Chapter 120
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Murim Clinic Strategy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"What? A wuxia concept? What on earth are they thinking?"
As expected, Choo Miyoung freaked out.
Honestly, that was the normal reaction for any sane person.
"Hmm, wouldn't that burn through our network image too much? What if patients start expecting the concept at our other branches?"
A valid point.
"I've thought about that. We could tweak the name a bit. Seongsu Murim Clinic. Turns out the original clinic there—run by Director Yu's grandfather—was already called Murim Clinic."
"...No way that was a wuxia concept, right?"
"No chance. Apparently, it just had some wuxia novels in the waiting room."
"Then why is the grandson going ten steps further?"
I had nothing to say about that part either.
What could I do when Yoo Kyung-hun and Jeon Min-ji were so gung-ho about it?
"Right?"
"Okay, fine, whatever. So just the interior goes wuxia-style?"
"Matching outfits too, and some martial arts videos on NewTube and Instagram."
Outfits? NewTube? Choo Miyoung froze.
"There are directors out there treating patients in hanbok at hanok clinics already, right? Think of it as a remix of that."
"...I guess? Though traditionalists hate it when doctors do that..."
"The selling point is modern treatment in those outfits."
"Ah, so skip the martial arts videos on NewTube and explain diseases and Korean medicine treatments instead? That could work. It might even get a lot of exposure—they'd love that."
Choo Miyoung's face brightened.
Right? Sounds good, doesn't it? As long as we don't claim to heal with inner energy or anything.
I actually use it, but anyway.
Before long, we'd arrived at the site for the future Seongsu Murim Clinic amid all the chatter.
"Oh? This is it?"
"Looks like."
The lot was even bigger than I'd imagined.
Guess that's why they brought up the farm idea. The garden was completely overgrown, untended.
"Director Yu, hello!"
"You're Director Choo, right? Nice to meet you! Thanks for coming all the way to Jeju!"
Yoo Kyung-hun and Jeon Min-ji welcomed us enthusiastically.
"Nice to meet you. Um... is the clinic building over here?"
The two shone with overflowing enthusiasm.
But the building looked desolate.
Honestly, it was borderline ruins.
"This... we'll have to renovate from the ground up. Interior budget okay?"
How long had it been neglected?
Even converting the second floor to a decoction room had cost more than expected.
Forget the concept—turning this into a basic clinic would be pricey.
In its current state, it'd end up as a haunted clinic, not a murim one.
"Ah, Min-ji's family is pitching in quite a bit? So we'll redo the interior here, and if it's short, take a loan against the building."
Ah, rich family. Got it.
Why does everyone but me feel loaded?
"Thought about how to use the space?"
Choo Miyoung asked.
"Yeah. Grandpa used the right for consultations, center for treatments, and the whole left as waiting room. Back then, meds were the main draw, and the waiting room was packed, so it worked."
Those were the days when patients flooded in just to get herbs the moment you opened, and acupuncture was free on the floor.
No one runs it that way anymore.
"We don't need that big a waiting room, so left as a cafe, smart farm in the garden... but..."
"Smart farm is a hard no."
"Thanks to Director Han stopping us. So right side two consult rooms, big treatment room on the left? Waiting room as connector, sea sword pond in the garden!"
Sea sword pond out of nowhere?
I'd mentioned a pond, but that felt random.
"Passing through the waiting room like that would make circulation too inefficient."
Instead of asking what a sea sword pond was, Choo Miyoung pointed out the practical issue.
The clinic was too big.
With a pond in the middle, you'd waste time crossing the waiting room to treatments.
Hmm, tricky... Wait, sea sword pond?
"Director Yu, what's the exact concept?"
"Huh?"
An idea hit me for efficient space use that incorporated the pond nicely.
"Since it's a clinic, maybe Moyong Clan or Sichuan Tang Clan. Or just go strongest—Heavenly Demon."
"Heavenly Demon, obviously!"
Yoo Kyung-hun answered sharply.
As expected. Cooking, massage, clinic—better if the Heavenly Demon does it. Pulls more aggro.
"What about Director Jeon? Can't have two Heavenly Demons."
"Huh? What do I do?"
I asked Jeon Min-ji, but she tilted her head, not quite getting it.
"Just wear wuxia clothes, right?"
I shook my head.
Might as well commit to a solid concept for maximum fun.
"Director Jeon as Martial Alliance Leader. Waiting room in the center, rivalry setup."
"Oh?"
"Separate treatment rooms. Right: orthodox consult and treatment. Left: demonic cult consult and treatment."
"Ooh!"
"Then the central sea sword pond fits perfectly, right? Oh, and your styles differ anyway—ideal."
Yoo Kyung-hun clapped.
"Perfect! Min-ji does orthodox path, low-stim repeated acupuncture for pain-free. I use strong-stim like Longnid acupuncture, moxibustion, bee venom—fits great!"
He was thrilled.
We could split interiors into two themes, he said, brainstorming props.
"Swords on walls, Eastern paintings. Demonic cult based on White Lotus, so lanterns like night pearls, suspicious traps..."
"That's the demonic cult? Red and black color scheme?"
"Yes! Exactly!"
Even Choo Miyoung, no wuxia expert, looked up webtoons and brainstormed along.
"Alliance side has no fixed image?"
"Contrast: blue and white. Heavenly Nangong Clan motif."
Nangong rarely leads the alliance, but solid image for concept.
"All white furniture too modern, so brown floors and beds, blue-toned art."
"I know someone at Hwarang—can source Eastern paintings."
"Ooh!"
Talk flowed: gayageum instruments, alliance corridor library.
"Grandpa's wuxia collection all displayed."
Ideas progressed smoothly.
"What about speech? I use polite, Oppa as Heavenly Demon rude style?"
"Locals clueless might feel weird."
"Nah, send clueless to Alliance Leader. Most prefer pain-free anyway. If it doesn't work, send to Heavenly Demon for a taste of demonic arts."
Should be fine?
Doctors in gowns yelling 'Gaaah!!' like Director Kim Chunsik gets backlash like 'Who are you to scold me?' But Heavenly Demon being rude? Just funny.
"Oh, right—if tourists come 'treat me even if not sick'—no insurance claims! HIRA will audit you flat."
"HIRA?"
Mid-concept talk, Choo Miyoung suddenly flagged a key point.
HIRA: Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service. Reviews claims, assesses appropriateness.
Clinics claim insurance; they evaluate, pay out.
"Go viral, expect on-site audit. Happened at Haneul Clinic when I was deputy—guy watched a month, checking real treatments, no over-treatment."
I knew suspicious over-claim clinics get audits.
Heard worse than tax audits: comb years of ledgers, quiz patients on unperformed treatments, claw back illicit claims.
"Obviously don't treat healthy people...?"
Yoo Kyung-hun tilted his head.
"Some 100% healthy will come for experience. Need countermeasures. Cash only or..."
Choo Miyoung looked worried.
"Make a program. Constitution consults. Tourists want the interior and Heavenly Demon anyway—not push for needles."
"Ah! I'll draft one!"
Yoo Kyung-hun adopted my idea instantly.
Heavenly Demon constitution consult—intimidating.
Talk shifted to SNS.
Yoo Kyung-hun and Jeon Min-ji agreed to split Instagram to avoid other branches.
Instead of new account, Choo Miyoung would teaser on Seongsu Clinic unified account.
"Ads expose interior naturally, but core is treatment! Got it?"
"Stick to clinic lines. YouTube: staff intros with occasional martial arts, otherwise standard medical—diseases, treatments."
"In wuxia outfits?"
"Yes."
"Great!"
"Don't let concept eat you! Fighting!"
Seemed eaten already... Choo Miyoung muttered, but dove deepest into interiors and outfits.
Good call bringing her.
"Wow, sun's already set. And I need to learn martial arts."
Planned to transmit arts today, but time flew.
"Tomorrow. Since we're here, redo as Heavenly Demon Supremacy and Emperor Sword Form versions."
Left the couple sorting ideas at the site; Choo Miyoung and I headed to the hotel.
"Wow, room's amazing!"
Choo Miyoung snapped pics nonstop entering.
Actually started outside clinic and hotel.
Influencers live for photos?
"Gotta story 'Branch 4 prepping~'."
Uploaded, changed clothes.
Down to lobby.
"Eek, pool!"
Minutes ago so adult reviewing issues, now wailing pool closed.
"Was looking forward..."
"Morning works."
"Sigh, fine. Wanna grab snacks? Wait, Director likes booze?"
"Somewhat?"
Don't hate it. Not love to drink alone, but enjoy occasional sessions.
"No pool, bar then!"
"Shall we? My treat."
Grateful for Jeju trip, initial opposition turned full support.
Gladly went with Choo Miyoung.
"Ooh, cognac? Wanted to try. Order okay?"
"Sure."
Western booze illiterate, let her order freely.
Bartender served pretty glasses; she snapped pics again.
Hm?
Waited, sipped—stronger than expected.
Choo Miyoung heavy drinker? Risky for me.
...Can't make another black history like with Yoo-Jeon couple.
Absolutely not. Never.