Chapter 18
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: How a Korean Medicine Doctor Becomes the World's Greatest Physician in Murim
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Bae Seon-u pointed at Seok Jung up on the roof, his face full of astonishment.
"T-Teacher! He's really doing construction work?"
Song Heon-ro couldn't even muster a reply to his disciple. He simply stared blankly at Seok Jung and muttered to himself.
"How is that even...?"
He couldn't help but be shocked. Something he'd deemed impossible was unfolding right before his eyes.
"Could he be pushing himself too hard before he's fully recovered?"
At Bae Seon-u's question, Song Heon-ro carefully assessed Seok Jung's prognosis.
But the rotation of his arm and shoulder looked perfectly natural, with no sign of pain.
There was real power in his hammer swings, and the rhythm of his strikes was steady and even.
It was exactly the same fluid motion of the seasoned craftsman Seok Jung that Song Heon-ro remembered from before.
"This isn't just a temporary recovery. He's truly healed."
"What? That patient we figured would take a full month?"
He'd been surprised enough hearing about Choi Cheol-bo's full recovery. But seeing it confirmed with his own eyes amplified Song Heon-ro's shock even further.
Even so, Song Heon-ro soon nodded calmly.
"At least Seok Jung's recovery is good news."
Seok Jung hadn't been able to join any site work for quite a while. Every time he came in for treatment, he'd apologize profusely to his Unit Stone Guild comrades and beg to recover quickly.
Song Heon-ro had always warned him that rushing things would only make the injury worse.
Bae Seon-u nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. I've never seen anyone swing a hammer with such a joyful look on their face. He must've been dying to get back on site."
"Exactly. Now that he's good to go, let's head back."
"Huh? Just like that?"
"We've checked on the patient we were worried about and confirmed the full recovery. What's the point of sticking around?"
With his business concluded, Song Heon-ro turned on his heel.
Bae Seon-u quickly peeked inside Clear Seclusion Clinic before calling out to his teacher.
"Ah! There they are!"
Song Heon-ro turned back around. Bae Seon-u pointed at the two figures and explained.
"That bright-eyed girl with the big eyes—she's the apprentice from Clear Seclusion Clinic who made the Generate Pulse Powder."
"Huh... That little girl made that Generate Pulse Powder?"
"Yes. Because of her Generate Pulse Powder, our Famous Physician Tower's version has been..."
Bae Seon-u trailed off. Even after enhancing it with premium herbs at the Famous Physician Tower, it was constantly compared unfavorably to Clear Seclusion Clinic's.
"It's fine. I acknowledged that Generate Pulse Powder myself."
"Ah, yes. And that frail-looking young man is the physician here—Jang Wol."
"Younger than I expected. He only looks a few years older than you, my youngest apprentice."
A young physician gazing up at the building under construction. His eyes brimmed with anticipation and excitement for the future he'd build leading Clear Seclusion Clinic.
In that gaze, Song Heon-ro saw an echo of his own self from decades ago.
I need to strive harder.
Song Heon-ro's drive for self-improvement—which had stalled somewhere along the way with age—flared back to life.
"Let's head back. And starting tomorrow, have all the disciples observe every treatment session."
"Pardon? Oh, yes, understood. That includes tomorrow's appointment with So Hong-ryeo, the daughter of the Deokyang So Family?"
The Deokyang So Family—a prominent martial house in Deokyang.
Their daughter, now just ten years old, had been battling a chronic illness for a long time.
And the place So Hong-ryeo went for treatment was the Famous Physician Tower.
Song Heon-ro nodded.
"Of course. And afterward, we'll discuss treatment methods freely—no formalities—and deepen our research together."
Bae Seon-u realized he'd be busier than ever, but he was glad all the same.
His teacher's approach was bound to bring major advances to their medical skills.
True to his word, Seok Jung brought his Unit Stone Guild crew and gave Clear Seclusion Clinic a full makeover.
He'd pegged it at three days.
Of course, closing up shop for three days wasn't on the table. A famous clinic might pull that off, but our patient numbers were picking up lately.
Water's flowing in—why wouldn't I row?
As construction got underway, patients coming and going recognized Seok Jung.
"Isn't that Seok Jung from the Unit Stone Guild?"
"Clear Seclusion Clinic's busier these days—must be raking it in. Handing the whole reno to Unit Stone Guild."
"Heh, good for them. That waiting area's been a pain forever."
Turned out the Unit Stone Guild had quite the reputation in construction.
And we'd scored the job cheap, all thanks to Mad Drunk Guest Hyeong So's connections.
Three days flew by.
Late afternoon, patients all gone and treatments wrapped.
Seok Jung gestured proudly at the finished work.
"There you have it—construction complete. Happy with it?"
The waiting area had been nothing but a shabby awning and tree stumps.
Now? Transformed.
Sturdy wooden pillars anchored the center, topped with a roof woven from bamboo and leaves.
The walls weren't sealed shut—instead, the design kept things open and airy, letting breezes circulate freely through the roof and sides.
Dang Seol-yeong stepped inside and let out a gasp of admiration.
"Wow, it blocks the sun but lets the breeze flow right through. And those old stumps turned into this!"
Just as she said, they'd reused the stumps instead of tossing them—planed smooth into chairs and tables.
I stepped in and took a seat.
A gust of wind rustled the bamboo leaves overhead with a crisp whisper, carrying cool air laced with the faint, soothing scent of fresh wood.
Man, if my clinic in my past life had a waiting room like this...
Patients would've raved about it—phytoncide air, like a forest bath.
"Physician? Everything alright?"
I opened my eyes at Dang Seol-yeong's voice. I'd unconsciously closed them to savor the breeze.
Seok Jung beamed, clearly pleased with my reaction. I gave him a firm nod of approval.
"This alone—the breeze—would heal anyone's heart."
"Haha! We fixed up the main building too. Take a look around."
Inside Clear Seclusion Clinic, Dang Seol-yeong craned her neck upward.
"This'll hold up fine even in the rainy season."
She was right. Roofs that'd looked ready to cave any second were now neatly repaired.
We stepped back outside, and I expressed my thanks to Seok Jung.
"Thank you. Clear Seclusion Clinic's in great shape now, thanks to you."
"Haha, no need for that. You fixed my shoulder—that's what made this possible."
Despite his protests, I insisted on paying him one nyang of silver.
Once everyone had left, Dang Seol-yeong circled the clinic once more, her face beaming with pride.
"Patients tomorrow are gonna love this."
Same here.
I couldn't wait to see their reactions.
Looking forward to it.
The next day.
Early morning, just as treatments were kicking off.
Mad Drunk Guest Hyeong So sat first in the shiny new waiting area.
I'd pegged him for a prickly sort, but he'd hooked us up with Seok Jung for the reno.
To me, he was basically a benefactor.
I approached quietly and asked politely.
"Hello. You're here early. What's the issue?"
"Generate Pulse Powder."
Prickly as ever.
Dang Seol-yeong brought over a bowl of the decoction.
Hyeong So gulped it down, then closed his eyes. A cool breeze swept through the waiting area, brushing across his satisfied expression.
"Good."
But moments later, he opened his eyes—back to his usual gruff face. He paid up and strode out briskly.
Dang Seol-yeong stared at me in surprise.
"Did you hear that? He actually said it was good—for the first time."
She glanced at the empty bowl and added,
"Maybe we brewed it extra strong out of gratitude."
"Could be. But probably a mix of factors."
Treatments wrapped up early today.
Gurgle.
With our early dinners lately, hunger hit quick.
Ten Thousand Winds Inn tonight?
Hadn't gone since treating Na Ho-pyeong—construction kept me away.
Used to swing by every three days or so.
I asked Dang Seol-yeong, who was finishing cleanup.
"Heading to Ten Thousand Winds Inn. Wanna come?"
"You bet! Beats cooking solo here—real food there!"
Na Ho-pyeong greeted us at the inn with lavish warmth.
"Come on in!"
Warmer than before. Probably because I'd treated him.
"Right this way—third floor for our two guests."
A server led us up.
Third floor again. First time after his stomachache, second visit total.
Four floors total. Still no fourth, even after saving his life.
Makes sense—Hao Gate hub. Probably business up top. No need for me there.
We settled at a third-floor table. Soon, platters arrived.
"We haven't ordered yet."
"Direct orders from the owner."
Dang Seol-yeong dove right in.
She grabbed some spicy stir-fried veggies and meat, eyes widening.
"Wow, this is amazing!"
Why not? Free grub.
Na Ho-pyeong showed up shortly after.
"How's the taste?"
I chewed and swallowed a tender piece of braised pork before replying.
"Ten Thousand Winds Inn never disappoints. But you're no pushover on the bill— we covering this?"
"Heh, precisely because I'm no pushover do I treat you like this. I still owe you plenty."
Fine by me—carefree feast.
About to savor Sichuan specialties.
Then Na Ho-pyeong plops down across, grinning ear-to-ear, staring me down.
A tad awkward.
"Something up?"
"Nah, just checking when you two might be free."
"Free?"
"Yeah. Told the wife about everything—she wants you over. Matches what I had in mind."
No off days at Clear Seclusion Clinic. But his eager face? Tough to turn down.
Glanced at Dang Seol-yeong. Same vibe: He's so excited—let's go.
A little R&R wouldn't hurt.
No real breaks since patients surged. Half-day like this? Perfect.
Just post notices a few days ahead: afternoons closed.
Decision made, I told him.
"Got it. If you're inviting, of course we'll come."
Na Ho-pyeong's face lit up with joy.
A few days later—the day of Na Ho-pyeong's home invite.
We sent off the last patient before lunch even hit.
Dang Seol-yeong noted,
"The notices worked—light crowd today."
"Yeah. Off to big bro's place, no worries."
First time here getting invited to someone's home.
Gift? Gotta grab something.
As I pondered hitting the market en route, Dang Seol-yeong pulled something from beside the medicine chest.
Wrapped in fine silk—shaped like a small jar.
"What's that?"
"Can't show up empty-handed. Premium tea leaves—Ami Snow Buds."
I'd read plenty of wuxia, but tea? Clueless. Ami sounded like Sichuan-grown, though.
"Thanks. Didn't expect our apprentice to think of that."
"Oh, bought it with clinic funds—no biggie."
Thorough as Na Ho-pyeong.
We knew the address ahead of time.
Passing rows of houses, his place came into view.
Nicer pad than I figured.
Made sense—running Ten Thousand Winds Inn as Hao Gate branch chief? Slum dwelling would've been weirder.
Na Ho-pyeong stood outside with a woman.
"Jang Physician! Dang miss! Come on in!"
His wife, Son Mi-hwa, beside him.
"Jang Wol of Clear Seclusion Clinic."
"Dang Seol-yeong."
Son Mi-hwa welcomed us with a gentle smile.
"Please, come in. I've heard so much from my husband. Sang-a, say hello to your father's benefactor."
Sang-a?
A little girl peeked out from behind Son Mi-hwa, clutching her mother's clothes, eyeing us shyly.
Right—he mentioned a daughter.
Looked about ten. But her complexion was deathly pale.
Not healthy. Looks like a constitutional issue from the color.
I was about to greet her softly, so as not to startle her.
Treat Na Sang-a's Constitution
🎁 Reward: Acquire two Insights. New trait ‘Moxa Nourishment’ manifests.
My first long-term quest had appeared.
Moxa Nourishment? A moxibustion-related trait?
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