here came one.
"What's the problem?"
"The branch chief—no, the owner of Ten Thousand Winds Inn is in critical condition."
Na Ho-pyeong?
He'd helped me out in so many ways. No reason not to go.
"What are the symptoms?"
"His skin's pale, he's shivering nonstop from the cold. Says it feels like chill invading his organs. Pain's so bad with movement, we couldn't bring him."
Dang Seol-yeong darted to the medicine chest, grabbing herbs that matched the symptoms.
But doubt crept in. Such sudden symptoms? He'd been fine just two days ago at dinner.
One thought dominated my mind.
'Martial arts.'
I'd read a famous wuxia novel as a kid where the hero suffered these exact symptoms from a palm strike, enduring agony for ages.
'Of course, I need to see him to be sure.'
We set out first. On the way, I asked Chu Man-seok.
"Was Na Ho-pyeong hit by martial arts?"
He tried to dodge at first but finally admitted it.
"Yes. Struck by internal arts."
How'd that happen?
I was worried, but that was none of my business. Getting too deep into Murim affairs wasn't wise.
Moments later, Chu Man-seok led us to a small house in Deokyang City.
Familiar spot. This was where I'd treated Seong Chu's blackened arm before.
Inside, Seong Chu and some new faces stood around the bed. They parted when they saw me.
Na Ho-pyeong lay there, bundled in thick quilts, face ashen, trembling violently.
"Ah, Jang Physician's here."
"Brother, you okay?"
"Ugh... Cold... Gut's freezing... Hurts..."
I'd heard the symptoms en route. Now, pulse diagnosis was key.
"It's crowded. Everyone out for now."
Once they left, I unwrapped the quilts around Na Ho-pyeong.
A wave of frigid air hit my face from the bedding.
'Incredible chill syndrome.'
Traditional medicine recognizes chill syndromes, sure. Cold limbs, chills—but nothing like this onslaught of icy energy.
As I examined him, Na Ho-pyeong struggled to speak.
"Jang... Physician... Actually, I'm... hao... Hao..."
He was about to reveal he was from Hao Gate. Probably guilty about the deception.
"This isn't a deathbed confession. Save it for after treatment."
Priority was healing.
Na Ho-pyeong's lips quivered as he nodded weakly.
I grasped his wrist.
'Freezing.'
It stung my hand faintly—like ice. That's what he was enduring.
I began pulse diagnosis.
Pulse Eye activated.
The flow of qi and blood coursing through Na Ho-pyeong's body sharpened into clear focus.
And soon, a new message appeared before my eyes.
Mission: Cure Na Ho-pyeong's chill syndrome.
🎁 Reward: Acquire 1 Insight
A mission after so long.
'Guessed it yesterday. Maybe it only triggers for people with ties to me.'
That hunch might hold water.
'Focus on the qi and blood flow first.'
Pulse Eye conveyed the chilling sensation of his qi and blood to me. A razor-sharp flow, shredding his organs, originated from his back.
I stripped off Na Ho-pyeong's top. His upper body was pale—turning blue.
Flipped prone, a black handprint marred his back.
"Palm strike infused with yin chill qi."
Na Ho-pyeong, face buried in the bed, managed a strained laugh.
"Heh... Knew calling Jang Physician was right. You know martial arts secrets cold."
Dang Seol-yeong gasped beside me.
"That's Mysterious Yin Divine Palm, isn't it? Who hit you with such advanced arts?"
"C-Circumstances."
"Lucky the assailant's level wasn't high, or it'd be worse."
Mysterious Yin Divine Palm.
It appeared in wuxia novels I'd read. Famous techniques often share names.
Na Ho-pyeong asked in a trembling voice.
"S-So, can you treat it?"
Pulse Eye showed the qi-blood flow: eliminate that palm mark on his back first. Yin chill kept leaking from it, worsening things.
'To dispel that yin chill mark.'
I recalled the Nine Needles list.
Fire Needle, Lance Needle, Long Needle at proficient level.
But those pierce skin, directly affecting meridians.
From the remaining six, pick the right one.
'Blunted Needle is perfect.'
Blunted Needle has a round, blunt tip. Not for piercing—rub along points to disperse stagnant qi.
'Basically a pressure rod in modern times.'
Paired with Nine Needles mastery here, it'd be worlds apart.
Decision made, I smiled.
"Of course I can treat it."
Na Ho-pyeong turned his head weakly, faint smile.
"G-Good..."
Without hesitation, I applied one Insight to Blunted Needle.
I unpacked my needle pouch on a side table.
And drew out the Blunted Needle.
Dang Seol-yeong stared in surprise.
"Why?"
"Blunted Needle? You handle that too?"
"A little."
"But shouldn't we clear the organ chill first?"
"Wrong."
"Pardon?"
"Treating organ chill first? It'll recur. Focus on root cause, not symptoms."
In traditional medicine, symptomatic treatment versus root treatment.
Symptoms ease signs; root hits the cause.
Neither's absolute—depends on case, often combined.
Dang Seol-yeong nodded in understanding.
"Ah, got it. That's why Blunted Needle."
"Right."
I began rubbing and stimulating Na Ho-pyeong's points with the Blunted Needle, acupressure-style.
'Great Vertebral first.'
Between neck and spine, a key point. Expels excess yang heat or circulates it during chills.
Then Wind Mansion, Crooked Pool, Hegu—circular rubs in sequence.
"Hah..."
Na Ho-pyeong's deep sigh expelled chill.
Dang Seol-yeong exclaimed.
"Master, his skin color's returning!"
Not fully—the palm mark's chill lingered.
'Around the Shoulder Well points where the palm hit.'
Mid-back, flanking the spine.
Black print centered there.
I gently rubbed up-down on Shoulder Well with Blunted Needle, boosting circulation. Proficient level stabilized flow swiftly.
Dang Seol-yeong murmured blankly.
"The Mysterious Yin Divine Palm seal..."
The mark faded, skin normalized.
"Chill syndrome's cause eliminated."
Na Ho-pyeong rolled over, sitting up. Tremors much eased.
"Whew, thanks."
"Not done. More treatment. Now, organ chill."
I drew the Long Needle from the pouch.
Na Ho-pyeong's eyes widened at the slender length.
"Th-That long needle for the organs?"