Living as a Physician Without Going Mad (1)
Unless you were stark raving mad, how could anyone endure living as a physician like that? Over the years, I'd treated countless suffering patients, and one truth had dawned on me. Whether Murim warrior, government official, or commoner, once they became a "patient," they were all equal before death. Sure, how they accepted it varied, but their reactions were invariably the same. They didn't want to die. Especially the young ones, who hadn't lived long lives—they clung to life even harder. So if there was a way to cheat death, they'd pursue it by any means necessary. Just like Qin Shi Huang scouring the Central Plains for the elixir of immortality. Or the countless Murim masters chasing hwan-gol-tal-tae and ban-ro-hwan-dong to squeeze out a few more years. Or the Taoists cultivating to transcend the mortal world, ascending to the heavens to preserve their "continuity of existence."
A physician could heal patients, restoring them to normal lives and extending their lifespans. If the treatment cost a fortune, those desperate to save their loved ones would scrape it together somehow. Once word spread that spirit medicines or beasts—especially those brimming with Yang energy—could alleviate the agony of Blocked Meridian Syndrome, every such treasure across the Central Plains vanished overnight. Yet even those only dulled the pain; they weren't true cures. They might ease symptoms, but the disease still strangled the body from within.
That's why it wasn't surprising to hear of an "incurable disease" like Blocked Meridian Syndrome having a rumored treatment, rush to try it, fail spectacularly, and come straight to a physician's door. What was surprising was the desperation.
"Sleep with my daughter for one night, Physician Seok!!"
"Sect Leader of Jageommun."
"What do you want?! This Yugoein kneels and begs you!"
"No, that's not—"
A middle-aged man who looked well over forty, piggybacking a grown woman and dropping to his knees—it wasn't an unfamiliar sight for a physician. But doing it right in front of the main gates of Moyong Sega? That was new.
"Calm yourself."
"Physician Seok, please! My daughter...!"
"Interrupt me again, and there's no treatment."
He sucked in a sharp breath.
A peak expert who could cleave me in half with one swing, yet here he was, nodding obediently like his life depended on it.
Good.
Perfect timing—a crowd had gathered. Even at midnight, plenty had come to gawk. Half were locals from Yodong Castle. The other half? Beggars from the Beggar Gang or ronin from Haomen—information brokers. And a tiny fraction: lingering masters from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families, despite the banquet's end. Over there by the inn, watching intently, were warriors from Sacheon Dangga, drawn by rumors of a Blocked Meridian patient.
Curiosity, intel, and desperation brought them.
The first two were one thing, but the last? They had to be feeling the same gut-wrenching helplessness as Yugoein, frozen mid-kneel in an awkward crouch.
So.
"Hero Yoo. I'll treat her, but first, let's clear up a misunderstanding."
"What misunderstanding—"
"Does sleeping together—man and woman uniting Yin and Yang—truly cure it?"
"......No?"
Confusion flickered in Yugoein's eyes.
"Sleeping isn't the treatment?"
"You must not have heard the Alliance Leader's proclamation."
"Ah, that is..."
"The cure isn't sleeping."
I caught a strange undercurrent rising in his reaction but pressed on as the physician.
"I've successfully refined the pill. She just needs to take it."
"O-oh...! R-really?!"
"Yes. Coincidentally, there's exactly one dose left. Making more will take time."
In truth, I could produce more on the spot if I wanted. But if I did, the entire Murim would hook me up to tubes and drain my bodily fluids dry. So I hid the truth, and even the Murim Alliance Leader had played along with the deception.
"This way, please."
"A-ah...!"
"And to all the fellow Murim experts watching, to everyone with a Blocked Meridian patient: I declare."
I stepped aside, gesturing inside Moyong Sega, my gaze sweeping past Yugoein to the crowd.
"...It can be treated normally. So please, don't think Yin-Yang union is the cure."
One: Sleeping with me isn't the treatment.
"And."
Two.
"What happened with Moyong Sojeo wasn't essential to curing Blocked Meridian Syndrome."
Maybe some here misunderstood—or desperately hoped otherwise.
"It was because we love each other. After the treatment, we shared our love."
I had to cut off the lecherous stares aimed at me from women.
And the lustful ones aimed at Moyong Seol from men.
I proclaimed it to the world: I am Moyong Seol's man.
And Moyong Seol is my woman.
* * *
A short while later, I returned to the eastern side of the Moyong Sega estate: the Medical Hall—where I'd originally stayed. Not as secluded as the northern Seongnakwon, but this three-story building had been repurposed from guest quarters.
First floor: examination room.
Second: pharmacy and wards.
Third: mine and Master's private space.
In other words, this was where Moyong Seol and I had spent the night. She'd slipped in through an open window, approached my bed while I slept, and pinned me down. Normally, I'd go from the third floor to the second for her treatment in the prepared ward—but.
"What are you thinking so deeply about, Physician?"
Snapping from my reverie, the patient—now in mourning clothes—called to me.
"I was pondering the best treatment approach, Sojeo Yoo."
Before me sat a woman. Her hair was mostly black, but streaked with blue and white—hallmark signs of Blocked Meridian Syndrome, afflicting over 108 women across the Central Plains.
"Before we begin, the Murim Alliance Leader asked me to record the treatment in detail for future patients."
"The Alliance Leader...?"
"Yes." I pulled out a prepared plaque.
"That...!"
"It's the jade plaque of the Murim Alliance Leader, Taesangjingun."
A jade command token, engraved with "Murim Alliance Seal" in knife strokes.
"I'm no martial expert, but as Jageommun's daughter, you recognize the sword marks on the back, right?"
"This is the sword form of Yunryong Sipseomgeom...!"
Fresh blade scars made it undeniable—this came from the Alliance Leader himself.
In short.
"Think of me as Moyong Sega's physician and a special duty doctor authorized by the Murim Alliance."
Officially, I wasn't just any doctor. Cause trouble or refuse cooperation? Jageommun gets expelled from the Alliance, denied treatment, and booted from Moyong Sega.
"First, your name?"
"......Yugiyeon."
Yugoein's daughter, Yugiyeon. Confirmed.
"Age?"
"A woman's age..."
"It's crucial."
Yugiyeon glared venomously, but I ignored it, pen moving steadily.
"As you know, Blocked Meridian patients start dying one by one after twenty. In the worst cases—like with Moyong Sojeo—people openly predict death on their twentieth birthday."
Indeed, seven had perished from Gu-eum Jeolmok that way: on their birthday, the next day, or barely lasting two before succumbing.
"Blocked Meridian varies, but reaching adulthood and not surviving even three or four days? That's Gu-eum Jeolmok."
Nine gu. Nine blocked meridians, and also the numerical stage indicator.
"Your age, Sojeo Yoo?"
"Twenty-four this year."
24.
"Do you know how many of your meridians are blocked?"
"A previous physician said Chil-eum Jeolmok."
Seven Yin Blocked Meridians. Seven blocked. Statistically, death around 25—about a year left.
"Let's confirm." I took her wrist, checking her pulse.
Thump.
Thump.
Very slow. Faster than Moyong Seol's, but far from normal.
"P-Physician."
"Yes, Sojeo Yoo."
"That..."
"Speak freely. I can pulse-diagnose while talking."
"Is it true about you and Moyong Sojeo?"
"Yes."
So that's what she was beating around the bush for.
Definitely Chil-jeolmok.
Seven meridians suppressed by Yin energy—not overwhelmingly strong, so not imminent death. But.
"If Moyong Sega forced you to say that..."
"Sojeo Yoo. Before coming here, you slept with a man, correct?"
"Eek...!"
Something to verify. That's why I let her in.
"Did the Yin-Yang union ease your pain at all?"
"Such a...!"
Yugiyeon showed blatant disgust, but I subtly nodded at the Alliance Leader's plaque.
"...No."
She told the truth.
"It only hurt more."
"First time?"
"First..."
"Essential for the exam and records. The Extreme Yang Pill worked on Moyong Sojeo, but might not for you."
"What does that mean?"
Her voice sharpened venomously.
"You saying it only works on virgins?!"
"That's what we're determining."
"Th-then. Um."
Yugiyeon hesitated, probing.
"You'll... sleep with me too?"
"Pardon?"
"You just said yes, right?"
"......"
Oh no.
"To test the pill's effect, we have to sleep together? Right?"
"That's—"
This woman. Did she even listen? Or was she playing dumb for some scheme?
"If Moyong Sega's blackmailing you, I can be your woman instead of that crazy bitch...!"
Maybe.
Is it not Blocked Meridian Syndrome, but insanity?
Whispering like that—had she forgotten where she was?
"Physician! Please take this girl—"
Slap!
The sharp crack of a cheek turning.
"You're insane. A dying wretch with no sense of place."
Moyong Seol shook out her hand lightly, glaring coldly down at Yugiyeon.
When did she arrive?
No sound of entry. She'd slapped her so hard Yugiyeon's torso tilted sideways, then seized her reaching hand—aimed at my cheek?—twisting the wrist in a Geumna-su lock.
Had she learned restraint arts from her father in the meantime?
"Should I throw her out? She's not right in the head."
"Th-this...!"
Yugiyeon clutched her cheek, glaring at Moyong Seol.
"The bitch with the worst temper in the world...!"
"You."
Moyong Seol's face hardened.
"What did you just say?"
That expression.
"Not in your right mind, huh? Want to die?"
It resembled her father's.
The Sword Saint's.
"Daring to say that in front of who?"
"Sojeo."
I called, and Moyong Seol turned with an "oh shoot" look.
"Ph-Physician. I mean."
"Well said."
I stood.
"Patient's uncooperative. We'll hold off for now."
I took Moyong Seol's hand and walked out.
"......"
Outside the exam room, Jageommun's sect leader—Yugoein—sat red-faced and slumped on the guardian's bench.
"Ph-Physician! That was...!"
"Not dying imminently. Come back tomorrow afternoon. It's late."
"......My apologies. My failing."
Yugoein bowed ninety degrees; inside, Yugiyeon paled seeing it.
"Yugoein sincerely apologizes."
"Talk tomorrow."
Leaving him bowed, hand in Moyong Seol's.
Step, step.
Out of the Medical Hall entirely.
"Um, that."
"Moyong Sojeo."
Behind the building, I pulled her tight into my arms.
"That face just now. That cold, ruthless expression."
"D-don't say it. That was me just—!"
"I want to see that face melt into pleasure before me."
"......!!"
Moyong Seol shuddered in my embrace. Her shocked gaze dropped briefly, then she bit her lower lip short and sharp.
"...Physician."
Looking up with the coldest, most piercing face in the righteous Murim.
"Say it melts into love?"
In one breath, her eyes curved like crescent moons as she rose on tiptoes toward me.