Chapter 25
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Thousand-Year Pine Poria
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Poria. A fungus that parasitizes pine trees. The part closest to the pine roots is especially called Poria Spirit.
In China, it was said that the overflowing vital energy of the pine leaked out through the roots, earning it the name of an elixir for immortality. Even in ancient Greece and Rome, it was known as the "food of the gods."
Its effects are impressively varied. It stabilizes the mind and body, acts as a diuretic while strengthening kidney function, provides antioxidants to prevent aging, helps fight cancer, and more... I often used it for insomnia or cystitis patients. Back in the murim world, it was a precious herb you had to pay extra to obtain.
'Truth be told, hardly anyone knows about it these days.'
Is it expensive? Well, it's still on the pricier side, but not like deer antler or ginseng that everyone recognizes. In the modern era, where cultivation is possible, a few mouse clicks let you buy it anytime, anywhere.
Of course, that's only for ordinary poria.
'Wow, if I'd found this before my exams, I could've memorized a whole book a day.'
When buying ordinary poria from a pharmacy, like other herbs, you barely feel any inherent energy from it. Its components simply get digested to produce certain effects and flows.
But this one...
'Beyond a divine herb. It doesn't just restore vitality—it could even cure dementia.'
Truthfully, it was almost embarrassing to call it poria. Just like Snow Ginseng is no longer mere ginseng.
If I had to name it... hmm, Thousand-Year Pine Poria?
I carefully selected and gathered every cluster brimming with spiritual energy into my bag.
And what was I going to do with it?
"Guess I'll have to eat it myself."
Ordinary people can't digest energy so potent it's palpable even from the herbs. It's an elixir to me, but if a normal person swallowed it whole, it'd be straight poison.
What if it had fallen into that scammer's hands? Pure disaster.
The old man seemed to have luckily gained a bit of inner power, but that wasn't guaranteed to always happen.
Yes, to prevent some random person from falling into qigong deviation, I'd have no choice but to take it all.
"Whoa, my bag's about to burst."
After harvesting all the poria, the eerie pine tree from moments ago now looked strangely beautiful.
If my master had seen this sight, he might've composed a poem on the spot. Too bad my literary talents are lacking.
Regrettably, I turned on my smartphone and snapped a selfie with the withered pine as the backdrop.
"Hee hee hee."
Unlike the angry climb up, my steps down the mountain were unbelievably light.
The more I thought about the poria in my bag, the better my mood got. Grinning the whole way, I covered 10 kilometers back to the city.
Ah, feeling good is great and all, but...
Of course, I didn't forget to stop by the police station and submit the evidence.
Having wrapped up my short trip with a harvest far beyond expectations, I returned to Busan.
"Today's another fun~ commute~."
"Director, you're bursting with energy from Monday already."
"Hehe, should I hook Inae up with some tonic too?"
"Really?"
It was just a casual remark, but Seo Inae's eyes lit up like she'd been waiting for it.
"Okay, hold on a sec. I snagged some super rare herbs."
In principle, herbs foraged from the mountains can't be prescribed as medicine, but gifting to a friend? That's fine. Hmm.
Handing it over raw would lead straight to qigong deviation, so it'd need processing... a lot of it.
"You gathered the herbs yourself?"
Curiosity about whether doctors do that kind of thing was written all over her face, but I didn't explain.
Telling this whole long story would tank the director's credibility in a heartbeat.
Conveniently, there was only one patient at the moment.
As soon as clinic hours started, I needled Grandma Heo Sunnam and headed straight to the decoction room.
"Time to make some Gyogamdan~."
This Thousand-Year Pine Poria was too potent to use alone. Best to powder it and add just a tiny bit to various herbal formulas.
When it comes to poria or Poria Spirit, the first formulas that come to mind are Clarity Tonic and Poria Heart Tonic. There are countless prescriptions, really. It even goes into spleen-fortifying formulas like Guipi Tang for insomnia.
But for something simple, Gyogamdan it is.
"Powder it all, mix into dough, and done."
First, I cut out the potent sections rich in vital energy from the poria.
This part's for me. Only someone like me, who can handle real poison effortlessly, could manage it.
"Now, powder the rest~."
Blenders in the modern world were a godsend.
I grabbed a handful of Xiangfu—the ultimate stress reliever—from the drawer and tossed it in with the poria.
The cheerful whirring of the blender was music to my ears.
"Done! Perfect!"
I kneaded it with honey into pills, wrapped them in gold foil, and finished up.
They actually looked pretty legit.
"Inae, a little gift for you!"
Running a practice must come with headaches and stress galore. I gave her one batch of Gyogamdan.
"Selling it starting today?"
"Nope, I'll prescribe it only when absolutely needed. Just keep it in the fridge!"
What remained was absorbing the vital energy from the trimmed poria. In the director's office, I meditated during breaks between patients, gradually taking in the elixir's power.
Ah, power surging!
Even while treating patients, I could barely contain the overflowing energy.
Before, I'd only regulate qi via acupuncture in tiny amounts when necessary, but now I could pour it on generously without worry.
"Yu Minha, how's this week been?"
"Good. Thanks to you, Director."
"Any good news?"
"I sent out a ton of resumes, and one place called me for an interview. I got the job—starting next month!"
"Oh my, congrats!"
"Thank you so much. If not for my menstrual pain being cured, I never would've applied for a job standing all day."
I paid extra attention to Yu Minha and others needing mental and physical stability, fine-tuning their qi.
"If work stress hits, let me know. I've got just the tonic."
"Yes! Condition's great right now. The acupuncture today feels extra refreshing."
Those sensitive to qi felt it immediately; others noticed within days.
"My headaches are completely gone. Can I get the same treatment as yesterday?"
I'd digested it to pass on just the helpful amount.
Though tailored to constitutions, it was incredibly useful for office workers and seniors alike.
"Director, Ijin's skills have improved dramatically—it's shocking. Her physical abilities were always top-notch, but now her situational judgment's better too."
"Nah, must be your great coaching."
"It's thanks to you."
"Another gift? I said it's fine!"
"Just a little cake."
Among them, Kim Ijin saw the biggest gains.
"After your treatment, I feel 20 years younger, kiddo!"
Grandma Heo Sunnam, who'd followed my advice with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbs, was no slouch either.
Severing her hypertrophied yellow ligament from spinal stenosis and curing her chronic insomnia had brought a vibrant glow overnight.
Not figuratively—her skin wrinkles actually diminished.
"Hehe, you're too kind."
"Today, she dragged her new beau here for some tonic. Says she's taken up tango, and now her son calls him her boyfriend?"
"Pleased to meet you. Any discomfort?"
"None. Well... you know! The good stuff!"
"I'll do my best."
Just the other day, patients weren't coming in droves, but suddenly all ten treatment beds were full.
'Phew, no more bankruptcy worries.'
Word had spread among seniors. Thanks to a bit of blog management, young folks could find the clinic easily too.
This was stable enough.
Keep this momentum for six months, and I'd pay off my opening loan!
[Yeowon, doing well?]
Amid the frenzy of clinic-to-home commutes, a message came from an unexpected person.
'Who was this again?'
The chat name "Korean Medicine Internal Medicine Lee Yujin Senior" suggested a college senior, but oddly, no memory.
Over 20 years by my count—normal to forget unless we were close or hated each other.
[Doing great ^^ How about you, Senior?]
[Heard you opened a practice. Jieun was worried, glad it's going well. Nothing big—just thought to let you know about my wedding. Swing by for a meal if you have time.]
I'd sent a safe reply after much thought, only to get a mobile invitation.
"Ah, figures."
Just a standard collection plate? Say I'm in Busan and can't make it.
[Yeowon, you going to Yujin Senior's wedding?]
As I was about to send congrats and done, Hwang Seoyeong messaged too.
[Was I close with this senior?]
[? lolololol]
[Clinic's so busy, student days feel like a past life. Can't remember.]
[Hmm, over 2 years no contact, kinda awkward? But I owe her from third-year practicum, so I'm going.]
Hwang Seoyeong listed classmates attending. Not many real friends beyond class prez and her, though.
[Come too! Let's catch up!]
Hmm. Not my style to answer blatant collection calls. If it were real gratitude, I'd remember.
[You must be raking it in—show up dripping in luxury! Shut up those who said a commoner opening a clinic would flop!]
...Such people existed?
I'm already fuzzy on classmates, yet she tracks everyone.
Anyway, a friend who'd genuinely worried wanted to see me. Time to change my mind.
Practice is set. Past time for a Seoul trip.
[No fancy clothes but I'll go ^^]
[Weekends off, so I can go in person to congratulate! See you at the wedding!]
I confirmed attendance to Hwang Seoyeong and Lee Yujin Senior.
After Gyeongju, long trips felt less daunting. Plus, KTX to Seoul was quick!
A few days later, Korea University Affiliated Korean Medicine Hospital.
"Hwang, on duty today?"
"No, Lee Yujin's on duty."
The hospital closed at 6, but for interns, regular hours meant little. Finishing charting by 9 was early compared to all-nighters half the time.
"Heading home? You look beat—sorry. Got a favor."
"Yes. Urgent?"
But a professor snagged him. Professor working late too—emergency?
Calls came even on off days at home.
"Hm. Conference presentation this weekend, but in English. You studied abroad, right?"
"...Just a short elementary stint."
"Haha, you'll spot it quick. Review the PPT and script by morning—no awkward bits."
Not hospital work, apparently. With the world's sorriest face, the prof dumped his task.
In school, he seemed just research-focused over teaching—a normal prof. But as a colleague, he was a pro at offloading.
"Got it."
What could an intern do? Orders were orders.
'Wedding trip means prep work ahead... Nap one hour, then start.'
Hwang Sanghun crashed into bed at home. But his mind was too heavy.
The script? Nah, he'd struggled sleeping even on quiet days for ages.
Quiet days being rare, that is.
"......"
He lay there, eyes shut, but eventually got up.
'Sleepy.'
Exhausted. Bone-tired drowsy. But sleep wouldn't come.
Since when? Early hospital days, he'd nap whenever. Now, unease all day; even six free hours, no sleep.
On-call insomnia? Patient calls anytime. But home too? Serious.
'Back to the hospital.'
Shortly after arriving home, Hwang Sanghun changed. No sleep anyway—better review early.
His "study abroad" was just high school/uni in the US—not native fluency for quick reads.
Wrestling English till dawn—nearly commute time.
'5 a.m.'
Tried squeezing 30 minutes, eyes shut tight—impossible. Fog in his head for months blocked focus and sleep alike.
'Hope I don't mess up.'
Should've slept today. Duty yesterday, tomorrow, wedding the day after.
Scraping by awake so far, but a sleepless week? Next week?
Hwang Sanghun donned his gown, checked the mirror.
"No wonder patients think I'm the Grim Reaper."
Truly, a haggard mess unfit for eyes.