Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The Clinic's Physician Outshines Me in Politeness
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Clear Seclusion Clinic's Jang Physician is even more polite and courteous than I am.
The trait I possess, Moxa Nourishment.
- Moxa Nourishment: Through moxibustion, it replenishes the target's vital energy and restores their stamina.
Anyone who receives this moxibustion naturally overflows with energy.
So, it was only natural that Na Sang-a, who had received it from me earlier, showed remarkable progress compared to yesterday.
Even Emei Sect's Jeong Ryeon couldn't help but be astonished by Na Sang-a's transformation after just one day of refining her Amitabha Fist.
"In just one day, your martial arts proficiency has improved beyond recognition. What happened?"
But Na Sang-a just stared at her with wide eyes. She had simply practiced her martial arts the same way she did yesterday.
Dang Seol-yeong, sitting beside me, whispered,
"Isn't it because of that moxibustion from the physician?"
As expected, Dang Seol-yeong had figured it out too.
"Exactly. It's thanks to that moxibustion earlier."
A gleam of surprise lit up Dang Seol-yeong's eyes.
"...But isn't that dangerous?"
"Huh? Why?"
"If word about that moxibustion gets out to the jianghu folk..."
Ah, I understood what Dang Seol-yeong was worried about.
Every martial artist wants to advance their skills.
Some don't care about the means to achieve faster progress in their martial arts.
'Searching for secret manuals, seeking divine medicines, or even practicing demonic arts.'
If rumors spread that this moxibustion could boost martial arts progress, villains would inevitably target me.
'There were similar scenes in the wuxia novels I read back then.'
Like forcing a genius protagonist who invents martial arts to perfect their demonic techniques.
I spoke to the concerned Dang Seol-yeong.
"But even if someone receives the moxibustion, the effects don't last forever. It just temporarily boosts the body's vitality for a few days, then returns to normal."
Of course, diligent training during those few days would yield even faster progress than before.
Yu Ja-gyeom and Jo Jeong-yak must have realized that the vitality from the moxibustion fades after a few days, which is why they didn't make a fuss.
Dang Seol-yeong pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Ah, I see. It doesn't actually increase inner energy or innate true qi. It's obvious if you think about it, but I got ahead of myself and clouded my judgment."
"I'm touched that you're worrying about me like this."
"Of course. I have to. I haven't fully claimed your medical skills for myself yet."
So that's what it was.
But her playful smile and twinkling eyes made it clear she was joking.
Anyway, even though Dang Seol-yeong was worried, I had no desire to invite danger.
My intention to live like neutral Switzerland—building only favors and no grudges—hadn't changed.
I refocused on the training ground.
Jeong Ryeon was still waiting patiently for Na Sang-a's response, her gentle smile unwavering.
But Na Sang-a, naturally, had no idea, so she just stood there with wide eyes.
After waiting calmly, Jeong Ryeon slowly spoke.
"In any case, I congratulate you on your progress in martial arts. With achievements like this, you'll surely achieve great mastery."
Her low, soft voice carried clearly even to the edges of the training ground.
'So this is what a voice infused with inner energy sounds like. It's crystal clear from quite a distance.'
As Jeong Ryeon's words spread to every corner,
"Did you hear that?"
"That girl just got recognition from an Emei Sect expert."
"Isn't she the daughter of the Ten Thousand Winds Inn owner?"
"Impressive. And at such a young age."
Admiration and cheers poured in from the surroundings.
And those voices naturally reached Na Sang-a's ears too.
Na Sang-a, who had been gazing blankly around, soon broke into a beaming smile.
It was the joyful smile of someone whose efforts had been acknowledged by others.
"Seeing Sang-a so happy makes my chest swell with emotion."
"Yeah. At first, she was such a frail girl who barely spoke."
A pale face without any color, hands so cold they startled you to touch.
Yet she had steadfastly kept up at mealtimes despite her condition. That image of Na Sang-a came to mind.
Seeing her transformed like this made the tip of my nose tingle for no reason.
'Moreover, after hearing an Emei Sect expert's words, Sang-a will train even harder now.'
Moxa Nourishment's vitality would course through her body for the next few days. Better achievements were sure to follow.
After finishing her martial arts demonstration, Na Sang-a came running and hugged Na Ho-pyeong.
"Daddy! How was I?"
"Our Sang-a was amazing!"
Honey practically dripped from Na Ho-pyeong's eyes.
Fathers with daughters are the same everywhere.
At that moment, Emei Sect's Jeong Ryeon approached and spoke to Na Ho-pyeong.
"I didn't expect Sang-a's progress to be this rapid. What if we took her in as a lay disciple of our Emei Sect?"
Na Ho-pyeong looked at Na Sang-a in surprise.
His eyes asking for her opinion.
Na Sang-a blinked in astonishment before shaking her head.
"No. I want to train here in Deokyang."
Na Ho-pyeong was startled, and Jeong Ryeon gently asked,
"May I ask why?"
"At first I was tempted, but then I realized there are so many good people here in Deokyang. That's why I want to train here."
Jeong Ryeon nodded with a smile.
"I see. Sang-a seems to have a real talent for fist techniques. With a good master, you'll achieve great heights for sure."
With that, Jeong Ryeon greeted Na Ho-pyeong and me before leaving.
'As expected of an orthodox sect member.'
She left advice that would help Na Sang-a right up to the end.
At that time, So Hong-ryeo's martial demonstration on the training ground also concluded.
"Dad, I'm going to Hong-ryeo."
As Na Sang-a ran off, Na Ho-pyeong watched her back fondly for a while before speaking to me.
"Thanks to Jang Physician's moxibustion, Sang-a has perked up in all sorts of ways. I really appreciate it."
"Ah, about that moxibustion..."
"I know. It's only temporary anyway."
"How did you figure that out?"
"Chu Man-seok's eyes were sharp and his lightness skill improved. But lately, he's back to his old self. I pieced it together from that."
I smiled warmly.
"Brother's insight is as sharp as ever."
"Your moxibustion isn't some massively dangerous ability, but if anyone comes targeting it, this Na Ho-pyeong and the kids will protect you somehow. Don't worry."
Na Ho-pyeong soon got called away by the crowd. As the Ten Thousand Winds Inn owner, people were always seeking him out here and there.
Watching Na Ho-pyeong chat with people, Dang Seol-yeong said,
"There are so many good people around the physician."
"Right? Just like Sang-a said, Deokyang is full of good folks."
"Isn't it because the physician made it that way?"
"You think so?"
Construction began on a manor on the outskirts of Deokyang City.
"What's this manor for? It's pretty large-scale."
"Qingcheng Sect people are building a branch hall."
"Oh, really? I've seen Qingcheng Sect Taoist robes around Deokyang a lot lately. They're actually establishing a branch."
The factions handling the construction were two.
One was Deokyang City's Unit Stone Guild, and the other was a faction called Great Timber Guild.
The Great Timber Guild was located in Jung-gang City, near Qingcheng Mountain, the Qingcheng Sect's base, and mainly handled their commissions.
While hammering at one side of the manor, a Unit Stone Guild member asked Seok Jung,
"Seok Master, why do we have to work with those Great Timber Guild guys?"
"They're closer to the Qingcheng Sect. And we're based in Deokyang City, so we're partnering up."
"I see. But those Great Timber Guild bastards act like they're superior to us, subtly..."
At that moment.
Boom!
A heavy thud echoed from one corner of the site.
Seok Jung rushed over to find a wooden pillar toppled, with three Unit Stone Guild members fallen beside it.
"You okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
It seemed the three had dropped the pillar while moving it. Fortunately, no one was crushed.
"What happened?"
The man looked toward another fallen member instead of answering. There was Mun Su-ro, also from the Unit Stone Guild.
Over sixty years old. Not quite elderly yet, but he'd spent his childhood toiling on construction sites.
Years under the scorching sun had aged him beyond his years.
Seeing Mun Su-ro like that, Seok Jung roughly guessed what happened.
He helped up Mun Su-ro and the others, then apologized to the gathering Great Timber Guild members.
"It was our mistake. Sorry for the commotion."
"Tch, that old man’s been visible on site for a while. Knew he'd cause an accident eventually."
"Shouldn't he have retired from the site already at his age?"
"His shoulder doesn't look great either. He's just a nuisance here."
Seok Jung told them,
"We've apologized, and no one's hurt. No need to make a big deal."
But the Great Timber Guild members left parting shots.
"We brought a famous physician from Jung-gang, a disciple of one from Deokyang Medical District. Get checked out."
"We're not some rejuvenating masters."
"Right. We're not those incredible experts. Bodies naturally weaken with age."
A young Unit Stone Guild man bristled to step forward, but Seok Jung held him back. It was their fault, after all.
Seok Jung approached Mun Su-ro.
"Are you alright?"
"Sorry about that."
"No, accidents happen on sites all the time."
After work that day, Seok Jung stopped by Ten Thousand Winds Inn with Mun Su-ro.
They ordered food and drink, sat across from each other, and began talking.
"Didn't the Guild Leader tell you not to do the heavy work on site?"
"Hearing it was my last site, I overdid it without thinking. Sorry."
"Still..."
"Feels like I'm being discarded."
"Pardon?"
"I've lived my whole life on sites. But hearing this is the last one weighs on me. So I thought I had to push harder, and overexerted myself."
Seok Jung had nothing to say.
Accepting aging and retirement gracefully is important.
But knowing Mun Su-ro had worked harder and longer than anyone on sites, it was hard to voice that.
Seok Jung looked at Mun Su-ro.
His muscles, honed by years of labor, were still usable, and passion lingered in his eyes.
Fix that slowly deteriorating shoulder from age, and he could work sites for a few more years easily.
Besides, Mun Su-ro's accumulated experience was invaluable.
That's why the Guild Leader included him in this project.
His seasoned skills would shine at some point.
"Sorry. From tomorrow..."
As Mun Su-ro downed a shot and apologized, Seok Jung said,
"Why don't you visit Clear Seclusion Clinic?"
"Huh?"
"Clear Seclusion Clinic's Jang Physician can surely fix your shoulder, senior."
"Really?"
"Yes. The guild brothers don't say it, but they're all worried about you, Mun senior. They want your shoulder better."
"Ah..."
He hadn't known everyone thought of him that way.
After Seok Jung left, Mun Su-ro sat alone, nursing his drink.
Seok Jung's words kept circling in his mind.
- Everyone's worried about you, Mun senior.
Mun Su-ro let out a long sigh and muttered,
"Hoo... But it's not a disease, just a shoulder that naturally aches from age. How do you treat something like that? Yeah, like those Great Timber Guild guys said, if you're old, you should retire..."
"No need for that."
He turned at the sudden voice. A portly middle-aged man stood there—the inn owner everyone knew, Na Ho-pyeong.
"W-what do you mean all of a sudden?"
"Didn't you hear? Go check out Clear Seclusion Clinic. They can definitely fix your shoulder."
"Clear Seclusion Clinic... I've heard a lot. Our Unit Stone Guild folks go there often."
"Ho ho, then you should definitely go."
"But for an old man like me, they'll just tell me to retire."
Mun Su-ro forced a laugh and continued,
"Still, you're awfully kind, innkeeper. If only all physicians were this friendly."
"Clear Seclusion Clinic's Jang Physician is even more polite and courteous than I am."
Mun Su-ro asked skeptically,
"Is that true? Physicians act like they're Yama himself, all stiff and haughty."
Na Ho-pyeong smiled affably.
"You'll see once you go."