Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Fine Medicine Meets a Fine Physician
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Fine medicine only shines when it meets a fine physician.
It was a touching statement. But that didn't mean he could just accept it on the spot.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to take this? You said it's worth about five taels of silver."
In real terms, it was top-grade medicine worth tens of millions of won.
At the original price, Clear Seclusion Clinic wouldn't have been able to afford it. He'd even considered asking Na Ho-pyeong to buy it for him.
Yet here was this precious herb being handed over for free.
Deng Baekcho smiled.
"Of course it's valuable medicine. But if Jang Physician hadn't sought out the Earth-Yang Ginseng, I might have met my end there."
Deng Baekcho personally handed over the Earth-Yang Ginseng and gripped Jang Wol's hand tightly.
"Because you found it, the Mad Drunk Guest stepped in, and I made it back safely. This means the Earth-Yang Ginseng was fated to end up in your hands."
How could he refuse when it was offered so earnestly?
"Thank you so much."
"Haha, no need for thanks. Consider it payment in lieu of treatment fees. Now that I'm switching from Herb Fragrance Hall to Clear Seclusion Clinic, I look forward to your continued care."
"Yes. Health comes first, so the best thing would be if you never had to come."
Deng Baekcho burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! You speak with the wit of a seasoned healer despite your youth."
Deng Baekcho gathered his belongings and left Clear Seclusion Clinic.
Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro, who had been nearby, whispered to each other.
"Senior, did you see that? This has to go in the book."
"Exactly. It's a heartwarming tale of a patient gratefully giving precious medicine to the physician who saved him."
"And be sure to include the line: 'Fine medicine only shines when it meets a fine physician.'"
The two were utterly devoted to their work.
Then he should focus on his own duties as well.
He handed the Earth-Yang Ginseng from Deng Baekcho to Dang Seol-yeong.
Dang Seol-yeong held it up, examining it closely with admiration.
"The faint golden glow means it's brimming with yang energy. And that subtle sweet scent mixed with the earthy aroma—this is top-grade Earth-Yang Ginseng."
"To give away something so rare... What a grateful soul."
"Yes. And look at these fine roots."
Dang Seol-yeong pointed to the long, intricate fine roots.
"Not a single one is broken off. They're perfectly intact."
"Wow, every single root looks alive."
"Exactly. Earth-Yang Ginseng loses potency if the fine roots are damaged. But that herb gatherer preserved them perfectly."
"So he's a true master at his craft."
Dang Seol-yeong smiled.
"You're blessed with good fortune in people, Physician."
A physician and a herb gatherer.
They were inseparably linked by nature. And connecting with a skilled one like this was cause for real joy.
"Then shall we make Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi Decoction with this Earth-Yang Ginseng?"
"Yes. If we simmer it during today's consultations, it should be ready."
Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi Decoction, made with herbs like astragalus, atractylodes, and angelica to tonify qi and improve blood circulation.
To that, they added the Earth-Yang Ginseng to aid vital energy recovery.
The day's consultations began. At the same time, the decoction simmered, and soon the aroma of the herbal tonic filled Clear Seclusion Clinic.
"My word, what divine tonic is responsible for this wonderful scent?"
"This is Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi? Even Herb Fragrance Hall, famous for their decoctions, never had a fragrance like this."
"Just smelling it makes my energy surge."
The patients' exclamations were well deserved.
Mixed into the rich herbal scent was a nutty sweetness.
'Even I've never smelled a decoction like this.'
Morning consultations ended, and it was time for a short break.
The carefully simmered Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi Decoction was complete.
Dang Seol-yeong strained out the dregs, leaving only the thick liquid.
"Physician, would you like to try some?"
He took the bowl with a bit of the decoction. The bittersweet yet sweet aroma reached his nose first, and he drank it down.
Gulp.
The taste mirrored the aroma perfectly.
Unlike typical decoctions, the subtle sweetness overpowered any bitterness. Likely due to the Earth-Yang Ginseng.
'Kids would love a taste like this.'
Then his lower abdomen gradually warmed. Not just physical heat, but a sensation of yang energy rising.
Amazed by the effects of the Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi Decoction, he looked at Dang Seol-yeong with wide eyes.
"This decoction is incredibly potent."
"Isn't it? With the Earth-Yang Ginseng blended in perfect proportions."
"I really do have good fortune in people."
Dang Seol-yeong's eyes widened at first, then she understood and smiled warmly.
At that moment, Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro, who had been watching, sidled up.
"Could we perhaps have a little of that decoction too?"
Instead of answering, he turned to Dang Seol-yeong—she knew the quantity.
"Of course. A little won't hurt."
Dang Seol-yeong ladled out some Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi Decoction and handed them bowls readily.
Mae So-hwa and Won Ji-ro sipped cautiously. Soon their eyes widened, and a faint flush colored their cheeks.
Then the two retreated to a corner of Clear Seclusion Clinic, whispering furiously as they scribbled away.
"We should write: 'Clear Seclusion Clinic's apprentice demonstrates astonishing decoction-making skills.'"
"Right. So-hwa even passed out sleeping like a log after that tonic she made before."
"Don't make a big deal of that here."
It seemed Dang Seol-yeong's story would make it into Se Hwa Publishing House's book too.
He turned to Dang Seol-yeong.
"Now let's package this Tonify the Middle and Boost Qi Decoction and have someone deliver it to Na Ho-pyeong's house."
"Yes!"
This decoction would surely improve Na Sang-a's condition greatly.
The herb gatherer Deng Baekcho, fully recovered in just one day at Clear Seclusion Clinic, headed to the medicine district.
He had planned to sell the Earth-Yang Ginseng to Form Tong Herbs. But since he'd given it to Clear Seclusion Clinic, he went to inform them.
Upon arriving at Form Tong Herbs, the owner rushed out with a joyful face.
"You're back safe and sound!"
"Yes, safe—but the Earth-Yang Ginseng is off the market now."
Deng Baekcho explained giving it to Clear Seclusion Clinic.
The owner patted his shoulder.
"No problem, you did well. That Earth-Yang Ginseng was what Jang Physician at Clear Seclusion Clinic was after anyway."
Deng Baekcho's face lit up.
"Really? I hadn't heard the details, but that makes it even better. Through all those tangled connections, the Earth-Yang Ginseng ended up in Jang Physician's hands."
Deng Baekcho rejoiced as if the herb had found its true owner.
"From now on, I'll only deal with Clear Seclusion Clinic. I had no idea it was such an amazing place."
Then a burly, muscular warrior approached the shop and chimed in.
"Haha, I've experienced Clear Seclusion Clinic's medicine firsthand too."
The owner welcomed the warrior and introduced him to Deng Baekcho.
"This is Escort Warrior Choi Cheol-bo from the merchant guild. We owe him a lot. And this is the herb gatherer Deng Baekcho."
"Ah, you're the great Choi who fought off bandits to protect the Gold Flower Caravan to the end?"
"The rumors are true, but drop the 'great.' Just call me Brother Choi."
Choi Cheol-bo bantered lightly, then asked curiously,
"I know Clear Seclusion Clinic a bit myself—what treatment did you receive, if I may ask?"
Deng Baekcho described his torn thigh and damaged nerves, and Jang Wol's treatment.
Choi Cheol-bo blinked in astonishment.
"...Their skills seem even better than before."
"He's a young physician at the peak of his growth. What did you get treated for, Brother Choi?"
"Jang Physician fixed my left leg, badly injured from botching Thousand Catties Drop. He even taught me its finer points, elevating my mastery."
The nearby owner interjected in surprise.
"That leg wound was healed at Clear Seclusion Clinic? It's more impressive than the rumors say."
Deng Baekcho was equally amazed.
"And sharing martial secrets too? No ordinary physician. I'll recommend it to my fellow gatherers."
Then Choi Cheol-bo asked curiously,
"Who was the one who saved you from that cliff?"
"Oh, him? Mad Drunk Guest Hyeong So."
Choi Cheol-bo's eyes widened, then he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Don't spin ridiculous lies."
The owner cut in.
"It's true. He came straight to me asking where Deng Baekcho went."
"Hyeong So did?"
"Yep. That Hyeong So."
Choi Cheol-bo's eyes went wide.
The famously uninvolved Hyeong So?
"A decoction from our Jang Physician has arrived?"
Na Ho-pyeong was on his way to Ten Thousand Winds Inn as usual. But news of the decoction from Jang Wol made the inn irrelevant.
A tonic personally prepared by Jang Wol for his daughter.
Nothing mattered more right now.
'Made at Clear Seclusion Clinic, so its effects must differ from others.'
Plus, there was Dang Seol-yeong from the prestigious Sichuan Tang Family.
He'd tried her Generate Pulse Powder before. Na Ho-pyeong knew its power better than anyone. He couldn't help but be excited.
He ladled out a bowl from the decoction Jang Wol sent.
He warmed it to just the right temperature—not too hot—and carried it to Na Sang-a's room himself.
Son Mi-hwa, following close behind, asked cautiously,
"Dear, is this really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sang-a has trouble with bitter decoctions."
Painful memories surfaced for Na Ho-pyeong.
After learning his daughter's constitution, he'd had physicians prescribe tonics.
They were never pleasant—intensely bitter and acrid. Each time, she grimaced, gagged, tears and snot streaming as she forced it down.
It broke his heart, but there was no choice.
Without it, worse illnesses would come.
Recalling the agony, Na Ho-pyeong looked at the bowl in his hand.
"The aroma is sweeter than usual, but..."
"The color is so dark though. It looks very bitter to me."
One mustn't judge a decoction by its scent. Even a savory aroma could hide intense bitterness.
Na Ho-pyeong resolved himself.
"It's made by Jang Physician himself. No matter how bitter, she needs this to get better."
Son Mi-hwa nodded.
"Right. We must trust Jang Physician's prescription."
Na Ho-pyeong and Son Mi-hwa entered their daughter's room cautiously.
Na Sang-a, playing inside, looked up happily at her parents—then her face fell.
She recognized the decoction bowl.
Na Ho-pyeong set it on the table.
"Sang-a, time for your medicine. It'll keep you from getting sick."
Nod, nod.
As she nodded gravely, he added,
"But this one was made by big sister Dang Seol-yeong from Clear Seclusion Clinic."
Fear eased from Na Sang-a's face.
"Oh, really?"
She picked up the bowl with a resolute expression.
"If a pretty big sister made it, I'll drink it strong!"
Gulp, gulp.
Will our Sang-a manage? Na Ho-pyeong and Son Mi-hwa watched pityingly as she drank diligently.
Then astonishment dawned on their faces.
The daughter who always wept, snot-nosed, and gagged had drained the bowl without spilling a drop.
"Haa."
Na Sang-a finished it all at once.
And soon, something miraculous happened.
Heat flushed her pale skin, tinting her cheeks rosy.
To her wide-eyed parents, Na Sang-a asked timidly,
"...Can I have more?"