Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Because I Want to Get Better Quickly
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"Because if I'm sick, I want to get better fast."
Immortal Spirit Pharmacy sat right in the heart of Deokyang Medical District.
The pharmacy had a history as long as the district's own development.
People came from as far as Sichuan Province and the surrounding areas, all hoping to get treated here.
But meeting the Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand, Physician Yu Ja-gyeom, wasn't easy.
The vast compound felt like several clinics merged into one.
A line of people stood waiting, chatting idly among themselves.
"How many days have you been waiting?"
"Three days."
"But even then, you won't get to see Physician Yu, the Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand, right?"
"Exactly. To get treated by him, you need to be pretty well-known in the jianghu."
"Guys like us from minor sects have no choice but to see the other physicians."
"Still, this is Immortal Spirit Pharmacy. Any physician here has to be better than those elsewhere, no doubt."
"I agree. That's why we come to Immortal Spirit Pharmacy."
At that moment, murmurs rippled through the line of waiting people.
"Oh, look at those two in the blue Taoist robes."
A middle-aged Taoist priest and a man who looked to be in his thirties were being led inside by a servant.
"Qingcheng Sect Elder Wind Spirit Scholar Jo Ja-cheon, the great hero."
"And behind him is his senior disciple, Swift Wind Sword Seo Jin-myeong."
"As expected, famous martial artists get to meet Physician Yu right away."
"Tch. Our White Sword Sect has more than enough qualifications to be treated by him too."
"What nonsense is that guy spouting? Comparing ourselves to a great sect like Qingcheng."
Seo Jin-myeong, following the servant, kept glancing around restlessly.
Jo Ja-cheon asked him,
"Are you looking for that guy with the face red as a beet?"
"Yes. He might be here, after all."
"That man who tied with Qingcheng's senior disciple in a spar—I'm curious about him too. With such a distinctive look, you'd think he'd stand out, but no luck."
"We didn't meet this time, but fate will bring us together again someday."
"True. A worthy rival always aids one's martial progress. Cherish that connection—seek him out again."
Soon, Jo Ja-cheon and Seo Jin-myeong arrived at Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand Yu Ja-gyeom's consultation room and stepped inside.
Yu Ja-gyeom looked at Seo Jin-myeong and said,
"Take off your clothes and lie on the treatment bed."
"Yes, understood."
Seo Jin-myeong complied politely, and Jo Ja-cheon smirked at Yu Ja-gyeom.
"No greeting for your guest?"
"I've seen you three days straight already. What's there to greet?"
Then Yu Ja-gyeom unrolled his needle pouch and took out the fire needles.
Shuk, shuk, shuk.
The fire needles pierced Seo Jin-myeong's acupoints with swift, precise accuracy.
Jo Ja-cheon watched the acupuncture in awe.
And even more astonishing were Yu Ja-gyeom's words as he applied the final needles moments later.
"Treatment's done. You can go now."
Awe flashed across Jo Ja-cheon's face.
Seo Jin-myeong's qi and blood had twisted from overtraining—a treatment that would take over half a month elsewhere. Yet here, it was finished in just three days.
The result of brilliant acupuncture fused with profound inner energy.
Jo Ja-cheon asked curiously,
"If you're this skilled, just how capable is that so-called supreme divine physician of the jianghu?"
Yu Ja-gyeom's eyes narrowed.
"Hmph. Why would I know? Hard enough to even meet the guy."
"Fair enough."
"Treatment's over—off you go."
Seo Jin-myeong dressed and bowed respectfully.
"My deepest thanks for your great grace, senior."
Seo Jin-myeong left the room, but Jo Ja-cheon stayed put.
As Yu Ja-gyeom packed away his needles, he turned to him.
"Why haven't you left?"
"Do you know the daughter of Deokyang So Family?"
"Of course. Their girl's got some illness. Famous Physician Tower's Physician Song is handling it, I think?"
"I have ties with their previous family head. I stopped by to pay respects and learned So Hong-ryeo's condition hasn't improved."
Jo Ja-cheon had visited Deokyang two years ago too and called on Deokyang So Family then. He'd learned of So Hong-ryeo's illness back then, and it persisted still.
"So?"
"An old ailment that hasn't healed yet—doesn't that mean Physician Song lacks the skill?"
Jo Ja-cheon continued as Yu Ja-gyeom tidied up without responding.
"I suggested handing the girl over to you, but the family head refused, citing his bond with Physician Song. Said this time she'll definitely recover—like he has some ace up his sleeve."
"What are you getting at?"
"Step in for her."
"What? Physician Song's on it—why would I butt in?"
Jo Ja-cheon wanted to help So Hong-ryeo because of his connection to Deokyang So Family. He'd hoped to enlist Yu Ja-gyeom, but it wasn't easy.
In the end, Jo Ja-cheon decided to play on Yu Ja-gyeom's temperament.
"Hm. Guess it's no good, then."
He rose from his seat and added,
"Fine. I'll ask over in Yangyang Medical District. They say their Old Divine Physician Gu is the best in Jiangnan."
Yu Ja-gyeom jumped up.
"What? Old Divine Physician Gu is the best in Jiangnan?"
Jo Ja-cheon smiled slyly. Just the reaction he'd hoped for.
Yu Ja-gyeom was a friend, so he knew his personality well.
Unshakable pride in his medical arts.
And a sense of responsibility to match.
He had to be the best, and Deokyang Medical District had to be the best.
He hated losing—especially to Yangyang Medical District or Jeongju Medical District.
"Fine, off you go. I'll look into Physician Song myself."
"Much obliged."
Jo Ja-cheon left with a satisfied smile, mission accomplished.
After finishing consultations, Yu Ja-gyeom headed to Famous Physician Tower to meet Song Heon-ro. Still, it didn't sit right with him.
'Snatching a patient from another physician isn't proper etiquette.'
But he'd boasted to his friend. Swallowing his pride, he decided to inquire anyway.
He arrived at Famous Physician Tower, met Song Heon-ro, and after some small talk, broached the subject casually.
"How's the treatment going for Deokyang So Family's daughter?"
"Swimmingly, of course."
"What if you handed her over to me?"
Song Heon-ro's eyes widened as he stared at Yu Ja-gyeom.
Yu Ja-gyeom put on a grave expression and continued.
"If Immortal Spirit Pharmacy takes over, So Hong-ryeo's treatment would progress faster."
It was impolite, but Song Heon-ro smiled knowingly, as if he understood Yu Ja-gyeom's intentions from his personality.
"If you stepped in, Hong-ryeo would probably get so scared she'd burst into tears."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Haha. There's a physician who showed me how to handle young patients like her."
"Who? Physician Jong-ri? Physician Sa?"
"Jang Physician. And I trust him—completely."
Jang Physician? Yu Ja-gyeom pondered the unfamiliar name as Song Heon-ro continued.
"So we'll handle Hong-ryeo's treatment ourselves."
Good enough.
Yu Ja-gyeom felt relieved. He'd at least fulfilled his friend Jo Ja-cheon's request.
But as he left Famous Physician Tower, he couldn't resist one last parting shot—for Jo Ja-cheon's sake later.
"I'll head out now. But reconsider my offer. Famous Physician Tower might struggle with Deokyang So Family's daughter."
He passed a young man and woman who looked like guests and departed.
'That Jo Ja-cheon, looking down on Deokyang Medical District's physicians. What? Hand her to Yangyang's Old Divine Physician? Deokyang Medical District is the best in the world!'
Even so, Yu Ja-gyeom knew Song Heon-ro's character and skill.
If Song said that, he had something solid to back it up.
'But who's this Jang Physician?'
Maybe a new addition to Famous Physician Tower.
'If Physician Song fails, it'll tarnish Deokyang Medical District's reputation. Maybe I should lend a hand.'
I nodded after hearing Song Heon-ro's explanation.
"So that's what happened."
Dang Seol-yeong, standing beside me with hands on her hips, raised her voice.
"All reputation, no manners. A physician trying to poach a patient from another."
But Song Heon-ro smiled as if it were nothing.
"There's probably a reason. I know Yu Physician's temperament well. He'd push boundaries to protect his pride and Deokyang Medical District's prestige."
Song Heon-ro seemed to know Yu Ja-gyeom inside out. And since he'd refused the offer to take over So Hong-ryeo's treatment, it had nothing to do with me.
What mattered now was treating So Hong-ryeo.
We headed to Deokyang So Family.
So Mu-jin rushed out to greet us.
"Physician Jang, hello. I've been waiting. Any progress on the treatment?"
I smiled at his eager gaze.
"Of course."
"Ahh! What a relief!"
We went together to So Hong-ryeo's room. Song Heon-ro asked curiously,
"So what treatment did you come up with?"
"Moxibustion."
Song Heon-ro's eyes widened.
"Moxibustion? Moxibustion?"
Then he nodded, thinking it over.
"The moxa method that infuses vital energy—perfect for clearing liver qi stagnation from emotional repression. But..."
His expression turned serious as he added,
"Won't you need exceptional inner energy for such an effective application?"
"Well, yes, but the moxibustion I've developed will suffice for the cure."
Surprise and anticipation lit the faces around us. Though skepticism lingered in their eyes.
Then Dang Seol-yeong spoke up from beside me.
"It's true. We tested it recently on a guy named Chu Man-seok."
I felt a twinge of guilt for using Chu Man-seok as a guinea pig.
Song Heon-ro finally nodded.
"Got it. Let's give it a try."
We entered So Hong-ryeo's room.
So Hong-ryeo, playing inside, turned and beamed.
"Time for treatment today, huh?"
I knelt before her.
"Right. But today, no needles—we're doing something else."
I took out mugwort powder, rolled it into cones, and showed her.
"We'll place these on your body and light the tips."
Her eyes went wide.
"Light them on fire? Won't that be super hot?"
Oh no, my mistake. Should've been more careful with a child.
But in moments like this, a demo was best.
I looked around. Moxibustion on Dang Seol-yeong or Song Heon-ro felt awkward.
"Seon-u, come here a sec."
"Y-yes? Me?"
I rolled up Bae Seon-u's sleeve as he approached, placed several mugwort cones on his arm, and lit the tips. Mugwort scent rose with the smoke.
"See? Not hot at all."
So Hong-ryeo asked Bae Seon-u,
"Really not hot at all?"
"Yeah, not hot... Huh? Wait, suddenly I feel energy surging?"
Song Heon-ro asked, bewildered.
"What do you mean? Energy surging all of a sudden?"
"Yes, starting from the meridians in my arm, filling my whole body."
Song Heon-ro's eyes widened in shock.
"If that's true, then Physician Jang has discovered a remarkable moxibustion technique."
Seeing Bae Seon-u's reaction, So Hong-ryeo stepped forward confidently.
"If it gives energy, I'll do it. Because if I'm sick, I want to get better fast."
I smiled and nodded.
"Good thinking. Today, your illness will be cured, Hong-ryeo."
Behind us, the stunned So Mu-jin and Song Heon-ro whispered.
"Cured in one go today? Physician Song, is that possible?"
"I'm flustered too. I never said when. But it seems impossible..."
I laid So Hong-ryeo on the treatment bed and began placing mugwort cones on her acupoints.
'To treat liver qi stagnation, start with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian points.'
Taichong between big toe and second toe.
Pressing it firmly helps with stress too.
Starting at Taichong, then Qimen, Zusanli, Sanyinjiao—I placed the cones and lit them.
Smoke rose, filling the room with mugwort fragrance.
"Really not hot at all."
"Comfortable? Close your eyes and relax."
About five minutes passed—the effects of moxa nourishment should kick in soon.
So Mu-jin's shocked voice came from behind.
"H-Hong-ryeo's complexion...!"
"Impossible—one moxibustion session?"
I asked So Hong-ryeo, whose color was returning.
"How do you feel?"
"...My heart's getting calmer bit by bit."
Then So Hong-ryeo began to frown slightly.
But So Mu-jin and Song Heon-ro trusted me enough not to interfere.
"Sniff, sniff..."
Soon, she started sniffling.
Emotional repression was stress.
With qi blocked in her liver from it, she'd been hiding her frustration, forcing cheer—that must've been exhausting.
"It's okay to cry it all out."
"Waaah... Waaah!"
So Hong-ryeo burst into loud sobs, tears streaming.