Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Finally, the Sect Leader Recognizes Physician Jang's True Value
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Finally, even the sect leader recognizes Physician Jang's true value.
Son Hu-ji headed to the Qingcheng Sect branch construction site today as well.
His mind was filled only with the conversation he'd had with his master yesterday.
"Everyone in Deokyang loves that young physician."
A young physician like that?
Honestly, it was hard to believe.
When he'd left Deokyang Medical District to open his own clinic in Jung-gang, his master—the Immortal Spirit Miracle Hand and White Crane Scholar—had been the top physician there.
Yet things in Deokyang Medical District had changed so much that his master was now saying things like that.
'I wonder who it could be.'
As he thought that on his way there, a commotion reached his ears from the site.
What now?
Curious, he went to check and found people from the Unit Stone Guild and Grand Timber Guild gathered around.
He approached Ho Sam-ri, the Grand Timber Guild's site manager.
"What's going on today?"
Ho Sam-ri dazedly pointed at the eaves of the main hall.
"That old man... no, esteemed senior named Mun Su-ro... his skills are incredible, so we're all just watching."
Ho Sam-ri, who had called him an old man yesterday, had already switched to "esteemed senior."
Son Hu-ji followed Ho Sam-ri's gaze.
There was Mun Su-ro laying tiles on the eaves, aligning the structure.
With seasoned technique born of experience, he laid the tiles, then pressed them down with powerful movements.
Thud.
The tiles interlocked perfectly and settled firmly in place with effortless ease.
Son Hu-ji didn't know just how impressive the technique was, but he could vaguely sense it from the reactions of those around him.
"How does he make it look so easy?"
"We have to plan it out ahead and work in teams."
"But he's doing it all by himself, just like that..."
Even the Grand Timber Guild members were silently watching Mun Su-ro, their eyes now filled not with disdain, but respect.
A short while later, Mun Su-ro finished tiling the eaves and came down. The Unit Stone Guild members immediately swarmed him.
"Senior Mun, could you teach us too?"
"Of course. No worries—I'll show you."
The watching Grand Timber Guild members hesitantly approached as well.
"Esteemed senior, could we learn too...?"
It was a cautious question, but Mun Su-ro laughed heartily and nodded.
"Ha ha! Why not?"
Shame colored the faces of the Grand Timber Guild members.
"Sorry about last time."
"No need. Honestly, I was the same when I was young. People forget the simple truth that everyone ages."
Son Hu-ji blankly watched the scene.
Mun Su-ro's right shoulder even seemed stronger than yesterday. It was possible now that its function had partially recovered.
'But the real treatment for this man Mun Su-ro wasn't his shoulder. It's like even his heart got healed.'
Then, a snippet of conversation from the Unit Stone Guild members caught Son Hu-ji's ear.
"As expected of our divine physician."
"We always owe him so much."
His master's words echoed in his mind once more.
"Everyone in Deokyang loves that young physician."
Yesterday, the Unit Stone Guild members had cheered for that divine physician as if everyone adored him.
Could it be the same young physician his master and Pyeon Dong-jin had mentioned?
Son Hu-ji approached the Unit Stone Guild members and politely asked.
"Might I know the esteemed name of that divine physician?"
Noting his newfound courtesy compared to yesterday, they answered.
"It's Jang Wol of Clear Seclusion Clinic."
Clear Seclusion Clinic. Jang Wol.
He'd never heard of either.
'Wait, Clear Seclusion Clinic... isn't that where that Tang girl from Sichuan was yesterday?'
That late afternoon, Son Hu-ji visited Clear Seclusion Clinic.
'Even though I'm from Deokyang Medical District, I don't know where Clear Seclusion Clinic is.'
He cautiously asked a passing warrior.
"Do you happen to know where Clear Seclusion Clinic is?"
The man brightened and gave detailed, friendly directions.
"Oh, looking for Clear Seclusion Clinic? Go straight that way."
It was out on the outskirts, apparently.
Following the directions, he found a small clinic on slightly elevated ground.
Clear Seclusion Clinic.
The sign confirmed it.
'A small clinic in such a remote spot...'
As Son Hu-ji harbored doubts, a young man who looked like an apprentice—with a round, friendly face—greeted him brightly.
"Ah, welcome!"
The man hurried over, looking deeply apologetic as he continued.
"But what to do? Consultations are over for today. Sorry, could you come back tomorrow?"
He was so polite and affable that Son Hu-ji wondered if this was Clear Seclusion Clinic's physician.
"No, I'm Son Hu-ji, a physician from Jung-gang Medical District."
An unexpected reaction came from the man.
"Jung-gang Medical District? That's where Senior Brother Pyeon Dong-jin is. Ah, sorry—I'm Bae Seon-u, apprentice here."
Son Hu-ji's thoughts froze for a moment. Why was Pyeon Dong-jin's junior brother apprenticing here?
But the thought didn't last.
"Physician Jang! We have a guest! Please, come in."
"Uh, I..."
Pulled along by the friendly Bae Seon-u, he ended up inside.
A young physician and Dang Seol-yeong emerged.
"A guest?"
"Yeah, you're a disciple of Physician Jo, right?"
"A disciple of the White Crane Scholar?"
"Yes. I met him yesterday at White Herb Hall."
The young physician approached and bowed.
"Welcome. I'm Jang Wol."
This man was Jang Wol.
He looked even younger than expected.
"Ah, pleased to meet you. I'm Son Hu-ji of Dream Clinic in Jung-gang Medical District."
As he tried to confirm if this was the physician Pyeon Dong-jin had mentioned...
"Physician Jang! Isn't Jung-gang where Senior Brother Pyeon went?"
"That's right. Do you know Physician Pyeon Dong-jin?"
"O-of course."
Joy lit up Bae Seon-u's face.
"Wow! A friend of Senior Brother Pyeon—how wonderful. How is he? He never eats properly, so I worry. Does he at least have regular meals?"
"Ah, well, that's..."
"Apprentice Bae, we can't keep a guest standing like this—it's rude."
Dang Seol-yeong nodded at Jang Wol's words.
"Right. He's an honored guest, so bring out the good tea. You know where the Heavenly Red Tribute is, right?"
"Yes! I do."
Led by the three who meshed so perfectly, Son Hu-ji unwittingly found himself seated in what looked like a waiting room.
'I didn't plan on tea and all this...'
But with Bae Seon-u bringing out Sichuan's famed Heavenly Red Tribute tea, he couldn't refuse.
One sip, and a pleasant aroma filled his mouth.
Jang Wol set down his cup and asked.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Truth be told, Physician Pyeon often talked about the young physician who taught him acupuncture. I was curious, so I stopped by Deokyang and came to see you."
"I see. How's Physician Pyeon doing?"
"He's always stabbing fire needles into paper. Says he'll pierce ten sheets for sure."
Bae Seon-u and Dang Seol-yeong laughed.
"Senior Brother Pyeon is still working hard."
"It's because Physician Jang showed such amazing acupuncture back then."
Jang Wol grinned and scratched the back of his head.
"If not for that, Physician Pyeon's skills wouldn't have improved this much."
"True enough."
The three reminisced happily about old times.
Just as his master had said. Even from this conversation, it was clear why the people of Deokyang would love this physician.
Not just Jang Wol, but Dang Seol-yeong and Bae Seon-u too.
'I get they're good people, but is their acupuncture really as exceptional as Physician Pyeon said?'
He'd tried stabbing paper himself following Pyeon Dong-jin, but seven or eight sheets was his limit.
He'd heard about Mun Su-ro's shoulder treatment but wanted to see it with his own eyes.
As he pondered how to check, Son Hu-ji's eyes widened.
Three middle-aged men had entered Clear Seclusion Clinic.
'Are those... Deokyang Medical District's renowned physicians?'
Song Heon-ro of Famous Physician Tower, Sa-gong Yak of Herb Fragrance Hall, Jong Ri-soong of Esteemed Benevolence Clinic.
All famed in Deokyang Medical District.
Even more surprising...
"Physician Jang, here to learn from you again today."
"No, no—it's not like that. We're researching and learning together."
Son Hu-ji doubted his ears. These renowned physicians were learning from Jang Wol?
Then Jang Wol introduced him to the physicians.
After greetings, Song Heon-ro smiled kindly.
"Ah, a friend of Dong-jin. How's he doing?"
"Yes. He always talked about you, your disciples, and Physician Jang."
"Good to hear he's well. Stop by Famous Physician Tower sometime. My disciples would love to hear about Dong-jin."
"I will."
"Ha ha, since Physician Son is here, share some insights."
Swept up once more, Son Hu-ji entered the inner room with Deokyang's renowned physicians.
Inside Clear Seclusion Clinic, Son Hu-ji involuntarily flinched. For a moment, he thought it was a corpse standing there, but it was a human-shaped model.
Song Heon-ro admired the model.
"Ho, quite a finely made model. Even the texture feels real."
Jang Wol smiled.
"Made using animal hides and such. Miss Tang's handiwork."
Dang Seol-yeong placed a hand on her hip, beaming proudly.
Soon, with the human model before them, Jang Wol unpacked his needle pouch.
As the shining silver needles gleamed inside, Son Hu-ji's eyes went wide.
'Those are Heavenly Acupuncture Master's silver needles...'
That alone qualified him as a true master physician.
Jang Wol demonstrated acupuncture on the model.
"For Han-dam-heo-su's symptoms, Heavenly Strike Method at Feng-zhi and Cheok-taek, Fire Needle with Deep Strike Method at Tae-yeon."
Jang Wol's hand moved fluidly.
Swish.
The fire needle pierced exactly the acupoints he'd named.
Son Hu-ji, watching from behind, gaped in shock.
It was acupuncture beyond mere amazement.
The other physicians, as if accustomed, discussed the needles Jang Wol had placed.
"Indeed, Tae-yeon is an acupoint that strengthens the lungs. Deep Strike Method fits."
"Focusing stimulation there over other points."
Seeing him like this with Deokyang's masters, Son Hu-ji realized Jang Wol was even more extraordinary than he'd imagined.
A humble feeling welled up naturally. He approached and cautiously asked in a respectful tone.
"C-could I join for just a month?"
"Of course. Let's do it together."
Pyeon Dong-jin's words came back to him.
"That young physician shares his medical arts and talents without hesitation—a true physician."
"Even though he's not from your sect? Where in the world is there such a physician?"
"Where? In Deokyang Medical District."
'Physician Pyeon was right.'
Now he had stories to tell Pyeon Dong-jin.
One woman and one man paused for a rest by the roadside on their way to Deokyang.
They were Do Seung-ok and Park Pung of Hao Gate.
Do Seung-ok sat on a rock to rest, but Park Pung kept striking a tree barehanded.
Bam, bam!
Do Seung-ok slid off the rock. Stretching her stiff body and rubbing her temples, she said.
"Brother, enough already. Let's head to Deokyang."
Park Pung stopped and approached her.
His arms and fists looked rough and solid, like hammered iron.
His hands and forearms bore countless calluses and scars from cracks, with the most impacted areas darkened.
Do Seung-ok asked worriedly.
"Is training Iron Cannon Three like this correct?"
Park Pung silently nodded.
"There must be pain, huh? Well, training always comes with hardship."
Park Pung nodded silently again.
So taciturn by nature, Do Seung-ok asked no more and they set off.
Soon, they entered Deokyang and went to their destination, Ten Thousand Winds Inn.
Innkeeper Na Ho-pyeong greeted them.
"Ah, it's you two. Welcome. This way."
Na Ho-pyeong led them down a corridor out of sight and into his office.
After seating them, he naturally took a chair himself. Do Seung-ok asked.
"Branch Chief, you're not surprised we're here."
"I'd have heard the moment you neared Deokyang. So, what's headquarters want?"
"Ah."
Do Seung-ok pulled a document from her bosom and read.
"Info on Jang Wol treating Choi Cheol-bo, Jang Wol making Generate Pulse Powder, Jang Wol treating White Herb herb, people from Three Flowers Book Hall visiting Jang Wol, Jang Wol treating Heavenly Acupuncture Master's needles. Hmm? And you know you're Hao Gate too?"
The list of Jang Wol's deeds continued.
Na Ho-pyeong listened with a pleased smile, nodding along without a hint of boredom.
"Timeless feats, no matter how often I hear them."
Soon, Do Seung-ok finished reading.
Na Ho-pyeong looked puzzled.
"Wait—it's missing a lot?"
"This is what the Leader gave me. Probably summarized heavily."
"Too heavily."
"You kept sending up so much on Physician Jang that the Leader sent us. To see for himself what kind of person he is."
Na Ho-pyeong brightened and stood.
"Oh, really? Finally, even the sect leader recognizes Physician Jang's true value."