Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Reporters from the Blossom Tales Pavilion
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Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro exchanged glances, reading each other's faces. Both wore expressions that clearly said they had no clue.
Mae So-hwa turned to Na Ho-pyeong.
"Clear Seclusion Clinic? Never heard of it."
"You're from out of town, so that's no surprise. Here in Deokyang, it's a clinic that's been making waves lately. If we're talking Jianghu terms, it's like a rising star among the younger generation."
"That's strange... I could've sworn we didn't hear a peep about it during our preliminary research."
Na Ho-pyeong flashed a warm, good-natured smile.
"You folks are thorough, aren't you? But pay it a visit, and you'll see why it's gaining fame."
"I see."
"And didn't you mention earlier that you wanted to cover the unique medical arts evolving in Deokyang's Medical District—arts specific to this region?"
"That's right. Places like the White Crane Scholar or Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand would have their own original techniques, no doubt."
"Original techniques, eh? Then Clear Seclusion Clinic is perfect. Their acupuncture is top-notch, and their decoctions are something else entirely. Ha ha!"
Na Ho-pyeong excused himself as if he'd said all he needed to.
Mae So-hwa turned to Won Ji-ro.
"What do you think, senior?"
"If the innkeeper's right and it's recently risen to prominence, it couldn't hurt. If our Blossom Tales Pavilion makes first contact, we might even get exclusive rights to his story."
"But it's so new... I mean, really new."
"Why not ask around outside? That should confirm it."
After settling the bill with Na Ho-pyeong, the two stepped out of the Ten Thousand Winds Inn. Behind them, Na Ho-pyeong still wore his affable smile.
As Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro exited the Ten Thousand Winds Inn, they ran into three men heading inside.
One was a muscular fellow with sun-darkened skin, another had a hammer at his waist, and the last trailed behind with a cold, unapproachable expression.
Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro exchanged looks.
No need to hunt down strangers—this was as good as any.
The burly man up front had the friendliest face, so Mae So-hwa spoke up.
"Hello. We're looking for a good clinic in the Deokyang Medical District. Any recommendations?"
The muscular man lit up and answered right away.
"Clear Seclusion Clinic, hands down."
The hammer-wielding man chimed in.
"Give Clear Seclusion Clinic a try. That young physician's acupuncture skills are incredible."
With that endorsement, the two headed inside. The cold-faced man at the rear added a single word in a frosty tone.
"Clear Seclusion Clinic."
Then he followed them in.
Won Ji-ro stared blankly at the trio.
"What? How do all three recommend Clear Seclusion Clinic?"
"And they called it a young physician?"
In the end, Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro decided to pay Clear Seclusion Clinic a visit.
Three days had passed since visiting Na Ho-pyeong's home.
His daughter, Na Sang-a, still hadn't come by.
'He'll need to talk it over with his wife and daughter first.'
There was no rush. For a long-term treatment, the patient's own resolve was key.
'Better focus on the waiting patients for now.'
As various patients came and went that day, Dang Seol-yeong suddenly stepped outside the Clear Seclusion Clinic.
"You two! Wait in the waiting area!"
A moment later, back inside, I asked her.
"Did someone try to cut in line?"
"Yes. A man and a woman showed up and tried to barge right in. I set them straight."
She beamed with pride.
Shortly after, Dang Seol-yeong brought in the medical records of the attempted cutters.
Looking them over, she said to me.
"They're not patients—they're from the Blossom Tales Pavilion."
"Blossom Tales Pavilion?"
First I'd heard of it. Not one of the usual wuxia staples like Wudang or Huashan Sect.
"Yeah. They're a group that compiles and sells wild tales and rumors. Said they're writers from there."
A few days back, Na Ho-pyeong had mentioned two writers might drop by the clinic.
These must be them.
'Writers? That's basically journalists or authors, right?'
Even in the modern world, clinics advertised heavily. One big way was through TV.
Secrets of Life, Death, Aging, and Illness.
The Emperor of Daum.
Herbal Medicine Shop.
I'm a Health God, and so on.
All those health shows the elders loved.
Just one appearance as a Korean medicine panelist, and your clinic blew up.
'No internet or TV here, so these guys are basically the mass media.'
A marketing dream I never imagined back then. But here? Game-changer.
Couldn't let this slip.
I straightened my robes and said in a calm, dignified tone.
"Invite them in."
Guided by Dang Seol-yeong, the two entered.
"I'm Jang Wol of Clear Seclusion Clinic. Have a seat."
"Mae So-hwa, writer from Blossom Tales Pavilion."
"Won Ji-ro of the same pavilion."
Dang Seol-yeong soon brought three cups of tea. I took a sip, then addressed them.
"From Blossom Tales Pavilion, eh? Here to write about Clear Seclusion Clinic, I take it."
Mae So-hwa glanced around.
"To be honest, we originally wanted to cover White Herb Hall or Immortal Spirit Pharmacy."
"They're the big names in Deokyang Medical District."
"But they wouldn't see us—or had no time. Then the Ten Thousand Winds Inn owner recommended your place."
Once more, gratitude swelled for Na Ho-pyeong's generosity.
"Glad you came. Clear Seclusion Clinic is always open—write away."
"But..."
Mae So-hwa, still scanning the room, spoke cautiously.
"This doesn't quite fit the direction we had in mind."
"In what way?"
"We wanted to write about how Deokyang Medical District is developing its own unique medical arts, rivaling Yangyang or Jeongju. But you're so young... hard to imagine you'd have anything that original."
She phrased it politely, but it boiled down to: a young guy running a small clinic? What could he possibly know?
Dang Seol-yeong caught the drift and bristled, stepping forward. I shot her a look to stop, then studied Mae So-hwa.
'Those dark circles are brutal.'
Her eyes were bloodshot, hollow underneath. She kept pressing her temples now and then.
'Dry, lackluster skin, and that fidgeting—insomnia and migraines, looks like.'
With that rough scan...
Treat Mae So-hwa's condition.
🎁 Reward: One Insight
Oh, a quest.
But something felt off, unlike usual.
'Just "treat her condition"?'
Quests normally specified symptoms—like fix the right leg or cure heatstroke.
This vague? Meant no precise diagnosis yet.
Insomnia, migraines, and more, probably.
Visual scan wasn't enough. Needed to take her pulse.
'But with her doubting my skills, she'd balk if I suggested it now.'
I gathered my thoughts and said to them.
"Unique medical arts? Then watch how we treat patients here at Clear Seclusion Clinic."
"Fair enough. We're already here."
The two nodded and took seats off to the side.
"Send in the next patient."
A short, wiry man limped in, barely able to walk properly, dragging one leg.
"Twisted my left ankle."
"Welcome. Let's start with your pulse."
Simple ankle sprain.
"Hmm, must've been rough these past two days. Can't even use lightness skill properly with a leg like that."
The patient's eyes widened.
"Y-you're right. Exactly two days ago, practicing lightness skill."
I inserted Fire Needles into ankle acupoints like Taixi, Kunlun, and Juegu.
Once the effect kicked in, I removed them.
"Try standing."
He stood, stared at his leg in shock.
"W-what? Already healed?"
He walked, jumped in place—no limp, good as new.
"Congratulations on your full recovery."
"Truly grateful. Was skeptical at first, but glad I came to Clear Seclusion Clinic."
Beaming, he paid with silver coins and left.
A glance aside: Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro sat frozen, mouths agape.
I ignored them and told Dang Seol-yeong.
"Next patient."
The next was a sturdy-looking man clutching his lower back.
"Tweaked it training martial arts."
"That sounds painful. Pulse first."
Acute lumbar sprain.
Another condition the Nine Needles' power could handle easily.
And judging by the qi and blood flow...
"Iron Plank Bridge technique, right?"
"H-how did you know?"
I smiled.
"I'm a physician. A few needles, and you'll be fine."
Had him lie prone on the treatment bed.
Slanted Long Needles into Weizhong on both knees. Acupoints for easing acute back pain.
"Long Needles too..."
I tuned out Mae So-hwa's murmur from behind, inserting Fire Needles into Shenshu, Yaoyangguan, and more.
Waited, removed, then asked.
"How's it feel?"
He got down, startled.
"The pain... it's gone?"
"Gone where? You're cured. Congratulations."
As he paid and turned to leave, thrilled, I added.
"Oh, and Iron Plank Bridge isn't bridged with back strength. It's ankle to knee power holding it. Train that external art."
"Thanks! Rumors said you're versed in martial secrets—spot on!"
As the patient left, Mae So-hwa, who'd been watching in astonishment from the corner, suddenly dashed out after him.
Through the open door, their voices carried.
"W-wait! You're not acting, are you? Still hurting but pretending it's fine...?"
"What nonsense? Get lost!"
After getting an earful from the patient, Mae So-hwa returned, dazed.
She looked at Won Ji-ro, who shook his head, equally baffled.
Beside them, Dang Seol-yeong stood smug, arms crossed.
The now-quiet clinic. No more patients, judging by Dang Seol-yeong's demeanor.
I broke the silence.
"Mae So-hwa, you should get your pulse checked too."
She stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"...Me?"
"Head hurts now, worse at night—keeps you up. Tonight'll make the insomnia even rougher."
Her mouth fell open. Dazed, she approached.
As if forgetting her doubts—like possessed—she extended her left wrist.
I took it and began the pulse diagnosis.
Pulse Eye activated.
The flow of qi and blood through Mae So-hwa's body sharpened into focus.
'Pathology in the right wrist. And this qi-blood pattern...'
I mentally sorted through wuxia novels I'd read, then spoke.
"Magistrate's Brush technique strained your right wrist too."
Mae So-hwa, lost in a daze, snapped to and stared at me in shock.