Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: How a Korean Medicine Doctor Becomes the World's Best Physician in the Murim World
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"Looks like both of you will be stopping by Clear Seclusion Clinic anyway."
Do Seung-ok asked with a look of utter disbelief.
"You're really the same branch chief I knew?"
"What?"
"The one who was more meticulous with calculations than anyone, always chasing practical gains?"
Na Ho-pyeong replied indifferently, as if he had no idea what she was talking about.
"What are you saying? Not to brag, but I'm still just as thorough with my calculations. I give back exactly as much as I receive."
"And what exactly did you get from Jang Wol?"
"The list from the Gate Lord left out quite a bit. First off, that Jang Wol..."
Na Ho-pyeong's face turned serious.
Do Seung-ok unconsciously swallowed hard. What on earth had this calculation-obsessed man received?
"He made me belch so refreshingly."
"..."
"Why?"
"Are you joking right now?"
"Joking? My stomach was bloated and stuffy, and it all went down in one go. It was the most satisfying belch of my life."
"Fine, whatever. I'll just get to investigating now..."
"Oh, and he fixed our Sang-a too."
Do Seung-ok, who had turned to leave, froze in place.
Na Ho-pyeong's daughter had always been frail by nature, her health perpetually poor. Of course, Do Seung-ok knew that as well.
Do Seung-ok finally nodded as if it all made sense.
"So it is the branch chief I knew, the one who's so thorough with calculations. Though it looks like you still owe him quite a bit more."
Na Ho-pyeong nodded with a kind, good-natured smile.
"That's why I'm paying him back little by little."
"Sang-a getting healthy is truly a blessing. Congratulations."
Bak Pung, who had been standing silently to the side, gave a slight bow in respect.
"Haha, thanks, both of you."
"Anyway, I understand your situation, Branch Chief, but I have to follow the Gate Lord's orders."
"What exactly did the Gate Lord command?"
It was an order with no reason to hide from Na Ho-pyeong.
"Investigate Jang Wol. But the rest of you must not get emotionally swept up like Na Ho-pyeong."
Na Ho-pyeong clicked his tongue.
"Tch, even the Gate Lord calls it emotions."
"And the most important part of intelligence gathering is staying objective and free of personal, subjective feelings. Investigate as impartially as possible. That's what he said."
"Heh heh."
"Why are you laughing?"
"Fine, go ahead and investigate thoroughly. Keep those emotions out of it."
Na Ho-pyeong continued as Do Seung-ok stared at him, wondering what he meant.
"Oh, for now, you two wait at Ten Thousand Winds Inn. Jang the Physician said he'd come by this evening."
"Is that true?"
Do Seung-ok then turned to Bak Pung.
"Ten Thousand Winds Inn is always packed with guests, so we'll mask our presence completely and blend in as ordinary customers."
The taciturn Bak Pung nodded.
"Jang Wol's just a regular person who hasn't even learned martial arts. No way he'll spot us."
Nod, nod.
"Good. Let's move out."
Na Ho-pyeong watched the two leave his office, chuckling to himself in amusement.
Do Seung-ok and Bak Pung took seats in a corner of the first floor of Ten Thousand Winds Inn. According to Na Ho-pyeong, Jang Wol would sit on the first floor.
The place was already bustling with customers. The two blended in seamlessly among them.
Do Seung-ok spoke quietly, her voice masked by the surrounding chatter.
"The branch chief said he's meeting someone on the first floor."
Bak Pung nodded silently.
"Who do you think it is?"
As the two casually scanned their surroundings,
two martial artists entered Ten Thousand Winds Inn.
"Ah, one of them is Choi Cheol-bo, famous in Deokyang for his fist techniques. And the other..."
A sharp-featured man with a sword strapped to his back. Everything pointed to Disruptive Maniac Hyeong So, save for one detail.
"It's Disruptive Maniac Hyeong So. I heard he always has a flushed face from constant rage, but that's not the case."
They had ties to Deokyang's Na Ho-pyeong and had investigated the city's key figures before arriving.
Curious about a meeting between famous masters—and with Jang Wol not due yet—Do Seung-ok decided to eavesdrop.
"The owner of this Ten Thousand Winds Inn has a daughter named Na Sang-a."
Choi Cheol-bo continued speaking to Hyeong So, who stood silently without responding.
"What if I taught her fist techniques?"
Choi Cheol-bo's eyes widened.
"Huh? Become her master? Well, something like that."
But he soon shook his head.
"No, it's not that I dislike the idea. I heard Na Sang-a even earned recognition in fist arts from an Amitabha Sect elder. That means she's got real talent."
This time, Choi Cheol-bo nodded.
"Yeah. I'd love a talented disciple myself. No plans to refuse."
Do Seung-ok watched their exchange with fascination.
"Hyeong So doesn't say a word, just shoots glances, and Choi Cheol-bo understands it all and carries the conversation. They're more than just close."
Her gaze shifted to Bak Pung.
"Hyeong So's as taciturn as you, big brother."
Nod, nod.
Bak Pung agreed wordlessly.
Then Choi Cheol-bo's voice caught their attention.
"Anyway, once Jang the Physician arrives, we can discuss the details."
"Hear that? Those two are here to meet Jang the Physician."
The documents from the Hao Gate Lord had mentioned Jang Wol treating Choi Cheol-bo.
"Two renowned masters in Deokyang, both connected to Jang Wol. He's getting more intriguing by the minute."
Moments later, Choi Cheol-bo and Hyeong So turned toward a young man entering the inn.
"Welcome. Jang Physician."
"Hello. Sorry, clinic duties ran late."
As Jang Wol politely greeted them, Do Seung-ok remarked,
"He looks even younger than I expected. And kinda sickly too."
Do Seung-ok began mentally noting her impressions of Jang Wol, striving for emotional detachment.
Suddenly, a dull headache crept in, accompanied by slight dizziness. She'd had mild headaches from Hao Gate work before, but lately, they'd been worsening.
Meeting Bak Pung's eyes, she nodded reassuringly.
"I'm fine. It passes quickly."
Still, she pressed her temples repeatedly while listening to the conversation.
Soon after, Na Ho-pyeong joined their table.
"Heh heh, greetings, everyone. Jang Physician filled me in."
With Na Ho-pyeong there, things progressed swiftly.
"So, Hero Choi will guide our Sang-a? I dropped a hint to her, and she seemed thrilled."
"That 'Hero Choi' title feels burdensome."
"Heh heh, after escorting countless merchant groups and even saving the Gold Coin Merchant Group's leader, you deserve it."
As Choi Cheol-bo smiled awkwardly, Na Ho-pyeong pressed on.
"Anyway, if Hero Choi would teach our Sang-a, I'd welcome it with both hands raised."
As Choi Cheol-bo hesitated, Jang Wol spoke up.
"I think Brother Choi would make the perfect master for Sang-a. Of course, it ultimately depends on your decision."
Watching this, Do Seung-ok said incredulously,
"Look at the branch chief's eyes. They're practically dripping with affection for Jang Wol."
Then she blinked in surprise.
"Huh? For a second, Hyeong So had the same look as the branch chief. No, must've been my imagination."
Upon closer inspection, it was his usual piercing gaze.
Persuaded by Jang Wol's polite words, Choi Cheol-bo nodded.
"Alright. I'll meet Sang-a once."
Na Ho-pyeong beamed.
"Really? She'll be overjoyed."
The discussion wrapped up positively.
Then Jang Wol stood, addressing Na Ho-pyeong and the others.
"Excuse me a moment."
He headed straight toward Do Seung-ok and Bak Pung's table.
"Hello. I'm Jang Wol, physician at Clear Seclusion Clinic in Deokyang Medical District."
Do Seung-ok was startled by his sudden approach.
Had he noticed us watching?
"That gentleman over there seems to practice Iron Cannon Fist, but improper training has caused issues in his fist and arm meridians."
Bak Pung, who had been impassive, widened his eyes and looked up at Jang Wol. He couldn't ignore mention of his Iron Cannon Fist training.
But Do Seung-ok couldn't afford exposure here. She quickly composed herself and replied casually.
"What are you talking about out of nowhere? We're just here for a quiet meal."
"Ah, sorry for interrupting your meal. I was worried after seeing the gentleman's arm and the lady's complexion."
"My complexion?"
"Yes. Every time you concentrate and tax your mind, headaches and dizziness must come with it."
Do Seung-ok's jaw dropped.
Nearby Ten Thousand Winds Inn patrons chimed in.
"Jang Physician can't just leave patients be."
"Those two should count themselves lucky to meet him."
"Exactly. Good they caught it before it worsened."
Do Seung-ok was flustered.
She hadn't calculated on being spotted, so no disguise either.
She hurriedly stood and fled the inn.
Jang Wol gazed after the pair with pity as Na Ho-pyeong approached, stifling laughter.
"Should I send a waiter to chase them?"
"No. Looks like both will stop by Clear Seclusion Clinic anyway."
As Jang Wol lowered his acupuncture needles, missions popped up over the two.
Do Seung-ok and Bak Pung headed to Clear Seclusion Clinic at dawn. They hid in a tree overlooking it.
Do Seung-ok peered down at the clinic and said to Bak Pung,
"Yesterday, Jang Wol came right up to us, so I couldn't observe properly."
Nod, nod.
"Still, his medical skills seem legit—I'll note that in the report. We'll observe other aspects now. As objectively as possible, no emotions."
This time, Bak Pung didn't nod.
"What? You want to show Jang Wol your arm once?"
Nod, nod.
"Well, you've trained Iron Cannon Fist believing that method was solid, so yeah. I'd kinda like a diagnosis too."
No physician had ever approached and diagnosed them directly like Jang Wol.
Hao Gate warriors were third-rate at best across the entire jianghu.
Few cared to notice them.
As they hid and watched,
"First customer's here."
A sword on his back, sharp and cold eyes.
"Disruptive Maniac Hyeong So."
Hyeong So paused mid-step entering Clear Seclusion Clinic.
His head turned their way, locking eyes with Do Seung-ok.
"No way?"
They'd concealed their presence. Yet Hyeong So had spotted them.
In a blink, Hyeong So vanished.
"Where'd he go?"
Before they could react, he appeared right in front of them.
They prided themselves on stealth and infiltration.
But Hyeong So had seen through it. And they stood no chance against him in combat.
Under his indifferent gaze, their bodies stiffened.
In the tense moment,
Hyeong So's eyes flicked to Bak Pung's fist and arm, then nodded toward Clear Seclusion Clinic.
Do Seung-ok panicked at the inscrutable look.
Huh? What? Is he telling us to go to the clinic?