Chapter 203
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: Hiking and Business Proposals
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Han Hyun-su, with his martial build, was judging things from his own perspective, which led to that kind of misunderstanding.
He was a talent that any decent sword sect would have eagerly snatched up!
"No need for tonics. I've prescribed bruise salve for three days, so with today's treatment and keeping an eye on your progress, that should be plenty."
Yoon Jeong-min's external injuries were indeed slow to heal, but the treatment medicine would suffice.
With today's acupuncture to boost his recovery, there should be noticeable improvement even on the three-day prescription if things went well.
No need to prescribe expensive tonics.
"Worry more about yourself than tonics for your friend."
After a quick explanation about the medicine and advice not to resort to force next time, he was done.
In a rule-of-law country, you use the laws and systems!
This time, it had worked out because the opponents were immature teens, but if they'd tried to fight back instead of just getting beaten and reporting it, Han Hyun-su could have faced disciplinary action or even criminal charges.
"So, unless you can cover it up 100%, go with the law over your fists... uh?"
Oh no, he shouldn't have said that part.
Master kept drilling weird ideas into him, and now they slipped out naturally.
"Got it."
Thankfully, the intent got across.
He pouted a bit but nodded with a knowing smile, seeming convinced.
"And if you really want to build up Jeong-min's body, I'd recommend exercise and bulking up over tonics."
"Didn't you just say no fighting...?"
"Who said anything about fighting? It's about building confidence. Even if you don't actually throw punches, having the confidence that you could if needed makes you walk tall."
That's why he never flinched at any troublemakers.
Just yesterday, that headache of a grandpa threw a fit about needing ID, but he'd handled it smoothly, hadn't he?
"Oh, yeah, you're right."
Han Hyun-su seemed to relate.
"Um... Director? Hyun-su?"
Unlike him, Yoon Jeong-min's voice from the next bed over—where he'd just started his heat pack—sounded anxious.
Exercise would probably help fix that timid side too.
"Ah, start by building stamina first, even if you bulk up later. The back mountain has great energy, so it'll be more efficient than a gym or treadmill."
He even recommended a spot ideal for aerobic exercise with abundant qi.
"Thank you. I'll go with him."
"Huh...?"
"We played basketball today, so skip it. Starting next week, weekends on the back mountain."
"Uh, uh-huh?"
Hm, the conclusion felt a bit off somehow.
Was this okay?
"Alright, time for acupuncture."
"Ah, yes. Over 90% better now. Can I remove them if it doesn't hurt?"
"Sure. Keep treating until the pain when walking is gone, and you're good to stop once twisting doesn't hurt."
"Yep."
He treated Han Hyun-su's thoracic sprain as usual.
Soon after, once Yoon Jeong-min's heat pack and physio were done, he went over for acupuncture.
Standard elbow treatment for the muscle and ligament first, then needles around the bruised spots on his shoulder and arm.
This wasn't about hitting acupoints precisely—it was to improve circulation around the insertion sites.
"A lot of them, but okay?"
The wide area left Yoon Jeong-min looking like a hedgehog.
"Yes, I can tough out the pain."
His beaming smile somehow tugged at the heartstrings.
"Still, speak up next time, don't hold back."
"Yes... Thank you."
Yoon Jeong-min blushed faintly and bowed his head.
He'd follow up a bit more and ask how the teacher handled it.
For now, both body and mood seemed improved—truly a relief.
Talking hiking with those two patients suddenly made him crave a mountain climb himself.
'I've been working too hard lately.'
Especially when busy like this, exercise was key to mustering energy, right?
Physical stamina could be maintained with qi cultivation at home or the clinic, but moving the body also cleared the mind.
"Chairman~ How've you been?"
So he called Choi Gwi-jae after a while.
She'd reached out three times first; time he returned the favor.
Including Madam Heo, he'd been invited over several times, but switching from four to six days a week at work left no time lately.
"How about hiking next Friday?"
If yes, great; if no, at least he'd been polite.
The back mountain solo would do fine anyway.
- Hiking... Hm, no snakes this time, I hope?
Of course, possible.
One sighting last time didn't change the independent probability of snakes on mountains.
"If one shows, I'll catch it and make sure you don't see."
Honestly, they weren't that common on trails anyway.
He could handle it before Choi Gwi-jae noticed.
He spoke confidently.
- Then let's go. Phew, surely not again.
She had a mountain in mind anyway, so they set to meet at Geumjeong Mountain base.
Just like that, the hike with Choi Gwi-jae was on.
- Can I bring my grandson?
The day before, she checked with him.
"Director, long time no see!"
Somehow, Park Sun-yun tagged along too.
Like last time, he didn't seem the voluntary hiking type. What was up?
"Cable car first..."
"Ah, yes. I'll get the tickets!"
"Thanks. Just one-way down, so three one-ways."
"Pardon?"
No need to refuse the kindness, but Park Sun-yun looked at him in confusion.
"Cable car one-way? ...To take down? Walk up, ride down?"
Why did that sound broken?
"If not riding down, then up?"
What was he saying?
He and Park Sun-yun tilted their heads, not getting each other.
Why take the cable car up a mountain?
"No, we're hiking—gotta walk! Who rides up?"
He was baffled where to start, but Choi Gwi-jae snapped first.
"No, Grandma! You said cable car at Geumjeong!"
"Obviously for the way down!"
Park Sun-yun grumbled that it was anything but obvious, face twisted in agony.
"You insisted on coming. Tickets bought—let's move!"
Seemed a communication mix-up.
Businessman making that mistake.
Common sense: cable cars for descent, right?
In murim, climbing sheer cliffs without inner power, lightness skill for descent—that was standard.
"You wanted the views, and knees take a beating going down."
No knee pain now, but at her age, degenerative arthritis could strike anytime.
Better safe.
Park Sun-yun nodded reluctantly but eyed the cable car line wistfully on the way to the trail.
"Ride up solo if you want!"
With Choi Gwi-jae's scolding, the three hit the trail.
But as expected...
"Huff, huff."
Park Sun-yun was panting at the base.
"You brought him, Chairman?"
Tricked?
He asked, but Park Sun-yun barely had breath to answer.
"He said he had something to tell you, so I brought him."
Huh? Park Sun-yun initiated?
"What's up? Hurt somewhere?"
"Huff. Haah... N-not... that, business... related..."
Business?
No talk since rejecting the last proposal.
Needed consulting?
"Sorry... Just... hear me out, reject if... huff, no prob. Casual pitch... during outing."
Probably feared instant rejection like last time, so tagged along.
He could've said at the clinic casually.
Anyway, thirty minutes in and this winded?
Hard to gauge modern stamina levels.
Hwang Seo-young would've whined to rest by now—she was dramatic.
Choi Gwi-jae was just slightly winded, fine otherwise.
"Rest break?"
A bench appeared, perfect timing.
"No! You two exercising, I tagged along by force! Can't slow you!"
"Right! You stuck your nose in—keep up!"
He was pacing for Choi Gwi-jae anyway, so slowing was fine.
But grandma smacked her grandson's back and strode ahead.
"Huff, huff...!"
Thus, they summited without breaks.
He was impressed by Park Sun-yun's grit.
His story came out at the top, sipping water, catching breath.
"Thing is, I'm very interested in Seongsu Clinic's external decoction room."
"Ah, okay."
"Don't bother the director—get to the point!"
Choi Gwi-jae poked him; Park Sun-yun looked wronged.
Ha, sure. Business needed some buildup.
"Wondering if you plan to spin off the decoction room into a corporation, like a stock company. If so, I'd invest first."
"Pardon?"
The punchline was utterly unexpected.
Corporation? Stocks? What?
"Doesn't seem that scale yet."
Just An Ju-hee and one packer; no big investment plans.
Her R&D was covered by decoction profits.
Hand over stocks for funds? For what?
Separate lab? Buy a building?
"I get it might feel premature! But business-wise, funding or expansion will come soon! Just saying think of me first—casual over hike, haha!"
Anyone could see roles reversed.
Hm, normally golf chats, probing gently?
Not gasping post non-stop climb?
"Got it. Thanks for the offer. Will call if needed."
Harmless, so he brushed it off lightly.
No billions needed now, but who knew.
Over kimbap, ramen, water, he heard Park Sun-yun's global biz—Middle East expansion, sorta got it.
"Wow, great views."
Post-hike cable car down, tears welled in Park Sun-yun's eyes.
Ordinary mountain, but like a legendary vista.
"Good work today. Safe trip."
"Yes! Think it over—call anytime!"
Hoped his biz boomed enough for that call.
Chuckling at the pie-in-sky talk, he saw off Choi Gwi-jae and Park Sun-yun.
Investment was distant.
But globally, their clinic was impressive too.
Top handful in Busan?
"Long time, doing well?"
Ahmed—the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Korea—visited often.
"Same as always. Migraines better?"
"Yes. Seoul treatments when they flare, but mostly refreshed. Never thought no painkillers possible."
His homeland friends envied; nice words about remote consults.
"Glad to hear."
"Here for my son today. Rhinitis worsened after Korea—want a consult."
Desk notes: Majid, 6 years old.
Recently from Saudi, per context.
"Um..."
"Tissue?"
Sitting quietly during their chat, he fidgeted, glancing around.
He knew right away.
Hand over nose, pleading eyes.