Chapter 174
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Signs of Improvement
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Up until now, the doctors who had treated Jeon Yuri had differing opinions on one key point.
The connection between her trigeminal nerve tumor and her headaches—how significant was it?
In my judgment, it wasn't that great.
Besides, they'd said surgery was difficult anyway due to the location, so it was untouchable.
I had to focus on what I could do.
"First off, that faint pain across your whole head all day seems to fall under tension headaches. Stress, fatigue, lack of sleep—these cause the muscles to stay contracted, while peripheral pain sensitivity ramps up at the same time."
"Yes."
I placed needles along the spots where Jeon Yuri pointed out the pain.
Tension headaches respond well to direct stimulation of the painful areas—the contracting muscles—helping normalize them.
But of course, if it were just tension headaches, she would've responded to painkillers.
This pain wasn't highly sensitive to regular analgesics, much like acupuncture.
Jeon Yuri's symptoms also included migraines both with and without aura.
"Migraines usually hit on one side, pulsating without other causes, and often link to light or sound."
"Exactly. While working, sometimes it throbs like my heart's pounding in my head."
Anyone who's experienced it would understand "pulsating."
Vessels expand and contract like a heartbeat, pounding away.
These migraines without aura strike frequently, lasting hours, worsening in bright, noisy environments.
Acupuncture works well for these too.
Jeon Yuri was unusually afflicted with both—with aura as well.
Before or at the onset of the headache, neurological symptoms appear: sudden vision loss or flashes, fatigue, stiff neck, indigestion, dizziness. These account for 15% of all migraines.
Typically, for headache patients, we first rule out secondary headaches from other causes.
Then classify into primary types.
Jeon Yuri had every variation layered on.
"First, we'll bring down the upward-rushing qi, release fascial and vascular tension. Relax your body completely and stay comfortable."
"Yes, Director Han."
I finished the head acupuncture, then added a few on her limbs.
Concentrating my qi sense, the upward qi surge was severe.
Even with heavy stress and tension, painkillers should've dulled the sensation—but it was too intense.
One acupuncture session wouldn't cut it.
I moved the tangled qi as much as her body could handle, but it'd take at least 4-5 sessions.
If work stress continued, even more.
Still, once fascial and qi stagnation eased, blood flow improved, it had to get better than now.
If we see some improvement, I'll recommend herbs too.
She hadn't neglected it intentionally, but long-term lack of proper rest and treatment.
Even using qi heavily at work, she needed recovery time—but her position likely didn't allow slacking.
"Thank you. See you Wednesday."
After treatment, Jeon Yuri bowed slightly as she left.
By my qi sense, it had loosened a bit, but she'd barely feel it yet.
"What days is Director Han in?"
"Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays. Come straight up to the third floor."
"I'll come Mon-Wed-Fri. If I arrive at 7 AM, can I skip the wait?"
"Hardly any wait that early."
"Perfect. I'll time it exactly—please treat me right away."
Jeon Yuri, still frowning, inquired at the desk before leaving the clinic.
Director Han Yeowon had said the minimum time for even pain changes was two weeks.
Jeon Yuri hadn't expected much.
Of course, she'd quit after fewer sessions plenty of times.
Busy with work after one or two visits, she'd think it wasn't the place and stop.
But hadn't she stuck it out longer with doctors she wanted to believe in?
When trying hard, she'd even sought famous TV doctors.
Yet symptoms worsened, leaving steroids as her only option.
What can you do about something you're born with? Don't resent the unchangeable—do what you must.
Jeon Yuri had driven herself harder that way.
So she hadn't come expecting relief this time.
Just that PK Honorary Chairman Choi Gwijae had connected her—she needed to show face.
A mere herbal doctor couldn't help her career.
But even if the condition didn't improve, she could thank Chairman Choi for the treatment as an excuse.
Not directly tied to our company, but he got me business cards from big shots.
She planned meetings with them all.
Any excuse to connect and open up...
Won't hurt my exec promotion!
Her next promotion to executive was nearly certain.
No one in her rank matched her performance.
Plus, she wanted to show she could handle external roles as an exec.
Throb.
Her head ached amid surging ambition, but Jeon Yuri was expert at ignoring it.
Yet just ten days after the first treatment.
Reviewing a newbie's proposal, Jeon Yuri suddenly realized.
"Hm?"
"Gasp, something wrong?"
"Nothing. My head doesn't hurt much."
Reviewing plans like this always throbbed—yet today, nothing.
"Oh, you like the proposal?"
Her team member's eyes sparkled, but no way.
Or did they bring it thinking it'd pass?
"Good idea, but references are a mess. Gotta teach newbies basics every time?"
"I'll fix it!"
She almost snapped but stopped.
Getting mad mid-sentence would just drain her qi—her loss.
Better email must-fix points.
"Redo and bring back now..."
"Finish before my trip—do it tomorrow. Early out today."
Strategic Planning leaving 30 minutes early? Unheard of.
With their team lead arriving 6-7 AM and staying till the end, no one dared dream.
"Team Lead got something today?"
"No external schedule, right...?"
While they eyed her puzzled, Jeon Yuri stood first.
"Gasp, did she just smile?"
"Even Team Lead's in a good mood pre-promotion?"
She suddenly needed to leave.
It's really okay.
This moment, headaches nearly gone.
Director Han called the faint pain "close to tension"—always there.
On a scale where worst migraine bursts were 10, 2-3 was constant discomfort.
Forgotten when focused, throbbing on breaks.
Aura migraine spikes made work hell.
But today? Fine.
Aware and still fine.
How long since last time? College? Early career?
Painkillers worked then?
Fastest to leave, Jeon Yuri wandered aimlessly.
Just feeling outdoor air this moment.
No headache, warm sun on skin—precious.
Was Busan sky this pretty?
Cloudy, hazy with fine dust as always—but irrelevant.
This instant, world's most beautiful.
Expected pounding anytime, but
peace lasted far beyond her worries.
"Hope reborn after ages. Too long since even a moment pain-free."
Jeon Yuri's face twisted.
No tears, but on the verge.
"First trip with such peace. Truly grateful."
Of course, zero pain lasted one day; next morning at work, 1-2 returned.
"Good. Changes within the timeframe I mentioned."
"Yes! No aura migraines in two weeks! Livable like this. Please let it hold."
"I'll get you there. Just follow through."
Hope shining, her face incomparably brighter.
No frown, sternness gone.
"Confirmed improvement—keep treating post-trip. Pulse shows upward qi settled, but unavoidable external stress could stir it."
"Straight here after returning."
"Your choice, but... I recommend herbs too. For migraines and overall health."
Brief hesitation, then eager nod.
"You improved me this much—trust you'll prescribe well. Best ones."
With patient this receptive, no more needed.
I said confidently.
"Just trust me."
Clear remaining blockages, restore damaged organs.
Even Madam Heo's granny took long but improved hugely.
Jeon Yuri, if she stuck like now, 90% recovery possible.
Herb consult, sent to decoction room.
Then finished head: pain sites, temporalis, masseter, occipitalis meticulously.
"Oh, initial wait? Right in."
Heading back, spotted mother-son duo outside.
Busier mornings today.
Chart for son, 22.
Males this age usually injuries—surprisingly, herb consult.
"My boy seems heat-stricken, brought him."
Symptoms unseen since returning to modern Korea.
Martial world folks sought summer tonics often, but...
"Hot summer, yeah. Outdoor job?"
"No, college student."
"Ugh, holed up without AC once?!"
Son stiff-lipped, mom burst.
Her guess spot-on.
Face beet-red, qi drained. Shallow rapid breaths too.
"Any reason...?"
"...Electricity bills too high."
Patient blurted.
Mom pounded chest.
"I'll go mad! I live rural Sacheon, son got into Busan uni, rents near school—encouraged it. Told me officetel, but semi-basement one-room, skips AC to save more!"
"Aigoo..."
"My gut's rotting. Fix him please."
"Fine if left."
"Fine my foot! Please. Back farming, bro and I like this—herbs cured us."