Chapter 28
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Phlegm-Heat in the Diaphragm
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"It was Banxia Xiexin Decoction syndrome after all. Makes sense—heartburn too, so pinellia it is. Ginseng to help with the loss of appetite, clear out that stomach heat... Yeah. I got too fixated on the insomnia."
Hwang Seoyeong spoke up.
They'd all gone through the same training, so there was no need to explain each herb in detail.
Instead, she jotted down the dosages, adding a few notes on adjustments.
"You can cut back on the scutellaria. He's not drinking anymore."
Out of the seven herbs, scutellaria and coptis were clear-heat agents. In Korean medicine, "heat" didn't just mean fever—it often pointed to inflammation.
Banxia Xiexin Decoction was the go-to formula for reflux esophagitis or gastritis, where those clear-heat herbs played a starring role.
"Pinellia is the key here."
But the phlegm-heat gumming up Hwang Sanghun's diaphragm put phlegm first and heat second.
As the top expectorant, pinellia would break up the phlegm and calm his hypersensitive nerves, letting the heat fade naturally.
"You're right. My chest has been so stuffy—it was phlegm all along. I just figured it was work stress."
"It always starts with stress. The treatment depends on how the body reacts."
Hwang Sanghun stared hard at the prescription I'd written.
"...So this is how you go straight for the root. I was like Seoyeong, fixated on insomnia remedies. Guipi Decoction, Sanjoin Decoction, that sort of thing."
"Not a bad approach. You've got to ease the immediate discomfort too."
Of course, stress was one of the prime culprits behind diaphragm obstruction. Relieving nervous tension was never a bad idea.
But there was a reason I hadn't worked it into the main formula.
"Brew the decoction like this, and take these pills alongside it."
Xiangfu and poria were already in the special meds I'd brought.
"What's this? Gongjin Dan?"
"Gyogam Dan! I used some top-shelf poria to make them. Actually brought them thinking Seoyeong might need them for stress, but you need them more, so here."
"What's Gyogam Dan?"
"...Xiangfu and fushen."
"Hahaha, got it, got it!"
His diligent studying paid off—he knew the formula by heart. He shot his cousin a faintly pitying look, and she pouted before flicking his forehead.
Watch it, I thought. Don't go collapsing again.
"Xiangfu will unblock the stagnation and settle that sensory overload. Poria will do wonders for stabilizing body and mind."
"Exactly. If it weren't diaphragm obstruction, this alone would do the trick."
Hwang Sanghun had clocked not just the formula, but the reasoning behind it.
And it wasn't your run-of-the-mill Gyogam Dan either. The poria in there was extremely—no, incredibly special.
"Thank you so much. I'll take good care of them. Starting the decoction tomorrow too. I've learned a ton."
He popped one pill right then and bowed to me sincerely.
Unlike my earlier teasing, this gratitude was the real deal.
"No need. Letting you stumble around like that? That'd be striking out as a doctor."
Ah, one case down!
Hwang Sanghun kept thanking me, but honestly, I thought he was on the verge of keeling over from frustration.
How do you just leave that? Doesn't it make you want to fix it?
Back when I lacked experience and skill, my ambition burned hotter. When prescribing for patients, I'd push for the best possible outcome within my limits. But for my own ailments? I'd experiment with bold herbs.
Side effects were a mystery—you could only test them on yourself.
My curiosity once peaked so high I half-wanted to catch some new bug on purpose.
'Even begged for poison once... Yeah, he was pissed.'
My master had zero patience for the old Sichuan Tang custom of making physicians taste-test a thousand poisons and ten thousand drugs.
—Go tell the Poison King that. He'll be thrilled his Lightning Venom Eagle finally found a true disciple and hand it right over. And you won't wake up the next day.
He was gentle with fellow physicians, but that was the first and last time I saw the fierce glare he reserved for clan rivals or enemy sects.
Ah, but now I'm grateful he set me straight. Too healthy for my own good these days—what a shame. Mad scientist much?
"......"
"Wah!"
Lost in old memories, I locked eyes with Hwang Sanghun, who was staring at me with the exact same thoughts.
"You scared me! Why the stare?"
"Just... you're so cool. Or... I'm jealous."
"Huh?"
Ridiculous. Two chaebol heirs sitting here jealous of what?
"Same here. I want to say it just like Yeowon: 'This is your issue. Take this, and you'll be fine. Trust me and follow my lead!' All confident like that."
"Your grandpa doesn't diagnose that way."
Their grandfather—and founder of Hwangje Korean Medicine Hospital—was legendary for his charismatic style. There were probably NewTube videos floating around of him raising the bedridden like Jesus.
"Grandpa's got~ tons of experience."
"So stack some of your own."
"Dunno. Even a hundred years of training, and I doubt I'd match you."
"If Grandpa won't teach you, come to me. I'll pass it on apprenticeship-style."
"For real?"
"Seriously?"
I'd just tossed it out there casually, but Hwang Seoyeong shot up and shoved her face in mine.
She'd always loved picking my brain back in school, but now even Hwang Sanghun's eyes were sparkling at me.
"Why so thrilled? I'm not your prof or senior—just a peer."
"Nah. I noticed a shift in your aura after China, but now with a bit of training, I get it. It's deeper than our hospital directors—like Grandpa's inner power."
"Yeah. Dad and my brothers are business whizzes, but you're... different."
Why the hype? What had I even done?
I hadn't cured Hwang Sanghun with one needle. Just wrote a prescription. Talk about overkill.
"Well, if you're still unsure after residency, come be my deputy director. I can at least advise on tough cases."
"Ooh!"
"...For real? No backing out?"
Hwang Sanghun said the last part. Being an intern must be tanking his confidence right now.
At Korea University Affiliated Korean Medicine Hospital, professors handled diagnoses, residents managed wards and afternoon treatments, and interns assisted. Hwangje was similar—minimal authority, maximum grind.
After three years of residency, hanging out a shingle seemed meh by comparison. They'd be deep in weekly conferences, papers, and heavy cases, feeling superior.
But if they actually showed up?
"Hmm, two specialists volunteering as deputies? That's a win for me. I'll expand the clinic and make the rooms—just don't slack off waiting."
Auto-farming goldmine.
Delegate routine care and treatments, while I just advise. Most patients—80%—had similar issues anyway. I'd handle the high-level incurables from the big leagues.
Sounds perfect!
Post-grad, 100% playtime got stale fast. Run the farm when I feel like working, train noobs for that sense of progress—life needs that spark.
'Even half like back at the clinic would be fine.'
Right before returning to the modern world, I'd been buried in Soul Return Great Law research, barely treating patients myself. But hashing out tough cases with my disciples? Pure joy.
'Trade research time for travel and games—ideal!'
During school, I'd craved modern luxuries. But opening my practice taught me the truth.
I loved treating patients.
Sure, seeing them recover, live happily, and express thanks was great. But nailing the perfect formula? Electric. Like fixating on crit damage over loot in a game.
"Whoa! Classic Yeowon! I'm coming right after residency!"
I nodded.
They had just under three and a half years left. Plenty of time to expand the clinic.
"Anytime. I even bought this place with extra consult rooms, figuring on deputies someday!"
"Ooh, I didn't catch the director's grand vision and opposed it—my bad!"
Surprisingly, there was actual warehouse space being used for storage. Clean it up, spruce it, and it'd make fine consult rooms. Ten beds now, but rejig the partitions and curtains, and we could fit five more.
Hilly spot, but spacious for the rent.
'Flawless. Triple the patients, hire new deputies! And if it booms... branches?'
Long road ahead, of course.
We'd just stabilized at one doctor, one staff—and that took months. More learning and experimenting to come.
But failure? Not on the table. Management, marketing—dive in now.
A quest notice fired me up.
Picture twenty branches like Haneul Clinic or Hwangje Hospital, then jet off traveling. Couldn't help grinning.
Money's the key. Burning savings with no income bred boredom after six months of freeloading. That nagging "gotta work someday" vibe? No wonder weird videos and books hooked me.
In the murim, hoards of gold couldn't buy a cell phone. Here? Sky's the limit.
"I was totally lost about post-hospital life, but this puts my mind at ease."
Hwang Sanghun said it, watching me smile over my grand plans.
Aw, poor third-gen hospital heir!
Honestly, I doubted he'd show. Finish university residency and trek to connection-less Busan? Even cut off from parents, a guy like him could land anywhere.
Sure, I'd heard the economy sucked and jobs were scarce. But tall, handsome male Korean docs? Zero-tier demand.
"Tomorrow's fine. We'll even hook you up with lodging for solid sleep."
I threw my arms wide in exaggerated welcome to both.
Hey, knowing there's an escape hatch during hospital hell might be some comfort.
As we chatted, the Gyogam Dan kicked in, easing the pent-up frustration in his chest.
He headed back to the inferno with a much improved look on his face.
'Anyway, treatment complete.'
Feeling accomplished, I saw Hwang Sanghun off, then caught up with Seoyeong and savored Seoul's night.