The Genius Doctor of the Mount Hua Sect - Chapter 18

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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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Hwasan Sect Medical Genius — Episode 18

‘I won’t enter into a contract with a physician who lacks skill…….’
It wasn’t particularly surprising.
Among physicians organizing their affairs, there were occasionally those of this sort.
People who didn’t wish to sever the proper lineage of genuine Medical Arts, one might say.
“I hear several physicians have already tried approaching that estate, but they were all turned away, it seems. So…….”
“I should go see it for myself.”
Baek Hyeon spoke in measured tones.
“If I’m to be tested, it’s better to go in person and meet face to face. There’s nothing dangerous about it, so I can simply go and return at once.”
“But Baek Hyeon, aren’t you worried? If you fail, that would be the end of it…….”
“Even if I should fail, it won’t hinder me from opening a clinic. I can simply open one elsewhere instead.”
“Ah, yes, I see.”
“Besides, I’ve grown rather curious about who would set such a condition. Elder, would you permit me?”
“Hmm.”
Un Am considered for a moment, then nodded his head.
“Of course I permit it. But don’t go alone — go with Un Sang.”
“With Un Sang?”
“Yes. This is a separate matter, but I hear the atmosphere at the Baek Geom School has become quite troubling. We’ve judged that those fellows might harbor resentment from the last martial tournament and attempt something underhand.”
“I see.”
To think that an Orthodox sect would receive such an assessment — hardly expected.
Yet such talk doesn’t arise without reason. There must certainly be grounds for such suspicion.
‘Then it’s right that we go together.’
At minimum, with Un Sang present, I can handle whatever arises. They won’t find it easy to touch an elder disciple of the Hwasan Sect either.
“I understand. If Un Sang will accompany me, I’m all the more assured.”
“Yes. I’ll speak well of it to Un Sang.”
Un Am nodded and regarded Baek Hyeon with a pleased expression.
“Then I’ll entrust this to you.”
“Yes. I won’t disappoint you.”
Baek Hyeon had confidence.
Confidence that even if whatever physician appeared, they would have no choice but to acknowledge his skill.
With such thoughts, he finished preparing to depart. Soon enough, Un Sang, having heard the matter, sought out Baek Hyeon.
“Come now, let’s go.”
“Yes.”
The destination was a clinic located on the outskirts of Hwaweum County.
Perhaps it would become a new base for the Hwasan Sect.

* * *

After arriving in Hwaweum County and walking for some time, a signboard reading “Baek Ya Clinic” came into view in the distance.
As for the facilities… to speak plainly, they weren’t particularly impressive.
It looked like nothing more than an ordinary house converted into a clinic.
‘But this is the usual state of things.’
Some renowned physicians lived in grand estates and commanded numerous servants, but most physicians scraped by day to day, eking out a meager existence.
A physician’s income varied enormously depending on their skill.
One who formally studied Medical Arts under a true master differed inevitably from one who read a single fraudulent medical text and masqueraded as a physician.
‘Indeed, I wonder what sort of person practices medicine in this place…….’
The two men stood before the gate and called out to whoever was inside.
“Is anyone here?”
“…….”
No answer came. Yet faint breathing could be heard, so it seemed certain that someone was inside.
“People from the Hwasan Sect have come. We heard you were seeking a contract…….”
“There are people suffering from contagious illness. Those who haven’t eaten or drunk for several days. Their typical symptoms are, respectively, fever, headache, and chills. What treatment should be administered to these people? Should they be given meals to restore their vital energy?”
It was an abrupt question.
This must be the test, then.
The moment they entered this place, an examination to identify fraudulent physicians had begun.
Baek Hyeon pondered briefly before answering.
“Feeding them rice first would be a terrible approach.”
At Baek Hyeon’s answer, the physician inside fell silent.
“If someone hasn’t eaten or drunk for days, the depletion of vital fluids is more urgent than a weakened digestion. Feed such a person suddenly, and the stomach won’t accept it—they’ll only vomit.”
“Then what should be done?”
“First, we must examine their consciousness and pulse to confirm they can swallow water. There’s a risk the water will go down the windpipe if someone is unconscious. And for the conscious, we need to ask whether their tongue and mouth are dry, and when they last urinated.”
Baek Hyeon raised one finger.
“If their mind is clear and they have no trouble swallowing, give them small, frequent sips of lukewarm water with a pinch of salt and honey dissolved in it. But never give them too much at once.”
A second finger went up.
“Next, the patients should be separated from one another. Even if they all have the same fever illness, those with cough and those with diarrhea, and those with chills at regular intervals—the root cause may differ for each.”
“When should they be given food?”
“Only after confirming they can drink water without vomiting. At first, give them thin rice gruel—barely any grains left—little by little.”
Baek Hyeon paused, then added:
“Reducing the fever comes after that. If we blindly use cold medicine without knowing the cause, we’ll only damage the yang qi of an already weakened patient.”
Un Sang, standing nearby, felt his jaw drop at the fluent stream of answers.
Though it was obvious and orthodox when examined closely, to think it through in an instant and apply it immediately was another matter entirely.
The physician inside must have sensed something, for the door opened.
Creak.
“Come in.”
As they entered, the smell of herbs washed over them.
Various medicinal plants were laid out. Baek Hyeon moved carefully, observing the elderly physician within.
“The owner of this clinic is called Baek Ya, I see. It’s a pleasure to meet a physician of real skill after so long.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir. I’m Baek Hyeon, a second-generation disciple of the Hwasan Sect. This is Un Sang, an elder of our sect.”
“Pleased to meet you, Elder Baek.”
The old physician studied them both, trying to get a sense of who they were.
At that moment, Baek Hyeon noticed something unusual in the man’s eyes.
‘His eyes…’
They were quite clouded.
White opacity had gathered inside the old physician’s pupils. Baek Hyeon understood then why he wanted to sell the clinic.
“Circular cataract.”
The old physician spoke in a melancholy tone.
“Or white cataract, as it’s also called. A rounded white opacity forms inside the eye, and vision fades away.”
“How long have you suffered from it?”
“For some time. Until now I managed well enough and could still run the clinic, but… it seems I’m reaching my limit. That’s why I’m selling.”
The old physician spoke thus and served them both herbal tea.
“Still, I’m grateful a skilled physician like you has stepped forward to take over. Until now, only strange charlatans came by, and I thought there was no hope left.”
“What sort of people came before?”
“Those who couldn’t answer the questions I just asked you. They wouldn’t examine a patient’s condition at all, and some had the audacity to say their own suspicious concoctions would cure everything. Blind or not, I had no intention of selling to such swindlers.”
“That was wise.”
“You seem young but quite knowledgeable. Is that because you come from a prestigious school?”
It appeared Baek Ya had mistaken Baek Hyeon’s knowledge for something learned from Hwasan.
‘Doesn’t matter.’
What mattered now wasn’t where the Medical Arts lineage came from.
Baek Hyeon continued calmly.
“Sir, as I mentioned beforehand, we came to purchase this clinic.”
“I know. And I’ve already decided to sell it to you. You passed my test.”
“It seems like a place of great importance—are you truly certain?”
“Of course it’s important to me. This wasn’t a place I ran alone, you see. I ran it with my daughter.”
The old physician’s expression grew bitter.
“She was a good child… she loved using her skills to help the poor. But one day she went into the mountains to gather herbs and simply… disappeared.”
……
“Most likely she encountered a tiger in the mountains. I only hope she went peacefully…….”
The old physician wept as he spoke.
Only briefly.
“Ah, I’ve dampened the mood with needless talk. In any case, let’s proceed with the contract. You brought the contract with you, yes?”
“Yes.”
Baek Hyeon nodded and looked at the old physician.
“Before we finalize the contract, I have one proposal for you, sir.”
“Hmm? What would that be?”
“Once we take over this clinic, would you be willing to continue working here?”
The old physician’s expression suggested he hadn’t heard correctly.
“Surely you can see my eyes? I’m likely to lose my sight very soon. How could I see patients with eyes like these?”
It was a reasonable objection by any standard.
It seemed this world had physicians who were blind, and yet not everyone could manage such a feat.
But what Baek Hyeon proposed was something different altogether.
“If I could restore your sight, sir?”
“What?!”
The old physician’s eyes flew wide open in shock. His expression screamed disbelief.
“I don’t care for jesting about such things. Is it truly possible for me to see again?”
“At least we can attempt it. Of course, there is a risk of blindness if the treatment fails, so the decision to proceed must be yours alone.”
“B-blindness, you say……”
The old physician swallowed hard.
It was a natural reaction.
How could he not feel the tension of his eyes potentially failing entirely?
Especially when cataracts had been such an intractable disease that he’d never known anyone to successfully treat them.
“How can you be certain you could treat such a thing?”
“I understand your skepticism, but I already have experience with this. I’ve seen successful cases with my own eyes.”
Of course, this was not experience as Baek Hyeon.
It was the Hwaseo-myeong of the divine.
It was experience gained by pooling all the knowledge passed down through generations of his lineage—and yet since he was Baek Hyeon, it was fair to call it his own.
“Hmm……”
The old physician fell into thought.
Soon his expression grew grave.
“Ordinarily I would never entrust such a thing to you. Subjecting a young child to such a dangerous treatment makes no sense whatsoever.”
And yet.
“I don’t know why, but I find myself wanting to trust you. Since I’ll lose my sight anyway if left alone…… I wish to receive the treatment.”
“I will not disappoint you, sir.”
Baek Hyeon nodded solemnly, his expression grave as he spoke.
“I will restore the light to your eyes.”

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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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