Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: I've Never Seen My Disciples Like This Before
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I've never seen my disciples like this before.
Song Heon-ro and Yu Ja-gyeom were strolling through the back garden of the Famous Physician Tower, chatting away.
"How have you been, Song Physician? It's been a while."
"What do you mean 'a while'? We met just a few days ago talking about the Deokyang So Family's daughter."
"Ah, right. Still, you have to exchange greetings, don't you? Why be so cold?"
Song Heon-ro had been practicing medicine in the Deokyang Medical District for over thirty years. Yu Ja-gyeom had spent a similar stretch there as well.
They went way back. That's why Song Heon-ro knew Yu Ja-gyeom's personality inside out.
Song Heon-ro grinned.
"Since you came here with something to say, why don't we skip the pleasantries and get to the point?"
"Ahem. I heard you treated the Deokyang So Family's daughter."
"Not me—it was Jang Physician's handiwork."
"Just how did he treat her?"
"So Hong-ryeo's condition was Liver Qi Stagnation. Jang Physician used oral administration to treat it."
Yu Ja-gyeom smacked his palm.
"Oral decoctions can infuse vital energy, so treatment is plenty feasible. But... wait, didn't you say Jang Physician is just a regular person...?"
Muttering to himself, Yu Ja-gyeom suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"He treated So Hong-ryeo with an oral decoction lacking internal energy?"
"That's right. It was truly astonishing."
"He must have inherited Old Physician's mysterious medical arts, without a doubt."
Song Heon-ro suspected Yu Ja-gyeom was laboring under some strange misconception, but he decided to let it slide.
Yu Ja-gyeom, still muttering, turned to Song Heon-ro.
"I've heard about that Jang Wol physician's exceptional skills too. How about recruiting him to our Immortal Spirit Pharmacy?"
"Haha, you want him under you?"
"Aren't you trying to keep Jang Physician at the Famous Physician Tower too? I heard he's demonstrating acupuncture here."
"He's just staying briefly while Clear Seclusion Clinic undergoes renovations, and he agreed to give a short demonstration to my disciples."
"Lucky break, then. Means I still have a shot at recruiting him."
"Did you give it a try?"
"I sent my apprentice, but he got shot down flat."
"Haha, when even visiting in person wouldn't cut it, of course sending an apprentice wouldn't work."
"How could I, the Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand, go in person?"
Typical Yu Ja-gyeom, whose pride knew no bounds. He only dealt with the most renowned figures. Approaching Jang Wol personally would bruise that ego.
Song Heon-ro chuckled, amused by Yu Ja-gyeom's temperament.
"I said So Hong-ryeo's treatment was astonishing, didn't I?"
"You did."
"If it had been you or me treating her, the Liver Qi Stagnation would have flared up again. But Jang Physician was different. He healed her heart."
"Healing is healing—what do you mean 'healed her heart'?"
"Lowering oneself, putting the patient first. Jang Physician approached the child from an entirely different perspective than physicians like us."
To Yu Ja-gyeom, whose nose had been elevated by treating only prestigious patients, it was hard to grasp.
As Yu Ja-gyeom fell silent, Song Heon-ro continued.
"I've learned a lot from Jang Physician. From now on, I'll follow his lead and approach patients with humility."
Yu Ja-gyeom stared blankly at Song Heon-ro without realizing it. His eyes burned with the passion of his youth, when he'd toiled solely to save lives.
But Yu Ja-gyeom soon shook his head.
"Fine, I get it. Anyway, I'm recruiting that Jang Physician, so keep that in mind."
"Do as you like. I won't stop you."
Song Heon-ro saw Yu Ja-gyeom off as he left the Famous Physician Tower.
At the main gate, a young man and woman—strangers—were just entering.
Yu Ja-gyeom stepped aside for them, then said to Song Heon-ro,
"Just watch. That Jang Physician will definitely join our Immortal Spirit Pharmacy."
Song Heon-ro glanced at the puzzled Jang Wol and Dang Seol-yeong standing there, stifling a laugh as he replied,
"Got it. Take care on your way."
Yu Ja-gyeom strode away with confident steps.
Dang Seol-yeong, walking beside me, pointed toward the Famous Physician Tower and whispered,
"There's the Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand, Yu Ja-gyeom Physician, again."
"Wow, Apprentice Dang's eyesight is sharp."
Even shading my eyes with my hand, all I could make out were vague silhouettes.
Dang Seol-yeong put her hands on her hips, beaming with pride.
"I've been praised for my martial talent since I was little, you know."
It hit me anew that she hailed from the prestigious Sichuan Tang Family.
We arrived at the Famous Physician Tower, where Yu Ja-gyeom brushed past us and said to Song Heon-ro,
"Just watch. That Jang Physician will definitely join our Immortal Spirit Pharmacy."
What the heck was that about?
As Dang Seol-yeong and I exchanged glances, Yu Ja-gyeom walked off.
Song Heon-ro watched him go, chuckling.
"Haha, he wants to recruit Jang Physician so badly, yet he doesn't even recognize him right in front of his nose."
"Ah, Yu Physician came here too? He sent someone to our Clear Seclusion Clinic as well."
"I heard. He seems dead set on recruiting you."
As Song Heon-ro led us inside the Famous Physician Tower, he explained,
"Deokyang Medical District is called one of the Three Great Medical Districts of the jianghu, but its fame doesn't quite match Yangyang Medical District or Jeongju Medical District."
"I heard something similar from the Sericulture Hall's guests."
"True, but we physicians here don't think our skills lag behind those other districts. Yu Ja-gyeom feels the same—he wants to elevate Deokyang Medical District."
"That's a fine ambition."
"So for the time being, he'll probably keep pushing to recruit you."
Not that I minded. Who wouldn't want recognition from a living legend like the Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand?
But serving under him? No thanks.
My goal is to build my own clinic into the best, after all.
In my past life, I'd dreamed big when opening my Korean medicine clinic. Expanding it across three floors of a building.
Since I hadn't achieved that then, I'd make it happen with Clear Seclusion Clinic here.
Song Heon-ro showed us to our lodgings at the Famous Physician Tower.
"These accommodations are impressive."
They put Clear Seclusion Clinic's cramped, rundown rooms to shame.
"Haha, glad you like them. Meals will be brought to your rooms. Let me know if you need anything else."
"Yes, understood."
"Rest well, then."
As Song Heon-ro turned to leave, he paused as if remembering something.
"Oh, when can you start demonstrating acupuncture for my disciples?"
"After dinner tonight."
"Tonight? You sure?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
We had to earn our keep, after all.
After dinner, Dang Seol-yeong and I headed to the main hall, where the disciples were gathered.
We each carried armfuls of materials we'd prepared ourselves.
"Thanks for helping with these."
"It's only natural for an apprentice. Though once Bae Seon-u joins, I won't have to anymore."
She emphasized the last part deliberately.
Guess I have to bring Bae Seon-u on board now. Dang Seol-yeong's counting on it.
I glanced at the materials in Dang Seol-yeong's arms to change the subject.
"By the way, it was a brilliant idea, Physician. Not some stuffy, rote acupuncture lecture, but case studies from real patients."
Back in Korean medicine school, the lectures that captivated me and my classmates were always the real-case ones.
Especially the perennial favorite: saving a patient with severe frostbite on the toe without amputation using Korean medicine.
"Figured it'd keep them focused better."
A dozen or so people had gathered in the main hall—all Song Heon-ro's disciples.
Song Heon-ro had stepped out so I could speak freely. It put me even more at ease.
A renowned physician does have a lot of disciples.
Bae Seon-u spotted me among them and gave a friendly nod.
I smiled back, then with Dang Seol-yeong, hung the materials on the wall.
Their expressions are already priceless.
Some, like Bae Seon-u, brimmed with anticipation, notebooks at the ready. Most others looked skeptical, already dreading it.
But as I unrolled the materials, jaws dropped in unison.
"W-Wait, that drawing...?"
"The left leg's meridians are blocked."
"It's Patient Choi Cheol-bo!"
"He recovered at Clear Seclusion Clinic, but I was dying to know how!"
The disciples leaned in, buzzing with interest.
Worth the effort Dang Seol-yeong and I put into drawing these.
I pointed to the illustration and began.
"As you can see, this patient's left leg meridians were obstructed. A result of external arts failing to withstand the intricacies of Thousand Catties Drop."
My explanation drew wide eyes.
"Treating by linking it to Thousand Catties Drop's principles? Never would've thought of that."
"With Long Needles? Jang Physician must be a master there too."
"I see. Long Needles inserted via deep insertion at Zusanli, Yinlingquan, and Xuehai."
"Incredible acupuncture, but we'll need tons of practice to replicate it."
Their attitudes had flipped entirely.
Eager gazes fixed on me, ears straining to every word, hands flying across pages to take notes.
"I then prescribed Blood Activation Decoction to smooth circulation, fully resolving the inflammation and completing treatment."
Admiration rippled through as I finished.
One disciple raised a hand, voice tinged with regret.
"Could you share more cases like this?"
I'd be staying days; no need to spill everything at once.
"Next lecture."
Murmurs followed.
"Gotta come next time too."
Another disciple raised a hand.
"But is it okay to share these secret treatments with us?"
"Of course. They're hardly secrets, and if this spreads and heals even one more person, that's reward enough."
Nods and gasps of approval.
Perfect response.
This is why teaching feels so good.
Then my eyes met a disciple who, unlike the others, showed little reaction.
He raised his hand.
"I'm Pyeon Dong-jin."
"Yes. Something to say?"
"I've heard so much from Seon-u about Jang Physician's acupuncture prowess. If it's not too rude, could you demonstrate self-acupuncture?"
I glanced at Bae Seon-u, who grinned innocently. He'd clearly boasted up a storm.
Better show them here.
No reason to hide or dodge.
I smiled.
"How should I demonstrate?"
"We have a method at the Famous Physician Tower for practicing self-acupuncture and needle sensation."
Pyeon Dong-jin pulled out a thick stack of ultra-thin papers.
"Insert ten needles here. First pierces one sheet, second two, up to ten sheets total."
They had this practice method too.
Similar to Korean medicine school.
We'd used toilet paper rolls back then. Aim for thirty sheets or so; closest won.
Pyeon Dong-jin finished explaining.
"I'll go first, then could Jang Physician try?"
I nodded with a grin.
"Sounds fun. Let's do it."
Disciples crowded around, murmuring, as Pyeon Dong-jin set down the stack and began inserting needles.
His movements were deliberate. Slowly, meticulously feeling the sensation, piercing with utmost care.
Soon, he placed all ten, exhaled held breath, and stood.
"Done."
A nearby disciple peeled the sheets one by one.
"Seven sheets successful."
Admiration erupted.
"As expected of Senior Brother Pyeon!"
"We manage five, six at best."
"Only Master hits all ten."
Song Heon-ro aced all ten, apparently.
I opened my needle pouch—blue silk embroidered with feather patterns.
The disciples buzzed in surprise.
"Isn't that embroidery from Heavenly Needle Master?"
"Did Jang Physician receive those silver needles?"
I spread it and took out ten Fire Needles.
Then pierced the stack before me.
Sasasak.
"...Just like Seon-u said—sasasak."
"Thought he was exaggerating."
"Still, better check the results."
A disciple nearby verified.
"One sheet, two, three."
The paper stopped precisely at the tenth.
"...Ten sheets."
"First time seeing such speed and precision."
"No wonder Master invited him."
Pyeon Dong-jin stared blankly at the papers, then said to me,
"Thank you for demonstrating in person."
With a wry smile, he bowed respectfully.
"Please continue guiding us."
"No need. We're learning together. Take good care of me during my stay at the Famous Physician Tower."
Today's lecture wrapped up triumphantly.
The next morning, Song Heon-ro burst into my lodgings, wide-eyed in shock.
"Something wrong?"
"Come with me for a bit."
He led me to the main hall—yesterday's lecture spot.
"I've never seen my disciples like this. What on earth did you do?"
What was going on? I peered inside.
Pyeon Dong-jin and the others sweated profusely, diligently stabbing Fire Needles into stacks of paper.