I Became the Oriental Doctor for Divine Beasts - Chapter 116

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A physician for the Divine Beasts
#116
Lee Ja-in’s gaunt face and darkened eyes bore the unmistakable marks of suffering and sleepless nights.
I drew a chair close to the bed and spoke gently.
“Hello, Lee Ja-in. I’m Go Yeon-hee, a Korean medicine physician. I’ve come today to help with your treatment.”
At that simple greeting, tears welled in her eyes again.
“Doctor…….”
Her lips trembled.
“Please. Help me. Please…….”
Her mother, sitting beside her, turned away and quietly wiped her eyes.
‘Oh dear.’
I swallowed a quiet sigh.
Over these past months, I could see plainly how much this patient and her family had endured.
“Of course. I’ll help you.”
Though my heart ached, I kept my expression composed and offered a gentle smile.
I couldn’t afford to fall apart in front of my patient.
“Now, let me examine your condition more thoroughly.”
I began a detailed Diagnostic Inquiry into Lee Ja-in’s state.
“Lee Ja-in, aside from the pain—do you have any other symptoms?”
Leaning against the bed, Lee Ja-in opened her mouth slowly.
“I almost can’t sleep because of the pain. I wake up constantly in the early morning. My hands swell frequently, and some days they feel burning hot, other days ice-cold. The color of my hands changes too—sometimes they look purple.”
“And in your daily life—anything else that troubles you?”
“My appetite has dropped so much. Lately nothing tastes good. And since I got sick, I’ve been extremely sensitive to cold. My body feels chilled all the time, and my hands and feet are always cold.”
“How about your menstrual cycle?”
“It used to be regular, but after I got ill everything became chaotic. The period pain got much worse too.”
Her mother, sitting nearby, added her own words.
“My daughter was originally such a healthy eater—a robust constitution. But ever since she got sick, she’s become only half herself.”
I checked her pulse, examined her tongue, and nodded slowly.
‘Just as I thought.’
From a Korean medicine perspective, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome could be viewed through several different Differential Diagnoses.
Qi-Blood Stagnation, where circulation of vital essence and blood was blocked.
Liver Qi Stagnation, where stress had caused qi to become constrained.
Yin Deficiency with Excess Fire, where insufficient yin led to relative heat accumulation.
Cold-Damp Obstruction Syndrome, where cold and dampness blocked the meridians, and so on.
But Lee Ja-in’s case presented a distinctive picture: the severe pain had obstructed her Qi-Blood circulation, and prolonged suffering and insomnia had depleted both her qi and blood reserves.
In other words, she had Qi-Blood Stagnation complicated by Deficiency Syndrome.
I explained it as simply as I could.
“In Korean medicine terms, your condition reflects a situation where the body’s circulation has been obstructed for a long time, and now your overall vital essence has become severely weakened. You have Qi-Blood Stagnation overlaid with Deficiency Syndrome.”
“Qi-Blood Stagnation…….”
“Simply put, your body has been crying out for help while draining far too much energy.”
Lee Ja-in and her mother listened to me with serious expressions.
“So the treatment must work on two fronts simultaneously: calming the pain while restoring your depleted Vital Essence.”
I held up two fingers to illustrate.
“Korean Herbal Medicine will replenish your qi and support blood circulation, while acupuncture will help stabilize qi-blood flow and ease the pain. I’ll come to the hospital directly three times a week for Acupuncture Treatment. I’ll also monitor your sleep and appetite continuously, adjusting the therapy gradually as we go.”
“Yes……!”
The moment I finished, her mother sprang up from her seat, bowing repeatedly.
“We’ll follow your instructions, Doctor. Whatever helps our daughter get better, we’ll do anything.”
Lee Ja-in’s eyes reddened as she spoke as well.
“I’ll work hard at the treatment. Thank you for everything.”
Perhaps because I’d successfully managed her pain episode just moments before, both patient and guardian seemed to place complete faith in me.
Well, it had certainly been an intense first meeting.
‘Since the acupuncture showed results… I think it’s okay to cautiously hold some hope.’
I was turning to leave the room when——
“Um…….”
Lee Ja-in’s mother stopped me, speaking hesitantly in a low voice.
“Director. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you—privately…….”
Her eyes flickered with anxiety.
“Would you have a moment?”
“Of course.”
It seemed like the sort of conversation she couldn’t have in front of her daughter.
I moved with Lee Ja-in’s mother to the Hospital Ward Lounge.
A quiet space, sunlight streaming through the window.
…….
She fiddled with her hands for a long moment before finally speaking.
“Director. Since it’s just us—please be honest with me. What are the chances my daughter will recover? Will she be able to graduate college safely and live a normal life?”
I paused briefly, then answered carefully.
“The outcomes vary greatly from patient to patient, so I can’t give you a definitive answer. It’s true that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is not an easy condition to treat.”
“Ah…….”
“But there’s no reason to lose hope entirely. She’s still young, it’s been less than a year since onset, and most importantly, she showed a positive response to my treatment.”
I reassured the guardian, whose expression was beginning to crumble.
“Some patients experience significant pain reduction and are able to resume their studies or work life without difficulty. So please don’t despair—let’s work through this together.”
Only then did her shoulders relax and she exhale a long breath.
“Oh……. Thank you. I’d rather bear the pain myself.”
The guardian offered a hollow smile.
“Our Ja-in was such a bright child originally. She was attending the Fashion Design Department, drawing clothes all day long and working on assignments until dawn, and she was happy doing it.”
“I see.”
“But then suddenly she caught this strange illness, had to take a leave from school, and now she can’t do anything…….”
Her voice broke off, trembling.
The mother’s appearance spoke of exhaustion from no short period of caregiving.
Her rough hands, her frayed hair, the deep shadows beneath her eyes—all of it touched my heart painfully.
I spoke quietly.
“You’ve both endured so much—patient and guardian alike. I promise I’ll do my very best. So that Ja-in can return to her ordinary life.”
The mother wiped her tears with the back of her hand and smiled bitterly.
“Just hearing that gives me hope. I want her to return to normal life so badly, but I’m not sure if it’s really possible…… She was a senior in college with a job offer already lined up from a good company, and now everything’s fallen apart…….”
The mother couldn’t find words to continue.
I bowed my head silently.
I loathed these formless illnesses with a fury.
‘Why must innocent people suffer like this?’
If I could, I would erase every disease from this world without hesitation.
Of course, then I’d be unemployed—but if that were the price, I’d shed my white coat without a second thought.
Of course, that’s nothing but fantasy.
There was only one thing I could do now.
‘Return to Baek Myodang quickly and carefully prepare Korean Herbal Medicine for Lee Ja-in.’
That was the best action available to me.
* * *

Baek Myodang Yard.
“Unnie, I heard you got your first consultation request from Baek Ho Hospital recently?”
Jeong Ra-bit, who had come today for treatment and a visit, sat on the platform bed stabbing a slice of apple with a fork as she asked.
“Was it a very difficult illness?”
“Well, you see…….”
I gave her a brief explanation of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Ra-bit tilted her head while listening at first.
“My goodness!”
When I told her that the patient had gotten a small cut from sharpening a pencil and the illness began after that, her rabbit ears popped straight up on top of her head.
“There’s actually an illness like that? How dreadful……!”
Her ears drooped, and her eyes glistened as if she might cry.
“She’s at such a beautiful age. How hard that must be.”
“Right?”
I sighed quietly too.
“Still, she did show a response to my Acupuncture Treatment. If things go well, she might improve.”
At that, Ra-bit’s ears perked up again.
“Of course, Unnie! I’m sure she’ll get better!”
Then something seemed to occur to her, and her eyes sparkled.
“Oh, that reminds me—so you’ll be going to Baek Ho Hospital often from now on?”
“That’s right. Why?”
“Because we’re having our Luna do a charity event at Baek Ho Hospital soon!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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