Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Return to Clear Seclusion Clinic
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"Physician Jang here wants you to come to Clear Seclusion Clinic with him."
I'd heard it multiple times from Ma So-hwa and Won Ji-ro of the Sehua Book Pavilion's bill collectors, as well as from the other physicians.
Deokyang Medical District didn't have quite the fame of Yangyang Medical District or Jeongju Medical District, so sometimes people in the jianghu called those two the Twin Great Medical Districts.
I didn't necessarily want to crush them or anything.
But as a physician working in Deokyang Medical District, it was only natural to feel a drive to prove ourselves.
'Still, that's not something I can do all on my own.'
Song Heon-ro's words from some time ago came back to me.
- I remember the day Seon-u first told me about you. I said I was glad a physician like you had appeared. No one person can save all the people of the world.
He was right.
Even if I had the skills of the Nine Needles master, I couldn't save everyone under heaven.
I needed the power of a group.
That's why I wanted to someday unite all of Deokyang Medical District.
'That Yu Ja-gyeom might have a prickly personality, but he thinks along similar lines.'
Even if he centered his thoughts on Immortal Spirit Pharmacy and himself, Yu Ja-gyeom cared for Deokyang Medical District just the same.
In any case, realizing this dream would naturally require a lot of capital.
That's why I'd brought it up with Byuk Geum-seok, the man everyone whispered had bottomless wealth.
Byuk Geum-seok and Choi Cheol-bo looked at me with stunned faces.
Then Byuk Geum-seok burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! I thought I was good at reading people, but this was completely out of left field. Ha ha!"
Byuk Geum-seok soon stopped laughing and continued.
"I'm a merchant by birth, so I don't invest in things that won't turn a profit."
"Of course. That's only natural."
"So I just did some quick calculations in my head, and right now, I can't see any immediate gains from that investment."
"I'm not asking for an investment right this moment, either."
"Good. Then my answer to your request can come later, once the profits become clear?"
"Naturally."
"Heh heh, you're so straightforward—I like that. Still, you're my lifesaver, so I can't just do nothing in return. If there's anything you want personally, speak up."
I smiled faintly and opened my mouth.
"In that case, could I trouble you for three silver pieces?"
"Three silver pieces? Is there some special reason?"
"That's what the consultation fee came to."
Byuk Geum-seok stared blankly at me before bursting into laughter once more.
"Ha ha! You're exactly as Brother Choi described. I can't compete with you. Ha ha!"
Byuk Geum-seok settled the bill, got dressed, and headed out. He kept marveling at his own body as he went.
"Even the White Crane Scholar couldn't do acupuncture like this. Though he's more renowned for his decoctions. Wait, even so, could he really detox it this quickly?"
Being a merchant, he sure talked a lot. He'd even tried to introduce himself nonstop yesterday.
As Choi Cheol-bo followed after Byuk Geum-seok, he turned to me.
"Let me thank you once more. I've owed you again."
"Good deeds bring good returns. Wasn't that what you said, Brother Choi? I've owed you plenty of times myself."
Choi Cheol-bo smiled and nodded.
"In any case, that character of yours—prioritizing Deokyang Medical District over personal gain. I'm impressed with Physician Jang all over again. Until next time."
That evening, as always, I was set to give a lecture to Song Heon-ro's disciples.
Dang Seol-yeong and I headed to the main Famous Physician Tower building, arms full of materials.
"Physician, you seem to really enjoy teaching Master Song's disciples."
"Do I?"
Even in my previous life, I'd vaguely dreamed of it: becoming a renowned physician, making a name for myself, and passing on my Korean medicine know-how to others.
It was still small-scale, but I was achieving a piece of that dream now. Of course I was happy.
"Well, they're all listening so eagerly—it makes me want to teach even more."
As we neared the lecture hall in the main building, noisy chatter drifted out.
"Physician Jang treated the Gold Caravan Leader, so he must've gotten an insane reward, right?"
"Probably. He's the richest man in Deokyang."
Then a familiar voice chimed in.
"The caravan leader told me himself—he was singing Physician Jang's praises nonstop. And all he asked for was three silver pieces."
Bae Seon-u's voice.
"Three silver pieces? That's just the treatment fee, isn't it?"
"Yes. He didn't ask for any real reward."
The disciples' surprised voices rang out loudly.
"Whoa! No way!"
"That's a true physician right there!"
In truth, I had asked for an investment in Deokyang Medical District. But it seemed Byuk Geum-seok had kept that part secret.
When I opened the door and stepped in, the disciples instantly fell silent and straightened up in neat rows, looking up at me.
Their eyes held even more awe than before.
"Then let's begin today's lecture."
"Yes!"
It looked like another smooth session.
I spent the next few days at Famous Physician Tower like that—treating patients who came all the way from Clear Seclusion Clinic, covering my room and board with lectures.
Then a letter arrived from Seok Jung of Unit Stone Guild, who was handling the renovations at Clear Seclusion Clinic.
- The work will finish five days ahead of schedule. So many people owe Clear Seclusion Clinic favors that everyone's been working like mad.
I showed the letter to Dang Seol-yeong.
"Even faster than expected— that's great news!"
"Yeah. Thanks to Unit Stone Guild."
Then Dang Seol-yeong's eyes narrowed.
"But you know what we have to do before heading back, right?"
Of course I did.
"We need to bring Bae Seon-u."
With Clear Seclusion Clinic expanding, there'd definitely be more patients. We'd need extra hands.
'And Bae Seon-u is perfect for that.'
But the issue was that Bae Seon-u wasn't just anyone—he was Song Heon-ro's disciple.
In wuxia novels, the master-disciple bond was as tight as parent and child.
Taking one of those disciples to Clear Seclusion Clinic wasn't going to be easy.
Reading my expression, Dang Seol-yeong asked.
"Can you talk to Master Song about it?"
"He already has some ideas toward me."
That evening after the lecture, I went to see Song Heon-ro.
We sat facing each other, sipping tea and exchanging light chatter.
I waited and waited for the right moment to bring it up.
Finally, Song Heon-ro set down his teacup and spoke.
"By the way, my disciples have made great progress in their medical skills lately. Your lectures have been a huge help."
Now was the time.
"I'm glad to hear that. That's actually what I wanted to talk about, Master Song."
I broached it carefully, speaking slowly.
"With Clear Seclusion Clinic and Famous Physician Tower collaborating, I think we should have exchanges in various areas."
"Indeed."
"We could consult each other on intractable cases, share new techniques or decoctions to help one another."
"Of course."
"And on top of that, personnel exchanges would be ideal. Sending one of your disciples to Clear Seclusion Clinic would let us learn each other's arts more closely."
Even in the modern world, institutions often exchanged staff for collaboration.
That's the concept I'd explained to Song Heon-ro.
Song Heon-ro's eyes widened as he looked at me.
Then he clapped his hands and spoke.
"That's a brilliant idea."
Such easy approval—it deflated me a bit, and I let out a sigh without realizing.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"I was just being cautious since it's a master-disciple matter."
"Ha ha. I'm not sending them off as your disciple or anything. They're just working nearby at Clear Seclusion Clinic. It'd be great if one of my disciples could pick up your techniques by osmosis."
I'd overthought it from all those rigid sect rules in wuxia novels.
Song Heon-ro was a better, more open-minded person than I'd realized.
Song Heon-ro leaned forward curiously.
"So, who were you thinking of?"
"What about Bae Seon-u? His own wishes matter, of course."
A warm smile bloomed on Song Heon-ro's face.
"Seon-u may be a bit timid, but he always seemed thrilled working with you and Miss Dang. I'll accept right away."
"Won't he need to think it over?"
"Shall we check?"
Song Heon-ro called for someone to fetch Bae Seon-u.
"You called for me, Master?"
"Physician Jang here wants you to come to Clear Seclusion Clinic with him."
Bae Seon-u's mouth fell open.
"...Pardon?"
"What do you think, my youngest? Would you like to work under Physician Jang and learn medicine?"
"O-Of course! When do we leave? Should I pack right now?"
Song Heon-ro shot me a look that said see? with a faint smile.
Bae Seon-u really did want to come with us.
The day to leave Famous Physician Tower arrived.
Song Heon-ro and the disciples came out to see us off.
Pyeon Dong-jin patted Bae Seon-u's shoulder.
"Do your best at Clear Seclusion Clinic too."
"I heard you're leaving Deokyang Medical District too, Senior Brother Pyeon."
"Yeah. Time for me to strike out on my own and open a clinic. Using what Master and Physician Jang taught me."
The disciples each said a word to Bae Seon-u, then gave me reluctant farewells.
"Thank you for everything, Physician Jang."
"It's really a shame you're going."
I replied to their greetings.
"It's not far away. Since we're close, let's visit often and learn from each other."
The disciples crowded in excitedly, raising their voices.
"Really? Can we go ask you questions?"
"Anytime?"
"You promised."
I smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
"Yay!"
Everyone loves learning, it seems.
After bidding farewell to the Famous Physician Tower folks, we turned toward Clear Seclusion Clinic.
Even then, Bae Seon-u kept turning back to wave goodbye, as if parting forever.
Wasn't it just a thirty-minute trip?
'Guess that's how attached they all are.'
On the way to Clear Seclusion Clinic, Bae Seon-u asked Dang Seol-yeong brightly.
"Should I call you Senior Dang, then?"
"Sure. I joined Clear Seclusion first. I'll call you Apprentice Bae."
Before I could even chime in, they'd sorted out the hierarchy.
Well, companies have their pecking orders.
In wuxia novels, late joiners to a sect became juniors regardless of age.
Dang Seol-yeong looked smug. It was the face of someone thinking, I've finally got someone under me.
Then Dang Seol-yeong put a finger to her lips.
"But if we're both just apprentices, it feels off. I'm the senior, after all."
I nodded.
"Fair point. Then from now on, you're Physician Dang. Dang Physician."
"Hee hee. Finally promoted from apprentice."
She was from the famed Sichuan Tang Family, after all.
With more patients coming, I'd need to rely on Dang Seol-yeong's skills a lot.
When we arrived at Clear Seclusion Clinic, our eyes went wide.
Dang Seol-yeong and Bae Seon-u muttered blankly.
"This is..."
"The rundown old Clear Seclusion Clinic that looked ready to collapse?"
"Apprentice Bae, too many unnecessary descriptions."
"Eep, sorry."
Well, coming from a nice place like Famous Physician Tower, it must've seemed that way.
Seok Jung, who'd finished the work, approached.
"Physician Jang, what do you think? The fruits of Unit Stone Guild's labor."
Clear Seclusion Clinic was completely transformed. The main building had grown about 1.5 times larger, and the dilapidated exterior was entirely redone.
Inside, the space divisions I'd wanted were perfectly implemented—consultation room, decoction room, sickbeds all separate yet with efficient flow.
"It's more than I could have hoped for. Thank you."
Seok Jung let out a hearty laugh.
"Ha ha ha! Glad you like it, Physician Jang."
We opened the new Clear Seclusion Clinic.
'Time to start seeing patients fresh tomorrow.'
The next morning.
The lodgings inside had been cleaned spotless too, with fresh bedding and pillows on all the beds.
Feeling great, I stretched on the bed before getting up and stepping outside.
'Hm?'
Two people were already waiting in the reception area that morning.
And diligent Bae Seon-u had gone right over to them.
One of the guests glanced at Bae Seon-u and asked sharply.
"Who're you?"
A piercing look and cold tone. It was Hyeong So, the Mad Drunk Guest.
'First in line the day we reopen?'
But timid Bae Seon-u couldn't handle Hyeong So's aura.
"Ah, uh, I..."
Oh no.
Hyeong So just had that sharp look and vibe—he wasn't a bad guy at all.
'But who's the one next to him?'
Sitting beside Hyeong So was another man about the same age.
Unlike the sharp Hyeong So, he had a neat, gentle impression.
Dang Seol-yeong came over and whispered.
"That blue Daoist robe is Qingcheng Sect attire."
First encounter with a famous sect since the Sichuan Tang Family.